As always, thank you for all your support. Joshua removed his helmet, then his gloves. As he climbed out of his X-Wing, he tossed them on the seat. Jumping to the permacrete, he immediately found himself being knocked off his feet by Peenk Montal. He smiled as he stared up at her. While his eyes were on her, she, on the other hand, was eyeing his ship, Lady Sasha. "You want to get your hands on her very badly, don't you?" He asked. "From the moment they gave it to you," She said with a brilliant grin. "I want to take her apart, and put her back together again. I want to find ways to make her better." "I knew it. I can see the lust in your eyes." "That T-65 is not the only thing I'm lusting after!" Peenk said as she tapped the tip of his nose with a finger. "I've been lusting for your short ass since the day you left. Which reminds me, what took so long? You should have been back two weeks ago." "It's because of the damage done by Dr Matthews and his associates. It was so extensive that we had to build a whole new impulse drive for Moscow," Joshua cocked an eyebrow as he smiled mischeviously. "Now about you lusting after me." "It'll have to wait till tonight, we have company," She said as she jumped to her feet and tried to pull him up as well. "Ateia and Nani?" "No. Nani is hanging out with Mala at my mother's. And Ateia is meeting with Skywalker and Horne about something Jedi related. No, our guests are Mulk and his wife Zana. You'll like Zana. She reminds me of Zanat." "I can't wait," Joshua jumped up and waved on the droids who were waiting to tow the fighter away. "But what's the word on Zell?" "There might be some good news there!" Peenk told him. "Merrik was contacted by someone who once worked at an Imperial research center. He told him that Zell worked there when Carida was shut down during the summer months. It's somewhere here on Coruscant." "He doesn't know where it is?" "No. Just that it's somewhere here. It seems they were taken there in widowless flyers. He did say that some of the floors were stone, which means it's at ground level," Peenk paused as they stepped through the blast doors. "Can he die?" "Pok says no. But he's worried about Zell's state of mind. The boy will have to be awake through the process, He has to give constant input to MU-SO 2." "Is that what happened to Melee?" Peenk asked. "Yes. But Pok says there's more. Something he said Matthews developed. He found a way to induce Rapid Onset Growth. He discovered it too late to use on Melee's group, though. He's afraid that Zell might try it. We're worried what the pain might do to him." "Oh please!" Peenk shot back. "He's tough. Don't forget what he's been through. Zell is no stranger to pain." "Not like this!" He said, stopping to stare into Peenk's eyes. "Every year, my people take an oath that we will never allow this kind of thing to happen again. And on that day, all children who turn ten must undergo what we call the Experience. We step into a pain booth for ten minutes and are shown the level of pain that girls like Melee went through when they were altered." "They do that to you?" Peenk was shocked. "That sounds rather cruel." "We need to know just why we must oppose this. And trust me, after ten minutes you'll be ready to swear never to allow anyone else to go through that," Kirk grinned. "But let's go meet Zana. I have a feeling I'll like her." Joshua met Mulk and Zana outside the entrance to Peenk's pool house. Mulk was without his usual Beskargam. Instead, he wore a simple outfit, his lightsaber hanging from his belt. And in place of his normally clean shaven head, he now sported a mohawk. Next to Mulk stood his wife Zana. She was taller, and in armor. At her sides were two rather deadly looking blasters. She grinned and said something in Mazuran. Mulk laughed and replied in the same tongue, nodding. "Ok," Joshua told the two. "I couldn't find a language program for Mazuran. So let's keep all talk about me to Basic, shall we?" "You will not find a Mazuran language program, Joshua," Mulk said. "There's never been much demand for one, and we like to keep our mother tongue a secret." "Just like you people with your Latin," Peenk said as she jabbed him in the ribs with her elbow. "Any one can learn Latin!" Joshua shot back. "At one time it and Greek were two of the most widely spoken languages on Earth among those who were considered educated." "What ever." "Joshua," Mulk held a hand up to his wife."I want to introduce you to my wife, Zana, the mother of our forty eight children." "Forty eight?" Joshua nodded with approval at this number. "Not bad, not bad." "Well," said as she put her arm around her husbands shoulder. "We have been married for two-hundred five years, and eight of those are adopted." "I see," Joshua grinned at Mulk. "So you two aren't hard working baby makers. You're actually slackers in that department." "Well, I'd love to talk about having kids," Peenk said, interrupting them. Though it was clear that was the last thing she wanted to talk about. "But I want to know why you're suited up for a fight, Zana." "We found the lab," The tall Mazuran said. "Merrik told his superiors about it. But he'd have to wait for approval before he could send anyone. Doon told us it would take about two, maybe three days. So he made a call to Stefan, and he had a couple squads down there in half an hour." "And they found that it was guarded by battle droids," Mulk continued. "The locals said that after the Empire left Coruscant, they tried to enter it to see what was inside. All those who entered were never seen again." "They then told Stefan that a group of Mandalorians from the Aliit Bessa arrived and brought several large crates with them. That was three weeks ago. One week later a small Human male and a droid arrived and the boys from Bessa left. That was the last time there was any activity." "Looks like it's time for you to gear up, Cabinboy," Peenk whispered in his ear. "I know that you're itching to find Zell, so I went shopping at Merzer's yesterday and bought you some new gear. I think you'll like it. And I can't wait to see you in it." "Well, I'll not let you down," Joshua grinned. "I'll have a couple people from Excalibur come along. My cousin Ami and my friend Mark Berring both have spec ops training. They're both at Merzer's with Melee, buying some gear." "Your cousin was a commando as well?" The blonde asked. "No," Joshua slowly shook his head. "She withdrew. She was ready to graduate from training when I was found. Her mother had a long talk with her, and she returned to the fleet. Her family was badly hit in the war. Which, of course, is also my family." "Will they get in trouble for helping us?" Zana asked. "No. Especially since we'll only be going up against droids. Besides, it's a rescue mission." Joshua then grinned at Peenk. "And Starfleet gets all hot and bothered when it comes to rescue missions."