--

- Corellia, Column Controlled, Orbital Skyhook….

'The Circle’ skyhook had everything Cypher needed to work her magic. A room designed with wall to ceiling holo-graphic projectors. Another room, hydro-cooled with the same unit used on large scale starships was filled with server banks and data storage. Most of it had shadow capability. Meaning it ghosted the entire holo-net saving data based on whatever parameters Cypher placed in the engine.

In the center, 'a fountain'; not comprised of water or liquid; though it often flowed like a liquid. A tremendous projector that served as a release valve for the massive data flow which passed through interconnecting conduits between the data room and the holo room. Cypher was more powerful than she ever been within the holo-net thanks to The Column, but more importantly thanks to Ajax. The combined resources of 'The Circle' and the Column made her near omnipotent in the ways of data and holo-net technology. Thanks to the Column’s algorithm when something didn’t quite add up or fit into the current level of technology or the parameters she set to search for, it stuck out. The Column equation was able to track those trying to hide that kind of data because it always left a trace.

It started with very minor reallocation protocols. Logistic trains that showed the possession and movement from Mirial to secure sites on various Republic core worlds. Coruscant was the primary destination. But there were also shipments to Corellia, Commenor and various uninhabitable facilities within the sector. Droid controlled. Another level of protection from hands on theft. But that kind of security didn’t prevent slicing.

Tracking it was easy and something she was asked to do by both Karolin and Marstel. Already having the inventory, she tagged things with key words and algorithms. Then something strange happened. Some of the tech or its associated programming started showing hits outside of scheduled logistical routes. Different, but definitely associated with the tech coming out of Mirial. Inquiries for normal materials to companies once associated with the Organization. Anyone just looking at normal ebb and flow of shipping manifest would have seen nothing. But when the key words started to overlay the tech she was tracking it was clear. Some of the tech coming out of the De'nabre Stronghold was already out in the wild. Reconstructed. Not complete like the whole tech items being shipped. Cypher was confused, it made no sense. If Karolin and Marstel set the whole thing up to try and trap those who would steal the very technology they were using as bait, how was some of it already out and about? Cypher started following it long before she sent an alert. She needed to make sure.

Already a master of tech and information, what Cypher lacked was practical experience and application. Cypher got all of that and then some among the varied beings associated with Marstel and the Column. Stories about the Sith, Jedi, Imperial Agents, Commandos and Mandalorian were all very real for her now. And all of that experience made all of what was once just trillions of teraquads of information suddenly make sense. Improving her, improving how she saw and utilized all of it.

Inserting a tricrystal synthdisk, Cypher downloaded all of the information and schematics for the tech which somehow escaped the vaults of the De'nabre. Not really sure what she had. She was not a scientist or even a Cybertech. Smarter people than her installed the augments and systems within Cypher that made her capable of doing what she did with Holo technology and the holo net. It wasn’t until she started reading it, absorbing the information that she realized at least one facet of the Generational Mirialan technology the De'nabre were safeguarding on Mirial. Her eyes lit up; Cypher’s mouth dropped open. It wasn’t designed for the layman, but several key words jumped out and slapped her.

Words like 'resurrection' and 'download'. The schematic for something called a 'Soul Catcher'. Alien script she didn’t even recognize. It was not something of this galaxy, but beyond it. Definitely something the Generational Mirialans could have brought back with them.

Translation protocols ran script in her mind as she tried to decipher the code. Things started clicking into place. Not all of it, but enough. Humanoids are not meant to live forever. Religion aside, the one life was all they were given, no matter what that individual races longevity was; no humanoid should be able to amass that level of power by living forever. Cypher was fairly convinced, that was what she stumbled onto.

Information and it’s manipulation was her forte. Not tech. And this was something beyond her capabilities to understand. V'ictoria came to mind. The thought occurred to her to reach out, set something up and have the good Doctor take look at it. But the others, especially Marstel and more importantly everyone else after the whole Inferno affair, didn’t trust her. Cypher looked at the datachit again, the schematics were for something implanted. And what she needed was a Cybertech. Someone off the grid. Someone she could trust, but who also wouldn’t be put into danger by her suddenly showing up. She smiled viciously as a thought came to mind.

Picking up the comm unit, Cypher started texting a message on one of her gaming forums. A private message directly to another player.

--

- Surface Level, Coruscant…Underground Domiciles…

Aurora jerked her arm first, looking around frantically. Bright lights from overhead blinded her, she couldn’t see past them. After jerking her arms and legs again she screamed out in rage. Then slowly closed her eyes to try and channel the Force in order to release the bonds which held her to the chair. She found her mind scrambled, sped up in a way that would not let her concentrate. Alzir let her struggle and thrash about for a while, allowing her to come to the conclusion herself that she was not getting out before he spoke. Standing up from the rolling stool close to her as she jerked one last time, Aurora was looking toward the direction of the sound of wheels on the rolling seat.

“…Aurora…’Karolin’…is that right, ‘Karolin’…you share that name?”

“..it’s a family name, asshole!!” Aurora grit her teeth and looked around as she responded, still jerking the arm of the chair, trying to get free.

“…well, Aurora Karolin…I wanted to allow you to come to the conclusion yourself, but you seem feisty. Please, keep struggling. It makes the elixir and substances I’ve already put in you work so much faster.”

“The Unity is my ally, jerk…I’m impervious to—”

“—yes, that’s why I have you on a constant drip. Eventually, my drugs are going to overcome your Unity.” Alzir turned back sharply from his work at the tool table, looking at Aurora curiously. “Unity? I was told you were NOT a believer…that you kind of ‘swore off’ your faith when they kicked you off the planet.”

“Excommunicated, dipshit!!!”

“Ewww, that mouth on you?!?” Alzir laughed, turning back around. “Before we begin, you should know…I have no conscious. Part of the ‘gift’ of my people. We are all a very selfish, self-serving, vain race…makes for great Soldiers, in that we strive to increase our own personal reputations with great acts. The Empire loved us in that regard, back when I served with them. In my case thanks to the Empire I strive for even greater acts to increase my personal reputation. No conscious and no moral balance what-so-ever. This isn’t personal Aurora, never personal….” Alzir turned around again. Aurora could only see the movement past the light, not the man. “That’s doesn’t mean, I am unfeeling. I have lots of feelings. I just don’t allow them to affect my work.”

“Make a point, shithead!!!”

Gritting his teeth, Alzir snapped forward grabbing Aurora by the jaw and looking down at her. His face blocking out the light, but causing Aurora to see more of an outline eclipse of the man. The bright light cascading behind him making him look like a dark shadow. Squeezing the sides of her jaw, Alzir grimaced. “The point…is this. Nothing you say or do is going to make me stop until you give me what I want. More to the point, what Karolin wants. She, asked for this. Asked for me to DO all of this. And I am prepared to do whatever it takes to get you to tell us what we want to know. And…just for the record. I really want to impress her, even though she will never know it was me. I am…in love with your cousin…have been since the day she saved my life.” Alzir slung the head away and stepped back out of the light. He raised the cybernetic arm and flexed the mechanical fingers of it with a slight whine. “She couldn’t save my arm, but she stopped me from bleeding out. It’s not bad…I have no regrets. Allowed me to meet her.” Alzir turned back around. The rattle of tools sounding as he rummaged on the table next to Aurora.

“I am so happy for you!!!” Aurora jerked her arms up again. “Kriff you!!! AND kriff her!!!” Aurora screamed out and continued to just scream for a few moments, until Alzir didn’t respond and she calmed down again. He turned back.

“No one cares down here. People scream all the time in the underground." Giving a slight wink and a smile, Alzir nodded toward Aurora adressing the curses the Mirialan hurled his way. "We’ll get to that…but only if you ask me to, which you will. The kriffing part I mean.” Alzir said softly.

Aurora stopped struggling to try and look at Alzir though the light. A humorous look on her face. “In your dreams, dipwad!!!” She jerked up on the bindings again, they whined under the strain. Aurora was quite strong. “I’m not telling you anything, I’m not—” Alzir’s laughter cut her off. He turned and gave an oblivious look.

“—but you already have. You think you are just waking up?!?! This is the third time you’ve been under and woke to believe you are waking for the first time. Remarkable drug, Deatallin…memory and emotion. The Zeltrons made this as a pleasure drug, did you know that?!?! They didn’t want some of those who partook of the ‘eccentricities’ of Zeltros giving away ALL of their secrets.” Alzir placed a finger to his mouth and looked up smiling. “How did they invent this? Or anything for that matter? The Zeltrons don’t work…how do they do anything?!?” He shrugged taking a step toward Aurora.

“Nerfshit!!” Aurora screamed. “You’re lying, trying to get me to believe—”

Alzir froze his movement and sagged, looking down at the Mirialan. “…so how is your sister? Iseult, I believe you said her name was? Kriffing a Jedi. AND not just any Jedi, but the consort of the Damn ‘Hammer of the Empire’. That guy lives dangerously, let me tell you.” Alzir laughed at himself. “You see her again after that little meeting on Tatooine?” Aurora’s eyes got wide, her mouth dropping open as Alzir smiled. “…oh, I know all kinds of things.”

“Yo-you could have gotten that from security. I was followed, I—”

“…and how many times did you just hide under your pillow when your father did those things to her? I think you said—‘everytime’?” Aurora’s head snapped to the side at those words, looking straight at the image of Alzir through the light. “You know the more I hear about this ‘Telan’dorr', the more I want to kick his ass. Not just on your behalf, but just because he sounds like the kind of asshole that needs a good curb-stompin’…”

“There’s no way, I couldn’t have possibly told you—”

“—much more than that. You are…an open book, Aurora. I know all kinds of things about you. Fascinating stuff. And the more I learn…” Alzir released a sigh and a bright smile. “….the more I like you. NO, really. I really, really do. All of you are extraordinary women. And trust me when I tell you, I KNOW women.” He paused, pulling the stool from behind himself to sit down. Leaning in to get close to Aurora’s face, he smiled. “But what I really want to know is…WHERE is your father?!?!”

