CHAPTER FORTY FOUR

SPACE - THE STARWOLF

Teffa Darkstar had left Blizz at the controls of the ship. In hyperspace, barring any drastic problems, he felt certain they would have no issues. Blizz was good at following instructions, and Teffa had been rather explicit in going over the jawa was not to dismantle the controls or press any of the shiny flashing buttons. Despite that, Teffa lingered close to the small flight of stairs that lead back to the cockpit of the ship, but was still close enough as they gathered to hear the conversation.

Cramming in about the small table, they had gathered, Necrolis and Shadelis remaining standing, with the Chiss leaning on the end of the bench seating next to Kaliyo. Looking over their faces one at a time, Necrolis could see they were all waiting expectantly for him to say something. He knew there would be more questions than answers, and in truth he still felt overwhelmed and lost in what they had discovered himself.

"We managed to retrieve Darth Mekhis's files. To be honest most of this was well over our heads. Without someone in the medical field we could only grasp the very basics of things." Necrolis explained, beginning to pace a bit back and forth as he spoke.

"What we do know is we were genetically created, altered and programmed on a cellular level as well as our heads."

"What are you saying?" Bloodshade questioned. "Are we clones? Who was the original then?"

"We are not clones." Shadelis said shaking her head. "We were literally created."

"Great, I'm someone's lab experiment?" Tormen cracked, though grew quiet when Necrolis nodded affirmatively to him.

Necrolis stopped pacing and glanced about at each of them in turn, watching as they digested the news. There was no other way to put it to them, no way to sugar coat the news. He was not thrilled with it all himself, and knew they would all have to come to terms with it in their own way.

"We are Mekhis' experiment. That is simply how we came into being, it isn't who we are." Necrolis stated.

"So if we're all from genetic material in a fucking petri dish, just who's genetic material was it?" Teffa asked, looking at Necrolis then Shadelis.

"That we do not know." Necrolis answered with a shrug.

Teffa watched the others accept the news. He studied Necrolis, who as ever remained as calm and impassive as ever. Shadelis ducked her head when he looked at her however, and it made him look again at his brother. Was he hiding something from them, and if so what was it? Part of him wanted to demand to see the file, but Teffa was not sure if it was really worth the confrontation or not.

"All we know at this point is what I've said, but for me, nobody controls who I am save me." Shadelis said, breaking the silence.

"This is just great." Tormen shook his head. "I'm the galaxies equivalent of a sith home do it yourself kit."

The smuggler's words brought a few light laughs from the group even as they all simply sat and stared at one another. None of them knew what more there was to say. Shadelis' words rang true for each of them, that they were more than a mere experiment. They were who they were, through their own choices and experiences. No matter what, nothing could take that away from them.

"So what do we do now?" Bloodshade asked, looking directly at Necrolis.

"At this point we have to make some decisions." Necrolis said, thinking on his sister's question even as he answered. "We could try and find Mekhis, try and get more information and answers. That said we still have the problem of us being the dirty little secret everyone wants silenced."

"Let's just get back to the foundry and the rest of the group. We can decide such after they hear this." Teffa growled out before turning and heading back to the cockpit, knowing there was nothing more to hear or be said.

Bloodshade nodded to her brother and sister before rising and heading back to her quarters where she had left Khem Val. Shadelis slid onto the bench seating next to Kaliyo, leaning into the ratattaki woman and giving her a soft small smile. Necrolis followed after Bloodshade heading back down to his own quarters without another word, the pure blooded sith quiet and withdrawn. Tormen watched them all from where he sat, still trying to digest the news. The smuggler was unsure what to make of it all.

Tormen had always believed that while he had been an orphan, and even with the news technically still was one, he had thought his parents would be out there somewhere. There had always been that slight chance he might learn who they were, where he had come from. I didn't expect to hear my parents were some fucking idiot in a lab coat with a dish and an eyedropper, he thought sourly. The urge to just shoot something gnawed at him, and he knew it was more just for a stress release than anything else. He was surprised when he felt Kira nudge into him, her hand placed atop his on the table. Dark brown eyes turned to take in the auburn haired jedi that sat beside him.

Kira Carsen looked at the smuggler and gave him a small smile as their eyes met. She could see the news had shocked the man, and she understood why all too well. While she was still mad at the man, she was also sympathetic. Don't let your guard down, she reminded herself even as she caressed fingertips over the back of his hand. She noted the surprised look on his face at her touch, and it made her want to laugh.

"You going to be okay?" Kira finally asked the smuggler.

Tormen arched an eyebrow at the woman, half expecting her to suddenly start arguing with him. Glancing to her hand he wondered if it was going to try and connect with his face. He was surprised to hear her question, the tone nothing but inquiring and caring. It was the same Kira he knew and remembered, and truth be told rather liked. It was far removed from the combative woman who for some reason was pissed off with him.

