Ishara slowly began to return to consciousness. She was still dizzy and her vision was blurred. She was in a room and someone had seemingly dressed her wounds and she was lying in bed. Ishara still felt the pain from the attack but it wasn’t as severe.

She attempted to get up until a hand stopped her.

“Don’t try to get up. The creature that attacked you hurt you pretty badly and you have lost a lot of blood. You need rest now.”

The man’s voice was kind and concerned. Ishara didn’t feel she was in any immediate danger.

Ishara again tried to get up and was once again stopped. “My friend is still out there.” Ishara said in a weakened voice.

“Rest, your friend will find her way here soon enough.” The man pulled the blanket up as he noticed Ishara was once again struggling to stay awake.

“Sleep… I assure you that you will see your friend soon.” The man smiled as he comforted the injured girl and Ishara fell asleep.

He stood up and left the room. He then reached into his cloak and pulled Natalya’s lightsaber from it.

“Your friend is someone I am looking very forward to meeting Ishara.”

He then placed the lightsaber in a box he had on a table. Afterwards he walked outside and stood by the doorway watching the rain fall to the ground.

Clutching onto a sturdy rocky outcrop and with a final heave, Natalya pulled herself up over the edge onto her stomach, back onto the ridge where she had fallen from the night before.

She lay there for few seconds, exhausted.

After getting her breath back, she looked up, and blinked…


Nothing.


…Where was Ishara?…


Carefully and wearily Natalya got to her feet, wincing as her shoulder ached in protest.
Nursing it with her her other hand, slowly but surely Nat began to look around her, moving forwards with every cautious step.

The rain had started up again, and Nat shivered in reaction as the cold gnawed away at her, she couldn’t feel her fingertips or toes anymore they were numb…

Secretly Nat was pleased at that, for they would probably only hurt if she could feel them…

She shouted.

“ISHARA!”

..And again…this time louder


“ISHARA!”


But all she got for a response was an echo, and a sore throat…

Natalya now felt suddenly very alone, and fearful she may attract any more creatures, she decided to stop her calling…

With confusion now spread across her mud splattered face, she approached the place where she had last seen her friend, but all that remained was an imprint in the mud…


…Maybe she went to get help?


Something caught her eye, and as she knelt down with difficulty to inspect further she realised they were footprints.


Natalya was no expert, but they did not seem to fit Ishara…


She frowned, then swung her head around to the direction they appeared to come from…

It was not a direction either of them had come from.


The guide perhaps?…


It was possible… (Nat surmised to herself)… maybe he found his way back?…


Gathering her strength, Natalya’s eyes narrowed in the direction of the footprints…

There was only one thing left to do.

Painfully, once more Nat got to her feet …

And with her tired, cold, wet and weary body aching all over, limped after them.














The old man looked up from his cooking pot as Ishara stirred…

He grinned…

“I thought this might bring you around…”

He said as he surveyed the delicious smelling stew with a critical eye…

“She’ll have to hurry up…its ready,” He murmured to himself…

Ishara frowned… “Who? Natalya?” She asked , then looked around realising her friend still wasn’t with them… “Where is she? We have to go find her!”..And went to get up, but as the pain hit she lay back down quickly, grimacing…

“Careful! You’ll pass out again…you are in no fit state to go anywhere right now…Natalya will be here …she’s just…” he paused to find the appropriate words…

“…Running late” His tone was warm yet firm.

Ishara threw the old man a puzzled look…

“I don’t understand,” she said blankly…

“You will” He responded cryptically, then returned to his cooking…

Ishara, still confused, elected instead to say nothing and with great effort inched herself up to get a better look at the food in the bubbling pot…

“What is it?” She asked eventually, watching as the old man tasted it thoughtfully from a wooden spoon…

He smiled, and Ishara could not tell whether it was from her question or from its taste…

“Surprisingly good, actually…” He replied finally, with a satisfied look upon his face…

Ishara felt her stomach protest, and realised she was ravenous. As if on cue the old man ladled a serving into a small bowl for her and handed it over along with a spoon, Ishara figured his commendation was enough for her, and tucked into it…

As the young Bounty Huntress ate she observed her surroundings properly. She appeared to be in a small hovel of some description, sparse, but the fire in the hearth in the middle of the room was more than welcome…

The old man seemed to stiffen for a moment, and then arose quickly, with a smile spreading across his face…

“Ah I believe she’s here…I’ll be back” and with that moved to the doorway and walked outside closing the wooden door after him, leaving Ishara alone with her thoughts…














It was getting darker again now, and a thoroughly depleted Natalya kept her gaze firmly on the footsteps imprinted before her....