--

Laughing lazily, Aurora’s head lulled to the side. She smiled just as lazily, Alzir rolling up beside her brushing the hair out of her face. Under once again, Alzir looked at one of the monitors calculating the drug intake for what was the fifth iteration. She pursed her lips, blowing upward ending in laughter. Trying to help him in moving her hair out of her face. But it was sweaty. The moisture on her face making some the errand blonde hair stick. He brushed again and then flexed his fingers out gathering some of it up to lay it out beside her head. Aurora shook her head side to side violently laughing as Alzir rolled back a few feet. She stopped, locking eyes on him. The lights were much lower, she could actually see him even if it was through some kind of pink haze.

“I feel funny…” Aurora laughed again. “…you look funny.” And again, mad laughter. She stopped abruptly, trying to move her hand again, finding it was still bound. “Haahhahhaha…I’m strapped into this chair.” Aurora laughed again.

“Yes, yes you are….I told you that a moment ago.”

“I forgot…why am I strapped in?” Aurora asked drunkenly.

“I told you that too. You are a dangerous person, Aurora. And you are strapped to my chair for yours and my protection…”

Laughing again, Aurora moved her head up and trashed it wildly back against the head rest before allowing her eyes to settle on Alzir again. “I’m not dangerous…nonononononono…I…am a princess. A CAPTAIN….did you know I am a princess? My daddy told me I was a—”

“—princess, yes we established that. He protected you, safeguarded you. Is that why you won’t tell me where he is?”

Narrowing her eyes, Aurora seemed to ponder the question. Eventually skipping over it entirely. “I was jealous…he spent so much time with Iseult. They had…a ‘special’ relationship.” Aurora giggled and rolled her eyes.

“Yes…I know about that. Did you want that relationship, Aurora?”

“No, nonononono….it made her grow up WAY too fast. She was a woman Loooooooong before I was.” The Mirialan grit her teeth, turning instantly angry. “We just thought…or I did…that THAT was the way things were supposed to be. After he killed our mother, one of us had to do it. HAD TO. He was a man. Men have needs. NEEDS.” Aurora smiled drunkenly and paused. “…she still is. GROWN. More than me. She got…a boyfriend.” Aurora giggled and looked away, her head snapping back just as she did. “HEY!!! Do you…want to be my boyfriend!?! You could teach me. I used to watch…I know what to do!!!” Aurora laughed madly and thrashed her head backward again, screaming out; turning angry. “I HATE THIS!!!! Release me!!!”

“I can’t Aurora…you won’t tell me what I need to know. I may have to take more drastic measures if you keep these secrets.”

“Secrets!?!” Aurora whispered to herself and looked straight up, her voice barely audible. “I have all kinds of secrets…”

His brow twisting questioningly, Alzir rolled closer to Aurora looking down at her face. “Yes…do you want to tell me some?”

“Yes.” She said again quietly.

--

“….and then I killed both of them!!!” Aurora finished speaking and laughed, looking over drunkenly. “One was kinda cute. Made my stomach roll into knots….warm, fuzzy….” Aurora looked up again. She had been talking for hours. The doses getting higher and higher as she thrashed and sweat her way through telling all kinds of secrets, but nothing pertaining to the location of her father. She looked over at Alzir again. “You-You’re cute too…all warm and…fuzzy….” Her head rolled back straight as she looked up into the light. “I wanna…have someone like tha’…I never….” Her eyes closed, tears streaming out of both sides as she fell back into unconsciousness. “Nuh—no one….loves me….”

--

“…I’m at level five on this chem, Marstel…” Alzir spoke quietly as Aurora came to again, looking up and across the room to see Alzir speaking to a holo-unit he held in his hand.

The holo-unit cut off as Aurora’s head fell back against the head rest, her eyes closing to unconsciousness again.

--

When she woke again, Aurora found herself fully clothed. Sitting up in a chair, a plate of food steaming in front of her. She looked up sharply to see Alzir staring at her from the other side of the table. Initially, she wanted to leap across and attack him, but the food. It stopped her. She was so hungry the smell of it held her at bay. Having no idea how long she had been strapped to the chair, the only indication that time had passed at all was the hunger pain in her stomach. And that, for the moment, subdued any need to attack Alzir. He gestured down with his head and smiled.

“Go ahead….I made it for you.” Aurora sneered, slowly digging a hand into the steamed and mashed vegetables. Scooping them up with a hand and globbing them into her mouth. Alzir laughed and shook his head. “…you are truly a beautiful woman, Aurora. One wouldn’t think you capable of being such a barbarian.”

“KRIPH YOU!!” She spoke with her mouth full. A little of the food dripping out as she spoke. Moving forward in the chair and stopping suddenly. Looking down. A pain, slight, but sore from her loins and groin muscles. Only on two occasions had she felt that kind of soreness…and both times it was ‘self-inflicted’ after a night of drunken revelry. Her eyes got wide, she slammed the food in her hand down on the plate and glared. “Really?!?!” Food launched from her mouth as she spat the words and what was in her face toward him. He raised his hands in surrender. “You know…I thought you were scum before; but a rapist?!?! I never considered that you would—or Karolin would ‘allow’ you to stoop so low.”

“Hey….it was your idea!!!”

“What?!?!” I would never—”

Slowly and with the utmost care, Alzir placed a holo-unit down and activated it. Aurora watched the image rez into existence in the blue field. Her mouth dropping open almost in time with what she was seeing and the words that came out of her mouth in the image.

‘…I-I….love you…Oh my UG—’

“Ok…that’s enough!” Aurora stood up and slammed the chair into the table, placing her hands on her hips. “I was drugged, that wasn’t really me. You didn’t have ME!!!”

"The Zeltron's drug curb inhibition and wipes memory. It doesn't change who you are at your core. That's the beauty of it." He stood up, placing his hands on his own hips briefly. "And just so you know. That's the only thing you were on when we did IT. I didn't use any of the other drugs to get you to say 'yes.'...." Alzir’s raised his hands up in surrender again as he smiled. “It worked though. You asked for it…I gave…” His smile got broader, “…then you gave, again and again…and again. I honestly didn’t think you were going to stop. You nearly killed me.”

“I should have!!!” Aurora’s skin tone darkened slightly in embarrassment. She looked up and narrowed her eyes. “I nearly killed you?”

“Yea.”

“So…I was…’good’? Cause you know I don’t—” Aurora was about to make mention of her lack of experience. The other two occasions she had partaken of activity of that kind coming to mind. Intimacy was one of those inexperienced activities she avoided because of not knowing what she was doing. And both times it was terrible.

“—yes, I know and I am not going to say anything.” Alzir stood and rounded the table. Alzir looked around like he was being watched. It made Aurora look around as well, eyeing him curiously. What he did before with the chair and the interrogation, was out of obligation. That all stopped once she asked him. Alzir didn’t lie when he said Aurora asked for it. She did. But once they were together, something changed. Even under the influence, she changed. Aurora got soft, it appealed to Alzir in an almost paternal way. Guilt had him feeling obligated in a different kind of way. Feelings he spoke of not having suddenly determental to his work ethic. He got close to Aurora almost speaking in a whisper, even though he long since turned off any recording or surveillance devices. “In fact, I am going to help you.” Aurora gave a skeptical look. He took her arm, leading her toward the door. “I’m getting you out of here. You told me what I needed to know, but I am not going to see you languish in a prison forever.” Aurora’s face twisted in confusion. “Don’t ask questions, just come…”

"Wait" Aurora snatched her arm out of his hand. "You're doing this--why?!?" The Mirialan narrowed her eyes. "Not because I told you where my father was but--" Her eyes started to get wide as Alzir grabbed her again.

"Just come on." Once the door opened and they stepped through he looked at her. "I swear...you tell anyone about this and I will hunt you." Letting her go, he stepped back. "Now hit me." Without hesitation, Aurora raised a fist. "Wait, wait, wait!!!" She hesitated. "Make it convincing, but not TOO convincing. I know you're slightly pissed so--"

Aurora put a little of the Force behind the punch. Alzir flying backward down the hall to smack in the wall at the end. She walked slowly toward the slumped figure, bending down to grab his face and turn it up toward her. The Wroonian was out cold. She smiled warmly at him.

"Thank you..." Still holding his face Aurora looked down at herself before looking back up. "...for everything. I will find you."

--

-- Coruscant, Office of the Mirialan Senator….

“Where are you going?” Jes only just entered the Senator’s office as Karolin, dressed for looking indiscreet, was walking toward her and the door. A tight brown leatheris jumper. On Karolin it actually looked fashionable. The only clue that she was going out, Jes noticed she had her hair up. Something Karolin almost never did unless she was conducting ‘business’. Of a sort.

“Marstel has the location.” Karolin sneered. “The kriffer is on Corellia…CORELLIA!!! Do you kriffin’ believe that?!?!”

“You’re not going alone.” Jes placed her hand on her own saberhilt and narrowed her eyes. Placing a reassuring hand on Jes’ arm, Karolin smiled.

“I’m not going at all. No doubt he’s surrounded himself with guards or some kind of trap that any one of us could fall into. No, I’m sending someone. I sent word his way that a ‘messenger’ would be coming. I want to give him the opportunity to give all of this up. I’m not a monster, Jes. I want this resolved peacefully.”

“And if he doesn’t comply?” Jes folded her arms over her chest and glared.

“Then…” Karolin looked at her own lightsabers and back up to smile. “It won’t come to that. He’s caught. He knows it and so do I.”

“So where ARE you going?” Jes still had her arms crossed over her chest. Always a protector, something Jes took on as a mandate from her tribe to protect Karolin, though no longer necessary. She could not give up watching over her former Master. Karolin smiled warmly.

“Senator business. Don’t worry, I can take care of myself. I taught you, didn’t I?”

--

-- Coruscant, Industrial Sector…Arcnet Shipwiring, Inc.

“…and yea, though I walk through the Valley of the Dark Lords…I will fear no power greater than my own. For my power flows FROM the Dark Side of the Force. And those who come before me will fall and those who see others fall will fear the coming of the Dark Lord. For mine….is true power and with my coming, all those who deny the faith will cower and beg for repentance in the name of the Sith…”

Sammantha looked up to see where the voice was coming from. A figure that was not there as she dealt with the guards of the derelict Arcnet facility before. A Sith, it wasn’t surprising that one was on Coruscant. It was easy enough to exploit the Republic’s rather liberal travel policy, especially if the Sith traveling was not on the watch list. And Samantha had never seen the dark skinned, rather loud and boisterous Sith before. His voice carried with a magnitude amplified by the Force. The tone in which he spoke was not unlike the voices she heard in the temple on Mirial during a sermon or convocation of praise for the Unity. He looked down at her as he finished the lines and smiled. His saber already lit and smoking in the early morning chill.

