Rian:

            "I can't believe that dirt bag!"  Carth was fuming.

            "You know," I began.  "Some species, like the Advozsec wouldn't view being called a 'dirt bag' as an insult."

            "But to try and convince us to steal some serum and sell it to a crime lord that's just… Advozsec?"

            "The Advozsec." I repeated.  Carth really needed to stop taking life so seriously.  Stress would make a body break before its time and I didn't want some babbling gray-haired old coot following me around.

            "They're short humanoids with enlarged craniums and big black eyes." I explained.  "They've got pointy ears and a horn in the middle of their foreheads.  Their planet, Riflor is a dense, ash-covered dump.  They seem to like it at any rate."

            Carth stopped stalking the streets of the Upper City north.  I noticed that his brows furrowed as he turned to me.

            "Riflor?"  He crossed his arms.  "I've been to a lot of planets during my military service, but I've never heard of Riflor.  Where is it?"

            "I—"  The words caught in my throat.  I could recall being in awe of the strange terrain and the night I was treated to my first dust bath.  But where was the planet located?  "I don't know."

            "You don't know?"  He laughed.  "Did you just make that up to distract me away from Gurney?"

            I shrugged.  I would have tried to laugh as well, but was afraid that it would just come out sounding forced and uneasy.

            "Forget about Gurney." I told him.  "Even if we find the Rakghoul serum, we don't have to take it to Zax." 

            It might be nice to take it to Zax if money happened to be tight, but I didn't think I would, if for no other reason than Gurney grated on my nerves.  Just knowing that, that parasitic core-slime would profit from my dealings with Davik Kang's bounty man, a finder's fee it was called, infuriated me.

            The one positive thing was that Zelka's aide had slipped the name 'Davik Kang.'  In his fervor to gain a few credits off of my trouble he acknowledged that Davik Kang was the reigning crime lord of Taris as well as a prominent member of the Exchange.  Not a particularly nice guy, but definitely a man who would know a way off of this rock.

            "But doesn't that make you mad?"  Carth wasn't just going to let this conversation fizzle out, was he?  "If the Exchange got their hands on that serum, only the rich would be able to afford the cure."

            I groaned.  "But we're not going to let that happen."  I planted my hands firmly on my hips and faced him squarely.  "So drop it."

            Carth raised his hands defensively.  "Okay."

            We proceeded in silence trekking through the streets.  When we reached the elevator to the Lower City, I bit my lip.  A Sith patrol stood staunchly in front of the elevator.  I flashed him a smile and tried to side-step him, but he was determined to bar my entry.

            "This elevator's off limits." he barked.  "Only Sith patrols and those with proper authorization are allowed into the Lower City.  It's obvious by the way you're dressed that you're not one of the Sith patrols, so unless you have the authorization papers, you must move along!"

            I couldn't help but wonder if all the Sith sounded that snide.  I could feel my nostrils twitch in agitation, but controlled the urge to stick my tongue out at the guard.  I had no intention of becoming a guest to the Sith facilities just because one guard's armor had been strapped on too tightly.

            I stalked away from the elevator with Carth on my heels.  He closed the distance between us and brought his head near enough to mine that I could feel his breath on my neck.  My hand itched to slap him, but I thought better of it.  We were far too close to that Sith guard to be causing a ruckus.

            "We're going to need some sort of disguise if we want to get past this guy." He whispered directly into my ear.  I tried to casually rub the hairs that were prickling out on the back of my neck down.  Damn him!

            "Well, let's head back to the cantina, then." I suggested.  I certainly could use a drink after all of this 'hero' nonsense.

            "Good idea." Carth agreed.  "Cantina's are always good spots for information."

            "Yeah,"  I struck an innocent face.  "you're also less resistant to my interrogation techniques when you're boozed up."

            The corners of his mouth crooked in a half-smile.  Carth gave me a curious look.  "Oh?"

            "Yeah."  I nodded.  "If you don't mind, I've got some more questions for you."

