The Descendant: Echoes of the Revanchist

by darthmaul90

The Old Republic is gone; the last vestiges of it swept away and replaced by Palpatine's Galactic Empire. But as the heroic Rebel Alliance wages their war of independence against Palaptine's machine, the descendant of Revan stands poised to launch his own war against the Empire. Will he be persuaded to join the Rebellion, or will he make his own path amongst the battlefields?

20. The Descendant: Chapter 19

The Descendant, Echoes of the Revanchist – Chapter 19

Mytaranor Sector – Planet Kashyyyk

6 months after the Battle of Yavin

Located in the Mytaranor Sector of the Mid-Rim Region, the planet of Kashyyyk was a lush, green world and home of the Wookiee species. With no axial tilt and a perfectly circular orbit, Kashyyyk experienced one continuous season year round. It had four continents which made up approximately 40% of the planet's surface, all of which were ringed by brownish-white sandy beaches. But less than a mile inland, the terrain became impassible. The vast majority of Kashyyyk's land was covered in wroshyr tree filled forests which could, at times, be several kilometers high. In most places, the tops of the wroshyr trees could be so dense that it was possible for a person to walk on top of the leafy canopies with no danger of falling through.

This prevalent ecology was politely described by most visitors as a "layered deathtrap", as the dangers presented by local wildlife increased as one descended towards the forest floor. According to Wookiee culture, this vertical environment consisted of seven levels. The bulk of Wookiee civilization was located on the uppermost seventh level, and even the bravest Wookiees rarely ventured below the fourth level. The ground level was known most often known as the Shadowlands and, sometimes, the "Notherworld" as sunlight rarely penetrated so far down due to the staggering amount of foliage overhead. Few throughout history had ever dared to descend so far into Kashyyyk's depths.

Over thousands of years of history, the planet of Kashyyyk had endured several tumultuous events. Almost 30,000 years before, Kashyyyk was a member world of the Rakatan Infinite Empire. Back then, the giant wroshyr tree forests of today were nothing more than a few young saplings struggling for life in the middle of an endless, grassy plain, of which few traces remained today. But fueled by their twisted hunger for power and resources, the Rakata terraformed Kashyyyk's surface for agricultural purposes. Tragically however, the collapse of their Infinite Empire left their terraforming machines unattended, resulting in the abnormally large foliage that now dominated the planet. For thousands upon thousands of years afterwards, Kashyyyk sat unseen and undetected by the Republic.

Then in 4,020 BBY, the mega-conglomerate Czerka Corporation re-discovered the planet and renamed it to G5-623 and later, after a poll of Czerka stockholders, to Edean. Recognizing the immense strength of the Wookiees as being an invaluable resource, they began secretly selling them as slaves. At first, the Wookiee population was ignorant of these events but more than forty years later however, the treachery was revealed. Outraged by these events, Freyyr, the Chieftain of the Rwookrrorro village at the time, began plotting to oust Czerka from Kashyyyk.

Rwookrrorro was one of the largest villages on Kashyyyk at the time and Czerka was afraid that Freyyr would be successful in his attempt to drive them from Kashyyyk if he gathered enough followers. Fortunately for them and unfortunately for Freyyr, his younger son Chuundar usurped the position of Chieftain from him and he went into self-exile in the Shadowlands. With Chuundar's older brother, Zaalbar, exiled from Kashyyyk for being a madclaw, there was no one to stop Chuundar from secretly allowing Czerka to continue taking Wookiees as slaves in exchange for weapons.

Twenty years later however, Zaalbar returned to Kashyyyk with a redeemed but amnesiac Revan in tow. Through some covert activities and exploration of the Shadowlands, they not only uncovered Chuundar's treachery, but found Freyyr still alive. Although Freyyr was half-mad from spending two decades in the darkest depths of Kashyyyk, the prospect of seeing his older son again and the belief that he could finally stand against Chuundar brought him to his senses. Led by Freyyr and Revan, the enslaved Wookiee populace overthrew the local corporate office, drove Czerka from the planet and killed Chuundar.

For many years afterwards outsiders were generally not welcomed on Kashyyyk and travel to the planet was highly restricted. At some time after that event however, Kashyyyk was welcomed into the Galactic Republic and eventually given representation in the Galactic Senate. The village of Rwookrrorro became the planet's official capital while other villages such as Thikkiiana and the coastal city of Kachirho became high technology centers and hyperspace mapping hubs. With the exception of brief invasion by the Sith during the final stages of the New Sith Wars, Kashyyyk enjoyed a lengthy period of peace and prosperity.

During the Clone Wars, Kashyyyk nearly aligned itself with the Separatists. The final decision on what role the planet would assume during the war was presented to a number of Wookiee ruling families who formed a council that was dominated by the highly respected King Grakchawwaa. His initial position was that of neutrality and he engaged in limited negotiations with both the Republic and the Separatists, the latter of which wished to control Kashyyyk's hyperspace route planning and use the Wookiee's secret hyperspace routes to their advantage.

It wasn't long though, before the Separatists in general, and General Grievous in particular, got tired of waiting and the local commanders were ordered to launch several probe droids ostensibly to help "persuade Grakchawwaa to make the right decision." Grakchawwaa was about to agree to join the Confederacy out of self-preservation when he received word that his only son, Prince Rikummee, had been accidentally killed by the probe droids. In a fit of rage, Grakchawwaa denounced the Confederacy and allied himself, and Kashyyyk, with the Republic. His decision ultimately forced the Separatists to mount a massive invasion of Kashyyyk in the final weeks of the war.

Led by Master Yoda and Clone Commander Gree, the Republic sent a task force to defend their new allies. At the coastal city of Kachirho, the Battle of Kashyyyk commenced with a combined force of clone troopers and Wookiees fighting off the Separatist invaders. Despite overwhelming Separatist forces and suffering heavy casualties, the Republic and the Wookiees emerged victorious.

It was to be a short-lived victory however. With the rise of the Empire, the clone troopers took control and were quick to suppress Kashyyyk and place it under martial law. Since then, Kashyyyk had been opened by Imperial authorities to slavers on the advice of the neighboring Trandoshan species. Wookiee captives had been used on countless Imperial projects including the construction of the Death Star. Because of their devotion to their home world however, many Wookiees would risk discovery by the local Imperial garrison to revisit their beloved forests for important Wookiee holidays and other celebrations.

It was against this backdrop that the Silver Horizon, the Silver Solarium and two Onderonian Aurek fighters coasted in for a landing. Though Kashyyyk had been subjected to an orbital blockade by the Empire since the Battle of Yavin, it had taken the Wookiees less than a week to plot secret flight corridors in and out of the system. Only people welcomed within Wookiee society were granted access to these secret flight paths and only a handful of those actually used them.

Force Revanchist had been granted access to those secret flight paths for a number of reasons, not the least of which was Dahlgen's heritage. Using those flight paths, maneuvering around the blockade undetected had been simple. Yet Dahlgen didn't want to stay on Kashyyyk any longer than was necessary. Though the Imperial garrison located on Kashyyyk was relatively complacent, as they often were, one never knew when the local commander might get a big head and a shakedown of the local population commence. That, along with the constant battle to stay one step ahead of the slave traders, made Kashyyyk a place well advised to avoid.

Yet Force Revanchist had friends on Kashyyyk and it was the closest place in relation to Onderon where they could regroup and determine their next course of action. Upon arriving in-system, Forndak had contacted Rwookrrorro village and advised them of their approach. Force Revanchist was immediately granted an approach vector to the village and landing clearance.

As Dahlgen led the other ships on final approach to Rwookrrorro village, he noticed that it was lit up more brightly than usual. Ever since the Empire had imposed its will on the planet, the native Wookiees had gotten very careful about how much light their villages gave off during the night hours. Too many slaves had been rounded up in the past as a result.

Closer inspection of the bright lights revealed they were coming from torches and the Wookiee population was much larger than usual. They didn't seem to be in any sort of distress. In fact it seemed like they were preparing for some kind of event. Many of the giant wroshyr trees had been trimmed with elaborate party streamers adorned with pieces of locally made jewelry and other carvings. Smaller, similarly decorated trees, probably hand picked from the coastal regions, could be seen in some of the huts and Dahlgen even caught a glimpse of a few Wookiees practicing some music on a few natively made instruments.

"Looks like the Wookiees are getting ready for Life Day," Maris observed.

Dahlgen called her back on the comlink. "I was just thinking the same thing."

Life Day was a grand Wookiee holiday that celebrated the planet's diverse ecosystem and the many forms of life it encompassed. It was also a chance to remember loved ones who had passed on and to celebrate the young generations who continued to bring new life to families and tribes. It was the most sacred holiday in Wookiee culture and many Wookiees living off world considered it their duty to return to Kashyyyk in order to celebrate it. In years past, Life Day had been celebrated once every three years. But since the rise of the Empire, the holiday had become even more sacred and precious to the Wookiee race. Consequently, Life Day had been celebrated annually for approximately the last decade.

Wonderful, Chenlamabec growled in happiness. I could go for a few dozen Wookiee-ookiees and a nice steaming pot of kinrath stew!

Wookiee-ookiees, often referred to as "Wookiee cookies" for simplicity's sake, were rather good as far as sugary treats went. But the thought of a hot stew which featured pieces of large bugs and native roots made even the steel-stomached Dannix Krell grimace. No one had ever accused him of having a weak stomach, but that was one of the few things that could make it turn over fast. Yuck.

"Bleah," Maris said in response. Even during her years of isolation on Felucia, she'd managed to keep a diet that did not include disgusting, squirming, crawly things like that.

"Do I even want to know what kinrath stew is?" Juliette asked.

One of the finest delicacies on Kashyyyk, Forndak insisted. You'll love it!

"Only if you like big crawly things," Maris said behind the hand. "And it's about as easy to stomach as Dannix is when he's on a bender."

"I heard that!" Dannix's raspy voice crackled over the comlink.

"Of course you did," Maris replied. "You don't think I'd actually say that behind your back do you?"

"Knock it off everyone," Dahlgen warned. "The landing pads are just up ahead."

Dahlgen was the first one to touch down with some help from a Wookiee landing control officer who guided him in. He shut the fighter down and extricated himself from it. Boy did it feel good to finally be out of there. Six hours of being scrunched up in that teeny pilot's couch had produced several stiff joints that only several doses of Force healing had been able to soothe.

"Dahlgen!"

It was Maris. He turned towards her just in time to see her and most of the team running towards him. But Maris was leading the pack by a wide margin. With a huge smile of joy, she leaped at him and Dahlgen was barely able to keep them both from falling over as he caught her in mid air.

Maris pressed her body close to his and wrapped her arms and legs around his neck and waist. Cradling the back of his head in her right hand, she dug her fingers into his hair and gently rubbed her cheek against his. Dahlgen felt the tension and stress literally drain from Maris's body and be instantly replaced by a sense of elation he'd never felt from her before.

Don't you ever, ever do anything that stupid again! Maris warned him through their special bond. You have no idea what you put me through and so help me if it happens again, I'll kick your butt all the way from Coruscant to the Unknown Regions and back again.

They both knew she was joking, but there was a definite element of seriousness to it that was not lost on Dahlgen. I'm sorry Maris. I shouldn't have wandered off half cocked like that.

No Dahlgen, I'm the one who has to apologize, Maris insisted. I shouldn't have gotten so mad at you like that. Yes, I was hurt by what you did, but how I reacted was… was utterly infantile. But even the pain of that hurt was nothing compared to the hurt I felt from you after I slapped you like that. It was so cold, empty and hollow. It frightened me Dahlgen. I'm so sorry. No matter what Dahlgen, I swear to you I'll never do anything like that again. She sighed in blissful content. I'm just glad I found you again.

And what do you know… I caught you again, he said.

Maris wanted to say something but at that moment, all she could do was laugh and enjoy the moment of being in his arms.

"Ahem." A voice behind them attempted to get their attention. It was Juliette and the expression on her face was contemptuous. "Mind giving someone else a chance to say hello?"

Somewhere behind Juliette, Katya Saren massaged her temples and shook her head.

I am so tired of letting her get to me, Maris thought. Every time I do that, she wins. Jealousy is not the way of the Jedi and I've been letting it get the better of me for some time now. That's enough. No more. I will fight for what I want, but I absolutely refuse to let her get the better of me from here on. I shall fight her with cunning and subtlety rather than brute force. Because something about her rubs me the wrong way and it's not just how she gets weak in the knees when she looks at Dahlgen. I don't trust her. I believe she is spoiled and deceitful. If I'm wrong in my assessment, then I'm wrong. If not… I hope Dahlgen finds out the truth soon.

Maris released Dahlgen and offered him a smile before stepping back and allowing Juliette to come forward. Making sure that Maris had a good view, Juliette grabbed Dahlgen and planted a whopper of a kiss on Dahlgen's lips. Much to her surprise though, Dahlgen barely responded to it. And even more surprising to everyone was the fact that Maris didn't appear to get pissed off by it.

Juliette released Dahlgen and took a step back, trying to gauge his reaction. "Don't ever do something like that again," she warned him. "After twenty years, I just got you back. I'll be damned if I'm going to lose you again."

"Yes ma'am," Dahlgen replied.

"Good," Juliette said. "Nice to see that you know who's in charge."

I do. And it's not you, Dahlgen thought.

Next up was Marsala and he gave his father a big hug. "You had us all scared dad. Not a lot of us said it, but I think I speak for everyone when I say that we all wondered if you would be able to escape."

