Chapter 1

On the forest moon of Yavin 4, a Gozanti class frigate and a Consular-class cruiser were landed in a peaceful field in the beautiful night sky, nearby a mountain. Surrounded by several b-1 and b-2 battle droids, alongside a group of commando droids who were moving around the area, those battle droids were both patrolling the area they landed as well as checking the ships since by all accounts they were actually the crew of those ships. Those ships however were also not working for the CIS but were captained by 2 people who were in all accounts an unlikable pair if they could consider the background and their origins.

In the mountain there was a cave opening and inside that cave was a tunnel that was going for several meters into an open area surrounded by beautiful multicolored crystals that shined in the from light coming from a small opening in the ceiling, the crystals themselves were surrounding the interior while a waterfall of hot water was streaming from the mountain into a large steaming pond. The water that was itself heater from a natural source was with all intents and purposes having healing powers also due to the crystals, and because it was a place full of tranquility it was also a place strong in the Force, whom one could use to meditate or try to heal their wounds, both external and internal or to just recollect one another.

Such was the case, since near that pond of heated water sat clothes of 2 individuals, one was a white slender human male 22 years of age that looked well built with short black hair on his head and a very short anchor beard, with green eyes who was keeping them closed reflecting on himself while healing a blaster bolt burn he had on his right shoulder, having his body submerged to the chest underwater. Near him was a young woman 20 years of age who was leaning it's head on his chest while holding him close to her. It was an unlikely pair since she was a Zygerrian with blue eyes and red fur that covered her body. Despite the reputation of her species, she was one who rejected her people's idea of owning slaves and was also a compassionate person who just wanted to escape all that Zygerria stood for when it came to the practice. She had to struggle for that and it was only thanks to the man he was resting her head on did she managed that only a year ago.

"How did everything go the way it did?" Asked the man.

"Nothing happens out of nowhere, it was all a set up. You do remember what you told me about the clone army?" She asked.

"I do, and I regret that so few had expected something like this to happen." The man said while having his arms wrapped around her body underwater.

"Everything has proven to be a farce Tristan, the Jedi Order used for a purpose they shouldn't have, before been backstabbed in the back by using the so called 'army made for them' against them. We really are lucky." She said although the man felt somehow his heart crushing.

"I know how you feel. The order was your family where everyone you knew had lived and taught you everything you know, I know how it is. Despite all that, you are not alone and you will never be." She said placing her lips on his cheek to give him a soft kiss.

"But the most important thing is that you are alive, nothing else matters."

"How ironic it is that not so long ago I was the one that told you all those things." Tristan said.

"I know." She said leaning her hand touching the scar on his shoulder side that had been burn by a laser blast.

"Ironic is also the fact that it was you who brought me here the first time. When I was injured when you got me out from a life I never wanted to be part off. You remember don't you?"

"I do and I believe that thanks to you been in my mind I had survived."

"We both survived." She said before looking at him placing her arms around his neck to rest her head on his chest. "And I believe that event of when we met and what happened is something worth remembering, for both of us."

"Indeed since it is something I should never forget, especially now."

"I believe that, it is worth remembering it."

One year and two months earlier, Coruscant

It was a sunny day on the capital of the Galactic Republic, despite the clone wars still raging on the capital wasn't that affected, at that moment Jedi Master Mace Windu and Grand Master Yoda were in the main chamber of the high council of the order and before them was the newly knighted Jedi Tristan Sallow, despite been knighted 2 months ago he was still trying to adjust to the fact that he was no more a padawan on one side. On the other the conflict was kind of requiring new knights to be ordained and not just to lead the clone troopers in the field as it was happening for some time; Tristan was in most cases a jedi who would try to figure out what the force was telling him to do, he would in essence spend time to research the library and the archives of the temple. Despite that he was a very good swordsman after been knighted he had to lead clone troopers with master Luminara and Secura in one of the battles in a gruel 3 week campaign on Felucia that happening at least a week ago, the planet still under CIS control but at least they managed to escape capture. Bowing his head before the 2 masters he was waiting to get his new assignment.

"You have summoned for me masters." The knight asked.

