Survival, Dark Times 3

[hk47fan]

Duskbringer

"I know, I know...sorry, I'm just going through everything here," I said, nodding.

I smirked once he brought up the table of War. "Two expert cyborgs playing this? We'll be at it for hours...but hey, who am I to refuse something like that? We need something to do, anyway, so why not?"

Sora

I sat at my desk in my office, going over several things. There was much that needed to be done...being the Supreme Admiral gave me alot of new responsibilities, but I wouldn't shy away from it. This was what had to be done, for the sake of the NR and the people it provided for.

I punched in a few buttons on my desk, bringing up holograms of some of the most wanted criminals, the people that were causing the most trouble right now.

Mona. She has to be found. Where is that team that Miss H sent off, anyway?

Her hologram didn't even have a firm image, thanks to how mysterious she was. But I remembered her face well enough.

Daala. An Imperial Admiral who is gaining strength everyday that goes by...she assassinated Mon Mothma, and pulled a devastating attack on those buildings a long time ago. She has to be brought down.

Xizor. Mona's accomplice and partner-in-crime...the Black Sun has caused far too much trouble for the NR to be ignored. If he's stopped, the Black Sun will crumble.

There were others, as well, such as the Hutts or the other parts of the Remnant, but these were the three main people on my list.

I looked up when I heard the door open, and saw Solon enter, smiling. "Good news," he said. "I've appointed a new Minister of State."

Good. The last of the big Haltzilakas supporters are being purged.

"Who is it?" I asked, point-blankedly.

"Jzara Ohsa, a female Senator from Dantooine. She's very young, not a veteran in politics...which will make her all the more easier to control," Solon said, looking very smug and confident in his decision.

As cruel as it sounded, Solon had the right idea.

"Just make sure you have a good reason to give the Senate, and the public, as to why you chose someone like that, but I leave the Senate up to you...I'll attend to everything else," I told him, even though that was pretty much common knowledge anyway.

"Actually, with our crackdown on crime, there's something you should know," Solon said, growing a bit more hesitant in his tone of voice. "Senator Hallion of Onderon was assasinated yesterday."

I blinked, though I didn't know much of the man. "Do we know who did it?"

He shook his head.

"Well, then we, as well as Onderon, had best launch an investigation...its time to squash these things before they begin, Solon. The criminal underworld, nor the Imperials, or anyone else, will stop thinking that they can run the show. Because they can't, not anymore." I told him firmly. "Any idea on who is to replace him? They had better not think of bringing Miss Haltzilakas back to take the position again-"

"No, don't worry, they don't have that kind of nerve. Elections are being held...several canidates, but high-class Navit Badesha looks to be in the lead," Solon assured me. "I don't really care, though, as long as they keep quiet...Onderon's always been annoying, always complaining."

"Any news on the hunt for Mona?" I inquired curiously.

"No clue." Solon said with a shrug.

"Any sightings of my former crew?"

"No idea."

I rolled my eyes, but I had to remind myself of something: I was in control now. It was what I wanted, what I arranged...part of me still thought like I did when I interacted with Miss Haltzilakas or Mon Mothma, who actually knew what was going on. Solon didn't know, and I doubted that he cared. I was the one who got told these things now, not him.

Which is how it should be.

"Alright, then surely you have somewhere to be," I coldly said, turning back to my own work.

Solon simply nodded, turning and leaving, while I continued on.

[Rain]

Olee

We were already on our way towards the exit before the news sunk in. "Sora... what? Wait a minute, what about the Jedi? Did he turn on them too?"

Uli

Jenn's condition was getting rapidly worse, and we found ourselves taking a break every hour or so. Now was one such time.

"Guys, just go on." She said as she slumped down.

"We aren't leaving you, so forget about it." Arthren snapped back. Jenn sighed.

"Look, I'm done for. I'm a goner! I'm on my way out and you all know it!" Jenn said more forcefully, "I'm only slowing you down, and destroying what little hope of survival you have left!"

[hk47fan]

Trika

"Well, uh, things are about to get a little more complicated. You see, Mona was spotted shortly before Miss H and Han got fired, so they sent a larger team out to find her...this one had Naos, your Grandmaster or whatever, on it, so he appointed some girl named Offee as the temporary leader. She tried to stick around, but when Sora tried to arrest us, the Jedi defected. They're on Bespin, waiting for Naos to come back." I explained to Olee, as we walked out of the palace doors.

