Golden Link Casino

[Durose Roshan]

Durose grinned, "I'm surprised you haven't heard of it. It's pretty big. It's been all over the holonet. I guess it helps that I try to keep up with current events, and that I was just there before I came here. Last I heard Thorpe and the Black Sun were going at it. But a just got a comm a few minutes back that said some other force had engaged the Sun."

 

Ro shrugged, "I don't know who it is, though. I'm thinking about taking a look. But, yeah, that's all I know at the moment."

[Brina Thalin]

Her brow wrinkled at the news. Thorpe and the Black Sun. Thorpe had been extremely vital in staging off attacks on the Link, as well as rescuing Zara from their hands. She knew they were indebted to him a thousand times over. If they had anything to offer for the fight, she would offer it, but besides personelle and a few weapons, there wasn't much they could do. Besides, Thorpe did have his Lyger droids--Brina knew the BS agents would be hard-pressed to defeat those.

 

"I'll send Thorpe a comm. He's doing this partly for our sake, and while we can't really help him that much in the battle, perhaps we have something we could offer him." Her mind was on her brother and his safety first and foremost, but secondly on the alliance between the Link and Thorpe Corporation that was turning outto be stronger than anticipated.

[Zara Nargal]

Zara shifted position, her hands cradling over her abdomen as if to comfort the child she was carrying. She had been humming a lullably and now sat up further to have a meal. She had been under doctors orders to take it easy and she wanted nothing to go wrong with her pregnancy. That didn't mean that she couldn't at least do some business from where she currently was. If someone needed to see her urgently, Zara would see them, as long as it didn't upset the child she was carrying. It was all she had of Sabian now... her love for him had to live on through the child now...

 

The twins had been in to see her, both had spent time with their mother and both having had their mother read them a story. The Nanny had just taken them back to their beds for the night. Zara had lost concept of time now, she didn't have a set time for anything much at the moment.

[Durose Roshan]

After signing on for the job, Durose went right away to reviewing defense plans, countermeasures, capabilities, weapons specs, and deciding on their next plan of action. He spent a lot of time on this endeavor over the next several days. Finally when he had decided he had enough information, he stopped.

 

Notifying Brina of his leaving, he resolved to see what he could do to find out about possible recruits and additional security measures. Plus, there were several events recently that had caught his attention. Regardless, he had time since the casino wouldn't be operational for quite a while. For now he would wait, watch, and search...

[Zara Nargal]

The new modifications are made, finishing touches still needing to be completed. Inside the Casino itself the decore is totally changed from previously. Now it looks more friendly, more personal and not so 'come one come anyone' but more of a stylish nature that showed the professionalism of the Casino. When it re-opened for business, anyone wishing to stay at the Casino will have to book their accommodation before arriving.

 

The rooms are all done up in different themes of the best of all the features of the many worlds in the Galaxy. Some of the themes reminiscent of Hoth, some Dathomir, Naboo, Coruscant, Corellia, Old Dantooine, Bespin and Old Yavin IV. There were more family orientated suites made up, each catering for those with young children through to teenagers. The holopark and gardens are upgraded and made over, the garden's added to with other floating sphere gardens being built that were attached to the roulette wheel at stratigic locations around it. Each could be detatched if necessary, though all were secured so that they wouldn't interfere with the hyperspace capibilities of the station.

 

The exterior was also undergoing a huge change. The large roulette wheel had the majority of the tacky neon signs removed and replaced with more stylish advertising.

 

Zara rose from her bed, her unborn child now settled down enough for her to move around again safely without risk of harming mother or daughter. She was under strict orders to take it easy from the Doctors, though she could do light duties, anything that wouldn't put her pregnancy at risk. She dressed and made her way into the living room of her apartment, the twins already up and playing.

 

She watched them for a while before heading to her work station that had been set up in her apartment, looking over the modifications and that the new employee had left to do other work. She looked over the Cathar's file, finding that all looked in order with Durose. Zara checked over what he'd already done and put in a call to discuss his employment with Brina to get her opinion on the new employee.