"Yes we have." Master Windu started looking at him intensively.

"I apologies for the campaign on Felucia, it seems that the separatist forces are still too powerful at this moment." Tristan said.

"Felucia a great loss it was, but important at the moment it is not." Yoda said.

"You are been given a new assignment. As it happens it seems that recently in the sector near Felucia trafficking have gone rampant." Explained Master Windu making Tristan uneasy, he knew what the situation was when it came to slavery, he had been on several missions to disrupt networks with his master. Although in such times it is doubtful that was the only problem.

"I believe that things are more complicated than just trafficking masters, isn't it?" Tristan asked.

"Good insight you have young jedi." Yoda said.

"It is indeed true that it isn't just trafficking, we believe that this is part of a separatist ring of smugglers and spies. And that is why we are approaching you Tristan, Master Luminara and Secura told us about the fact that you were able to infiltrate separatist positions and was able to gather the intelligence for the clones to escape Felucia. Not to mention the other missions." Master Windu said.

"I see, but master isn't Master Vos more experienced then me regarding infiltrations and spying?" Asked Tristan.

"Master Vos assigned already on another mission, so others are." The grand master said.

"At this moment we don't have others that could deal with this. You are between the ones that we have at this moment." Master Windu said.

"I understand when I shall have to leave?"

"As soon as possible, unfortunately you shall be alone in this mission." Said Master Windu

"I shall do my best when I arrive." He said bowing his head before leaving the main chamber and going to his own room to prepare for the mission, in his room usually was staying his astromech R3 painted in red who immediately woke up.

"Beep-beep."

"I got a new assignment R3, but it shall be a solo one."

"Beep-beep-boop"

"I know that you want to accompany me, we really make a good team together." Tristan said going to the droid. "But I do have a special mission for you." He started as he pulled out his comlink.

"You will be my backup in this mission, when things go unpleasant I need you to be around in the ship, to get me out and give me cover, as well as giving me information. The success of every mission is important depends by having an advantage especially in information and you are that advantage." Tristan said with a smile.

"Beep-beep-beep."

"That is the spirit." Tristan said if there was one thing he knew about droids was that they do appreciate when they are appreciated back, he was by all accounts also familiar with droids, during the war he came to be an expert in reprogramming CIS battle droids of all types to aid him in the missions when necessary. Too bad they weren't surviving, strangely enough he felt that droids should be respected especially that they are very good companions and helpers.

"You go to the hangar now R3 to prepare the ship, I will try to get more information." He said as he and the droid went out to get to the temple hangar.

In the meantime on a planet

The life of raiders isn't a thing that is for the faint hearted however sometimes it isn't only faint hearted that could be the problem because in the case of a particular practice one needs to simply have no qualms. And that practice was slavery in this one has to have no qualms especially when it came to more prolific slavers like the Zygerrians however sometimes it could only be even smugglers and traffickers who would generally be mixed.

"This catch will do great along the other goods." Said the chief who was a zygerrian male looking at the cargo that also contained a few slave captives.

"What do you think of the drugs, they were smuggled directly from Kessel." Said a human male with black skin.

"We did great Raymond, still what have you got for us from our contacts in CIS?" Asked the Zygerrian as he turned from the hall to go to the corridor.

"One of the commanders asked when we will have the goods prepared. And you know of which kind."

"I know; however we can't risk been detected by the authorities, not on this trip anyways." He said showing a secret empty compartment which should contain what would be his more 'valuable' cargo for the CIS, weapons. More specifically forbidden ones chemical and biological, not all CIS commanders were of course like the contact they had, this one was one who had no qualms when wanting to achieve victory. This one of course it was one who could give Count Dooku and even Grievous a run for their money.

"Despite having what he desires, it is not the moment for now. I need the slaves to be sold first." He said.

"On that front what do you think Irene would say when she finds out about this?" Asked the man nagging the Zygerrian at the mention of his niece.

"She is a woman now after all."

"Who ironically doesn't want to hear of our tradition and glory history of Zygerria when we supplied labor to our clients. She prefers the trivial things like keeping count of finances and profits which despite been important, it is not enough, which is why I don't give her all the inventory of the ship. I still need to find a way to force her to grow up." He said.

