"The boss says you got three minutes," the young man at the door of the Laughing Rancor said when he returned from inside.

"Thank you," Annie nodded at the young man as she walked through the doorway, leaving that annoying pest of a droid outside. She wrinkled her nose as she walked in, the smells of alcohol, smoking items, and poor hygiene was overpowering for her. She has never been down to the lower levels before; she never had a reason or desire to see that part of her home world. This is where the refuse lived, the scum and thieves and people one should never met let alone associate with if one was an upstanding citizen. She couldn't imagine someone like Headmaster Yunder ever associating with persons that inhabited this area. Unfortunately, her daughter spent much of her time down here and so this is where she would be able to find someone to help her find Ratnena. For a week now she has not returned home and Annie just knew that it could only mean one thing; he daughter was in very serious trouble. And to help her daughter she would go anywhere and do anything.

"So you are Ratnena's mommy," a scruffy looking man drinking some kind of drink and looked like he need a bath or four.

"Yes, I am," she said sitting down, briefly wondering what she might be sitting in, and tried to control her nervousness. She almost wished that droid would have been allow to follow her inside, he would have been nice to have around right now. "And you are Dirk, Ratnena's friend."

"You might say that," he said with a chuckle.

"I need your help," she said as she looked around the room, several of the nearby patrons, who also needed a good bath, laugh with Dirk as if he was the funniest man in the bar.

"What kind of help?"

"Ratnena has been missing for the past week, I need your help finding her!" She blurted out, feelings of helplessness threaten to cause her to tear up again.

"Do I look like security? Go bother them," he said taking another drink.

"I can't," she said leaning forward, "they won't care! My sons are looking but they don't know the kind of people to help us!"

"Look …"

"Please," she said cutting him off, "Ratnena use to be in your … association … and you would know more about the kind of people …"

"Are you insulting me?" Dirk growled out and the crowd started to stir a bit.

"No, of course not," she lied quickly, "but you are obviously a important man and you would know people who could help me!" He looked around and waved to the bartender to bring him another drink, "Please, I am not rich but I can pay you!"

"You don't have that kind of cash, lady."

"Please …"

"Times up," Dirk said looking away from her.

"Please I am begging you!" He still refused to look at her but made no move to get up so she pushed on, letting her frustration show. "I need to find my daughter! I do anything you want just help me!" He made a wave and someone grabbed her arms and hauled her out of her seat, "NO! Please she needed your help, I know it!" The unseen person started to drag her to the door but she resisted as much as she could. "She was your friend! Doesn't that mean anything to you!" She started crying as she fought to make her case, she was almost to the door when she heard the sound of hope.

"Wait," Dirk said getting up and waving his arms. About 25 other men stood up at followed him over to her. "I might, just might, know where she may be but it won't be pretty. If you are willing to take the chance we could go see if my guess is right."

"Thank you," she said through her tears and feeling as if a weight as been lifted from her. Since the first night that Ratnena disappear she felt hope in finding her.

"No need to thank me, this is the least I could do for Ratnena," he said as he guided her out the door. Behind him the other men joined them, some of them chuckling and joking about something but she couldn't make out what they were saying. Once they got outside and headed to some transports, the droid begin to whistle and beep loudly at her. When Dirk asked her about it, she explained that it was Ratnena's droid. "Bring him along, we might get some use of it."

"Come on Little Brother, we are going to find Ratnena," Annie said waving him over, as the droid moved to join her she just knew in her heart that she was doing the right thing.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Smith walked rapidly to the Watch Commander's office, he hadn't told why he had been summoned and could only assumes it was bad news. Not that he needed any more bad news with the workload he and the others had right now. Crime was exploding, Medical Centers overflowing and the morgue droids where even breaking down from over work.

"The Commander wanted to see me." Smith said to the commander's secretary as he walked into the outer office.

"Go head in Inspector," the lady said without looking up from her typing.