[Brina Thalin]

Brina saw Durose off, then headed back to work. There was a considerable amount of work being done in multiple places, so she moved from place to place, encouraging and adding ideas and directives. She had a vision in mind of how the Casino would look and feel when it was done, and she wanted to make sure that she did everything she could to guarantee that. It was nearly done...

 

She had been at it for several hours when her comm chirped. She checked it and smiled. Apparently, Zara was feeling better, and Brina needed to have a good long chat with her. She hurried up to Zar's apartment, and greeted her 'neice and nephew' as she entered. "How are you two doing?" she said. She caught them up and swung them around, Kane first, then Kalyani. "I have to talk to your mommy now, ok?"

 

The twins nodded in their solemn way and went back to playing. Brina entered the small room containing the workstation and greeted Zara with an affectionate hug. "How are you doing?" she asked, all trace of merriment gone from her tone. She was serious, and cared deeply about her friend's health--both physically and emotionally.

[Zara Nargal]

Zara looked up at Brina, giving her a smile.

 

"Better than I was. I know he's gone. I've got to accept that. But I do have this little one left to remind me of him. I know he's with me... in here"

 

She put her hand over her heart.

 

"So... how are the other reno's coming along? What's your take on Durose? I'd like your opinion before I meet with him. He's registered as being off the Station at the moment so do you know what he's up to?"

[Brina Thalin]

"The other renovations are coming along very nicely. No real problems, and I think we'll be ready to reopen fairly soon," she said.

 

"Regarding Durose...he is definately enthusiastic," Brina replied. "I don't quite know what to make of him yet. He applied for a position with a lot of power...too much for me to give it too him. I made him a security head. I don't know if we can trust him or not, but I figured we can't be paranoid."

 

She paused. "As for where he is now, I don't know. He said he had some things to do--something about security upgrades and recruits. He definately got a lot of information before he left. It kind of worries me, to tell the truth. He refused to get a tracking implant, so who knows where he is...he could be handing over the info he just got to Black Sun as we speak."

 

She shrugged. "I don't mean to sound like a defeatist, but I just don't know about him yet. Men are so unpredictable...no matter what species they are." There was a flash of something in her eyes...

[Zara Nargal]

"Hmm interesting that he wanted power. We'll have to find a way of finding out where his loyalties truly lie. The last thing we need is to be paranoid, I know that, but we still need to protect ourselves. Maybe some other kind of tracking device, or special issued comm unit that wouldn't be intrusive to the Cathar? Though would he be trustworthy to carry it with him?"

 

Zara hoped that they could trust this new employee, they needed loyalty in their game. If she let herself think about the worries of Black Sun, if she let herself remember what had happened, she would sink back to the low point she'd been in that put both herself and her baby at risk. She didn't even want to think about Sabian being gone forever. Sure she'd seen his ghost, but he would never be flesh and blood again, never would she feel his arms around her again. If she let herself dwell too much on that she would find herself constantly upset at losing him again.

 

Something in Brina's voice when she spoke of men being so unpredictable alterted her to something else,

 

"Kat done another vanishing act? That brother of mine! I don't know. Are you alright? Here I am, dwelling on myself and losing Sabian again and you are having troubles with Kat again... aren't you?"

[Brina Thalin]

Brina sighed. "Here I was, all excited that he was awake and going to be with us...and then he drops off the face of the station again. I...I really don't know what to think...or feel."

 

She knew she could be 100% honest with Zara, but it was still odd for her to be opening up to someone. "I thought I had completely given up on him. He wasn't waking up, and I don't think I ever really expected him to. I told myself I was okay. I hadn't seen him in a long time, much less gotten to spend time with him. He wasn't there when we needed him, and I told myself that it was over between us."

 

She ran a hand through her hair, clearly agitated. "But then he woke up, and it was like none of it ever happened. He picked up right where he left off, and was surprised when I didn't. I only got to talk to him for a few minutes, but just seeing him again, hearing his voice..." She blushed at the memory of his first words to her after he woke..."No kiss good morning?"... "I guess I'm still in love with him after all this time," she admitted. "But I know that it's pointless...he's unreliable. He's gone again, and for who-knows-how-long this time. If I let him...affect me like this...I'll go crazy, I just know it."