"How should we do that?"

"I shall figure out, but for now let's go back to Zygerria, we shall sell our merchandise and then go on. I shall give the signal when to go to our contact in the CIS for his cargo." He said just then going to the bridge he was greeted by the rest of the crew it was a mixture of races, of course other 2 zygerrians were piloting but there were also others like a trandoshan female with a scar on her left cheek, a weequay, a rodian and another human.

"Set course for Zygerria crew, we have some stuff to sell." Said the chief.

"Captain you got a message from Irene." Said the human who was at the console as the captain went in his chair.

"Put her through." He said as a small hologram of a young zygerrian female appeared by all accounts she wasn't quite happy.

"Good day my dear niece, how are you?" He started trying to put a smile on his face.

"Quite fine, uncle Alghert." She tried to sound as civil as possible.

"I hope things are good at home." He said.

"I am just doing the finances; it is off to some extent some prices with some of the goods." She said.

"Now, now you don't suspect me of carrying illegal stuff now isn't it?" He asked in a lively tone.

"Not from what you tell me."

"Please my dear you think I will go on illegal stuff."

"In such times I could not even imagine other stuff; in any case I will see you at home." She said trying to remain cordial before finishing the transmission.

"I believe that she sometimes does suspect something?" Said another Zygerrian of the crew.

"As long as she doesn't know what we are doing, she will not be any trouble." He said with a smirk.

"What if she doesn't want to take part in our business?"

"If she doesn't I will force her." He said.

"Even in her marriage."

"I am thinking about this." He said.

In the meantime on Coruscant

"Hmm if I will take the information from what I was told and what I am finding I should triangulate this pattern." Tristan said searching on the computer and analyzing the patterns. Of course the old master Tera Sinube also came by.

"Good day young one I see that you are looking on some patterns regarding smuggler and trafficking routs." Said the elder master.

"Yes Master Sinube, I had been tasked by Masters Windu and Yoda on inspecting the possibility of illegal arms trafficking along with slaves." Tristan said with respect as the master took a look.

"Hmm, may I?" The master asked as Tristan let him look at what he figured out so far.

"Your analysis isn't too bad my young friend." He started as he pressed some buttons.

"M-master I…"

"There." The elder master said letting Tristan look "You still have a lot to learn when tracking such activities; it is quite a long way."

"With the activities we had in such a time it was quite obvious." Tristan said.

"That maybe, and that is why asking for help is the best option when trying to solve something. But in order for that to be done the person you ask for help must be trusted and also you need to win it's trust." Said the elder master as he left while Tristan looked at what the elder master did.

"So Zygerria, will be hard to find trustworthy allies there. Need to be discreet." Tristan said going back to his room for a pair of new clothes; he had in such cases some disguises especially when it came to places that have animosity against the Jedi as for landing, he has to land in a discreet place, he will have to do it when he gets there, and thinking about that he was contacted by R3.

"Yes R3." He said.

"Beep-boo-beep."

"Understood, I am coming immediately to the hangar." He said getting on his feet, ready to go on the road there he met an old friend, none other than Ahsoka Tano, Skywalker's Padawan.

"Tristan, good to see you." The young togruta said.

"Same for your Ahsoka I believe you are waiting for you next assignment."

"For me it was quiet, what about you?"

"Got a new assignment, first solo assignment to be more precise."

"Oh yeah, I never managed to congratulate you on the fact that you had been knighted. I believe I should call you Master since I am still a Padawan." She said.

"Hmh, we are old friend Ahsoka, there is no reason to call me by any rank, right now wish me only luck."

"Sure, and by the way where your assignment is leading you?"

"Let's just say I am placed in undercover operation. I soon will know how it is to be in the shoes of Master Vos." Tristan said as he went to the hangar.

Zygerria

A beautiful landscape could be seen from a balcony where a young slender Zygerrian woman was admiring the view that gave her a sense of serenity and beauty that gave her heart a sense of tranquility. However despite that sense of trying to reach a sense of tranquility there were always thoughts in her mind that despite the beauty her homeworld has and the advancement it prides itself with there like in all societies was a darker truth beneath the surface. In the case of this world slavery was the dark side, the plague that makes her kind to be looked down upon and with distrust.

