This is the sequel to New Beginnings.
The Uwana Buyer settled onto the Tanaab spaceport docking area smoothly as Dankin, one of Karrde's most experienced pilot's put her down. During Karrde's honeymoon, Dankin oversaw renovations to the Wild Karrde, but pawned his duties off on Annowiskri, the medic and general crewmember. Chin was his co-pilot for the trip and both were happy to be off the Wild Karrde, even if for just a paint run. Also on the tarmac were Karrde owned ships, Dawn Beat and Lastri's Ort.
The newly married Karrde's spent the trip secluded in the master suite, only emerging when Chin announced entry to the Tanaab system. Talon led the way to the local cantina just off the tarmac that catered to spacers. Allowing Shada to do her job, he followed her inside The Tanaab Hole and was amused to see holographs of Han Solo and what was probably the owner prominently displayed so that was the first thing seen. Also were shots of the Falcon and Chewbacca. He performed his own sweep and spotted his people and captain's, Aves, captain of Lastri's Ort and Lachton who captained his vessel, Dawn Beat.
Shada looked around, paying extra attention to strangers and noting the positions of Karrde's people interspersed amongst them. Most customers glanced to see who came in, didn't recognize them and went back to drinking and talking. Still, she sat with her back against the wall so she could watch the entrance and customers. Karrde maintained a warehouse under an alias on this respectable planet because of its proximity to the core.
Talon punched up drinks. "What are you having, Shada?"
"Juice." She was still looking around.
Talon shrugged and ordered whiskey for him and juice for her. "No fun with juice in you," he muttered, while Aves and Lachton laughed into their whiskeys. He glared at his men. "Are you loaded yet?"
"About half way," Aves spoke for them. "How did we get roped into Booster's paint deliveries instead of the Pulsar Skate?"
"Mirax stayed on Coruscant to close up shop. She needed her ship to move them to the Errant Venture, where their main home will be for now. Right now, Booster has time to paint before making deliveries to the Rim, but didn't have haulers lined up. Since we're reorganizing, I volunteered you guys for this most respectable job."
"It all pays the same," Aves observed. He had Karrde's largest cargo freighter, the Lastri's Ort and usually made heavy runs for the organization on the Outer Rim.
Drinks arrived and Shada sipped hers while she added, "Plans keep changing. Mirax and I were going to do multiple runs in her ship. Then Talon took control of the Venture for a few days when we arrived at Bilbringi from our honeymoon until Hassla'tak returned from Ryloth. We decided to come and add our ship to the haul and get it done to free you guys up to get on with your regular routes."
"What was it like, being in charge of the destroyer?" Aves asked. Chin told him Karrde was acting captain of the star destroyer when he called to tell them the bosses were back from their honeymoon.
Talon looked as happy as a boy with a new toy as he responded to Aves. "If he ever wants or needs to sell, I WILL be first in line. The things I could do with a ship like that. Of course, the first thing I'd do is remove the casinos and enlarge Traders Alley. We'd be the floating center of commerce for anything legal or otherwise."
"I thought we were going straight," Shada reminded him.
"We would be. I'd be the negotiator for a cut, like what Booster does, only on a larger scale."
Aves looked at Shada with a smile. "I see you survived your honeymoon. Does the old man treat you right?"
"He does okay."
"I do better than okay." He took her hand and looked at his men. "I've reconsidered my opinion about marriage. I want all my captains wed within a year."
"Including Faughn?" Lachton asked through his laugh.
Talon thought about her while Shada smirked. He finally answered, "Male captains. That way you won't be looking for something in every port."
Aves gave a look of mock horror and addressed Shada. "You're either really good or running the show now and want us to stop our wicked ways; which is it?"
Shada leaned closer to him. "I'll get back to you on the later, but I am that good." They were still laughing when another customer entered. Shada looked up immediately and spotted Lando Calrissian in the doorway. Like a true smuggler, he was scoping the joint out for possible trouble. His gaze settled on them and he smiled in relief as he wound his way through the tables.
With a clap to Talon's shoulder, he dropped into the last available chair. "Good to see you survived the honeymoon phase of marriage."
"Booster doesn't have good ideas often, but that had to be his best yet." Talon watched him immediately order a drink.
"You're looking good, Shada. How are you feeling?" Lando turned his attention to her across the table from him.