And hopefully, bring my husband back with him. I thought to myself, while we walked back out onto the sand.

"Its...really hard," I said, looking down with sadness. "But I'm glad that we got you back, at least. I felt really bad for leaving you on that ship, and I'm not a girl to have much regret in life."

Marlena

We'd been trekking through the desert all day now, and it wasn't much different from yesterday's long walk. There was still no sight of any town, but we were hoping that we'd get to the rest of the ship wreckage sometime over the next twenty four hours or so, and find Li and Sem.

I frowned at Jenn...this was getting harder and harder on all of us, but we couldn't give up. We just couldn't.

"Jenn, you just about saved my life a few days ago. I'm not about to let you die. Not here, and not like this," Allison said very sternly, walking over to Jenn's side. "You're a fighter...Jenn Praxa wouldn't go down like this."

"Neither would Bala Grokoa," Jan said with a slight chuckle, leaning down beside Jenn. Her face turned serious. "But both Allison and Arthren are right. Hopefully, we'll get to a town soon."

Alsia looked around, and it seemed like she was trying to examine the area, but we all knew that it'd do no good. This was just as desolate as any other part of the desert we had traveled through over the past two days.

"I don't see much...it'll take a little while longer, but your friends are right. You've got to hold on...no one's dying on my watch, I'll make sure of that," Alsia assured Jenn with a nod. "You know, its funny...when you live on Coruscant for a long time, you forget what its like to be on solid ground, to be able to walk more then several miles and not have to stop and get a speeder."

"Wouldn't someone see the ship go down, or at least one part of the ship, and come searching? I know we're far out in the desert, but surely someone saw it and is looking around," Jan wondered outloud, glancing desperately at all of us.

"Its Tattooine, Jan...there's no government out here, no one cares about anything but themselves," Allison replied, shaking her head. "Thats why people like Xizor and Jabba the Hutt thrive on this planet."

She nodded solemnly.

"We've been missing for two or three days now," I commented. "Surely the NR would be alarmed that they hadn't heard back from us by now, and send people out to find us."

"It'd be unlike Miss Haltzilakas and Han not to do that...but if they send anyone, they're going to have one hell of a time hunting us down," Alsia told me.

Nack

Lynn and I both sat inside Caitlin's new office on Bespin...it was at one of the local hospitals in the district, and was quite a big one at that. With all the work done on Cloud City, I assumed that they needed big medical facilities incase anything ever happened. Bria had kindly asked Caitlin to join the staff here, and she happily accepted.

"Things are going great so far," Caitlin said with a smile. "I've only seen a few patients, excluding Leia, so I've spent most of my time setting up...but everyone's been very warm, and I'm settling right in."

"Thats great, honey," Lynn told her. "Does anyone here know of you? I still can't believe you're a well-known doctor and surgeon...I never thought that'd be your career."

Caitlin shrugged. "I don't think so, but I've never been famous or anything. And what did you think I was going to be?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I never really thought about it, but something like...reporter comes to mind." Lynn answered.

Caitlin snorted. "I don't think I want to run around with Ardol Vent, Mom."

"Thats not what I meant," Lynn said with a laugh. Her happy tone diminished with her next sentence, though. "I bet he and all of his colleagues are having a field day back on Coruscant."

I frowned, my mind drifting back to my dad and all of his crazy decisions lately...his crazy attitude in general. It was affecting everyone so much, I could tell. His entire crew was hurt, everybody seemed so shocked...even when I spoke to Selas, he seemed concerned.

I should've stopped it...I could've saved Padme, and none of this would have ever happened. If only I had been stupid enough to not listen to Mona... I thought to myself.

Caitlin looked at me. "Whats wrong, Nack? You look like something's on your mind," she inquired.

"I...I'm sorry, its nothing, really," I slowly answered, trying to forge a smile.

"No, Nack, what is it?" Lynn asked with concern.

I scratched my head. "Its just...Sora, and all of this. All thats going on, its because of Mona...if she hadn't killed Padme, then Sora wouldn't be a madman and none of this would have happened. I had the power to stop her...I could have went to my dad and told him everything, but I didn't. This is almost...my fault."

Lynn and Caitlin both gave me shocked looks. "Nack, thats not true...you may have made some mistakes, but you were a victim of Mona, too...she warped your mind and practically forced you to work for her. There was nothing you could do." Lynn told me, putting a hand on my shoulder.

