VC - HQ


"I am here to see Ms. Natalya Vinda," came the voice of the Commonwealth's resident Jedi Master, Leia Organa.


Mr Vinda's secretary, a woman named Zara, flushed as she replied, "Ms. Vinda is off planet right now."


"Where did she go?" demanded Leia, preturbed that her curiousity could not be satisfied presently.


"I am not at liberty to say," Zara responded with corporate professionalism.


"You mean you don't know?" intruded the voice of Tyscio Korban, walking up after chatting with some VC Security personnel he had met on Capricia during the Conquest.


"I mean I am not at liberty to say," Zara responded stiffly.


"She doesn't know, babe." Tyscio turned to Leia almost shrugging his shoulders.


Leia's lips pursed. "Don't call me babe." Turning to the secretary, "Do you know if Mr. Vinda is force sensitive?"


The secretary frowned. "I am not at liberty to say."


"She means if you have seen Mr. Vinda move any objects, like pens for instance, with his mind?" Tyscio added helpfully.


"And I mean, I am not at liberty to say," Zara ground out, clearly irritated.


"She doesn't know, babe." Tyscio translated for her.


"Don't call me, babe. I sense... I sense an aura of darkness about." she half murmured to herself.


Turning to Zara, Tyscio asked, "Did you pay your electric bill?"


"The Imperial warship, Galactus, is in orbit currently," Zara corrected.


The Empire? Here?!" Leia nearly shouted. "Kaine's ship?!"


"Mr. Vinda is currently meeting with the Imperial Supreme Commander right now and is unavailable."


"What about?!" Leia advanced on the secretary unconsciously.


"I am not at liberty to say..." the secretary was beginning when Tyscio put a hand on Leia's shoulder.


"She doesn't know, Leia." Turning to the secretary, "We can wait."


Leia grunted her assent and allowed herself to be placated by a placating Tyscio. She narrowed her eyes at him, "You did not invite them to the wedding did you?"


Tyscio looked surprised, "Babe, I lost the election. I am not a politician."


"Don't call me babe."

Bonadan Trade Hall - Private lounge


Simon Kaine watched Seth Vinda's eyes as he spoke and got the distinct impression he had offended but for the life of him, could not figure out why.

The democratic process of goals and successes were lost on the Imperial. Or perhaps, he had just grown past the point of seeing any other ideology as reasonable other than his own?

He pushed such conceits out of his mind as the former VC mogul itemized and categorized his interests.


"The League of Nations is an independent 'coalition'," he used the word wryly, "of planets and factions dedicated to an idea of mutual trade and preservation. The Empire is a member but I can tell you the League's interests and the Empire's interests are not always the same. Single planets have, I admit, a singularly smaller vision than the Empire. Still, it is in the Empire's interests to have a third party buffering themselves and the Coalition. The Empire does not desire Coalition expansion coreward for such proximity seems to invariably lead too," Kaine grinned, "misunderstandings."

"By signing the charter they are saying that, unless already affiliated with a larger group, they currently wish to remain independent of not only Coalition influence but Imperial as well. If either of us tries to subvert a member world, we face the wrath of the League. Issues are discussed between members on Corsucant in the former Senate Rotunda..."

He sighed.

"I must confess, I see a replay of the Old Republic where squabbling was the rule of the day but I would rather have a coalition of squabblers on our borders than a coalition of 'empire hating' religious fanatics. I am sure you can understand that.

Not all members love us. We have members that are pretty hostile to the Empire, most are rather neutral and then there are those few Loyalists who's ties we naturally enjoy.

Still, if it does not work, then the planets and people of the League just didn't know what they wanted and your planet remains in the same position it stands now: alone and a far from your Commonwealth support. And I, have to answer to the Emperor for a failed experiment and provide him with the costs in material and men in pacifying a squabbling sector of worlds. In any event, put forth the idea to Aargau's planetary leadership and see what they say."


The drinks had arrived and while Kaine politely declined the offered Cigarra, he tasted the drink and felt it's warmth permeate his body. "Excellent!" he exclaimed in clear appreciation.


"As for the GLF...," Kaine started, taking another sip of his drink, "I have this recording from Imperial Intelligence which I will leave with you."

He pulled out a datapad and pressed a button. Afdol Hilter's voice could be heard...

"Since we are abandoning all pretenses... "

"Though it was not my original motive for founding Agro, one component that drove me to build this company was to provide funding for Brutus Nogoth's organization. Money I could use..."

