Corellia

[Zara Nargal]

Zara sighed.

 

"Long story. You were still involved with it, and if I didn't put it on everyone involved then they'd say it was rigged somehow when it's not. You know that if you were to work for us, I'll take yours off - say that your Bounty has been claimed."

 

Her iced caffa was put in front of her and she swirled some of the cream with her finger, tasting it. Spotting the chocolate she felt her mouth water.

 

"Thanks. Can't beat chocolate from your home planet. I discovered this brand years ago."

[Bekka]

Bekka laughed... "I didn't mean that you put one on me... I meant why is it not wanted dead or alive... ?"

 

She looked at her watch and took out a pill bottle... she took the five pills and washed it down with the horrid seltzer water... some things will never change in her life... no matter what condition she has... and she had gotten used to it... her mishap with John would not be happening again... the pills were easier.

 

"So... why would you want me to work for you... I just proved your security sucks... although that little trick with moving the casino was good, I had to make three seperate jumps out of there to get the right coordinates."

[Zara Nargal]

"Some of them are. Ganelon, Fett & Piccolo are. The rest I just want locked up for a while. I have doubts that I'll be able to get any of the proceeds recovered so they'll have to do time for it. Not much of a punishment if you ask me, I might push for them to be put in the Kessel mines for some hard labour, unless Kat decides something different."

 

She watched Bekka take the pills,

 

"Do those cause weird dreams? All I remember after that half one you gave me was being carried off to be healed. I had some real weird dreams that night... actually I think it was near the following night when I woke up."

[Bekka]

Bekka looked at her... and then at her own pills... "These... um.. no dreams... I did not give you these... I take these... for.. um.. they are a necessity, from something that Ob did a long time ago."

 

She thought back to when she gave Zara the half of pill... "Zar... all I gave you was a muscle relaxer... and half of one at that... it would not have given you any dreams... but um... I did notice the Jedi kissing you in the bay... and then he picked you up and had a guard carry Brina and took you both out of the bay... Um... what kind of dreams are you having... and uh... are you sure they were dreams... ?"

 

She looked at Zara... "uh... you do realize that your Jedi kind of OD'd on some pretty have aphrodesiac drugs... I mean... that boys libdo was probably in over drive for hours... "

[Zara Nargal]

Zara knew from the doctors report that she'd suffered from concussion after the blasts, as well as the cuts, bruises and burns.

 

"They... were those kinds of dreams... I mean I could... err ... kind of see myself as if from anothers eyes... never happened before, very strange..."

 

Her face drained of colour...

 

"Oh no... "

 

A horrified look entered her eyes.

[Bekka]

Bekka shook her head... and she order the woman whiskey straight up... when it came, she pushed in front of Zara... "Drink this... you need it... "

 

she watched as she drank it... "Zara, I don't mean to upset you, but I don't think that those were dreams... I am not sure how you couldn't tell, I mean, it might be something with that force crap you two have... but you should not have been affected at all... He was the idiot that took a half a dozen pills... "

 

the woman looked pale... "Look, it is not your fault... I mean... you were injured... had a concusion, and were paralized... not to mention a half of muscle relaxer... my guess is that he brought you on his euphoric high with him through a connection with the force... so it may have almost been like you both were on the drug."

 

She kind of felt bad for the woman... I mean how was she supposed to know that some damn Jedi was going to take a hand full of drugs... "I'm really sorry, had i known that the Jedi would turn out to be an addict, I would not have given him them... "

[Zara Nargal]

Zara downed the whiskey in one hit, stating to the waiter to "leave the bottle". The liquid burnt her throat but she didn't care. All she could think about was Ronin... and her twins... what was she going to do? She closed her eyes, a hand covering her eyes. She could see the glazed look on his face from her visions.

 

'I could... feel him in my mind. It was all just like a dream though... I was doing things I wouldn't have done... not with anyone but Ronin anyway..."

 

She downed another whiskey and poured another.

 

"I... what am I going to do? I love Ronin... he's the father of my twins. This... this'll tear us apart..."

 

Zara downed another wanting the pain that was starting to descend on her to go.

[Bekka]

Bekka grabbed the bottle from her and looked at her... "Whoa there... you need to chill out. You have kids you need to be there for... you don't need to be wasted. You don't have anything to be sorry for... it was not your fault... hell, blame it on me... I gave him the pills... but you were not to blame for what happened... just relax... "

 

She called over the waiter... "Bring us some coffee, and tell the owner to give me my keys please... " He nodded and came back over with a pot of coffee, and two cups and handed Bekka her room keys...

 

She poured Zara a cup of coffee, and a cup for herself, "There, drink that... you need to be sober if you intend to get those babies of yours... You can crash at my place for the night if you want... not much, but I do have an extra bedroom..."

