A/N: Usual discalaimers apply

Quite a long chapter but i also think it's one of my best. I hope you enjoy.

I could feel their presence before I even saw them. I had awoken just before dawn, and was training in a small alcove near the mansion entrance when they arrived. I had chosen that place in the hopes of being able to work without being disturbed, but once they showed up I had little hope of that.

Though I had little understanding of the Force at that time, I could feel it pulling me. Intrigued by this sensation I followed it. It led me to the mansion's entrance corridor just as they passed through it. There were two of them, both dressed in simple brown robes. Their hoods were lowered so I was able to see their faces.

The older of them was a human woman approximately fifty standard years of age. Her hair was long and black with grey streaks. Her olive coloured skin was worn and lined heavily with age, but the bright green eyes it framed were still full of awareness, never missing a thing. Despite her age she walked quickly with long strides forcing the other person to scurry after her.

It was the other being who really caught my attention. Another human, yet this one were male and only young. He couldn't have been older than nineteen by my reckoning. His face was clean shaven and shone with the vibrancy of youth. His hair was cut short except for a braid behind his left ear.

As I laid my eyes upon him, hidden from sight behind a pillar, I felt something run through me like a jolt of electricity. I cried out softly as my head was filled with visions. A fierce space battle over a dying planet. A lone figure collapsing in a sun-scorched desert, and a weapon capable of causing immense devastation. These images flashed through my head, accompanied by feelings of joy, love, terror and loss. It only took a moment but lasted an eternity.

He glanced my way and our eyes met. He had dark brown eyes, and as they looked upon me they became sorrowful and filled with... was that regret? I have never found out what was behind that gaze, and I guess I never will but I knew that this man, whoever he was, would have a huge impact on my life.

He looked at me for barely a second before hurrying after the woman, who was already several strides ahead. I don't know why, but I knew that I had no choice but to follow them. It's a cliché I know but it was my destiny.

Knowing that it would have meant my hide if I was seen where I wasn't supposed to be, I stuck to the shadows as I crept after the two figures. I was surprised to see that they managed to make it all the way to Mako's main audience chamber without being stopped by his guards. They were approached by a vicious-looking pair of Weequay guards at one point but the woman whispered some words I couldn't hear, waved her hand and incredibly they turned and walked away.

The walked into the room with me trailing at some distance behind, trying to avoid being noticed. I didn't have to try very hard. At that time of day, there were few left in the room, and even fewer awake. In any case, most of their attention was fixed firmly on the two new guests, standing proudly in the centre of the room. No one bothered to pay any attention to the small pathetic slave girl hiding meekly in a corner.

Mako's second in command, Kimala Triz, a cruel, sadistic Zabrak went to meet them.

"Who are you? And how did you get in here?" she asked, her voice filled with suspicion.

"My name is Luna Rosa, and this my padawan Falcon Fox. We are here to see Mako Novar" the elderly woman replied. Her voice was strong and confident, with hidden depths of wisdom.

"Not just anyone gets to see the boss," Kimala sneered, her arms folded. "any dealings you have can go through me."

"I'm afraid that won't do. We must speak to Mako directly, and only to Mako." Luna responded coolly.

Kimala scoffed and shook her head in disgust. "You have no right to tell me what to do in this mansion, wench"

Falcon stepped forward a scowl on his face, his fist clenched but Luna took hold of his arm gently, holding him back.

"Calm yourself Falcon, calm. Remember anger is the path to the dark side, you must learn to control your feelings, not the other way around."

The young man took a deep breath and closed his eyes. When he opened them he smiled at Luna and nodded "Thank you master. I almost lost control."

"That's quite alright padawan" she smiled at him before turning back to Kimala "I'm sorry, where were we?"

"You were just leaving." Kimala said. If her tone didn't express enough menace, the hand that rested on the blaster at her side certainly did. "Leave. Now."

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." A soft voice intoned from behind her, startling everyone but Luna. "You may be one of the greatest combatants on Corellia my dear but I wouldn't advise you to test your skills against a Jedi. I would really find it most troublesome cleaning you off the walls"

Mako walked past Kimala and held out a hand to Luna. "I'm afraid I must apologise for my associate here. She does have quite a temper on her. It comes in use from time to time I have to admit, but one day it really is going to get her into trouble. I am Mako, Mako Novar. How can I help you? " He flashed a grin but his eyes were cold and hard.