Dahlgen lifted his son up and tightened his embrace. "You know me son," he said. "The Empire can throw whatever it wants to at me. Katarina can torture me all she wants to. But I'll never break son. And I'll never be taken from you."

One by one, Dahlgen received heartfelt greetings and welcomes back from everyone. The last one to step up to him was Rayna. Dahlgen still didn't know her name, but he offered a fatherly smile. "Glad you survived young lady."

With tears staining her cheeks, Rayna embraced Dahlgen and wept out of sadness for her lost brother and happiness for the man she already considered to be her savior. He had returned. Against all odds, he had returned. Maybe there was something worth celebrating amongst all this insanity after all. "Thank you," she whispered in Dahlgen's ear. "Thank you for saving my life."

"You're welcome dear lady," Dahlgen replied. "I'm sorry I couldn't save your friend too."

The girl nodded in understanding. "He was my brother," she told him.

Dahlgen let out a long breath of disgust. Disgust at the Empire for what they'd done, but also at himself because he didn't know how to respond to that. What could he say? "I'm so sorry young one," he said eventually. "I didn't know." Rayna's grip tightened around Dahlgen's neck and he added, "But I promise you young one, we'll find the rest of your family and soon."

Uh Dahlgen, we need to talk about that, Maris told him.

Dahlgen could tell by the tone in Maris's voice that he'd already promised more than he'd ever be able to deliver. Later Maris, he said. Tell me later. He broke the embrace with Rayna and said. "For now young one, just know that you are among friends and are safe here."

Rayna nodded. "Rayna."

Dahlgen smiled. "Rayna? Is that your name?"

Rayna nodded.

Dahlgen's smile got wider. "Forgive me Rayna. In all the confusion, I guess I never did ask your name. Again, I'm sorry. My name is Dahlgen Luzard. I assume you've met everyone else?"

Again Rayna nodded. "I have. And you've all been very kind. Thank you all. And thank you again Dahlgen."

Dahlgen placed his hand over his heart. "It was our pleasure. Trust me."

Dahlgen my boy! A loud voice growled behind him.

Dahlgen stood up and turned to see a rather large Wookiee with rust colored fur and outstretched arms approaching. He was larger than both Forndak and Chenlamabec. "Salparoo!" Dahlgen exclaimed. "How are you old friend?" He groaned in pain as the big Wookiee encompassed him a bear hug.

I'm feeling strong enough to take on the entire Empire myself bare handed! Salparoo exclaimed. It's so good to see you all still in one piece! You have no idea how happy Itchy was when you made contact a while ago. When we heard about Onderon, we thought you might have taken your final trip to the Shadowlands.

"You know about that already?" Dahlgen asked, a little perplexed. "How?"

Salparoo seemed genuinely surprised. Well how else my boy? Through Huuruundar!

Now it made sense. Salparoo was Huuruundar's older brother and uncle of Forndak and Chenlamabec. "Ah, of course," Dahlgen replied. "Hooroo's made contact then?"

Not only that, he's right here in Rwookrrorro, Salparoo said.

Dahlgen was surprised by this revelation. "Hooroo's here? Right now?"

Of course.

Dahlgen turned and faced his friends, most of whom wore the same look of bewilderment on their faces. "And after all that trouble we went through to get him extra help for the Jewel of Kashyyyk."

Juliette was confused. "Jewel of Kashyyyk?"

"A bar on Nar Shaddaa I know quite well that's owned by Salparoo's brother here," Dahlgen explained. "It would have to take several steps up the social ladder to be called a dive. I had to go to a considerable amount of trouble to get Hooroo to loan me Forndak and Chen for our mission to Onderon. I wonder just how badly he needed those replacements if his intent was to come home to Kashyyyk all along."

Well Dahlgen, you didn't really expect Hooroo to miss Life Day, do you?

"So Life Day is coming up then?"

Yes. It's tomorrow as a matter of fact, Salparoo informed them. We hope you and your guests will stay for the celebration.

"We'll see," Dahlgen replied. "If possible, we will. But I make no promises. Right now, we must speak to Itchy."

Of course Dahlgen. Salparoo gestured towards the gate that served as the village entrance. He's waiting for you in the Village Elder's Lodge. If you'll follow me.

Salparoo led the way from the landing pads towards Rwookrrorro. As the group walked, General Xavier leaned over and whispered something to Queen Goneril. "It seems my son has made some rather interesting friends in the past twenty years."

"It would seem so," Queen Goneril smiled in agreement.

Planet Onderon

ISD Charybdis

Admiral Stowe fell to all fours, gasping for air. Eyes wide with terror, he feebly reached up and clutched at his throat in a hopeless attempt to relieve the strangulating pressure he felt. He tried to speak, to beg for mercy, but the only thing he could manage was a grotesque and unnatural choking sound. With pleading eyes, he struggled to look up at Katarina, her yellow-orange eyes filled with fury. The rest of her expression was both unforgiving and indifferent and she watched Admiral Stowe silently beg for his life. His last action was to feebly reach out in an utterly fruitless attempt to take her with him. But his hand never extended more than a few inches before he fell over to stare lifeless at the ceiling.

Katarina lowered her hand. "Apology accepted Admiral Stowe," she said indifferently as if she'd just been told the results for the Boonta Eve Classic. Marching past the body, she ordered the first person she saw to clean up the mess. She retired to her ready room and angrily sat down behind the desk. In a momentary fit of rage, she grabbed a water decanter from the desk and hurled it across the room, shattering it into a million fragments.

Her anger finally burnt out, Katarina took a moment to reflect on the recent events. After ejecting from her disabled fighter and landing in the jungle, she'd taken all of her frustrations out on a pair of zakkeg that had thought she might make a tasty snack. In the end she'd driven the creatures insane and they'd ripped each other apart, each of them thinking the other was a source of food.

But that had only served to whet her appetite of mayhem and destruction. After the zakkeg had killed each other, she'd stormed off in search of her downed fighter and upon finding it, had proceeded to rip it apart piece by piece with various applications of destructive Force energy. She was still in the middle of this process when the rescue transport had found her some three hours later.

She managed to calm down a little bit during the return trip to the Charybdis, only to be violently pushed over the edge again when Admiral Stowe had reported to her his failure to completely destroy the Onderonian fleet and his subsequent failure to capture the two freighters he'd sent a squadron of TIE fighters in pursuit of. Katarina knew those freighters had picked up Dahlgen somehow. That lapse in skill had resulted in the Admiral's sudden demise moments ago.

She wanted to pursue the Onderonian fleet to wherever it had gone. Probably somewhere close, at least for now. Possibly Zeltros. The Onderonians did have a treaty with them after all. But if the Onderonian fleet had gone to Zeltros, attempting to attack it there would be an exercise in frustration. Zeltros had been invaded no less than nine times in the last four millennia and none of those invasions had been successful. Damned party planet! That place should've been the Death Star's target, not Alderaan.

More than that, she wanted to pursue Dahlgen. He couldn't have gone very far either. Not with a fighter like that anyway. Even though it was no doubt hyperspace capable, it still had its limitations. If she began a search now, she was confident she could find where he'd gone in a matter of hours. But, that would mean an unnecessary expenditure of resources and other things were starting to demand her attention, not the least of which was now with the mine in full production, the first loads of tertronium ore would be ready to ship in a day or two.

To conduct this little invasion of Onderon, she'd had to augment the invasion force with most of her own security forces from Azkul Base. That meant at the moment it was dangerously under protected. And while she felt that it was unlikely Dahlgen and his allies would discover Azkul Base's location now, she had every confidence he would sooner or later. And the longer she dawdled in returning those security forces to Azkul Base, the better the chances were that Dahlgen could discover its location and mount an assault unchallenged. Then the invasion of Onderon would be for nothing. Nope. She wasn't going to take any more chances. It was time to pull back.

Since nearly thirty percent of the augmenting forces from Azkul Base had been lost in the invasion, she'd have to "borrow" some from General Dyer. He wouldn't like that, but oh well. That was his problem. She couldn't have cared less.

Well that solved the reinforcement of Azkul Base question. Now how to get back there? Using the freighter that was to be used to ship the raw material back to Azkul Base was out of the question. If she was traveling alone, that would be one thing. But with hundreds of troops in tow, there just wasn't enough room on the freighter of all of them. Not to mention the trip would take far longer than it needed to.

She could take either the Charybdis or the Minotaur, but then the occupying fleet would be caught without almost a full third of its firepower. While she found it hard to believe the Alliance would mount an operation to liberate Onderon so soon, a hit and run strike aimed at crippling the task force was a definite possibility. If that happened, she wanted all her big guns ready to repel the assault. Still, she needed big guns back at Azkul Base in case Dahlgen or his Rebel friends discovered the base's location.

In the end, she decided to stick with her flag ship, the Charybdis as her transport back to the Kwymar sector along with two Dreadnaught escorts and two Dragon escorts. It wasn't the most tactically sound decision but it was a far better move logistically. If she didn't take the Charybdis and her escorts, then she'd have to put in a request for ships from Coruscant which could take weeks to approve. And then there was the little matter of Project Epsilon's secrecy. The more people who knew of Azkul Base's location, the bigger the chance there was of that information leaking out. Still, Katarina did not want the defenses around Onderon to be cut short, so she'd leave the Minotaur and it's remaining support vessels over Onderon and put in a request for additional support ships anyway before she departed. Only if the Imperial High Command agreed to send them, their destination would be Onderon, not the Kwymar Sector.

Time to get under way I guess, she thought as she tapped her ship's comm. call button. "Captain Regnar, to my ready room! Now!"

A moment later, the door chime sounded. A small, wiry looking man with close cut hair and a nose way too big for his small face entered and threw her a snappy salute. "Captain Regnar, reporting as ordered ma'am!"

Uhhhh. His voice was so nasal sounding. From his dossier, Katarina knew he had a family. She highly suspected that his wife saw his deployments as a welcome relief from such an irritating sound. And she found his pompous demeanor almost comical. Great, Katarina thought. One of those. An officer more interested in pomp and circumstance. No doubt he advances his own career through shady dealings, political backstabbing and endless dog and pony shows to make himself look good. We'll see how long he lasts. Katarina waved off the salute. She didn't have time for all the formalities. "I'll get right to it Captain Regnar. As you no doubt witnessed, your immediate superior has been permanently relieved of his command."

Captain Regnar swallowed hard, but nodded fiercely. "Yes ma'am," he shouted.

"Really Captain, I'm right here," Katarina warned. "There's no need to shout."

"Sorry ma'am," Captain Regnar said in a quieter tone.

"The bottom line here Captain Regnar is that you will now be taking his place," Katarina informed him. "You're in command of the fleet now Admiral Regnar. The Charybdis and her designated escorts shall be departing shortly to return to the Kwymar Sector. Once we arrive back at Azkul Base, you will have complete authority over this fleet. Is that clear?"

"Yes ma'am," the newly promoted Admiral beamed.

Katarina's expression darkened and she leaned forward to ensure that he clearly understood her next point. "Your standing orders are to guard and patrol around Azkul Base until such time as you are relieved or the order is countermanded by either myself or an authority higher than myself. Is that clear admiral?"

"Yes ma'am."

Katarina lightly clicked her tongue in mild disdain as Admiral Regnar was beginning to sound more like a broken holo recording than anything else. "Good. Because I want to be absolutely clear on one thing Admiral," she warned with a forceful tap against her desk. "Screw up just once and I'll relieve you of your command much as I relieved Admiral Stowe of his! Is that understood Admiral Regnar?"

Admiral Regnar swallowed hard again and nodded, "Yes ma'am."

"Good," Katarina replied. "That's all. Get out." Admiral Regnar saluted again and turned for the door. Katarina stopped him just before he exited. "Oh Admiral, one more thing."

"Yes ma'am?"

"I can tell from your facial expression that you can't wait to plant your ass in this chair," she said as she gestured towards her own seat. "Until we've arrived back at Azkul Base and I have resumed my duties as Project Administrator, under no circumstances are you to bring anything that belongs to you into this office unless I personally authorize it. That includes your person as well. Is that clear Admiral?" That'll take the wind out of his bag.

"Yes ma'am," he said quietly.

Katarina nodded, waved him away and once again turned to the ship's comm.. "Major Derwit, to my ready room."

A moment later when the Major entered, Katarina gestured towards a chair. "Have a seat Major," she said.

"Thank you," Major Derwit said.

After he'd done as he was instructed, Katarina looked him over for nearly a full minute. He started to get uncomfortable and was about to say something when she finally spoke. "We, meaning you, me, the ships and troops that were brought from Azkul Base to participate in this little operation will be departing for Azkul Base at oh nine hundred tomorrow. Whoever is left will remain here as a garrison."

Major Derwit nodded. "Very well milady. I'll spread the word. But it does put us in a bit of a quandary."

Katarina feigned surprise. "Is that so? What sort of quandary?"

Major Derwit tapped his finger on the armrest, wondering how far he should go with his assessment. Hell with it. Now was not the time to sidestep details. "Milady, not that we had a ton of security forces to start with, but we did lose thirty-two and half percent of them during this operation. We need to reinforce that missing contingent as soon as possible."

I knew you'd know the exact percentage we lost, she thought. "I agree Major. You're a logistics officer. Where should we obtain them from?"

"From General Dyer's compliment of course," Major Derwit immediately replied.