"I feel fine so far."
"Good, good." He looked around. "I'm supposed to be meeting a Skip Ravin here for a little business."
Talon sifted through his eidetic memory for the person. "He owns a droid factory." He finally placed the name. He bought a few droids from his company over the years.
"That's right. All my enterprises require specialized droids and they don't come cheap. I'm looking at buying his operation, as he wants to retire."
The news surprised Talon. Usually his informants kept him apprised of Calrissian's business dealings. Of course, he had been occupied the last few weeks and hadn't yet caught up on his reading. "What droids do you need?"
"Mostly mining, but I have ideas for military fighting droids and want to pursue that idea."
"I don't know if you noticed, but the galaxy seems to be mostly at peace." Talon chuckled.
"There will always be another war on the horizon and I want to be ready with technology in place to offer my services."
"Governments usually pay better than the private sector," Talon shrewdly extrapolated.
"What brings three of your ships; I saw when I landed, to this lovely backwater?" Lando changed the subject before Karrde wanted a piece of his action.
"Booster hired me to transport paint this time around."
"The paint you own?"
"That better not get back to him."
Lando smiled and zipped his mouth.
The next day they were loaded and once the jump to Bilbringi was made, Talon turned the bridge over to his trusted colleagues and told them not to bother him and he retreated with Shada to their room.
"Want another Roba steak for supper?" She asked. "CP5O wants an order."
"Sure, if you'll join me." He caught her quick nod and she placed the order.
That evening found them snuggled close, watching a holodrama and talking. "Are you going to have the baby sexed?" He finally asked.
"If you want. It would be nice to know what to buy for."
"I'm thinking I would like to know. Give me a chance to prepare myself."
"The doctor on the Venture can test," she informed him.
"Have you seen a doctor yet?" He was holding her against him, their bare feet kicked up on an ottoman.
"No, I didn't think about it."
"Get a checkup while we're on the ship." His hand stroked her bare arm, soft skin making his thoughts automatically center on her nude.
"Before I do, I'm buying maternity clothes. I feel bloated and my onesie's are getting tight."
He moved his hand to her stomach and felt all over. "You are slightly puffed out. Did I tell you I find fat women a turnoff?"
She slapped his hand. "No seeing me naked then and no sex."
He stood and pulled her up. "I'll make an exception for you." He kissed her forcefully and playfully guided her to their bedroom, laughing at her pseudo protest.
Nawara Ven entered the cordoned off area of the military facility and approached the sounds of laughter and music. He stood in the doorway watching the festive banter, enjoying being in the presence of his friends once again. Wes Janson spotted him first and let out a yell from his table, turning all heads towards the door. Wedge and Tycho hurried to his side and threw arms around him for hugs and backslaps.
"I heard you couldn't come." Tycho let him go first.
"Booster allowed Karrde to stand in for me." Nawara grinned in happiness.
"He's babysitting his grandson tonight, but Corran and Mirax are here." Wedge hesitated, uncertain Nawara's relationship with his ex. "Rhysati is here."
Nawara smiled wider. He was handsome for a Twi'lek, with broad shoulders and narrow hips. He was taller than the average pilot, topping out at just over six feet with light gray skin and his Lekku were long and thick, hanging down his back as he greeted his friends. "Good, I was hoping to see her."
"You two still on friendly terms?" Tycho inquired.
"We parted as best friends."
"I'm sorry our questions are keeping you from a drink." Wedge guided him to the bar and stepped back to let pilots and mechanics gather around with greetings, until he gave up trying to continue the conversation. "I want to talk to you before you disappear," he called over the din.
Nawara nodded he heard, as Wes, Gavin and Hobbie were vying for his attention.
At a table in the corner, Rhysati was sitting with Pash Cracken and the Horn's watching her ex enter and be greeted warmly. She turned to Mirax. "You told me Nawara couldn't make it."
"That's what Dad told me. Something must have changed and I wasn't informed." Mirax was surprised her father's first officer wasn't watching his precious ship.
"I haven't seen him since the divorce." Rhysati thought Nawara looked good and a new job seemed to agree with him.
"He's not said one word of why you two split. Want to talk about it?" Mirax noticed the men were listening closely.
