The ship's lighting had been dimmed for night running and outside Solasta's doorway the bright white lights of her room feebly washed into the hallway trying to conquer the darkness. Sitting on her bunk, Solasta fidgeted with the shackles trying to find a way to scratch her itchy wrists while she reviewed what intel she had to go on.

I've only met three people so far. Gursan, who seems intent on making some sort of point before we reach Coruscant. Ypomeno, a young Med-Tech who seems too fresh faced. Finally, Stekda who could be a problem if I'm not careful, or an easy target since it shouldn't be to difficult to lure him inside here. Without knowing who else is on board, it's going to be risky to try and escape now.

I wonder how long before I'm missed? All I said to Pashna in the rush to get off Zakuul was I'd be back in a few days, so he might not think twice if I'm not back yet. I don't think anyone on Odessen knew I planned to stay a few days, so they may think I'm back at camp, in which case it could take a few days before the Alliance suspects anything. Closing her eyes and leaning her head back against the wall, she exhaled heavily before whispering, "Oh Gods, I don't even know how long I've been gone already."

Still fidgeting and unable to satisfy the itching from the shackles, she snapped her tether taunt and growled in frustration.

Gursan, who had been watching her from the darkness, stepped to the doorway and said, "You're not going to pull that free. We've detained Gen'Dai in there and even they couldn't budge it." Solasta opened her eyes and looked at him, "I wasn't trying to pull it free, although nothing would make me happier if I could."

A wide grin grew over Gursan's face, "Stekda would shoot you on the spot if you did, and Ypomeno would probably just wet himself," as he disabled the shield and stepped through the door. Motioning Solasta to stand and move forward he said, "Hold out your hands, pull the cable taunt, and don't do anything stupid."

Solasta stood and did as she was instructed.

When Gursan stepped forward he held her wrists in his hands and re-positioned them to create a slight slack in the cable so he could slide the shackles up her forearms before he massaged the matted fur around her chaffed wrists. While he focused his attention on her wrists, she studied his face to trying to determine what game he was playing, and said, "Those both would be interesting reactions... what about the rest of your crew?"

Gursan considered her question for a moment and smiled, refusing to be baited, "The C.O. of Havoc Squad in our custody and the keepsake you left me with has them all on edge."

Solasta pulled her hands away from Gursan and sat back on her cot, "I recall that being more of a proud addition to your tattoo at the time."

"True, but it may be safer for everyone if they have a healthy fear of you," said Gursan. As he walked through the door the faint glimmer of red light snapped between them as he reactivated the shield. "Tell me Hellcat, how is it you're alive and your squad are floating among the stars?"

Solasta leaned back against the wall and sighed before answering, "We were trying to infiltrate an objective on Zakuul, nothing of significant strategic value we thought, and got overrun by SkyTroopers. I was trying to flank- "

Gursan interrupted, "don't lie, everything you do is analyzed and deliberate. If Havoc was moving on an objective, it certainly had a strategic value."

"I thought I was a sad and pathetic loner," said Solasta dryly.

Gursan's expression turned solemn as he said, "At the Academy, you were sad. Then you seemed to be lonely before you let yourself become cold and- "

Raising her voice, Solasta said, "You know nothing about me Gursan!"

He nodded slightly in acknowledgment and said, "Perhaps, but I knew you when... so, Colonel Dinn and her tactics are fallible? How can you be sure turning your back on the Republic isn't the wrong choice?"

"Go to Hoth. There's a Trandoshan camped on the Southern Snowdrift Hills of Clabburn who helped us see the lies of what we were fighting for. Go and just listen to him," she said. Gursan burst out laughing. When he caught his breath he said, "Go to Hoth, the coldest planet in the galaxy, and talk to a reptilian? Good night Hellcat."

Solasta could her him still laughing as he walked away.

Feeling defeated she slide down onto her side and wished for a pillow as she tried to get comfortable. She didn't know when they would reach Coruscant, but it couldn't be much longer and she needed to decide quickly on what she wanted to do. Lying there she went over the conversation with Gursan in her mind again and again, but couldn't reconcile what his motive was for entering her cell or being civilized to her.

