Chapter 2: Forges of Ithyari

[Drake 53]

"Are you okay. Layla?" he asked, voice filling with concern.

[Rogue 4]

"Yeah..." Her voice didn't sound convincing to her own ears so she said it again with more conviction. "Yeah. Just tired."

[Vergere 1]

Brier jerked out of her thoughts and looked over at Layla. "You okay, Nasrin?" She looked honestly concerned.

[Drake 53]

"Go grab a bed and get some sleep. We'll be fine for now without you. We probably won't take action for at least another three hours. Take a nap. In fact, that goes for everyone. If you aren't feeling one hundred percent for this, then go get some rest."

Tak saw the look Layla gave him and said, "Don't worry! I promise I'll get you up in time for all the fun."

[Rogue 4]

"You'd better, or there will be hell to pay Lieutenant. I didn't get all dolled up to not kick some ass."

She gave him a halfhearted smile as she stood, heading towards the nearest bed. She sighed as she collapsed into it, resting her arm on her forehead as she stared at the ceiling. What's wrong with me today...every time I try to focus....I need to focus.

She sighed, pulling the covers over herself and closed her eyes. Vivid violet eyes greeted her, a memory she couldn't escape. Just get out of my head for twenty-four hours...it's all I'm asking...

[Vergere 1]

Brier watched concernedly as Layla walked out, and looked over at Tak, worry on her features, but she said nothing more as she returned to her diagram of the relays.

[Drake 53]

When Layla left, Tak decided to switch topics.

"I want you all to be careful whenever you go outside. Always go with someone else. Jaim, Layla and I had an odd experience at the cantina down the street. I thought I saw someone I recognized in a shadowed doorway. I can't say who it was but suffice it to say, if this person is here, they may be tracking one of us. Do everything you can to try and remain incognito and always watch your back."

[Vergere 1]

Brier turned in her chair, brow still furrowed with concern, to listen to Tak, thinking the entire time.

[Mara 29]

Kaden finished his second ration bar and decided to turn up his comm volume, to see if there was any news from their members plantside. He just caught the end of Lt. Niamor mentioning something being against regulations.

More pranks, again? he sighed and picked up his datapad again, but keeping his comm on normal volume. Kaden weas hoping that they'd be going into action soon. The time they were spending in dead space was beginning to wear long, and he was starting to wondering why they had had to leave to early, just to wait around for hours.

He was used to "get in, get out" missions. All this sneaky commando stuff was new to him, but it was something that he'd have to get used to. That was the Revenants' job, after all.

More images on his datapad flashed by his eyes, but they started blurring all together, so he flipped it off and put it away. All he could do now was keep his mind focused in the present, ready for action at any moment, while staring off into the stars, leaning back in his seat.

[Vergere 1]

After a few moments she shook her head and then returned to diagraming the relays, finishing a few minutes later. "Lieutenant. Here it is." She leaned back to look at the web she'd just created, and sighed.

[Drake 53]

"Thank you, Captain" he said with a nod and a smile.

Tak looked over the map of the city, studying the security networks marked by Brier. He thought things over for a moment, taking a look from one angle then moving around to the other side of the map for a different perspective.

Finally, he looked to Aston and said, "Input anything relevant you found on the Holonet. I have a hunch about the south-east security grid and anything else you can add would be helpful in my decision."

Edited September 7, 2007 by Drake

[Rogue 4]

When she closed her eyes she saw his face: deep amethyst eyes contrasting sharply with his lightly tanned skin and blond mop of hair. She felt a shudder run throughout her body as the rest of the world materialized around them so that they were standing in the main room of his old house in Tyrena. He was looking at her curiously as if he had just asked a question that awaited an answer.

"Lay...how long do you plan on running?"

She wanted to run, to hide, to make sure her family was safe. Make sure that she had protected them, and she wanted to protect herself. Why? Why won't my legs move?

He sighed in disappointment and took her hand in both of his before she could figure out how to move. "I don't know why you keep trying. Run, hide...tell yourself that you're never coming back to Corellia. Both of us know that I'll find you eventually." He smiled, and the smile that parted his lips was haunting, and echo of the man she had fallen in love with years ago. "I was always so good at finding you Lay..."

"That doesn't matter!" She shook her head at him. "Things are different this time Deign!"

"Are they?" He looked down into her eyes. "They don't look like it."

