CC: Refuge

[Medivh]

Chandaar: Republic Capital

Surface: Ambaril: Hotel Mermeia

It was worse than Mara had expected.  Worse than she could have feared.  And perhaps the most frightening part was that she still knew almost nothing.

Riley had been hesitant to say anything at first, but eventually, told Mara everything.  She knew that Dahlia hadn't just fainted.  The four of them had been attacked, and not by any human - it was a strange, monster like creature, with jagged teeth.  Mara had Riley try drawing a picture, taking the image and running through a database of species to figure out what it was.  Either the picture or the being he saw were too distorted - she didn't receive a match.

Then Riley had told her about Gemma.  About the dreams, about him being 'the fourth'.  Mara had listened with a calm face, emotionless exterior.  But inside, she knew that danger had finally caught up with them.

But what Mara didn't know - what Riley couldn't tell her - was how Dahlia had stopped the creature.  Or what the creature actually intended on doing.  Was it going to try kidnapping Gemma? or all four children? one such creature would have had a hard time taking four teenagers, even as young as them.  Maybe only Gemma - or maybe it was going to kill them.  Or maybe, it was trying to trigger something else. Maybe it was TRYING to fail.

The trouble with being a machine was the ability to come up with almost endless possibilities.  She needed to start narrowing them down.  And above all, she had to make sure Riley was safe.

First things first - Riley was forbidden to contact Gemma, Dane, or Dahlia, and he was equally forbidden from using a terminal or communicator without being monitored.  He had protested - in fact, he had practically declared he would refuse - but at least for now, he had to accept it.  The communicator had been taken away from him; the terminal deactivated; a federation guard placed outside his door.

Things would be more complicated as the days progressed.  He had to start school.  If he was here, on Chandaar, he would be close to Mara but in an environment that was clearly not safe.  If he was sent back to the Wheel, he would be on a more secure facility - or at least, more contained facility under watchful eyes - but Mara would not be with him. She had to finish her business here.

Damn Gellar!  She and Riley had remained off-scope.  There was no reason anyone would have found him or tied him to the past, not until he was with them.  Rutherford Gellar had done as she predicted, putting too many in danger.  Even Mara could not have predicted how quickly it would have come.  Fourth indeed.  Mara didn't need to guess what it meant.  A new generation of children were taking the place of their dead siblings/parents.

But Mara wasn't going to let the past repeat itself.  Not as long as she was alive.

*************************
Riley had looked up at his aunt and knew that this was not one of those times  to mess around with her.  Even so, he thought of his promise to Gemma, and tried being evasive, avoiding answering the direct questions as long as he could.

Aunt Mara wouldn't have it.  He had told everything - about the attack, about Gemma's dreams.  His aunt had made him try to recreate the scene as best he could, visually.  And when he was done, she moved swiftly to cut him off entirely.  She hadn't even listened to his protests as she had his communicator and terminal taken out of his control.  Or had a guard stationed at his door - to make sure he didn't sneak out just as much as to make sure nothing got in.

She looked determined, and one-tracked in her thought process as she was getting ready to do 'damage control'

Riley wouldn't stand it.

"Aunt Mara, it isn't fair!"

She had looked at him, shaking her head.

"No, it's not.  But it's like I told you - it is dangerous being around the Gellars.  I never would have thought it would hit so quickly.  The girl, Gemma - she knows who you are, Riley.  And not just her.  The enemy knows too.  It's not safe.  I can't have you trying to talk to them or trying to see them.  Ever again.  I'm sorry. This is how it has to be"
She had left before Riley could say another word.

Riley had sat in his room, alone for hours, watching the holonet playing some show or cartoon.  But he wasn't really watching. He was thinking.

Whatever it was, he couldn't stay cooped up like this for long.  He needed to get out, and he needed to talk to Gemma.  Even if his aunt did everything she could to stop it.

TBC

[Medivh]

Chandaar: Republic Capital

Surface: Ambaril: District 15-B Charter School

It was almost worse than being locked in a room.  The security detail that had been assigned to Riley Tacofer was a burden, and definitely not going to help him make many friends.

Escorted to school in an armored hover vehicle, and Federation guards placed at the entrance to the building and outside of his classroom.  The school had been reluctant at first to accommodate, but the Trade Federation ambassador had been persuasive with both her words and her purse.  What school would turn down the means to better educate, even if it meant a few extra conveniences.  But Riley was not happy about it at all.

He heard the whispers as he walked down the hallway, felt the stares.  Well, at least he was able to hold his own backpack.  But with this much security on him, how the hell was he going to find a way to contact Gemma? Of course, that was probably one of the reasons behind it. Not just to protect him - but to prevent him from acting.

"students, we have a new student this term. Riley Tacofer.  He is visiting us from the Trade Federation."

The stares outside had been bad, and Riley tensed for increased scrutiny in his assigned 5th grade classroom.  But instead, the class offered him something he could deal with - fascination.

"You come from the Trade Federation?"
"Have you ever been to the Wheel?"
"What's it like?"
"Have you ever seen a battle droid?" (military droids were still banned or heavily restricted in most places after the Phage debacle)
"I hear most of the galaxy's money travels through the Federation Stock Exchange. Is that true?"
"Are you related to the ambassador?"

Riley hesitated at first, then began to answer questions in turn as they rapidly fired against him, until finally, the teacher interrupted.

"Yes, I'm sure Riley has many fascinating stories, and would be happy to discuss them with you - at lunch.  But we really need to continue with our actual lesson.  Riley, please take a seat"

Riley made his way to an empty desk, near the back of the room, and the teacher began proceeding with her lesson, something about Republic interculturalism and how it has fostered growth among planets with vastly different species.

"psst"

Riley turned his head and glanced over at the seat next to him, where a young twilek girl was smiling at him

"So HAVE you ever seen a battle droid?"

The teacher's voice rang out loudly before Riley could respond

"Doneeta, for tomorrow, an essay on Ryloth culture - and how twilek's, like all students, need to keep silent in class"

The conversation ended there, the twilek girl blushing and frowning as she glared at the teacher, than down at her materials.  The lesson continued, but Riley was smiling. For the first time in days, he felt normal.

*************************

Mara hadn't gone to school with him, but she had come in a few minutes after, surreptitiously glancing through the window into his classroom and smiling, watching as Riley raised a hand to answer a question - he wasn't good at everything, but Riley had had been to some places that gave him first-hand experience with different cultures.  And he was smart.

Mara nodded her head.  He deserved that. Needed it. Every child had the right to at least a semblance of normalcy.  Even if everything could come crashing down.

She left the school and headed to her next destination.

****************************
Surface: Ambaril: Senate Building

Mara walked the royal halls of the Republic Senate building, a slow spiral upward (for those not so lazy as to use the turbolift).  It was near the top that she turned away from the central chamber, where the senate normally was in session, that she turned down a narrower hallway to some of the administrative offices, until she reached the offices of Shale Apteen, Senate leader.  Her position gained her remarkably fast entrance to see the leader.

"Ambassador Tacofer, this is an unexpected visit. May I inquire-"

"Mr. Leader, I have a matter most urgent that I must look into"
"Is this regarding the accusations by the Corporate Sector representative? I was under the impression that there might be some sort of reconciliation and joint deal between the factions?"

Mara shook her head
"No, Mr. Leader - the negotiations are proceeding.  I am here because I have need to speak with the jedi"

Shale Apteen gave her a queer look, hand raising to absently scratch at his thin beard
"The jedi prefer to remain out of sight"

"and out of mind - but they do exist, and they have grown, both in their training and numbers"
"mostly due to keeping them out of the headlines, ambassador"

"I have no intention of bringing the jedi front and center. In fact, what I must discuss with them requires the utmost secrecy.  Can you arrange that I speak with the highest jedi member possible?"

Shale Apteen again scratched his beard, thinking silently before slowly nodding his head.
"This had better be appropriately handled, Ambassador Tacofer. I will set it up immediately. I trust you to use your discretion"
"Thank you, Mr. Leader"

TBC

[Medivh]

Chandaar: Republic Capital

Surface: Ambaril: Jedi Chamber

Mara walked the causeway as it sloped downward.  On each side of her, the walls grew taller and taller, and behind her, the bowels of the senate building disappeared behind her.  The last windows shone ever dimming light on the path, and ahead, artificial light cast their florescent glow on the path ahead.

Ahead of her, Shale Apteen silently walked the cooridor, stopping at one of the checkpoints, and flashing an ID at the Republic guards placed there.  The guard would offer her a glance as she passed, and then the two of them were alone again.

