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[Layha Solo]

The Palace seemed cold and dark. The halls that had once been so alive and bustling were now quiet and almost eerie. Layha made her way towards the Throne Room, two guards followed in close quarters. Her footsteps rung like a bell through the dark and eerie hall. Upon approaching the massive doors that lead to the Throne Room, Layha gave the guards a signal to stop and guard the doors. She alone entered the room and was greeted by only silence.

The Throne Room was rather large. Towards the west wall was a throne that symbolized her reign. It was made out of stone imported from the palace of old. The throne was supposed to be a reminder of what a ruler should be to its people. Layha paid no attention to the stone throne and walked over to the east side of the room. The side where the wall was windows that reached from floor to ceiling. She stood and gazed out over the capital planet known as Coruscant.

Five years... A total of 9 years since Jim had left on his so called crusade. Seven years since the Outer Rim Wars had begun. Six and a half years since her divorce to Kyle Katarn. Six years since the girls had gone missing and five years since she had become the Dark Master.

She ran her hand through her short locks and perused her lips. In the last five years she has completely taken over the IR. She had demolished the Senate and pulled the job of Supreme Chancellor. There was no longer a second Executor and no High Council. All that remained was the core of the Throne. Layha had put limitations on the Throne. It now consisted of the MoD Grand Admiral Overmind and Executor.

Over the last few years she had ordered a mass hunt down and slaughtered any opposing forces to the IR and her rule. In her defense she publicized her concern for the people and her right to see that the "bad guys" were forced to pay for there crimes. The Fringe were the first to be demolished. And to her ever lasting happiness, the DCC were all hunted down like prey and killed. Only Krayt remained, but nothing had been heard from him in years. Rebellions started by the Senate had been hushed and the people who were responsible were taken out.

A door opened and closed with a hiss. Layha said nothing as foot steps approached.

"I do hope you have some useful information to report this time." she didn't have to turn to know th officer feared for his life. She could feel it, almost taste it and it made her smile.

"Yes your Majesty. I was given an update on the Outer Rim Wars." Layha turned the smile gone.

"And?"

"The Grand Admiral has sent you a personal message. It is to be viewed by you alone." Layha nodded and grabbed the datapad he held out. "What else?"

"The Hapan's have not requested any sort of peace talk. In fact there has been no movement from within the Cluster that we can tell." Layha almost smiled. 30 years later and finally her Aunt had tried to steal her seat of power. Layha had reacted like some one squashing a bug. She had ordered a blockade around the Cluster. For six months nothing had gone in or out of Hapes as far as she knew. "The witch is more resourceful than I gave her credit. She must have some sort of leak. Report to the Captain. Tell her to find that leak and cork it." The Officer nodded. "One last thing, a message from an old friend." He handed her a holo-recorder. Layha took it and gave him a short nod. "That will be all for now. You may leave." he nodded, bowed and scurried from the room. Layha looked down at the recorder and her body began to tremble. She thumbed it on and an image appeared in the palm of her hand. Revan Centurion was in his usual attire of all black. Only his eyes stood out for they were a brilliant green. Layha felt as if those eyes where starring into her very soul.

"Layha," his voice made her shiver and reflexes took over. Layha turned and hurled the recorder at the nearest pillar. The small device hit the pillar and smashed into peaces. Anger rose inside her turning her body warm. She breathed in shallow breathes and fumed. She turned to the shattered recorder and felt both guilt and hatred. She hated the man for doing what he had done. *But that is in the past Layha. What is done it done. He isn't apart of your life anymore. He is dead to you.* She turned from the shattered recorder and turned to the stone throne. Within a few strides she was seated on the Throne of power. In her hand was the report from Overmind. She quickly listened to his updates and familiarized herself with the latest strategies the Grand Admiral had planned. Another hiss of doors opening, Layha didn't look up from the pad as the person approached. "What is it now my brother."

"Layha this is ridiculous. I am pleading with you to call off the blockade. Hapes will die without its economic flow. People are sick and starving." Layha dragged her eyes from the datapad to rest on her brothers fair face. "It is not my fault Auntie Caralon is a fool. She needs to understand I am the ruler."

