Elon entered the room that Lorne had rented out. The doors hissed closed. Whoever the "owner" was, he was quite wealthy. The room they had was just as fancy as the ship. The décor was cultural to the desert planet. The building was constructed out of clay. The best clay that money could find, that is. It was pleasant. This time, Elon nor Saurline had to sleep near the slaver. They had their own bed quarters. Elon and Saurline would get up during the night to check on him, for that was their duty, but no, they didn't have to practically bed with the man, which they had each done before.

"Cruce, baby!" Elon cooed.

A grunt replied from the woman's bedding enclosure. Elon broke through the door way and grinned.

"Cru-Cru, what are you doing on my bed? Are you watching Saurline sleep? C'mere, we're going for a walk."

The felacat shifted under the covers with a groan. "Elon?!" She was erect in an instant, chest heaving.

"Sis, it's all right. It's all right," the twi'lek assured the felacat. "You should probably get up now. You've slept a little too long this time." Elon left the room and retrieved the animal's hand-made collar near her vibro-axe next to the door.

Cruce, a streamline, but muscular canine-like creature with long pointed ears, black, sleek pelt, glowing yellow eyes, and a lion-like tail tipped with voluminous black fur, strolled over to the black twi'lek. The two shared the same black skin. Elon knelt and applied the fancy collar. Accented with gold lace and gems, the collar was a crafted piece by the twi'lek herself. The slaver had purchased the animal to protect Elon if there were more men than he cared for present while she was. Not that she couldn't take care of herself, but in case she defied him, the animal could guard her while she was in isolation and make sure she didn't escape. The slaver would decide what he wanted to do with the woman, then. It was usually something unmentionable.

Elon had befriended the animal, however. Lorne hadn't expected this to happen. If Elon wasn't present and she left the animal behind, the slaver was quite abusive to it. Elon had recently found fairly fresh nicks and scars on the animal's sleek hide. They were easy to see with the very short hair the creature grew. Did the man think she wouldn't notice? Whether or not he did or not, she wouldn't allow it to keep happening.

"Cruce!" Elon fell back and the creature gave her affectionate kisses with a pink tongue.

Saur waded out of the bedroom on the balls of her clawed feet. Her blue attire complimented her red hair that was now in a high-set ponytail, tied with a large blue ribbon. Her thick and floofy tail thrashed about. "How many are there?" Her breech cloth snapped straight, after the woman wiped it clean of any fur from the black beast.

"More than we usually care for. You might have to scare away the stupid women that work at this place to get to Lorne."

"Are you kidding?" Saur whined. She paced over to the twi'lek. "I don't want to see him for as long as this race lasts! Is he going to let us run loose? I really hope nothing comes up. I'll be beyond pissed."

"I don't know. I would think so. He wants me to bring Cruce to show her off. He's embraced the bond we have. I know he doesn't like this."

"It's only a matter of time before he does something and stops it, Elon."

"Yeah-yeah, it won't work. I can control her, somewhat with my abilities. I'm still training her and myself to become more as one. I want to be able to control her completely if I take a notion to."

"Just don't let him know about it."

Elon smiled and stood. She attached the linked chain to the creature's collar. C'mon, Saur. I want to see what it's like outside. I know someone said it gets really cold at night on Tatooine."

"Hard to believe since it's a desert planet!" Suar followed Elon out of the room.

Cruce excitedly pulled at her leash, fleshy norstils flaring to gather as much information as possible about this place.

"Cruce! Cool it!"

The vornskyr glanced over her toned shoulder at her master and smacked her jaws. The chain loosened a bit, then and the animal adopted a more regal carriage. Elon and the felacat emerged into the lounge area. It was quite expansive. Their particular area was the favorite of the women and the dancers. As if the mandolorian slaver needed any more women clawing at his tainted flesh.

"Look at this, men! There she is. Don't they look gorgeous?" Lorne lazily slumped in his massive chair, one leg draping over the arm while the other hung down to the floor.

Cruce fell back to pace with Elon. The two black dames kept their heads high.

"How is that even possible? You can't "walk" a Vornskyr."

Lorne chuckled and watched his three girls gain on him. "She can."

"Master," Elon spoke, pausing before the man. She glared at the three women that were constantly touching him and massaging him. "May Saur and I go outside?"

Lorne shifted. His head lifted from his hand. "Why? Why don't you stay inside?"

"You know we wouldn't run off."

"I trust you, just not anyone else here."

Elon giggled. "Master, please, can we not take care of ourselves?"

Lorne cocked an eyebrow. "Yes. Don't start any trouble with anyone and don't let them start trouble with you. I want you back in here as soon as possible. The jedi would like to speak with you again, Elon, and Saur, as well, this time."

Elon frowned. "I don't want to talk to him." She turned away with the four-legged beast.

