Aaron LightBlade, General of the Republic, Verse III

Aaron stood on the balcony outside the conference room, having shed his Jedi robe and taking the bottle of Scotch and a tumbler out with him. He had pondered the new world before him for hours without a hint of anyone around, but had come to no conclusions. Turning his back to the strange sun, he went back into the room and gathered his robes, not bothering to pull it on, and went to the door and out into the hall.

He sensed her before he saw her, turning to see a beautiful, blonde woman smiling at him as she waited patiently. Introducing herself, she called herself Barbie, offering to take him to his own quarters. Thanking her, he followed her to his temporary lodgings on the next floor, more opulent than even his quarters on the flagship, everything ready for his arrival, including his own possessions. Nodding negative at her request after his needs, she slipped quietly from the room to leave him in peace.

Again check the quarters with a glance, he placed his lightsabers within easy reach, his lightstaff on the floor, and lay on the bed. Closing his eyes, he meditated as the alien sun filled the room.

Aaron stood in the middle of his quarters dressed in the Jedi Masters Robes of Qel-Droma, the ones he had worn prior to the set he had received on the Star Forge. Wearing the Star Forge Robes was reserved for special occasions and he much preferred the others, his rank of Knight not yet rating the robes of a Master, but no one choosing to argue with him about it either. Most felt he had earned them.

Pulling on the cloak that went with them, he took note of his appearance in the mirror, his dual lightsabers in place on his belt, the lightstaff stowed on his back beneath the cloak, and everything else in place. Running fingers through his hair, he ignored his unruly, black mane and headed to the door. He had chose to stay in his quarters the first day and sort himself, reserving his meeting with the rest of the crew for today. That meeting with the crew of the Ebon Hawk had been preempted by a request from one Tomokata Horukin, however, a woman whose position in Denver and the family had been explained to him. It seemed he was to be treated as a visiting dignitary and diplomacy, in this case, would have to supercede their own needs. Besides, he needed to gather information. He wasn't as sure of their safety as the rest and information was at the top of his list of needs at the moment.

Taking time to familiarize himself with the variety of rank structures in Denver, using the Keeps impressive information database, he felt that he could comfortably move within the ranks of their various diplomats, directors, vice presidents, CEO's, militaries, commissioners, and whatever else they chose to throw at him. His natural inclination towards the military and the Jedi Order and his impressive command of languages had allowed him to quickly memorize the plethora of possible ranks he may encounter and he felt as prepared as he could be under the circumstances.

Quickly reviewing the public file of this Tomokata Horukin, CEO and Matriarch of the Tintallin Family, he realized that she held a most impressive title and a great deal of power and rejecting the invitation didn't seem at all prudent. He had been informed that he would first meet President Sunstorm Striker-Tintallin, the highest-ranking member of Horukin Enterprises here or in any of the other worlds he had been informed of, and someone of the rank of Reverend Mother. That one had confused him, the woman assisting him, Tiffany Hicks was her name, telling him to think of it along the terms of a female only Jedi Order. That had helped, a little, but made him wary at the same time. Still, if they requested his presence, and it had seemed like a genuine request as far as he could tell, he would postpone his plans and accommodate them. Politics suck, he thought, chuckling at how Adria had influenced his use of language, particularly with this American Dialect she most often cursed in.

Between American and Trade Four, he realized that Galactic Basic could very well have been rooted here at some time in the distant past. Very distant, but rooted here nonetheless.

Brushing his hands down the front of his robe, he felt ready and walked to the door. Sliding open automatically, he detected the presence of a great many people in the hallway and stopped, inspecting both directions before heading out. Locating the leader of the band that confronted him, Aaron nodded in her direction, Calia's expressionless visor tilting slightly. With her stood all of the other Valkyrs, their demeanor somehow changed from two days before when the Tiger had first landed. From the too stiff stances and the slightly elevated chins of the helmets, he could tell that their pride had been sorely wounded and that this would turn into an incident, whether from them being overly cautious and anxious to prove themselves or down right trigger happy in his defense. Knowing he couldn't have that, he let his gaze travel from one to the other until his eyes again rested on Calia. The nearly imperceptible stiffening he detected proved his theory, so he braced himself and trusted to his instincts as a soldier to both say the right thing and defuse the situation.

