Ka'hirr was trying hard to control himself. He was a man! Not some post-pubescent teenager who had never seen a girl before. A man. A man with control.

But sitting across the table from his wife, eating dinner together for the first time in months he was fighting his most primal urge to want to ravish her. Mako was the most beautiful woman in the galaxy and even after twenty years of marriage and nine children Ka'hirr's heart still skipped a beat when he was with her. That was a tough thing for a grizzled old mercenary to admit.

"Ka'hirr...Ka'hirr?"

He was brought out of his thoughts by his wife waving a hand in front of his face, trying to get his attention.

"You there?"

Ka'hirr smiled. "I'm just happy to see you."

Mako rolled her eyes. "You big oaf. Think your compliments will get you into bed with me?"

He grabbed her hand and kissed it. "It's always worked before."

Mako sighed and took a sip of her drink. "You're still after baby number ten aren't you?"

"Oh come on, it's a nice even number! And it doesn't have to be a baby. We can adopt again."

"You Mando'a just love to spread the family name don't you?"

Ka'hirr grinned. He loved that Mako could trade verbal jabs with him. A woman with a sharp tongue was the best kind.

"Cyar'ika, I love you. And I love our children. I only want to have more because I love being a parent with you. There's no one better."

She rolled her eyes, but the smile he first fell in love with started to appear on the corners of her lips.

"Ni kar'tayl gar darasuum." he whispered, clutching her hand tight.

"Yeah, yeah I love you too. Now eat your uj cake."


The droid was waiting in the cantina just as Kereniss knew he would be. A silver humanoid-like model. It was sitting at a table waiting for him, imitating a typical sentient cantina patron.

"Droid." Kereniss greeted as he settled into the seat across from it. Dusty curled up at his feet under the table.

"Greeting: It is a pleasure to see you Master. I have a datapad for you."

The droid slid a black datapad across the table. Kereniss picked it up and put it into his pack without looking at it. He'd have to do that later.

"Very good. Is there anything else?"

"Statement: Oh no Master. My orders were made clear, to pass the datapad along to you. It has all the information you need. I am only a protocol droid after all."

Kereniss smiled. He knew this unit's true functionality. If it had the right orders, it could kill everyone in this cantina. This droid was no mere protocol model.

"Right. Well thank you droid. Please give my regards to your Master. I hope to see him soon."

"Statement: Of course. Now if you'll excuse me, I have other business to attend to."

The droid left him silently and Kereniss ran a hand through his hair, sighing. It must've been too much to hope for his companion to stay and keep him company while he had a drink.

He flagged down a twi'lek waitress and placed his order. This cantina was called the Dealer's Den and he knew that the best strategies were often devised at the dejarik tables.

"No fair!" the seventeen year old Kereniss yelled as he helplessly watched his K'lorr slug be devoured.

Draco, who was twenty, cackled proudly as his Rancor piece took the spot once occupied by Kereniss' k'lorr slug. The rancor, now in the perfect position, took out Kereniss' kintan strider as well. Draco's rancor was now in an optimal position to win the game.

Darth Consace who had been watching the boys play from across the table looked at Kereniss, her orange eyes flashing with amusement.

"Now's your chance!" she encouraged Kereniss.

And then he saw his opening, if he moved the molator and the savrip into position...

Kereniss grinned as the molator and savrip holomonsters tore apart Draco's rancor.

"That was your best piece brother." he commented.

Draco fumed silently. "You win." he finally conceded.

Kereniss and his Master exchanged triumphant smirks as the Arkanian stalked off in protest of his loss.

"Always fight until the last moment." Consace intoned sagely. "And maybe this will be a lesson for Draco as well. Never underestimate your enemies."

Kereniss smiled at the waitress as she brought his order back to him, but was interrupted by his comlink's incessant chirping.

"How did you get this frequency? This is encrypted."

"Kereniss, didn't Lady Consace ever teach you that women know everything?"

He laughed at that. "You got me there."

The soft female voice on the other end snickered. "How is the Dealer's Den treating you? Did you get rycrit stew?"

"I'm not even going to ask how you knew that Aliya. All I can say is that Daesha would be furious that they're calling this rycrit stew, but I guess you get what you pay for."

"True" Aliya agreed. "Now, I read the brief about what you're looking for and I know a guy who deals in both information and secret Mandalorian artifacts. Our target is over at the dejarik tables. You see him? Big buff guy with red hair. Typical Mandalorian."