Left foot...


Right foot...


Left foot...


Right foot...


Walking had become automatic now, there was no longer any thought, just pure…will.

Nat was afraid if she stopped or paused to take a break she would not be able to go any further...

Yet a movement up ahead forced her to stop in her tracks and it was only then, she saw the tiny hovel, carved into the rock, its one window burning an intense yellow and orange, like a beacon.

Never in all her life had she seen something so welcoming…

An unfamiliar voice pierced the blustery sound of the wind from around her…

“You took your time”

Nat looked up wearily at the man who now stood before her, too tired to even formulate a response…

Then as exhaustion finally overcame her…


She collapsed into his arms.

Ishara watched the old man as he closed the door…

She then continued to eat whatever it was she was served which was actually quite good…

“Not bad” Ishara mumbled to herself.

Looking around she tried to find clues as to who this old man was and why he was so willing to help her…

A few wooden boxes sitting upon various shelves…

Two large chests sitting on the opposite side of the room…

Remarkably, there were no indications that this man possessed a weapon of any kind aside from Ishara’s own blaster which was holstered in her belt o a chair by the door.

Being curious, and knowing she could not stand up to investigate elsewhere, Ishara reached underneath the bed she was in…

She felt something…

It felt like leather wrapped around an object…

As Ishara lifted it, it seemed heavy enough to be metallic.

Ishara heard the old man’s voice outside. She had hoped Natalya had finally arrived and she dropped the object. Her curiosity could wait for now.

The door swung open…

“Nat!” Ishara gasped…

The old man was carrying Natalya in his arms. Ishara tried to get up to check on her friend but couldn’t…

“Just stay put Ishara. Your friend will be just fine, she’s exhausted more than anything” he said in his usual calm voice.

The old man laid Natalya down on a couch near the door. He started to tend to her wounds and placed a blanket over her…

“Both of you are very strong willed. Most don’t survive attacks from creatures like the one which attacked the two of you. At least it made a good stew” the man said with a grin.

Ishara put the bowl back down…

“You mean this was…” Ishara’s eyebrows raised…

“It was” the man replied before Ishara could finish. He also let out a chuckle.

“Really funny” Ishara said sarcastically.

Ishara watched as the old man cared for Natalya. She knew he had done the same for her and wondered why.

“Who are you?” Ishara asked.

The old man looked at Ishara and smiled…

“My name is Salazar, but I'm sure you already knew that” the man said as he smirked.

Just as he answered, it seemed Natalya was regaining consciousness…

In her hazy lucid state, Natalya immediately felt the warmth from the hearth spread all over her, defrosting her very soul.

The scents and smells of the earthy home flooded her senses, the smells of spices and herbs, leather and wood, rock and earth, and of hearty food…

Nat thought she had perhaps slipped away and passed on into some paradise of the afterlife.

She gave herself to it, into a blissful slumber…
















After a while distant voices began to bring her round, and she slowly opened her eyes…

They settled on the fire in the middle of the room, its flames licking the bottom of the cooking pot, which bubbled away noisily in reaction.

She shifted her gaze, and found Ishara looking back at her, not quite sitting upright , but not quite lying down either.

As their eyes met, Nat smiled a tired but relieved smile. A wealth of understanding seemed to pass between the pair in the silent exchange.

Natalya felt a huge burden lift from her shoulders as she saw her friend safe and well, and relaxed in the fire’s glow.

Realising another presence, she moved her gaze to the man standing by the fire looking over her kindly…

“I was starting to get worried” He said in response…

A frown dug itself into her forehead as she failed to recognise the stranger, but it soon broke as she recalled the voices that brought her out of her weary dreams…

“You’re Salazar?” She asked huskily…

The old man nodded, and approached her , perched himself on the edge of the makeshift bed , pulled back the blanket a little and began to inspect and dress her wounds.

