Decisions Part 2 A boy grows up to be a Sister

by Jules Cesar

The bounty hunter is dead. Andriel and Chitrah need to find a world were they can raise their son. Where the Sith won't find them. The Selketh have hired a respected freighter captain to help them. A place were their son can also be trained to use the force. Recommended reading Decisions Part 1 first. Rated Mature. The History of Dathomir, chapters 5 thru 8, can be read on its own.

1. Chapter 1

©2016

Krillgan shook his mother and father, asking them, why the people were acting funny? Andriel who was holding Krillgan on her hip, with one hand, and had her other hand around Chitrah's waist. Was crying on her husband's shoulder, because they were alive, and safe. Chitrah who was hugging his son and wife, for the same reason, had his eyes closed.

Both suddenly open their eyes and looked around at their son's prompting. They saw the Selkath, some on their knees, the rest standing, all bowed towards them. Even the ones who were still dripping water, like Chitrah and Krillgan. Having just helped them out of the water. Then Andriel remembered that Krillgan had been hit when the bounty hunter fired the flechette rocket in their direction. Which is why he ended up in the sea to begin with. She asked, him where he was hurt? Krillgan told her that he was not hurt anymore. Very little things had come, pulled by the great Mother's swimming. They had come into him through his cuts, and healed him. Andriel asked him to show her where he had been injured. Krillgan pointed to four places on his body. Andriel found a hole in his clothes at each place he indicated, but there was no wound underneath. Not even a scar. Then they noticed an older Selkath coming towards them. He would take a few steps, then bow, then take a few more steps then bow again. Eventually he made his way up to them. He told them he was an elder of the Selkath, and asked them to come with him.

Andriel asked him why all the people were bowing towards them. He told her that they were not bowing to them. They were bowing towards her son. No-one has been able to call the Progenitor, whom they call the Great Mother, in the past Three Hundred years, and their son just called her. The three of them followed the elder. The elder had touched a couple of dry Selkath, pointing to their luggage. They immediately went and grabbed their luggage, and followed behind. They came to what looked like a hole in a pile of rubble. The elder explained that this is his home. They followed him inside expecting a dusty cave. What they found was a large, clean, comfortable living space. The elder told them that they were not ready to let the outside world know, that they were better off than they looked. In case the Sith Empire decided, to come back, and finish what they started. It also gives them the excuse not to have any dealings with the Sith Empire. The elder let them use the bedroom, to change out of their wet clothes, into something dry. Andriel was almost as wet as Chitrah and Krillgan from hugging them and holding them. This also gave Andriel and Chitrah an opportunity to examine Krillgan's body more closely. After changing, they came back out to the main room, and sat down on the comfortably carpeted floor.

The elder asked them what brings them to Manaan. Chitrah let Andriel tell him their story. While she was sharing, the elder's wife brought them platters, with pieces of various types of fresh fish, along with pieces of different types of seaweed. They were also handed small bowls of fish eggs, with little spoons in them. Krillgan's bowl was about a third the size of his parents' bowls, but the fish eggs were a different colour.

When Chitrah tried to taste a sample of Krillgan's bowl of fish eggs, the elder immediately interrupted Andriel's story, to tell Chitrah that he was forbidden to touch Krillgan's fish eggs. They were only for the one who called the Great Mother. Chitrah told the elder he understood, and apologised. The elder let Andriel know that she could continue. Andriel tried not to show that she was also disappointed. Since she wanted to try Krillgan's bowl of fish eggs as well. At least the elder let her eat while she talked, she was actually quite hungry.

She had never eaten raw fish before, but it tasted quite good, especially wrapped in seaweed. The meal was finished, and put away, and pots of seaweed tea were brought out for them to sip on and enjoy, before Andriel had finished telling him their story.

The elder did not believe that the small micro-organisms had entered Krillgan's body. He told them that they had no affinity for the blood of humanoid species. Andriel told him that Krillgan's blood was special. While his father has the normal red blood associated with most humanoid species, she has the black Devaronian blood. Krillgan has both. The elder did not know about Devaronian blood. If this was true, than there would be more, and different nutrients in Krillgan's blood, then is normally found in regular blood. This would explain why the micro-organisms had entered his blood. He told the family that it was very important, for them not to tell anyone about the micro-organisms. They did not want the outside world to know what the source of Kolto is. They have told outsiders different stories, including that it came from the Progenitor herself, to keep them from trying to take the source of Kolto to other worlds, to see if they could produce it elsewhere.

Andriel and Chitrah said they understood. But did that mean they had to stay on Manaan, because Krillgan had the Kolto producing microbials inside of him. The elder told them that it was too dangerous for them to stay on Manaan. The Sith still come by from time to time, to buy Kolto, and they would eventually find him. He knows a very trustworthy captain that should be visiting them, any day now. He is sure this captain knows of a world that they could go to. To raise their son in peace, and keep him safe from the Sith. In the meantime he would appreciate it, if they would consider his home as their home. He also asked them if they could keep Krillgan inside, because if he goes outside, the Selkath will stop what they are doing, and bow to him, out of reverence. It would be hard for them to get anything done. Andriel and Chitrah asked Krillgan if he could stay inside the home, and play with his blocks. Krillgan said it would be okay, but he would still like to go outside from time to time, to go for a walk with them. The elder told them that there were two times in the day that it would be okay for them to take Krillgan outside. During the heat of the afternoon, the Selkath like to nap inside, unless they are in the water, because the sun can dry out their skin. The second time is when they came home for their evening meal. The family agreed that they could go for a walk at these times. Krillgan had laid down with his head on his mother's lap. The elder realised that they were all fatigued from the day's events. He asked them to take his bedroom as theirs. At first they resisted, but when the wife added her voice to her husbands, they caved in. Not wanting to offend their gracious hosts.

The bed was a very large mattress resting directly on the floor. There was enough room on the bed for the three of them. After changing into their sleepwear, they only covered themselves with a very light blanket, as it was still quite warm in the home, from the residual heat of the day.

The next morning, Chitrah woke up first, as he normally does. He quickly dressed, and went out into the common room. The elder and his wife were already up. The elder offered to take them to a place where they could bathe in the morning.

So that the elder would not have to make two trips, Chitrah decided to wake Andriel up. He went back into the bedroom, and knelt beside the side of the bed that Andriel was sleeping on. He bent over and lightly kissed Andriel on the lips. A smile came on Andriel's face, as she woke up, and kissed Chitrah back. Chitrah saw that she was willing for more, but instead, told her the reason he woke her up. Andriel was a little let down, but understood Chitrah's reason for waking her up gently. Krillgan was still asleep in the middle of the bed. She dressed and followed Chitrah into the main room. The elder led them outside, where they followed a path. They were approaching the edge of the raft, when they came to an open area, and a set of stairs leading down to the water. The elder handed them a sea sponge, that they could use to wash their bodies, and told them that he and his wife had already bathed that morning.

They found that there was a large landing at the bottom of the stairs, were the Selkath had left their clothing, before jumping into the water in the swimming area. Andriel and Chitrah did not feel comfortable, stripping down naked in front of the Selkath that were already in the water. So they jumped in fully clothed. They did not think anyone would mind, since the swimming area was open to the sea. When adult Selkath, that came down to bathe after them, saw that their guests had gone into the water fully clothed, they did the same, so that they would feel more comfortable.

Chitrah was enjoying himself, diving into the water, then standing up on the sand. As the water only came up to his chest, on the sandbar in the middle of the bathing area. He was surprised he could see underwater as well as he could see in the air. One time he came out of the water laughing. Andriel wanted to know why. He told her that he is a Chagrian that did not know how to swim.

Andriel could see that he felt at home in the water. She thought of maybe undressing in the water, to make it easier to use the sponge that the elder gave them. Chitrah told her that she looked just as beautiful under the water as she did above, which made her blush, since the water came up to just above her mountains. She felt a little frisky, after being awaken with a kiss, and started unbuttoning her blouse anyway. Chitrah warned her that the Selkath could see underwater as well as he could. She did it anyway, just to tease him. He submerged himself to watch the show. She stopped when she noticed that all the Selkath were underwater as well. This made her face go really dark.

Chitrah came out of the water laughing again, because he saw her face darken. Then he went up to her, and gave her a kiss, and told her that he loves her. The Selkath assumed that this was some sort of sex ritual between the two alien adults, and proceeded to ignore them. Andriel reached into her blouse with the sponge, to wash herself down, before doing her blouse back up. She then handed the sponge to Chitrah, so that he could reach up her blouse, and wash her back. After they finished helping each other wash, they climbed back up, onto the landing, and agreed that they should bring Krillgan here, when the Selkath were taking their afternoon nap.

They were still dripping water when they approached the elder's home. So they found a small alcove in the rubble nearby. If one of them stood at the entrance to the alcove, they would block the sight of anyone looking in. This way they could take turns undressing, and wring out their clothes. They did not want to leave a trail of water on the elder's nicely carpeted floor.

Andriel was not blind to the fact that Chitrah was getting turned on, seeing her naked. But they both held back. This was not the place where they wanted to make love.

When they entered the elder's home, they were careful not to track any of the mud they made when wringing out their clothes, in with them. They quickly went into the bedroom to change, then they woke Krillgan up for breakfast. Breakfast was similar to what they had for dinner, except, no fish eggs.

After breakfast, Krillgan played Hutt Wars with his father, on his father's computer.

Andriel asked for directions from the elder's wife, to go to the local market. She wanted to buy some fabric, to hand sew them all, loose fitting tunics, to wear when they went to the swimming area. Andriel had no concept of swim wear, or bathing suits. She felt that loose fitting tunics would give them the ability to bathe in them without difficulty, yet still gave them the freedom to move around in the water. She also thought that they would not be as clingy as their regular clothes, revealing too much when they came out of the water. She found the fabric she was looking for, and it had a nice pastel print. At least they would look colourful when they were going to and from the water. When she returned, she decided to sew Krillgan's tunic first. It would be good practice for when it came time to sew them, for her and Chitrah, and it would be easier for her to hide any mistakes. She did not have to interrupt her two boys, as they played together. She just laid the fabric on their backs, while they played, to make sure the tunics would be the right size.

Lunch was the same thing as breakfast and dinner. It did not take long for Andriel and Chitrah to figure out that the variations in the Selkath diet, was the number of different fish they ate, and the wide selection of seaweeds they were able to consume. They did not cook anything for their meals. The only fire they ever saw was in the fish oil lamps that they used to light their homes, and boil water for tea. If they did not leave very soon, they would start craving ship rations. Which up until now, they both thought was impossible.

After lunch, they brought Krillgan's blocks into the common room. Chitrah continued to play with him, while Andriel continued with her sewing.

When the elder came home for his nap, Andriel had all three tunics ready. Chitrah and Krilgan both decided that they did not need to wear anything under their tunics. Andriel decided to play it safe, and still wore her panties. Since the swimming area was open to the sea, she did not want any small creatures swimming where she did not want them to.

When they jumped into the water, an unexpected thing happened. The tunics ballooned out with trapped air. The tunics almost slipped off. They all had fun working the trapped air out, and getting the tunics completely wet. Chitrah had braced his one leg above the knee of his other leg so that Krillgan had a place where he could sit or stand. Otherwise he would have to bob up and down off the sandbar, so that he could get his head out of the water to breath.

Andriel removed Krillgan's tunic completely, so that she could give him a good scrub with the sponge, all over his body. Krillgan was the only one of the three that knew they were not alone. There were a number of Selkath children along the edge of the swimming area, he assumed that they wanted to see him, the one who called the Great Mother. There were also two adults, guarding the entrance from the sea. He could also sense the firaxan sharks swimming back and forth in the sea, just outside the swimming area. None of this bothered him, because he felt that they were safe.

After his scrubbing, Andriel helped him put his tunic back on. Then they took turns tossing him back and forth between them. They never threw him right to the other person. They always threw him just short, so that he would end up splashing the other adult, when he hit the water. Krillgan tried his hardest to make a big splash each time. There was a lot of healthy laughter coming from all of them. As Andriel and Chitrah were getting tired from throwing Krillgan, they started throwing him shorter and shorter distances, forcing him to try and paddle with his arms and feet, to make up the distance. They were all pretty tired by the time they finished their play time.

Chitrah took Krillgan in his arms to carry him back, since he was so tired.

Because it was the heat of the day, they were not dripping water by the time they arrived back at the elder's home. They tippy-toed through the home into the bedroom, not to wake the elder and his wife. The elder's wife had left them three wet towels on a tray in the bedroom, so that they could wipe the salt water off of their bodies. They wiped Krillgan down first, and put some fresh clothes on him so that they could lay him down for a nap. He fell asleep right away. Andriel and Chitrah helped wipe each other down. They were both quite tired, so they had one long kiss, as a promise, that they would have some alone time later that day. They also fell asleep quickly, after crawling onto the bed on either side of Krillgan.