"Thanks, but I could've...I could have ran and found my dad and Marlena, and told them everything...though even I didn't know the full story until Mona explained it to Sora. I just...I don't know, this could have been prevented, but it wasn't because I was too stupid at the time," I said with sadness.

"No, Nack...you weren't stupid. We've all made mistakes, and we can't change the past...but the important thing is that you broke free from her grip on you," Caitlin told me.

"If anyone should be blaming themself, its me, because I was too crazy t-"

"That was different, Lynn...you had just come out of a catatonic state that you'd been in for years. You couldn't comprehend much and didn't know anything besides what you remembered about Ivy and Sonas, and what Mona drilled into your head," I said to her. "I was competant enough to think for myself...but I didn't."

"Don't think like that." Lynn said.

I nodded at them both, standing up. "Yeah, thanks...I think I just need to take a walk and clear my head for awhile. I'll be on the Killer later, if you two need anything," I told them nicely.

"Just...don't be too hard on yourself," Caitlin said.

I simply turned and left, leaving the hospital and walking out into the halls of Cloud City. I strolled through them, silently and solemnly, as I reflected on everything...I didn't want to feel like this, but I did. If I had just gone to my dad and told him all that I knew...everything would be okay now. This entire mess with so many people missing, with so many people depressed...wouldn't exist.

I glanced out the windows as I walked along the pure white halls. Despite it not really being a place for tourism, yet, Cloud City was beautiful. Lando and Bria had a nice place, here.

Lost in my thoughts about this whole situation, I suddenly felt myself crash into someone. I backed away and looked at who I had bumped into, and I felt very embarrassed.

Miss H stood in front of me, regaining her balance herself.

"Oh, wow, Miss Haltzilakas...uh, I'm sorry, I really am," I said, very apologetically. "I was just passing by, anyway."

"Its alright, I wasn't doing anything important...I was just watching reports on my home planet: Onderon. The Senator that succeeded me has just been assassinated, so I got really distracted by that," Miss H told me, smiling lightly.

"Oh, wow, I'm sorry...its too bad all of this happened," I said, sadly. "Maybe you could've returned to the position, or something."

"No, actually, I wouldn't...I wish I could be there, some of the time, but I've had my time as the Senator of Onderon. Its time for someone else to step up and take the reins...all I would do is endorse Navit Badesha, the best canidate, but nothing else," Miss Haltzilakas said. She looked at me for another moment. "Is something wrong? You look concerned."

"Sorry, its nothing..." I told her. I stood in silence for a moment, my mind still on everything else.

She was the former Chief-of-State...she'd be the best person to ask a certain question to.

"Miss H," I began, slightly nervous. "Should...should I be in jail, right now?"

She blinked. "What? Why?"

"I...I don't know if you know this, but...I-I helped Mona...I helped her in some of her schemes, but I never got arrested for it. Maybe I should have been, though...I was an accomplice to all that she did, and unlike you, maybe I'm rightfully a criminal," I explained to her.

Maybe I should...pay for my actions.

She didn't say anything for a moment. "You could be charges, yes, but I don't think you should be, if thats what you're asking...you've helped us, and you seem like a very nice boy. That doesn't excuse anything, but its still a valid point." she explained, gently.

I turned away for a moment, looking out at the clouds. "I...I don't even know why I'm saying this, its just...everyone wants Mona's head, especially my dad...but I helped her, I took part in alot of what she did. Shouldn't I be in jail or on the execution table right alongside her? I hate what I did, I regret it, but I still did it."

"I understand what you're saying, but its not always black and white...the government may make it out to be, but its not. Sometimes its more than who did what...its alot deeper, even a politician like myself knows that." Miss H said to me from behind.

I slowly turned back to face her. "You're very, very kind....I'm sorry you lost your job," I said, feeling my voice crack. "It never would've happened if not for Mona."

"Its alright, it really is...don't waste time on gult," Miss Haltzilakas said, a very gentle and kind tone still in her voice. "It gets you nowhere. I know this stuff is...complicated, but please, Nack, protect yourself from the ramifications of subjects like this...whether its working with Mona or trying to beat yourself up over something you can't control. You're the only one who can stop yourself."

I nodded, understanding what she was saying. "Thank you, Miss Haltzilakas. I see why everyone says you're so nice."