It was the feeling of her Mother that led Sam there. The Sith, somehow tied to Mrysti strangely. But that was not why Mize was there. Sent on an errand to try and retrieve Aurora, who had been captured by the De’nabre. Sammantha was not who he was expecting to encounter and not at that location. Having sent word to Karolin to meet him in the Works, he was just about to leave when he felt Sammantha’s presence. So much like Mrysti’s. He had no choice, due to his hatred of his former Master, but to stay.

“…you look just like her you know. Your mother…a fabulous woman. I remember when I was chosen, so happy, so thrilled to be in the service of one so deep and rich in power. She’s a traitor…not only to the true faith, but also to your own. But you should know this. After all, you are her daughter.”

“I don’t know you, Sith.” Sammantha spat out harshly. A laugh followed the words, coming from the man who stood above her on one of the facilities storage tanks.

“That’s not surprising. We don’t often speak of our failures. Something cultures tend to adhere to universally. Except for your Unity. And the Mirialan culture it would seem. Do you truly wear the marks of your failure on your skin? I wonder where you hide the mark that bears your shame in being the daughter of the greatest traitor of all. I wonder if she bore a mark that somehow related to her failure with me?” The Sith spoke with humor as he glared down. “I have great respect for your faith, Mirialan. But it is not the true faith. Only the Sith are the true faith.”

“That mark? It’s on my ass if you want to see it!!!” Sam glared, squeezing the hilt tightly in her hand. “What do you want? I’m not here for you…” Sammantha’s face twisted in annoyance.

“On the contrary…” Mize began, “…you ARE here for me. It was her essence that led you to this point. I am forever tied to her. Just as you are. I know what you want Jedi. And you will not find it here. She’s gone. Has been gone. Longer than simply her physical absence I might add. That’s why they sent her away. Because she’s a traitor to the cause. Her confusion, her lack of commitment. She has no faith. Not even in her own people’s religion.”

“Are you gonna stand up there all-day and yammer on about my Mother…” Sammantha reactivated her lightsaber. The Sith’s intent was clear. Had been clear since the moment she spotted him. Hate rolled off the man. Hate for her Mother, hate for anything associated with Mrysti. And that included Sammantha. Yet, she still didn’t know who he was. “…or come down here and do what you came to do.”

“Impatience. I love it. Not something you expect from a Jedi. But then, you are not ‘truly’ a Jedi are you? Harsh, impatient, crass…I have watched you a long time Sammantha De’nabre. Hoping for this moment. A moment when I could face the daughter of my nemesis. You are more like your Mother than I would have expected.” The Sith spoke again. Performing a flip into the air and landing on his feet across the quad from Sammantha. “Impatience…a trait so prevalent in the women of your line. I can’t tell you how many beatings I took because of my own impatience or how many times your Mother punished me because I was not quick enough or strong enough. No one is stronger than she is. But my faith…it is stronger.”

“Oh…shuuut up!!”

Jumping into the air, Saber overhead, the Sith launched himself at Sammantha. Stepping back and raising her arm, Sammantha caught him in the Force. Slinging him into the wall adjacent to the tank he was formerly standing on. The Sith righted himself in the throw, softening the impact. And launching himself off the wall he would have smacked into. Saber twirling around himself as he once again went on the attack, headed back toward her.

“You have some skill. Not the strength I expected, but skill.” Their sabers clashed in a shower of crimson and green after he spoke. Sammantha stepping back again defensively and merging with the Force momentarily to hide her movements. Appearing to his side as her saber circled fast enough to look like a circular blur. The Sith jabbed deeply into the arc making Samantha stop her spin and step back again. He laughed. “Defensive. Not something I would have expected from one so young and impatient. But it speaks to your intent. You don’t want to fight, do you? You are only interested in finding her…in knowing who it is who knows so much yet speaks nothing that reveals anything.”

“Shut up.” Samantha spoke offhandedly. Thrusting her hand out again, she launched a disturbance which rippled the air around them. Pulling her hand back once she was sure he was caught up in it. Pulling him through the distortion toward her; disheveled and unaware that all of the defensiveness was only to get a read on what or who he was. Samantha struck down, Mize barely quick enough in recovery to block and then spin out from under the clash of saber and back to his feet. He was backing up finally.

“…I will make you a believer. A convert to the power of the Sith.”

“You’re gonna stop talking nonsense and start telling me what I want to know.” Sammantha advanced. Spinning her body around her saber as she twirled it in time with her movements. Leaping into the air to come down hard into the forward momentum of the Sith as he swung and blocked. Continually taking steps back as Sammantha advanced, moving almost too fast for the man to see. Once she landed her strike he screamed; the blade slashing down across his chest armor. Mize fell back into the wall and grabbed the still smoking armor, looking up to see one end of the green blade of Sammantha’s twin saber mere inches from his neck. He laughed.

“You can’t kill me. No one can. I am…forever. The Sith…my faith…it has made me immortal.”

“Care to test that theory? If I separate your head from your neck, I guarantee you the last thought that passes through that diluted brain of yours will not be of your faith.”

Mize grimaced and looked down, dropping the saber he held. It cut off automatically as he stood upright; Sammantha following him with her own lightsaber. He sagged defeatedly and shook his head. “All I can tell you is this…I am not alone in wanting her gone. And those who sent me here are using her absence to do something of great import. Where she is, not even I can get there. Only the highest levels of the Empire have the location of the facility they put her in and you need a navigation beacon to even begin the jumps to try and get to her position. Beacons we don’t have.”

“Who’s ‘WE’….” Samantha kept the saber locked near his neck as she glared.

“We? WE? Child, you truly have no idea, do you? Your family has made enemies all over the galaxy. And all of those enemies are finally coming together. With your Mother gone, all of you are more vulnerable than ever.”

“You failed. Before and today…” Sammantha inched back softly still keeping her eyes on the Sith. He laughed again, his hand tightening over the wound to his chest.

“I didn’t fail. I wasn’t sent here to kill you, Sammantha. Though I really wanted to. No, I was sent to delay you, to keep you from discovering what was in that facility.” Mize looked over his shoulder. Sammantha followed his eyes and narrowed them. “Why else would the Republic use a facility that has long since been abandoned? To hide something so obvious that no one would think to look there. But we have it now. We always had it, even Aurora being sent here was one big ruse. I was supposed to retrieve her, but it doesn’t matter. One piece of the bigger puzzle and soon enough all of you will hear from us again.”

Deactivating the lightsaber, Samantha stepped up to the Sith looking down at him. More than a head taller than the much smaller man. With a lightning quick strike she backhanded him, knocking the man unconscious and glaring down toward him.

“But I have you…and the people I KNOW have ways of making you talk….”

--

“We don’ ‘ave no reason ta git him ta talk.” Marstel looked past the forcefield into the cell at the Sith, giving the man inside a grimace. His eyes went back to Sammantha. “I goh’ tha’ location. Jus’ waitin’ on a few more ‘pieces’ an’ we’re all set. Buh’ this one…” Marstel looked back to the cell again. “…he knows more ‘bout the Organization’s operation than ‘bout Mrysti’s whereabouts.” Marstel let out a sigh, putting a hand on Sammantha’s shoulder. “Ya stumbled on sumthin’ big ‘ere kid. I kno’ ya wanna charge off an go git yur Mother, buh this es bigger.”

The Ratataki moved off after speaking, leaving Sammantha and Mize to stare at one another. The Sith got closer to the forcefield. Sam was still dressed in her morning workout clothes, giving a grimace she started to leave as well.

“They are going to kill her…” The words made Sam freeze, she turned back sharply to find Mize staring. His arms crossed, a wicked smile across his face. “…you know that right? She betrayed Darth Vowrawn. Did she really think…he was going to let her get away with that?!?! No one crosses him, not even your Mother. That’s why she disappeared, they sent her away. Just to get her out of the way. And it did so much more for everything else ‘others’ want to get done. Her absence has created a void. One not YOU or your family can even venture to fill.”

“Vowrawn?” Sam crossed her arms and glared inside. “The same Dark Council, Vowrawn?” Mize nodded and took a step back into the shadows. “Why are you telling me this?”

Mize laughed, dropping his arms in a show of utter disbelief. “Because…I already know what you’re going to do.”

“Oh yea?!? What’s that?!?!”

Scooting close to the forcefield, Mize came within millimeters of getting burned. His eyes locked on Sam as they widened madly. “You…are going to try and kill Vowrawn. But you won’t succeed. Instead, my work here will be complete.” Mize waved his hand off in the direction Marstel lumbered off to, sneering slightly. “Not this Organization business. I took that job just to get close. I have always been about spreading the faith. The moment I felt your presence, everything changed for me.” Mize licked his lips. “You are going to become Vowrawn’s whore. And I will live to see you give yourself to my faith…”

Sammantha smacked the side of the cell angrily and leaned in. “You will live to eat my lightsaber, assface!!! I am no one’s whore!!!”

“Oh yes you are!” Mize laughed and finally stepped back. “You are a whore to the Unity, to the Jedi. You have been a whore to destiny your whole life. But all of that is about to change.” Mize turned around and walked back into the darkness of his cell, only his voice being heard. “Vowrawn is going to spread those petals and show you your true nature. And I will revel in the essence of it…especially when the last thing your Mother feels is you ‘giving’ yourself to the Dark Side.”

--

-- Coruscant Galactic Starport, Coruscant….

Marstel walked through the main concourse, a grimace twisting his face looking down at the blue image of Alzir holding his head and looking shamefully up at Marstel’s image on his end. The information was transmitted to Karolin already, even as Marstel’s sister was pursuing her own leads. Things were getting complicated. For the moment, Marstel was dealing with Alzir’s unbelievable admission that he ‘kriffed up’. Taking pity on Aurora and releasing some of her bindings so he could feed her.

