Ryshana had heard the swoop bike along with the ensuing tussle. Not bothering to wait for Nic, again, Ryshana ran forwards until she entered a clearing. Activating her lightsaber, Ryshana was about to swing downwards on the struggling human until she noticed..

"Jana!?! What's going on??" Ryshana asked quickly. Noticing the torn boot, Ryshana recognized it to be Beryl's. Sensing that Jana had meant no harm to Beryl, Ryshana calmed down. "Where's Beryl?"

"Gone," Jana answered, annoyed. "Tusk cats took her in that cave, I think. Then, she got picked up by some swoop bike. Mother cat's dead. Kittens are in the cave."

She sighed. "And the rider of the swoop bike was definitely a Stormtrooper."

"That's not good." Nic said running up behind Ryshanna. He looked over at Jana "Are you alright to keep going?"

The kaadu was swift, for Cloud arrived at Theed in almost no time at all. "Tank yu." Cloud said. "Yousa welcome." replied the Gungan before disappearing into the forest. When Cloud turned around, he did not like what he saw. Imperial banners hanging around on poles, Imperial stormtroopers patroling around the area, and other things. Cloud had thought they could never do it. But they did. The Empire had taken Theed. Cloud looked around. He seenImperial recuiting posters. He had also seen a Rebel Alliance poster being torn down by Imperials. He also seen some space pirates discussing their 'catch'. "This place has gone to ruins." thought Cloud. Cloud decided to go to the Palace. He was expecting to see Queen Apailana to see if he could find his father, Finnias Strife. When he was able to see the Queen, he didn't see Apailana. He seen Kylantha, her sucessor. "Let's see. Finnias Strife." she started. "Oh yes. He is MIA(missing in action)." "You mean..." started Cloud. "He may be dead or alive?"

Jana winced. "Leg's a bit stiff, but I can manage..." Then, she shook her head. "But no, I'd attract too much attention... limping into Theed like this. I'll turn back."

Though it had been her own idea, she was clearly upset at the thought of going back to the ship.

"O.k, Me and Ry will go into town see if we can find Cloud and Beryl." Nic Looked over at his jedi crewman. "I hope those jedi sences are tuned as we'll need them."

"Not a problem, Captain," Ryshana replied. "Just give me a minute to make my lightsaber a bit less obvious."

Pulling out a metal contraption, Ryshana fussed with it a bit as she placed it around her right upper leg. Then, she placed the lightsaber into a special slot that made the whole contraption resemble a mechanical leg brace. "There we go. If we meet anybody in Theed and they ask about my leg, we'll just call it an 'old back injury' and be done with it. Anyways, I think its your turn to lead the way."

Beryl estimated that she travelled through the jungle nearly two kilometres hoisted in the air by her arm before being dropped in a clearing. Again, recalling her combat training, she automatically rolled out of the fall when she hit the ground. Shaking from adrenaline, she quickly scrambled to her feet, and staggered backwards in the tall grass away from the approaching swoop bike. And the stormtrooper who was riding it.

“Think I preferred the cats,” she thought to herself.

“Halt!” the stormtrooper said, as he parked the bike and dismounted. He didn’t raise his weapon, but he didn’t have to. Unarmed and with a dislocated shoulder, he didn’t see Beryl as much of a threat.

But Beryl, being Beryl, decided to run while she had the chance. Of course, wearing only one boot, and with her bare foot scratched from the claws of the cat, she didn’t get very far before the Stormtrooper caught up to her.

“Get your hands off me, you kriffin Buckethead!” Beryl said, struggling to free her good arm from his grasp.

“Hey! Take it easy!”

Beryl was doing no such thing. She kicked at him with her booted foot, aiming for his crotch. But the Stormtrooper avoided her attempt, instead moving in closer, wrenching her arm behind her back and shoving her to the ground in submission. “Droyk!” she uttered in pain.

“You just don’t give up, do you?” he said, almost jokingly, as he pushed his knee into the small of her back to stop her squirming. “Look, I’m just trying to help you…”

“An Imp? Help? When Jawas swim!” Beryl hissed through clenched teeth. “I don’t want your help! Let me go!”

“Okay. Fine. Be that way.” The Stormtrooper released his hold on her. “You can reset your own shoulder.” He snorted and backed away. “Last time I try and do a good deed,” he muttered. “Ungrateful, skraggin slave…”

“I’m not a slave!” Beryl said defiantly, as she rolled over and sat up. The pain from her shoulder was almost nauseating, but she still wasn’t about to accept his help.

“No? Well, you sure look like one half-dressed the way you are.” He stared at her for a moment, then to Beryl’s surprise, he took off his helmet.

He was handsome, there was no doubt about that. Short, thick sandy brown hair, soft green eyes, and chiselled features, and when he smiled, his cheeks dimpled. “There,” he said in a calm even tone as he knelt down to her level. “You don’t have to be afraid. See? No more ‘Buckethead.’”

“I’m not afraid of you,” she snapped. “I just don’t like Imps.”

His dimples got deeper. “No? Well, I like a good challenge.” He eyed her over. “Look, that shoulder of yours has got to hurt.” He looked around. “And it’s not likely anyone else is going to come around and…say, how did you find yourself all alone out here anyway?”

“I was… taking a walk,” she lied. “What are you doing out here? Joyriding?”

“Looking for a cargo ship that supposedly landed in this sector.” He gave her a dubious look. “You, erm, didn’t happen to see one on your ‘walk’, did you?”

“No,” she answered a bit too quickly.

He snorted, then grinned wryly. “Didn’t think so. Now, are you going to let me set that shoulder? Or am I going to have to stun you first?”

Beryl let out a defeatist sigh. “Fine. Set it.”

