Interlude

[Ariel Erose]

Val paused a few paces from Ariel and spoke to her solemnly. “Is it safe to approach any closer or is my life still in danger?”

“Fool.” She laughed. “Get over here.”

Grinning in return -- and it was probably the biggest grin Val had ever displayed, he complied. From where he was busy inputting data into the record, the MD droid spoke with that intonation that all medical personal, sentient or otherwise, seemed to adopt.

“I assured you at the time it was a common threat among females undergoing that particular physiological process.”

Instead of telling the droid he was an idiot because his patient was a Jedi and therefore no one was safe, he did something that would undoubtedly get the droid’s circuits fired up. He climbed onto the bed beside Ariel, slipping his arm around her so that she could lean back against him. The other arm he brought around to cradle the bundle in Ariel’s arms. They gazed at what they had wrought with identical expressions that bespoke complete infatuation. After several minutes of blissful silence Val uttered what was on his mind.

“Red hair. Boy are we in trouble.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When Ariel caught sight of the first visitor MD4 escorted in, she cried out in delight.

“Danyel, what are you doing here?”

“You didn’t expect me to miss the birth of my niece, did you?” her brother replied as he bent and kissed Ariel’s cheek. “I’m not all duty, you know. Once or twice a decade I do something strictly personal.”

“Wow, Danyel, you’d better watch yourself. You’re really in danger of cutting loose. Good thing that Booster shut down all the casinos.” Val smirked.

“On the contrary, Val, I’d be in no danger whatsoever. I live vicariously through the two of you. There’s enough drama there to go around.” Danyel rejoined.

“Just like old times. “ Ariel intervened before the two males in her life could really get going. Her eyes met her brother’s, and the strong bonds of love passed between them.

“Not quite; this is much better.” Danyel lightly brushed his newborn niece’s cheek. In response, the baby opened her eyes, turned her face towards Ariel and started making searching motions.

“Now you’ve done it.” Ariel laughed. Draping a blanket over her shoulder, she discretely began to feed her brand-new daughter. Somewhat chagrinned, Danyel subsided back into his chair.

“Actually, I’m here on ‘business’ as well. I figured as long as I was going to be here, I could tell you in person.”

Ariel tore her eyes away from her child. She had a good idea what was coming and she was already feeling a sense of guilt over it. “Fey’la.” She said succinctly. With a nod, Danyel confirmed her suspicions.

“The Clan Council informed the Chief of State that due to his ‘perfidious and dishonorable conduct’ over the Yavin affair, they had no recourse but to withdraw their support from the Republic. Henceforth, they will be supporting the Jedi – and only the Jedi.”

“Good.” Val commented with distinct satisfaction in his voice. “I would have relished giving old Borsk that message in person.”

Given the convenient expediency that would have sacrificed his own sister and her unborn child to the Yuuzhan Vong, Danyel’s sympathies were certainly in line with Val’s. Borsk Fey’la had no idea how easy he was getting off. Had Ariel died on Yavin at the hands of the Vong, the Olari would not only have sanctioned the assassination of the CoS, they would have considered it their duty. And they probably would have let Val fire the blaster. Danyel had been raised with the Olari Honor Code ingrained in him. He understood it, and for the most part, he agreed with it. That aside, though, he was disturbed by the ripples of guilty dismay coming from Ariel. She felt, as Val's wife -- and Val being the Kessana clan chief, that she was the cause of this rupture, but it was squarely on Borsk Fey'la shoulders. Danyel did not want his sister feeling responsible for that conniving bothan's machinations.

“Ariel, we knew this was going to be the result of informing the Clan Council, but we had to do it. The Council absolutely had the right to know what happened and act accordingly.”

“I don’t care about Fey’la. He could be blasted into a nova and the Republic would be better off for it, but it’s the citizens of the Republic who are really going to suffer for this. The Olari would have made a difference.” She replied, her agitation rising.

“And they still will.” Val quickly jumped in. “Did you miss the part about siding with the Jedi? Don’t you see what they’re doing? They didn’t withdraw; they disentangled themselves from Republic politics. Now they are free to fight the war not by senate direction, but by their own. Too bad the Republic military can’t do the same. The Senate military committee has their heads up their…”

“Val!” Ariel remonstrated, but she was laughing all the same. “You really don’t need to start teaching our daughter to say certain things this soon.”