Apparently, the drug hadn’t done the job he thought it had. Aurora snapped to, hurling Alzir across the room as Aurora made her escape. At least that was the story he was giving. Marstel was taking it all in as he made his way to the private hangar bays and the arrival of the other two individuals originally part of Alzir’s team. Marstel was sending them on alone. With a few additions. Shaking his head, Marstel pursed his lips at Alzir’s image. The equivalent of an exclamation of both disbelief and raw skepticism. Alzir wasn’t fooling anybody. Marstel knew Alzir and his competence involving things like interrogation. This had more to do with Alzir’s own weakness. Women.

“I jus’ hope ya kno’ wha’ yur doin’. I ain’t sayin’ ya did…buh’ if ya let ‘er go on purpose, yur gonna git burned.” Alzir could tell by the paternal tone and scolding from Marstel he was disappointed and obviously didn’t believe anything Alzir said about accidentally letting her loose. Alzir kept up the ruse by continuing to rub his head as he looked at Marstel’s image.

Alzir looked down shamefully again.

“Gotcha. We’ll discuss this later. If Aurora es loose again hugh kin bet we’re gonna hear frum ‘er…”

Marstel cut the portable off sharply and without a ‘farewell’. Clearly annoyed at Alzir for putting his ‘crotch’ ahead of his work ethic. The incident would cause Marstel to not only reconsider Alzir’s competence, but his trustworthiness. His weaknesses had never interfered with his work before. Marstel knew of Alzir’s predilection for beautiful women. And Aurora was definitely his type. Kicking himself, Marstel never considered that the Mirialan’s beauty would get to him. Something to consider for the next time, if there was one.

Sliding open, the personnel door for hangar access allowed Marstel to step through. They were already in the hangar, steam coming from the underside of Waylon’s ship. The ramp was down. Marstel stood a bit taller, if possible, for a man of his size. Walking with purpose after clipping the holo-unit to his belt. Coming down the ramp, Aurore’s shadow preceded the run and the speed at which the Zeltron came down the ramp. Throwing herself in Marstel’s arms to give the big man a huge hug. Anyone looking on would have thought them an item unless they knew Aurore and her preference for droids.

“Hey boss!!!” Aurore exclaimed, smiling broadly. Marstel hugged the Zeltron with one arm releasing her as she dropped her arms off his neck landing with both feet on the ground to look up at him. Slowly, descending the ramp, Waylon came next. His face saying everything he wanted to toward Marstel. Still angry at being used for bait by Marstel to draw out the Organization assassin. Marstel looked down at him and nodded. “He’s still sore…” Aurore thumbed back toward Waylon, smiling broadly. Her head and hair flipping back around toward Marstel. “So, what’s the gig boss, we leavin'?!?!”

The question was meant to include Marstel. Both Waylon and Aurore expected passengers. Marstel being one of them. The big man shook his head. “Ya’ll ‘r…” Opening again, the personnel door slid and allowed entrance for two more. Everyone’s eyes went toward the far side of the hangar. Cora and Deavon slowly made their way toward them all. “I got thangs goin’ on ‘ere. It’s getting’ complicated. Ya’lls part ain’t.” Marstel stopped speaking to allow Cora and Deavon to catch up. Once they were close, Marstel turned. “Major Barku…” Marstel gave a smirk toward Cora in using her official title. It got a beautiful smile from the Chiss and she smiled back. “Deavon….” Marstel nodded toward the Devaronian. Offering his hand out toward Waylon and Aurore in a flourish, he started introductions. “…this ‘ere is Waylon ‘an Aurore, part of my otha squad.” He looked back toward Aurore to finishing answering her earlier question. “Alzir was gonna join ya’ll, buh I need ‘em here.” The statement got an eyebrow raise from Cora, who met the Wroonian earlier in the week when Deavon arrived with Rama’dalla. She said nothing.

“Nice ta meet ya!!!” Aurore exclaimed. Cora frowned at the Zeltron. ANOTHER Zeltron. Cora had no idea what it was with Marstel and Zeltrons. She doubted Murriel would approve and that revelation actually made Cora smile slightly. Cora and Deavon nodded back toward them all.

“I’ll let ya’ll git settled, buh’ I need ya’ll on the road in short order. It’s a long trip, even with this…” Marstel took out his datapad and leaned down handing it to Waylon. “…Nav data. Cora is familiar wif it. It was their teams tha’ goh Mrysti’s location out ‘a Malgus’ personal shit.” Marstel started to turn away as Waylon spoke up.

“I ain’t done with you yet, not by a damn sight. We got business….you and me.” Waylon dropped his bag and walked the rest of the way down the boarding ramp. Marstel turned back as all eyes went to the two men. Marstel gave a very uncharacteristic smile and backed up a step.

“Look. I kno’ yur pissed. Buh, ya understand why I had ta use ya like tha’. They were on to us. I couln’ really have any a ya’ll operational in the field if ya were being tracked.” Stating the fact simply Marstel rose both arms up slightly to surrender. He was guilty of using Waylon, but for good cause. “An’ I let Aurore in on it not because I didn’ trust ya, Waylon. Buh because hugh were tha target. Once we shook tha’ hunter, we were in tha clear.”

“Don’t make it right, Marstel. I could’a—”

“Yea, ya could’a…” Marstel interrupted. “An compromised this next phase of tha’ plan. We don’ need tha Organization knowin’ we’re goin’ out ta git Mrysti. Their whole plan is bankin’ on tha fact tha she’s outta tha picture.” Marstel said enough, he turned his head back toward the others. It didn’t matter that Waylon didn’t agree, he was in and he wasn’t getting out. For a moment, Waylon was about to tell Marstel the opposite. Having already threatened to tell Marstel he was done on the way there. Aurore gave Waylon a strange look, half expecting the gunslinger to do what he said he was going to. Instead, Waylon kept quiet, snatching up the bag and walking back into his ship.

“Anyway…” Aurore said shyly to break the sudden tension of the previous conversation. The Zeltron looked at the other two women. “…I’m glad ta have both ‘a ya’ll along. It’s gonna be fun!” The excitement of the Zeltron made Cora frown.

“Fun?” Deavon gave the Zeltron a strange look. One shared with the Chiss standing next to her. Cora rolled her eyes, something not really noticeable due to their glow. “I owe Darth Retuvisa my life.” Deavon spoke up, looking toward Marstel and then Cora. “Anything I can do, I will.” The seriousness of the Devaronian made Aurore retch back slightly. Deavon walked past them all and up the boarding ramp. Marstel started to leave as Aurore frowned, turning back to take her hand and squeeze it. None of it had been easy on the Zeltron, but she had been a trooper. Dealing with Waylon, navigating the information Marstel sent. It was the first op Aurore had run on her own. And she had done brilliantly.

“We’ll talk…” Marstel said to Aurore before turning toward Cora. Leaving the two of them alone, Marstel finally looked down at Cora. “I appreciate ya doin—”

“Save it.” Cora said softly, ending with a smile. “I need to get out of here.”

“RT?” Marstel spoke just as softly in return. Cora nodded her head.

“Murriel says she’s not, but I can’t get past—”

Marstel sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly. His eyes narrowing once he looked down at Cora. “Listen…tha’ dude es in love wif ya. I kno’. I kno’ em better than anyone. Folks make mistakes, we all do. Force knows I dun made my share. An Murriel—” Marstel looked off with a smile and roll of his own eyes. “—I been busy, so ‘ave ya’ll. I’ll git ‘er under control once I see ‘er. Which will be tonight, goin ta tha Senate Gala. RT an Murriel gone be there. Don’ worry ‘bout Murriel. Ya’ll ‘r gonna be fine. Don’ end a friendship ova sumthin’ as petty as a guy. Especially noh one ‘a us…” Marstel laughed.

Leaning forward Cora attempted to wrap her arms around the big man’s waist, failing miserably. Marstel placed a hand on her back and pressed in slightly before the two broke from one another. Cora nodded and walked past him toward the ship, turning back once she got to the ramp.

“Anything ya want me to say to Mrysti when I see her?” Cora said with a touch of humor. Marstel shook his head.

“Naw. Jus’ make sure she’s in one piece and git ‘er back ‘ere as soon as ya can. We need ‘er ta end this Organization thing. Then we kin go back to killin’ one another.”

--

Gamma Section Rendezvous Area, Coruscant….

Aurora was late. Once she reached the area, she flipped the crates in the Force which were hiding the things she was looking for. Finding the Comm unit, she set it up. Spreading the tripod of the transmitter and activating the drive device. It whined loudly and shuddered. An encryption device attached, warmed up in time with the rest of the unit. Aurora bent down and activated the transmission. Knowing it was voice only she was rewarded in her set-up with a distinct click and ‘pop’ of connection.

Aurora recognized the voice and smirked. Reaching down she purposefully flipped a switch before speaking to scramble her voice.

“The shipment was compromised. It was a set-up. Requesting extraction.”

Telan’dorr exclaimed angrily. Annoyed at her father already, Aurora reached down deactivating the switch she flipped a moment before.

“It’s me father…” Aurora spoke annoyingly. “…Karolin set us up. They recovered everything we took from the lock-up.” She didn’t bother saying anything else. Fully expecting to be brought home for the next assignment. Aurora wasn’t expecting anything less.

“I haven’t seen him.” Aurora replied annoyingly. Not that she wanted to. Mize was one of those assets she found not only annoying for a Sith, but grandiose and arrogant. More arrogant than a normal Sith of his stature. Even if Telan'dorr asked, she was not going to stay and look for him. Tapping her foot, she was waiting for the ball to drop.

Telan’dorr said finally

“Fine. Just hurry it up.”

--

Nar Shaddaa, Black Market Techno sector, Domiciles…..

Cypher also known by her real name of ‘Anna’, always traveled incognito. Still one of the most wanted slicers in the galaxy in some circles, traveling to Nar Shaddaa was risky but worth it to get the information she needed in order to verify her theory. It had been a long time since she came to Nar Shaddaa. Though she stole from the Hutts on a regular basis and felt like she knew the place. In a strange way, Nar Shaddaa felt like a second home. She knew exactly where she was going and who it was she was going to see. Though she had never met the fellow gamer face to face. Only having contact with him or her ‘online’.