Kereniss' eyes scanned through the crowd until they settled on the target. A man in beat-up grey armor was greedily scooping up credits from two very disgruntled Rodians and a Weequay.

"I see him."

"Okay good. His name is Akaan Ordo. One of the last of their clan. Couple years back the Mandalorians had some big civil war to throw the Ordos out of power because of how Mandalore the Preserver stayed loyal to Revan and the Republic. They killed off most of the clan."

"Now Akaan means war correct? My Mando'a is a touch rusty."

Kereniss fished a piece of meat out of his stew and fed it to Dusty.

"Yes it does. The remaining Ordos orchestrated a ba'slan shev'la once their power started to wane. From what I could dig up, Akaan's grandparents fled to Telos IV about 50 years ago and he was born and raised there. He travels around doing the odd bounty hunting job here or there. Some for the Republic, some for us."

"Typical bounty hunter." Kereniss took a sip of his drink. "So can he be bought? All bounty hunters have a price."

"Sure. You just have to find a way to impress him."

He detected the hint of mischief in Aliya's voice that was so similar to her Mother.

"You know how, don't you?"

"Of course I do! Do you see how beat those Rodians and that Wequay?"

"Uh huh."

"Well our friend Akaan is a total dejarik addict. In between bounty hunting jobs he travels around the Galaxy looking for a champion to take on. But he hasn't had a challenge in a while. If you can beat him, he'd probably be honor-bound to work with you."

"It's an interesting idea Ali." Kereniss slipped out of his chair and left some credits on the table for the waitress. "Right out of your Father's playbook."

"Well I always have been a Daddy's girl." Aliya answered. "Now when you're done, take a look at that datapad. I figured since you're here I should put you to work. No use wasting a perfectly good pair of lightsabers."

"Will do. Hopefully this guy is a better player than Draco."

"I'm sure you'll be sufficiently challenged Ker. Good luck."

"Bye Ali."

He stretched his tired body for a moment before straightening the unfamiliar black leather jacket. When he did that, Kereniss could feel the comforting weight of his lightsabers, safely hidden in the secret compartments he had sewn into his jacket.

"Hello friend" he greeted, standing in front of the Mandalorian who was still counting his win. "Up for a game?"


Daesha felt like she was underwater. Her body felt utterly buoyant, like something had gotten rid of all her body mass. Completely weightless.

The only thing that seemed to have any real mass to it at all were her eyes. She was struggling to open them, her eyelids seemed to be weighted down with durasteel blocks and for what seemed like years but in reality was only a week and a half, she struggled to open them.

But suddenly Daesha felt a warmth wash over her. A dull fire that didn't hurt but only felt pleasant.

Auggie?

She could feel her Prince's loving presence radiating around her like the warmth of a sun. She could detect his love and devotion for her but also something else...concern? Yes, that was it. Something had her poor Prince terribly worried.

Oh, why couldn't she open her eyes.

Daesha.

Now that wasn't just Auggie, she could feel Banaton there too. The man who had been both father and teacher to her mirrored her love's concern.

But, why?

Daesha could feel both Augustus and Darth Banaton directing their love towards her. It was as if Daesha was underwater and her father and lover were trying to pull her towards the surface.

Up!

Daesha had always been an excellent swimmer.


"She's awake!" Augustus yelped, his dry throat causing his voice to come out in a rough croak. Hours of silent meditation beside Daesha's bed had caused fatigue to set in.

Lord Banaton who was seated across from the Prince opened his eyes and focused intently on his beloved apprentice, watching her closely.

Slowly, Daesha's eyelids fluttered open and she groaned.

"Br-br-i-"

Auggie, seeming to understand her hoarse whispers, adjusted the bright lights with a flick of his wrist.

Banaton stroked the young woman's violet cheek with a surprising grace. "You scared us my darling. We thought we might lose you."

"No Master." she managed to gasp. "I am not leaving you yet."

Augustus smiled and kissed her forehead, both he and Daesha's lekku intertwining.

Then she realized it.

"My...my..."

Her eyes fell to the stump that remained of her right arm, immediately her expression fell when she saw it.

"My love, do you remember what happened? Do you have any recollection at all?"