Lying there she felt the very slight change in her surroundings that told her the ship had dropped out of hyperspace, and began to panic thinking time had run out, but moments later she could feel the jump back into hyperspace. Closing her eyes, she smiled as she fell asleep.

Ypomeno cleared his throat and whispered a little louder, "Uh... Colonel Dinn... excuse me, sir..."

Stekda pushed the smaller Twi'lek aside and looking at him questioningly asked, "Really?" Shutting off the shield Stekda threw the Chanlon bucket onto the floor startling Solasta awake.

Solasta's acute sense of hearing would have normally alerted her to their approach long before Ypomeno's whispering, but the bright lights of her room and constant need to wakeup and tuck-in the medical nightgown every time she moved had exhausted her into a deep sleep less than an hour earlier. Startled and lying with her back to the door, she tried to push herself upright too quickly and the medical gown caught on her elbow, pulling open and exposing her back to the men.

"Well this is a good morning after all." said Stekda.

Ypomeno frowned and said, "Go get the Colonel some breakfast."

The large Weequay grumbled before turning and disappearing from the doorway while Ypomeno stepped inside and took a few steps before abruptly stopping when he realized he was alone and without a weapon. Noticing the fear being transmitted through his pheromones and panicked look on his face Solasta said, "I'll move to the end of the cable and hold it taunt if you'll kindly tie-up my nightgown."

Taking a step backwards, Ypomeno nodded his agreement. Solasta wiggled her elbow free and slid to the edge of the cot to stand before stepping over top of the cable so that it was between her feet. She walked to the end of her tether, crouched with her hands between her knees, and awkwardly shuffled a step forward until the cable was taunt beneath her.

Even though he could clearly see she didn't pose any threat in that position, Ypomeno still approached cautiously. "I'll straighten this side of the gown first, but still need to check the other shoulder to see how it's healing before I tie everything up. Is that okay sir?"

Solasta smiled, carefully to insure she didn't unintentionally bare her teeth, and nodded.

After some gentle squeezing of her shoulder and an examination of her trapezius, Ypomeno said, "It's amazing how fast you Cathar heal," as he re-tied the gown for her.

"We've stopped. Have we reached Coruscant already?" asked Solasta.

"Uh... no, Major Laikthur was detoured to- "

"What are you doing!" yelled Stekda from the doorway, surprising Ypomeno who instantly stiffened his back. Solasta tried not to laugh as she wondered if the poor Twi'lek had peed, even a little at that scare.

"I... uh... she's in a secured position so I started my exam," said Ypomeno still in shock and slightly stammering.

"You idiot, come here and get this from me," said Stekda as he held out the tray of food, "you've seen the Major's arm. She nearly ripped it off."

As he backed out to get the tray, Solasta worked herself back to the cot and sat while listening to the whine of a blaster pistol charging up. When she had seated herself and looked up, Stekda was already inside the room with the pistol pointed at her while Ypomeno set down the tray beside her.

"Hurry up and finish your exam," quipped Stekda, and looking at Solasta said, "the Major told us he got to guard you after they sedated and restrained you, but it looks like he's finally going to get his payback for what you did to him."

Solasta's eye's widened in disbelief at how fabricated the accident from many years ago at the Academy had become, but she didn't acknowledge his comment and instead asked "How did you find me?"

As Ypomeno scanned Solasta's head to check the progress of her concussion Stekda answered, "We intercepted a report from the Zakuulan Navy of a derelict ship and thought we'd investigate in case there was anything to salvage. Imagine our surprise at finding the Zakuulan's ship disabled and you on-board that transport. Saresh has a huge bounty on your head, and we're gonna collect it."

Ypomeno finished his examination and both men left, leaving Solasta sitting cross-legged on her bunk and picking at the breakfast tray while her thoughts drifted, "Why would Gursan exaggerate the story about his arm, or was that just idiot male bravado from re-telling the story over and over?"