"Hapes is a consortium Layha. We are not part of your Republic!"

"This has nothing to do with politics Mikael. This has to do with family. Caralon stabbed me in the back at my weakest moment. IR or not, family does not stab family in the back. I am doing what I must. Besides its been six months and I have not heard of peace talks. Anyway any sane ruler would have requested for a meeting, Caralon has not, which tells me Hapes isn't has bad off as you may think."

Mikael shook his head. "Layha its our home since we were kids. Surely you would want to preserve that."

"What would you have me do? Allow Caralon to think she can go unpunished?" She shook her head and gave a small laugh. "I think not. She will pay and the price will be heavier than she could ever imagine."

Mikael rolled his eyes. Only he dared question Layha's motives. "Do me a favor and think this through before you regret doing something."

With that he turned and left her alone with her thoughts. She smiled, Mikael had always been her voice of reasoning.

[Khyron Overmind]

(OOC: I just read the post, but will not have time to post just yet. Working on the story behind the Wars)

What follows is the draft of the plot for the Outer Rim Wars.


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

The Imperial Republic found itself in a very difficult position a while after High Prince Stratus left Coruscant on his personal quest. The IR was in the good hands of the Empress and her Ministers. However, the shadow of darkness that arrived, was something no one could have foreseen.

It started as raids on convoys, leading everybody to think that pirate groups and smugglers were behind the attacks. Several patrols were sent to the Outer Rim in order to detect and destroy these attackers, but the results were discouraging. No one was found, and yet the attacks continued.

When the high officials of the IR were celebrating the MoD Gala, the Minister of Defense, Fleet Admiral OVERMIND was informed that some progress had been made. The hyperdrive signatures of the attacking ships matched those of Imperial class Star Destroyers. He reported it to the Throne and soon increased the patrolling in the Outer Rim. It was not conceivable to see Star Destroyers attacking convoys since all Imperial era Star Destroyers had been accounted for. The readings were partial, so it was impossible to match them to the existing database in order to pinpoint the exact origin of the ships.

Almost a year passed with no real progress. The attacks continued, but they were less and less often, which stopped the Military for making any progress. Until, one day, their luck finally kicked in. They got a full reading. However, when the investigators ran the information and compared it to the database they had, they were startled. The reading they found was a perfect match to the flagship of an Imperial Admiral, Bel Jones. The problem was that he and his ship were reported lost in action several decades ago, even before the collapse of the old Empire. Besides that ship, two others were identified, also as part of Jones's Fleet.

No answers are found as to how the ship and his dreaded commander are still around, until Admiral OVERMIND is able to reconstruct the whole story based on his personal knowledge and several stories that he had heard when he was a middle officer in the Imperial Navy. Admiral Bel Jones was an excellent officer when he was lost in action. However, there were several rumors about that time that his death had been a cover up operation and that he had taken a large number of ships in order to lauch a secret attack on the rebels, which were starting to get strenght in the old Empire. As he was never heard of again, everybody assumed that he had died indeed and the rumors ended.

When Admiral OVERMIND heard about this news, he consulted the database and realized that 200 ISDs had been lost about the time Admiral Jones disappeared. If three ships had reappeared after so many decades, the chances that the rest of them would appear increased substantially. As a result, the Minister of Defense proposed the Throne to launch a special mission in order to detect the spearhead and stop a possible invasion.


(OOC 3: Layha, I will continue later)

[Layha Solo]

