Mos Eisley, TatooineIt was everything that everyone had said: Tatooine was a dust ball, Mos Eisley was a slime hole, and the
greater population could be easily described as the lowest of the low. That didn't say all too much about us,
however.
Mara, knowing more about where we were going and what we getting into, took me to an actually
half-decent cantina in the “better” part of town. The Wookie-owned drinking establishment was clearly
frequented by an assorted group of locals, coming and going spacers, smugglers, bounty hunters, assassins,
other characters of further specification, employees, employers, and people looking for either, plus anyone
just wanting to stop for a drink or just plain enjoyed being there.
In my opinion, however, the place was hot, noisy, stuffy and reeked of any and every alien species
in the galaxy that had come in at one point in time; the beer was cheap --though did not show it in cost-- and
the ale overly alcoholic, contributing to the great amount of drunks or near-drunks in the place. To say the
least, I could have thought of a thousand and one places I would have rather been. Mara, however, seemed
quite at home.
“Get used to it,” she answered to my complaintive comment as we sat down at an empty and half-
decently clean table with our respective drinks. “Karinn...” she added afterward, bringing her mug of
whisky to her lips.
I glared at her from across the table, though was glad that she was getting used to calling me by
my cover name. It was a necessary precaution, since the Lady Cristine Palpatine would probably be found
rather out of place --and even more susceptible to an attack-- hanging around in low-life bars looking for
mercenaries, that I be given a cover identity. I was, therefore, known to anyone whom I might interact with
on this mission, as Karinn Paltonae, Her Ladyship’s personal operative for Imperial Intelligence. I had
nothing to hide in way of my mission, however. I was simply scouting out possible mercenaries-for-hire to
work as spies or anything else deemed needed for the benefit of Her Ladyship.
There was, of course, the risk that I would somehow be recognized, considering that I did have one
of the most recognizable faces in the Galaxy, up there with the top holostars, which was one of Leera’s
greatest (of many) concerns. I had simply reminded him that I am the daughter of the Emperor. No one
would recognize me unless I wished it, and if they somehow did, they wouldn’t remember the encounter
unless I wanted them to. So, unless I ran into someone else trained in the ways of the Force --dark or light--
I should have been fine.
Noting the crowd, I found that I was more apt to be mugged than I was to meet up with a Jedi.
“The things I do for the Empire,” I muttered, taking a sip of my drink. It actually wasn’t half bad.
I gave mental credit for the Corellian brandy.
Mara gave me a wide smirk. “The things the Empire does,” she corrected, joking with me.
Knowing the true meaning of that, I gave a mental glance around us, though realized that if anyone had
heard over the noise, it wouldn’t have meant much.
I swallowed down another mouthful of brandy. “Speaking of which, we have some work to do.”
And so we did. We checked the place out, got some information on some of the better prospects in
the place, most which I would have posted half way across the Galaxy just to keep them out of my sight. In
the process, though, we managed to compile a good list of suggested bounty hunters, assassins, hackers,
crackers, smugglers, and just about any other profession for hire. I managed even to hire a couple of
trustworthy spies --trustworthy as long as they got paid. I assured all of them that that would not be a
problem. So by the end of the night I’d hired two spies, one whom I asked to stay right there on Tatooine, a
“professional” hacker, a bounty hunter or two (for some rebels I had means to deal with) and the cards of
another half a dozen characters who had current clients.
Then there were the ones who seem to be adept in just about anything, and would do just about
anything I needed them to. Others, told me that they were interested, but didn't want to leave their current
clients, so just handed me their card and said to call if I ever needed anything.
“And your loyalty to the Empire?” I would often ask, for I wanted no Rebel sympathizers trying to
give me faulty information. There would be no lying here, not to me.
One mercenary, currently employed by someone else, answered that in a nutshell. “When it comes
to us mercenaries, ma’am, the loyalty goes to whoever pays.” This seemed like a man who knew his
business, and one that I would have hired had he not been engaged in other affairs.
I leaned over the table, gave him a sly smile. “Oh, I can assure you that Her Ladyship pays very
well.”
The mercenary -Nafda, he called himself- was very much aware of this, and certainly tempted by it
as well. “I’m sure she does,” he replied. “But we also never leave a job until it's done.”
Those were words that I heard many times that evening, ones that these mercs clearly lived by. I
wasn’t about to interfere with such matters, only wished to hire.
Of course, there were others there that evening that were just looking for a good time, and it
seemed that two lovely and not extremely intimidating women in their late twenties were just the thing to
make their night.
Clearly intent on a little amusement, and hopefully some pleasure, two clearly drunk human spacers
stumbled over to where Mara and I sat in a half-decently isolated booth to the side of the cantina. Mara
almost pulled her blaster when one of them slung an arm over my shoulder. She freigned from doing so, as I
had asked. We didn't need any unwanted attention. I really wouldn’t have minded all to much if she had
shot him, as I was at the same time going over ways to rid of him in a much more quiet manner.
