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www.starwarsoutsider.com

I S S U E

T H E F R E E , F A N - P R O D U C E D H O L O Z I N E

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After quite a long wait, the rst issue of Star Wars Outsider is

nally here. If youve made it this far, then wed like to thank you

for all your patience!

There are thousands of fans out there in the world who contribute

to the Star Wars universe in some way, be it writing fan-faction,

creating fan sites, engaging in role-playing games, producing

fan-lms, blogging, and heck, even clacking plastic lightsaberstogether.

The aim ofOutsideris to bring the most talented and passionate

fans in the one place and ask them to do their thing. What will

result is hopefully a quality product that fans will enjoy.

In this inaugural issue, we focus on the movers and shakers in

the Star Wars fan community - fans who have already had a small

impact in the Star Wars galaxy. We asked Greg Mitchell if hed

like to expand the story of Aneesa Dym from his Dusty Duck

Databank entry, and we also thought it would be interesting to

hear Bob Vitas thoughts on the death of Vob Bitas, a character

named after him.

We also asked Mark Newbold - Star Wars Insider contributor

and founder of Lightsabre.co.uk - to tell us more about the

characters of his ctional Setnin Sector. And weve recruited

Tim Veekhoven to do what he does best: a thorough roster

article, this one detailing the Rattatak gladiators from Star Wars:

Clone Wars.

Outsider is only new, and currently its scope is limited. For

example, this rst issue contains no RPG/TCG/CCG material

(apologies, though we have people already working on some

material for the next issue). But as Outsider grows both in size

and popularity, it will eventually emcompass all facets of Star

Wars fandom. Be sure to provide us with feedback as to what

youd like to see in future issues. Well be starting a Letters

section next issue, where well publish some of your feedback.

A word of warning: THIS MAGAZINE IS NOT OFFICIAL! An

obvious statement, but one we cant stress enough. Please DO

NOT try to add any of this stuff to Wookieepedia or do anythinglike that. You should really read Star Wars Insider, the ofcial

magazine of Star Wars, and a high quality one at that.

In Outsider, were purposely avoiding the mainstream storylines

and characters, instead focusing on minor situations which are

unlikely to interfere with possible plans that Lucaslm might

have for the future.

A huge thanks goes out to all the contributors, supporters and

readers of the magazine, and a very special thanks to Mark

Newbold from Lightsabre.co.uk, Tim Veekhoven from Teekay421

and Greg Mitchell for all their extra support.

Arthur Papadam

Editor.

Whos the Rodian?

Screenshot from Star Wars Galaxies

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Screenshot from Star Wars Galaxies

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Art by Tracy Duncan

with Boba Fett artwork borrowed from

Star Wars Manga: The Empire Strikes Back 3

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street art by esay - http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/24648684/

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AARrrrGH, ME UNDIES

CRIMSON

JACKPREFERS

TYRENAMUSCLE

MALES UNDERWEAR

SINCE 445 BBY

11

Screenshot from Star Wars Galaxies

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A n I n c o r r e c t D e a t h :T h e E x e c u t i o n o f V o b B i t a s

An Incorrect Death: The Execution of Vob Bitas

Transcript of the story from Episode Y3E13 of

Dateline: Umgul

As reported by Senior Correspondent Aldish Ristan

Dateline: 23 years BBY

Location: Umgul City

BY BOB VITASILLUSTRATIONS BY TJ COLLIGAN

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Segment opens with a montage o archival ootage o

Slish Fondines sinkhole blobstacle course, including

images o individuals as per the dialogue. Continue with

images o other courses as Aldish Ristan reads rom his

script.

V.O. Eight years ago, the blob racing industry on

Umgul was in its inancy. Slish Fondine had opened the

rst blobstacle course in Umgul City, and the publicembraced the new sport with open arms. Suddenly,

there were blob racing acilities throughout the city,

orcing Fondine and his cronies to orm the Umgullian

Racing Commission to oversee the massive prots

that were being generating by bettors.

Continued montage, with images o racing blobs and

exciting fnishes, and end with images o Vob Bitas.

V.O. The blob racing industry continued to grow

or many years, but was not without its troubles.Accounting scandals at individual tracks were

common, and many blob owners took it upon

themselves to enhance the abilities o their blobs

to help win races. Rather than crack down on these

practices, Fondine and the URC simply insitituted a

death penalty or any being caught in a criminal act

that aected the sport. The penalty was meant to

deter such activities, but initial investigations didnt

reveal any wrong-doing. That is, until Vob Bitas

appeared on the scene.

Cut to live correspondent Aldish Ristan at his Dateline:

Umgul desk.

A.R. Good evening, Umgul, and welcome to this

edition o Dateline: Umgul. Im Aldish Ristan. Tonight,

we look into the execution o Vob Bitas, the rst and,

to date, the only blob wrangler to be executed under

the punitive regulations o the Umgullian Racing

Commission. Although his execution was proo o

the lengths to which the URC will go to maintain the

integrity o their sport, investigations have revealedthat it might have been a case o too much, too soon.

Bitas may have been caught in the wrong place at

the wrong time, and died at the hands o greedy

businessmen who were trying to make a statement.

In the end, it will be up to you to decide.

Begin montage o images and video rom the personal

collection o the Bitas amily. Roll ootage to accompany

script read by A.R.

V.O. Vob Bitas grew up in a small mill town just

outside Umgul City, the son o hard-working parents

who wanted their children to have a better lie than

they had. Bitas was a good student, graduating as the

salutatorian in his class beore taking a job in Umgul

13

City as a computer technician. He met and ell in love

with Lijj Eiram, and the couple had two children, Nej

and Naghem. When the purchase o a lottery ticket

gave the Bitas amily a chance to ollow their dreams,

Vob decided that he wanted to purchase a racing blob.

The unusual decision was met with trepidation by his

wie, but her support o his dream was complete.

Cut to interview with Lijj Bitas.

L.B. Vob was always watching the blob races,

especially the blobstacle races, and thinking about

how exciting it must be or the owners to enter their

blobs in the races. The excitement or the bettors was

obvious, but Vob wanted to be the person who gave

them that excitement. He wanted to have a stable o

blobs, and race them at all the major racecourses. All

he wanted to do was make people happy.

Cut back to A.R. doing voice-over to images o SlishFondine and the members o the URC. Follow with trial

images o Bitas execution.

A.R. About three years beore the Battle o Geonosis

plunged the galaxy into turmoil, Slish Fondine and

the Umgullian Racing Commission instituted the

death penalty or any being caught cheating or

otherwise acting in a way that was detrimental to the

sport o blob racing. The sporting world reacted with

incredulity at the announcement, questioning the

legality o the URCs plans to execute beings withouta proper legal trial.

Cut back to live image o A.R. at his desk.

A.R. - Dateline: Umgul has since uncovered electronic

mail and communication between the members o

the URC and the Umgul City government, describing

the agreements that were put in place when the URC

made its announcement.

Cut to images o e-mails, with appropriate passges

highlighted to match script. A.R. provides voiceover.

V.O. According to these transmissions, the URC agreed

to provide appropriate monetary compensation to

the Umgul City government specically, the judicial

and campaign unds - in exchange or the right to

prosecute oenders without engaging the services

o the justice system. These documents urther state

that the URC was able to act without intererence

rom the Umgul City government, provided that

adequate reporting and statements o intent [were]

provided in advance o any punitive action.

Cut back to A.R. at his desk.

A.R. Thus, we see the that the URC could legally

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execute any being caught cheating at blob races,

provided that they reported any ndings to the judicial

branch o the Umgul City government beorehand.

On the surace, this seemed like a gentlemens

agreement. However, government ocials believed

that the agreement gave them the ability to orestall

an execution until proper investigation by the

authorities could be perormed.

Switch to interview with Logad Pabhir, Umgul City

attorney and legal counsel.

L.P. The original intent o the agreement was that

the URC would have complete control over who

it executed: in essence, they would have had the

ability to set up their own system o justice outside

the legal system o the Umgul City government. It

was successully argued that this was contrary to the

basic reedoms that were oered to citizens under the

constitution o both Umgul City and the planetarygovernment, and the URC was orced to accept some

measure o control by the local judiciary. It seems,

however, that they were able to bypass the system in

the Bitas case.

Return to A.R., this time standing in ront o

images o Fondine and other URC members,

beore walking to images o Vob Bitas.

A.R. According to the agreement, the URC

had to produce several key documents beorethey could legally execute a being. First,

there had to be compelling evidence o any

wrong-doing. Second, there had to be sworn

statements rom investigators that ensured

their neutrality in the investigation, to ensure

that the URC didnt perorm an in-house

investigation. Third, there had to be a so-called

application or execution, which was the

legal request or the URC to actually perorm

the execution. According to the agreement,

all o these documents had to be led withthe Umgul City Supreme Court at least three

months in advance o any execution, in

order to ensure accuracy and legality in any

execution. Dateline: Umgul has been able to

secure some o the documentation that was

provided by the URC in the Bitas case, but the

paper trail is anything but clear.

