*A bit later, Kaylee was seated at one of few tables that had survived the trauma the bar had suffered over the years. She had been relieved of all weapons, and Devona had taken the precaution of removing anything that could possibly be used as a weapon from her immediate vicinity. Captain stood directly behind the young woman, ready to restrain her if she tried to do anything; George was seated at the table as well, looking steadily at his relation.*
“Kaylee? Can you tell us what just happened?” *he questioned her, concern evident in his voice.*
“I tried to kill you.” *she responded woodenly. Her eyes were locked solidly on her hands, clasped on the tabletop in front of her.*
“Yes, but why? Why did you do it, Kaylee?” *he asked.*
*She shook her head mutely, still refusing to look up from her hands.*
“Kaylee, please look at me,” *he pleaded*, “I want to help you!”
*She shook her head again.*
“Do you wanna know what I think?” *he said*, “I think it wasn’t really you. I think it was someone else.”
*Devona shot George a startled look as Captain merely cocked an eyebrow at the strange statement, but before either could say anything Kaylee burst out.*
“But it was me!!!” *she cried, her voice full of agony and remorse*, “It was me and no one else!”
“But it wasn’t you Kaylee, it was another Kaylee, right? A different Kaylee.” *George replied calmly, not reacting to the hysterical woman before him at all.*
*Her head shot up and her eyes, wide and frenzied, stared at him in disbelief*
“You…you know?” *she stammered.*
“ ‘Know’ what exactly?!” *Devona questioned, also staring at George.*
“About the Others”, *Kaylee whispered*, “about about *me*”. *She leaned forward, her eyes full of intensity.*
“See, there was this…thing…that happened. And I went into the other place. That place that isn’t here? Only, it kind of is? Anyway, They decided I couldn’t handle it. And I couldn’t. It was bad. It was…it…”*her voice broke and trailed off as she stared at her hands. Then she shook herself and continued*,” So, They told me to go to sleep and I would be okay. They’d take care of me. And They did! And I came out of the place only it wasn’t now, it was then. But it wasn’t then then, it was just then. But it didn’t matter ‘cause I was okay!” *Kaylee finished her story with a smile on her face and looked up at George.*

*This time it was George’s turn to look bewildered. His eyes open in bewilderment at the strange statement; he looked above Kaylee to Captain, whose eyebrow was still cocked.*

=Captain=
Interesting…

=George=


=Captain=
*ignoring George*…perhaps MMPI…

Kaylee, just how many others are there?

*Devona, for her part, was completely lost, had been lost, and figured she’d be lost for most of this, but damn it, was going to stay around in case she was needed*

*She blinked and replied slowly,* “Oh, well, um…I’m actually not sure. We never bothered to stop and count…”

“’We’?” *Devona muttered weakly.*

“Let’s see.” *Kaylee scrunched her eyes shut and began to recite, ticking off her fingers as she went.* “I’m a pilot, an engineer, a cook, an acrobat…”

Acrobat? That explains a lot. *George thought to himself.*

“Mercenary, linguist, sous chef…”

*Captain cocked an eyebrow at the last one.*

“Banker, baker, candlestick maker…well, techno artisian…” *Running out of fingers, she hoisted her feet into her lap, pulled off her shoes and began counting off on her toes.* “A mommy, designer, musician…”

*Devona stared, incredulous, at the young woman before her as George dropped his head into his hands, groaning* “This could take a while.”

*Captain had never seen a case this bad before. Given, he had only seen this perhaps once before in his life (he was a doctor of medicine and healing, not a quack!) but he had read articles in the medical journals of MMPI. People who suffered from the condition usually had only about 10 very real and very distinct personalities. In the highest reported case, the man had 100 different personalities, switching between them every couple hours. That would be a living hell. Each personality was different, as if it was a regular human being. Different allergies, different sexual orientations, different likes and dislikes, hell different dominant hands; and no memory of the other personalities! A true hell and here Kaylee seemed as if she was going to leave that record behind in the dust. She was reaching fifty and going strong (Having run out of fingers, toes, and items of clothes, she was counting the different bottles of assorted beverages George had behind the bar.*

=Captain=
*quietly to Devona* I’ve never seen anything like this, in all my years in the field of medicine. While most of these are probably harmless, there is at least one very dangerous personality in there. The one that tried to kill us. I thought it harmless at first, but have you noticed Kaylee has been getting into some areas downstairs where she doesn’t have access?

