A Hiding Place (Month 2, 22BBY)

The last year and a half Ranik and Kaia had traveled the Galaxy together and fought the good fight. They helped those that needed help and Kaia had killed 2 Sith warriors though they never did learn their names. They were always looking for more information on Count Dooku, Darth Maul and her family. They had a few leads but so far had not gotten very far in their search. Suffice to say Ranik was not the easiest man to live with. He knew that like he knew water was wet. And by now Kaia knew exactly how to get under his skin and push his buttons when it suited her.

Beyond that sometimes the sexual tension in the ship was so thick it could be cut with a knife. Had had actually seen Kaia half naked before though that was by accident but he certainly did want more. They had become friends in these past months and they had begun to understand one another in that time. Ranik was far more noble than she initially thought and Kaia was just as stubborn and willful as he was. They had had some pretty bad arguments and though both seemed to want to make up in the manner that two people who lived together did, they both retreated away from the intimacy they both seemed to need.

--------------------------

Ever since Ranik repaired and install an old Mandalorian rocket pack and installed in on Hark, Hark had been a more effective combatant. He was an excellent sniper and as they fought their way through the lower quarter he was above them in the sky giving them cover. There were 4 battle droids chasing them and more soldier droids than he was able to count. He was down to 2 grenades and though Kaia had taken out alot of them, the battle droids just fired too fast. Two or three of them firing together and they had almost got her. That was what the grenades were for.

The Trade Federation, like Naboo a couple years before, had Rodian under a Trade Embargo. Kaia and Ranik knew though it was just a ploy to soften them up for defection later. They had been looking for a small Rodian child but a Droid Commander had spotted them during their fight with Cad Bane, a very nasty Bounty Hunter hired to kidnap the child. Ranik had taken a small hit. Just a glancing blow on his side but it didn’t slow him down too much. He ran, every so often he shifted to run backward as she shot with both of his blaster pistols. Kaia kept step with him for the most part. She deflected incoming shots and used the force to knock the droids over when they got too close. Most droids did not get back up once she knocked them down, which was for the good.

Ranik was dressed in a long dark brown armored leather trench coat. Under that he had padded black boots, black form fitting pants, utility belt, a dark gray shirt and a brown and black vest over the shirt but under the coat. He had lost his helmet and goggles when it was shot off of his head. It likely saved his life.

“We need to find a place to lay low!” He said as they jumped behind a damaged speeder. It still smoldered but it was already burned out. The droids weren’t all that fast but what they lacked in movement speed, they made up for in tenacity. They had no fear and never gave up. He twisted and shot above the speeder. Several more droids went down and then he twisted back and ducked. “Reloading!” He said loudly.

“Hark, how far out are those Battle Droids?” Ranik asked. “They’re about 100 meters from your position sir!” Hark said as he shot another droid from where he was in the air. He looked at Kaia. Her face was filthy and her braid had almost come completely undone. Earlier she had been close to a concussion grenade but managed to leap away before it exploded in her face. She still hit the ground hard and skidded to a stop on her stomach.

“Ya know, you never did cook me that meal you promised me when I beat you at Dejarik!” Ranik said quickly as he loaded another clip into his first pistol. “I suppose that was something you Jedi never learned...how to cook a good meal!” Ranik joked. He often did that when he was under alot of stress like being shot at by about 30 droids.

Kaia could smell her singed hair. Her ears were still ringing as well. That concussion grenade had come a little to close to her for her comfort. Her face was filthy and her clothes were ripped in a few places. Her hair had started to come out of the braid it was in and a few pieces hung across her face. As she and Ranik jumped behind a damaged speeder to use as cover against the droids she rolled her eyes at his suggestion that they find some place to lay low. "You think?!"

Over the past year and a half she and Ranik had worked together nearly every day. She had not yet found and killed Darth Maul, but he was never far from her mind and she was determined to one day get justice for Zavian. She had taken the surname Aldari and she and Ranik had begun traveling the galaxy helping those that still were apart of the Republic. They lived in close quarters on his ship and the sexual tension between them had grown to almost a breaking point. Before receiving word about the child they were currently seeking on Rodian, they had gotten into a heated argument that had nearly ended with a passionate kiss. Their lips had been inches apart when Hark had interrupted them. Ranik had given him such a look that had caused the droid to slink away regretfully.