[Revan Jast]

Caleb spit as he trudged through the hot sand. "Let's not think about how lost we are and dwell more on the idea that there's a village over the next freaking sand dune. A village with people, and shops, and houses... shade... water... God, I'm making it worse, aren't I?"

He wiped his face with the hem of his shirt and sighed. "We'll make it. We have to."

[Rain]

Olee

I put my hand on Trika's shoulder. "I appreciate it Trika. I really do. Thank you." I still didn't fully understand the situation, but it would sink in soon enough. I trusted Master Offee, and if she decided that Coruscant was not safe for the Jedi, then I was in agreement. She was one of teh Jedi I most looked up to. A fellow Jedi healer and one of the most peaceful and laid back Masters in the Galaxy.

As we continued running towards the exit I remembered something else. "Oh! Trika, what about Leia? Did she have her twins?"

"Wait, you knew about that?" Han asked from behind me.

I laughed. "Uh, yeah, kind of. So Han, spill the beans already!"

I grinned. "Yeah, yeah she had our twins." He said with a wink, "And listen I wanted to thank you. You're the reason that they are here today. Leia could have easily died on that ship, but your selfless actions saved her. Just... thanks."

I nodded. "Anyone on that mission would have done the same if they were given the oppertunity like I was. I'll bet even Kurt would. And I know without a doubt you would also Han. No thanks are nescessary. Now let's get out of here!"

Uli

"Fine..." Jenn sighed, as she stood up clutching her abdomen. "But if things get much worse, I'm staying behind. Got it?"

"Wait a minute..." I muttered as I looked at the second half of the ship in the distance. "Where did those Tusken Raiders g-" I heard a shot being fired and a flurly of green flashed in front of my face, as one of Serra Keto's lightsabers deflected a blast that would have surely killed me.

"Get down!" She shouted, "We're under attack!"

[hk47fan]

Naos

We all whirled around to see the Tusken Raiders that Uli had just started to talk about, some approaching, and others standing on a hill, firing shots at us with their sniper rifles. I ignited my lightsaber immediately, deflecting several more shots myself.

Alsia took out her blaster pistol, and started firing at the Sand People. "For anyone who still has a weapon, get ready to fight!" she shouted.

"And what about the rest of us, just fight with our fists?!" Jan yelled in shock.

"Don't worry, Sand People aren't that far ahead of us with the technology," Alsia said, firing a few more shots at the Tuskens that were approaching.

I charged forward, using the Force to propell myself into the air, and land on one of the Banthas that a Tusken was riding. He screamed out in protest, but it was cut off once my lightsaber went through his chest. I jumped over to the Bantha right beside this one, and quickly killed another Tusken.

Shots were furiously coming my way, and I deflected them as best I could...a few hit me, causing me to grunt in pain, but for the most part I was alright.

I turned to the snipers next, using the Force to send one rolling down the hill. I electricuted another with the Force, and then jumped back to the ground, continuing my lightsaber attacks.

[Rain]

Uli

I pulled out the small blaster I had with me and began firing shots in all directions. Some of the Tusken Raiders were visible, but some were also hidden. I didn't know where most of the shots were coming out of.

A few hit the sand directly besides Jenn, causing her to be knocked off her feet. "Screw this!" She grunted before rolling over. When she had done so I was amazed to see she looked exactly like the Tusken Raiders. "What the... you're a changling?"

"Half-clawdite, half-human." She replied in a rusky masculine voice. "Just make sure you don't shoot me!"

She crawled along the ground, making it look as though she was a Tusken trying to escape our group. I fired a few shots to either side of he rto aid her in her deception. I got a volley of blasts back in return from surrounding Sand People. I barely managed to avoid them.

"You alright, Doc?" Arthren asked as she fired off a volley of her own to cover me. "Just don't go dying, got it?"

"Also, try not to get maimed!" Daron Aethel pitched in as he ran past us to aid Naos, who was off on his own fighting a group of the Raiders.

"Thanks for the concern." I replied, "I'm fine."

Up ahead Jenn had gotten behind the Tusken Raiders. That was when Uli noticed that the one in front of her had a clear shot at the running Daron. Jenn noticed this too. She pulled out a blaster and shot the attacker in the back of the head, blowing her cover. Her appearance reverted back to normal, and the sand people around her went beserk. The screamed and ran at her with their gaffi sticks. They likely believed her to be some sort of shape shifting demon. She caught the first gaffi stick with her hands and struggled wit hteh Tusken for a moment, before using his own strength and momentum to roll herself back and flip him over.