"Nice to meet you Mr Novar," Luna smiled politely but ignored the outstretched hand "we are here on the behalf of the Jedi Order to discuss your… business. Do you have somewhere private where we can talk?"

"We can talk right here. Anything you have to say should be heard by everyone here, I have nothing to hide from them."

"Very well," Luna said "I wished to save you the embarrassment of doing this in front of your 'associates' but if you insist then I guess we have no choice."

"Just get on with it, I don't have all day." Mako growled softly.

"It has come to our attention that you have been running a drug smuggling operation out the mining facility on Kessel. Unlicensed distribution of glitterstim is illegal Mr Navo, you know that. We also have reports of gun running, slavery and just about every other form of organised crime known to the galaxy."

"Those are some pretty wild accusations Master Rosa; I do hope you have some proof to back up those claims."

"Don't think you can worm your way out of this one by talking about proof. You have long been one of the galaxy's most notorious crime lords. It's about time someone put a stop to you" Falcon said, his voice filled with scorn.

"Ok, you caught me." Mako replied calmly, holding up his hands. "But tell me something Jedi. As you correctly said I have been in the business for a long time, twenty years in fact, yet this is the first time any of your pitiful little order has come knocking on my door to try and do anything about it. Why is that I wonder."

An uneasy silence filled the air as Mako's question was left unanswered. But not for long, he answered his own question.

"I'll tell you why. Until now my business dealings have mainly been restricted to the Mid Rim worlds, Malastare, Ord Mantell and the like. To you Jedi these are small, insignificant, backwater planets, barely worth your time.

But recently I decided to expand my operations into the Core. I have recently opened at small establishment on Coruscant that catered to the slightly more, for lack of a better word, obscure desires of the denizens of the galaxy. And here you come running. The Jedi are weak, your influence is limited to the worlds that you deem to be worthy of your attention.

I do not fear your pathetic order, or your attempts to stop me. It is well known that you Jedi are a bunch of pacifists who would much rather ignore a problem as long as it doesn't affect you.

You have the gall to come into my home and offend me in front of my guests! You think you can just waltz in here! YOU DARE TO THREATEN ME!" he roared.

I had been watching the events unfold in the hall as Mako got increasingly angry. By this point his face was livid with rage; skin flushed, eyes bulging and spittle flying from his lips. And all through this the two Jedi stood there calmly, patiently waiting for him to stop.

Kimala took a hesitant step towards Mako and placed a wary hand on his shoulder.

"Sir?" She asked carefully

Mako took a moment to calm himself when he realised that every eye in the room was fixed intently on him. Well, nearly every eye, my two were studying these mysterious Jedi with interest. I had many questions about them. I decided to ask Taarbuck about them later.

"Mr Novar," Luna said ignoring his rant "by order of the Jedi Council you are under arrest. Please come with us peacefully and we can avoid any unfortunate incidents."

"Please?" Mako laughed "I like that. But you underestimate me. I have no intention of going anywhere with you. I advise that you get out of my sight immediately before I am forced to get violent. I would hate to dirty the floors; they were only cleaned this morning." He signalled to Kimala who spoke into a commlink.

The room was suddenly filled with heavily armed, mean looking guards. I did a quick headcount. Eighteen! I made my way to the nearest exit, ready to make a hasty escape if things got dangerous. Luna on the other hand did not seem remotely concerned by these developments.

"Just because we choose not to, does not mean that we cannot fight. This is your final warning Mako, surrender now or all the hired mercenaries in the galaxy won't be able to save you."

"Your threats would be a lot more credible if you weren't vastly outnumbered. Kimala, I grow weary of this now. Deal with them please."

"Gladly." Kimala grinned; she drew a vibroblade and advanced on the two Jedi.

"Stay back padawan, I'll deal with this one." Luna said stepping forward. My eyes grew wide and I gasped in shock as a beam of yellow light sprang from a small metal cylinder in her hand. Several others in the room also reacted in a similar way, and several of the guards surrounding the Jedi backed away.

