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Once they were away, Miriam unbuckled her strap as she then eyed her brothers who both scanned their unfamiliar surroundings. Computer consoles, storage racks, seats, crates stacked and magnacoupled to the floor as well as cabinets all in various shades of grey metal or plastisteel gave the room a drab feeling.

"Why would grandma send us away," Jabin asked as he eyed her. "You were with her all day, did she say anything?"

"No." Miriam shook her head. "Nothing. I'm as shocked as you are. But, we have to make the best of it."

"How long do you think we'll be gone," Izir asked as he wrestled with the buckle.

Miriam had no real answer to that question. She was beginning to think their escape was planned for some time. Soon, Gilan emerged from the gunwell and sat at the diagnostics station.

"How is everyone doing," he queried.

"Fine," Miriam quietly informed, grinning away her concern. "Where are we headed now?"

"Talogi Station. We're to meet some friends of Master Celanon's there and they'll take us on to his school. I've been told that it's well hidden in Wild Space and we should be safe there."

"Running is for cowards," Izir stated angrily, still yanking on the metal lock which Jabin quietly reached over and tapped, loosening the belt and freeing his brother. "Grandfather said so."

Gilan smiled, "I would agree in most cases, my lord. But, right now, their plans for your future don't include fighting."

* * *

After seven cramped days, the freighter emerged from hyperspace within the nearly empty sector of space that had become the crossroads for the Outer Rim and Wild Space. Freighters, container ships and patrol vessels of all shapes and sizes arrived and departed from the space station. It's thick rounded shape was quartered and circled a tall, large spire ending in a ball at one end and control tower on the other. Lighted hangars became beacons to it's visitors as the lone vessel blended with all the others to it's designated landing area. Setting down, the sleek, bullet-shaped ship shared its berthing with four others of various designs.

Inside, Miriam gathered her things as Tia followed her to the boy's room. "Let's go," she directed as they filed out with her and headed to the rampway where Gilan stood with four humans, one in a dark blue, pressed uniform. His short brown hair and dark eyes made her nervous as he studied their identification cards that she didn't even know they possessed.

"Alright. Just you and the kids, then," he asked.

"Yes, sir."

"How long's the ship staying in port?" He asked, handing the small, thin visas back.

"Only an hour. Just long enough to refuel," Gilan informed, replacing the cards into his jacket pocket and Miriam noticed that their lightsaber's were hidden also.

"Just heed the laws here and we'll not have any problems. Have a nice day," the official stated unemotionally, then turned and walked back down the lowered ramp.

Gilan turned to them as Miriam walked up with her small entourage to notice Colman and Arras also with him. "Ready?"

She nodded, then followed him down the ramp into the cooler air echoing with plasma welders, whirring engines from droids as they sped by on various tasks, announcements from the intercom within the distant concourse and laboring motors within the walls and high above. Turning left, she noticed the immense layered hangars opposite them across the empty space occasionally filled with a ship flying by. Staying close to her escort, he then turned and motioned with his cloak.

"Pull your hoods up," he instructed, then did the same, covering his own white hair. Once done, they walked into the large hallway that was full of aliens and humans of all shapes and sizes, smelling of odors that assaulted her nose and immediately made her wish for the tranquil forest back home.

* * *

High above, within the central well, Conor's cold brown eyes scanned the mass of individuals as they crossed below, heading to various destinations as some headed over the various bridges that joined the central spire with the outer shops, restaurants and hotels with the inner banks and security offices. Gloved hands over the railing held the small holoprojector that he had stored the images in of his quarry which he had studied for most of the day. All he needed to do now was find them.
Bounty hunting had become a joy, the adrenaline rush gave him life once his term with the army on Jedda had been completed. Now he could make his own money and enjoy the fruits of his labors.

Suddenly, he noticed a group of individuals hurriedly walking through the crowd below and four of them were about the right height. He quickly moved to the turbolift and hit the button. This was too easy, he thought as it opened to allow several police to exit and allow him inside. Hitting the button for the twenty-third floor, he tapped it again in anticipation. Finally, the door closed and descended.

* * *

Miriam kept close on Gilan's heels as he parted the sea of individuals which she noticed from underneath the hood, some of whom were more horrid than her worst nightmares had ever been. Adrenaline rushed and she then remembered her grandmother's words. 'Calm yourself and the Force will guide and protect you.' Trying to fight her fears, she hoped that their awaiting ship wasn't much farther.
Turning, she noticed that Colman and Arras kept both of her brothers corralled as Izir gazed back and into the face of a horrible, hairy beast which towered over even the acolytes. She swore she saw the animal smiling at him in return.

She grabbed his hand, prompting him to turn around. "Leave it alone."

"Can you imagine his head over the mantle back home," Izir stated enthusiastically.

"We're not here for trophies, keep up."

He shot her a contemptuous glance in return as they finally rounded an open hangar door and saw several freighters parked within. Her heart calmed at the sight and hoped Gilan wasn't lost. As he led her and Tia to the rightmost, she noticed the older human man who stepped down on the rampway. His tall, lean frame ducked underneath the squared escape pod that jutted from the octagonal hallway above. A dark brown jacket hung to mid-thigh and nearly concealed his blaster pistol which she noted was hanging more underneath his armpit.

"Gilan," the pilot asked, olive toned cheeks grinned, then sank as he looked over their shoulders.

"Yes. You're Calldir?"

"I am, get in the ship," he drew his pistol and aimed beyond them. As he fired, Gilan grabbed Miriam's hand and dragged her aboard as Tia ran up behind. Around the computer core, he guided her to the galley and motioned to the rounded couch.

"Strap yourselves in," he commanded, then drew his lightsaber and headed back to the rampway. As shots continued to echo within the hangar below, Miriam frantically buckled her straps as Tia followed suit.

"Erinne, get us out of here!" Calldir yelled as he and Gilan flew back up the ramp. Miriam ducked below the couch as the main entry rolled down and closed while the sudden burst of engines came to life and the whine intensified as they lifted off. Suddenly, Miriam realized that several of their party were missing. Hitting her buckle, she jumped out of the seat as the movement of the ship shifted her to slide and hit the floor.

"My lady," Tia yelled as Miriam felt the bulkhead hit...

* * *

Groggily, she came to as her eyes soon focused on the single, red light on a small panel in the darkness. She lay on a comfortable bed as her headache soon slipped away. "Tia," she called quietly and soon heard movement above. Dropping down to then kneel beside her, she could sense her friend nearby.

"Are you alright, milady." Tia's calm voice asked.

"I'm fine. Where is Jabin and Izir?"

Silence made her nervous with each passing moment and she felt her emotions well. "What happened?"

"Gilan said that Colman and Arras will take care of them but, we had to leave before the authorities showed up. I'm sorry," she sighed.

Miriam felt her tears stream uncontrollably as her hands went to her face and buried it as she rolled to her left and Tia hugged her as she cried.