 

She put her chin in her hand. "I can't let myself love him...not until I know for sure he's going to be there for me...for us. I've had too many relationships in which I've ended up alone and broken-hearted."

 

She realized she was going on and on, and gave Zara a slightly apologetic look. It felt good to talk to someone about this...in a way, it made her realize things about herself that she didn't know were true.

[Zara Nargal]

Zara let Brina talk about it, being obvious that her most trusted friend and business partner needed to talk. Until she'd met Brina, Zara had never had a close female friend. There had always just been herself and Kat. Brina was more like a sister to her than anything else. She sighed, knowing how unreliable her brother had become. He used to be there for them, then suddenly...

 

"My brother does make himself loveable... if only he would become more reliable for us... for you..."

 

She knew how Brina felt, only her circumstance was that her love was now a ghost... when he was around at all. No... I'm not going to think about him... if I do it will just get me all upset again...

 

"Great pair aren't we... unlucky in love. I really thought I'd found 'the one' ... 'ya know. Then he went and got killed on me..."

 

She shook her head again, staring off at the holoscreen that was showing a view of the stars in the system they were now in. In all that had happened, she had never gotten around to asking how things went before she got kidnapped by Black Sun.

 

"How did your meeting go with Thorpe? He sure had a lot of security... pity I didn't stay inside his building. I owe him - and Ka-Rith - for rescuing me from Black Sun."

[Brina Thalin]

Her mood brightened at the mention of Thorpe, and she was grateful for the change in subject. "We certainly do own him a lot...he was vital in rescuing you."

 

She thought back to the meeting. "Well, that was probably one of the most interesting meetings of my life. He showed me a bit of his security--the Lyger droids--then dropped some information that I did not expect in my wildest dreams."

 

She paused. "He's my brother." She let the fact sink in as she enjoyed the pleasure of saying those words. "It turns out my real name is Breanna Hymalin Thorpe. When I was a baby, my family's ship was attacked by slavers. My father was killed, my mother and I captured and taken to a slave camp. Lycus escaped. Somehow, my mother arranged for me to get away from the camp, which is when the people I call my parents--the Thalins--found me. They never told me I was adopted..."

 

She shrugged. "I don't blame them. I am excited though...a brother I never knew, and a past that was hidden from me. We did a DNA check. What he said was true."

 

She shook her head, a small smile gracing her face. "It's funny what you can learn about yourself that you didn't know before."

[Durose Roshan]

After sending the clearance codes, the Dice of Hearts momentarily docked with the casino long enough for Durose to exit before it jumped back into hyperspace. Stepping off, Durose casually strolled through the corridors.

 

He commed Brina, "You miss me? I'm back!" He chuckled. "And I've gotten my first real recruit. He is headed here as we speak and will dock with the casino shortly. I've given him the codes and our meeting location. When he gets here and docks I recommend we just to hyperspace and relocate just as a standard precaution. Then the interview will begin."

 

Turning the corner and entering his room Durose continued, "Would you like to conduct the interview or me or both of us?"

[Zara Nargal]

"Your brother? Wow... that's..."

 

Zara's voice cut off in her amazement. She had listened to Brina's explaination of what happened to her, her sympathy for what had happened obvious to her friend.

 

"At least you've found each other now then. That's quite a surprise. Well then, we'll have to have your Brother come to the Casino sometime so you two can catch up some more... and so I can thank him properly for his part in rescuing me."

 

Brina's comm beeping with a message came through then...

[Mikey]

A battered blue YT-2400 smoothly dropped out of hyperspace and docked with the Golden Link Casino. A figure, dressed in Clone Commander armor walked out of the ship. Entering the casino, he

sat down at at a table and waited for his contact, Durose Roshan.

Edited July 9, 2006 by Guest

[Brina Thalin]

Brina was grateful for Zara's kindness and enthusiasm. "It would be good to see him again," she admitted with a smile.