Now, here they were running and fighting for their lives on this war torn planet. They knew that Cad Bane was after the child as well and they needed to find it before he did. Kaia reloaded her blaster and began to fire at the group of droids. However, she took a moment to respond to Ranki's comment about the meal she had never cooked him.

"You cheated at that game! You weren't supposed to win!"

Ranik scowled at her as blaster bolts flew right by his face. He didn’t even flinch. “That was a FAIR move, And what does ‘not supposed to win’ really mean!?” he asked as he twisted back around and unleashed another volley of blaster fire. Some of the droids had discovered Hark’s position and fired at him but he just evaded them. Civilians ran with their arms over their heads and faces and explosions resounded from all over. Pieces of metal earth and concrete were thrown up into the air all over the city as The Droid Army Artillery bombarded the city's defenses. Hark shot another grenade at the cluster of droids and a good number of them exploded and flew back in all directions when it went off.

“I don’t know why I’m even asking, as I recall the last time you tried to cook you nearly torched the whole galley!” Ranik said as he ducked back down. “Reloading!” He barked again as he began to remove and replace magazines in his blasters. As he loaded Kaia rose up and fired. As she blasted several more droids she used the force and tossed 4 more back into others that had been in the back.

When she hopped back down beside him he raised up his blasters and smiled as he looked at her.

“I would have settled for a kiss,” He said and then got back up again to fire. “Battle droids abut to turn the corner!” Hark said in their ear jacks. “Time to move!” Ranik said urgently. The last time they just sat behind cover they were both nearly overrun. Those battle droids were just to well armored and fired too fast.

Kaia hopped back up when Ranik was reloading and began to fire again. "I warned you that I couldn't cook, but you insisted that I try!" she yelled at him over the blaster fire. "So, what happened was, in actuality, YOUR fault!"

This back and forth flirtatious banter was commonplace for them now. While Kaia greatly missed and still loved Zavian, she was a woman and Ranik was handsome...if not a little full of himself. A blaster bolt nearly hit her. She managed to duck back down just in the nick of time. She flashed him a little grin when he said he would have settled for a kiss. "I bet you would have."

When Hark warned them of the Battle Droids they knew they had to move. However, they couldn't keep on like this forever. They were both exhausted and extremely outnumbered. "We need a plan!" Kaia yelled at him as they jumped up and began to run. "I don't want to die on this planet!"

“Im working on it!” Ranik said in between breaths. His side burned something fierce and as usual, Kaia had to slow down for him. Each time she did she fired back at the droids. “The Rodians have underground tunnels...sometimes,” He said as he panted. His chest was a blast furnace as his body tried to convert oxygen into his blood from all the activity. His legs were so tired and his ears rang from all the explosions.

“Hark, give us some cover!” Ranik snapped into his wrist computer. “Oh I see, always sacrifice the ‘not truly alive’ droid! Typical ‘human’ response!” Hark said though they both knew he was joking. Hark had quite the personality. Part of it was his old self and part of it was his new programming all mush mashed up. The result was a snarky robot with a dry sense of humor. Hark landed and began a vicious assault on the droids from the back. One of the Battle droids fell and he kept the less deadly soldier droids between him and the larger battle droids.

Ranik and Kaia moved behind a burned building. Ranik holstered his blasters and furiously worked on his wrist computer. He actually pulled up the plans for the Logistics building they were next to. Sure enough, there was a tunnel network underneath it. “Ok, there are tunnels under this building. “Follow me!” Ranik said and drew out one pistol as he ran. He hopped over a steel girder and ducked under a partially fallen floor. He heard Kaia behind him. The mapping system was not exact, not now anyway but as he looked ahead he saw that the opening was completely covered.

