A/N - Sorry this has taken awhile. Harry Potter, work, and friends have been a constant distraction, not to mention severe writer's block. I've also been doing some reviving of the earlier chapters because, when I now look back at them, I find that I'm not happy with how they turned out. Hmm, that's about it.
Oh yes, feel free to e-mail me with your ideas on why they keep getting interrupted. My e-mail is now available in my profile.
--------
And So The Game Begins
As the days wore on, Keilana found less and less time to concentrate on her hunt. Thoughts such as he knows crossed her mind more than often and the fear of discovery often distracted her from tasks. Even now, as she was doing a simple lifting exercise, her concentration was slipping, as was the rock she was trying to hold steady in the air.
You must concentrate! Mara Jade Skywalker said through clenched teeth, her gaze locked on Keilana. Furrowing her brow, the red-haired woman paced back and forth in front of the crossed-legged bounty hunter, her hands clasped at the small of her back. To Keilana, she looked slightly like an Imperial commander ready to demote an entire bridge's worth of officers.
Keilana tried, but the older woman shook her head sharply.
There is no try, she said, her voice suddenly quiet. It was quite eery.
That is not what I was going to say, Keilana growled, squeezing her eyes together. She had to do it tonight or else she would never get the chance. Tonight was the night and then she could stop the agony and return to a life in which she was allowed to be her own—and only—boss. Ganner
As the thought crossed her mind, the large rock toppled to the mats with an audible thud. Mara spun on her heel and stared at Keilana, her eyes wide.
What do you think you are doing! She articulated each word clearly, trying to pound them into Keilana's skull. Keilana merely brushed them off, though the anger she had pooled in her stomach grew, and stared right back at the red-haired woman.
I couldn't hold it up any longer, Master. She said the word with great distaste, for she did not consider this woman her master in the least bit. I've been holding it up for the past two hours, or at least I have been attempting too and my mind cannot handle it anymore.
You need to learn discipline.
I'll show you discipline, Keilana growled under her breath, not moving one bit from where she sat.
What did you say? Mara's brow lowered even further.
Nothing, Master, Keilana raised her voice slightly. Looking at the chrono on the wall behind Mara, she started to stand up.
Where do you think you are going?
To the evening meal, or is that some new rule Master Skywalker has put up? A student cannot eat the evening meal until he or she has endured a minimum of three hours of holding a rock in one place.' Keilana deepened her voice in a purposely bad imitation of Luke's voice and continued standing. I'm sorry I've only done two hours but, well, I'm not putting up with more of your shit.
Discipline, Key, discipline, Mara said, her voice very controlled. Keilana expected a vein to pop out of the other woman's forehead any minute and start pulsing madly.
Tsk, tsk, Master, I think you must learn some too. Part of discipline is adhering to a schedule and, tapping at a non-existent watch, Keilana cocked her head, it is time for me to eat.
You can't just walk out of here! Mara roared as Keilana turned to leave.
Turning around, but continuing on her way, Keilana punched the door release and stepped through. Just watch me, she said as the door closed between them.
Keilana could imagine Mara simply staring at the door for several moments before moving, so she decided to book it out of there before the Jedi could come after her. Practically sprinting around one corner, Keilana ran smack into a hard object and fell back several steps. A hand flew out to steady her and Keilana was surprised to be looking into the brandy-brown eyes of Jacen Solo. Half-smiling and starting to wipe herself off, Keilana glanced behind her and then back at Jacen.
Well, it has been a right old time since I've seen you, Jacen.
Yes it has been, Jacen said, looking her over. Where were you headed in such a hurry? There's nobody chasing you, is there?
Not that I know of, Keilana said, glancing back around the corner. Though, if you run into a raging, Jedi bitch with jade eyes, don't tell her which way I went.
Aunt Mara?
The one and only.
What did you do.
I walked out of her lesson, Keilana shrugged, looking back at Jacen. His brow rose almost high enough to disappear into his overly long hair before he blinked several times as if to clear his mind.
Excuse me? You just walked out?
Keilana nodded, looking around the corner once more.
But, why?
Because it had ended and it was time for food.
But you can't just leave before a Master tells you to go. Jacen still looked utterly confused.
Well this little girl obviously doesn't go by that rule. Keilana gestured at herself with her thumb. Remember, I'm still learning the discipline I need and I might as well go down fighting cus once I'm there I won't be able to drain my emotions. I'll be some emotionless automaton to do Master Skywalker's bidding.