Go to commercial break. Narrator voice-over

describes upcoming segment, with images o

paperwork and a close-up picture o Bitas himsel.

N. Coming up what paperwork did the URC

actually provide in the Bitas case, and were they

actually given permission to execute Vob Bitas?

portrait of a widow: lijj bitas

14

Return rom commercial break. Back to A.R. standing

near images o Vob Bitas.

A.R. Welcome back to Dateline: Umgul. Im Aldish

Ristan. Tonight, were looking into the execution

o blob wrangler Vob Bitas three years ago. In our

previous segment, we showed you the agreements

between the Umgullian Racing Commission and the

Umgul City government, allowing the URC to carryout the execution o any being caught cheating

at blob racing. Now, well show you the actual

documentation in the Bitas case, and let you decide i

there was any wrong-doing.

A.R. does voice-over to the images o the documentation

submitted by the URC in the Bitas case, with appropriate

highlighting o key passages as read in the script. Also,

show images o investigators during description.

V.O. According to the agreements, the URC wasrequired to submit three keys pieces o documentation

well in advance o any proceedings. Dateline:

Umgul has obtained copies o two o the three

documents that were submitted in the Bitas case:

the investigatorss statements and the application

or execution. Note that the submission dates on

these documents was just three weeks beore Bitas

execution, not the required three months. In addition,

weve since learned that two o the investigators

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Harran Noling and Deevon Quish were imprisoned

or alsiying legal documents in other cases, as

part o an ar-reaching investigation in the private

investigation sector by Umgul City police. We have

been unable to obtain a copy o the actual evidence

provided in the Bitas case, and the URC has reused

to allow Dateline: Umgul access to its personnel or its

records. The Umgul City government has been unable

to locate the evidence documentation, which shouldhave ully disclosed Bitas criminal actions. However,

according to Bitas son, Nej, this proves that his ather

was wrongly executed.

Switch to interview with Nej Bitas, son o Vob Bitas.

N.B. The act that the documentation was led just

weeks beore my athers execution should be proo

enough that the URC was not legally able to execute

anyone. When neither the Umgul City government

nor the URC could produce the documentation otheir evidence o any evidence, or that matter,

beyond the statements o certain URC ocials it

became clear that my ather had been in the wrong

place at the wrong time. He became the example o

what the URC could do i it caught someone cheating,

despite the act that my ather had done nothing

wrong.

Cut back to A.R., now sitting again at his desk.

A.R. Up until the death o Vob Bitas, the URC hadbeen unable to actually execute an individual or

cheating. The Umgul City judiciary continued to

exert a measure o control, arguing that the evidence

brought orth in the prior our cases was insucient to

prove guilt. In act, in all cases, the accused individuals

were ound to have been innocent on most counts,

although Dateline: Umgul ound that none o them

were truly innocent. Two o the rst our individuals

targeted or execution by the URC were discovered

to have been placing their blobs in experimental

nutrient baths that were deemed by the URC toprovide perormance-enhancing chemicals into the

body o a blob through osmosis. These nutrient baths

were later ruled to be required or the health and well-

being o the blobs, but the Umgul City government

was orced to place stringent requirements on the

additives in such nutrient baths. One individual

was discovered to have had ties to the Hutt crime

syndicate, and was killed in a bar brawl beore he

could be executed by the URC. The ourth individual

was later cleared o all charges, ater the URC was

ound to have used alsied investigation documentsrom one investigator Harran Noling, who later was

hired or the Bitas investigation.

A.R. does voice-over to images o Slish Fondine and

ootage o blob racing events.

V.O. Stung by their inability to control their sport,

the URC apparently decided to take matters into

their own hands. Fondine himsel was openly critical

o the Umgul City government and the judiciary,

claiming that they were impeding his ability to

protect his sport, despite the obvious problems with

the investigations that were carried out by the URC.Fondine reused to talk to Dateline: Umgul, claiming

that his lawyers asked him to remain neutral in our

investigation. However, interviews with members o

Fondines sta and other personnel within the URC

have revealed that there was a call or an execution

at any cost despite the ripping government, one

source was quoted as saying to make a statement

and preserve the integrity o the sport.

Go to commercial break with cameras back to A.R., now

standing in ront o images o blobs.

A.R. When we return: what drove the URC to execute

Vob Bitas? Did it justiy their actions?

Return rom commercial break, with A.R. again standing

in ront o images o blob.

A.R. Blob racing has become an integral part o

Umgullian lie. In addition to the sport itsel, there are

blob arms where designer blobs are raised or sale

as pets. Blob candy has become a popular snack ood

among people o all ages. And the tourism industry

has been on a steady path o improvement ever

since blob racing was rst started. It is obvious that

any tainting o the sport o blob racing might have

a negative eect on the Umgullian economy, but

was the threat o an incident enough to warrant the

execution o an innocent man?

Cut to images o Vob Bitas and his amily, with A.R.

doing voice-over.

V.O. Vob Bitas simply wanted to make people happy

by raising racing blobs and helping other owners get

into the sport. His stable o blobs grew rom a single,

black individual known to the amily as Inky

to thirty specimens rom all over the planet. Bitas

Stables won a ew events over the next ew months,

but their winnings only seemed to be enough to

keep the amily ed and clothed never enough to

make them truly rich. However, when Bitas acquired a

swirl-patterned blob that became known as Vortex,

things changed.

Continue voice-over, with archival ootage o Vortex

racing.

V.O. Vortex won its rst three races by wide margins,

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despite the act that post-race testing revealed no

evidence o tampering. Vortex simply seemed to be

better than other blobs. A string o losses took some

away o the notice the blob was attracting, but Vortex

continued to win more oten than it lost. Bitas was

slowly making credits, and the Bitas Stables were

continuing to sow a prot.

Cut to interview ootage with Nej Bitas.

N.B. About the time Vortex started winning, the URC

started coming out to the stables to do spot checks

o the acilities. My ather and I were always asked to

vacate the premises during these investigations,

until we contacted the judiciary. It was deemed

that the URC had no right to perorm investigations

without a stable representative being present. The

URC managed to win a small concession, and ensured

that the Bitas Stables representative was my mother,

Lijj, not my ather.

Back to A.R., standing in ront o an image o Lijj Bitas.

He then walks past images o the blob Vortex during

races.

A.R. Lijj Bitas was no expert on blob racing, and

revealed to Dateline: Umgul that the URC investigators

asked some leading questions during their walks

through the stables. She was repeatedly asked about

the location o the stables nutrient storage acility,

despite the act that the URC prohibited individualstables rom maintaining such acilities. She was

asked about the use o specic chemicals, all o which

were banned substances.

Cut to interview ootage with Lijj Bitas.

L.B. They badgered me about things I knew were

wrong, and tried to get me to make a mistake. I told

them the truth at every question, and pointed out

several times that they were questioning the wrong

person. I they wanted answers, they should have

talked to Vob.

Cut back to A.R.

A.R. Shortly ater one visit, the URC had Vob Bitas

arrested and held or execution on the grounds

that he had been using an illegal chemical cocktail

in the eeding o the blob known as Vortex. They

led the application or execution along with the

investigators sworn statements as required, but

asked or an extension on the ling o the evidence,

claiming that they were still corroborating their acts.This, despite the act that they had already submitted

their investigators adavits. Three weeks later, Bitas

was executed or his crimes.

Cut to commercial. Narrator provides voice-over.

N. When we come back, you decide: was Vob Bitas

a victim?

Return rom commercial to A.R., segueing to images o

Bitas execution, with A.R. doing voice-over.

A.R. What you are about to see is quite disturbingin nature, and may not be suitable or all audiences. I

you are squeamish, please look away.

V.O. Beore any sort o judiciary investigation could

take place, the URC executed Vob Bitas in a public

arena, on the ineld o the Umgul City blob racing

course. In keeping with the URCs demands, his

body was tied to a pole and he was shot by a ring

squad until dead. However, video obtained rom URC

databanks shows that Bitas was red upon well ater it

was obvious he was dead. His body was then cut downand fung into a shallow trench behind the acility, a

place set aside or disposal o reuse, and burned. The

Bitas amily was deprived o a proper uneral, and the

disgrace o the execution led to a myriad o nancial

problems, not the least o which was the withdrawal

o livestock rom the Bitas Stables.

Return to A.R., seated at his desk.

A.R. Rather than see his amilys name slurred,

Nej Bitas took his meager savings and hired a

team o lawyers to try and set things straight. Their

investigations were stymied at every turn, with

URC legal representatives threatening retalitatory

litigation i the Bitas investigations didnt come to a

halt. Rather than settle or this abuse, Bitas traveled

to Coruscant to enlist the assistance o the Senate

judiciary. Unortunately or Bitas, his appeal came

just prior to the so-called Jedi Rebellion and the

ormation o the Galactic Empire. His eorts came to

a standstill as the Senate became bogged down in

the legal work that was required to ully recognize

the new galactic government and shed any pretense

o the Old Republic.

Cut to video o appeals made by Nej Bitas in Coruscant

courtrooms, with A.R. providing voice-over.