They awoke to the soft tapping sound on the bedroom door. The elder's wife told them that soon everyone would be heading home for their evening meal. They might want to get ready for the walk they wanted to take. Andriel and Chitrah both slept longer than they had planned on, but they did feel refreshed. They were wearing the clothes they intended to wear for the walk, only they were all wrinkled from having been slept in. They decided not to change, because no-one was expected to be outside when they went for their walk. When the elder thought it was safe, they stepped outside. They could tell from the sky that the sun was setting. So they walked quickly to the place the bounty hunter had trapped them, and found a place to sit, so that they could watch the last of the sunset. They forgot that they were near the cantina. They could smell the hint of cooked foods on the breeze, which made all their stomachs growl.

Andriel and Chitrah looked at each other. The look said not tonight, they had other plans. After the sun set below the horizon, they got up and walked to the spaceport area. Chitrah could still see quite well in the low light conditions, so Andriel relied on him to lead them through the rubble. Krillgan could see almost as well as his father, so he took the time to look around, as he held his mother's hand. Eventually they made it back to the elder's. They sent Krillgan inside, and told him that it was okay for him to start his dinner without them. They had someplace they needed to go, but would be back later.

Andriel and Chitrah headed back to the swimming area. It was now dark enough that Andriel had no clue where she was going. She could just tell that the sky was lighter than the darkness around them. It was only when Chitrah started going down the stairs that she knew where she was. She was able to make out the surface of the water where the swimming area joined the sea.

Chitrah felt that his low light sight was better than the Selkath. So they did not worry about being discovered. He did not know that the sharks that were swimming in the swimming area, had better lowlight vision than he did.

When Andriel and Chitrah reached the platform, they started kissing, then they started helping each other out of their clothing. Then they made love to each other. They both admitted that they waited too long for this moment, and let the fire of their passion for one another burn freely. After the fire had ran its course, they rested. Then Andriel got up and went to the edge of the platform. She wanted to jump into the water to wash herself off. Chitrah grabbed her arm and pulled her away from the edge. He told her that he had heard something in the water, and it wasn't a Selkath. Andriel asked him if it was okay if she just went to the edge and splashed some water on herself.

"Only if you want to lose an arm."

Just then, they both felt something heavy bump the platform. They both hurriedly grabbed their clothes. Trying to dress as they climbed the stairs.

When Krillgan entered the elder's home by himself, the elder and his wife both asked Krillgan where his parents are? He told the elders that he heard that they were both breathing a little heavy, and knew that they wanted to be alone. The elders smiled at how observant this little boy was. They asked him how their walk went. He told them how they went back to where the elder found them, so that they could watch the sun go down, and how all their tummies growled when they smelt the smells coming from the one home near there. The elder and his wife knew that Krillgan was talking about the Smuggler's Cantina. They also realised that they had made a big mistake as hosts. Their guests were not Selkath, and were probably not used to eating Selkath food. They were also too polite to say anything, which showed that they are good quality people. The elder left his wife to look after Krillgan, while he went out to talk with those who were more used to dealing with aliens. After Krillgan had eaten his fill, the elder's wife started cleaning up the dinner. She left one large platter, because she expected the young couple to be hungry, when they came back from their alone time, as their young son called it.

When Andriel and Chitrah returned, the elder's wife could smell sex on their bodies. She was sure Krillgan recognised the smell, but did not know its source. They devoured the platter in no time.

While they were eating, Andriel asked the elder's wife, if it was common for the Firaxan Sharks to come into the swimming area? Now she knew where the young couple had gone, she told them that the swimming area belonged as much to the sharks, as it does to the Selkath. Andriel then asked why the sharks tolerate the Selkath in the water, when they don't tolerate any other species. The elder's wife told them, that though the Firaxan Sharks easily forget that they are distant cousins, every creature in the galaxy knows not to attack a another creature that is better equipped to defend itself. Andriel pressed the elder's wife to give a fuller explanation. Because her husband was not present, and she had grown rather fond of this family, she did something that is frowned upon in Selkath society, she extended her poison tipped claws. She told them that the sharks have learnt to respect these. Then she retracted them again. Krillgan who was suddenly very interested in this conversation, asked his father, if he also had these claws? Chitrah replied with a mournful voice, "I am a Chagrian, with no horns, and can't swim. Have pity on me." This caused everyone to laugh. Andriel asked her how the claws, help them against the sharks? The wife explained about the poison in the claws. A simple scratch is enough to paralyze a shark. A shark that cannot swim, cannot breath, and will suffocate and die. Krillgan wanted to know, if it happened very often? The elder's wife told them, that on the rare occasion that a Selkath has had to use their claws against a shark. The Selkath will call other Selkath to it, and they will swim for the shark, so that it can keep breathing. When the shark regains its ability to swim, it returns to the other sharks, and transmits its warning to leave the Selkath alone.

This is far more effective than letting the shark die. Andriel and Chitrah were happy that Krillgan was learning some very valuable lessons about life. When the elder came home, his wife told him that Chitrah was a Chagrian. They had both met Chagrians in their lives. Krillgan added, "But he has no horns, and can't swim." Then he started giggling. This was a sure sign to Andriel that it was past his bedtime.

Andriel added, "But I love him just the way he is." Krillgan also affirmed that he loved his father just the way he is.

The elder asked Chitrah, how this was possible? Andriel told Krillgan that it was time for him to go to bed. Krillgan understood that his father was going to tell a story, and he had never heard it before. He pleaded with his mother that he be allowed to stay and listen to father's story. Andriel relented, on the condition that he only listen, and he rest his head on her lap. Krillgan readily agreed to these conditions.

Chitrah told them about the Rakatah transporting Chagrian slaves to Deysum III, to work in their mines. The elder mentioned that the Rakatah also transported many Selkath to other worlds during the first part of their occupation of Manaan, but they all died, because they need to go into the water at least once a day. So instead they forced them to build the first raft, to build a city for the Rakatah. The elder then apologised to Chitrah, for interrupting his story, and asked him to continue.

By this time Krillgan had fallen asleep, but Andriel did not move him, because she had promised him he could stay. After Chitrah finished, Andriel and Chitrah decided that they should retire as well. Chitrah picked up his son and carried him into the bedroom. When they were changing him, Krillgan in a groggy voice complained that he did not hear the story. Chitrah promised him that he would tell him in the morning, and he would be allowed to ask him questions as well. Krillgan kissed him on the cheek, and fell back asleep. Andriel told Chitrah that she was disappointed that she did not get a kiss. So he kissed her passionately on her lips. Andriel wanted more.

Since Krillgan was asleep, they thought it was safe for them to make love, before going to sleep, as long as they did not make any noise, and wake people up. The elder shared with his wife, what he had learnt at the cantina, and what preparations he had made for feeding them the following day.

The next morning Chitrah again woke his wife with a kiss. He already had his swimming tunic on. Andriel quickly slipped into hers, and followed him to the swimming area. She saw no evidence on the landing of what they did the night before. So either they were very careful, which she doubted, or some very nice person washed away the evidence, this morning. They eased themselves into the water, to try and keep the tunics from ballooning out. There was some ballooning, but they were quickly able to get rid of the trapped air. Chitrah found it easier, to but his arm down the back of Andriel's tunic to wash her back, rather than trying to come up underneath it. He just had to be careful not to choke his wife. Andriel returned the favour for him (By not choking him).

At breakfast they were surprised to find a stack of flatbread, along with the pieces of fresh fish, and seaweed. Andriel decided to take two pieces of flatbread, and pile pieces of fish and seaweed between them. Everyone else followed her example. You had to be careful how you held it, or the fish and seaweed would fall out, leaving you with just two pieces of flat bread. The other difference, was that they served the tea with the meal, as well as afterwards. Krillgan was only able to get through half of what he had started eating for his breakfast, before he was full. Chitrah finished it for him. They all told their hosts how they enjoyed this breakfast. The elder and his wife were glad that they could be proper hosts. They even shared a piece of flat bread, but could not understand its appeal to these aliens.

After breakfast Chitrah told Krillgan the story of the Chagrian people on Deysum III, and why he has no horns, which is also why Krillgan will probably not have any horns either. Andriel asked Chitrah if Krillgan would have Devaronian horns. Chitrah did not think so, because the horns in both their species was a male trait, so because he did not have horns, Krillgan would not have horns. He would probably just have the horn stubs, like both his parents do. Krillgan asked every question he could think of, even if it did not make any sense, because he had permission. Chitrah answered his nonsense questions, by tickling him. When he started squealing as well as giggling, Andriel joined in. The elder's wife felt she had to intervene, or Krillgan would not be able to catch his breath, and asphyxiate. Krillgan assured her he was all right, and asked if they would tickle him some more. Andriel told him that they should listen to the elder, since this is her home. So Krillgan calmed down.

Chitrah was able to finish the story without any more interruptions from his son. Krillgan asked his mother, if her story was the same? Andriel told him it was not, and told him how the Devaronians came to Deysum III. Krillgan asked them if they would have married each other, if the Sith had not made them?

Chitrah told Krillgan about his parents, arranging for him to marry someone else, before he found out that he had to marry Andriel. Krillgan told them he was glad the Sith made them marry. Does that make him bad? Andriel and Chitrah each took turns, hugging and kissing their son. Assuring him that he was not bad. They told him, how in their travels, they talked about the same thing. They believe that somehow the force used the Sith, to make them marry, so that they could touch the lives of so many people. Something that they would not have been able to, if they had not married each other. They also believed the force wanted them to have him, because they were told that their first child would be a healer in many ways. This interested the Selkath elder and his wife, that they had a prophecy about their son. Andriel told them about the prophecy that the Iktotchi first officer shared with them, and how they asked the first officer, not to reveal to them, whether their first child was going to be a boy or girl. The Selkath were one of the few species that highly respected the Itotchi. For one who was not a Seer, to have such a dream, so far from her home world, gives even more power to the content of the dream. Krillgan asked them if that meant he was going to have brothers and sisters? Andriel told him that it did. He asked, "When?" Andriel laughed and told him they were working on it, which made all the adults laugh.

Krillgan could not understand, what the adults found so funny.

For lunch the Selkath served cooked shellfish of many different varieties, along with a white grain that had been boiled, and was a bit sticky, but tasted good when you poured some fish oil, and fish sauce on it. The Selkath do not normally eat shell fish, since they consider them scavengers, and can make you sick, if you eat them raw. The Selkath found the cooked shellfish, with this strange boiled grain, to be much more appealing, than the flatbread they served with breakfast. They were told that many alien species consider this to be a very expensive delicacy. Andriel, Chitrah, and Krillgan, all ate their fill, and commented on how good the meal was.

The elder and his wife suggested that they take a nap after lunch, and they would wake them, when they could take Krillgan for his swim. They all thought it was a good idea, and decided to take their nap in their swim tunics.

This time Andriel and Chitrah noticed the young adults, and children in the swim area when they took Krillgan, since there was many more of them, than had been the previous day. This time when Andriel took Krillgan's tunic off, she made sure his back was toward the Selkath. They played like they did the day before, since it was so much fun. They were all quite tired when they climbed back up onto the landing. They were looking forward to another nap. They did not sleep as long this time, because of the nap they took after lunch. When they got up, Krillgan went to play with his blocks. Chitrah was next to him, playing Hutt Wars on his computer. Andriel had taken out her computer and was showing the elder's wife the dress designs that she had made, and which ones she used, to tease Chitrah. Chitrah sensed they were talking about him, but left them alone. He knew if it was important Andriel would tell him about it.

When the elder returned, to let them know, when they could take Krillgan for a walk. He told them that they could have their dinner in the Smugglers' Cantina, after the walk. Arrangements had been made for them.

They went back to their spot, to watch the sunset. While they sat there, Andriel and Chitrah talked about the change in the diet they were being served. Andriel asked Krillgan what he had told the Selkath elder and his wife, when he returned by himself for dinner last night? Krillgan told them everything. Andriel and Chitrah both blushed when Krillgan told them why he knew they wanted some alone time. When Krillgan mentioned how all their tummies growled when they smelt the smell of cooked food coming from that house over there, Andriel knew that was the reason they had changed their diet.

Andriel thanked their son for being so honest with them, and gave him a hug and a kiss. Chitrah ruffled his hair, and hugged him. After their walk, they were eager to see what awaited them in the Cantina.

As there were no freighters in the spaceport that day, just the bounty hunter's gunship. They were the only customers in the Cantina. The proprietor seated them at a nice table, and handed them all menus. Krillgan felt important because he had been handed a menu, even though he still did not know how to read. Andriel asked the proprietor if he had any juice, and if he had any way to boost her son's seat, so that he would be more comfortable sitting at the table. The proprietor told her that he carries juices as a mix for drinks, so he would have no problem serving them all juice if they like. Andriel told him that a cup of juice for her son would be fine. The proprietor went away to find something for Krillgan to sit on. He came back with an arm full of cushions, which he placed on the table next to theirs. Andriel and Chitrah got up to help him select the right cushions for Krillgan. After Krillgan was seated comfortably, the proprietor went to get a cup of juice for him.

Instead of using one juice, he decided to use a little of each type, like he was mixing a drink. When he brought it to the table, Andriel asked him, what type of juice it was? The proprietor told her it was a special blend, just for Krillgan. Andriel and Chitrah were both interested in tasting Krillgan's special blend. Krillgan did feel special, and tasted his juice. He told the proprietor that it was good. The proprietor asked them if they needed time to go over the menu. Andriel asked him, what was his favourite food to make? He told her that the Smuggler's Burger, with a side order of fried cut up potatoes was his speciality. Andriel decided that that was what she wanted. Everyone else at the table wanted to try it as well. When the proprietor left to prepare their dinner, Krillgan passed his cup of juice around, so his parents could have a taste. The parents liked it and told Krillgan that they would ask the proprietor if he would include it on his menu as Krillgan's special juice. Krillgan liked that.