Stepping in front of her, he looked down at her and met the gaze of her visor, saying calmly, 'You took down nearly a quarter of their force, even outnumbered sixteen to one. You performed admirably and I expect you to continue to do so. All of you are on your feet and well. Let's tend to business and remember our jobs. Mandalore's Valkyrs proved their worth and I'd not doubt you again.'

The shifting around him that he detected out of the corners of his eyes showed that he had said the right thing, for everyone but Calia anyway.

Raising her chin just a bit more, she said, 'We live because they let us. We were still insufficient.'

He took a step forward and let himself tower over her much shorter height of 5'6'. Looking down at the upturned visor, he stated flatly, 'That may be against the force they leveled against you, but your vow was unbroken. No one fell after me and my capture was not secured. You did your job. You are now proven. Accept it and learn. If there was any failing, it was my pride that we were invincible, not in any preparations you had taken. If there is any blame to be laid, place it at my feet, not yours. I lead here. They had the whole of this fortress to levy troops against us. What more could have been expected?'

'But...'

'Calia. Shut up. Perfection is for the afterlife, not for now. Did you learn?'

'Yes.'

'Will it happen again?'

'No.'

'Then that is all I need to know. I'd give you medals, but you wouldn't take them. I'd raise your pay, but that isn't in the contract. You leave me little choice but to say thank you and move on. You have only gained honor at the price of a little bruised pride. We could all use that once in a while. Now, Captain, assemble the troops and let's figure out where we are supposed to be right now.'

Extending a datapad, she offered it to him. Looking down, he noted a spot marked on the print given to him and directions to arrive. Looking up, he also noted the page that waited for them a discreet distance down the hall. Turning that direction, the Valkyrs fell in around him as he headed for the page, the boy turning and marching off down the hallway importantly like this was a parade.

Looking around him at the assembled troop, he leaned down to Calia and asked, 'Is this necessary? Take advantage of the hospitality. I sense no danger...for now.'

'Nor do I, General, but I am in charge of security and you are in charge of the Republic Fleet. We should both know our place.'

'Ouch. O.K. Whatever makes you comfortable.' Half grinning to himself, he continued to follow the page to an open elevator that managed to accommodate them all. Looking around himself as they descended, he thought this might be a parade after all.

The convoy stopped in front of what he had been told was Horukin Enterprises, an intergalactic corporation run by the Matriarch of the Tintallins, Tomokata Horukin. Aaron watched as the Valkyrs dismounted the vehicle in front of him, the four stepping off the running boards, two on the running boards outside of his vehicle, the second in line, and four on the one that followed. Two were in the car with him. With them, they had eight storm troopers, the extra security insisted on by Angel since it was unknown what possible threat might arise against him and, partly, at Calia's insistence. If nothing else, there was one thing that Aaron knew for sure and that was that Calia would not yield when it came to Aaron's safety.

When Calia was satisfied that there was no threat, the door opened and Aaron stepped out onto the sidewalk, the Valkyrs quickly ushering him into the building as if he was the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic and assassins waited on every corner. Later, he would have to speak with her about that, but for now he let it be. Confronting her publicly would only undermine her authority and he had no desire to do that, particularly when she could turn those liquid blue eyes on him and say volumes without opening her mouth. Once inside, Aaron was turned over to Horukin security, grudgingly, and the Valkyrs and Stormtroopers were escorted to a waiting area that would see to their needs in lavish style while Aaron met Tomokata.

Riding the elevator up, Aaron took the time to check his appearance, finding every detail as it should be, and calmed himself. Stepping off the elevator, he didn't find that he had to wait, but was instead escorted into a small waiting room to be announced.

