Dark Alliance Complex

Nash paced back and forth in the wide-open reception hall, his long legs carrying him in strides too wide for the supervising guard, Sergeant Youst, to keep pace. So, the man simply stood in the middle of the room reading off the final counts of the dead and wounded.

"Two were dead on the shoreline?" Nash bellowed. "I was watching, and no troopers were thrown off the cliff, Sergeant. Did these men decide to try to fly? Did the wind simply whisk them away like leaves in the wind? Tell me, what did your men see? Surely they saw what happened as the monitors are… monitored… every hour of the day."

The Sergeant grimaced. "Yes, Commander Windrider, they are. I will personally see to finding an answer to this puzzling and frustrating dilemma."

"Yes, yes, yes – you do that, Sergeant. I don't want a single inch of this property unsupervised. Is that clear, Sergeant Youst?"

"Crystal, sir," he replied. Nash knew Youst well, as he knew every single person he recruited into their positions. There wasn't an ounce of easy in that man, so it wasn't training or weak oversight that left holes in their security grid. It was something else. Nash was willing to bet that something else wielded a red light saber.

"Nash," Korus said, breaking through Nash's moment of deep concentration. Nash startled a bit, then smiled weakly.

"Sorry, Korus. It's a troubling moment. What is it?"

"No one left their rooms or resisted your instructions. Several people were in their rooms long before the alarms sounded. I think we all understand why it is important not to risk a reduction in our numbers," Korus commented, half expecting Nash to volley it back at him with some witty retort. Instead, Nash simply sighed.

"The artifact is untouched. There aren't any signs the intruder left the area where Jedi Solo was being held," Nash mused. "Is it possible the Jedi rescue was the purpose for the incursion? It would certainly seem so." Nash looked at Korus in such a way that made it clear he was seeking an authentic response.

"It is a logical conclusion," Korus said, though his expression lacked conviction. His furrowed brow was the first tell. Nash waited for the but… "There are some bits to it that don't seem to fit, which I think we need to consider. First, the red lightsaber. I believe it was you who once said the Jedi do not outsource their jobs?"

Nash laughed out loud at the memory of Korus playing attorney in his fancy suit while Nash sat in Jedi custody on Borleais. "Yes, I do believe I said something to that effect," Nash chuckled.

Korus rolled his eyes, "Like I said, there is that. And then there is the fact that it has been widely reported that Jedi Solo is dead. His wife has grieved, and the Jedi have gone without her expertise during a time it was sorely needed. Who would be here to rescue Jedi Solo other than the Jedi, but why would they come to rescue someone they think is dead?"

"Go on," Nash encouraged. Korus making sense was making everything else more confusing.

"The red lightsaber. A woman with a red lightsaber. Who could that be? While it is not uncommon for a lightsaber to show up in the hands of miscreants and others, they don't know how to use them. Not like that, anyway." Korus said the last statement with reverence. Nash understood why. The art was indeed impressive.

"I thought the show was over by the time you made it out with the Ysalamiri," Nash said.

"One need only witness the aftermath to appreciate a Jedi's skill in battle," Korus said.

"And who said that, my loquacious friend," Nash teased.

Korus tilted his chin upward and said, "Me!" Nash snorted, and Korus smiled. "You must be rubbing off on me – everything except your… impressive… dialect."

Nash put his head in his hands and tried to rub away the exhaustion and apprehension. "Maybe we should convene," Nash said more to himself than to anyone listening.

"Maybe you should get a good night's rest, Alpha. Tomorrow will be a very intense day for everyone. Some might be hesitant to revisit their gifts after this much time has passed. If they are sleeping or meditating, maybe it would be best to say goodnight."

"Maybe you are just anxious to see Sona?" Nash suggested with a wry smile.

"Actually, we are spending these nights apart," Korus admitted, not bothering to hide his dislike for the arrangement. "Of course, I'd prefer we not, but we both agree it is probably better for us to focus on ourselves without distraction over the next few days." Nash glanced at his friend, feeling appreciation for his dedication to what they were doing.

"Thank you, Korus. I truly mean this. I am grateful for your dedication. I am tired, and weary of the hurdles and barriers. You just reminded me that I am not the only one invested in this."

Korus nodded. "It is goodnight, then?" he asked.

"Goodnight," Nash agreed. They both made their way to the lift in silence.

Dark Alliance Complex: Outside Main Residence

Paxson scaled the walls with cat-like grace and speed. He made it to his balcony without detection by the troopers that were patrolling the grounds beneath his room. He sat in a chair, appearing as though he had been there all along, and stared out at the water. For an hour he thought about the events of the night. Grhan is alive! He was here! Paxson repeated in his thoughts. He was eager for Grhan and Mara to get off planet and get word to the Jedi, Geth, and Admiral Kyrell of their location.

In the meantime, he realized he needed sleep. He opened the balcony doors and made his way through his dark suite to the refresher. The light came on and he was startled by his appearance. He looked rough. He needed a sanisteam and good shave. He walked out into the room to grab his slippers when his heart skipped a beat. Sitting in a chair, quietly observing him, was Eevou.

"Eevou!" he said, startled. "When did-"

"What if I tell you thirty minutes ago. I could say I saw you sitting on the balcony, thoughtfully contemplating important things before coming in to realize you probably need a good shave and sanisteam," she said, not smiling or teasing.