Kimala alone did not react, except to smirk arrogantly. "Yes, yes, it's a very impressive weapon you have there, Jedi. But I have seen and fought against a lightsaber before. You'd best have some skill with it if you don't want to join the other jedi I've fought."

They took up fighting stances opposite each other and a hush fell over the room. The battle couldn't have lasted long than a few minutes, but to me it seemed as if they were moving in slow motion. I can still remember every moment of that battle as if it were playing out right in front of my eyes.

At first they circled each other, studying their opponent intently, looking for any signs of weakness. Kimala made the first move, an overhead slash, swinging down to cleave Luna's head in two.

The lightsaber came up and swiftly parried the attack. Sparks flew and Luna backed away, much lighter on her feet than I would have expected from someone of her age.

"Your attack had strength girl, but you're going to have to get serious if you want to have any hope of challenging me. Try again." Luna mocked with a smile.

Kimala growled in frustration and flew again at Luna, her vibroblade swinging furiously. Blow after blow came raining down onto the elderly jedi, yet they were all parried or dodged with ease.

Kimala broke off her attack and retreated. She was breathing heavily whilst Luna seemed as serene as ever. The only sound to be heard was the humming of her lightsaber.

It was then that Luna chose to make her counter attack. Advancing quickly upon the Zabrak she swung the lightsaber, a sideswipe aiming for Kimala's right arm. Seconds before the blade struck it was deflected by the vibroblade. The blow went wide and only grazed her arm. She hissed in pain and staggered away, falling to one knee in the process.

She looked up at the advancing jedi, her eyes filled with both rage and fear. The lightsaber blade was pointed straight at her exposed throat.

"Yield." She commanded.

Though she looked like she would quite gladly tear her limb from limb, Kimala saw sense and let the vibroblade drop to the floor with a clang. She lowered her head a whispered in a voice barely audible.

"I yield."

Luna deactivated her lightsaber and kicked the vibroblade away.

"You fought well, but you are both too inexperienced and filled with hate to have ever hoped to defeat me." She turned back to face Mako and looked at him sternly "This is your last chance Mako. Surrender or be destroyed."

Luna must have completely disregarded Kimala as an opponent or else she would have seen her reaching into her boot and drawing out a small vibroknife.

"LOOK OUT!" I screamed as Kimala flung the vibroknife at Luna. Confused she turned round just as the blade sunk itself into her chest. She looked down at the hilt protruding from her body before her legs gave way beneath her.

Falcon raced to her and caught her before she hit the floor.

"I'm sorry padawan," she whispered "it seems that I must leave you now. Be strong young one. Whilst we all walk different paths in life, all beings inevitably find their way to the final unknowable destination that is death." She smiled up at him and stroked his cheek tenderly. She coughed, crimson blood spewing forth from her lips, bright against the brown robes. She looked ready to say more but a spasm of pain crossed her face before she could and her head lolled to one side. Even from a distance I knew that she was dead.

Kimala laughed and stood "Poor, poor jedi, I feel for you I really do, but we gave your master fair warning. It's not my fault she's too stupid to listen to sense."

Falcon laid his master onto the ground gently and turned to face Kimala. His eyes were dry but his face was grim and cold.

"Don't you dare to speak ill of her," he warned, his voice barely more than a whisper "or you'll regret it."

"Oh really? You think you'll fare better than that withered crone? That's something I would love to see"

That was more than he could take and with a roar of fury he flew at the zabrak, igniting his lightsaber as he went. He was by her side faster than the eye could follow, Kimala didn't even have time to react before a line of blue light entered her neck. The blade sliced through tendons and skin as easily as a hot knife cuts through snow. Kimala's eyes widened and her lips parted slightly in shock as the head was parted from her body. It hit the ground with a thud as the smell of singed flesh reached my nostrils from the cauterised stump where the horned head once rested. Falcon stared blankly at the corpse, his face devoid of any emotion.

"You shouldn't have done that!" Mako hissed yet his voice betrayed the fear he felt. "Kill him!" He commanded his guards before beating a hasty retreat into the depths of the mansion.

That seemed to shake Falcon out of his daze and he fell into a defensive stance as the eighteen guards surrounded the lone jedi, their blaster rifles drawn, all pointing directly at his head. The lightsaber dropped by his fallen companion flew into his hand and he ignited it crossing the two blades in front of him. I felt ill but couldn't look away, fascinated by the macabre scene playing out in front of me.