"You will or you will suffer!" Lorne's voice arose. "Don't test me, now, Elon. This is not the time."

Elon glanced over her shoulder and her calf-long lekku slithered. "Very well…master."

"What does he want with me, Lorne?" Saur inquired.

Lorne smiled at his fuzzy prize. "I'm not sure. He admires both of your skill and he wants to offer you something."

Saur drew back her ears and turned away. "I don't know this jedi," she whispered to Elon.

"I do. He's not good news. He's underhanded and sneaky. I don't like what he brings. His henchmen are annoying as hell as well. Persistent, they are, for attention."

"Well-well, there they are. That bastard is here," Jearec said. He paced about with his gun cradled in his hands. He had a birds-eye-view of the entire camp ground. It was riddled with pens for the narglatch males, females, and their riders. Some of the more skilled riders were out in the open, sleeping against their mounts.

"The twi'lek has a pet," Grim spoke. He paced over to Jearec. "Why do you always get the interesting points to watch?"

"I'm just that good."

Grim scoffed. "Yeah, right. Is that the felacat?"

"Yep!"

"Wow, she's a dame. Gorgeous as hell when she's not huffing and puffing to rip your nads through your skull with her tusks."

"I agree, but I still want the twi'lek."

"Give it up!" Grim whined. He shoved Jearec and paced away. "She doesn't want you anyways."

"Doesn't mean I can't try!" Jearec shouted. "General, they're taking a walk right now," the trooper spoke into his left forearm.

"Don't make yourselves known. The twi'lek gets upset when people get too close."

"How do you know?"

"She wouldn't let me within 20 feet of her."

"You didn't interest her at all?" Jearec shifted his position to spy on the two women better.

"She's resolute. She's got the right attitude, but it's a shame it's already preset."

"Why can't her master just make her?"

"He's too fond of her to just force her into something like this."

Jearec ended the conversation with a shake of his head.

Elon and Suar re-entered the grand hotel. "He's here."

"I wish I could sense him like you do."

"It's not as fun as it seems, Saurline. Let's go find him."

Elon let the beast lead the way. The animal had the ability to sense force signatures of force sensitives. Elon had discovered this when the animal was able to find her without fail when she was either isolated or in a remote location with no ability for scent detection.

General Ka'nine paced in his private lounge. Reaper and Jearec entered the room. Jearec smiled charmingly.

"General, you look good. The purple jedi robes look good with your platinum blonde hair."

"Thank you, Jearec. Come in, ladies." The general faced the doorway. Sure enough if the girls weren't standing in it.

"How does he do that?" Reaper hissed as he walked by Jearec.

"Shh! He's a jedi! Don't ask questions!"

"General," Elon spoke. She entered the room, bracing herself against the four legged animal that sought to further investigate the signature she had been following.

"You've got some skill controlling a creature so feral. I'm impressed. Looks like she'd like have me as a meal."

"What makes you say that?" Elon curiously asked.

"Vornskyrs can sense their primary prey through the force. Creatures that usually glide in the trees on their home planet. They have a particular force signature, but the animals think anything with a force signature is prey. It's radical that she isn't turning on you at this moment."

"Hmm…I think she doesn't know you very well is all. What is it you wanted to discuss with us? I don't have all night."

Jearec clicked his tongue. "Testy, aren't we?"

Saurline glared at him "We're not talking to you, scum!"

"Excuse me?" Jearec faced the woman.

She smirked at him with her canines and the clone trooper silenced himself. He didn't want to be on her hit list. He had a good idea that these girls, out of spite, would cause trouble. He didn't know what they could do, and he didn't want to find out, either.

"I have a task that I want done."

"Have you talked with Lorne about this?" Elon adjusted the chain around her wrist to a tighter setting.

"He's very open about this request, actually. Just hear me out." Ka'nine paced. He put out a hand to influence the black beast to sit.

The animal was indifferent to the gesture.

"You're controlling her."

Elon merely watched Ka'nine.

"I'm giving you an assignment. It will be for the republic."

"Why not get one of your loyal dogs to do it?" Elon sardonically responded.

Ka'nine sighed. "You're very temperamental. I specifically came to you two. You are capable of more than they are, in this instance."

"You're asking slaves of an ill-natured slaver to help…the republic?" Saurline shifted her weight to one foot.

Ka'nine smiled at her. "It's off the record."

"Feral." Suil nudged the clone with a hand while he changed his tunic.

The green-haired man grunted in displeasure.

"Don't get pissy with me! Aren't you hungry? You haven't eaten in days!"

"I feel fine, Suil. I want to sleep. I'm so comfortable."

"With your rat, you mean? How do you know if she's pissed the bed?"

