Decisions Part 4 Force Ghosts and Demons

by Jules Cesar

A continuation of the Decisions series. Krillgan is having trouble mourning Smasher's death. He also blames himself for not being there in time to prevent Grandmother Emily from dying. While on Devaron, researching how to be recognised as a Krillgan, the Voss contact him. They need his help preventing the dead Sith Emperor from taking on corporeal form and ruling the Empire, again.

2. Chapter 2

©2018

After a strenuous workout, everyone was hungry. Kreen and Bariatha turned up their noses at the meals that Krillgan and Rasha prepared for themselves, and offered to prepare for them. Kreen and Bariatha reminded Krillgan that they were used to eating fresh kill after a workout like what they had. Krillgan told them that it was not very convenient to go hunting on his ship. The closest thing they have to game, are the mercenaries. But he thinks that their meat would be too gamy. The mercenaries did not like this conversation. Kreen and Bariatha asked him about his canine friend. He is a meat eater, and they have not seen him chewing on a mercenary's leg. Krillgan told them that they went hunting on the last planet they landed on. So Rudy has enough meat to last him a while. Before anyone could react, both Sisters ran to Rudy's den, and pleaded with him for a piece of meat. They promised that it would only be this one time. Rudy told them about the cooler. He said that Smasher knew how to get inside. But he doesn't. Krillgan, Rasha, and Ludia, will get him some meat when he is hungry. He decided that he was hungry, and asked if they would get something for him.

They opened the cooler, and found a nice rack of ribs. They asked him, if this was enough for him?

He told them that if this was not enough, he will ask for more. He did not tell them, that because Krillgan had given him their breakfast. He said that he could only have half the rack of ribs for his dinner.

They also found a nice hind leg of a creature, with a lot of meat on it. More than enough for the two of them.

They took this hind leg to the staff lounge. Bariatha knelt down, and made a small ball of force fire. Bariatha made the force fire because she was better at the fire element. It took a lot of concentration to make a small ball and maintain it. She had to maintain a small ball, so it would dissipate, when they no longer needed it. Or they could start burning the ship. Which would get Krillgan and his crew very angry with them.

While Bariatha maintained the fireball, Kreen held the leg of meat over the fireball, using the force. Slowly turning it, so it would roast evenly. It was not very long before the smell of roasting meat filled the ship. Everyone stopped what they were doing, and came out to see what was causing the smell. Krillgan had placed a tray on the deck, under Bariatha's hands, to catch the drippings. He thought it might be a nice treat for Rudy. Then he thought that from the way the mercenaries were looking at the roast leg. Rudy will have to fight for the drippings.

The mercenaries had never seen this done before. They asked the two ladies, if they were going to share? They answered the mercenaries that they were going to share with each other, and maybe with Rasha, because she worked as hard as they did. When they are finished, they will give the bone to Krillgan's canine, because it came from his kill.

They asked them, if they obtained some meat, would they roast it for them? The two ladies simply said, No! They told them that they are hungry. As soon as the meat is ready, they will put the fire out, and start eating. Besides, they doubted that Rudy would let them take any of his meat. He would stun them all with his tail if they tried. Besides, if they hurt Krillgan's canine, they will have an angry Krillgan to deal with. They have seen Krillgan angry. They were very happy that he wasn't angry with them.

The mercenaries started complaining to Krillgan. They told him that they also wanted roast meat. They told him that the only reason they have been eating the ship's food, is because they did not believe there was anything else. Now that they know that there is something else, they want it. Even Rasha had stopped eating, because the Sisters said that she could have some. Grimm, Kran, and Elibet, also complained about the ship's rations. Grimm said that he believed that they were purchased by Rasha's father. He had the habit of buying the cheapest meals he could find.

Krillgan knew that Rasha's father did not buy the meals. The pirates cleaned the ship out when they captured it. All the meals they have, were purchased by Elibet. Unfortunately, they do not know how old the meals are. Since new meals are placed on top. Those are the ones everyone wants to eat first.

To make things worse. After the ladies finished roasting the leg. Kreen placed it on the tray with all the drippings. Then she went into the Captain's Cabin. In their snooping, the ladies found the cooler. So she returned with two nicely chilled bottles of new ale. This really started the mercenaries grumbling. All they have ever had on the ship, is cold water, our hot tea.

Krillgan was also upset. He told the ladies that they should have asked him before they took anything out of the cooler. It is kept there for special occasions. That usually meant that it was for dinner with clients, while negotiating new trade deals. Not on someone's whim, because they found out where they were.

Kreen and Bariatha knew that they had crossed a line, and hurt Krillgan. They apologised and poured some into cups to share with his crew. There was not enough to share with the mercenaries. They told Krillgan that they do like the different teas that he has. They will only drink tea and water from now on. Krillgan mutter that what has been done, cannot be undone.

Krillgan had a meeting with Grimm. He asked him to approximate where they are in the current hyperspace lane. He decided to terminate this jump early. He also did not like the meals that were left, and was out of fresh fruits and vegetables. They told the computer where they wanted to terminate the current jump, so that they could resupply the ship.

When they were close enough to the planet, so that Krillgan could speak to traffic control. He told them the reason that he stopped in the system. He was trying to stop a mutiny. Their current supply of meals are not at their peak quality. He was hoping that they had businesses on their planet that could produce meal trays of a reasonable quality. They told him that they have two companies that are not that bad. They told him the planet that has the best quality they know of. The planet they mentioned is Richard's world. Krillgan told them that they were stopping there on their way back. He asked if they could place an order for him, with both companies. He wanted them each to make them two months' worth for standard crews. (Standard crews for freighters, is the Captain and First Officer. Krillgan had five in his crew, eight mercenaries, and two Sisters. He hoped he ordered enough to keep everyone happy, until they reached their destination.) Krillgan timed it, so that by the time they reached the planet. Visited a local market, to pick up enough fruits and vegetables for everyone. Had dinner in a local cantina. All the meals would be ready, and they could leave.

The only one disappointed with Krillgan, was Rudy. There was no hunting on this planet. He just sat at the top of the ramp, and growled at the custom inspectors, whenever they dropped the ramp.

Kreen and Bariatha accompanied Krillgan and Rasha to the market. They watched them select what they wanted. Kreen and Bariatha saw fruits they had never seen before. They even managed to convince Krillgan to buy a greater variety. There were some fruits that the vendor let Krillgan sample that he did not like at all. Kreen and Bariatha, told him that they will still eat it, hoping that roasting it would improve the taste.

They then watched Krillgan and Rasha haggle with the vendor over a price. Then they saw Krillgan pass some coins to the vendor.

They asked Krillgan, where did he obtain the coins? He told them that when he flies freight from one planet to another, they pay him in coins for the service. They asked him, if he was currently flying any freight? He told them that he wasn't. It was unlikely that they had freight that was going were they were flying. They are currently on a Republic controlled planet. They will be flying to a Sith controlled planet. Flying that freight is considered smuggling. Neither government approves, and could cause problems. If he did know the person that wanted to ship the goods, and he knew the person wanting to receive the goods. He might risk it. Since you get paid a lot more to transport it. Kreen and Bariatha pretended that they understood.

When they went to the Cantina, Krillgan warned the mercenaries about how much ale he would let them drink. He did not want to carry any of them to the ship.

Even though they sat four to a table. Krillgan paid for everyone. That was how he knew, how much everyone is drinking. The two Sisters sat with Krillgan and Rasha. Krillgan let them order more than they could eat. Whatever is left over, he would have packed up for Rudy.

Kreen and Bariatha told him the things they liked, and the things they did not like. They did like the fried potatoes with the blood red sauce. They thought that their cheese, and the drippings from the roast meat, would improve the flavour. They again watched as Krillgan gave coins to the people who served them. In exchange for all the meals. They asked him, how he knows how much to give them? Krillgan told them that it took a while for him to learn. Rasha was his teacher, while Grimm was teaching her. When he had no teacher, he had to watch others, carefully. But without staring. Or they would try to cheat him.

Kreen and Bariatha did not know if they could live like this. Because everyone thanked Krillgan for paying for their meals, they did as well. They asked him about the package Rasha was carrying. Krillgan told them that it contained what was left over from their meals, including the bones. They will give it to Rudy as a treat. He has been protecting the ship while they were gone.

At the spaceport, Krillgan pointed to a group of men standing just outside a building. He told the Sisters that they tried to sneak aboard his ship, to see if he had any freight he was smuggling. If they found some, they would seize it. Then they would make him pay them a lot of coins to get it back. The Sisters just shook their heads.

Rudy was very happy to see them. He was even happier when he smelt the treats, Rasha was holding. He did not even say hello to any of the force users, as he followed Rasha into Cargo Bay 1.

When they left the planet, the last thing they had to do is find the Mantas-5. They left it drifting in an asteroid belt. Since no one volunteered to babysit it, while they were all on the planet's surface, eating and drinking.

There was no complaining about the food after that, except by Kreen. They found no berries at the market.

The Sisters practised hard with Krillgan and Rasha. Using just the lightsaber, and lightsaber dagger techniques. Krillgan showed them the different lightsaber techniques he observed while fighting different Sith. He told that it was only Sith Lords that relied on more than their lightsabers. The other Sith relied on their lightsaber skills alone. Even though they were taught force push, fireball, and other attacks, in the Sith Academy. He said that they did not know the basics of the four elements. So cannot block a fireball. They try to absorb it into their lightsaber's blade. Krillgan brought out the Marauder's dual lightsaber. He showed them some of the moves he observed. He told them that he believed that the Marauder was supposed to be able to take on two opponents at the same time. It definitely did not lend itself to fighting in a group. But any of their Sisters, with the techniques they are taught in handling a sword. Can defeat a Marauder by themselves. He told them of the other style. He did not know they are called Juggernauts. He told them that it was a group style. He believes that they are the type of Sith they will encounter. They discussed their attack style. The strengths and weaknesses. He told them that their biggest weakness, was that they never expected a dagger.

Krillgan also met with the mercenaries. He told them that after this mission, the Fenelar Phoenix will go back to being just a freighter once again. He doubted that he could find anything stimulating for them to do, except play keep Smasher's ball away from Rudy. They can understand that when Rudy becomes frustrated he will start using his tail against them. The mercenaries understood that this meant that after the mission, Krillgan expected them to part company.

Commander Tamrack told his men that he wasn't planning on leaving the ship. To make sure Krillgan did not drop him off in the middle of nowhere. He was going to propose marriage to Rasha after the mission. He asked them all to keep quiet about it. Because she does not know, and he would like a sincere reaction from her.

Three of the mercenaries did want the Mantas-5. They were going to try their hand at being bounty hunters. They were going to present themselves as the bounty hunter and his two sidekicks. Since they would all be wearing armour. No one would know that they were each going to take turns being the bounty hunter. They each have different strengths. So depending on what was called for. That would decide who was to be the bounty hunter. One of them was a better negotiator. So they would negotiate their contracts. One was better with electronics. So they would be their tracker. One was better at combat. He would handle the arena competitions. The fastest way to get your name out there, so that you can start picking up contracts.

Krillgan agreed to surrender the Mantas-5 to them, but only under strict conditions. All edged weapons were going to be removed. Because they all have poison on them. Rasha would also be going through the costumes the assassins had aboard ship. She wants to remove any that she thinks could be useful for Phoenix's crew in the future. She will also be confiscating any explosive devices. So if they want any, they will have to buy them on their own. The last condition, is that they understand who they are really going after. He does not want them ruining any innocent lives. He would also appreciate it, if they could somehow help them. Krillgan was smart enough to know that most of their contracts will involve hunting down the scum of the galaxy. Only they will be doing it on behalf of other scum.

The other four mercenaries were told that they were not allowed to hire on to a crew that worked for a Hutt. If it ever came out that they had worked for Garblaque the Hutt. The Hutt would want them to describe how their unit perished, and what they did until they were hired. Other than that, they could either form their own unit, or join up with another. The four of them said that they were thinking of trying casino security. It is a good steady contract, and there are always pretty ladies around. They were thinking of making their way to one of the casinos on a fringe world. Krillgan told them that there are also casinos on Manaan. If they go to the check-in desk, at the accompanying hotel. They just need to tell the person at the desk that Krillgan sent them to enquire about a job. That should at least get them an interview.

They would have been very suspicious, if they knew that they had dropped out of hyperspace in a barren system in the middle of the Trax Tube. Even more so, if they knew that it was Grimm who took over as pilot. They saw Krillgan in his bounty hunter uniform exit the ship. They assumed that he was disconnecting the Mantas-5. Commander Tamrack went to the bridge to see if they would tell him what system they were in. Instead he found the whole crew looking at a pirate base. He watched as Krillgan landed beside the base. He entered a code and went inside. He whispered, asking Rasha, if this was theirs? Rasha whispered back that it was.

Commander Tamrack watched as the main hanger doors opened up, then one of the ships was pushed out of a hanger. The Commander whistled as soon as he recognised the Vaiken Frigate.

The two Sisters had entered the bridge at this point. They heard the Commander whistle, and asked what this ship was? Rasha told them that this is their new ride. The Fenelar Phoenix is too recognisable by pirates. A lot of pirates work with the Hutts. Using them as a dumping ground, for the things and people they captured. So it would be hard to hide that the Fenelar Phoenix carried the people that destroyed a Sith lab. It would be better if the informants on Nar Shaddaa saw a Sith ship being used to destroy a Sith lab. Even the Sisters understood that logic.

Krillgan left the pirate base and entered the frigate. He used the frigate's tractor beam to bring the Phoenix alongside, then docked the two ships together. Everyone was needed to get the Frigate ready. There were still bedsheets hanging up, that had been used to block the passengers' view of the ship, when it was used as a bridge, to transport the people from the freighter to the Phoenix. That way the passengers would not know what type of ship it was, other than it was a pirate ship.

Grimm was on the bridge, running diagnostics. As none of them had anticipating them using the ship before they parked it. Now they wanted to make sure that everything worked properly. The three mercenaries, soon to be bounty hunters. Transferred all their belongings straight to the Mantas-5. It was believed that both ships travelled at the same speed through hyperspace. So the Mantas-5 would by flying in support of the frigate. That should discourage any pirate attacks.

Rasha was transferring everything from the Phoenix that they would need to carry out their mission. Sith robes, Imperial Trooper's armour, Blaster rifles, explosives. She even transferred all the fresh fruits and vegetables. It was a good thing she did, because the meals aboard the frigate tasted as bad as the meals aboard the Phoenix, when the mutiny started. She brought over Rudy's coolers with the Sister's help. She even brought over some frozen carcasses. There was no freezer on the frigate, and the freezers on the Phoenix were too big to bring across. After they disengaged from the Phoenix, they would place the frozen carcasses in the hatchway, close the hatches and shut off the heating elements. To keep the carcasses frozen that way. Until they needed to start thawing one, to feed Rudy.

Everyone went around laying claim to cabins. They left the Captain's Cabin for Krillgan. The First Officer's Cabin was left for Rasha. The Ship's Engineer's cabin was left for Grimm. Commander Tamrack took one of the bridge officer's cabins. Kreen and Bariasha took the other two. Kran and Elibet took one of the crew cabins, and the remaining four mercenaries took the other.

Once everyone was settled, Krillgan and Grimm boarded the Mantas-5, and were flown into the main hanger. Grimm helped Krillgan take the pirate base out of standby. They wanted all the base's defenses fully functional when they left. Grimm entered a new access code for the base's defences, so it did not fire on the frigate when they returned. Grimm then went back aboard the Mantas-5. Which then flew around beside the base to pick Krillgan up when he left. Krillgan than used the base's tractor beam to bring the Fenelar Phoenix inside the base, than sealed everything up tight. The Mantas-5 quickly flew to dock with the frigate, so that it would be outside of the base's defensive perimeter, when all the weapons went active.

If someone wanted to steal the Phoenix while they were gone, Krillgan wanted them to destroy the pirate base first, before they could get their hands on the Phoenix. That meant that it would take a Capital ship to do it. Even the frigate would be destroyed without the code.

There was not enough room aboard the frigate, for them to continue practising with the lightsabers. What they did find was that the Sith had a very good library describing every creature they expected to find, as they negotiated the lower levels of the labyrinth, where the Sith lab was located. This allowed them the ability to discuss the best ways to take out all of the creatures. The hardest creatures for them to deal with. Will be the creatures created using dark force energy. It was expected that their skin will be impervious to lightsaber damage, as well as blaster bolts. Their weaknesses will be their eyes, nostrils, the inside of their mouths, and their ear canals. The Sisters knew from their lore. That these creatures are susceptible to Air and Earth attacks. So they would be carrying a couple of bags of dirt, when they first enter the labyrinth. Rocks would be better. A rock lance would provide them with a definite kill. Only they did not know if there were any rocks on the surface of Nar Shaddaa. They knew that there would be chunks of concrete, but they did not believe that concrete is living rock, so did not know if they could use the Earth Element to fashion it into lances.

It was decided to take the Traxs Tube to where it intercepted the Oktos Route. They would then take the Oktos Route all the way to the Y'Toub System. The system where Nal Hutta and Nar Shaddaa are situated.

When they entered the Y'Toub System, Krillgan and all the mercenaries entered the Mantas-5. This was going to be the last chance they have, for going shopping. Tamrack knew the right dealers, to get the best equipment. They found two authentic Neo-Crusader suits of armour that Krillgan bought for the bounty hunters. They also found a copy of a customised bounty hunter's armour. The vendor told them that this copy came from Churabba the Hutt's palace. The armour is not quite as good as the Neo-Crusader armour, but it is a good armour, and it has some very interesting modifications. It is a very good setup for an up and coming bounty hunter. So the three mercenaries told Krillgan that they want it.