“Hey there beautiful,” the drunken spacer lolled out, alcohol strong on his breath. I cringed, leaned
away, but he only followed. “Why don’t I say I have you another drink, and we can get a little fun, hun?”
Disgusted, I pushed him off of me, tried to change his mind through the Force. Mara was trying to
fend off the other who had gone right ahead and sat down beside her, trying to seduce her with his “manly
charms.” She looked just about to tell him exactly what she thought about that.
I had my own problems, however. The first spacer was slightly angered now, and flailed an arm at
me. “Well... playful, are we?” he said, actually managing to get his words straight this time. He came upon
me again. “Why don’t you use a bit of that energy and put it on me, babe...”
Mara, unable to contain herself, had knocked her knee into her assaulter’s groin, sending him
stumbling off the seat in pain. I was about to do something the same, or even whip out the lightsaber, when
a tall figure came up behind him.
“Why don’t you leave the lady alone,” insisted a rich, confident voice, an indication of his own
abilities.
The drunk spacer turned from me to face a tall man dresses in the tell-tale attire of either a
smuggler or mercenary, and from his stature and the visible blasters, I took him for the latter. “And what’re
you gonna do about it, bantha dung?” the spacer demanded, intending it as a threat.
The mercenary was not at all deterred by this, didn't even pull one of the blasters as I had expected,
only regarded him with intense blue-gray eyes, though there was an anger there that he was doing well to
control. “We’ll see about that,” he replied, throwing me a reassuring glance.
I watched inquisitively as the spacer threw a punch, missing widely from his drunkenness. The
mercenary deflected his fist with a strong, well worn hand, a slight smile of amusement touching his long,
but inviting, lips, a smile that unconsciously spread to mine as well.
Unlike so many I had observed, this man did not seem to want to start a conflict, but wished only to
end it, holding the spacer back in his vague attempts to take him down. His not-quite-as-drunk companion
came up behind the merc, preparing to throw a punch in defense of his fellow spacer. The motion proved
futile, however, as the clearly much more able man turned and launched his fist into the other’s stomach,
only hard enough to intensify the pain that Mara had already inflicted.
Mara, apparently assessing the merc’s performance, seemed to be somewhat impressed, and that
was something coming from the Emperor’s personal hand. She threw me an approving glance, though saw
that I had been captivated by this stranger and so simply rolled her eyes in exasperation. I didn't really
notice, nor did I care. This was indeed quite a find, though I could not deny the stirring in my heart.
After another couple easy moves against them, the spacers had given up and slunk off, though not
without uttering a few threats beforehand. The mercenary watched, laughing quietly to himself, as the two
retreated into the crowd.
Satisfied, he turned around to face us, straight black hair settling down on broad shoulders, a wide
smile lighting his features, softening his tanned face that had clearly seen much pain and hardship. That was
shown in his eyes as well, though there was a warmth in those of blue-gray that melted my own development
of coldness, and seemed to almost see through my mental disguise.
I tried to find something intelligent to say, but was suddenly void of all words. Mara, still
compiling an opinion on the stranger, one that was becoming more and more negative, spoke first. “We
could have handled that just fine ourselves, you know,” she all but spat at him. Mara hated any intervention
where she was trying to do her job, and this man had clearly violated that rule of hers.
The man waved an apologetic hand. “I’m sure you could have,” he replied, a slight doubt in his
point that Mara seemed eager to put him in his place for. “But I was just trying to help.”
“And we thank you, sir,” I said, throwing Mara a mental glare before she could do anything rash.
Again I noted his mercenary-like attire and attitude. “Do you usually go about rescuing damsels in
distress?”
He smiled smugly. “When the moment calls for it,” he replied maybe just a little too much self
confidence. Mara rolled her eyes again. All we need is another womanizer, she complained. I gave her a
mental nudge.
The mercenary had extended his hand in greeting, and, ignoring my companion, I shook it, showing
my good measure. His handshake was strong, firm, and his hands felt well-worn, yet gentle. “Alief,” he
introduced himself simply. “Mercenary for hire.”
His eyes met mine, sending a wave of emotion over me, so much that I had to struggle to keep my
composure. “Karinn Paltonae, Imperial Intelligence,” I replied, making sure to make that identity absolutely
unquestionable from his point of view, yet I still had the strange feeling that he was seeing right through it.
But if he did, he showed no sign of it. Alief simply nodded, seemingly impressed and showing no
enmity towards the Empire -not that it really mattered. As that other merc had said earlier, loyalty generally
went to whoever paid best. Obviously that was the case with this one as well., yet I caught a hint of caution;
he wasn’t about to throw himself into this on a whim either.
Now the question was what I could use him for...