"She knows where to go. Leave me alone!" The caramel man lifted his head, retrieving his pillow. It was squarely smashed on top of his head to drown out any noise.

Suil giggled. "I think your hearing is too developed for a pillow filter. Just get your ass out of bed. We all have work to do around here. Since you're a member, you have to participate now or you don't eat. Best get to the mess hall for breakfast, now. Hurry."

The pillow slapped the man's thigh and he sighed. He was so comfortable right now, he could sleep on for a few more hours. He didn't want to leave the warmth of his bed. What did he have to do that was so important? All he saw of the men were walking about or lounging in the mess hall.

Carefully, Feral sat up. He nudged the fluffy mass against his gut. "Bosh. Hey, wake-up."

Suil rolled his eyes. "Just pick her up, clone! Never heard any being talk to his animal like you do."

A green eye glared over the shoulder of the man and Suil shook his head. Feral tossed his covers away from him. Boshy had curled into a tight ball. She stretched with a deep groan. Feral popped out of bed and stretched. He retrieved his tunic and shoved his hands and head inside of it. Good. Boshy was healthy. She had been huffing and puffing throughout the night, but that was to be expected. He just hoped she didn't get sick from nearly drowning.

Suil heard the man click his tongue and Boshy trilled. He glanced over his shoulder to see the animal flicking her long tail while she balanced on the man's shoulder.

The mess hall was lively this morning. Talk of the events that happened last night was fresh. Feral kept an eye out for Bruke. He still had the urge to kick, hit, or injure the man in some way for being a bully and a gutless wonder. He didn't see Bruke. Thank goodness. It was better he didn't lay eyes on the man for a while.

Cream-colored batter cakes struck the clone's plate and he followed Suil to find a place to sit. They sat away from the rest of the crew. A hand, armed with a fork, hovered over the four great batter cakes on the clone's plate. He made a keen observation of the crew watching him and the shistavanen before he dug in.

"Where'd he find her?"

"In the showers."

"He hid it in the drain."

"And it's still alive?!"

"Yeah. I wouldn't mess with the son of a bitch."

"Do you want to make friends with him then?"

"Not really."

Feral rolled his green eyes, chewing the delicious batter cakes. "Why do you care for me?" He asked with a mouthful.

Suil's pointed ears drew back and he frowned. Feral grunted at the wolf-man's expression.

"Did I not answer you this before?"

"Again."

Suil growled and shoved his mouth full of a whole battercake. "Because, I didn't have a choice. You are my responsibility. There, I said it."

"You said I was worth keeping alive, earlier." Feral grinned.

"I know I did. Just eat your damn breakfast!"

"These are really good. Never had anything like this back at the base. You guys are well off, here."

"I could have told you that!"

"I didn't know," Feral said, swallowing, "I've been locked in a cell and denied food for extensive periods at a time. I don't know why, but I'm not starving like I used to be. This is filling, but I could have gone without it."

Suil growled in thought. He watched Feral feed Boshy a small bite of a batter cake dipped in a syrup-like substance. "Other enhancements must be activating, now. Syth had you pretty thoroughly redesigned."

"Aeeir? Aeeir." Boshy licked the fork. She looked at Feral expectantly, nostrils quivering.

"You like this stuff like I do, huh?" Feral fulfilled her request with a much heftier bite offering this time. "It doesn't make sense why he was so hell bent on making sure I functioned properly. I hope I never have to go through anything like that again." Feral raked his hand through his bangs and patted Boshy with a hand.

"What do you plan to do when you meet him?" Suil took a swig of his glass of water.

"I don't know, yet. I'll have the whole race to think about it."

"I know killing isn't in your nature."

Feral's head fell to the side. "Well, no, I want him to talk, first."

"Oh, so you do intend to cause some type of damage."

"Some," Feral emphasized. "All that I've been through is because of him." Feral stared off at the windows that lined the mess hall deck. "But only if he brings harm to me or anyone else, first."

"He would think you were weak."

"I' m not weak!" The clone spat. He scratched his head. He hadn't meant to snap at the shistavanen like he had. He now realized he had developed some insecurity while he was upon the pirate ship. "Sorry."

"S'all right." Suil drank the rest of his water. "Then prove to him you're not."

Feral's shoulders sank. "How?" He broke a hopeless smile. "There is no way to show this bastard that I'm not weak without doing something I'll regret or that would betray my general nature. I'm not a pirate like you. No offense."

"None taken. I know what I am. I won't deny it. I've done some things I don't care to share with you."

"I won't ask about them. You wouldn't tell me if I did." Feral looked way, taking another bite of the batter cakes.

"Rache has some new clothes for you and a jockey name. I hate saying this, but your rat will play a part in your disguise as well."

Feral's face became piqued. "Really, now?"

Suil frowned. "Yeah."