"So beautiful and yet so dark within." She said getting her hand to her shoulder with a deep thought, remembering an event when she was 8 years old. Zygerrians came to be considered adolescents when they are 10, despite been close to the age of becoming an adolescent something happened to her and only by thinking of that event and she felt like her back was burning that with good reason. When she was 8 her parents were gone on a trip and she was with several friends playing around and they ended up near the processing facility, where she could heard the sounds of suffering of the electro whips been applied on the prisoners. She didn't knew at the time what was happening and out of curiosity and a sense of something been off inside of her, she entered to take a look, once there it was like she saw a scene from hell of the people suffering before her. The noise was cacophonic with the screaming and the shouting and without thinking she saw a child, human probably around her aged but younger who had tripped before a guard, without thinking she wanted to help him, the guard was in a very bad mood and activated the electro whip and when she came before the slave child she had received the lashes on her back.

'Run' was the only word she could utter when the first strike came on her as the guard without even thinking savagely applied around 10 to 15 lashes before shouting at her to get the basket that had rocks in it to get it near the furnace. She not wanting to look at him and speak did what he wanted, an hour she spent in that place doing what the other slaves did not wanting to show her face before her friends came in and informed the foreman about her to get her out, the slaves were ordered to gather and when she was found she was treated kindly by her own. Between her teeth she told the foreman of the whipping that happened, apparently the guard was a sadist and feared by the slaves, but according to the zygerrian law if something like this happens to their own it was a capital offense. She was taken home but since then she was never the same, the experience had changed her and there was only one feeling she felt about the practice; hatred. She never knew what happened to that child but she hoped to have been able to do more to free that group if it wasn't so young. That is why she decided to rather learn other trades, piloting, engineering, finances anything that was outside of the practice of slavery that she suspected her uncle of doing.

"Why didn't we abandon this cursed tradition?" She asked as she went inside where a desk with finances was situated, by most accounts the only thing she would prefer would be doing now was doing the finances for her uncle's enterprise, the thing however was that some of the reports that were coming regarding gains were too big for some products that were on the market.

"I am sure you are hiding something uncle. To the planets where you go they can't be priced this high." She said to herself looking over the finances trying to find some logic to everything. Despite the heavy thinking she was giving she couldn't find an answer.

"sight' I better go for a walk, I really need some air." She said to herself going outside her room. Taking some credits with her and a coat she exited the house, all in all walks around, drinking some water or getting a snack could help her out in some stressful situations. Another thing to know was the fact that this couldn't always help, growing up after that incident in her childhood she turned differently from others and somehow she always felt like she was an alien on her own planet. To make things even more 'interesting' some of her old friends who have the same age as her were either engaged or wanted to marry, for someone who not too long ago had turned 16 which is the age for zygerrians to be considered young adults. But in her case she couldn't find someone that was for her, it wasn't as if she didn't wanted someone but she wanted someone who would share her views and who would really care for her, who could make her feel good and who could somehow lift an invisible weight that was on her shoulders. But with such a situation she couldn't deny the idea of her uncle trying to do an arranged marriage with someone she would hate.

Outside the city

"Well I believe this information could help me." Tristan said seeming to adjust his coat and having his light saber concealed as he was having a conversation with the owner of a parlor in the city of the merchant's district. For now since he arrived he managed to find some clues, of course places like dinners, cantinas, bars and so on were perfect place for information and he had managed to track a trace to a merchant named Alghert, from what some could tell he is conducting business off world at the moment.

"If you or your employer are interested in other stuff besides what is officially known he can provide you, for that you can try to file a meeting through his niece Irene Shaar." Said a thin zygerrian bartender as Tristan took a sip from his beverage.

"I see, what do you know of her?"

"She is a real zygerrian beauty; of course if you are interested in how she is the most I can tell is that she isn't too much with our traditions of supplying labor." He said in a nonchalant manner, of course slavery for some was something normal despite not all doing this "She considers it savage and barbaric, can't blame it, there was a rumor that when she was a child she somehow got into a slave processing plant for an hour and since then she gained a hatred for this. Even with that maybe you can find her and ask her for a meeting with her uncle."

