hey, another chapter, and its up reasonably quick (faints with shock, only a few more chapters to go before the end of this book and the big sixth sense twist. bwwwhhhhaaaaaaaa, oh and keep an eye out for a character introduced in this chapter, she's gonna feature big in the second and third books.

Anice sighed and opened the door to the Quelena's room thinking that she was going to have a few more age lines by the time this was over, "I take it you'll want the battle dress cleaned"

Kyia through a feral grin at the woman packing her suitcase "Naturally, it's only appropriate for a round of kick the Rancor".

"Yes" The older woman sighed "That was one of your father's favourite games too if I remember correctly. You know to be back before Master Yoda arrives? I can't imagine he'd be too pleased to find you elsewhere at a time like this".

"It shouldn't take too long, you know what Hapans are like. You are sure about not coming, it's been a long time since you've been off-world"

Anice went to the wardrobe to retrieve the battle dress "I have too much to do here, those internal communicators for the guest rooms are being fitted and someone needs to over see the process". There was a knock at door "Better get it, it's your Jedi and his apprentice".

"Don't tease," She scolded getting the door. The Jedi stood in front of her in their full travelling robes, "Ready?"

Obi Wan nodded nervously "Any reason for flying off when Master Yoda is expected so soon?" Kyia had been deliberately evasive before, not something he was thought was wise when he was supposed to be protecting her from a Sith Lord.

Anice looked up, glaring at Kyia "You haven't told him?"

Kyia pulled a face "I was waiting, this way does not give him time to try and persuade me out of it"

Below her Anakin sniggered and was reprimanded by his Master with a hand on his shoulder.

The Quelena let her lips form an expression of chagrin, telling the child silently she agreed, "Have you visited the Hall of Ages yet?" The two Jedi nodded, Obi Wan had been their once on his own he had taken Anakin whilst Kyia was away. "The crux of it is Valorum was right, outside the Republic we are vulnerable. An alliance with Hapes would give us that protection"

Obi Wan was confused "Kyia, The Hapan Cluster has not struck that kind of bargain for millennia".

"Do you remember the story of my mother and father?"

Obi Wan and Anakin said they had.

"When Mirath's daughter Citryne left Elphora she was rumoured to have been captured by pirates because of her beauty and ended up of Ut in the…"

"Hapan Cluster, the young Queen Mother is your relative." Obi Wan finished her sentence for her.

She nodded "Her father was Citryne's great grandson. It's a tenuous link but it was enough that her my father, her cousin was the next heir to the throne after my mother."

"Do you think she'll recognise that?" He questioned, "From what I gathered the two sides of the family did not see eye to eye".

Kyia caught his eye deliberately "She'll recognise the power. Citryne's great great granddaughter will remember what attracted Hapes to my family; she'll see it in my eyes." Her tone softened "And if she is wise then she'll see that it's time rifts were healed, it's what my father would have wanted. An alliance with Hapes will secure our future".

Anice glanced at the chrono, "You had better be getting to the Celestya".

The Celestya was a kite sleek ship, the metal work was tinged with the blue ore that originated from Mon Calamari that looked as if it carried it's own light when in contrast to the dark obsidian floor of the private docking bay.

"Wow!" cried Anakin with excitement and rushed from his master's side to inspect it.

"Beautiful isn't she?" Kyia expressed it genuinely, she was fond of the ship and its smooth lines, it was with sadness that she realised that it got off world about as often as she did "Built by the Mon Calamari, Mother had helped them in some capacity or another. It was a gift in celebration of passing the trials."

"Are you a good pilot?" The padawan asked eagerly.

The Quelena bit her lip "I can just about take her to hyperspace".

Anakin was obviously not impressed, "Is Master Obi Wan going to fly her?"

"No" Kyia turned, from across the hanger a young woman nervously approached them. Her skin was as pale as Elphora's first moon and her hair was as black as the night it sat in and braided in small plaits close to the scalp. Currently, the plaits along with two brain tails were fastened back in a pony tail that descended to her shoulders. Her eyes glowed violet, her dark blue uniform betrayed her as a member of the Quelena's Guard but a padawan's lightsabre hung from her belt. The Quelena caught the girl's eye. "She is".

