"Ow..ow.." Ralen Hlaano whined as he poked the sun burn on his face with his left hand. The other hand cranked madly at the handle bar of the junky speeder given to him by the Tatooine Underground.

He had been riding across the vast Dune Sea for almost two standard hours now, and was suprised the speeder bike had kept as long as it did. The twin suns of Tatooine has been beating at every bit of exposed skin harshly.

"Thank you!" he smiled as the Goddess Beauty came into view over a large sand dune. He revved the engine a few more times, and the speeder putted all the way until it came to a halt infront of the large, cigar-shaped cargo ship.

Ralen hopped off of the speeder and grabbed the satchel of credits that had been hanging over the rack at the back of the speeder. He looked up and saw the Trandoshen Jax Mar peering out the cockpit window of the Goddess, smiling down at him. Ralen laughed and waved to him. Jax waved back with a chuckle, then turned.

Ralen ran over to the large to titanium door that had just opened. Out popped a tall, scrawny Rodian by the name of Chibo Geedo. Chibo wore a brown vest made of bantha wool, in which his name was printed over the right breast. Under that he wore a black, long sleeved shirt, and black pants. Of course, he also had the standard smuggler blaster belt.

"Ralen! You did it, man! I thought you'd been shot, after you wouldn't pick up on your comm-link" the Rodian greeted him, patting him on the shoulder, and following him up the ramp and into the ship.

"Yeah, well, I was kind of in a hurry to get out of there, so I left the comm-link behind. Sorry if I gave you guys a scare. I would have gotten here yesterday, but that storm slowed me down." Ralen laughed as him and Chibo turned into the long corridor that lead to all of the rooms that made up the Goddess Beauty.

Jax quickly could be seen walking at a fast pace down the corridor from the cock pit. Jax was rather short for a Trandoshen. His human-sized reptillian eyes flickered in the lights. The scales that ran up and down his arms looks rather odd, and his three-fingered hand quickly rose up to greet Ralen.

"Ralen! You made it, man! You got all the credits!?" he asked, shifting his stance and pushing Ralen infront of him a bit, then they both started walking back to the cockpit.

"Yeah! Half a mill, just like Tav asked for! It won't easy, but I did it! He's a hell of a Sabacc player, but you know he couldn't beat me!" Ralen laughed as he opened the satchel quickly, then closed it again.

"Damn right, Ralen!" Jax said smiling. It was obvious to see the Trandoshen was very proud of his friend's job-well-done.

The Rodian, Chibo, came running up behind the two, then slowed to a fast-paced walk as he came up behind them.

"Hey, uh Ralen, where the hell is Jeghn?" he asked.

All three of them stopped and looked at eachother. Ralen looked down a bit, then back up to meet eyes with Chibo, then switched his gaze to Jax.

"Yeah, I was so excited about getting those credits I didn't even notice he wasn't here. He didn't.." Jax stopped for a moment then looked down "..did he?"

"You guys, we stayed with a group of mercenaries last night in a tent. We couldn't make it through the storm. In the middle of the night, our tent was surrounded with Tusken Raiders." Ralen said calmly

"Tusken Raiders?" Chibo said lightly "What the hell is that? Some kind of womp rat?"

Ralen chuckled a bit, although he was starting to choke up "Yeah, thats what I said the first time I heard it, too. They're people...well, not people, but monsters of people. They walk like people, but they aren't at all. They carry really sharp pikes with them, not guns. They also spit blood. Tusken Raiders wander the Dune sea during sand storms like the one last night, looking for innocent people camping around in tents. They attack them while they sleep, killing them before they get a chance to wake up, then they steel all of their things." Ralen explained

"So, what? One of these Tusken Raiders got ahold of Jeghn?" Jax asked

"Well, they came into our tent but we killed them. Then we all went out to see if there were anymore, and one snuck up on us. I guess it jumped from the tent, or something. It spat out blood. All over us. Then came up with it's stick and completely screwed Jeghn up. He died right there, a few minutes after his guts fell out." Ralen was almost in tears talking about the death of one of his best friends in the world.

"Oh, well, ah.." Chibo shook his head then turned around, lifting his hand and putting his palm infront of his eyes

"That's part of living this life, you guys" Jax said quietly with a grim voice

"Yeah, yeah I guess that it is." Ralen nodded a few times.

"Alright, I'm going to go start us up and get us to Naboo. We need to reach Theed by night fall" Jax said, patting Ralen on the back and slipping past him, the walking back down the corridor to the cockpit.

"I'm going to my room. I'm beat. Wake me up when we fly into Theed." Ralen called to Jax

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

"Okay, so, where will you be, Jax?" Ralen asked, facing his two friends at the center of the

Theed spaceport.

