Chapter Nineteen

Mirax swore mentally, blaming herself entirely for the whole mess. She could no longer feel her legs or hands, all of the nerves being overtaxed by the coursing electricity that had raked her sensory organs raw and then some. The fire had consumed her, then the freezing touch of bacta had slid over her, soothing and cooling the same nerves. Her body reacted to everything like it would cause more pain but it didn't. The mental pain though was terrible.

Her Father's features faded and blurred as she looked intently at him. His lips were curving into a word; his face contorted with… Rage? Loss? Fear? Possibly all of the above she realized. Mirax squinted, then smiled a little, he was screaming the word 'no!'. How odd... Why–

----

"Noooooo!" Booster's heart thundered as he screamed himself hoarse. His eyes filled with tears and his world was stained red as he watched the hot crimson blood fall down the small lax form. The small lax form of his daughter. His daughter. Mirax.

No, no, no, bloody hell no! Mirax! No! His mind rebelled at what his eyes told him he was seeing. Damn malfunctioning bionical eyes! Mirax!

Booster watched in terrified horror as a sudden billowing fire swept the Abyssian and his daughter back against the wall and then the devouring golden flames exploded, their brilliance multiplying a hundred fold and the heat sent the others flying back.

----

Jo saw stars – and not just from the inferno. No, she had the misfortune to end up with her head trying to wrap around the barrel of Shada's blaster.

Ow

Yeah, that was pretty much her one coherent thought. A hand pulled her up along with the whispered instruction, "Stay put" and then she was left alone.

Oh look, there's Ronto… and over there, there's Quiggly! Isn't that the Dieing Gungan?... Oh… There's the Windu constellation…

And thus her thoughts passed as she continued gazing at the stars that shone with singular brilliance on the back of her eyelids.

----

Eire trembled as she clutched the large flamethrower with both hands. I… Killed them.

No, the girl was already dead. her mind injected.

I killed him.

I killed him.

Oh Force I killed him!

I killed him, I killed him, I killed him.

Dead. I can't bring him back.

That's a good thing, some part of her called from the recesses of her mind.

Eire dropped the weapon, flinching as it landed with an audible cra-ash by her feet.

I killed him.

I'm a murder.

I killed.

Killed.

Kill…

The small girl's dark grey eyes filled with tears as she broke down sobbing hysterically.

----

Shada shuddered as she riffled the ashes with the toe of her metal capped thigh boot. Death is highly overrated. "Emperor's bones," she muttered, "Why did it have to be the little one?" Sighing, the Mistryl shook the ashes off her feet and turned and walked over to the small huddled form she had come for.

----

Jer tried to block his mother out but quickly discovered it was no use. She would have her say and she would be heard. By the whole planet if her tone was any indication.

"Mummy?" A soft delicate voice called from the door way, mother and son swiveled their heads instinctively. A very short girl with soot colored hair pulled up with a long, slender silver clip and eyes that were a very mysterious shade of green stood in the open doorway. Her pale roseate lips curled up in a hesitant smile as she shifted from one foot to the other. Her unadorned outfit was a deceptively simple affair with a mixture of dark green and palest of emeralds. On her left hand a small band of sliver glittered in the gentle lighting. "Mummy, look at what I found at the market." Squeezing her left hand into a tiny fist, a pale, glowing halo appeared over her head with a giggle. "It's a holographic image," she recited carefully. "I can activate it by makin' a fist!"

Jer closed his eyes. Taz… Halo… Angel… NOT!

"Why Tazmania," exclaimed their mother, "How darling! It looks perfect on you."

"Yaay!" Tazmania cried as she ran forward and wrapped her petite arms around her mother.

Dear God this is not happening…

"Jer? Why're you lookin' like you've eated a lemon?"

Just keep your eyes closed and when you open them, it'll all be over… Jer peeked out one eye, then snapped it shut. Nope, no such luck.

"Jer, I'll ask you this one last time. Where is your sister?!" his mother suddenly seemed to remember her mission.

"I don't know!"

"Do you know who she's with!?"

"Sorta," Jer groused, and then turned his back on his mother, determined to give her no more information that would further pain his sister. He could feel the anger radiating off of his mom as she left the room. Jer winced quietly. Hell would probably be kinder…

----

Zekk curled underneath the blanket Mara had given him, the cold air numbing his face. He blinked sleepily, tracking Mara as she paced back and forth at the rail, edging the top of the Imperial Palace. The young boy was almost asleep when–

Zekk?

Djai called to him. Zekk fairly bounced out of his blanket, then hurriedly curled back up, trying to keep the icy wind out.

Djai!!

How've you been? M-Jade hasn't hurt you, has she?

Lady Jade? Not really…

What did she do??

Zekk was silent, Djai became anxious. ZEKK!! WHAT DID SHE DO??

Do you know her, Djai? Zekk asked quietly.

Wha- of course I-not… Wh-whatever gave you that idea?

She asked if I could trust you, then said that you were trustworth without waiting for me to answer. Zekk was perfectly serious

Oh. Djai was strangely subdued.

Well?

Nothing.

Uh-huh… sure.

Now see here young man, I do not have to tell you every last detail of my life!

So you do know Lady Jade?

Djai sighed, No Zekk, I knew her. Once a long time ago, before…

Before what?

You wouldn't believe me if I told you.

Zekk could feel Djai retreating and cursed himself silently, now he was more confused then ever.

----

Hurray this is fun! How did Djai know Mara? Do I have a plan for this? Oh yes I do… cackles Ohhhh yes I do…