We are not emotionless—
You have always been on the inside, Jacen, buddy. You haven't seen the outside perspective as I have. And, after living out there and then coming in here, there isn't much emotion stirring, unless you count desire and lust, but we won't go into that. Keilana waved a hand in front of her face as if to clear away even the mention of her words and looked back around the corner. Well, this is where I will be leaving you, Jacen. Take care.
Smiling quickly, Keilana stepped around Jacen in the narrow passage and started jogging off, taking a left at the next corner to head to her room rather than a right which would have brought her to the mess hall. She had enough food back in her room, for she had been doing some stocking up, and she needed this time to make the final plans and figure out exactly where Luke was. She would not start her hunt until the halls were empty, but she would start—and finish—tonight if it was the last thing she ever did.
Taking another corner at a high speed, Keilana found herself recoiling backwards once more. Rubbing her nose and looking up, Keilana was pleasantly surprised to see the dark hair and blue eyes of Ganner Rhysode.
Well I seem to be running into a number of automatons today, Keilana laughed softly, looking Ganner in the eye.
Keilana shook her head and placed her hands on her thin hips. So, what are you doing here?
I live here, remember?
Yeah, but I thought that you were off on some mission to, where is it?
I can't actually tell you. But, I was just about to head down to the docking bay to catch my ship to Yavin Four. I'm meeting up with Corren Horn there. Ganner pointed down the hall that led to the lifts. Heading that way?
Yes I was, actually, Keilana smiled, looking at the ground, slightly disappointed.
The two walked for several moments in silence before Ganner stopped once more and turned to look at Keilana.
Look, I'm sorry about what happened at the party, Key, he said quickly.
Keilana furrowed her brow and put a hand on Ganner's forearm. What? It's not your fault.
Ganner did not say anything immediately. Instead, he just stood there, looking at Keilana, trying to figure out whether she was being truthful or not. Is that how you really feel?
Yes, it is. Keilana stepped closer and put her hands around Ganner's waist, pulling him close. It's neither of our faults. Like I told Master Skywalker, we are young and our lust got the better of us.
Yeah. But, how embarrassing! Almost the whole party walking in on us? Ganner laughed heartily as he draped his arms around Keilana. I don't think I've blushed like that since I was a boy.
I wonder what he gave them as an apology? Gee, I'm sorry about my Jedi and student acting like that. Like you've been saying all along, I just have no control over those young rascals.' Keilana snorted with her own laughter, unable to go on. Ganner laughed as well.
We can only imagine, though I'm sure he was quite embarrassed about it. He never has been the most eloquent of speakers when it comes to explaining something rather embarrassing.
You know, Ganner, I think we embarrassed him more than we embarrassed ourselves, Keilana smiled against his tunic, taking in a deep breath. I'm going to miss you so much, Ganner.
What? I won't be gone long, he said, stroking her dark hair and kissing it. Keilana did not answer that she would be long gone before he returned. Instead, she tried to play along, as she had been doing for the last two weeks, but the tears falling from her eyes made it much more difficult.
I know, she sobbed into his chest. I know, but it will be hard knowing that you are gone with a possibility of never coming back.
No, Key, don't say that, he said, using his thumb and forefinger to tilt her chin up. Her brown eyes were puffed red from the tears, her lower lip quivering. He kissed her softly and tried to smile. I'll be back before you know it and everything will be just as it has always been.
That's what he always used to say, Keilana muttered to herself, leaning back into Ganner's chest.
My dad.
Keilana sniffed and flattened her cheek against Ganner. Dad was gone a lot. Even being a mechanic, he did an awful lot of running around, and he always promised me that he would be back soon.
Did he ever break his promise?
No, but that was different. He wasn't going off to fight an enemy that wanted him dead. An enemy that wants us all dead.
Shhh, shhh, he tried to comfort her. Much to his amazement, it seemed to be working. Shhh, don't cry, Key, don't cry.
Keilana simply nodded and, stepping back, she wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, breaking out into quiet laughter. Look at me. All grown up and blubbering like a baby. She looked down at the mascara on her fingers and hand and cursed silently, wiping them on her pants. We—ah—we should probably get going. Wouldn't want you to miss your shuttle and I don't think I should be standing in one place for too long.
A raging, red-haired Jedi is after me.
Ah, I see you've pissed off Mara. Doing that will make her go after you. Used to be an assassin, you know.
Keilana said as she grabbed hold of Ganner's hand, entwining her fingers in his. So I've noticed. I don't even think I'll be going to dinner with her after me. She'd probably leap across several tables to strangle me with her spoon.
Her spoon? Now that's a bit of an exaggeration, don't you think?
Not at all, Ganner, not at all.
Have you sent out more bounty hunters, Qern? Añaa asked in a lazy tone, her eyes fixed on the midnight storm out her window. The woman was lounging on her great bed of pillows in a thin dressing gown, her back to her informant.