=Devona=


*In the background George is following very close behind Kaylee, fretting over his stock as she continues to count*

I’m a blockade runner, scrapper, junkyard owner, Kyrat Dragon taimer….

*Approaching Kaylee, Captain decides to try and get some more out about the dangerous personality*

=Captain=
Kaylee, these are all great and I’d be very interested in a list if you and your other selves want to make one for me. But there is one I particularly that I want to talk too or about, the one that tried to kill us…

“Oh, no, you really don’t” *she replied, not taking her eyes off the bottles before her. Her eyes lit up suddenly and she smiled broadly, looking positively creepy as she said*“But I can let you talk to the person who tried to kill you!”

“Erm, alright then” *Captain responded, a little confused but still managing to keep up.*

*Kaylee’s eye twitched slightly and that was all the warning they had. She whirled away from the wall of booze, bringing her arm up to strike the man beside her. Captain, who had been expecting something like this, calmly snatched her arm and twisted it and her around so that her back was pressed up against his chest and his gun rested gently beneath her chin.*

“I assume,” *Captain drawled*, “that I am now speaking with the person who recently attempted to murder me and my friends?”

*Kaylee…that is, Not-Kaylee…drew in a hissing breath, her eyes full of fury and she stared at George and Devona*. “Yes,” *she growled*, “I tried to shoot you. So what? You ain’t dead, are you?”

“Not for lack of trying on your part, my dear. Now then, answer me this: why did you try to kill us?”*Captain demanded.*

“SHE ordered me to.” *Came the grudging response.*

*Captain thought for a moment and then ordered*“Well, then, I want to talk to this mysterious ‘she’”

*Not-Kaylee snorted in amazed disbelief.* “You…want to talk to HER?” *she asked incredulously.* “Are you kidding me?! You seriously want to talk to HER? You’re mad! She’s insane!” *All the while her voice was growing louder until she was finally screaming, almost frothing at the mouth.*“She will f**king kill you, man! You can’t stop her, no one can! She’s f**king powerful! She will rip you out of existence and leave the fabric of reality bleeding!"

*Captain knew he had hit the head on the nail. To figure out what was wrong with Kaylee he would need to talk to this other, if even only for a moment. She may be dangerous, but Captain was not without a trick or two of his own, he had survived this long hadn’t he?

Numerous people and things had tried to see the end of Captain. From mechanized robots, bounty hunters, mad scientists, and even himself…his “other” half, the shape the darkness in his heart manifested as. Yes, Kaylee…or the person in Kaylee’s body may be powerful and dangerous, but Captain had to take that chance. He could not have an insane killer running around the streets of his town.*

=Captain=
*Keeping the gun rested under Kaylee’s chin, not to hard, but hard enough for her to feel it. He spoke in the calm, cold, commanding voice of one whose playtime was over and wanted results.*

I’ll make a deal with you and the “others” you give me a couple minutes with this “Her” and then you can come back in control. But first, we need to get out of this building and away from those damned lizards.

*The lizards may protect the bar, or attempt to do so, but that did not mean Captain liked being cut off from the force. Outside, in the alley way preferably as to draw less attention, he would have access to the nourishing force, the thing that kept him alive, kept him upright and standing, and allowed him to fight after all these long years. Out there, he could dip his smallest finger into the calm lake that is the force, and take anything Kaylee through at him.*

=Captain=
*And as if an afterthought*
…And don’t worry about powerful “others,” I’m sure my own would rank up there as one of the worst. Deal or no deal?

~oUt oF tHe BaR? yEs. LeT uS Go~

Is he insane?!?
Doesn’t he know what’ll happen???
Somebody stop him…her…us!

Wait…Captain is pretty powerful. Maybe he can take her?

~nO oNe CaN taKe Me~

Yeah! No one can take her!