He rose and approached her. Kneeling behind her, he gently took up her arm in his gloved hands. “This is going to hurt,” he said, “but you’ll feel better after. Ready? On three. One… two….” He jerked her arm down, rotating it in at the same time.

Beryl was speechless with pain for a moment, then as the shoulder popped into place, the pain suddenly subsided, leaving only a throbbing ache. “What happened to three?” she croaked.

“Oh, sorry, forgot. You know us Bucketheads. Stupid and inconsiderate as the day is long, right?”

He helped her rise, taking care to make sure that her arm was kept tight into her body. He guided her to his bike, where he took out a first aid kit. “So, you got a name?”

“Yeah.”

He snorted with amusement as he removed a bacta spray from the kit. “Ok, I’ll go first. I’m Sergeant Penniluck Dukkette. Penni for short. You?”

“B…” Beryl cut herself short, nearly forgetting herself from the intense pain. But she couldn’t for the life of her remember the name that was on her fake I.D.

“Buh?” Penni grinned, as he began treating some of her visible cuts and scratches with the spray. “That’s a short name. What, your parents couldn’t afford a whole name for you?” he joked.

“Beryl,” she said defiantly.

“Beryl.” He nodded. “Suits you. So, just Beryl? No second name? In my experience, Corellians always have a second name.” As Beryl opened her mouth, obviously surprised that he knew her planet of origin, he added, “’Droyk’ is peculiar term to Corellians, is it not?”

Her jaw set. “I suppose,” she said quietly. “So, what's your story? You seem different from the average Buckethead.”

“What, did you think that all Imperial soldiers were ignorant chuba faced clonies?” he asked, as he applied a dressing to one of the larger scratches on her arm.

“You said it, not me,” Beryl replied.

“So you think I should have just watched you get ripped apart by the cat for its obvious entertainment value, rather than to rescue your ungrateful carcass and miss all this verbal abuse?”

“Okay, okay,” Beryl unwillingly conceded. “I’m grateful. Thank you.”

Penni smiled. “You're welcome. Now, turn around and bend over.”

Beryl stared at him incredulously. “Hey, I’m not that grateful!”

Penni sighed. “If you want me to put a dressing on those cuts on your thigh, then turn around and bend over. Otherwise, it’ll be a sore ride for you to Theed.”

“Theed? I can’t go to Theed! I have to…erm….” What she wanted to say was that she needed to find the Echo. But since she had already told him she hadn’t seen it….

“Have to what?” He shook his head. “Nevermind. I don’t think I want to know. Now are you bending over or what?”

Reluctantly, Beryl complied, although she kept a close eye on what he was doing.

“These scratches are really wide,” he said, as he gently lifted the few shreds of fabric and sprayed them with the healing bacta. “Big cat. You were real lucky I found you when I did, Beryl.” He paused and gave her a curious but suspicious look, before applying the dressing. “Jedi are real lucky. You’re not a Jedi, are you?”

“You been chewing lena weed or something?” she countered. “Do I look like a Jedi?”

“Suppose not.” He got out a large bandage from his kit, then shut it. “Lift up your good arm.” He began to wrap the bandage around her torso to keep her injured arm close to her body. “You know, it was rumoured that a Jedi was on that cargo ship,” he pressed her.

“You mean the ship I haven’t seen?” She frowned at him. “You believe everything they tell you?”

“No. Not everything.” He secured the bandage. “There. That will keep your arm still, and you a bit more decent.” He looked at her shredded pants. “Although, we’ll still need to get you some clothes when we get to Theed. They do have decency laws, you know.”

He put his helmet back on, and stood there, waiting. “So do you want a leg up, or can you manage getting on the bike on your own?”

Beryl hesitated, and looked towards the woods from where they had come from. She didn’t want to go to Theed, especially with a Stormtrooper, no matter how ‘friendly’ he appeared. “I’m fine really,” she said, backing away from him.

“Get on.” His voice sounded more commanding, but whether that was because he was wearing his helmet or not, Beryl couldn’t tell. Still, she didn’t sense that he truly meant her any harm.

“Look, Beryl, I really don’t want to have to stun you,” he said, taking out his blaster. “Now, get on.” He waved it at her.

On second thought...

"Alright, alright. I'm getting on."

Penni climbed up behind her, and in a moment, they were speeding off to Theed.

Nic And ryshanna walked into threed, On the way to the city Nic placed some dark glasses over his eyes. To anyone looking at him it would seem he was just trying to keep the sunlight out of his eyes, the real reason was he was trying to minimise the chances of any one recognising him.

They found themselves near the imperial garrison inside the grand city, Nic turned to Ryshanna. "If we're going to get in there, we're going to need Cloud."

With only a few leering looks from other soldiers, Sgt. Dukkette had managed to sneak Beryl into his dormitory room in the Imperial garrison. While Beryl used the refresher to clean herself up, Penni found her some decent clothes to replace her shredded ones. She wasn’t very pleased with his efforts.

“You call this decent clothing?” Beryl said to Penni. She held up the green dress he had given her, then shoved it back to him. “You can practically see right through it!”

Penni chuckled. “It will look different when you put it on,” he said, shoving it back to her. “Besides, beggars can’t be choosers. I borrowed that from next door. It belonged to a … well, it was left by a… erm…”

Beryl held up her hand. “Don’t even say it,” she warned, giving him a dirty look. “I get the picture.” She shoved the dress back to him. “What’s wrong with getting me a pair of trousers and a tank-shirt?”

“'Cause those are mens’ clothes,” Penni said to her. He eyed her over appreciatively. “And this is Theed. Fashion counts here, you know.” He shoved the dress back to her again.