A mental jab knocked me out of my reverie on that subject, and reminded me of the red-haired
woman beside me. “This is Mara Jade, I introduced, drawing his attention off me for a moment and onto my
companion who sat with a mug of whisky in one hand and the rest of the bottle in front of her. She glanced
at the merc with a look of much unjustified animosity, then gave me a warning against letting him know too
much which I respected for both our sakes. “She’s a very, very close acquaintance of Her Ladyship.”
Alief raised an eyebrow, impressed but somewhat skeptical. Mara gave him something that might
have passed as a smile and went back to her drink. Getting her point, the merc left any attempt to bridge the
waters between them and turned back to me, rocking slightly on his heels.
“So,” he asked, “what are a pair like you two doing out here in the backwaters of the galaxy?”
Folding my hands elegantly under my chin, I looked up at him, greed eyes flashing. “We have our
reasons,” I replied, playing on his curiosity. Alief folded his sleeved but obviously well muscled arms across
his chest, his face illuminated from below by the glowlamp in the center of the table. “We’ve been sent by
the Lady Palpatine herself on some very important personal business.”
Now he was really interested. “What kind of ‘personal business’ are we talking about here?” he
inquired, leaning down slightly so that he -and only he- would hear.
“Employment,” I told him, then smiles slightly. “And I can confidently say that an obviously able
mercenary such as yourself would greatly please her.”
Obviously, Mara thought at her, physically rolling her eyes. I gave her another mental jab.
Alief, on the other hand, seemed quite intrigued. “You must be higher up in the ranks than one
would suspect,” he commented, sliding unobtrusively around the table to sit down beside me.
The sudden closeness of him startled me, and again I struggled to hold my ground. “I’m one of
Her Ladyship’s personal operatives, if that means anything to you?”
Clearly it did, though he still held a certain skepticism as he gazed down at me intently. I turned my
eyes away, feeling that if I looked on him for too long that my disguise would be stripped away.
And what if he already suspected? This Alief didn't seem like one to take everything at face value.
Not that it made an extreme amount of difference, considering that if I hired him I was going to have to tell
him anyway. There was just something about him...
There was an awkward silence as the mercenary settled down beside me, just noticeably coming
closer, so much that his blaster holster rested against my thigh, sending a shiver up my spine. We fought for
words, trying to ignore what we both felt.
Mara, on the other hand, was finding this all incredibly amusing. She sat at the other end of the
curved seat, silently reveling in the moment with the sort of mocking pleasure that one implies on close
friends in these sort of situations. I just glowered at her.
Finally, the merc cleared his throat. “So, what’s Her Ladyship looking for exactly?” he asked,
deciding that her ought to act on my proposition before it passed him by.
The thought hadn’t really crossed my mind, and for a brief moment I was almost dumbfounded -not
that I couldn’t think of anything, but most of that wasn’t considerably professional. I caught Mara
snickering silently.
“Now, that would depend on what you’re offering,” I replied evenly, ignoring Mara and her
whisky.
Alief sat his folded hands on the table, probably wishing he had a drink between them, and leaned
over a bit further. His first thought probably hadn’t been extremely professional either. “Well, I’m not so
sure about Her Ladyship,” he commented, his eyes scanning the room almost reflexively, no doubt showing
a skill of watching his -and anyone else’s- back, “but it seems to me that you could use something of a
bodyguard.”
Unprepared, Mara nearly spat out her mouthful of whisky. I covered for her as she fought to
contain her drink and her laughter. I, on the other hand, thought it wasn’t such a bad idea. I could have
used someone who was familiar with the area, since I had plans to come back often to check in with my
newly hired spies and such. A hired bodyguard would not only offer protection, but hopefully some comfort
to my overly concerned aides.
But as far as he was concerned, I wasn’t the Lady Palpatine. “I can assure you, sir, that I am quite
capable of taking care of myself,” I told him instead, patting the blaster in its holster at my side, underneath
which was hidden the long cylinder which was my weapon of choice.
He said nothing, only smiled, his gaze fixed on me. I smiled back, then felt myself blush as he
slipped his arm around my back and rested a strong hand on my hip, ignoring the obtrusive blaster, but
feeling the tell-tale form of my lightsaber. Feeling his suspicion grow, and realizing that I very well may
have just given myself away, I turned my eyes to meet his, pushing into him the false conclusion that it was
nothing but a comlink, or some other odd piece of equipment that he needn’t be concerned about. He
considered this for a moment, then dismissed it, for the time being, at least, and pulled me close to him, so
that my opposite hip pressed into his, and I had to fight the temptation to lay my head on his shoulder, lean
over into him...
Instead I was suddenly frozen, unable to let myself melt into his arms as he no doubt wished me
too. He was a mercenary, and I was the head of the Empire. He didn't deserve me! Yet...
Mara broke our silence, the effects of the bottle just slightly beginning to set in. “Well, I’m sure
you’re capable of much more than just being a bodyguard, since that's certainly something Cris has no lack
of. What between me and the Imperial Guard and everyone else looking out for her it's no wonder she
couldn’t come out here herself, right Karinn.”