Katarina gave Derwit a false frown. "Major Derwit, I'm surprised at you. General Dyer is much higher in rank than you are. Such a suggestion could be dangerous for you. And it goes without saying that he'll be very upset when he learns that you've suggested I take some of his forces with us."

"That may very well be milady," Major Derwit admitted. "But I really don't give a damn. As I've said before, the completion of Project Epsilon is top priority. If General Dyer has to part with some of his men to augment Azkul Base's security, then that's what he will have to do. Whether or not he likes the idea is of no concern."

"And if he refuses?"

Major Derwit gave Katarina a knowing smirk. "If so milady, then I'm sure you can persuade him to see your side of things. And if you think that would be a waste of your time, I have a back door or two I can use to get what you want."

Katarina studied him for a moment before her face split into a wide smile. "Good Major. That's exactly what I hoped you would say. I've been thinking the exact same thing." Still smiling, she leaned forward and rested her chin in her hand. "Oh Major, I must confess, I do so love your style."

Major Derwit wondered if the style she loved was that of his professional nature or a more personal nature.

"I will not require the use of whatever back doors you may have Major," Katarina told him. "At least not at this time. I'll persuade General Dyer as you said and as a gesture of respect, I shall omit any reference you may have made to the idea. Is that all right with you Major?"

"Yes milady, it is," Major Derwit answered, clearly relieved.

"Yes I thought it would be," she said. "If General Dyer whines too much, assure him that we are working to replace whatever forces we are taking with us with replacements from Coruscant. That is something I do actually want you to do Major. There may very well come a time when the Empire as a whole no longer cares about the strategic importance of Onderon and removes security forces from it. However, that day is not today. So for the foreseeable future there must be sufficient forces here to defend it. With more than half of the Onderonian Defense Fleet at large, they will no doubt join the Rebel Alliance where it would be conceivable that they could eventually mount a counter attack. All right?"

Major Derwit nodded. "I'll get on it right away milady."

"Good," Katarina complimented. "Now then Major, I have another question. As you are well aware, Dahlgen Luzard and the Royal Family have escaped. I wish to pursue them but for obvious reasons, I cannot do it directly. Not at this time anyway. How do you suggest we go about pursuing them?"

Again, Derwit's answer was immediate. "Hire bounty hunters."

Again Katarina feigned surprise. "Bounty hunters? What do we need them for?"

"Milady, while the Empire's resources in general may be limitless, our personal resources are not," Major Derwit explained. "We all will have our hands full more than ever now trying to complete Project Epsilon as soon as possible. As much as you personally may wish to conduct the search for your ex-husband, there are other priorities… at least in the Emperor's eyes. Hiring a bounty hunter would be the next best option."

"I am impressed Major," Katarina answered. "So much so that I'll even ignore the fact that you referred to him as my ex-husband. As of now, you are the only person who may address him as such… but only when we're alone. Understood?"

"Of course milady."

Getting back to the point, Katarina asked Derwit another question. "I therefore assume that you have, or at least have access to, some kind of a bounty hunter's data base or index that you can scan and pull files from?"

"Your assumption would be correct milady," Derwit answered.

"Good. Start to monitor the index and select any possible candidates for this assignment. If details about the contract we are generating are asked do not give any at this time. Just tell them it's a high-level contract being sponsored by a private individual. We'll deal with any other issues or questions concerning the contract later. If you have a question about something, ask me. Although I most definitely agree with your suggestion to use a bounty hunter, I will not use under-qualified, adrenaline junkies for this task. Clear Major?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Excellent. Whatever list you've compiled by nineteen hundred hours I want you to send to me so I can make some cross references." Almost as an after thought she added, "And come by my quarters at twenty-one thirty so we can compare notes. Is all that clear Major?"

"Perfectly ma'am."

"Good. You're dismissed Major. I look forward to your report and our next meeting."

Planet Kashyyyk – Village of Rwookrrorro

The Village Elder's Lodge

Attichitcuk was the current chieftain of the Rwookrrorro village and had been for several decades now. Known as "Itchy" by outsiders he deemed worthy of his friendship, he was tall and immensely strong, even by Wookiee standards. His gray fur was capped by a dark pronounced snout, wide brow and large eyes. A modest warrior by nature, Attichitcuk had once killed a pack of twenty vicious katarns while armed with only a single Ryyk Blade, a traditional sword forged by the Wookiees. Though the average weight of a Ryyk Blade was just over thirty pounds, Wookiees could wield then with awe-inspiring speed and precision. Attichitcuk was no different.

A direct descendant of the ancient Wookiees Freyyr and Zaalbar, Attichitcuk was famous in his own right, having participated in the Battel of Kashyyyk and being honored for the participation. But that recognition had grown even more in recent months due to his son, Chewbacca's, status as one of the legendary heroes of the Rebel Alliance and the Battle of Yavin.

He was incredibly proud of his son and equally proud of his daughter, Kallabow, though she had never taken to wandering the stars the way Chewie had. On a couple of occasions, he'd even had the opportunity to meet Han Solo, the man who had saved Chewbacca's life and to whom Chewie had pledged a life-debt to. In fact, it had been Solo who had given him the nickname "Itchy," a name he'd taken to quite well almost immediately.

Dahlgen's connection to Attichitcuk had taken a little bit longer to forge. More than a decade ago, when Marsala was still a baby, before Force Revanchist had officially been formed yet after he'd driven Katarina away, Dahlgen had traveled to Kashyyyk and visited the ancient home of Jolee Bindo hoping to find some insight and inspiration as to what course his life should take. Bindo had lived before and during Revan's time and had been a self-exiled Jedi Knight who had briefly pursued a career as a smuggler. When Revan visited the Kashyyyk Shadowlands in pursuit of the ancient Rakatan Star Maps, Bindo was spurred to come out of exile and help the galaxy once more. What happened to Bindo after the Battle of Lehon was speculative, though most historians believed he'd perished a few years later at the hands of Darth Nihilus along with the entire Jedi enclave on Katarr.

But all that hadn't mattered to Dahlgen when he'd first traveled to Kashyyyk. Like him, Bindo had also fallen in love, married and trained his wife in the way of the Force, only to watch her fall to the Dark Side. At the time he'd hoped that by visiting Bindo's old home, he could gain some wisdom and insight for how to deal with his own situation. He'd spent nearly three months in the old hut, during which Bindo's spirit had visited him only once and had only spoken a single phrase. You'll know what to do when the time comes… youngster.

It hadn't been long after that, that a hunting team of several Wookiees had made their way down into the Shadowlands for some unknown reason and discovered his presence. Attichitcuk had been the leader of the group. After being taken back to Rwookrrorro village and explaining who he was and why he'd been in the Shadowlands in the first place, Attichitcuk had slowly welcomed him into his inner circle of friends and family. It was a friendship that continued to this day.

Salparoo led Dahlgen and the others through the village to the Elder's Lodge where Attichitcuk, Huuruundar and several other Wookiees were waiting. His face lit up when Dahlgen and the others entered and he rose to greet them. Dahlgen! Good to see you my friend!

Another bear hug, another wince of pain. "Likewise Itchy my friend," he groaned.

When we heard about Onderon, we all thought you have made a final jump down into the Shadowlands, Attichitcuk said.

"Yeah, Salparoo said something to that effect," Dahlgen commented.

Elsewhere, Huuruundar greeted his two sons and thanked the gods that they had survived the battle zone of Onderon in one piece. Other village elders approached, greeted Force Revanchist and expressed their gratefulness for them surviving the Battle of Onderon. While the greetings were going on, a few of them gave Force Revanchist's guests the once over.

Though she wore a smile, Queen Goneril was a little nervous. She leaned in close to General Xavier. "I've never been around this many Wookiees before."

"You've never been around Wookiees ever Your Majesty," General Xavier reminded her. "Neither have I. But my son seems to know these people quite well, so who are we to be nervous about it?"

"True," Queen Goneril agreed.

Please, everyone be seated, Attichitcuk finally announced. We have much to discuss. He waited patiently until everyone had found suitable seating accommodations before continuing. Well Dahlgen, it seems like you have some guests with you.

"Yes," he agreed. "Perhaps I should make some introductions here." He turned and gestured behind him. "This is Queen Goneril, rightful monarch of Onderon."

"Hello," Queen Goneril said with a nervous nod.

"Here we have her oldest daughter and a long time friend of mine, Princess Juliette."

"A pleasure."

"Her youngest daughter, Princess Hermia."

"Please to meet you all."

"General Xavier Luzard, chief of Onderon's military and my father."

"How do you do?"

"And finally Rayna, an unfortunate casualty of the events on Onderon that only through the Force's grace was I able to rescue."

"Hi."

It's a pleasure to meet you all, Attichitcuk beamed. Welcome to the village of Rwookrrorro. I am Attichitcuk, leader of this village. Call me Itchy. Everyone else does.

Juliette leaned over towards Dahlgen. "Itchy, huh?' she whispered.

"Don't ask," Dahlgen answered.

Attichitcuk gestured to his right. Salparoo, you've already met. Next he gestured to his left. This here is Huuruundar. While a member of the village, he actually lives on Nar Shaddaa. Those two large boys that have been accompanying you, Chenlamabec and Forndak, are his sons.

Call me Hooroo, Huuruundar insisted.

Attichitcuk then introduced the other nine elders sharing the lodge with them before turning his attention towards General Xavier. Dahlgen's father, huh? I always wondered what you would be like. Given your son's history, I'm not surprised that you're a military man.

Dahlgen translated for his father, who replied with, "Comes with Revan's lineage I guess. Though I freely admit he is descended from Revan through his mother. Not me."

Yes, Attichitcuk said. Dahlgen once told me that his mother passed away many years ago. I sincerely hope that her journey to the Shadowlands was short, painless and peaceful.

Again, Dahlgen translated. "Thank you," General Xavier replied. "It was."

Attichitcuk then addressed the overall situation. Hooroo filled us in on the details of this Project Epsilon that you're investigating. Have you learned any more about it?

Dannix answered the question. "Some, though we're not quite sure what it all means yet. Apparently the chief engineer working on the project has discovered that something referred to only as the Derby Project is the predecessor to whatever the Empire is cooking up now."

Any idea what the Derby Project was? Huuruundar was curious to know.

Dahlgen shook his head. "No, though I've got a funny feeling I should. That's why our next stop is going to be the Citadel, so I can go through my archives. Something tells me that I'll find the answer there."

When you do let me know, Attichitcuk said. I'll have a team of warriors standing by ready to assist you if need be.

Force Revanchist was grateful that Attichitcuk would aid them if need be, but they were also concerned about the potential needless waste of life. "You don't have to do that Itchy," Dahlgen spoke for all of them. "We can't in good conscience lead Wookiees into battle that we did not ask for. Surely you must realize that not all of them will come home alive."

I do Dahlgen. We all do, Attichitcuk replied. Yet we will fight anyway. The Empire enslaves my people and treats us like nothing more than animals. So as I said, when you learn of Project Epsilon's secret location let us know right away. Any chance we get to stick our feet up the Empire's backside is a welcomed event, I assure you.

Dahlgen laughed as did the rest of the team. Attichitcuk never was one to mince words.

As for asking for warriors, you didn't, Attichitcuk reminded him. We're volunteering. I hope you won't be so ronto-headed that you refuse the help.

Another hearty laugh from the group, but General Xavier interjected something. "Wait a second son. You never said anything about this Derby Project before."

"That's because I only learned about it while I was a guest of Katarina and her magic zapper," Dahlgen said dryly.

"How?"

Maris had the answer. "For the past month or so we've had a spy working for us inside Katarina's forces. This individual, who goes by the name of Kel, is stationed in the location where the Project Epsilon is being constructed. Unfortunately we don't know where that is yet because its location is a rigidly guarded secret. Kel is working diligently to uncover its hidden location. Despite that, he has supplied us with very valuable, if occasionally questionable, information."

"Like what?" Juliette demanded angrily.

"Like the invasion of Onderon for starters," Maris replied evenly.

"Wonderful," Juliette whined. "If his information was damned good, why am I sitting here and not at the Royal Palace?"

Her comment drew several looks of ire from not only Force Revanchist, but from Attichitcuk and the other Wookiee elders as well. Maris knew Dahlgen wasn't going to let that one go unchallenged and he didn't disappoint her. "Listen, without Kel and his team, you, your sister, your mother, my father and quite possibly Rayna there would all be charred corpses now because the invasion would've taken you by surprise. Why? Without Kel we never would've known about the invasion in the first place and that means you never would've known about either. So you all owe Kel a debt of gratitude because he indirectly saved all your lives.

"As for where your butt is parked now, you can thank me for that one because it only through my assurance to them that you all are being allowed to sit in on this meeting," Dahlgen continued. "Without it, the five of you would be sitting in one of the ships under heavy guard. Wookiees are very distrustful of outsiders and with good reason." He leaned a little closer to Juliette. "So let's show our hosts a little more respect, shall we? Considering the alternative?"

Juliette bowed her head. "I'm sorry," she said quietly. "I meant no disrespect."

It's all right child, Attichitcuk said. Considering where you all just came from and what's happened over the last few days, its natural for emotions to be running a little high right now.

Queen Goneril did a little more damage control. "I think I speak for all of us when I say we are grateful for your hospitality Attichitcuk. And I sincerely hope that you will not think poorly of us because of our… extenuating circumstances."