"Guess so, just not quite sure what to make of it all." Tormen finally answered.

Kira smiled softly at that and then leaned in and kissed the man gently and quickly. What the hell are you doing, she questioned of herself? Shaking off her doubts, Kira gave the stunned smuggler a wink and then rose to her feet, fingers trailing in a lingering touch on his hand before she turned and headed down the stairs to her quarters. Tormen swallowed hard as he caught her blue eyes looking at him just as she disappeared from sight down the stairs.

"What the fuck was that?" Tormen muttered still stunned from the sudden quick passing kiss.

"I'd say you were just offered a stress release." Shadelis said as she tried in vain to stifle a giggle. "Go already you stupid nerf herder!"

Tormen glanced at the chiss and ratattaki women before shaking his head and rising to head after Kira. He had reached the top of the stairs when Kaliyo called out, making him pause.

"Unless this is just her equivalent of a mercy fucking." The pale skinned ratattaki stated with a smirk before Shadelis elbowed her lightly in the side. "What?"

"Tormen, go!" Shadelis said and the smuggler just laughed and winked back at the chiss before disappearing below.

"Look out!" Kaliyo called out after the man. "It's a trap!"

Kaliyo burst out laughing then and Shadelis could not help but do the same, shaking her head at her companion. The ratattaki looked at Shadelis and grinned and shrugged. Tormen at least was a good sport, and far from creepy and stalkerish like Doc had been.

"I need a drink." Shadelis finally commented.

"I need a cold shower." Kaliyo shot back before winking at the woman, making Shadelis blush.

"Kaliyo!"

Tormen Darklight stared at the durasteel door to the quarters belonging to Kira Carsen. He made to knock but then paused, hesitating in if he should do so or not. He had not forgotten their last conversation in that very room. He still had not sorted out what the problem had actually been, or why Kiran had been so angry with him. Sure, he admitted to himself, he was not the easiest person to live with at times, but he could honestly not recall doing anything untoward to the woman. Not that I haven't thought about doing all sorts of things to her, Tormen thought with a grin. Shaking those thoughts away and taking a deep breath, the smuggler knocked on the door. Into the rancor's pit, he mused.

"Come in, Tormen." Kira's voice called out even as he pressed the button and cycled the door open and entered.

Tormen heard the door close and then leaned back against it, brown eyes scanning about the room. Kira came out of the small bathroom doorway, having changed into white loungewear that barely covered much of anything. Tormen let his gaze slide over her slowly, taking in the soft rounded curves of her breasts, the narrowing of her waist and flare of her hips, down over shapely toned legs. Taking a slow deep breath, Tormen forced his gaze upwards to meet hers catching the smile and small laugh she gave.

"Kira… I…" Tormen stammered, at a loss for words.

Kira giggled again seeing the man thrown right off. He was always so casual and smooth, always having a smart assed quip. She had managed to disarm him however, and she rather liked that fact. Serves him right, she thought, knowing he had done such to her often enough before. Moving slowly over to him, Kira placed both hands on his chest and then turned blue eyes up to him once more.

"Just shut up before you say something stupid and accept things as they are." Kira murmured softly to him.

"Umm…" Tormen mumbled before managing to get out, "What happened to being pissed with me?"

Kira sighed and lightly smacked a hand against his chest. Of course the man had to bring that up. Only Tormen would do that, she knew. A woman practically tosses herself at him, and he worries about the why and past arguments. It made Kira wonder if he actually liked her at all or not.

"Tormen, shut up." Kira said, shaking her head. "I don't even want to think about you and Asha right now."

Tormen looked at the woman questioningly, hands going to move her back a step by her shoulders so he could look at her better. What she had said confused him all the more. At a loss, he knew they needed to talk and straighten out whatever was going on. Clearly, she's got some idea that was way off, Tormen thought.

"What in a hutt's name are you talking about? Me and Asha?"

Kira shrugged out of Tormen's hands and looked at him hard, biting her lower lip even as she fought to fight back tears. Was he actually going to deny things, she wondered? Did he think she was that naive and stupid? Fighting back an angry response, Kira struggled to speak calmly, not actually wanting to fight at all with him.

"Tormen, don't play stupid. I know you and Asha slept together on Nar Shadda. Don't even deny it." Kira dropped her gaze and turned her back to the man. It made it easier to say if she didn't have to look at him.

"Wait.. slept with Asha… deny what?" Tormen remained leaning against the wall, stunned by Kira's words.

"Just stop." Kira whispered, shaking her head again. "Why did you have to go questioning. I don't want to fight."