Kaine advanced the recording handing the pad over to Mr. Vinda. Here is a recent report regarding the status of Agro, Incorporated and of Mr. Hilter which I am sure you've heard:

"The galaxy's financial community was caught off-guard yesterday as Belgardi Ltd announced a takeover/merger deal with the agricultural conglomerate Agro Inc. Belgardi (which is now being renamed Belgardi Universal) already a highly diverse company has suddenly become a major player in another staple galactic industry, sitting behind only the Salliche Ag Company in galaxy-wide food production."


One notable Agro member who won't be back in his same role is CEO Hilter Afdol. Afdol, always known for his political ambitions (exhibited by a failed run for the Presidency of the Azguards) was recently selected to become the next Overliege of Ukio.


Kaine smiled slightly. "Makes you wonder what the GLF have up their sleeve on Ukio, no?"


After taking another sip, "I like your idea of a joint task force of equal measures of support charged with the goal of seeking out and destroying this cancer in the galaxy.

We've been able to hurt somewhat Belgardi, Ltd (the subsidiary of the Universal umbrella) with lawsuits due to the latest GLF exploit. It was a minor in scale to their past operations and they made mistakes. But those mistakes are more likely due to lack of funding than due to their organization being run by fools. When they finally replace their funding and rework their operation to hide the flow of money on their books and GLF is back to it's usual funding, their mistakes will be slight and far and few inbetween.

I think we are on to something here and I believe this is something that would really benefit our people."

He saw that his recording had wet the appetite of the now-politicized Seth Vinda. He waited to hear the former mogul's next words.

Was this something of interest to Mr. Vinda? Or should I have ordered Ukio glassed?

“Hey Cineburg! Want me to hold your hair back you fucking pussy!” cracked Zell between deep belly laughs and large gulps from his very tall glass.

Wilkar looked up from the balcony that he was emptying the contents of his stomach over and managed a crooked smile.

Making his back to the bar’s entrance, he quipped, slurring. “This is what happens when you still have a liver Zell… And no sexually transmitted diseases…”

Zell’s smile went south for the winter.

“You’re dumber than a pile of nerf shit, but I’d at least expect you to be able to keep your fucking liquor down! You are a disgrace to your fellow alien haters,” said Zell, stumbling behind Wilkar as they reentered the bar. “Scum sucking pussy!” he added.

“Who the fuck said I was an alien hater?”

“Logic dumb shit! You own… what fifteen percent of CTI? Which used to be co-chaired by Sol Nyhammer… He hates the fucking Coalition. Everyone knows that. And anyone who watches the gossip-vids knows you two are a pair of regular Coalition hating pals. The Coalition is predominately scum sucking alien. Logic dumb shit… you’re clearly an alien hater! Just as clearly as this bar is fucking cold! CLEAR?”

Wilkar collapsed into a fit of drunken laughs. “Zell! You’ve got it all wrong! I don’t hate the Coalition. It’s just that if the entire Galactic Coalition was on fire, you couldn’t pay to even take a piss on it! You’re just a confused old man.”

“That’s what I thought, and hold your tongue until you learn to keep your fucking liquor down, you fucking pussy.”

“Agreed,” said Wilkar as his head collapsed into his folded arms.

“I bet the Coalition could use a cocksucker like you.”

Zell slapped Wilkar on the back. “Cineburg? Oh shit… Sergeant, get your lazy ass on the comm and call the corpsman. Cineburg passed out… What a fucking pussy…”

Natalya simply listened and followed instep as Ishara took the lead and told of her shared past with her sister. The duo were so engrossed in their conversation they made their way to the district in what seemed like no time at all.


"My sister and I were seperated at a very young age and left for adoption. I was brought to Coruscant and she was brought to Naboo where we lived very different lives. I'm not sure why were were seperated, but in her research she discovered something. A Jedi brought us to the adoption centers we were left at. She also discovered that our parents were deceased at the time we were left."


It seemed Natalya wasn’t the only one with a… complicated family background, not that she thought she was of course, but after listening to Ishara she began to realize why they appeared to get on so well.

They both understood what it felt like.

It was a kind of unsaid understanding, that one only got from experience alone.

Call it empathy.

Natalya’s eyes widened as Ishara mentioned The Jedi’s involvement in her adoption.