“Kaia, we need this cleared and fast!” Ranik said as he pointed. “The tunnel is under this desk and debris,” he said.

Kaia winced as she felt a blaster bolt graze her right thigh. It hurt, but she kept moving. She had to. If they slowed down they would certainly be overtaken and killed. This was a life or death situation they were in and she wasn't quite ready for death yet. She followed Ranik behind a burned out building and while Ranik was working on his wrist computer, Kaia popped out from around the corner and took out a few more droids. When Ranik told her there were tunnels under the building she wasn't entirely sure if that was the best plan. If the droids caught on to where they had gone and followed them, they might get trapped. However, it was all they had at this point and so they had to take that chance.

She followed behind Ranik into the building and avoided the fallen debris. She could see where the opening should be, but it was covered by parts of the upper floors that had collapsed. Kaia was exhausted, but she summoned what strength she had left. She felt the Force flow through her. She lifted up both her arms and then threw them out to the sides and the debris was flung to either side, exposing the opening. By that time Hark had joined them. They all quickly moved into the tunnel and then Kaia turned and used the Force again to move the debris back over the opening to prevent anyone else from easily following them.

They didn't stop at first. They kept going just in case they were being followed. Finally, they felt they could rest for a few moments and they all but collapsed down to the ground. Kaia ignored her own wound and looked at Ranik. She could see he had also been injured. She moved closer to him. "Let me see that."

Ranik just flung himself onto his knees as he blew air in and out of his lungs. He was a dirty, sweaty mess but kaia was no better. When she began to paw at his coat he pulled it from her.

“Leave it and save your strength. We might need it soon,” he said. They heard movement and explosions from above and they all but held their breaths as it appeared to pass by them. Ranik let out a relieved sigh. From his utility belt he removed a small cannister of Bacta spray.

“I saw you take a hit,” he said and held up the cannister. “I never leave home without it,” He said with a smile. “Let me see your leg,” he said. “When she just looked at him he rolled his eyes. “Oh come on, I think if I wanted to get your pants off I could have accomplished that by now without the medical pretense,” he said. When she broke out in laughter he laughed too. “I’ll use it on you and then you me, ok?” He asked. When she nodded he carefully took a look at her thigh. It was a pretty bad heat burn from the blaster bolt. If they left it, it would get infected for certain if a Jedi could get infected. He wasn't certain about that. He turned away as she unbuckled her belt and removed her pants. He knew she’d covered up with her robe and when she told him to he turned back around to treat her.

He uncapped the canister and shook it as he examined the damaged area on her thigh. Her robes concealed everything just above her thigh but he could tell she had very nice legs. He already knew she had wonderful breasts. He had caught a glimpse of them as she stepped out of the shower. He used his wrist computer to shine light down on the wound and he removed the disinfectant from his belt and sprayed it around her wound. It was cold and it made her flinch but she bore it well. Kaia bore everything well from what he could tell.

“Do you recall when we met on Naboo?” he began as he waited for the disinfectant to seep into the burn. He smiled. “I had a photo of you but you were so much more beautiful in person. I nearly forgot why I was there when I saw you,” He chuckled. He wasn’t looking at her face right then, he focused on the wound. “When we were in your room, I knew you were upset. I would have kissed you then but you had just lost Zavian and I wasn’t certain how you’d have taken that. I just felt you needed to be comforted I guess but I froze,” he admitted. Not like im at all. He sprayed the Bacta on her thigh. After a few seconds the pain began to numb and he handed it to her and looked away so she could put her pants back on

Kaia knew that she needed to get her wound treated, but she hesitated about taking off her pants in front of him. However, Ranik managed to break the tension between them with a joke that caused them both to laugh, although neither one of them could deny the sexual tension that had been building between them for months. Still, she was relieved when he turned away so she could remove her pants. She used her robe to cover herself up with. She felt rather exposed and vulnerable in that moment, but Ranik remained honorable.