The facility they were traveling to was about a kilometer away from the senate building, accessible through a subterranean tunnel that allowed the jedi to reach the governing office without concerns of being traced by the press.  It also allowed the identity of most of the jedi to remain fairly hidden.

At the end of the walk, a set of heavy blast doors, the image of two lightsabers criss-crossed across the center, two republic guards standing on either side.  Apteen nodded his head to one, and he moved and entered a code in a side panel.  The two blades of the lightsaber imagery seemed to glow brighter, and then the door split open along the lines of the blades, four triangle-shapes receeding into the walls to open the Jedi Chamber.

The hall was lit dimly, and approaching them was a female jedi, her brown jedi robes matching her hair, tied in a pony, blue eyes carrying the same smile the crossed her lips.

"Speaker Apteen, a pleasure to see you again"
"And you as well, Jedi Nevylinn."

The woman turned her gaze from him to Mara

"And ambassador - an honor to meet you.  The council is very curious as to the purpose of your call"

"No doubt.  Are they read to see me now?"

She nodded, and Mara turned to the Shale Apteen.

"Speaker, thank you for your assistance"

Apteen's mouth  creased into a frown.
"I'm sorry Ambassador - I was intending to be present at this council meeting. I too was curious of what you had to say"

Mara nodded her head
"I understand that, sir.  But I'm afraid this is a conversation I must have with them alone"
"They are required to report to me the goings on of these meetings"
"Please don't take this with disrespect, Speaker, but I would not be surprised if the jedi sometimes avoid that requirement.  As you said, they have become more discreet.  And that means even from elected officials.  I have no doubt if they deem it necessary to involve you, they will, but right now, secrecy is of the utmost importance, and the less you know, the better off you and I and everyone is"

Apteen's frown grew darker
"I don't like this, Ambassador"
"nor do I - but it is necessary"

the Jedi looked from one to the other, before speaking

"Should I ask the council to vote on whether the speaker should be present?"

Apteen turned to her, shaking his head

"No, that won't be necessary.  But indicate that I will wish to speak with the council tomorrow"
"As you wish, Speaker Apteen"

He gave a final glance to Mara "Ambassador, until next time"  and began the trip back up the cooridor.  Mara watched him for a moment before turning to the jedi.

"Ambassador, if you'll come this way"

Mara began following, the blast doors closing behind them as they began walking.

"The Speaker called you Jedi Nevylinn"

The woman nodded
"Yes - that's my name. Nevylinn"
"First or last?"
"First - I have no last name.  At least that I know of.  My sister and I were orphans when we were found"
"Is your sister also a jedi?"

Nevylinn hesitated
"No - actually, I don't know where my sister is. we haven't spoken in a long time"
"I'm sorry to hear that"

There was silence for a few more minutes before Mara again spoke
"You are a full fledged jedi?"

"Yes - I passed my trials about eleven years ago"
"Around the same time as Jedi Masterton?"

Nevylinn nodded her head
"Yes.  Melanie and I trained together for some time.  She was more advanced that I, passed before me.  But we were pretty close initially.  How did you know Melanie?"

Mara glanced around the hall as they walked, noting the various tapestries, showing epic jedi battles, or moments of meditation, and various jedi slogans and catch phrases.

"Let's just say we shared a common destiny"

Nevylinn shook her head
"Melanie spoke a lot of destiny, and prophesy ... it seemed so futile. She tried protecting others,and in the end, she and they were killed because of a war that had nothing to do with them"

"Do you know about the prophesy that Melanie spoke of?"

Nevylinn again shook her head
"only bits and pieces"
"Let me assure you, Jedi Nevylinn.  the war had everything to do with them"

By this point, they had reached another set of doors and entered the council chamber.  the room was artificially lit, here beneath the surface, and in the chairs around the circle perimeter sat a half dozen jedi masters.

"thank you, Jedi Nevylinn"

Nevylinn bowed and stepped out of the room, leaving Mara standing there, scrutinizing them much as they scrutinized her.

"Ambassador Tacofer - your purpose in visiting is hidden to us.  As is much about you.  We can see the thoughts of every being that passes our path, and yet you are a mystery to us"

"there are larger concerns than my lack of presence"

"that may be true - but would you care to explain?"

Mara thought about the question for a moment.  She was one of few people who could easily lie to the jedi without being discovered.  But she realized she could tell the truth.  Or part of the truth.

"I have been injected with the force-vaccine, compliments of Rutherford Gellar"
"I didn't realize the vaccine was still being produced. Or necessary"

"which brings us to the reason for my visit.  My first question pertains to an event that occurred five days ago, at around 13:00 standard galactic time"

"event, ambassador?"

"there was an attempted abduction of several teenagers in the hotel where the Trade Federation and Corporate Sector were negotiating.  the abduction was thwarted.  my question for you is whether you detected anything at that time."

"Ambassador, we are not a surveillance group, we do not have the power to detect any occurence that happens anywhere in the-"

"I was wondering if you had detected a force signature.  Something potent, unrefined.  Raw energy"

The jedi council grew quiet, its members glancing at each other, suspicious glances turned her way.

"What do you know of this ... tremor ... in the Force?"

The question was the answer that Mara had feared, and she bowed her head, thinking of the reprecussions.  what she said now could impact not just her and Riley, but many others.

"Masters - I believe that there are those in the galaxy who would seek to invoke the Persephonea Prophesy"

The jedi were silent for several minutes before again responding to her.

"The prophesy is over - all of the players are dead"

"The originals of the prophesy are dead.  But they each have a replacement.  They all have another who carries their blood, their appearances, their characteristics.  They are all of them linked together."

"No, it isn't possible.  Even if you are referring to the Gellar children, that is only three.  The prophesy calls for four.  Kimber Patten has no blood relative alive."

"that isn't true, Jedi masters.  Kimber Patten had a son"
"who died on Centerpoint, along with her"

Mara shook her head
"The son didn't die"

"Didn't die?   Where is this boy?"
"Is my word not good enough?"
"You are asking us to believe that the Persephonea Prophesy is still being played out, we need more than just your guesses"

Mara sighed.  She realized she couldn't hide it forever. Couldn't hide him forever. She needed allies, protectors, and the jedi could be discreet - she hoped.

"Very well.  My nephew, Riley Tacofer, was born Riley Patten, son of Kimber Patten, and the youngest survivor of the Battle of Center Point.   When five days ago, he and three Gellar children were nearly abducted, the creature that tried it called him 'the fourth'  It knew who he was.  And now you do to.  And now I need your assistance, and your protection."

The council was silent, but a figure was approaching from beyond the circle.  From a darkened chamber opposite Mara a man was walking slowly toward them.  He was not particularly old - not in years at least.  But his face and eyes looked worn, and far more lines showed than should have been.

"Protection you want ... protection you shall have.  I know you, Ambassador.  You are also in the prophesy.  Are you not?"

Mara nodded.

"I am"

The jedi nodded his head

"You were wise to come to us, Ambassador ... Tacofer.  The storm that you have glimpsed.  It is coming.  Stronger than before.  And it will spread across this galaxy like a blazing fire.  All consuming.  Unless it is stopped."

He turned to the others in the chamber.

"Council Members, dear masters.  Allow me to speak with the ambassador in private.  She and I - we have a common destiny"

The six members of the council stood, nodding their heads and disappearing out of the chamber, leaving Mara there alone with the man.  Her optical scanners were already trying to match his face, when he again turned to her.

"Now, ambassador of many names.  The one who is alive but not ... it is far past time that we should meet.  I am Jedi Master Adin Corrin."

TBC

[Medivh]

Chandaar: Republic Capital

Surface: Ambaril: Jedi Chamber

"Now, ambassador of many names.?  The one who is alive but not ... it is far past time that we should meet.?  I am Jedi Master Adin Corrin."

There were not a great deal of photos of the current jedi order.  They had been successful in keeping out of the limelight, and very little about their monkish lifestyles attracted the paparazzi.  There were only a scant few photos of the jedi council, fewer still of the other jedi.  Mara's database of information had to go back over a decade to put a match to the face.  But yes, there it was.  A much younger, stronger looking man.  Adin Corrin had acted as a recruiter for the jedi before his attention turned to the prophesy.  His image was there, a small article that no one read about the departure of a young student from some forgotten planet.  Despite his newly aged appearance, the resemblance was there, especially in the eyes.