I’d barely heard a word she’d said, too wound up in my own thoughts and the sensation of Alief’s
arm around me, his back hair nearly brushing against my face. “Hmm?” I muttered dreamily, looking over at
my companion, who was looking at us rather insistently while driving her meaning into my mind. “Oh!
Right. Well, you ought to know that the only reason she doesn’t get out more is because she doesn’t have
anyone other than you to come with her.”
The Emperor’s Hand rolled her eyes at my excuse, seeing how I’d already taken to the mercenary,
“Oh, come on!” she groaned. “Y... she’s got plenty of guards she could drag along.” Sorry, she added.
Nice save. “Yes, but none as experienced with places like this as a mercenary who’s probably spent
most of his life out in it.” I felt Alief flinch.
Mara wasn’t going to let this go that easily. “Oh, and I’m not?”
Not wanting to let us get too far, and already showing a protectiveness of me, Alief leaned over
and put a hand between us. “Ladies, please!” he demanded, then waited for us to calm down. “I can assure
you both that I am quite capable of just about anything you might throw at me,” he said with evidence of
experience.
I’m sure he is, Mara threw in, and not referring to the usual merc work. I wasn’t interested.
“Not saying that you aren’t, of course,” he added for Mara’s sake, who still refused to warm up to
him even a bit. She just shrugged and took a sip from her newly refilled mug.
I brushed the subject away with a hand. “Oh, don’t worry about Mara,” I insisted. “She’s been
doing this sort of thing since she was three!”
It was an exaggeration, of course. Mara had barely been that age when I’d first met her, and hadn’t
actually started training until she had been at least eight. Yet Alief suddenly became very distant, as if
looking back on some painful memory. “I made my first kill when I was six,” he said matter-of-factly, but
with pain, and not a hint of pride.
Startled, Mara and I froze and starred in perpetual disbelief, the sounds of the rest of the cantina
drifting in to fill the void left by our silence. I didn't want to believe him, but could not deny the fact that he
spoke the truth.
He turned his head back around to look at me, years of hardship showing through his now mostly
gray eyes, drawing out my sympathy and perhaps even some pity. My life had been so safe and sheltered
compared to what his must have been like. Even Mara, who had always considered herself as “living on the
edge,” seemed to find it incomparable.
A strange instinct made me want to just take him in my arms, comfort him in anyway I could. but
instead I just sighed and smiled grimly. The least I could do was give him a job, hopefully a comfortable
one.
“My Lady would be delighted to hire you as her bodyguard,” I told him with perhaps a bit too
much emotion in my voice.
The mercenary drew in a deep breath, pushing away any disturbing memories he had. “I’d like
that,” he said, nodding and placing a worn, tanned hand over mine, pale and seemingly delicate. Oh, how
this would be wonderful, I thought, but exceedingly difficult to keep from letting any personal feelings
interfere with his job... Not that I felt anything thing for him. How could I? I’d known the man for barely
fifteen minutes!
Yet the warmth that spread through me was undeniable, along with the tingling sensation that you
get after you have gone numb and the blood starts flowing again. My heart fluttered in my chest and I swear
I could have looked into his eyes forever.
Seeming rather dejected, yet not wanting to interfere with our building chemistry, Mara began to
push herself up from the table. “Well, why don’t I leave you two to discuss business for a while,” she
offered, though had a definite implication of what that “business” might be.
I somehow managed to wrench my eyes away from him for a moment. “You sure?” I asked,
realizing that we were being somewhat ignorant of her. I felt bad seeing her just up and leave like this, but
was also thankful for her consideration, and knew that she’d be fine. We were best friends, after all.
“Yeah, I think I spotted a couple old acquaintances of mine over somewhere,” she told us,
motioning over with her head as she picked up mug and bottle. I wasn’t sure if to believe her or not, but I’d
learned long ago never to argue with Mara Jade.
We watched her walk off into the crowd, just slightly, stumbling. “What’s up with her?” Alief
asked, somehow sensing my guilt.
I sighed and took a sip of my neglected drink. “Oh, she’s just being Mara,” I told him.
He raised an eyebrow. “You must know her pretty well then,” he considered.
Pretty well! Mara and I had been hanging around each other ever since she’d been brought tot he
Palace. “My Lady often sends her with me on missions like this,” I said instead. “But hopefully she will be
able to come herself from now on... that is if you agree to it, of course.”
The mercenary shrugged. “Depends on what I’m agreeing to exactly,” he replied, smiling
somewhat.
“Well, let’s see,” I said, playing with him a bit. “You will be required to accompany her to places
such as this, unless specifically asked.” I was certain that once I has a greater knowledge and familiarity of
the place I’d make out fine. “Any other services you might have may be called upon in time, depending.
And, as with all her guards, her life comes before yours, always, and all loyalty will be given to her and the
Empire for as long as you are under her employment.”