The girl came towards them, obviously humbled by the presence of her Quelena "Your Royalness".

The girl, besides being striking she guessed was about seven years her junior "I don't think we've met before" She gentled her voice to try and put her at ease "I don't think we've met before, what is your name?"

"No, Your Royalness, we haven't met. My name is Kayless Tieta, Jedi apprentice to Acnab Drais".

Anakin's head jerked up at the mention of the Jedi but remained silent.

"Kayless, the reed, half in water half in sky". She related it to the fact that the woman was clearly half Twi'lek. A memory stirred, "Acnab Drais' padawan? You are fortunate to be taught by him, he's very wise from what I remember".

"That is why I'm of Fortuna's race, Your Royalness" Kayless smiled slightly at her pun.

Kyia had a feeling she was going to like this girl, "That would explain the piloting skills, you certainly did not learn those from your Master".

Kayless' smile widened as she relaxed "No Your Royalness"

"Please, its just Kyia. It takes twice as long to get a sentence out otherwise" The Quelena added with a trace of black humour, "This is Jedi Obi Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker, they'll be accompanying us".

The younger Elphoran nodded in a formal greeting, blinking a third eyelid.

Suddenly Obi Wan wondered who was protecting who, after Xrai he had learned that those who wore the Elphoran uniform were not to be underestimated. He raised his mental shields, vowing to keep them solid until the end of the mission. "Is your Master not accompanying us also?" he said trying to make conversation as they boarded the ramp.

"No" She replied nonchalantly "He hates flying".

Anakin came up behind them "Sounds like you two would get along, Master"

Obi Wan decided to add it to the list of things he will revenge for on the night Anakin becomes a Jedi.

Kayless headed straight for the cockpit with Anakin in tow.

"Careful, Kenobi, that sounded like the thoughts of a Sith to me" Kyia spoke in a whisper next to his ear as she walked past him.

Obi Wan grinned, "Stay out of my mind".

"Stop shouting then".

"So what does the ship's name mean?" Anakin was asking Kayless with more of his limitless enthusiasm as the two Jedi entered the cockpit.

"It's the brightest star in the Elphoran sky" His master interjected quickly, glancing at Kyia who gave him an apprising look.

Kayless not to be outdone continued "And it was the name of the daughter of Kyia the Great, it literally means bright star".

Kyia smiled in amusement "I think it's time we lifted off".

The stars created lines as the hyperdrive was activated and the crew undid their restrains. The Quelena gave Obi Wan a barely perceptible nod as he discreetly led his padawan into the rear compartment.

"Have you been fully briefed?"

The pale skinned alien shook her head "Only the destination".

"We're going to try and secure an alliance" Kyia replied directly. There was something to this woman, the Force told her to trust her "I'm going to need an aide in the discussion, someone strong and forceful."

"But the Jedi" Kayless was rapidly beginning to feel her nerves rise "But the Jedi.."

"The Jedi's mandate is to protect me only, besides, men are not equals in Hapes. The Queen Mother would not take him seriously".

"I'm just a pilot," She spluttered,

"You are what I asked for, a member of the Quelena's Guard, and someone with bit of extra ferocity."

"You want me to argue?" Kayless paused for a second, tilting her head sideways at the Quelena "I guess I can do that".

"Good" Kyia replied, placing a hand on her shoulder as she rose from her seat "And if you are half as stubborn as your master then the Hapans won't know what hit them".

Kayless sat back in her chair relaxing as the Quelena disappeared into the back compartment to join the other Jedi "Oh my aquatic soul" She breathed, wondering what she had gotten herself into. Yesterday she was rehearsing mantras and practicing with her violet bladed lightsabre with nothing more on her mind than fulfilling her potential as a Jedi and member of the Guard. Today it was matters of galactic importance and the security of Elphora's future if she failed her Quelena and the ruler of Hapes dubbed her as weak. It was worse than a game of random sabacc. She ran through a Jedi calming technique and cursed herself for being so neurotic, but her normal devil-may-care attitude had evaporated like hydrogen on a warm day as soon as she had seen the Quelena. She decided she liked her though. Many rumours circulated through her native Western Sector about what Her Royalness Quelena Kyia Levelle was really like. Few were far from the truth but she had heard her fair share of wild tales. The Force was strong in her, that much she could sense, but then again, supposedly she was as well, it just had not decided to make an appearance.