“This,” she held up the dress in his face, “is hardly what I would call fashion.”

“Oh, just put it on,” he said irritably. “Trust me. You’ll look… nice.”

“Nice? I’ll look like a....” She paused, then sighed. “Look, I just don’t want to be that noticeable, okay?” she said, starting to get flustered. “I like being…plain and… unnoticed.”

Penni laughed. “Well, the dress is all I have to offer. But, you’ll be less noticeable in that, than in what you have on. Plus, it won’t chafe your wounds,” he added, with an amused grin.

Beryl glared at him. “Fine. As I don’t appear to have a choice, I’ll wear it.” She stared at him. “Well? Turn around or leave the room or something!”

“There’s nothing you have that I haven’t seen before in some other shape or form.”

“Yeah? Well it’s my shape and form, so…,” she waved her hand at him, “naff off!”

Penni snorted. “All this and I don’t even get a peek for my efforts,” he grumbled as he turned his back while she changed. “Let me know if you need any help with the buttons.”

“I can manage.”

“You sure?” He waited a few moments in silence, listening to her struggle.

“Okay, I might need a little help,” she conceded. “Damn shoulder….” she griped.

Penni grinned as he turned around. “Wow,” he said, appreciatively taking in her appearance. “Maybe I was wrong. Think you will get noticed.”

“Just shut up and do up the buttons, will you?” she said dryly.

“Yes, ma’am,” he said smoothly.

"Are you sure? I'm pretty sure I can find a way inside without setting off any alarms. Well, I guess the problem would be getting back out again, but I can worry about that part when I get to it," Ryshana replied. Thinking for just a second, she added, "Plus we'd be able to split up. You could find Cloud, and I could get Beryl. Besides, I have a funny feeling that the faster we're out of here, the better off we'll be."

"i agree." Nic said checking if the coast was clear. "Be careful, i don't want to lose another crewman today, two is about my limit" Nic then took out a spare comlink he carried with him and handed it to ryshanna.

As Jana got closer to the Echo, there was beeping sound from her comlink. She looked at it and saw it was from Jack. She answered but before she could say anything "Jana, get your @$$ back here pronto. You will not beleive who just hailed us."

"Coming, Jack..." Jana told him, sighing slightly at his impatience. "Just give me a minute."

Soon, she boarded the Echo and immediately made her way into the cockpit.

"Alright, Mr. Goren," she said. "Who hailed us?"

"One of the dreadnoughts.. right after it fired abon and destroyed the other. He wants to speak the the man or women incharge. And I'm just the piolt and the captain is near Theed and they've activated their com blockers and you are the first-mate.. Press that botten to respond"

Oliver heard someone that entered the ship. "Help me!" he tried to shout, but it wasen't that loud. The blood from his mouth stopped he shouting. And in some sort of fit, he crushed another bottle to the floor. A very loud sound.

"What in yodas name?" Jack left the consel to find out what that noice was. He rushed into Olivers room and said "Crap! What the hell did you do?". Jack picked the medic and carried him to the infarmery.

"Don't worry about me and Beryl, Nic," Ryshana replied with a smile as she took the comlink from him. Turning towards the Imperial Base, Ryshana started looking for various ways inside.

When Oliver was lifted by someone (he coulden't see that much anymore", he tried to speak. The bleeding was beginning to be much worse, but Jack could hear something about: "antidote...in my room...hurry".

Beryl flinched as Penni fumbled with the buttons up the back of her dress.

“Sorry,” he apologised. “Cold hands.” It took him a few moments, but finally he did up the last one. “There. That should do it.” He eyed her over. “You look nice. Green suits you.” He pulled thoughtfully at his chin. “Turn around.”

“What?”

“Just turn around. So I can see how it looks from the back.”

Beryl raised a dubious eyebrow, but did as she was asked.

“Hmm. Very nice,” he purred. “And you can barely see where I put the plasti-skin on your…”

“Hey!” Beryl quickly covered her backside with her hand and whirled around to face him. “Okay, that’s enough ogling for one day!” she said, glaring at him. She shifted uncomfortably as Penni merely stared back at her, grinning a dimpled grin. “Right, so, thank you, nice meeting you, I’ve got to go now,” she said to him hurriedly, and she started for the door.

“Whoa, not so fast! Wait just a minute!” he said, barring the way out with his body. “One last thing.”

Beryl looked at him askance, and her fist began to close. “Look, I told you I wasn’t that kind of grateful."

“I know, I know....” He held up his hand in a peaceful gesture, then went over to the desk unit in the corner of the room and began to rummage through a drawer. “Ah. Here it is.” He held up a necklace with a small green stone in the setting. “Always knew I’d find a use for this. It belonged to….” He paused, and gave her a sort of sad smile. “Well, never mind. It'll look better on you.”

Standing behind her, he put the necklace around her neck. “There. That’s better. Every Nabooan woman wears some kind of jewellery no matter what her, erm….” He cleared his throat. “Professional qualifications may appear to be.”

Beryl frowned at him, feeling more uncomfortable than ever in the flimsy dress. “Do you practice at being so ‘endearing’ or does being a nerfherder just come naturally to you?” she said icily.

“It’s a natural talent,” he replied, grinning slightly. “Oh! Almost forgot!” He held up his hand for her to stay put, then moved to the door. He opened it, and whistled down the corridor. She caught a few murmured words, then Penni closed the door again, holding a package in his hands.

“Here,” he said, tossing her the parcel.

“What is it?”

“Well, open it and find out.”

Warily, Beryl did. “Shoes?” She lifted the high-heeled green shoes out of their box. “You bought me shoes?”

Penni shrugged. “Well, you can’t exactly go barefoot through the streets of Theed, now, can you?”

