Chapter 3

Only to Break Them Again

Tana walked along the skyway that connected the new republic base to the Senate building, it had been almost a month and a half since she got over her spice addiction, but she still felt as if people saw her only as a liability, a liability that they tried their best to hide, so no one of importance could see. She remembered an incident that happened only a few days ago. A group of ten Quermian officials were there to join the new republic and one of the officials asked if she was all right because her hands were shaking. Tana, knowing that Quermian's were very adept at telepathy, knew she wouldn't get away with a lie, had told him the truth, that she was recently getting over a spice habit, and Bothan council member Borsk Fal'Lya just happened to be near, had grabbed her by the arm and pulled her out into the hall where he had proceeded to give her a thorough yelling at

Now it's always once upon a time
In Republic City
It's a big old, bad old, tough old town, it's true
But beginnings are contagious there
They're always setting stages there
They're always turning pages there for you

"What are you doing here?" A guard demanded, grabbing Tana roughly by the arm.

"I'm just walking." Tana said. "I didn't do anything."

"Really, well why don't we have a look in your bag." The guard said taking Tana's bag from her arms.

"Hey, you can't do that." Tana argued.

"Why, afraid I might find something?" The guard sneered.

"No because I've done nothing wrong and you have no proof to suggest that I have." Tana said taking her bag from the guard's hands and continuing down the skyway. The guard caught up to her and grabbed her by the arm and dragged her to a lift and pressed the button for the ground floor, then pushed her out of the building.

"If I ever see you in either of these buildings again I will have you arrested." The guard threatened, then went back in.

Ain't it great the way it all begins
in Republic City?
If it's always once upon a time
In Republic City
Why does nightfall find you feeling so alone?
How could anyone stay starry eyed
When it's raining cats and dogs outside
And the rain is saying, "Now you're on your own"?

"Great, this is just great. Now what do I do?" Tana asked herself as she spotted a pay com.

Tana inserted her credit disk into the slot and dialed.

"Damn it!" Tana said tears forming in her eyes, she'd dialed everyone she could think of; Her uncle Crix, Han, Luke, Leia, even Chewie and no one had answered.

So, Tana, don't be scared Though yesterday no one cared
They're getting your place prepared
Where you want to be
Keep your dream alive
Dreaming is still how the strong survive
Once upon a time in Republic City

It was almost 11:40 at night when Tana finally made it back to the new Republic base soaking wet from the down pour that had started almost an hour ago. What would normally only take forty five minutes if she took the skyway that connected the senate building and the base building, took nearly two hours going through the city itself, because of all the traffic and construction not to mention some not so very friendly areas that should be avoided at night.

"Tana!" Leia cried out as she saw Tana in the entry hall. "Where have you been Tana, the whole base has been looking for you!"

"WHERE HAVE I BEEN?" Tana yelled, "WHERE HAVE I BEEN! TRYING TO GET HOME! THAT'S WHERE I'VE BEEN!"

"What, what do you mean trying to get home?" Leia asked.

"I was thrown out of the building and wasn't allowed back in, and I had to walk through half the city just to get home." Tana cried.

"Why didn't you call someone then?" Leia asked as she pushed a stray piece of wet hair out of Tana's face.

"I did, nearly five times. I tried uncle, you, Han, Luke, even Chewie, but no one picked up, I had no money for a cab or the rail system." Tana cried tears running down her cheeks, "All I want to do now is get into some dry clothes and go to bed."

And it's always once upon a time

In Republic City