It all came back to her. Felucia. The heat of the jungle. The men marching with her. Corsair Company. The ambush. Force forsaken droids of all things. That big nasty droid with the wibroblade. Blasterfire. Pain. There was blood everywhere. Her blood, the blood of her men who had fallen with her. Everywhere.

"How...how did I get here?"

"I felt your injury in the Force and had a shuttle sent to Felucia to bring you and the other casualties back to The Stormborn. You had put yourself in a healing trance my dear apprentice, and that is what saved your life."

Daesha nodded taking in Banaton's words. "And my men?"

Augustus smirked "They are very devoted to you my love. They made the jungle burn in retaliation."

Even though she smiled at the news, Auggie could still sense the deep sadness with in his love.

"Lord Banaton, perhaps we could have a moment alone?"

The Sith Lord, sensing the young man's intentions nodded and stood up, straightening his robes around him. "Of course. I must go and acquaint myself with the latest status reports."

He bent down and kissed Daesha's forehead. "I will return soon my dear."

"Okay."

As Banaton left the room, the sadness that she had been holding in became too much for Daesha and tears erupted from her eyes.

"Oh love" Auggie whispered, bending down to hug her.

"Fuck." Daesha sobbed. "What am I going to do?"

"My love, it's going to be okay. Lord Banaton, Lady Consace and my Father are going to make sure you have the best prosthetics that can be built. It'll take some time and some rehabilitation but I am going to help you through the whole process!"

Daesha looked up at him, tears still blossoming in her eyes. "But that was my saber hand Auggie! I was that hand!"

He held the sides of her face and wiped away her tears. "Hey, I'm here. I'm going to help you. We'll train together and adjust your technique. And by the time we're done, you'll be tearing through the Republic like a one woman army. You'll be even better than you were before this injury. We're going to get through this...together."

He connected his lips with hers and instantly he could feel her calm down.

"I love you."

Auggie laid his head on her chest and kept whispering the words over and over in an attempt to soothe her.

"I love you too Augustus."


"There it is your Grace. A planet where there shouldn't be one."

Sahesri nodded as he stared out The Glory's viewport. "How intriguing. Are we picking up anything from the planet? Signs of life and such?"

"We're picking up readings of a settlement on the planet my lord. But we are picking up no planetary defenses. No ships or orbital defenses." Quinn called from in front of a monitor.

Sahesri looked to Consace who stood at his side. "Do you sense that?"

The Pureblood Sith nodded, her eyes closed in concentration. "Yes I do. It is hard not to."

The Emperor looked to his fellow Sith. Jaesa, Nox, Serrin, Xalek and Kir'tos had all gathered on the bridge with him and all had their eyes closed in concentration as well.

"Hey. Someone want to clue in us non-Force users?"

Sahesri chuckled at his wife's question. "It's quite an interesting place we've come upon my love. There are few things that can quiet a group of Sith."

Vette snorted "Isn't that the truth. So what has got your Sithy senses all standing on end?"

"The planet itself my love. This planet is alive."


"Why can't I go with you Master?"

Tiaba smiled indulgently. "We've been over this Roshi. One member of your family must remain on Dromund Kaas for now. Normally the responsibility would fall to your Mother or one of your elder siblings but they are all needed off-world."

"Besides" the Miralan added. "It's not like I'll be doing anything too exciting. I am only preparing the Naboo retreat for Daesha's arrival."

"Exactly, so why can't I go with you?"

Tiaba laughed and ruffled the young princess' ever so unruly hair. "Ever persistent. Just think how adept you'd be at political subterfuge if you applied that persistence with the Grand Moff Council."

Roshi rolled her eyes. "But they're so boring! Always debate debate debate! I don't know how many more presentations on the fuel efficiency of our Star Destroyers I can listen to."

Tiaba continued to pack as her apprentice watched. "I do have something I'd like you to do though while I'm gone. A task of sorts."

"Really?" The Dathomiran's eyes lit up happily.

"Yes. Go grab your coat and come take a walk with me."


By the end of their fourth dejarik game, Akaan Ordo's eyes were narrowed at Kereniss suspiciously.

"You're not a fucking jetti are you?"

After the several pints of ale he had consumed, Kereniss' laugh came out in a harsh bark as he scooped the jackpot of credits to his side of the table.

"Absolutely not."

The Mandalorian sighed and took a long swig off of his own mug of ale. "So what is it you do then, friend?"

