Shades of Night are Calling

[Rekha Kaarde]

He had her behind the eight ball and knew it. She was scrambling to figure out what to do next. The one thing she knew not to do involve anyone else. She couldn't face them getting hurt she'd have to do it alone.

She could do that.

She could.

It was a slow night in the bar Rekha's gaze kept going to the doors watching who was coming in. She expected trouble to come just not sure what form it would be in. She still couldn't get over it, Mon Loup after all this time.

Why the feth hadn't someone killed him yet!? She should do it save the galaxy from one less sleeze ball. She poured herself a drink she needed one tonight. Chase the cold that didn't exist, stir up the courage that she knew she needed, but mostly just to put her mind on something else.

She had a chance to start thinking about the past ever since [member="Mariya Fleischer"] showed up unexpectedly. She thought about [member="Makai Dashiell"] a kid growing up too fast. [member="Spark Finn"] a girl who in time she just knew would find herself and become stronger for it. [member="Kaili Talith"] Rekha remembered her pain more than anything. She prayed she was alright. [member="Eliza Steele"] and [member="Remy Steele"] common interests among other things.

But there were others that she knew that she hadn't seen in years [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] and [member="HK-36"] who got her started back up, @dekken frey who trusted her when he didn't have to.

And [member="Coren Starchaser"] who made sure she always had a purpose even if he disagreed. He was as close to family as she had anymore.

[member="Jon Burke"] , [member="Aiden Merritt"] [member="Gregory Gray"] she missed the boys they...they were a lot of things to her. She heard Aiden had gotten married, and Greg and Jon both disappeared. Again.

Her heart hurt it tended to do that when she thought too long on things.

All of them would drop what they were doing to come help. But she wouldn't call. Rekha had already decided to do what she could.

The door opened and just as she knew it would happen stood the very bane of her existence. Jarod her long time cook moved to her side, "looks like trouble"

Rekha nodded and smiled, "Yeah...but I got it. Don't worry." She had it in more than one way.

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

Mon Loup moved towards the bar, Rekha moved to where she was in the middle and near the blaster that she kept under the bar. She leaned forward and waited.

It was coming to this well all good things come to an end.

"You didn't think that I would walk away and just leave did you?" that look he gave her she had seen it many times she had called it the death mark. He had been doing it for so long that it was part of him now he was too far gone to be saved.

Usually anyone who got the look didn't last longer than a week. She nodded, "Crowded bar." But it wouldn't be in an hour. She could just not close but the problem was he wouldn't care he'd kill them all to get to her if he had to. So best thing was to wait till closing.

He looked around, "I got time"

It was game on she knew what she had to do but there were other things first. She nodded, "I'm not going anywhere" She stepped back she had to get word to everyone she knew. Yep should have let Mariya kill him.

She moved over to where Jarod stood, "I need you to do something for me." She whispered, "Get everyone out of here on time tonight, go home and pack up and leave." They were all in danger now.

"Capn" Jarod looked a bit confused, "I have never left your side. Cept when you made me."

Rekha couldn't help but laugh as she looked back at the Wolf. She called him my wolf it was a lifetime ago though. Back when she was young, stupid and thought she was invincible.

She turned her green eyes back on Jarod, "Yes but you are a family man now. So...priorities and if I have to I'll make it an order" They both laughed, "I got this Jarod." She didn't know if she did. She had said it twice now. Was she convincing herself?

Time was moving slowly she wanted to figure all the scenarios. They shoot each other game over. One of them survives, one loses one wins. Jarod doesn't listen. No one listens. Loup isn't alone and it becomes a blood bath.

So far none of it was sounding good. The hour dragged by Rekha tortured herself with thoughts of what if while she watched the slow moving minutes. Relief came as the customers were starting to leave waving and smiling wishing her a good night and thanking her for a good time. The regulars.

Zak and Alma from the Diner. What a pair! Always laughing enjoying each other and life. Giving Rekha recipes and sharing a good bottle every now and then.

Asaf one of the Embassy Guards from Alderaan. He was young and this was his first assignment away from home. Rekha tried to keep Alderaan Stew on the menu.