I could see no way out for the young jedi padawan, but I was soon to learn one should not underestimate a cornered opponent, especially when that opponent is a Jedi. He tensed his legs and sprung into the air, just as the blasters opened fire, tearing through the space where he was stood not a second earlier. Several of the guards were killed in the crossfire, the bodies falling to the floor, smoke rising from their scorched bodies, as Falcon somersaulted through the air, higher than a thought possible for a human to jump.

He landed behind two of the surprised guards, the lightsabers in his hands flashing, one impaling an opponent through the abdomen, the other separating an arm from the elbow of the other. The two men fell to the ground moaning in pain, clutching at their wounds.

By this point the remaining ten guards had refocused their aim and started firing at Falcon once more. He did move away this time, instead he began to deflect and dodge the bolts of death with the agility and grace of a dancer. The blades of the lightsabers becames blurs as shot after shot was sent arcing away from the Jedi, several hitting the guards who fired them and taking out another four men. Whilst still blocking the attacks with one hand, he thrust out the other and the six men were sent flying through the air, as if struck by a fist. Five stayed sprawled on the floor the sixth made to grab his fallen blaster and stand up. He was soon stopped by a bright blue blade perilously close to his throat.

"Just do me a favour, drop the weapon and leave. There has been enough killing today, I do not wish not add to it more than is necessary." He said his voice surprisingly calm. Wisely the man did as he was told and Falcon deactivated the lightsabers and hung them form his belt.

"Mako's 'reign is over!" he announced to the audience gathered in the room. "Those of you who leave now will not be held accountable for his crimes. Those who fight for him will share his fate." Without another word he turned and hurried down the corridor Mako left by, no doubt intending to finish his master's mission.

Once he had left an uneasy silence filled the room, though it only lasted a second before chaos broke out. Many of Mako's guests made for the exit, trampling others in an attempt to leave the mansion as quickly as possible. Others moved deeper into the mansion. I'm still not sure what their intentions were, possibly to try and pillage the mansion for valuables, maybe to try and aid Mako. I didn't really care at the time.

My attention was taken up by the various slaves and servants that worked for Mako. Now that his dominance was no longer assured many of those who once served him were now fighting back against their oppressor.

Most of the slaves had picked up anything that could be used as a weapon and were attacking the guards that were trying to keep order. Desperation and anger made up for any lack of training or weaponry, and whilst many were gunned down by the guards they eventually fell before the endless tide of angry slaves.

I stood amongst the destruction watching as my life fell to pieces. As the fighting intensified around me I realised with a jolt of fear that neither Vaas nor Taarbuck were in the room. If they didn't know what was going on they could get into serious trouble.

Despite the fear I felt I knew I had to find them. Doing my best to remain unseen I made my way across the room heading to the garage where Taarbuck should have been working this morning.

Fortunately with everything going on, not many people had time to worry about a weak, harmless slave girl so I managed to make it across the crowded room without incident. By sticking to the shadows and hiding whenever I heard someone approaching.

The deeper I got into the mansion, the more I worried about the only family I had left. I made it to the bowels of the mansion where Mako stored his speeders and starships. At that level most of the sound of fighting had faded away and my ragged breathing echoed loudly in my ears.

I rounded a corner and collided with a large figure. I looked up and my heart sank. I had run into Ran Jaxx, he'd always been a mean piece of work but that night he had a particularly cruel glint in his eye. I tried to back away but a hand grabbed my shirt to stop me. I cried out and struggled like a trapped animal in an attempt to escape his grasp but it was to no avail. As if I were no more than a rag doll he lifted me off my feet, and slammed me against the wall, knocking the air from my lungs.

He leaned in towards me, and grinned giving me a good look of his yellow, broken teeth. I retched as the foul stench that was his breath reached me. His other hand snaked up and stroked my hair softly.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't little Katja. You always were such a pretty little girl." He whispered softly. He slurred his words and I could immediately tell that he was steaming drunk.

"Let… go of me" I gasped, struggling to breathe.

"Why would I want to do that? I have you exactly where I want you."