Quickly, he was called and walked into a lavish office that held what must have been some of the finest furniture and artwork that could be had. Sitting behind the large desk was a stunningly beautiful woman who seemed to be finishing up something before acknowledging him.

Aaron took the time to take her in while she was distracted, long, blonde hair pulled to the sides and hanging free, a slender face, pointed ears, deep skin tone, and a generous mouth. When she looked up, that generous mouth spread into a grin that revealed sparkling white teeth and the eyes were a striking blue within blue that he had come to associate with Angel and what he had been led to call Dune. When she stood, he noted the business suit; a white jacket buttoned in front with a light shell beneath, the ample chest and slender waist spreading into firm hips and tapering into well-developed legs. The skirt she wore was white also and reached mid thigh, the long legs ending with delicate feet in what he had come to know as pumps. Wearing them, she still stood shorter than he, but as she rounded the desk, he found himself breathless before one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen.

Approaching him, she held out her hand, he noting that she, too, had checked him from head to toe and, apparently, he met with her approval. Extending her hand, she clasped his in a firm grip, he noting the softness of her skin, but also that her hands were firm and callused, maybe from weapons practice or work, he was unable to tell. 'Welcome, General LightBlade. It is a pleasure to meet you.'

'I believe the pleasure is all mine, Ms. Horukin.' His grinned matched hers, he hoping that he didn't give too much away with it.

'I'm sorry, you weren't told. I'm Sunstorm Striker-Tintallin, Tomo's President for Megaversal Operations. We'll be meeting with Ms. Horukin, Tomo, shortly.' Looking down, she took in their hands and then raised her eyes back at Aarons. Hesitantly, he released her hand, she letting his touch linger just a bit before releasing his own. 'She is wrapping up her last appointment and then she'll give us a call. Would you like a drink?'

Aaron relaxed and said, 'Sure. I believe Angel called it Scotch? Do you have any of that?'

She smiled. 'Yes. Would that be two fingers or three?'

'You decide.' He watched as she turned and walked over to a small bar, his eyes admiring this angle as well as the first, he quickly adjusting his view when she looked over her shoulder at him as she went, the small smile indicating that he had been caught but that the attention was not unappreciated. He was slightly discomfited at the ease with which he let his attraction surface, open admiration and even a little lust. The stirring deep within him, however was not the physical sensation but something he couldn't identify, sinister maybe, then nearly disappearing as if shielded. That wasn't reassuring.

After serving up drinks, Sun, as she had instructed him to call her, motioned him over to a set of couches at the side of the office, taking a seat opposite of him as they had a drink and waited. They chatted about Denver and the Republic, but were soon interrupted by a chime informing them that Tomo could see them now. While they had been sitting, Aaron had had time to take in the supple blondes legs, Sunstorm crossing them as she sat, her half smile never leaving her face as his eyes drifted to her legs, hips, chest or face, she seeming to take pleasure in his attention even as she afforded him her own. That dark feeling inside of him was still there, but he couldn't put a finger on it. Sun seemed to give no notice when he paused to analyze it.

Standing, she surprised him by escorting him personally instead of handing him off to one of her subordinates. Walking just a few steps down the hall, they were greeted by another tall, blonde man that was strikingly similar to Angel.

'Ms. Horukin will see you now. My name is Lightbringer and I would be glad to assist you with anything during your visit to Horukin. You need only ask.'

As Aaron said 'thank you', a block clicked into place as he associated the resemblance with what he knew. This was another of Angel's brothers.

Walking into another opulent office, Sunstorm shut the door behind her and another strikingly beautiful woman came around her desk to meet him. With purple hair, violet eyes, and a figure to stop traffic, Tomokata Horukin caught Aaron's fancy immediately. With the same aplomb, or lack thereof, he greeted her just as he had Sunstorm, his touch lingering just a bit longer than might be viewed appropriate. Deep inside, he felt a growl, but he quieted it in confusion and turned his attention to the business at hand. Antab briefly flashed into his mind, but the thought was squelched almost immediately. He filed that away until later.