V.O. All was not lost, as Nej Bitas ound a sympathetic

ear in the person o Janu Godalhi, ater the two met

at a perormance o Squid Lake at the Galaxies

Opera House. The constable rom Teth took over

the investigations, allowing Bitas and his lawyer to

handle the legal aspects o the case. Their combinedeorts produced little real eect, although Godalhi

was able to obtain an injunction against the URC that

orced them to put a stop to the executions until any

investigations were completed.

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Return to A.R., walking in ront o images o Fondine

and the URC.

A.R. However, the URC was not about to give up, and

any access to their records was soon completely cut

o. When we return, Nej Bitas provides the smoking

gun in the case o his athers execution.

Cut to commercial. Upon returning rom break, A.R.is standing in ront o an image o the blob known as

Vortex.

A.R. Despite the legal stallings o the URC, Nej Bitas

and his legal advisors were able to locate a key piece

o evidence in the case against his ather, Vob Bitas.

Janu Godalhi managed to obtain the dessicated body

o the blob known as Vortex, whose perormance

on the blob racing courses led to questions about

whether or not it had been given perormance-

enhancing chemicals. The body was ar too dried toperorm a proper autopsy, but the cells extracted rom

the blob revealed no trace o any illegal substances,

at least according to the doctors hired by Godalhi

to analyze the body. In a public press conerence on

Umgul, Godalhi and Bitas presented their ndings

to the Umgul City judiciary and the URC. They then

demanded that the URC be orced to make a public

apology or the execution o Vob Bitas, and urged the

judiciary to revisit their agreement with the URC on

the execution o suspected cheaters. Fondine and

his URC legal team openly reuted the evidence romthe blob autopsy, and questioned the validity o the

data.

Cut to images o the Umgul City hearings, with A.R.

doing voice-over.

V.O. The turning point in the entire investigation

came when URC ocials provided details on the

ecacy o certain perormance-enhancing chemicals,

claiming that their presence in the body o a blob was

greatly aected by moisture content and physicalactivity. They claimed that the blob known as Vortex

was obviously not going to show evidence o such

chemicals, having been almost completely dried out

beore it was tested. When asked to produce records

o what chemicals had been ound in the blobs body

at the time o Bitas execution, however, the URC legal

counsel could only stammer and look beuddled.

It seemed that, in their haste to cover up the lack

o evidence to support the execution, they also

destroyed any evidence that might have given them a

leg to stand on. Ultimately, the Umgul City court ruledthat the URC had acted improperly and with extreme

malice in their execution o Vob Bitas, and ordered

the URC to compensate the Bitas amily or their loss.

This settlement also included payment o all the Bitas

amilys legal ees during their investigation. The URC

was also orced to void the previous agreements with

the Umgul City judiciary and re-negotiate a more

ocial path or the execution o cheaters, including

ull access to their records and severe punishments

or urther misuse o power.

Back to A.R., walking to his desk and sitting down.

A.R. In addition to these rulings, the URC

representatives, including Slish Fondine, were also

sentenced to short prison terms, ater the Umgul

City judiciary cited them or obstruction o justice or

their destruction o records pertaining to the Bitas

case. Fondine himsel emerged rom prison just a ew

months later, having been given time o or good

behavior, prompting renewed cries o impropriety

at the URC. However, Fondine emerged to call or

sweeping reorm within the URC, and his eorts have

not gone unnoticed. He sacked many o his ormerpeers and advisors, and called in o-planet experts

to help him reorm the URC into a more law-abiding

body. He also managed to overcome the bad press that

blob racing received during the legal proceedings,

using public apologies and an endorsement o Bitas

Stables to help bolster the image o his sport.

Close-up o A.R. as the segment winds down.

A.R. In the end, the Bitas amily ound justice,

although their ather and husband could not bereturned to them. Lijj Bitas and her son, Nej, have

both accepted the ruling o the Umgul City judiciary,

but recognized the act that no amount o money

could ever bring Vob Bitas back. With the settlement

they received rom the case, the Bitas amily was able

to rebuild the Bitas Stables. They also established

the Vob Bitas Memorial Fund, which provides credits

to non-prot legal assistance organizations to help

underprivileged individuals receive proper legal

counsel. The amily insists that it has moved on, and

there is even a cordial relationship between Fondinesrace courses and the Bitas Stables. Only time will tell

how both sides o this tragedy nally make their

peace. For Dateline: Umgul, Im Aldish Ristan. Thank

you, and good night.

Fade to black, then roll credits.

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Senator_ CilghalsDESIGN A SHIP CONTEST

From the Literature boards on the Jedi Council Forums

WINNER:Luke V. Togni

aka Ton_ G

ROUND 1:The Mercy, a hospital

ship from the Dark

Forces novellas

18

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RUNNER-UP:

Xzylon

RUNNER-UP:

EvilleJedi

ROUND 2:Bakuran GPA

(General Purpose Attack) Fighter

What we know about it: almost nothing!

Lots of free reign here

manufacturer: Bakurans

Note that design might be similar

in AESTHETIC to the Bakura-class

destroyer and Namana-class light

cruiser

Appearances: The Corellian Trilogy

(very brief)

More info athttp://boards.theforce.net/literature/b10003/25604617/p1

GOOD LUCK!

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A shrill cry split the silence of the empty corridors.

Amphibious feet padded hurriedly through the bulk of the

ship, carrying their long-legged, rotund owner to the downed

boarding ramp. The Palowick exited the sand-colored jalopyand found her aging father repairing the undercarriage of the

vessel with a hydrospanner.

Out of breath and eyes wide with fright, she shrieked

through the tiny lips at the end of her quivering proboscis,

Daddy! My tusks fell out!

Aneesa Dyms father looked to his daughter, palpitatingfrom his laborious work, and scratched his wrinkled chin,

smudging oil on his abby skin. Whats that?

Aneesa came closer to her father, desperate for his help.

My tusks just fell out! See? Craning her whole body to the

side so that her father could get a good look at the secondarymouth tucked away in the folds of skin beneath her lip-stalk,

the young Palowick girl demonstrated her current lack of

tusks.

Her father smiled, his own tusks evident, and stepped down

off the small platform, abandoning his work for the moment.Gingerly touching his daughters face, he turned her from side

to side, examining her state.I see, he said casually. Well, it was bound to happen

sooner or later.

Whats wrong with me? Aneesa asked, tears welling up

in her dark eyes.

He chuckled, so as to put her at ease. Nothing, Neesy.

Youre just growing up.

Sometimes the old Palowick forgot that his daughter had

not grown up on their homeworld of Lowick as he had. There

was still so much that he had left to teach her about theirpeople.

I dont understand, she whined, trying to calm down.When Palowicks come of age, they lose their tusks.

Youre not a baby anymore, Neesy. Your mouth will grow in

nicely, youll see.

What about you, Daddy? There was still a hint of fear in

her voice. You still have your tusks.

Her father stroked one bone tusk thoughtfully, remembering

a life long left behind, and nodded softly. On Lowick, there

were areas where Palowicks were not safe. There werepredators. As the gods willed it, we were allowed to keep our

tusks to defend ourselves and our families. But he smiled,

his dreaming eyes twinkling as they often did when telling his

stories, Id rather you not need yours, Neesy. Id rather you

not meet any predators.

Aneesa was beginning to calm down and nally turned

her attention to the ship that loomed over them. Hows it

coming?

Her father gave a great sigh and looked up to his darling.

The old Ducks about had it, but I think shes got a few

surprises left in her.

Thoughts of losing her tusks put aside, Aneesa took a great

big look at her fathers work the Dusty Duck and shook her

head uncertainly. Why dont you just buy some pit droids,

Daddy? Ive seen other ships that have them. Theyd make the

repairs in twice the time.

Pshaw, her father scoffed good-naturedly. And miss the

joy of working on this ship myself? Ill tell you, you never

really know a ship until youve worked on her with your own

two hands. Then, with a cantankerous glint in his eye, he

leaned over and pointed to her. Youd do best to remember

that. Shell be all yours someday.

The Dusty Duck was her fathers pride and joy, second

only to Aneesa, herself. Just glancing over its hull, the young

Palowick girl recognized spare parts from a dozen differentstar ghters and freighters, all meticulously grafted together

by her fathers ingenuity.

To little result.

The tin can was a coughing junk heap, hiccuping its way

through the galaxy, and they could never keep it in the skies

long enough to technically label it space worthy. But herfather loved it, and Aneesa, despite whatever disdain she held

for the clunker, never spoke ill of the old ship, at least not in

front of her father.

Woohee, looka that!

That, however, wasnt to say that no one else spoke ill ofit.

The Dyms broke from their familial conversation and noticed

the Rodian approaching, anked by two Jawas carrying a large

durasteel trunk between them. Both Palowicks instantly

recognized the green-skinned Rodian as Gootle and the Jawasas his unkies. Aneesas father had made many shady contacts

during his life here on Nar Shaddaa, but of all of them, Gootlewas the one Aneesa liked the least. He was lanky, like most of

his species, but had swelled in his neck and around his waist

from spending too much time in the Cluster Cantina. Hooking

his suckered hands in his belt loops, he leaned back, took inthe Dusty Duck with his obsidian eyes, and snortled out his

snout.