Mara was surprised to find that he was here.  Her sources indicated that he had gone to ground after training Melanie, saving Celeste.  He was a target, much like they were.  And he had stayed hidden, even after Winton was gone.  Mara now knew why - because he was still a target.  The war wasn't over.  So why here?  Why in the center of the republic, albeit buried beneath the bustle of the public streets.  The question burned.

"Master Corrin.  Your reputation preceeds you"
"And you, Infiltrator"

Mara stiffened slightly at the name, the title.

"I apologize.  I know you have long since dropped that designation.  You have become something else entirely, a being of choice, a decider like others who live"

"How do you know so much about me?"

Corrin shrugged

"I am a collector of information, much like you"

"My information is classified - it doesn't even exist anymore"

"There are always ways of finding the lost information.  You know that.  But I've known about you longer than you've known about your role in the prophesy."

"How?"

"About fifteen years ago, I was assigned to go after imperial intelligence.  Learn what they knew, see how I could undermine the Empire.  I stumbled upon a project,  run by imperial intelligence, but with the help of outside sources.  The Trade Federation.  Corellian engineers.  The Empire kept it very, very hushed.  They were working on developing an advanced type of battle droid"

Mara nodded

"It was the Guri Project"

Corrin shrugged again
"It was the front for the Guri Project.  Winton by then already had greater ambitions and didn't want to even the Emperor to know what he was really working on.  Or even the others who worked with him to know.  And others were such fools.  Rutherford Gellar gave over his granddaughter, not realizing he was handing over the key to a monster, in her blood.  Medivh was amazed at what a droid could do, could learn, but didn't know that Winton had set a trigger to make Phage a terror.  The jedi, the sith, everyone was fooled."

"So how did you learn about the truth?"

"I hadn't. Not at first.  Not until I met Celeste, and the Queen.  When I learned about the existence of the prophesy, I saw the flip side of the coin.  That was when I learned that Winton was playing the Empire, and his family and friends.  He used the prophesy to manipulate some, while keeping his projects going.  It was already too late by the time I tied them together.  By then, Medivh had withdrawn from the project, trying to take his work away as well.  He thought he had succeeded, keeping the secrets without the risks.  But Phage was already sabotaged, and it was only a matter of time before he destroyed the Trade Federation, and Medivh sacrificed himself to stop the creation"

"That still doesn't explain how you know about me"

Corrin nodded
"I knew that Winton didn't want a droid warrior.  Not one, even as capable as Phage.  He wanted control, and he wouldn't cede that to a machine.  He was trying to set himself up as invincible.  But he couldn't test those technologies on himself.  He had to test them on a prototype machine.  One that had the Gellar genetic code, the complexity that allowed for life with the strength and  durability of a machine.  Phage was only part of that prototype, but Winton needed him under control.  So I learned that Winton programmed Phage to create a group of human replica droids.

Using the gene, not only in the programming but also in the external skin meant at least a very close resemblance to the source. Valerie Gellar.

When I saw you for the first time, I had my suspicions.  Medivh was the one who told me the rest"

"When did you see the Viceroy?"

"After he had stopped Phage the first time. After he was dead but alive, on Ord Radama.  I had at first thought the prophesy referred to him, but then I learned about you."

Mara listened patiently, but suddenly, she was seething, suspicious.

"When you sent Melanie to stop Karen - did you know that the prophesy was false?"

Corrin shook his head
"The prophesy was never false.  But I had underestimated Winton.  He had deceived me like the others.  I believed that Karen had to be stopped, at any cost.  I am a jedi, and my natural enemy is the sith, the Empire.  I didn't know until afterward that Winton was actually not working for the Emperor, but for himself.  I had to stop the prophesy from coming to fruition"

"You caused Melanie to kill her best friend!"

"Are you so certain it wouldn't have happened?  If not for the prophesy, Melanie and Karen were still on opposite sides of the war.  One was a jedi, representing the republic; one was a sith, of the empire.  They were mortal enemies, just as they had once been friends.  Even without Alexander Winton's ministrations, they would have fought at some point"

"You could have stopped it"

"I had no reason to stop it.  I had to stop Winton - father and daughter.  I had no way of knowing letting one die would help the other.  Oh don't judge me. As if you don't have sins.  You have yourself caused the death of more than I can count, including Valerie."

"Phage killed Valerie"
"You could have stopped it"
"I didn't have a choice!  I was still under programming"
"And so was Melanie.  She didn't have a choice - she had to stop the Sith.  So was I.  I had to stop Dementat. and Winton"

"It's different"
"Only if you insist on seeing it that way."

Mara was seething now.  She didn't care if he knew that Karen was her father's enemy or victim rather than ally.  He would have made the same choice. Sent Melanie to kill her.  Corrin's eyes looked at her calmly as Mara debated the likelihood of killing the jedi where they stood. He had the force, but she was faster, and ...

"Are you so different, Mara Anna?  Isn't it possible that you can be the Infiltrator and a Gellar and a Tacofer all at once?  I was at war, and I had to deal with my enemies however it was necessary.  I sent Melanie to die and I will forever live with that guilt.  But I also saved her mother, and allowed for the family to live on"

"Until they become useful for some other means.  To strike against the floundering Empire"

"No.  Not again.  The jedi may seek to stop Schrag, but my role has changed.  I am not fighting the warlord.  I have spent the last ten years doing much the same as you - seeking to stop the prophesy from coming to fruition.  Like I said, the prophesy was never false, it was just conveyed falsely.  It is alive.  And Alexander Winton has left enough pieces that an entrepreneur or fanatic or enemy of the Republic or the galaxy can piece together something worse than Winton himself could come up with.  For Winton only sought control, dominion by himself.  THose who still exist now don't care for control.  They want destruction.  The galaxy to unravel into chaos.  through the rebirth of the abomination"

"Dahlia?"

"Perhaps.  I no longer take my assumptions for granted.  But it was the feeling of the Force from the young Winton that brought me out of hiding, back to the center of the Republic.  I needed to find out what happened. And I needed to meet you."

"Do you know what the threat is?"

"Not entirely - but I know it is out there, and it is real, and it has found the ones it is looking for"

"The four"

Corrin nodded

"The four"

TBC

[Medivh]

Chandaar: Republic Capital

Surface: Ambaril: Jedi Chamber

Mara was taking in what Master Corrin had told him, acknowledging to herself that her worst fears had been confirmed.  Someone, an unknown enemy, was seeking to reactivate the worst interpretation of the Persephonea Prophesy.  Using the children - Gemma.  Dane.  Dahlia.  And of greatest concern to Mara, Riley.  There was no hidden droid army, no Phage, no reborn Alexander Winton.  But there was some danger.  What worried Mara the most was that she had no idea how it would manifest.  Putting the children in danger couldn't be the endgame.  As callous as the thought would be, the four of them dying wouldn't accomplish anything. It would be a tragedy, true, but then the four of them couldn't be assets to whoever it was that was trying to set things into motion.

No, it had to be something else.  Someone was going to use the four, manipulate them somehow.

Then Mara recalled what the master had said,

Phage was only part of that prototype, but Winton needed him under control.  So I learned that Winton programmed Phage to create a group of human replica droids.

A group of replica droids ... 

Mara turned her attention back to the jedi who was watching her quietly.

"You said a group of replica droids?"

Corrin nodded

"But Phage ... I was there.  He only built -"

"One? You know better than that, Mara Anna.  Phage created droids to fulfill his individual missions.  And you know he didn't trust you.  He didn't give you the access that he had.  He didn't want you to know, but isn't it obvious?"

Mara took a few steps back, her hand grasping  for the wall.  It took a lot to shock a droid, to send one off balance.  Mara was normally cool, calm, collected, able to process new information.  But it was an inherent aspect of her programming that she was Phage's right hand, that she was his most valued droid.  Even hating him, even after destroying him, to have that notion questioned threw her processors tail spinning.

"How ... how many ... how many others are there?"