"Khapet!" He heard coming from the Watch Commander's inter office, Smith recognized it as a Vong curse word. Pulling out his pistol, he charged through the door to see … a young woman doubled over in pain with the Commander and two other people looking on in obviously concern.

"You wanted to see me sir," Smith asked lowering the weapon but not putting it away just yet.

"Oh good Smith glad you are here," Commander said pulling his gaze away from the small girl. She didn't look to be much older then late teenage years and dressed in what appeared to be a Jedi Robe. "I would like to introduce Former Chief of State Organa-Solo, her husband Captain Solo."

"Glad to meet you folks," Smith said putting his weapon back in the holster. The Solos' were many things but traveling with a Vong spy was not one of them.

"Same here Inspector," Han Solo said walking away from his wife to shake his hand. "Oh, and this is our bodyguard Meewalh." He said pointing behind him, Smith turned and saw a Noghri staring up at him. He never even saw or heard the bodyguard walk up behind him.

"Hello," Smith said trying to hid his nervousness at being taken by surprise. By the grin the Noghri gave him, he didn't do a very good job.

"Are you sure you are ok?" Mrs. Solo asked the girl.

"Yea, it just took me by surprise that is all," the girl said bring herself under control.

"Inspector, they are here about Ratnena Bora," Smith's boss said, while his stomach dropped like a rock. The Solos' wouldn't have traveled all this way for nothing and Smith could just imagine all the different reasons they would be here asking about her. None of the reasons would be good for the young lady. "Since you're our expert on her I thought it would be best for you to be here."

"Inspector," Mrs. Solo said after squeezing the girl's shoulder walked over to him, "Thank you for coming."

"It is a honor to meet you Madam," Smith said honestly. Unlike her husband, Smith had always though of her as an honest and just person. "How can I assist you?"

"We have reason to believe that Ratnena Bora, while engaged in a undercover operation against the Bliss smugglers, has been discovered and kidnapped by these same smugglers."

"You're joking," Smith said in disbelief.

"Not at all Smith," the commander growled out while sitting down behind his desk.

"This was a uncover mission, she couldn't go around flashing a badge to ever cop on the planet you know," Han Solo snapped back.

"And the government of Kidriff 5 is very displeased with the idea of GA agents running around our planet without identifying themselves. In addition, when it is someone who has the history that Bora has and the actions she has taken against these Bliss smugglers. We have had building blowing up all over the planet, we don't like it when citizen or agents decided to play judge and jury." The Commander said ticking off points on his fingers. Smith figured that they must have been discussing this before he walked in. By the look on Solo's face, he was sure that they were spending too much time talking.

"As I have explained to your superiors before," Mrs. Solo said laying a hand on her husband's arm, "the very nature of this new drug made it impossible to know whom we could trust and who might be involved."

"I can vouch for every man and woman on this force, not one of our people are involved," the commander said stonily. "We are quite capable to handle our own investigations on this Bliss."

"Yea I can tell," Han Solo said rolling his eyes.

Smith has been secretly thinking the same thing for weeks now, especially since they found out the true nature of the drug. However, his loyalty was to his fellow officers and department, plus an ex-smuggler lecturing them on security issues just stuck in his craw. "Doing things by the law is harder Solo, we can't play games."

"We have every confidence in your planetary law enforcement, Inspector," Mrs. Solo said giving her husband a look before continuing. "However, Galactic Intelligences has been concerned of the vast spread of this drug and the rapid success that the parties responsible for the is drug is experiences. I am sure that I am not telling you anything that you and your officers had not already concluded when I tell you there are some who think the entire Bliss trade is a covert attack on Kidriff 5 and other members of the G.F.F.A." She stopped and turned to include everyone in the room, "Lt. Bora was tapped for this mission since she is a native here, and she was already on site and has a … colorful history. It was hoped that her past could offer her opportunities to flush out those responsible. As I explained to you superiors yesterday when I met them," and then she faced Smith. "We never meant for any disrespect or offer insult to anyone who serves the cause of justices."

