Ameri:  Thank you so much for your kind words. :-) I hope you enjoy these next few chapters! More accurately, I hope you're still reading this…

Kazzy: Ah, well judging by how long I've taken, I do believe I should be shot as well. :-P Actually, I forgot that I had "ADD" up on this site. :-P As for the length, I can honestly say that it's the longest chapter I've ever written before for anything. Yes we do know more about Djai, which reminds me that I need to solve his problem… Yes, Kyp is not in a good place whatsoever. Aye, all of the little kids are cute. :-D I introduce quite a few in fact… As for Leia and Mara, it is entirely possible that they get into more trouble. Which is half of the reason why we like 'em. :D

pootyface: Glad to hear it. :-D

Yaeb Ginn: "ADD" is a downer I suppose. "One of those tales where all hope seems lost, and good dangles on a thread." *sits in shock* I love that phrase!! May I keep it? May I may I may I? :-D Yes AU is my forte, and I'm glad that you have resigned yourself to following it. I can promise you it's not as bad as I'm making it out… Mostly… :-P

jaggedlover: Why thank you!! *hugs* I love positive reviews…. :-D

Disclaimer: Hello…. I do not own it so therefore you can not sue. I make no money whatsoever and now that Christmas has passed, I think I have a grand total of $3.07 to my name… I could have less though. [face_irritated]

Chapter Ten


Her feet made no noise as she slipped down the quiet, darkened halls of the Imperial Palace. Moonlight shone through the windows yet she seemed to draw the light into herself and extinguish it. She drifted down a side passage, determination underscoring every move she made.

Her destination? Javen.

The two guards dressed in royal blue took one look at the black-garbed woman and stood to one side, allowing the tall graceful figure to enter.

She slipped the cape from her shoulders and it fell in a graceless, shimmering heap at her feet. Her face was kind as she walked over to where the little prince lay. "Well hello there…" she cooed as she lifted him into her arms. "You're screwing up my life you beautiful thing, you," she tucked the blanket under his chin, her voice still syrupy, "and I can't let you do that."

She began walking aimlessly across the room, but then a sparkle caught her eye and an evil smile crossed her lips. It was a suit of ancient Hapan armor, and there was a large pike resting in "her" hands. Her long legs ate away the separating distance and in a few moments she stood before it. She turned her pale eyes to his dark ones. "I'm sorry… it's for my own good…" Ta'a Chume's face hardened and her eyes went flat and cruel. She held him up in front of her face, a sadistic, cloying smile on her lips. One of her hands slowly reached up and gripped the side his face. The blue of his outer rim was nearly as dark as night, while the brown inner ring brought to mind the eyes of a spooked fawn.

"Die!" She snarled as she rammed his head backwards onto a spike that slid into his skull with next to no resistance. The tip of the weapon appeared in the center of his forehead. Blood was everywhere.

Blood, blood, blood… red… hot…. wet…. water… red…. water…

Ta'a awoke with a start, her wispy hair clinging in clumps to her forehead and neck.

The rain outside the Imperial Palace was louder then thunder. Curse the Gods for sending such blastedly-miserable weather, the Queen Mother thought as she clenched a handful of the silken bed coverings in her fist in an agitated motion.

Her eyes flickered shut. A grandson… a snarl escaped her bloodless lips. This boy could not be hers. That's all there is to it… The little snake was lying.

The Queen Mother threw back the blankets from her bed and stood.

She did not have a grandson.

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Leia's dark brown eyes began to glow and slowly fade into red. Zekk watched in horrified fascination; Lady Jade's eyes were closed. She'd had no warning.

Laedala's breath caught and she began singing softly in a voice that only those who are insane can pull off. "Chin up, chin up, everybody loves a happy face…"

Mara's blood ran cold as the lyrics to the national anthem of the Bew'sEttolrahc swept over her. Her work on the delicate, silver bond that hung carefully between them was halted as she remembered.