“Unbelievable,” Beryl muttered. She put them on. “And even more unbelievable. They fit.”

“Sent someone out with your remaining boot, to make sure they got the right size. You like them?”

She stared at him for a moment. “Why are you doing this?”

“Like I said, you can’t go around Theed bare….”

“No, not that,” Beryl interrupted. “Being so nice to me?” she asked suspiciously. “What’s your game?”

Penni shrugged. “Game? No game. Just want to help you out.”

“You don’t know anything about me,” she said. “I mean, I could be a Rebel spy or something.”

He cocked an eyebrow. “Are you a Rebel spy?”

“No,” she said flatly. “But that’s not the point. I could be. Why take the chance?”

He took a moment to consider before answering. “You remind me of someone I used to know.”

“Oh. I see. Old girlfriend or something?” Beryl said sceptically.

“No.” Penni paused as if debating whether or not to expand on his answer. “So, shall we go?” he said, changing the subject. “I can escort you outside the barracks, but then I have to go back out on patrol. But you won’t have any trouble getting through the main gate. Just drop my name if you run into any problems.”

Beryl nodded. She didn’t know quite what to make of this Imp soldier. He didn’t seem to fit the stereotype of what she believed an Imperial soldier should be like. “Lead the way.”

As they left the barracks, Penni hushed his men’s leering looks and cat calls. “Get back to your duties!” he snapped at them, with all the authority of a true and hardened sergeant. “I want this place shining by the time I get back! Now move it!” The soldiers scattered like a frightened herd of nerfs.

Okay, so perhaps he does fit the stereotype, she thought.

Outside, the barracks, Penni took hold of her uninjured arm, and gently spun her around to face him. Without warning, he kissed her. “Sorry,” he apologised. “Had to get something for my trouble. Plus, the men are watching.” He winked. “Take care of that shoulder, now. Maybe I’ll see you around.”

Even though she thought she probably should be angry at him for kissing her without her permission, Beryl couldn’t help but smile. “Not if I see you first,” she said. “And thanks, Penni,” she added quietly.

She headed in the direction of the main gate of the Imperial Base, giving a quick backwards glance over her shoulder at him as he headed for the swoop bike garage.

Jana stared at the comm for several long seconds. On the one hand, they were being contacted by a Dreadnaught... an Imperial Dreadnaught. But on the other, it had destroyed its companion Dreadnaught. Knowing she'd quite likely regret this, she switched on the comm.

"This is First Mate Jana Vincent," she said. "Captain White is away at the moment." After a short pause, she added, "Please make this quick... I... well, please just make this quick. We're a little busy right now."

She decided they didn't need to know she'd been attacked by Tusk cats or that Beryl had gone missing.

Nic watched Ryshanna for a second before he noticed the Barrack gates open, he grabbed Ryshanna and pulled her behind a wall. Now away from the gaze of those who were coming oug of the barracks Nic peered around the corridor and saw an officer with a female companion.

On first glance Nic presumed she was a prostitute judgeing by the look of the women, this opinion didn't last long. He pulled off his sunglasses and looked at the women more closely. "Oh the Wookie Gods!" Nic exclaimed quietly "What is she wearing?"

Stepping outside of the gates of the Imperial Base, Beryl was a bit unsure of where to go first. She’d never been to Theed before, and so didn’t have any contacts here, and by all appearances, it was a big city.

Okay, first things first, she thought. I need to find a com link to contact the ship, but making a secure call in an Imperial controlled zone will be expensive. And with no credits, that’s going to be a problem.

Then she saw the gambling parlour, just outside entrance to the base. Or, maybe not. She paused in thought for a moment, then pulled the front of her dress a bit lower to expose more cleavage, and walked inside. Perhaps this dress might be useful after all.

It didn’t take her long to find what she would term “an easy mark.” A Nabooan noble, balding and middle aged, slightly paunchy, and complaining in a loud voice as large pile of credits were scooped away from the table in front of him by the dealer.

She looked down at her legs. The superficial scratches were barely visible now. Thank the stars for fast acting bacta spray, she thought.

“You look like you could do with some luck,” she said in her most sultry voice as she sidled up to the obnoxious noble.

“The deck is stacked!” the nobleman snapped, with a dismissive wave of his hand. “And I don’t need any…!” He turned to look at her, and his scowl melted away. “Well,” he said, smiling slowly, as he drank in her form. “I, erm, could do with some luck. And if you don’t bring me luck, you can at least give me solace, eh?” He winked at her and patted her backside.

Beryl flinched, then forced a smile. “Perhaps,” she said, taking a seat beside him, ensuring to show him a bit of leg. “Ante up,” she said to him. “I’ve been told that I’m extremely lucky. In many ‘different’ ways,” she added.

He chuckled. “Really? Well, we’ll see, shall we?” He laid his credits on the table. “Deal,” he said to the dealer.

With Beryl hinting to the man on when to stand, when to play, and when to fold, it didn’t take long for him to regain his pile of credits, and even less time for Beryl to palm one or two of the higher value credit chips without him nor the dealer noticing.

A few more minutes enduring this lout, and I’ll be able to mingle and find out who I need to talk to find access to a secure com link, she thought to herself. But if he pats my backside one more time, I’m going to have to kick him where it hurts!

Ryshana had sensed that something was going to happen, but she was a bit surprised that it was Nic grabbing her. Before she could ask, she was instantly drawn back to the Imperial Base.

"Oh the Wookie Gods!" Nic exclaimed quietly "What is she wearing?"