The next thing they looked for, was body armour that would fit under a suit, for the up and coming casino guards. The body armour would need to protect from sonic weapons and vibro-blade weapons. It would provide minimal protection from blaster weapons. If the casino was under serious weapons attack. There would be security stations, were upper body armour would be stored, as well as blaster rifles.

They also bought small stun batons, stun cuffs, and their personal comlinks. They then went to a store that sold good durable suits, for the security professional.

When they docked with the frigate, all the mercenaries went aboard the frigate, while Kran took control of the Mantas-5. He also had a number of crates with him. It was his job to pack up everything aboard the Mantas-5, going aboard the Phoenix.

While everyone changed into their outfits, Grimm took the frigate in to land on Nar Shaddaa. He landed on the disused shuttle terminal they had used before. It looked like four Sith came off the frigate, followed by eight Imperial Troopers. Four of them were wearing their brand new body armour, under their black Imperial Trooper armour. It was Krillgan and Kreen that were leading the way. Bariatha and Rasha were behind them. Rasha was a little frustrated, because she was told that there was not very much she could do to help, until they entered the lab. When her lightsaber would actually be useful.

Elibet was sitting in the top gun turret. Keeping an eye on the surrounding. Anyone watching, would have seen the turret turning from time to time. Grimm was on the bridge keeping an eye on the sensors, calling up to Elibet to check out a sector. Rudy just laid down at the hatch, were Krillgan and Rasha left the ship. Waiting for them to return. He was also reaching out with the force. Checking what prey was in the area. Ready to jump up and charge out, if Grimm opened the hatch.

When they came to the entrance to the lower levels. They encountered their first obstacle. Twelve Ganks, standing in two groups of six, were blocking their way.

The Ganks, also known as Gank Killers, are cyborgs. Part man, part machine. Many of them started out as mercenaries. Then because of injuries, and the enticement to be super strong, or superfast, they accepted cybernetic enhancements. Eventually they became more machine then man. Many in the group even had the work done in the Hutt's lab on the lower level. None will admit having work done in The Exchange lab, on the lower levels, in case their loyalty comes into question. Most have blaster rifles built into their arms. A number also have disrupters also built in. To help them with force users.

Krillgan knew that the instructions from the data found in the ISSC headquarters on Randon, was to pay their way, to get past the Gank. There was no way that Krillgan was going to pay, just so he could go down and trash the lab. From studying the material in the frigate's library, Krillgan believed that if the Gank looked like they were going to become aggressive, it was best to fry them with force lightning. There was a big concern that they were not properly internally grounded, so force lightning would fry a lot of circuits. The other option was to use force push, and quickly knock them out of disruptor range. That would mean that the three Clan Sisters would need to force push four of them each. So no one in their group is killed. Lightning would definitely be faster for such a large group.

The Gank spokesman told them that the Sith lab was already at maximum capacity. So they did not have permission to go down to the lower levels. Krillgan told them to step aside. He doesn't need their permission to go where he is going, or do what he came to do.

Krillgan then mentioned that he has a question for them. Do they allow runaway slaves to go down to the lower levels unhindered, or do they capture them, using the Stokli Spay Stick attachment some of them have? The Gank asked him, what sort of question was that from a Sith? Krillgan told him, that it was a question that can determine, whether they live or die.

The Hutts do not like it that the Gank do not stop the runaway slaves. The Gank answer that they are unarmed, so their engagement protocol will not allow them to interfere with them. Instead they note how many slaves will go down to the lower levels each month. Also making note of apparent age and sex of the individuals. If the Hutts were interested, they would also tell them the suspected race of origin for each slave.

The Gank were upset with the question, and many looked like they were getting ready to engage the group.

Out of habit, Rasha activated her lightsaber. It could not do anything about a blast from a disruptor. But she felt helpless with it off.

One of the Gank noticed the color of her lightsaber, and ordered all Gank to stand down. Even going so far as pushing down the arm of the Gank standing beside him. The others questioned his order? He asked them, if their optical sensors are working? They all said that they are. So he asked them what color they registered when the one Sith, activated their lightsaber? They all replied that the blade of the lightsaber, registered as being amber. He asked them, what that means? When they realized what he was trying to say, the two groups backed up and separated. Allowing the Sith group to go between them. Only they knew that they were not really Sith. The blades of all Sith lightsabers are red.

Krillgan could sense all the people around them. That were watching them. Because of the different species, he could not tell if they were normal or mutated life forms. The ship's library seemed to believe that all the Evocii living on the lower levels are mutated.

The Evocii were the original inhabitants of Nal Hutta. But the Hutts tricked them, and purchased the planet out from under them, for a few bobbles. The Evocii were forced to move to Nar Shaddaa. At least until the Hutts tricked them out of that planet as well. With no place to go, they all became the slaves of the Hutts. They were the first ones to flee to the lower levels. So consequently. They became the first ones to be experimented on. When the different groups first built their labs.

What is an unknown fact, is that the synthetic date rape drugs. Which are so prevalent in Sith society. Were first formulated in the Sith lab on Nar Shaddaa.

To see where they were going. Commander Tamrack and the mercenary beside him both activated glow rods, also known as lumas. It gave them fifteen meters of light in all direction. It was also brighter than the light given off by a ball of cold force fire. Bariatha and Rasha also moved to the back of the column, in case Krillgan detected a life form that was approaching them from behind. The only ones that attacked them in this upper stretch of the labyrinth. Were creatures that had either gone insane, or had given up the will to live, and were looking for a quick death. So the group had to keep on their toes. Mutant attacks became more frequent, the deeper they went. The Sisters could also start detecting dark force energy at work in these mutants. Then they encountered the creatures created using dark force energy. The creatures were attracted to them, because the three Sisters kept themselves full of light force energy, using Krillgan's technique. This was so that they had access to a lot of energy very quickly. Giving more power to force push and light force lightning. The one who was kept the busiest was Krillgan. As he had the only Dathomirite sword amongst them. He had it strapped to his waist, so it was not visible under the Sith robe. What he has doing was beheading the creatures to make sure they were dead, using his sword. Since lightsabers were useless against them. Krillgan was hoping that by eliminating all the creatures created using dark force energy, around the Sith lab. That these levels would become safer for the runaway slaves once they left.

Once Kreen and Bariatha used up all the dirt they brought with, they were forced to use chunks of concrete to make their Earth Lances. They found that it required more use of force energy than just dirt. Because it was a stronger substance. But it wasn't as hard to manipulate as living rock. What was important, is that it gave them the desired results.

When the creatures stopped coming, they moved on. It wasn't much further until they came to the lab. Krillgan put his sword away, even though he would have preferred, to continue using it. They suspected that there will be recording devices in the lab, which will record the attack. So the Sith would be able to access it, and analyze it, at a later date. So he wanted them to see that all the attackers had lightsabers.

Krillgan made himself small, and went up to the main entrance to the lab. He entered the code that was in the data, recovered from ISSC headquarters on Randon. He was not surprised that it did not work, in unlocking the main doors. Instead the anti-infantry turrets on either side of the main entrance, started tracking towards where he was standing. He went over to one, and used the Force to tear it off of the wall. Kreen had grabbed the other one with the Force. Which had the same effect as jamming it. So it easily popped off of the wall when Krillgan also grabbed it, using the Force.

The mercenaries, next ran forward and placed shaped charges. Krillgan wanted them to take out a section of the wall just behind the anti-infantry turret. It would force the Sith to come battle him where he chooses. Rather than in the kill zone they created just the other side of the main doors. If they had been smart, they would have let him open the doors, using the code. But then they are Sith after all.

When they were ready, the mercenaries ran for cover, and Tamrack blew open the new doorway. Krillgan, Kreen, Bariatha, and Rasha reached the room on the other side. Just as the four Sith Juggernauts did. Rasha did well for herself. Being strengthen by both Krillgan and Bariatha. They did not need to pull their daggers for this battle. It was a simple thing for Krillgan to force push two of them into each other. Then he and Kreen dispatched them before they could figure out what happened. Then it was four on two. They were dispatched fairly quickly.

When they were ready, the four of them ran to the main hallway. Using their lightsabers to reflect the blaster bolts back at the Imperial Troopers firing at them. Cleaning out that section of the hall.

Commander Tamrack than entered the lab, through the doorway they blew into the wall, and activated the main doors. When they were open he used a vibro-blade knife to disable the door control panel.

Krillgan and his team, proceeded to go through the lab the way they had agreed to, on the frigate. The only thing unexpected was encountering a Sith Marauder. Krillgan had no patients to deal with him. He used the force push to smash him against a wall. At the same time he had thrown one of his Togruta knives. Also using force push on it. Catching the Sith Marauder in the throat. The remaining Sith Juggernauts had seen this, and could not believe it, because the four of them had trouble taking on this Marauder. They all rushed at Krillgan with their blades drawn, not knowing that the Sisters and Rasha were waiting for them, just around the corner. These Sith showed more skill than the first four. So the Sisters all used their daggers. Krillgan even touched the one Rasha was using, so that she could fight as well as they did. It was not long before the Sith all succumbed to their opponents.

Some of the people working in the different labs, clued in that something was not right, while Imperial Troopers went through every room planting explosives. They decided that it was time to leave, and went to the main entrance. They were afraid to go any further. People in the other labs, just told them to stop touching their stuff. They will affect the results. Timrack's men felt no compulsion to tell those people that they were about to die.

While they were preparing to blow the lab. Krillgan went to talk to the people waiting at the main entrance. He told them that the Sith Empire has no further need of their services. They were on their own. If they wanted to get to the surface, they could follow right behind them. He did not think that the Gank would stop them from leaving. Some of them, asked what they were supposed to do, once they reach the surface? Krillgan suggested that they use their hard earned credits, to book passage off of this planet. Otherwise the Hutts would take them, and sell them as slaves on Rorak 4.

The people from the lab did follow closely behind them. Afraid of all the people looking at them, from just outside the light of the glowsticks. Rasha was given the pleasure of activating the explosives when Commander Tamrack thought they were at a safe distance. They heard what sounded as a roll of thunder. Then they felt an energy wave followed by some dust clouds rush past them. It was a lot more dusty after that, in the lower levels. But no one interfered with them going to the surface. The Gank did ask them, if they were able to finish what they came for? Krillgan told them that they were just tying up loose ends. They then asked about the people following them? Krillgan told them that he expected that they wanted to go home. Their work here is done. The Gank pointed out the direction the people should take if they were interested in leaving the planet. The ones that had turned to go in the direction the Sith went, were told to only go in that direction, if they have an armed escort.

True to his word. As soon as everyone was on the frigate. Commander Tamrack went down on one knee, and asked Rasha to marry him. Rasha stared at him, than looked at Eilbet. Asking what she should do? Elibet told her to answer the man. If she says anything but yes, then she will be disappointed in her. This made all the other mercenaries laugh. Rasha turned red in the cheeks. She told Tamrack that she is saying yes. Not because Elibet told her to. But because this is something she wants to do. So Tamrack stood up and kissed her.

Krillgan surprised everyone by suddenly showing up with a bottle of wine from the Singing Mountain Winery. It was nicely chilled, and he had cups for everyone, so they could all toast the newly engaged couple. What was left he gave to Elibet. So when Kran comes back aboard, he can toast them as well.

When they docked with the Mantas-5. All the mercenaries, except Tamrack, told the rest of them that they were all going aboard. They were all heading straight for Mandalore. The ones that want to try casino security, said that they believe that they could catch a ride to Manaan from there. If not, then their friends will have to take them. They wished their former Commander and his fiancée, a prosperous life together, then departed.

Rasha approached Krillgan, and asked him for a special favour. She asked him if he could start teaching Tamrack his traditions, because she wants their relationship to last. She said that Kreen and Bariatha promised to start teaching her, mother's traditions. Krillgan asked Tamrack, if he was in agreement? Since the traditions are usually passed down from father to son. Tamrack told him, that if it will help them have a better marriage together, he was all for it. Krillgan asked them to promise him, that if they ever have a fight, they will never use explosives! They both laughed, then they both promised him.

It felt good to everyone, to get back aboard the Phoenix. Only for Krillgan, it no longer felt like home. He set the pirate base back to standby. That meant it would only go active if someone entered the wrong access code.

Krillgan was back to sleeping in Cargo Bay 1, with Kreen and Bariatha back in his cabin. He felt more acutely, the absence of Smasher.

Kreen and Bariatha convinced Krillgan to let them see a Rancor race. So after taking the Trax Tube to Randon, they took the Pabol Sleheyron all the way to Sleheyron. Krillgan let the Sisters know, that the Rancor races take place on Nal Hutta, what they will be watching, is a transmitted image of the races, along with some men who will be trying to explain the race to everyone. Rasha and Elibet showed the Sisters the dresses they had to wear when they went into a casino. The Sisters told them that it was a good thing that Mother Andriel never saw these dresses, or they would still be getting a lecture from her, every time she saw them. Rasha innocently commented that this means that they should not be considered as her wedding dress. "Not if she was still planning on getting married on Dathomir." The Sisters just had to try them on, and were surprised with the things the seamstress did to make sure they were comfortable, and only gave the illusion of being revealing.

Krillgan decided to dress up as a wealthy diplomat. Wearing one of the outfits they took from the Mantas-5. He had Kreen and Bariatha dress like his personal bodyguards. That meant that they had to wear their heavy Rancor armor, along with a bright red cape from the clothing collection. They also wore headpieces. Modified ceremonial helmets, with two long red feathers coming off the top of each. That the Sisters thought would be better for dancing than fighting. They were also given a force pike each. Krillgan reminded them, that the blades at the tip, were covered in poison. To complete the appearance, Tamrack was dressed as Krillgan's spokesperson.

They went through customs without being touched. The sisters saw Krillgan stop at a metal box, and communicate with it. The box than gave him a large number of coins, that he put in a decorative bag. Which he then handed to Tamrack. The Sisters asked him if anyone could do what he did. It seemed an easier way of getting coins that the other ways he described. Krillgan told them, that the box is a fancy storage device. The coins he removed from this box, he had previously deposited in another box. The box just needed to confirm the deposit, before releasing the coins to him. The Sisters were disappointed. They were thinking of talking to the box, to see if it would give them some coins, then they could give them to Krillgan, as a way to thank him. They were also hoping to take some of the coins, to take back to Dathomir, and show the other Sisters the coins they use for trade.

In the casino, the Sisters had trouble not staring at the way all the women and some of the men were dressed. Mother Andriel would never let Father Chitrah into this place. Krillgan pointed out which women worked in this place, so what they were wearing was their work clothes. They went to the Rancor races viewing area. Krillgan noticed which two teams were racing, and had Tamrack place a bet of one thousand credits on the team he would have expected to win when he was racing. A pretty dancer came over and asked them if they would like to order anything. Krillgan suggested to Tamrack that he order a Nice Surprise for everyone, two plates of fried potatoes with the blood red sauce for his guards, and a bowl of roasted nuts for each of them. Tamrack relayed everything to the dancer, who would be serving them. After she left, the Sisters asked Krillgan why he did not speak directly to the nice lady. She obviously heard everything he told Tamrack to order. Krillgan told them that he is supposed to be too important to speak to anyone directly, except them and Tamrack. So it is Tamrack's job to speak for him, even though they all know that the person heard him. The Sisters could not understand the stupid rules they encounter. No wonder the offworld exiles had trouble fitting in on Dathomir when they first arrived. No one would accept their coins, and no one would speak to them by their rules.

The Sisters liked the Nice Surprise drink when the dancer brought it. They remembered it as the drink served at Krillgan and Ludia's wedding feast. They have not had it since, and asked Tamrack to order them another. After the dancer left, Krillgan told them that they are only allowed to talk with him. He was the only one in the group, allowed to talk with Tamrack. They both apologised they said that they did not know. Krillgan told him that he understands. It was his fault for not explaining things before they entered the casino. It just reflects poorly on him, as not having control of his staff. He doubted that the dancer even noticed.

The ladies polished of the potato wedges before the race started. They did not bother listening to the gibberish the men on the screen were saying. After the race started, they saw that Krillgan whispered to Tamrack, whenever two riders and their Rancor came in conflict. Tamrack would then speak to the metal man, and give him more coins. After the race finished, the metal man gave Tamrack more coins that Tamrack gave him through the course of the race. As they were leaving the casino, the Sisters told Krillgan that they did not understand why it was called a race. The Rancor were grabbing one another, making their riders upset enough, that they would fight. Then when a rider was knocked off, their Rancor would just stand there. They would not even try to finish the race. Krillgan told them that the purpose of the race was to try and generate conflict. The race itself, was more of a distraction. The Sisters were disappointed, they were hoping to see Rancor racing. They were originally thinking of starting Rancor racing on Dathomir, but after seeing what is called Rancor racing, they knew that it would not work.

The Sisters asked Krillgan if they could go watch the Rancor fight, that they were talking about during the race. Krillgan told them that it wasn't a real fight. They were actually going to kill the Rancor. There would be a beastmaster in the arena which will confuse the Rancor, because they look on beastmasters as being their friend. So the only thing to watch, is how many slaves were killed by the Rancor before it is killed.

The two Sisters thought it was horrible, what they wanted to do to the Rancor. They pleaded with Krillgan to save its life. Krillgan told them that they were asking a lot of him. First he needs to determine whether the Rancor wants to be saved. If it does, it will first need to listen to him to save itself. Then he will need to purchase it. The only accommodations he can offer it, is a home in the flying den. He has already talked to the Herd Mother. She does not think he can bond with another Rancor. If he has a Rancor on the flying den he is not bonded to, then she will not accept it into her herd. That means if it leaves the ship, it is trespassing, and can be punished. There is also a good chance he will be off the ship more than he will be on it. Then who will he talk to. Rudy is the only other one he can communicate with. So he will lead a very boring life. Smasher put up with it because they were bonded. So will the Rancor be trading a relatively quick death for a slow death?