Corrin shook his head

"No one knows for sure.  Phage's files were inaccessible, his records obliterated.  Nor does Alexander Winton's specify.  I believe Winton left the decision up to Phage"

"Were they mass produced?  Are there hundreds out there, identical to me me, waiting somewhere, dormant?  Waiting to-"

"To do whatever Phage programmed them to do?  A frightening thought, I agree.  You were quite a lethal machine, until your programming had run its course.  We do know a few things that are good.  Phage never had the facilities to create more than a handful of human replica droids.  They aren't factory-buildable machines.  Each must be grown individually, to bind the programming, machinery, and biology together.  It also appears that Phage did not have an alternate coding to use.  Meaning any replicas made by Phage would look very much like you"

'Winton created droids that appeared like members of his entire family"
"Yes, but those were custom created by Winton.  He didn't give that to Phage"
"What if he did? Or what if he created another model to cause trouble in the future?"
"Alexander Winton never wanted too many models, because he was afraid they would rise against him.  Ironically, he gave the gene to Phage to keep its use limited, and to his own models, but to none other.  Which means what we are looking for are a handful of Infilitrator-class human replica droids -"

"Who look just like me?"

"Yes"

"How am I supposed to respond to that?  How can I tell my security staff, or Rutherford Gellar, or Riley that they can't trust someone who looks like me, when they can't tell the difference?"

"Therein lies the crux of the issue, isn't it?"

Mara turned away, looking at the walls and columns of the council room.  Her eyes came to rest on a reflective sheet of shiny durasteel, taking a step forward, looking at her image.

"I have to go away"

"That wouldn't help.  It wouldn't be enough."

Corrin stepped forward

"You are not just an infiltrator anymore.  You are a guardian of a child, negotiatior and ambassador of the Trade Federation.  You are recognized in galactic politics and news.  An imposter, your twin, could step into any of those roles and wreak havoc on all that you love and built.  You need to destroy every connection you have, destroy your titles and positions.  And you need to do it soon.  Because while I don't know where your sister droids have been for the last ten or twelve years, I know that the triggering event has happened.  And they will be here soon."

Mara turned to face him, a pained look in her face.

"You just stood by.   You knew all of this and stood by, letting the pieces fall into place.  I'm just another one of your pawns, like Melanie was."

"There was nothing I could have done, Mara"

"How did you know I wasn't an imposter coming in? to see the jedi today?"

He shrugged
"Intuition?  The things you know, no replica would know.  I hope."
"And what about next time?"
"The next time I see you, I will have to assume you are an enemy"
"Just another casualty in your war, aren't I?"
"I truly am sorry, Mara"

Mara turned away again.

"I have to go. I have to warn Riley.  The Federation. I have to stop it before it's too late."

She began heading back out, stopping briefly, turning her head back.

"The next time we see each other, you'll know it's me.  I might look the same, but I am not just a machine.  If you can tell twins apart, you'll be able to tell me apart from mine.  I won't be a casualty of your war, and neither will Riley"

***************************
Riley was smiling as he made his way out of the classroom.  He had given a presentation on trade routes, a fantastic job done thanks to his personal experience working for the Federation.  He was making his way out, laughing with some of his new friends, when he looked up and found, near some of the Federation security personnel, Aunt Mara.  She had a smile on her face, but it had that forced look that he had learned so well. Something was wrong.

Riley's smile disappeared as he approached.

"Hi Aunt Mara.  What's wrong?"
"I don't want to talk about it near the school.  Someone might hear.  We'll discuss it on the way"
"On the way where?"
"Let's keep that a secret for now too, okay?  Come on. I promise I'll make it up to you."

Riley nodded, glancing back at the school with a strange sense of longing. It had been such a good day, and despite the danger, he had started feeling at home here.  Now, he felt like whatever was bothering his aunt would mean he'd never see the school again.

And with a sigh, he slipped into the hover craft, followed by his aunt.

TBC

[Medivh]

Chandaar: Republic Capital

Riley didn't understand what was going on.  Aunt Mara had hurried him away from school to a small shuttle hangar near the outskirts of town. There, with a short tone that left no room for questions, she had ordered him to board an ancient looking lambda-class.

Riley was about to ask if he could help pilot the ship, but his aunt hadn't so much as spoken to him, moving to the cockpit and closing the door behind her.  Riley hadn't seen her since.

That was hours ago.  Through the transparasteel windows, Riley had watched the takeoff, escaping Chandaar's atmosphere, and disapearing into the beautiful streaks of hyperspace.  When the cockpit doors remained closed, he had drifted off to sleep.

Running - he could feel himself running, and glancing behind him, a large ball of fire.  He was trying to run, faster, but suddenly, he heard the sound of screaming.

"Valerie, help me!"

He stepped into a room to find two women, familiar but different.  One, kneeling down, his Aunt Mara, though her hair was a different color.  The other, lying prone on the ground and in the throes of labor was ... despite the sweat, the pale face, and that fact that he had never met her, he still recognized her immediately, from the picture.

"Mom?"

Riley's mother didn't hear him.  She was still pushing, until an infant boy appeared.

"Riley ... his name is Riley..."

His Aunt Mara nodded, holding the child.

"Valerie ... you'll take care of him ..."

"I ... I will"

She offered a weak smile, blinking at the darkness closing in.

"My dress ..."

"Don't worry Kimber.  You still look fabulous ..."

Riley's mother's eyes closed with a soft smile on her face as Aunt Mara leaned forward, pressing a kiss to Kimber's forehead before adjusting the squirming boy in her arms.

"Don't worry Riley. I'll take care of you.  Your Aunt Mara will take care of you."

His Aunt Mara ran out of the room, and Riley stared down at his mother, appearing almost as if she were asleep, though already, the color was draining from her face.  No, she was dead.

That was when Riley heard her again - her voice, although her body remained still in front of him

"Riley, my son, be careful - there is more than one - beware of the look alikes"


The fireball consumed the rest of the dream, and Riley awoke in a sweat.  Glancing out the window, he could see the ship was decelerating, having left hyperspace and moving toward a planet.

The door to the cockpit opened and his aunt, dressed in a tight-fitting jumpsuit instead of her usual federation business attire, was looking him over, a strange look, a foreign look in her eyes.

"Riley Patten - we've reached our destination"
TBC

[Medivh]

Chandaar: Republic Capital

Mara had rushed back to the hotel, hoping to find Riley there, only realizing upon her arrival that Riley was still in school. ? She shook her head. ? Of course she knew where Riley was. ? Forgetting was not a normal occurence for a machine. ? Coming here first told Mara that she wasn't thinking her actions through, and that could get her, and Riley, and many others killed.

She turned around, about to head toward the door, when an aide indicates she has a message from Rutherford Gellar. ? Glancing to the door, she frowned as she headed back into the office. ? Rutherford was in danger too, and for all her dislike of the man, she needed him safe. ? Taking a seat, she pressed for the message to play.

“Ambassafor Tacofer, this is Rutherford Gellar. I know this is going to sound very strange but my daughter Gemma believes Riley in somehow in danger. She said - and I am not entirely clear on this - that those with the face of a fallen friend were coming for him. Does that mean anything to you? Please let me know when you receive this and if I can be of any assistance. Thank you.”

Mara stared at the comm unit as the message ended, leaving her in silence. ? It was a warning she had already figured out for herself. Riley was in danger from those with the face of a fallen friend. ? She looked up, staring at her reflection in one of the room's mirrors. ? Her conversation with the jedi told her what she feared. ? It was her face that was dangerous. ? She hadn't fallen. ? But she did share the face of one who had. ? And that means the others who looked like her also looked the one who fell - Valerie.

Mara wasn't certain who was calling Valerie a 'fallen friend' - Gemma Masterton had never known Valerie. ? But that was a puzzle for another time. ? Her fears about Riley being in danger had been confirmed by a ten year old light years away from her. ? Right now, she had to save him.

*******************
It was just a short while later when she stood outside the school, dread filling her. ? She was too late. ? When she asked the teacher where Riley was, the teacher gave her an odd expression, and indicated that Mara had picked him up just a few minutes ago.

Mara was reeling, as she looked around, trying to spy out some sign of Riley or his abductor, but whoever it was, was long gone.

For all her cerebral abilities, she could not fathom what to do next, how to find and save Riley, how to undue what her carelessness had caused.

And because she needed help, and didn't know who to turn to, she lifted the comm and called the one who she blamed for it all.

"Rutherford - Riley's been taken. ? I don't know where he is"

TBC

[Syren]

Chandaar: Republic Capital

Rutherford receives the call he was hoping would not come. A vast part of him had hoped Gemma's dreams were only the work of an imaginative child. By now he should know better. Their powers, inherited from Celeste and the slain Queen, were beginning to surface in Dahlia and Gemma but strangely, not Dane. At least not that he knew about. Rutherford was told that Melanie, closest resembling Gemma, was more empathic with her Force abilities. She was able to see and feel things that others could not which is why he was driven to warn the Ambassador after the conversation with his daughter. How she had been given this information from Melanie is not something he can think about right now.