"Kira, what are you talking about?" Tormen stated. "I never slept with Asha. Sure we kissed but I think I'd remember sleeping with her."

Kira whirled quickly then, unable to keep her anger at bay any longer. He had actually denied it. She knew she should not be surprised by that, but it hurt all the same he would even make that effort. Poking a finger hard into his chest she glared through her tears at him.

"Don't you dare lie to me!" She snapped bitterly. "You hit on me all night, but I was tired. I woke up though and you two were quite cozy in bed together! Don't deny you two went at it like a pair of feral womp rats!"

Everything suddenly clicked for Tormen as he heard such. Nar Shadda had been a while ago, but it had not been unmemorable at all. They had completed a mission together, had needed some downtime to unwind. They had gone to the Slippery Slope cantina in the lower promenade that night. He knew all too well they had all consumed a good amount of alcohol, and Tormen still recalled the good sized hangover he had the following morning. He also recalled how close he and Kira had gotten that night, flirting and groping at each other. Tormen also remembered Asha giving him a rather harsh warning in regards to her younger charge.

"You really think Asha and I slept together?" Tormen asked and laughed. "You could have asked her and she'd tell you the same as I am now, nothing happened!"

"I can't ask her that!" Kira complained back shaking her head. "She's like my sister. I can't have her knowing I was mad you two slept together."

Tormen rolled his eyes then finally reached the point he was tired of arguing. Kira was going to have to listen one way or another. Grabbing her head in his hands gently, Tormen leaned right in, locking his eyes to hers. When he spoke he kept his voice firm but calm, pronunciating each word slowly and pointedly.

"We… did… not… sleep… together!"

Shaking his head, Tormen let her go only a moment, suddenly scooping her up and tossing her onto the bed. Moving quickly while she was shocked by it all, he grabbed her hands and pinned her down, staring down at her intently before leaning in and kissing her deeply. Kira squirmed and fought against his hold before feeling the kiss. For a moment she kissed him back but being pinned took over quickly once again. Memories rushed to the fore of her consciousness, dark and harsh, and she cried out.

"Let go! Let go now!"

Tormen pulled back and stared down at Kira, then slid off her confused entirely. Scratching his head he watched her as she gulped for air and stared at him with wide eyes. She was almost terrified he realized. Moving back to the bed, Tormen sat at the edge, taking her hand in his holding it lightly.

"Kira, it's okay."

Kira closed her eyes and took a deep breath before looking at the man. Sitting up quickly she threw her arms around his neck, once again surprising him, just holding onto him tightly. Tormen wrapped an arm about her, feeling the warmth of her against him and frowning, unsure what else he could say or do. He had not known what to expect coming into the room, but this certainly had not been at all a thought.

"It's not you, just bad memories. I'm okay, give me a moment." Kira whispered softly, still breathing deep and slowly trying to calm herself as the moment passed.

"I got you, beautiful."

Kira gave a small laugh and smiled lightly hearing Tormen. There was the charmer she knew. While she could only guess how confused she had him, he was no longer thrown off and back to his normal self. It was almost a shame, she thought. She had rather enjoyed having him completely off balance.

"Let's not do that again." Kira half joked.

"I don't know, I rather liked being over top of you." Tormen answered back, watching as Kira pulled back and blushed.

"Tormen… "Kira said his name softly, still not sure she believed the man, but wanting to.

Tormen looked at her, could see the doubt still within her eyes. Shaking his head, he reached up to stroke her cheek lightly. In the end all he could do was try yet again to tell her the truth. In the end, he could only hope she would finally hear what he was saying and believe him.

"Kira, we never slept together. You passed out, and Asha literally threatened to cut my… cut My revan off… if I even thought about touching you. We crashed and shared the bed yes, but nothing happened at all." Tormen explained. "I mean yeah I have a thing for redheads clearly, and Asha's a head turner and not saying I wouldn't… aw fuck, you get the point!"

Kira watched the smuggler as he stammered through it all, giggling at the thought of Asha acting like her big sister and threatening to cut his manhood off. The sudden image of a holo revan statue standing tall only to be cut in half by a vengeful guardian jedi made her burst out into actual laughter. She knew the man was telling her the truth, even if it was hard to admit such. She had been so sure, so angry over it, only now to find out she had been foolish and out of line.

"Asha is going to kill me." Kira muttered and flopped back onto the bed, hand going over her eyes.

"Well… " Tormen commented, leaning over her and looking down at the woman. "Maybe we can work something out and not tell her."

Kira laughed and moved her hand away to look up at Tormen. Smiling she reached up and stroked his cheek before her fingers played in the facial hair on his chin.

'I'm sure I can think of a way to bribe you and keep you quiet."