Attichitcuk laughed heartily. Fear not Queen Goneril. I trust Dahlgen and his friends and they all speak very highly of you. Given the obvious stress of what you all have endured lately, certain unintentional outbursts are to be expected. But please… call me Itchy.

Queen Goneril smiled and nodded. "I thank you for your compassion and understanding… Itchy."

Huuruundar picked up the conversation. That brings us to a question though. Obviously the Royal Family will need to go into hiding for a time. Have you all considered where?

"I've had a few places in mind," Dahlgen said. "But regardless, I need them with us for just a little while longer."

Juliette leaned over. "Who said I was going into hiding?

"Not now Juliette," Dahlgen whispered.

Well whatever you decide I'm sure will be the best for all concerned, Attichitcuk said. Just know up front that you are all welcome to stay here as long as necessary.

"We will definitely consider that Itchy," Dahlgen replied. "And we may just take you up on that one. As I said though, for now I still need them with us."

For what if I may ask, Salparoo replied.

"I was wondering that one myself," Maris added.

"Me too," Katya said.

Dahlgen turned to his friends. "You all know my ex," he said. "Do you think she's going to give up the pursuit just because we've escaped?"

He had a point and they all knew it. Dijas spoke the answer they all felt. "No. No way. You think she'll come here?"

Dahlgen shook his head. "No. With Onderon now under her control and the tertronium ore no doubt being mined, she'll have to focus most of her attention on Project Epsilon until its completion."

Princess Hermia asked an obvious question. "Then how will she be able to track us if she can't spend the time doing it?"

Marsala answered her. "Bounty hunters."

Katya turned and looked back at them both. "He's right Your Highness. It's the only way she can keep up with us now."

Maris nodded in understanding and turned to Attichitcuk. "They'll be coming Itchy. You may never see them. They may conduct their investigation without you ever knowing they were here to begin with. But they will be here. Soon."

We'll step up our surveillance and spot them if we can, Attichitcuk replied. Hope you're right about them being covert in their search.

"Katarina won't want to draw too much attention to this investigation," Dahlgen said. "She'll use a hunter or hunters that don't have a lofty reputation, yet still have considerable skills."

"In other words, don't expect to see the likes of Boba Fett, Jodo Kast or IG-88 on this assignment," Dannix replied.

We'll do what we can, Attichitcuk promised. Is there anything else we can do for you?

"Yeah. The fighters that HK and I flew in here on need to be disposed of," Dahlgen said. "Whatever hunter or hunters show up here will be able to somehow confirm that we were here sooner or later. No need to make it easy for them. I'd prefer later, not sooner."

Attichitcuk turned and nodded to Huuruundar and Salparoo. We'll take care of it right away.

"I guess that's all Itchy," Dahlgen said. "I promise you, we'll keep you in the loop of what's going on." He turned to his friends. "We should depart as soon as possible. We don't want to stay here longer than necessary."

Hold on a second there, Attichitcuk insisted. Salparoo told you that Life Day is tomorrow, did he not?

"He did," Dahlgen nodded.

Why not stay for it? Attichitcuk invited. It will be good for you all.

Dahlgen considered his offer and once more faced his friends. The looks on their faces said it all. They wanted to stay. The Onderonian crucible had worn most of their nerves to a frazzle and they above all deserved a break even if it was for only one day. There had been enough death and destruction lately. It was time to celebrate some life.

He smiled as he turned back to Attichitcuk. "All right Itchy, we'll stay for the celebration. But we must leave the morning after it's over. Okay?"

Attichitcuk managed a smile as best he could. Great! Thank you all. He turned to Force Revanchist's guests. You all are in for a real treat. I hope you all will enjoy it.

"Just stay away from the Kinrath stew," Maris whispered.

The Kwymar Sector – Azkul Base

Seated at his desk, Marlowe Derwit examined the small vial of fluid that he held in his hand. The frown on his face was as long as the last day of school. He shook it slightly as if hoping that would change something, but the light blue fluid in the vial remained that exact color. With a disgusted sigh, he put the vial down on his desk and turned his attention to his computer terminal and the reports that it displayed.

They didn't paint a pretty picture, at least not as far as he was concerned. Sure, Katarina would be as happy as could be but that was one person he felt could actually be more dangerous when she was pleased than when she was pissed. It furthered his belief that whatever Project Epsilon truly was, it couldn't be anything good.

He had made some more discreet inquiries into whatever the "Derby Project" was lately. But aside from the number twelve and a bizarre reference to a tub in a couple of places, he hadn't learned anything new.

There was a ping at his office door and he quickly looked over his files to ensure nothing contraband was on display. He was good. "It's not locked," he announced.

His spirits lifted a bit when Lieutenant Alston entered. "Hey. How's it going?"

Sheila greeted him with a smile. "Depends on your definition. Just got word that Katarina and the security forces we sent from here will back in a day or two."

"Wonderful," Marlowe said with more than a hint of sarcasm. He gestured towards his computer screen. "As if what I've got right here in front of me wasn't enough to give me indigestion. Now that crazed lunatic and my careless father are on their way back."

Sheila moved behind the desk and glanced at the files Marlowe had been studying. "Is that the chemical analysis for the ore sample that was sent back?"

"Mm hmm," Marlowe confirmed with a nod. "And I'm not pleased with it."

"Why?"

"Because when I made my estimation to Katarina and the top brass as to how much tertronium ore would be needed to get the results required, I based that estimation on a rather low quality of ore. Look at these results though. Rock formations are very soft, or as soft as you can imagine for rock. Lots of organic material mixed in as well."

"Bottom line?" Sheila asked.

"I've never seen such a high quality grade of tertronium ore before," Marlowe confessed. "It's probably one of the purest sources of the stuff in the galaxy. Just putting some quick numbers to it, my initial estimate of how much ore we would need to refine was off by about thirty percent."

"Which means less of it to mine, less time to mine it and less time to refine it," Sheila concluded.

"Right," Marlowe said. "In turn, that means Katarina will expect a final product sooner than later."

"Maybe you can stall her by falsifying the test results," Sheila suggested. "Buy you and all of us some time."

"I considered that," Marlowe nodded. "And I still might do it. But if she decides to verify the test results herself and discovers my deception, I'm screwed. No way she'll believe any excuse I come up with. So now I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. Falsify the test and hope she doesn't discover the deception. Or present the genuine test results to her and hope that this Dahlgen Luzard fella and his little band of troublemakers discover where this base is and shut the project down before whatever this damned Project Epsilon is, is completed." He sighed heavily and rubbed his forehead with both hands. "One hell of a gamble either way."

Sheila squeezed his shoulder. "Go with your gut instinct Marlowe. And let fate fall where it may. What about the transmitter?"

"I'm working on it though I will admit progress has been slow," Marlowe assured her. "I do not know when it'll be done, but I'm hoping that time is soon."

A voice came over the loudspeaker. "Lieutenant Alston, report to the Command Center."

"Gotta go," she said as she made her way back towards the door. "Dinner tonight? Seven-thirty, my quarters?"

Marlowe smiled. "Wouldn't miss it Sheila."

Sheila blew him a kiss and was gone.

After she'd gone, Marlowe plugged a data card into his computer, called up a secret file and examined it. This was his contingency plan, a plan he'd conceived nearly two weeks earlier. He'd already made a little headway into it, but if it was going to be a success, he really had to get moving with it. It was now or never.

Planet Kashyyyk – Rwookrrorro Village

It was well after dark on Kashyyyk and Rwookrrorro was largely quiet, save for the incessant chirping of Kashyyyk's night critters. The night sentries that guarded the village against predators, both animal and sentient, maintained their vigil and constantly patrolled the treetop walkways armed with traditional ryyk blades and bowcasters. Attichitcuk had made a couple of guest lodges available for everyone and they'd all settled in for a relaxing evening. After a hearty dinner of seasoned Bantha steaks and all the trimmings, everyone had been eager to just unwind and turn in for a good night's rest.

Everyone that was, except Dahlgen Luzard. Though he had briefly obtained a few winks of sleep, he had awakened not long after everyone else had turned in. The lodge he was in was the temporary accommodation for all the males including Dannix, Dijas, Cronus, Marsala and his own father. All the girls including Maris, Katya and Juliette were in the other lodge. Juliette had complained a bit about the sleeping accommodations but with the lodges being one giant open room like they were, Dahlgen had felt it best to segregate the genders for the night.

Dannix was snoring up a storm as usual and as Dahlgen tiptoed out of the lodge, he wondered just how he hadn't kept everyone else awake. Maybe everyone was so tired that they just didn't give a damn. He grabbed a pair of items, one of which being the data pad recovered from the Umbaran dark acolyte on Onderon, and headed outside. Gee Tee was stationed just outside the men's lodge and HK was guarding the lady's lodge. The little astromech droid turned his cranial dome toward Dahlgen when he appeared and quietly closed the door behind him. "Something wrong boss?" Gee Tee asked as curiously as was possible for a droid.

"Plenty," Dahlgen said quietly. "Come with me Gee Tee. I want to talk to you." He gestured to HK and motioned that he was to assume guard of both lodges for the time being. Without a word, HK acknowledged his master's wish.

Clad only in a pair of shorts, Dahlgen led Gee Tee some distance away from the lodge to a secluded platform dimly lit by a nearby fire torch. He nodded briefly to one of the Wookiee guards who returned the nod and went about his patrol duty. Sitting comfortably on the hard wood, Dahlgen handed a second data pad to Gee Tee. The data disk that he'd found in Admiral Bostuko's possession shortly before HK had executed him was installed on it. Dahlgen had tried to read it earlier in the evening but it had been heavily encrypted. "What's this?" Gee Tee wondered.

"That's the million credit question Gee Tee," Dahlgen replied. "You alredy know that I had suspicions that Admiral Bostuko was blackmailing Juliette about something. He was hiding a data disk which I found in his quarters not long after escaping Katarina's little electrical fun house. Whatever he was holding over her is on that disk, I'm sure of it. I tried to read it this evening, but I couldn't."

"Oh speaking of that, I found out some interesting things about his sexual misconduct case," Gee Tee reminded him.

Dahlgen held up a hand. "Tell me that later. Right now just tell me what's on this data pad. It's heavily encrypted. Break the code and transcribe it for me."

"All right master," Gee Tee said. "If you're certain."

Dahlgen nodded. "I can already sense that I'm not going to like whatever it is that you find, but yes. Do it. I need to know what the hell he had on her."

Gee Tee dutifully took item from Dahlgen and set about his task. As the droid worked, Dahlgen settled into a meditative stance and reached out with his consciousness. All around him he felt the pulse of the planet. Its teeming life currents filled his being as the critters of world went about their existences. Hunting, mating, finding shelter… it all renewed Dahlgen's faith in the eternal rightness of things.

He had no idea how much his faith was about to be tested.

Some time later, Gee Tee's voice said quietly, "I'm done sir." Dahlgen emerged from his trance as the little droid extended his grasper arm and handed the data pad back to Dahlgen. "You were right. You're not going to like it."

As Dahlgen read over Gee Tee's transcribed contents, the reason why Admiral Bostuko had been blackmailing Juliette became abundantly clear. It horrified Dahlgen, disgusted him and even made him a bit angry. I suspected it was going to be something big, but this is beyond even what I feared, he thought. I had hoped I was wrong. All these news net posts, reports, certificates… damn it, I hate it when I'm right! The proof is right here in my hand.

He snorted loudly and turned back to Gee Tee. "All right, now you can tell me about the sexual misconduict case. What did you find out?"

"Check the file I put in there called Bostuko Miscoduct," Gee Tee suggested.

"Ah, I didn't check that file. Sorry."

Dahlgen punched a couple keys on the data pad and called up the file that Gee Tee had directed him to. His disgust deepened as he read carefully through Gee Tee's report. Damn. It goes deeper than I thought. This proves Queen Goneril isn't entirely blameless in this sordid mess.

"You'll also find everything I could dig up on Albert's death in a similarly labeled file," Gee Tee said.

Dahlgen sighed heavily and slowly nodded his head. He didn't want to look at that file yet, but he knew he had to. "Thank you Gee Tee," he said after reading it.

"You're welcome sir," Gee Tee replied. "I wish it had been better news."

"So do I," Dahlgen confessed. He then decided to take a look at the second data pad, the one he'd recovered from the dead Umbaran. Fortunately this one was not encrypted, and he couldn't help but gasp in surprise when he turned it on to view the contents.

There was only one item on it… a letter… which surprisingly was addressed to him. He instantly knew why as it only took him a second to identify the handwriting. It brought tear to his eye and he covered his mouth with emotion. "Luda," he whispered.

The letter was indeed from his former master, Ludmilya Zaitsev, and judging from the contents, it appeared she had written it not long after Dahlgen had made his escape into the sewers during the execution of Order 66. Now it made sense as to why Juliette had discovered Ludmilya was missing when she'd returned to the Throne Room after helping Dahlgen escape. Ludmilya had been making her own escape and somehow discovered the secret passage in the Throne Room.

Dearest Dahlgen, my lovely padawan, the letter said. I have foreseen that you will find this datapad, though you will be a man when you do. I cannot tell you how much it pleases my heart to know that you will survive and even thrive in this Sith-induced madness that has now engulfed our galaxy. You warned me of the coming storm Dahlgen, and yet I failed to heed your words. For that Dahlgen… I am so very sorry.

"It's okay Luda," Dahlgen whispered.