“Yes Natalya” He replied eventually…

“How?…” She started to ask her voice trailing off

The old man stopped what he was doing in order to look at the young woman directly, then smiled…

A strange look began to spread across his face as he looked into her eyes…

“You look so much like your mother, there's no way I could mistake you for anybody else” he answered softly, pre-empting her question…

Nat’s eyes widened at the mention of her mother…

“That and I watch the holonet too , you know” He added, with a smirk…

Nat could not hide her feelings at this…



…Great!… (Nat thought sarcastically)



Amused at this Salazar smiled, and then spoke as he finished what he was doing

“You know the pair of you are very lucky, the beast that attacked you was a Madrigal , vicious creatures, but they appear to make a good stew…”

Natalya’s face shifted into an expression of mild disgust as she glanced over to the bubbling pot over the fire, it was then she noticed the bowl Ishara had been eating from …

Ishara returned the look with a kind of sardonic one of her own, and nodded almost guiltily…

Despite her tiredness Nat couldn’t help but let slip a wry laugh as she realised its implications…


…Nice!…


Salazar picked up on the exchange…

“Waste not want not” he said aloud

It was then Natalya realised something…

“Wait a minute…You were there?”

Her brow furrowed deeply…

“You were there and didn’t do anything?”

Her tone was accusatory, and despite her weariness her anger came through…

Salazar nodded solemnly as the two women looked up at him…

“Yes I saw it.”

Natalya was indignant…


…Unbelievable!…


Natalya spoke “Why didn’t you -- (but the old man interjected) -- “Why didn’t I do anything to help you?”

She nodded slowly, surprised at the sudden stern tone in his voice…

“Because it was a test Natalya, for both of you, in fact..”

His eyes slid over to a surprised Ishara…


“You had to make your own way here , Not only that!…” (His voice grew louder almost angry) “…but the pair of you needed a lesson in what happens when you make rash, impulsive decisions without thinking about the consequences!”

His dressing down was a bitter pill to swallow for Nat, and Ishara didn’t seem too thrilled either, but he did not give them a chance to respond…

“What the hell were you thinking?? The pair of you?…you were almost killed last night!”

His words hit home, and it upset her, mainly because she knew he was right…

The old man turned his attention towards Natalya, his eyes narrowing…

“Did you even tell your father you came here?” Nat found it suddenly very difficult to hold his gaze…

That was all the indication Salazar needed…

“I see, and what do you think he’ll be like when he realises you are gone?”

It was a rhetorical question, Nat knew it, and she felt foolish because of it.


The old man shook his head as he muttered under his breath , “Impulsive and rash, by the force you remind me of your mother..”

“I came because I had to know, I had to know more…” Nat answered eventually..

The old man nodded…then sighed , and his response when it came, was softer…

“I know you did, both of you” (this comment generated a puzzled expression from the unusually quiet Ishara) “understand I say this only out of concern for both of you, the pair of you need to be more responsible…”

An awkward silence descended upon the room as the pair digested the old man’s words, only interrupted by the intermittent crackle from the roaring hearth…

“I guess this means we didn’t pass the test….” Nat thought aloud ruefully…

“On the contrary, you both passed” Salazar returned matter of factly…

This comment caused the pair of them to look into his direction somewhat surprised, but the old man did not even look up, instead his focus, the heart of the fire as he stoked it with a metal poker…

“Ishara, bravely and selflessly put herself in harms way in order to protect you, her friend, almost at the expense of her own life, and you Natalya defeated the threat, and the obstacles in your path, you did not give up , despite how easy it would have been, but more importantly, you did if for exactly the same reasons…”

These words caused the pair of them to look at each other with a kind of deeper understanding, and Salazar continued…

“Learn this lesson well, you are stronger together, as allies, as friends. Come what may never forget this…there may come a time when this friendship will be tested, remember your time here, and the bond you both share, for your destinies are intertwined more so than you realise, and you shall both need each other…”

As the old man’s words sunk in, it was Ishara who spoke next, the puzzled expression creeping its way back across her face once more…

“You make it sound like you were expecting me…” She said confused…

Salazar smiled…

“That’s because I was Ishara, it is no accident you are here, as I said before, both of you share a common destiny…”