When the proprietor returned with their dinners, he asked them, what would they like to drink with their meal? Andriel asked him, what would he recommend? He recommended Marley's Brew, or if they want something stronger, Marley's Special Brew (Ox-Brew). Andriel asked him if it was brought here from Chalacta, the proprietor told them that it was, and how did they know that it came from there. Andriel told him that they have friends that live there, and when they visit, that is what they always buy them. The proprietor brought them a couple of cold brew. Then he asked them if he could bring his dinner to their table and join them.

While the proprietor went to get his dinner, Andriel let Krillgan taste what she was drinking. Krillgan told her that it would go good with his juice. After sipping some Brew, she agreed that it would go good with his juice. In the kitchen, while the proprietor was preparing his own dinner, he told the elder that he was right, they are a very nice family. They make you feel good about the future. He then offered the elder a bottle of Marley's Brew on the house, so he could taste what they were drinking. The elder accepted. After tasting it, he decided to take it home to share with his wife, he knew the family was in safe hands, and he would be back before they were finished their meal.

The next morning when Andriel and Chitrah returned from bathing, they found a human in the elder's home, he had light gray hair, and appeared to be around the same age as Mr. Radcliff. The elder introduced him as Captain Richard Solo. He would be taking them on his ship, to a safe home for them. Andriel felt naked when she was introduced to him, since she had nothing on, under her swimming tunic, and hoped it was not clinging to her. They quickly went into the bedroom to change, and to wake Krillgan for breakfast. Krillgan was already awake, when he first heard the stranger's voice in the common room. He just pretended to be asleep when his parents came into the bedroom, so his parents would not feel like they had to hide their naked bodies from him, while they dressed. They took longer dressing when they knew he was awake, and he wanted to get out there as quickly as possible, to meet this new stranger.

Captain Richard shook his hand like he was an adult, when they were introduced. He was asked to join them for breakfast, but he politely refused. The elder told him that he expected him and his crew to treat their new passengers, like they are royalty. The Captain told him that they always do. The elder than told him to treat them better than royalty, to treat them like special members of their own families. Captain Richard told him, that that might not be a good idea, most of his crew don't get along with their families. The elder was very flustered, and did not know what to say. Captain Richard told the elder that he would have the crew treat them, like they were his own son and daughter, so the young one would be treated like his grandson. The elder thanked him.

The Captain smiled and winked at Krillgan, who had been following all this talk very closely. He then offered to take them to his ship after they finished breakfast, to show them around. The elder told him that the boy could not go with them, it would cause too many disruptions outside. When Krillgan was full, he placed the rest of what was prepared for him, for his father to finish. Then patiently sat there, in case they decided to talk about something else that might be interesting. He was disappointed, so after a while he got up to play with his blocks. When Andriel and Chitrah finished, Andriel got up and kissed Krillgan on the forehead, and told him that they would be back soon. She could tell from his body language, that he was unhappy, because he was not allowed to go with them.

As they departed, Andriel and Chitrah noticed the elder hand the Captain a crystal container, that at one time contained a very expensive perfume. They assumed that it was the payment for their transportation.

At the spaceport, they saw a black ship larger than most freighters. They saw a gun turret on top of what looked like the front section. They saw a second gun turret, on top near where the tail section started. Then a third one on the bottom near the back of the tail section. They both wondered why it was so far back. They saw a ramp that was attached to the ship near the back of the front section, but opened forward. Captain Richard told them the ship is called the "Fenelar Phoenix". They asked him why it was named that. He told them that the Fenelar had designed the ship to be used as an escort ship for the Kandosi-type dreadnoughts they were building. It is the sixth prototype, and the Fenelar had not yet taken it to production. They did not have a chance, because the Mandalorians invaded Fenel and exterminated them. The Fenelar were able to destroy all their plans for the escort, but because the dreadnoughts were in full production, the Mandalorians were able to steal the plans for those ships, and continued to produce them at the Fenel Shipyards. They are still the main ship in the Mandalorians' fleets. Chitrah asked him how he knew all this information. He told them he had a friend that used to work in Republic Intelligence, he asked him to look it up, when he bought it as scrap, at the end of the last Mandalorian War. As they approached the ramp to board the ship, they noticed that the ship resembled a tadpole with a short tail. At the top of the ramp, they found the openings to the cargo bays on either side. The cargo bays appeared larger than any they had seen on a regular freighter. There was enough of a walkway between the cargo bays and the ramp, so one did not have to worry about losing their balance, and falling onto the ramp. As they moved forward, they found the hatch ways in the outer bulkhead, just past the end of the cargo bays. That was how the ship connected to spaceports in orbit. One on either side of the ship. Right in the middle of this section, was the engineer's cabin. It was the only cabin, with a door on each end. It was also double wide. With the engineers sleeping area on one side, and his workshop on the other. Chitrah told the Captain that he was a field computer technician, and would be happy to help his engineer in whatever way he needed it. He could also run diagnostics on all the equipment on his bridge. The Captain said he would mention it to his engineer. Next to the engineers cabin was the crews' washroom. The Captain assured Andriel that she would not have to use it. Her husband on the other hand, probably would. Chitrah stuck his head through the door, and quickly pulled it out. Andriel smelt an unpleasant odour coming through the doorway when Chitrah opened it. Chitrah told the Captain that he needs to work on the crew, to improve their level of hygiene. Captain Richard laughed, and told him that he would make sure the crew cleaned it properly, before he came aboard. Next to the washroom was the crew lounge, called the common room on most freighters. Andriel mentioned that they will need to clean this room as well, since it would also be Krillgan's play room. Captain Richard made note of that. The crew was not going to be happy that they would have to scrub the ship down, from stem to stern, and from top to bottom, before these passengers will be allowed to come aboard. With the price the elder just paid him, they deserve to be pampered. On either side of the crew lounge, against the outer bulkheads, were two crew cabins per side. They all had double bunks, but the crews that lived in them, used the upper bunks for storage. Captain Richard told Chitrah he would be given the empty crew cabin, once his crew had re- organised themselves. The bulkhead of the crews' washroom had a ladder attached to it in the middle, in the crew lounge. It led up to the gun turret that they saw from the outside. Andriel asked the Captain, if it would be safe for their son to climb up to it? Captain Richard knew that she meant, my son will be climbing up that ladder, make sure that everything is safe. He assured her that it would be child safe. The other bulkhead of the crew lounge was actually the back of the captain's, and first officer's cabins. Each cabin opened right across from one of the two doors opening to the bridge. Captain Richard showed them his room. They could tell that he was a well organised man, with a nice streak of creativity. They would feel comfortable having long conversations with this man. He told Andriel that she and her son would be staying in the first officer's cabin. Unfortunately the bunk was not big enough for the three of them to stay there. When he opened the door an unusual, and unpleasant odour wafted out. The room was in total chaos, quite a contrast to the captain's cabin. Andriel had no desire to step foot in it, to check it out. Captain Richard was obviously embarrassed. He assured Andriel that it would be completely cleaned and sanitized before they came aboard. Andriel told him, "and sterilized". The embarrassed Captain agreed. He then opened one of the doors leading to the bridge. The bridge had an unusual design. It had three tiers, each tier narrower than the one above it. The two doors opened onto the top tier which held the engineer's station. The engineer could monitor the integrity of the entire ship from there, as well as receiving warnings of imminent equipment failures. The next tier down was the captain's station. He could control the entire ship from there, but usually left control in the other stations. The captain's station also had jumper seats on either side of the captain's chair. So that visitors or crew, could sit and talk with the captain. The lowest tier was the pilot's seat, usually assigned to the first officer. It was laid out similar to a starfighter's seat and instrument panel. Including a gun triggering mechanism. The captain explained that there were two turbo laser cannons mounted on either side of the bridge. That had a 15° swivel. Any starfighter that happen to find itself in front of the bridge, could be shoot down by either the pilot or the captain. Giving the ship the equivalent of four gun turrets for fighting off pirates. Chitrah asked if that was why the bottom turret was so far back on this ship. Captain Richard told him no. In space this ship has a battle mode. The tail of the ship would come down underneath. So the ship resembled the symbol used for credits. In its original design, the cargo bays were actually hangers, where starfighters were stored, and maintained. They would be wheeled up to the area just past the ramp, and fly out through a force field. Protected by the second gun turret that had been on top, but was now facing back. The other thing that happens in battle mode, is, the armour that is below the bridge, covering up the missile batteries, slides up to protect the bridge, and everything is seen in virtual mode. Unfortunately the Fenelar had an unusual missile design, which has not been replicated. Sure armourers could make a couple dozen that would fit in the system. But this ship was designed to carry a couple hundred thousand into battle, and would use them all. Andriel and Chitrah could tell that the Captain was rather proud of his ship, and of what it was once capable of doing. They thanked the Captain for the tour, and asked when he wanted them to come back with their luggage. He told them that they probably won't be ready to leave until well after sunset. He would come for them, when the ship's ready.

They went back to the elder's home, and Andriel described the cabin they would be staying in, on the ship, along with all the smells, to Krillgan. Krillgan felt better that he did not go with his parents to see the ship. He would not have liked seeing that dirty, smelly, cabin. Captain Richard headed straight to the cantina, where he assumed his crew had disappeared to, as soon as he left the ship. He berated the crew on the condition they left the ship. He was giving an influential couple a tour of their ship. Almost every door they opened had unsavoury odours come out of it. "Can you imagine how embarrassed I felt when I opened the door to the first officer's cabin, for a beautiful lady, so that she could see where she will be staying for the next while, having it smell worse than an army latrine, and looking like a gale had blown through it. I promised her that it would be cleaned and sanitized before they returned. She made me promise that it would also be sterilized. You have a whole ship to clean, and you haven't even started unloading the cargo."

The crew ran out of the cantina, as fast as their feet could carry them. They had never seen the Captain so upset. The proprietor came over to the Captain with a drink in his hand. He felt Captain Richard needed it. The Captain downed it all at once. The proprietor told him that they are really good people. Captain Richard asked who? The proprietor said, the family he is taking. The Captain said, "I know! That is what was so embarrassing. If they would have been the uppity nobility type. I just would have laughed inside. When I showed them the engineer's cabin. The messy workbench did not bother them. The guy even offered his services to help the engineer, claiming to be a field computer technician. They accepted that mess. It was the other mess, the kind that should not be there, that bothered them. They knew it, and I knew it."

The proprietor suggested that he sit down and relax. Give his crew time to redeem themselves. They have been their worse, now it was time for them to be there best. Captain Richard slapped the proprietor on his back, and told him that he was one of the reasons he keeps coming back to this place. He then ordered one more drink for each of them, before he heads back to the ship. He would also be sending one of his crew over later with something he picked up at one of his stops. The proprietor could hardly wait. This Captain always finds good stuff. He has never been disappointed.

Captain Richard went back to the spaceport hoping that the elder would be there. The elder was overseeing the Selkath that were helping to offload the ship. He told the elder, that it would not be a good idea to leave the Bounty Hunter's ship, sitting at the spaceport. Too many people will come, asking too many questions. Which will be hard not to answer, with his gunship just sitting there. The elder asked the Captain, what did he suggest? Captain Richard asked the elder if there was a place where a lot of his cousins like to swim. The elder asked if he was suggesting that they park it in the ocean. He nodded his head. The elder asked if the ship would release many contaminants. Captain Richard admitted that there would be some, because they would need to have just about every outside hatch and access panel open, which means that synthetic lubricants would end up in the water.

"The worst of the contaminants are in the engine room. We can make sure that room is completely sealed. So that no water can go in, and nothing can come out."

The elder asked if there was anything else. Captain Richard told him that if any of the Selkath have removed anything from the ship, it has to be put back. The elder told him that the only thing his people have, that belonged to the bounty hunter, was his rifle, which he threw away, when the Great Mother killed him. The Captain told him that it has to go back on the ship.

That evening, when the elder told them it was safe for them to go for their walk. He asked if they would be stopping in at the cantina for their dinner. Andriel told them that they would be coming back to have one more Selkath dinner with them, since it would be their last one together. The elder and his wife, both had tears in their eyes, and were hugging one another. He told his wife that it was wrong of them not to let the adults partake of the special fish eggs. They were special just like their son. The wife agreed, and suggested the other elders be present for this meal. This was a holy time. The elder went out right away so the others would know that their presence was required. The wife did what she could to prepare. She was glad that others would be coming to help.

When Andriel, Chitrah, and Krillgan entered the elder's home. They were surprised to see all the other Selkath there. The Selkath all stopped what they were doing, and bowed to them. When the elder moved, they all went back to what they were doing. The elder asked if they had a nice walk. Just like he normally did. They told him it was very nice, and Krillgan was happy to see for himself the ship they would be leaving on. The elder was a little surprised and asked if Krillgan has Chagrian vision. Chitrah said yes. This was something else that was new, the other elders were happy to be here, to hear it for themselves.