Simeon an older gentleman who seemed out of place in the Lucky Lady. He told her once that he was nobility but that was all. He liked to keep to himself and he appreciated that she let him.

There were others but tonight wasn't their night they would be by tomorrow. Thinking of her regulars made her feel good, if tonight was her last. Was tonight her last? She hoped not but she knew one thing right now she had a good life.

Lost in her thoughts she suddenly felt someone touch her arm, "I'm heading out. There are a few stragglers" Jarod motioned with his head where they were, "I can stay till they've gone."

Rekha looked about, Loup at the bar, and three others just kicked back. "Nahh Jarod, I got this" She looked at him. "Just we disagree about our supplies. I thought it was done but I guess not"

Jarod got a concerned look, "Capn, I can stay."

He could and she knew she should let him she was outnumbered. She had left Loup alive that was her mistake. His appearance thought in the Lucky Lady had caught her off guard he was unpredictable which meant she had hurt his pride. A thought that made her smile that she could hurt him.

She considered her life vs that of so many others including Jarod. The needs of the many outweigh those of the few or the one. She was no one's mother, no one's wife, no one's girl, though she was their friend, their protector when they let her. She thought of those she loved and cared for in her mind they were the many. She knew Loup would use her friends against her. They were her weakness anything he could do or threaten to do them would influence her actions they were the key to getting what he wanted from her.

"I'm sure I got this go home Jarod, I'll see you tomorrow. Same time, don't be late" She winked and pointed him towards the door.

The problem was Rekha knew Loup was part of something bigger going on she just didn't know what. She needed to find that out. Whatever it took. She couldn't just give in though a decision she might regret or cost her.

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

3 others, Loup and herself.

For once she wished she had some Jedi tricks you know wave your hand people fall over. She'd put up a front, a façade so she smiled big like she had the world by the cahones. She hoped it made them think twice about acting.

She stared at the Wolf as he stood there watching her. The intense gaze might have unnerved her years ago, now she knew it was his way to try scare people off. She wasn't scared.

He picked up his drink, "You're in over your head."

She picked up the bottle, "I don't see it that way." She lifted it tilted her head back and took a draw. That was officially now her bottle. She set it down licking her lips and sighed. It didn't burn as much as she hoped, and it only took the edge off her nerves a little.

"Just go. Forget it all and call it even" she offered as she placed her palms flat on the bar. She tilted her head playfully, no fear. NO FEAR. She reminded herself.

"Yeah, that time has passed. See the minute you stepped inside my office, in front of my people, all options went up in smoke. Now. You will be an example to everyone." He was serious the emotions in his voice were flat and a bit ominous.
That was when the others made their move. They got up and started making their way towards the bar. She knew Wolf would never get his hands dirty. But the goons they wouldn't think twice. They'd kill her if need be.

"I'll get at least one, maybe two before they get close. I might even get you" She whispered.

"I know that's why" He took the blaster from his pocket, one of those small sporty ones that went unnoticed. The barrel wasn't that big bit she knew it would leave a big enough hole in her. "You couldn't let it go." Blaster vs Rekha not good odds really. She'd have to try though she tried to grab for the blaster. Loup activated it, "no no" and pushed it to her chest.
She clenched her teeth as the first one turned the corner of the bar. "This won't be as easy as you think. I know you are up to something. I WILL figure it out"

She felt someone grab her left arm, she balled up her hand on her right tight as she could. She yanked hard on her shoulder to get away as she brought up the first meeting the eye of the guy holding her. "feth!" he yelled as he pressed his fingers into her flesh. Loup put his weapon away he wouldn't need it now. He picked up his drink and began watching her, smiling as his men did what they were hired for.

She grabbed one guy by the shoulder with a swift move she lifted her knee and drove it into his groin. Just as another came in and grabbed her other arm. She did a back kick pulling on her arms to get free. Two against one really? She turned ducking her head down and bit the hand on her left arm.

The man yowled, "she cat!" The fist came in hard knocking her almost out she only managed to stay awake from sheer will. The two holding her dragged her from behind the bar.

"I will kill you all you can count on it." She felt the third join in knocking the air from her lungs she couldn't hold on against three. She slowly began to sink shouting every curse word she could think of.