We Jedi Knights and Masters are taught that while we are expected to teach our padawans, so too are we expected to learn from them, the letter went on. It appears that I have much to learn about this simple fact. Had I done that, had I listened more closely to you, then perhaps I could've made arrangements for us to be as far away from this insanity as possible when it was unleashed. I could've hidden you and myself on my home world of Zeltros or somewhere else. We would've been protected there. Yet it is the will of the Force that this not be so. However, the will of the Force rings somewhat hollow to me as I sit here crying like mad, knowing that you shall spend the next several years of your life in isolation because of my failure.

Dahlgen sniffed sadly and wiped his eyes.

Please forgive my ignorance Dahlgen, for this is far from the life I envisioned for you. Neither is it the life that your ancestors envisioned for you as well. Revan himself warned me this would happen, warned me that the Sith had already set events in motion that would ensure the destruction of the Order… and I chose to ignore him and put my faith in the Council. Now I understand why your ancestors, Revan and Bastila, distrusted the Council so much and often felt they were wrong more often that they were right. Now, thousands of Jedi will suffer for their ignorance.

I wonder, as I write these words, if we shall see each other again dear Dahlgen? The future is cloudly and I cannot make complete sense of it. I trust in the Force Dahlgen and I trust that one day it will lead us back to each other. At the moment, that's all I have to live for… the one little bright spot in the galaxy that I cling to to give me hope. And yet, should it be the Force's will that we do not see each other until we have both become one with it, know that I love you Dahlgen. I love you like a brother and I think a part you has always loved me as well. I always have loved you Dahlgen from the moment I first observed your skills in the Temple. I am a Zeltron after all. It is our nature to love. And I never could quite escape my nature. Go forth now Dahlgen, my beloved padawan. Go forth and do what you must. Go forth knowing that my heart and the limitless power of the Force are with you. And above all, go forth knowing that we shall see each other again one day my beloved padawan. Forever yours in the Force, Luda.

Dahlgen sniffed again. "Love you too Luda," he whispered. "Always did." He put the data pad down and bowed his head, crying softly into his folded arms. Reading these words from her hurt deeply, but they also filled him with hope. He now had clear proof that Ludmilya too had survived the execution of Order 66. It still didn't tell him where she was now, but at least she'd survived. For the moment, that was enough. Looking up and drying his eyes, Dahlgen looked at the Kashyyyk night sky. "If you can hear me Luda, hear me now. I will find you. We will be reunited. And soon. I will find you."

I know you will Dahlgen, a voice just a hair above the wind in pitch said.

What was that? That voice! He hadn't heard it in almost two decades. Was it really hers? Had Ludmilya Zaitsev really just responded to him?

"Are you all right boss," Gee Tee asked, interrupting his moment of reflection and introspection.

Yes, he would find her one day. But for now there were things on the agenda that were, rightfully, more demanding of his time. "Yeah Gee Tee," he said relaxing. "I'm fine."

Dahlgen needed to clear his head and traditional meditation would not do in this case. Standing up and walking to the middle of the platform, he began to practice the techniques and forms of the Echani and Teras Kasi martial arts. True to his Jedi Martial Artist nature, he enveloped himself in the waves of the Force and channeled them through his body. The speed and power of his attacks and blocks increased exponentially and soon even Gee Tee was having difficult time keeping with how fast his master was moving.

Dahlgen barely even noticed the droid as he continuously sought to clear and purify his mind through the physical activity. To an untrained eye, his movements seemed disjointed and unfocused. Only a true Jedi could've seen just how precise and deadly his movements truly were. It was a display that would've been worthy of admiration from the greatest martial arts masters in the galaxy.

Shifting uncomfortably in her sleep, Maris frowned. Pain, anger, sadness. All these emotions flooded through her with a lightning quickness that both fascinated and terrified her. Unable to manage it anymore, she opened her eyes and sat up. Looking around, she saw that everyone else in the ladies lodge was fast asleep. So why was she having all these disturbing thoughts? Her gaze then focused on the door to the outside.

"Dahlgen," she whispered.

She could feel the turmoil radiating off of him like the energy signature off of a reactor. Something had happened to him and just within the last few moments. She'd never felt this kind of turmoil in him ever before. What had happened? What had him so twisted up inside?

Maris felt he was trying to center and balance himself, but he was having an incredibly difficult time doing it. He was so strong, perhaps stronger than any other Jedi she'd ever known. And yet, feeling his distress now brought tears to her eyes. Balance Dahlgen, she projected towards him. Balance. As she did, her own mind was carried back to the day when he'd given her a rather unique lesson about balance.

Dantooine – The Adare Sea

Two years earlier

The waves crashed powerfully on the shore line and the mist that resulted made everything damp and sticky. The salty odor of the water hung heavy in the air as well as the curious, and not always plesant odors of the local wildlife. But none of that mattered to Maris Brood as she glared at Dahlgen with a "you-got-to-be-kidding-me" expression.

A little over four weeks ago, she'd been reunited with her childhood friend, Dahlgen Luzard on Nar Shaddaa, one of the happiest days of her young life. He'd immediately offered her a spot in his little group of troublemakers, Force Revanchist. It was an invitation that she'd accepted without hesitation. She'd told him her story about how she'd been briefly ensnared by the dark side and much to her delight he hadn't slighted her or in any way judged her for it. In fact he'd gone so far as to offer to continue her training… continue her studies into the light side of the Force with him as her teacher.

Recalling Revan's words to her just prior to fleeing Felucia, Maris had jumped at the chance. To continue studying the Jedi way beside her old and dear friend was something she wanted to do ever since she was a child. But the damned Clone Wars and her isolation had screwed all that up. Not to mention until a few weeks ago, she'd thought Dahlgen had been one of the countless Jedi killed by the clone troopers with the execution of Order 66.

In spite of all that, her "apprenticeship" to her long time friend hadn't started off quite the way she'd expected. Though he had promised to train her, for the first few weeks she'd done nothing aboard the ship except mundane chores like swabbing the decks, washing the windows, run electrical cables through hard to reach places, paint the hold several times and cook many of the meals. At the time, she felt the work had been demeaning and often wondered if she'd made a mistake by signing on with Dahlgen's little band.

Every day that went by, she'd grown more and more frustrated by what seemed to be his lack of concern for keeping his promise to train her. Finally, she'd angrily confronted him over the whole thing, only to discover that he'd been re-training her in the basics of defending oneself with a lightsaber all along. The mundane chores had just mimicked the hand and arm movements necessary and had in fact, made them muscle memory. This was made abundantly clear to her when he attacked her with a training saber and she'd successfully defended herself using the same basic movements she'd had to do while performing all the chores she'd done. It made her feel foolish.

But now, she was once again wondering if Dahlgen was truly in possession of all his senses. "Say what?" she asked.

"You heard me," Dahlgen told her as they stood a dozen or so meters back from the shore. "Down to your skivvies."

"For what?" Maris demanded.

"Because you're about to get wet," Dahlgen said. "Now do you really want to soak your entire wardrobe?" Considering that she didn't wear anything above her hips except a very revealing halter top, he added, "You can keep your top on for obvious reasons if you wish."

Maris shook her head. Reluctantly, she began to strip off her clothing. As a measure of respect to her, Dahlgen turned away from Maris as she did. Having learned just the previous day about Dahlgen being the descendant of Revan and Bastila, she said, "I seriously doubt the spirits of your ancestors demanded you do this for whatever lesson you're about to teach me."

"You're right," Dahlgen confessed. "When they demanded I do this, they had me strip all the way to my birthday suit. So count your blessings."

Maris wasn't sure what surprised her more… the revelation he'd just made or the fact that she'd lightly probed his mind and discovered he was telling the gospel truth about it.

HK appeared and brought Dahlgen a hot cup of coffee. It had been a long night and he needed a little pick-me-up if he was truly going to get started this morning. He sipped it and savored the warm, slightly bitter tasting liquid do its job. Most Jedi of the old school would've mocked Dahlgen's consumption of coffee as foolhardy especially when the Force was supposed to be the pick-me-up that they all subscribed too. Whatever. Why the hell the Jedi of old wouldn't even allow simple little pleasures like a hot cup of coffee was beyond his understanding.

"Okay, I'm ready," Maris said from behind.

Dahlgen turned to face her as he took another sip, and immediately he felt himself choke on it. As a natural reaction, he spat it out on the ground and began to cough. What he'd seen had shocked him. Maris stood there before him wearing nothing but what the Force gave her. Not one single stitch of clothing was on her. Not even her skimpy halter top.

When he'd composed himself enough to speak, Dahlgen said, "Maris, I said down to your skivvies."

"I know," she said. "But think about it Dahlgen. I've been stranded on Felucia since I was ten. I don't own any panties."

Oops. That little detail hadn't dawned on Dahlgen when he'd decided to conduct this lesson and now he was mentally kicking himself in his rear end for his short sightedness. It embarrassed him as well and his face turned bright red. Maris found it rather fetching and she couldn't help but smile and laugh at him.

"Um… considering the circumstances, maybe you can do this lesson fully dressed after all," Dahlgen said slowly.

Still laughing, Maris went to retrieve her clothes. But at the last second she stopped herself. Looking down at her pile of clothes she decided that whatever was good enough for Dahlgen was good enough for her as well. Standing up again, she looked at him. "You know, it's not really that big of a deal," she said. "If you learned this lesson in the nude, then so too shall I. What do you want me to do?"

"Maris, I wasn't thinking clearly," he said. "You don't have to learn this lesson the way I did."

"But I want to," Maris replied. "You always test yourself in the extreme and if I'm to fight the Empire's minions and soldiers by your side, then I need to be tested in the same way. What's the lesson?"

For a second, Dahlgen stood there just looking at her, taking her form in. Her light peach skin looked flawless to him, not too light nor too dark in any place. Her hips were the perfect shape and her long black hair flowed seductively over her body. Her breasts were D-cup shaped, firm and very pleasing to see. The folds of her most intimate of places looked soft, warm and inviting.

Maris started to blush slightly as she could tell Dahlgen was taking every last bit of her form in. But she was surprised in that she really wasn't embarrassed. If anything, she was pleased that he was admiring her in such a way. But then he snapped himself out of his fantasy and nodded. "All right." He pointed to the shore. "Go… learn balance."

She looked at the water crashing and rolling on the shore, still a bit uncertain of this, but ready to do whatever it was that Dahlgen asked of her. When she looked back at him, he merely repeated his instruction. Okay, she thought as she headed for the water. Here goes nothing. Once more she stopped to look at him just before she got to the shore line.

"Learn balance," Dahlgen commanded again. "Get your butt in the water! Practice your kicks! Learn balance!"

Maris waded into the water and was immediately shocked by the initial cold of it. With a yelp of surprise, she tried feebly to warm herself. But another wave of water dashed that idea. Wow, she hadn't expected the water to be that cold but she didn't want to disappoint Dahlgen.

Even though she was shivering, she did her best to focus on her task. As another rolling wave came in, she tried to stand and kick her leg out, but the wave knocked her off balance. Stumbling, she managed to stay upright and waded further out for another try. This wave wasn't quite as powerful as the previous one, and she managed to kick her leg out successfully, but the one after that was a whopper and it knocked her underwater.

Dahlgen watched as Maris continued to battle both the water's power and its temperature. He couldn't help but laugh as he watched her struggle. She was having the exact same problems he'd had when Bastila's spirit had instructed him in this exercise, not the least of which was modesty.

Oh please, Bastila's spirit had lectured when he'd expressed some concern about stripping naked for the task. I'm your ancestor and I'm a spirit to boot. Get over it. Besides, it's not like you've got anything that I haven't seen before.

Watching Maris go underwater for the third time and seeing her shivering, Dahlgen decided it was time to do something about it. Heading down to the shore line, he whistled to get Maris's attention. "You're concentrating too much on the water and not enough on yourself," he told her. "Let the water flow around you. Then you will learn balance."

"B-but I'm s-so c-cold," Maris complained.

"So be warm then," Dahlgen told her. "Focus on the Force. Let it keep you warm. Like this."

Maris gasped in shock as Dahlgen stripped his own clothes off and waded into the water a respectable distance from her, yet close enough where she could observe him with out much trouble. As the next wave came in, he closed his eyes and raised his leg. Though it was powerful, and caused Maris to stumble a bit, Dahlgen remained steadfast, seemingly to barely even notice it.

Fascinated, Maris watched as wave after wave crashed into him and every time he would change position, all without being the least bit phased by the water. He wasn't even making any indication that the cold temperature of the water around him was having any effect.

Let the Force keep you warm, Maris thought. Okay. If he could do this, so could she. Once again she faced the endless expanse of the sea. And as another wave came in, she closed her eyes and focused on herself. And when she did, she found she barely felt the wave hit her. A couple more waves passed by and Maris felt more confident to raise her leg up and try a kick. She smiled when she felt the powerful wave pass her without so much as a shove.

Thereafter, she made small but noticeable shifts in her stance every time a wave approached. And as time went on, she noticed the temperature of the water was no longer affecting her. The Force was keeping her warm through the power of Tapas, an ability used to by Jedi to keep warm in cold environments when warm clothes were not available or impractical. Maris laughed as she began to move her arms in a variety of ways with each stance she made. She was doing it. She felt Dahlgen would be proud of her. And indeed, he was.