            The half-smile became complete.  Carth cocked his head to one side, letting a lock of chestnut colored hair slip over his forehead.  "I'm all ears, beautiful."

            Beautiful?  Well that blasted away any composure I had.  What kind of a sick joke was it to humiliate me with a false comment anyway?  I swallowed hard, trying to bury my fury, but it did little good.

            "Keep addressing me like that and you might lose an ear or two."  It came out as a low hiss and a small satisfied smile crept to my lips as I saw Carth take a couple steps backwards.

            He laughed nervously.  "A little bit touchy, are we?"  Carth's smile had been frozen to his face out of shock.  His eyes darted uncomfortably, desperately.  "Is there something else you'd prefer I'd call you?"

            He sounded sincere and it confused me.  He couldn't actually think that I was beautiful.  Maybe it was just the way he talked.  The slang of cocky Republic pilots throughout the galaxy or something.  I bet they all called unsuspecting women 'beautiful.'  That was it.

            I guess that meant that I had no reason to behave like a pit rancor during mating season.  So I overreacted.  If I managed to fix it then there'd be no problem.

            I cleared my throat.  "How about gorgeous?  I like that better."

            I would have found the expression on Carth's face hilarious if I hadn't been as flustered as he was.  When he finally managed to close his gaping jaw, he swept a careless hand through his hair.

            "I might consider it."  Why did he frustrate me so much?  "What are you going to call me in exchange?"

            Fine.  I could play his game.  I placed a finger to my pursed lips in mock thought.  "How about 'handsome thug'?"

            "I like the first part of that."  Carth grinned, looping a thumb around his belt.  "I'm a bit more partial to 'the most handsome pilot in the galaxy.'  What do you think?"

            I let my face sour as I raised a cynical eyebrow.  "Don't hold your breath."

            "Well then,"  Carth tried to maintain a serious expression.  It didn't fare very well.  "I guess 'gorgeous' will have to do until then, won't it?  Kidding aside, I bet you're not about to give up on those questions of yours.  Are they really necessary?"

            "Don't be such a child." I snapped.  "It's just a few questions."

            Carth snorted.  "Oh no, how can I resist a challenge to my manly pride, huh?  Ha!"  Once his laughter died down, he nodded.  "Fine, you've made your point.  Interrogate at will."

            "This isn't an interrogation.  I never said that."  He was really beginning to irritate me.

            "No, I was just joking, though you do seem to be full of questions.  It's rather refreshing, to be honest."

            I didn't like the way Carth was looking at me.  The mirth had drained from his face and he seemed to be analyzing me.

            "Let me ask you something first, though.  I've been going through the battle aboard the Endar Spire over and over in my head since we crashed.  Some things just don't add up for me.  Maybe you could tell me what happened… from your perspective."

            I was supposed to be the one asking the questions.  I didn't like where this conversation was heading and I wasn't about to cooperate.  I shrugged.  "Why ask me?  I don't see the point."

            "I'm just trying to figure it out.  I saw enough men lose their lives needlessly in the Mandalorian Wars.  It's… difficult to see that happening all over again." 

            Was Carth trying to intimidate me?  It wouldn't work.  It would make me very angry, though.

            "We lost the ship and a lot of good people… and for what?  On the hope that Jedi powers would save us somehow." 

            I was not in the mood to listen to Carth's rambling.  I had a good mind to tell him to find a brick wall to blather on to, but bit my lip instead.

            "Not that Bastila had much of an opportunity to act." he continued.  "We didn't choose that battle anyway.  It got forced on us.  Hell, I'm just surprised that any of us are alive to talk about it.  Come to think of it, it's more than a little surprising that you happen to be here, isn't it?  Just what is your position with the Republic fleet anyway?"

            I ground my teeth together looking at Carth for a moment.  I thought about feeding him some lie about being a soldier or something, but quickly dismissed it.  Carth was a military man, there'd be no way he'd buy my bluff.  I had to tell him the truth.