“I think I can live with that,” he agreed, almost absently putting his arm around my neck, resting his
hand on my opposite shoulder.
The suddenness of it almost made me think that what-ever he was drinking was beginning to get to
him, which it probably was, but her was doing a pretty good job at keeping it under control. A tolerance to
alcohol was another good thing, considering that we would probably spend a lot of time together in places
like this. I didn't need him getting drunk on me. Still, he did show a considerable amount of ambition,
acting as he was, and I doubted that it was just the alcohol. I just hoped that he wouldn’t get too ambitious.
I tried to keep focused. “You’ll be paid very well, of course,” I informed him, knowing that it all
depended on the credits. “And by Her Ladyship personally.”
Alief’s mug paused before his lips. “I’m honored,” he said, then drank for a moment. “Though I
can’t quite see why the former Empress would bother coming out to someplace like this when she could just
send someone such as yourself instead.”
I flinched at his choice of words. “My Lady has many enemies, many of them within the Empire,” I
told him, feeling a pang in my heart. The Empire was more important to me than anything. “Sad to say that
there aren’t many people left that she is certain she can trust.” It was true. Sometimes I think that the only
people I can trust are Mara and Leera, sometimes not even them...
“Miss Paltonae, when you’re in my business, the only person you can trust is yourself,” he said, no
doubt from experience, “And more than often the last person you can trust is your employer.”
That wasn’t exactly what I would have liked to hear. “Well, I can assure you that My Lady is quite
trustworthy,” I told him, hoping that I spoke the truth. His arm suddenly felt terribly heavy on my shoulders
as I gave him a side long glance. I want you to trust me...
He didn't say anything else on that subject, just drank in silence for a few moments. I just starred
into my drink, which suddenly seemed quite unappealing to my uneasy stomach. I took a moment to reach
in the Force and collect my wits, pull myself together.
“What do you think of Lady Palpatine?” I asked reluctantly, fingering my blouse where underneath
lay the long Sith crystal, concealed with my identity. I wasn’t even sure why I said it, just suddenly,
inexplicably, needed dot know.
Just as taken by the question, the mercenary exhaled sharply, putting on a look of deep thought and
concentration. He looked incredibly handsome from the profile view I had of him then, the light defining his
long -but not too much so- nose, and the strands of black hair that hung over his dark brows; it almost took
my breath away.
“Well, I don’t know anymore than what’s on the holonet and here-say,” he said finally, “but I’d say
I’ve gotten a pretty good impression.” He turned his head towards me, tried to catch my eyes. “Things
have changed since she’s taken over, though for better of worse it's hard to tell.”
I tried to keep my gaze off of him, yet still manage to look confident. “They have,” I replied, quite
aware of the fact and saddened because of it. “But My Lady still holds strong to many of her father’s
beliefs, and as such she is determined to retake Coruscant, rule the galaxy as the Empire was meant to.”
Alief took another sip of his drink. “You must know the Lady pretty well, then,” he commented,
regarding me skeptically. “But do you really think she can do it? What with the state of the Empire and
all?”
Feeling him strike a nerve, I tried my best not to flinch. The state of the Empire was a very personal
issue. “I have faith in Lady Palpatine and in the Empire,” I told him, though wasn’t positive if it was true or
not. “And I suggest that you acquire some of your own,” I added coldly. “She doesn’t take kindly to the
unfaithful.”
The mercenary leaned in toward me slightly, grinning. “As I said, I’ll believe it when I see it,” he
reminded me, his hand adjusting itself on my shoulder. “But I’ll make sure that her Ladyship lives to give it
her best shot.”
I would have shot back a tempered remark on impulse, as I was reputed to do, but his rough fingers
touched the bare skin along my neck, warm and gentle, sending shivers down though my body, leaving me
trembling. It was a sensation I had not felt for longer than I could remember, if ever. “And is that all you
intend to do?” I asked instead, feeling my confidence beginning to slip away before him.
“It's all I’m getting paid for, isn’t it?” he replied roguishly, still trying to catch my eyes.
Oh, but it could be so much more, I thought, grasping at the unseen crystal reflexively, trying to
find some strength in it. Why was I even thinking such a thing? He didn't even know who I was.
“Come now, sir,” I countered, my eyes drawn to his but my will keeping them away. “Surely you
must be a bit more excited about being bodyguard to the Lady Cristine Palpatine herself, being that close to
her... and paid for it.” It was making my heart flutter if anything.
He was very calm about it. “How couldn’t I be?” he admitted, though I still couldn’t get the best
sense of his true thoughts on the matter. “She is known as one of the most sought after women in the
galaxy, and reputed to be even more beautiful and charming in person.”
I straight at him, meeting his eyes which had become an intense blue, finding them incredibly near
to mine. He gazed straight into mine, holding them fast. “Though I swear that you must be just as beautiful,
if not more so.” There was such honesty in his words.