The elder had them sit in the nest prepared for each of them. He then introduced the other elders to them. Each elder that was introduced, bowed to each of them, then went to his assigned seating area. When all the elders were seated the elder's wife had the special privilege of presenting each one of them with a small bowl of the special fish eggs. Chitrah politely commented that he was given the wrong bowl by mistake. The elder told him that the mistake was theirs.

At first they thought that Krillgan was the only special one. Now they know for a fact, that all three of them are special, and deserved that recognition. Andriel suspected that nothing else was going to happen until they finished eating the fish eggs. Chitrah and Krillgan followed her lead, like they always did in an uncertain situation. When they were finished the elder's wife was happy to collect their empty bowls and spoons. Then the other wives came out with trays of pieces of fish and seaweed, and sat down beside their husbands. The meal did not start until the last wife had sat down. The elder explained that this was their way of blessing them, so that they themselves, and through them their community, would be blessed. Andriel told them that they were happy to bless them. That their time with them was a true blessing. The Selkath that were present felt truly honoured sharing dinner with such people. They were thankful that the elder and his wife were so considerate, in asking that they share this time together. It was just as the meal was winding down, that they could hear a knocking at the door. The elder opened the door, and Captain Richard asked permission to enter. The elder let him in. The Captain was surprised to see so many Selkath in the home. He bowed out of respect, because he recognised many of them, which pleased the elders, he then bowed toward Andriel, Chitrah, and Krillgan, because he felt it was the thing to do in this situation. Which pleased the elders even more. They had chosen the right captain. Captain Richard told them that the ship was ready if they were. Chitrah asked the elder if anything else was required of them. The elder asked if they had finished packing everything. Andriel told them they were all packed. The elder told them that they were free to go with the Captain. They would bring their luggage to the ship. As Andriel, Chitrah, and Krillgan, got up to go with the Captain, one of the elders slipped outside with a large sea shell in his hand. They heard him blow it like a horn, than they heard other shells being blown in reply, all over the raft. The rest of the Selkath in the room, got up and bowed toward the family. Krillgan realised that the elder and his wife were at the right height for him, and went up to each of them to give them a hug around their necks. Which made them both hold hands and cry. Then he followed the Captain, with his parents' right behind him. Outside they found the path to the spaceport, lined with Selkath families, holding fish oil lamps. When the people saw them, they bowed before them until they had walked by. Then they joined the procession to the spaceport.

The crew from the ship wondered what all the commotion was about, careful not to let Captain Richard see them. They could not believe that there were so many Selkath living on this raft. Where did they live? Since they could only see rubble everywhere. The only building they ever saw was the cantina. They finally saw the Captain approaching, but could not see who was behind him. All they saw were the Selkath bowing to someone. Where is this beautiful lady Captain Richard mentioned? Is there such a thing as a Selkath princess? How would they know if she was beautiful? Has the Captain been on the ship too long, and gone native? They stopped asking each other silly questions, when the Captain came closer. Captain Richard wanted them lined up near the top of the ramp for inspection. He told them that this was their chance to redeem themselves.

When they came to the ship, before the Captain stepped onto the ramp. Andriel, Chitrah, and Krillgan, turned to the people and bowed to show them their respect. Then they followed the Captain up the ramp. When they stepped off the ramp. Captain Richard ordered the ship's computer to raise the ramp and seal the ship. This way the people outside would know that it was time for them to go home. He then introduced his crew. The First Officer is a Falleen, who had taken the human name of Fredrick, Fred for short. The Engineer is a human named Bikto. Then there is Crewman First Class, a Gotal named Pula. Finally there is the second Crewman First Class, a Shistavanen named Coris.

The Falleen are a reptilian humanoid species from the planet Falleen in the Mid Rim. They are considered a handsome species, by many of the other humanoid species. They stand on average 1.6 meters in height, so they were not considered a tall species. But they are considered exotic to look upon. With scaled blue-green skin, and a spiny ridge running down the center of their back. Being reptilian in nature they have the ability to change their skin colour to red or orange. They have a large lung capacity, enabling them to remain under water for long periods of time. The females of the species differ from the males, in having a smaller spinal ridge, a lighter skin colour, and greater difficulty in changing their skin colour. Unlike most reptilian species, the Falleen can, and do grow hair on their heads. The females like to grow their hair long, and adorn them with colourful objects. The males like to wear their hair in a single braid, or topknot. The First Officer wore his in a topknot. The main reason Falleen appear so attractive to other species, is because they can exude pheromones at will, which they use to control and manipulate others. Even driving other species to the point where they lust after them. They can also exude allelochemical transmitters that produce specific emotional reactions in others, such as fear, desire, anger, doubt, and confusion. Because of their ability to influence others emotions. The Falleen themselves try to be stoic, and not show any emotions.

The Gotal are a humanoid species native to Antar 4, of the Prindar system of the Inner Rim. They stand an average of 1.8 meters in height. They have thick Gray-Brown skin on their faces to protect them from the extreme elements of their home world. They have red-tinted eyes, allowing them to distinguish shapes in near darkness. They are covered in Gray-Brown fur for warmth, and a flattened nose that only protrudes a centimeter from their faces. Their most notable features are the two cone shaped horns that form the top of their heads. Many Xenobiologists believe that the Gotals ability to be sensitive to one another's feelings is in their horns. Through their horns they can detect other creatures, up to ten meters away, in near total darkness. Unfortunately, their perceptions can be dulled through repeated exposure to electromagnetic radiation.

Now that Andriel, Chitrah, and Krillgan, were aboard, the crew recognised the beautiful lady, the Captain had mentioned. The First Officer started emitting pheromones to make himself appear more attractive. Krillgan walked right up to him and told him to stop it. The First Officer said, "Stop what?"

"Stop releasing those stinky smells, that changes the way people think about you."

The rest of the crew fell in love with this little boy, who was willing to stand up to their First Officer. The Captain came up behind Krillgan, and ordered the First Officer to stop exuding pheromones and other chemicals, while this family is aboard. The First Officer protested, "Then how am I supposed to get the others to do my work for me?"

Andriel and Chitrah started laughing.

"Did I just say out loud what I think I said?"

The crew replied, "Yes you did!" "We all heard you."

The First Officer was clearly embarrassed. Normally he could cover up such blunders, by emitting pheromones, which would confuse the others, so that they would think they probably heard something different than what was actually said. But he can't. Not with this little kid around. Fred was hoping this was going to be a very short trip. The Captain realised that the next few months, were going to be a very good test of his first officer's abilities.

The Captain ordered his crew to stay where they were, while their guests inspected the ship. The crew clued in that these were not ordinary passengers, and they would have to watch themselves around them. They suddenly heard some banging on the outside of the ship. The Captain ordered the ship's computer to drop the ramp. They found some of the Selkath elders standing there. They had the luggage. The Captain ordered both crewmen to retrieve the luggage. He then went down and apologised to the elders. They told him that they were worried that they would leave without it. Captain Richard assured them that he did not think the passengers would let him go very far, once they realised they did not have their luggage aboard. They bowed to the Captain, then they saw the family at the top of the ramp. The family bowed to them, as the ramp lifted back up into the ship. The elders were happy, they did a good thing.

Captain Richard continued the inspection tour, this time with his two crewmen following along, with the luggage. The crew had done a very good job cleaning the ship. Andriel, Chitrah, and Krillgan all approved. When they opened the door to the First Officer's cabin, which was now Andriel and Krillgan's cabin. They could smell that it had indeed been chemically sterilized. The mattress was clean with a neat pile of fresh linens and blankets folded on top. The Captain informed them that they had come from his personal supply. They went all the way in to check the washroom facilities. Andriel looked at Krillgan and asked him what he thought. Krillgan said he approved. Andriel turned to the Captain and told him, they will take it. Captain Richard did not realise he had been holding his breath, until he started breathing again. Andriel than told the crewmen which luggage belonged in her room. They then went to check the cabin that had been assigned to Chitrah. Andriel told the Captain that she noticed that there was no computer terminal in her room. Captain Richard told her that she was correct. None of the cabins had computer terminals, except the captain's.

"Yet you talk with the ships computer."

"That is also correct. You have to remember that this was a warship, where keeping secrets was important. Only the computer has the ability to listen to every part of the ship. Not even the Captain has the authority to order the computer to give access to conversations anywhere on the ship. We can talk through the computer, but both parties have to be willing participants. For instance, if the engineer is working on a part of the ship, and he remembered that he needs to ask me something, he could ask the computer to connect us, and we could carry on a conversation as if we were both in the same room. Or suppose you just climbed into bed and remembered you had to ask your husband something, you could ask the computer to connect you."

Chitrah asked him, "Does that mean, if I want my wife to sing me a lullaby, I can ask the computer to connect us?"

"If you are going to have your wife sing lullabies, I think that they should be piped through the whole ship."

"Will the computer do that?"

"It will, if I authorise it. Certain of us, are allowed to make announcements to the whole ship, and I believe lullabies belong in that category."

The two crewmen agreed. Andriel was embarrassed by the conversation, but in a good way. Krillgan loved hearing his mother sing lullabies, and also thought it was something to be shared with the whole crew.

Chitrah's room was very plain and sanitary. Andriel could understand why the crewmen would use the top bunk as a storage counter. It would help to personalise the room. After Chitrah's luggage was placed in his room. Captain Richard ordered the computer to prepare for departure. They could hear the computer broadcast to the whole ship, "All crewmen to your stations. All passengers to the crew lounge. Prepare for departure."

When the Cerean Bounty Hunter dropped out of hyperspace, she wonder why the Mandalorian had chosen the Pyrshak System to rendezvous with the freighter. As she flew further into the system, she started to notice the starfighter debris. The freighter must have been forced out of hyperspace by pirates. The Mandalorian must have been forced to defend his prey. She was able to follow the trail left by both the freighter and the gunship, so she hoped that that meant that the family was okay. She followed their trail all the way to Manaan, and saw that they both descended to the surface. She orbited Manaan a couple of times. She was able to detect the freighter leaving the planet, but not the gunship. Other ships have come and gone from the planet, but she could not tell how long ago, that had been. Well at least she will not have to force the gunship to land. Time to confront the Mandalorian.

When she landed at the spaceport, she was surprised to find that her ship, was the only ship. She came out of the ship fully armed, except for her rocket launcher. Too great a risk in hurting one of the family. She was expecting that this was some sort of trap. He had only delayed her coming here, maybe he wanted to finish her off, so that he would not have to worry about her trying to steal his prey, as he took them back to the Sith for his reward.

The Selkath could not believe it, another bounty hunter. One of them went to warn the elder, and to ask what they should do. The Cerean cautiously walked around the edge of the spaceport, ready to dive over the debris if a shoot rang out. Nothing happened. She decided to follow the most worn trail, to see where it ended. At the end of the trail she saw the cantina. She quickly slipped in, blaster pistol ready. The proprietor was wiping some glasses when she slipped in. He told her that she can put her blaster away, there was no-one there. She put her blaster away, and asked him where the Mandalorian Bounty Hunter was? His only answer was, "Not Here!"

"What about the family he was chasing?"

"Not Here!"

"Where are they?"

"Not Here!"

"Is that the only answer you are going to give me?"

He smiled, and said, "Yes!"

She smiled as well, this was a good sign. She doubted that he would work for the Mandalorian. It was strange how quickly strangers would agree to help this family. She stepped out of the cantina and started walking back to the spaceport. The first Selkath she saw, she approached, and asked them if she could talk with one of their elders. The Selkath told her they did not want to talk to her. She said, "They may after they hear what I have to say."

Because she indicated that she wanted to talk first, the Selkath thought he should go to the elder. Maybe he would be interested in what she had to say. The Selkath asked her to stay where she was, and disappeared in the rubble. A short time later he reappeared, and asked her to follow him. He led her down a path, and came to a hole in the rubble. He told her to enter, the elder was expecting her. She was surprised with how nice it was inside. This was a place where things were not as they first appeared. She was starting to like this place. The elder motioned her to sit, without greeting her. She was sure that he had no intention of speaking, until he had heard her out, and maybe not even then.

She sat down and told the elder that just recently, she had accepted a most unusual contract. A wealthy land owner had hired her, because his wife, who is human had adopted a Devaronian women as her daughter. They had heard that the Sith were now hunting her daughter and her family, and they wanted my help. The elder put up his hand to stop her. He asked, if she knew the name of this daughter? "Andriel!"

"This Andriel, was she married to a Devaronian?"

"No! She was married to a Chagrian from Deysum III, and they have a son named Krillgan."

"This human woman is her mother?"

"She would be her 2nd mother, because she had adopted Andriel."

The elder was very excited, he got up and asked his wife to look after their guest, than he ran out the door. His wife offered the Cerean Bounty Hunter a cup of seaweed tea. Then went and retrieved a cup for herself and sat down. The Cerean was getting the impression that the Selkath were not a very talkative bunch. So she just sat there and sipped her tea. A short time later, the elder returned, he said something quietly to his wife, and sat down. His wife got up, and started busying herself. The elder asked her to be patient, he has asked others to come hear her story. She will need to start from the beginning again, after they had all arrived. In a short time, couples started coming through the entrance way. The men would sit down with the elder and the women would go join the elder's wife. They did not say anything to her, so she just sat there sipping her tea.