"I'm a historian of sorts. Come to Coruscant looking for something."

Akaan raised gruff eyebrow. "Yeah? You're some sort of treasure hunter?"

"Of sorts. A friend of mine tells me that you're an expert in the history of your people."

Akaan stopped, his eyes focusing on Kereniss with renewed interest. "That would depend on what you're looking for."

Kereniss beckoned him to lean closer before whispering. "I want Mandalore the Preserver's holocron."

Akaan broke out into a guffaw. "I knew I liked you areutii. You've got guts! Real mandokarla!"

"So you know where it is then?"

"Mandalore the Preserver is one of my ancestors, may he rest in the Manda. I know where his holocron is, sure. But I can promise you that it won't be easy to get a hold of."

Kereniss leaned in close again. "Where is it?"

"Surrounded by jetti. Damn shame. They have it locked up in their fucking temple."

Suddenly this mission was looking up.


It had been a month since he'd arrived on Korriban and the monotony of training life seemed to agree with Ralon. Every morning he'd wake up, work out, do a few hours of combat training, have a meal and go about whatever daily tasks the Overseers gave him.

So after becoming so accustomed to his routine, he was taken by surprise when he was told by an Academy guard that Darth Nexus had requested his presence.

Sheathing his training blade, he walked up the steps to Darth Nexus' office with trepidation, having not seen the Dark Council member since his arrival on planet.

"My lady, the acolyte is here." the guard reported into his comlink before waving Ralon past.

Ralon walked into Darth Nexus' office to find that the Togruta Sith was not alone. A man with blonde hair stood behind Lady Nexus' desk watching Ralon carefully.

"Sit down Acolyte." Nexus invited, gesturing to a chair.

"The Overseers tell me that you've excelled well in your training. They say that the regiment has agreed with you."

"I give my absolute best to everything I do my lady."

The blonde man smiled.

"This is Lord Oltenon. Oltenon this is Acolyte Ralon."

"You were correct my dear" Oltenon mused, standing up straight and regarding Ralon with a short nod. "His resemblance to his elder sister is striking."

"You knew my sister my lord?" Ralon asked eagerly. His memories of his sister Saria were faint. Any mention of his long deceased sister sparked immediate interest.

"No I'm afraid I never had the privilege of meeting Lady Saria. But I, like many young Sith coming through the ranks had heard tales of all of the Emperor's apprentices. And I have seen numerous holos of her."

"Oh."

Oltenon smiled. "I sense a strength in you Acolyte. A strength that your sister was famous for. I have been discussing you with Lady Nexus and we both ag-"

A sharp knock interrupted the Lord mid-sentence. Oltenon and Nexus exchanged concerned glances before the woman stood up from her seat and went to the door.

"My lord." It was a man in an uniform, that Ralon knew from his studies identified him as a member of the Imperial Science Corps, entered and immediately beckoned Lord Oltenon closer before whispering in his ear.

"What? Why were we not contacted? This is what we've been waiting for."

"I don't know my Lord, but I have the coordinates that The Glory sent to us. Our presence is requested immediately."

Oltenon nodded. "As it should be. Alert our Brigade that is with our upmost sympathies that we have to cut the R and R time short. We have finally caught our long awaited prize."

"I feel like I'm chewing death sticks." Jaesa mused over the comlink. "My nerves have never felt so electrified."

"I can sort of feel something here as well." Vette agreed. "Like an energy of sorts."

"That is the living force my love. This planet gives off a feeling in the living force unlike anything else in the Galaxy."

Sahesri and Vette were flying point in the Fury while the expedition they had assembled were all in their own fighters following close behind.

"Wait a second..." Vette muttered. "We're getting a transmission."

"What's the signal code?"

"It's nothing that either the Empire or the Republic issues. I've never seen it before."

Sahesri sighed and put the ship on auto-pilot, walking to join his wife in front of the holoterminal.

A tall blue skinned man appeared before them and at first The Emperor thought this man was Chiss but when he saw the golden eyes regarding Vette and himself he knew he was mistaken.

"We have been expecting you." the man stated in heavily accented Basic. "You may land here with no threat of harm."

"Thank you kind sir. But could you please tell us where in fact we are?"

The man smiled an indulgent smile.

"Welcome to Zonama Sekot Darth Gujoja."