When he sprayed the Bacta onto her wound she flinched slightly at the coldness against her skin. However, she bore it without complaint. Suddenly, Ranik began to speak. He spoke about when they met on Naboo. When he admitted that he thought her beautiful and had wanted to kiss her in her room she looked at him and her eyes met his for a moment. Neither one of them said anything as they gazed into each other's eyes for a few seconds. While she would not have taken the kiss well at that time, now...well...things were different.

After he finished treating her wound she put her pants back on and then took the can. She gave it another shake as Ranik removed his shirt. She had seen him shirtless before, but there was something about this time that gave her pause. Perhaps it was the glisten of sweat across his body, or the way his chest still heaved as he continued to catch his breath. She began to spray around the wound and she glanced up at him.

"I don't think I've ever said this, but thank you Ranik...for everything. You could have forced me to go back to the Jedi Council, but you didn't. You talked sense into me when I was grieving and was full of rage and vengeance. You let me share your home with you. You've been the friend I desperately needed after Zavian's death."

Ranik always felt awkward when Kaia complimented him but he didn’t feel so awkward right then. This was not the first time they were in a very tough spot but it was the first time he knew he wanted to get through this because she was in his life. Ranik was not one of those men who was ‘in touch’ with his feelings and the feelings he had for Kaia was a slow burn like a very dense candle. At first he lusted for her. For her beauty and the triumph he knew he’d feel when she gave into him sexually. It wasn’t like that now though. Perhaps it was because they were friends and had been together in close quarters for nearly a year and a half but lust was not why he wanted her in his bed. Not anymore. He winced at the cold as she treated him and he tried not to flinch when she carefully prodded around the wound. His was not so worse as hers was partly do to his protective clothing but her hands and fingers were freezing. He knew his were not. The moment she touched him he doubted there was any place on his body that was cold. She had shifted down to get a better look at his wound and he looked at her head as if he expected her to shift to look up at him. He knew what he’d do if she did. He moistened his lips unconsciously just incase she did look up at him.

Kaia knew that there was something deeper than just the sexual energy building up between them. To be honest, it frightened her a little. She had only ever been with Zavian. She had never imagined herself with anyone else. Now, Zavian was gone and Ranik was in her life instead. Would she be betraying Zavian by giving in to her desires for Ranik? She had grieved his loss and still felt love for him, but her heart felt ready for something new. She knew Zavian would want her to be happy. Did Ranik make her happy? She wasn't sure. But she knew she would never find out by holding back. They had come so close on the ship.

She knew what Ranik wanted...what he was hoping she would do. She slowly began to shift and turn her head to look up at him. Their eyes met and she saw him lean in towards her. She started to close her eyes in anticipation of what was to come...but then she heard Hark speak...destroying the moment...again.

"They are coming. We must keep moving."

Ranik wanted so much to feel Kaia’s lips on his right then but even as Hark spoke he knew it just wasn’t the right time. “No...they’re already here but they’re not the druids,” he said. He activated his wrist light and shined the pale light out past them. Several figures were there, Rodians. 5, 10, 20...more. Rodians, men, women and small shapes, children.

“We’re trying to avoid the druids,” Ranik said. “Is anyone...hurt?” he asked.

After a few tense moments they were led through a series of tunnels. Eventually the tunnels opened up to large chambers and there were alot more than 20 Rodians down here. There were hundreds. Hundreds of men, women and children trying to avoid the violence above. One Rodian who named herself Shindo Eelzen actually worked as a spy for the republic for years.

“We’re looking for a Rodian child who is force sensitive. There is a bounty hunter named Cad Bane looking for them. We came to get them offworld to someone that can get them to the Jedi,” he said. Shindo turned and faced a young woman who sat against one of the caverness walls.

“Fayhee, watched as this child’s family was killed by this bounty hunter. She was the housekeeper and just barely made it out with her life,” The female Rodian she named looked up at them and seemed to hold the babe closer to her chest. “Its alright Fayhee, these two will take the child to the Jedi,” she assured her but the woman like unsure and frightened but Ranik didn’t blame her at all.

“This is Jedi Knight Kaia Aldari, she will ensure the child gets to the Jedi safely,” Ranik said.