With his eyes respectively to the ground, Qern answered
Well then, perhaps this time they will bring her in, don't you think? I mean after her display at the party with that man, I'm surprised she still hasn't slipped up with her secret. Añaa laughed lightly and turned to look at Qern's bowed head. What do you think?
She's a crafty one, ma'am. Qern said, carefully picking his words. He did not want to give away the fact that the bounty hunters were working for his superiors rather than Añaa and that the were gathering information about Keilana, not hunting her. She knows that you're after her and, though she may have a surface appearance of being a carefree young woman, deep inside she is still on the hunt and still very much on top of her game.
Frowning, Añaa reached for a glass of wine and sipped it slowly, taking in the man in front of her. Sitting up and crossing her legs over the side of the bed, she smiled. How do you know that, if I may ask?
I have been watching her, Lady. I know that she is still hunting Skywalker and that each move is carefully planned out.
But how do you know? Certainly you cannot read her mind?
Qern grimaced, but not noticeably. This was were he would have to start lying. He could not tell the Lady that he too had an informant, this one in the Jedi Temple, who knew about Keilana's bounty, someone who was watching her very closely indeed.
I cannot divulge all of my secrets unto you, my Lady, for then what good would I be? I must keep certain ways of tracking and certain ways of gathering information to myself if I want to secure your absolute success in this bounty. I know how much you want to hurt this woman, and I know how much you want to see her writhe in pain, and I am working on it. I just cannot tell you how in fear of her somehow finding out. Again, he chose his words carefully. If she began to suspect him of being up to no good than it would be his life. Qern found himself treading on very thin ice holding more secrets and weight on his shoulders than any man should ever have to carry.
Añaa looked rather sceptical for several moments, but eventually she nodded. Yes, yes, your words make sense, Qern. Now, leave me, I wish to sleep.
Of course, my Lady. Qern bowed his head even lower and backed out of the room, the door closing dangerously close to his hair.
As soon as he was out of sight, Qern straightened and walked down the hall, his long legs carrying him quickly. It did not take the big man long to get to his room, which he promptly locked down after entering. Turning the lights low and walking to the closed window, Qern pulled out a rather large comlink and began his attempts to hail his contact on Coruscant. After a few moments, a rasping, gravely female voice answered.
What do you want?
You shouldn't have to ask that question, my dear. Qern shook his head and had to stop himself from clicking his tongue. I believe you have information that would interest me greatly.
Yes, yes, I do— The voice stopped and, before Qern could ask why, he heard sounds of crumbling fabric. When talking started up once more, it was muffled for the contact's comlink had been shoved into her pocket. Oh, good evening, Master Skywalker.
Good evening, the Jedi responded. The other man sounded calm, at peace. Obviously Keilana had not yet started her hunt, or at least not that Luke could see. And what are you doing here? The evening meal is being served.
Oh, I—I'm not all that hungry, Master. Thank you for telling me though.
Yes. Well, I'll see you around the Academy then, Luke said.
Yes, around the Academy. Qern's contact sounded nervous.
Several minutes after Luke's footsteps had died away, the gravely voice growled into her comlink, her voice no longer muffled. I told you not to contact me during the day.
Well it is quite impossible for me to tell when day and night are on Coruscant when I am halfway across the galaxy, my dear.
And I told you not to call me that!
Tsk, tsk, doll, no need to become irrational and angry over a little name. Now, tell me what you know.
After a rasped sigh, the woman started giving her report, stopping frequently as other's passed her.
And then tonight, tonight she seemed bothered. She was anxious to do something. I caught sight of her just as she stormed out of Jade's classroom and followed her until she ran into Jacen Solo. After that, I'm not exactly sure what she did, but I think she ran into Ganner Rhysode, another of Skywalker's Jedi and her apparent lover, but as I said, I am not sure. As I watched, I could almost see the gears turning in her head. Her plan's are in the making, if not already done, and she's going to strike real soon, Qern. Skywalker is in immediate danger and he seems none-the-wiser.
What are you going to do about it?
I am going to try and foil her plans.
No, you are going to succeed in foiling her plans, Qern corrected. A sigh resonated through the comlink and Qern shook his head.
Of course, because there is no try. There was a long pause. There is a large group coming this way. I must leave you now for I have stood here long enough and people are starting to give me odd looks.
Then let them give you odd looks, dammit! You have not finished withyour report. The last couple of words were spoken to thin air for the female contact had shut down their connection. Pursing his lips and letting his hand drop to his side, Qern turned to look out into the storm and the midnight sky of Tatooine.