[Zara Nargal]

Zara had automatically grabbed for the bottle giving Bekka a dirty look as she took it from her.

 

"How can it not be my fault. I still let him... even if I only have snatches of memories from it."

 

She looked at her hands, the faint pinkish look to them that showed healed flesh wounds. A tear trickling down her face,

 

"I can't even look after my kids anyway. Black Sun will target them. That's why I haven't had my babies with me..."

 

The alcohol had filtered through her system enough to effect her emotions. It hadn't been all that long ago that Zara'd had her twins, and she hadn't seen them since... hadn't wanted to risk their safety.

[Bekka]

Bekka looked at her... she almost felt sorry for her... something was strange with her, maybe something John did had helped her feelings...

 

"Look, at least you know where you children are... I have not seen mors't in quite sometime... and he despises me cause I am human... my other children Ob killed or sent away at birth... so don't even think you have it bad... Pull yourself together... how do you know you could have said no... how do you know that he didn't use that force junk to make you do it...??? "

 

She stood up and hoisted Zara up with her and pulled her out of the cafe' she threw the waiter a credit for 1000 and order food up to the room, and they headed there...

 

Zara either didn't mind or didn't realize how strong Bekka's petite frame was... cause she went regardless... Once in the apt... Bekka put Zara on the sofa... "You can either wallow in misery or get it together... "

[Zara Nargal]

In a daze she followed Bekka up to the apartment, her mind trying to search back over the time frame of the heist and the after effects.

 

"I don't know if I did or not. I really don't know. I do know that before I left the Casino I could feel him waking up, like there was a stronger connection there or something."

 

She was trying to pull herself together.

 

"I just don't know how Ronin will handle it. He's the Pirate King after all, and a proud man. For me to even be with someone else, even if I wasn't aware I wasn't just dreaming it. I'll have to tell him. I can't hide something like this from him."

[Bekka]

Bekka laughed outloud... "Bullshit, you tell him nothing... correct me if I am wrong, but didn't he sleep through the heist... Um... you didn't do anything wrong... you were taken advantage of by a force user... "

 

Bekka went to stand up and became really dizzy and sat down rather quickly... "whoa... that never happened before... " she put her hand to her cheeks, and they were warm... she knew that they must be flushed... "Can I bother you for a glass of ice water? The kitched is through there... " she said to her as she pointed...

 

Something is not right ... she never got sick, especially while pregnant...

[Zara Nargal]

"But if I don't tell him and he finds out from someone else it'll be worse."

 

She glanced back up at Bekka,

 

"Hey, you sit down. I'll get the water."

 

She headed into the kitchen, grabbing a glass of water and coming back to Bekka's side.

 

"You don't look so good. You seen a doc yet?"

 

The one thing Zara could be relieved about in one sense was that the hyperspray injection her doctor had given her would prevent her having any consequence from her ... encounter.

[Bekka]

Bekka took the water, and took a sip... "Yeah, I saw a doctor... at the base just after... told me I was pregnant... and congratulations... "

 

She gave a short laugh... "He gave me some vitamins and sent me on my way... I ... I have never gotten sick... something is not the same this time... but the doctor told me everything was fine... "

 

Bekka thought back to Mors't's pregnancy... she felt nothing... other then getting very large... she would have never even known she was pregnant...

 

"I can't feel... I mean I am not supposed to be able to feel ... oh, it's hard to explain... "

[Zara Nargal]

"You've not carried a human child before either. I had twins. Active little buggers they were too. Look. Come back to the Casino with me and see my doctor. He's top class. And while I think about it I'll contact the holonet and tell them that your bounty's been collected."

 

She winked at her. Pulling out her comm link and making a quick comm.

[Bekka]

Bekka grabbed her arm... "Zara, I can't let you do that... I ... I um.. your doctors can't help me.. and I can't tell him. This was not suppose to happen... "

 

She took the water and finished it... how could she explain this to her... "The sith can't know..." And I am pretty sure that a very angry sith woman is going to be looking for me... "

 

Bekka look at Zara seriously... "I can't return the money... "

[Zara Nargal]

Zara sighed and turned off her comm. She hadn't sent the message, was still working out how to word it. She looked at Bekka, a sigh escaping her lips.

 

"Alright, I'll leave it in place. Where are you going to go then? I know of a place. One where I'm thinking of going to anyway to get away from Black Sun for a bit ... and to learn abit more about my heritage. I want to take my babies to see the clan. Get the clan blessing. They'll love Kaylani... and accept Kane."

 

She sank back into the chair, flicking on the holo she had of herself and her newborns.