Rwookrrorro Village – Present Day

Maris couldn't help but laugh to herself as she thought back to that particular lesson. I thought you'd lost your mind Dahlgen. But in reality it was but one of the first of many testaments as to just how great a man you are. It was one of the best lessons you ever taught me Dahlgen. And one of the most fun. She knew all too well that Dahlgen had gotten a bit aroused by her display that day. And truth be told, she'd kind of gotten aroused herself as well. How much you aroused me back then Dahlgen pales in comparison to just how much you arouse me now, she thought.

She continued to project feelings of peace and balance towards him but his distress and sadness just continued and it bothered her to no end. She couldn't take it any longer. "That does it," she whispered to herself. Getting out of bed, she slipped on a semi-transparent night robe and went looking for him. It didn't take her long to find him practicing the intricate moves and cadences of the martial arts he'd known since childhood.

Practicing hard? She asked him.

Dahlgen stopped and turned. Maris was standing only a few meters away from him and yet, he'd been so wrapped up in his thoughts, he hadn't even sensed her approach. But seeing her standing there before him now brought warmth to his heart and a smile to his face. The expression on her face however, was one of both extreme fatigue and genuine concern. A light breeze played with her sleep mussed hair and Dahlgen found the look to be quite charming.

What are you doing up so late? He asked her through their link.

I… I felt you Dahlgen. I felt your unease and your distress. I came to see if I could help. Before Dahlgen could respond, Maris shed her robe revealing her to be wearing nothing but a white cloth wrap that covered her breasts and a pair of lacy white panties. The look made her quite seductive to Dahlgen. She raised her right fist over her head, held her left fist in front of her body and curled her left leg upwards so her foot was touching her opposite knee. Spar with me?

Dahlgen nodded and settled into a defensive stance of his own. For a second they stood silently, sizing each other up. Then Maris began the sparring session by lunging out at Dahlgen and aiming an elbow strike at his face. What's wrong Dahlgen? Why are you tied up in knots?

Oh, he said half-heartedly as he avoided Maris's attack. Gee Tee and I were just having a little chat.

And what were you chatting about? Maris wondered.

Nothing in particular. He went for a leg sweep that Maris gracefully hopped over. Uh, you mentioned that we needed to discuss something? Something that had to do with Rayna?

From the sensations she'd had that caused her to wake up in the first place, Maris knew he was avoiding something. Don't you play dumb with me Dahlgen Luzard. I know you too well. She landed a blow to Dahlgen's midsection that caused him to stumble backwards. It's not Rayna that's got you so upset.

Dahlgen recovered quickly from the blow. I'll make you a deal. Tell me about Rayna and then I'll tell what's eating me.

Maris rushed him again, attacking with a flurry of Force backed punches too fast for the average person to see. She supposed it was best offer she'd get out of him at the moment. Yes Dahlgen, it was about Rayna.

What's the trouble? He caught Maris's arm in a trap and tossed her over his hip, sending her crashing to the wooden platform. As if I couldn't already guess.

She rolled to her feet and spun around to face Dahlgen again. During the invasion of Onderon we all, of course, were a little stressed and we all had our priorities and our jobs to do. It's for that reason that we really didn't notice Rayna too much until the battle was over. But your father recognized her.

The news surprised Dahlgen. Really? He attacked again, driving Maris back with a fast series of punches and kicks.

Her defenses were at the razor sharp edge of perfection as she expertly evaded or blocked each of Dahlgen's powerful strikes. Yes. Her father was a star fighter squadron leader who participated in the battle over the planet.

He sensed what was coming, both in terms of the man's fate and Maris's next move. Let me guess. He didn't survive did he?

No, Maris said as she aimed a kick at Dahlgen's chest.

He avoided it easily. And her mother?

Died several years ago, Maris replied as she regrouped for another attack. Something called Malraa Fever.

Dahlgen took advantage of her pause to strike out at her. I'm well aware of what that is. Terrible disease. Extremely rare, but absolutely wicked when it strikes. Any other family?

Maris backpedaled away from Dahlgen's latest onslaught. I'm afraid not Dahlgen. None useful anyway. I did some additional checking into their backgrounds. Both of her parents were only children and both sets of grandparents are gone. Well, more or less gone. Her paternal grandfather is still alive and living on Corellia. But he's an outcast from the family and has been for nearly three decades. I don't think he even knows Rayna exists.

So she truly is an orphan now, Dahlgen commented as she suddenly counterattacked. Her father and brother were all she had left. And they were both taken from her in matter of minutes. Maris hit him with a blow to the head and sent him reeling.

Maris briefly winced. She hadn't meant to hit him that hard. Sorry, she apologized.

Forget it, Dahlgen insisted as he quickly recovered and attacked again.

Maris caught Dahlgen's arm and returned the hip toss he'd given her earlier. What are we going to do Dahlgen?

With a painful grunt, he landed on his backside and quickly rolled up on his feet. He couldn't just leave Rayna somewhere and he wasn't about to turn her over to some pro-Imperial orphanage someplace. Tracking down her one living relative didn't seem like a good idea either. That left only one option. But he needed some time to process it properly. To make sure what he had in mind wasn't just a knee-jerk reaction to what he'd just heard. A backhanded fist came at his head and quickly ducked under it. I… I don't know yet Maris. I need some time to think. Does she know?

Retreating from her latest assault, she shook her head. No. Your father wanted to tell her, but I suggested it might be better for her if the tragic news came from you.

Dahlgen appreciated that. Thank you Maris, he said. That was the right call and I appreciate it.

Maris dodged Dahlgen's counter punch. You're welcome Dahlgen. Should I bring Rayna to you?

No, no, Dahlgen said. He sent a kick towards her and she jumped out of the way an instant before it would've connected. Not now. I don't want to tell this to her on Life Day. Life Day is a day about celebrating life and honoring those who have passed. And while some others may disagree with me on this point, I personally feel she doesn't deserve to view Life Day hereafter as the day she learned her father died. I promise I'll tell her when we get to the Citadel.

Maris was touched by Dahlgen's decision and he felt her emotions swell. You truly are a wonderful person Dahlgen, she said sweetly. You always have been from the moment I met you in the Temple.

She attacked again and noticed the smile on his face as she drove him back. I thank you for your praise and kind feelings Maris, Dahlgen said. But sometimes I wonder if I'm truly worthy of them.

Don't say that Dahlgen, Maris encouraged him. You've always been worthy of whatever I feel about you. Don't ever think otherwise.

She threw a quick chop at Dahlgen's midsection. But he had anticipated this maneuver and caught her hand. Giving it a twist, he forced Maris to flip head over heels so as not to suffer a broken wrist. She landed on her feet and surprised Dahlgen by driving a hard backwards kick into his gut and forcing him to let go.

Charging at him, Maris was caught off guard when Dahlgen allowed her to close in. Grabbing her by the shoulders, Dahlgen rolled backwards and kicked out, launching Maris into the air. As he got back to his feet, she hit the wooden platform with a grunt but was on her feet again in less than a second. So, she asked.

So what?

Don't do that to me Dahlgen, Maris warned as she slammed into him with a combined chop / shoulder ram. You promised me you'd tell me what was bothering you so much if we discussed Rayna first. So out with it. She lunged at Dahlgen only to be driven back when he ducked low and hammered an elbow into her ribs.

Dahlgen sighed heavily. I guess I did, didn't I? He caught her arm in a trap as she pressed an elbow strike and they ended up nose to nose mere inches from each other. You know I trust you with all that I am Maris. I trust you with my life and my safety. Don't you?

Maris broke free of the lock and smashed her palms into Dahlgen's chest. The stunning blow gave her enough time to drive her knee against Dahlgen's side which sent him stumbling backwards. In retaliation, Dahlgen executed a low spin kick that took Maris's legs out from under her. Rolling to the side, Dahlgen aimed a follow up elbow at Maris's abdomen, but she blocked it and tossed him out of the way. Of course I do Dahlgen. I trust you with my life and my safety all the same.

I thank you for that Maris, he said as he forced her on the defensive again. Considering what happened on Onderon, I don't entirely feel that it's entirely justified. But whatever my personal feelings may be Maris, know in your heart of hearts that there are indeed times when perhaps I trust you far more than I trust myself.

Wow. Whatever was bothering him was eating him up more than she first assumed. That was the first time he'd ever said something like that to her and it filled her with a warmth she'd never felt before. She moved a few paces away from him and with a warm, affectionate smile on her face, assumed a guard stance. Dahlgen, please… I beg you… talk to me. Open your heart up to me. You've always said you'd catch me when I fell. Now let me catch you. Please. Tell me what's bothering you so much.

Dahlgen had also assumed a defensive posture. But now he stood upright and relaxed, making a gesture that he was finished sparring. Maris relaxed as well and followed Dahlgen when he gestured for her to follow him.

He retrieved the first data pad that he had left sitting next to Gee Tee. "Gee Tee, could you leave us alone for a few minutes please?" he asked. "And not a word of this to anyone." He held up the data pad. "This, or Rayna's situation. Got it?"

"Of course sir," Gee Tee replied. "Good night sir. Ma'am."

Maris smiled. "Good night Gee Tee."

As the little droid rolled off back towards the lodge, Dahlgen presented the data pad to Maris. "Read this."

She did ask he asked her to do and as she read, her hand covered her mouth in shock. I was right. She is very deceitful indeed. And now he knows it too. A moment later when she was finished, she slowly looked up into Dahlgen's eyes. "Is this accurate?"

"I have no reason to think otherwise," Dahlgen replied. "I've stongly suspected for some time that Admiral Bostuko was blackmailing Juliette about something. Just after my escape from Katarina's little fun house, I found a data disk in his Royal Palace apartment. That disk held most of the information that you're now reading there. He was real keen on recovering it when he saw I had it. It's definitely something worth blackmailing over."

"Ya think?"

"Despite that, there's still a piece of me that doesn't want to believe it," Dahlgen said. "Like you, I've known Juliette most of my life and I can't believe that she would do something like this."

"But Dahlgen, until recently you hadn't seen her in twenty years," Maris reminded him. "People can change in that time and not always for the better. You know that. Look at what happened to me."

"Yes I know," Dahlgen answered. "And I know better than anyone how drastically people can change and how quickly or slowly that change can occur, either for better or not. As for what happened to you, there's a big difference between how I view you versus how I view her."

"What's that," Maris asked, somewhat afraid to know the answer.

"I trust you with my life Maris," he said with a chuckle. "Hell, I trust you with more than my life. But after viewing that, I'm not sure I can trust Juliette. Aside from all that Maris, you are far closer to my heart than she'll ever be. That much has become abundantly clear to me in the last few days."

Maris listened to him as she became choked up with emotion. Force, how she wanted to tell him how much she loved him. But not now, not when he was in such emotional distress. "You've alwyas been close to my heart Dahlgen," she confessed. "Ever since we were kids."

He smiled at Maris warmly as he appreciated her feelings and beliefs. "It's for that reason that I need your help Maris."

She smiled at him. "Of course Dahlgen. What can I do? Name it and it's yours."

"Verify that," he told her as he pointed to the data pad. "Because only then will I believe that what's in there is one hundred and ten percent true. I know you won't lie to me Maris and I know you won't sugar coat it with me either. That's what I need from you now more than ever."

"Why not confront Juliette about it directly?"

"I thought about it," Dahlgen confessed. "What's stopping me is that until recently, I would've said that Juliette wouldn't lie to me either. But as I said, now after reading that I'm not so sure."

Maris reached up and placed her hand against his face, softly stroking it. "I'll take care of it Dahlgen," she promised him. "No matter what the truth may be, I'll give it to you straight."

He nodded in appreciation. "Thanks Maris."

She sensed that wasn't quite everything. "Was there something else?"

"Yeah," Dahlgen admitted. He handed her the second data pad. "Take a look at this."

Maris read it and smiled. "Where did you get this?"

"Recovered it off the body of an Umbaran dark acolyte that HK and I were forced to take out just before we made our escape," he admitted.

"Dahlgen this is wonderful," Maris said. "It proves that Master Zaitsev survived Order 66 somehow and is in hiding somewhere."

"I am indeed grateful for that," he replied.

"Then why are you saddened by it," Maris asked.

"I'm not saddened by her survival," he said. "I could never be saddened by that. What upsets me is that she didn't listen to my warnings during the Clone Wars. My warnings that we all were being led to our destruction. Only after the clone troopers turned on us and forced us to separate, did she finally accept the truth. Now she feels guilty because from what I read, she no doubt foresaw my years of isolation that soon followed." He chuckled somewhat unhappily. "I wonder how things would've been different if the two of us had escaped together. You know, I call her Master Zaitsev, but in truth she wasn't a ranking Jedi Master. She was a Jedi Knight. Hell, she was only twenty when she selected me to be her padwan."

"Really?" Maris asked. "I didn't know that. Of course when I did meet her on Christophsis I could see she was young but even I didn't realize she was that young."

"I was her first and only padwan," Dahlgen revealed. "She'd only achieved her Knighthood a couple of months before she took me on. Raised a lot of eyebrows in the Jedi Temple when she did. After all as you'll recall, I was only eight years old, almost nine, when I was taken as a padawan."

"I remember it well," Maris said. "I was happy for you but at the same time I was very sad."

Her statement sort of caught Dahlgen by surprise. "Why?" he asked her.

"Because my best friend in the whole galaxy was leaving me," Maris confessed. "And I knew the other members of Clawmouse Clan didn't appreciate or accept me like you had… which was without question or hesitation." She turned away from him and looked out over the endless nighttime Kashyyyk forests. A sudden chill caused her to rub her arms and a light wind played with her robe. "I missed you so much Dahlgen. I cried for five days straight after you'd left."