Captain can. Let him do this. We’ll see…

*Not-Kaylee chuckled in a nasty sort of way.* “Well, old man, it appears we’ve been overruled. You may escort us out of the bar.”

*Captain felt a small twinge of worry about the “overruled” part, but it was quickly overcome by his confidence in his abilities to take whatever the young woman threw at him.*

*Standing there, wiping his mugs with a towel and fretting about Kaylee, George’s comments did stray for a second towards the Tynnain.*

=George=


*And so George went back to worrying about what was happening outside in the alley*

*When Devona got nervous, she got to tinkering with things. It was a bad habit really, but she couldn’t help it; it kept her mind off things. In this instance she was working on finishing her latest AI program.

Dubbed “Walter” it was going to be a helper around the bar and base. A custodian almost. No…Caretaker was a better way to put it. Walter would take care of all the things handled by separate systems right now: security, medical, quartermaster, and more. While Walter would have control over security (doors, the auto turrets, cameras) and be able to review medical, leaving most of that to the actual medical droids, he would not be able to do, any physical things, such as fix downed systems and what not. Also, like most of the AI’s she programed, Devona installed a “humanity” chip (for lack of a better word) so as to give the AI “feelings”. Basically, it would make the AI more human, much like Captain’s Computer, allowing the Walter to reason and remove the cold calculation of a computer – it would also insure that he wouldn’t gas the entire pub while they slept if he went rogue. To this regard, Devona also installed several safety features so he would not turn on the Guild, several firewalls and such, and also a fail-safe code that, if needed, she could enter and trigger a worm that would destroy his core coding – destroying him. This was all standard procedure though.*

=Devona=

Done!*Leaning back in her chair and relaxing* Walter you may come online .

=Walter=

*In a British’s accent, Walter’s voice sounds much like a British Butler’s*
Very good madam. Checking core processer…Updating security…installing into medical… initializing caretaker protocol…working…working…complete. I am fully operational madam. Sending message through Guild communications updating them of my existence.

*On all the guild communicators a small image of the Guild’s symbol, the phoenix, dressed as a butler and wearing a monocle appeared. This was the form Walter chose to represent himself, and Devona had to admit it was slightly hysterical.*
=Walter=

Good afternoon gents. My name Walter and I have the privilege of helping you from now on. Devona just brought me online, and I must say, it’s good to be alive. I’ll be sending you a more complete list of my systems in a bit. In the meantime don’t hesitate to let me know if I can do anything for you. Walter out.

*It was like he had lost the ability to see, hear and think all at the same time; the effect of the ysalamiri in the basement always did this to him whenever he came here. He fought it and, as always, managed to maintain the slimmest of connections with it. The momentary disorientation of being removed from the flow of the universe conquered, Grizz knelt down and addressed the boy.*

=Grizz=
Ryddik, do not be alarmed; I understand that it feels very strange in this place. However, I need you to be a brave boy and go over to that booth in the corner and stay there while I speak to that man over there.

=Ryddik=

=Grizz=
*He places a giant, yet soothing hand on the boy's shoulder.* I know, I know. I feel it as well. But you need to be brave and do as your uncle says; alright?

*Ryddik thought about this for a while. Daddy wasn't here; Mommy wasn't here; Tess wasn't here; Uncky Grizz had saved him from the bad man...*

=Ryddik=


*With the boy safely tucked away in the corner booth, Grizz pulled back the hood of his cloak and walked slowly and calmly toward the bar.*

=Grizz=
George; I am not here to cause trouble; I am here to negotiate.

*George wasn't sure what to make of this; the presence of Grizz was never a good sign. He reached up under the bar and pointed the double-barrel shotgun at the Sith Lord; he wasn't sure if it would do much good, but it was worth a shot should things go bad.*

=George=


*Grizz stopped a few feet from the bar and looked at the bartender; this may be harder than he first thought.*

=Grizz=
A fair assessment. So let me get straight to the point then. I need you to make sure that boy stays here until I come back to pick him up.