“Speaking of your daughter; what are you naming her?” Danyel asked, innocently unaware that he was triggering more guilt, this time in his brother-in-law as well as his sister.

“I can’t believe we forgot her.” Ariel groaned, and Val shot out of his seat and headed for the door. Danyel looked at his sister with curiosity. “We’ve decided to name her Amara. We’ll call her Mari so as not to confuse the issue, but I can’t think of anyone I’d rather name my daughter after. If she grows up to be anything like the person Amara Blue is, I’ll be more than proud of her.”

[Bombosa Binks]

Bombosa and HK-00 sat in a small room with six individuals facing them, all of them armed. It was like staring at a firing line.

A bearded man with an eye patch and spacer's cap flopped haphazardly on his head stepped forward. "My name's Booster Terrik and this is my ship. Now the Jedi have informed me that you two are Peace Brigaders. On top of that, you attacked Yavin with the intention of taking Jedi younglings hostage." Booster paused and pulled a blaster from a shoulder holster.

The safety clicked off of stun.

Bombosa gulped.

Terrik flashed a cold, icy stare at Bombosa. "Tell me why I shouldn't kill you and vaporize the droid?"

HK's photoreceptors brightened at the mention of his destruction. He looked over at the aging meatbag making the threats, then back at the individuals standing across from him. Specifically he was eying out the towering droid whose name was Max. He still didn't know what kind of droid he was, but HK couldn't reroute the nagging data that indicated that this unknown droid was superior to him.

He was beginning to feel obsolete.

"Mesa can tell you information about the Vong and the Peace Brigade."

Booster's face remained grim. "Do I look like Talon Karrde? I don't deal in intel." He raised the blaster and pointed it at Bombosa's head.

"I have maps of safe routes through Vong space."

Booster didn't move. "You have those routes memorized?"

"They're programmed into HK Zero Zero."

"The droid?" Booster pointed the blaster over at HK.

Bombosa nodded his head.

"Maps could be useful." There was a hopeful sound in Booster's voice.

"I can show you where Peace Brigade supply depots are. Vong fighter bases. Shaper planets where they are growing things..." Bombosa's mind was scrambling over all the little things he knew.

Then a spark popped up. "I know where the Vong stored the loot from the invasion of the Hutt worlds. The Peace Brigade put it in a vault for safe keeping. The Vong gave it to us as a prize."

Booster lowered the blaster. "Hutt loot." He paced a few steps. "That might give me reason to let you live a while." He stopped in front of Bombosa. "But you threatened my grandson...and a thing like that won't be forgotten."

Booster stood their quietly for a long moment, weighing the urge to slag this kriffing, Peace Brigading Gungan against the possibility of letting him live a few more days or weeks.

One of the men standing in back stepped forward. "Booster, I think the Gungan could be useful. The intel he has could go a long ways toward helping the war effort."

Booster looked over at Corran. "Okay, I'll let them live, but while their on my ship, I want them under guard at all times." He flashed one last glare at them. "And put a restraining bolt on the droid."

HK looked up sharply. His databanks hummed in intensity but the answer was immediate. There was no way out of the situation.

He had to accept defeat.

[Amara Blue]

Amara leaned back in her chair as she watched Booster and the rest leave Bombosa's cell. Things seemed to have gone well, even if that assasin droid had, despite the physical impossibility of it all, looked like he was ready to throttle everyone.

"Much as I hate to admit it," Booster growled as he walked into the room. "That went far better than I was hoping."

"Meaning you were hoping he'd give you an excuse to kill him?" Amara asked with a laugh.

Booster muttered underneath his breath, then turned to the technician in the room. "Get up to the bridge and send the tapes to the Jedi. They'll want to know about them."

The technician stood nervously, datapad in hand and headed towards the door, giving an awkward smile to Amara as he left.

Booster looked from the man to Amara, then scowled. "Karrde's plan right? Trying to plan sympathetic agents in my midst using his feminine cohorts?"

Amara laughed, kicking her feet up on the desk, leaning back even further. "I thought this ship was supposed to be a floating enterainment center?"