You still ying this heap? the Rodian asked, his Jawas

snickering. He gestured to them with a lift of the chin. The

boys, here, have their eyes on this scrap pile. Theyve gotplans for it once you decide to let us take it off your hands.

Aneesas father tensed but did not lose his temper. As

long as their family had known Gootle and his Jawa fetches,the Rodian had had his eye on the Dusty Duck. Most likely for

spare parts to sell on the open market. But Aneesas father

had never relented.

Pulling out the small rag he always kept stashed in his back

pocket, Aneesas father gave it a good snap and dabbed at the

oil on his hands. Ducks not for sale, the Palowick responded

cheerily, diffusing the situation. Never will be. The old birds

my legacy. I intend on keeping it in the family. With a wink,he looked to his daughter. Isnt that right, Neesy?

Momentarily forgetting whatever grudge she held against

the jalopy, Aneesa stood deantly, protecting her familys

honor. Thats right.

The Rodian shrugged, as he always did when the Dymsrefused his offer, and chuckled in that weird way Rodians often

did. On to business, then? He beckoned with his hand to his

Jawa friends, and they hefted and heaved the trunk closer to

the Ducks crew. Got a new customer for you, Wicky.

Wicky. Aneesa knew that her father hated that name. It

was the name given to him by the smugglers who had landedon Lowick so long ago, looking for the planets precious

regems. The smuggler crew had journeyed into the more

dangerous marshes of Aneesas homeworld, and her father

had been drafted to be the crews native guide through the

unfamiliar terrain. They had treated him as little more than aslave and called him Wicky, inspired by the planets name.

Even though Aneesa hadnt yet stepped foot on the planet ofher peoples origins, she knew that Wicky was a disgraceful

name.

Yet, as always, her father took the crude moniker in stride.

He was a man of peace. It was one of the reasons Aneesa

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admired him so much. Had she been in his position, she would

have lashed out and enjoyed seeing the Rodian and his lackeys

get what they deserved.

But not her father.

Whats the cargo? her father asked in a light-hearted,

kind voice.

Right up your alley. Commandeered bacta patches for

underprivileged orphans.

Wheres it headed?

Abregado-rae. Theres already a buyer in place. All you

gotta do is deliver the package. Gootle stopped, and despite

his static Rodian features, he seemed to smile. That is, if you

think this pile of poodoo can get you there.

Aneesa felt hot and wanted to shout a retort, but instead

looked to her father. The old Palowick simply smiled and evenoffered a small laugh. Oh, itll get us there. I have faith in my

girl. He demonstrated by giving the landing leg of the Dusty

Duck an affectionate pat. She hasnt let me down yet.

The Rodian eyed the Palowick suspiciously, waiting to see

if the old pilot were joking. When he saw that he wasnt,

Gootle reached into his money pouch and tossed a few credits,which Aneesa promptly caught. Consider it an advance. Take

your youngling out. Show her the sights. I hear Abregado-rae

is real pretty. Just dont forget the job.

And with that, the Rodian swiveled on his heel and carriedhis bulky weight away. The Jawas trailed after him, giving the

Duck another once over and jabbering as if plotting how they

would divide the spoils if the ship ever fell into their greedy

hands.

Aneesas father watched them leave, and his generous

smile slowly faded, revealing a sadness that puzzled Aneesa.But his good nature was restored when he looked to his

daughter. Better pack your things. Ill get the cargo inside.

Were going on a trip.

Then he clapped his hands together and began whistling

while he nished his nal adjustments on the Duck.

* * *

Space stretched out for eternity, and Aneesa stared at the

vast beyond from behind the plastisteel canopy of the Dusty

Duck. Her father snoozed, his snores musical whistles, in the

co-pilot seat beside her. Shed own the Duck occasionally inher youth, but now that she was maturing, her father insistedthat she get better acquainted with the controls.

Duck doesnt y like other ships, hed say. You have to

know how to talk to her.

Aneesa had grown up with a yoke in her hand, but her

heart still pounded and her knobby knees shook slightlybehind the console. As afraid as she was to admit it, Aneesa

didnt quite have the faith in the old bird that her father did,

and images of the Duck puttering to a dead halt and cold-

dropping onto some barren world again lled her mind with

dread. She fought hard, however, to push the thought aside

and concentrate on her goal.

Abregado-rae.

Shed heard tales regaling its beauty from the other

smugglers on Nar Shaddaa. It was a pleasure paradise and had

lured more than one wayward sailor to its immaculate shores

only to be robbed by shady customers, or worse. Aneesa,

herself, had only seen the sights through the viewport on the

Duck. Whenever her father went on his runs, he insisted that

his daughter stay behind and watch the ship. She had protested

on numerous occasions, wanting to accompany her father on

his smuggling drops, but he had refused. Its not safe, hedtell her. Aneesa knew he was just trying to protect her, but

she wanted to be part of the excitement. An adventure or two

wouldnt kill her, would it?

At any rate, she was glad to be away from Nar Shaddaa.

Their small shack on the Smugglers Moon was little more thana lean-to furnished with two musty mattresses surrounded by

pails gathering the rain water that leaked incessantly through

the patchwork ceiling. The Duck was their true home.

Though, sometimes, Aneesa felt it was too familiar. She

wanted more out of life than staying behind with the ship.

She wanted to see the galaxy, to meet all of its colorfulpeoples. She wanted to make friends and maybe even fall in

love one day. She wondered if she could ever meet another

man as exciting as her father. He had such wild dreams and

aspirations, and even though others like Gootle mocked him,

he held true to his convictions, no matter what. Sometimeshe confused her or irritated her with his eccentric ways, but,

truth be told, that was the kind of man she wanted to meet

in the galaxy.

Yes, if she were to ever nd a true friend someone she

could love he would have to be a man like that.

Beside her, her father snorted loudly enough to wake

himself from sleep. He raised the cap he kept rested over his

eyes and looked around, startled. Did we crash? he asked

instinctively.

Aneesa grinned and shook her head. Just came out of

hyperspace, Daddy. Almost there.

Her father breathed a sigh of relief. Aneesa turned back to

the controls and the quiet of space, and he regarded her with

a small smile. You remind me so much of your mother. She

used to love to stare at the stars.

Aneesa had never known her mother. She had died whenAneesa was only a hatchling, a victim of Nar Shaddaas ruthless

streets. All she knew of her mother was that she had married

Aneesas father on Lowick, and when he was hired as the

guide of visiting smugglers and decided to journey with them

to experience all that the galaxy had to offer, she left their

homeworld with him.

She never wanted much for herself, he said, looking out

at the stars. On Lowick I was always so fascinated by off-

worlders and their huge ships and the trinkets they brought. I

felt I was missing out on so much, working the harvest, living

in our villageI wanted to see the galaxy. I wanted to y toall the planets Id only heard pilots talk about. I wanted a

ship of my own! Adventure, excitement He sighed wistfully,

momentarily lost in his youth. I was a young fool with a young

fools dreams. Your mothershe believed in me, though. She

loved our life on Lowick and didnt want to leave butfor me

she did. She gave up so much... Aneesa turned to her father,but he looked away, painful emotions threatening to overtake

him. When you were born, he nally smiled, I think I was

nally able to repay her in some small way. I only wish she

could have seen the ne being youve grown into.

Aneesa grinned with the tiny lips at the end of her proboscisas the world of Abregado-rae lled the Ducks viewscreen. She

understood why her mother had forsaken their home to bewith her father. His excitement for life was quite contagious.

She was about to suggest that she had adventurous dreams

of her own and that was precisely why he should nally let her

come with him on a drop, when the proximity alarm soundedand her father shot up with a start. Relieving Aneesa from

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her position at the helm, he took control of the Dusty Duck,

running his ngers all over the console, checking gauges,

turning knobs.

What is it? she yelled, over the shrill siren. Are welosing power again?

No, her father muttered, curious. Its a distress

signal.

Aneesa looked out the viewport and could make out the

shape of a small cruiser oating up ahead.

Looks like its just stalled, her father relaxed. We

should swing in for a closer look. They may need our help.

Aneesa found it humorous that the crew of the Dusty Duck

with all of its dead-stops and crash landings was in a position

to help another vessel, but she appreciated her fathers caring

sentiment.

Im bringing us around, Aneesa reported, the hint of a

smile lingering on her small lips.

The Duck lazily drifted through space, decelerating as

they approached the stalled cruiser. The elder Dym ipped a

switch, hailing the ship. This is Dusty Duck responding to your

signal. Anything we can help you with?

They waited for a response, but none came. Moments

ticked away, and Aneesa looked to her father. Maybe were

too late. Maybe someone already picked them up.

Her fathers brow furrowed in concern, and he hailed thecraft once more. Repeat, this is Dusty Duck, ready to be of

service.