"I'll be at Tav Kre'fey's cantina, making sure these credits get to Don Maggio safely. You wanna come, Ralen?" the Trandoshen questioned.

"No, nah, man. I'm gonna go by Kinsy's house and see how she's doin. Man I can't wait to see her! I'm gonna get laid tonight, I can just feel it..." Ralen Hlaano smiled at the thought of him and Kinsy together again.

"Shut up..." Jax simply shook his head.

Ralen turned, forgetting about his reverie "Where will you be, Chibo?" he quirked a brow at the Rodian. Chibo had been staring off endlessly at the vast stone buildings that towered Theed. Sure, he had grown up here and knew the place by heart. It was nothing new. This was simply his reaction every time they came home for a visit. After all, Chibo always complained of being home sick.

Chibo chuckled a bit, then turned his gaze in the direction of the large Imperial Palace in which the Emperor of the Galaxy called his "summer" home. Palpatine had grown up on Naboo and was a full bread native of Theed. He also served as a senator during the Naboo Invasion by the Trade Federation, and served four terms as Supreme Chancellor during the Clone Wars, during which this time he recieved all the powers of an Emperor.

" I think I'll go throw my fist in Palpatine's face." Chibo laughed, expecting the same reaction from his friends.

Jax and Ralen simply gave him an odd look, not finding any humor in his attempt to make a joke. Chibo had always been the only one who had a problem with the Empire. Of course, it wasn't that Ralen and Jax liked the Empire. They hated it, but they knew their place in the galaxy, and knew that there was absolutely nothing they could do about it.

Chibo gave in to his friend's looks, and shrugged, slipping his hands into his pockets "I'll uh, I'll be at the bar over on the corner of Averett and College..." he shrugged again, lowering his large Rodian head.

"Okay, well, Jax, you pick him up after you get done with that Maggio. " Ralen suggested.

"Alright, I'll pick him up, that is if I'm not going to be riding home in a carbonite block." The Trandoshen, Jax Mar attempted to make a joke, but had no luck in it. Jax had not found out yet that in order to make a joke you had to laugh first.

"Why can't I just take the speeder?" Chibo asked, pulling his hands from the pockets of his vests.

"Because Chibo, last time we gave you the speeder on Coruscant during that Hutt gambit we never saw it again, and lost our loot. We're not going to have that happen again." Ralen, spat out at the Rodian, putting his hands on his hips as if he were a father figure.

Jax laughed and patted Chibo on the back "I'll give you a ride to the bar on Averett and College if you want, Chibo. I'm heading that direction, anyway." he offered

"Thanks, Jax!" Chibo smiled, sticking his long Rodian tongue out at Ralen.

"Yeah, yeah. Thanks for the offer, Jax, I'll take a cab though because I don't want to intrude." Ralen Hlaano shook his head scracastically.

"Don't be such a girl, Ralen. You had the speeder last time, and Millionaire's Row isn't anywhere near College. Just take a taxi." Jax turned around as he began to walk off with Chibo by his side

"Just nagging your tail, Jax. I'll be ok. I'll be at my house probably later tonight if you need, and we'll catch up in the morning." Ralen through his right hand up.

"Ralen, can I stay at your place tonight. I don't feel like putting up with Meeno. Not tonight, anyway." Chibo turned around as well, running his hand through the fleshy spike mohawk that lined his head.

"Chibo, man, she's your wife. You haven't seen her in a month. Just go home to her instead of going to the bar." Jax interrupted, only wanting the best for his friend.

"Yeah, man, but I think I need to drown my woe for tonight. You know, with Jeghn and all. I think I need something to get that off of my mind" Chibo looked down, twisting the heal of his foot onto the cobble stone that made up the courtyard.

"I guess you can stay in the guest room, Chibo, if you want to. But your out first thing tomorrow morning. I've got a chick coming over to give me a price on the house." Ralen offered with reluctance. Last time Chibo had stayed in his guest room when they were 12 years old, he woke up in the middle of the night and relieved himself in the corner of the room, messing up Ralen's mother's beautiful royal blue carpet. He was never invited back.

Chibo's short snought folded and curved into a smile, and he nodded "Thanks, man!" he cheered.

"Yeah, well, the suns setting so we better be off. Don't want Tav Kre'fey to think we're not coming." Jax hit Chibo lightly in the right arm, then they both turned around and began to walk to the large stone stairs that led to Jax's hanger.

"Hey, Jax!" Ralen turned around again, throwing his arm up in the air.

Jax and Chibo both turned around "Yeah?" the Trandoshen tilted his head

"You be careful, okay? If you need any back up just buzz me." Ralen shrugged, letting his hands fall to his side again.

Jax nodded "Alright, Ralen." he smiled. Chibo lifted his arm and waved to him again, then they both turned around and dissapeared behind the hanger door.