"Not since the war, Blue," Booster laughed, then pressed down on the back of the chair, sending Amara to the floor. "By the way, I just got word that Ariel's resting comfortably with a healthy child."

Despite the fact that Amara was now lying on the floor, her face lit up at the thought. Children always held an almost special fascination for Zeltrons; their emotional aura almost always gave off a sense of hedonistic purity.

---

Amara let a smile blossom on her face as she felt the emotions flowing out of the room. She could feel the general sense of happiness and ecstasy flowing off of Ariel and Val but also the underlying awe that almost always seemed to accompany a newborn.

And the child...herself, Amara decided after a moment, also seemed to be awake, her own emotions drifting off of her mind gently. The child was happy, and feeling a distinct sense of comfort, and Amara thought she could already detect that the child was subconsciously happy, if only for being in the presence of family.

"I'm here," Amara said happily as she finally stepped into the room. "Sorry I couldn't be here earlier to lend a hand; Booster wanted me to help out with the Brigader's interrogation. Did everything go well?" She asked, turning to the medical droid that was standing idle to the side.

The droid's photoreceptors lit up and it gave an approximation of a nod. "The birthing procedure was carried out excellently, although there was a threat of physical violence at one point in time."

Amara laughed and eyed Ariel. "I'm not sure killing your husband would have helped you, you know?"

Ariel smiled. "I'm not sure logic is something that occurs to me during childbirth Amara."

"Fair enough, she's beautiful you know. And I'm sure you can probably sense it yourself, but she's very happy."

Ariel nodded, then traded looks with Val who nodded back. "Amara, Val and I haved named her after you. After what you've done for us in the past months, and especially after that business on Yavin, we thought it was the least we could do."

Amara's skin flushed to a lighter pink in embarrasment and, despite her half-hearted attempts to control it, she began to subconsciously produce pheremones as well.

"I. I don't know what to say," she finally said. "Thank you."

"I think it's us who should thank you," said another man whom Amara had not noticed before now. "You did save my sister's life after all."

Amara turned to face the apparent new-comer, a slight puzzlement coming over her that she hadn't noticed him before. A quick survey of him provided her the answers; he was remarkably good at keeping himself and his emotions in check.

"I don't believe we've met," Amara replied, happy to have something to distract her momentarilly.

The man smiled and nodded his head. "I imagine not; the name is Danyel."

Amara returned the smile, shaking Danyel's hand as well. "I'm surprised that neither Ariel nor Val have ever mentioned you before."

Val spoke up and laughed. "Well, the man is a ghost."

Amara eyed Danyel inquisitively, then nodded to herself. "You're a spook then, some sort of intelligence type."

Danyel smiled slyly and nodded. "That I am, but not for the Republic. I work for an organization known as Saber. We're officially part of the Olari clan structure although we do tend to work a little farther outside the normal structures."

"To say the least," Val muttered quietly.

Amara shrugged. "So I take it you were the one who informed us of the attack on Yavin?"

Danyel nodded.

Amara turned a gleaming eye on Ariel and Val. "So if it weren't for Danyel, Val and I would never have gotten there. It sounds like he did more than I did..." she trailed off.

"So why didn't we name the baby after him?" Ariel asked, an answering gleam in her eye. "For starters, and last I checked, I have a brother, not a sister."

Amara laughed and grinned. "I suppose that makes sense. From a certain point of view."

[Ariel Erose]

Fortunately, from Danyel Orion’s point of view, Saber was a very mobile operation, and therefore, could be run in a very mobile manner. He wasn’t tied down to any headquarters because wherever he was, was headquarters. As he entered Val and Ariel’s quarters, he really wondered why he did not take advantage of that more often. Why did it have to take the birth of his niece before he finally visited his sister? They used to be practically joined at the hip, a long time ago.

But they were still emotionally close and Ariel proved it by asking Danyel why he was so pensive. He brushed it off, but Ariel wasn’t fooled, though she didn’t pursue it. She’d spent enough years sensing this same thing in him to know Danyel was not going to share it with her short of a forced mindmeld. Now, as Danyel took Mari in his arms, Ariel sensed it more acutely, and she wondered why Danyel had never found for himself what he so envied in her and Val. In that respect he certainly took after Jak. Their mother had flung herself wholeheartedly into the great love of her life and damned the consequences. The consequences had been rather severe so which of their parents was the wiser, Ariel couldn’t guess. She was rather glad though that she and Danyel were among those consequences.