"Of course, Madam," Smith said bowing to her in acknowledgement to her apology. "May I ask what leaves you to believe that she is in trouble? As you say she does have a … colorful … past here on Kidriff 5."

"Our friend," she said pointing to the girl sitting in the chair quietly " is a member of the same … squadron as Lt. Bora. She is a Jedi and, although it is rare it is not uncommon, she and Lt. Bora have developed a bond in the Force that was sufficient to alert her to Bora's troubles."

"I though that only happened between Jedi and I'm really sure Ratnena is no Jedi."

"That is what happens normally, although there has been a couple other cases that occurred between Non-Jedi and Jedi. Also Inspector, we are still in the process of learning what had been lost during the day of the Empire."

"And so this Jedi," he said point to the quiet girl, "feels that Ratnena may be in trouble."

"That is correct," Mrs. Solo said nodding, "we were dispatched, along with our friend here, as a point team to attempt to locate her and established official assistance for you and your fellow officers. The rest of her team will be arriving soon."

"Which is our sticking point Mrs. Solo, as you well know," the commander said, "the fact is many on the department think that Bora is just here to set up her own shop. All the good she has done is nothing more the sweeping away the trash before moving in."

"I can give you my personal assurance that scenario is not accurate," Mrs. Solo said very composed.

"There is also the idea of a foreign troops running around our planet, blowing things up and terrorizing our citizens. We've a small problem with that and with Ratnena Bora's own activities."

"Which is why we are here now …"

"Then why did you go see her father before stopping in for a chat?" The commander asked directly.

"To search her room and ship, that is all." Han Solo said in a reasonable tone, "we did back off when he and his wife refused."

"And her X-wing?"

"Again to see if there was any relevant information stored on board," Mrs. Solo said, "if we had found any such information, we would have shared it with you of course."

"Of course," the commander said with sneer, "before or after you finished your little job."

"You know we could just barged in and took any information," Han said, his voice rising again. "And we do need your help, we don't know the planet like you do. I doubt that she left a big note saying 'I will be here'. We and the rest of the team are going to need your help analyzing the data to figure out where she was going before she disappeared."

"Why can't she just, you know, flow the vibes from Ratnena," Smith asked pointing to the still silent girl.

"Unfortunately, that is not a option open to us, she can feel that Ratnena is alive and in great pain but not where she is at."

"Too bad," Smith said rubbing his chin, Kidriff 5 was a big place. An accurate location would really speed up the search. Then again, if they did know where she was they may not have waited to contact the Security Forces. "Forgive me for being rude, but you are?" He asked the girl, in a tone and with smile that was supposed to communicate trust and friendship.

"Annoyed," the young girl grounded out. Although her voice was typical for any small teenager and had a smile on her face, he heard a tone that one would not normally associate with one so young. With a fluid motion and in a tone of voice that conveyed more authority then one would normally hear, she stood up and faced the commander, "Sir, we need your assistance to rescue one of my team members. We have been here for two days now and have traveled up and down one chain of command after another. We have answered all of their objections and were assured that you would extend to us full cooperation in the search and rescue of Lt. Bora. In exchange for your cooperation, we have agreed to allow you and your officers full credit on any and all arrest, any and all evidence discovered and any and all information on Ratnena's computer and in Little Brother that has a direct bearing on this investigation. I can guarantee you sir, that the amount of information that she has collected and used in her raids is nothing compared to the amount that should be stored somewhere. All we are going to take are copies of any files and you keep the originals. Now can we have you help or not?"

"How much support will you require?" The commander said after glaring at the girl, who just glared back.

"Inspector Smith and about 6 of your best drug raiders." The girl said not flitching or backing down an inch if her body language was any indication of her intent.

"And your word that you will limit your investigations and activities to just finding Bora?"