The pale-skinned pig-like race was almost immediately eradicated when Papetine rose to power as Emperor. The first one to be killed had been the Bew'sEttolrahc Jedi, Master Wilbur if Mara remembered correctly. Scenes from old holos of the hunt for them sprang to the fore of her mind. She shuddered. Force! They were more annoying than Gungans and pathetic farm boys from Tatooine!! The Force blared a warning at her.

Mara's eyes flew open in time to see Laedala rise to her full height, hatred intensifying the red of her eyes. A boiling, raging torrent of darkness poured across the fragile bond. Freezing it, burning it, solidifying it, melting it, destroying it, preserving it. Mara flew backwards, her flight halted by the slamming of her back into the throne's armrest. A hissed exclamation of pain escaped her lips and her mind roiled at the searing touch of Laedala's own mind.

Zekk cowered against the back of the throne, his arms wrapped around himself. He was crying in pain as he felt each touch of Laedala's mind on Mara's as clearly as though it was his own mind being raped. Jaina, for once, was silent. The tears slowly moving down her small face were the only outward expression of pain.

Mara tried to escape, to break free. Laedala arrived at the memories of Luke's last minutes… and the brief kiss they had shared.

"Nooo!!" Mara's anguished scream pierced the tension filled room. "No, please!!"

Laedala's lip curled in contempt and she ruthlessly tore open one of the two most precious things to Mara. The thin veneer that kept her from sinking into the darkness, the red, the pain, the oblivion, was snapped. Her own emotions surged at Laedala; amplified by the center she had found she pounded her anger on the diminutive woman.

A wild shriek tore from her red lips and her green eyes lit with an unholy fire as she shut the last memory she cherished away deep in her heart and mind. Far from even herself. Only a slight twinge of remorse pricked her and then a wave of blinding anger swept through her.

**GRAB THE GIRL!!** Djai screamed in terror to Zekk. The small boy slammed his head into the hard metal of the throne and a sudden cry escaped his lips. Jaina gave a tiny exclamation of pain and the silver tears began darkening. Zekk's eyes flew wide open and the brush of the air against them hurt, his own face was covered in tears.

He choked back a sob and hauled Jaina into his arms and then huddled back against the back of the throne.

Dear Force…. Help….

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Tyrael watched as Kyp's green eyes close quietly. His breathing slowed and her lips curved into a smirk as he snored.

He almost sounds like a Hutt. She covered her mouth to keep from snickering. No… Hutts aren't like that. They are a little quieter. She looked at him thoughtfully for a time then carefully slid something high on Kyp's wrist and then a smaller version onto his middle finger. The hard golden metal flickered, then sealed onto his skin. The mechanism made a brief noise then a transparent shield covered his hand and part of his arm.

"I'm surprised Tyrael, Those are very rare," A hard voice came from behind her. "I'll just have to get Lord Tramis to take them back."

Tyrael's back was ram-rod straight as she turned slowly, her eyes almost black with fear. Swallowing the lump in her throat she tried to stand straighter and attempted to meet all four of Rarein's eyes. "No."

He narrowed his pale, reptilian eyes at her. "Yes."

Rosie shook her hair behind one shoulder. "No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

"No!"

"Yes!"

"No!"

"Yes!!"

"No!!"

"Yes!!"

"NO!!"

Rosie flung herself at him, one arm outstretched and her other reaching for her ankle. He turned himself to the side to avoid her but her hand latched onto his throat, her slight form plowed into his and they tumbled out of the speeder and onto the hard ground. Her groping fingers found the slightly warm blaster and she pulled on it. His foot lashed out and the blaster went flying. Her dark eyes flashed and her fear took the back seat to her anger. That blaster was brand new. If anything was wrong with it…. She snarled.

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Tramis slid into the front seat of the speeder. "Rarein?" he called, expecting to see the humanoid come running. "Rarein?" his tone colored with disapproval. A blinking data pad on the seat next to him caught his eye. Rolling his eyes slightly he reached for it.

Lord of the Three Rings.