 

Her beeping comlink broke off the conversation, and Brina raised an eyebrow at Durose's tone and words. She listened carefully, the speaker up to full volume, allowing Zara to hear the words as well. At the end of the message, hanger control interrupted, informing them that a blue YT-2400 had just docked with the station after providing the proper codes.

 

Brina turned to her friend. "Do you want to take care of this one? There are some things I wanted to check up on anyway...and besides," she added with a small grin, "I did the last one. This would also be a good opportunity for you to meet Durose. Although," she hesitated, thinking about Zara's lingering uncomfort with males, "maybe I should just do it myself. It's up to you."

 

She didn't want to put Zara into an uncomfortable situation, but neither did she want her to feel totally out of the loop. Zara knew better what they were looking for in an employee anyway.

[Zara Nargal]

"How about we do this one together... gives us both an opportunity to meet with both of them."

 

Part of her wanted nothing more than to get back to normal, though part of her was still cautious from the betrayal. It had taken alot to get over the rape, alot of that had been only with Sabian's influence... the result also being the daughter she now carried... but she hadn't faced any males since being captured by Black Sun... other than her love of course...

 

"I'd feel better with you along with me. I... I know I'll get over it, it will just take time is all..."

 

She sighed, knowing that she'd have to push herself to get back to being her 'old self' again.

 

"I guess what doesn't kill you makes you stronger..."

[Brina Thalin]

"Alright then," she nodded. "I'll let you handle it, but if you need me to take over, just...I don't know...scratch your nose or something."

 

She commed Durose, letting him know to meet them in conference room 2, then she did the same to the receptionist. "Escort the interviewee to the room and offer him some refreshments," she added to the receptionist. "We'll be down in a moment."

 

She and Zara walked down to the room, and Brina made sure she was put together before they went in.

[Durose Roshan]

Durose met Anakin at the table. He wasn't hard to find being that the casino was closed and his armor made him stick out like a sore thumb. Durose grinned to himself. It was a nice suit of armor. He had always liked the look of trooper armor, although it was much too bulky and restrictive for his tastes. Regardless, before Durose was able to really get any kind of conversation started his comm went off. It was Brina. She wanted them to meet in conference room 2.

 

Durose turned to Ani, "Well, it sounds like they are ready for us. The receptionist will show you the way. I'll be there shortly," he finished grabbing a chilled blue milk on the way out.

[Sabian]

After the long haul from Nar Shaddaa, the single transport shuttle touched down with clearance into the Golden Link Casino. There had been quite a few renovations as of yet, the biggest being scanned fully as he exited the starcraft as well as a routine inspection. Reluctant to tell the workers who he was, the tall man dressed in all long flowing green robes spoke swiftly and silently.

 

"I'm a personal friend of the management here. So. if you'd be so kind as to allow me through, it would make this all easier."

 

His hood had been thrown back, a fully re-cloned body of his former self that had been replicated soon before the Battle of Cardia which he sacrificed his life for the lives of many others. One thing had been requested when the DNA strand had been previous emitted into the facilities upon Mon Calamari was that he be reminded of how it came into being, having gone through extensive measures to recover his memory up until he had originally passed.

 

For now, he yearned to the see the last person he saw, the woman he loved so dearly. Those crystalline blue eyes raked over the new surrondings, bidding them little notice as he was now escorted to the main chambers, finally receiving a name; Sabian Devanus. The personelle that accompanied him had no recoliction of the man's history with the Golden Link, both very suspicious by his claim to withhold the lightsaber that had been reclaimed during the Dauntless salvage from the retreat of that horrific battle.

 

Empty without any other feeling then compassion and a dire need to see this woman, he looked onward vigilantely at every corner, every face, every camera, hoping that his presence would become known to her; that she was watching as he arrived, yet was denied access to see the management until clarification from the head security or the staff members themselves saw need to. Standing outside in the lobby, he folded his arms in wait, continuing his duties by staring deeply into one nearby camera which loomed overhead, taking a constant feed of him at all times.

 

Things certainly have changed, haven't they... But I hope she has not.