'On behalf of Horukin Enterprises, Denver, and the Tintallins, I would like to welcome you. We have much to discuss, but that will come another time. For now, I was just interested in making your acquaintance.'

Smiling, Aaron responded with, 'I assure you, the pleasure is all mine. So, what do you do here, Ms. Horukin?'

'Please, call me Tomo or Tomokata...Aaron.'

Aaron grinned. 'Very well...Tomo. And yes, call me Aaron. General LightBlade can be very trying when not on the bridge of a ship or in the field.'

'Fair enough.'

Taking seats in a similar area to that in Sun's office, the three sat and talked for a time about the state of affairs in both the Republic and Denver, the conversation drifting from one tangent to another from time to time, but coming back on track each time. At some of his answers, he noted that Sun's eyes met Tomo's or a smile would pass between them. They talked for about a half hour before Tomo begged off so that she could tend to business. Standing, Aaron took Tomo's hand and shook it, again lingering with his touch.

Smiling, Tomo said, 'I look forward to our next meeting. I apologize for the quick exit, but, as you know, your arrival was...unexpected.' Looking over at Sun, she said, 'But I'm sure Sunstorm would be more than willing to take you to lunch.' Aaron looked between the two women, but was unable to read what passed between them other than Sun was pleased. 'Sun, why don't you take the rest of the day off and show Aaron around Denver.'

Sunstorm grinned and said, 'It would be my pleasure.'

Leaving the office and Tomokata Horukin behind, they stood outside as Sunstorm stopped and faced him. 'I had a previous lunch appointment, but I can cancel if you like.'

Aaron smiled and said, 'No, if you had a previous engagement, go ahead. I'll take a rain check...that is the right phrase I think...and we can have lunch later.'

Before she could respond, another woman walked up, identical to Sunstorm and interrupted, saying, 'I was wondering where you got off to.' Turning her attention to Aaron, she said, 'Hi. I'm Lightheart Striker-Tintallin, Sunstorm's sister.'

'Aaron LightBlade. My pleasure.' Aaron couldn't help the grin, as much as he tried.

Turning back to Sun, she said, 'So, are we still on for lunch or...' She eyed Aaron. '...do you have other plans?'

Sun hesitated a moment, a moment that Aaron chose to interrupt. 'Well, Tomo asked Sun to take me to lunch, but I see no reason why the three of us can't have lunch together.'

As Lightheart beamed at him, Sunstorm smiled and said, 'That sounds like a marvelous idea. Shall we?'

'We shall.' They answered in unison, laughing as they did.

As Sunstorm led the way, Lightheart joined them and headed towards the elevator, a quick stop by Sun's office to pick up her purse. As they waited, Aaron took in Lightheart, the same face and figure, but she wearing tight jeans and a tank top, her ample chest stretching the fabric as she smiled at him, his eyes unable to stay off of her, torn away only to be drawn to Sun. When they were ready, they took the elevator down, discussing the Valkyrs as they went.

For some reason, Aaron was no longer able to detect that darkness. Instead, he could only sense a hunger...and not for lunch.

Angel sat in his office, cigar burning and drink in hand, as he thought about the recent turn of events. Rarely, he regretted agreeing to the edict of not using prescience that might have averted the irritation of discovering a universe was real, at least more real than they had believed, and prevented the 'bad start' with Aaron and the rest that they had experienced. Over the last few days, he had been inconsolable where Aaron, Adria, and the rest had been and had done everything but meditate on it. Now, he had done even that and it hadn't helped. Crushing out his cigar, he hit the intercom and called Barbie into his office, swallowing the last of his drink as he did.

As she entered, he said, 'Could you fix me another one, babe?'

She smiled and said, 'Sure.' Walking to the bar, Angel's eyes followed her. Turning, she smiled knowingly as she brought the drink over and leaned against his desk. As he took a sip, she asked, 'Is there anything else?'

Without expression, he said, 'Shut the door.'