=George=


*The mocking tone echoed in his head but Grizz remained calm; he knew George was enjoying this - Outer Haven had been declared an independent city-state some time ago by Grizz himself, and it was well known that the citizens here shared no love for the Sith Lord. The Massassi took a deep breath and huffed it out as if he had decided to do go down a path that he really did not want to.*

=Grizz=
You are going to make this difficult, are you not?

=George=

=Grizz=
Fine. You force my hand. I am in no mood for games. What do you want?

=George=


*A snarl flickered across the Massassi's muzzle; he was at edge of his patience and it was beginning to show. His speech slowed so that each word was deliberate and conveyed a distinct sense that he was not to be disobeyed.*

=Grizz=
Not an option. Think of this as more of a safe storage service; you will not need to tend to the boy while I am away. I will rent the space that the booth occupies and all that you are required to do is make sure that package is still there when I return. *He is suddenly crouching on top of the bar, out of the range of the shotgun, staring intently at the bartender like a demonic gargoyle brought to life.* I could kill you and everyone in this town - even without the Force - but, I am not here to do that. Just accept my terms and I will go away.

*George blinked a few times as he processed what had just happened. He thought about it and came to the conclusion that this was one of those things that it was probably just better to go along with or else things would most likely go pear shaped for the entire township. So George begrudgingly conceded; but not entirely.*

=George=

=Grizz=
You come up with a price and it shall be paid.

*Grizz backflipped off the bar from his crouched position and deftly landed on the floor. He left the bartender to think about things while he dealt with Ryddik. The boy shuffles over to let his large uncle sit down as he approached the booth, Grizz takes the hint and sits next to the child; wrapping his left arm around his nephew.*

=Ryddik=

=Grizz=
Soon, Ryddik, soon. But right now, you need to take a nap.

*Before Ryddik could react, Grizz had already struck; he had been concealing the hypospray in his hand from the moment he'd turned away from the bar. The boy closed his eyes and fell into a hibernation-like sleep without a second thought. His heart-rate and breathing slowed as did his metabolism. He would be perfectly fine like this for a maximum of a week, though Grizz knew he would be back well before then. Grizz gently lowered the boy onto the seat and made sure he was covered properly by the thick cloak he wore. Unless someone came and sat down at the table, they would barely be able to see the bundled up child in the darkness of the corner booth.*

*Grizz extricated his giant frame from the booth and saw George approach with several large signs and mini holo-generators. He set up the signs that informed people that this booth was currently undergoing maintenance and would be out of order until further notice. The holo-generators were set up across the front of the booth and when George switched the final one on, the entire booth was hidden behind a holographic scaffolding sheet.*

=George=


*Grizz waved a hand as if to say "whatever" and strode past the bartender, pulling up the hood of his cloak as he made his way outside.*

*Entering the pub, Captain sighed as he felt the weight of years burden his shoulders once more. It was an unfortunate side effect of the damn lizards. They gave the Drunken Rancor the best protection it could have, but with his connection to the force severed, Captain was simply another mortal old man. And he felt like one too.

Walking behind the bar, Captain fixed himself a quick drink. He may be cutting back but he had not dropped it entirely. Mug in hand, he walked down the hall towards the elevator. George fell in step with him. While he did not say it, Captain could tell he was anxious for news about Kaylee. Captain did not, could not, put the man at ease yet though. There was too much still to think about.

The two took the elevator to the lower levels. Taking a swig of his beer, Captain felt the familiar taste wash down his throat and warm his body. Here we go. Entering the meeting, Captain observed who was present.

Everyone was. The group was talking in small groups but fell silent as Captain and George entered. Taking his seat, Captain waited for everyone else to do the same at the large circular table. *There were only three seats empty currently: Que Fang’s, the late quartermaster of the Guild; Rook’s, who was off undercover in the NOE (his lack of reports had been worrying Captain greatly); and the one next to Captain, Emily’s.*

Suddenly the door opened once more and the last member strolled in, Kaylee. No one spoke, they simply looked at her, as she grimly walked over to the seat next to Captain, Emily’s old one (and her adopted new one of late), and sat down silently.*She did not look at the others, but instead focused intently on a dark knot in the wood before her.**

*Captain, for his part, did not acknowledge the awkwardness in the air, but preceded uninhibited.*