Silence remained, and Aneesa shifted in her seat, feeling

a rush of cold underneath her esh. Daddy, lets just go. Ive

got a bad feeling about this.

Yeah, Neesy, he said quietly. I think youre right. Turn

us around and lets land our bird.

She nodded, ready to leave the ghost ship behind, when

suddenly the proximity alarm twirled again. Before she could

ask, she saw a freighter anking them on the left. Daddy

Then the lifeless cruiser came to life and slowly faced

them.

Daddy, Aneesa began to shake, confused and worried,

whats going on?

Her father grew dark and serious, then looked to the radar.

Pirates.

* * *

While unfortunate, encountering pirates was just part of

the smugglers life. By trade, smugglers carried merchandise

under the detection of the Trade Federations oppressive taxesand Coruscants lazy eye. Smuggling was often viewed as the

little beings way of sticking it to the Republic and watching

out for the working class. However noble that notion sounded,

though, it also meant that when certain factions sought to

take advantage of such shady arrangements, a smuggler could

not run to the Republic for help.No, the crew of the Dusty Duck was on its own.

How bad is it? Aneesa asked, her heart pounding in

her chest. It had been awhile since theyd had a run-in with

pirates, and shed forgotten how terrifying the prospect was.

Two ships, her father reported, his eyes studying the

vidscreen. Togorians by the looks of em.

Rumors had been circulating in the underworld of a

particularly vicious cartel of Togorian pirates on the rise,capturing ships and slaughtering their crews. The stories

described them as monsters, and Aneesa secretly hoped that

an equally ruthless monster would dispatch of them one day.

Aneesa worried, What do we do?

Charge the ion cannon.

UmDaddy? You know what

I know! he barked uncharacteristically angrily, only

proving how frightened he really was.

Aneesa did not argue further. She unstrapped herself from

the crash webbing and rushed through the winding halls of therusty bucket, her memory guiding her to the ion cannon the

Ducks lone avenue of defense. She dropped into the seat and

powered up the cannon, her hands trembling as she did so.

Immediately, the lights in the gun turret began to brown and

icker as the Ducks limited power resources were tapped for

their desperate retaliation.

In the cockpit, Aneesas father watched in mounting horroras the bulk freighter that had arrived beside the deceptive

cruiser began to slide back its side hatches, introducing the

Palowicks frightened eyes to an array of photon torpedoes.

Oh he said quietly. Then, craning his body behind him,he yelled down the walkways of his ship, Hurry, Aneesa!

Theyre getting a lock on us.

Eager to assist his daughter, the old Palowick smuggler

gripped the yoke and pulled up hard. The cruiser was clearly

more than a match for the clunky ight patterns of the Duck

and was there to block any chance of escape.

Daddy, Im almost ready! Aneesas voice echoed from

the back. As testament to her words, the lights on the panelbegan to blink and darken, and he knew that if this didnt

work, they would be sitting ducks.

Abregado-rae yawned below, ready to receive them, andAneesas father worked frantically to aim for a clear shot.

Many years of drop-landings had taught him well, and now

he had perfected the maneuver into some sort of art form.

Controlled chaos, hed often told Aneesa. He just prayed to

his god that his aim was true.

Fire when ready!

Aneesa heard the order and tensed up. Her father had

managed to bring her into a clear view of the Togorian nerf-

herders, and she was ready to deal out a bit of payback for

their trick and evil intentions. Taking a deep breath, Aneesa

leveled her sights and red the ion cannon. Sapping every bitof power from the Dusty Duck, one bright bolt of yellow beam

rocketed from the cannons barrel

and missed both ships completely.

Aneesa was ashamed at her lack of precision, but did

not have long to dwell on it, for as she and her father hadexpected, the Duck went dark and began to plummet.

* * *

How bad is it? Aneesa casually asked as she sat cross-

legged on the ground, aimlessly tossing a rock.

Her father nished his survey, having collected all the parts

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that had broken loose from the Dusty Duck during their fall into

a small pile, and wiped at the underside of his wrinkled chin

with his trusty cloth. Well, luckily we were able to generate

enough power to pull up at the last second, otherwise wed

be nothing but a smudge on the ground. As is, though, it lookslike Im going to have to stop on the Island before our drop to

pick up some parts.

And what am I supposed to do while youre gone? Aneesa

asked glumly, rolling her eyes. Let me guess. Stay with the

ship.

Better to be safe than sorry, Neesy.

What if the pirates come back?

Nah, I think theyve given up on us. Hopefully we gave

em a run for their credits and theyll try their luck out on the

Outer Rim.

Id like to see them try, Aneesa grumbled, still irked by

the Togorians sneaky ploy. They wouldnt last two seconds

away from the Core.

In spite of their narrow escape and nearly fatal fall to the

surface of beautiful Abregado-rae, Aneesas father seemed ingood spirits and even picked up a jaunty whistle as he prepared

himself to leave the Duck behind. Aneesa stood on her stalk-like legs, still sore from the coarse landing, and stretched a

bit. Her father had proven his impeccable talent once again by

bringing down their careening freighter on one of the landing

zones. Of course, on a planet like Abregado-rae, it was nothard to nd a docking bay. Positioned right at the beginning

of the Rimma Trade Route and the Bacta Run, the paradise

planet was a hotspot of trade and commerce, playing host to a

wide variety of scum and smugglers despite its shiny veneer.

Their hot landing had attracted quite a crowd. The DustyDuck was nothing if not a spectacle, and many a wide-eyed

creature had surveyed the mismatched behemoth, wondering

what insane pilot put his faith in the space-faring jalopy. The

attention often brought a great deal of embarrassment toAneesa, who seemed perpetually chained to her mechanical

sibling, and she feared that while her father was away, shedhave to deal with an endless parade of Deep Space pilots and

traders wanting to know the details of her fathers ship. Shed

deal with the laughs and defend her fathers pride and joy for

his sake, but secretly she wished she could leave the Duck

behind and enjoy herself on the planet. What with this new

wave of repairs and all, it was starting to appear that the Dymswould have a brief reprieve on Abregado-rae, and Aneesa had

every intention of visiting some of the entertainment spots

she had only seen from the skies.

Even from the spaceport in the city of Le Yer that currently

served as the Ducks temporary nest, Aneesa glimpsed theglittering lights of the boardwalk. From here she could see

artists and street performers demonstrating their talents to

off-worlders. She heard the jangle of exotic merchandise at

the street market and thought she could use another bracelet

or two. The recently arriving spacers were passing by in

droves, and those who did not stop to gawk at the odditythat was the Dusty Duck were quickly getting lost in the sea

of color, light, and glamour. Aneesas heart picked up at the

prospect of joining them and seeing all that the strip had to

offer, then dropped just as suddenly when her father emerged

from the ship, wearing his traveling cap and dragging Gootlestrunk behind him.

Jolly as ever, as if they hadnt almost lost their lives tounsavory pirates only an hour ago, Aneesas father gave her a

kiss on the cheek and tipped his hat. Stay here, Aneesa. Ill

be back shortly. Ive got my comlink with me so

Beep you if theres trouble. Yeah, Daddy, I know thedrill.

She sighed and slumped on the boarding ramp, watching

her life pass her by. Her father stopped and considered her

with a wise smile. I know this part of the job is boring, Neesy.

But dont let the lights of this place fool you. Abregado-rae is

every bit as dangerous as home, okay? You must be on yourguard.

Im always on my guard, Aneesa grumbled bitterly. I

thought you didnt want this life for me, anyway. I thought

that was why you left Lowick in the rst place.

A pained expression gripped her fathers face, and heushed with embarrassment. Instantly, Aneesa felt horrible

for hurting this man whom she loved so much and wanted to

take back her words, but it was too late. Youre right, he

said sadly. I left Lowick to nd a better life for my family,

onlyIve only put you in more danger. I already lost your

mother

Aneesa stood, her anger replaced by sadness and regret.

No, Daddy

Its true. I never wanted the smugglers life. After the

miners took me off-world, it was all I knew of the galaxy and

I guess, deep down, I was too afraid to try anything else. Asdifcult as this life has been, its all Ive ever known. I dont

want that for you, my daughter. I want you to nd your owndestiny in the stars.

The two Palowicks father and daughter faced each

other in silence. Aneesa didnt know what to say to her fatheror how to feel.

At last, her father said, Maybe Im starting to realize that

youre not my little hatchling anymore. You have your own life

to lead and I need to let you go.

Daddy Aneesa grew fearful, seeing an uncertain futurebeginning to spread out before her. It was at once exhilarating

and terrifying. What are you saying?

There was the glimmer of a tear in his eye, but her fathersmiled, showing the old chipped tusks that had carried him

through many ghts in his life. I think that, when I get back,

we have a lot to talk about.

Aneesa relaxed. She felt warm inside, like her life was

nally about to begin. Okay, she beamed, feeling more

mature than she ever had in her life.

When I get back, he reminded her. Until then he

winked.

She rolled her eyes good-naturedly. I know, I know. Stay

with the ship.