With that same knowing smile, she stood up and turned to the door, sashaying over and closing it. Turning back into the room, she walked around the desk and stood in front of Angel. Looking down at him, she said, 'This whole Republic business has you all out of sorts, doesn't it.'

Looking at her, he said, 'Yes, it does. Too many unknowns.'

'Well, you need to stop worrying. Right now, you have the staff jumping at shadows and you're driving your wives insane or to New York. You need to relax.'

'I can't. There are too many unknowns, too many outcomes. If someone...'

'You're not omniscient.'

'Well I should be!'

'Well, you're not. If you won't relax, at least you can tell me what is bothering you. That is why you had me come in just to fix you a drink. It certainly wasn't because of my special blend.'

That caused Angel to crack a smile. 'Yeah. Pull up a chair.'

Over the next hour, Angel gave Barbie a long list of instructions where their visitors were concerned, needs, and wants, whatever else he could think of. Then, he addressed the issue of intelligence, what he was looking for, where the blanks needed to be filled. Even though his senses had warned him of the Galaxy Tiger and some of the other events that would transpire, something was still afoot and he couldn't put his finger on what it was. He needed information and he needed it now.

When they were done, Barbie stood and refreshed Angel's drink, this time filling a bigger glass and spiking it with mélange, the Spice of New Dune that he favored over his old stores. Taking it thankfully, he took a sip and leaned back in his chair as she left, the unsettling wheels within wheels inexorably turning towards some unknown end that would shake the world of the Tintallin's and the Republic both.

Aaron laughed as he entered limo, only Calia and Antab with him now, they all jesting playfully throughout lunch and now as they were leaving. Sitting back in the seat with Sun on one side and Lightheart on the other, Calia and Antab facing them, he asked, 'Where to, ladies?'

Without preamble, Lightheart said, 'Why not my place?' As she did, her hand slid onto his thigh suggestively.

On the other side, Sunstorm's hand joined hers as she said, 'That sounds like a great idea.'

Across from him, the Valkyrs never changed, the visored faces not able to show what the women beneath thought. What he did know was that they sat stock still as the limo pulled off. As for Aaron, he wasn't sure how to react, the two, beautiful twins, triplets if Shadowlake was considered but he didn't, had been friendly throughout lunch and had flirted openly, but the latest turn had surprised him. Again, he could sense something, but it was quickly clouded as he drifted back into the euphoria of the two women.

Taking the direct approach, Aaron said, 'I guess we're going to a...party?'

Lightheart leaned over and put her lips close to Aaron's ear. He could feel her warm breath there, her scent filling his senses as she did so. Sultrily, she said, 'Yeah, we're going to a party, but you're the only one invited. If you'd like, we can drop you off somewhere, but I'd be very disappointed if you decided that.'

On the other side, Sun purred, 'So would I. It's not often Tomo gives me an afternoon off without good reason.'

Aaron smiled. 'No, I don't want to be dropped off. I'm just surprised is all.'

'Why would that be, Hon? Let's see, you're 6'4', dark hair, sparkling green eyes, obviously well muscled and in shape, and you have an aura that screams sexual tension, no matter what you project as a Jedi. We would be foolish to pass up this, wouldn't you say.' Lightheart's warm breath brushed his ear to punctuate her words.

Still smiling, Aaron said, 'Since you put it that way. Lead on.' His uneasiness had completely slipped away and now all he felt was the hunger.

Smugly, Lightheart and Sunstorm exchanged glances as the limo drove them to the Masters Arms. Exiting the limousine, Lightheart led the way as Sunstorm took Aaron's hand, twining her fingers in his. Walking beside him, she smiled at him coyly, they following Lightheart even as Calia and Antab followed along behind. Entering the private elevator to Lightheart's suite, they found themselves a bit crowded, Lightheart and Sun snuggling in close to Aaron, the Valkyrs taking positions across from them facing the door. When the elevator stopped, they went into the open room, checking things even as the threesome ambled off and towards the center area. Disengaging from the two women, Aaron shed his outer robe, Sun taking it and hanging it on the rack, Lightheart pulling him along to the living room and urging him onto the couch before turning to the Valkyrs who watched everything at once.