The Sisters were not convinced, and pleaded with Krillgan to save it. At least to the point where he can let it choose. If it chooses to die, he knows how to kill it, so it will not suffer.

Tamrack had tried following the conversation. He knew better than to interfere. He also knew that the relationship between the two woman, and Krillgan, is not what he said, when he first went to get them. They are talking like friends. Not people who are holding his wife and son, hostage. The crew also knew them, calling them by their names when they first met. The only thing that was evident, was that they had never gone for a ride on the ship before. He decided that he needs to ask Rasha about them.

When he did, her response floored him. She even mentioned that she wants to get married on their world. Just like her Captains.

Krillgan finally caved in. He took them to the gladiator arena where the fight would be taking place. He had Tamrack place a thousand credits on the Rancor winning. Tamrack reminded him that it was a suckers bet. He himself said that the Rancor is not supposed to win. Krillgan said he remembered. He also liked the odds. They were currently at ninety to one.

After placing the bet, Tamrack told him which box has been assigned to them. Krillgan told him that he wants to stand at the edge of the arena. Tamrack did not see them objecting. He just did not believe they would serve them anything, while they are out of their assigned box.

Krillgan wanted to focus, so that he was only talking to the Rancor called Stoneman. He suspected he would get into trouble if they knew he was communicating by using the Force.

First they brought in the slaves that were picked to kill the Rancor. There were Klatooinians in full armour, with their vibro-blade battle axes. There were Weequay in leather armour, with their force pikes. There were Kaleesh holding force pikes, their bodies wrapped in leather and bone. But they were not wearing bone masks. They must have gotten some Hutt very angry. There were a couple of male Twi'leks, it looks like they are wearing Weequay armour that does not fit them properly. They were also holding force pikes. Then there were the two Besalisks, wearing Klatooinian armour, and holding two vibro-blade battle axes each. Krillgan whispered to the Sisters, that he thinks they are looking at the survivors of a drug deal that went bad. The Sisters asked him, what are drug deals? Krillgan told them that they were trying to exchange strong potions for coins. On many worlds it is forbidden. He suspects that on this world it is allowed, only if the Hutts are first given some coins. Maybe they forgot to give the Hutts their share of the coins, and now they are here. The one person that did stand out, was the Neimoidian. They stood out, because they were not wearing armour, and they were not holding weapons. Krillgan told the Sisters that he believes the Neimoidian is the beastmaster.

They heard the Rancor roar, before he was led into the arena. Probably encouraged to do so, by a beastmaster. It looked like a lot of handlers were pushing it with long poles. Krillgan doubted that the Rancor even felt the poles. It was all for effect.

"Listen to my voice Stoneman, if you want to live."

Stoneman looked around the arena. "Who are you, and where are you?"

"The beastmaster is not your friend. He does not know how to help you. At best he is the same as an annoying infant. Treat him like one."

Stoneman gave the Neimoidian a back hand. Sending him flying. The beastmasters that had sent the Rancor in the arena, knew that they now have no control over the Rancor.

"Stoneman, the only reason the other people are in the arena, is to kill you. Defend yourself."

Stoneman roared. He had smelt a lot of death in this place since he first arrived. The beastmasters here are not like the ones at the palace. He asked for assurance that he would be alright, but they would not give it. All they kept repeating is obey. Now a stranger is talking to him. He watches as the people try to surround him. He doesn't like it, so he swipes at them, knocking them down. When he did, someone buried the head of a battle axe in his forearm. Stoneman roars. They do want to hurt him. Maybe the stranger that spoke to him, is telling him the truth. He plucks the axe out of his arm and just flings it aside. It came close to landing in the stands, and it is still humming. Stoneman swings at the ones who are trying to get around him from the other side. This time he lets his claws rake them. Killing a number of them. Some with the long poles, push them at his arm. He roars because it hurts. Now he swings his arms back and forth. Trying to shred as many people as he can. One jumps up on his arm, and hits him in the chest with his long pole. Smasher swats at him. Crushing him with his hand. He then pulls the pole out of his chest and swings it at the people in front of him. Sending a number of them flying. Gutting one of them with the blade in the process. Stoneman than runs to step on all the people he knocked down. He does not want them getting up, and hurting him. The beastmaster gets to his feet, and asks Stoneman to give him the pole. Stoneman obeys. He does not know about the blade at the end of the pole, and cuts the beastmaster's arm off. The beastmaster faints from seeing his arm cut off. Stoneman is upset with himself for hurting the beastmaster. So he lashes out at everyone who is still standing, or is getting up. Hitting them with the dangerous pole. Hitting them until they are all laying down, and he hears the voice saying "Stop!"

Then he hears, "Drop the pole!"

Tamrack goes and collects Krillgan's winnings. Krillgan tells him to go find someone who can negotiate the sale of this Rancor. He is going down into the arena.

Krillgan knows that he needs to keep his appearance, and find a diplomats way into the arena. When he enters the arena. Stoneman is surrounded by guards and beastmasters telling him that he is bad. Because Tamrack is not with him, he tells Kreen that she will have to be his voice. He tells her to yell, and tell everyone to stop what they are doing. Then they are to back away from the Rancor. One of the guards told them to stop, and asked how they came into the arena? Kreen told him that they walked it, and they better obey her master. He is used to getting his way. Those who try to interfere, are usually punished for it. The guards and beastmasters are not sure what to do. Krillgan tells Kreen to tell them to stop wasting his time. They should be removing the bodies from the arena, while he examines this Rancor. At this moment, Tamrack and an arena official run into the arena, and tell the guards and beastmasters to do as the man says. Krillgan asks Tamrack, who this man is? He does not look like he can authorise a sale. Tamrack told Krillgan that he is a senior arena official. He has already placed a call, to ask permission to negotiate a sale.

Krillgan nods his head, then walks up to the Rancor. With Kreen and Bariatha on either side of him.

"I know you from your smell. You were Smasher's last rider. Quick Feet said that you can talk to Rancor. But I cannot smell Smasher on you."

"You cannot smell Smasher, because he died protecting my family. Why did Quick Feet talk to you about me?"

"Quick Feet is the Herd Mother of all the Racing Rancor. She told use that you had to make everyone believe you were dead, so that you could leave, and take Smasher with you."

"She told you the truth."

"Are you the one who spoke to me when I entered the arena?"

"Yes!"

"Why?"

"My Sisters asked me to intervene on your behalf. I warned my Sisters that I might not be able to bond with you, as I did with Smasher. If I do not bond with you, then you will never be accepted into our herd, and the people in charge of this arena will never let you go back to your herd. All I can offer you is room on my flying den, as we travel from world to world. I myself might not be on the den. So the only one you can talk to, is the canine called Rudy."

"What of your beastmaster? Can I trust him? Will he speak to me?"

"Krillgan asked him which beastmaster?"

Stoneman answered, "The one standing beside the official."

Krillgan was surprised. Smasher never told him Tamrack was a beastmaster. Then again he never said The Captain was either. To Smasher it was a natural relationship.

Krillgan called Tamrack over. He asked Tamrack, if he thinks he can control the Rancor? Tamrack said he did not know. Krillgan asked Tamrack if he could get the Rancor to sit down. Even Tamrack was surprised when he did. Krillgan then asked Tamrack to see if he could get the Rancor to follow him. He suggested that they walk around him, so that he can watch the Rancor.

Knowing that Tamrack is a beastmaster, was a great relief to Krillgan. At least someone on the ship could communicate with Stoneman if he is not there.

Krillgan waved Tamrack off, so he went back to standing beside the arena's official, ready to start negotiating, once the word was given.

Krillgan told Stoneman that his beastmaster could be trusted, if he chooses to come along. Otherwise, he could end it for him, right here, right now. Painlessly. It would be just like him going to sleep, and not waking up.

Stoneman told him that the life he was offering him. Sounded similar to the life he had in the palace. He wasn't ready to take the deep sleep.

Tamrack knew that when the casino calculates the odds. They factor in a huge profit for themselves. So though the made a huge payout to Krillgan, they took in a lot of money from everyone else. People who bet on how many slaves will survive, the fight with the Rancor. As well as the big money bets, on which slaves specifically will survive. So when the authorisation came through to start negotiating, Tamrack told the arena official, that he knew that they have already earned back all the money they spent on acquiring the Rancor. As well as a calculated profit. The Rancor was expected to perish in this match, so anything they get from selling the Rancor, is a bonus. The casino countered, that because of the Rancor's unexpected victory. There will be a larger audience interested in the Rancor's next match. More interested gamblers, means more profits.

They went back and forth like that, until they settled on Fourty Thousand Credits. Probably four times what the casino paid for Stoneman. Enough to purchase four more Rancor, and possibly pass one off as Stoneman. Tamrack paid the credits out of Krillgan's winnings, then signalled Stoneman to follow him. Since it was now established that he was a beastmaster.

Just outside the arena Krillgan told Tamrack to stop. He sent Kreen to pick some weeds growing just outside the arena. Telling her to be careful not to let the juice from the plants touch her skin. Krillgan knew from his trips to the swamps in Nal Hutta, that these plants are a narcotic. Powerful enough to kill a man. But for a Rancor, they would be a strong localized pain killer. He then directed Tamrack how to use his medi-pack. The one in his outfit. To bandage Stoneman's wounds. Krillgan does not want to be seen to start healing Stoneman now. Since he suspects that they are being watched.

With Stoneman patched up, they were on their way. Krillgan decided to deposit his winnings in his Death Hand account, that the Sith knew about. If they were monitoring it. It would look good to have sizeable amounts of credits move in and out of this account. So it looked like Death Hand was still an active bounty hunter.

After taking off from Sleheyron, Krillgan instructs Rasha to head to Tal Nami. As he stayed with Stoneman and healed his wounds. Stoneman told him that Quick Feet said that he was a healer. Now he knows that everything Quick Feet told them about him is true. He did ask Krillgan, if the reason he did not heal him in the arena, is because they are not bonded? Krillgan told him that the Hutts watch everything and everyone. They never saw him before as a Diplomat. But they learnt that He was familiar with Rancor racing. If they knew that he can heal, they would have looked at him more closely. As it is, most Diplomats have some knowledge of the healing arts. So for one of his guards to gather plants, and for the beastmaster to bandage the wounds. This is something they would expect of a diplomat. What might catch their interest is the flying den that they entered. It has been sighted in unusual circumstances, and was even believed to be destroyed. They did leave without being challenged, so the information has not yet reached those who would be interested.

Kreen and Bariatha wanted to hear everything Quick Feet told Stoneman about Krillgan. Rudy just wanted to see if he could make Smasher's ball squeak.

The Sisters asked Krillgan, if he knew anything about the people who competed with him in the races? He told them that he looked up what was mentioned about them. While on the shopping spree with the mercenaries. Wallup, the oldest on the team was killed a few races after he left. He was knocked out by a stick fighter, and broke his neck when he fell off his Rancor, and landed on his head. They saw Big Red. He was the man that was introduced before the race started, as the course designer. Jezzy is still in the palace. She instructs the riders on fighting techniques. She had even taught some promising riders how to use his special fighting stick. It is rumoured that she and Big Red might be a mated couple. It was reported that when Slim survived his contract, he joined a mercenary group. Employed by Gablaque the Hutt. He has not been heard from since. Krillgan had wondered, if he should ask Tamrack, if Slim was one of his men, who died on Livien? But has always been afraid of the answer.

When they reached the Tal Nami System. Krillgan took his custom starfighter down to the surface. The reason he did this, is because of all the old frozen meals they had stored on the ship that no one would eat. He knew that the refugees would not complain about them. He left some near each camp. Where they would find them while scrounging. He just left a note near each pile that said "share". He did not want them fighting over them.

From Tal Nami, they flew to Chalacta. They were running out of porridge cakes for Stoneman. He knew that there were people on this planet that knew how to make them. He also notified The Captain that Smasher is dead. The Captain convinced him to come down to the surface and tell him about it. Krillgan also used his export licence to purchase some Marley Brew, and Marley Hard Brew.

From Chalacta they flew to Yitabo, and landed next to the Wookiee settlement. This was a special delight for Kreen and Bariatha. They also went hunting with Stoneman and Rudy. Krillgan brought out all the Brew he purchased on Chalacta for the feast that they had that evening. They stayed for a couple of days, to stock up on game carcasses for the freezer. During this time, Krillgan flew over to the ranch. To tell Kenny about shutting down the Sith Lab. He also met the puppy that Kenny was training. Kenny had not yet settled on a name. He was thinking of calling him Blackie, because he was predominantly black. But his paws were white. So he was also thinking of calling him socks. Krillgan told him that he should call him slippers, because he was fond of chewing those.

From Yitabo, they went to Mandalore. Both Krillgan and Tamrack wanted to see if his men had settled in, and made a name for themselves. They were delighted to hear from them, and docked the Mantas-5 with the Phoenix, while they were in the system. They also wanted to talk business with Krillgan. There is a burned out piece of land at the spaceport. Once owned by a disgraced bounty hunter, that the locals believe is cursed. They want to buy it from the Government, and build a new warehouse. They want to use it as their base of operations. They have won some competitions in their arena, so have made some money, and are starting to develop a reputation. They just do not have enough to do what they want. They also want to do it right, the first time.

Krillgan was pretty sure that he knew who used to own the warehouse. Having had some nice chats with the former Cerean Bounty Hunter. He told the trio, that after they purchase the property, but before they start construction. They need to go through the site, like they are gathering evidence. He told them that it is a fool's errand, to try and find the disgraced bounty hunter. But he would not be surprised if someone would pay them to purchase what they found. Krillgan went down to the surface with them. Dressed in his bounty hunter armour. He withdrew the credits from his Death Hand account, for the amount they still needed, to make the purchase, and pay for the building.

The local cantina owner asked them, who the other bounty hunter was, that helped them with their purchase? They told him that it is someone who goes by Death Hand. When someone asked the government about Death Hand. They told them that he seems to be an established Bounty Hunter with a private client list. All they know is that he bullied a Sith Base Commander into getting his way. When the Government was told that he just invested in the new Bounty Hunter. The Government decided to keep an eye on them, as well.

With this new attention. Mandalorian citizens approached them, about being associated with them. The trio suddenly found that they had access to a local armourer. A local electronics whiz, and people willing to run errands for them. They also found themselves being offered some nice contracts.

One contract was for a Barseg nobleman. His mistress had run away with his son. His only heir. He wanted them back, and would pay them handsomely for them. They did find the woman and her son. When they talked with her, they found out that she was actually his wife. She herself was a nobleman's daughter, but had no say in the arranged marriage. The reason she ran away, was because her husband had started to corrupt his son's mind against her. She was warned by some servants that her husband was planning on making a power move. It meant that she would have an accident, and her husband would marry someone else, who would raise her son. She was trying to get to Lianna when they found her. She had heard that there is a daughter of a Barseg Nobleman in their Palace, who is a woman of influence. She was hoping that she could somehow help them.

They brought the Nobleman his wife and son. After being paid, they killed him. They forced his entire staff to swear allegiance to the mother and son. The son now technically owned everything, but because he was too young, his mother became his legal guardian. Mother and son did go to Lianna, and received some excellent advice, from the person they were hoping to meet. They returned to Barseg with some business and security advisors. The mother would be considered an eligible widow, so should expect a number of marriage proposals. The Nobleman's near relatives, were also likely to hire assassins, to try and eliminate them, if they can. Than another relative can lay claim to all their holdings.

Needless to say. No Barseg Nobleman dared hire this Bounty Hunter again.

From Mandalore, they travelled to Richard's world. They wanted to fill their meal larder with meal trays prepared by the Chef at the brothel. He also sent them a hot dinner every evening, for all of them to enjoy.

Kreen and Bariatha spent a few days with Madam Cothia as her house guests. Kreen knew that her grandfather had passed away. But it felt good to have a good cry with her step grandmother. A woman she learnt to admire, while she was a guest in her house on Kindell's world. So they were grateful with Krillgan for making it possible.

Tamrack tried to convince Rasha to have their wedding at the local wedding chapel. Especially when he found out that Rasha knew the owner. So expected that they could get a discount. That is when he found out about all the friends she has on the world Kreen and Bariatha come from. People that were important enough for her, that she wanted them to attend her wedding. She told Tamrack that Krillgan was trying to protect this world from his men. In case they discovered its real name, and told the wrong people about it. She told him that she and the whole crew agreed with Krillgan. Only it seems that they are not very good actors. She also confessed to Tamrack, that she could easily afford the wedding, using her own funds. She took him to the banking kiosk, and showed him her current account balance. In the account she inherited, after her parents died. She also told him about the casino on Manaan, where she has invested a lot of credits. That they also hold a suite for her there. Where she can go at any time. Because of her honesty. Tamrack showed her his account. It was not as large as hers, but it was large enough to start a new life.

He asked Rasha if she thought he should also invest in the casino. Rasha thought it was a good idea. It was better than just have it sitting there. She told him about her friend putting a cap on her investment in the casino. So that any excess funds would automatically be deposited in her account. That way if something happened to the casino. She would not be destitute.

Because he asked, she told him that when she first invested, her cap was set at Sixty Thousand Credits. The cap has increased through the years. She believes that it is currently at One Hundred and Twenty Thousand Credits. Tamrack blushed, he did not know he was marrying such a wealthy young lady. Rasha told him that this is why she agreed to marry him. She has also learnt from Krillgan and Ludia, that family and friends are more important than money. That is why she wants to be married on Kindell's world. To her, they are also family.