Layha moved out onto the platform her guards at her back. Night had settled in and Coruscant began to light up. About 15 yards in front of her a ship had landed. She knew the marking and could recite them in her sleep. The "Take That"hissed as its engines went into idle. A moment later the ramp lowered and the first off was Andur. Layha took a step closer, but stopped and held her ground. The wind kicked up causing her midnight blue cloak to billow around her body. Andur caught sight of her a moment later and a rather large smile creased his face. Within a few steps he was in his mothers arms. "Andur," her voice was soft and warm. The young man hugged his mother tightly and sighed. "Mother, its been some time. I've missed you." Layha placed both of her hands on each side of his face. "I've missed you to. I am glad you are ok. I worried about your safety every day. It brings my heart happiness to see you standing here now." she smiled and her eye caught a flash of dark red. She looked over to see Phoenix and trailing behind her Kiegan. The brown haired boy caught side of his mother and ran to her. Layha lowered herself and wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a hug. "Kiegan look at you! Your are such a handsome boy!" Kiegan blushed and kissed Layha on the cheek. "He wouldn't stop talking about you on the flight over." Layha stood and faced Phoenix. She was a young woman now with hair that reached the middle of her back. Her orange colored eyes were bright in the night and all Layha could do was smile. She pulled the girl to her and kissed her forehead. "Nixy," The wind blew again and Kiegan shivered. "Andur Phoenix, go on inside, I would like a word with your father. I'll be along shorty." the children nodded and the Layha signaled the guards to follow her children. Once they were safetly inside Layha made her way to the ship. Kyle stood at the end of the ramp. He gave her a short nod as she approached.

"They are really happy to see you." Layha nodded and looked back over her shoulder to the entrance the children had disappeared in. "I know, I've missed them."

"Its been two years you know. Phoenix really needed you Layha."
"Kyle you know as well as I do that I could not put their lives at risk. Phoenix may have needed me from time to time, but my concern was not for a small wanting, but for her life. I think I did a pretty damn good job at doing that. I put them where I knew they would be safe from any harm."

"Wow almost sounded like you were giving me some credit there."

Layha's eyes snapped at him. "Don't push your luck or you'll find yourself sleeping in a bed of mad gundarks."

Kyle almost laughed. "Some how I don't doubt that. Well I best be going. I promised Kistrel I would help her out on Nar Shaddaa. Call when you want me to pick up the kids."

Layha nodded took a few steps back and watched as Kyle shut the ramp and fired up the ships engines. Layha pulled her cloak closer to her body as the ship took off leaving her in its wake. She waited until the "Take That" was nothing more than a blur in the sky before she turned and headed inside. Two guards were there to greet her and took up positions behind her as usual.

Moments later she reached the quarters level of the palace and soon her own Quarters. Layha waved at the guards to stand outside, her handmaiden greeted her at the door.

"Nadia, hold all messages tonight. I want to spend time with my children, everything else can wait till morning."

The handmaiden nodded, took her cloak and scurried from the room.

[Layha Solo]

Two days later Layha found herself in her office in a very heated discussion with her advisor's. These were men and woman who she hand selected to be her ears and eyes all over the Galaxy. The situation at hand was not making Layha happy and in fact making her more angry the more they talked about it.

"Look your Majesty, Prime Minister Sheram is just not cutting it. Bottom line is he is weak and in my opinion causing more problems for us then solving them. I suggest this be taken care of immediately." Layha looked to the three others who sat in front of her.

"And you all are in agreement?" The other three nodded. Layha sighed and nodded. "Fine, Sheram will be taken care of," she paused for a moment. "By me personally. I will travel to Melida/Daan tonight." As she spoke she hit a button on her desk alerting Rhowen to report to her immediately. "Meanwhile you all will be brain storming who will be his successor. I want an answer in two days." she waved a hand. "Now get out. I will wait to hear from you all with your answer." They all nodded, bowed and left Layha to her own pounding head. She rubbed her temples and used the Force to calm her raging head. A door from behind her opened,

"You beeped?" Layha turned to see Rhowen. The woman was dressed head to toe in a dark crimson Corellian outfit. A cloak was thrown over her shoulders, showing off her tanned flesh. Layha nodded. "We leave tonight for Melida/Daan. I have some... unpleasant business to attend to."

Rhowen's brown eyes narrowed before she nodded. "I hope you don't plan on killing Sheram Layha."

Layha shrugged. "If its what most be done, then it must be done." she waved Rhowen away. "Let me know when we can leave." Rhowen bowed her head and left without another word. Layha rose and headed out of her office. She gave the secretary a quick run down of what was expected from her while she was away. Coleana had once served as Layha's body guard and knew Layha almost better than she knew herself. "Empress," Layha stopped and turned back to Coleana. "Layha please, be careful." Layha stressed a smile and nodded, then turned and left the offices in Coleana's care.