As Sun joined Aaron on the couch, kicking off her white pumps and curling her legs beneath her, Lightheart walked to the glass wall leading onto the deck and turned to the guards. Tapping the glass, she said, 'This is Mega reinforced glass, able to stop several tank rounds. Beyond that, we have both magical and technological shields that will stop or alert us to any dangers. With a surplus of security and more than ample warning, I assure you that the General is very safe and...shall we say, well cared for. Why don't you two ladies take a break. The bar is over there or...we could call you...something special?'

Calia looked at her, the visored visage showing no hint of what went on beneath her mask. Reaching up, she took the chin of her helmet in hand and pulled it off, shaking her hair out to let it fall behind her. Nodding at Antab, the other woman did the same, still wary but not ready to shoot the first thing that moved. The look Calia leveled at Lightheart passed right over the woman, but Aaron could see it from where he sat. Dangerous. Before he could act or speak on it, he felt that euphoria wash over him strongly, his attention going to Sunstorm and her arm around his shoulders, hand on thigh.

When she was satisfied that the Valkyr's wouldn't bother them in their fun, Lightheart grinned and walked around the dining room table, taking a moment to lean against it as she raised one of her legs and took her cowboy boot in hand, pulling it off to discard it on the floor, the other soon joining it.

Walking over to the couch, she took a position on the other side of Aaron, curling in next to him as she let her hand fall on his thigh. She noted that Sun was already curled next to him, her arm around his shoulders as her hand stroked his thigh.

As Lightheart leaned over Aaron, her knee bumped one of the lightsabers he still wore. Sitting up, she looked at him half grinning, and asked, 'Do you think you'll be needing those, General? I'm sure we don't have any...ill intents, at least not in that manner.'

Aaron laughed a little himself as Sunstorm broke off nuzzling his ear. With a grunt, he said, 'Who knows what weapons I might need against you two.' Pulling off the three blades, he dropped them on the coffee table in front of him.

With a twinkle, Lightheart's eyes met Suns and she said, 'Well, now that that is dispensed with...'

Moving at the same time, both women stood up and walked away from the couch, heading towards a door on the far side of the room. As Lightheart entered, Sunstorm turned and looked at Aaron, a sultry smile flicking across her lips before she followed the other woman.

Grinning, Aaron stood up and started across the room, looking from one Valkyr to the other as he went, their expressions bland, he turning his back on them to follow the female Tintallins into the other room. As he reached the door, he was stopped in his tracks as the Force flared within him only to be squelched just as quickly. Shaking his head, the clarity he experienced was drowned by an ocean of euphoria, his steps carrying him beyond the door and into the darkness.

Across town, the Jedi Master stood on the top deck of the Keep looking in the direction of downtown Denver. Grimacing, Jolee Bindu fought the waves that clouded the Force, trying to perceive what was happening, knowing only that he desired something more than standing here meditating. Catching a brief glimpse of what was transpiring across town, Jolee gathered the Force to himself to fight only to have it slip through his grasp to be replaced by something else, something...pleasurable.

In typical fashion, Jolee grunted under his breath. 'I hope you know what you're doing, kid.'

Turning, Jolee headed back to the Keep where he knew the other Jedi were already preoccupied with their own pursuits. Well, all but one.

Adria sat there with her head in her hands, Canderous and Carth railing at each other over what was to be done about their current situation and their need to get back to the Republic. As the two men continued to shout at each other, she suddenly felt the need to leave, ignoring the men, standing and walking with purpose out the door and to her quarters, unnoticed.

Stopping in the dusky suite, she stood with her back to the door, waiting. When she heard it slide open and someone walk in, she didn't turn, but only waited for the door to close before addressing her visitor. Huskily, she said, 'Hello, Jolee.'