* * *

After renting a Gados Floatboat to take him to Phyrstal

Island, Aneesas father sought a shop in which to purchaseparts for repairs before the scheduled meeting with his

anonymous client. He passed by many seedy attractions,

such as the Starlight Theater and Lost Loves Casino. They

were all dives, despite their regal appearance, and the old

Palowick had no time for them. Aneesa had always wanted to

visit them, ever since seeing a HoloAd looking for fresh young

talent when she was younger. As a Palowick, she possessed anaturally melodious singing voice, but her father had forbid

her from entertaining notions of singing commercially. On

Lowick, singing was part of their peoples worship. True, not all

Palowick songs were of a religious nature, but as Lowick had

no written language, their songs were a way to communicate

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to the next generation the values and lives of their ancestors.

Singing was something honorable, and Aneesas father couldnt

imagine a Palowick using her gifts for something as trivial as

turning a prot.

Sometimes Aneesa worried him. His daughter was as much

a dreamer as he was. He had tried his best to show her that

the galaxy could be a beautiful place and teach her to always

give beings the benet of the doubt and believe in honor and

truth. Yet, the galaxy was also treacherous, lled with villains

and monsters, and he worried that, in his efforts to protecthis daughter from such characters, he had, in fact, done her

a disservice.

Aneesas tusks had fallen out. She was growing up, and the

old smuggler knew that soon his daughter would leave him and

the Duck behind to nd her own path. They had a lot to talk

about before that happened, and he prayed to his god that hisdaughter was ready to be on her own.

With thoughts of Aneesas future still weighing on his

mind, the elder Dym entered a parts shop he visited whenever

his work brought him to Abregado-rae. The door chimed,

indicating his arrival. The shop was empty and quiet, only thesound of some Aubade drifting from cheap mounted speakers

on the wall. The Palowick hesitantly leaned over the counterto call for assistance and jumped with a start when he was

met by a Quarren emerging from the back room. Both beings

shrieked in surprise until the Quarren came to his senses.

Neeamesh? the Quarren exclaimed through his facial

tentacles. Its been an age!

He held his arms out wide, and Neeamesh Dym smiled at

his old friend and gave him a strong hug. I was worried youd

nally closed up shop.

The Quarren shook his head. No, no, though I have halfa mind to. Competitions too stiff out here on the island. If it

werent for loyal customers like you, Id have gone under long

ago. What is it you need?

Neeamesh sighed and brought out a list of needed parts.

The Quarren looked them over, nodding thoughtfully. DustyDuck crashed again, eh?

Its like Im always telling Neesy. Ducks not meant for

ying. At least, not for too long.

Then why do you insist on traversing the galaxy in that

heap? Surely with the credits youve earned you could nd amuch better ship.

Neeamesh shrugged sentimentally. The Ducks family.

She may have her problems, but us Dyms dont give up on

family.

Youre far more patient than I am, my friend. HowsAneesa these days?

Growing up. Her tusks fell out yesterday.

The Quarrens beady eyes swelled with surprise. You

dont say! My, she is growing up.

As she insists on reminding me. She wanted to come withme on my drop, but I dont think shes ready yet.

Or maybe youre not ready yet, the Quarren gave him a

knowing wink.

Neeamesh blushed, then leveled at the parts shop

proprietor. Do you have what I need?

Sure, sure, the Quarren nodded, willing to change the

subject. Let me go in the back and see what I can dig up.

He disappeared into the back of the shop, and Neeamesh

continued to look around, passing the time. His clients trunk

was beginning to feel heavy, so he rested the case on the

counter.

What brings you to my neck of the galaxy, anyway? the

Quarren called from the back.

Delivering bacta patches to the orphanage.

Abregado-rae, as Neeamesh was constantly reminding

Aneesa, was not a safe place. Many spacers had passed

through Le Yers ports only to meet a grisly end and leave

their children behind. It was nearly an epidemic, and amidst

the lounges and nightclubs on the Islands strip, there was an

orphanage dedicated to caring for these wayward children.Far from home himself, Neeamesh knew the importance of

having a home and nding a family. Family was everything.

The Quarren re-emerged behind the counter, apprehensive.

Really? I dont suppose you know the name of your client?

Neeamesh shrugged. Gootle just told me theorphanage.

I wouldnt be so trusting of your friend, there, Neeamesh.

The orphanage is undernew management, ever since the

Jedi shut down the Nebula Front. Say what you will about Eru

Matalis, he knew how to take care of us. Without the Front tokeep an eye on things, others have stepped in, looking to ll

the void.

The Quarren leaned in, carefully watching the door lest

someone enter in the middle of his explanation. Ive heard

talk of a certain fellow trying to make a name for himself with

the Hutts. One of those strange Barabel creatures, I think. Areal bruiser type. Likes to ll up on Gizers and make outrageous

claims. Some have said hes wanted in ten systems for mass

murder. The families of his victims put a bounty on his head.

Others say he worked for one of the local gangsters but left to

start a racket of his own. Hes trouble, Neeamesh.

The Palowick frowned, but he had heard many lowlifes

boasting before. Probably just talk.

The Quarren shook his head, slowly and darkly. I haventsee him myself. Only his Shistavanen friend, Chanek. Those

wolves hang around a lot at the orphanage, talking to theyounglings. I dont like it, Neeamesh. It doesnt feel right.

Neeamesh considered this, scratching his abby chin.

Ive got your parts for you, the Quarren helpfully added.

Want me to take them to Aneesa? Force knows theres no

reason to hang around this dump. Youre the only customer

Ive had all day.

The Palowick nodded absently. Id appreciate that,

thanks. Tell Aneesa to get started. Ill join her after the

drop.

Okay. But the Quarren placed a leathery hand on

Neeameshs arm. Be careful, my friend. Not everyone in thegalaxy is as kind as you are.

* * *

Neeamesh entered the courtyard of the orphanage with

much trepidation. He was bombarded by the eager faces of

children hoping to hear the faraway adventures of pilots and

smugglers. Their zeal and love of such stories reminded himof himself, and now that he realized where such interests had

led him, he was hesitant to encourage their enthusiasm. A

small Ortolan boy designated himself representative of the

orphans, and Neeamesh greeted him with a handshake.

Ive got a delivery to make. Gootle from Nar Shaddaa

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sent me, the Palowick informed him.

The Ortolan sauntered off to tell the proper adult, and

Neeamesh was left with the expectant eyes of tiny beings

watching him.

Did you y here on a ship? they asked. Is it big? Can

you take me with you?

Neeamesh did his best to hold them off. Usually dealing with

children warmed a special place in his heart, but he couldnt

deny that he was nervous to meet his client, especially after

what the Quarren had told him.

The Ortolan boy soon returned, proceeded by three

feral Shistavanens. The Palowicks wobbly knees shook, and

he hoped the wolves didnt notice. The lead wolf stepped

forward. Chanek, Neeamesh presumed.

You got the package?

Neeamesh reluctantly brought forward the trunk he had

been dragging through Phyrstal Island. Your bacta, he said,

trying to sound professional. Just like you ordered.

Chanek sneered. Bacta. Right.

With a twitch of his snout, the Shistavanen signaledhis two pack-mates to search the trunk. Chanek kept his

malicious eyes on the Palowick smuggler the whole time as

the wolves inspected the merchandise. The children were

gathered around, as well, ready to see what the off-worlder

had brought them. Finally, one of the Shistavanens looked up,alert. Theres only bacta here!

Chanek growled. What did you do with the rest of the

shipment, old timer?

Neeamesh stiffened, trying his best to be brave. You

mean the death sticks that you had hidden underneath? He

straightened his coat, giving just a brief ash of the blasterpistol strapped to his thigh. I disposed of them. Really. Selling

drugs to children. Or were you just going to use them to sellthe drugs for you? The Palowick frowned, disapprovingly.

You should be ashamed.

Chanek remained sneering. That was the last mistakeyoull ever make.

I brought the bacta patches for the children, as I was

hired to do. Ill settle up with your boss back on Nar Shaddaa

for the credits I owe him for the ruined cargo.

Fraid it doesnt work like that, smuggler, Chanekchuckled and drew his blaster.

* * *

With the help of her fathers Quarren friend, Aneesa was

able to reassemble the Dusty Duck. She hated to admit it,

but the experience gave her a new respect for the old bird,

and she was beginning to see what her father saw in it. Itwas a clunker an embarrassment, really but it had a lot of

heart.

She would miss that when she left her father to nd her

place in the stars.

As she gave the ship an affectionate pat, wondering howshe would ever get on without her father right by her side, her

comlink crackled to life.

Aneesa! It was her father. And he sounded scared.

She raised her comlink and responded. What is it,

Daddy?

Prepare the ship! Im under attack!

What?!

We have to leaveNOW!

Aneesa heard the shrill zap of a blaster on the other end

of the comlink and feared the worst. Rushing up the ramp,

ignoring the Quarren and his worried expression, Aneesa

entered her cabin and retrieved the 6-2Aug2 hunting rie. Her

father had taught her how to use a slugthrower at an earlyage, to defend their home. She had proven to be quite a good

shot with the rie, but right now, she just hoped shed be

good enough.