I am dealing with the sloe eyed minx. Please continue without me. I will await your punishment.

Rarein.

An angry hiss escaped Tramis. The fool had challenged Tyrael.

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A small boned human slipped from shadow to shadow. "Come on… come on… come on…." She whispered softly.

A larger form plowed into her. "Augh!"

"Hey watch it!" The smaller one cried frustratedly, "What was that for?" she rubbed her forehead where she had "kissed" the side of the speeder.

"Sorry." The attacker was a girl, a taller human girl. "I just need to drop something off a platform…"

The smaller one pulled off her mask, long spun gold locks tumbled about her shoulders, and just stared at Tyrael. "Drop what?"

"Uhh… nothing?" Tyrael substituted, raising her eyebrows and giving what she hoped was an innocent smile. "What's your name?"

The blonde one rolled her eyes but let her slip by. "I'm Anadell Seieri Carson. Carson for short." She held out a gloved hand, "And you are?"

"I'm Ty-I'm Rosie."

"Rosie?" Carson said slightly disapprovingly.

Tyrael flushed. "Yeah, Rosie."

"Ouch. You have my sympathy."

Rosie shrugged, "It's not so bad."

"I suppose…" Carson hedged, "So how old are you? Do you like blasters? What are you doing here? What do you need to drop? Can I help? Can I stick with you? Wher-" she froze when she saw the muzzle end of the blaster pointed at her. She swallowed the lump in her throat. "I guess that answers several of my questions."

Rosie smirked but fought for control. "No more questions. Rea-"

"TYRAEL JESTYN!!!! WHERE THE SITHIN' HELL ARE YOU???" a man roared from in the darkness.

Carson reacted instantly. Sliding her hand to the small of her back and pulling out a small modified blaster, she quickly spun around; locking her sights on the large hulking figure.

Rosie blanched and grabbed Carson's arm. "Come on!" she hissed. "We've got to go!"

The two raced across a patch of moonlight into a parking building. Dodging speeders and rolling under some, they halted behind a long, black stretch speeder. A fairly large black bundle moaned. "What's that?" Carson gasped; she was not used to such rapid movements. She rubbed her shoulder where she had landed when Rosie had yanked her down.

Rosie smirked, "This is Rarein, and what I need to drop."

Carson's blue eyes seemed to jump out at her, the white lightening streaks from her pupil almost glowing. "You're killing someone?!"

Yes.

"No. He rammed the back of his head into a large fractured piece of glass." Rosie grimaced. "There was a lot of blood."

"I'll bet."

Rosie glanced over one shoulder. "Would you mind… helping me out? I don't think I can do this on my own."

"With pleasure!"

With a slight giggle from Carson and a strained grin from Rosie a life long friendship was formed. Not over caf and a good book like most normal sentient beings, but over the disposal of a dead body.

Okay so Rosie and Carson aren't exactly the most normal people in the Galaxy.

Carson grinned as they watched the black form fall into the blackness of Coruscant's underworld. "Well that's done."

"Thank heavens." Rosie muttered.

"Where to now?" Carson asked, wiping her hands on her black pants.

"We go find Kyp." Rosie's face settled into a firm resolve. "Either that or take over Sarze Blade. You pick."

Carson's grin turned evil and a cackle escaped her. She hunched over slightly and rubbed her hands together. Rosie's eyes grew wide and Carson snapped out of it. "Uhh… Sorry. Sarze Blade. Does it have a good weapons system?"

"The very best." Rosie smirked.

"And W-Janson XII Drives?"

Rosie nodded, "They can make .5 past lightspeed."

Carson whistled, "Sweet. I don't think I'll inquire any more."

"Why not?"

"Cause I want to get my hands on it. Now."

Rosie laughed as Carson stuffed her hair into the black mask/head covering; Carson turned and grinned impishly at Rosie. "Come on, shorty. Lead me to our ship!"

"As you wish, Mistress!" Rosie tossed back as she and Carson dissolved into giggles as they scampered off to claim "their" ship.