Shortly after the last couple showed up, the women gave all the men a cup of tea, and handed her another cup, taking away the one she had. The ladies came back with a second cup, and handed it to the men, than they sat down, and retrieved the second cup for themselves. The elder told her they were ready.

She started telling them about this unusual contract she accepted, on behalf of this wealthy man's wife. About her quest to fulfill this contract, the best she could. She told about following the Mandalorian through the galaxy, and how often he was frustrated by this family. Losing their trail again and again. She told about her blunder in leading the Mandalorian back to their trail. She told them about her ship being sabotaged by his people on Mandalore, and how it delayed her coming here. She told them that she was fully expecting to confront, and kill the Mandalorian Bounty Hunter, for the disrespect he showed her, by having his people sabotage her ship. Even though it would mean that the Sith would than place a price on her head.

When she finished, the Selkath talked amongst themselves, then quieted down. The elder told her that her contract is fulfilled. The family is safe. Soon they will be where the Sith will not find them.

"So the family is alive and well?"

"Yes!"

"Can you tell me where they are?"

The elder smiled, "We do not know that ourselves."

The Cerean was satisfied. The family had just done the impossible, just like her mother believed. She thanked the elder for sharing what he did. She could understand their hesitance to tell her. As she was getting up, the elder asked her one last thing. "Is there a chance that she has a third mother?"

"With this woman, I would not be surprised."

She did not want to tell them that she herself has 25 mothers, besides her birth mother. All her father's other wives were considered her mother.

"Why? Is that important?"

"We have a prophecy about helping a woman and her family. The woman is identified in the prophecy as having three mothers, from two species."

"What happens if you help this woman?"

"We will be blessed. Her offspring will return someday to start a new era for us. We have never encountered a woman before, who had more than one mother. Andriel has two mothers from two species. We were wondering if she might be the one."

The Cerean promised them, that if she finds anything else out about Andriel that would help them, she would return and tell them. The elder promised her that she would be rewarded if she did. To the Cerean, this was a contract.

After taking off, Captain Richard called a meeting for the officers in his cabin. They placed Coris in the captain's chair to sound the alarm, in case pirates show up. In his cabin, the Captain showed them what the Selkath had given him as payment for transporting the family. The other two wanted to know what it was. He told them it was pure Kolto. They asked the Captain what it was worth. He held up a small vial that he had filled earlier from the crystal bottle. He told them that the Kolto in the vial was probably worth three times what he would normally have charged the family, for passage on this ship. He handed the vial to the first officer, and told him to sell it at their next stop, to an apothecary, and to stop by their market and pick up more vials. "After we sell the contents of this bottle, I think I will be ready to retire."

The Captain did not tell them, that the elder promised to refill the bottle at no charge. When they exited the captain's cabin. They found Andriel and Chitrah standing there, waiting to talk to the Captain. Captain Richard invited them into his cabin. They wanted to know where they were going, and how long it was going to take, to get there. He told them that they would need to consider this ship as their home. They have many stops to make before he would be able to take them to their final destination. They also have to be careful that they are not seen on this ship. For that reason none of them were allowed to leave this ship, until they have reached their final destination. When they are close, than he will tell them where they are going, and what type of life they can expect to have there.

Andriel and Chitrah looked at each other, this was not the answer they expected. Andriel told the Captain that if this was to be their home, than she needs to set up housekeeping. She needs to be able to wash and dry her family's clothes. She needs him to buy fresh fruits and vegetables that do not need to be cooked, at each stop they make, so that she can be sure her son is getting the right nutrients he needs to grow. Because he is growing, she will need a sewing machine, and cloth. So that she can sew new clothes for her son. She will pay for the machine and cloth, and take it with her when they finally reach their destination. Chitrah told the Captain that he will need a full set of cobbler's equipment, so that he can make new shoes for his son, and to replace the footwear that he and his wife are wearing, because they have taken a beating these past few years. He will pay for the equipment and materials, and take it with him, when he leaves the ship. Captain Richard objected, "I thought you were a field computer technician."

Chitrah told the Captain, that his father had trained him to be a cobbler. It was the Sith who had trained him to be a field computer technician. Captain Richard suspected he was more than both.

The Captain promised them that he would do something about the laundry situation, and he would make sure that they will have their fresh fruit and vegetables, but he could not promise more than that. Things were just not that simple. Andriel told him. "I need a sewing machine. Make it happen."

The next day Chitrah decided that they should get back to their daily routine of working out with their self-defence training, and Krillgan's martial arts training. While they were walking to the port side cargo bay, in their practice outfits. Coris noticed the outfit that Krillgan was wearing, with the emblem of the martial arts institute. He ran up and grabbed Krillgan by the shoulder, and gruffly asked him where he got it. Chitrah turned when he heard him yelp, because Krillgan had grabbed his thumb, and twisted it, forcing him to one knee.

"You recognised the emblem, and what it stood for. Yet you failed to respect the person wearing it. Why?"

"This is a Shistavanen Institute, and I never heard of them accepting aliens into their ranks."

"Yet it is not something that could just be picked up anywhere. Nor would you find it in the trash. It is only given to someone who has earned it."

"My apologies, I miss-understood. It has been a long time since I have been to Uvena Prime. May I inquire as to how your son obtained his outfit?"

"Krillgan you may let go of his thumb now."

Coris was obviously relieved when Krillgan let go. Chitrah told him about the time he first visited Uvena Prime, and how the head instructor found out about his self-defence training, and asked him to give a demonstration for his students, and how he was allowed to sit in, when he instructed his class. The next time he visited Uvena Prime with his family. He was able to give them a much better demonstration with his wife, on self-defence, along with a short demonstration of some other martial arts techniques, he had picked up in his travels. The instructor was impressed with the improvement in his skills, and invited his family to live with the instructor's family at the institute. He accepted Chitrah into his advanced martial arts class as a student. Krillgan was close to the same age as his youngest son, and they would play together. It was only natural for his youngest son to want Krillgan to take the basic training with him, so that they could practise together.

"When it came time for us to leave, the instructor's youngest son asked permission of his father, to give Krillgan his practise uniform. Andriel made Krillgan ask the instructor, when he was allowed to wear the uniform, to show the proper respect to the institute, which pleased the instructor very much. Since we are going to continue his training, he is allowed to wear his practise uniform."

Coris bowed to Chitrah and Krillgan, as he was still on his knees. Again he apologised, and asked if he could be taught by Chitrah as well. Chitrah told him to be at the port side cargo bay in one hour, since he must first workout with his wife. Coris said he would be there. Coris went to the rest of the crew, to convince them to take the martial arts training with him. He told them it would help them if they were ever boarded by pirates. It did not appeal to them. Than he told them that they would handle themselves better in a bar fight, if they had martial arts training. Now they were interested.

Fred decided to come along for the entertainment value it would provide. He did not think he would learn much, training with a child. At the appointed time, everyone except the Captain, entered the cargo bay, and sat beside Krillgan against the bulkhead, to watch Andriel and Chitrah wrap up their training. The new students could see that Andriel and Chitrah did not hold anything back as they trained. Coris was getting excited about this training, just watching them. When they finished, Andriel helped Chitrah out of his practise outfit, since it would have been hard for the new students to respect him as an instructor, when he looked like he was a 100 kilos overweight.

Chitrah knelt in the center of the cargo bay, and asked the students to kneel in a line in front of him. He could tell that Fred thought this was a big joke, and was not taking this seriously. Chitrah asked Fred to step forward. When he did, Chitrah pointed with his left arm to the darkness at the far end of the cargo bay, and asked him what he saw? When Fred turned his body to look in the direction Chitrah had pointed, Chitrah hit him hard with his left forearm on the upper calf muscles on the back of his legs. Causing his knees to buckle forward. He then reached up with his right arm grabbing Fred by the front of the shirt. Hauling him down, slamming his back onto the floor of the cargo bay. The whole time he did this he did not look at Fred, but kept his eyes on his students.

He spoke to Fred. "If you do not respect me, if you do not respect your fellow students, if you do not respect what will be taught here, you should not be here. Do you want to stay, or do you want to go?"

"I want to stay sir."

"Mr. Coris, what am I?"

"You are an instructor sir."

"What do the Shistavanen call their instructors?" "They call them Grengrai."

"So how should you address me?"

"As Grengrai!"

"Mr. Fred."

"Yes Grengrai!"

Chitrah released his shirt. "Take your place in line."

Chitrah told them that he would not be able to train them, fully. Since they had no practise mats on the floor, and he did not want them to injure themselves.

When the Cerean Bounty Hunter arrived back on Mandalore, she was able to park her ship, near the cantina. The cantina owner was both surprised and pleased that she had returned unharmed. When the government heard that she had returned, there was a bit of a kafuffle. They sent a representative to talk with her. He asked her, where the Mandalorian Bounty Hunter was? She told him that she did not know. She tracked him to Manaan, then the trail died. He then asked about the people he was hunting. She told him the same thing. She tracked them to Manaan, then the trail died. He asked her, why she was chasing the Mandalorian? She told him that she fully intended to kill him, for disrespecting her and her ship. The official thanked her for her honesty. He then asked if she could stick around for a while, he may need to ask a few questions. She told the official that things were not free to her, to stay here. He turned to the cantina owner. "Do you have rooms for rent here?"

The owner said he did.

"We will pick up her room and board, while she is here."

"What about my drinks?"

The official rolled his eyes, "We will also pick up her drinks."

The cantina owner smiled. She was a good negotiator. Now that she was back, he could expect a few more people from the spaceport, wanting to come in and speak with her.

More than a cycle later, the old freighter landed on Mandalore. The old captain was surprised to see a government official waiting to talk with him. He also noticed that the Bounty Hunter's hanger had burnt to the ground, he wondered who was left from the crew. The official asked the old captain, if it was true that he took the people that the bounty hunter was hunting as passengers on his ship. He told them only until the bounty hunter caught up with them.

"Did he catch up with you?"

The captain told him about being knocked out of hyperspace, by pirates in the Pyrshak System. How the Bounty Hunter's gunship dropped out a short time later, and he dealt with the pirates. How the husband had commandeered the gun turret keeping the bounty hunter at bay until they landed on Manaan.

"What did the Bounty Hunter do on Manaan?"

"I don't know. He told me to leave."

"Does he usually do that?"

"No! Normally he will let me hang around, than we will split what they have on their person."

"Could the starfighter attack have been a setup?"

"I don't know? They did not have a support ship anywhere, and it did not look like any of the pirates survived."

The official thanked him, then he walked over to the cantina. He asked the Cerean what she thinks the Bounty Hunter did. She told him that she did not know. Maybe he realised the Republic or someone else would pay him a lot more for the family, than the Sith were offering. Maybe he killed the family. When he realised he was not going to get any bounty, he ditched his ship into the sea, and caught the next freighter off of the planet. The official told her that he was thinking the same thing. She was free to go. She said it was almost dinnertime, could she get one more meal off of them before she leaves. The official nodded at the cantina owner.

After he left, the cantina owner told her he would have given it to her anyway, on the house. She told him that she knew that, but it tastes different when the government pays for it. They both laughed.

The engineer really appreciated Chitrah's help with the electronics. He wished that he could get his hands on a rig like he has. He was very disappointed when he found out it was custom built, and the Captain was not letting him off the ship, so that he could go buy the parts for another one. He also did not like the list of things the Captain gave him to buy. He knew that it was for the family. But if they were let off the ship, they could do their own laundry planet side, like the crew did, and they could buy their own fruit and vegetables. Krillgan also asked him to buy him some juice. He could not say no to the little guy.

Andriel was happy with the double washtub the engineer installed, against the bulkhead, of the crews' washroom, right next to the ladder. She thought she heard someone scream in the crews' washroom, when she turned on the tap for the hot water. They must have been taking a shower. She also liked that the engineer had strung up some wire near the ceiling, in the hallway on Chitrah's side, next to the crews' lounge, so that they could hang up their clothes, so that they could air dry. He also strung up some wire in her cabin, so that she could hang up her underwear to dry, without the crew looking at it. He even bought laundry soap without being asked. It gave her something to do with her time, until she obtained her sewing machine.

When they entered the cargo bay for their next workout, they were surprised to find thick, interlocking mats on the cargo bay floor, covering a good part of the cargo bay. There was also a practise bag hanging from the ceiling near one corner of the cargo bay. Krillgan appropriated a couple of mats, and placed them on the floor of their cabin. He suspected the floor panels could be moved, and he did not want anyone spying on his mother. Andriel did not ask him why he did it. It was definitely more comfortable when getting out of the bed in the morning.

She thought it might have something to do with his having to go around barefoot, since his shoes were now too small. Chitrah had tried soaking them, and stuffing them full of rags as they dried. Trying to expand them. Though it was better, they still hurt his feet, so Chitrah told him to stop wearing them.

The Mandalorian Government had the misfortune of notifying the Dark Council that the Bounty Hunter and his prey have disappeared. They have placed a bounty on his head, dead or alive, equivalent to the bounty he expected from capturing the family, and they have doubled the bounty on this family, if captured alive.

