It was that time of the year again. Looking at what remain of the amber like liquid in his glass, Andronikos wondered if he could drown himself into it. Like, litteraly.

The aura he was giving must have been menacing enough for everyone not to approach him, leaving him leaning over the counter. He could still feel Casey's worried look on his back, but she better than anyone knew to give him space in this specific day.

Five years. Today, it would be five years he married Shà. That day was carved in his memory like none other, as clear as a hologram. He could perfectly remember Voss particular sky, giving everything a golden halo. Golden halo for a golden day. They'd come to this mysterious planet to cure Shà from those ghosts in her head, eating her life and sanity away. Right before the ritual, he'd proposed, saying straight to the point: "If this mojo crap succeed, marry me!". He didn't have to argue a lot. She'd look at him in the eyes and replied "Well, another reason for me to hope it will work".

Few hours later, they were outside Vos-Ka, among old ruins and under a giant tree with red and golden leaves. While a Voss was leading the ceremony, Khem, Ashara, Talos and Xalek as witnesses, all he could see was her. She was gorgeous, wearing a purple gown, as the mirialan tradition demanded for it was the color of thrive and fertility. The color almost the exact same as her eyes. She had tied her white hair in a bun and braids, some lose curls falling around her face. He surprised himself, as he was saying his vows, to hear his own voice somewhat unsteady. Words were not his strongest suit. He was all about action. When he had passionately kissed her as the Voss declared them husband and wife, the rest of the crew had cheer. Ashara and Talos even cried a bit. And while the crew celebrates at the nearest cantina, Shà and him, with the benediction of the Voss priest, flew on the other side of the planet, near a lake, where no outsider ever set foot before, for one hell of a honeymoon. Next morning, they were off to Corelia to fight Thanaton again.

They never celebrate any wedding anniversary. Not one. Not even a year after that day, the Eternal Empire struck. After all the shit they've been through with the revanites, Revan himself, the awakening of the Emperor and the destruction of Ziost, Andronikos thought they had earned a little rest. But no. Zakuul had revealed itself, plunging the whole galaxy into chaos as never before with the Eternal Fleet. Shà, Marr's most trusted ally in the Dark Council, had joined him in the wild space to fight the Fleet. And he had lost her there.

When the Fleet attacked, Shà told them to flee with the Fury. The all crew had protest, refusing to leave her behind. But she gave orders: run, warn the Empire. Survive. So they did, Andronikos promising he'd be back with a whole fleet. He never could. The day after the Fury crew had returned to Dromund Kass to explain the situation, the galaxy was made aware of Arcann ascension to the throne and Valkorion murder, the destruction of Marr's ship and every Empire and Republic's ship in the perimeter. Arcann had even sent them Marr's body in a metal box. All of those who couldn't escape pronounced dead. The Dark Council declared Dark Nox dead. Then proceed to tear each other apart.

Andronikos never believed in Shà's death. No one was harder to kill than her, she'd given proof of that countless times. He told so to those Council morons, repeating they should send search parties. But those assholes were set in their beliefs, even grounding the Fury to prevent him from going. Big pile of fuckwits, all of them. He had head-butted Dark Ravage so hard the guy felt on the floor with a loud bang, and before any of them could retaliate, Andronikos had fled the room, all speed to the Fury that Khem and Xalek had managed to steal from the hangar, and the crew had left the Empire behind them, searching for Shà.

While they did so, the galaxy felt apart. Zakuul to over completely, traping both the Empire and the Republic into treaties that nearly enslaved them to the Eternal Empire, and Arcann extended his tyranny. The more time passed by, the more the crew lost hope. No matter where they went, they found nothing. Shà had simply disappeared out of thin air, her presence even erased from the Force. After two years, Talos announced he was giving up, going to Yavin 4 where he was offered a great job opportunity. Andronikos had lash out violently, but Talos had bravely stood his ground, stating they could not do anything more for Shà. Few months later, Xalek and Khem left too. Ashara and him stuck together for a time, but he lost her and the Fury when they got separated when she followed a lead at the edge of the galaxy. Alone and unable to give up, Andronikos had gone back to his pirate ways. It was what he did best after all, and he hoped he'd find something through the mob network. That was how, on Nar Shaada, he crossed path with Casey again. She had quit the Exchange, not liking what it had become since Arcann new galactic order, and had a pirate crew of her own. They all knew him by reputation, and asked him to join. So he did. Mentioning clearly his main goal was to find Dark Nox. The understanding look that crossed Casey's eyes was enough. Even if every target was as good as any, they specialized in being a bloody nightmare to the Eternal Empire's ships. But after all this time, the crew kept asking him "Why can't you give up?" "Why can't you accept the obvious? Your girl is gone". Sometimes, he wonders that too. Why can't he give up? Why can't he move on? Because deep down, in his guts, he knows. He just knows. Shà is alive. No matter where she is, she is alive. Andronikos was never Force-sensitive, but after living with Siths for so long, he'd learn that your instinct is rarely wrong. So he keeps clinging on that feeling.