Her quarters where quiet when she arrived. Only Phoenix remained. "Where are your brothers?"
Phoenix turned to her mother. "Andur took Kiegan to that new Holo FunWorld Park. Don't worry Summer went with them and so did a squadron of Body guards and those creepy Shadow things." Layha smiled as she realized Phoenix meant the Noghri. "When are they due back?" Phoenix shrugged. "Few days I think. I didn't want to go because I figured it would be nice of Kiegan and Andur had some boy time." Layha nodded half hearing Phoenix. "Hey I have to leave for a few days on business," she noticed Phoenix's eyes fell as she nodded. An idea came to her. "But I was wondering since Kiegan and Adnur are gone, why don't you come with me? I mean it wont be crazy fun, but I don't think you've ever been to Melida/Daan. It will be a good experience for you." Phoenix's orange eyes grew and brightened. "Ok, I would love to. When do we leave?"

"When you are ready. I have a wardrobe already on the ship. So gather a few outfits and personal affects and we'll head out."

[Layha Solo]

One Day Later

Her ship touched down on the surface of Melida/Daan and Layha wasted no time in exiting the ship. Two Royal Guards flanked her and behind them came Rhowen and her right hand man who had a hand on Phoenix's shoulder. Layha was greeted by the Senate's lower council men Devaan. "Your Majesty, we did not expect you or I would have arranged a better entourage to greet you."

Layha waved her hand to silence him. "Devaan I am not here to play Royal games. Tell your Prime Minister I am here and expect him in his offices now."

"But my lady he is in a meeting with the other,"

Layha turned on Devaan, her eyes a blazed. "I just gave you an order. I suggest you carry it out." Devaan bowed his head and moved out of the hangar. Layha turned to her right where Phoenix stood with Captain Quinn. "Honey, why don't you take the afternoon and go have some fun. Captain Quinn here will be your escort just in case. The afternoon for me is going to be quite boring, but I know Melida/Daan is a great place for youngsters." Phoenix simply nodded her head and moved out of the hangar with Quinn. Layha whispered to the shadows. "Follow her, make sure no harms comes her way." A slight movement in the force told her that her Noghri had moved out. She turned back to Rhowen, "Lets get this done and over with."


Prime Minister Sheram was a over height man who dressed as if he had just stepped out of a comic book. He wasn't happy to see Layha as she pushed her way into his office. "Your Majesty,"

"Sheram." she said with a icy tone. She gave a short signal for her guards to wait outside. Rhowen took up her position on the inside of the door. "And what brings you to my humble planet?" he asked in a raspy voice.

"You do, Sheram. Seems the goals I have set for you haven't been met since I placed you in office."

He scoffed. "You Majesty I beg to differ. My censes are high and I have been working on..."

"Don't lie to me Sheram." Layha's voice grew colder and darker. "Do not play me as a fool." Rhowen had walked up behind Layha and had given her a black box. Layha took the box and threw it on the desk in front of Sheram. "There is my evidence that you haven't done a damn thing. Do not under estimate me Sheram. Your reports have been bluff and your politics reek of disloyalty."

Sheram sat starring at the black box. "Your majesty this can't,"

"Shut up Sheram. My mercy runs thin these days. I gave you a seat of power and this is how you repay me? Partnering up with my very enemies?" Layha shook her head. "Tsk tsk."

"Your Majesty listen to me please. There has been a rumor about my loyalty, but look at me, I have nothing to gain by betraying you. You have given me everything, I wouldn't do something like that. I swear Your Majesty I swear." the man looked as if he was about to break down and cry. "Oh for gods sake Sheram, don't plead with me. I gave your specific instructions and you have not met any of them. I am excepting your resignation. You will give a speech in the morning to the Senate house explaining your abrupt resignation." she tossed a file over to him. "This is what you will say. Do not deviate from the speech or I will take you out myself. Do you understand me?"