If anyone had suggested to the government officials, that the Bounty Hunter was dead, they would have laughed at you. The only one capable of killing the Bounty Hunter, arrived after he had already disappeared.

They also informed the Dark Council, that there was a danger the family might be in Republic hands.

The Republic Intelligence Service, had never heard about this family, until the Mandalorian Government placed their bounty on them. When two top counter Intelligence agents in the Strategic Information Service (SIS) heard about the 'blue ghost', they placed misinformation on the Holonet luring many Imperial Intelligence agents to their deaths. The program was so successful, that they started crediting the blue ghost with successful operations run deep in the Sith Empire, to help maintain the cover of some of their deep cover agents.

The Dark Council ordered the Sith responsible for capturing the family, to appear before the council. They asked the Sith for an updated report on his progress. The Sith told them that he has not heard from the Mandalorian Bounty Hunter since he headed to Mandalore to capture his prey. They asked the Sith why he did not go to Mandalore himself to supervise their capture. He replied that the Mandalorian seemed fully capable. They told the Sith that the Mandalorian Bounty Hunter has betrayed him, and in turn has betrayed the Sith Empire. "The Mandalorian Government has placed a bounty on his head, wanted dead or alive. The family is probably in the hands of the SIS, divulging how to access the Empire's main computer systems, without being caught. We do not know the weakness in our system that he has exploited, so have no means of stopping the SIS. Because of your failure, we order you to take your own life."

The Sith yelled "No!" and drew his lightsaber, and charged one of the members of the Dark Council. The Dark Council member simply raised his left hand, causing the Sith to freeze in his tracks. He then raised his right hand, seizing the Sith's own hands with the force, causing him to cut his own head off. The Sith screamed a fearful beastly scream, when he realised that he did not control his own hands, which was only silenced when his head fell to the floor, and rolled around.

The Dark Council member commented, that he had a pathetically weak mind. If he is an example of the current crop of Sith Warriors, then the Sith Empire was in worse shape than he imagined.

The next stop, was the crews' favourite stop. Captain Richard warned Andriel, Chitrah, and Krillgan, that there was a notorious Rodian thief on this planet, who has figured out this ship's security system, and will undoubtedly come aboard, to see what he can steal and resell at a large profit.

Chitrah asked the captain what they should do, since he does not want them seen.

"The lights on the ship must be kept dim. Use your martial-arts skills to sneak up behind him, and hit him with something, to render him unconscious."

The captain gave Chitrah a simple communicator, that when activated will send a signal that will activate the communicator that will be with him. That way he will know to return to the ship to deal with the Rodian.

Rodians are a reptilian species from the planet Rodia in the Mid Rim's Tyrius system. They are renowned as hunters throughout the galaxy. They possess multifaceted eyes that can see heat emanating from quarry, hiding in darkness. They have thin tapered snouts that act as filters for their olfactory senses. Their bodies are covered in green scales, and they stand an average of 1.6 metres in height. Their long thin fingers, end in suction cups, which their ancestors used for griping trees and rocky inclines. They have headspines which crest at the top of their skulls. Male Rodians are hairless, whereas the females are capable of growing long flowing tresses. In addition, females are physically distinguished by their mammary glands, much like mammalian humanoids are. Rodians also exude an oily phenomenal excretion, that moisturises their skin, and attracts potential mates. Most non-Rodian find the smell to be repugnant. The excretion also communicates family heritage to other Rodians. This can send another Rodian into a warring frenzy if it recognises the other Rodian as belonging to a feuding clan.

Despite their hunting prowess, Rodians are considered cowards by many other species. Since they are reluctant to take risks that might put them in danger. For this reason Rodian Bounty Hunters rarely take contracts where their quarry needs to be captured alive, and they will often use the biggest most destructive weaponry available, to complete their assignments.

The crew of the "Fenelar Phoenix" considered this planet as their home base of operations, and the brothel they would be going to, as their home.

After exiting the ship, Pula returned with a wooden stick, which he found at the edge of the spaceport. To help Chitrah deal with the Rodian.

Captain Richard has in a romantic relationship with the woman, Madam Cothia, who runs the brothel. This relationship has lasted for years. Madam Cothia is so committed to this relationship that she charges an extremely high price to any man who asks to sleep with her. Most men will settle for the younger, more attractive women in the house. Bikto the engineer also has his favorite, and so does Pula. Fred and Coris, are more into the good food, considered the best on the planet, and their famous selection of alcoholic beverages. A lot of which was brought here by the "Fenelar Phoenix". There are some who believe that Madam Cothia will give Captain Richard a shopping list, just before he leaves the planet, to help keep the brothel's larder fully stocked. There is one woman that works at the brothel, that all the men love, but no-one will sleep with her, besides her husband. She is a Professional Masseuse, and has even trained other women on the staff, because she is always in demand. Even the women who work there, enjoy the touch of her fingers on their body. She will often give free massages to the staff, when she is training a new girl.

Captain Richard entered the brothel. After putting his left hand around Madam Cothia's waist, and giving her a passionate kiss on her lips, he holds up two vials of Kolto in his right hand, and asks if this is enough to cover all the expenses for his crew. Madam Cothia confirmed that they contain pure Kolto, then turns to the house, and announces that all expenses for the crew of the "Fenelar Phoenix" are on the house, than she hands the vials to her lieutenant, who knows that she is now in charge, as all of Madam Cothia's time will be spent with Captain Richard.

That means that all the crew members need to do, is sign for whatever they want, including the women. In Madam Cothia's bedroom, the Captain and the madam make love, like they are still young passionate adults. Their age only betrays them, in that they need to rest longer between their lovemaking, to allow their bodies to catch up to their desires. When they are resting, the Captain reaches into his clothes and pulls out another vial, and hands it to Cothia. "This, my dear, is for you." Cothia takes it and puts it away in a secret compartment. She than asks Richard how he got his hands on so much Kolto? He tells her that the Selkath asked him to take a special shipment, and paid him in Kolto.

"Aren't you worried about the Rodian getting his sticky fingers on it?"

He told her that he wasn't worried. He had altered the security on the ship.

"If the Rodian is smart, he will stay away from my ship, while we are here."

While they were in the middle of the next bout of lovemaking. A beeping noise could be heard emitting from the captain's clothing. Richard swore, "It would have to be now."

He stopped and dressed. Cothia asks him what this was about, "It's my new security measures, notifying me that we have a Rodian to deal with."

As he is dressing, he tells her that she might as well come along, he might need her help. Madam Cothia dressed quickly, not wearing her usual undergarments, and accompanied the Captain back to his ship. The Captain was puzzled to see the ramp up. He thought with the Rodian on board, it would be down. When he lowered the ramp, he saw why the ramp was raised. The Rodian was lying face down on the ramp.

Though the light in the ship was dim, Madam Cothia could see some movement on the ship. Since she knew the entire crew was in the brothel. She suspected that there were others aboard the ship, and grabbed Richard's arm to warn him. He touched her hand to reassure her, and told her, "They are on our side."

As soon as the ramp was low enough for them to step on, they did, and the Captain asked the ship's computer to raise the ramp. When the ramp was fully raised, he authorised the ship's computer to slowly raise the light levels in the ship to 50%. Madam Cothia heard a strange voice say, "I didn't touch him. He suddenly had this look of horror on his face, than he fell over."

She then heard a child's shaky voice. "I'm sorry, I did it. I let him see the image of the Great Mother come up out of the floor, like it was water, like she wanted to eat him. I only did it to frighten him, so that he would not notice father. I did not mean to hurt him."

Captain Richard responded, "It is okay Krillgan, you did nothing wrong. He should not have been on my ship."

When he checked the Rodian, he was dead. As the lighting increased, Madam Cothia noticed a Devaronian woman was holding the child, to both comfort and protect him. She did not know what the man was, only that he was blue, and could see quite well in low lighting. Cothia told Richard that the woman should take the child to her cabin. It was not good for the child to be here longer than he had to. Without being told anything more, the Devaronian woman pointed the child towards the front of the ship, and led him away. After they left, Richard turned the body over. It was clear from the expression on the face, that the Rodian was very frightened by what he saw. He had been frightened to death. Captain Richard mentioned that this was not what he was expecting. He was expecting an unconscious Rodian, not a dead one. The blue man started apologising, but the Captain stopped him. He told him they did nothing wrong, and this is the reason he brought her. Cothia nudged him in the back, as he was still bent over the body.

Richard quickly stood up and apologised to both of them. He then introduced them to each other. He told Cothia that Chitrah is the father of the boy, and he told Chitrah that he trusted this woman with his life. She asked Richard if they were the special shipment the Selkath paid him to transport. He told her they are. He asked her, what did she suggest? She told him that first he needs to introduce her to the woman and child, so that they are not afraid of her. Then they need to remove all clothing from the body. She knows where they can dump it, so that it will never be discovered. The Captain smiled, and patted Chitrah on the back.

"Now you know why I brought her."

They all went to Andriel's cabin. Captain Richard knocked on the door. When Andriel said they could come in, they all entered. Through the introduction, Cothia found out that Andriel is the mother of the child, and Andriel found out that this woman is a very close friend of the Captain. The Captain introduced Krillgan, as being the happiest, and bravest boy he has ever met, and most of the crew, including himself, love him dearly. Krillgan started to feel better, hearing the Captain say that. He told the Captain that he touched him, but nothing happened. Richard told Cothia that the boy has a gift as a healer. There are somethings that he can heal by just touching, and asked her to extend her hand. She did, and Krillgan took her hand. Suddenly she felt a soothing in her secret place. She is not young any more, and sometimes uses lubricants to help, when she is making love. This time she forgot in her excitement of seeing Richard again, and she was starting to feel a little sore. She turned to Richard, and asked him if she could keep him, he would be real handy to have around the house, to help with the cuts and burns, and soreness. The Captain laughed, he told her that he would love to bring him over to her house. He was sure all the girl's would dote all over him. But for their safety, no-one can know that they are here. She smiled, "You know, I can keep a secret." The Captain smiled. Then his expression changed. They have to deal with their guest. Andriel asked if there was anything she could do? Cothia told her that the best thing she could do was to keep mothering this charming little boy. Krillgan smiled at her, and told her that he likes her. Cothia bent over and kissed him on the cheek. "I like you too." They then left Andriel and Krillgan to go deal with the body.

While the men undressed the body, Cothia left the ship, to find something to wrap it in. She found an old dirty tarp that was starting to fall apart, in a small depression, just outside the spaceport. She figured the wind blew it there. It looked like garbage, and anything wrapped in it would also look like garbage. She took it back to the ship, and the three of them wrapped the body in it. Chitrah offered to carry the body, since he was in the best shape of any of them. The Captain reminded him that he could not be seen, if he was, it could greatly complicate matters.

They dimmed the lights on the ship again, before lowering the ramp. Richard and Cothia carried the body to the spaceport's garbage disposal unit. Cothia had told Richard that a Dianoga lived in this disposal unit, and would take care of the body. To be safe, she will arrange that no garbage be placed in it for a cycle. That way, if the Dianoga is not fond of Rodian, it would still consume it to survive.

The Dianoga is a cephalopod that makes its home in areas throughout the galaxy, where refuse collects in moist environments. Almost every large starship in the galaxy has at least one in there refuse collection systems. Dianoga have a single eyestalk that extends upward from their body, like a periscope. Their single red eye, is extremely sensitive to light, and allows them to see clearly in dark environments. The eye is encased in a single, transparent shell that protects the eye from physical, and chemical injuries. Seven tentacles, with suction cups, are used by the Dianoga for mobility, and food gathering. A Dianoga's tentacles are capable of quickly regenerating, if cut off, making the creature difficult to injure or kill. The Dianoga can reach lengths of up to 10 meters. Making it a threat to most humanoid species found in its environment. Along with a huge toothy mouth which it can stretch around an object to swallow it. The stomach contains powerful acids for digesting items that most creatures would find inedible.

When Richard and Cothia returned to the brothel, they both felt compelled to shower. Cothia also sent their clothes out to be laundered, another service they provide at the brothel. They did not feel like continuing where they left off.

Richard told Cothia, that one of the reasons he spoke cryptically about his special shipment, was because he suspected the Rodian had bugged her room, and probably every room in the house. Cothia asked him, how long has he suspected? He said he suspected this for quite a while now, but had no way of proving it. In fact he did not know what to look for, if he was staring at it. Cothia asked if he knew someone who would know about this stuff. He told her that he suspected that Chitrah did, but he can't help them. She asked if Bikto would know. He wasn't sure, and he never had the heart to interfere with him and his girlfriend. Cothia told him that he was a big softy. He asked her if this was why she likes him. She said, "Yes, she knows that he is a good man. Which is why the Selkath asked him to handle this shipment."

She said this to remind Richard, that though the Rodian was dead, his bugs were not, and may be recording them. He told her that he had another problem. He needs to find a sewing machine that does not need electricity. Cothia told him that they have one. The girls were always repairing and adjusting their own outfits. At least half of them are good with a sewing machine, so they have accumulated a fair selection in one of their storage rooms. She was sure she saw an old mechanical sewing machine in there once. Richard asked her how much she was willing to sell it for, and could she get her hands on everything it would need, including the thread and different materials. Cothia told him that if it was still in storage, they could have it. He quietly reminded her, that they were dealing with a Devaronian. She won't accept it without paying for it. Cothia whispered back that they would have to sell it as a package. That way she would believe that she has paid for everything, and gotten a good deal. Richard told her that she was so smart, and kissed her. He was starting to feel frisky again. This time she remembered to reach for the lubricant, made from a blend of natural oils.