            "I used to be a smuggler, if you must know."  I spoke the words mechanically.  "I was recruited into the fleet for my knowledge."

            Carth's dark eyes widened at my admission, but he quickly recovered.  He nodded and started to pace the streets.

            "A smuggler?  I should have guessed."  Carth sped up his pace.  His military issue boots made a harsh click with every frantic step.  "Isn't it odd, however, that a smuggler who was added to the crew at the last minute just happens to be alive?"

            All that pacing was driving me nuts!  I stalked behind him and grabbed hold of his arm.  I spun Carth around to face me.

            "You'd rather I wasn't?" I demanded.

            Carth gave my hand digging into his arm a sidelong glance.  "Don't be ridiculous.  You've more than proved yourself since the crash… we wouldn't have made it this far without you but still…"

            "Are you implying that I had something to do with the crash?"  I balled my hands into fists.

            "No.  Well… maybe.  Don't get me wrong, it just seems odd that someone Bastila's party specifically requested to transfer aboard happened to survive."

            I couldn't believe the audacity of that guy.  I was so shocked I was almost speechless.  Almost.

            "Oh yeah, Carth, I must have been behind the crash." I scoffed, biting hard into every word.  "As a precaution I even had it arranged for my head to get splattered over one side of an escape pod to avoid suspicion.  That was really clever, wasn't it?"

            I noticed that I was waving my fists around in a threatening manner.  I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.  I forced my hands to my sides and lowered my voice.

            "It doesn't make any difference.  Go ahead and be paranoid."

            "I'm not trying to be paranoid." Carth growled.  "It's just that I learned a long time ago that something which looks like a coincidence probably isn't.  Especially when the Jedi are involved.

            "The Jedi requested numerous things when they came on board… hell, they practically took over the ship as far as I could tell.  Considering your connection to Bastila and the Jedi… whether you know it or not… your presence here seems a little convenient."

            My connection to the Jedi?  Didn't the Republic screen their pilots for mental instability?  I couldn't even recall meeting Bastila once, but apparently the raving lunatic next to me was just that; a raving lunatic.  There was nothing that I could say to make him believe the truth.

            Carth sighed.  "I'm probably wrong and this is probably nothing, I know.  I learned a long time ago not to take things at face value, however.  And I hate surprises."

            Was that Carth's feeble attempt at an apology?  Or just a weak-minded excuse?

            "Shouldn't we be trying to work together?"  I crossed my arms to keep my hands from wrapping around Carth's neck.

            "I am working with you." he insisted.  "I'd be a fool not to.  I'd also be a fool not to expect the unexpected."

            "Are you always this suspicious?"  I dug my nails into the flesh of my arms.  I wouldn't hit him, I had more self-control than that.

            "Look…"  Carth's shoulders slumped as he exhaled a deep breath.  "It has nothing to do with you personally… I just don't trust anyone and I have my reasons."

            I raised an expectant eyebrow.  Carth shook his head and groaned.  Before I could open my mouth, he bowled over my unspoken question.

            "And no, I'm not going to discuss them.  So can we just keep our mind on more important things?"

            I spoke through clenched teeth.  "I consider this important."

            "Alright, alright."  Carth threw his hands up.  "You must be the most damned persistent woman I've ever met.  We'll talk about it… but later.  Right now I just want to get going."

            "Fine." I grumbled.  "Let's just get to the cantina."

            That burned me.  I had never met such a suspicious person in my entire life.  You know what?  I thought.  Forget scamming him.  Forget it.  I decided on the cold streets of Upper City that I would earn Carth Onasi's trust if it killed me.  I would earn it the old fashioned way and honor it.  That would show him.

            Reaching the cantina, I flung its doors open.  I stormed in and headed towards the bar.  Alderaan was a classy place, known for art and wine, not for heavy booze, so I'd be willing to bet that Alderaanian whiskey would leave me green around the gills.

            "Where did you get those clothes—a trash compactor in the Lower City?  And where are those drinks we ordered?"  The owner of the voice was a high-society whelp.  I was in no mood to deal with this.