Danyel, still holding Mari, settled back into a comfortable chair, and smiled at his sister. “You’re looking wonderfully well. Being a mother suits you.”

“It’s about time, don’t you think? I thought this would never happen, and the timing could be a whole lot better, but I’m not complaining.”

“Not complaining about what?” Val asked as he entered from the outside hallway.

“You.” Ariel teased and Val came over and fondly mussed her hair in retaliation. He looked up in time to catch the tail end of Danyel’s wistful expression.

“Whenever you get that look on your face it usually means bad news for us. What is it this time?” Val asked his brother-in-law and closest friend.

‘Mari’s asleep, Ariel.”

Knowing a cue when she heard one, Ariel rose, retrieved her daughter, and taking her into the bedroom, tucked her into her crib. When she rejoined Danyel and Val, they were waiting for her. The mood quickly shifted from happily relaxed to intensely business-like.

“Saber received a report from an agent in the field. It was brief and the agent was lost, but she managed to report on a previously unknown worldship, two frigate analogs and an interdictor in the Gorsh system over the planet Gartana. She was a very reliable agent and she made no attempt to either hide or escape. She was intent on getting her message out before her ship was destroyed.”

Val and Ariel exchanged knowing looks. “Do you know what was so important that it had to be reported at the cost of the agent’s life?” Val asked.

“The worldship was, in her words, huge, enormous. This was an experienced agent and this wasn’t the first worldship she’d encountered.”

“Right.” Ariel succinctly remarked. “I’ll contact Luke immediately.”

[Ursa Copella]

Ursa sat cross legged in her temporary quarters on the Errant Venture, her eyes closed in a quiet meditation. In her hands she held a crystal, but this was no ordinary crystal; no, this was a crystal used for a lightsaber. It was warm to the touch and glowed a dim yellow, though her eyes weren't open to see this. Ursa inhaled deeply then let the breath out, a small smile forming on her face. Yes..... this one is the right one. I'll use this. Once she was sure, a full fledged grin showed on her face; she had found the perfect crystal for her new lightsaber.

When she and the others had been on Yavin 4, one night Ursa had ventured outside their campsite to do a little exploring. It had certainly reminded her of old times; she recalled her year at the Jedi academy on the planet, during which exploring the surrounding jungle had been her favorite past time. Even after she left the Jedi she had occasionally come back. Every time I encountered a Padawan here I would erase their memories so they didn't remember me. Other more powerful Knights I would simply avoid.... She experienced a stab of guilt at this; she had changed alot since she first encountered Lexy on that warm Yavin night, and many of the things she used to do she regretted.

I guess only time will let me make up for all of that.

Sighing, she opened her eyes and looked at the crystal in her hands; she looked forward to making a new lightsaber, because the one she had right now was of a past life. She was a new person, so a new weapon was in order.

She heard a knock on her door, shaking her out of her thoughts. Quickly hiding the crystal in a small bag (she didn't feel like answering any questions about what it was), she then got up and approached the door, opening it and raising her eyebrows in surprise at who was standing before her.

Looking as rugged and tough as she had always heard he was, Talon Karrde stood with his arms crossed over his chest, a charming smile on his strong-looking face. Ursa expected him to say he had the wrong room and leave since there was no reason he would visit her, but to her surprise Talon stayed and inclined his head slightly. "Hello there."

Blinking in surprise, she managed a small smile in reply and said, "Um, hi. What can I do for you?"

The smuggler shrugged casually. "Oh, not much. I just wanted to thankyou for your part in what happened back on Yavin; I've heard you were quite capable down there.

He came by just for a thankyou? Ursa suspected there was more to this surprise visit than that. "Well, thanks. It wasn't much. Is there anything else, or...?"

He nodded. "Yes, one more thing I'd like to address before I take my leave. Ariel, Val and Amara are all trusted associates of mine, and if they think you're a capable woman then I trust their judgment. I'm always looking for more people to join my group and you seem like the sort of woman right for that. How does that sound to you?"