Nat spoke as her friend finished... “It seems you have some answers of your own to find Ishara” She paused and turned to look Ishara in the eye to reinforce her point… “If I can help in anyway, you know you’ve got it”

Ishara simply smiled and nodded…

Eventually, they came to a run down building of some kind, to say it looked in a bad way was to be blunt, quite the understatement.

"This is it Nat."

Nat was not convinced… “ Here?” She asked suspiciously casting a critical eye over the exterior.

...and as they both stepped up to the front door, Natalya frowned “Is it safe?” She asked sardonically

Ishara said nothing but her lips issued a wry smile…

Turning to face the entrance, Natalya took a deep breath and knocked upon the battered and worn wooden door.


At first. Nothing.


The young woman threw Ishara a concerned glance , before knocking again, louder this time.


Still nothing.


She was just about to knock again , when the sound of a litany of latches unlocking made her freeze.



With a loud creaking protest the wooden door slowly opened.

Vinda’s face seem to darken at the mention of Belgardi, and as he heard the voices being replayed, and their implications set in , he leant back into the soft leather chair…

It seemed this particular cancer was spreading…


He paused to draw upon the cigarra , sending plumes of smoke unfurling upwards…

Simon’s words brought him from his thoughts…


"Makes you wonder what the GLF have up their sleeve on Ukio, no?"


A frown embedded itself deeply across his forehead…


“Indeed it does…”


He pursed his lips as he contemplated this…


“We have had our suspicions about our mutual friend Belgardi for quite sometime now, and it was no surprise when the empire took action, but to learn about this , is most…” He paused to find an appropriate word… “enlightening..”

…and as the Simon continued talking, Vinda took a sip from a glass himself…

It was considered good etiquette to have the same as what your guest was having. Supposedly it helped to set the guest or potential business partner or client at ease. It was part and parcel of the business psychology, and not a habit easily broken, especially from someone heavily ingrained in it , such as Vinda.

The ex-businessman listened to Kaine’s words intently…

"I like your idea of a joint task force of equal measures of support charged with the goal of seeking out and destroying this cancer in the galaxy...."

Vinda nodded in acknowledgement of this…

"...We've been able to hurt somewhat Belgardi, Ltd (the subsidiary of the Universal umbrella) with lawsuits due to the latest GLF exploit. It was a minor in scale to their past operations and they made mistakes. But those mistakes are more likely due to lack of funding than due to their organization being run by fools. When they finally replace their funding and rework their operation to hide the flow of money on their books and GLF is back to it's usual funding, their mistakes will be slight and far and few inbetween.

I think we are on to something here and I believe this is something that would really benefit our people."


Vinda murmured in agreement, and took a short audible toke on his cigarra before responding… “It is information which demands action, I shall discuss this latest development with my people and we shall see what we can do our end, I shall organise a contact to liase with your people your side”

"I have someone in mind" He added thoughtfully...


He looked at the Supreme Commander straight in the eye, his gaze turning suddenly cold, his smile predatorial. It was a startling side to Vinda very rarely seen , but it was there alright…


After all, one did not get to where he did, without it.



“I think it is time to cut this cancer out”

“Yes?”

Natalya’s eyes fell upon an elderly wiry grey haired man, who seemed just as confused as they did.

He rubbed his chin thoughtfully as he looked at the two women, his eyes squinting

“I don’t know you” he said eventually…

Natalya glanced over to Ishara then back towards the old man before her as she spoke…

“Hi, my name is Natalya, and this is my friend Ishara. We’re looking for someone, and I was told by my friend here that you might be able to help…”

“did she now?” The old man replied ominously as he cast a suspicious eye towards Ishara…

“Yes…come to think of it, you do look familiar to me now, I’ve seen you around before…”

He turned his attention back to Nat…

“I’m not a missing persons bureau , you know…” He said grumpily…

Natalya simply blinked, unsure of what to say…

“Just because I’m old doesn’t mean I don’t have things to do…” He added with a frown…

Nat threw another furtive glance towards Ishara before responding…

“er..I’m sorry to have disturbed you then, we won’t bother you again…” and turned to leave…

The old man’s eyes widened…

“Wait!…” His voice had changed now, there was a tone of pleading held within it…

Natalya froze…

“you had better come in…” ..and with that, he widened the door further in invitation…

The pair exchanged a confused glance, then stepped inside.

