The next morning Cothia got up early, as was her normal routine. Richard woke up when he felt her leave the bed. He watched as she put on her special undergarments. She used them to help shape her body. Over this she wore a flesh tone body suit that had creatively been drawn upon. Giving the impression that her nude body was thirty years younger than it was. Over this she wore a tease cloth housecoat lined with frills. The overall affect was that if you only looked at her body, you would think you were looking at a young erotic female. It was harder for her to hide her age on her face. But she did a very good job. If she hadn't taken so long to produce this affect. Richard would have grabbed her, and dragged her back to bed.

When she was satisfied, she activated the communicator in her room, and contacted the maintenance department at the spaceport. She was lucky one of the two men she wanted to talk to, answered. "I have a job for you."

The maintenance man knew that meant the garbage disposal unit would be off line for a cycle. "We will come by for lunch and discuss it."

That meant that they accept, and will need a bottle of liquor, to keep their boss off their backs.

"Anything else?"

"Yes! I may have a bug infestation. Do you know anyone who could help?"

"I'll ask around."

With that they both terminated the call.

After that she contacted her lieutenant, using the in house system. Because the lieutenant did not come to the camera, Cothia assumed, that either she had a late night, or she had someone with her in bed. When she responded, Cothia could hear the sound of sleep in her voice. This was the only part of her job that the lieutenant did not like. Madam was such an early riser. Cothia asked her, who amongst the girls was the best with the sewing machine. When the lieutenant mentioned a name, Cothia responded that she was the one she thought of as well. When the rest of the house is up, could she please send her to her office? The lieutenant said she would. At least the Madam did not expect her to get up right now. She could sleep for another couple of hours before she had to get up to go look for the girl Madam wanted to speak to. She wondered if the Captain tore Madam's outfit when he was taking it off her, when they went to bed. They did something, because they sent a lot of their clothes to laundry last night. She hopes that she has as much energy when she is Madam's age. It would be nice to have a man like the captain around as well. She should start looking more closely at their clients, maybe there is one she might want to settle on.

Cothia asked Richard, if he was ready to go for breakfast? Richard asked, if his clothes were back from laundry yet? Cothia opened her door. There were two packages there. She tossed the captain his clothes, and placed hers on the dresser. She helped Richard dress, because she was hungry, and wanted his company while she ate. During breakfast, Richard commented on how much better this food was, from what they have aboard ship. Cothia perked up and asked Richard what the family was eating. Richard turned red, and did not look at her anymore. He mumbled that they were eating ship food. Cothia raised Richards head, with her hand. You now this is wrong, we have to do something about that.

"But how do we do that, without giving away that they are there."

"Chef regularly prepares meals, for ships that stop by."

"You mean I could have been eating this food on my ship!"

"Yes."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I thought you knew. Your first officer thought our price list was too high."

The Captain swore, he mumbled something about having to talk to his first officer. Cothia wanted to laugh, but only smiled. She told Richard that they will not be able to get any food to the ship until dinner time, because it will take time for Chef to prepare everything, and they will have to get some nice fresh fruit, and vegetables for that cute little boy. "He's going to look quite handsome when he grows up. Just like his father." Richard tuned her out, she was in that mode again. She will figure out everything that needs to be done. He could only interfere at this point if he tried to give any input.

"My God she's a beautiful woman. What does she see in me? I can't let this one go."

Later when they were in her office, Richard told her that after this trip is over, he should have enough credits stored up to retire. Cothia looked up from her work. She knew Richard was telling her this for a reason. Her heart started pumping faster.

"What are you going to do when you retire?"

"I want to build a house on the bluff. The one we both like to see the view from. I was kind of hoping you would move in with me."

Cothia got up from her desk, and went and sat on the front of it. "You know that I will not move in with you, without you making an honest women out of me. What will people say?" (Like that has ever bothered her before.)

Richard got down on one knee before her. At that moment the young lady that Madam wanted to speak to, walks through the office door and freezes. She thought that Madam was by herself, and was expecting her. Neither of them noticed she was there.

"Madam Cothia, will you do me the honour of marrying me, and being my wife?"

"Yes Richard Solo, I will be honoured to marry you and be your wife!"

At that point the young lady screams, immobilising the pair, she then runs up to Madam Cothia and hugs her, then she congratulates her.

"Is this the reason you called me? Do you want me to sew you a wedding dress?"

"No it is not the reason I called you. And yes I want you to sew me a wedding dress. But not now, there are too many things that need to be done right now."

Madam had to ask the young lady's help, to help get the Captain to his feet. He had been down on one knee for too long. Because it wasn't a normal position for him, his body was starting to seize up. At this point everyone in the house was starting to converge on Madam's office, because of the scream. She had to get everyone to backup into the small hall then into the dining room. She told Chef and his helpers that they can put their weapons down, in case they accidentally stab someone. Everyone working in the kitchen had grabbed the nearest knife when they heard the scream. Once everyone was in the dining room, Madam Cothia stepped up onto a chair, to address everyone. She told them that a young lady had forgotten the number one rule in the house. Always knock on a closed door before opening it. This made everyone laugh, because it is a very important rule in the house. "She barged into my office, when my good friend Captain Richard, proposed marriage to me." Madam Cothia had motioned the Captain, to help her get down. The ladies started calling out, "Did you say yes."

"Of course I did. Why do you think she screamed?"

Some of the young ladies were so excited, that they also screamed. When Bikto heard that his captain had proposed, he got down on one knee and turned to his girlfriend, took her hand, and asked her to marry him. She started waving her hands and lifted her feet up and down and screamed, "Yes! Yes! Yes!"

When Bikto stood up, she jumped into his arms, and started kissing him on the face, then she started crying on his shoulder. He asked her what was wrong. She told him, "I thought you would never ask."

Pula used this opportunity to propose marriage to his girlfriend, she is also a Gotal. She said yes, and also started crying.

Everyone in the room turned to Fred. Now Fred has been pumping out pheromones, ever since he set foot in the brothel, because there was no little kid to tell him to stop. So he was surrounded by many of the women who work in the brothel. When everyone looked at him, he just smiled and said, "How can I choose?" Then he hugged two of the women closer to him, and kissed them both. They were more than willing to kiss him back. Then everyone turned to look at Coris. He told them all that he was only here for the food. Then he raised his glass towards the Captain and Madam, as a silent toast. Everyone in the room started looking for glasses, they too wanted to toast the Captain and Madam, and their friends, the other couples who just were engaged. Madam Cothia asked everyone to calm down and sit down. She told everyone that they are going to have plenty of time congratulating all the couples that just were engaged. "It's not like we are going to run out tomorrow and get married. There are still things that need to happen before that happens. Because you want to celebrate, and it is almost lunch time. This lunch is on me!"

Everyone cheered. Madame Cothia grabbed the young lady by the arm that had barged into her office, and led her back into the office. The Captain followed right behind. When she was seated, she asked the young lady how comfortable she was in looking after sewing machines. She told the Madam, that you have to know how to maintain it, if you want it to run properly. Madam Cothia told her that she wants her to go into the storage room, where all their old sewing machines are, and pull out the manual one. "The Captain knows a young lady who could really use it. We want to make sure it is working properly, before we can ship it to her. We want to make sure that she has everything she needs to start sewing outfits right away, since she lives on a remote farmstead." The young lady asked if it was okay if she started right after lunch, because she wants to go out and congratulate her friends who were just engaged. Madam Cothia smiled and told her to get out there. After the young lady left, Richard told Cothia that she would have made a great Admiral. Cothia laughed, and told him that it takes more than a captain to run this ship. Richard laughed, then went up and placed a kiss on his fiancé's lips.

Cothia than went into the kitchen. She told Chef that the spaceport had called, asking if they could fill a food order for a ship? Two adults and a one child for a month. They also need to give them fresh fruits and vegetables for the child. Chef told her he would get right on it, right after lunch. He asked her, when it needs to be ready by? She told him that they should look at filling a partial order by dinner time. Then she asked him how long it would take him to fill the order. He said that if they only need to do a partial order for today, he can get the balance of the order done by dinner time tomorrow. He will send one of his staff to the market after lunch, so that the fresh fruits and vegetables can be delivered today. Madam Cothia was satisfied with the answer. She than told Chef that she would be taking her lunch in the dining room with the captain. Normally she eats her lunch in her office, so that she can keep working on her paperwork. Before she left, Chef called her. When she turned to look back, Chef told her congratulations. The rest of the kitchen staff banged together whatever utensils they had in their hands at the moment, and said, "Here, here!" Madam Cothia felt warm in her heart, when she took the Captains arm as they walked into the dining room.

Shortly after they were seated, the maintenance workers from the spaceport show up. They asked the Madam what was going on, everyone seems so festive. Madam Cothia told them that some of the couples just announced their engagement. The maintenance workers asked her if they might know any of the people that are engaged. Madam told them that they know at least one. Then she told them that the Captain proposed to her that morning. They both tried grabbing her hand to shake it. She told them that they can do better than that, and stood up, so that they could each give her a hug. She then told them to find a seat, because lunch was on her. They quickly looked around to find a couple of vacant seats. Madam Cothia, signalled her lieutenant to come to her. When she came over she congratulated the Madam and the Captain on being engaged. Madam told her not to be so formal, both she and the Captain stood up so that she could hug them. The lieutenant almost cried, Madam has never been this open with her before. Madam than told her to go to their liquor storage locker, and retrieve a bottle, something good, but none of the expensive stuff, and to give it to one of the two maintenance men sitting over at that table. It was easy to spot the only two men wearing coveralls. When the lieutenant left to retrieve a bottle, she hoped that this meant that Madam would start training her in her other business ventures.

If Madam truly gets married, and leaves the brothel, than she is next in line, to become the new Madam, and she would like to see all of Madam's business ventures continue. It helps to keep the leeches away. After they finished their lunch, with bottle in hand, the two maintenance workers came back and told Madam, that they had arranged for two tech guys, from the spaceport, to come by and check out her bug problem, this afternoon. After they left, Richard asked her about the bottle? Cothia told him that their boss was a bit of a lush. When people start complaining about the waste disposal unit not working, as it will start smelling during the heat of the day. They lock themselves in their bosses' office, and share a few drinks. It makes the days more bearable, until they can get the system operational again.

When the two technicians came by, one of them told her that they were there about her bug infestation. The other one could not keep a straight face, and started laughing. Which disappointed his buddy, because he had been practising his line. Madam Cothia asked them to come with her. She asked them if it was possible to determine where the bugs would be transmitting their signal. They told her that it would depend on the quality of the bug. With cheap bugs it would be no problem, with high quality bugs it would take better equipment than what they have. The Captain told them that it would probably be the cheapest quality they have on the market.

They started testing in Madam's bedroom. Where they found two audio bugs, and one video bug. The techs found it kind of strange that the video bug was placed where it could not see the bed, it could only see the area where Madam dresses. They left the bugs where they were for now, they went from room to room, to find more. Every bedroom had an audio bug. Two of the bedrooms also had video bugs. These bugs had clear, unobstructed views of the beds. They found a couple audio bugs in the dining room. One was were Fred had established his nest for his harem. There were no bugs in any of the storage areas. There were no bugs in Madam's office, which surprised the Captain, and there were no bugs in the kitchen. Madam told the Captain that it made sense that there were no bugs in her office. She has always kept the office locked when she was not in there, and anyone coming or going from the dining room to the kitchen could see the door to her office. The Rodian would not have been allowed in the kitchen, as there was always someone working in the kitchen. After they located all the bugs, the techs were able to confirm that they were all transmitting in the same direction. The video bugs can only transmit a short distance. After they told Madam all the technical parameters. They started removing all the bugs. The techs wanted to destroy them, but Madam asked them not to. Instead they placed them all in a thick, sealed, metal container, which cut off their ability to transmit.

After a final sweep of the building, the technicians returned to the spaceport. Madam had called up a map of the area. She superimposed the distance and direction the video signals could be sent. There were a few private residences, and one old warehouse. They checked the ownership of the warehouse, and found that it had been abandoned a few years back, and had been seized by the local authorities for back taxes. Madam and the Captain both agreed that they need to search the warehouse first, before checking any of the residences.

Madam called the local authorities and told them she was interested in purchasing the old abandoned warehouse from them, and asked if they could send over a copy of the access card, so that they could view it. They told her that they would send it over right away. After ending the call, Cothia told Richard, that now they had permission to be on that property.