"Commander," Mrs. Solo said, walking over to stand next to the girl, "you were a member of the Kidriff Defense Force and, I have been told, completed several tours in the Imperial Navy. You know that no plan ever goes unchanged after it begins. If we discover that there are foreign agents or any other evidence that this a covert attack against Kidriff 5 and or G.F.F.A, we have to take steps necessary to stop such attacks."

"We will allow your officers to keep you informed," the girl said as the commander begun to object.

"Inspector," the commander said grounding out the words, "would you be so kind to assist the Solos' and this agent in locating and staging a rescue effort of Lt. Bora, if needed, and to collect all evidence that Lt. Bora may have collected."

"Of course, sir."

"Is that acceptable," the commander asked the Solos, when they nodded, he asked if they could wait outside for a moment. When they were alone, "Gordon looks like you were right about Bora."

"Yes sir, and it is nice to know Denon is worried about this as we are."

"Yep, I just wished that kid would come to us while she was here but Bora being Bora I can understand why she didn't. That is unimportant, get the information we need and help them any way you can. Then hang on for the ride."

"Sir?"

"Two Jedi and Han Solo? Gordon, I can't give anyone any guarantees in life but in this case, I can. Mix bad guys in with Solo and any number of Jedi and I can guarantee, things will go wrong."

----------------------------------------------------------------------

"Don't worry Mr. Bora, you are doing the right thing," Tahiri heard Mrs. Solo calm down Ratnena's father as they walked towards the Bora apartment. Tahiri could feel the anxiety coming of him in waves as his concerns and fear for his daughter conflicted with his desire to protect her from any harm. He has reminded them repeatedly that his daughter was reformed. She is more reformed then you know sir, Tahiri thought as she wished she could come up with the words to ease his mind. Mrs. Solo and Inspector Smith have stressed to him that they believed him and they were here to help her, but the fear in him was too strong.

"Peacekeeper, the rest have landed, no problems for the authorities," Snoop whispered in her ear.

"Thank you, have you located Little Brother yet?" Little Brother internal comm unit was not strong enough by itself to transmit over long distances. Normally he and others like him would plug into an antenna to communicate but they can transmit without it. The trade off was they could only transmit for a couple kilometers. They have talked to him a few times in the past two days but he was unable to provide any more leads into her whereabouts.

"Not yet," Snoop said giving her a concern look, in this building he should be able to hear them.

"Ok, tell the others to secure some transportation if they hadn't already and stand by."

"Will do."

"My wife should be home," Mr. Bora said as he opened the front door, Tahiri glanced at the keypad and was impressed. One of his sons must had installed it recently, it was a newer model supposed to be able to withstand any attempts of forced entry. "Honey, are you here?"

Tahiri looked around the very spacious apartment, a sense of love and belonging could be felt animating from the surroundings. This was a house full of love, yes, there was a small current of uneasiness but that is in any dwelling, families loved each other but they didn't always get along. She slowly turned in the apartment soaking in the … there was one room that stood out from the rest.

"She's not here," Mr. Bora said sounding confused.

"You feel it too," Leia said walking up behind her.

"Yes," the feeling of darkness and pain and … hurt was coming from the last door on the left side down the hallway. Ratnena, Tahiri sent back out through the Force hoping against hope that she could feel her friend. "Watcher, Snoop; last door on the left, get in there now."

"That is Ratnena's room how did you know that," Mr. Bora asked following her down the hallway.

"It's a Jedi thing," Han said behind her, "it takes a few lifetimes but you get use to it after awhile."

"Ma'am this is a class XI electronic lock, it will take me a while to break in," Sorr said kneeling in front of the door. Tahiri didn't waste anytime, she just reached under her robes and upholstered her light saber and sliced through the lock, when she was done Sorr shrugged as said, "or you can take all the fun out of it."