Fett did not think he had ever fidgeted as much in his entire life. Not even when he was young and his father had brought home some foreign present that he had been forced to wait to open. But this time the fidgeting was for something different. The woman had promised him his sight.
To be quite honest, Fett felt rather silly being as fidgety as he was, but that was his one weakness in the control he had already established. Since he did not have his sight, he did not know who he was intimidating or how much they actually feared him. Once he had his sight back, and once the bandages were off, he could glare with his cold, dark eyes and know that those of this family truly feared him.
Fett was brought out of his reverie when the door to his left clicked open. The soft footsteps could only belong to one person. Jikala. Trying to hold back the smile that threatened his lips, Fett cleared his throat. The young woman jumped at the sound and then continued her hurried process to the other side of the room. Next, Caitern, Jikala's mother, entered to room carrying something that sounded full of water. When the door finally swung shut, Fett nodded. At least that annoying little boy would not be around.
Well then, sir, the time has come for you to regain your eyesight. Seeing as your other wounds have healed quickly, I hope the cuts on your face and the rather nasty one across your eye are healed as well.
Across my eye? Fett asked, shaken slightly. If he were blinded in one eye, what use would he be? It would force him into an early retirement he had never wanted or make him spend a vast amount of his savings to buy a cybernetic replacement that looked real.
Yes, across your eye, sir, but do not worry, for I can see that in your face. It has not blinded you, or at least not as far as I could tell. Your eye was completely untouched and, unless some of the poison crept into your eye with out my noticing, I am quite sure you will have your full sight back.
Fett simply nodded and did not allow for the great amount of relief that washed through his body to show. He barely heard Caitern's command to dim the lights for her cool hands were already working to release the bandage. With a snip the threads that had held his bandage closed were cut and the old Healer began to unwrap the bandages. With each pass, a tiny bit more light reached the man's eyes, though his eyes had been bandaged shut, he could still catch it. Soon enough, however, there was too much light, but he did not let his discomfort show.
Show no weakness, his father's words resounded through his head, words that he eventually heard in his own voice. Then he could see the nine-year-old Keilana against his eyelids, his voice becoming hers as she repeated his words back to him.
Before he really knew what was happening, a damp cloth touched his skin and he attempted to open his eyes. They did not open at first and he suddenly realized why Caitern had brought the water. His eyes were practically cemented together by sleep gunk caught in his eyelashes. After several minutes, Fett growled for them to turn the lights down lower as he pushed the cloth away.
And then he opened his eyes.
The room before him was small, the unlit fireplace only feet from the end of his bed. Blinking several times, he looked to his right and set eyes on Jikala for the first time. She was better looking than the images that had formed in his mind. Though she was malnutritioned, he could tell that she was a woman under the baggy clothing she wore. Her long rusty locks hung limply around a thin face, ending with a slight curl over the swell of her breasts. Fett smiled in spite of himself. His game with her would suddenly become far more interesting.
When his gaze shifted to Caitern, he realized that she was trying to talk to him. Shaking his head, he looked back at her, asking her to repeat what she had said.
Well, sir, I was wondering if Well, you see, you know our names and now you know what we look like and I was just wondering if you could tell us your name. It has been eating away at me for quite sometime and, well, I—I just thought that you could give us that common courtesy and—
he said, cutting the woman off. It took her a moment to comprehend what he had said and, when she did, she looked at him again, wringing one hand in the other.
Excuse me, but I don't think I heard you right. I could have sworn you said Fett and—
That's right, he said, cutting her off again. Perhaps it was a dangerous move to tell them who he was, to show that there was a human being behind the feared mask, but that was the path Fett had chosen for himself. And if I catch you telling your little friends, his gaze shifted to Jikala, who was shivering violently, before looking back at her mother, than you will be sorry indeed. I have done things unimaginable to get one person out of a village. I have killed mother's holding young children to get to men and have shot down yachts holding hundreds of people because I was paid to do so. I do not care about a single life—be it human or not—if I am paid. True, your deaths would be inconvenient and I wouldn't gain any profit from them, but if it stops you from starting little rumors, than so be it. He turned to look at Jikala again, his eyes narrowing. I can also think of things a lot worse than death.
Now, M—Master Fett, you don't have to right to go threatening my family, Caitern said, her voice shaky.
Fett altered his cold gaze to fall upon Caitern and she backed away in fright. Don't I? If it is what I have to do to stop your gabbing with your other washed up friends, than that is what I must do.
Washed up! Caitern shrieked. Her hands balled into fists at her side as her face turned a dark shade of red. I am not washed up! Threats were barely tolerable, Master Fett, but the insults are a step too far. Jikala! Go stir the stew. And you, she said, stepping toward Fett, you better learn when you have gone too far.