Tamrack agreed. He knew the crew of the Phoenix is tight. They consider themselves one family. If Rasha is this close with the people of Kindell's world, than it should be a good wedding.

It took five days for the Chef at the brothel to make all the meals that the Phoenix wanted. Krillgan had another kitchen producing porridge cakes for Stoneman, during this time. Since the cakes last a long time, and do not need anything special to preserve them. Now that the Sisters have taught the crew that they are also nice to snack on, when you're hungry. Even better if you have some jam or cheese, to go with a cup of tea. Krillgan expected the pile of porridge cakes to disappear even faster.

Since they had time to go shopping, they also stocked up on juice containers for the wedding. Rasha also looked at different fabrics with Madam Cothia, and the Sisters. To see if there might be something that she would like, for Mother Andriel to use to sew a wedding dress.

From Richard's world, they went to visit their armourer, Bill'dit, and his force sensitive assistant Fik'set. Krillgan believed that this is the greatest number of Sisters he would ever have with him off of Dathomir. So it was time to purify Bill'dit's demon possessed sword.

He talked to Kreen and Bariatha, assuring them that this Demon was nowhere near as strong as the Demon in Souleater's sword. He believed that Rasha and Fik'set would be a big help, as they are both force sensitive. He knows from experience that the flow of force energy coming from Rasha is the same as what comes from any Sister, when she is chanting the unity chant. He was sure that it will be the same for Fik'set. He told them of the modification they did for Rasha's sake, when they did that ceremony on Yitabo. He was sure that Bill'dit could make something to cover him without touching him. So it would not affect the ceremony. Since anything that touches his body will affect him while he is in the sword.

The Sisters were a little apprehensive. Since Krillgan admitted that he did not know what he would find, once he was inside. But they agreed, when they were told what their reward would be, for helping him. Only one in five Sisters in the Singing Mountain Clan, has a Dathorimite Sword. In the other clans the ratio is much higher. From one in ten in the Great Canyon Clan, to one in twenty in the Rolling Hills Clan. Bill'dit promised Krillgan that he would make him four swords, which can be activated by force users, plus two daggers for each sword.

The location of the ceremony was also important. They wanted a room similar to the inside of their temple. The closest thing they could find in Bill'dit's workshop. Was a storage closet. Bill'dit could not understand why they did not use the room where he has his swords and armour on display. Until Krillgan pointed out, that the Demon could jump to another sword, if he sensed them nearby. He could do this, if he believed he was about to be defeated.

So they removed everything from the storage closet. Which was larger than Krillgan's cabin on the Phoenix. Then they washed it down. Krillgan decided he wanted to lay on his leather jacket and pants. Because it seemed that whatever he lay on, became his initial clothing when he went into another realm. So he wanted the benefit of Rancor leather, right from the start.

Bill'dit had cut a barrel in half, removing the top and bottom. So the Sisters could place it over him, before Rasha and Fik'set would enter the room, to join in the ceremony. Bill'dit remained outside the room, along with Grimm, Kran, Elibet, and Tamrack. When they heard the chanting starting in the room. Grimm started chanting in the workshop, and took Kran and Elibet's hands. It wasn't long before Bill'dit and Tamrack also joined them, also holding their hands.

Krillgan found himself covered from head to toe in Rancor leather. He was standing in a room that reminded him of the outer sanctum of the Sith Temple, where he fought the Acolyte, before he fled his body. The floor looked like it was polished black glass. The walls and ceiling had a glass layer on the stone blocks. Just like in the Nightsister's Temple. The wall and ceiling had a blood red glow. Just enough for Krillgan with his Chagrian sight, to see by. He followed the hall that led to the inner sanctum. When he arrived, he found five armoured opponents waiting for him. They appeared to be wearing red armour, with the opponent standing furthest from him, having fancier armour than the other four. Krillgan assumed that the one with the fancy armour, is the demon. Krillgan wondered if the other four, were people killed by the sword. Now forced to protect the demon. Krillgan did not know if killing the opponents would affect where they spent eternity. He would not want to rob them of going to the campfires of their ancestors, and condemn them to spend eternity with the Demon, in Hell. So he needs to figure out how to subdue them, before battling the Demon. The problem with subduing someone, is that they can recover. Then you have an opponent at your back, while you are fighting someone else.

When Krillgan felt himself ready, he stepped into the inner sanctum. Expecting for a sword to appear in his hand. Similar to what looked like an Earth Element sword, that was in his opponent's hands. The only thing that materialised is a leather shield. No sword.

So Krillgan attacked them with the shield. Hoping to snatch a sword out of someone's hand. He did snatch a sword. Then it disappeared out of his hand, and reappeared back in the hand of his opponent.

Krillgan tried again, sending his opponent flying. He must have been stunned, because the sword did not disappear out of Krillgan's hand right away. He was able to take a couple of hacks at two other opponents. Forcing them back. Before the opponent that Krillgan sent flying started to stir, and his sword reappeared in his hand. Krillgan ran back to the hallway, when he saw himself about to be surrounded. In the hallway, they could only approach him one at a time. Except that none of them came after him.

Krillgan wondered if the Demon might lose control of the people, if they left the inner sanctum. So he grabbed one opponent. Holding his sword arm so that he could not swing, and dragged him towards the hallway. Only to encounter some sort of force field. Keeping him from dragging his opponent into the hall. Yet when he pushed his opponent from him. He fell backwards into the hallway from the force of the push. Krillgan decided to go back to the outer sanctum to rethink his strategy.

Kreen remembered that Krillgan said that having his two daggers placed on his chest by Ludia, was what he needed to defeat Souleater's Demon. So she got up, and placed Krillgan's two daggers on his chest. But instead of placing them point down, as Ludia did, she placed them point up. Since she remembered how quickly Krillgan sat up after his ordeal. If it wasn't for Ludia's fast reflexes, the daggers would have cut him when he sat up.

When Krillgan reached the outer sanctum. He found his two daggers lying on the floor. He positioned his shield to cover his back, then picked the two daggers up. They became force swords in his hands. He was sure that the force swords were more powerful than the swords his opponents have. He ran back to the inner sanctum. Engaging his opponents right away. Shattering their swords with his. Only to have their swords reform in their hands, immediately after. Krillgan had to use his martial arts training to try and knock an opponent unconscious, after shattering their swords. Usually a good shot to the side of the head, with the hilt of a sword. Followed by a sidekick to the chest, would render them unconscious. He progressed through all the defenders this way. But when he turned to face the Demon, he found himself facing five Demons. The Demon had replicated himself. Krillgan knew that he only had to kill the actual demon, to end this. But the demons were not standing still. So he could not tell which one was the real demon. He started attacking the ones closest to him. Whenever he dispatched one. It disappeared. After he dispatched the second one. He felt a slash across his back. One of the four demon defenders had revived and attacked him. He turned to deal with him. When he turned back, there were five demons he had to deal with. Apparently, when he takes his eyes off of the demons. It can replicate itself to its full number. Krillgan found himself retreating to the hallway again. He watched as one by one, the demon defenders revived. When the last one revived, the number of demons returned to one. Apparently, the Demon cannot control his four defenders, and replicate himself at the same time. The bad news is that the Earth Element swords they use, can damage Rancor leather, or at least its replica in this reality.

Krillgan removed his damaged shield, and set it down. Just like that, it disappeared, and he did not know how to get another one. If he gets attacked from behind one more time, it can hurt him. He realized that he might not be able to heal in this reality. So he returned to the outer sanctum to think. At least he was not feeling tired, after all that fighting.

Fik'set believed that he was supposed to do something. He got up, and went into the workshop. He picked up a lump of the special metal they make, to make swords that force users can use. He went back into the storage room and placed it on Krillgan's forehead, were it gave a nice green glow.

Krillgan noticed a nice green glowing rock, on the floor of the outer sanctum. He bent over to pick it up. When he touched it, it became green glowing force armour. It was time to go finish off the demon.

Krillgan returned to the inner sanctum. The Demon screamed when he saw him. Krillgan went after the defenders with a vengeance. Sending their unconscious bodies flying. Then he started working on the demon images. When he felt a slash on his back, he do not take his eyes off of the remaining demon images. Instead he ran around them, so he could see them, while dealing with the demon defender. He had to deal with each defender once more, before he was able to face the Demon himself. The Demon was a much better fighter than the defenders, or his copies. Krillgan had to concentrate, to try and understand his style of fighting, and to see what weaknesses he could exploit. He had to subdue two more demon defenders. Before he understood his weaknesses, and started pressing the attack. Before he killed the Demon, he found himself fighting two demon defenders, while fighting the Demon. He knew that if it wasn't for his armour, he would have been injured, or even killed.

After beheading the Demon, the temple disappeared. The defenders that were fighting him stopped. Partially because they lost their swords and armour. Partially because they were dazed. They were trying to understand where they were, and what they were doing there. The polished black glass floor remained. But there was now a glowing turquoise sky. Two of the former demon defenders, came up to Krillgan, to shake his hand. They identified themselves as being Jedi Knights that followed the Ashla way. They were killed by a Jedi Knight that followed the Bogan way, and trapped a dark force demon inside this sword. They promised Krillgan, that if the situation ever arose, they would try to help him. It is the only way that they have to thank him for liberating them. After they left, the other two demon defenders approached him. They told him that a Jedi Knight that followed the Bogan way, had seduced them into following him as his Padawan. They helped him perform the ceremony that trapped the dark force demon in the sword. Then he turned on them. Claiming the demon needs their help. Killing them with this sword. They do not know if they can help him. But if they can, they will. With that they both faded away.

Krillgan sat upright with a start. Hitting the barrel with his belly. Not even noticing the sound of his dagger's bouncing off of the half barrel. Or the chunk of metal that went flying off of his forehead, landing by his feet.

Krillgan started recounting everything that happened. Fik'set jumped up and ran into the workshop to grab a recorder. After recording what he could, he asked Krillgan to describe it again, because he missed the first part. Everyone from the workshop was standing at the doorway listening to his story. When he finished it the second time. Kreen suggested that they all leave. They need to let Krillgan dress himself, unless one of them volunteers to help him. Rasha turned red in the face, when she realized that Krillgan was naked under that half round piece of metal. Krillgans cheeks also darkened when he realized the same thing, and everyone was staring at him. He was relieved when they all left and closed the door.

Kreen and Bariatha were trying to recall what Krillgan said. So that they could give an accurate account to the elders. When they suddenly heard Krillgan's voice coming out of a box. Describing everything they wanted to remember. They asked Fik'set how he did that. Fik'set told them the purpose of the box. He can play it back as many times as they want. So that they can write out what Krillgan said, word for word.

Krillgan came out of the storeroom. He was carrying the purified sword, and a lump of metal. He gave Bill'dit back his sword, and accepted back the one credit coin. Which he used to purchase the sword, so that he could claim it as his own, for the ceremony. Bill'dit told Krillgan that he drives a hard bargain. But in the end, he still has the better deal. Krillgan told Bill'dit, that now that the sword is purified, he gets to rename it. Bill'dit called it his Turquois Beauty. Then he and Fik'set went and mounted it in the showroom. When they returned, they brought the four swords, and eight daggers. The agreed to payment, for purifying the sword.

Krillgan called over Kreen and Bariatha. He told them that the machine won't forget his words, if they shut it off and leave it. It was time to pick their sword and name it. Both Kreen and Bariatha appreciated the workmanship that went into the swords. Before they even touched them with the force. When they did touch them, they were giddy. It took a long time for them to decide on the one they selected.

So they would not waste time selecting daggers. Bill'dit told them which daggers went with each sword. He told Krillgan latter, that he picked them randomly. They are all good quality, so it should not make any difference.

Kreen called her sword "Brianda", which means, chosen to serve. Bariatha called her sword "Shraddema", which means, made to defend. They both repeatedly thanked Krillgan for them. They also promised to look after them, and the swords and daggers that they will deliver to their Sisters.

When everyone was ready they departed for Kindell's world. Only making a couple of stops for tea and juice.

Krillgan found out that he is the proud father of a beautiful baby girl, called Ta'Yanna. Ludia did not know how long he would be. Since she also knew about Krillgan's desire to purify Bill'dit's sword, and who knows how many emergencies he found along the way. As soon as she received word that the Phoenix was on its way back, she started packing so that they could leave right away, and get back to a normal family life. She was not bothered by the delay of leaving, because Rasha wanted to get married on their world. She understood, because in many of their hearts, Rasha was one of them.

What Ludia did not like was Krillgan telling her not to come, when they leave. Because he was going to Devron. He was going to have trouble there. Even though he is a member of a Devaronian Clan. Being a product of interspecies marriage. There was also the problem that he might have to reveal who his parents are. If that is leaked, he will have wave after wave of bounty hunters to deal with. Made even worse, if he is forced to protect his children.

Ludia did not argue with him. Instead she went crying to her mother. Amblin-Elu called an emergency meeting of the elders. Mother Andriel and Father Chitrah were invited, as was her sister, Butashe. The person that they were there to discuss is Krillgan. Ludia was worried that Krillgan was disconnecting from his family. Partly because of him being unable to live on Dathomir. Mainly because of his inability to grieve properly for the loss of those he loves. Starting with Smasher, who he was bonded to. That he was on the other side of the galaxy when it happened, made it even worse. He did not have a chance to hear Smasher say goodbye, for himself. Ludia believes that it would have helped Krillgan if he had. Then there was the death of Grandmother Emily. He was not in a position to help her. Even though her death was directly attributed to her beating. All he could do was diagnose that she was dying, and would pass away soon. Like the rest of them, all he could do was make her last few days comfortable.

The meeting was almost side tracked when Kreen and Bariatha presented their report. The elders were delighted in the detail of Krillgan's time in the sword, and how the events in the sword were directly affected by the people in the room with him, chanting. They loved the beautiful green glow of all the swords and daggers that the armourer made for them. He called it an artificial Dathomirite. He showed them the original instructions in the Kwa symbols. Used by ancient Jedi to make their own swords. They also looked at the translation Lydia and Krillgan wrote down for him in basic. Then he showed them all the ingredients listed. There were a number that they did not recognise, because they have never seen them on Dathomir. So they will never be able to make their own. Bill'dit was kind enough to allow them to make a copy of the original manuscript.

Ludia had to force the focus of the meeting back on Krillgan. Since the elders were going over all the manuscripts Kreen and Bariatha just shared with them.

The two Sisters did admit that they persuaded Krillgan to intervene in Stoneman's life, because they saw he was having trouble letting go of Smasher. It did not work. They spent more time with Stoneman than Krillgan did. It wasn't wasted time, as they learnt more about Smasher and Krillgan. Unfortunately, they are responsible for an orphan Rancor, being on Krillgan and Ludia's flying den. At least Stoneman seems to accept his fate. It is Rasha's fiancé, Tamrack, and everyone's friend, Rudy, that interact with him the most. With Tamrack making sure that he is fed every day.

Everyone could see Krillgan's argument, for not wanting Ludia and the children with him initially. But that was as far as it went. They told Ludia, that she may have to force herself back into Krillgan's life, at some point. If their marriage is going to survive. He has to be reminded that he is a father, and a husband.

Chitrah took that as being his responsibility, but was sidetracked by Tamrack. Krillgan had started his training in their traditions, but Chitrah would need to bring him to the point where he is ready to marry. Tamrack questioned father, why it was so much easier for him to learn from him, than Krillgan? Tamrack had quickly developed the habit of calling Mother Andriel, mother, and Father Chitrah, father. He started doing it because that is what Rasha did. But then it became something more. Subconsciously, he needed these relationships.

Father told Tamrack that it had to do with age and experience. When Krillgan was teaching him. It was like he was being taught by a brother. Someone with lots of knowledge, but little in experience of life's challenges. Where, because of his years, he has both to offer him. Because of this, Tamrack spent all his time with father. Denying Krillgan the alone time with his father, he so desperately needed.

Tamrack loved Kindell's world. It was a big relief for him that any of the Sisters could empower Rasha the way Krillgan could. At first he thought it had to do with the relationship the two of them have. He was worried that it could interfere with their marriage, since Rasha clearly loved Krillgan. But he saw that same love for Ludia, Krillgan's wife, and their close friend Diennu. So that no longer bothered him. He found mother's daughter, Aliyanna, to be an excellent teacher. When it came to being a beastmaster. He envied the relationship that she had with her Rancor, Strongman. Not knowing that they are actually bonded.

The other preparations for the upcoming wedding, were also a nice distraction. He liked that he would not have to wear a uniform. He did not know where his dress uniform was, that he wore when serving Gablaque the Hutt. He would rather it remained buried. He liked the idea of wearing a leather outfit to his wedding. He was surprised to find out that the leather outfit Krillgan wore most of the time, was his wedding outfit. He thought that these people are very practical. He had often admired Krillgan's leather boots, and the special place for holding his daggers. When he gets his boots, he was going to put some vibro-blade knives in his. Just like Rasha has.

Tamrack asked the cobblers to make his leather outfit black. This way his outfit will compliment, whatever Rasha is wearing. He had been assured by Rasha, and mother that it is a dress. When he went to the tailors, to be measured for a shirt. He asked if they could make him a number of shirts, to go with his outfit. He will let Rasha pick the one that will look the best for the wedding.

The tailors were also delighted when Kran and Grimm approached them about new outfits for the wedding. Theirs are getting a little worn. To the tailors this was a compliment. It meant that they liked their outfits, or they would never have touched them after the last wedding.