"What if you tell me the truth?" Paxson said, moving to sit across from her chair on the edge of his bed. He held a towel in his hand. "You can still end with the sanisteam and shave."

"The truth," Eevou said. "The truth is, I don't really care." She shrugged. "I left my room, too. How can they expect us to just sit in here while klaxons are screaming, and blasters are firing? Who wouldn't be curious?" she said.

"Yes, I admit it. I was curious. Why would someone be attacking the complex?" Paxson asked Eevou. "Do you know?"

"No. Please trust me on this. I honestly do not know. I wouldn't tell you if I did, but I will tell you that I don't," she admitted.

Paxson nodded. "Well, there wasn't anything to see by the time I got up the nerve to take a look. Except, there were a lot of injured or maybe dead guards and troopers. I'm afraid we might be vulnerable."

"No, we're fine. Nash has hundreds of reserves. He hasn't even begun to pull back the curtain on his resources. All of that is for later," she said. Then her eyes widened, and she covered her mouth. "I… I don't know why I just said that. I'm not supposed to…"

Paxson held up a hand. "It's alright, Eevou. I won't repeat what you've said. That's Nash's business. You can trust me."

Eevou cocked her head to the side and smiled warmly. "I think… I think I know I can. I don't do that – trust people. Not easily, anyway. But for some reason I trust you." She stood up and started walking toward the door. Paxson observed her as she moved away from him, thinking he should say something, but the awkwardness had already creeped its way in. "Paxson," she said, then turned around to face him.

"Yes?" he asked.

"Please, don't make me regret it. Trusting you, I mean," Eevou said, her eyes looking sad again.

Paxson stood up and walked up to Eevou. He took her hand and squeezed it. "Whatever happened to you – to make you lose faith in people – I can't fix. But I would never intentionally do anything to reinforce that fear. I've had my heart broken, been betrayed and make my own mistakes. There are enough things outside of our control that cause us to hurt and feel pain. I'd like to think I can be a good enough person to avoid adding to all of that chaos. I'd like to think I am able to be a worthy friend."

Eevou smiled, this time it was almost whimsical. Her eyes sparkled. Paxson noticed it immediately. "Did you know your eyes – Wait! I can't say it. It will sound so cheesy," he laughed and took a step back. He felt the full impact of his warm, bright red cheeks.

"No! Say it!" Eevou laughed.

"I can't. It will make me sound like a blasted nerf herder," he argued.

"No, it won't! I promise. Please, say it. Say it – say it – say it!" she pleaded as she did little bounces and clapped her hands.

Paxon groaned and put his palm against his forehead. "Okay. Has anyone ever told you that your eyes twinkle?" Paxson didn't even wait for a reply. He threw the towel he had been holding over his head and held it there with his arms, bent at the elbows in front of his face and his hands over the top of his head. He felt a tug at the towel. "Nooooooo! Gooooo away! I've made a fool out of myself. Leave me to my shame!" He heard Eevou laughing – it sounded like tinkling crystal – unique and actually very nice.

"Come out of there! You're being silly!" she said. The tugging increased.

"I'm not! You can't make me!" he insisted, his voice muffled. Her laughter increased. Now she was really tugging. She grabbed his forearms and pulled. "Ha! Good luck with that!" Paxson teased. Next thing he knew the grip on his forearms tightened and he felt a weight pulling him forward. "Are you hanging from my arms?" he laughed.

"Come out!" she insisted, still laughing.

"Lizard monkey!" he snorted. Suddenly she let go.

"Paxson, will you please come out?" she asked politely.

Paxson sighed. He was pretty certain the previous humiliation was gone, having been replaced with the humor. He slowly peeked out of corner of the towel to see her standing there, one hand on her hip and the other by her side, her hip jutted out and a look of amusement on her face. Definitely an improvement, he thought. He dropped his arms and the towel.

"Before I leave, I wanted to say 'Thank you' for the very nice compliment. Yes, I've been told my eyes twinkle or sparkle – some variation or the other. However, I've never had someone tell me this simply because he was being nice. So, thank you." With that, she turned and walked out of his room.

Nash Windrider's Private Quarters

The door slid shut just in time. Nash was winded from his sprint to the end of the hallway. Eevou's quick exit didn't give him much time.

On his way to his suite, he couldn't help but overhear the laughter and what he was certain was Eevou's voice – coming from Paxson's room. Naturally, he paused and heard more laughter. He could have sworn he heard Paxson's muffled voice say, "Are you hanging from my arms?" followed by Eevou saying, "Come out!" and then Paxson calling her a "Lizard monkey!"

When Nash was finally finished with his sanisteam and in the bed, the sound of their laughter and fun echoed in his head. I told her to get a friend – a girl friend. Mr. I Can Melt Women's Hearts with My Smile and a Wink is most definitely NOT a girl. And that laugh! What's up with that giggle?

Nash imagined Eevou in her Ciena wig, his body holding her against the wall. Whoa – stop it! Don't go there. That is definitely a "never, ever again"! Nash pulled a pillow over his head. Serves me right for sticking my neck out!

Again, this left Nash pondering why he even cared. And then he thought about Remy being only 36 hours out. A devious smile crossed his lips. Problem solved!