Ursa stood looking at the man before her for a long moment, shocked that she would get an offer like this just for fighting on Yavin. She had never thought about becoming an intelligence agent, smuggler or anything like that..... but it would offer her a new path. And I don't really have anything else to do, do I? Still, she would have to think on it before making a decision.

"Thankyou for the offer; can I take some time to think it over before I make a decision?"

Talon nodded again. "Of course." Then he slipped a datacard out of his pocket and placed it in her hand. "This is how you get in contact with me. I'll be leaving the Venture very soon but you can give me your answer this way." He smiled. "I hope to hear from you soon."

With that he left, leaving Ursa to stand there, still wondering where the kriff that whole offer had come from.

[Bombosa Binks]

Bombosa didn't feel like wandering the decks of the Errant Venture, especially not with a Jedi escort in tow. So instead, he shut himself up in his room with HK in the corner looking as morose as ever.

What have I got myself into? Bombosa reflected.

He'd once trained as a Jedi and enjoyed it very much. However, he'd had a lack of self-control, and was politely asked to take a leave of absence until he was ready to return.

At the time, Bombosa looked at it with anger. It was enough to drive him into the arms of the Sith. If he hadn't been so upset with being kicked out of the Jedi Order, he would have never of joined a Sith Master. But things didn't work out that way.

So I trained as a Sith...and again I failed.

The death of his master had seen the end of that.

So here he was, an incompetent Gungan with a little Jedi training, a little Sith training, and some experience as a Peace Brigade officer.

Looking back on it, he didn't have any more allegiance left to give the Brigade. He no longer craved the attention they give him, the presents, the awards. It all seemed cheap somehow.

What do I want?

He searched himself, plunging deep, beyond the protective barriers he set-up to protect himself from his deepest fears. He plunged past memories of shame, through shallow desires and unabashed faults. Stripping away all fear, he saw himself for what he truly was.

He opened his eyes and it was clear.

"I want to be a Jedi again."

HK looked over. "Query: What did you say master?"

Bombosa straightened himself and looked over at HK with conviction. "I want to be a Jedi again."

"Observation: The Jedi are a forgiving lot...it could work." Then something occurred to the droid. "But there is no room for an assassin droid with the Jedi."

"Nonsense." Bombosa quickly remarked. "You saw that war droid these Jedi are hanging around with. He's just as deadly as you. As long as you're not trying to kill them, I think you would be ok."

The droid was silent. His servobrain contemplating the situation.

Bombosa let him be. He rose up from his bed, opened the door, and faced the Jedi outside. "Master Corran...I want to speak with you."

The brown haired, green eyed Jedi stared back at him with a face that hid all emotion. "Okay."

Bombosa hesitated. "I...I used to be a Jedi...or at least I was training to be. I was at the Jedi Temple on Yavin as a padawan once...but I didn't have enough control and discipline, so I had to leave." He looked away. "I ended up with a Sith Master who taught me some things, but then he died. After that, the Peace Brigade found me and me feel like family." His eyes darted back to Corran. "But now I don't feel like a part of them anymore. Not a Peace Brigader, not a Sith."

Corran noticed he didn't say Jedi. "Go on." He prompted.

"I want to be a Jedi again. I think I've learned my lesson. I have better self-control now, better discipline. I want to help."

"You do realize the weight of the actions you have done already? The people you've hurt...even killed?"

A heavy burden filled the Gungan's eyes. "I do."

Corran let out a sigh. "I won't make any promises, but I will let Master Skywalker know. If he says it's okay, something might be worked out."

Corran looked carefully at the Gungan and saw how open Bombosa was being. It was like looking through clear piece of glass. He could see the shame and guilt the Gungan carried, and the desire to right those wrongs, to be a holder of the light again.

It was his duty as a Jedi to give the Gungan another chance.

Bombosa thanked the Jedi and returned to his room. He settled into deep meditation and reflected on the long series of events that was his life. Something had changed in him, and he could tell it was for the better.

[Ariel Erose]

As Danyel paced back and forth in their not spacious quarters Val, with a meaningful look, telegraphed his message across the room to Ariel.

He’s your brother. Do something.

He’s your best friend. You do something. she telegraphed right back and made a washing motion with her hands. Val stared back in stony silence.

You’re a big help.