=Captain=
*Looking around at everyone, placing his cup on the table* Well I’m not the only one with news. George, you said you had something important to talk about. Devona and you finally going to tie the knot?
*George, about to talk, was caught speechless, mouth hanging open, while Devona had suddenly turned a bright shade of red. George was also quickly turning red as he turned to Captain*

=George=

I…uh…*cough*…I

*It was then that Captain broke a smile, and started chuckling, revealing he was just joking around. The trick did it, soon the rest of the room was laughing, the awkward air being whisked away. Even Kaylee looked up and smirked at her bewildered family member.*

=Devona=

*muttering, sunk down in her seat[/action]…I’m going to kill you all…

[action]After the laugh and everyone returning to normal, George got on with his actual news*

=Geroge=

*standing*
The Rancor is doing well here and I’ve been saving up. I’ve now got enough to expand and I have found fresh ground to expand too. I received news from a colleague of mine that back in the Western Outer Rim, there are incredible prices for land. A major city on Pzob is currently looking to rebuild and offering great rates. But there’s a problem…

=Slack=

*Leaning back listening*Go on…

=George=

*Sighing* The planet, thanks to Rook’s reports, is the current seat of the NOE’s High Council.

*Both Captain and Slack’s faces became grim at that one. Everyone knew the risks of the NOE, and while Outer Haven may have one of their blasted temples overshadowing them, it did nothing to ease the tension. The majority of the Guild’s problems had come from a certain mechanized member of the NOE. Nothing had happened in years granted, and from Rook’s reports the Commodore had been taken offline, almost permanently, but Captain still did not trust the rest of the Council. They were large and powerful, and if that prick Dragus was any example of it, quite possibly all insane. But there were advantages. The NOE were high lords of the Sith, and would have the best access to knowledge Captain would need to help Kaylee. He still did not know what exactly had caused her mind to fragment, but he had a feeling it was a dark power, and who better to know that then those that used it. Also, Rook would be there. Despite their differences, Captain still saw Rook, perhaps begrudgingly at times, as a pupil, almost a son, and wanted to know what was happening to him.

Slack seemed to be thinking the same thing*

=Slack=

*shifting forward, folding his arms on the table*
You’ll need protection. *Turning to Captain* I ask permission to take a few of team as escort.

=Captain=
Permission granted. Actually, this works perfectly with what I have to say. Anything more George?

=George=

*Sitting* None. We’ll be leaving soon. Devona has already started making preperations.

=Captain=
*Standing*Very good. Kaylee and I have had a talk… *Glances at Kaylee who had gone back to studying the table very intently* the details of which I will keep between the two of us. *Was that a small shrug he saw, caused by a released sigh perhaps* WE’ll be accompanying you to Pzob.

*With that announcement, all hell broke loose in room. Most of Slack’s team looked shocked while George, Slack, Mendez and Devona all stood up as one. Kaylee even glanced up in surprise.*
=Slack=

Sir!

=George=

*finishing Slack’s words*It’s too dangerous!

=Captain=
*Looking around the room eventually settling on Slack and George*
*His voice surprisingly good-natured*
To dangerous? For the man who has saved this town and Cloud City how many times? For the man, who despite his age has dragged your carcasses out of certain death to many times to count? *His gaze turning sterner as he stared down the two men* For a wielder of the infinite force, trained in the ways of both healing and slaying? *Both men were speechless as the weight of his words set in* No Gentlemen, it is not too dangerous, nor shall it ever be. As we know Starkiller is dead and gone. The NOE no longer has any quarrel with me nor I with them. Kaylee and I will accompany you as we both have business of our own.

*The group sat back down, Slack and George feeling foolish. Captain took no offense at their protests, it was after all out of friendship and love, and he would have done the same in their situation (actually, thinking back, he had when he was much younger, and had gotten a scoff on the back head for it)*

Pick your team Slack. Devona, I leave the preparations in your qualified hands. If there is nothing else…meeting adjourn.