"Rutherford - Riley's been taken. I don't know where he is."

He grips the com device, keeping his voice low and steady.

"Return to the Hotel Mermeia. I will be there shortly. And Mara? This is important. You must try and remain calm, as if nothing has happened. If he has been taken, those responsible may be watching for a reaction or outburst to use against you or the Federation. Tell your people to expect me, that our meeting had already been arranged. Can you do that?"

"Yes."

"Then I will see you soon."

Rutherford clicks off and grabs his blazer, signaling for Garron who appears moments later. It does not take him long to decipher the look on his face.

"Trouble, Lord Gellar?"

"Get your sister," he says. "We may have a very serious problem."

*

Counselor Circe Prescott joins them in the lobby of the Hotel Ovallus. She had been instructed to dress more casually, as if she were simply joining them for dinner. Garron nods to her as they step out into the crisp evening air. Rutherford's mind is spiraling with scenario's. The basic truth is that Mara despises him and quite frankly he is surprised she did not first accuse him or the Sector of sabotage. She must know that would be counter-productive to the ultimate goals of both their factions. If she reached out to him, she must really be desperate and if he assisted in the search and rescue of her nephew, perhaps she would be more receptive and agreeable further down the line.

A large knot of dread twists itself in his stomach. With the information he knows Mara possesses, it is not entirely implausible the past they had so hoped would stay buried has finally revealed itself. They were all targets once upon a time and that would unfortunately extend to the children in their care. He is suddenly thankful Celeste decided to leave when she did.

They enter the Hotel Mermeia and walk steadily to the Federation agents waiting near the lifts. Without a word, they enter and are taken not to a conference room but to the Ambassador's personal suite.

Mara's face is a mask of neutrality as she dismisses the agents, leaving them alone.

Rutherford speaks first.

"Ambassador Tacofer, may I introduce my associate Garron Prescott and his sister, Republic Counselor Circe Prescott. They are trusted confidante's and are two of the only people, outside myself and my wife, who knows about the prophecy and the people involved which is why they are here. Let me assure you that anything we discuss will be kept confidential and our priority is to find your nephew. Any resources you may need will be at your disposal."

He folds his hands in front of him.

"Transparency and honesty are going to be key here and to prove to you that I mean what I say, I will tell you what I know. Earlier this afternoon, I received a call from my daughter, Gemma. She was insistent that Riley was in trouble, that I had to warn him about people coming for him. As I'm sure you may know, the Force is strong with the Masterton family. Gemma has been plagued with dreams throughout her childhood, vivid nightmares about monsters chasing her and a boy she does not know but somehow always appeared in these dreams. When I questioned her about the people who she believed were coming for Riley, Gemma told me that they had the face of a fallen friend. I'm afraid I do not know what that means but how she got came upon this information is what is most troubling."

Mara crosses her arms, waiting.

Rutherford knows it will sound insane but proceeds none the less.

"Gemma said that Melanie told her to warn Riley."

Circe glances sharply at him, stunned.

Garron's brow is furrowed in thought.

"Now, I do not know how this is even possible and I am hardly versed in the ways of the Force but if Melanie has reached out to Gemma with a specific warning, it may be the best place to start looking. None of Gemma's friends have passed away so I am certain this friend she speaks of is not someone close to her. It may not even be someone she knows."

"Perhaps it is a friend Melanie lost," Circe says distantly. "There were so many."

Garron nods, "I was under the impression that, with the exception of you Circe, all of Melanie's friends were dead."

"They are," Rutherford says, leveling his gaze at Mara. "Does any of this make sense to you?"


-TBC

[Medivh]

Chandaar: Republic Capital

"Return to the Hotel Mermeia. I will be there shortly. And Mara? This is important. You must try and remain calm, as if nothing has happened. If he has been taken, those responsible may be watching for a reaction or outburst to use against you or the Federation. Tell your people to expect me, that our meeting had already been arranged. Can you do that?"

Mara feels foolish being told to remain calm.  In part, because she already knew that. And in part, because it seemed impossible.  Maybe Gellar didn't realize the implications of what had happened, or maybe he was smart enough (or foolish enough) to think keeping it a secret would help.  Still, she complied with his wishes

"Yes."

****************
When Rutherford and his escort reach the Mermeia and encounter the Federation agents, there is no noticeable change in their demeanor, but there is a tension in their faces that could not be denied.

The turbolift had been commandeered, and the trip upward was silent.

The are escorted to Mara's suite and left alone.

"Ambassador Tacofer, may I introduce my associate Garron Prescott and his sister, Republic Counselor Circe Prescott. They are trusted confidante's and are two of the only people, outside myself and my wife, who knows about the prophecy and the people involved which is why they are here. Let me assure you that anything we discuss will be kept confidential and our priority is to find your nephew. Any resources you may need will be at your disposal."

Mara glances at the two.  Both look familiar, but at the moment, she isn't about to go through her data files to determine from where.  Instead, she turns her attention back to Rutherford as he continues speaking.

"Transparency and honesty are going to be key here and to prove to you that I mean what I say, I will tell you what I know. Earlier this afternoon, I received a call from my daughter, Gemma. She was insistent that Riley was in trouble, that I had to warn him about people coming for him. As I'm sure you may know, the Force is strong with the Masterton family. Gemma has been plagued with dreams throughout her childhood, vivid nightmares about monsters chasing her and a boy she does not know but somehow always appeared in these dreams. When I questioned her about the people who she believed were coming for Riley, Gemma told me that they had the face of a fallen friend. I'm afraid I do not know what that means but how she got came upon this information is what is most troubling."

"Gemma said that Melanie told her to warn Riley."
"Now, I do not know how this is even possible and I am hardly versed in the ways of the Force but if Melanie has reached out to Gemma with a specific warning, it may be the best place to start looking. None of Gemma's friends have passed away so I am certain this friend she speaks of is not someone close to her. It may not even be someone she knows."

"Perhaps it is a friend Melanie lost," Circe says distantly. "There were so many."

Garron nods, "I was under the impression that, with the exception of you Circe, all of Melanie's friends were dead."

"They are," Rutherford says, leveling his gaze at Mara. "Does any of this make sense to you?"

It did.  Mara had no doubts now - if Melanie was the one who sent the message ...

"The fallen friend of Melanie's ... it was Valerie.  Valerie is the one who died first."

She turned away from them, glancing at her reflection in the shiny paneling along the wall.  Even with a few shifts in appearance, the resemblance was uncanny.

"I told you that Valerie's genetic code was used to create Phage.  And that's true.  But Phage was only the half-way point.  A cog in Alexander Winton's production.  In order to duplicate himself, to clone himself using technology to make his new form that much stronger, he needed a prototype.  A special clone that carried on the appearance and abilities of another.  He already had the genetic coding, already had that special enzyme needed.  Making the prototype was easy enough"

Mara had not told Rutherford who she was.  She had hoped she never would have to.  Being a destroyer of Alexander Winton was enough of a role.  But now?  How could she explain that others that looked like her were a danger, without making the jump?  She had to reveal the truth.  Even if it meant she would be on the run again.  It didn't matter now, anyways.  All her running, and Riley was taken; the enemy had caught up to her at last.

She turned back to him.

"If Valerie was the model, than the prototype ... was me.  You see, Rutherford, I am Valerie's clone.  It is why I have Valerie's face.  And the ones that Melanie warned your daughter about - the ones with the face of the fallen friend.  They look like Valerie.  They look like me."

There was silence as the three of them tried taking the statements in.  Undoubtedly, it would put her in a whole new light.  But she wasn't done.

"It's why Riley calls me his aunt.  Because I am. In my own way.  Riley is Valerie's nephew.  He is Kimber Patten's son.  I saved him from Centerpoint Station, ten years ago.  That is why he is the fourth.  Riley is the Patten, Gemma is the Masterton, Dane is the Gellar, and Dahlia ... she is the Winton."

TBC

[Syren]

Chandaar: Republic Capital

Surface: Ambaril: Hotel Mermeia

"If Valerie was the model, than the prototype ... was me. You see, Rutherford, I am Valerie's clone. It is why I have Valerie's face. And the ones that Melanie warned your daughter about - the ones with the face of the fallen friend. They look like Valerie. They look like me."