Dwelling into the memory of happier days, he didn't notice the captain and some members of a rival pirate ship entering the cantina, nor did he felt his crew stiffen behind him, across the cantina. Each of their meetings were…well, quite the firework. The captain's eyes, a Zabrak named Marek, went across the room like he owned the place. When he noticed the crew, a nasty smile came on his lips. He nodded to his men, who laughed loudly. The bar tender started to sweat heavily, understanding there was no way his establishment will end the evening without blaster shots burns on the walls, some furniture broken and dead bodies to clean up. And when Marek finally noticed Andronikos on the counter, sparks of amusement lighting in his pupils, the poor owner actually started to lower himself behind the bar. With a conquering strut, the Zabrak approached, speaking in a way everyone would hear over the music:

"Well, isn't it the mighty Andronikos Revel ? So called greatest pirate of the galaxy, terror of high space. Brooding over a corelian whiskey. What got your head in a knot? One of your imperial pals abandoned your sorry ass again?"

Marek leaned on the counter next to Andronikos, who didn't spare a glance to him.

"Fuck off" was the only answer he gave, finishing his drink.

But Marek wasn't close to being done:

"What's wrong, you imperial bitch? Can't stand to watch a proper pirate in the eyes"

Casey appeared next to Andronikos, a ferocious glare on her face.

"You heard him, fuck off"

Marek only laughed harder.

"What, need your girl to protect you now?"

Andronikos's crew hold their breath. They knew exactly how much of a bad idea it was to pick up a fight with him in general, and especially on this day, and how to make it even worse by making any mention of "his girl". All hell was about to break lose.

Andronikos finally turned to Marek. The smile on his face was the most vicious that ever graced his lips. Casey even backed off. But Marek didn't recognize the danger.

"You see that glass right here?" Andronikos asked in a silky voice.

Completely taken off balance, Marek stuttered:

"Hun…what…yeah, sure, but what the…"

"Well you're about to see it up close" Andronikos cut.

He acted so fast no one could react. He grabbed Marek by the neck and violently squash his head against the counter, right on his empty glass which broke in dozen of shards. Andronikos repeated the gesture, impaling the shards in Marek face. And he did it again, and again, until Marek's screams stopped, blood dripping all over the counter, among other fluids. Then he dropped Marek's body on the floor, his face nothing more than a gruesome mashed mess. It had all happened so fast both crews stood frozen on the spot. The whole cantina went dead silent, except for the music, all gaze turned toward the pirate who was now pointing his blasters in the direction of Marek's men. The dark smirk on his face daring them to make a move. His own men had grab their weapons, ready to back him up if need be. Marek first mate swallowed hard, giving him a murderous glare:

"You're a dead man, Niki. You hear me? You dead"

Andronikos expression didn't change the slightest, and he replied deadpan:

"Promises, promises"

And the men run away. Andronikos put his blasters away, turned to the bartender and throw him some credits.

"For your trouble"

Casey rushed angrily toward him.

"Are you fucking mad? Feeling better? Well you better enjoy, 'cause now they'll be on our tail non-stop and be some major pain in the ass. We don't need that right now!"

"I needed that right now" he bit back.

Casey sighted heavily, her anger cooling down.

"Look, I know today isn't a good day for you but…"

Without giving her time to finish, Andronikos groaned and walked away. The harsh sun of Jakku blinded him as he left the cantina. The heat was unbearable at this time of the day and the hot wind didn't help. It only carried more sand. In what had become an unconscious movement, he turned the silver ring on the middle finger of his left hand. Engraved in it, the small pattern similar with Shà facial tattoos shine under the bright light. Looking around, Andronikos was reminded of Tatooine, where Shà and him first met. Where his fate took a drastic turn. Closing his eyes, he let his mind wonder into memory lane.