“Who are you looking for?” The old man asked as he ushered them to sit down on a set of rather rickety old stools in an alcove of what appeared to be his kitchen…

Natalya threw Ishara another stolen glance as she sat down, before replying..

“Um…well I think the name is Salazar…”

“You think?” The old man parroted…

“yes..”

“You mean you don’t really know?”

Feeling uncomfortable at being pressed about something which she knew sounded ridiculous Natalya replied defensively” I’m not sure, which is the reason why I am asking you”

“No need to get uppity” He responded quickly…

“The name is Ceska, by the way…” He added, almost as an afterthought…

Then proceeded to rummage around his table…

“Would you like a drink or anything? I have some great homemade Gin”

Before either of the girls could reply either way , the elderly man thrust a set of full cups down upon the table next to them both …

He poured one for himself, and offered it up as if in a toast…

He took a swig then looked at the two women expectantly…

Feeling obligated Natalya held the cup gingerly to her nose and immediately wished she hadn’t…(she felt her eyes water)

“Something wrong?” he asked

Natalya shook her head and smiled faintly…before taking a cautious sip…

It tasted pretty foul, and burned her lips to the touch…

This seemed to please the old man, and he grinned…

“You know its not often I have company…especially not from two lovely women such as yourselves…”

Nat placed the cup on the table, anxious to get back to the matter at hand…


“Can you help us?”

Ceska took another swig, then narrowed his eyes , as if gauging the two women in front of him…before finally deciding to speak…

“Well…..I do know of someone who goes by that name…”

“You do?” Natalya replied eagerly, her eyes wide with anticipation…

“but…I doubt it’s the person you are looking for….” He said with a furrowed brow…

Natalya felt her heart sink.

“I can’t imagine why two beautiful women like yourselves would want to go and see him…” The old man’s comment was more of a statement than a question…

“Who?” Ishara asked this time, curiousity perhaps getting the better of her…

“Old Salazar , the old hermit, lives up in the mountains, he’s a goat herder…”

Natalya’s face was a picture.

Suffice to say , this was not the information she had expected.

She now felt suddenly, very foolish, and it showed.

“He very rarely comes into town…the last time was about eight months ago , for some supplies…spends his whole time up there with his goats…” The old man chuckled to himself…

His face suddenly grew serious… “come to think of it I don’t even know if he’s still alive…like I said he very rarely comes down here…”

He shook his head dismissively…

“Naah I doubt he’s the one you’re looking for…and I’m afraid I don’t know anyone else who goes by that name….”

Natalya sunk backwards, feeling acutely that this had all been a waste of time…

Ishara instead, persisted…

“Where can we find him?”

Ceska looked at her puzzled…then laughed…
“You can’t be serious!”

Ishara, did not shift her gaze…

The old man’s face changed as he realised she was, and a frown crept over his brow…

“I don’t think you realise what you’re asking Isaheeda”

“Ishara” (she corrected)

“I’m sorry, Ishara” He repeated apologetically...

Natalya took her cue…

“Tell us where we can find him…”

Ceska took a moment to look at each of the women in turn, then shrugged his shoulders…

“Ok, but its not easy, and no craft will take you there weather’s too treacherous, its on foot , and its hard going. He lives up in the mountains, though where exactly I don’t know, he seems to be practically a nomad…”

His frown burrowed itself deeper into his leathery forehead as he struggled to remember…

“Last time I heard, he’d been spotted somewhere up on Mount Samos…”

“Where is that?”

The old man smiled a toothy grin…

“pretty much the biggest mountain in these ranges…it’s a tough hike, and that’s assuming he’s there”

Natalya nodded slowly…

“How long does it take?” She responded cautiously…

“the best part of a day, but you need light, and its already evening now…”

Ceska paused as if to consider the details…

“If you two are really serious about going up there, I suggest you stay here for the night and get some rest, there is a trail, but it’s a tough hike, and in some places a climb, so you’ll need it, leave at first light. I could arrange a guide for you…I would go myself, but I’m too old for this kind of thing…” he smiled at this ruefully…


As Ceska finished, Natalya exchanged a glance towards Ishara…


The pair appeared to be thinking the same thing…



…we’ve come this far…



Ishara nodded, and Natalya followed suit, turning her attention back towards the elder,


“Shall I arrange that guide for you?” He asked…

Natalya looked up at him with a look of determination…


“Yes”

“Very well” Said the elder, “but I have one question”

Nat thought she knew what was coming…

“Go on”

The old man’s gaze settled upon Natalya…

“Why?”