[Zara Nargal]

Zara began to head down with Brina to the meeting room, half way there when she felt her comm vibrate. She'd not been in the force zone so hadn't felt his approach. The first comm she received was that they had another unannounced visitor to the station. This puzzled Zara escpecially when she was told he was wearing green robes. Her heart did a little flutter, holding her breath as she keyed her wrist unit into the security cameras to see who it was, letting Brina see the screen as well. Her hand grabbed onto Brina's, tears of joy starting to flow down her cheeks.

 

"I'm afraid you'll have to handle the meeting... I'll be there when I can but ... I have to go see him..."

 

As soon as Zara had seen his face looking up at the varying cameras, she knew she had to go to him. She hurried down to where Sabian was, breaking out into a run and throwing herself into his arms as she reached him, kissing him soundly.

 

She had been so sure that he wasn't returning as flesh and blood, yet here he was...

 

"Sabian... you're... you're here... don't you ever leave me again... leave us again..."

 

There was movement in her abdomen as she held him tightly.

[Brina Thalin]

Brina was shocked when the monitors revealed Sabian's presence. She looked at Zara, who was glowing, and said one word: "Go."

 

She was filled with happiness for her friend, and hoped that this time, Sabian wouldn't have any memory loss, and that somehow, things would be different. Zara needed him.

 

She forced herself to continue down to the meeting room, and entered it. She was the first one there--good. It made more of an impact if she was there waiting for them. A protocol droid came in and set down some refreshments, then headed out again. Brina waited for the two to arrive, thinking the whole time on Sabian and Zara.

[Mikey]

Well, then lets get moving.

Anakin said as they both got up and headeed to Conference Room 2.

[Sabian]

The guards which had guided him this way immediately broke away upon the sight of their embrace, turning their backs with few more words exchanged. Though, they meant nothing as he finally saw her in full light, a humble smile stretching across his face as he held her within her arms as their lips finally released.

 

"Of course I'm here," The man said with a rather childlike tone. His eyes fell upon the abdomen she so clutched in his presence, still wrapping around the idea that they were soon to bear a child of their own in due time.

 

"I'll have to remember my life is worth something now. That's one problem with me. Always trying to play hero,"

 

Lightly scratching the back of his head with one head, those clear blue eyes stared deeply into hers, still amazed that he could see her at last. Of all the thoughts running through his mind, an obvious one came to mind, wanting to say something after the intial and wonderful shock of holding her once again.

 

"It's been too long since I've been here. Looks like you have been busy real recently," Then both hands clutched her hand, tenderly rubbing them as they stood against one another, "And you. You still look beautiful as ever. How are you feeling now?"

[Zara Nargal]

Zara didn't want to let him go, not now that he was back with her. She began to lead him into the elevator, hitting the accommodations level before embracing him once more.

 

"I'm much better now you're here. I missed you so much. It hurts everytime I lose you like that. I... didn't think I'd see you like this again... I love you Sabian... I need you... so does your daughter."

 

The small baby bump that Zara now had showed that she wasn't all that far along yet. She stared back up into his eyes, loving just being in his arms, feeling them around her again.

 

"We've got things more family orientated now, and the playing areas more exclusive. Accommodation is all being themed as well."

 

She mentioned a few of the modifications, though had to stop wanting to kiss him again.

 

"My handsome love of my life, I'm so glad you're back! There's so much we've missed... and I'd like to work out our daughters name while you're here... you can feel her now, through the force... it's amazing"

 

When she'd been pregnant with the twins she hadn't been force trained, had only found out during that time that she had been force sensitive. This time, with this child, she could bond with her while carrying her. She wanted that with Sabian as well.

[Sabian]

His face illuminated up upon her reactions, returning the embrace in kind, although he felt rather smothered by her at the moment.

 

It's only natural, I suppose...

 

While still to her, his neck craned back to give a bit more space between them; enough to breathe, but also enough to still be closeby.

 

"Yes, yes, I can see. I'm still quite taken at the moment myself, having been robbed of the moment to formally enjoy and to celebrate this occassion by my call of duty. If it would suit you, my dear, I'd like for us to take some time off. Perhaps grab something to eat, drink, catch up. That ol' thing"

 

Both hands rested easy on her shoulders, that vivid smile peering down to her as they stood still against one another in the hallway.