"It is called a dress, my dear Mercenary Captain," Ryshana replied sarcastically. "Not that you'd ever be caught dead near a woman that wears things of such class." Before Nic could reply, Ryshana had already caught sight of where Beryl was heading. "Well, time to stick with the plan. You go find Cloud, and I'll go find Beryl. Besides, a touch of class might be required for my mission."

Patting Nic lightly on the back, Ryshana left him there while trying to hide the beaming grin on her face.

Heading over to the gambling parlor, Ryshana walked right in. Catching sight of Beryl, Ryshana made herself very inconspicuous. Finally, Ryshana came up with an idea. Heading over to the gambling table, Ryshana immidiately began to focus on one of the players.

"So, you wouldn't mind if we traded spots, now would you? Besides, your luck isn't holding up so well," Ryshana stated to a young nobleman.

"Yeah, well, this *is* a high stakes table. Are you sure you can afford it?"

Reaching into a hidden pocket on her leather pants, Ryshana pulled out a neatly folded stack of credits and handed them to the dealer. After exchanging the chips, the dealer handed her over 20,000 credits-worth of chips.

"I think so."

Slightly frustrated, the man grabbed the few chips he had left and stood up. Placing her chips on the table in front of her, Ryshana was now directly opposite of Beryl and her 'partner'. Looking directly at Beryl, Ryshana then stated, "Lets deal."

As Ryshanna walked off Nic Grumbled "I Know what a dress is, i wore one once." Nic quickly checked around him to make sure no one heard this comment. Nic began to walk into the crouded market hopeing cloud would be there getting the supplies.

Looking directly at Beryl, Ryshana then stated, "Lets deal."

“Well, well, well,” said the nobleman Beryl was with. “Looks like this table is finally attracting some real competition!” He draped an arm over Beryl’s shoulders and pulled her in closer to him. “Let’s hope your luck holds out for me, eh, cutie?”

Beryl was at a loss for words. In fact, she had to blink a few times just to make sure that she actually seeing Ryshana, and then make a conscious effort at keeping her mouth closed from the shock. And even though Beryl recalled her earlier feelings of misgiving about Ryshana being onboard the Echo, she was very glad to see her now. Very glad. So much so, that she had to seriously fight off the impulse of smothering the Twi’lek with a grateful, relieved hug.

“What’s the matter?” her ‘companion’ asked her, nudging her close enough for her to smell his breath. “Think she’ll give me a run for my money?”

“Huh?” Beryl shook off her shock and tried to regain her composure. “Oh, erm…we’ll just have to wait and see, won’t we?”

The nobleman laughed, and luridly patted her thigh. “Deal, then,” he said to the dealer, as he anted up with a hefty handful of chips. “Let’s see what you’ve got, sweetheart,” he said confidently to Ryshana.

Although Beryl didn’t want to cause a scene in the middle of the casino that would get both of them noticed, she really just wanted to end her ordeal and go back to the ship with Ryshana. It had been a very rough day. A battle with a Dreadnaught and its eyeballs. Landing in the wilderness. Getting attacked and mauled by a Tusk Cat and her brood. Rescued by a strange and unusual Stormtrooper. And now having to get credits by degrading herself by sitting next to this….

She looked at the nobleman askance.

…this ignoble creature? It was almost too much for her to take. And there was little point now in trying to get credits to contact the Echo when Ryshana was sitting right here in front of her.

Beryl was just about ready to excuse herself from the table, when, apparently out of the blue, a thought came into her head. The Echo didn’t have a job, they needed supplies, and they were running low on credits. And this truly obnoxious, overweight, overbearing nobleman obviously had too many of them to know what to do with.

Beryl’s eyes met Ryshana’s, then flicked from the nobleman and back again. Was Ryshana using one of her Jedi ‘tricks’ to try and tell her to stay put and play to get more credits? Either way the pot went, they’d win. But it was an old trick, and if they got caught, they’d attract the attention of the casino security. And no doubt the Imperials.

She studied Ryshana for a sign of what to do.

Ryshana could feel the shocked expressions and the large variance of emotions from Beryl. A very discreet method of technique quickly allowed Ryshana to partially calm down at least the adrenal glands in Beryl. The rest of the calming process would be up to her.

“Let’s see what you’ve got, sweetheart,” he said confidently to Ryshana.

Ryshana flashed the man a quick sideways smile as she studied him. Hmm, slightly nervous. He doesn't know what to expect from me, Ryshana thought as the dealer handed out the cards. Nobody may have made any faces about the cards, but Ryshana could still feel their reactions to the cards being dealt. Unlike most players, Ryshana knew whenever somebody was bluffing, when they had a bad hand, or whenever they had a good hand. Call it an unfair advantage or not, but it had aided Ryshana more than once in the past.

As her turn came to place bets, Ryshana raised as she knew that two of them would drop quickly with their bad hands. Lets see what you've got, Ryshana thought about the man with Beryl.

Ryshana stared back at Beryl from across the gaming table, as calm and collected as... well, as a Jedi. And Beryl took this as a sign for her to do the same. Or, at the least, try.

She took a deep breath, then discreetly looked at the cards in her ‘partner’s’ hand. He didn’t have a bad set showing on the table. His cards only totalled fourteen, but she had an intuitive feeling that the next card drawn would tip it over twenty and he didn’t hold any ‘saviour’ cards in his hand.

The other players at the table, seemed to think their hands were all worthy enough to call Ryshana’s bet. Foolish, Beryl thought. Whether it was due to some Jedi trick or just the luck of the draw, she had a feeling that Ryshana held more than one reversal card. So, when the turn came to Beryl’s new friend, and he looked to her for guidance, she gave him a barely perceptible shake of her head.

The nobleman sighed dramatically. “I fold,” he said, then grinned with satisfaction.