Racing back down the ramp, not stopping to answer the

Quarrens question regarding her father, Aneesa approached

the edge of the bay. Along the boardwalk were mountedbinoculars for tourists to get a more tantalizing look at

Phyrstal Island across the water. Aneesa peered through the

lenses and saw her father racing for shore in a oatboat with

three gures on hydrobikes chasing after him, ring wildly.

Shistavanens.

Aneesa held her breath, biding her time. The slugthroweronly had a 300-meter range, and it would be precious moments

before they were in her sights. Precious moments she wasnt

certain her father had.

Get the ship red up! she yelled at the Quarren. Weretaking off hot!

The Quarren, having feared this end would come, made

no argument and disappeared into the Duck, prepping it for

takeoff. Aneesa returned her attention to her father and

his pursuers. The old Palowick was ducking the persistent

shots, ring defensive blasts of his own. It hurt Aneesa to seeher father ring a blaster, knowing how much he abhorred

violence. But, as he had taught her, sometimes there was

no other way. With baited breath, she silently urged him on,waiting for the moment when he could lay down his weapon

and she could pick up hers, instead.

She leveled her rie, waiting. Ive got you, Daddy, she

whispered. Come on

In her mind, she clicked off the meters as her target

approached, already hearing gasps from the more faint-hearted

tourists now noticing the speeding gunght on the water. But

Aneesa shut out their voices, focusing on her father.

Come onJust a little bit closer.

The Shistavanens were gaining on her father, howling and

snapping, relishing the weakening of their preys resolve.

Aneesas anger blossomed within herand she red.

With a loud crack, the lead wolfman took a ceramic slug tothe shoulder and yipped as he was thrown clear from his bike.

One of the other Shistavanens reacted in surprise, looking to

his fallen pack-mate, and Aneesa took his hesitation to re

another shot, hitting him right in the neck. Roaring in pain,

he slumped over and rolled into the water. She smiled in grimsatisfaction, taking careful aim on the last wolf nipping at her

fathers heels.

Daddy, get down! she yelled out to him on the water.

The Palowick dropped down into the boat as a third and

nal slug blasted through the air and caught the remaining

Shistavanen square in the chest. Aneesa didnt waste amoment to savor her victory. From behind she could make out

the Ducks engine coughing to life, and she knew they werent

in the clear yet.

Still clutching her rie, she rushed to the bays edge and

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helped her arriving father out of the boat and onto the docks.

He was shaking, visibly frightened from his harrowing ordeal,

but managed a feeble, Good shooting.

Aneesa gave him a small, distracted grin of pride and

hooked her arm in her fathers, helping him along. Togetherthey rushed to the ramp of the Dusty Duck, and the Quarren

met them halfway.

What happened? he exclaimed, seeing the old Palowicks

disheveled appearance.

Its time to go home, my old friend.

Aneesa grew worried. Daddy?

Her father turned to explain to her, but chose not to go

into great detail while their lives were still in danger. Ive

just offended some powerful men, Neesy.

What? Why?

By doing the right thing. They were smuggling death

sticks, and I wont stand for that on my ship. There will

be repercussions for what Ive done, and Ill have to face

them.

Suddenly, all of Aneesas hopes for the future left her. Shewanted to stay by her fathers side. To make sure he was safe.

Butwhat are we going to do?

Ill offer to pay for what I lost.

The Quarren was quick to correct him. Theyll want blood

for payment, Neeamesh. This is very foolish.

Its the only way. I dont want a bounty on my head for

the rest of my life. Ill pay for the damages, and well be on

our way.

Aneesa tugged at her fathers vest, pleading. Daddy, hell

kill you! We can just run away and hide.

But her father was resolved. This isnt the life I wanted

for you, Neesy. Its time for you to nd your own path, but rstI need to take care of this, or else it will follow you wherever

you go.

Im not going anywhere! I want to stay with you! Withthe Duck!

He touched his daughters chin, wishing that were true.

But he knew she was only afraid, and once this little asco was

resolved, shed want to leave again. And she should leave.

After all, hed had his chance to explore the galaxy, and for

good or for bad, he didnt regret any of it. It was the least hecould do to give her that same opportunity.

Turning to his Quarren friend, Neeamesh patted him on the

shoulder. Take care.

Ill do my best to cover your tracks. Buy you more

time until you can get to Nar Shaddaa and take care of thisyourself.

Thank you.

Without wasting any more time they could already

hear the faint splashing of the Shistavanens surfacing and

swimming for shore the Dyms boarded the Dusty Duck and,with a wheeze and backre, took ight and jettisoned into

the atmosphere.

* * *

Aneesa nervously oiled the landing gears on the Dusty

Duck, her mind hardly able to concentrate on her task. They

had barely returned to Nar Shaddaa before her father gave

her a kiss and stoically marched to the Cluster Cantina to nd

Gootle and contact his client.

An hour had passed, and still no word.

She looked out again into the rain, hoping to see her

fathers haggard form returning from his meeting. Butthere

was nothing. She sighed and tried to hold onto hope, knowing

thats what her father would have done, and retreated into

the ship to get another container of oil. Halfway up, she heardfootfalls and spun around, her heart leaping in excitement.

Daddy?

It was Gootle. His Jawa lackeys were gone, and he was

alone.

Oh. she drawled, not yet realizing what his presencemeant.

Aneesa he began, sadly wringing his hands.

He trailed off, and Aneesas breath caught in her throat.

No

The Rodian couldnt face her as he told the news. Yourfathers been killed.

Aneesas knees buckled, and she collapsed on the ramp,

still clutching her fathers dirty rag. No

It was the client. Im he hesitated, quite upset,

himself, and nally blurted out, Stang, Im sorry, kid. He wasbad news. I didnt realize how bad when I offered your father

the job

Aneesa heard Gootles words but did not listen to them. All

she could think of was every time her father had told her he

loved her and how shed never hear those words again. Tearsspilled down her eyestalks and her proboscis trembled. She

was lost now. Lost and utterly alone.

I never meant for this to happen, Gootle stammered,

wringing his hands harder and harder. Your pop was one of

the greatest beings IIf theres anything I can do

Aneesa looked to him, her eyes steely and cold. Where

is he?

Your father? Gootle asked. Hes still at the Cantina. I

thought it was best you came before they

No, she corrected him rmly. The client. Where is

he?

Oh, him? Gootle stood straighter, more nervous than

ever. No, kid. I know what youre thinking, and you cant.

Hes out of your league, Aneesa. You wouldnt last two secondsagainst an animal like that.

Then Ill get help, she said, raising up, her anger givingher the strength to stand.

Who knows where he went? Hes got an incredible bounty

on his head. He keeps moving, you know? He could be anywhere

in the Outer Rim by now.

Then Ill nd him.

She turned around, ready to march up to the cockpit and

begin the search immediately, but Gootle yelled after her. In

what? In this heap? This ship was your fathers crazy dream,

kid. Its time to let it go.

Aneesa turned to face him. No. This ship is family. Wellmake it.

Here, he protested, shufing around in the pocket of his

ight suit. Here, if youre gonna go off like a mad bantha, at

least take this.

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Find out how Aneesa and the Dusty Ducks storyends at the Ofcial Star Wars Databank:

www.starwars.com/databank/starship/dustyduck/

He handed her a handful of credits and clasped her hands

around them, his grief and guilt compelling him to compensate

her in some feeble way. On me, kid. Best of luck to you. May

the Force be with you or whatever it is those Jedi say. And,

if you ever nd the guy he cracked a grin, Give em onefor me.

Aneesa stared at the credits and the bittersweet expression

on the face of her fathers old Rodian cohort.

This was it. She was really doing it. Leaving Nar Shaddaa,

possibly for good. She didnt know what fate awaited her inthe galaxy, but one thing was certain. She had her fathers

honor to avenge. After all that he had done for her, she owed

him that much.

Breaking into a small smile, she took the credits and left

Gootle behind, entering the bay of her ship, the Dusty Duck.

It was just the two of them now, and somehow, she was okaywith that. She had said it herself.

The Duck was family. And family was everything.

Her father had taught her that.

THE BEGINNING

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THEED, NABOO A ceremony held at

the Emperors estate earlier today

heralded the loyalty and bravery

of Governor Panaka of Naboo. A

longtime friend and supporter of

Emperor Palpatine, Panaka is a

seless servant of the New Order.

In reaction to a recent surge in rebel

activity, the Governor personally ledseveral combined units of Imperial

Army troopers and Naboo Security

Forces to wipe out the insurgent

infestation on the edge of Lake

Paonga. Over sixty enemies were

killed, with a hundred more captured.

Many of Naboos natives, the

primitive Gungans, were also taken

into custody, as a precautionarymeasure.

The loyal citizens of Naboo should

not live in fear of rebels, criminals,

and renegades, Panaka declared.

Security and stability are the

Empires top priorities.

Backing his statements with action,

the governor announced that the

Naboo Security Forces would

increase their presence around theplanet. Additionally, he revealed

that several new contracts had been

forged with Sienar and TaggeCo.

to provide the planet with new and

updated defense technology.