 

"What do you say?"

[Zara Nargal]

Sensing his unease at her clinginess, Zara moved back from him slightly, wanting to give him some space so he wouldn't feel so uncomfortable. She smiled up at him, allowing him to see that she still had the pendant on - she wasn't about to take it off either.

 

"Of course Babe, anything your heart desires."

 

They reached the elevator, Zara pressing the button that would take them to the restaurant level in the Force Area. There were now two restaurant locations where there were excellent chef's. The first in it's usual location in the Casino main area, the second where they were now heading. Zara wanted Sabian to feel his daughter's awareness. For one that was only a couple of months conceived, she was very aware. She was what Zara had focused on to comfort herself when Sabian had been gone. Between her unborn and her twins, she had been kept from dwelling too much on the painful thoughts.

 

"We've had a few more sign up with us of late, and would you believe this... Brina found out that Thorpe is her brother. Speaking of brothers, mine showed up for a while but seems to have disappeared again on us. I haven't had the chance to catch up with him either..."

 

She entwined her fingers with her love's, leading him out of the elevator and into the lower restaurant.

 

"The Chef here is amazing, we were lucky to find him."

 

She paused for a moment, turning to look deep into his clear blue eyes that she loved so much,

 

"How long can you stay for?"

[Sabian]

Leaning down into the booth, he took in the news about Brina with the same lighthearted expression, peeling back a smile, accompained by a quick nod. Folding both arms against the side of the table, Sabian leaned in a bit further, still keeping his one hand around hers the entire time.

 

"Thorpe, really? Now that is something you don't hear everyday. Wow, must be quite a change for her. Although, I'm glad to hear she's doing fine," He turned his head from her for a slight second to take in the scenary, "I also like the changes done here. It looks marvelous."

 

When it came down to order, the man ordered nothing special, a rather ordinary entree with few modifications, although requested some wine be present at the table towards the end. Once they were finished, he turned back, thinking about the last question.

 

"Oh, well, I don't necessarily have to be anywhere. One of the advantages to being dead and all. I was actually hoping to make this a longer stay then usual,"

 

A small smirk crossed his face right before the drinks were poured before them, raising his glass soon after the waiter had left and drank a small portion.

 

"As for a name," He said, smacking his lips lightly over the flavor, "I'm unsure. There's still much time for those things. I'm still quite tired after my trials and travels to get here. Excuse me for acting any more... particularly odd."

[Zara Nargal]

Zara grinned back at him,

 

"It was a surprise for Brina for sure. I've suggested she invite him to the Casino so they can catch up some more."

 

Her eyes scanned around the room at the changes made.

 

"Yes it's looking good isn't it. We're not finished yet either."

 

Zara brought her gaze back to Sabian's, only shifting it to the waiter as she ordered a strange meal as her cravings took control of her appetite. She was eating for two and her tastes had gotten very strange.

 

"Well I'm glad you're back and not dead to me now..."

 

Her fingers caressed his within his hand, her mind stretching out to practice her force use as she caressed his face through the force with a kiss.

 

"Well I do like to call her more than just bub or sweetie..."

 

She smiled at him, her eyes sparkling.

[Sabian]

"Melanie,"

 

The suggestion seemed to come from thin air, escaping from his lips softly through the aur as his other hand came over to clutch the young woman's hand. A gleem shone dear within his eyes, a very confident expression of faith moving over his facial features after the word had been uttered.

 

"Our daughter's name shall be Melanie. She will grow to be equally as beautiful as her mother, raised by us to become whatever destiny the Force shall bring to her."

 

Relinquishing his fingertips from her soft hands, the food arrived just in time, smiling over to her as he first bowed his head before delving in the meal prepared for them. Raising a bit of finely chopped meat into the air, Sabian offered a quick wink towards her before continuing to eat. It was apparent that he had been hungry for quite some time, although was still very proper in the manner in which he ate.

 

After the course was done, the man wiped his hands clean before peering back over to her, already aware that she had finished right in time with him, even though she clearly had more food.

 

"Just as importantly, how are you holding up here?"