The hand played out and to everyone’s surprise but Beryl’s, Ryshana easily won.

“Good hand,” the nobleman congratulated Ryshana. “Shall we play another?”

“Oh, look how late it’s getting,” Beryl said suddenly. “I’ve really got to get go….”

“Nonsense,” the nobleman said, interrupting her and grabbing her arm to keep her in her seat. “Surely the nice lady would play another hand with us so that we have a chance at winning our money back.” He looked at Ryshana, and then the other players at the table in turn. “Yes?”

Beryl sighed. This day was getting longer and longer.

TWO YEARS EARLIER(12 BBY)

Finnias Strife, proud Captain of the Royal Naboo Security Force(RSF), was pacing back and forth. There were Jedi in the Palace and he had a feeling that the Empire had found out. He had to prepare Theed for the worst. He had stationed multiple soldiers at different areas of Theed. He didin't expect what would happen during the Battle of Naboo.

"Don't give up." he said during the battle. The 501st Legion had captured multiple parts of the city. Then, the auto-turret grid that was protecting the Palace was destroyed. The Jedi that were in the Palace couldn't help going into battle to help Theed. They never stood a chance. During the battle, Finnias's arm was shot off. He had escaped the battle to heal himself. It was then that scouts had killed Queen Apailana. In the conclusion of the battle, the RSF gave up, Finnias went off-planet(unknown to the reat of the RSF), and the 501st became known as 'Vader's Fist'.

PRESENT DAY(10 BBY)

"I'm sorry, Mr. Strife." said Kylantha "But your father is presumed dead." "Well, thank you." said Cloud in sadness as he left for the bazaar. There, someone was having trouble with their R5 droid. Cloud decided to be a good citizen and help the civilian.

"Is there anything I can do for you, sir?" asked Cloud.

Nic walked through the Market for about half an hour without any luck in finding cloud, No one had seen anyone by clouds discription. Nic continued walking through the streets, he was neuvous the more time he spent here the more chance of someone recognising him.

Nic suddenly got a funny feeling that someone was following him, he turned his body around but continued walking backwards in the same direction he was moving in. After a couple of steps he felt the barrel of a small hold-out blaster hit the small of his back.

"Please come with us Sir." The bearer said.

Nic obliged as a second man removed his weapons, The two men led nic down a few streets until they came to a large elegent house. Nic walked in and taken into a large room with an elegant sofa in front of a fire Nic was forced to sit down on it.

A few moments passed before Nic decided to speak up. "so did you bring me here for a reason or do you just do this for kicks?"

"They brought you here because i asked them to." A family voice replyed.

Nic turned with an extreme look of annoyance on his face as he saw a Women in an elegant dress walk into the room.

"For the love of... Carman why send your bully boyz to get me."

"Would you have come if i asked?"

"No!"

"Then you have your answer." She said sitting on the sofa with Nic and looking at the two men who brought Nic. "Leave us."

The two men left the room.

"What do you want." Nic asked still annoyed.

"Oh it's just been a long time since we've seen each other."

"If i knew you were here i wouldn't have came."

"I'm actually surprised to see you here. After what you did."

"And i'm surprised to see you, shouldn't you be running your businesses on nar shaddar."

"That's all under control, I wanted a change of scenary."

"if that's all, i best be going i have people to see and thing's to do." Nic said looked around the room then standing up.

"I'f you're talking about that whore and twi'lek i've arranged for them to be brought here." She said. "i must admit your taste in companions has improved."

((i'll presume that we're playing pazaak. hehe, last time i was under the impression that we were playing a game similar to 5-card stud. :p

come to think of it, lets make this game a mix of the two. each player must place a bet in the pot after each draw from the dealer until they either place a card down from their sidedeck, call their total, or fold. when the betting takes place, the players can either call the current bet or raise. the other standard pazaak rules apply. :) ))

"I don't see why not. I could definately go for another couple rounds," Ryshana replied to the man. Looking back at the dealer, Ryshana nodded to indicate that she was ready for yet another deal.

As the cards were distributed, Ryshana once again felt for the emotions of the other players as they recieved their cards. As the bets were cast, Ryshana once again raised to get the other players to fold. It was a type of bully tactics, but with her sidedeck, things like that didn't matter too much. After the last set, Ryshana was showing 12, another man was showing 16, and the nobleman across from her was showing 11. however, one man was sitting on 19 after playing the last card in his sidedeck.

as the bets were cast, the man with 16 put in 450. Sensing him, Ryshana could feel his emotions, and she knew he was bluffing. There was no way he could last another round. Sensing this, Ryshana raised the bet to 650. With the man next to her holding at 19, it was now the nobleman's turn to call, raise, or fold. Your call, Beryl, Ryshana thought.

Beryl felt strange, helping the nobleman play Stud Pazzak against Ryshana instead of making a quick exit and heading for the Echo. But as the game progressed, Beryl began to relax a bit, although she wasn’t sure if the calmness she was feeling was coming from within her or being projected to her by Ryshana through her Jedi powers.

It was now Beryl’s nobleman pal’s turn. He nudged her, asking for advice.

Beryl wasn’t sure if Ryshana could read her thoughts, or know what she was planning, but she was hoping that she would let the guy win this time. It would make it easier to take more money from him later if he got a little confidence.

She looked at the cards showing, then thought a moment, then nodded.

“I…raise?” He glanced at Beryl, and she nodded again. “I raise,” he said with more confidence.

The cards were dealt again. The other player with 16 had busted. The one with 19 stood firm. Ryshana was now showing 17, as was Beryl’s ‘friend’. It was a contest between them now.

Beryl had one of her feelings and knew what the next cards would be. She nudged her ‘friend’.