‘Colossus’ was the other player’s user name. And Cypher had gotten to know them quite well in the many hours they spent online together in her earliest days of surfing the holo-net. Long before she became much more guarded in who she had contact with or what she shared with others online. It was how she knew she could trust him or her. Getting burned not once or twice, but three times by others ended up in nearly getting her caught and the end to her criminal empire. All because she had a big mouth and a desire to be loved by someone, anyone who paid her a little attention online. Cypher told herself, those people weren’t real. It wasn’t real friendship or love. That all changed after getting burned, reading the holo-net the next day that the Cartel raided a holo-net farm in search of her, no one was spared. And some of those in the farm were online friends. All of a sudden everything became too real.

‘Colossus’ was one of the few she maintained contact with. Not because he was just a friend or had been nice to her, but because he never betrayed any of the trusts she shared with him from the earliest days of the holo-net. Though they never met, ‘Anna’ considered him a true friend. Walking along the boardwalk, she started counting doors, looking at the numbers. Government controlled Hutt housing, the Domiciles lived up to their names. Metal doors lined the walk all the way up to the second level of the building, which had another set of horizontal doors lining that level. All of them the same. The only difference the number on the door.

There was a momentary pang of fear as she knocked on the door, then rang the entry chime. What was she expecting? Who was it going to be? Once the door opened, Anna’s first reaction was shock. A man, a very attractive young man with glowing cyber enhancements answered and looked up with a fearful expression. Anna looked up from her hood, her voice cloaked by a trans-changer she spoke and made the young man back up slightly.

“…‘Colossus’…”

“Ya-yes…” The young man may have looked scared, but the smile instantly made any of the fear go away. “Only three people know my handle. And you don’t look like a middle aged Gand or an Ithorian.” Anna reached up and lowered her hood, removing the lash from her throat that changed her voice. She smiled back.

“Hi Colossus…It’s ‘Cypher’…nice to finally meet you.”

"You-Your a....'girl'?!?!" 'Colossus' swallowed hard and smiled. It seemed Anna wasn't the only one who didn't know what to expect. He moved aside and waved her in, after looking out and around to make sure she wasn't followed. Cypher stepped inside and looked down at him. He was a bit shorter than she was. Anna was wearing boots with slight build-ups that gave her a height advantage. Once the door closed, 'Colossus' looked her up and down, Anna even caught him licking his lips. "Wow...I--uh...'a girl'!!! I didn't expect...well you see most who play a female avatar are not actually girls or guys for that matter. We always try to be someone else online...a-and your 'Cypher'!! I mean, like the most notorious slicer in the galaxy!!! And yo-your here--HERE!!! In my domicile!!!"

Looking down shyly, Anna smiled. 'Colossus' cyber implants changed color from a bright blue to a subtle red. Denoting his change in demeanor. The young man was embarrassed. Brushing a lock of hair behind an ear she smiled to herself.

"Yep...I'm a girl." She said softly. Awkwardness set in as the two danced around being shy. The young man finally gestured for them both to exit the entrance foyer and further into his apartment. 'Colossus', who didn't look like a Colossus and more like a Mouse, started picking up clothing and straightening up once she began to follow him further in. He quickly hid a pair of his undergarments which were thrown on the ground behind himself, turning an embarrassing shade of red.

"I--uh...I'm sorry. I don't get many visitors, at least not of the opposite sex--I MEAN, a girl...well, that's not to say I don't HAVE girls here because I DO, I just--"

"It's fine." Cypher smiled and lowered her head again shyly. "I should have called."

"Nonono...I'm glad you came by--anything for you--I mean, a friend...I MEAN WE are friends--UGH..." Colossus dropped the garments and placed a hand to his head. "This is awkward..."

Cypher looked up and smiled again, looking around. It was interesting. Compared to meeting 'Colossus' for the first time, she was not the one being awkward around someone else for a change. For the first time that she could remember, she felt a little like a 'holo-net' star. Dressed in her cyber-jumper, high-leggy boots and glowing arm and leg power attachments. For the first time, she was the one who was making someone else feel small and in awe. And she kind of liked it. Taking out the datacrystal, she handed it to 'Colossus' and smiled.

"I don't want to take up too much of your time, 'Colossus'. I--"

"Granick..." He said quickly, following the giving of his name quickly with another shy smile. "My name...it's Granick..."

--

--

Nar Shaddaa, Black Market Techno sector, Domiciles…..

“…so you can actually slice terminals with those?!?! I had no idea!!!” Granick was busy admiring the system which Anna was showing him. The attachments to her arms which ran the length of both encased with power couplings glowing on her biceps and wrists. “They are like tentacles. And you can collate and access multiple sources at the same time?!?! No wonder you’re able to do what you do. I should have thought of that.”

“Yea…” Anna laughed. “…you should have. You’re the hardware guy after all.”

Granick was running the simulation, extracting the data from the crystal as the two talked to one another. It had been several hours of the two getting to know one another for real and not online. Having been online with one another made everything easier, but getting to see one another still added a layer of mystique. Granick having far more questions for her than she of him. Releasing a sigh, Granick turned around in his chair and looked back at her. The simulation ended just as he turned, Granick turning back to remove the crystal from the dataport, holding it up to look at it in admiration.

“I have to ask you something…” Granick spoke reluctantly. Anna raised an eyebrow. “Why me? I mean—well, look at you?!?! Why would you bring something like this to me? I know you have people who ‘work’ for you that could have easily deciphered this data.”

The words made Anna turn an embarrassing shade of red again. ‘Work for her’, no one worked for Anna. It was more often than not, she was the one doing the working. Smirking, Anna shook her head running her finger over her ear again to place the errand hair behind it. “Thank you.” She said softly. “But no…I—” Anna let out a sigh, “To be honest, I could have given this to any number of my associates, but knowing what it was, I needed to have someone on the outside that I trusted; look at it.”

The admission made Granick’s chest poke out a bit. The young man sitting up straighter. Another awkward silence as the two looked at one another, before Granick caught himself staring at her again. “We-well I—here…” He handed the datacrystal to Anna and sat back.

“Were you able to detail the schematics of the application?”

“Was I?” Granick laughed. “Do you have any idea what this is?” The young man turned back around in his seat, already moving his hands with lightning speed within his holo-field. The data from the crystal transformed into a collected image, rotating in the ions above them as both slicers looked up at the information Granick was producing on it off to the side. “You’ve stumbled on to something incredibly unique. A ‘golden mynock’….” The phrase made Anna look at him strangely. “That’s what we call something unique in Cybertech circles. I’ve never seen anything like this application. An adapter that’s implanted in the back of the neck at the base of the spinal cord.” He turned around to look at her excitedly. “This is basically like an extra life in a game. That’s really the only way I can phrase it. With this application you can download everything contained in the cerebral cortex into the core of the adapter and ‘save’ all of your data.” Anna’s face crunched up questiongly. “Immortality, omnipotence. You combine this with a regeneration interface or genetic grafting protocol and you are back in business. Or hell, you don’t even have to do that.” He turned back around, his hands moving fast again. “Lets say the body this adapter was implanted in was completely destroyed, but the interface was intact. You could extract it and implant it into someone else and ‘BOOM’. That person is back…”

“Wait!!” Anna stood up straight and shook her head holding out her hands in disbelief. “You’re telling me this implant allows someone to download their mind into it and you could transplant them into someone else…”

“Yea!!” Granick exclaimed. “Though that ain’t necessary. Like I said, someone with the science to graft or modify a body could regenerate the person as a whole and reinsert the implant and it was like they were never gone.” Reaching around, Granick took the datacrystal out of her hand looking at it. “This is exactly like an extra life. As long as this is implanted, at your core, you would never die. You could save yourself an unlimited amount of times.” Turning back around he started typing in the field again. “The datafiles for this thing are off the chart, I’ve never seen anything like this…at least not in this galaxy.”

“That’s because it’s not FROM this galaxy.” Granick’s hands stopped moving as he slowly spun in his seat back toward her.

“You mean this is—” Granick’s mouth dropped open. “—alien tech?!?!” Granick was almost giddy as he turned back around. Before he could get facing the other way, Anna grabbed his chair and turned him back toward her.

“Granick…you need to listen to me—” Anna swallowed hard. “—damn it.” She closed her eyes tightly cursing herself. “I may have put you in danger coming here. I had no idea what exactly what this was. But now that I know—listen, you have to leave. Go somewhere, do something. If they find out what you know, they will kill you.” She stepped back drawing out a blaster.

“WHOA!!!” Granick raised his hands thinking she was about to shoot him. The blaster whined loudly as it powered up. “Wait! Wait! Wait!” Cypher fired three shots into his terminal, looking up and aiming the pistol at his server system firing the last shot into it. The system powered down as Granick cursed. “What the actual Kriff Anna!! That’s my—that’s my whole life?!?!”

“I’ll buy you a new one…c’mon….” She grabbed his arm and scooped him up out of the seat, heading for the door.

"Hey..." Granick spoke as she pulled him from the room. "...that thing with the blaster. That was pretty badass. Can you--uh, show me how to use one of those...."

--

Sublevel, J-23, The Works, Coruscant…..

Atal’lia watched Karolin enter the Works, tracking her through the holo-sight of her sniper rifle. Finger on the trigger, she nearly took the shot. But Karolin was quick and cautious. Her movement told a story of one who had been in the sights of many a sniper. Moving in a path which covered her quickly. From one obstacle to another without looking obvious. Atal’lia was good, good as they came at taking the long shot. But a moving target that knew where and how to move. It would take a sniper of almost inhuman quality to make the shot. Even a droid would have difficulty.

Taking out her blaster, Atal’lia moved off her perch and started down.

--

Backroom deals and secret meetings were nothing new to Senators and politicians. And Karolin was becoming adept at weeding out what was worthy of her time and not so worthy. The message was very simple and it gave a clue that anyone not associated with the family and the compound on Miral could have possibly known about. Karolin didn’t look like a Senator, dressed more like a Jedi Knight going to combat training, minus the robes; she pulled the keeper from her hair and shook it out. Looking around once she reached the designated coordinates.

The location was exact. Gent made sure he gave Karolin everything she asked for. The Senators in question, the ones paying for Gent to spy on Karolin organized the drop as a location to pass information from one conspirator to another. Entering the area, she reached out and felt one other hidden presence. Looking up to see that the enclosed maintenance area was free from any aerial surveillance or ability to look in on them. A perfect dead drop. The presence, felt familiar. Karolin had felt it before.