*The meeting broke and everyone filed out going about their business.*

Later that evening

*Fixing himself his usual drink, Captain shuffled up to the roof. Feeling his connection to the force return, Captain let out a heavy sigh and sat down on one of the AC tubes. Taking a swig, he silently watched out over the fields and lake as the sun began sinking below the horizon, painting the sky a brilliant tapestry of fire and turned the lake gold. He was not at all surprised when Kaylee appeared out of nowhere and sat down Indian-style beside him, sipping her own drink. Usually he enjoyed these moments alone, but he did not mind her silent company. Actually, it was quite nice.*

=Captain=
*Still looking out at the sunset*
It’s my favorite time of day: it brings everything to a close and lets a person think.

“Mm-hmm. But thinking too much can get you in trouble, you know.” *Kaylee replied, cradling her drink and staring out at the setting sun.* “I prefer spontaneity.”

*Captain chuckled,* “Really? I hadn’t noticed.”

*Kaylee stuck her tongue out at him, causing him to laugh even harder.* *Returning to her drink, she shot back at him,*“Oh yes, I am a master of the spontaneous. It has served me well in the past. Gotten me out of a lot of trouble with George!”

“As I recall, it’s gotten you *into* a lot of trouble with him as well!” *Captain replied, cocking an eyebrow at her.*

*Kaylee chuckled, swirling her drink in its cup,* “True. I still say that bell tower would have been a nice addition to the bar.”

“Perhaps,” *Captain responded,*“But after you snuck in that office of yours in the last rebuilding, I think George started to survey his blueprints a little more closely.”

“Ah, but you can’t blame a girl for trying!” *Kaylee answered, smiling at him.*

“Hmm. Speaking of trying, Kaylee…” *Captain paused, searching for the right words.*

*She sobered instantly, staring down at her cup.* “Oh, yes, the trip.”

*Captain studied her for a moment, taking in her somber countenance, the subtle worry lines creasing her face, the way her fingers were turning white from clenching her cup so tightly.*“You…you *are* willing to go, are you not? I think we may be able to help you with this trip.”

*Kaylee took a deep breath, then released it gustily, shaking her head slightly as if shaking off a heavy burden.*“Of course! More than willing!” *She slanted her eyes over to him, grinning slightly.* “After all, how could I possibly turn down a road trip with you…old man?”

*Five heavily armed guards walked into the Drunken Rancor and surveyed the main bar before taking up positions and indicating to a group outside. An elderly gentleman followed by a further five guards entered the main bar; two guards stayed with the man while the other three took up positions by the door.*

*The guards made no movement toward the patrons aside from ensuring that the well-dressed man was given a wide berth as he made his way to the corner booth. The spectacle of their appearance was enough to keep the patrons amused, they felt no need to provoke a fight with the Imperial Guard.*

*The small man tottered over to the booth and casually shut off the holo-generators. This caused the bartender, a young bloke that only picked up shifts every once in a while, to start a commotion behind the bar.*

=Drunken Rancor Bartender=


*The elderly man turned to face the bartender, a smirk forming on his face.*

=Elderly Man=


*The guards did as they were ordered, two of them carefully picking the boy up from the booth while the other two set up a stretcher. Ryddik was placed on the stretcher and taken outside, all bar the two guards that hovered by the gentleman following the stretcher and its precious cargo out into the street.*

*The gentleman walked to the bar and placed an official-looking datapad in front of the young bartender.*

=Elderly Man=


*And with that he left, the final two Imperial Guards going with him.*

*Later - when the 'ruling council' of Outer Haven got to look at the datapad - they would find that the GSI had doubled the official city limits of the township; allowing the city to expand without fear of retribution from the ruling faction of Tynna. There was more than enough room to build an entirely new township with farms to cope with the increased population if they wanted. There was even room for a mine if they managed the space properly.*

*It was probably the most important document handed to the people of Outer Haven since Sith'ari Grizz had made it an independent city-state years ago.*

=Galactic Mail Courier=


=George=


=Galactic Mail Courier=


*George read the telegram, and reread it just to be sure before sinking down on a bar stool and looking over at Devona, a dumbfounded look on his face*

=Devona=


=George=


=Kaylee=
*popping out of her hamick in the rafters and hanging upside down above George*
YES! ROADTRIP!!!!!