The older woman turned to leave and practically stomped out of the room, allowing the door to swing sharply behind her. Fett did not argue back, allowing the woman to feel as if she had gained a small victory. Laying back on the pillow, Fett placed his hands behind his head and stared at the ceiling. Sighing audibly, he allowed for a plan to start forming in his mind. Now that he had his sight, he could get out of there quickly. And maybe, just maybe, Jikala could play a significant role in that plan. She did, after all, fear him more than she feared most other things, especially now that she knew who he was.
Smiling to himself, Fett settled a bit further into the bed and closed his eyes, sleep eventually taking him away.
Much later that night, Keilana was sitting in her room, chewing on a ration bar and checking over her hand blaster and pistol one final time. She had even dared to fire several times at a piece of scrap wood she had managed to scavenge from somewhere. At that very moment, Keilana was holding up the pistol, one eye squeezed shut, while absently chewing on a ration bar. She had just lined up the barrel with a hand-drawn , her finger pressing slowly down on the trigger, when her door swished open. Startled, Keilana's finger pulled the trigger and the blaster bolt burned part way through the tile wall in the refresher. Looking up, Keilana was surprised to see Jacen Solo reclining against the doorjamb, the door hopelessly trying to close.
I think you might need to improve on your aim a little, Key, he said, humor in his voice.
God dammit, Jacen! Didn't your parents ever teach you to knock?
Yeah, they did, Jacen said as he walked into the room, the door closing behind him. But I guess I'm not really a conventional kind of guy.
Didn't you use that line once, back when you barged into my room? Jacen crossed his arms and shifted his weight to his right foot as he looked down at the still sitting Keilana.
Yeah, well, other people were barging into your room as well, she tried, knowing her attempt would fail before she had even said it.
You shouldn't give into peer pressure, Key. Besides they weren't just other people,' they were my siblings.
Standing up and stalking over to Jacen, she stood in front of him, frowning so that her forehead was slightly creased, the pistol still clutched in her hand. Keilana was very close to wiping the grin off Jacen's face with the butt of her blaster, but common sense overruled, though only barely.
What are you doing here, Jacen?
I think the real question is: Why have you set up a firing range in your bedroom? Jacen put his hands on his hips, his expression suddenly serious. Don't think it hasn't gone unnoticed. In fact, my uncle sent me down here to ask you about it.
And why didn't the great Master Skywalker come down here himself? Is he afraid of a little swoop racer with a pistol and a temper? Keilana's frown turned into a snarl as she turned away from Jacen. This was no good. If Luke had sent someone else to ask Keilana a question for him, did that mean he suspected her? Oh shit.
No, he's busy.
But obviously not too busy to ask you to run a little errand for him, Keilana said to the window, willing the sheets on her bed to cover the other weapons, but it was no use. She could fell Jacen's gaze shift from her to the other three blasters.
Why do you need four blasters, Key? I thought you were just a swoop racer. Jacen caught Keilana's gaze as she turned back to him, but not the hand that switched her blaster's setting.
Yeah, a lot of people think that, Solo. Besides, sometimes even a Jedi needs a less elegant weapon, Keilana said, a grin spreading across her face. Jacen's eyes widened and he started to take a step toward the door. He was stopped, however, when Keilana brought her blaster up level with his chest. I wouldn't move any further if I were you.
But, why? Jacen said, looking from Keilana to her bed and back again. He started to gesture with his hand, but with a wave of the blaster, he stopped. His other hand had started to creep toward his lightsaber, but Keilana was quicker. Holding up her right hand, she called the weapon toward her, clasping it tightly in her leather gloved hand.
Because we scum need to live too, Keilana answered, her grip tightening.
Scum? But you're not—are you?
Nighty-night, Solo, Keilana said as she pulled the trigger. An arch of blue light momentarily lit the darkened room and Jacen Solo's body crumpled to the ground. Clipping his lightsaber to her belt, Keilana put the pistol in a holster on her right shoulder before putting her hand blaster in it's thigh holster. Crossing the floor to her bed, she removed the shoulder holster and blaster to put on a leather duster. Then, replacing the shoulder holster, she also strapped the two remaining blasters across her back and stuffed a couple of ration bars into her utility belt. Stepping over Jacen's unconscious body, Keilana walked to the door, pausing to straighten her tight leather pants and look back at Jacen. Thank you for telling me where he is, Jacen.
With a quick laugh, Keilana stepped from her room and into the dimmed light of the hallway.
And so it begins.
A game of cat and mouse.
A hunter chasing the hunted.