            "Sorry, I'm not your waiter." I stated curtly.  I began to make a beeline for the bar but she stopped me.

            "Why is the help here so incompetent?"  The snot-nosed twit began raving.  Great, I should have just ignored her and headed to the bar.  Then none of this would be happening. 

            "One word from Daddy and I could get you fired."  It was a pity the survival of the fittest did not apply in Upper City Taris.

            I rolled my eyes.  "Shut up, you spoiled brat!"

            The aristocrat looked completely flabbergasted.  Carth seemed a bit green as well.  I must have been on one hell of a winning streak that day.

            "How dare you speak to me like that!" she spluttered.  "Daddy's going to hear about this!"  I flashed a smile and waved as she stalked out.

            Carth looked disgruntled.  I shrugged and nodded to the bar.

            "Relax.  If you're lucky, I might buy you a drink."

            Carth grudgingly followed me.  I pulled a stool out and plopped onto it.  I motioned the bartender over and kicked a stool out for Carth.

            "What'll it be?"  The bartender swiped a towel along the bar for show.

            "I'll have an Antakarian Fire Dancer.  And my friend will have…"  I shot a sidelong glance at Carth.  It would serve him right if I ordered him some Fug ale.  I'd love to see the look on his face as he tried to down that Gamorrean sludge.  "He'll take a mug of Corellian ale." 

            The bartender set to work.  Carth sat down cautiously and raised an eyebrow.

            "Corellian ale?"

            "Yeah." I said.  "It's always a safe bet.  If you can't handle it, I'll ask the bartender to get you a Ruby Bliel instead."

            "A Ruby Bliel?"  Carth chuckled.  "What kind of a light weight do I look like?"

            "That remains to be seen." I stated, trying to maintain an air of nonchalance.

            The bartender set the drinks in front of us.  Carth immediately dove into his drink. I must have threatened his "man" ego with that Ruby Bliel comment.

            I zoned out.  I traced the lip of my glass with a lazy finger.  An Antakarian Fire Dancer would fry me from the inside out and I'd be a sore sight in the morning.  Maybe if I sipped it slowly instead of slugging it I'd be okay.  Probably not.

            "Hi there—I haven't seen you around before," I nearly dumped my drink down the front of my jacket.  Glancing up, I saw a dark haired man leaning up against the bar.  "of course they don't give us Sith officers from the military base much time off…"

            "You're from the military base?"  I pushed my drink aside.  This could be interesting.  "You don't look like one of the Sith."

            He laughed lightly.  "I'm off duty right now, so I'm not in uniform.  My name is Yun Genda junior officer first class with the Sith occupation force."

            I held my hand out for him to shake.  "Nice to meet you, Yun.  I'm Rian Vega."  Yun pulled my hand to his lips instead. 

            I heard a loud crash behind me.  Glancing over my shoulder I noticed that Carth had dropped his mug.  He appeared outraged and ready to scream.  I shot him a bored look and turned back to Yun.  Carth better have picked up on my warning.  If he messed up my work, I would skin him.

            "I'm actually surprised you're talking to me at all…"  Yun was pleased.  "Most of the people here on Taris can't stand us Sith.  It can make it a pretty lonely job."

            I smiled and let a nervous giggle loose.  "You're just doing your job, right?"  I leaned forward, giving Yun my full attention.  "I don't hold that against you…"

            "You know, it's like everyone on this backwater planet is in a permanent bad mood.  Don't they know they have to make the best of things?"

            I ran my tongue along my teeth.  "You've got a pretty positive attitude."

            "Exactly!"  Yun knocked on the top of the bar with a fist.  "It's all about attitude.  I didn't ask to be assigned to this backwater planet, but I try to make the best of it.  It's pretty easy to get depressed on an assignment like this, but we do what we can to keep our spirits up."

            I cocked my head to one side, feigning sympathy.  "It must be tough, being stationed in a hostile world." I cooed.