“Raise?” he whispered, and she nodded. The nobleman gave a worried look at the three remaining cards he held in his sidedeck. “I raise,” he said, although not very confidently this time. He threw in an additional 500 credits into the pot.

Beryl looked at Ryshana, and as she did so, she raised her eyebrow ever so slightly, hoping that Ryshana would pick up on what she was thinking.

Ryshana smiled slightly as the cards were dealt and things went her way. Now, it was a 17-17 tie and one guy holding at 19. Not too shabby, Ryshana thought.

Looking over at Beryl, she sensed an odd feeling from her. She wants me to lose this hand, Ryshana thought. Upon a bit of further deducement, Ryshana smiled inwardly. I love how this girl can think sometimes.

After the nobleman raised, Ryshana easily caught the raised eyebrow. "I call," Ryshana stated as she put in a 500 chip into the pot. With all available bets made, the dealer then set dealt what would be the final draw. Ryshana got a 5, which put her at 22. "Busted," Ryshana remarked. The nobleman, however, drew a 3. That gave him a perfect 20.

The nobleman excitedly scooped the chips on the table into his corner, but not before giving Beryl another well-placed but unwelcome ‘pat’. She glared at him, but he was too busy stacking his chips to notice her displeasure.

“Another round?” he suggested. “After all, my good luck charm seems to be working for me!”

Beryl deftly dodged another pat, and gave Ryshana a pleading look.

Take him for everything he’s got, Ryshana, she thought, hoping again that Ryshana would pick up on it.

The hand started as normal, only Beryl was encouraging the nobleman to place higher bets, something that really didn’t need much encouragement as he was on a winning high.

Again, the cards were dealt, and again, it was pretty much down to the two of them. With both Ryshana and the nobleman standing at 18, it looked like the game would go either way. But again, Beryl knew what the cards would be and that her ‘pal’ would lose this hand. His next card was a six, and he only had a negative 2 card left in his side deck. She again raised her brow slightly, hoping that Ryshana would raise the stakes even higher.

"A good luck charm?? Hmm, perhaps you shouldn't take beauty like that for granted," Ryshana jabbed at the nobleman.

"Haha!! You couldn't even dream of it. Besides, you've got beauty of your own. It may be worth its weight in Dragon Pearls, but it doesn't work as well as she does," the nobleman replied with a quick pat to Beryl. "Lets go for another, shall we?"

As the hand was dealt, Ryshana felt Beryl's uneasiness. Beryl was a crafty sort, and Ryshana could sense it. Smiling inwardly, Ryshana was ready to play for everything.

As the hands started, Ryshana decided to switch from her 'bully' style to a passive style and just simply call the bets instead of raising. Whenever they tied at 18, Ryshana knew it was all over. The pot was brimming with chips, and it was Ryshana's turn to set the bar. Catching another eye raise from Beryl, Ryshana knew things were all set for her to win big.

"Lets make this interesting. All in," Ryshana stated as she put every chip she had into the pot. The total: 21,985.

It was the perfect bait, and she knew it. While the other players folded, the nobleman was all too happy. "You're bluffing, I know it. They may not have the spine, but I certainly do. I'll call," he stated defiantly. Ryshana noticed that he didn't bother to check with Beryl this time, and that meant that it was indeed all over.

As the dealer drew the cards, Ryshana got an 8 while the nobleman got the 6. "Ah, well, all that drama for nothing," the nobleman stated reservedly.

"Not so fast," Ryshana stated. "My total is 26, but with the addition of my +/-6 card, that makes a perfect 20."

Pausing for effect, Ryshana smiled and then stated, "I win."

After collecting the chips, Ryshana now stood at about 45,000 credits. Although she would normally call it quits for the time being, she knew she could get some more credits out of this bunch of rich folks. Several members of the table got up to vacate their spots for others that were looking to get in on the action. Curiously, the nobleman Ryshana had just sparred with also got up to leave.

Before the nobleman could try to get Beryl to come with him, Ryshana gave her a quick nod accompanied with a discreet smile as a signal to leave him.

“Oh, look, isn’t that your wife?” Beryl said, quickly pointing towards the entrance. She had no idea what the nobleman’s wife looked like, but fortunately he was panicking too much with the thought of his wife discovering him there with her to care.

As he spluttered his excuse to her to flee the scene, Beryl let out a heaving and grateful sigh. “I need a drink,” she said to herself, and headed for the back bar.

She gingerly sat down (still sore from the deep cat scratches which were even more sore now from all the ‘patting’ she had endured), checked the value of the couple of credit chips she had palmed, and ordered a large Corellian brandy.

Ryshana almost started to giggle to herself at the distraction Beryl had just given the nobleman. Definately creative, Ryshana thought. Hmm, perhaps a bit to quickly for somebody that isn't sensitive to the Force.

Ryshana then stuck around for a couple more hands. These rich men were easy pickings since they were much more willing to throw the chips around than the standard Pazaak players. After a while, her stack of chips had grown to almost 60,000. I think that should be enough to help us out for quite a while, Ryshana thought to herself. After winning the last deal, Ryshana got up and gathered her chips.

After meeting with the Floor Captain, Ryshana quickly exchanged her chips for credits. As the Captain dealt the credits to Ryshana, she quickly felt outwards for Beryl. It didn't take long to find her sitting over at the bar towards the back.

Heading in that direction, Ryshana quietly walked up behind Beryl and then sat down next to her. Before she looked over at Beryl, Ryshana signaled the bartender. "A Cassandran Choholl please," Ryshana stated. "Sorry, we won't even get in another bottle for a couple of weeks. Even then, there's a waiting list," he replied

"The Cassandran Brandy will do just fine."