Kaia could already sense the people near them before Ranik even shined his light out that way. She could see a group of Rodians there. Once the Rodians realized that they weren't going to hurt them, they led them through the series of tunnels until it opened up into large chambers. Inside, there were dozens upon dozens of Rodians.

Kaia stood next to Ranik as he spoke to Shindo Eelzen about the child they were seeking. They needed to get this child to the Jedi Temple before Cad Bane found it. Kaia could sense the Force sensitive child in the arms of a young woman who appeared unwilling to give the child up. Upon hearing that the woman had been the family's housekeeper and that she had witnessed Bane kill the child's parents she did not blame her. She carefully approached her and held out her arms.

"I will protect this child with my life. I swear that to you."

Obviously the housekeeper did not want to let the child go but with a bit of urging from Shindo, Fayhee reluctantly let the child go into Kaia’s arms. The Rodian was a small bundle and at present, was sleeping. Fayhee handed Kaia her bag and as the two women conferred on how Kaia could care for the babe Ranik spoke to R2 who was back at the ship.

“R2, whats your status,” he asked. The droid whirred and whistled and clicked. “Damn,” Ranik said. “They have the ship guarded. “Obviously they intend on trying to keep us from getting to it” he said. “R2, do a pre-flight check, I think I know how we can get out of this,” he said.

“Shindo, we need a way to the surface. Are there any buildings still standing?” He asked. “Ones with a tunnel underneath,” Ranik clarified. “There are several, but the tallest is in the industrial quarter. I can lead you there,” She said. “But I would ask you, Ranik Zane, there are 14 children in our group here. Can you please take them with you? This is not their fight,” Shindo said.

Ranik took a good long look at all of the Rodians who may never be able to return to their homes again. How could he say no to these people? He wasn’t certain he had enough food for a long trip but he figured they’d make do. “Yes, I will take them but...they may not be back for some time. Once we reach our destination we will not stay long. I can just promise that they will be cared for and not in harms way,” Ranik said. Shindo took his hand into her much smaller ones. “You are a good man Ranik Zane, It is an honor to know you,” she said. And the embarrassment came again as he nodded to her. When he searched for Kaia he found her looking at him as she held the small child wrapped up tightly in swaddling. He smiled and nodded to her in understanding.

Kaia was not surprised to learn that the ship was being guarded. She trusted Ranik though when he said he had a plan. She held the infant in her arms and glanced around at the 14 children who Shindo asked them to take with them. It was going to be a long trip and it was close quarters as it was, but they would make do. They could not refuse them. As Shindo took Ranik's hands, she saw his eyes search the crowd for her. She gave him a little smile and then looked back down at the infant.

Another woman helped her fashion a way of swaddling the baby close to her body out of some spare cloth. The baby was secure and it freed up her hands. She moved over to Ranik to speak to him.

"So, what's your plan on getting us out of here?"

Ranik spoke low so no one else could hear and as he leaned toward her his eyes scanned the Rodians closest ot them. He wasn’t worried about a spy, he just didn’t want others to know they were going to rely on an older R2 series astromech droid to pilot the ship. R2 was actually had experience doing this, they had used him before like this but the building was not sturdy most likely. Alot could go wrong here and with the droid army...it could go very wrong.

“I don’t think the droid army knows that R2 is still on the ship,” was all he said. As families hugged their children and the ages of the children varied greatly, the larger kids picked up the smaller ones.

“We are ready,” Shindo said as she stepped up to Rank and Kaia. Several children reached out for their parents and cries and wails began to fill the cavern. Ranik looked at Kaia and for the first time his confidence did not show in his face. He was worried now that they had children to keep safe. 15 of them.

Kaia listened to Ranik and nodded as she understood what his plan was. She looked over and watched as the families hugged their children and said good-bye. She hoped it wouldn't be a permanent good-bye, but nothing right now could be promised.