Two more came at her, and she blocked both strikes with the stick in her hands. She swung her legs and knocked the first down, before rolling forward, spinning, and striking the second in the stomach. It doubled over in agony, as she brought the other end of teh gaffi stick to smash it's face in. She pulled out her blaster again, turned and fired on the first of the pair, who was getting up again. She then shot down two more, before finding a gap to return to our group.

I done my best to cover her as she ran back. I suceeded.

"Nice..." Arthren said with a smirk, "That's the way to do it alright."

"Yeah, good work!" I added. "You really shouldn't exert yourself though-" Just as I spoke Jenn's eyes rolled back, and she fainted from exhaustion.

[Revan Jast]

Caleb pulled out his pistol and fired as Jenn went out like a light. He took aim and attempted to shoot down the first Raider he saw, but his vision was blurry, his head felt weird, and his hands were shaking. It took 4 shots to even hit the damn thing.

"Not good," he said, dropping to his knees behind a small pile of sand. The hot, tiny grains of rock were baking his skin, but it was better to be baked than be dead. Checking his belt, he wondered if he'd brought anything else... but he hadn't. That is, until his hand happened upon a small, cylindrical object. Pulling it off his belt, he looked at the grenade closely...

and then he smiled.

[hk47fan]

Allison

"Jenn! Oh damnit," I shouted, knowing I couldn't rush to my injured friend's side right now. I looked at Jan. "Jan...stay with her. Its probably not best for you to go at a hord of Tuskens with...well, yeah, you know."

Jan simply nodded, crouching down at Jenn's side.

Wey Sol and Marlena came up beside me. Wey had a blaster pistol, and Marlena had her lightsaber ignited. I wouldn't be able to fight the Tuskens with anything more than my fists or a weapon that I managed to get off one of them.

"I suggest we go at them in a group," Wey said. "None of us are quite as ready as the others to just charge forward alone.

"He's right," Marlena agreed with a nod. "Are you coming, Allison?"

"Are you kidding? Hell yeah," I told her with a nod.

We all marched forward, side by side, using whatever we could on the Sand People. Marlena began shoving them around with the Force, as well as cutting them with her lightsaber...Wey was firing like there was no tomorrow, and there very well may not be, while I just ran forward and slammed my fist into one's gut.

He yelled out, and punched me in the face with his large stick. I stumbled back myself, and he took another stab at me. Finally, I grabbed onto the stick when he came around for another hit, and tried to grab it from him. A struggle began.

We both were pulling hard on it, neither of us releasing our hard grips. Other Tuskens approached me, but I viciously elbowed them away.

Our tug-war continued, until finally, I came up with a plan. I grinned, and pulled the stick back as far as I could...his grip on it only tightened, while he screamed that Tusken-language battle cry or whatever it was.

Finally, when I pulled it back as far as I could, and he had it in his hands tightly, I let go.

The stick hit him right in the neck, and he fell to the ground with a scream. I rushed forward, grabbing the stick, and finally stabbed the wild man to death.

"And thats how you get the job done," I muttered with a deep breath, before heading off to deal with the others.

[Rain]

Memah

I stepped into what was my new cantina. I had named it the Jade Sky Cantina. It was pretty nice, and what was really unique is that it had a carpet. I walked behind the bar and peered down at it. It seemed to stare back up at me and I wondered what it felt like. I rubbed the carpet...

Serra

I spun around and sent three bolts flying back at the three sand people who had fired them. I then ran at the last of the group with both my lightsabers, and sliced his abdomen and across his chest. He fell to his knees, and eventually dropped forward. Dead.

I looked around and couldn't see any more. The banthas were off in the distance running away. I glanced back at the group. "I think that's all of them!" I shouted. "But I'm willing to bet more will be along soon. We have to get going..."

[hk47fan]

Alsia

I sighed in huge relief once all the Tuskens were down, but Serra was right. As everyone put their weapons away and calmed down after that sudden adrenaline burst, I spoke again. "She has a great point...the second half of the ship is just a little ways away. We can be there in no time."

"What about Jenn?" Naos asked.

I looked at Uli. "Uli, grab her...and just hope that we get somewhere soon."

With that, we all turned around, and continued trudging through the sand, towards where we hoped Li and Sem would be...