Rasha had asked Krillgan, to stand with her as her guard, as he is her Captain and friend. They thought that Tamrack would choose Ludia. He surprised everyone, by asking Kreen to stand with him. When he understood the tradition. He felt that Ludia was Rasha's Captain and friend. He found Kreen to be a very interesting person, and was not offended by the way she teased his men when she first came aboard the Phoenix. He found her to be dedicated to her task. He also got to know her quite well, after his men went their own way. She also helped him to get to know Stoneman, and what were healthy portion sizes for his meals, and other ways that he could be his friend.

The only one that was left out of the preparations was Stoneman. Rudy could not understand why he was not allowed off of the flying den. Stoneman had to explain, that Smasher's herd was not his herd. Krillgan had to explain. That it was the same, when they went hunting on Myrkr. Vorn would not let them hunt in his territory. They had to find a territory that no one claimed, before they could go hunting. They were fortunate that Vorn gave them permission to go through his territory to go hunting. Most Vornskr would not let them.

Rudy asked Krillgan, if he was still allowed off of the ship? If he was, could he go hunting? Krillgan told him that his herd had accepted him, because he was Smasher's friend. As far as going hunting, he should stick to the small game. The creatures that Rancor only hunt, when they are very hungry, because game is scarce.

Stoneman ended up spending most of the time sitting at the top of the ramp. Smelling all the nice smells from this world, occasionally talking with the Sisters sent to guard the ship. The only time he was allowed off the ship, was if My Friend came for him. The Sisters told him, that he is safe with her. My Friend often asked him about Smasher. She was not jealous that Quick Feet had Smasher's son. She believes that Smasher is the father of her daughter. Stoneman found out that My Friend is bonded to Ludia, Krillgan's mate. Ludia is also a leader on the flying den. She also has three young of her own to look after. It helps that her oldest is training as a Sister.

The two of them would walk around the clearing, being careful not to injure any flowers near Rasha's mother's grave. They would also run together down the path to the village, and back. With Stoneman being able to run a little further each day. But they would not go hunting together, and sex was not allowed.

Occasionally, other Rancor would come by. If they brought a game animal that the Herd Mother said was for the orphan, the Sister would accept it on his behalf. Otherwise she would tell the Rancor that they were not allowed to be there.

As the wedding came closer. My Friend would describe the changes that will take place in the clearing. So Stoneman would know before they happened, so he wasn't surprised by the different smells and sounds. She pointed out where the herd will be standing. The Herd Mother told her, that he will be allowed to sit at the bottom of the ramp, to watch everything, during the wedding. They will make sure that some of their feast is shared with him. But it will be a human that will bring it. The Herd Mother does not want any of her herd challenging him on that day, because he does not have a herd smell.

It was a beautiful day for a wedding. Aliyanna gave Rasha and her father a ride to the clearing in her Rancor cart. Now was not the time to run and lose all the pretty flowers braided in her hair. Rasha picked all the flowers in her and Krillgan's hair, and her bouquet, to come from the flowers growing around her mother's grave site. They had started to spread, so there was a pretty blanket of flowers there. The flowers that Tamrack and Kreen wore, came from the Clan Mother's cabin. They were picked by Ludia, Lydna, and Grimshee. The Sister that Lydna is training with.

Some of the children giggled when they saw the band of flowers in Krillgan's hair. They have never seen a man with flowers arranged like that in his hair before. But because he was guarding the bride. He had to wear the flowers like she did. Amblin-Elu presided over the wedding. Kreen had flowers in her hair the way Tamrack did. As he is the groom. She liked that Amblin-Elu, and Ludia, did their hair. Just like Butashe and Diennu did up Rasha and Krillgan's hair.

Rasha was wearing a beige dress made from natural unbleached fibers. That had a gold sheen in the sunlight. She had a shawl made from offworld silk, died berry purple. Tamrack's shirt was made from the same fabric as Rasha's dress, by the tailors. Mother Andriel had given a piece to them to sew, along with the other shirts that they made for Tamrack.

The ceremony went well. But the people were not expecting what they saw during the invoking of the blessings of the force. They were expecting, Krillgan's sword and shirt to glow blue. But it was the green glow of Kreen's sword that surprised them.

Krillgan and Kreen did not sit at the flaps to the tent, to guard it, they just sat around the tent with the other Sisters, chanting. They did not want to sit too close to the tent, in case they accidently empower Rasha, while she was making love to Tamrack. So it was Aliyanna that sat by the tent flap, to let her mother know when Rasha left the blanket, for her to inspect with Elibet. Her two surrogate Mother's.

Father Chitrah was in charge of the feast. He was now an old hand at mixing Nice Surprise. The main drink for the wedding feast. He made sure that all Sisters sitting around the wedding night tent, were well fed. He was happy to see a beastmaster carry a carcass for Stoneman to consume.

Richard could not understand why his mother was crying when the Phoenix left. He likes it here. He has lots of children to play with. His sister Lydna would tickle him whenever she found him. He also saw her do some amazing stuff. When he asked mother if he would be able to do it, when he is older? He was disappointed to hear that he would not. But that did not stop him from enjoying himself. He also liked his grandfather and grandmothers. They were always ready to answer any question that he asked. Even if the only answer was to hear them laugh. He would usually get a hug and a kiss afterwards. He did not notice that his mother spent most of her time looking after their baby sister, and would often have a sad faraway look on her face. But other people noticed.

After taking off, Krillgan had Rasha fly around the southern tip of the continent to get to the main town. He had her and Tamrack trade the tea that they purchased for this reason, for the kegs of blended New Ale, regular Ale, and Fruit Wine.

From Dathomir they flew to Lianna. Tamrack was surprised that Madam Santhe was interested in seeing their wedding outfits. Rasha was not. So he obeyed her when she insisted that they must wear them. She has a longer history with Santhe Corporation and the royal family, than he does.

After their visit with Madam Santhe. Krillgan handed them robes to wear, then escorted them to a dress shop run by some Togruta. The seamstresses pretty much ignored Tamrack. They spent most of their time examining Rasha's wedding dress, and inquiring into the health of the designer. Tamrack did like going to the Togruta enclave for dinner, followed by a dance to celebrate their wedding. At least the men appreciated the outfit Tamrack was wearing. The Togruta tried to hide the disappointment that they felt, that Ludia and their children did not come with Krillgan. That they were not even on the ship by Krillgan's choice.

Before leaving the next morning, they made Krillgan promise that he will bring them the next time he comes. They want to meet the newest member of his family. After they left, the Togruta all agreed that something is wrong with Krillgan, but were unsure as to how to help him.

From Lianna, they took the Perlemian Trade Route all the way down to where it intersected the Hydian Way. Only having to deal with pirates, when they were knocked out of hyperspace before they reached the Tanaab system. The crew was surprised that Krillgan did not go to battle mode, and scramble for his fighter. Instead he went straight to ship assault mode, and started heading for their support ship. Flying right through their starfighters.

The support ship was called a Squib Momship, it was a rare 50 meter freighter, built by Squib Merchandising. Originally designed as a support ship. So it came with armour and tractor beams. This one was modified, so it had a fighter bay.

One of the starfighters they flew through, was an Aurek-Class Tactical Strikefighter. It launched one of its torpedoes at the Phoenix, as soon as it could target the ship. Because Krillgan was touching Rasha with the force, she was able to target and blast the torpedo from the forward quad-laser turbo cannon turret. Destroying the torpedo, the Aurek Starfighter that launched it, and the Sith Starfighter next to it. Kran took out an older Liberator-Class Starfighter, from the tail gun turret. While Elibet destroyed a Davaab Starfighter. A more compact version than Ludia's starfighter.

The Squib Momship started moving, as soon as they realized that all their fighters were destroyed. But the Phoenix was faster. Krillgan started firing the Heavy Laser Cannons as soon as they were in range. Concentrating their firepower where he suspected their power units were situated. As soon as he was within range for the Ion Canons, he fired them, disabling the ship. All they could do now was drift. Krillgan kept firing the Heavy Laser Cannons as they continued to approach the support ship. Before they came within point-black range. Krillgan activated the Shield, and had the Phoenix start travelling backward. That is when the support ship exploded.

Tamrack, who was sitting in the pilot's seat, asked Krillgan, why he did not come along side, and board the Squib Momship? These ships are very rare, and would command quite the price, if taken to any shipyard. Krillgan's only response, is that he hates pirates.

Grimm did a quick analysis of the Phoenix from his engineering console. He detected no damage anywhere, and told the Captain it was safe to proceed. So they re-entered hyperspace. They exited hyperspace in the Brentaal System. The cross-road between the Perlemian Trade route and the Hydian Way.

From Brentaal, they took the Hydian Way to the Bellassa System. From there they were going open hyperspace to Manaan. It was the long way around. But this is the system where Krillgan was leaving the Phoenix in his custom starfighter. Because there was no astrometric computer on his starfighter, he needed the Phoenix's computer, to do the calculations. So that he could cut across to Duro, than take the Corellian Trade Spine to Devaron. After receiving the data. Krillgan told Rasha and Timrack to enjoy their honeymoon, then jumped to hyperspace.

When they arrived, the spaceport authority did not even question why they were there. Granting them clearance right away, all the way down to Ahto City spaceport. Which upset some freighter Captains, whose ships were in holding patterns, still waiting for their permission to land and unload. The customs official waiting at the bottom of the ramp, asked if Captains Krillgan and Ludia, would need to speak with an elder, or where they going straight to the resort? Rasha informed him that neither Captains Krillgan nor Ludia were with them this trip. They let them have the freighter for a honeymoon trip. They welcomed acting Captain Rasha to Manaan, and told her where her and her crew could catch the next launch going to the resort.

Grimm, Kran, and Elibet, had each agreed to alternate days that they would remain aboard ship, to babysit their internal ship's security team. Making sure they were fed, and not getting into trouble. Stoneman realized that this crew was used to being around Smasher and Rudy, and looking after their needs. Even though they were not beastmasters, they still communicated good feelings, and Rudy trusted them. So he soon became used to them.

Grimm took the first day, so Kran and Elibet were accompanying Rasha and Tamrack on the launch. It was larger than the fishing boats that Kran and Elibet were used to. There were no Selkath to paddle this boat. The crew from the Phoenix were the only passengers allowed on the bridge. Where the Selkath Captain proudly told them about the virtues of his boat. It was solar powered, so did not require a fuel source. It was internally, impeller driven, so would not harm their cousins in the water, if they came too close. There was a governor controlling the cruising speed. This was so the launch did not move fast enough to suck up the fish they eat, into the intake, and kill or damage them. Like their freighters at a space station, when docking at the resort, their launched is grabbed by a tractor beam to bring them to their docking space. Then held in place by electromagnets. The dock itself is a floating dock. Which accommodates them to be able to use this technique. Otherwise it would be mooring lines and bumpers.

When they arrived at check-in, Kran and Elibet were given access cards to the Phoenix's suite, without having to mention their names. Rasha was told that the man with her would be required to register, because he is an unknown to them. They also asked her, if she will be having dinner this evening with Talmi, and the Starpleasure's Ambassadors? Rasha introduced Tamrack as her husband. They are recently married and are here for their honeymoon. So Tamrack's name will be a permanent add on to her room. She asked Tamrack if he wanted to have dinner with a friend of Krillgan. She assumed that the Ambassadors are his friends as well. Having worked for the Hutts, Tamrack had heard about the Ambassadors, so was very interested in meeting them.

At their room, he told Rasha that they are all pretty females. Every male mercenary that has worked for him, has dreamt of meeting them. He also confessed that he has nothing to wear that would be good enough to have dinner with them. He told Rasha that some of the dresses she brought with her from the Phoenix would be nice enough. Rasha asked the room's computer, if there are any dinner outfits, her husband can rent for the evening? The computer told Tamrack were to stand, so that it could scan him. It then displayed the outfits it had in his size, along with its recommendation. Tamrack agreed to the one offered, and the computer told them that it will be in their room within the hour. Having seen the outfit Tamrack was going to wear, Rasha decided on the dress she would wear, and found out from the computer the time and place for dinner.

Because they had time, Rasha decided to take her husband on a tour of the resort. Including the facilities for employees. It seems that everywhere they went. Some of the staff recognised her, and came over to greet her. Some servers just handed them the drinks they were carrying, and returned to replace them, for the intended customers. When they were in the employee portion of the resort, a girl ran up to Rasha, and asked if Lydna is here with them? She told the girl that Lydna is in a special school. The girl seemed disappointed, and asked Rasha to say hello for her. Rasha told Tamrack that Lydna is Krillgan and Ludia's oldest child. She made friends with this girl, when they rescued their family from pirates. Tamrack remembered being introduced to a young lady that jumped from the ground up to the rooftop patio of the house where they were staying. She was around this girl's age. Tamrack latter checked, he could not have jumped that high.

Dinner turned out to be nice and interesting for Tamrack. Talmi told Tamrack that the first time he met Rasha. She was wearing Krillgan's clothes. Krillgan had found her surviving on the streets of Nal Hutta. Using the fighting techniques that Krillgan had previously taught her. She was fighting off slavers and rapists. While at the same time, protecting little children living on the streets, from the same people. He found out that her father had been killed by pirates, and his crew sold into slavery. Krillgan had decided to use his many talents, to buy her crew's freedom, and eventually bought back the Fenelar Phoenix from the pirates. That is how Krillgan became its Captain.

Talmi than told Tamrack and Rasha how he and Krillgan first met most of the famous Ambassadors. Only they were not known as the Ambassadors yet. Mowa was introduced as the Cathar, Ju'ma as the blue Twi'Lek, Be'shu as the green Twi'Lek, and Chask as the Togruta. The Ambassadors told Tamrack and Rasha how embarrassed the two young men looked, when they opened the entrance to their suite, and found all those beautiful women inside. Talmi's face did blush as the Ambassadors told their story.

Rasha was also not afraid to talk business with Talmi. She told him that her husband also wanted to deposit some credits through their apartment, only in his name. He is embarrassed that his new bride has more business sense, and better opportunities to help her credits grow. He realizes that he has a lot of catching up to do. Talmi told Rasha that he will leave a name on their room's computer. He should be able to arrange everything they asked about. He then asked them, when can they get together for dinner again? The Ambassadors also wanted to come. It was fun sharing stories. So they set a date for when they can get together again.

After returning to their apartment, Tamrack asked Rasha if he should buy an outfit for dinner. Rather than renting one, each time they are invited out. Rasha told him that if he was going to only wear it on Manaan, then it might not be economical. But if he thought he would be wearing it elsewhere, then he should go ahead and buy one. This was Tamrack's dilemma. He did not know if he would wear it anywhere else.

The next day, they met with the man Talmi suggested. Tamrack invested all of his credits and peggats in the casino. Leaving only one hundred credits and peggats in each account, so that the banking consortium would not touch them. He asked that there be no cap in his investment, like Rasha has. He has a lot of catching up to do. He knew that if something happened, like the Sith Empire attacking Manaan again. Rasha had more than enough for them to live on, if they had to leave the Phoenix.

Tamrack decided to see if his buddies ever made it to Manaan, to find jobs as casino security guards. He found that he could not access casino personnel files from a regular resort computer, but when they were back in their apartment they had no problem. Rasha explained to him that they have special clearance, because of all the help the Fenelar Phoenix did, to make the resort happen. He found his friends working at another resort on Manaan. He checked their work schedules, and saw that they all had dinner off this evening. He asked Rasha if it was okay for him to meet them for dinner. Rasha let him know that it was only okay, if she was allowed to come along. So he sent a message to them, as they were working. Saying Commander Tamrack would like to meet them for dinner.

They left for lunch, and the restaurant they approached let them straight in. Even though they were only inquiring about the availability of a table, since their appeared to be a lineup to get in. Their waitress, when she saw who she was serving, gave Rasha a hug and had tears in her eyes. Instead of giving them a menu, she gave them a couple of options, based on the meals she knew the Chef preferred to cook. Neither Rasha nor Timrack minded the shortened menu, and quickly made their choices. After she left to place their order, and return with their drinks. Tamrack asked Rasha, what that was all about? Rasha told him she wasn't sure. Apparently, they helped her at one time.

Lunch was great, and the waitress told them that she had already charged it to their room. She also congratulated them on their marriage. She just found out when she submitted their bill.

When they returned to the apartment. They had four messages waiting for them. Tamrack's buddies were looking forward to dinner.

They decided to spend the afternoon on the apartment's private sundeck. It was their honeymoon after all. Only asking the computer to warn them when they had to dress to catch the launch to the other resort.

Tamrack decided that one of his shirts, and leather pants was dress up enough for tonight's dinner. Rasha decided to wear a shorter summer dress. Tamrack teased her that it was a good thing her legs will be under the table, while they have dinner. Or he might not be able to have a conversation with his buddies. Tamrack started laughing when he saw that the restaurant where they were meeting his buddies, had glass tabletops.

The mercenaries only commented on how beautiful Rasha looked. The waitress asked Rasha if she should make their table top opaque. Tamrack answered for her, and said "Yes". During dinner, the mercenaries told their Commander, that more than two thirds of the people working at the resorts, and Ahto City, have a connection with Krillgan and the Fenelar Phoenix. The ones that were former refugees call him the purple healer. Others were rescued from slavery, some more than once. They told their Commander, that a lot of them also fondly remember his wife, as the First Office, who playing an important part in their rescue. So they should expect to get the royal treatment wherever they go on Manaan. Their waitress had brought their drinks. She overheard the last part of what they said. She told them that she is one of those people. The first time she saw this lovely lady, she was all dressed in leather. She had a stubby blaster rifle in her arms, and a lightsaber hanging from her belt. The people that they had rescued before, followed her and Krillgan around, like they could protect them from anything. Now she is convinced that they can. They heard Krillgan tell the others about the job opportunities on Manaan. She and her husband decided to check it out. They left before the conscription started. Some of their friends were not as lucky.