As the bartender started mixing the drink, Ryshana looked over at Beryl and smiled. "So, I take it that you've had a busy day."

On her fourth drink already, Beryl replied, “You have no idea.” She quickly downed the glass and asked for another, before turning to face Ryshana. She paused, and her brow wrinkled slightly. “I am so glad to see you,” she said, with genuine relief in her voice, as she shifted in her seat to try and get a bit more comfortable. “Were you looking for me, or did Nic send you out for supplies?”

"Actually, we've been looking for you the entire time. After the landing, Nic and I were supposed to get you from the Headhunter. I'm pretty sure he might get on your case for not staying put, but I wouldn't worry too much about it. I'll have your back," Ryshana replied. As the bartender handed over the drink, Ryshana took a quick sip.

"Well, there are a couple parts I'm not entirely understanding. First is how the heck you got to be a girlfriend for some Trooper Sergeant," Ryshana stated with a smile.

Beryl raised her eyebrows in shock, and felt herself begin to flush.

“Erm…girlfriend? I am most certainly not any Stormtrooper’s girlfriend,” she said. “Penni just…helped me out a bit. Gave me a lift into Theed. Treated some of my wounds. And…”

Then she frowned, thinking how ludicrous this all sounded. A Stormtrooper. Helping her. She looked down at her shoes, and she felt herself blush even more. And…buying me shoes. Nice shoes, too…

She shook her head. “He’s obviously insane or … or something,” she said hurriedly. “Either that or he was up to something.” She sighed. “But he knows my name. My first name, anyway. I couldn’t for the life of me remember what name was on that ID Nic gave me. Still can’t,” she added with a shrug.

Ryshana laughed lightly to herself at Beryl's response. "So, he has a name, too. Sounds like he just simply liked you. You can never underestimate the power of male hormones," Ryshana replied while taking another sip from her drink.

Thinking for just a second, Ryshana then stated, "Do you know why he was in that particular area of jungle?"

"He said he was looking for a Jedi," Beryl stated flatly. "Apparently, suspected to be on a cargo ship that had landed in the area." She grinned, and took another drink before continuing. "Have you ever heard of such an outrageous story?" she said sarcastically, just in case anyone was eavesdropping on their conversation.

"I've heard of much taller tales, believe me," Ryshana stated quickly. "Oh, and another thing. Exactly how did things turn out with that 'cat'? With no weapons, I would imagine things got a bit interesting."

Beryl gave Ryshana a deadpan look. "What's interesting is how I can still manage to sit on a chair." With that said, she shifted again, grimacing slightly. "Those mom cats don't mess around. Don't think I'll need stitches, but I really couldn't see how bad the wound was. It's covered with a large piece of plasti-skin at the moment. Still hurts though. Least the superficial stuff is nearly healed," she said, looking down at her bare leg.

"I came to in a cave, and it didn't take me long to realise I was tagged as 'training material' for her brood." Beryl sighed. "Lost my boot and my jacket in the process. I liked that jacket, too," she added. "Tell you what, though, Krayt Dragon hide is the only leather I'm ever going to wear from now on. I'm lucky to have gotten out of there in one piece."

Ryshana raised her eyebrows slightly at the last comment. "Yes, you seem to be very lucky indeed. And on more than one occassion," Ryshana commented. "But, its no matter." Ryshana paused for a moment to take another sip of the Brandy.

"Since we seem to have a bit of time on our hands, I think that I need to ask you something a bit personal, if you don't mind of course."

"But it's no matter," Ryshana said.

Beryl looked at her askance. "I'm lucky at cards, yes. But that's all. Luck isn't the same as skill. Or quick reaction time. Or quick thinking under stress. Or targeting an eyeball without the computer. Those things come with practice."

Beryl cringed slightly as Ryshana said she wanted to ask her a personal question. "Alright. Go ahead. What did you want to know?"

"Well, its just that you've been pretty distant since the whole encounter with Vader. You avoid me, and until about an hour ago when we started up at the Pazaak table, I haven't hardly even gotten so much as a look from you. I haven't done anything wrong, have I?" Ryshana asked a bit nervously.

"No, not really." Beryl bit her lip. "I...I guess I should apologise for acting the way I did," she said humbly. "It's just...." She exhaled, trying to collect her thoughts. "I suppose I was a bit...resentful of you being on board in the first place. Because...well, because of you being... you know," she said, reluctant to say the word 'Jedi' in such a public place. "And, right now, that's not a real good thing to be in this Galaxy." She frowned. "And Cloud doesn't need any help with anything now that he's your...student. So, I suppose I was feeling... I don't know. Useless, I guess. Anyway, I'm sorry. I'm glad you're here now. Really." She shivered. "And please don't mention the 'V' word again. He scares me. A lot."

Ryshana smiled lightly. "I know this isn't exactly a good place to talk about it, but at least things are in the open. Trust me: if you need something, I'm always available. I may be a bit of a special case, but a lot of that is in the past. Things have changed too much for those things to matter as much any more," Ryshana stated as the smile slowly faded.

Taking yet another sip, Ryshana then continued, "Besides, I could use a good friend. Constant meditation makes for a strong connection, but it makes for distant relationships. I'd rather not have things turn out that way."

"Me neither," said Beryl. She grinned at Ryshana. "And I suppose I owe you some thanks for bailing me out of a potentially sticky situation. I was just trying to get enough credits to find a secure com link to contact you guys, not enough to buy my own ship and come find you. And I swear, if that mongrel gave me one more 'pat', I was going to thump him. Hard."

Beryl downed the rest of her drink. "Well, I think I'm sufficiently relaxed now." She frowned slightly. "You said you came here with Nic, didn't you? Where is he?"