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

"Kinsy, it's me. Open up!" Ralen shouted as he beat on Kinsy Manher's front door.

The door slid open suddenly and Ralen took a step back. There stood the love of his life. Kinsy was a short woman, about 5'6. She had beautiful forest-green eyes, and the most attractive strawberry-blonde hair that rippled off of her head like a water fall.

"Oh, it's you. What a suprise." she said scarcastically, folding her arms and rolling her eyes.

"Hey...wait. What? Aren't you happy to see me?" Ralen asked, frowning, dropping his arms by his side.

She rolled her eyes again and walked inside "What are you doing here, you nerf-herder?" she called behind her.

Ralen sighed deeply and followed her, shutting the door behind him. "What's wrong, baby? What did I do?" he implied.

"Nothing. That's just it. You haven't been here to do anything. I'm tired of this Ralen. I never get to see you. I'm tired of you taking these one or two weeks off and leave Naboo. I find it hard to believe your really working for the Empire." she steamed, dropping a few pieces of ice into a cup and then pouring it half full with blue milk.

"Listen, babe, I'm sorry! The Royal Guard called me to Malastare for a week. I had to go. I told you that." He could feel his face become hot, and his nostrils flare.

Kinsy took a small sip from her glass then nodded her head a few times as she swallowed. "Ralen, I know your lying. Your face is turning blood red, just like it always does when you lie. So don't you pull that fodder with me! Anyway, you actually expect me to believe that Jax Mar, Chibo Geedo, and Jeghn Jago are in the Emperor's Guard too? Your full of it, Ralen Hlaano. You know that? You are just full of it." she shook her in disguist.

"Kinsy, just.." he began to whimper, trying to soften her heart.

She stirred her glass of blue milk for a moment then lifted her head "Do you want to go outside on the balcony and talk, Ralen?" she asked him calmly, giving in to his stupid desires.

"Yes...I would like that very much." Ralen nodded

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

"You got the credits?" asked Taverrine, the Wookie bouncer at Tav Kre'fey's Cantina.

"Yeah, man, I promise the credits are in this bag. Just let me in to see Kre'fey." Jax Mar said, pulling the satchel of credits further behind him.

"Let me see them, Jax, and I'll let you in to see Tav." Taverrine reached out, but Jax pulled the bag away again.

"No, man. Shut up. I'm not letting you see anything. Now let me in!" demanded the Trandoshen.

"Fine" The Wookie gave in, opening the curtain that led to the dark room in which Tav Kre'fey and his gang sat. "But if I find out your planning something stupid then I'll have your ass. If I see the calvary pull up I'm bouncing, your on your own. You know that?" he told Jax

Jax walked blindly into the dark room. He waved his hand around, fanning the smoke from his face. He stopped infront of a large round table. At the other end sat a scruffy looking Bothan, Tav Kre'fey. Tav had a grim look on his face. Between his thumb and index finger he tapped a thick death stick into an ash tray. Beside him were two buffed Wookies, each bearing a large Freccetti-895 blaster rifle. The Trandoshen turned his head to the far side of the room where two red Twi'Lek women danced in the nude along chrome poles.

"Jax Mar, what a suprise. I was starting to think I'd never see you again. Did you get the Don's credits from that fat slob Jory?" asked the Bothan.

Jax picked the satchel up and gripped the end with both hands, then he opened it up and dumped the credits out onto the table. "Half a mill, just like you asked." the Trandoshen smiled.

Tav's eyes widened and he sat up a bit straighter in his chair, his jaw dropping at all of the credits on the table. "Woah! That's a lot of hard dough! I didn't think Jory'd put that much up for gamble! You must have had one hell of a Sabacc maverick there with you, huh?" he chuckled, taking a puff from his death stick.

"Yeah, we had a pretty guy in there getting it. So, do I get my share like you promised?" Jax asked, throwing the satchel to the side.

"You get your credits. I'll have it in your account in an hour." the Bothan nodded.

"Good" Jax smiled

"Oh, oh wait. No I won't. I've got another proposition for you. If you get this done then you'll get your credits, plus a little extra" Tav Kre'fey shrugged, taking another drag of the intoxicating death stick.

Jax's eyes widened. He roared loudly and lunged himself forward, beating his fists onto the table, bouncing the credits the side. "Your shitting me, Tav! Tell me your up in the clouds and I'll forgive you! You had better be shitting my guts or I'll strangle you, you worthless nerf herder!"

The Bothan's face did not change. He wasn't scared at all. However, his Wookie body guards did react. They cocked their huge shot-gun like rifles and took a step forward. Jax took a step back, naturally. Tav Kre'fey waved his furry hand, and took yet another drag of his death stick, and blowing the smoke in Jax's face.