[Rain]

Jenn

I slowly opened my eyes a glanced around me. I was being supported by Uli and Wey. "Guys... I'm awake. You can let go now." They did so cautiously, and I caught my bearings as the group stopped. I felt my head go really light, and I was dizzy. Then I felt warm and cold at the same time, as a bead of sweat came down my forehead. I felt my throat clench up and my stomach turn. I fell forward and threw up.

"Jenn!" Arthren exlcaimed as she ran to support me.

I spat, trying to get rid of the bad taste in my mouth. "I'm... I'm good. Don't worry about me."

"Here." Uli said as he threw me a bottle of water, "Drink this. You need to keep your fluids up. Your wound is infected and you are becoming dehydrated at an accelerated pace due to the heat."

I gulped down half the bottle in one go. "Thanks... I think I can walk..."

Uli

Jenn's condition was rapidly getting worse as we arrived at the ship. On at least three occasions she had lost her balance, and had to be held up by one of the others. Serra went ahead and looked around.

"They... they aren't here." She said dismally. She looked down at something and poked it towards us with her foot, "The carnivores were here however. This is bone fragment. Guys... I think Li and Sem are dead..."

[hk47fan]

Marlena

We were all keeping a close watch on Jenn, but our attention quickly turned to Li and Sem after Serra's announcement. Several of us, one of them being Wey, rushed forward, and looked down at the sight.

It was true...the remnants of this ship were bare, and there were no people here, only bits and pieces of bones....which was probably all that was left of Li and Sem. I frowned, shaking my head.

I looked around. "There are footsteps in the sand..." I commented, motioning to what looked like imprints in the desert.

"Looks like a bunch of animals trampling around after feasting on something," Alsia told me. "Crap...this mission was all about them, and we lost them."

I nodded sadly.

"This...this can't be true," Wey said in disbelief. "There has to be another explanation...there just has to be. I know those two...they wouldn't die this easily. They lived through alot already, they couldn't have just died and gotten ripped apart here. I just found out that Li was my brother...both of them were good people...its...its.."

I heard his voice cracking, and I put a hand on his shoulder for comfort. Wey had been through so much already...this was all he needed.

[Rain]

Serra

I knew everyone was sad, but we needd to move on. For their sake more than mine. The nanobotic cells in my bloodstream meant that I didn't suffer from dehydration, and only needed very little food to sustain myself.

"We lost them..." A demoralised Daron sighed, "I can't believe we lost them..."

"We need to keep going." I told the group, "If we don't then we will begin to lose each other. We are nowhere near any sort of civilisation, we are quickly running out of supplies and we likely have a hoard of Tusken Raiders on our trail."

"I... I can't go on..." Jenn said shakily.

"We can split up!" Uli suggested, "I'm staying here with Jenn."

"Oh kriff doc, just drop the good guy act please!" Jenn spat, "I'm practically dead already. And you will be too once those sand people arrive!"

I exhaled slowly. "She has a point Uli..."

"I'll stay too." Daron interupted, "I can offer some sort of protection and we might find some extra supplies in this half of the ship. Serra you should go ahead with a few of the others. "

I sighed again. "I'm not sure about this... but fine. Alright, who's coming with me and who is staying?"

[hk47fan]

Marlena

"I'll stay with Jenn," Jan said, sitting down beside her friend. "She needs a familiar face to be with right now...no offense to anyone else."

"I'll go ahead to make sure that the NR crew doesn't decide to randomly betray us somehow," Allison said, and I wasn't sure whether it was a joke or a serious comment. Probably a mix of both.

Alsia scowled. "Well, I led this team, so I need to go ahead and see if we can find some kind of civilization sometime soon."

"I'll go with you guys, too, I-" Naos started.

"Actually, Naos...I think you should stay," Jan said, looking slightly nervous. "I don't have a weapon, Jenn's half-dead, and the doctor doesn't look like the kind of guy that can bust a Tusken's head open. Daron won't be able to take a raid of Sand People on alone if they happen to find us. The Grandmaster can provide some much needed assistance."

"Hate to say it, but you've got a point," Naos said, scratching his chin. "Fine, I'll stay."

Allison shot Jan a look, but I didn't feel like wasting time figuring out what it was about.

"I...I think I need to go forward. If I stay around here I'm just going to continue to dwell on everything...and I really shouldn't. Walking will help take my mind off of it...hopefully," Wey slowly said.

I nodded. "I'll go, too," I decided.