"By the Force," Leia said as they walked in the room, hanging from the walls and from the ceiling was hundreds of pictures. Tahiri looked at most of them, they were of a man who was around Han's age and the writing on them … was disturbing. As was the big targets drawn on them or mutilations done to the pictures, couple cases both were done.

"Inspector?" The very emotional voice of Mr. Bora said, barely above a whisper.

"Peacekeeper, here is her …"

"Drain it Watcher," Tahiri said not taking her eyes off the display.

"Why would she …" Han asked but was cut off by the Inspector.

"I know some of these people, that is Dirk, the leader of the 'L' street gang," he said pointing to a picture of a scruffy man about 30 years old, "That is Lt. Fern, one of our officers?"

"Did she know Fern well?" Tahiri said becoming fixated on the mutilated pictures.

"They attended school together, they didn't like each other I know that but why does she have him hanging in here and with Dirk?"

"Peacekeeper, what is your Yuuzhan Vong name?" Sorr asked from the computer, at the questioning look she gave her Sorr elaborated, "the computer is heavily protected. I'm not as good as Prankster, it could take me months to break in."

"But she may be like most slicers and have a back door installed, with a password only she would know." Aden put in, "we're thinking that she would use something that no one would know except her and you so …"

"Riina Kwaad," Tahiri said after they finished drawing her the picture.

"Astro! We are in," Sorr said as she and Aden bent over the screen.

"Your Vong name?" The inspector asked but Tahiri just skipped over that and pointed to one of the pictures that Ratnena had written Yuuzhan Vong over and ask if he knew who that was, "I'm not sure, it looks like it could be Yunder, the headmaster at the school she attended."

"Is that Yuuzhan Vong," Han asked studding the room also. When she nodded, he asked her what it said.

"You don't want to know," Tahiri said feeling a chill, it was HIM and the anger in the words and surrounding the picture was almost physical in nature. She noticed one picture on the wall, the only one like it in the room.

"Inspector, could you come here," Sorr asked from the computer, while Tahiri climbed up on the bed to get the picture.

"That is her old school," Mr. Bora said when Tahiri showed him the picture, and the pieces were following into place for Tahiri.

"According to this," Inspector Smith said from the computer, "Bora believed that the school or more likely the warehouses beneath the school is where Yunder was storing the Bliss as well as the other crimes he was involved in."

"But he is the …" Mr. Bora said as his last wall of resistance came crumbling down.

"She is there, I know it. What is the address to that …" Tahiri cut off as a wave of despair, pain and craving for Bliss knocked her to her knees. Snarling out a Shapers curse, she accepted the pain, she drew it into her in a vain hope that she could draw it out of her friend. She vaguely heard Leia warn everyone not to touch her as Han called 3PO in to translate what she was saying. Tahiri recited a prayer to Yun-Shuno to give her friend the strength to hold on for a bit longer, until she got there. After the wave passed and she was able to open her eyes, she saw Leia, Han and Aden standing in front of her all three looking concern. "We need to go there, to the school and now. Snoop, get the address."

"Yes ma'am, Watcher can you find it."

"Tahiri?" Leia asked, a whole range of questions packed into her name.

"She is craving Bliss more," Tahiri said standing up, "it is getting worst. She needs us now."

"Is she in physical danger?" Smith asked helping her stand.

"Yes," Tahiri said pulling out her comm link.

"Then we don't need a warrant," he said giving her a tight smile.

"I got the address, Peacekeeper."

"Right, Watcher you stay here and get as much out of that computer as you can, Inspector could you leave one person behind to help her. Mr. Bora," she said to the father of Ratnena, who was trying to look strong but was so worried, "we will save her." She stormed out of the room and talking into her comm as she left, "Five to Lead."

"Lead here."

"Nine is located, Ten is sending location to you now, meet me there. Lock and load." Tahiri heard him acknowledge and shut of her comm; each step took her closer to Ratnena and to HIM. Good thing he is a teacher, he should be able appreciate the lesson I am going to teach him!