They stayed about half hour longer working her over. Then left closing the door, having a grand laugh, slapping each other on the shoulder for a job well done.

Loup stayed behind kneeling on the floor, Rekha laying there battered, broken, bleeding her green eyes staring up at him. If looks could kill he would be dead. She would remember the others as well, they were on the list. They would pay.
"I don't imagine you'll live through this Cher. You should have just agreed." He brushed her brown hair from her forehead, "so long" he winked at her of all things got up and left.

She couldn't move she knew her right arm was broken, as well as several ribs, probably her jaw, and goddess knew what else. The pain had stopped about 20 minutes ago it was clear they really wanted her dead. She watched him leave.

But she couldn't lay here and die either. She tried to roll, then she pushed with her left arm, suddenly she saw white stars. She pushed till she finally rolled over. Man the floor was dirty. She grabbed the floor and pulled herself forward, groaning from the effort with each pull. Sweat began to mix with the blood as she inched her way across the floor.

She finally made it to a chair to pull herself up well almost up. She laid across the seat ready to vomit her body was starting to refuse to work. She wanted to sleep her body was so heavy. She finally saw her own blood on the floor. She stared at it. It was dark red as it slowly slid across the floor picking up dust and whatever else happen to be down there. Need to mop she thought. I've been broken before. I didn't die. I won't die now. She was trying to convince herself.
I need a doctor. I need a favor. She took every ounce of energy she had to push herself up using the chair to support her weight she inched across the floor to get to her office.

It gets kind of blurry from there for the next thing she knew there was a hooded figure standing over her tsking loudly and helping her to the couch.

Gentle hands touched Rekha's face just that simple gesture made her try to smile. "ow" she whispered.

"You're in bad shape" the words were as soft as the touch, "are you in trouble, or trouble finding you?"

"both"

Long elegant fingers reached up and pushed the hood back to reveal the face of Rianna Organa. "I don't know how you managed to get a message to the Embassy Rekha. It was just a stroke of luck that I was there." The Force moved in mysterious ways.

"Let's get you some place where I can treat you."

Another dark haired girl appeared to help. "Hello Tia Rekha." Rianna's daughter Maeve.

"Hey kid." Rekha passed out.

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

Floating freely inside a warm bath with nothing but time to reflect and think. Her dreams were nightmares repeating themselves her fingers twitched as she jerked her head away. Strips of cloth covered the essentials but revealed the deep bruises a quick glance to the xrays would show the broken bones.

Rianna stood watching Rekha within the bacta tank at her side Jarod. "She told me to go Mam" The poor man had guilt written all over his face like he could have done something to stop it. He just knew he should have stayed there. But no he had done as she wished and left.

Rianna sensing his twisting emotions looked over at him, "Let us find a way to help her now. Did you bring any surveillance from the bar?" She knew that Rekha often recorded scenes in the bar just in case trouble called.

"I looked Mam it was gone. They either took it, or she didn't turn it on" Yes he felt guilt. He felt responsible. He felt as if he had failed. His shoulders dropped as his head hung low. The dark circles under his eyes told how much sleep he had missed lately. It had been two days since the Master Jedi had called him to meet her. He didn't realize until he saw his boss just how bad it was.

"Yew sure she will recover?" He was running the bar as he knew she would want, but seeing her like this was killing him.

"She will Jarrod, we will wake her up today. Do you want to be here?" She knew he would he had been there every day since she called. He was a loyal soul who clearly cared deeply for Rekha. But who else was there to call she did not know. She knew little of the friends that Rekha had or even of the life she currently led. But her past she knew a bit of, a little bit.

Rekha couldn't hear the words being spoken but she felt the kick of someone's toe in her ribs, the ridges of the knuckles along her face, and the acid smell of their sweat filled her nose. Then the soft whisper of goodbye by Loup. She'd struggled in the tank trying to get to him to only fail and watch him walk away. She would fall into the black again waiting for the next dream to claim her.

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

Somewhere in the past in her memory she could see it that first day she met him. She was squatting down in a corner trying to hide from the Captain. She had not completed her chores for the day and he was on a rampage. He was also lit up like a candle on whiskey and spice.