After she left with their dinner order, the mercenaries told them that they hear it all the time. When people know that you have met Krillgan, they take that as permission to tell you how he has rescued them. They told their Commander that so far, it has proven to be the most interesting place they have worked. On top of that, they have spies on the planet. The Sith, the Republic, the Hutts and the Mandalorians, all have Embassies on Ahto City. They are the buffer that keeps between them.

They told the Commander that the hardest part is shutting off the security part of them, when they are off shift. It appears to be a major turn off, to all the pretty ladies they see all the time. On shift, they don't have time to look at them, since there is always so much happening around them. When they are off shift, they have a tendency to stare, and forget how to use their mouths to speak. That had Tamrack and Rasha laughing.

Rasha asked them, who they wanted to meet? They already told her that people listen and respect her. Maybe she can use it to help them. The Mercenaries told Rasha that who they would really like to meet are the Ambassadors. They have only ever seen them after one of their dancing gigs. They have special security looking after them. They could never get close enough to say hello. Rasha told them that they had dinner with them last night. They are all single. They said that most of the guys who work on Manaan, are too afraid to talk to them. While some of the customers, think they are play toys, and are always trying to touch them.

Tamrack noticed that when Rasha said that they had dinner with them. They all stared at her with open mouths. He interrupted, and told his men, "Chin up!" The waitress bringing their meals laughed when she heard that. She served their meals, and told them that this should help exercise their chins.

Rasha did arrange for the mercenaries to meet the Ambassadors. There were no bells or whistles, or flashes of starlight. The mercenaries had to be vague on how they encountered Krillgan, and how they were able to help him later. Rasha reinforced their vagueness. Reminding the Ambassadors, that they all know things about Krillgan, which can get him and the Fenelar Phoenix into a lot of trouble, if the wrong set of ears happen to hear. Tamrack did tell the Ambassadors, that after Krillgan saved his life, and while they made their way to his fleet Commander. To notify him about the lies a Barseg Nobleman was feeding them as truth. That he laid his eyes on this beautiful creature called Rasha, and realised that he lost his heart, and Krillgan could not help him.

The Ambassadors get to choose the people assigned to their security detail. So they asked Talmi to add the four mercenaries to the list. At least they were now comfortable talking with them. When the other dancers and servers noticed that the Ambassadors did talk to these four security specialists, they started talking to them as well. Which did lead to some dates. Which for Rasha, was a start. She did not know if she as cut out to be a matchmaker.

Because of the number of guests coming from Hutt Space. Talmi did make arrangements for the Rancor races to be broadcast in the casinos. Kran and Elibet found they were still good a picking winners, when it came to the fights. At least they won more credits than they lost. Tamrack noticed this, and started betting heavily on Kran and Elibets picks when they went to a casino. What the couples liked, was that they did not have to dress up to pretend they are rich people. They could have shown up at the casino, wearing their pilot's jumpsuit, and they still would have been treated special. They dressed nice and comfortable, wearing the clothes they wore to Rasha and Tamrack's wedding. When Kran and Elibet agreed on who would win a fight, Tamrack bet heavily on them. Usually in the range of twenty thousand credits. He was delighted when the betting droid informed him that he could access the funds he deposited with the casino, and any winnings would be redeposited. The ones that Tamrack did not bet on, where when Kran and Elibet could not agree on a winner, and would argue over it. After the fight, they would ask Tamrack who he put his money on. He diplomatically told them that they are both winners to him. So did not have the heart to pick one over the other. That usually earned him a kiss from Rasha, and smiles from the couple.

Before leaving Manaan, they purchased smoked, salted, and frozen fish, to take back to Kindell's world. It was time to return to their trade routes.

Krillgan arrived in the Devron System when Rasha and Tamrack were about midway through their honeymoon. He was able to get permission to land at the Montellian Serat Spaceport. Even though it was the busiest spaceport on the planet. With Montellian Serat being the Capital City of Devaron.

As he was climbing out of his cockpit, the customs official coming over, pegged him as being a bounty hunter. All decked out in leather, with a modified blaster pistol on his hip. The only thing she could not figure out, is why he wore an ancient sword on his back. She asked him, if he was here to cause trouble? He told her that he was here to study. She told him that if he was going to the Temple of Eedit, he should have landed at Tikaroo Spaceport. When he asked about the Temple of Eedit, she knew that he could not be a Jedi, or from a planet in the Republic. Everyone knew that the Jedi Order had built the Temple millennium ago, and still used it as one of their training centers. Krillgan did express interest, after he found out that it is a Jedi training center. He just did not know if he would be very welcome.

Since he would not be studying at the temple. She asked him, what will he be studying? Krillgan told her that he wanted to go into their archives and study their ancient laws. She asked him, if he was an archeologist? This would better explain his appearance. Especially if he was going into the jungles to study ancient ruins. He told her that what he was studying was personal. She told him that unless a university had made prior arrangements for him, they would not let him in. Access is restricted to only Devaronians. Krillgan surprised her, by telling her that he is the member of a Devaronian Clan. So they cannot deny him access. She asked him, which one? Since she has never heard of a clan allowing cross species relationships. He obviously must be the product of one, if he claims to have Devaronian blood in him. He told her that he is a member of the One Clan on Eriadu. The Devaronian Clans on Eriadu were devastated during the Sith invasion, and lost all of the male Devaronian population on the planet, of teenage years and older. After they combined into the One Clan, and were able to contact the outside world. They sent out a galaxy wide call for help, to all Devaronian Clans. They even sent word to Devaron. The only response they received was from pirates and slavers. The slavers wanted to lure the young ladies away, and sell them as slaves. The pirates were looking for wives that they did not have to share any of their earnings with. The Elders were forced to allow mixed marriages, if the clan was to survive.

The customs officer told him that she must have been a little girl when this happened. So she does not know anything about it. She did remind him, that he asked to park his fighter in long term parking. She told him what the expected deposit was, and how often he must return to the spaceport to pay the parking fee. Krillgan paid her the asked for credits, and was about to leave. The customs officer stopped him. He forgot to indicate on his declaration form, his marital status. Krillgan apologised, and told her that he was happily married, and checked off the appropriate box on her computer pad. The customs officer wondered, what part of the declaration did he lie about? Was it about being married? Or was it about being happy?

Krillgan found a cheap hotel near the spaceport. Probably frequented by the travelling salesman type. Hoping to land a contract. He made two enquiries. The first one was for the documentation to gain access to the old law archives. The second was to find some accommodations. He went first to the archives. Since it will take time for them to Contact Eriadu, to confirm his membership, as part of the One Clan. After that, he decided to look for room and board. He certainly did not need a fancy apartment. He also thought that home cooked meals, will be better than hanging out at restaurants. Room and board was also the cheapest most available accommodations out there.

Krillgan found out later that most of the accommodations were being offered by widows. Women who have lost their husbands, and their supporting income, to pirates. Of course the young widows with young families are the most in need. But Krillgan was afraid that this arrangement has too high of a probability, of ending up in the widow's bedroom. He cannot do that to Ludia. He loves her deeply, and has done too many things in their short marriage to hurt her. He decided to look for the older widows, his mother's age or older. He ended up moving in with a widow that has retired from Internal Devaron Security. Which he found out was the equivalent to Planetary Defence, in the region of space his parents came from. He chose her place, because it is close to the edge of the city. In just a short jog, he is in the forest.

Krillgan asked the widow, if there are game animals in the forest? If there are, would she be upset if he brought some home for dinner? She told him that there are game animals, but there are also Quarra. If he wants to hunt, he needs to get a permit. She does not mind cooking game meat, but she will not give him a reduction in his rent.

She showed him a picture of a Quarra. To Krillgan it looked like a Vornskr, but uglier. Instead of the tail, they had a horn on their snout. They also had more teeth, and their bodies were covered in scales. Krillgan told her that he hopes they do not know how to climb trees. So she knew that he was still planning to go into the forest. She gave him the information he needed to know for a permit, and sent him to the local Security Office.

While waiting for permission to enter the archives. Krillgan would go everyday into the forest, to a clearing that he found not too far away. (For a force user.) He would practise his martial arts. Then he would practise the techniques for fighting with a pair of daggers. After that he would practise with his sword. Then he would practise the sword and dagger techniques he came up with, and taught, Kreen, Bariatha, and Rasha. Then he would either go exploring, or hunting, or both. He found streams with good drinking water. If he was hungry and killed a small game animal, he would build a small fire in the trees, as he learnt to on Dathomir. Since the smell of cooking flesh attracts the Quarra. Larger game he would take back for Drumanna to cook. Depending on the size of the animal, it could last them anywhere from three days to a week. The good thing about doing a heavy workout every day, is that it helped him to adjust faster to Devaron's 17 hour days.

The money Drumanna saved on buying meat, she used in buying fresh fruits and vegetables for her new tenant. Anything left over after that, was used for buying fresh flowers. Krillgan did comment that he did not find much variation in ground foliage in the forests, or he would bring her bouquets of wildflowers for the house. She told him that most of the nice wildflowers are found in the jungles further south. That's where they cultivate them, then ship them to the capital. Whenever Drumanna purchased a flower Krillgan had not seen before. He would examine it, to see if it might have medicinal value. Even eating leaves, if he thought that Drumanna was not watching.

Being Internal Security, Drumanna contacted her old bosses, and told them about her new tenant. He is called Krillgan Djo. His id states that he was born on Shili. But he claims to be a member of a Devaronian Clan on Eriadu. He is definitely not pure Devaronian, but he does have the Devaronian fur. He also has horn bumps like Devaronian females. Not horns like a male. So she would guess that his mother is Devaronian. They told her that her description does not match any person of interest on any Republic planet. They suggested that she just keep an eye on him. His name also bothered them. They don't know of any Devaronian mother that would call their son Krillgan. That name alone invokes fear and respect. A heavy burden for a child growing up, and wanting to fit in.

Ulianna was surprised to receive an official notice from the government on Devaron. A male by the name of Krillgan Djo was requesting access to their archives. Claiming to be a member of the One Clan on Eriadu. When she saw the picture, she knew it was their Krillgan. At first she wondered why he was using the surname of Djo. Then she remembered that there is still a bounty on Krillgan Mirranna's head. She rounded up all of the elders. They each made a statement that Krillgan Djo is indeed a member of the One Clan on Eriadu. They each submitted a copy of their id, as well as a thumb print. Ulianna went a step further, and declared Krillgan Djo a beloved member of the One Clan of Eriadu.

The government official receiving the clan membership verification document was impressed. Especially, with the Clan Leader's statement. Usually it is just the Clan Leader, or maybe an elder that will respond. But to have them all respond, and the leader declaring him beloved. Means that he is an important member. She sent a copy to Internal Security, because they had asked for it.

Internal Security showed it to Drumanna the next time she was in. Apparently to them, he is important. They do not want them thinking otherwise. Drumanna just told Krillgan that he has permission to enter the archives.

Krillgan found the archives to be interesting. All the old laws are supposed to be recorded in ancient Devaronian, which no one can read, let alone speak. The old laws were translated into the Kwa symbols, when they first started encountering other species. When they first went to space. The reason, was that Basic was still just a spoken language. The Kwa symbols were all they knew for a written language. When Simple Basic became a written language. Then all the laws were supposed to have been translated into written basic. But they were not. Some sections are still only recorded in ancient Devaronian and the Kwa symbols. Krillgan asked the lady in charge of the archives, who was responsible for the Basic translation of the law, and why was it not all completed? She told Krillgan that the Jedi were responsible for translating from the Jedi symbols, to written Basic. She believes that it was one of their wars that interrupted the translation. They have been paid, and are still responsible for completing the translation. But they always claim that they are too busy. When peace returns to the galaxy. They will return and complete it.

Krillgan decided to first study a section of the law that has already been translated, before looking for the section he was interested in. He realized that Ludia and Diennu would be much better at this. When he thought about Ludia, he had a pain in his heart. He was a fool for leaving her, and the children behind. He has been received way better than he expected. No one has yet looked down on him, for being of mixed heritage. Ludia and Richard would love it here. The forest are similar to what they have on Dathomir, just not as dangerous. A bonus is, that the force is strong here, almost as strong as on Dathomir. That would make Ludia more comfortable. She feels it more, whenever they leave Dathomir.

In hindsight, Krillgan was very happy that he started with the section that he did. It was obvious a scholar did the translation. It helped him to become more comfortable with the Kwa symbols. He did not notice that he started to read the symbols much faster. But when he came to the next section he had to stop. It looked to him that this section was translated by a Padawan. Someone who was just learning the symbols themselves. Krillgan was angry. This showed a complete lack of respect on the part of the Jedi. This is Devaronian law. Part of the legal system of the Republic. He started to write out how this section should have been translated. When he was finished, he decided to look for the section of the old law concerning Krillgans. As he read through the Kwa symbols, he understood why the Jedi did not translate it. In Devaronian Law, Krillgans even have authority over Jedi. That means that they would have to submit to him, anywhere in the Republic. He was even allowed to pass judgment on them.

Krillgan tried to get into the forest, at least four times a week, to exercise. He would only hunt, if Drumanna told him they were getting low on meat. When he went to the archives, he would start by studying a previously translated section of the law. Then when he felt warmed up, he would start going through an untranslated section of the law. He wanted to learn everything about Krillgans. What their responsibility is under the law. He also wanted to know how it was determined that a person really was a Krillgan, and not just a Jedi.

The other thing Krillgan liked to do, was to go to a courthouse, to see how a section of the law was applied in everyday cases. He knew that some of the mistranslations, could skew how the law was applied.

One day he saw a women arguing in court, that the law was not clear, and could be easily translated to mean something else. Krillgan sent a note to the three judges. Saying that the lady is correct. The translation of what they call the Jedi symbols can indeed be translated the way she said. The judges called for a hold to the proceedings, and had the court clerk find the person that sent them the note. When the clerk found Krillgan, they told him the Judges wished to speak with him. Krillgan went to the Judges' Chamber and introduced himself. He told them that he was studying the law in their archives for personal reasons. He found sections of their law to be translated by a scholar. They deserved to be honoured, other sections of their law appears to be translated by a novice. The section that this case is being ruled on, is one of them. He showed them this section, with the Kwa symbols used. He then proceeded to tell them the many translations of each symbol. He told them that the proper translation of any symbol, depended on the symbol preceding it, and the symbol following it. He then proceeded to give them possible translations. Then the translation that was most likely. They saw that the translation that they were using in the law, was not even part of the possible translations. Yet from the way he wrote that each symbol could be translated, they saw how their translation was derived. They asked him what university he went to, to study what he calls Kwa symbols. He told them that he did not learn this at a university. This was part of his teaching growing up. Where he grew up, the old laws were not translated into basic, in case they were mistranslated, and misapplied. So students were taught the Kwa symbols, before they were taught basic. He told them that this was in part due to written basic coming to their world many, many, years after it came to others. Written basic came to Devaron, as soon as it was conceived. It also appears that the Kwa symbols were only a stop gap measure, in their transition from the ancient Devaronian language to written basic. So there were probably very few Devaronians alive in any time of their history, who could read the Kwa symbols. Which is why they call them Jedi symbols.

The judges were impressed with Krillgan's presentation. They were not impressed with the implications. That for thousands of years they have been misapplying the law, because of some novice's translations. As this man implied. Their needs to be an inquiry, but how do you make an inquiry when few people understand how to translate their laws.

The judges decided to suspend all court proceedings in light of what Krillgan told him. They then made arrangements for a meeting of all judges, as well as inviting the top linguistic scholars on Devaron. They asked that Krillgan attend, and be prepared to make his presentation again, as well as being willing to defend his presentation. Krillgan agreed.

The linguists and Judges were very interested in knowing which sections of the law he found to be translated by scholars, and which translations were done by novices. The linguists made their own presentation to the Judges. They told them of the many attempts that have been made over the years, to try and read and understand their ancient language. They showed the sections of the law that was used at each attempt, and the consensus, that they could not translate the old language. Now when they only look at the sections of the law that was translated by a scholar. They see that the previous linguists, were actually able to translate the language properly. In ten to twenty years, they should be ready to start a translation, based on the original Devaronian language.

The Judges told them that they appreciated their work. But they need a solution that they can apply today. Krillgan suggested that it was the Jedi that caused this problem. So they should be the ones to fix it. They need to be told that this has a higher priority than any war, since it is dealing with law. The Judges agreed. First they will send a representative to the Temple of Eedit. To ask if they have any scholars of a caliber to go over the translations they did, and correct any errors.

Both the linguists and the Judges asked Krillgan, if he can go through all their laws, to identify the sections that have been translated by scholars? The Judges can give cases involving those sections of the law top priority. So the Judicial system does not grind to a halt. It would also accelerate the work that the linguistics need to do.

Krillgan thought that finding the sections that were translated properly would not be that difficult, since he would only need to read the first part of each section. The problem is, that there are a lot of sections. It means that he will need to be in the archives day and night, until he is finished. He will need to arrange to have Drumanna send meals to him, while he is there. Krillgan outlined to the Judges what he needs to do, and what support he would need from everyone to do it. The Judges agreed, and made the arrangement with the archivists, while Krillgan went to talk to Drumanna.