[Bekka]

Bekka stared at her... "you're going to take your babies there... to Dathomir... " She looked at her a moment... "I really have no idea where I should go... I can't go home... since I don't even remember where I am from... and Tatooine would be out of the question... someplace quiet to wait out the next few months would be nice... "

 

For the life of her she couldn't think of a single place... she didn't have anyone she actually could call a friend... unless you counted the woman sitting in her small apartment she had just helped rob blind... and for some strange reason, it bothered her that she liked this woman... she was very tired all of a sudden and she never really felt tired... unless it was after a mating... she would sleep for hours...

[Zara Nargal]

"Yeah... Dathomir. Where I'm from."

 

She looked at the woman beside her. Some strange reason she wanted to be friends with her, some sort of kindred spirit thing. Besides, she'd need help with her baby, specially being her first human child.

 

"I know this is strange. But if you wanted to, you could come along. I have to go pick up my twins first off, but you'd be welcomed into the clan. Women are respected above men there... well not always in the cities now but out where the clan resides they are. I'd forgotten most of it, until the sith used the dark side against us"

[Bekka]

Bekka thought about it... she had nothing better planned... "Why not... I have a few months to kill... "

 

she went to stand up and decided that she needed to rest a little longer... there was a knock at the door, and Zara answered it... she came back into the room with the food that Bekka had asked to have sent up...

 

"Oh, well this might be just what I need to make me feel better... I didn't know what you liked, so I ordered a bit of everything..."

[Zara Nargal]

Zara let the food get brought in and set about setting it out on the table.

 

"Looks good here. Just thinking though. I'm going to have to go back via the Casino. I want to switch ships for starters, and I want to collect Rascal. Kat can handle the Casino for a while. I want to get away from it all. Let things die down for a bit."

 

She also hoped that if Ronin regained consciousness that he wouldn't be angry with her.

 

--

 

Zara looked over at Bekka, seeing her asleep on the couch. She grabbed up a blanket and covered the girl, looking down at her.

 

"Sleep well, see you on Dathomir..."

 

She left a note saying for Bekka to meet her on Dathomir. She was to go into a place called the 'Raging River Tavern' and ask for Kally. To tell Kally that she was there to see Zara.

 

She then left silently, heading back to her ship and lifting off, heading back to the Casino...

[Bekka]

Bekka awoke feeling much better and saw Zara's note... "well, I have nothing better to do really... and Dathomir has some really good chocolate..." She packed up the things she would need and set out...

[Lycus Thorpe]

The Canus One dropped out of hyperspace above Corellia. The E-Wing escorts proceeded the ship, clearing the way. The Canus One manuvered carefully as it brought its full weight into the gravity of Corellia. The the lush green planet below seemed to welcome all visitors, and the sun was just appraoching midday.

 

Bela Vistal came into view, and as the ship passed the bulsting city transit authorities gave permission for the ship to dock at its mooring station.The large ship entered the courtyard of a large industrial complex. The Thorpe Compound was at least a 100 acres of buildings and structures. The high exterior walls prevented entry from all but the tighest security. Heavy weapon emplacements dotted the compund, armed with the latest in ion and laser weaponry. When it came to protecting his interests Lycus spared no expense.

 

As the ship docked in one of the taller buildings, the captain announced the arrival and departure. "All passengers we have reached our destination, all Thorpe employees report to your temporary quarters. All exectutive officers and staff please report to Mr. Lycus in conference room AA-1223 in 4 standard hours I repeat-"

 

The captain repeated the message as many employees began moving thier belongings and families to thier temporary living spaces meanwhile other transport ships of Thorpe employees arrives as well.

 

---

 

Lycus looked the man in the holoemitter dead in the face. "You can tell Phillep that if my building is scratched I'm sending him the bill, Ive worked along time to support his goals...but my building is off limits. Good day sir." The holoemitter flickered off as Lycus exited the vessel with his personal secretary. The woman close the mobile projector with such mechanical ease that one would have thought she were droid.

 

"Confound that man, first he invades Coruscant without so much as hint of his intention, then he nearly has me killed during his little scheme. Now he has troops wondering the halls and basement of my building..."

[Lycus Thorpe]

Lycus sat in his office a few minutes before his announced meeting with his new employees. In front of him was the security chief of the Thorpe Compound. "Sir I know you wanted them finished...but it will take at least another day before all the defenses you ordered are installed..."

 

Lycus frowned. "I trust you can find a way to get it done by the end of today, we have many enemies Major, we can ill afford to be unprepared lest a jedi or a sith have intention of killing us all. Get it done major!" Lycus said as he dissmissed the major. To much time was spent awaiting an attack, and not enough preparing for one. Lycus was going to be ready.

 

He thought of Vladimir Faust...Cardia...was of course where he would have fled to. Cardia seemed to be teaming with Sith these days, the darklords got to the young imperials early, weening through them like famers through wheat looking for the weeds. He remembered seeing Lord Vader as a young man...so deep and dark were his steps that Lycus was sure he would fall in the mans' wake path if not careful. He wondered what became of the jedi leader...had faust killed her outright? No...from the record that was not Fausts way, he would torture her. Lycus tried to imagine what that horrible fate was...it made him shudder.

