Coruscant's Underworld

Terra entered the back room where the old man was waiting for her. The room itself was dimly lit and a bit cramped with many old crates stacked around in odd places. Still, there was a little bit of open space in the center, with two chairs, one of which was occupied by the old man. He raised one arm, beckoning towards the empty seat.

"Please, sit down."

Terra slowly sat down, drink still in hand, hoping Anshara was nearby in case the old man sprung the trap. She could already tell that in any kind of fight, she wouldn't stand a chance against him straight up."What do you know about me? How do you know I've lost my memories?"

"Patience, child. First of all, how much do you remember about your life?"First thing was first: He wanted to know if she remembered anything. Hopefully nothing about him or his apprentice, and if she did recall any of that, well than this would certainly be interesting. For now, he would keep the hood over his face, just in case she did recall...

Terra was a little unnerved by how he had referred to her as 'child', but she shook it off."Just my childhood...nothing else."

The old man slowly stroked his chin as she revealed what she remembered. It confirmed his suspicion that his mind wipe hadn't been entirely successful, though he knew full well whose fault that was. More on that later...

He leaned forwards just a little, yellow eyes visible beneath the hood as he looked over at the young woman sitting across from him.

"Well then...allow me to fill in the gaps.The old man leaned back in his seat."To start...you were taken off Nar Shaddaa when you were around nine years old...by my apprentice. It was my wish that he train you in the ways of the Force."

Terra knew from her occasional nightmares that she must have been trained in the dark side at some point in her life. She didn't say anything just yet, waiting for the old man to elaborate further.

"My apprentice was, to be frank, a fool. He trained you to be his weapon, one to eventually against me. Oh, I saw it coming...treachery is the nature of the Sith after all...Terra couldn't be sure, but it almost sounded like he was...bitter. About his apprentice, maybe?

The old man continued."Still...I let your training continue, if only because I foresaw your eventual rebellion...and that my fool of a former apprentice would never expect you to break free of his control. Which of course you did. Even I knew when I first saw you that you were strong of mind and will. My foolish apprentice would never be able to break you fully..."Ignoring the shocked look on Terra's face, he kept going."Well...to make a long story short, you did rebel. Just before he sent you on a mission to your wretched homeworld is when you turned on him. From what I understand, it was quite a battle. That is when I decided to intervene at last. Of course...things did not go as planned..."The old man closed his eyes and exhaled.

Terra had long prepared herself for the day that she would learn the truth, but it did little to lessen the shock of the realization that she had been trained in such a way. It did explain her nightmares, and how she had been able to retrain so quickly. Except, how had she gotten on that shuttle? None of this explained how she had woken up on a shuttle orbiting Tatooine with no memory of getting there."I...I remember waking up on a shuttle over Tatooine. It's the first thing I remember after my childhood. How exactly did I get there?"

**to be continued**

*Gavin nodded. He had heard mentions of the GALSAF from Ael Jade and that the Jedi and Republic were too happy with them. But he knew not of the true actions that had brought this about, nor did it matter. This girl needed help and he would not turn her away despite her connections. He himself had been looked down upon and questions for his connections and beliefs and would not become as they were.* "A slaver who knew your style and weakness? I would think someone has been keeping tabs on you then. That is quite a threat, indeed."

*Reaching down, he moved to pick her up, slow and watchful unsure of how she'd take it.* "Then a clinic in the underworld would be your only solution unless I get you off planet. They tend not to ask many question with paid the right price. Maybe we can find a way to get in touch with your friends and get you out of here before you find any more trouble."

*Gavin nodded and began walking, his eyes ever watchful should anyone decide to try and attack.* "Fortunately, I have just purchased a ship recently. So that is definitely an option. But it'll be a bit of a trip. It's sitting in the hangers in the Galactic City. Any place you'd prefer heading?"

*Gavin nodded.* "I heard about that. The Jedi and Republic didn't seem too fond of them for that. But if that's where you want to go, it's where I'll take you."

"Alright then. Yavin it is. First, I need to stop by the Temple to pick something up."*Getting to an open area, he signaled for a taxi. The wait was short before one finally came and landed. He helped get Kaytra inside then fitted himself in. He could tell the driver had questions running through his mind and Gavin passed him up some credits to keep him quiet.* "I need to get to the Jedi Temple." *With a nod, the drive took off.*

Nearly a kilometer away and resting comfortably on the balcony of a nondescript apartment sat a grey-furred feline with a rifle, watching the newly arrived ship intently as he cleaned the weapon in his lap. He held no electrobinoculars or viewscreens, but the obvious cybernetic replacement that took the place of his left eye provided an easy answer to the question of how he was able to see the group that exited the ship. This particular vantage point also afforded him a view inside the cokcpit of the vessel, and he was thoroughly amused by the all too obvious awkwardness between the female pilot and her compatriot. "Just get a room already..."

His tail flicked back and forth impatiently as he laid aside the rag he'd been using and selected a long rod from the cleaning instruments next to him, wrapping another cloth around the end before sliding it down the rifle's barrel. Can't let the carbon build up too much, you know. Throws off the accuracy.

His comlink chimed as the cockpit door began to slide open, and he sent the call to his headset without taking his eyes off the ship.

"Miatzho here."

Report.

"The mercs left on their own, which leaves Kad, the redhead, Sven, and the Doc with the cargo."

You will refer to him as Don, and refrain from mentioning anything you saw in his file in the future. As far as you know, he's just another mark.

"Got it, boss. What next?"

Maintain surveillance. I'll be in touch when the time comes.

The call clicked off and Kano sighed as he pulled the headset from his ear. This Shadow King sure was a slippery bastard, and he began to wonder just how long he'd have to put up with this charade before he got his shot.

The good doctor entered in full gear popping another pain pill in his mouth, a shit eating grin that had been on his face mirroring that of a young child who snuck a few cookies behind his mother's back and gotten away with it. This melted away as he was met with the sight of Don decked out in whatever you wished to call it, and Vee wearing a very lovely form fitting outfit. Had it not been for the drugs in his system he may have been a bit more professional, as it was the buzz hadn't leveled off leaving him not himself, and his eyes lingered a moment too long. Snapping a quick salute and clearing his throat Ronin tried to move on an throw up the guise of being professional.

"Ello captain, lovely voyage we've had thus far eh?"

A bit of an accent betrayed him, and showed how good he might be feeling.