After using her 'refresher' she put the empty tray on the floor, stretched on her cot, and drifted back to sleep.

Still feeling the chill in his bones, even through the multiple layers of cold weather gear, Gursan hurried across the gantry from the Orbital Station to the airlock of his ship and cycled the heavy door.

Once on-board he changed quickly and headed to the ship's bridge where the pilot was finishing the pre-flight check. Walking in and standing beside the man, he looked out at the stars asked, "What's our status, Captain Luoguo?"

As Luoguo continued pressing buttons on the ship's console he said, "the ship's ready to go, Major" and they could hear the docking clamps release before the ship bobbled slightly as it floated free.

"Take us to Coruscant then," said Gursan.

"How did the trip to the planet go, Major?" asked Luoguo as they moved a safe distance from the station and made the jump to hyperspace.

Gursan just slowly shook his head and asked, "What did you think of Colonel Dinn's story?"

Without taking his eyes off the ship's console the pilot said, "Sir, I think we should have just put a plasma bolt in her head when we found her. We get paid the same, and we wouldn't have wasted time coming here."

"I suppose you're right," and Gursan grabbed the pilot's head and twisted until he felt the neck break.

Pressing the intercom button for the Med-Bay Gursan said, "Ypomeno. You in or out?" and waited for a reply. A few seconds later he heard, "Definitely in, sir."

"Where's Stekda?" Gursan asked.

"He went to take the Colonel some wash water I think," was the reply.

Checking the charge on his blaster, Gursan left the bridge.

Solasta woke to water splashing over the front of her and into her face. Pushing herself upright to a prone position she could hear a container hitting the floor and felt the cold, wet medical gown forming to her.

"Here's your water, but I guess we need to get you out of those wet clothes now," said Stekda as he laughed.

As the shock passed she noticed Stekda was standing next to her with his blaster drawn in one hand while he fumbled with his belt using the other, and an upturned bowl was at his feet. She tried sliding herself to the edge of the cot to stand but was met with a glancing blow to the temple from the side of his pistol, and groaned as she collapsed onto the cot. Lying there she struck out with the heal of her foot and caught the Weequay in the leg, where he let out sharp cry of pain before stumbling backwards a few steps.

Lying there still dazed, Solasta heard the whine of the pistol charging and her body turned rigid at the sound of a plasma bolt being loosed.

For a second she waited for the searing pain she knew would come, no matter how brief she would have felt it, but instead she heard thud of the Weequay dropping to the deck. Rolling on her side to look at where Stekda had stood, she could see the man was face down with a smoking hole in his back from a close range shot.

In the doorway stood Gursan with his blaster still in his outstretched hand, "I don't know what the Republic stands for now, but I know I don't stand for that on my ship." He pressed at the panel on the wall outside her room and her shackles unlocked.

Reaching around the corner for something, Gursan threw a pile clothes on the floor next to Stekda's body, "Grab your things and follow me, we have some time before we reach Coruscant."

Solasta sat up with tears forming in her eyes and could only ask, "Why?"

"You friend on Hoth is very persuasive," said Gursan.

Solasta jumped up, gathered her clothes, and followed Gursan through the ship until he stopped at a door and opened it. "You can use the refresher in my quarters. Meet me in the dining area when you're ready." Solasta looked at Gursan and hesitated for moment before he added, "nobody will disturb you. Ypomeno is the only other person on-board."

Standing in the shower Solasta let the hot water soothe the tight muscles in her shoulders, back, and gulped down mouthfuls to try and quench her thirst. Drying herself off, she noticed that her clothes had been cleaned but faint rust coloured bloodstains still covered the shirt. Quietly she slid each of his storage drawers open and peeked inside until she found one of Gursan's black military t-shirts. Pulling it over her head, she was amused at how oversized it looked, even on her large frame.

While she finished getting dressed she looked around Gursan's quarters at the collection of things he had on display. Among the few pictures he had she found their class picture from the Academy in which everyone was dressed smartly in their formal uniforms and all wore a disciplined expression.