I recalled all those sidelong looks in the kitchens, the times he 'accidentally' brushed against me and my eyes widened in shock and terror as I realised his intensions. My struggles were redoubled as I desperately tried to escape Ran's grasp, but to no avail.

I wasn't strong enough and letting out a cry of desperation, I pushed against him in a last ditch attempt to escape.

To my surprise his flew away from me as if punched, and hit the wall hard, falling heavily to the floor.

He was quick to recover but fortunately I was quicker. By the time he had staggered to his feet I was sprinting down the corridor, desperately searching for the garage and Taarbuck, my protector.

As I ran through corridor after corridor, I soon became hopelessly lost. I couldn't afford to stop and catch my bearings however as the pants of Ran could be heard close behind me, and getting closer all the time.

My lungs were burning and my muscles were screaming for me to stop, yet I pushed myself onwards regardless. Just as my body was about to collapse I burst into a large room filled with machine parts, tools and vehicles in various states of disrepair.

I came upon the room so suddenly that I was momentarily startled into stopping. I was only stopped for a moment but that was all Ran needed to catch up to me. He collided with me, and I was sent sprawling on the floor.

I rolled on to my back and scurried away from the man towering before me. He was no longer grinning; instead his face was contorted into a snarl, bisected by a streak of blood trickling from a gash in his forehead.

"Now I'm mad," he growled softly, his voice filled with menace. "I would have been good to you Kat; if you'd have just let it happen then I would have let you be on your way. But now, now I'm going to have to hurt you."

He reached up to his head and showed me the blood stained hand.

"You see, you cut me, now I cut you. That's far isn't it?"

His hand went to his belt a came back with a large meat cleaver. He hefted the blade in his hand, testing the weight. He nodded to himself and swung the blade towards me. It whistled as it arced through the air, straight towards my bare neck.

I closed my eyes and prepared for the blow. I was surprised when I felt no pain, I assumed that it was the shock and the pain would swiftly follow.

Then I felt something wet and warm hit my cheek. I opened my eyes and saw a hairy, clawed, two-fingered hand gripping the cleaver, holding it inches away from my face. The blade had cut deep into the hand, and blood was flowing freely from the wound, dripping onto my upturned face.

"You stay away from my daughter you sick freak!" Taarbuck roared, though his face was twisted in pain. With a grunt he pushed away with all his might. It caused the cleaver to go deeper but it sent Ran stumbling. Taarbuck used the time it gave him to look at me.

"You okay Katja?" He asked.

"Thanks to you" I nodded in reply.

"That's good to know," he smiled "now be a good girl and get yourself somewhere safe whilst I deal with Ran."

"Be careful" I told him as I moved to the side of the room

"I will be." he promised, turning to face the now charging Ran.

He braced himself and squared his shoulders to meet the oncoming charge. Just before the two met, Taarbuck let out an almighty roar and leapt at Ran. They collided and fell to the floor in a flurry of flailing limbs.

Ran swung his cleaver again and again, blood flying with every swing. Taarbuck fought back with tooth and claw with the ferocity of a wild animal, bloodlust had taken over him. The fight carried on in this manner for some time, neither combatant gaining an advantageon the other, until Taarbuck managed to get both hands on either side of the fat man's head. Ran immediately stopped attacking and tried desperately to remove the powerful claws from his head. But once a Whipid has hold of its prey, it rarely lets go. Taarbuck ignored the weakening struggles of Ran, let out a howl and savagely twisted his head first to one side, then to the other. A loud crack was audible and Ran fell to the floor in a lifeless heap.

I ran over to congratulate Taarbuck on his victory but stopped half way, tears forming in my eyes. Though he was victorious, Taarbuck had not come out of the fight unscathed. He was bleeding heavily from multiple lacerations. He tried to move towards me but staggered and collapsed to the floor.

I ran to his side and cradled his head, tears streaming down my face.

"Do not cry little one," Taarbuck whispered, his voice weak. "you are free now. Leave me and escape. I will only slow you down"

I didn't answer, I couldn't. I simply shook my head and took his hand in mine. I could do nothing to prevent the life slowly leaving his body, but I refused to let him spend his last moments alone. His hand eventually slipped from mine, and the only true family I'd had for as long as I could remember, was lost to me.

I let out a cry of despair and darkness overwhelmed me.