Hearing Maris's words tore at him. "Maris… I had no idea."

She shook her head. "I know you didn't." She snorted in frustration. "Master Windu visited me and said I need to snap out of it or I'd be expelled from the Order."

"Hmph," Dahlgen grunted. "Yeah that sounds like Master Windu all right. Rigid, infalliable, seemingly all-knowing and completely untrusting. Yet like most of the Order, he knew absolutely nothing. His ignorance was nothing short of startling."

Maris smiled. "I was so happy when I got selected as a padawan," she said. "I knew I'd see you again and I even told my master that. He told me not to get my hopes up. But I knew. I always knew." She turned back to face him again. "And then a just a few weeks later we were all on Christophsis. Oh Dahlgen you have no idea just how excited I was to see you again."

Dahlgen gave her a knowing smile. "If it's anything like how excited I was to see you again, then you might be surprised," he said.

"I also remember how beautiful your master was and I remember thinking, 'How can a Zeltron possibly stay true to the Jedi Code'?"

Dahlgen laughed. "Yes, being a Zeltron and stunningly attractive kind of go hand in hand," Dahlgen said. She used that to her advantage more often than I think any other Jedi in the Order at the time." He sighed heavily. "I have a reasonably good idea of where she's hiding. But as much as I'd like to try and find her right now, there's too much at stake for me to undertake the quest." He looked at Maris with an almost pleading expression. "Nevertheless, when I do undertake that quest, will you come with me Maris?"

She smiled warmly at him and reached up to touch his face. "Of course I will Dahlgen. I'll always stand at your side. I will always find you, you know that."

"Yes I do," he said. "Just as how I know I will always catch you if you fall Maris. But even so, I don't ever want to assume. It's always better to ask and be certain."

"I appreciate it Dahlgen," Maris said. She would've given anything to continue this conversation and see where it parhaps led, but right now his emotions were in too much of an upheaval and she didn't want to add to it. She retrieved her night robe and put it on. "I'm exhausted Dahlgen. I'm going back to bed."

Dahlgen nodded. "Okay Maris."

She gave him a questioning glance. "What about you? Aren't you going back to bed?"

"I will soon," he confirmed. "I just want to collect myself a little bit, that's all."

Maris smiled and nodded. "I understand. Good night Dahlgen."

"Good night Maris."

Maris slipped the data pad he'd given her into her robe's pocket and walked back in the direction of the female's lodge. And I love you Dahlgen. With all my heart, I love you. I'll always find you Dahlgen.

Planet Onderon – ISD Charybdis

Major Derwit had arrived at Katarina's private quarters promptly at twenty-one thirty hours as instructed, but the sight that greeted him at the door was, in a word, surprising. Everyone at Azkul Base and in the fleet that had met Katarina was used to her normal attire which generally consisted of her armored leather bodice, similar looking utilitarian pants, armored gauntlets and stiletto heeled boots. Occasionally she even wore a cape or robe to complete the look.

Not tonight. While she still wore her traditional black leather bodice, this one was not armored, it didn't cover any of her midriff and it greatly enhanced her already generous bust line. Over her bodice, she wore an open half jacket colored black with dark red trim made of delicate, semi-transparent material that showed off her arms and shoulders. In place of her usual pants, she wore a black full skirt also with dark red trim and adorned with small jewels and intricate designs. One leg seam was cut open nearly all the way to her hip, leaving much of her firm legs and hips seductively exposed. Finally, she wore a pair of ankle-high boots with the same stiletto heels she was already known for. With her hair done up slightly more elaborately than usual, Major Derwit assumed it was as close as she came to being sexy.

Despite her usual abrasive and fearsome personality, Katarina was quite charming with him when he arrived, pleasantly inviting him in and even offering him a drink. Derwit accepted a beer from her. He wasn't much for wine, especially the kind she was drinking, and once he got started on whiskey he sometimes found it difficult to stop. Beer he could enjoy a bit and know when to say enough was enough.

The furniture in Katarina's sitting room, though worthy of a high level diplomat, was nevertheless simple and utilitarian. Because of this, she apparently had gone to great lengths to create something of a relaxing atmosphere with soft light and the few elaborate wall decorations she had brought with her. Despite these attempts however, the light couldn't completely get rid of the sinister look and feel of her sitting room.

Katarina gestured for Major Derwit to make himself comfortable in a chair and sat across from him on a sofa. She proceeded to cross her exposed leg over the other, making sure that Derwit had a good view in the process. She smiled ever so sweetly when he nervously cleared his throat, a sure sign she'd gotten his attention.

"Well Major," she said leaning forward. "I've had a chance to go over the list of potential candidates for this assignment that you produced for me. And I was indeed impressed. However, I feel we should review the list one more time before we start inviting various hunters to apply for the contract."

He cleared his throat again. "If that's the way you feel we should do it?"

She could tell he was trying very hard not to stare down her cleavage. She decided to push it and leaned forward ever so slightly more. "Don't you?"

Major Derwit tried to avoid routing his eyes towards her chest and considered her argument. "I suppose it would be prudent milady," he nodded.

"Good," she said with a smile and leaned back. "Now you just read through the list and I'll tell you whether or not we will invite the hunter to apply for the contract as well as my reasons one way or the other. If you have any objections to my reasons, please feel free to voice them. I will consider your arguments. All right?"

Major Derwit nodded, greatly relieved that she'd retreated. "Very well milady. I'll also remind you of their species, affiliation and anything else in their record that particularly stands out."

"Very well. Let's begin then."

Derwit fumbled through the notes on his data pad until he found the file he'd been looking for. "All right, Tyionsis Cex. Srrors'tok male. Licensed by the Empire."

"Yes," Katarina replied. "I like the idea of a non-human taking the contract, though whether or not we actually award it to a non-human remains to be seen."

"Moxin Tark. Human male. Wears the uniform of the Sun Guards and even served in the Rebellion for a time."

Katrina shook her head. "No. He's very well known. Dahlgen will be on to anyone hunting him with that kind of a reputation in no time. He'll be even more difficult to track once that occurs. I want a relative unknown to take the contract, not someone with a galactic reputation easily recognized or counter tracked."

"Then that would also take Boba Fett, Jodo Kast, Dengar, Zuckuss, 4-LOM, Bossk and IG-88 off the table," Derwit cautioned her.

"Indeed it will," she replied. "I know I just told you to voice dissenting opinions you may have and in general, that is true. On this point however, I am absolutely certain. Next?"

"Very well milady. Yarr Gatonne. Human male. Independent. Primarily works in the Testarr Sector. Trained by his father, Resh Gatonne who was also a bounty hunter for many years."

Katarina got up stand and started pacing the floor in front of the Major. She appeared to be in deep thought, yet every now and then she would ensure her skirt brushed up against him. "Yes," she finally said. "He's got excellent tracking skills, yet he's still enough of an unknown in my mind to hunt effectively in other parts of the galaxy."

"Saras Krenin. Rodian female. A member of House Benelex." He cast a long look at Katarina's rear end as she walked by, a look that did not go unnoticed by her.

Katarina snorted. "Not a chance. That dim-witted Rodian always throws at least one elaborate and extremely expensive party to announce her target once she gets an assignment. More often that not, she holds two or three parties. I don't want anyone with that much of an ego."

"But according to her dossier, those lavish parties often scare her target into revealing themselves," Derwit voiced a dissenting opinion.

Katarina stopped pacing and looked at Major Derwit, but not in a threatening way. "This is Dahlgen Luzard we're talking about here Major. Do you really think he or any member of his team are going to scare quite so easily?"

Derwit admitted she had point. "No."

"I rest my case." She took a moment to kick off her boots and massage her feet. "Forgive me Major, but my feet are killing me."

"It's quite all right milady."

She resumed pacing. "Continue then."

"Sabran. Human female. Former Imperial Navy officer fluent in over 300 languages. Spent time in prison for leaking sensitive information to the Rebel Alliance though she claims to this day she was framed. Member of House Paramexor."

"That's a tough one. She may very well be innocent of the crimes she was convicted of but that doesn't mean I trust her. And I'm not too keen on hiring a hunter who is associated with the Bounty Hunter's Guild to start with. Too many middle men." She paced some more as she thought it over. "Oh very well, we'll extend the invitation to her. Her uncanny knack with languages may prove useful."

"Alic and Vika Surn. A brother and sister team that work primarily inside the Inner Rim. Members of House Neuvalis."

Katarina seemed repulsed by them. "Uhhhh…no. Alic is a freewheeling gambler who takes far too many unnecessary chances and his sister is about as mentally unhinged as they come. I will not have this mission compromised by sloppiness or by someone who is prone to violent fits of anger."

You just described yourself, Derwit thought. And you're just as mentally unhinged as Vika Surn is. Oh never mind.

"Who's next?"

"Zardra. No last name given. Human female. Independent. Recently collected a bounty for the pirate known as Dharus. She has a 50,000 credit bounty on her own head contracted by Jabba the Hutt for apparently slaying an important Hutt cohort of his."

Katarina shook her head. "No. She is overly cautious and meticulous. And I don't need someone with a bounty on their own head to take this contract."

"Milady, I feel I must object to your decision on this one," Major Derwit stated.

Katarina turned to face him, but maintained her surprisingly pleasant demeanor. "Why Major?"

"Milady, I will not argue that Zardra is indeed everything you have just said and that bounty on her head could be a problem. But consider this… someone who is analytical, someone who scouts out escape routes and plans for alternative hunting sites is far less likely to fail than someone who might mindlessly charge into a deadly situation and get themselves killed. I truly think you should reconsider."

He had a point. Katarina removed her half jacket, tossed it on the sofa, gracefully moved behind the major and looked over his shoulder at his data pad, being certain that her cheek was never more than a centimeter or two from his. When she felt she'd sufficiently flustered him, she replied with, "Very well Major, I'll take your advice. Invite her."

Major Derwit ran a finger through his collar in a lame attempt to loosen it. Was it getting hot in here? "Um… Armx. A modified MereData RM-2020 Espionage Droid. Licensed by the Empire."

"No, no droids. Far too oblivious to collateral damage."

"I would've thought that wouldn't matter to you."

"In general it doesn't," Katarina confirmed. "But we want Dahlgen alive. A droid would be too analytical and may very well likely conclude the best way to bring Dahlgen in is to eliminate him and anyone who happens to be in the way. And if that were to happen on a neutrally aligned planet, it would just add another world to the Alliance's roster. No, droids cannot be controlled the way sentient beings can. Next?"

Major Derwit cast a quick glance at Katarina's cleavage before continuing. "Greffnakk. Gamorrean male. Independent. He has an impressive capture list of seventy-four bounties."

"Crude, brutish and thick-headed just like all Gamorreans," Katarina said. "But his capture list is impressive. What the hell? Invite him."

"H'rinnrada. Another Rodian female. Independent."

"No way. She's only concerned with gaining status in her own clan and is not known for subtlety. She could be just as dangerous as a droid. On top of that, she is not to be trusted as she has turned on more than one employer after fulfilling a contract."

"Morr. Defel female. Greatly disgusted by those who do not keep their word."

"Yes. She uses the fact that most people believe her species to be mythical to her advantage," Katarina said. "While I doubt that would influence Dahlgen, she still has other species specific traits that could come in useful."

Katarina was still standing practically cheek to cheek with him and it was becoming a bit distracting as Derwit seized every chance he could to sneak a glance at her beautifully proportioned, yet muscular body. He even managed to steal a glance at her ice blue eyes and briefly though how beautiful they were… at least when they weren't in the middle of a dark side induced rage. He cleared his throat in nervousness yet again. "Uh, Garim Ayrvn. Former Imperial prison warden. Member of House Tresario. The prison he oversaw was raided by the Alliance and all the prisoners were set free."

"No Major. He's self-centered and moody. All he wants is to return the prisoners who escaped from him to custody. That why he became a bounty hunter in the first place. He constantly thinks about failure, which guarantees he will continue to fail."

"Gradress Nall. Human male. Third generation bounty hunter and a member of House Salaktori."

"No. He is known as being arrogant, head-strong and altogether unpopular amongst his peers. That's the kind of hunter Dahlgen wants on his tail. Someone who is so self-absorbed they will never be able to see the tables being turned against them until it's too late."

"Janildakara. Human female and a former slave. Member of House Renliss."

Katarina sighed. "I trust House Renliss less than any other guild house in the galaxy. It's run by two twin sisters who were once members of Imperial Intelligence. So by their very nature, they are not to be trusted. On top of that, they only hire female hunters, only accept contracts on males, insist that all their hunters be referred to as "huntresses" and bring more captives in dead than alive. No. Far too limiting, risky and her masters are far too picky."

"Stavrin Hevix."

"I said relatively unknown. Not completely unheard of."

"Wexlann Tarn. Independent."

"Doesn't this man strike you as odd Major?"

Major Derwit shrugged.

"No?" Katarina seemed a bit surprised by Derwit's reaction. "Well he sure strikes me as odd. Think about it. A bounty hunter who uses the money he earns from his collected bounties to finance his personal fine art collection? How utterly bizarre! Still, he does have some useful skills and I've seen crazier reasons for getting involved in bounty hunting. Go ahead and invite him."

"Finally, Aglar Orin. Former TIE fighter pilot. Licensed by the Empire."

"And that's one of the crazier ones right there. He's a boorish braggart whose hunting skills, while considerable, are matched only by his completely riotous behavior when not engaged in a hunt. Oh well, maybe a crazy hunter is what we need. Invite him. Who does that leave us with?"