Sheram simply nodded. Her guards entered in the office at that moment. "My guards will see you to you quarters, do not attempt to leave them. My guards have orders to kill you if you do not obey them." Sheram stood from his seat as the guards stepped forward. "Consider yourself lucky Sheram, I am going easy on you." He said nothing as the guards escorted him out of the room. Layha turned and propped herself up on the desk. Rhowen waited for the door to close before speaking. "You were planning to kill him weren't you?" Layha shrugged. "He didn't really give me a reason to keep him alive. Second he didn't put much of a fight up which bugs me. Rhowen if I accused you of treason what would be your reaction?"

"I would have definitely fought back. But just because I would have doesn't mean some others wouldn't have."

"All I am saying Rhowen is if he is so innocent why didn't he fight back. No matter, the story has yet to unfold." she stood and made her way towards the door. "Contact Quinn, see where he and my daughter are at. I don't trust any one on this planet."

[Layha Solo]

The next day

Layha watched as the Senate house filled with politicians and people of from the public. Phoenix stood next to her and not far behind them were Rhowen, Quinn and her Royal Guards. Sheram was there, looking as nervous as ever. Layha smiled coldly at the man, she had never really liked Sheram, but she figured he was a dumb enough man to not cross her. Her mistake, she nodded as the lecture opened. Sheram nodded and stepped forward to deliver the speech Layha had prepared for him.

During his speech, Layha's comm buzzed. It was from the Captain over seeing the Blockade on Hapes. She gave Rhowen a signal to watch Sheram before she stepped back into the shadows. Phoenix gave her a worried look and Layha rewarded it with a warm smile. Phoenix nodded and returned her attention to Sheram.

"What is it Captain?"

"Your Majesty we just established a communication link with a Lord Revan Centurion. He is requesting permission to enter the Cluster. We have him currently on stand by."

At the sound of his name, Layha bristled. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out why Revan wanted assess to Hapes. Son of a B...she shook her head and smiled. He seemed to always be playing games. She had figured that giving him some responsibility would settled him down. But then again it was Revan she was talking about. The man never rested and didn't know how to keep his nose clean. "Let him through. Its a game he is playing, so lets play Captain. When he leaves the Cluster board his vessel as I have ordered. Let him know its a routine check. If he refuses, don't hesitate to destroy his ship."

[Layha Solo]

Layha clicked off the comm link and retook up her position next to the stage. Phoenix gave her a tight smile and Layha simply nodded. Sheram finished up his speech and began to move off the stage, Layha took this as a public appearance opportunity and met Sheram on stage. She gave him a large smile and called the floating mics to her. “Ladies and Gentlemen of Melida/Daan, I want to stress my deepest sympathy for Prime Minister Sheram. It is unfortunate this event has occurred and that the Prime Minister has elected to step down. I promise you I will do everything in my power to make sure you are all well represented by your new Prime Minister.” The crowd applauded and Layha shook Sherams hand.

She felt the movement of the assassin before he even aimed. For a split second Layha thought of pulling Sheram closer to her and letting him take the blow. Instead she pushed him away from her as hard as she could. He stumbled backwards and awkwardly fell on his butt. Layha stepped back as the shot rang out in the Hall. What seemed like several minutes, but was only a matter of seconds, Layha felt strong arms encircle her lower torso as one of her guards pulled her from the stage. While she was being pulled off stage she turned her gaze to the crowd and spotted the assassin, he was beautiful… almost too beautiful for a male. Every thing erupted at once and the Hall was filled with chaos. “Get him! The assassin was wearing a brown cloak blue eyes red hair. Find him before he escapes. Lock down every exit you can.” She barked at the guards and security. They didn’t need to be told twice. Phoenix… she frantically looked for her daughter. “Rhowen where is my daughter?”

“Don’t worry Quinn pulled her off stage and rushed her out back. Her personal shield was activated she is fine. Come we need to get you out of here.” Layha nodded, but before going she turned back to the stage where Sheram still sat in a daze. “Get Sheram and lock him up. Something isn’t right I can feel it.” Rhowen nodded and barked out orders to the remaining security. They did as they were told and Sheram was hustled off stage.

[Layha Solo]

Layha had been pacing the floor of the Prime Ministers office for some time when Rhowen finally found her.

“The man was caught. Senate Security is currently holding him in a meeting room in the South Hall." Layha nodded “Take me to him.”