Hearing that I felt my heart just melt, my mental disguise along with it. His eyes seemed the only
thing in the dim light, looking down on me with a genuine longing for something more than the physical. I
felt it too, felt it more strongly than anything, as if I had just fallen in love with destiny.
But this couldn’t have been love, not so soon, couldn’t it..?
“That’s because,” I forced out, finally managing to find words as I let the shroud fall from his eyes,
“I am she.”
Finally seeing me as I was, though I looked no different, Alief’s eyes went wide in near shock,
astonishment, and absolute wonder. His arm slipped off my shoulder and his mouth fought for words as he
looked me over, letting the truth register in his mind. If he had been at all intoxicated before, he was
definitely sober then. I only gazed at him calmly, a great burden lifted from my mind.
“My Lady,” he breathed, suddenly taking up my hand and holding it respectively, though was
careful not to draw too much attention. ‘I didn't realize it was you.” He sounded almost guilty.
I continued to gaze up at him. “You weren’t supposed to,” I told him, smiling slightly. He held my
hand tightly, almost bringing it to his lips. “I am the Emperor’s daughter, after all,” I pointed out softly.
He seemed in absolute disbelief, but tried his best to grasp what was happening. “Of course,” he
said, "but what are you doing out here?” He was concerned.
“As I said, there aren’t may people I can trust these days,” I told him honestly, gently pulling my
hand from his, “The last thing I was about to do was let someone else hire my personal operatives.”
Alief nodded, understanding. “Good idea,” he said, settling back into what I was beginning to see
as his typical mentality. “Though for all you know I could have already been hired by one of your enemies
to have you killed.”
I smiled in amusement. He may not have been that easy to read, but not that hard either. I shook
my head. “I don’t think so,” I told him, letting him know that he wasn’t going to get by that easily.
“Besides, you don’t seem like the type to do any double-dealing.”
The mercenary looked impressed as he picked his mug back up. “You know me already.”
“Hardly, “ I replied. I’d known him for less than an hour, and it was evident that there was much
about him yet to learn, much that I never would. “But I will tell you now that you can keep no secrets from
me,” I warned, my voice hard edged. I could pull anything out of him if I really wanted to.
He raised an eyebrow, but got no amusement in return. I was quite serious “The Force is a
powerful thing. Don’t underestimate it.”
I just barely saw him flinch as he took a drink, though what bothered him about my warning I
couldn’t tell. Still, there was some strange aspect of him that seemed right in from of me, yet I couldn’t
grasp it.
Ignoring all that, he leaned in towards me again. “In that case,” he asked, “how do I know you’re
not leading me on?”
Very good, I thought. he know what he was dealing with. “You don’t,” I told him, leaning my
cheek on my hand, my elbow resting on the table. “But I’ll give you my word that I’m not, and that I do
very much want you as my personal bodyguard.”
The mercenary leaned over so that him face was barely inches from mine. “Then I very much want
to be your personal bodyguard,” he said, a great sincerity in it.
We lingered there for a long moment, so very close, a tension growing between us that I was afraid
would just suddenly snap, that we would give in to the temptation of what we both wanted. And would it
matter if we did? A few moments of pleasure would make no difference, wouldn’t it?
My eyes traveled over his rugged but handsome face. It couldn’t quite be classified as holostar
handsome, but there was just something about it that made him so much better, so much more real. Maybe
it was those eyes, which seemed to shift from a smoky gray to a deep, intense blue.
And oh, how I wanted him! How I wanted to kiss those lips, feel his breath on my skin, his strong
hands holing me tight. But I wanted more than just a few moments, more than a night of unbidden passion.
But he was agreeing to become my employee. I was going to pay him to protect me. He was
doing this all for the money, and I all for the benefit of safety, right? I wouldn’t fall in love with him...
“You do realize that our relationship will be purely professional,” I noted, making it clear for
myself just as much as he.
Alief’s eyes dimmed just slightly in disappointment, but he didn't let that get him own. “Of
course,” he agreed. “I’d have it no other way, but...” He carefully slipped his arm around be hind my back
again. “... if we’re going to be seen together in a place like this, you’re going to need more than just your
mental illusions -within limits, of course.”
I found myself trembling again, but kept it under control. This wasn’t going to be easy, having him
so close, watching over me constantly, making my yearning for him even greater. But it was for the best,
wasn’t it?
“There is also the question of payment,” I reminded him, afraid that he had his mind set on more
than just credits.
He showed no clear evidence of that, but I knew it was there. “I think I’ll leave that up to your
good judgment,” he said, knowing that he would be paid very well either way.
I smiled, quite pleased. There would be no trouble in this arrangement. He had already shown
himself capable and trustworthy -to my standards at least. He’d no doubt be ragged out by Leera we
returned. He would indeed give his life to protect me.
But there was still that lingering emotion that I knew we both felt, that temptation of passion that
we so wanted to give into. Yes, he would be faithful, but would it be for more than just his job? I’d always
been told never to mix business with pleasure (unless business was pleasure) and I had no intention of letting
that happen now.