“I don’t understand” The young woman replied…

“The force runs strong through the bloodlines, Natalya’s mother’s connection was strong, as is Natalya’s now, if not stronger. The same goes for you Ishara, and your sister…”

Ishara blinked…

“You know about my sister…” The Bounty Huntress said in surprise

Natalya watched her friend’s face as she slowly began to realise where the old man was leading…

Salazar’s face seemed to glow a deep orange as the hearth spread its light all around him…


“I was the one who brought you to Coruscant Ishara”

Ishara was stunned at what she had just heard…

Then the surprise turned to anger and she stood up with her fists clenched…

“You are the damned Jedi who left me there??? You are the damned Jedi who split Kyra and me up???” Ishara shouted, fighting the pain settling in as she stood.

“You still have so much anger within you Ishara…” Salazar said with a frown “…so much anger.”

Ishara was forced to sit back down as she found it hard to remain standing. Her dark gaze still didn’t leave Salazar…

Salazar continued “I’m sorry Ishara, very sorry. It was all I could do to ensure both of you would remain safe.”

“Safe?” Ishara asked sarcastically as she glanced at Nat momentarily.

“Yes. It was deemed both of you were a threat, destined to be part of the sisterhood you were born into. To me, you were two little Dathomiri girls who deserved a chance to live out their lives. I did what I felt was right and it cost me dearly.”

Salazar sadly looked over to one of the chests near him…

He then looked at Natalya…

Then back to Ishara…

“I’ve lived in exile ever since.” Salazar’s gaze returned to the fire, hid mind drifting for a moment. He then stood up and began to head for the door.

“Well, the two of you need some rest and I’m sure you’ll enjoy some time to yourselves. I’m going for a walk. I will answer all of your questions on the morning.” Salazar smiled as he closed the door behind him.

Ishara gave a blank stare towards Natalya. She came here to help Nat get some answers and now it seemed Ishara had several of her own to uncover.

Ishara then shared a smile with her friend…

“I’m glad you’re alright Nat, I was worried something dreadful had happened to you” she said in a concerned tone.

“So did I” Nat replied.

Feeling relieved that each other was now safe, they eased back into a more comfortable position, both watching the fire in the center of the room…

They would both fall asleep with many questions left to ask Salazar, but one thing was certain…

They would get the answers they needed together.

Bonadan Trade Hall


The Supreme Commander grinned to himself as he saw how his information affected the new Commonwealth politician, Seth Vinda.

Changing the title of the man does not change the man himself!

He was encouraged by the fact that Vinda's quick decision-making skills had yet to succumb to the democratic process of 'committee'.

Perhaps we can do business after all.

"I look forward to meeting this individual you have in mind. I agree that we need to move quickly and decisively.

So tell me, Mr. Vinda, what military forces are at your disposal as you are not yet an elected official in your government?

Or is this individual your connection and any resources to be supplied by your side will come from them?


I have said all I mean to say right now. Perhaps later, after dinner, we may continue the discussion of Belgardi in more detail but I know I must give you time to digest and talk with your constituents regarding my other proposals.

Are there suitable quarters here or should I return to Galactus?"

Hospital

"Thirty to see Ms. Arien, please." came the voice out in the hall.

"I am sorry. Family only.." was heard the flustered response.

"Lady, we ARE family."

"I.. I am sorry. But there are too many of you too--HEY! STOP!"

"We were pushed out of the surgery but I will not be pushed away from my daughter.."

"Or my aunt!"

"Or my cousin!"

"Or my daughter.."

In the avalanche of voices, the nurse was drowned out and footsteps began to echo as if an army of hardsoled shoes marched to find the resting place of one Scipio Arien.

"I can't believe they've kept us away from her for so long.." the gruff voice of an older man complained. "She must be all alon--"

The door had wisked open and the Patriarch of House Scipio saw Achinta Vega sitting by her side quietly and fell into a quiet reverence.

The older man's shoulders shrunk in relief knowing that his daughter had not been lying alone.

He walked over, stealing a quick glance at his sleeping daughter to reassure his worries that everything was, for the moment, fine, and placed a large hand on the shoulder of Mr. Vinda's assistant.


"Thank the Clans you're here, my boy. Thank the Clans." he whispered quietly.