Layha arrived minutes later. Senate Security greeted her at the door. “We found him trying to escape out the back way of the Hall Your Majesty. He refused to talk, so we took DNA to acquire his background.” He handed her a small recorder. “He’s name is Gawien, birth planet, Anaxes, and his age is 25 standard years. He has no criminal background, and has never been employed by anyone.”

Layha took the recorder. “Thank you for your good work. I will interrogate the assassin myself. Your job now is to make sure no one was hurt in the chaos. My Guards will guard the Prime Minister and this door. Do you understand?”

The man nodded. “Yes Empress.” He signaled to his men. “You heard her, let’s move out!”

Layha tossed the recorder to Rhowen and pushed open the door. She had been right. The man sitting in front of her was extremely beautiful. Not only that but he had a fresh look about him… a mere child’s look. He made eye contact for a brief moment before returning his gaze to the table top in front of him.

"Gawien, is that your real name or some made up name?” he said nothing and clinched his jaw. Layha folded her arms.. not impressed with his silence or will to be manly. “You seem like the type of kid who would hack into the records system, change his name, age and birth place. I can tell you now, you aren’t 25, you name is not Gawien, and Anaxes is not your home world. You are still a child of about 17 or 18. Your Hapan decent and from the Cluster. So why were you sent here to kill Sheram?” Her voice had grown louder with each word. The boy still didn’t speak, but she knew she had his attention. Layha drew in a deep breath trying to control her anger that kept fighting to escape. “If Caralon sent you and I find out, I will rip you into so many pieces that even a Coruscant Orgre wont be able to find your flesh.” She hissed the last sentence. “Now I am being very fair with you right now. I suggest you wise up and give me what I want,” she paused. “That is if you value your life at all.”

His eyes betrayed him and a moment later he shifted uncomfortable in his seat. Layha leaned forward putting her hands on the desk. “You have less than ten seconds to start talking.”

Still he said nothing. Layha gritted her teeth and raised a hand. The kid flew out from the chair and connected hard with the wall behind him. “Now you’ve really pissed me off.” With the same hand she used to propel the kid from the chair, she grabbed his wind pipe with the Force and applied pressure. His hands immediately went to his throat. Layha shook her head.
“All you had to do was talk. Instead you thought you could be a hard ass. Males these days. You just never learn.” His face started to turn red and he tried to gurgle out words. Layha cupped her ear with her free hand. “What’s that? I am sorry I can’t hear you.”

He strained to gurgle again, Layha sighed. She released him and let him free fall to the ground. She couldn’t see him from behind the table, but she could hear him gasping for air. She waited a moment before using her powers to jerk the kid to his feet.

“I think I’ve made myself quite clear. Now start talking.” He nodded and reached out for support, instead he found his over turned chair. “Prime Minister Sheram… he isn’t who you think he is.”

Layha’s eyebrows arched. “Oh?”

The kid shook his head and righted his chair. He took a seat and rubbed his throat. “Look, ok I am Hapan or so people tell me. But I wasn’t born there. I was kidnapped when I was a kid and I’ve lost all recollection of who I use to be. I was sold into slavery and forced to work on a Pirates ship my entire life. At the age of enlightenment as they call it, the slaves who are deemed worthy get to train to become Pirates to replace the dying ones or the dead ones. Anyway this is my first mission. I was given orders to kill Sheram.”

Layha took a seat on the table’s edge. “Why?”

* * *

[Layha Solo]

Sheram was jerked awake from his nap by the Empress's Guards. "The Empress request your presence in your old office." Sheram grumbled as he straightened his clothes and hair. Minutes later he was being escorted down a hall he knew all to well. His office doors opened and he was hustled inside. The Empress sat at the large desk, her feet propped up and her hands folded on her belly. Her eyes did not find Sheram's gaze as her Guard's jostled him in and sat him down. "Your Majesty." The Guards bowed to her. Layha looked up and nodded.

"You may leave, guard the hall." she ordered. The Guards bowed again before making their exit. She sat a moment longer in complete silence. She could feel Sheram's uneasiness. She would have smiled inwardly if she hadn't been so pissed.