As some of the children began to cry she sensed Ranik's confidence begin to waiver. She reached out and took his hand. She laced her fingers through his and gave his hand a gentle, reassuring squeeze. She then looked out at the children. She closed her eyes and, through the Force, she sent out feelings of calm. They were going to need to move these children quickly and to do that they all needed to be calm. Slowly, the cries of the children deceased, though a few children still sniffled. Kaia opened her eyes and looked up at Ranik. She gave him a little nod to let him know they were ready.

The tunnels seemed to go on and on and the children began to get tired. They had already been exhausted from worry, lack of sleep and lack of food. It was very dark down here and every time someone kicked a rock or coughed, it echoed in the cavern and everyone suddenly became quiet with fear that the droids above would hear them. The wall felt like it took hours but it was only actually around 30 minutes before they came to a ladder and a grate that led up to the surface. Shindo went first and then Ranik and Hark. The children came up next, youngest to eldest and then Kaia with the babe came up last. The building they came up into looked like some kind of shop but everything was covered in dust and debris from an explosion that took out the shop’s east wall was everywhere. There were stairs up to the upper floors and they went up 5 flights to get to the roof. Ranik had everyone stay below as he hunkered down and looked around the building with his binoculars. There were no droids here, they had already passed this area it seemed.

Ranik contacted R2 and gave the droid their coordinates. One of Ranik’s more recent updates on the ship was the auto turret guns. This included the 2 security guns that he had installed for just this kind of scenario. He was not a criminal but sometimes those that he delivered to did not want to pay him and tried to take his ship as well. He saw that R2 had turned on the engines and the droids next to the ship turned and had begun to fire at the ship that they assumed was empty. He activated the guns and the guns lowered down and began to fire at the droids as the ship lifted up into the air.

“Ok, The Fury is coming, get ready to run!” Ranik said just as he detected movement. Two droids turned and faced their building. “Shit!” Ranik said and he stood up and pulled out his own Dc-17M that was his right handed pistol and from the small of his back he pulled out the barrel extension and attached it to the weapon. He then pulled out the stock extension and the sniper scope and attached those as well. He felt Kaia behind him.

“I know what you’re going to say Kaia,” he said as he attached the larger magazine then cocked his rifle. “We’ll try and give you as much time as we can,” Ranik said grimly. “Get those kids to safety,’ Ranik said as he looked back at her and she knew what that look meant. He was willing to stay and die if it came to that.

Kaia kept the baby close to her body and her heartbeat and warmth kept it calm and quiet. Ranik walked in front with Shindo and Hark, and then the children followed after, with Kaia bringing up the rear. She had a blaster out and ready just in case, but thankfully she never had to use it. Finally, they came to a ladder which would take them up into a building. Kaia stayed below and helped get the smaller children up the ladder to Ranik, who then pulled them up. Once all the children were up, Kaia climbed up the ladder with the baby. She comforted some of the smaller children while Ranik gave R2 their coordinates. She winced when she heard the ship's gunfire. Then, the situation worsened as two droids turned to face their building. Kaia walked up behind Ranik as he prepped his gun. Kaia hated this situation. She hated that Ranik might die here just so that she and the children could get to the ship. She looked at him as he turned to face her.

"I've already lost Zavian. I cannot lose you too."

She then took his face into her hands and pulled it towards her and kissed him. Time was short, but if this was to possibly be the last time she saw him, she wanted Ranik to know how she felt.

Kaia’s lips were every bit as wonderful as he thought they’d be. They were both filthy from the fighting and the crawling around in the caverns. But she tasted wonderful anyway and Ranik kissed her back just as fiercely as she kissed him. He looked into her large, green eyes one last time just as The Fury came into view. They did not put words to their feelings but that kiss said everything that needed to be said right then. What he didn’t say was that Kaia would be hard-pressed to get past the blockade. They really needed him to pilot the ship but they also needed him to here too. Kaia had flown his ship before but Ranik was a much better pilot, especially with his own ship. He had gotten them out of a few very hairy situations with just his piloting skills alone. Ranik laid down and extended the bipod to his rifle.