Not so quietly, "Who's that?" came voices far too young to be anyone of significance socially.

"That's Mr. Ancheenta Vegan, Ara's boyfriend!" came an even younger voice.

A round of embarrassed giggles took place as older one's shushed them and the room began to fill. The kids had bedrolls tucked under their arms as if they would camp by their relative's side till hell froze over or she woke up. Whichever came first.


A finger on the sleeping woman twitched.






Elsewhere



"My brothers and sisters!

The time is at hand now to strike fear into those that would affront god with their blasphemous ways and dark desires!

A union between machine and man is prohibited in the writings of the Taj'ah and by his doctrine we shall rid the galaxy of sinners!"


He opened a book and began to read solemnly...


"We shall not pierce ourselves with the artifice of man.

We shall not sully ourselves with perversions of thought.

We shall not desecrate ourselves..."

"I look forward to meeting this individual you have in mind. I agree that we need to move quickly and decisively.

So tell me, Mr. Vinda, what military forces are at your disposal as you are not yet an elected official in your government?

Or is this individual your connection and any resources to be supplied by your side will come from them?”

I have said all I mean to say right now. Perhaps later, after dinner, we may continue the discussion of Belgardi in more detail but I know I must give you time to digest and talk with your constituents regarding my other proposals.

Are there suitable quarters here or should I return to Galactus?"


Vinda simply smiled, “let me worry about that side of things Supreme Commander. Rest assured, I have plenty at my disposal, I shall supply you with a list should you need it. I am sure you know I am not someone who lacks…resources…”

His grin grew wider…

“As for , Aargau, I shall consult with them , and give them my recommendations, and we can get things moving, I do not forsee any problems with your proposals…”

Vinda observed the Supreme Commander seemed tired…

“You have had a long journey, What kind of host would I be if I allowed you to disappear back to your ship without a taste of our hospitality here on Bonadan…My assistant Zara shall see to your needs, I am sure we can find something to suit a man of your tastes…”

He grinned again.. and rung through the comms for Zara to come in…

The two men turned as the woman entered, she seemed, somewhat relieved for the distraction, which Vinda noted as being somewhat odd…

“Zara, please see to it that the Supreme Commander wishes are seen to, he is tired and in need of rest, let us show some Bonadan hospitality, use the Alpha account, see that he is not disappointed”

Zara nodded at this, and turned her attention to the Imperial, and inclined her head in greeting, and waited patiently as the two men finished up…

“Actually is my daughter around? "Vinda asked suddenly... "I would like to introduce her to our guest” this comment brokered a strange look from the Imperial, who perhaps hadn’t quite anticipated this…

Zara was silent, she appeared to freeze, as if unsure how to answer the question, she threw a furtive glance at the Imperial who’s curiosity now appeared to be piqued…

Vinda’s face frowned as Zara’s answer was not forthcoming…

(He was not accustomed to being kept waiting)

“Ah, she is unavailable right now…” She managed to respond…

This did not satisfy Vinda, and he sighed…

“Please go and fetch her Zara, whatever she is doing I am sure it can’t be that important…”

Zara remained where she was, and Vinda’s brow furrowed further…

The assistant shook her head before replying…

“I’m sorry Mr Vinda, but she isn’t here, she left earlier, said she had to go away for a few days, I was waiting to tell you after…” She threw another glance towards the now bemused Supreme Commander…

Vinda's face dropped, and as he replied the annoyance held within his voice was plainly evident…

“What? Where did she go?…”

Zara winced slightly, as she responded rather unhelpfully…



“I don’t know”

Bonadan Trade Hall


As the businessman commented, Kaine had to admit that he did feel some exhaustion from his trip. As he was offered accomodations, the Supreme Commander nodded his head in appreciation of the other's hospitality.

There were few places he felt comfortable to put his welfare into the hands of others, even within the Empire. It was a fact of life that came with the territory and the way of life he led.

"That is...," he paused, "..most kind of you."

When Vinda asked for his daughter to be introduced to Kaine, the Imperial looked startled. He was used to people trying to hide their family members from him and so the opposite act from Seth Vinda impressed upon the Supreme Commander that this was one Commonwealth Politician-hopeful that was not afraid of Kaine or what he represented and was one who was very familiar and comfortable with their position.