            "That's true."  Yun nodded.  "It's nice to meet someone who understands what I'm going through.  It's good to talk about this stuff—it gets pretty lonely up at the military base."  His black eyes wandered over my feminine appeal when he thought I wasn't paying attention.  "I've got to get going soon... I've got a shift at the base." 

            Yun sounded apologetic as his voice drifted off.  I pouted and turned back to my drink.

            "But some of us junior officers are having a party tonight to blow off some steam."

            I turned back to face him.  I raised an eyebrow to appear vaguely interested as I smoothed a lock of my black hair back into place.

            "I'd really like to see you again.  Why don't you drop by the party?  I'll write down the address on your datapad."  Yun was so eager he nearly tore the datapad from my hand.

            "Sounds good.  I'll be there."  I gave him one last smile before collecting my datapad.

            "Don't be late.  We're starting right after our shifts end.  Most of us won't even be going back to the base to lock up our uniforms.  I look forward to seeing you there."

            Yun strolled off with an air of confidence.  I couldn't wait for the fun to begin.

            "What the hell was that about?" 

            I had forgotten about my party pooper.  I turned around in my stool, deliberately slow to face Carth.  Under the dim cantina lights it was difficult to see, but I knew his face had to be a deep shade of red.

            "Are you jealous?"

            "Are you out of your mind?" he countered.  "Are you seriously considering heading to a party where you'll be completely surrounded by Sith?"

            I shrugged.  "What's the worst that could happen?"

            "The worst that could happen?"

            "Besides," I interrupted him.  I placed a hand over his to try to calm him.  "You said we needed a disguise to get into the Lower City, right?  What better disguise than an authentic Sith military uniform?"

            Carth clenched his jaw tightly.  "You've been planning this all along, haven't you?"

            "Not that exact outcome, no." I admitted.  "But something to that effect."

            "Well, I guess that means I'm coming with you then."

            "What?" I squawked.  "No, that wouldn't make sense."

            "It could be a trap." he argued.  "I won't let you go alone.

            I groaned.  "Fine.  Just be on your best behavior.  I think Yun might ask me to go steady.  Maybe give me his Sith academy pin or something."

            Carth rolled his eyes.  "Let's just go, okay?"

            I was in a good mood, so I left a sizable tip on the bar.  I hummed the tune of a scandalous Twi'leki folk song as I followed Carth to the door.  Carth ignored me.  Maybe he didn't know the words.

            Once we reached a deserted alleyway outside of the cantina we were greeted with a haughty laugh.  I whipped out my vibroblades and gave a lazy smile.   

            Two street toughs strode out blocking my way.  On their heels was—her?  Oh brother, that damn brat from earlier in the cantina.  I yawned in her direction.

            She gave me an icy smile.  The two thugs made a painstaking display of pulling out their weapons.

            "Maybe next time you'll think before addressing your betters." she sniffed.

            Despite the risk I ran by ignoring my oncoming attackers, I turned and spat at her feet. 

            Carth was business-like as always and his blaster fire erupted into the air before I had a chance to engage our attackers.  I ran towards the remaining thug and kicked high, knocking the blaster from his hand.  He fumbled for a dagger on his belt and lunged for my gut.

            I sidestepped and spun around to land a boot firmly in his backside, letting his own momentum work against him.  The thug crashed into the ground face-first, but quickly flipped over on his back to defend against any oncoming attack.  I waited.

            The thug never got up.  Carth ran to my side and pumped a blaster bolt into his chest.  I bet Carth did that just to ruin my fun.

            The high-society snot let out a low wail and ran as fast as her pricey nerf boots would let her.  I let out a victorious whoop as I sheathed my blades.

            "This isn't a game." Carth warned.

            "Sorry." I muttered.  I lowered my head and started to examine my shuffling feet.

            "Don't worry about it."

            I grinned.  "Did you see her face as she ran away?"

            "Come on," he groaned.  " we've got a party to get ready for."