The ship came down quickly then slowed suddenly. As it pitched down to level, the loading ramp came into view. R2 had already lowered it for them. Ranik heard Kaia bark at the children to get into the ship. As she did he and hark began to fire at the 2 battle droids. One, had a rocket launcher. He had seen that and he focused on that one first.

“So, does it feel any different, kissing a Jedi?” Hark asked plainly. “I’m not talking about it,” Ranik said as he began to shoot. His shot went left and he reached up and adjusted his targeting scope. Hark nailed his on the first try but it didn’t go down with his first shot.

“I wish you’d get ‘me’ armor like that. This is what I get for having a frugal human overlord,” Hark joked. “Well I am giving serious consideration into removing your voice processor right now,” Ranik said back. He saw the rocket launcher shift into firing position.

“No, no, no!” Ranik said worriedly and he shifted slightly and leaned more into his rifle. Kaia was the last to get up the ramp and she paused to look back at them before she turned and moved up the ramp. Just before the droid fired its rocket, Ranik fired. The droid exploded and the explosion took out the other one as well.

“Well, that was a good shot...for a human,” Hark said as he stood up. Ranik shifted and hurried to his feet. He and Hark flung themselves onto the ramp as it began to shift up and he just managed to get his legs in before they were crushed. He spoke into his wrist comm.

“We’re in, Kaia, lets go!” He said as he flung his rifle aside and raced toward the cockpit.

Kaia knew that Ranik was the better pilot, but there were only two of them and she had the baby. She had flown his ship before and she hoped she would be able to get past the blockade without any problems. She also hoped that Ranik and Hark would make it on board before she had to get out of there.

She gave Ranik one last look before she quickly left and ushered the kids onto the ramp that R2 had lowered. She heard Ranik and Hark covering them and looked over to see a rocket launcher begin to shift into firing position. If that rocket launcher was able to get off a shot then they all would be dead. The next thing she heard was an explosion and she knew Ranik or Hark had destroyed the droid. She quickly got to the cockpit and gave Ranik and Hark a few seconds before she hit the button to raise the ramp. To her relief she heard Ranik's voice saying they had made it on board. She began to pilot the ship out of the area. They would still need to get past the blockade. As Ranik entered the cockpit she shifted positions to allow him to pilot and she took the co-pilot's seat.

“Hark, get those kids strapped in!” Ranik barked into the intercom. What he was going to do is hyperskip. He’d only done it once before and it taxed his engines but they’d be pulverized by those capital ship missiles. Sure enough just as he cleared the atmosphere a host of droid fighters charged toward them. Ranik pulled up and aimed the ship to skip right between two of the droid control ships. He did a barrel roll and activated the autocannons. The cannons began to fire at the incoming ships as he angled the ship between the larger ships.

“Strap in Kaia,” Ranik said as he lifted the 4 point seat restraint and put it on. He buckled it down and bobbed and weaved the ship to avoid taking too much fire from the incoming fighters. They were hitting him but so far his deflector shields were still working.

“Hang on!” Ranik said into the intercom and he hyperskipped past the capital ships. “Hark!” Ranik snapped. “I’m working on a course now sir,” Hark said. Ranik did another barrel roll as more ships came toward them. He pulled a hard rise and then flipped the ship back down in a tight vertical ‘u’. The droid ships took a moment to adjust to his quick course change and then he did it again in an attempt to buy Hark the time he needed to plot the course.

The ships’ missile alarm began to blare but Ranik didn’t need to see the monitor to know that there were so many missiles he couldn't possibly dodge them all. From outside the ship The Fury raced forward but the missiles grew closer and closer by the second. In a couple more seconds they would detonate and certainly destroy the ship.

“Course laid in sir!” Hark said and Ranik hit the hyperdrive motivator. The ship flew into hyperspace and Ranik exhaled and leaned back.

Kaia breathed out and leaned back and closed her eyes for a moment after they made the jump to hyperspace. The baby was wailing now, but she managed to calm him down. She sat there for a few moments with Ranik and they both looked at each other and began to laugh out of relief that they had made it. It had been another close call, but they had done it.