"As cautious as you want to be Layla," He continued. "Your Zeltron culture won't allow you. You're being too trusting. Letting people in that you know you shouldn't...maybe you're just lonely girl, but you're slipping. First you tell your Captain about my sister and then about Ayana..."

The setting changed and suddenly they were spectating on scenes from her recent past. Bonding with her squadron mates--sometimes against their wishes--and making room in her heart for Arlan, Jya, Nima, Atuarre, Jaim, Aston, Kaden, even the Captain and the Lieutenant and of course...Takeshi. "I get that it was time to start moving on, but you definatly picked a winner this time." He said dryly. "You're so afraid to be hurt again yet you decide to start a friendship, and a physical relationship with a Mandalorian."

"Stop...I don't want to hear this from you..."

"No Layla, you can pain him in whatever pretty colors you desire." He grabbed her shoulders, making her look at him. "Tell yourself that they helped in the Nagai-Tof invasion, stretch it to make it sound like they did it for Zeltros and forget their longer history." His eyes bore into hers, his deep voice rising in frustration. "But deep down you see him for what he is...a Skirata, a Mandalorian mercenary born and bred to hunt and to kill. An assassin of the most imaginative caliber." She looked to Tak's form, wide-eyed over Deign's shoulder. He was wearing his armor, minus the helmet, his face the focussed and calm mask he wore on missions. As she watched, he levelled his blaster at her. "One day you'll just be another notch in his armor..."

Deign drew his own blaster, levelling it on her as his face began to morph into Tak's. "Or maybe...history will repeat itself."

A shot rang out, and Layla screamed.

---

And unfortunatly she really screamed. She came bolt-upright in bed, gripping the sheets in her fists, a thin sheen of sweat covering her body. She panted as she tried to get herself under control, and noticed Jya staring at her with concern from where she sat on the room's other bed.

Echuta....

[Vergere 1]

Brier jerked as she heard what she thought was a scream. She stood up quickly and with a hand on her blaster, walked into the room where Layla was. Her voice soft, "Miss Nasrin?" Brier scanned the room to make sure everything else was normal, before returning her attention to Layla.

Edited September 7, 2007 by Vergere

[Rogue 4]

Layla didn't seem to notice her as she tried to calm herself. One hand now gripped her chest, where she knew the blasters had been aimed. It was a dream... she told herself. But damn it felt so real...

Edited September 7, 2007 by Rogue

[Vergere 1]

Her voice was gentle as she reholstered her blaster, "Miss Nasrin? Are you okay?"

[Drake 53]

Tak looked up from the map and down the hall to the source of the scream. He knew that it was Layla and everything in him wanted to go to her to find out what was wrong. He wished he could go comfort her however he could but he also knew that it would be inappropriate in front of his team. He was a Lieutenant now and any sign of affection to ranks beneath his would be viewed as taboo. Right now, he had to put the mission first, no matter how much he wanted otherwise.

He gave a small sigh of relief when Brier Fae got up to check for him. He would have to find a time to speak with Layla alone.

[Rogue 4]

"Sorry, I didn't mean to..." Layla muttered to Captain Fae. "I'm fine, I'm not wounded or anything..."

[Ender 8]

Jaim ducked his head through the door. "Everyone okay in here?"

He took one look at Layla's face.

"Guess not. What happened?"

[Vergere 1]

She hesitantly sat on the very edge of the bed. Her voice very soft and gentle, and is honestly is worried. "Shh shh shh.... There's nothing to apologize for. Was it a nightmare?"

[Rogue 4]

I must be acting like a child...because I do that same thing to Ayana when she's upset...

Layla sighed, looking from Brier to Jaim. "I'm fine, really...It was just a bad dream. Kind of...caught me offguard."

I haven't had a dream like that in months....

[Vergere 1]

She smiled faintly, "Nightmares always do." She stood up again, feeling she's made Layla uncomfortable. She nodded, "Good luck getting some more sleep." She turned and walked back out of the room to let Layla go back to sleep, hopefully. Walking back into the suite room, she sat back into her chair and sighed. At some questioning looks, "Nightmare."

Edited September 7, 2007 by Vergere

[Ayingel 24]

"That sounded like more than a nightmare. You sure she's fine?"

[Ender 8]

Jaim walked into the room after Brier. "Looks like she's seen a ghost, but otherwise seems okay."

[Vergere 1]

"What he said." She shrugged. "I'm not going to pry into her affairs, or her nightmares. I can only hope if she's not fine, she'll talk to someone who's closer to her."

[Ayingel 24]

Szen looked around the room.

"I hope so."