"Thank you for this information." He said as he let a credit for the bartender, aside from paying for his drink he offered him a tip.

"Have one for yourself, I would wish another drink, refreshment." Tristan said with a smile.

"Right away and thank you." He said before Tristan before another question came to mind.

"By the way what else do you know of Irene?"

"Well he is of marriageable age for what I know he isn't quite interested in dates, of course you can try maybe he will like you."

"Ooh, thank you." He said just as he wanted to get up from his seat the door opened and in came a young zygerrian woman.

"Good day Irene." Said the bartender as Tristan noticed.

"Good day Amird a refreshment please." She said.

"Problems with your uncle?" He asked.

"You know how it is." She said with bitterness in her voice as Tristan could sense through the force what she meant.

"Well can't argue against your views on him, besides I remember that he might try to marry you."

"I will marry when I will find a man that will share my views which is hard on Zygerria." She said as a cup was placed before her and also another one for the man near her. They of course didn't noticed when by mistake touched each other's hands when they went for the same cup and their eyes met.

"Ooh, s-sorry." Tristan started.

"N-no it's alright I wasn't paying attention." She started at the human young man.

"It's fine." Tristan said as he went for his own cup as he decided to give it a try.

"By the way, my name is Tristan Sallow."

"I-Irene Shaar, are you looking for my uncle for business?" She asked in a way expecting the answer.

"W-well I was supposed, heard that he can help my employer with a transport of spice dedicated for medicinal purposes." Tristan started tracking her attention.

"A medicinal company?" She asked as he nodded.

"Y-yes, well I am from a shipping company that supplies it I am looking for someone who can do such a transport." He said.

"W-well I believe he can help you, but I don't know when he will have the time he has an order to another client for now." She said.

"Do you know what the present client wanted?"

"I wish to know more if you ask me what the client wanted." She said.

"You don't know what he wanted?"

"I know partially, I always have the thought that my uncle was hiding some things from me. When I do the finances he gives me part of the list and some of the other money or inflating the prices of some products." She said making Tristan to think for a bit as she drink a bit.

"And you think something is off about this?" She said as she nodded.

"I see, maybe I can help you on that." He said with a smile.

"How?"

"You will see." Tristan said.

A bit later

The conversation between Tristan and Irene was in any case a very friendly one, by all accounts Tristan had managed to touch subjects that she was interested in and also the time they spent was in some cases one of the best Irene could recall. Maybe that was also without knowing to Tristan's Jedi abilities to know how her feelings are and he would try to cheer her up. This went on till they reached her home in that evening.

"Thank you for getting me home Tristan, it was really nice of you." She said with a smile.

"Well I couldn't let you on your own; it wouldn't have been polite especially when one became a friend." Tristan said.

"I know and I do admit that I haven't spent time around friends for some times, some say that I should try to make some new ones." Irene said with a smile.

"That would be a great idea."

"Unfortunately I wish to be easier, I didn't made new friends because I want to disassociate myself from the slave tradition not to mention that some I know are known slavers." Irene said.

"In this case maybe you can start with me; you can consider me your friend." Tristan said.

"It is the thing I wished to hear." Irene said as both started to laugh.

"So would you like to meet again tomorrow?" Tristan said.

"I would love to, thank you." Said Irene giving him a kiss on his cheek before entering in her house as Tristan left towards his ship just when his com-link started beeping.

"Yes R-3?"

"Beep-boo."

"I know I was distracted but I gained some intelligence. I wish you however to find files about a certain Alghert Shaar. We might have a lead now."

"Bee-boo-bee."

"Yes I know I want to find more information about his activities, but between us I wish to also help Irene, can't be ignorant with her pain now."

"Bee-Boo."

"It's not like that now."

"Beep-Beep."

"We will talk more when I arrive, for now please find me the files, I am on my way to you." He said.

Author's note: As you can tell this is my first try for a romantic story, I hope that people will enjoy it, please leave reviews wish to know if you want more.