Still, what if it was meant to happen?
“So,” I concluded finally, “do we have a deal?”
The mercenary seemed in complete agreement. “I believe we do.”
We exchanged smiles and there were no more formalities than that. Alief decided he had might as
well start working right away and began scanning over the cantina for any threat.
I, on the other hand, felt perfectly safe. “Don’t exert yourself too much,” I suggested, sipping at
my drink. “There’s nothing.”
My new bodyguard gave me a critical look. “Hey, I’m just doing my job,” he replied.
“And you’re doing very well at it,” I told him, trying not to make him feel invaluable in his first few
minutes of service. I raised my glass to my lips. “But if there’s a threat, I’ll know it.”
He grimaced as he swallowed. “Then why did you even bother to hire me,” he asked quite directly.
I was quite surprised. he hadn’t been under my employment for all of fifteen minutes and already
he was questioning it. Obviously he wasn’t afraid to speak his mind. I just hopes that he didn't have too
much to say.
But the merc did have something of a point. Why had I hired him? Really? Yes, I could use a
bodyguard to accompany me on trips like this but I could have gotten one of my own guards to do that. The
Imperial Guard was more loyal to me than anything, perhaps a little too loyal at times. They were excellent
protection but the thing they didn't give me was freedom. Also, somehow I just wouldn’t feel comfortable
sitting like this with a rigid, trained, battle-hardened Imperial guard whose sole purpose and intent was
protection -nothing more.
Maybe... Or had it been a strange feeling of pit for his situation, just an unconscious spur of the
moment decision?
Or had it been love..?
I forced the last thought out of my mind. I wasn’t about to be overcome by indefinite emotions.
“It's one thing to detect any danger,” I told him, doing my best to remain focused. “It's another to be about
to handle it on your own.”
“Yeah,” he agreed, but there was now obviously something troubling him. “But you are a Sith,
aren’t you?”
I froze and starred at him. He seemed to know the answer and was greatly troubled by it but did
not show it. “Yes,” I told him, not denying it. I was very much a Sith and held to it; the crystal on my
breast proved that much, yet I was far from what my father had been . “Why do you ask?”
Alief’s hand gripped my side though he did not look at me. “I’ve bad some... bad experiences with
Sith Lords in the past,” he explained, obviously pushing away some bitter memories.
“What Sith Lords?” I inquired, blinking at him. There hadn’t been any other Sith Lords since
Vader. I would know. At least I ought to have known. “There are no others.” He gave me a look of equal
confusion, as he believed what he said to be true. “No legitimate ones, at least. I would know otherwise.”
And if there was and I didn't know about it, I was going to have someone’s head...
The mercenary shrugged, trying to seem indifferent. “Well, they claimed to be Sith Lords, but
what do I know?” He wasn’t completely honest with that, though.
More than you’re letting on, I thought, picking my drink back up. But what would he know? He
was just a simple mercenary, wasn’t he? Yet perhaps he know more than he should.
And if he was right...?
No, it wasn’t possible. I was the only legitimate Sith left, I and a few monks at the temple on Byss.
There were a few whom I knew were trying, but had no master to guide them. Anyone could use the dark
side, but becoming a Sith Lord (or Sith Witch -a term I particularly despised) took years of training and
dedication to the art of its magic. I knew it and believed in it, but I was far from being a master in it.
“Probably just some self-proclaimed dark Jedi,” I speculated, deciding to put the subject to rest.
He remained seemingly indifferent, yet his original concern remained. My crystal seemed to throb, but I
ignored it. “I can assure you that I am far from what you would classify as a Sith ‘Lord,’” I told him. “I am
but a user and a believer, a disciple to my father’s work.”
Alief raised an eyebrow, probably partially indication my use of such cultured speech in a place like
this. “Again, I’ll have to take your word for it.”
His arm wrapped slightly tighter around me, his blaster digging into my hip. He noticed as I
flinched against slim pain, removed the blaster and adjusted his belt so that the holster sat behind him. He
rested the weapon on his knee beneath the table. “Just in case,” he explained.
I simply smiled slightly. It felt so good sitting there, my hip pressed against his, his strong hand
around my waist, his thumb stroking gently. There was silence between us, but the noise of the cantina
barely reached me over the pounding of my heart. Alief was looking about, sipping at his drink. He seemed
to be concentrating on nothing but my safety. Yes, I thought, he will be an excellent bodyguard, and
exceptionally faithful. Relaxed, my head drifted down to rest on his shoulder, and in the moment I closed
my eyes, sighing softly as his hair brushed against my face. I could feel his eyes on me, almost see him
smile...
“Well, would ya look at that!”
My head jerked up and my eyes snapped open to see a slightly dissolved and just visibly teetering
Mara Jade wandering back over to the table, bottle in hand, clearly having had a bit too much of it.