“Truthfully?…” Nat said…


“I don’t know myself… yet”

It was early in the morning when Ishara was ready to go. She left her quarters and walked outside where their guide was preparing for the trip. Much to her surprise, Ishara saw Natalya standing alone looking towards the mountains. Her friend was obviously deep in thought.

“You’re up early” Ishara said with a laugh.

Natalya simply knodded and seemed to force a smile. Ishara noticed Nat was concerned.

“You shouldn’t worry Nat. You’ve already proven to yourself you’re not crazy. Brion is real and we’re here. Now you’ve discovered Salazar is a real name of someone who lives here. I find that hardly a coincidence.”

Nat seemed more relaxed as Ishara was making a valid point.

The guide signaled it was time to go. Ishara put her gear on as did Natalya.

Ishara smiled at Nat…

“It’s only a matter of time now Nat.”

Nat returned the smile and the group started their hike.





Their guide was not talkative… at all. Ishara and Natalya simpley kept each other company while trailing some distance behind him.

A couple hours had gone by when they had reached the base of Mount Samos. It was a couple hours more since they began their way up. True to the old man’s word the night before, the weather was awful. It was cold and it had started to rain heavily.

“This isn’t what I had imagined Nat!” Ishara said with a laugh as she took her friend’s hand to help her up a steep incline.

In the distance a howl…

“I don’t think we had whatever made that sound in mind either” Ishara said looking around. She then looked back towards their guide. “What was that?”

No reply…

Ishara pulled out her blaster and looked ahead. Their guide had disappeared.

“Nat…” Ishara said in a serious voice. “Something is not right here. Be ready.”

Another howl could be heard in the distance…

Ishara and Nat remained close, each covering the other’s blind spot.

Again, another howl. It was getting closer…

The two came to a halt. Ishara gave a glance towards Natalya. Both knew the situation had become very serious.

A large figure sprang from behind Natalya as Ishara pushed her aside. The creature lunged at Ishara, forcing her to the ground. It’s claw knocked the blaster form her hand, leaving a deep wound.

Natalya had returned to her feet and was aiming the blaster at the creature. She couldn’t get a good shot as the creature and Ishara were in a struggle. It tore at Ishara and pushed it’s claws deep inside Ishara’s right shoulder, making her cry out. It also swiped at Ishara’s face leaving cut marks across her right cheek.

The creature then threw Ishara towards Natalya, knocking her down and forcing the blaster form her hand. Ishara’s head hit a rock and knocked her unconsciousl.

The creature let out another howl then began to walk towards Natalya.

"ISHARA!"


Without taking her eyes off the creature advancing towards her, Natalya shouted after her friend , anxious for the young woman's safety....

...but there was no response, and Ishara’s body lay limp and lifeless as the rain hammered down around them both…

Natalya got to her feet quickly but messily, her hands and feet slipping on the mud from the torrential downpour made it difficult to get a steady grip.

As she straightened up, for the first time Nat was able to get a clear view of what had attacked them both…

It was huge and covered in thick matted hair. Its jaws revealed razor-like incisors as it howled once more and began to edge closer.

Natalya felt the claustrophobic smothering of fear grip her entire being, the raw feeling paralysing her limbs, freezing her to the spot.



The creature lunged forward.


The sudden movement caught Nat off guard, and as she dived clumsily to evade its attack, she fell in a crumpled heap, a few feet behind the creature.

It roared in response, outraged at her temerity.

A visceral pain shot through her arm, and she gasped out in pain. Nat looked down in her horror to see a group of slash marks across her left shoulder, it had caught her with its claws, she could feel the blood beginning to stick her sleeve to her arm…

The wound was deep.

The young woman groggily rose to her feet once more and glanced behind her to see a drop of thirty or forty feet, at least, her mind struggled to quickly access the distance. The trail was narrow where she was standing…

The creature reared up and Natalya narrowed her eyes against the rain as the wind lashed it towards her like a whip, stinging her face.

With a blood-curdling roar the creature rushed forward again…but despite her fear, Nat stood her ground.

Natalya’s right hand instinctively reached for her lightsaber…

As she brought the weapon to bear, the creature was on her…

Nat stepped backwards in reaction as she tried to brace herself against the creature’s weight only to find nothing there.