The Rattataki Sith that tried to use mind control on Churabba the Hutt. To get her to turn the Blue Ghost over to him, was on the run from the Dark Council. What was in his favor was that he was the least of their worries. So they had not assigned anyone to hunt him down. The other thing going for him, was that it was easy to dye his pale white skin. So that he appeared a different colour. After leaving Nal Hutta, he only made one stop on Du Hutta to steal some blue ink. From there he went to Sleheyron. One thing he learnt from the Bounty Hunter, is that he needs money. Not that he needs it personally. But it is what other people want. To get what he wants, he needs to give them what they want.

The Sith decided to dye his skin blue, using the ink, to appear like Krillgan Djo, and fight in the underground matches, to make some money. He did not know that he needed to have money to make money. Because the money was made in gambling. No one paid the fighters for fighting.

He accepted a death match, when he was first challenged. After killing his opponent. He expected someone to hand him a bag of money, because he saw a lot changing hands. He found out, that all he could claim was what his dead opponent owned. His opponent had no money, because he had bet it all on himself winning. So he only had a few trinkets, to see if he could sell them at the local market. The market vendors quickly realized that he did not know what anything was worth. So one of them gave him two wupiupi for everything.

The Sith thought he was rich, and brought out the two wupiupi to bet on himself in his next death match. This made everyone around him laugh. They told him the minimum they accept on bets, is ten gold peggats. They showed him what a peggat looked like. He needed another sixty two wupiupi just to have one peggat.

During that death match, the Sith was observed using the Force. It made all the spectators angry. They called him a cheat and attacked him on mass. He had to kill a lot of people that day, before he got away. But not before grabbing a few bags of coins.

He knew that he could not stay on Sleheyron. Too many angry people were looking for him. So he returned to Nal Hutta, and kept an eye on Churabba's Palace. When he saw the Umbaran Advisor sneak out of the palace, he followed her. Then he trapped her in a dead end alley. He forced her to tell him the name of the merchant on the contract to buy Chitrah Grimshaw and Smasher. He almost let go of her when she said it was Krillgan Djo. The one the banks recognised as a survivor, who closed the Blue Ghost's account on Sleheyron. The Umbaran thought she could seduce this Rattataki now, like she did so many times in the palace. But he would have none of it, and snapped her neck. He left her in that alley, but only after searching her body, to see if he could find anything useful on her, that he could use. He did find a small bag of gold peggats.

By applying his gold peggats judiciously, the Sith was able to determine that Krillgan Djo entered Ilos as a refugee, with no money to his name. That his fake id listed Shili as his place of birth.

The Sith knew that the Togruta would not cooperate with him. He did not know if they even recorded births of their own people in a centralized government format, let alone foreigners. So he started pouring over all the information the Dark Council gave him concerning the Blue Ghost, his wife, and his son.

From the information he studied, he decided to recruit informants on some key planets. Deysum III was out, even though it is the birth planet of the parents. His report indicated the surveillance droids that had been placed on that planet by a previous Sith. The parents of both Chitrah and Andriel have stated that by clan law, their children are now dead to them. This has also been verified by research. He needed an informant on Eriadu, since the Sith determined that Andriel did spend some time with the Devaronian community there. So it is conceivable, that the son would try and renew acquaintances. Manaan also seemed a good place for an informant, since that was the last planet that it has been confirmed, that they were on, before they disappeared. Devaron seems a planet that needs an informant. Since Andriel is Devaronian, and there might be a family connection. Changria should also be considered. Since Chitrah is supposed to be of Chagrian decent. This connection would be weaker than the Devaron connection. Since the Sith report stated that the Deysum III Chagrian, broke contact with their home world. But it still needs to be watched.

The Sith found that it took a lot of credits to establish and maintain an informant. He obtained his funds through robbery and murder. If he thought someone had a lot of money on their person, he would kill them. Since he did not want to leave witnesses. If he thought a business would have a lot of credits on hand. He would break in, after they were closed. Too many witnesses to deal with, if he robbed them when they were open.

To help him with his disguises, he broke into a wig shop on Barseg. The noblemen there are very vain. Baldness to them is associated with age and weakness. A full head of hair, is associated with youth and vitality. The shop also boasted, that all their wigs were made with real human hair. So he grabbed a number of different colors and styles of wigs. The big bonus was the amount of credits on the premises. The Sith also found that the best thing to put on his skin, to change its colour, is food colouring. The best place to get a large number of different colours, is a bakery. Especially the ones specialising in desserts. So he broke into a number of them.

He found that the best people to waylay for funds, are pirates that have just been paid out. But you have to get them before they hit the closest bar or cantina, or their funds will quickly disappear. The reason they are the best to waylay, is because no one will investigate the death of a pirate.

After establishing informants on the planets he wanted. The Sith flew from planet to planet, in the Tion Cluster. Since the family visited a fair number of them, and might still have contacts.

Shortly after establishing his contact, on Eriadu. The contact informed him about a Bounty Hunter that killed a Sith. In the wasteland area next to the Devaronian Community. Apparently the sector's Moff, personally questioned the Bounty Hunter and let him go. The informant did not know if there was a connection between the Bounty Hunter and Krillgan Djo. But it was rumoured that the Devaronian Community hired the Bounty Hunter, to protect them from the Sith. Who had uttered threats against the community.

The informant on Manaan, kept sending him reports about a man called Krillgan, who broke into a brothel on Nar Shaddaa, and freed all the women. He was also reported freeing a large number of slaves from a pirate compound on Rorak 4. The Sith did not believe the reports. Because if he had done those things, the Hutts would have put out a contract out on his head. But he paid the informant anyway. The informant also mentioned that this Krillgan also freed some dancers from the Base Commander on Reaver Station. The Sith investigated that incident. Apparently a Bounty Hunter called Death Hand, was under contract to the Chalactan Judicial System. He went to interview a list of ladies that were part of an ongoing investigation on that planet. But the Base Commander was not very forthcoming with the women. Because apparently, one of his body guards raped and killed one of the ladies on the list. When the Dark Council was informed. They sent a Sith Lord who executed the bodyguard, reprimanded the Commander, and removed all personal protection from him. The station's personnel, interpreted that as being. Improve the security on the station or die. There was no description of the Bounty Hunter, other than he wore Neo-Crusader armour. Just like so many wannabe bounty hunters. He transferred him credits for that information as well. But when he started sending information about a purple healer on Tal Nami, he personally went to Manaan to investigate his informant. He found the man was a compulsive gambler. The Sith figures that any story he heard in the casinos while gambling, he just attached Krillgan's name to it, and sent it to him. So that he could get more credits from him, to support his habit. The Sith killed him for that. He left his body were the sharks would deal with it. Unfortunately, he was not able to recruit a reliable informant after that. All other potential recruits, were also found to be compulsive gamblers.

The Sith was surprised and pleased, when his informant on Devaron sent him a message. "A Krillgan Djo, claiming to be a member of a Devaronian Clan on the planet Eriadu, is requesting access to the legal archives for personal research." The excited Sith sent a reply. He told him his expected ETA, and requested that he have his people standby when he arrives. Just in case he needs them.

Ludia decided that it was more important to be with Krillgan. Instead of awaiting his return. She did not care if the Devaronians looked down their noses at her, for marrying Krillgan. Only people who did not know him would do that. So there opinion did not matter. So when the Fenelar Phoenix returned, to start their next trade cycle, Ludia told them that she was coming with them. She was not coming as Captain. Rasha can continue in that capacity. All she asks is that when they are close enough, they need to divert to the Devaron system. They do not have to land on the planet. She will take her Davaab Starfighter down to the surface. She would also appreciate it, if in the next trade cycle they would also drop by and make contact. If Krillgan is finished, than they will be leaving as a family. It probably would not hurt, if they also spent a few days on Manaan after that. To relax as a family. The crew had no problems with that.

For Stoneman it was a pleasure to meet the mate of the man who recruited him. She also had the faint scent of My Friend on her. A Rancor that he learnt to trust. They spent a lot of time together. On occasion, they would even talk.

The Jedi Council did not like what the Devaronian Senator said about them in the Senate Council. The Jedi had no record of who was originally assigned to translate the Jedi symbols into written basic. Or why they stopped. All those records were destroyed when the Sith destroyed their Temple on Coruscant. The Jedi Master at the Temple of Eedit, did find a copy of the agreement, and a verification that payment had been made. So they know they are obliged to follow through with this, and send their two best linguists. They know that the Senate is looking at this as a typical way the Jedi have dealt with the Republic over the ages. When something first comes along, the Jedi are all gung-ho about doing their part. But as things drag on, their performance suffers. Finally they lose interest altogether, as their focus shifts to a new crisis. The Jedi knew that in many incidents, they earned this reputation. So now they have to work harder, to gain back the trust of the Senate, and of the Republic.

In the middle of the marathon session, of going over every translated section of the old laws. Krillgan felt he had built up too much Kolto in his system. He decided that he needed a break anyway, and should go out and stretch his legs. It was late evening, and he decided to go visit the closest hospital. He found that they had an orthopedic wing. So he raided a closet, and dressed from head to toe, in the garments they wear when in surgery. He did this so no one could identify him, and start looking for the purple healer. He went from room to room. He would ignore the charts, but did study the scans to make sure that everything was in the right place. When he was satisfied, he would take their hands. The ones that felt something, he told them that he was employing a new technique that should help accelerate their healing. He told them that he expected that they would be well enough to go home in the morning.

Krillgan made it through two thirds of the wing, before being confronted by a healer. She had just finished a marathon session in the surgical theatre, and decide to check on a patient before going home. She saw this stranger in surgical garb, holding both hands of her patient. She told the person to let go, and step away from her patient, or she will call security. The response was that they cannot do it, until they are finished. The healer went and told the nurse in charge of the ward, to call hospital security. Krillgan locked and barricaded the door, using the Force, so that he could finish the healing. He told the patient that some healers don't like it when another healer touches their patient. He told him not to worry. He wasn't leaving until he was finished. The patient could feel the tingling with the healing taking place, and very much wanted this healer to finish what they were doing. Because Krillgan locked and barricaded the door. Hospital security notified Internal Devaron Security. Talking about a potential hostage situation. They said that both the patient and the person holding them hostage are male, because the hospital's healer said that they spoke with a man's voice.

When Krillgan was finished, he asked the patient to count to ten before dismantling the barricade. He was going to leave through the window, so that he doesn't get into trouble with anyone. The patient was about to tell the healer that the windows don't open. Than he thought why bother, the healer will find out by themselves. So he was surprised when the frame along with the window was pushed out of the wall. He did not hear any glass breaking, so the healer must have somehow been able to lower everything without breaking it. True to his word, the healer left through the window.

When Devaron Security identified themselves through the door, the patient told them to wait a minute, and he will unlock the door. (He forgot to count to ten.) After moving the barricade, and unlocking the door. Security and the healer burst into the room. They asked the patient where the other person is. He pointed to the hole in the wall where the window used to be. Security ran over and looked outside. They used their personal communicator, to contact headquarters, and tell them that they need their best tracker.

The healer looked at what was used as a barricade, and asked the patient who moved it out of the way? The patient told her that he did. That doctor told him that this is impossible. Both his arms are broken. He would have screamed out in pain, if he would have tried it. He told this healer that his arms are no longer broken. The other healer told him it was safe to use his arms. When he did, he felt no pain. The healer thought that the other man tricked him, by somehow blocking the pain. So she pricked him in a finger with a scalpel, and asked him if he felt that. He told her that of course he did. She had no reason to do that. If he did not know that she is a good healer. He would complain to the security people, that she just assaulted him. The healer still did not believe him, and called to the nursing station to bring in a mobile scanner.

Devraron Security asked the healer, what did the other man do to her patient? The confused healer told Security, that that person actually healed her patient. She was the only one to injure him, when she stabbed his finger. One of the nurses told the healer and Security that the strange person has been spotted going into a number of rooms. They have patients asking if they really have to wait until morning to go home. They feel fine right now.

All the healers that have patients in that section of the hospital. Did not like it that Internal Devron Security contacted them, and told them that they have to come to the hospital right away. Most were in bed. Some were already sleeping when they were called.

Devaron Security's top tracker was able to follow the perpetrator's trail through the city and into the forest. Then the trail disappeared. The only other time she saw this happen, was when she tried to follow Drumanna's tenant, into the forest. She believes that somehow, he jumped up into the trees. She cannot prove it, because she has never seen him do it. He has always moved too fast for her to keep up. Nor can she jump high enough to reach the low branches, to find out. So she returned to headquarters to file her report. She has no proof, so cannot name Drumanna's tenant in her official report. All she can do, is inform her superiors of her suspicions.

Drumanna almost screamed when she saw Krillgan come out of his bedroom. She thought that she was home by herself. Krillgan told her that he needed to get out and stretch his legs. He was also craving game meat in his meals. Rather than the Reek meat she has been buying lately. He told her that there is a carcass in the cooler. He also mentioned to her, that he also wanted to sleep on a proper bed. Rather than the couch he is using at the archives.

After breakfast, Krillgan went back to the archives to complete what he promised. Drumanna decided to go have tea with her former workers. She is a light sleeper, so was surprised that Krillgan did not wake her, when he came in last night. She wanted to tell them all about her strange tenant. Instead, they told her.

They suspected that he entered the hospital near the archives, and started healing people. Two thirds of the patients in the orthopedics wing of the hospital were sent home this morning. All of them healed, thanks to her tenant. Drumanna asked, if they were going to arrest him? The Commander asked what for. The only criminal thing he did, was steal a hospital outfit. But they cannot prove that he did it. Hospital maintenance has already reinstalled the window opening he went through. They could not understand how he did it, since it took three of them to lift it, and put it back in place, and one of them is the maintenance droid. The healers all want to know how he healed all those people in such a short time. The Judges all said to leave him alone, he was just blowing off steam. He has been cooped up in the archives for quite a while.

Drumanna told them how he shocked her, when he came out of his bedroom this morning. Not only did she not hear him come in. But he managed to put a fresh game carcass in her cooler. When she noticed the time. She told them that she has to go home and finish dressing the carcass. She needs to put half of it in the freezer so that it will not spoil. Then she needs to cook some dinner for him. He is looking forward to eating game meat again.

Ta'Yanna was starting to walk, and had started reaching for Rudy's tail. So far Rudy has kept his tail high, and has used his body to block her from getting close to his tail. Ludia did not like that she would have to teach Ta'Yanna by herself, not to grab Rudy's tail. She does not have the force sensitivity, like Krillgan has, to monitor the poison's progression up her daughter's arm. In case she has too large of a dose, and it reaches her heart. It was with great trepidation that she smacked Ta'Yanna's hand with Rudy's tail. She soothed and rocked her little girl, reminding her that this is what happens if she grabs Rudy's tail. It was with great relief when Ludia noticed that feeling started coming back into her daughter's arm. Ludia massaged it, hoping that it would speed her recovery. The good thing was that Ta'Yanna no longer reached for Rudy's tail.

When Krillgan finished his marathon session, he decided to take a break for a few days. He needs to start exercising regularly again. He wanted to do a little hunting. But what he really wanted to do is explore more of the forest. He did come across an unexpected incident when exploring. He found a pack of Quarra, had cornered one of their own. The lone Quarra was injured, and bleeding from one of its forepaws. But seems to be holding off the pack. Krillgan was moved by the perceived injustice. He went closer, and tried talking collectively to them, as he has done with Rancor, and Vornskr. He did find it harder than talking to Vornskr, but easier than talking to Purbole. Dathomir's little men of the forest. The Quarra all looked at him when he touched them with his thoughts. The pack growled, and told him that this was none of his concern. Krillgan told them that he chose to make it his concern, when he perceives a cowardly attack, by a pack against one of their own.

They told him that he is no longer one of their own. He chose to leave them and mate. Now his mate has a clutch of eggs, and he refuses to surrender his mate and her eggs to them. Krillgan looked at the lone Quarra, and asked him if he wanted his help. The Quarra simply said yes.

The pack did not like that this human was not afraid of them, and jumped from the safety of the trees, to the ground. They showed him their teeth and growled. They promised to make him pay, if he interfered.

Krillgan fashioned small lances out of the dirt, and threw them at members of the pack, that yelped when they were hit. When one of the pack members leaped at Krillgan. He hit it with a soft force push, making it crash into other members of the pack. That was enough to make the pack turn tail and flee.

The lone Quarra thanked Krillgan for his help. Krillgan told him that he wasn't finished yet. He also wanted to heal the cuts on the paw. The Quarra went towards him on his three good legs. Krillgan also saw a partial Quarra head peaking at him from the ground. She must be the mate, and that must be the entrance to her den.

Krillgan held the damaged paw, but no Kolto flowed to it, the interlocking scales prevented it. He first checked it with the force, to see if any bones were broken when one of the Quarra pack chomped down on it. Krillgan believes that this Quarra must have been able to free his paw, or he would now be dead. Nothing looked broken, but sections of the skin and flesh underneath can peal back. He gave the wounds a quick wash with the drinking water he was carrying. Then he put a couple of drops of Kolto on each wound. He held the wounds closed with one hand. With the other he reached into the Quarra's mouth, to just inside the lip, to touch the flesh there. He held the Quarra like that, until he felt the Kolto stop flowing.

When he removed his fingers from the Quarra's mouth, the Quarra told him that he had no way to repay his kind for his help. Krillgan told the Quarra that he was not expecting payment. Though he has Devaronian blood, sometimes he chooses to act, just because. The Quarra did promise to help him if he ever needed, once the eggs are hatched.

Krillgan suspected that this Quarra couple are hungry. With the pack in this area, they were both too afraid to leave the den. Krillgan told the male where the pack went. He also told him where he sensed some game creatures nearby. He will stay and keep an eye on the den while he goes hunting.