Kaia got up and walked to the back to check on the children. They were shaken up, but otherwise alright. Hark had managed to get them strapped in. Kaia and Ranik found the kids some places to sleep. They didn't have much on board, but Kaia gave up her cot and blankets. Once that was accomplished she went to the galley and helped Ranik prepare something for them to eat. Kaia had been told how to feed the baby and she prepared a bottle for him.

Once everyone was fed they all began to settle down. Kaia entrusted one of the older kids with the baby and went to go get cleaned up. There was a single shower on board the ship and Kaia turned on the water and warmed it up before taking off her clothes and stepping in. She let the hot water run over her face and head and she began to scrub the dirt and dried blood from her body.

Ranik showed a couple of the older children how to use the galley appliances. But he also warned them of rationing food and water because he didn’t know for certain how long their trip would be. He also told Hark to watch over them as well. Rodians were short, thin lizard like creatures with dark, bulbous eyes and a long, curved snout. They had antenae on top of their heads and were very good at their sense of hearing and touch.

He gave them all blankets, he had several in storage and showed them how to turn on the gaming table and he produced a few decks of cards and dice for them to play with. Most of the children looked forlorn and sad however and had withdrawn into themselves. ‘It will take time for them to get over the shock’ He thought.

There was only one main shower for the ship and it was just off of his room. As he shrugged off his coat and stored his weapons on the wall rack he noticed Kaia had brought some of her things to his room. Well, ofcourse, she likely gave up her bed to the children. As he thought about what that meant he looked at the wall where the fold out cot was stored but he’d need to move a few things for it to be able to unfold. He removed his vest and shirt then sat on the bed to take off his boots. He took off his belt and hung it up and then shut his door before he took his pants off. ‘This isn’t a good idea Ranik’ He thought to himself but he was going to do it anyway.

Kaia heard the door to the shower open and felt Ranik step inside and he shut the door behind him. With 2 people inside it was cramped, just enough space to move past one another. The water came from above and from the side which was nice. He put his hands on her back.

Kaia was rinsing her hair when she heard the door to the shower open and then close a moment later. She could sense Ranik behind her and she slowly turned around to look at him. She still loved Zavian, and she knew she always would, but it was time for her to move on. She didn't quite know how this was going to work with Ranik but at the moment she didn't really care. She didn't want to think too much about this relationship right now. They had far too many other things to worry about. It was clear though that they both wanted the same thing.

Their eyes met for a brief moment before Kaia watched Ranik suddenly lean in and kiss her rather passionately. She didn't hesitate but began to kiss him back as the warm water continued to fall upon them. Kaia wrapped her arms around his neck and moaned against his lips as she felt his hands on her body.

It was almost maddening to pause so he could actually get clean. He washed his hair but he felt her hands on him and smelled the soap that she had scrubbed onto a wash cloth she had been using to wash herself. Ranik had several scars on his body, especially his back and chest. He felt her touch a few of them as he finished washing his hair. Once he was done though, even before he opened his eyes he sought her lips once more.

He was indeed fortunate that the shower made a good deal of noise. He lifted her up and helped her wrap her legs around his hips as he made love to Kaia standing up in the shower. He kissed her neck and sucked on her breasts as he held her hips and moved with her. Her back was against the wall of the shower and the warm water dropped down upon them as if they were in a torrential rainstorm. He pulled back to look at her face as he continued. When their eyes met he felt her take his face into her hands and she smoothed his dark hair back out of his face as she leaned her head down to kiss his lips. Ranik had wanted this nearly since they met. Now that he was in the throws of this passionate embrace he didn’t want it to end. By the look in her eyes he knew she didn’t either. Eventually it did end though by her gripping his neck tightly with her arms as she felt him explode inside of her.

Afterward he held her for a time in his bed until he felt her drift off to sleep. Once she was completely out he got up and got dressed. When she finally awoke the bed was empty save for her. And when she finally made her way back out to the main living area Ranik sat on the floor crossed legged and he was teaching the children who were old enough, how to play cards. He looked up at her when she came in and smiled up at her.