The snap and hiss of the lightsaber was drowned out by a guttaral howl as the entangled pair fell backwards over the edge…

It was dark as the rain poured down heavily from the sky above…

Ishara slowly gained back her consciousness. The pain she felt was intense from the deep wounds and bruises she had sustained from the attack earlier. She was drenched, covered in mud and had lost a great deal of blood.

Ishara managed to roll over and look around...

Natalya was missing.

She forced herself to her feet. Ishara was dizzy and a bit disorientated but wanted to find her friend.

“NAT?” Ishara shouted. “NAT ARE YOU THERE?”

Nothing…

While Ishara looked around for Natalya, she suddenly stumbled back to the ground. It seemed the pain and injuries were more than her body could handle. She again forced herself to her feet, gritting her teeth.

“NAT?” Ishara shouted again, feeling more determined.

Still nothing…

Ishara had noticed the ground beneath her showed the evidence of another struggle. Another struggle leading straight to the ledge. Ishara limped to the ledge.

“NAT, NAT CAN YOU HEAR ME??” She yelled in a frantic tone.

Ishara could barely see what was below when she began to feel an uncontrollable dizziness overtake her. She was still bleeding from the wounds she had sustained. Ishara fell to her knees and tried to fight off the sensation but it was too much.

Holding her hand to her head, Ishara could make out a blurry shape of someone coming from the tree line behind her.

“Who… who are...” Suddenly, everything went black.

A small hooded figure cautiously approached the woman upon the ground and knelt down to feel her pulse. It was then the stranger appeared to notice Ishara’s wounds. From within his robe he retrieved a length of cloth, with it he did his best to clean and temporarily dress them, at the very least to stem the blood flow.


It would do for the moment.


The stranger wiped the mud clear from the young woman’s face as if in an attempt to identify her.

It was not someone he recognized.


As the wind picked up, he undressed his outer robe and wrapped it around the woman to shelter her from the elements. Slowly he placed his arms beneath her and with a strength that belied his size, carefully lifted Ishara up from the ground.

Lightning streaked across the darkened sky, revealing his deepened features for a brief bright moment, the harsh light giving the illusion they were embellished in stone, as if carved into his face like a relief sculpture. The flash of light appeared to bleach his unkempt graying hair white…

As he steadily carried the unconscious Ishara away, he murmured to himself under his breath…


“lets get you out of this cold…”
















Natalya awoke bleary eyed, and shivering, soaked to the skin. As the wind whistled around her it froze her to the bone…

She had no idea how much time had passed…but daylight was beginning to break its way through the grey threatening clouds…

The rain had subsided for now, and instead a low lying mist had surrounded everything around her. Instinctively Natalya attempted to get to her feet, and winced as a pain shot up through her leg and what felt like the rest of her body, including her shoulder…

She glanced down at it expecting the worst, but although it was still incredibly painful it had stopped bleeding. Carefully Nat focused on the rest of her body, and attempted to move both of her legs in turn to see if anything was broken. They weren’t, but the pain was still there, she appeared to have sprained her ankle.

It was at this moment Nat realized what happened, and immediately began to scour around her looking for the beast that had attacked both Ishara and her earlier…


It was nowhere to be seen…


Struggling with her balance Natalya gingerly got to her feet, careful not to put her complete weight onto her left foot…
As she glanced around, her eyes settled on the ridge above, she had fallen quite a way , but it seemed fate had been kind to her. Then and there Nat decided if all she would suffer from this was a sprained ankle and an injured shoulder, that really she had gotten off lightly…


Her mind focused sharply….


Ishara!...


The young woman glanced back up at the rocky enscarpment, to where they had both been the night before…


Another thought shot into her head, and she reached down for her lightsaber…

But it was not there either.

Frantically she began to look around her…

This really hit Natalya hard, her lightsaber, or rather her mother’s was the only tangible connection she felt she had left, and to lose it broke her heart.

Accepting it was lost, Natalya knew she couldn’t waste any more time looking for it, for all she knew, Ishara was still unconscious and injured…

That was now the main concern.

Nat approached the face of the ridge and surveyed it, looking for appropriate footholds…

It wasn’t going to be easy…

Natalya cursed under her breath and rallied herself, then slowly and painfully began to climb, gritting her teeth in response to the pain as she hauled herself up, one hand hold at a time.
Her thoughts now solely focused on the safety of her friend.