HO! HO! HO! Merry Christmas! (Well, it's Christmas Eve, but let's not get hung up on technicalities.)

So, hi, everyone who's still here! I'm sorry to pop up so abruptly and without a complete chapter no less. I'm really sorry about that, but I wanted to do something for Christmas and Chapter 56 is just not ready. I'm having a tough time juggling university winter finals, new year preparations, my social life, my original writing and this. Don't worry, I'm not going on a hiatus, I'm just once again reiterating that inspiration is hard to come by these days As is free time so this stuff takes longer.

Anyhow, I'm here to let you know that I've opened a sister project to Light's Brink. Well, technically, it's still Light's Brink. It's called Beyond Light's Brink and I, after consulting a certain reviewer who never fails to leave me a note, have decided to finally make an outtakes story so as to not break up the story narrative. Here's the summary:

"What goes on beyond the edge of light? What scenes were deleted and which were changed? This a collection of outtakes, bloopers, deleted and altered scenes from Star Wars: Light's Brink, featuring the usual cast. Outtakes start from Chapter 53. OC/OC"

Yup, that's it. This is my Christmas special for you guys this year since I didn't have time to write a separate oneshot and I'm so sorry, but I'd be very happy if you read this.

If you're conflicted, ask yourself this: Are you interested to see what TK remembered from his time as PISCES brother right before their fight? Are you curious to see what was behind the watery veil Alana and Ceresta stood by before Alana made her choice? Are you interested in what went on in Jayden's mind as the spice ate away at it or what he felt during certain moment we saw from Alana's POV?

If yes, then Beyond the Light is something you should check out since it provides all of that as well as my reasons for deleting this stuff. Sad, but true. Some scenes are just unnecessary.

For those that are not, I'm here with a project update for you.

Chapter 56 is about 2/3rds done. I still have 3-4 sections to write with the last one, hopefully, being the most important so yeah, it will probably take me another while to finish it off. I hate my perfectionist writing habits sometimes.

To apologise here's a sneak preview of pieces of Chapter 56 from what I've already written:

The atmosphere had easily returned back to it's casual relaxed state. Jayden shook his head softly:

-I think we're both just glad that there seems to be no lasting damage.

-Agreed.

As soon as he heard that, Captain Okarr's face darkened as though a cloud was passing over the sun. He looked to Risha and TK with a frown:

-You haven't told them yet?

Risha slowly shook her head and TK hesitantly warbled a soft apology:

-I was going to. We got sidetracked.

Alana felt a spike of grief and guilt pulse through the Force. Jayden was the one to speak for both of them:

-Doc? What's going on?

His voice was carefully neutral, not accusatory or demanding, but not reassuring either. It reminded Alana a little of his Shadow voice and demeanour with how clinical it was, simple in a way. Risha exchanged a look with TK who gave a soft whistle before looking to the other two members of the crew, the captain and the chief.

Risha sighed, clasping her hands together nervously. She released a shaky breath:

-The poison wasn't the only thing PISCES inflicted that left lasting damage. We were lucky that House Elegin was as well-equipped as it was or both you and Alana could have ended up way worse than you are. After all, you did get the brunt of his attention. The thing is...The thing is, while the kolto and bacta fixed a lot of the damage done it couldn't fix all of it. Some things were too far gone for it or for me to fix. Despite the title I wound up with on Tatooine I am no miracle worker. There were medical complications. I'm sorry. I tried my best, but...

==SW: LB==

From beside Bendak the ensign drew in a sharp breath:

-Oh no...It's worse.

Bendak's head snapped to the young woman.

-This was happening before?

She nodded:

-Yes. People just kept being attacked out of nowhere.

-And you didn't inform me earlier?

-It wasn't my call, sir. Captain Reth said you were not to be disturbed.

Bendak clenched his fists, his thick eyebrows drawing together. He made a mental not to speak with this Captain Reth. With Cestele out of the picture and the Supreme Commander gone, he was top ranking officer. He better know when they were being attacked from within.

-An assassin?

The ensign shrugged, but she looked uneasy:

-We don't know, sir. We have scouting parties scouring the ship, but so far no sign. Everyone that's been attacked has never caught sight of the perpetrator and the cameras show nothing. They're either very skilled or something else is going on here. Either way, Officer Cedrax and the others are doing the best they can.

==SW: LB==

Alana took a shaky breath:

-Put me down.

He smiled up at her:

-I don't think so. You'll run away.

-No, I won't!

-Hm, quite. I'm not putting you down.

-I'm heavy. Not exactly as light as a feather here.

-Please don't underestimate me, while I don't do it often I can handle heavy objects.

-I'm not an object!

His eyes twinkled in amusement at her vehement protest:

-No, you're not. You're my dummy of a partner named Alana Sheelan.

-J-Just put me down.

-Not happening.

So, I hope this is enough. Apologies once again. The Title for the Chapter so far is Airing Secrets.

Anyway, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone! I wish you a wonderful time! See you some time next year!