Obi Wan looked past Kyia to the doorway "She's only a nervous child".

Kyia scowled back, catching his eye "Of course she's nervous. Sep! I'm nervous".

"I still think that they're had to be a better choice"

"Who?" She put her hands on her hips, not concealing her challenge.

"Valorum, isn't this his arena?" Obi Wan said in answer to it.

"Valorum has enough to deal with in Coruscant. That would be like sending Anakin to kill Exar Kun".

"Hey" Was his padawan's stifled reaction.

"I'm sorry Anakin" she apologised for her analogy, "The Queen of Hapes is ruthless with an distrust of men. She would eat him alive".

"The girl in there is hardly the next Nomi Sunrider. It won't be any better if she crumples in front of her".

Anakin realised the argument was heating up and decided to retreat to the cockpit, he did not see what his master was talking about. He liked Kayless.

Her eyes flared "You judge her too harshly." Kyia turned away from him, "I was raised to do this Obi Wan, and it's my decision. Don't forget that".

The Jedi was taken aback by her admonishment "You're right, I'm sorry. I'm interfering, I should go and see to Anakin".

Kyia exhaled deeply, realising she had snapped, but feeling justified in her reactions, Elphora was her burden; his mandate only to protect her and their personal situation did not give him the right to dictate to her on how she should rule. She took the opportunity of solitude to change into her battle dress, deciding to spend the rest of the trip in meditation. Hapes was only a few parsecs away and she would welcome the chance to gather herself, and spare her the icy atmosphere.

True to her word, Kayless brought the Celestya to the perimeter of Hapan space

"Your Royalness?"

The Quelena's eyes blinked open "Kyia"

Kayless smiled "Kyia, we're there".

She stood and walked towards the beeping com.

"Please state your name and vessel registration code"

Kyia leaned over the com, pressing the button to reply "We are the Elphoran vessel the Celestya, we request an audience with the Ereneda"

There was a smothered laugh "Yeah, doesn't everybody, but without a Hapan registration or special consent from the Ereneda any move to cross our borders will be considered as an aggressive act an dealt with accordingly" The voice on the com sounded bored, as if reading the words off a datapad.

Kayless gestured out the port, a Hapan Battle Dragon was flanking them.

Kyia raised an eyebrow, "Great".

Kayless cleared her throat and took the com, "Listen you mindless swamp warrat, I suggest that you get a message to the Ereneda that a fellow daughter of Mirath wants to speak with her, or if you are too insignificant to do that put someone on the com who can. Unless you hold no value to your life I would further advise you to address this vessel with the proper respect that it is due."

Kyia shot Obi Wan that dripped with smugness, she liked being right.

The line remained silent for a few diacts until a new voice came over the waves, "Her Highness Ta'a Chume has granted you passage to the home world of the Hapes Cluster. We respectfully ask that you do not deviate from the flight path; you will be assigned a royal escort. Have a pleasant journey, transmitting co-ordinates."

Kayless chuckled darkly to herself as she switched off the com link "That was easy".

"Mindless swamp warrat, that was interesting" Smiled her Quelena.

"I find it effective, besides a girl's gotta have some fun", Kayless replied quietly.

Kyia smiled again "You don't have to feel intimidated by me"

"I'm trying." said the younger female.

"Do or do not, there is not try"

Kayless rolled her eyes "How many times have I heard that" She lowered her voice even further "I don't think your friend is as convinced about me as you are".

"Don't worry" Kyia added dismissively "He'll do as he's told".

Kayless looked out the window, "Whoa!"

Kyia held her breath, above Hapes was a gigantic ship that looked like a floating castle rather than a spacecraft. The Celestya looked tiny in comparison to the crenulated towered vessel. At the base, a large piece of wind sculpted basalt that hid the engines. The co-ordinates indicated it as their destination.

"The Star Home welcomes you. The Queen Mother is waiting in the meeting suite. Our tractor beam will dock you".

Kayless punched a few buttons and let go of the controls.