He nasty man who belched and treated everyone like a slave. The only slave on the ship though was her. Penance for her crime but how much longer would she have to pay that penance.

Even then as a small girl of 10 she knew that if she didn't get off the ship and away from them all she'd find herself in an early grave unloved, and unknown by anyone. Her parents would never know what happen. It was during this dark despair that he found her. He was a tall skinny kid with dark hair, dark eyes and a smile that made her feel warm in side. Just a few years older but stronger than her in many ways. "you can't let him scare you." He whispered to her as he slid down the wall to sit not looking at her but talking to her.

"If you stand up to him, or even take the punishment without crying..he'll weaken his hold on you." He looked to the dark corner. "You can do it I've seen you stand up to the others but not him."

Her head already hung low, "he scares me. I want to go home and only he knows the way"

Loup shook his head, "not true. We can get a map, a ship, make some friends...we can get you home. Where's home?"

Inching towards him slowly coming from her hideout, "Kelada"

He nodded, "I'm Marcus, you're Rekha." He smiled at her and she smiled back.

That was their first meeting and if she had known what was to come she might have stayed in the corner that night.

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

She returned to the Lucky Lady a week later for a moment she hesitated before going through the door. Jarrod would have questions. How many answers was she ready to give.

She didn't know.

Releasing a big sigh she went through the doors the Lucky Lady was busy it was good to see. That made her smile, and frown inside. It meant it could function without her good and bad. Good for business bad for her ego.

She started across the floor to head to the bar where she felt most at home. Someone touched her sending shivers of surprise up her spine, "Rekha...welcome back...you ok?"

The green eyed brunette turned to see Emma with her beautiful head tails dainty montrals, flawless skin and bright yellow eyes. Emma was beautiful Rekha had no idea why she was on Coruscant she couldn't imagine her being in any trouble. Rekha always saw Emma as looking so regal she moved like a Queen and acted like a Princess she belonged among the nobility not here among the workers.

"I'm ok Emma, you ok?"

She smiled broadly exposing her canines that was the only feature that could give the impression of back off, "Maybe we can have a drink later?"

Rekha was nodding before she answered, "Yes, I'd like that." She would she really would they could talk about anything really. Emma was well versed on politics and weapons. Emma was also among the reasons why she had to find out what Loup had in mind for Coruscant.

Before she turned the hair on her neck seemed to stand up she began to scan the bar looking her intuition said someone was watching. Who? It was so crowded she just couldn't tell. She couldn't make contact, feth.

Slowly she walked still looking hoping to catch whoever it was but the closer she got to the bar the harder it was to spot em. Feth.

Jarrod had already come out of the kitchen wiping his giant paws on his apron. "Cap'n"

If anyone in the room needed an explanation of things it was Jarrod. Rianna had said he came by often riddled with guilt about what happen. "Hey" she just wasn't sure where to start with the explanation. Should she explain or just outright lie?

From the look on his face the lie was sounding pretty good. She flashed a smile that stab of pain hit her jaw fast but the pain was getting easier to handle. She usually could handle pain but she had more aches and pains than Boba Fett being digested by the Sarlacc. She was seriously considering a bit of spice to take the edge off problem was the headache the followed.

"OK Jarrod, let's get it over with ya know I hate the lingering." She brushed passed him to get to her office. Looking around she had to wonder how she made that call. Had to be just pure luck that she made it at all.

She turned leaned on the desk and waited.

Jarrod's frame filled the door, "You got your arse kicked I could have helped."

Rekha nodded, "Yeah I got my ass handed to me." There wasn't a particularly good reason for why either.

"Why?"

Yep there was the why now...truth or lie to one of her oldest friends. Truth would put him on her side, and helping, lying would....offend him and push him aside.

"Yur taking too long to answer, just say it Cap'n" He crossed his arms waiting, his gaze bore holes through her.

"Bad company from the past. He's here on Coruscant. I got in his face, made him look bad...and he came to repay the visit." It wasn't all of it but it was enough that he'd get the idea.

"I didn't and don't want you hurt." That was funny considering he was huge and she was light enough to be blown away by a good gust of wind.
He nodded he got it, "Ya should'v let me stay they just about kilt you."