It went along way to assuring the Imperial that whatever resources the mogul had in mind for Ukio were resources that would be reliable and would unquestionably be available and on hand when needed.

As with the last visit, the Imperial's respect for the older businessman was increased. He was too used to businessmen being slippery and so consumed by their greed that the things you could count on them for were things that appealed to their baser desires.

Vinda was shrewd and not afraid to take risks but there was something about the man that told Kaine there was a limit to what the man was prepared to sacrifice for a goal not his own. His word, his name, his honor, and probably now his family were probably topping the list..

The loss of Seth Vinda in this sector would not only be damaging, it would be devestating. An Imperial Action Response would have to be drafted for such an occurance as he could see the various politicians pointing fingers and suddenly clutching their assets with both hands eager to stab their fellow members for more. They would need a strong hand to keep them in line and if Seth Vinda's hand faltered, who would step up?

Who would keep the systems in order?


Thank the Emperor Zell is not here to meet his daughter. That would cause an intergalactic incident all it's own.

Kaine cleared his throat selfconsciously embarrassed for the mogul but slightly amused as well when Vinda's attendant declared that his daughter had left to whereabouts unknown.

"I will wait in your lobby and allow you your privacy to handle your family matter." he responded and walked past the woman named Zara.


*

"Supreme Commander Simon Kaine." came words of the bitterest utterance that sliced clear through his admiring of the Trade Hall architecture of the lobby.

If anyone could make his name a curse so vile as to burn one on contact, it was the person behind him and as he turned, his mind tried to place the voice and failed.

As he completed his turn he was facing one Leia Organa Solo. Jedi Master, former Chief of Staff to the New Republic, former Rebel Alliance Officer, former Imperial Senator and former Alderaanean Princess.

Unfortunately, none of this was recalled at first for Simon did not recognize the woman outside the dirty brown simple robe garb of the Jedi.

"Do I know you?" he responded with a distant curiousity. For all he knew, her husband had been blown to smithereens in a battle of some sort like that woman he met on Jutraal years ago.

His eyes caught the glint of metal on her belt and, recognizing it as a lightsaber, scrutinized the woman almost clinically. She was a little older, had a little more stress lines but, from what he remembered of an old Imperial 'Wanted List', it could be none other than Leia Organa.

Amusement crinkled in the Imperial's eyes as he murmured, "Is it just me or is this Commonwealth employing only Imperial criminals?"

"You massacre thousands of people..." she began through clenched teeth when he held a finger up.

"If you fight a war and lose, then it's a massacre. If you fight a war and win.." he looked at her pointedly. "And we won."

"I could kill you right now. Right here." the Jedi Master commented almost lightly. "How many people would that save in the long run?"

It was a threat Kaine appreciated for he knew that the woman had the advantage with the force and he'd be dead in a matter of seconds before his guard could be called.


"You may very well be right," he finally admitted. And then his eyes flashed in irritation. "And, dear Jedi, while you are busy looking at your 'long run', you lose sight of the fact that in the 'short run' you spark a war between this fledgling Commonwealth and the Empire. A war that this government is not prepared to wage and another of your great democracies dies in the aftermath of Jedi foolishness. You allow your Old Republic government to vote a Sith into Office and then have the audacity to remove him from power without legal recourse! After your fantastic failure in that, you plunge the galaxy into a bloody Civil War to achieve your ends. In the aftermath of that, you try to take the reins of government yourselves with a New Republic only to burden your people with your religious war with the Sith and your hatred for the Empire. And when it all comes crashing down, you still have the gall to blame me... me? for your failure?"


"Babe?" came the voice of a man coming up from behind the Jedi Master.


Kaine smirked, "I did not realize the Jedi resorted to sleeping with people now to gain initiates."


Tyscio Korban felt that Leia was extremely tense and stared at the man in a black uniform with a subtle grey trim and gloved hands amused. There was only a silver pin on the left breast to indicate he was Imperial.


"Are you afraid of microbes or something?" he asked good-naturedly. "If you are, it does no good to cover up your hands but not have your mouth covered. I can have a mask brought to you if you like." He added helpfully, "And from the sounds of your comments, a mouth cover may be just the thing."