A clone. Valerie's clone. His beloved, tenacious and brave granddaughter. The one he let slip through his fingers. Now it makes sense, the reason he felt Mara looked so familiar to him at first. The connection Garron was able to make to the Confederation traitor known as Mara Anna. Darken the hair, apply some makeup, put her in a designer gown and Mara Tacofer would become Valerie Gellar. This, unfortunately, does not lessen the vibrantly palpable shock in the room. He wills himself to speak but Mara does so first.

"It's why Riley calls me his aunt. Because I am. In my own way. Riley is Valerie's nephew. He is Kimber Patten's son. I saved him from Centerpoint Station, ten years ago-"

It is Circe who makes the first move, cutting her off.

"You. You were on that station with them? With Kimber and Melanie? With my team? You delivered her child?"

She nods.

"That is why he is the fourth. Riley is the Patten, Gemma is the Masterton, Dane is the Gellar, and Dahlia ... she is the Winton."

Circe and Garron fall deathly silent, glancing at Rutherford. And in spite of himself, despite everything that is at stake, he knows how large a risk Mara has taken by revealing this information. As a man of his word, he returns the favor, praying his wife would forgive him.

"You are right," Rutherford says. "A Winton she is."

"Lord Gellar," Garron protests. 

He holds up a hand, "No, she is just as much a part of this as we are. We have kept these secrets for too long and still, the past has refused to remain there."

He trains his gaze on Mara's face.

"Thirteen years ago, Queen Greyson-Winton reached out and begged me for help. She always had doubts about Alexander's activities after he moved the family to Coruscant. He became more secretive, more aggressive and had begun to create distance between the parents of The Four and their children. He convinced them that the prophecy meant great things for all of them. They did the things he asked because of Palpatine's edict about Force users who lived in constant danger of being exposed or exterminated. The Queen even let go of Alexia as the Empire's weapon if it meant that sacrifice would guarantee Karen and Melanie's security. But, as we all know, it was much more than that and as the lies continued to pile up, so did the bodies. Celeste told me that the Queen had tried to warn Alexia that she was being deceived by her father and, as punishment, she was exiled on Naboo. It was then she discovered was she pregnant with her third child. Knowing it was too late to stop what Alexander had put in motion and fearful the child would be used for similarly malicious purposes, she first contacted the Jedi before contacting me."

Rutherford exhales, shaking his head.

"The Queen admitted that she knew what Alexander had done to me and my family and asked that I take her child and protect it from him. The Jedi was going to arrange the escape but before the plan unfolded, Celeste realized what Alexander was doing and took off for Naboo. Doctor Henrick Masterton also uncovered that Alexander had  been using a student in the core, Reef Stratford, to spy on and manipulate The Four. He took the prototype of the Force vaccine he was working on and followed Celeste. On Naboo, the Queen was going into labor and Henrick delivered the baby, a girl, whom the Queen named Dahlia. Unfortunately, Alexander was not far behind and, after a discussion with the Jedi Master Corrin, Henrick injected his wife and the child and sent them to the Corporate Sector. That is when I first met Celeste and she and Dahlia changed my life forever. We believe Alexander Winton murdered the Queen and Henrick Masterton but, because of the vaccine which I replicated at ChemiX, Celeste and Dahlia were unable to be found. We legally adopted Dahlia and have raised her as our own alongside Dane and Gemma."

The weight of this admission is visibly lifted from him.

"We had hoped we would be able to give them the normal lives their relatives were denied because of the prophecy. But as they grew, Gemma's  nightmares gave us cause for concern. The boy in the dreams, someone she called the forth, was alarming but we could not understand how or why. If Riley is that boy then he may complete a pattern. Celeste mentioned the prophecy and the four named within it are based on four archetypes - The sinner, the savior, the sacrifice and the leverage."

"What archetypes?" Mara says.

Circe steps forward, having a similar psychological skill set as Celeste.

"The sinner is corrupted, selfish and indulgent. The savior is altruistic and sympathetic. The sacrifice is noble and courageous. And the leverage? Well, the leverage is someone who hangs in the balance, someone beloved and dear who's safety or lack thereof would motivate others into action. In the original Four, Karen was the sinner. Melanie was the savior. Valerie, the sacrifice. Kimber, the leverage. We cannot assume these roles would be automatically placed on their counterparts but it's not a stretch. If Riley is being used to serve as leverage, that could be why he was taken."

Garron glances between them all and interjects.

"More importantly, if this enemy has your face, Valerie's face, then we need to figure out where they have been hiding for the past ten years. You and Riley were in plain sight but that may not be true for the others. Forgive me if this sounds crude but, if you are the original clone, where were you made?"



-TBC

[Medivh]

Chandaar: Republic Capital

Surface: Ambaril: Hotel Mermeia

"More importantly, if this enemy has your face, Valerie's face, then we need to figure out where they have been hiding for the past ten years. You and Riley were in plain sight but that may not be true for the others. Forgive me if this sounds crude but, if you are the original clone, where were you made?"

Made - it was a strange way of putting it, although obviously it was true.  Mara had not been born; she was built.  The direness of the situation was probably the only reason they weren't questioning her more about who and what she was.  A clone, yes, but a machine?  It was easier to accept clones that machines.  Leftover clones from the wars still lingered about, having lives of their own.  But machines, even ones as sophisticated as a human replica droid?  No, they were still given a lower status among most in the galaxy, all the more so after Phage gave all sophisticated droids a bad name.  She told them she was a clone, but she was not ready to reveal that she was a machine.  Even if they would figure it out eventually anyways.

Mara turned her head to Garron as he asked his question, closing her eyes briefly before and thinking back to her birth.  She blinked, opening them again.

"Phage had created a base of operations amidst the asteroid field remnants of Coruscant.  A massive base, secure and hidden from most prying eyes.  He had a facility on that station that allowed for my ... production.  But that facility has been destroyed.  Alexander Winton had created a number of other facilities as well, spread across the galaxy.  But those facilities have also been destroyed.  I have spoken with the jedi  - they are confident that the production of these Valerie look-alikes has stopped.  Nor do they or I believe that Phage created any more of my kind after ... well after I gunned him down.  Even when he was rebuilt, he no longer trusted the likes of me"

Mara allowed herself a brief smile before her face hardened again into a frown.

"But I have no way of knowing how many look alikes Phage created initially.  I was created to procure the resources of the broken-up Trade Federation, to collect its shattered pieces and bring them to Phage for his new assault.  Additionally, I was tasked with assassinating a number of targets who stopped Phage when he originally assaulted Corellia.  But until recently, I had no idea that he had created any others like me.  It was probably foolishness on my part.  Why create one servant when you can create two, or three, or ... well I guess that's the question."

Mara turned away from them for a moment, again glancing at her reflection.  Phage was efficient, as most machines were.
"Creating me required a huge drain on time and resources for Phage.  He wouldn't have created more than necessary for his tasks.  To find out how many there are, we would have to figure out how many tasks Phage needed them - us - for.  And because Phage and everything he created has been destroyed, I have no way of guessing or finding that out."

-TBC

Somewhere
Riley blinked awake, staring up at the harsh florescent lighting above his cot.  It could barely be called that - a stone slab with a thin sheet underneath, and an equally thin blanket on top.  It was uncomfortable, but he slept because he really had nothing else to do.

"Time to eat, Riley"

It was the voice of his aunt Mara, but Riley was fairly certain it WASN'T Mara - there was a stiffness common between the two women, and their appearance was identical, but this person, she just didn't have the personality. She wasn't warm.  And of course, His aunt probably wouldn't lock him in a cell indefinitely.  Not even when she had grounded him.  No, this was some sort of imposter.  But what was Riley to do?

he swung his legs off the bed, glancing over at the edge of the room. It was a prison cell of sorts.  Square, and gray there were two other 'beds' like his own, and an electronic field standing between him and freedom.  beyond the electronic field, the paneling gave way to what appeared to be a darkened cave, the rocks jutting out unevenly from the walls, and the darkness was immense.  Where the light shone out, the stones and dust appeared a bright orange color, but most of the outside was still in shadow.  Far across the room, another bright light shone to reveal another cell, similar to his own, only empty.

The electronic field shimmered as it disengaged and Riley's eyes turned to the aunt look alike as she entered, placing the tray of food next to his bed and grabbing the previous meal's leftovers.  She frowned as she looked down at it.

"You haven't eaten enough Riley"
"I wasn't hungry"
"You need to eat your food.  We need you to remain strong"
"Who is we?"