It was not that long before the male Quarra returned with a dead game animal. He ripped off a large chunk, and took it to his mate. Then he returned and started eating. After swallowing a couple of chunks, he looked up to thank the man, and to ask if he wanted any. But the man was not there. Both he and his mate now know this man's scent, so can help him in the future, if he asked. After he and his mate were satisfied. He buried what remained, so that they can finish it later.

When Krillgan returned to where he was staying, he asked Drumanna, if it is common for Quarra to attack their own? She told him she did not know. She gave him the name of a couple, and their address. She told him that they are the ones to ask, if he has questions about the Quarra. Because there was still daylight. Krillgan thought that it would be okay to go over and ask.

The couple were around the same age as Drumarra. He told him who he is, and where he is staying. He told them that Drumarra told him that they are experts when it comes to Quarra. So they invited him in, and asked him what he needed to know? He asked them, if it is common for Quarra to attack their own? The man who looked bored until now. Asked his wife if it is mating season? He then got up and grabbed a calendar. He showed it to his wife, and pointed out the date. She told him that it looks like mating season is early this year. It must be because of the spell of nice weather they are having. It has been unseasonably warm for this time of year. The man asked Krillgan where he encountered the Quarra, and if the mating couple are still alive? The wife told her husband to be patient. They still have not answered his question.

She told Krillgan that Quarra when they mate, behave differently than they normally do. Quarra are used to wandering, and have no pack territory. But when a Quarra leaves its pack and successfully mates. It becomes territorial. Even going as far as marking its territory. Which can be death sentence to a mating pair of Quarra. A roving pack will find the territory markers, and start hunting the mating pair. For some reason, the pack wants the eggs. They believe that this is nature's way of controlling the Quarra population. The Quarra pack wants to eat the eggs, and they will go through a mating couple to do it. But what is interesting, is that it is very rare for a pack member to eat more than one egg. Once they have eaten an egg, they no longer have a desire to eat anymore. So once most of the pack has eaten an egg, the pack will stop hunting mating couples.

Krillgan asked them, if it was wrong for him to intervene? Has he upset the population control? The man asked Krillgan, if he killed a Quarra? It is against the law to kill a Quarra, unless they attack. Krillgan assured them that he is licensed to hunt. He did read and initial the section dealing with Quarra. But a couple of well-placed blaster bolts, into the dirt at their feet, will usually discourage a Quarra pack from sticking around.

"So the mating couple are still alive?"

"Yes. They are alive."

The man became excited. "Where are they?"

Krillgan apologised, and told them that he has decided not to tell. The mating couple has already been interfered with too much. If they encounter anymore people, it can affect how they interact with other people. (Krillgan did not want the couple to know that it would take them a couple of days of trekking through the forest, to get to where he was, just this afternoon.) The wife said that she understood. She also reminded her husband that poachers have followed them into the forest in the past. Quarra leather hide, and teeth, are still a hot black market item. Poachers know that mating couples are an easy target for them. The husband was clearly upset, he wanted to go back into the forest again. Krillgan wandered if he has wanderlust? He told the couple a couple of places that he has seen wandering packs of Quarra. The husband asked him, if he shot at them? To discourage them from getting too close. Krillgan told them that there was no need. Where he grew up, he learnt how to climb trees very quickly. So far, he has not encountered any Quarra in the trees.

Krillgan even offered to take the man to the closest observation sight. The man said that he does not need someone from off planet to tell him how to get around in his own forest. Then he apologised to Krillgan. It sounded bad even to him, when he said it out loud. He told Krillgan that he must be an accomplished woodsman, if he can hunt, and is not afraid of encountering a Quarra.

While Krillgan was taking his break, the two Jedi scholars arrived on Devaron, from Tython. They were disappointed, that they did not get to meet the man that has stirred up so much trouble, for the Jedi. The head of the archive handed them three lists. The first list was of all the sections of their law that was determined to be properly translated. The next list was of the sections of the law that was not properly translated. The third list contained the sections of the law that still needed to be translated.

The two Jedi started by going over the first list. To see if this upstart knew what he was talking about. They only made it a quarter of the way through the first list, before they were satisfied. Then they started checking the second list. They were appalled by what they read. It was just as the stranger said. A novice did the initial translation, but the master forgot to check their work. They knew that they had their work cut out for them. They each took half the list, and started going to work.

By this time the trouble maker had returned to engaging in their own studies. The two Jedi secretly captured an image of the offender. (Krillgan knew that they did it, and had filled himself with light force energy.) The Jedi did not know that the image was very grainy because of what Krillgan did. They sent this image, along with his name and their description.

"Appears purple. It is believed that the mother is Devaronian, which is why he is a member of a clan. Always seen wearing leather garments. Has a modified blaster pistol on his hip, which means that he has either spent time as a smuggler or bounty hunter. Walks around with an ancient sword strapped to his back. Do not understand its significance."

The reply came back from Tython.

"Be careful. May possibly be a Sith, that has posed as a Jedi."

This reply was generated, because a Jedi Knight remembered Republic Intelligence, "SIS", enquiring about a purple Jedi. Which the Jedi Council dismissed at the time, as someone's idea of a prank, to make them look bad.

The two Jedi scholars replied, "He cannot be a Sith. There are rumors that he healed a number of people. If he is a force user, he has discovered a new way to manipulate the force."

The reply, "Extreme caution is still advised. He may be a member of the extremist Revanite cult that is responsible for destroying two entire fleets. One was a Republic Fleet, the other was a Sith Empire Fleet. The Revanites have been responsible for acts of terrorism across the galaxy, against both Republic and Sith targets. This may be another elaborate plot, to increase the mistrust of the Jedi in the Republic."

The two Jedi did not know what to believe. This man has only exposed what has been sitting there on Devaron for thousands of years. It is their own order as being clearly at fault. This is not something that has been planted. Unless the entire planet of Devaron has decided to conspire against them.

As soon as the scholars had finished with an upgraded translation of a section of the law. Copies were forwarded to all the Judges. All the judges, also had copies of Krillgan's translation of some of the sections in question. Which they consider accurate, since the Jedi have not disputed any of his work. The judges have resumed hearing all cases. They know if there is a question about a translation, they can ask Krillgan for his interpretation. If it is really critical, they can also confer with the two Jedi.

Ludia was concerned that Krillgan was missing so much of his daughter's early life. She was sure if someone asked her who her papa is, she would point to either Grimm or Kran. Richard has also been asking her, when are they going to be with papa? She did not know that it was because she seems sad, and he has seen her crying sometimes, at night. At least Grimm made a type of droid for him out of spare parts. One that he can disassemble, then reassemble. Kran has also introduced him to piloting starfighters on Grimm's computer. Richard is not good enough that he can go head-to-head with any of the pilots on the Phoenix. But with Kran's help, he does well enough against the computer, which is something he seems to enjoy.

Stoneman usually stayed in his den area. But Rudy had taught him that it is his responsibility to sit at the top of the ramp when the flying den was sitting on a planet. Just getting out of the way when the crew was loading or unloading things from the ship. Because neither the beastmaster, nor those that can speak with him, gave him any contradictory order. Stoneman followed Rudy's instructions. So the crew was quite surprised when Stoneman approached the crew lounge one day with Ta'Yanna sitting in one hand. He asked Ludia, if this little creature is hers. Ludia was all embarrassed. She kept forgetting that Stoneman is not Smasher, he just does a lot of what Smasher did on the ship. As far as Stoneman is concerned, Ludia realized that he probably did not have any interaction with children before. She stood up and reached out with the force, picking up her daughter, and bringing her to her arms. Ludia did ask Stoneman, if her daughter was annoying him? Stoneman told her that he did not know. It was obvious to him that Rudy loved her, and he enjoyed watching when Rudy and the little one played their favorite game, "keep away". Stoneman explained that when they are not in the den, he will hide Smasher's ball somewhere. Whenever they returned to the den, they would search for Smasher's ball. Then the one who found it, would try to keep it away from the other. But today, instead of playing "keep away", the little one came up to him, and started making noises at him. They were pleasant sounding noises. He knew the little was trying to be nice. But to be safe, he decided to bring the little one to its mother. Ludia thanked him. She told Ta'Yanna that Stoneman only likes to watch them play, he does not want to play himself. She told Rudy to try and keep Ta'Yanna away from Stoneman. If she refuses to keep away from him, she showed him where to grab her blouse with his teeth, and drag her daughter to her mother, even if she starts crying. She certainly did not want Stoneman to ever think Ta'Yanna is annoying.

Krillgan was sitting in the observation balcony, for one of the court cases. He thought it would be interesting, since it was the head of one clan going against the head of another clan. The potential, for the one clan, if they win. Is that they will acquire all the assets of the other clan. Forcing the other clan to cease to exist. So the losing clan will either be absorbed by the winning clan, or its members will need to find a new clan that will accept them. So the one clan was literally fighting for its life.

Krillgan could not believe what he was seeing. The head of the one clan was using dark force magic, to confuse her opponents. So that they cannot properly defend themselves. She was also using dark force persuasion on the Judges. The head of the one clan is a Nightsister. She is a Witch!

Krillgan was furious! She was violating the spirit of this place. Court is where everyone is supposed to be equal. When there is a dispute. The judges are to settle the dispute in a matter that the ancients determined was fair, and for the betterment of the entire community. The Witch was corrupting this court room, and in doing so, sickening the entire community.

Krillgan filled himself with light force energy, and jumped from the observation balcony, right to the middle of the courtroom. He pulled his sword, and ordered the Witch to stop using her dark force magic. She asked him, what was he going to do about it? Is he going to slay her in front of all these witnesses? Krillgan simply responded, "Yes!"

The Witch threw some dark force energy, to corrupt and weaken Krillgan. To everyone watching, they saw what looked like ink coming out of her fingers, and travel through the air as if it was water, but could find no purchase on Krillgan, and disappeared.

Krillgan believed that the visual manifestation of the force was due to its vergence on Devaron. He sensed that the Witch was next going to try dark force lightning next. But if he just threw up an airshield, someone else would be injured. So he enveloped himself in an airshield, and forced the blade of his sword through it. Just like he was able to get his hand through a watershield. Krillgan jabbed the tip of his sword into the stone floor of the courthouse. The airshield protected Krillgan from the dark force lightning. The lightning did travel through the blade of the sword, into the floor. Producing a dark jagged stain in the stone floor, as the lightning dissipated from the tip of his blade.

The Witch was more startled by Krillgan's ability to protect himself from the lightning, then she was at his ability to protect himself from the dark force energy attack. Krillgan used that moment to reach out and grab her with the force, and tug her towards him. Straight for the tip of his sword. She had no sword or lightsaber, both of which would have raised awkward questions if she had. Being a leader of a clan. The only weapons she had were a pair of vibro-blade knives. But they had no effect on the force activated Dathomirite blade. She could not prevent herself from being impaled on Krillgan's sword. Right in her heart. Krillgan sent some light force lightning down the blade, to ensure she was dead. Then he took out one of his daggers, and cut off her head. Before withdrawing his sword from her chest.

Most people were in shock. Some people fled the courtroom when he pulled out his glowing sword. Internal Devaron Security, and judges that were in the building, started converging on that courtroom. Krillgan ignored the commotion, and started ministering to the people there, as many of them had been touched by dark force energy, as the Witch did her manipulations. He started bathing people in light force energy. One person at a time. What Krillgan found interesting, was the light force energy manifested itself as light in the palms of both his hands. This is what security saw as they entered the courtroom. Krillgan slowly moving his hands full of light around some people. It was only as they came closer that they saw the beheaded body of the witch, lying in the middle of the courtroom. Krillgan reached out and lifted each judge independently. Bringing them towards him. So that he could minister to them as well. When he saw the first Security Officer, he told them to go to the archives, and bring back the two Jedi. They will be needed as well. He suspects that the Witch's entire clan will be need to be bathed in light force energy. Only they will require more of it. He told the judges to look closely at their faces. They will see that they have already started to distort because of their exposure to dark force energy. They may find that some of them may have even started to transform into dark force beasts.

They asked Krillgan why the witches face does not seem to be distorted by using dark force energy. Just by fear. He told them that the witch probably has on a very sophisticated mask. The way that others perceive her, is important to what she was trying to accomplish. So she would do her best to hide her true face.

The judges all asked him, with what authority he did what he did? He told them that he did it with his authority as a Krillgan. He jumped up to the balcony, then jumped back down with his notes. He showed them the copy of the translations that he did. He told them that they should ask the Jedi to translate a section for them. Indicating which section. He told them that the only thing they will translate, is one paragraph.

The paragraph states, "The Krillgan is a servant of the people. He is to ensure the fair application of the law. No one is outside his authority. Allowing the Krillgan to even administer Capital Punishment, if they believe that the situation warrants it."

The judges asked, why will they not want to translate anymore? Krillgan told them that this section is why the Jedi stopped translating the Devaronian law. Because the ancients made sure that the Jedi were stated as also being under the authority of the Krillgan, when they first heard about the Jedi, and them being part of the Republic. Since Devaronian law is part of Republic law, the Jedi would have to submit to the authority of the Krillgan, everywhere in the Republic. The law also gives the Krillgan the right to use dark force energy in certain circumstances. Which is against what the Jedi teach.

Krillgan surprised everyone by telling them that he has to go. He has just received a force call, but from someone he does not know. He feels compelled to answer the call. He told the judges to make sure that the Jedi determine the Witch's training. Was she self-taught, or did someone teach her. When he returns, he will submit himself to them. Either they will determine he is Krillgan, in more than just name. So his actions were justified. Or he is not a Krillgan, and therefore a murderer.

Not one stopped him as he ran out of the courthouse towards the spaceport. He informed the customs officials, that he was coming back. Then sprinted for his starfighter. As he was leaving the atmosphere, he saw an interesting phenomenon in the system. There was a swirling cloud of force energy that led straight to hyperspace. Only there was no physical containment, to control this phenomenon. It looked like a number of Devaronian scout ships have tried to enter it. But there appears to be a force field preventing them from gaining access. Krillgan knew that this was for him. He flew past all the other ships, through the forcefield, straight into hyperspace. As soon as Krillgan's starfighter entered it, it collapsed, and disappeared.

The Rattataki Sith saw the phenomenon, and felt the force energy. He knew that this was not for him. He had other things to do. He flew his Fury, towards one of Devaron's magnetic poles. He could not park his Fury at a Spaceport on a Republic planet. It would automatically mark him as being Sith. He landed his Fury in the same clearing he landed in, the last time he visited this planet. Just outside of Montellian Serat City. His people were waiting for him at the edge of the clearing. Right away, he asked them, what is the latest news on Krillgan Djo?

They told him that he murdered a dark force witch in a courthouse. Then he left the planet. He flew straight into that strange phenomenon in space, and disappeared. He did promise the Judges that he will be back. Apparently, a lot of the people believe him.

They told the Sith that Krillgan Djo is a strong force user. He also claims to be a Krillgan. Which has made a lot of their associates nervous. The Sith asked them what is a Krillgan? They told him that he is the Supreme Judge, and has the authority to carry out any sentence he decides upon. So he is also an executioner. He needs to be careful how to handle him. He might not be able to capture him alive.

The Sith asked them, if they still have people at the courthouse and Security Headquarters? They assured him that they did. He told them that he believes something will happen, that will give them the break they need to capture him. They just need to react, and act quickly when it does. He also handed the leader a sack of coins. It might not hurt to hire more people, just in case.

Ludia was disturbed by the dream she had, just before they jumped into the Devaron System. Grandmother Lydna appeared to her, and warned her that her milk was about to become poison. She needs to find a surrogate mother that has lots of breast milk. She will also start weaning Ta'Yanna off of breastmilk, and onto solid foods. Ludia did not mention this dream to either Rasha or Elibet. They both love Ta'Yanna, and would do their best to look after her. But they do not have milk, and Ludia did not have time to play with the contraption Grimm made for her before.

When they entered the system, Rasha called everyone to the bridge. They have to see what she is seeing. Ludia grabbed Ta'Yanna, and told Richard he has permission to go on the bridge. They all saw this swirling thing in space. Ludia asked Rasha, what is it? Rasha said that she did not know. No one else did, either. Grimm pointed out, that it appears to be some sort of hyperspace link. They saw a lot of ships bounce off of a force field trying to get to it. Then they saw a familiar ship go through the force field and into the hyperspace link, and disappear. Richard said, "Goodbye Papa." Because Richard said it, so did Ta'Yanna. Grimm said that it did look like a Davaab Starfighter that entered the hyperspace link. Everyone on the bridge agreed with Grimm. They also all believe that if it is a force generated link. That the odds are very high, that Krillgan has something to do with it.

They turned and asked Ludia what she wanted to do? She told them that she was still heading to the surface with the children. She suggested that they wait until everyone clears out, before going to battle mode.

She asked traffic control to direct her to Montellian Serat Spaceport. She said that she will be going to long term parking. They told her that they have an opening, and gave her the planetary coordinates.

After landing, a customs official came out to process her. The official told her that the starfighter that had been parked in her slot, looked just like hers, only bigger. Ludia told her that hers is a modified Davaab Starfighter. Designed and built by the Mandelorians for the Mandelorian War. The Starfighter that just left, is a custom built Starfighter, based on the Davaab design. The official was impressed, and asked her if she knew the ship? Ludia told her that she knows the ship, and the pilot. After filling out all the forms, and paying the deposit. The official wished them a pleasant stay.

It seemed to Krillgan that he just entered hyperspace, when he started coming out of it. There were two other hyperspace links in this unknown system. With a small ship like his, coming out of each one. He would find out in a moment, that the planet they are heading for, is called, "Voss".