 

Lycus was worried, he had had no communication from Phillep as to his success or failure...if Phillep had passed away (to hell if the place existed) then the empire would once again return to its mediocrity. Lycus wanted no part of a crumbling government, regardless of his desires for power. He was content to be a businessman, the work was relentless, and without much rewards other then the financial perks. He was dead set on finding away to accomplish the goal of ultimate incorporation. But how...the method eluded his keen mind.

 

Someday he would return to Coruscant, reclaim his building, and more...much more. For now however there was a buisness to run, and new employees to evaulate.

Edited December 1, 2005 by Guest

[Becca Tagore]

Becca Tagore knocked on the door frame before entering. She walked around a large table, and approached the stern-looking Mr. Thorpe.

 

"The information you requested, sir. The match is a draw so far with regard to the Emperial and Alliance forces. When this is all over, we may have two weakened groups."

 

Becca knew that Mr. Thorpe prefered stability, and had correctly surmised that the man would not take the news with much comfort.

 

"Other smaller factions have arrived, however, and that may give the Imperial navy somewhat of a boost. A droid army has surrounded the Jedi Temple, no doubt to let the Jedi and Sith inside tear each other to shreads. It seems that it's not just the Empire that has claim to Coruscant, unfortunately."

 

Tagore took her seat next to Thorpe, and shuffled some papers to prepare for the meeting, which was about to start...

[Slicer]

Slicer landed his ship inside of a hanger and paid the landing fee. Then fully clad in his armor he step out onto the world. He had a simple mission Upgrade. Soon it could be seen from anybody watching too closely that Slicer was going from one shop to another each time having purchased something. It seemed as if all of his stops were preplanned. After main hours of such... shopping. Slicer boarded his ship and left returning to deep space.

[Fracas]

Marcus entered his room, which was comfortable, albeit large for one person. He removed the synth skin from his face, finally allowing it to breathe. Then it was time to spray it on once again. The emitter poked out of his pinky finger and made minute changes in it's position to accurately recreate the face he was wearing. Afterwards he took a nap.

 

"Excuse me, where is Mr. Thorpe?" The man pointed him down the hall, and he followed the instruction. He knocked upon the door, and entered into the meeting.

 

"I'm sorry if I am late Mr. Thorpe. Ms. Tagore, how are you today?"

[Becca Tagore]

"Welcome, Mr. Fracas, we were just about to get started here."

 

Tagore picked up a stack of papers and began circling the table, handing them out to the various Thorpe Corporation members present.

 

"This is a memo that I have drafted to let you know what is going on right now. Mr. Thorpe?"

 

Becca took her seat.

[Lycus Thorpe]

"Its good to finally meet you Mr. Fracas, you come to us in a period of transition, and I appreciate your patience, I like employees who are willing to wait." Lycus said with a gracious gesture. He stood up and moved towards a large presentation board, on it graphics of various planets and industries flashed by. Some were droid factories, speeder assembly plants and various operations.

 

"I built Lycus Corporation, to provide the galaxy with more then just goods, I built it to supply dreams." Lycus said as he turned back around. "Your job Mr. Fracas, will be to insure that it runs smoothly, its a daunting task to be sure. We will start with the basics...currently our holdings include nearly 8 Trillion in assets. With branches or offices on nearly 2000 worlds."

 

"Our most important projects however are located right here" Lycus pointed at a small asteroid cluster near the Hoth System. "Lycus Branch 2173 is our special weapons division...the things they dream up thier should really be called nightmares. We will use our base there sometime in the future."

 

"I want you to assemble a team, offer them whatever they like, but get them. I need the best Mr. Fracas, ex-jedi, mercenaries, ex-imperials, I don't care how much it costs. You have two weeks..."

 

Lycus sat down and continued. "There are those who will not like what were planning Mr. Fracas, Mr. Tagore...so plan well." Lycus said with a sense of forbodding. "Ms. Tagore, I need you to preform a special task. I need you to arrange a meeting with Kheldar Vos Correlli, I want to offer a buyout of his Coruscant holdings. I need you to find out wether or not he is willing to sell..."

 

"If he isn't, thats where your team comes Mr. Fracas, you will make him more agreeable." Lycus said with a clenched fist. "Theres an old saying, all who fail to plan to fail...I hope for Kheldars' sake hes planned for me..."

 

With that the meeting ended, with Lycus exiting first.

[Becca Tagore]

Becca turned to Fracas as Thorpe exited the room.

 

"Well?" She asked... "Think you can handle it?" She got up, to exit.

"You'll do fine, I'm sure."

 

Becca went to the information room to gather some papers for her assignment. She retrieved some data files on her target, KVC, as well as the information on his company...