She rubbed her face, "Yeah...but they didn't and that's bad for them." She pushed off from the desk, "let's work tonight and we'll talk after closing." She put her hand on his arm, "You are still first mate Jarrod I should have told you."

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

She tried to focus her energy into the bar every time the door opened she couldn't help but turn her head to look. Yeah that had spooked her some but she was not going to let them get the better of her. She stood behind the bar scrubbing the same spot over and over as she thought about that night.

Was there something she could have done differently? Was there something that might have worked? She couldn't say really some of it was just a big blur. Feth. She was still mending her body reminded her every time she bent the wrong way. She was shaking her head at some thought she had when a green hand touched her she froze then looked up. Zara a nautolan from one of the embassies over on Embassy row.

"Hi" Rekha smiled.

Zara let go of Rekha's hand, "can you talk?"

"Yeah....it's pretty quiet Zara." looking back "Jarrod watch the bar." She motioned for Zara to follow her over to her favorite booth. It was Zara's black eyes that ways held Rekha's attention. They were large soulful and seemed to hold a myriad of emotions at any given time.

Zara slid into the seat, Rekha sat next to her. This was part of their ruse for when Zara wanted to talk. They'd cuddle up together and speak in low tones making everyone wonder what they were talking about.

"It's all over what happen to you are you ok?" Zara touched her hand again.

Rekha stroked the back of Zara's hand, "Yeah, they didn't kill me so..it's all good."

Zara nodded then casually looked at the crowd, "you need to be careful."

"I know I am.' Rekha was a bit flippant with her answer but she wasn't quite sure were Zara was going with this bit of touch me game.

"No Rekha" her voice turned hard, "I mean it there's rumors everywhere. Whatever you started. It's reaching out. All over Coruscant there's meetings about Coruscant first and actions to be taken against anyone who doesn't believe in it."

Rekha could see she was serious, maybe this was part of Loups plan. Feth it all. "I'm....laying low Zara." A bold face lie and she hated doing it but sometimes a little white lie wouldn't hurt anyone. Permission then forgiveness.

"You want a drink Zara?"

She could see Zara's shoulder's drop as if she knew Rekha had lied to her, "Yeah..make it strong."

Rekha motioned to Jarrod for a bottle.

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

How many weeks had it been?

She sat in front of her computer looking for anything that would use the letters C or D with an M. Denon had not given her any answers just more questions. She flipped a page with the touch of her finger.

"C or D with an M. Feth its like looking all over Tattooine for a lake." She sat with her head in her hands. If only she had seen more, if only...FETH FETH!! "AAAggg" she shoved the desk as her chair slid back.

"Why can't I just find this thing! It can't be that hard!" But it was what she had was minimal like a speck that got lost in a sea of specks. She needed more. She'd have to scope out Loups place again.

Maybe...do this different...she didn't want to...maybe she could ...get.....help.

She could use help but if anything happen to them..she'd never forgive herself..no...best go it alone a bit more.

"I need more information that's all there is to it" She was talking out loud to herself. Sighing heavily she leaned back and stared at the ceiling.

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

She stared at the city wishing it would reveal something to her that made some sense.

She could see the glistening towers, speeders darting in and out of the traffic lanes, and then along the walkways the people of Coruscant. Oh how picturesque it could look at times it looked the way they needed it to.

But if you looked a little closer, if you dug a little deeper people would see the flaws hidden there. Alley ways that hid the homeless, and criminals alike. The darkness of the lower levels that exacted a terrible price on those who were lost down there. It wasn't just adults either, not like they want you to think it is. There were families there that couldn't make it in this glistening world of duracrete and metal. They needed a helping hand to be lifted up. She remembered those days down there.

Someone could one minute be your friend, and the next slipping something between your ribs for the small bit of credits they had begged for from someone else.

Yeah Coruscant wasn't the glistening jewel of hope for anything much these days. Maybe these Coruscant first guys had the right idea.

Maybe someone in those offices could help her narrow down the options of what she saw. Truth was. She had no idea really.

Maybe a walk outside to clear her mind. Something had to give before she did.

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

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