Tallis bit her lips hard, grabbing her other lightsaber and quickly running her mind through a calming Force technique. "This isn't Dathomir. This isn't Dathomir." The first shot fired, Tallis redirected it easily back, killing the alien who had sent the first blow. She had not meant for things to escalate, but the Twi'lek had not been acting appropriately. Now they would just have to escape somehow.

So far Tallis counted at least fifteen criminals, and could sense within the building that more would be joining soon. Blasters began going off. Tallis positioned herself in front of Han, slashing at every blaster bolt she knew could cause real harm. Han and Chewbacca returned fire viciously as the trio moved for cover. For once Tallis was happy for garbage being everywhere as her friends took cover behind a large trash pile.

"What're we going to do?" Tallis shouted over the blasting.

"I dunno! Use the Force or something!" Han shouted back.

"What do you think I'm doing?!?" She said in exasperation, slashing away at another volley of blaster fire. However even a Jedi could not keep this up forever. More criminals were coming out. And they were being smart in keeping their distance.

"I can try getting closer but I won't be able to cover you at the same time." Tallis said as she quickly jumping behind their smelly cover.

"If you can do more damage up close then go ahead. Chewie and I survived worse than this without Jedi tricks."

Tallis bit her lip, but nodded, gripping her weapons tight as she peeked out around the pile. Lightsabers up she blocked the first few bolts before sprinting forward, the Force allowing an unnatural speed as she body slammed a human about her size, slicing him across the chest before moving to the next. Light on her feet she twisted around a bolt, her lightsaber melting the blaster away and cutting through the criminal's neck cleanly.

Han and Chewbacca were quick to follow, covering Tallis' back with their own fire. While this worked for the first few seconds, it was becoming painfully clear they were outmatched as another wave of scum came through the doors. A true base that was for certain.

Tallis retreated back to Han and Chewie, taking down who she could as she repositioned herself in front of them. "Now what?"

"Running seems like our best bet." Han said grimly. "On my mark, run like hell, okay?"

Tallis and Chewie nodded.

Moments passed, and as a Tallis kept up her defence Han watched for the moment to move. It came when several of the gunmen had to set in new charges.

"Go!" Han tapped Tallis' shoulder and the three bolted.

Running, Tallis stopped only for a second, her hand reaching out to a pile of trash as the Force threw it into the street, momentarily stopping their pursuers. Turning into an alleyway the three rushed out the other side in a slightly busier street. Taking a breath, Han signaled for them to act natural. Tallis quickly hid her lightsabers under her poncho as they hurried along the side of the road.

It was only a few seconds of peace however. A wookiee companion was not exactly subtle.

Turning towards the shouting, Tallis frowned as the scum raced towards them. "Run." Han shouted as they broke into a sprint.

"Excuse me! Sorry!" Tallis called as they pushed past several people, and nearly tripped others as they turned left down another, wider alleyway.

Half way through, and suddenly their opening was closed by more crooks.

Chewbacca roared angrily at the trap as Tallis wracked her brain, drawing her lightsabers as she faced one side.

"Alright, you caught us. That was a good run wasn't it." Han said cheerily. "Now let's just forget about it, we haven't hurt no one."

"Besides the people we shot down." Tallis muttered. Chewbacca wuffed softly in agreement.

"You two are not helping." Han hissed back.

The villainous scum only grinned, weapons readying simultaneously.

It looked like this was it.

Suddenly there was a beeping sound. Everyone looked up from above as a ball fell to the ground, right in the middle of the right hand group. Tallis blinked as the group muttered in confusion. And then it seemed to hit one of them. "Deto-" his words were cut off as a detonator blew up, throwing bodies and even a few body parts in every direction. The other group suddenly panicked, but they too met the same fate abruptly.

Tallis looked upward, furrowing her brows as she glimpsed the glint of armor on the roof top. "Go." Said a voice from above. "I'll cover you."

With no reason not to accept, Han quickly moved ahead, followed by Chewie and Tallis as they ran onward. Shouting erupted within seconds and Tallis turned to see.

As a new band of scum ran towards them, the armored man jumped from the building, a jetpack slowing his descent just enough as he fell right in the middle of them, and quickly began to take them down.

Tallis blinked, feeling a sick sensation in her gut.

~~~

"Tallis."

Tallis looked up to Mon Mothma slowly. She sat in a chair too big for her, hands folded in her lap, head having been bowed before the gentle rebel spoke her name.

"How many died?" Tallis asked softly.

Mon Mothma sighed. "It is not your fault, Tallis."

"I know. Just tell me."

The redheaded leader sighed once more. "Jadastr and her ship was found in the swamps. The twins' bodies were nearby trying to help her. I do not believe they suffered. Rukk did not suffer either. Sola and Drionn were in the facility when it was destroyed."

Tallis blinked back tears. "I didn't feel Drionn die." She said hoarsely, though not daring to hope.

A gentle hand touched her shoulder. "His last known location was the base. In the chaos, I would not be surprised if even a Jedi Master could not sense every death that took place."

~~~

"Drionn..." she murmured, feeling dazed as she slowly walked forward, and gradually speed up as she cut down the nearest villain. The armored man was wearing dark blue Mandalorain armor, armor Tallis knew well. She also knew what was to come as she ducked, the Mandalorian's flamethrower burning his enemies to near crisps as they retreated from the fierce warrior.

However they meant little to Tallis as she stared at the man, searching his presence, looking for something, anything.

His body language was hesitant, his mind a fuzz, unreadable. Tallis reached out hesitantly. "It can't be you."

And yet, his hand found hers, squeezing as he once had, protective as she remembered him.

"It's me." He murmured.

A sob broke through her lips as Tallis flung her arms around the man's neck, burying her face against him as his helmet came off, feeling him hold her tightly. Feeling the warmth of a friend after so long.

And softly she murmured the only thing she could think to say.

"I missed you."