Though His Imperial Majesty was

not in attendance, he was able

congratulate Panaka on his victory

via hologram earlier this week.

DOABA GUERFEL, CORELLIA The terrorist forces

operating within the Corellian sector carried out

yet another cowardly hit and run attack yesterday,

devastating the small Imperial communications outpost,

RF-2Q, leaving dozens of personnel dead or wounded.This outpost was hardly a military target, said Colonel

Wullf Yularen when pressed for comment, Attacks like

this and those carried out by other criminal elements like

PANAKA HONORED

DOZENS DEAD IN REBEL TERRORIST ATTACK

30

33:5:23

Other Alerts:- Gallofree Bankruptcy Proceedings Under Review

- Narg Rehabilitation Efforts Conclude- A Hologuide to the Palpatine Gardens

- Cloud CIty Sabacc Tournament Tops Year-End Ratings

Mon Mothma only hurt civilians in the long run, and they

still insist on calling traitors like her senator? Her term

would have surely expired by now!.

Failed attempts to maintain security and order against

such terrorists have resulted in the plunging approvalratings of the Corellian Diktat as the people cry out for

stronger Imperial rule in the sector.

Panaka: A rising star in the

Chommel Sector.

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Protests, OppressionPlague KesselKessendra, Kessel - Peacefuldemonstrations over the Empiresmistreatment of the Lowick System andthe Palowick species were met withviolence this week, as Imperial forcesunder the command of Slave LordTrioculus secured Kessendra Stadiumby force.

Concerned for the wellbeing of Lowickspeople, over a hundred beings from around

the galaxy gathered in the citys giganticamphitheater for a show of solidarity. Atleast a half-dozen Palowick expatriatesshowed up, as well. Unfortunately, the localImperial government did not look kindlyupon these activists and immediately setout to disperse the assembly.

Crowd control stormtroopers and lightscout walkers entered the stadium andproceeded to sweep across parade-ground.Ten sentients were killed, with another 39

Corellian Resistance ClaimsVictory In Imperial Outpost Strike

In another valiant strike against Imperialoppression, the Corellian Resistancesuccessfully destroyed an Imperial outpostin a display of strength for its recentlyunied efforts.

In the third attack of whats collectively

being nicknamed Operation Zars Fang,Resistance forces eliminated an Imperialcommunications outpost being used as acentral hub for military efforts to infringe

31

FREEDOMFIGHTERFEED

also:Corellian Diktats Approval Numbers Hit All-Time LowImperial tributes and taxes cause of low opinion of Thomree. Citizens demanding less Imperial inu-ence in the region. [more]Mon Calamari: We Were Not Discovered By the Empire!

Xenobiologists Imperial Propaganda Outrages People of Dac. [more]

Other Alerts:Scrivinir Geen - How Did He Obtain Ofce? The Palpatine Connection Exposed.

Slave Trade Increasing on BonadanRebel Four Feared DeadBootleg Animation Vids Flood Holonet

33:5:22

injured. It is believed that the survivors havebeen imprisoned in Kessels infamous SpiceMines. No word has been given on their release,and the local Imperial government has issued atemporary freeze on all incoming and outgoingcraft on theplanet, so asto preventthe spreadof sedition.Despite this,

a recording ofthe incidenthas madeit off theplanet, andis now beingredistributed.The SlaveLords actionswere commended by Calaron Sector MoffBertroff Hissa, who deemed them humane and

upon Corellian citizens privacy throughcommunications eavesdropping. Conrmationof its secondary function as an illegal detentionfacility was acquired following the release andrescue of its captives.

The freedom ghters suffered only minor

casualties during the attack, improportionateto those inicted upon Imperial forces present-further establishing them as a credible rallyingpoint against the Empire.

A Palowick protestor, secondsbefore being pulverized by an

Imperial walker.

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SHADOWSMorituri te salutant!How would that infamous Latin

quote sound in Huttese, Aqualish or

Nikto? Ever since the collapse of

the Roman Empire, the gladiators

have been part of the human

interest. Just think of Spartacus

and Gladiator and you know

why the bravest and cruellest

entertainers from the Roman

Empire fascinate us so much.

The Roman culture was not the

only place where gladiators

were used. It probably wont be

a surprise when we tell you that

the Star Wars-universe has

plenty of gladiatorial games. Who

could forget the beginning of the

Battle of Geonosis where Anakin,

Obi-Wan and Padm were pitted

against three wild creatures? In

this article, we will talk about thegladiators from the most obvious

gladiator-like sequence in the

Star Wars-saga: the Rattatak

Cauldron from the Clone Wars

Animated Series.

ASAJJ VENTRESS was a native from Rattatak and the ultimate victor of theght. With the Force as her ally, she defeated all the other gladiators. Although she

thought she was a Sith, Darth Tyranus quickly demonstrated the real power of a

Sith Lord.

ANCHOR BLUE was a Houk (home planet unknown, possibly Lijuter) who wasarticially enhanced through the Vibroblade replacement that replaced his

amputated hand. His owner sent an awful pain trough his arm that made him even

angrier. This also marks the appearance of the Houk species (originally from Han

Solo & The Lost Legacy) in the spin-offs. Got killed by Ventress.

Rattatak Gladiator

The

Roster

NAMED GLADIATORS

by Tim Veekhoven

AND

DUSTbackground ART by christian pacheco

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BUGNAUGHTwas an unknown type of droid that participated in the battle. It wasequipped with a amethrower. One could presume that Ugnaughts constructed it,

but that is not conrmed. It defeated Carl, but got destroyed by Blorga.

BLORGA was a Gamorrean who used a double-spike hammer to crush or pierce hisenemies. He faced off against Grunda Dolma, then destroyed Bugnaught, but got killed by

Ventress.

CARLwas the name of the rarely encounteredSHIKITARI, a species hailing froma planet with the same name. A Devaronian con artist entered the insectoid alien in

the arena. Bugnaught ultimately killed Carl.

CROCKAGORbelonged to a yet unnamed green reptilian species and used a hugespiked mace. Krutch caught him in his net and probably killed him.

FLALIOSwas a partially masked human male who used two large ails and knives.He faced off against Swyym-Ee and was killed by Ventress.

GRUNDA DOLMAwas an Aqualish (probably an Ualaq) who fought with a double-

headed staff. He confronted Blorga, destroyed Mantoid, but was killed by Ventress.She rst threw him away with a Force push, but he survived that fall. He was then

crushed by one of the falling rocks.

GIANT FLOGwas truly a giant among the gladiators and was the last warrior Asajjhad to beat. His true origins are unknown, but his owner, Kesivo, bought him in the

Moddell Sector. This has stirred rumours that Flog could be either a Phlog (as his

name indicates) or even a Gorax. However, his species still remains unnamed. He

crushed the Wampa, but was killed by Ventress lightsabers.

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KRUTCH was a spider-like alien (species and planet unnamed) with six arms, sixlegs and one green eye. He used a net and several melee weapons to defeat his

adversaries. There could be a continuity problem with Krutch. We rst saw Kullta

Kutta slicing Krutch in two pieces. At the end of the battle Ventress smashed

Krutch with a falling rock.

JASPER McKNIVES was a mentally instable KajainsaNikto and a follower of thedangerous Cult of Mdweshuu. He was the only contestant who entered himself to

ght in the arena. He used an assortment of vibroblades and vibroknifes. His name

is probably an alias for his true Nikto name. Ventress killed Jasper.

KULLTA KUTTA rode a Sowsquatch into battle. The armoured and masked Kutta

hailed from a long line of ghters. The Sowsquatch seemed to be a furred mammalianspecies with four legs, a row of dangerous teeth and large green eyes. Kullta killed

(or wounded) Krutch or a member of his species. A droid adversary killed Kullta,

although this happened off screen.

L8-L9 was a prototype Battle Droid constructed by TaggeCo and armed withplasma cannons and amethrowers. Although it defeated several gladiators, it was

considered to be a failure and Baron Tagge continued the research. After blowing

up several gladiators, L8-L9 was destroyed by Asajj Ventress.

NILO was a Rodisar General from Rodis who had been sold to the Cauldron byZygerrian slavers. Nilo, who wasnt as powerful as a General should be, was killed

by TaggeCos L8-L9.

MANTOID was a strange black droid with at least eight armed appendages. TheAqualish Grunda Dolma destroyed it.

SWYYM-EE was a reptilian Trigodile from Rattatak who used large knives knownas Filang. He confronted Flalios and was later killed by Ventress.

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LEFT SIDE GLADIATORS: When Kullta races forward, you can see two ghtersface off at the left side. One of them seemed to be human and the other one looked

like a humanoid specimen wearing a shield. Its possible that the latter one also

belonged to the unnamed ten.

THE TEN GLADIATORS: No less than ten unnamed gladiators appear for a shorttime when Asajj is running away from L8-L9s re. All these ghters seemed to have

perished by the re of the droid. One of them was a fat alien with two horns and

two of them were denitely insect - or spi