But it was more than just a bad feeling, butterflies flew circles in her stomach. There was no choice in taking the meeting. She had to know, if for no other reason than to put a stop to the Senators plotting against her. The whole affair was no one’s business but her own, but dangerous enough that if Senators were either plotting with the Organization or one of their own, they had to be stopped. The full scope of the Organization’s plan, other than stealing the Generational technology, was not fully known. And if the Senators were indeed co-conspirators or were planning on moving against the Republic via assaulting and taking possession of the technology she was turning over to them; they had to be dealt with. There were many suspects. Only one suspect she was sure of and Karolin already knew his location.

Karolin came alone. And as she entered the sublevel; an ancient and dark maintenance area of ‘The Works’, an area which was responsible for the inner workings of the ‘City planet’ a figure emerged from behind some piping. Karolin took a step back, laying a hand on her lightsaber. The man, a Sullustan by the looks of him, raised a hand in greeting and was just as quickly shot down from behind. Jerking the lightsaber off her belt with a snap hiss of activating plasma; Karolin followed the smoke and trajectory of the blast to the source coming from behind. The image bristled with changing energy; natural cloak for a chameleon.

Blaster leading the way, Atal’lia stepped out of the shadows behind her first target, looking down at the Sullustan before stepping over his body. Blaster pointed directly at Karolin. The Senator smirked.

“I know you…” Karolin said softly. “…Mirial, you’re one of Marstel’s…”

“-- I was never one of Marstel’s. I’ve always been independent. It just happened that our paths aligned on Mirial. And…I made a promise not to kill your sister in exchange for leniency.”

“I guess all of that’s over.” Karolin said sadly.

“Over and done with.” Atal’lia charged the blaster, a high-pitched whine emanating from the weapon as it switched from safe back to fire. The two started to slowly circle one another. Karolin wanting to get in a position for better footing.

“You realize…this is already over. I’m not just a Senator…”

“Oh don’t insult me. Of course I know that. You…are my way back inside. Mirial ruined me, destroyed an otherwise untarnished reputation. But your being a Senator has made you an incredibly hard target. This….was the only way I could get to you. My clients helped, feeding this imbecile the information necessary to get you down off your tower.” Atal’lia leaned forward, her trigger finger starting to squeeze the blaster’s trigger.

“At least, tell me who it is who wishes me dead.”

“I don’t know…it’s anonymous and frankly, I don’t care. You die, I get my rep back and go on to bigger and better things. Goodbye, ‘Senator’….”

--

“Damn it Marstel…” Alzir shook the holo-unit angrily. The big man wasn’t answering. “—set for record and playback once he answers.” The holo-unit beeped affirmative. Alzir held the unit in one hand as he climbed down with the other. His eyes between looking at the projected blue field and the two individuals entering the area at different intervals. Once Alzir caught sight of the third, the same hunter who he had eyes on weeks before he knew it was on.

“—Marstel, it’s Alzir. I’m hot. Repeat, hot. They are moving on the Senator, I have one in my sights maybe more on the way. Requesting assistance.”

--

Karolin screamed out in rage as the yellow blade of her saber caught the arm shield of the hunter. Atal’lia fired. So close, the heat of the tibanna gas infused plasma bolt singed some errand hair that was moving opposite of Karolin’s abrupt motion. That same heat flushing the Mirialan as she squinted from both the clash of sparks on the shield and the flash of the blaster.

Atal’lia was still firing as the two fought. Slinging her shield arm out wide and Karolin’s saber with it. The Mirialan flipped backward and dove left, rolled then came up; jumping right. The blaster tracking her close at every move. Diving backward, only the water of a flowing maintenance evacuation point stopped the bolt meant for Karolin’s center mass from reaching its mark. The liquid extinguishing enough of the velocity of the plasma round that it lost some trajectory. Diving back out, Karolin aimed straight for Atal’lia, only to be met with the boot of the hunter as she spun around, knowing where the attack was coming from.

Running out of space, Atal’lia was systematically shutting down Karolin’s ability to move. It was going to happen. Shortly the Jedi’s ability to dodge, deflect or navigate away from the barrage of bolts was going to come to an end. Rather than reload, Atal’lia discarded the blaster in her hand and snatched the other off her hip in a split-second; continuing to fire. One of the bolts hit their mark as Karolin screamed out, rolling away from the direction of the blaster strike to her shoulder. Twirling the direction and tumbling away, back into the water.

Lowering the blaster, Alal’lia moved forward in pursuit. Sticking her arm through the water and then her face just so she could see. Karolin looked up and saw the teeth, the rippling skin of phase shifting chameleon. The Mirialan shook her head. ‘Not like this…not like—’ The thought was cut off in Karolin. Atal’lia sharply drew the hand back and turned. Through the liquid, Karolin sat up and saw the blurry haze of multiple blaster bolts being fired back and forth. Atal’lia fell, tried to get up and was shot again with a single bright blue bolt from the opposite side of the maintenance enclosure. Quickly, Karolin ducked under the water and came out looking around. The smoking gun of the other attacker came first, Alzir had his hand to his head and surveillance unit; listening. Looking around, blaster out and ready as he waited for another attacker.

Walking over, Karolin looked down at Atal’lia. The hunter was dead. She managed to crawl herself up to the wall before succumbing to the burn from the blaster bolt which penetrated her abdomen, burning out everything vital within the changeling. Kneeling down, Karolin placed a hand to Atal’lia’s head and closed her still opened eyes. This was not the outcome Atal’lia expected when she came down off her perch to pursue Karolin. Leaving the hand on Atal’lia’s head, Karolin’s lips moved silently. A prayer in the Unity for the newly departed.

“…and go with your ancestors, Hunter. Rest.”

Standing up, Karolin looked at her savior and gave a slight smirk. Alzir was still looking around. “Senator…” He said without looking at her. “…we need to leave this area.”

“Another set up.” Karolin spoke, looking down at Atal’lia again, before glancing over at the Sullistan’s body.

“I don’t think so.” Alzir looked down at the first victim and then finally up to Karolin. “I have been tracking this hunter for weeks. I wasn’t able to get close until she moved on you.” Reaching up, Alzir took off the goggles and smiled. Karolin’s eyes got wide, dissolving into a smile. She recognized him.

“Yavin IV…I remember you.”

“Yes, we met after that of course. Though you probably don’t remember. I messaged you several times after you saved my life.” Alzir bowed slightly. “I’m working with your brother. I’m—”

“-- Alzir. Yes, I know…” Karolin gave shy smile. The messages from Alzir were one of the few things she kept from strangers who often sent her things. Though as the messages went on, they devolved more into love sonnets than normal correspondence. She didn’t need to be a Jedi to read the man. “Thank you. I appreciate the assist, though I am sure I would have prevailed. I had the Hunter right where I wanted her.”

“Sure you did, Senator…” Alzir smirked and flourished an arm out for her to follow him. “This way…I will take you back to the Senate….”

--

--

- Aldeberon III, Republic Fire Base Tango….

“Lieutenant…” Corwin looked up from his datapad at the Communications Sergeant. Corwin was already on his way to the communications bunker. Time for the daily briefing from higher command. The Sergeant was hanging half way in and out of the open door. “…I was just on my way to find you, Sir. Priority Message on Holo-cast. From Coruscant…” Corwin raised an eyebrow entering the comm bunker; walking down the few stairs to the lower level.

The holo was on hold, the image paused in mid transmission. Once Corwin was in position to broadcast, he cast a nod toward the Sergeant who was standing by on the terminal.

> The words got a strange look from the Sergeant who was looking toward Corwin. Not really the way an official communication started out. Corwin nodded toward the image and smiled.

“Hello ‘Colonel’…” Murriel frowned at Corwin’s use of her official title. Corwin had connections. It was no secret his family was linked into the higher echelons of Mirial’s Elder Council and that his father; one of the founders of the Mirial Ancestral Guard gave his life defending Mirial against Generational Forces in the recent Civil War. Most also knew that Corwin’s girlfriend was sister of a well-placed officer in the Republic SiS. Having a Zeltron call was not surprising to those who knew all of the information. Corwin’s girlfriend was a Zeltron.

> Murriel looked over from her end of the transmission toward the comm sergeant on Corwin’s end of the call. > The Sergeant turned away with a wry smile, making himself look busy at the comm terminal as the two continued.

“To what do I owe the pleasure Colonel?” Corwin locked his hands behind his back, looking up at Murriel’s beautiful image.

>

“And waste valuable resources on a personal call…”

> Murriel smiled viciously. >

Corwin heard the chime of ‘message received’ and looked down at the holo-unit before looking back up. Murriel was using the information as an excuse to check on him. She was beholden to another, her sister. Wonder constantly asked about Corwin; not agreeing with his reasoning for joining up with the Mirialan Expeditionary Forces when the Republic asked for support from Mirial. The planet still in the midst of trying to be re-accepted into the Republic; they could hardly say no when the Republic asked for volunteers.

“I appreciate the intel, ‘Colonel’. It’s more than we deserve.”

> Murriel leaned into her side of the transmission and lowered her voice. >

“The men are well, we are ready to take on whatever the Empi—”

> Corwin raised a hand to stop Murriel. No way was he taking handouts or an easier assignment just to placate his nervous girlfriend. It wouldn’t be right, not while so many of his countrymen were slugging it out across the galaxy in mudholes like the one he and his unit were on. Corwin shook his head.

“Thank you, ‘Colonel’, but no…I am fine right here.” Smiling weakly, he looked up at Murriel. “Tell Wonder I said—” He paused and looked down, finally looking back up with a warmer smile. “—just tell her.”

>

Murriel terminated the holo-call from her end. Corwin making sure to take the intel she sent and hand it over to the comm Sergeant before he left the bunker.

On ground level again, Corwin checked his chrono. Only a half-hour before the daily briefing. The intel Murriel sent would have plenty of time to make it into the presentation. Reaching down he took out his datapad to make sure he saved a copy for himself and his platoon. The last image he was looking at before he was summoned to the bunker popped up on his screen. A holo of Wonder, taken just a few days before on Zeltros.