She didn't answer, taking the old tray away and making her way out of the cell.  The first day he had been here, he had tried running out of the cell when the field had disengaged.  But she had caught him and with a strength he didn't believe his own aunt had, shoved him back into the cell.  He still had bruises from where he collided against the wall.  That was another indicator it wasn't his aunt - Aunt Mara had never hurt him.

The woman stepped out a and the electronic field shimmered back into place.  She turned to face him.

"Eat, Riley.  We need you to remain strong.  Don't worry, you'll have company soon"
"Who?"
"the other three"

The woman walked away, leaving Riley to his food and his thoughts.

TBC

[Syren]

Somewhere

As Riley falls into a fitful slumber in the cell, his mind clouds with a thick fog that swirls around him before pulling apart into thin wisps of smoke. He finds himself walking into a clearing that leads up to a country house. There are two rows of blooming flowers along the walkway to the front porch. To the north, large expertly trimmed hedges surround what looks like a sunken garden.

"Welcome home," a voice says behind him.

Riley turns quickly, startled to find Kimber Patten standing a few feet away. She possesses a radiant glow, button nose crinkling as she smiles. Her auburn hair is straightened and flips off her exposed tan shoulders. The short pink cupcake dress is one he recognizes from the photage he has seen of her but those pictures pale in comparison to her actual beauty.

"Mother...?"

"Yes, Riley. It's me."

"How can you..where are we?"

She giggles, closing the distance between them.

"The afterlife works in mysterious ways, I suppose. This, my son, is what you would call a place of origin. Actually, it's your birthright. This is the Patten Ranch, built by your great grandparents, the house your grandmother was raised in, the house I was raised in...the house I was supposed to raise you in."

"This is where you are from? Where is it?"

"On Corellia about a hundred kilometer's outside of Coronet City. It's stunning isn't it? Your grandma Lilandra took great pride in keeping these grounds meticulously groomed. It was her passion."

Kimber extends a hand.

"Join me?"

He is overwhelmed with emotion but takes her hand. Together, they walk down into the gardens.

"I left this and much more in your name, your true name, to claim when you are ready."

"What about Aunt Mara?"

Kimber smiles down at him.

"There is more than enough to provide for both of you. That's the thing about wealth. You can't take it with you. So I left it for you. Mara has cared for you well, despite your current circumstance, and that makes me very happy. I'm so sorry I could not be there for you the way I wanted to be. Things sometimes don't work out the way we want them to."

Riley frowns, slowing his step.

"I saw you die, right after you had me. Was it my fault?"

"No, baby," she says, kneeling in front of him. "Not at all. A lot had happened throughout my pregnancy, a lot more than I can explain to you in a way that will make sense. We were on the run from the Empire and I was very frightened. But I knew you were special, that you would go on to do great things. You were destined to make right our wrongs. My friends and I..."

"Were famous. I know."

"Yes but, as it turns out, for all the wrong reasons. Our fates were being controlled by someone else and although we made the smaller choices of our own free will, it all fed into a much larger, more sinister plot."

"I don't understand."

"To say things were complicated doesn't even begin to cover it."

"What about my father?"

She pauses, biting her lower lip.

"Your father."

He had the picture of Kimber, linking him to her but nothing to round out his biological makeup, no male anchor to emulate or understand.

"Aunt Mara never mentioned him."

"That's because she never knew him," Kimber says.

"Tell me."

"His name was Mod Navris, an agent of the Imperial Security Bureau. We met when I was assigned to his ship."

"You...were an Imperial?"

"I was many things - Cheerleader, model, CorSec student, Imperial counselor, Hapan fashion designer, pregnant fugitive. These were the roles that defined me but there were certain circumstances that played a vital role in your father crossing my path. Melanie was missing, Karen had been summoned by the Emperor Dementat, and Valerie was in considerable danger. The Empire promised to help her if I assumed a role and I foolishly believed them. Terrible acts were committed in their name but through this, your father saw them for what they really were. He was going to leave the Empire to be with me but he never got the chance."

Riley's eyes widen, "What happened to him?"

"Another agent named Marius Guile killed most of our team including your father."

"And Agent Guile?"

"After I learned I was pregnant, Melanie emerged a Jedi who swore to protect us. We hid with the Republic on Arbra for a time and fled back to Corellia when the Empire discovered their base. Agent Guile infiltrated our hideout and tried to finish what he started except I killed him first and avenged your father. I would have done anything to keep you safe."

"I was never told any of this."

"There is a reason for that but there comes a time when information must be revealed, to have a clearer picture in order to proceed. The story in its entirety can be found if you know where to look and when you feel you are ready. Right now, there are more important things at stake."

They wander through the stone path and sit next to one another on a bench. She crosses her long legs and sighs.

"You are in danger but you must stay strong."

"The woman who took me looks like Aunt Mara but it's not her, is it?"

"No," Kimber says softly. "It's not. There will be others who look like her but you must never trust them. They will lie to you. They will try to make you believe that you are not wanted, that you and the others represent the legacy of what we left behind."

"She mentioned three others."

"The others she spoke of refers to your counterparts; Dane Gellar, Gemma Masterton and Dahlia Winton."

Riley makes a face, "She's...a Winton?"

"To protect her from the evil of her real father, the man ultimately responsible for our death's, her mother sent her to the Corporate Sector. There she was raised by Celeste Masterton and Rutherford Gellar as one of their own."

"I thought the Winton's were all bad people."

"Alexander and his daughter Alexia were indeed terrible individuals who caused great harm to many people. Monica was a tragic victim of her husband's crimes. And Karen, well, even though Melanie insisted, I do not believe she was consumed entirely by the dark side. Everyone is capable of redemption, Riley. After all, Karen isn't the one who killed us. The lies and manipulations of her father, however, did."

"What about Dahlia? Is she bad?"

Kimber shrugs as such a definitive statement was difficult to confirm or deny.

"Unfortunately, these lies did not die with us or with Alexander. There are others that believe them to be true and that you and the others are a threat to the mess we made of things. We left the galaxy in shambles and they believe you four have the power to restore balance which is why they will try and turn you - Winton, Masterton, Gellar and Patten. That is why Mara has fought so hard to conceal your identity much the same way Rutherford and Celeste have tried to keep Dahlia's heritage a secret. But, as we once learned, no secret can stay buried forever."

"Four...the monster called me the forth."

"It knows you are a Patten as does the girl for whom your heart beats."

Riley inhales, looking up into her face.

"Gemma."

Kimber nods, "She sees and feels things others cannot. Trusting those feelings will keep you safe."

"Will she be taken?"

"They all will. You will need to rely on each other in order to survive. You will be stronger together. Each of you possesses a certain skill necessary to overcome the challenges you face but for every strength there is a weakness that is it's undoing. Be mindful of these things and you can avoid repeating the mistakes we made."

Riley leans into her as she pulls him into an embrace. She kisses his forehead lightly, a gesture she had never been able to do in life.

"You are compassionate and resourceful, Riley. Mara has taught you well. Remember what you have learned. Everything she has done was to protect you and right now, she needs you to be brave until she can find you. Can you do that for me? For her?"

"Yes, mother. I can."

He pulls back, saddened that he will never know her in any real tangible way.

"What I need you to know, more than anything, is that I love you."

Kimber places a hand over his heart.

"And I will always be with you."

*

Riley's violet eyes flutter open, finding himself still a captive in the cell. Emboldened by his mother's love and fortified by Aunt Mara's every sacrifice for his happiness, he pushes the fear from his mind and waits.


-TBC

[Syren]

Chandaar: Republic Capital

Surface: Ambaril: Hotel Mermeia

Rutherford is floored by the information coming from Mara. Not only is there more of these clones out there but they have no idea where they are or where they would go. He should be asking questions focused more specifically on who Mara is and how she works but it seems trivial at the moment. These details could be broached at a later time.

Garron gets a call and excuses himself, leaving Rutherford and Circe with Mara.

"Unfortunately, we are no closer to finding Riley if there are no leads on where these clones would take him. I am relieved to know that the facilities capable of creating more of the clones have been destroyed but that leaves us at square one. What concerns me is that if you were once given a list of targets to eliminate that they would somehow have similar objectives. I need to tighten security in D'ian and warn Celeste."

Garron rushes back into the room, "Lord Gellar. We have a problem."

They all turn to look at him.

"Word from the Sector. It appears that Dahlia, Dane and Gemma have been abducted. The driver has been murdered and left outside of Valor Prep. Two of the Gellar Estate security team were killed and Lady Masterton was attacked."

Rutherford gasps, "Is she alright?"