In another picture of the recruits, taken while they relaxed in the parade square, she felt a little sentimental looking at the familiar faces who were frozen in time, waving and smiling to the camera. Noticing the one recruit who wasn't smiling she reached out and touched the image of her younger self, who wore the same serious expression as the class picture, and it began to sink in that maybe some of what Gursan had said was true.

All dressed, she found her way to the Dining Area and sat across from Ypomeno at the table where he was sitting with a caffa. Solasta could immediately sense the poor Twi'lek becoming tense as they sat there. When Gursan crossed the room carrying two caffa's, she said, "Could you please tell this poor kid that I didn't try to rip your arm off, or needed an armed guarded around the clock."

Putting a caffa in front of her and taking a seat next to Ypomeno, Gursan said, "Well the injury may have been a little over-done, but I did watch over you in the evenings."

Solasta's eye's widened in disbelief, "Gursan, I was sedated for two days. Why would waste your time sitting there?"

Without hesitation Gursan answered, "I saw how much pain you were in. You were alone and needed somebody, so I stayed with you after we were done training for the day."

"What did you do while I was unconscious?" she asked.

Gursan shrugged his shoulders, "I would just talk to you about what we had done that day."

Confused, Solasta just stared at Gursan before asking, "So, what are the plans now? They'll be expecting you to deliver me to Coruscant."

"Actually Colonel, nobody knows that we're bringing you in," said Ypomeno.

Gursan added, "After Saresh started disbanding what was left of the Republic Forces, we went freelance and started doing some salvage and bounty contracts. If we had broadcasted that we were bringing you in, every low-life and bounty hunter within twenty parsecs would have swarmed us like flies to Bantha poodo. Saresh is really pissed and she plans to make a grand spectacle of you, Hellcat."

Cautiously, Solasta asked again, "So... what's the plan?"

"We have a strong network of ex-military that we can try to recruit for this Alliance you're fighting with, and you could probably just walk off the ship if you have someplace safe we can take you,' said Gursan.

Solasta thought about this for a few minutes before answering, "There's an orbital station near wild space that you can take me to. The Alliance has a Sith Intelligence Officer who has agents everywhere, and I should be able to make contact with someone who can get me back to Zakuul safely."

Ypomeno went to the bridge to enter the new course into the NavCom system. When he was done the ship briefly dropped out of hyperspace before it re-entered on the new course he had plotted. Solasta changed into Stekda's black Cortosis weave suit, rolling up the sleeves and pant-legs, before Gursan helped her dress in the dead man's durasteel armor plates.

"We're going to have to cinch the straps as tight as we can to get this look like it's fitted armor. Find someplace to sit until you're ready to leave the station so it isn't so obvious the armor's too big for you." Gursan said.

A few hours later the ship dropped out of hyperspace and approached the station slowly. Solasta was already at the airlock holding a helmet and waiting for them to be cleared for docking. Although the combat armor hung loosely on her, with the current state of the galaxy she wouldn't have any trouble blending in and looking like another scavenger in borrowed armor.

Gursan arrived to see her off as the ship slowed and the thrusters began negotiating the final position next to the station's airlock. Handing her a datapad he said, "I've saved our secure comm frequencies on this so you can contact us, and I also want to apologize for how you were treated after we brought you on-board. I needed convincing that your instincts were just as accurate as I remembered them being."

Solasta looked at him and said, "I'll kick your ass another time for all this."

The panel on the door gently chimed to let them know the airlock was pressurized and it was safe to open, so Gursan cycled the door.

Holding the helmet, Solasta stepped into the airlock, and stopped.

"What's wrong?" Gursan asked.

He watched as Solasta turned to face him, and without speaking a word she studied his face for several awkward moments before grabbing the collar on his shirt with her free hand and pulling him into a deep lingering kiss over the threshold of the doorway.

When they parted, Gursan grinned at her and said, "See Hellcat, analyzed and deliberate," and he closed the airlock door.

This drew a blank stare from Solasta as his words sunk in, and she slapped the now closed door while growling a frustrated "Drra! [Damn!]" at him.