When he received it originally he was among his men. Wonder, a truly beautiful woman. Not just because she was Zeltron, but by any female standard; a gorgeous specimen of the opposite sex. Standing on a beach on the perfect world of Zeltros. Her flawless skin sparkling in the second setting sun of the day. A warm and inviting smile, with a caption she typed in because she knew he would save the image.

‘Miss you Corwin….wish you were here.’

The image on his datapad got all kinds of jeers and cheers form his men as Corwin turned a shade darker in embarrassment. The best comment coming from his platoon sergeant who walked up and slapped a hand down on his Lieutenant’s shoulder.

‘Damn Sir, you don’t deserve that…’

Corwin smiled, looking at the image once again. His Sergeant was right, Corwin didn’t deserve Wonder. Looking up at the dusky planet, Corwin shook his head.

“What the kriff am I doing here….”

--

--

- Galactic City, Coruscant….5000 Republica, Apartment of the Mirialan Senator….

‘Could he make it anymore obvious’, Karolin smiled to herself after sitting down at her vanity. A shower was in order following the ‘rescue’. Being in the dank and smelly maintenance area of ‘The Works’. She felt saturated by it. Inside and out. Karolin continued to smile to herself thinking back to Alzir. His rescue and the way he looked at her throughout. That part of Alzir appealed to Karolin, to her own vanity. The man wanted her in the worst way; he couldn’t have made it any more obvious.

But she had little time for any of that. Dalliances, she had few those days. Not with being watched constantly and the work that needed to be done. Still, Alzir was cute in a pompous sort of way. He thought very highly of himself. On the speeder ride back Alzir reminded her once again of the mark she made on his life. Saving him following the battle at the Temple of Sacrifice on Yavin IV. Karolin did her duty, just like the other sages. Making their way through the battlefield healing those they could and saving resources for the next battle that was to come. Be it either with the Revanites or the Empire.

And Alzir was once Imperial. That fact mattered very little now. He was out of the Imperial Army. And he was working for her brother. The part of the story he was very vague on. How exactly he and Marstel came to be linked in some way. Karolin didn’t pry; make believing she was uninterested. Even after she called Marstel to inform him of what happened with the hunter who tried to kill her and send him images of her body. He seemed especially morose after seeing the holos of the hunter. Karolin once again didn’t pry, even after she sensed some further connection between Marstel and the hunter in question.

Taking up the stylus, Karolin selected an appropriate color for the evening’s festivities. Should she go dark and gothy? It matched her mood after surviving the hunter and learning that Atal’lia had been tracking her for weeks. A fact that was sure to get Jes’ hackles up. The hunter was hired by the same Senators that were in league with the Organization or at least the remnant of it. And that meant Telan’dorr. Karolin selected black, raising a hand up to touch the end of each one of her fingernails with the tip of the stylus. The digital nails wavered and changed colors. A rich chrome black filling in the digital surface of each nail as she moved the stylus from one to the other. Karolin extended her hand and looked at it shaking her head before selecting another color.

Maybe an in between color. Karolin selected a rich sparkly blue after resetting her nails to red. Touching the stylus to the pad to select the color and raising it back up to her hand to touch each nail with the tip of the stylus again. The need to look good, but still portray a sense of the ominous was key. The Senators who hired the hunter would see her at the gala. Most likely surprised by the fact that she survived. Inviting Alzir was an added bonus. Having the man who took out their hunter alongside of her was going to send a clear message. That she too had resources, many more than any of them had. That she could outlast any of them. None of the Senators had any idea what they were getting into with her. Tonight, she was going to give them a clue.

Shaking her head again, she smiled after extending her hand and looking at the nails. Blue, it was too sad and morose. The gala was going to be a happy occasion. RT would be pressing the flesh and making his case for the job she nominated him for. Karolin was going to be standing in the den of her enemies to show them not only was she unafraid, but that she was going to take all of them to the cleaners. Not only in the Senate, but outside of it as well. Narrowing her eyes, she dipped the stylus back into the pad selecting her favorite color. Touching each nail to set the color back on her nail tips. Red, it was a power color.

And also Alzir’s favorite color. He made mention of it on more than one occasion.

--

--

- Galactic City, Coruscant – Mortuary Affairs Zone, Industrial Sector….

Marstel had all of the proper IDs passing the security zone and entering the stoic white and antiseptic building with ease. Walking like he been there before, because he had, Marstel marched past the front desk and the Troopers seated there; reaching down to pick up a set of rubberized gloves and a mask before continuing on.

Pushing out on the swinging double doors, Marstel found the morgue empty. Anyone who was ‘supposed’ to be there was locked away in their respective stasis drawers. All of the deceased being kept on proverbial ice inside of stasis chambers until either identification or an autopsy could identify them. Marstel knew who he was looking for. Glancing up at the board and looking at the list of ‘Jane Doe’s’. There were quite a few. He had to narrow the search by looking at the location they were recovered in. Finding what he was looking for, he turned back to the horizontal stasis chambers. Approaching one, he keyed in the code located by the name. Security wasn’t an issue at that point. Anyone who got through the front door was obviously supposed to be there. The morticians having written in the holo-fields the access codes for each chamber so they wouldn’t forget them.

Pulling out the drawer, Marstel frowned looking down at the corpse. They had a history. Marstel, one of the first hunters Atal’lia encountered when she was starting out and then working together again during the recent unpleasantness on Mirial. No one other than Marstel and Atal’lia knew the history between the two. And neither one of them talked about it, even after encountering one another on Mirial. It was personal. More than personal, intimate. Ships passing in the night. Marstel had no illusions that what happened between them was nothing more than a random circumstance. Atal’lia could have been seducing him just to affect her escape on that encounter. But it really didn’t matter. She gave, so did Marstel. And though he did end up letting her go. He never forgot her. Marstel saw a different side than the cold, calculated and blood-thirsty killer everyone else knew. Marstel saw the woman. And he never forgot.

The large Ratataki shook his head. She deserved better. He reached down through the field and brushed the aquamarine colored hair from her eyes and smiled. Why she took the job, he didn’t know. Surely Atal’lia understood that even if she was successful, she would have been hunted for the rest of her life by him. Killing Karolin meant a lifelong death sentence for not only her, but anyone who knew her. And it would have been Marstel that would have had to carry that out.

It was no way for someone to end up. Reaching down, Marstel cut off the stasis field and scooped up Atal’lia into his arms. Moving her over to a waiting gurney. He gently laid her down and pulled a sheet up and over her remains. Pushing the gurney from the room, Marstel went out the opposite way he came in. Choosing to use the back-service entrance rather than going through the front entrance and the myriad of questions that would surely follow. Security was never a problem for someone who was supposed to be there. Who broke into a secure morgue lockup to steal something? Marstel did. As far as the guards and the security would know, ‘Dr. Brubaker’ did. Someone who didn’t exist on the IDs he provided once they initiated a trace program. It would come back to a long dead physician that had ties to the Galactic Hospital.

Loading the body into his speeder, Marstel held no malice toward Atal’lia. Not anymore. She deserved better and Marstel was going to make sure she got it. Hopping in the speeder to head back the direction they found Atal’lia originally, with a minor correction in course. Glancing at his chrono, he had time just to make it to the incinerator before getting ready for the Senate Gala. Across Coruscant it was ‘trash’ day. Shift change for the droids on duty. Monitoring systems would be cycling. It was the best he could do for Atal’lia under the circumstances. And it kept with the traditions she spoke of once. Marstel was more than just an acquaintance. At one time he had true feelings for the changeling. Glancing back, he smiled at the sheet which covered the corpse.

“Takin’ ya home, girl…jus’ sit tight….”

--

--

- Coruscant, Grand Plaza – Senate District…..

It was the first time since any of them had known Murriel that she looked honestly and truly bored. An absolutely spectacular gathering, with all the glitz and glamour that should have made the Zeltron giddy with excitement had been boiled down to her standing rather stiffly by the bar in her crisp starched uniform. After seeing the expression, Karolin knew exactly what was going through Murriel’s mind. Everyone else was dressed to the nines and there she was, in her own estimation by far the most gorgeous woman in the room; reduced to nothing more than the Republic blue of her uniform.

The Zeltron pounded drink after drink. All the while sneering at every fabulously dressed individual who walked by. She wasn’t there for the party. She was there as a Republic representative and at RT's behest, who was there at Karolin’s behest. It was the first time Karolin had ever seen the Zeltron minimized.

The confirmation hearing was still underway. And RT needed to get out and be seen. What better way to be seen than a gathering of all the Senators in the Galactic Republic. Even though RT claimed to hate politics, he was well suited for it. The poster child for the consummate Republic Soldier. Not only did he look the part, RT had the record to back up everything everyone saw at first glance. And things were working out better than Karolin could have planned. Where RT was positioned, Senators were going out of their way to pass RT purposefully. Stopping to talk to him. Look him in the eye and shake his hand. The confirmation hearing may have still been going on, but the confirmation itself was going to be a breeze. RT was going to be confirmed as the next Chief of Staff to the Supreme Commander.

Even Jes looked more in place than Murriel. And that said a lot considering the huge Echani stuck out in almost every situation. Not usually dressed in more than her tribal attire, which was always slight and revealing or more recently the brown of a Jedi robe; Jes looked slightly funny in a formal gown. At least to those who were used to seeing the rather tall and muscular woman in her normal attire.

Standing off to the side, RT did his best to appear entertained. Though his posture betrayed any notion of that. Hands folded to his front, RT held them one in the other looking outward stoically. Murriel wasn’t standing next to ‘that’. It was a party after all. Even if she was reduced to having to wear the uniform.

“I thank it looks good on ya…” Murriel turned around sharply after hearing the voice, face twisting into a wicked smile. “…wander wha’ it would’ look like balled up on my floor.” There was not enough high grade synthweave on the whole of Coruscant to make a tuxedo for Marstel. Yet, someone, somehow had managed to do it. The big Ratataki managed to sneak up behind Murriel, making sure to run a hand over her ample bottom before he spoke. She cocked an eyebrow at his words, tossing the glass back on the bar behind her.

“Ya wanna go find out, lover…I’m game.” Murriel lost the smile briefly giving a cursory glance toward RT. Marstel followed her eyes. “Gotta git permission first. I’m supposed to be here in an ‘offical’ capacity.” Murriel stood up sharply and poked a finger in Marstel’s chest. “Come to think of it…how did YOU git in? This is an official government function and YOU…are persona non-grata at the moment.”