Anytime. Ariel saucily grinned back at her husband.

“You know,” Danyel stopped in midstride to confront his sister and best friend. “I am aware of what you two are thinking. Well, the general intent. I am not going off the deep end about this. I have a bad feeling about that worldship.”

“I have a bad feeling about every worldship.” Val remarked and Danyel sent him a withering look. Undaunted because he’d spent decades receiving such looks from Danyel, Val pushed on. “Wearing a groove in the floor isn’t going to help the situation, you know.”

“I just don’t understand why the Jedi aren’t moving on this.” Danyel declared for maybe the tenth time.

“Jedi have their own timetable. They’ll get to it when they get to it.” Val replied for approximately the tenth time. “If you can’t wait for them, send a probe droid into the Gorsh System.”

“A probe droid. What, you think I have spare probe droids just lying around?” Danyel exclaimed. “Do you know how expensive they are? Do you realize how much it costs to run Saber?” And Danyel was off and running.

Val sighed and Ariel sank down in her seat. They’d lost count of the times they’d heard this one. Their eyes met from across the room.

If Coran doesn’t get his shebs in gear, I’m going to get ‘em in gear with my boot.

I’ll help.

[Amara Blue]

Amara leaned back on her bunk aboard the Errant Venture and checked the chrono on the wall for what seemed like the tenth time in the last hour. In fact, it had only been ten minutes; Amara let out a groan of agony. She’d been briefed on the worldship, same as everyone else butg she was ready to do something about it now; she didn’t understand in the least why they were waiting.

“Well,” she said quietly. “I suppose I might as well find something to do.”

Even as she stood and locked her suite door behind her, a grin crept across her face. Ideas were already beginning to form in her mind, and most of them involved irritating a certain former-pirate turned benevolent captain.

---

Amara leaned quite a ways over the shoulder of the tactical officer as she looked at his screen, making sure present the best view possible from all-sides.

“So this is where you make the big things go boom?” She asked innocently.

The Zabrak nodded emphatically. “The Venture doesn’t mount as many weapons as some of the New Republic models but she packs quite a punch, every time.”

“It sounds like fun,” Amara responded. “Say, are the sabbacc tables still open?”

The Zabrak pursed his lips in thought then nodded. “There aren’t any customers there now but the tables still work, sure. Why? What do you have in mind?”

Amara let a small giggle escaped as she whispered into his ears. His eyes widened and he nodded quickly. “Once I’m on shift.”

“Great,” Amara responded, pulling back. Tossing a look behind her at the rest of the bridge crew, she winked. “The rest of you are welcome too, of course. The more the merrier.”

---

A few hours later, Booster Terrik strolled into the Diamond-level sabbacc lounge, trying for the love of the Force to find out why half his crew seemed to be in the room. Even as cheers and shouts of disappointment rang through the crowd, Booster shoved his way forward towards the center table, calling for anyone to tell him what the kriff was going on.

When he finally reached the table, he opened his mouth, a roaring rebuttal on his tongue that suddenly fell silent upon seeing the players. Around the table were half a dozen of his officers, most lacking the majority of their clothing. The missing garments themselves were piled high on the table in front of one innocent looking Zeltron.

“Oh hi, Booster,” Amara said affably. “Your officers and I were just playing an innocent game of sabbacc.”

“Funny,” Booster responded. “I thought sabbacc was played with credits and chips, not boots, or socks, or shirts or…” He shook his head. “I don’t even want to know.”

Amara shrugged. “Well, yeah, but I didn’t have any credits so I thought it might be fun to take an article of clothing off when we lost a hand. These boys thought it’d be fun,” she continued, gesturing to the other men around the table.

Booster sighed. “And I’m sure they thought that was just a great idea to play with you. Force take your empathy and pheremones. Have you no sense…”

“Of morals?” Amara finished, kicking her feet onto the table and grinning. “No, no I don’t.”

Booster shook his head with a laugh and turned to leave. “Jeez I hope the Jedi make up their mind soon. I don’t know what I’ll do with myself if you’re on this ship much longer.”

“Bye!” Amara called back, then turned back to the game, laying down a perfect twenty-three, much to the disgruntled cries of the other players, and the crowd as a whole. “What else you got?”