When Aaron walked into the parking garage the next morning, alone, he ached nearly from head to toe. The night before, he had sent his Valkyr guard back to the Keep, he assuring Calia that all was well and that he would call them this morning to come back and get him. Of course, he hadn't. After last night, the whirlwind that had surrounded him, he needed time to sort things out and he didn't need them looking after him like a lost Kath pup.

Having looked out the window of the apartment as he left, he realized that it was early morning, the sun just cresting the horizon as he headed to the elevator, bidding his hostesses goodbye as he went.

Realizing that he had been caught up in the moment, driven for lack of a better way of putting it, he had been ready for sleep as much as his companions had been. The marks that had been left on his body had stung under the shower before he left, a gentle reminder that he didn't recall last night very well. He had thought to Force Heal them, but it didn't seem important at the time.

Stepping off the elevator and heading to the taxi they had summoned, he froze mid-step as something washed over him, the feel of power that was familiar like last night, yet distant. Not moving, he tasted it as it tasted him, his power feeling ancient next to what sampled his, the feel the same, but this newer, as if they were not of the same...era was the word that came to mind.

Turning slowly, he saw nothing at first, but he knew it was there. It was almost physical, oppressing him, pushing him away even as it pulled him forward. Stopping his turn, he caught the movement, or lack of it, out of the corner of his eye. Turning his eyes slowly towards it, he locked onto the source, almost startling in its clarity, yet invisible before he had located. At first, he had thought it was a male, but he quickly amended that. The look was undeniable, the feel now obvious.

Out of the shadows, a form moved, overwhelmingly female, the dark hood hiding the face even as he turned and looked fully at her, her posture one of curiosity, the feeling full of threat. She was so strong; he nearly missed the other fleeting movements that surrounded him. His initial estimate was two or three, but he couldn't be sure. They moved as if they knew what he was and what he had been. They were being careful, painfully so and he wasn't able to lay his finger on any of them but her. She seemed to be allowing him to sense her, her sensuality and need drawing his attention, not the need of desire, but of longing for his blood, his body. And his fear and anger. Definitely anger.

Looking at her, the face slid from the hood and exposed itself, a small smile there as she let him see her, the light just a trickle, but enough. She was beautiful. Beneath her face, the robe slid back and revealed a voluptuous body, one obviously made for one thing and Aaron felt the need stir within him to satisfy that thing. Resisting, he looked back to her face and saw that if he did, certain doom would befall him and those who were with him, this woman as dangerous as she was alluring. Still, it did not lessen what had become a need.

As if she sensed this, she seemed to note what he had been and what he was, making a decision, but he not knowing what. As the smile turned to a grin and then to nothing, the shadows seemed to engulf her face, she disappearing back into the hood and then into the shadows. Even as he watched her, he felt her...shift, and then she was gone, along with the others that had flitted around his awareness. He had not realized it, but he finally took a breath, his chest burning after holding one for so long.

Without realizing it, his lightsabers were in his hands, not ignited, but ready and waiting for what surely would have been an attack. Turning slowly, he noted the absence of menace, the lack of the Dark Side that now made the garage seem devoid of life. She had sensed and touched the Dark Side that had once been Revan and had done the same with that which was now Revan. Her choice had been made. Not now, and he felt very lucky that that had been the one.

Facing the direction of the Keep, Aaron walked to it slowly out of the garage and into the light as he stowed his lightsabers back in their sheaths. He wasn't sure of what he had just encountered except for three overwhelming facts. Whomever had been in the darkness had been Sith. Her name was Essius and that he would see her again. And yesterday, she had pulled the strings like a Master and had touched that which had been Revan.

Sunstorm and Light heart dressed in the silence of the apartment, Aaron's presence fading from their awareness as he descended in the elevator and the distance increased. Feeling him slip beyond their range, Sunstorm froze, only her eyes moving to meet Light hearts and see that she had done the same.

'Did you feel that, sister?'

'Yes. What was it?'

'I don't know, but it was oily and it held great power. And it was responsible for this though we were willingly susceptible.'

'Aaron?'

'No. I think not.'

'Then what?'

A considering look passed between them. Simultaneously, they said, 'Revan.'

