Last time: Sasha attempted to escape from Cien's palace, only to be caught by Ikari.

Now: The guys arrive to one final planet in the hopes of finding any clue.

Chapter 8- Last Resort

Kyr brought the Shadow Runner in towards the next planet, Kadrian Prime. He actually knew this one and was a little surprised to be visiting it again. This was where the trail had gone cold last time, where he had given up because he hadn't wanted to keep looking.

The local ATC contacted him in some language he didn't understand.

"Do you speak Meese Caulf?" He called back to them, in that trade language since he didn't speak whatever their local language was, and he guessed they probably still didn't speak basic.

Op was in the co-pilot's seat and looked over the world. Viran was back in the lounge.

"State your identity and business." a different voice called back in the Meese Caulf language.

"The Shadow Runner, out of Republic space. We are travelers out here trying to find a missing family member." He reported back.

"We will transmit coordinates for your landing pad. Good luck in your search." The voice called back, Kyr was a little bit surprised by the friendliness of the tone.

"Are we good?" Oppie said as Kyr piloted them down towards the transmitted coordinates.

"Yeah." Kyr said. "He actually wished us good luck."

Oppie nodded and looked toward the new world. "You've been here before?" Oppie asked. Kyr had commented earlier that he'd recognized the world.

"Yes." He said, "I came here after Endor looking for… Cien." He said.

Oppie was quiet for a while as they started entering the upper atmosphere. "I don't think Viran saw it, but I watched the footage of what happened between you and her." Oppie finally admitted.

Kyr sunk a little deeper into his seat.

"I don't want to pry, but if you-" Oppie began.

"Then don't." Kyr growled, cutting him off. Oppie looked over at him, a little taken aback by the vehemence in his brother's voice. "She took advantage of a weakness of mine, and I lost another sister for it." Kyr said. "I will not let my guard down around her again. And if we find her and anything has happened to Sasha, her life is forfeit. If Viran doesn't want it first."

Oppie stayed silent, they were coming up on the town now, a nice little outpost that reminded him a bit of Vestora, nestled amongst a forest. It looked like it might be home to a couple thousand people, and he could see a mining operation off in the hills.

The camera view he had seen of Kyr's encounter with her had seemed so different than that. Between the two of them he had seen a closeness he had never expected out of Kyr, and certainly not of Cien. Lifting his buy'ce off, and the way they had reacted as she had reached up to touch his cheek. It had seemed like there was so much more, and because of that he could understand the anger Kyr showed for the matter.

"If you need to talk about it I'm here." Oppie stated.

"Op, I just want to get Sasha back." Kyr said, though Oppie could tell he was lying, that there was a deeper pain that Kyr didn't want to admit to. "I failed Sasha. I failed to protect her, and her child." Oppie could hear the pain in his voice now, though. "Cien took advantage of a weakness she knew of me. I should have just shot her from the tree line." He finished quietly.

Oppie looked over at him. "I understand why you couldn't have, though." He replied. It was hard to see Kyr like this, he was normally so solid and jovial. This was like how he had been when he had first met him, all those years ago when he had found Oppie to ask for his help in avenging their families murder. But worse, in a way, because he was going through it all over again, and he was taking it as a far more personal failure of his this time. This time he didn't seem consumed or a need for revenge, as Oppie could sense his presence in the Force, he just seemed so... Empty, behind a shell of anger.

Kyr looked over at him, and he thought he might try to speak under his buy'ce, but then he looked away, and Oppie didn't press.

"There might be another way this all ends." Oppie suggested quietly.

"No." Kyr said, "we get Sasha back, and she dies." Kyr said, with vehemence in his voice.

Oppie looked over at him, and turned away. They were setting down on the landing field, and the landing gear set down on the tarmac. Kyr got out of his seat and Oppie followed, not sure what else to say to him. They walked into the lounge, where Viran looked up at them, his picture frame in hand.

Kyr stopped and looked at the two of them. "I was here before, I had a contact that might be able to set us up. I think it might be best if I go alone, we're deep into the UR and the people here really haven't had contact with Republic space." He said. "They don't know a Mandalorian from a Jedi from a Rodian, so until I find this guy, it might be a good idea to stay near the ship. It might be a few days." He finished. He was also a little worried that a YT-2300 would stick out like a sore thumb, and the locals might get a little curious to see the more advanced tech aboard.

Viran nodded as he sat the frame down next to him. "Tac and I can keep the engines warm in case you need a quick get away," he said, still a bit out of it. "I hope you find what we need."

"Thanks Viran." Kyr nodded, and walked to the ramp, feeling strange not taking his usual detour to the armory.

"Be careful out there." Oppie said at the ramp.

Kyr turned to him, "If I have to be." He said with a little grin in his voice. Oppie just looked at him, and finally realized why Sasha hated when they said that.

Kyr walked down the ramp after it opened, and saw some kid standing off to the side of the pad, in amongst the other ships that were more common for this region. He was gawking at the unpainted, silverish sight of the Shadow, but then he focused on the Mandalorian as he walked over. "You work here at the field?" He asked in Meese Caulf.

"Yes sir." The kid answered. "Are you from that Empire space?"

"No." Kyr answered. "I'm one of the guys that beat them, and it's back to being a republic now." He said. "What will you accept for landing fees?" He wasn't sure they would take Republic credits.

"For you, no charge. When you get back, just let other people from your region know we're open for trade." The kid said.

"Okay." Kyr agreed. "My droid is a little trigger happy, so don't get too close to the ship. Gawk at it all you want, though."

The kid looked at him. For some reason he reminded Kyr of Viran, maybe when he was younger. "What's a droid?"

Kyr just shook his head and walked off, trying to remember which of the cantinas around here was where his contact would hang out at.

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