"Your would be assassin was caught and is being processed." Sheram's eyes grew larger

"D..did you get any information out of him?"

Layha nodded slowly. "Yes. Yes I did." she moved to sit upright in the chair. "He had some very interesting information actually." Sheram bobbed his head. "Well good. Good I hope it was useful. Did you find out who was behind the attack? I mean should I be worried when I leave office?" Layha said nothing, but locked eyes with Sheram. He was nervous, she could smell his fear, hear his heart pounding, feel the adrenaline pumping through every fiber of his being, and she could see the beads of sweat collecting at his hair lines.

"Sheram, I had you pulled in here because after interrogating the assassin," she paused and gave a sideways smile. "I realized that even though I gave you every chance to be honest with me, you still lied to me and you continue to lie to me."

Sheram sat up in he seat. "Thats in possible. I told you..."

"You told me nothing, but made up excuses." Sheram gritted his teeth and his eyes hardened. Layha shook her head, *Brave soul. What a fool* Sheram said nothing.

"You know how I know this? When your final reports came in something didn't quite add up."

Sheram opened his mouth to protest, but Layha waved him quiet. "You see I thought you were a honest man with integrity." She pushed a file folder acrossed the desk toward Sheram. "But those reports tell me differently."

Sheram grabbed the folder and roughly shifted through the paper work. He shook his head. "They are solid reports. The Senate approves of them before they are filed. You are making false accusations against me!" He threw the files back up in the desk, his face red with anger or fear; Layha couldn't figure it out. *Oh he is good* Layha nodded and took the folder back.

"This is your last chance Sheram. Talk to me."

"I have nothing to say to you. All the evidence you need is right in front of you. From them draw any conclusions you desire." His nose flared and Layha signaled to Rhowen. The woman approached with a small video screen. Layha activated and spun it around so that Sheram saw the front.

"Look familiar to you? It should. Its your house in the suburbs were your wife O'Donna lives with your two children Janyce and Drake." Layha sat back in her seat. "They were very welcoming when I sent my Guards to the house. I guess with the assassination on every holo net news channel, they figured extra protection would be wise. They are such nice people. I would hate to see anything bad happen to them, because of you."

Sherams eyes narrowed. "You wouldn't dare."

Layha also narrowed her eyes and her voice deepened. "Try me. Unfortunately for O'Donna and the kiddies, my Guard's aren't there to protect them, they are there to make sure they don't try and escape. On my orders my Guards will strike and wipe out your entire family, unless you start talking."

"Your Majesty please..." Sheram said reverting to pleading. Layha rose from her chair.

"My patience grows thin with each passing moment Sheram!! You have two options; talk and they live or not talk and they die. What will it be?!"

Sheram hesitated.
"I am growing tired of waiting! This is it Sheram."

"Fine fine," He placed his head in his hands. "I was told I needed to place a percentage of the funds in a separate account. It was suppose to be used for emergencies. You know in case of a crisis or something." Layha walked around the desk.

"Your lying!"

Sheram shook his head. "No I swear! Thats why the reports where off a few percentages. I had to, the Senate..."

"Sheram I have been overly extending to you..."

And then Layha heard something that she did not expect. Sheram began to laugh. First it sounded like he was crying, but the longer he laughed the louder it got.

"You call yourself all powerful, Empress of the Imperial Republic. HAHAHA a system that has no right calling itself a Republic. You took away are ability to voice an opinion, you destroyed what the people called hope, and this is how you repay us? You are a pathetic attempt at a Ruler!" By this time he had stood to full height. "You deserve to rot in hell!" and then he lunged at her. Layha was off balanced and had been so confused by the laughter that she was momentarily caught off guard. The man plowed into her and knocked her to her to the floor. In less then a few seconds he was being pulled off her by her guards and zapped with a blaster. Layha tried to sit up, but a sharp pain forced her to lay back down. With her hand she reached towards her side and pulled out a small blade. Rhowen was at her side grabbing her hand and examining the wound. "It isn't deep. We'll get you patched up in a sec ok."

Layha nodded. "I didn't see that one coming." Rhowen shook her head. "Reality check Layha... your human."

Layha sighed and closed her eyes... How did her life get so complicated?