Aaron knocked on Adria's suite door and waited. The two Valkyr's that had attached themselves to him when he arrived had moved off when he had dismissed them, they all viewing the Keep as safe, probably more so than any of their battleships, given the circumstances. Still, he could tell that the whole lot was angry with him for dismissing them last night. He would have to deal with that later. More important business awaited at the moment.

Just as he was about to give up, he knowing that Adria was in as he could sense her, but assuming she didn't want to be bothered, he heard a soft 'Come' from the other side of the door.

As he reached for the button, the door opened of its own volition and he walked on in. Looking around the room, he couldn't help but squint in the dim light, the curtains drawn and the room smelling a bit musty. Beside the bed, a lamp clicked on and he saw Adria bathed in a warm light, a thin, silk robe clasped in front of her and clinging wetly to her body. Stopping in mid stride, he didn't say anything, but couldn't help soaking her in.

Before he could recover, she said, 'Yes? Did you want something?' Her tone was a bit cool and with good cause, he thought.

As he started to speak, he took in the room now that the lights were on. The bed was in total disarray, the sheets kicked off onto the floor, stained in places, clothing discarded onto the floor, Jedi Robes he noted, two sets, and Adria's hair in disarray and tangled. Pausing, he tried to think diplomatically, but nothing came, her gaze clear and unabashed as he stood there.

Finally, he said, 'I could come back later, if you're busy. It can wait.'

Without change of expression or demeanor, she said, 'No, it's o.k. Jolee was just about to leave.'

'Pardon?'

Before she could say anything else, Jolee came in from another room, a towel wrapped around his waist, his skin glistening from the shower. As Aaron took him in, he wasn't sure whether he was more stunned by the man being here and what he had been doing or by his physique. It had never occurred to Aaron that the old man would be as solid as a starship hull and cut like a much younger man.

Throwing up a hand in greeting, Jolee only grumbled under his breath as he dropped the towel and pulled on his pants, shocking Aaron again. Pulling his robe around his shoulders, he picked up the rest of his clothing and walked over to Adria, patting her on the ass as she kissed him and saying, 'Don't let him give you a hard time or I'll have to wallop him. No respect from the young anymore and...' Walking to the door, he exited, leaving Aaron to look at her in stunned silence.

Breaking that silence, she said, 'Well? Did you want something? And don't look so surprised. You saw him. Now what do you want?'

Holding up his hands in a gesture of peace, Aaron said, 'I didn't come to fight, I just came to tell you that we'll be staying a little longer. I received a message from Angel when I arrived this morning and I think we can send a message back to the Republic and let them know we're o.k. and that we'll be delayed a bit, but that it won't be overly long.'

'Delayed? Why?'

'Well, I was thinking.'

'Oh, so you're thinking now.'

'Adria,' he growled, 'relax for a minute. Please. I was thinking that I may have overreacted a bit,' here eyebrows raising at that, 'and that it wouldn't hurt to stay for a little while. It seems to have done some good for you all to take some time off and it couldn't hurt to take a little more. We've been fighting for five years now without a break, so we should make the best of it. Besides, I don't think either of our ships will fly for at least a week. They were damaged pretty bad.'

She studied him for a minute, looking for any deception on his part, knowing she wouldn't find it. Taking a breath, she said, 'Yes, you overreacted. Yes, we could use the time off, but the Republic needs Bastila now.'

He held up a hand. 'Not for another six weeks. We'll start the big offensive then. Until then, we can relax and recharge. It will do us all some good.'

Adria just looked at him and then walked around the bed. Raising her arms, she gave him a crushing hug, one to be shared between friends. Looking up at him, she said, 'You do pretty well when you think. Glad to have you back.'

'Glad to be back. Now, I have to get some sleep! But first, we need to talk.'

He saw the guard come up a little. 'About what?'

Sighing, he said, 'The Sith are here, but these are not like any Sith I've ever seen before. These...' He paused before continuing. 'These Sith felt like they had already won the war.'