As they were making preparations, to check for the location where the Rodian was transmitting his signals to. A small group of mercenaries came into the brothel. Their contract had expired, and the boss had stayed behind to try and arrange a new one. The small group specialised in protecting female clients, since they had a couple of female members in their troupe. They normally came here whenever they had a brake, because of the food, and the Masseuse. When Madam came out of her office, she greeted them and told them she had a small job for them. They need to search a warehouse, but there might be booby-traps. Are they interested? They asked her, what was she offering? She told them that she would buy them dinner, and the ale this evening would be on her. They knew it had to be a very short job, since she was offering so little. But she was always true to her word, and their might not be any real danger, so they accepted. By the time they suited up in full battle gear, the access card to the warehouse had arrived. The Captain asked Coris if he wanted to come along. They all piled aboard the skiff Madam kept out back, and Madam told the droid driver where to take them. She handed the access card to one of the mercs, and let them go first. They sniffed the door with their sniffer. No explosives. They cautiously opened the door to the warehouse. The automatic lighting system was working, and all the lights came on. One of the mercs swore, now it was going to be harder to find any infrared triggers. The Captain, Madam, and Coris, only entered an area if the mercs said it was safe. In fifteen minutes of searching, they only found one booby-trap. When they dismantled it, one of the mercs commented that it was like it was set by a child, or someone with sticky fingers. The Captain asked him about the sticky fingers, the merc told him that you have to be very careful with booby-traps especially the more sophisticated ones. If part of the trigger sticks to your finger when setting it, BOOM, you're the one with little pieces of meat flying everywhere.

Madam thanked the mercenaries for their help, and asked them to send the skiff back. When they were leaving, one of the mercenaries mentioned to his buddies that he was glad he did not ask more for this job, he's almost embarrassed to take what she offered. Another mercenary said that the solution was clear, he should not drink tonight, and they all laughed. Madam and Captain were shocked by all the sealed crates that were in the warehouse, many of them still had their spaceport markings, showing which storage section they were stolen from. Coris called them to the office. He told them they are not going to like what he found. He found a box full of memory chips, addressed to a business in Hutt Space. He had put one of the chips in the playback device. When they activated it, they saw one of their girls in one of the bedrooms that had video bugs. The Rodian had matched the audio and the video of her pleasing a client. Coris mentioned that just one of these chips, if edited, which is what it looks like, could hold at least ten days' worth of this stuff. It looked like the box contained about a years' worth of edited recordings from the two bedrooms. The Captain asked Cothia, "How long, do you think, he has been recording this." She said she did not know, but she had a bad feeling about this. They checked each memory chip quickly, but found none with Madam on it. The Rodian had quite a setup for recording and editing the data. Captain Richard was sure, that this has been how he knew what to look for on his ship, whenever they would stop by. Coris opened a cupboard door and explained, "Oh My!" Both the Captain and Madam, turned to see what he was looking at. The cupboard was full of memory chips, neatly arranged and dated. They were looking at more than 3 years' worth of recordings. The captain selected one and placed it in the playback device, it was of Madam changing, he had it go to another section on the chip, it was the same thing. He checked another section, it was the same thing. He pulled it out and tried another chip, it was the same. After randomly checking a few more chips, they concluded that this was his collection of the video signal sent from Madam's room. It was the unedited recording, because there was no audio slaved to it. They went through every cupboard to see what else they could find. Unless he had off site storage, it looked like he got rid of, or reused, the unedited recordings from the other two bedrooms. When they checked the room next to the office. It looked like a messy, one room apartment. It looked like he was living here. They doubted he had storage somewhere else, with all the room he had here. The Captain pocketed two of the edited memory chips. One from each bedroom. He was hoping Chitrah would be able to do what he wanted him to do. They were all in a little bit of shock from what they had discovered. Cothia seemed to recover the quickest. She asked Richard if it would be okay for them to have their wedding and reception here. Richard just looked at her. She told the Captain that by law, if she purchased the warehouse, than everything in it is hers as well. She would let the spaceport guys haul away everything that had their markings. But everything else must be gone through very carefully, in case he had other bad surprises for them. The Captain finally clued into what she was saying. Having the wedding here was a good excuse to buy the place, then she could take her time going through this place with a couple of trusted girls, say the ones that were in the videos. To make sure they got everything. The Captain told her to do it. Coris didn't say anything, because he wasn't sure what they wanted to do. If they asked him, he would tell them to burn it to the ground, and not worry about trying to find anything else.

They went back to the brothel before dinner time. The young lady was waiting for Madam. She told her that there was nothing missing from the sewing machine, it works perfectly, and is crated up ready to be shipped. She took one of the farm girls with her to the market, and they bought everything that they thought a farm girl would want, to start sewing for her family. The young ladies divided themselves up at the brothel as being either farm girls or city girls. It usually showed up, in what type of music they would listen to, when they were taking a break. She handed Madam the bill from all the purchases. Her lieutenant had already reimbursed her. Madam asked her if she could talk some of the mercenaries into helping her get it all loaded on the skiff. She said it would be easy, and left. As she was going to her office, Chef spotted her and told her that everything was ready for today, and today's dinner is still hot. She asked Richard and Coris to load it on the skiff as well. It looks like they are going to his ship before dinner. As they were going to the spaceport. Coris asked them who this food was for. Today's dinner smells amazing. Captain Richard told him that it was for their passengers. Coris asked Madam if they normally prepare food for ships. Madam told him that they do it for anyone who asks for it, and pays for it. Coris asked the Captain, if Fred knows about this.

"Apparently he thinks it is too expensive."

Coris told him that he was going to talk with Pula and Bikto, when they get back to the brothel. The Captain laughed, he could smell a munity brewing, and this time he was on their side.

They dropped Coris off, to grab a couple of porter droids, and meet up with them at the ship. At the ship, they told Andriel, Chitrah, and Krillgan, that they hope they have not yet prepared anything for dinner, because they have some hot food for them. The family all commented on how nice it smelt. The Captain pointed out the food packets that were also prepared for them, labeled breakfast, lunch or dinner, and also labeled child or adult. He told them that it was prepared by the same cook, who cooked tonight's dinner. Tomorrow they would bring by some more. They had ordered a whole month's worth for them. Chitrah helped the Captain carry it into the crew's lounge, and helped him put it all away, except the hot stuff. Andriel carried the bag of fresh fruits and vegetables. Krillgan's mouth was all blue, from a handful of berries he had grabbed when he thought his mother was not looking. Andriel had winked at Cothia to distract her, while the bag was still in Krillgan's reach. They both laughed about this, as they walked to the lounge, to wait for Coris and the droids. Andriel told Krillgan that he can't have any more berries, until he finishes his dinner. When Coris showed up they had the droids carry the crates into the workout room, and open them. The Captain asked Andriel, if this was what she wanted? Andriel was overjoyed to see a sewing machine, until she noticed that it was not powered. She remembered telling the Captain, that she would be taking the sewing machine with her, and the Captain saying it would be hard to find her a sewing machine. He's probably going to stick them in an outpost in the middle of nowhere. She was starting to feel a little apprehensive.

Andriel could tell that someone recently serviced this machine. It was not a commercial machine, like the one on Eriadu, but it was a well-built machine. With regular maintenance, this machine could still last for generations. When she looked through the other crate, she could tell that this was packed by someone who knew how to sew. Andriel asked the Captain how much? The Captain looked at Cothia. Cothia had taken a quick peek at the bill when Andriel was looking at everything that was coming with the machine, and rounded the number up. That is what she quoted Andriel. Andriel looked everything over again. She figured that she was getting the machine for nothing, it was probably taking up room in storage, and she was paying full price for everything else. It meant that she would be able to start sewing clothes right away for Krillgan, and he really needed it. She decided not to argue the price, sewing new clothes for Krillgan was more important. She said that she would take it. Cothia was surprised, she expected more haggling from a Devaronian. Then she looked at Krillgan. Even though the clothes are good quality, his pants were too short, his shirt and light jacket were too short, if he bent over to touch his toes, he would probably burst a seam somewhere. "If I was his mother, I would want him to have some new clothes, right now. No wonder she did not haggle." She asked Andriel what sort of sewing experience she has. Chitrah spoke up, and told her, that his wife is a Master Seamstress and Dress Designer. She has designed for royalty, and nobles have been wowed by her designs. Chitrah was obviously proud of his wife, and her ability.

Cothia asked Andriel, if she had copies of any of her designs? She happens to be in the market for a wedding dress. Captain Richard cleared his throat.

"Excuse me, but we have something more urgent to discuss!"

Cothia whispered to Andriel, "Wedding jitters already."

Andriel had to supress a laugh, and coughed instead. At least she knew who the groom was. Captain Richard told them that they just found out that the Rodian had filmed a couple of Cothia's girls in their bedrooms, when they had some male friends over, and they believe that he sold copies of it to the Hutts for one of their porn sites.

"If the parents of one of these girls happened to see their daughter on one of these sites, they will be disinherited, even though the parents rely on the money these girls send them. To supplement their farm income. I have here copies of the latest videos that the Rodian was going to sell the Hutts. Chitrah, Bikto says that you are an excellent computer technician, one of the best he has encountered. Can you use these to find out if the Hutts are indeed broadcasting them? And is there anything that can be done to stop it, if they are?" Richard handed the memory chips to Chitrah, but Andriel grabbed them.

"My husband will not look at those."

"But how is he going to be able to help us?"

"I didn't say he would not help. I just said he would not look."

Andriel was wondering what sort of house this woman ran, where girls were doing this sort of thing right under her nose. Chitrah told them that his wife was right. He confirmed that the videos were only recorded in the two rooms. The Captain said they were. Chitrah told them that his wife can scan the videos, to see if she can find an image of each room, without anyone in it. He can then scan the images of the empty rooms into his computer. So the computer can use them as references, to find any sites where the rooms appear. He can limit the search to only Hutt sites, since they have a unique starting address. The Captain and Cothia were satisfied that Chitrah could and would help them. Richard mentioned that it was time to get back to her house. Cothia asked that they head back without her, she needs to talk with Andriel. The Captain assumed that she wanted to talk to her about the wedding, and wedding dresses. He let her worry about it. He just wanted to see the end result. Coris went back with him. Krillgan had started teasing him with his dinner when he heard his stomach growl.

Cothia asked Andriel if she could talk with her alone, in her cabin. Chitrah nodded at her, he and Krillgan can keep themselves busy. When they were in Andriel's room, Cothia told her that she is a Madam, and she runs a brothel. She does not ask why the girls come to her. But lets them share it if they feel they must. All her girls are clean. None of them are spice addicts, or death stick addicts, or addicts of any kind, except sex addicts. When a girl comes to her, and lives under her roof, she feels obligated to protect them, and she has let them down.

Now some people come to her house for other reasons, besides taking one of her girls to bed. She has one of the best Chef's in this sector. That is why Coris always likes to come back. She has never seen him with any of her girls, though some have tried to get him into bed. Fred loves being surrounded by girls, and the way they dote on him. But he also has never taken any of the girls to bed. "Some mercenaries have come back today, because I have the best Masseuse in this section of space." Some will use the girls, most want the tension massaged out of their bodies, followed by a night of drinking. "I know that you are a good woman, and you have a good family. Please don't think ill of me!"

Andriel looked at Cothia. "I don't know why you made the choices you did. I can tell that the Captain loves you, and you love him. I can tell that you have a mother's heart when it comes to your girls. Don't ask me to bless you, I can't. But I can help my husband help you."

Cothia smiled, "That's all I want from you. Since you are not my enemy, can you be my friend?"

Andriel smiled, and took her hand, "I can be that."

Cothia stuck around while Andriel and Chitrah setup the sewing machine where she wanted it. Bikto would have to install some better lighting. Andriel took her back to her cabin, with Krillgan following, so that she could show her all her outfits, which are her designs. She then showed her the designs she had in her computer. Cothia was amazed by all that she saw. She told Andriel that she would be happy if she could design her a dress, any dress, it did not have to be a wedding dress. Andriel looked at her body, her head kept telling her that something is not right. She asked Krillgan if he could go play with his blocks, she needs to be alone with Aunt Cothia again. After Krillgan left Andriel told Cothia that she needs to see her real body, if she is going to design her a dress. Cothia smiled, and complemented Andriel. She was used to working with people who see what they want to see, and not take the time to see the real you. She took of the clothes she put on to go to the warehouse. Andriel was surprised to see the naked body of a much younger woman underneath. It was only as she looked carefully that she could see it was a body suit. It must have cost a fortune to have it made. After she removed the body suit, Andriel asked her to stop, she wanted to examine her custom made undergarments. Cothia asked her why? Andriel told her that she might be able to incorporate something similar into a dress design. This made Cothia feel goosebumps. After Andriel was sure she had an idea about how it all worked, she let Cothia continue. After she removed everything, Andriel told her that she has a very nice body. Cothia told her that no-one wants to see an old woman's body when they go to the brothel.

Andriel told her that she believed the Captain enjoyed seeing it.

Cothia smiled, "Yes he does!"

Andriel took her measurements, than helped her get back into her clothing. Cothia was surprised at how quickly she was dressed with Andriel's help. Cothia told Andriel that she wished that she could come work for her. She could use someone like her at the house. "Don't worry, I would never ask you to go with a client. I just think that you would be a better mother to my girls, than I could ever be." Andriel thanked her for the compliment. When they went back out to the lounge. Chitrah told her that the program was ready, she just needed to input the images of the empty rooms, and then they can leave the computer to run on its own. Cothia bid them good night, as Andriel went back to her room to find the images, and follow Chitrah's instructions, to input them into his computer.