Simon Kaine's eyes narrowed at the newcomer's nonchalant and non-serious approach and could not determine if he had been threatened or not. His eyes scanned the other for the tell-tale lightsaber but could not see one.


Not able to determine the rank, identity or importance of the man who had walked up behind Leia, he retreated. "My apologies, I had not expected to see a Jedi outside of the walls of their Naboo Temple."


"A nice piece of architecture is it not? Have you had the pleasure of seeing it in person?" the other asked excitedly, ignoring the subtle derrogatory implication.


Kaine smiled politely. "I can say that I have not had that pleasure." His smile turned sly, "Perhaps someday."


"The interesting thing about the Temple." continued Tyscio, "As self contained as the structure is, it is not the end-all-be-all to the Jedi Univserse."


It was Tyscio's turn to grin, "Life, it seems, finds a way to break out of it's confines."


The Imperial's eyes narrowed. "Is that a threat?"


Tyscio waved a hand away, "Oh heavens no. Why would I possibly want to threaten you? It's just.." he paused in thought, "..it's just that everyone eventually dies, Sir. And it's been my experience, such as it is, that every intelligent person would prefer to die free and surrounded by friends and family."


"Your point?" Simon's patience seemed to be ebbing under the glare of the Jedi Master who simply stood staring at him in silence.


"Just that, if, in the short run, Leia here dies she will die surrounded by friends and family. But if, in the long run, you die... who will surround you?"


Tyscio put a hand on Leia's shoulder. "I just question the advantage of serving an organization that, after decades of a life-long commitment, their greatest commanders and leaders die alone and forgotten?"


"Forgotten?" Kaine asked startled.


Tyscio grinned, "Well, when was the last time you thought of Grand Moff Tarkin, Darth Vader or even Emperor Palpatine?"


Simon eyed Leia's hand poised over her lightsaber hilt.


She suddenly shook her head as if willing it to turn aside. "No." she whispered. "Your destiny lies elsewhere Supreme Commander."


An uncomfortable feeling overcame the Imperial as he noticed the sense of calm that permeated throughout a woman who, moments before, seemed on the verge of a heated rage. Her voice even seemed to change with that last pronouncement and he could only watch silently as the couple moved away.


A headache began to form and his exhaustion doubled.


Where was Vinda's attendant?

“SHE’S WHAT!?…ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR DAMNED MIND!?”

Vinda was incandescent with anger, to learn his daughter had promptly decided to go on a jolly without a by or leave was one thing, but to know that Leia Organa Solo herself was waiting outside in the same lobby as what the Supreme Commander of the Empire had just entered, pushed his patience over the edge…

“First the Admiral! now THIS!”

Zara physically flinched , realising she had just made a big mistake…

“Not only did you let my daughter leave without alerting anyone! but you have just put two sworn enemies into the same room as each other, in the name of Vader woman are you trying to ruin me?”

Vinda was exasperated…

“On TODAY of ALL days?”

Zara hung her head , and the ex-businessman exhaled deeply, from sheer disbelief…

“In the name of all that is good and holy, Get out there! and get them away from each other!” He stood up as if to reinforce the urgency…

Zara , managed to stammer an apology, and turned to leave quickly, pleased she did not have to listen to anymore of his tirade…


The ex-businessman scowled....


…Achinta would never have made such an elementary mistake…


He looked skywards, and openly cursed the reason for his right hand’s absence…


“Damn you Arien!”



He bellowed after Zara as she began to close the door…

“AND SOMEONE FIND OUT WHERE MY DAMNED DAUGHTER IS!”













Zara exhaled a sharp sigh, relieved to be out of the room, and closed the door to find the Supreme Commander waiting patiently on his own, but no sign of Leia, or Tyscio…

He seemed distracted…

There was no sign he had heard Vinda’s outburst, the private chambers walls were thick for a reason…and secretly she thanked the designers…

Composing herself she approached the Imperial and smiled, her somewhat dented professional exterior now reinforced…


…perhaps they simply left?…


“If you would be so kind as to follow me please Supreme Commander, I have booked you into the Bonadan Excelsior, you have a free tab, and if you should need anything , anything at all, simply call reception and ask for me…”

She gestured for the Imperial to follow…