Major Derwit reviewed his notes. "Uhhhh… Tyionsis Cex, Yarr Gatonne, Sabran, Zardra, Grefnakk, Morr, Wexlann Tarn and Aglar Orin."

"Send out the invitations tomorrow. Since we are heading back to Azkul Base then, we'll have the meeting and conduct interviews at the Governor's Mansion on Kestos Minor in three days time. Late comers will not be considered. Put in the invitations that anyone who shows up will receive ten thousand credits for their trouble whether they are awarded the contract or not."

"Will we actually do that?" Derwit wondered.

"Yes Major, we will," Katarina said. "We've got to entice them into attending the meeting somehow because we're not revealing the contract to the hunter until the hunter has been chosen. Our budget can afford it. Is all that clear Major?"

"Yes milady," he said. "I'll get on it right away."

Katarina saw he was beginning to pack up his things. Time to act. She leaned in close and whispered in his ear. "You don't have to do that right now Verrill. It can wait for the morning." She gave his ear a little lick, then quickly took a few steps away from him. She glanced back over her shoulder. Success. He was too stunned to speak. She turned to face him. "I'm sorry, I may have gone a little too far. Was calling you by your first name inappropriate?" she asked innocently.

He could barely find his voice and when he did, he sounded like a love struck teenager. "I… I… I don't know milady. Wait. Of course, milady. You may call me Verrill if that is your wish."

"Why thank you Verrill," she said appreciatively. "The little tease I gave you then? I suppose that was grossly inappropriate."

What did he say to that? Regulations for sure said it was verboten, but then Katarina operated outside of normal regulations. When she'd licked his ear, he'd found it both stimulating and terrifying. "It was only if you believe it was milady," he answered.

"If I thought it was inappropriate Verrill I never would've done it in the first place," she said deceptively sweetly. She slowly sauntered towards him and an aroused gleam appeared in her eye. "You know Verrill, I have noticed the way you've been looking at me."

Major Derwit's heart skipped a beat or two. "You… you have milady?"

"Mm hmm," she said with a girlish nod. "I'm not blind Verrill." She slyly reached down and helped Major Derwit to stand. Tracing her finger over his chest, she continued with, "And not just tonight either. I've seen how you stare longingly at my ass. How you sneak glances at my breasts when you think I'm not watching you. Appreciate the gentle curves, yet firmness of my thighs and hips." She pulled her finger away and waited a minute for Derwit to digest what she had just said. "If I'm wrong, please tell me Major." She reached up and gently touched his face. "But I don't think I am, am I? You do indeed do all that, don't you Verrill?"

"I… I…" His gaze dropped towards the floor.

"Verrill my dear, you don't have to deny it," Katarina assured him as she upped the ante by running her hand seductively across his chest instead of just her finger. "If it's true, just say so. I'm not going to cut out your heart for it."

Major Derwit looked up again, his eyes meeting hers. The blueness of them was deceptively alluring, yet he knew just how fast they could change given sufficient motivation. "I won't deny the truth milady," he admitted. "I have watched you, your actions and your motions often."

Katarina smiled. "I thought so." She waved a finger at him. "You're a naughty, naughty boy Verrill," she playfully accused. "I'm your commanding officer. I could have you busted back to a lieutenant for such thoughts and actions."

"Indeed you could milady," Major Derwit replied. "If that is your intent, I should leave now and forget this meeting ever happened."

"Verrill darling, relax." She innocently placed her palm upon her chest. "I intend to do nothing of the sort. And I've also noted how you always refer to me as "milady." It's just you and me in here Verrill. Call me Katarina please."

Major Derwit's head was spinning. He felt like he was losing control. But despite her vicious nature she was just so damned beautiful he couldn't help himself. "Forgive me Katarina. I have watched you from afar since the day we met. And I have been utterly enchanted by your beauty and your power. Yet, you also cause me great fear. I've seen you dispose of people as casually as I toss my socks into the laundry at night. I do not wish to be disposed of in such a fashion. I therefore, have to believe that if you're calling me out on my childish fantasies, at least part of you enjoys being watched by me."

"There's no need to be afraid of me Verrill," Katarina smiled. "While I readily admit I use people all the time, you're different. Ever since being assigned to this project, you've become the only one around me that I can truly trust. That says a lot about you Verrill darling." She ran her finger from his mouth down to his chest. "And you're right Verrill. I do so like the attention you give me." She suddenly reached down and gave him a firm squeeze between the legs. "Mmmmmm," she purred her approval. "Very nice Verrill darling. Very nice."

She stepped away from him and turned her back towards him. Looking back over her shoulder, she said, "As for childish Verrill, I never said your fantasies were childish. I do so like being fantasized about."

Behind her, Major Derwit felt like he was going to explode any second. Emboldened by Katarina's sudden grope and words, he walked up behind her, placed one hand on her hips through the open seam of her skirt, his other hand around her bodice and his lips nuzzled her neck.

He felt Katarina respond as she stiffened slightly and slowly turned her head towards him. She reached up and gently caressed his face. "You want me Verrill, don't you?"

"Again Katarina I will not deny it," Major Derwit admitted as he nibbled at her ear. "I have wanted you from the moment I met you. I want to become lost in passionate ecstasy with you. I want to feel your naked skin against mine. I want to plunge deep inside you 'til I can plunge no more. Yet because of what you are, who you are, the power that circles around you, I have feared you would reject me.

Katarina quickly turned and gave Major Derwit a fiery kiss that made him weak in the knees. "Verrill darling, I may be an agent of the dark side. And I may use that power to get what I want most of the time." She kissed him again. "But we're all agents of the dark side in some capacity. Underneath my rather rough exterior Major, I'm still a woman." She ran her hands down Derwit's chest and proceeded to begin unbuttoning his coat. "I have wants and desires too Verrill, just like anyone else."

She stepped away from him and slowly walked towards her bedroom. As she moved, she undid the clasp of her bodice and allowed it to fall to the floor. She stopped a few paces from her bedroom door and turned back to face Derwit once more. She proceeded to untie her hair, allowing it to spill naturally along her back and shoulders. Then Katarina then hooked her fingers into the waistband of her skirt and slid it and her panties to the floor.

For a moment Katarina stood quietly observing Major Derwit as he drank in her naked form. He was actually trembling with either unchecked fear or gleeful anticipation. She couldn't tell which and it mattered little to her. He was hers now. "And what I want and desire right now," she said softly. "Is you Verrill." She placed her hand between her legs and gave herself a quick, but highly stimulating touch making sure Derwit saw her do it. With a finger, she beckoned him to her. "So come here Verrill darling." She rubbed herself just a little bit more. "Come take what you want. Come give me what I want."

She disappeared into the bedroom, but reappeared briefly in the doorway. "Unless you have something more important to do that is."

It took Derwit all of three seconds to shed his coat and his shirt. By the time he got to the bedroom and closed the door behind him, his pants were half off too.

"Oh yes Verrill darling!" Katarina exclaimed seconds later. "That's what I was hoping you'd do!"

Planet Kashyyyk – Rwookrrorro Village

Dannix Krell staggered up to Dahlgen and observed the nearly full drinking mug in his hand. "You're not drinkin' there chief," he said with a slightly slurred tone.

"I don't think anyone can drink as much as you can Dannix."

"True, true," he said as he staggered away.

The Life Day celebration had been in full swing since sunrise. The band that Dahlgen had observed practicing while on approach to the village yesterday, endlessly played its festive sounding tunes to the quiet appreciation of the older Wookiees and the delight of the younger ones. Sometimes a number of Wookiees would gather and perform a traditional folk dance as part of their Life Day customs. Attichitcuk even taught an extremely mortified Queen Goneril to perform one of the less elaborate dances with him.

"I think he likes you Your Majesty," General Xavier joked as a red-faced Goneril walked over to him when the dance was over.

The comment earned General Xavier a well-deserved jab in ribs, but Queen Goneril was laughing when she did it. "Oh shut up!" she complained amidst her laughter.

Several other Wookiees passed out the traditional Wookiee-ookiees and mugs of steaming Hoth Chocolate to everyone. Similar to regular hot chocolate, Hoth Chocolate was a decidedly creamier drink with a hint of spice and a secret ingredient that gave it a flavor unmatched anywhere in the galaxy. No one, not even the best chefs on Coruscant had ever been able to discover or mimic what that unique flavor was. And though most of the cultured palates were unaware of the difference, for the rare few that had tasted true Hoth Chocolate, there was never any doubt as to which was their preferred favorite.

Another hot drink whose name was unpronounceable by human tongues was also served to the older generations. A locally made spiced fermented beverage, it was slightly weaker in potency than an average beer. Yet like all fermented drinks, the results were predictable if enough was ingested. By the looks of it, Dannix was well on his way to getting hammered and Katya wasn't far behind him. Observing the scene, Dahlgen couldn't help but laugh. Dannix could hold his liquor better than anyone else in the team. Even Dahlgen himself had a hard time keeping up with him. And Katya could barely hold a single drink. Two of them and she was gone. If he was nearly as sloshed as Katya was, Dannix must've drank a dozen of them or more.

Juliette appeared next to him and she noticed his long facial expression. "What's wrong Dahlgen?"

She's had a bit of the spiced stuff too, he thought. "Nothing. I'm okay," he lied. "I suppose I'm still in a state of decompression due to my short, yet intense captivity."

Juliette ran her hand over his chest. "Well you're back with us now Dahlgen baby," she said. "You're back with me now. Isn't that great?" Before Dahlgen could answer, she leaned up and stole a quick peck from him that was only slightly returned. She then took the liberty of turning around and settling herself against him.

Yeah, wonderful, he thought. In truth his thoughts were more on what he'd read in the late Admiral Bostuko's data pad than anything. He cared a great deal about Juliette. Always had and always would. He knew that Juliette was looking to him for more than a friendship. But how could he return that affection? How could he return affection that he wasn't sure existed anymore? Certainly it didn't exist now in the way it had when they were kids unlike the affection he held for Maris. And how could he show true affection for someone he was no longer sure he could trust?

The answer was simple… he couldn't. Looking away from Juliette, Dahlgen focused his eyes on Maris who was dancing with the Wookiees. Being in brief captivity had made one thing abundantly clear to him. That's where his heart truly was… wholly and unconditionally. Yet despite the close bond they had, he wondered whether her heart was in the same place. If he'd come to this conclusion a few weeks ago, he would've said unequivocally yes. But the fight they'd had on Onderon had changed that feeling a bit. Even though she'd apologized for her behavior in handling the incident several times, he knew her feelings of betrayal hadn't completely disappeared. With such a life altering incident as the Battle of Christophsis and the revelation that she'd nearly been killed during the battle and saved only through Dahlgen's intervention, how could she not feel at least a little bit betrayed? Maybe I'll just stay single the rest of my life, Dahlgen thought. It's less complicated that way.

A loud explosion erupted to his left and instantly Dahlgen was on alert. But upon seeing the source, he relaxed again. The Wookiees were lighting off fireworks. Though there were guards posted at various intervals around the village, Dahlgen didn't believe there would be any trouble from the Empire or slavers today. The last time slavers attempted to make a raid on Life Day, the lucky ones were killed quickly. The unlucky ones were either cast down into the Shadowlands or sent back to their masters permanently confined to hoverchairs. Since that incident there had been an unwritten rule in the slave trader community… leave the Wookiees alone on Life Day.

Dahlgen excused himself from the scene, much to Juliette's confusion and wandered off to a secluded spot where he could look out over the vast Kashyyyk forest. Leaning against the railing that lined the walkways, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Was he being too rash in asking Maris to do him the favor he'd asked? Was it the Force's will he was following or his own?

There was no clear answer to that question. Not with what he'd learned from that data disk. For now, he'd let Maris complete the task he'd asked of her. After that… we'll he'd cross that bridge when he got to it.

"You okay dad?" Marsala had seen his father walk out and had become a little concerned. He and Rayna had followed him to this spot to find out what was going on.

Dahlgen turned and smiled to them both. "I'm all right. I just needed a moment alone."

Rayna hazarded a guess. "Girl trouble?"

Both Dahlgen and Marsala looked at her in surprise but it was Dahlgen who spoke. "What makes you say that Rayna?"

Rayna rolled her eyes. "I may only be fifteen, but even I can see that Juliette and Maris are competing for you. Especially considering the fight they had while you were missing."

Dahlgen wrinkled his brow. "Fight? What fight?"

"Later dad," Marsala said, trying to steer him away from the subject.

"No, no," Dahlgen warned. "What happened? What about this fight?"

Reluctantly, Marsala told his father about the short but rather intense catfight between Maris and Juliette and why it had started in the first place. He snorted in disgust. He'd chew both their asses later for this one. There was no excuse for it.

"Sorry," Rayna said quietly. "I thought you already knew."

"No I didn't, but thanks for telling me," Dahlgen said. The noise level of the celebration got quiet real fast and they could see that they were all moving towards the largest lodge in the village. "Looks like they're about to start the feast," Dahlgen said. "Come on. Let's join them."

Dahlgen walked back to the group and put an appreciative hand on his own father's shoulder. General Xavier looked, smiled and gave his son a fatherly embrace.

Marsala and Rayna watched the scene play out. "You sure your father's okay?" Rayna asked.

"No," Marsala said, shaking his head. "And I have no idea what's bothering him."

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