"Lady Masterton sustained minor abrasions and bruising but the Espos are with her now. They have activated the tracking device on the hoverlimo and are currently in pursuit."

"Who took my children?"

Garron pauses, glancing past him to look at Mara.

"Exactly who Gemma said would come for them. Someone with the face of Valerie Gellar. Lady Masterton confirmed it. It was one of the clones."

Rutherford can barely contain himself.

"Are they alive?"

"Dahlia was when she was taken. We do not have confirmation of the same on Dane or Gemma. I am sorry, Lord Gellar."

Fuming, he throws a chair against the wall, leaning over the dining table with his hands balled into fists.

Circe jumps back behind Garron.

Mara doesn't even flinch.

"I can't lose them," he hisses. "Not again. Not like with Abra, Blair and Valerie. I lost my family once and I swore to everything holy that I would never let that happen again."

Rutherford straightens, turning to Mara.

"Now they have all four of them. We need to get them back before they share the fates of their counterparts. We don't have information or insight but I'll bet the Jedi does. You said you met with them before. I think it's time we pay them another visit."


-TBC

[Medivh]

Chandaar: Republic Capital

Surface: Ambaril: Hotel Mermeia

"I can't lose them," he hisses. "Not again. Not like with Abra, Blair and Valerie. I lost my family once and I swore to everything holy that I would never let that happen again."

Mara faces Rutherford, analyzing him for a moment.  He seems so sincere, so racked with guilt, anger.  Maybe he HAD changed - but then again, maybe he didn't want to suffer another loss.  Either seemed plausible, and Mara was not prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt - not yet, anyways.

"Now they have all four of them. We need to get them back before they share the fates of their counterparts. We don't have information or insight but I'll bet the Jedi does. You said you met with them before. I think it's time we pay them another visit."

Mara nodded her head.

"They won't be killed - whatever the abductors have planned, they aren't killing them.  They are too valuable alive.  ANd if they wanted the four of them dead, they would be already."

It was a blunt assessment but it made sense.  If the enemy - whoever the enemy really was - wanted the children dead, they would have been shot rather than kidnapped.  That would be the sad end of it all. No, they were being held, alive somewhere, and for some evil purpose.  To invoke the prophesy?  Old religions would treat sacrifices as kings and queens before a ritual slaughter.  Even more civilized societies would make sure those condemned were in perfect health, with a delicious last meal before subjecting them to the death penalty.  If they wanted the four dead, they had other steps first.  And that meant Mara had time.  But Rutherford was right - it was time to bring in the jedi, who had been watching passively from the sidelines for too long.

"Let's bring them here - the jedi need to come out of hiding if they are to be any use to us."

She pulled from a pocket a small card, a commlink connection that had been given to her what seemed like years ago but in fact had been just a matter of hours.

"Master Corrin - this is Mara Tacofer.  Our fears have been realized.  The children have been taken.  And we need your help."

***********************

It was less than an hour later when three robed individuals stepped into the Federation Conference chamber.

One, a young adult woman with brown hair tied in pony tail, blue eyes, and a soft facial expression.  Mara immediately recognized her as the Jedi Nevylinn, who had escorted her to the jedi chamber.

A second jedi, a middle aged fellow, short blond hair and brown eyes, facial features hard where Nevylinn's had been soft. He was tall, near six feet, and had a muscular build.

The third was Master Adin Corrin.  His hair was black, but speckled with gray.  His eyes carried wisdom and patience and he had lines on his face that marked the stress of his journeys and trials.  It was Master Corrin who spoke first.

"It is as I feared, is it not?"

Mara simply nodded.  Rutherford looked at first surprised to see the jedi, then his expression turned to one of anger.

"You ... you could have stopped this"

Corrin looked to him and shook his head.

"It was not possible - we had no way of knowing this was coming"

"But that isn't true, is it.  You knew this could happen.  You knew it WOULD happen.  The prophesy, the enemies.  And you stood by and did nothing!  This is your fault!"

"There are many who are at fault, Rutherford.  And many who are to blame more than the jedi.  What matters now is finding the children and bringing them back safely."

Rutherford glowered at the jedi.  Nevylinn and the other jedi avoided his gaze, but Corrin looked him straight on.

"I want you to tell me what you know.  Not part of it.  Not just what you want me to hear.  Not what it takes to manipulate me, the same as Winton did.  The whole truth.  Tell me now, or I swear the blood of my children will be on your hands, and I will destroy you"

Corrin let out an aggrieved sigh

"That won't be necessary, nor prudent, Rutherford.  I am not your enemy. I never have been.  And there are forces at play here that are far more dangerous than the jedi.  I need your help - and what's more, right now, you need my help as well."

TBC

[Medivh]

Somewhere

Riley was leaning on his back - there wasn't much else to do in this cell - when he heard noise.  Except unlike the normal sound of his aunt-look-alike approaching, it sounded like more.  He swung his legs down, staring out of the harshly lit cell into the darkness beyond, watching as several shadows approached, slowly becoming more recognizable.  At the head of the column, was the one who looked like his aunt, though something about her eyes looked colder, unfeeling.  Every time she came, the look gave him a shudder.

But behind her was perhaps a more frightening visage - a handful of creatures, similar to the ones that had attacked them on Chandaar - dark, disgusting creatures, their walk involved half dragging their feet on the ground, the sounds coming from them thick and gutteral.  Each pair of the creatures were carrying a small bundle.

"We've brought you some companions, Riley"

At closer look, Riley gave out a small gasp.  It wasn't bundles it was two people who he recognized.

"Dane?  Gemma!"

He rose from his seat, approaching the electrical field holding him as the entourage approached.

The Mara-look alike deactivated the shield, watching Riley as the creatures carried the two Gellar children in.

"What did you do to them!"

"They are unharmed, Riley.  They should awaken shortly"

Riley was about to lunge at the one carrying Gemma, but a firm hand grabbed him.

"They will remain, unharmed - so long as you don't give us cause to harm them"

Riley watched as they were placed on the two 'cots' next to his own, the creatures shuffling out.  Another two of them shuffled in with three trays of food.  Riley glanced at the two siblings then turned, twisting his wrist slightly as he looked up at the aunt-look alike.

"Where's Dahlia?"

"The Winton child?  She is close.  But you needn't concern yourself with her.  Not yet anyways"

Riley didn't understand what that meant, but he didn't think he was going to get a clear answer from her.  She finally released him, and he stumbled backward slightly, as the creatures, and the Mara-look alike turned and left.

"What do you want with us?"

The forcefield was reactivated, the creatures and the woman disappearing into the shadows with just a final word.

"You'll see"

*************

It was only a short time later that the two of them awoke.  Gemma first.  Riley was sitting by their sides, watching them, a worried expression on his face.

Gemma woke first, with a splitting headache, Riley giving them a glass of water, making sure she didn't feel dizzy or faint.

After taking a few sips, she sat up, blinking and shaking her head, then her eyes going wide.

"Riley!"

She reached out and hugged him, the glass of water knocked over beside them.

"I was so worried about you - I had a dream .. you were taken"

Riley appreciated the hug -  was blushing a bit as Gemma pulled away "I'm  ... ok .. you dreamed I was taken?  It happened.  I was kidnapped by a woman - one who looked just like my aunt Mara.  It looks like you were taken too.  You were carried in here by those creatures, like the ones who tried to take us back on Chandaar"

"I remember now - we went into the car.  But our driver wasn't there.  It was ... it was someone who looked like your aunt.  She fired at us, and then then next thing I knew, I woke up here."

Gemma turned her gaze away from Riley, over at Dane, a worried expression as she watched her brother still unconscious

"They said that you weren't hurt - as long as we didn't give them a reason to hurt us.  He should wake up soon, like you"

Gemma nodded her head, a worried look still on her face but trusting that Riley was right.  She tentatively edged off the bed, taking a few wobbly steps before getting her balance and looking about the cell and beyond into the darkness

Where are we?"

Riley shook his head

"I have no idea.  I think it's a cave out there.  There were some lights on, at the far side a few days ago, and there was what looked like a lot of rock.  But they turned those lights off, and now?  We can't see anything"

Riley and Gemma peered out of the cell, into the gloomy darkness

There was a brief flash of something far across the way - a moment of what looked like bluish lightning - but it was gone a second later, and again, there was only darkness out there.

Gemma's voice quivered, a soft whisper as she turned to Riley

"What do they want from us?"

Riley shook his head

"I don't know"

TBC