She reached the table and despite my own situation I couldn’t help but laugh. “By the Maker,
Mara!” I exclaimed as she very carefully and with great effort, lowered herself onto the seat, swaying
precariously. “Are you drunk?”
Mara set the bottle on the table very delicately. “Of course not!” she insisted, her speech just
slightly slurred and unusually loud. “I don’t get dr...” She stumbled over the word. “...drunk.”
No, she didn't; that's what was so funny. Mara was reputedly a very good drinker -and an
experienced one at that. Many times I’d seen her drink much more than she had that night and stay perfectly
sober. She’d been trained for that. But when it got to her, I knew it. And it certainly seemed as if she had,
though I had my suspicions.
Alief, however, had no idea. Eyeing my companion with upraised brows, he leaned over and
whispered to me. “Is she drunk?” he asked, not quite certain.
I nodded, trying not to let my amusement show through too much. “She’s drunk.”
I’m not sure if she heard me or not, but Mara just kept on going. “Why would I be drunk? Have
you ever seen me drunk before? Damn! The bottle’s empty again.”
She made to get back up but I grabbed her by the arm and hauled her back into her seat, plucking
the bottle out of her hands. “I don’t think so,” I said. I wasn’t about to let her get too carried away. I had
seen her drunk before. It didn't happen often, but when it does, it's not a pretty sight. I usually ended up
keeping her from breaking someone’s nose or other vital body parts, either that or apologizing for it and
lugging her off to get sobered up. This time, however, was different.
“Oh c’mon, Kar,” she complained, “miraculously” remembering to use my cover name. “I wasn’t
finished that!”
Before Mara could yank the bottle from my hand, Alief took it from me and pushed himself up
from the table. “Just going to fetch something to help,” he explained at my inquiring look. “I’ll be right
back.”
He walked over to the bar, slipping his blaster back into its holster and scanning the room all the
while. My eyes were fixed to him for a few moments; he looked just as good from behind.
So, how’d it go? Mara suddenly projected through the Force, proving that she was more sober than
she looked. “Hey! He took it!” she cried out as Alief left, covering her curiosity. She wasn’t taking any
chances.
Good, I replied, then realized that there was really no sense in holding anything back. All right,
great. he’s hired. “You don’t need any more,” I said, playing along.
“But I’m not drunk!” That, at lest, was true, but only I knew it. Underneath she was just fine.
And..? she urged.
I shot her a nasty look, which thankfully went along with both conversations. And nothing! That
wasn’t true, and we both knew it, but I needed to get my own feeling on the matter straight before I
discussed the m with anyone. Mara sensed that and decided it best to leave it alone.
She put up the illusion of sulking. All right! she agreed, noting my touchiness. Alief was waiting
at the bar then, tapping a fist on the countertop and looking back our way. Can you trust him? she asked.
That had been one of the main questions all night.
No more than he can trust me, I replied.
And how much is that?
Taken by her question for a moment, I looked over at him and thought of all he had said. Enough.
But I think we’ll come to trust each other more as time goes on.
Mara made a mental scoff. You’d better! she exclaimed. He is supposed to be protecting you ,after
all.
Yes, he was. And he would do everything possible to do so; I felt it. Even if it meant watching
over me day and night, even if it meant mistrusting my ever-so-loyal personal guard. Even if it meant
fighting off the temptation that we both clearly felt. He will, I thought back, showing no doubt. Mara
shrugged and went on with her drunken act.
A minute later Alief was back with a fresh bottle in one hand and a steaming mug of something in
the other. Seeing him coming -or more precisely, the bottle- Mara “whispered” to me. “Well, I guess he
isn’t as bad as I thought,” she said loudly. “Over here!” she added, reaching for the bottle, seemingly eager.
Quite prepared, Alief lifted the bottle out of her reach and she practically fell over the table. “I
don’t think so,” he said. Mara leaned back grudgingly. “This,” he went on, setting the steaming mug before
her, “is for you.”
Disappointed and disgusted, Mara starred at the fairly clear, rose-tinted liquid as if it was green goo
(which would have been quite appealing to some of the creatures in that place.) “What the hell is this?” she
demanded.
The merc had sat back down beside me and was working at popping the top of the bottle off.
“Naboo tea,” he replied, poring the contents of the bottle into my glass, then his. “It’ll sober you up.”
“But I’m not drunk!” she insisted, waving a lip hand. I hand to bite my lip and put my hand before
my face to keep from laughing.
Alief simply picked up his newly refilled mug and lounged back, draping his arm over my shoulders.
“That’s you’re problem then,” he said and drank.
Fed-up and clearly unhappy, Mara slouched back and picked up the mug, scowling as she sipped it.
Now I really need a drink, she thought at me.
I made a mental shrug. You shouldn’t have gotten drunk in the first place then, I replied, teasing.
She just glowered at me and sipped her tea. Quite satisfied, I picked up my own mug and settled back into
the protective arms of my bodyguard.
Continue...