"Just hear me out, Jax. You don't have a choice. You don't take this job you don't get your credits. You don't get your credits you get mad. You get mad and my boys are going to shoot you dead, you hear me, man? So just listen." the Bothan explained.

"Okay, Tav. Okay. I'll hear you out. But I'll let you know I don't like it." the Trandoshen shrugged, crossing his arms.

"Alright. See theres a Hutt over on Mon Calamari. We call him Gurgle the Hutt. Nobody around these parts know what he really goes by. Anyway, Gurgle recently intercepted an entire Maggio cruiser full of Nubian spice. Know how much spice there was on that cruiser? Almost forty million credits worth of the sweet stuff. Gurgle's got that spice with him on Mon Calamari we think. There's a lot of Imperial activity going on there, and we figure he'd be the one to hide it right in the belly of the beast." Tav stopped to catch his breath and give the Trandoshen something to say.

"What the hell, Tav!? Are you crazy? Mon Calamari is all the way on the other side of the galaxy out in no-where! You expect me to take my crew all the way out there just to get your spice back?" Jax steamed, trying to keep his cool.

"Jax, your the first guy who's come to me since I was told this needed to be taken care of an hour ago by the Don himself. Now, if you don't want it then we'll let you go with nothing. If you take it though, you and your friends will be very wealthy men. I'm offering to pay you ten times what I was going to pay you for the Jory gambit. Only reason I'm asking you to do this is because I know smuggling is what you knuckle heads do best. Now, come on, Jax. Compromise with me." Tav Kre'fey coughed a bit.

"Ten times...woah, Tav. That's.." the Trandoshen looked up and began to count. He then shook his head in a amazement "That's almost twenty million credits. Why are you offering so much for this job?" he questioned the Bothan in disbelief.

Tav coughed again, taking another drag from his death stick "The Maggio family has an infinite supply of credits, okay? This deal is important to us. So, in a way, your getting half of that Nubian spice deal. Just get to Mon Cal, find out where he's keeping our cruiser, and get one of your boys to fly it home. That's all I ask. No catch. No strings attatched. So, what do you say?"

" I say you are one crazy son of a bitch, Tav. I mean, just crazy." the Trandoshen replied

Tav Kre'fey shrugged and held his death stick in his mouth with his lips, then took another long puff "Eh, well.."

"But, I'd be crazy not to take up a job worth twenty mill. I'd say you've got yourself a deal, Bothan."

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

"Kinsy, please. Things happen. I mean, sometimes couples just don't get along. Why do you have to break up with me over it?" Ralen said, looking out into the stars from Kinsy Manher's balcony.

"Look, it's just that it isn't working out, Ralen. When we broke up before I just missed you so much, but now I don't feel like I'll miss you at all." Kinsy said, speaking in a quiet voice as she too watched the stars twinkle in the sky.

"We could make it work, Kinsy. I love you, I really do. If you really love me then you should know too that it's going to work." he said, sitting back in his chair.

There was a few moments of silence. Ralen's heart was broken. Him and Kenzie had been a couple for almost four years now. They shared secrets with eachother. They went places together. Despite the fact that Ralen was a smuggler and had to be away from home often, their relationship always stayed strong. He would send her a hologram every other day, always starting and ending with "I love you". He truly did love her.

"Every time I look at you I want to change my mind, but it's made up." Kinsy said

"What are you thinking about so hard, Kinsy?" Ralen asked her

"I'm thinking about our relationship." she replied

Ralen shook his head "You shouldn't have to think about it, Kinsy. You shouldn't have to think." he said, nodding his head. "Let your heart speak for you. That's what I've always done. All those poems I used to right you. That wasn't really me. That was my heart. That time I kissed you when we were just kids, well, when I said that I had no control over it, I meant it."

She turned and looked him in the eyes, then shook her head "Ralen, it isn't going to work out. I'm...I'm sorry." she said

Ralen let out a deep breath and closed his eyes, realizing that he had been defeated. At this moment, everything he had worked so hard for the past four years was gone. His entire life had just been edited, and he was back where he was before he met Kinsy. His broken heart that had yet been mended, was broken yet again.

"Okay..." he nodded

He stood and walked back inside. Kinsy followed him as he walked down the stairs and to the door. He let himself out, and Kinsy just stood there, watching as he walked out into the starlit night. Ralen stopped then turned around, and looked Kinsy in the eyes for what could be the last time he ever clicked with the love of his life.

"I love you," he said, looking down "and I mean that."

"I know." Kinsy replied.

Ralen turned back around and walked out into the cobble stone streets of Theed, and turned the corner. This time, Ralen was walking away from all the troubles in his life. What would he do now? All of a sudden he had no future. His destiny was blank yet again. Now, for Ralen Hlaano, it was time to drink away the girl he would love for the rest of his life.

"I should have been more wise.."