"It is time that you awaken, Jedi. We arrive at our destination." Kreia's smoky voice broke through Mærin's hazy dreams and chased away the last shreds of sleep. The Exile regarded Kreia warily as she slid out of bed, still unsure of how to handle the older woman. Their conversation last night had thrown Mærin into confusion.

To have a force bond so powerful it could be fatal…was it even possible? Mærin shrugged on simple robes as she remembered the fiery pain in her hand she felt as Kreia lost her hand. The force bond made sense, but the thought of having one's life attached to another's…

Mærin shook her head and walked to the cockpit.

Atton took the Hawk into the Citadel Station's traffic slowly, giving himself time to survey the damage Revan's fleet had inflicted on Telos' surface.

The bombardment had turned the surface of the planet an angry red, pockmarked and scarred. It was a sad change from the original Telos, which had been known around the galaxy for its fertile plains and valleys. The Citadel Station hung over Telos like an enormous metal bandage, failing in its attempt to resurrect the dead planet. The grey buildings sat arranged on a grid, stark and desolate.

The Force decided to bring us here? Atton flew the ship into an open hangar, setting her down as gently as his rusty flying skills allowed.

"So this is Telos…" Mærin's murmur made Atton jump – he hadn't noticed her presence. "This… Revan did this, didn't she?"

Atton didn't answer, not sure of what to tell her. There was something about her expression, the slight darkness that fell over her face, that made Atton uneasy. Avoid the subject.

He eyed her new clothes and rested expression. "I take it that you're feeling better?" He wished he could say the same about himself.

Her mouth quirked downward. Maybe he hadn't avoided the subject as well as he wanted. "What do you mean?"

Atton sighed, no longer sure he remembered what he meant. "I don't know. You seem more… at peace with yourself than when I saw you on Peragus."

Mærin glanced at him, eyebrow raised. "Actually, I haven't felt this good in a while. I guess I hadn't really noticed it…"

He watched as a small smile spread across her lips. "Well, whatever you're doing, keep it up. You're a nice contrast to that old witch."

Her smile vanished as soon as it appeared. "We should probably register with the docking officials."

He followed her out of the cockpit and down the boarding ramp. "Look, I didn't mean to offend you or anything. It's just that…" He left the sentence hanging, not sure how to finish it.

She finished it for him. "It's just that she put her life in danger so we could save ours. The least you could do is offer some respect."

He guessed that he was supposed to feel guilty, but the guilt didn't come. "Hey – I never asked her to get her hand chopped off, and you can't tell me that you haven't heard all the 'imbeciles' and 'fools' she throws at me every time I happen to pass her way."

Mærin waved him off, walking onto the loading dock. "Getting sympathy from you is like squeezing water from a stone."

That was harsh. "I—"

A woman's voice sounded unintelligibly over the intercom as a stocky man and a team of Republic soldier strode up to the Exile. Alarm bells rang in Atton's head – the situation had become increasingly familiar.

Something was very wrong. Atton motioned to the Ebon Hawk, encouraging Mærin to turn tail and run. They could make it if they moved fast enough.

She shook her head at him and turned back as the officer approached her.

"I am Lieutenant Grenn of the Citadel Station. Do you have affiliation with this freighter, Ebon Hawk?" Atton let loose a string of curses as he saw Mærin nod. "You are under arrest for the destruction of the Peragus mining facility. Your ship, droids, and belongings will be detained here until we receive further information to clear your name."

Atton stepped up to the lieutenant as Mærin blanched. "This is outrageous! You have no proof."

"We have proof enough to charge you for destroying Peragus II." Grenn's voice had become tight as he scowled up at Atton. "We will escort you to your rooms."

Atton glared darkly at the soldiers, wishing looks could kill.

Mærin chewed her bottom lip. "Go get Kreia and T3. They'll want to know what happened."

Atton sighed in frustration. "Tell me I'm not going to jail again."

wince sorry about the shortness of this one. I promise the next one will be longer.

Oh, and the contest is still on for a cookie! Guess the new POV to come correctly and you'll taste an oh-so-special cookie. I can almost taste the excitement.

cheers fora new planetand ace!

bri