Glancing over his shoulder, Marstel gave a similar cursory glance toward Karolin; who was standing near Jes and an ever encroaching Alzir. The Wroonian was obviously making his big move. Having done his duty in ‘rescuing’ Karolin, she felt obliged to invite Alzir to the Gala as well. As her guest. “I’m ‘friends’ with tha Senator….ain’t hugh heard?!?” They both shared a laugh. Marstel lifting a finger for Murriel to wait right where she was as he started off. Making his way over toward his brother.

--

“Mr. Alzir….” Karolin inclined her head toward Alzir offering a hand toward Jes. “This is Jes…my personal assistant as well as my former pupil. She is a Jedi.” Karolin offered the information as a warning before Jes spoke, just to give Alzir a chance to run. Jes glared downward, not smiling as she nodded toward the other man.

“Jes…it’s a pleasure.”

“The feeling is NOT mutual.” Jes was pissed that Karolin went off on her own and nearly got herself killed. The fact that Alzir had been on station for weeks following the same hunter was a slight against Jes and her ability to keep Karolin safe. She didn’t like Alzir for that fact and after seeing the way he looked at Karolin, she liked him even less.

“Ok…” Alzir pulled the hand back after Jes failed to take it. The large Echani moving off after Karolin shot her an annoyed glance.

“Don’t mind her…” Karolin began, smiling beautifully. “…she is just slightly offended that you’ve been tracking the hunter who tried to kill me for weeks and she never got wind of it. Not even in her security sweeps. I told her it was not a slight on her, but a testament to the ability of the Hunter to stay under the radar.” Karolin used the moment to look Alzir up and down, still smiling. She noticed he was doing much the same and had been since the two of them showed up together at the gala. Karolin was stunning in a very sheer and expensive black and gold braided shimmerslik dress. The slit that ran the length of one leg side exposed much more than most normal politicians would allow. Karolin was anything but normal. She narrowed her eyes. “I notice, you’ve been giving me a curious look all evening. Is something on our mind? Something you wish to ask?”

“No, nothing your ‘honor’…” Alzir used the honorific in jest, bowing slightly. “…just wondering where you hide it?”

“Hide what?” Karolin looked off waving to a colleague across the room, continuing the conversation without looking at him.

“Your lightsaber.”

Turning her head sharply back toward Alzir, Karolin gave a seductive smile.

--

“Hey” Marstel scooted up close to RT and tried to mimic the pose his brother was taking. Both men standing for a moment with their hands folded in front of them. More like statues than anything else, both talking out of the sides of their mouths.

“Hey” RT replied, without looking over at Marstel. His eyes drifted over toward Murriel who was watching them both. “She sent you over here?”

“Nope” Marstel’s reply was short and clipped. He broke pose to turn slightly in toward RT. “I’m gonna take ‘er home. With yur permission ‘a course. This ain’t no place fer her…especially dressed like tha’. Tha’ girl es miserable.” Without saying another word, Marstel moved away. He wasn’t waiting for permission. RT was going to give it anyway.

“Alright” RT called out, causing his brother to pause and turn around. “Just make sure she doesn’t miss the ‘hit time’ tomorrow. We are back on mission as of zero-nine-hundred.”

Marstel gave a half-witted salute and moved back toward Murriel. The Zeltron was already off the bar and bounding toward him; both headed for the door. RT didn’t bother to call out again or chastise Murriel for placing her arm through Marstel’s or snuggling close. That kind of contact was forbidden when wearing the uniform. You were a walking advertisement for government authority when in uniform. One couldn’t be seen as ‘themselves’. Murriel was not one to play the party line.

--

Also on her way out, Karolin paused at a group of Senators who all kept to themselves, conversing among one another. One of which was the Senator from Alderaan, who fancied himself Karolin’s designated ‘mentor’ within the Senate. She smiled as the men noticed her, several of them forcing themselves to even bow or smile slightly. Alzir stayed a careful distance away but in earshot as Karolin moved closer leaning into the group.

“Your assassin has failed gentlemen. As you can see, I am alive and well.” They all exchanged a glance, the Senator from Alderaan started to speak. Karolin lifted a hand sharply showing him the palm of it. “Please…don’t insult my intelligence. Just listen. The game is afoot. And regardless if you are or are not working with the Organization, matters very little. The most important thing here is, I know who you are now. I know what you’re trying to do. You made your play and you failed…now be prepared to reap the whirlwind of that failure.” Karolin bowed slightly and smiled as she slowly stood up. “Good evening, Gentlemen…we will be seeing each other quite soon.”

As they left, Karolin looked over her shoulder after placing her arm through Alzir’s. She waved back at them with the fingers of one hand, giving the group a slight wink. “We never got the information from the informant. The Hunter killed him. We don’t know that all of them are involved.” Alzir spoke softly and almost at a whisper. Karolin was still looking at the group of Senators as she replied.

“It doesn’t matter. What matters is…that they believe I know they’re involved. Now the ones guilty will scurry like ratlings to cover their tracks and their true motives will be revealed. Those not guilty, will do everything to prove their innocence.” Karolin finally looked at Alzir, squeezing in with her arm on his slightly. Her eyes got soft as she looked at him. “I sense you are expecting something…” Alzir flushed slightly as Karolin pulled them toward the exit. “Perhaps…you can’t wait….”

Exiting into the foyer, both walked normally. At the last second, Karolin jerked Alzir hard toward her and into a dark corner near the fresher area. Small as Karolin was, Alzir was surprised by the incredible strength of the woman. He wasn’t a small man. Hiking one leg up, she wrapped it around him kicking the other out behind her to open the fresher door once she planted her lips on his. They fell inside. The door locking from the inside once they both crossed the threshold.

--

- Galactic City, Coruscant…..The Column, Skyhook…..

Marstel laid back, folding his hands behind his head. Feeling her move next to him, only his eyes glanced to the side. Briefly. Murriel slid up and over the top of him halfway, one arm sliding over his chest; the other drawing next to her head which she laid on his strongly beating heart. She listened intently closing her eyes softly, smiling to herself.

“So strong…” She whispered. Almost to herself. Marstel let out a sigh making Murriel stop drawing invisible artworks on the large canvas of his chest. She didn’t look up. Even without her ability to sense emotion, she knew the Ratataki well enough to know something was wrong. “If ya have something to say…” Murriel began softly, “…say it. I hate it when you’re like this.”

Marstel didn’t move, his mind finally resolving to speak. Not one for words, Murriel could tell from how tense he was before and after their tryst, that something big was on his mind. Finally moving, Marstel glanced down at Murriel who was unchanged. Only the back of her head visible; she started drawing again stopping over the neat circular scar in the center of his breast plate. Her finger drew circles around it. Finally stopping in the center. Directly where the lightsaber once penetrated his heart.

“I’m getting out.” Outside the sound of low orbiting ships ascending and descending into Coruscant drown out the silence that ensued. He glanced down again, waiting for a response. Murriel started drawing again, her finger moving down toward his belly. Drawing lines and circles as she spelled something. Marstel read it in his mind. “Why?” It was a statement. Marstel didn’t bother to repeat the question Murriel spelled on his skin. “….’Cause it’s time. ‘Cause I’m tired, baby. Tired ‘a chasin’ all my family ‘round. Tired ‘a havin’ ta hold all ‘a this tagether.”

Murriel’s finger started drawing again. Slowly spelling another message. Marstel concentrated, following her finger which moved slowly over his skin spelling out its message. He smiled to himself, taking a hand from behind his head to move a finger gently through the green and pink locks of the Zeltron's hair.

“Naw, it don’ ‘ave nuthin’ ta do with ya. Hugh didn’ do this.” Murriel asked if it was her. Both had discussions before Murriel joined the Republic SiS. She was taking over Shadow Squad with the pending promotion of RT to Chief of Staff. Sitting up slightly, Marstel took the other hand from behind his head and held Murriel. Caressing her arm with his hand. She started drawing once again.

“I kno’…” Marstel spoke softly. “…an’ I would’n ask ya too. When yur ready’ you’ll do it on yur own.”

Turning her head, Murriel looked up at him and settled back down on his chest facing him. His thumb continued to caress her arm. The Zeltron slowly closed her eyes. She started listening again. His heart strong, always strong when she was near. It started to beat a little faster, the soft smile coming back to her face.

“I don’ deserve you…” Murriel spoke almost in a whisper. There was no reason to be quiet. It just seemed wrong to speak loudly. “…all your patience. Waiting.”

Huffing a slight laugh which made Murriel’s head bounce slightly, she looked up.

“I ain’t waitin’ on hugh. I stopped doin’ tha’ a while back…” Murriel narrowed her eyes, The soft smile turning wicked after he spoke.

“That mean you withdrawin’ my invitation?”

Marstel shook his head. “Naw…my door es always open. Ya kno’ tha’. I jus’ kno’ hugh. When yur ready, you will come.” Marstel lost the smile and looked more serious. “It does mean I won’ always be ova yur shoulder like I been.” Marstel paused and glared a moment. “Fix thangs with Cora, Murriel. We all been watchin’ each other’s back fer years now. Ya’ll need one a’nother.”

Murriel sat up, pulling the sheet up and off Marstel to wrap around herself. She looked out of the large bay window into the stratosphere. Lights of ships still moving back and forth toward the surface. Dipping her head, she nodded softly.

“Emotions ‘r hard.” Murriel spoke to the window. “I felt the bond between them two and I guess…I jus’ wanted some ‘a that.” Turning her head, she smiled at Marstel. He flexed his fingers over her bare back, tracing down the length toward her bottom and back up again. Arching like a Nexu, she smiled and softened her eyes. “You’re gonna say…I can have that anytime I want with you.” Marstel smirked. He knew Murriel was talking about RT and Cora.

“I do, wha’ ever ya wan’ me too. I ain’t never put any demands on us.”

Murriel grit her teeth.

“Maybe you should have. Sometimes, I just need to be put in my place. You let me run, I will run.” Murriel turned and laid back down on his chest. Pulling the sheet up and over the both of them. Sitting up Marstel scooped Murriel into his arms, holding her close.

“When yur ready, I promise you….nothin’ will keep me away. Then, it will jus’ be and hugh an me.”