Rhysati shrugged, "Not much to tell, no other people were involved. I will always love him and he me. We both wanted children, so I quit the squadron to get pregnant. Then we found out we weren't compatible on a cellular level after trying for two years and nothing."
I've heard of mixed children from Twi'lek and human," Corran cut in.
Rhysati shook her head ruefully. "Only the Lethan is close enough to cross with human. Nawara is Rutian. There are two different species of Twi'lek. Neither of us did our homework."
"I didn't know that." Pash decided he was going to do some research.
"We didn't know Rutian couldn't cross until the medical staff told us. We talked about adopting like Gavin and Asyr were going to. That's when I learned something about Twi'lek's. They have orphans on Ryloth. The females are sold as slaves mostly, but none are adopted. They grow up in orphanages within their family units. I told Nawara it was cruel and he said it was their way. I asked about adoption of any species and he thought I was crazy. He broached the option of us having children by him impregnating a Twi'lek and buying the offspring and he said if I wanted human children, he would allow me to be impregnated by a human."
"Wow. I think being human, we take our customs for granted and assume other cultures are like ours." Corran couldn't fathom the Twi'lek coldness towards their children or the intimacy of making one's own child.
"I pressed him and he drew away from me. I asked about adopting from his family unit. He said the children were taken care of and his family was wealthy enough to not sell their children. He comes from one of the wealthiest families on Ryloth. I told him I could get artificially inseminated and we could find a Twi'lek for him to do the same to. He told me no artificial inseminated existed for Twi'lek."
"Why? Can't they?" Mirax asked.
"He was vague, but I believe it would be considered bad luck for the child not to be conceived in the normal manner."
"So you get a tube and he a fun time," Mirax concluded.
Rhysati took a drink. "I could tell he really wanted children and suggested maybe our union wasn't to be. We fought it for two years, but drifted further apart after I quit the Rogues. We mutually decided to divorce, and after the divorce, he told me your father had an opening on his ship for an Executive Officer and he was hired. We decided the marriage wasn't in our long-term interest and split as friends. It was a time in our lives we needed each other, but now we've moved on. I'm back flying with the Rogues again and it's different without him in the unit."
"So you're available?" Pash asked.
She smiled at him. "I haven't thought about it, but I guess the answer is yes."
Hobbie invaded their space. "Mirax, this Ryshcate is wonderful."
"It's a Corellian cake and has Whyren's Reserve in it; so better be."
"I knew it was fantastic for a reason." Hobbie finished the last crumb with relish.
Nawara finally broke away from his friends and spotted their table. Approaching, he leaned over and gave Rhysati a passionate kiss, then sank in a chair beside her and reached across her where Pash had stationed himself to shake his hand.
"You look good." She spoke first.
"Life is easy on Booster's ship," Nawara admitted. Those at the table sensed they wished a private conversation and made excuses. He told her of his life on the Venture and she filled him in on her new adventures as a returning Rogue.
"Have you found anyone yet?" She asked her most burning question and saw him hesitate. "Who is she?"
"She's not you." He took her hand.
She covered their entwined hand with her free one. "I hope not. Tell me about her."
He chuckled, sharpened white teeth flashing in the dim lighting for a moment. "I could use advice. She doesn't seem to like me. She's a new arrival on the Venture. Her name is Jari'kyn and she designed Mara's dress."
"That was a beautiful gown. I was at the wedding and didn't see any Twi'lek's."
"She was fired for designing that very dress. Her boss wanted a more risqué version and she refused. Booster brought her on the Venture when he left Coruscant after the wedding, and promptly tried to pair her with me."
"So you don't know if you're going to date her or not?"
"She's the best prospect I've seen outside you."
"And she can bear your children," Rhysati gently reminded him why they were no longer a couple.
The smile dropped off his face and he squeezed her hand that he was still holding. "I feel responsible for not checking that fact out before we married and made plans."
"You can't be expected to know everything."
"What if Jari'kyn could be persuaded to have children I could purchase and make us a family. The offer for you to have human offspring is still open."
"Once again, I don't understand why you would adopt my children who won't be biologically related to you, but am unwilling to adopt other kids needing families."
"They would be half you, some blood to make the family unit. Bastards aren't unknown in Twi'lek society and the child belongs to the mother's clan by virtue of blood. Any mate she takes can accept her children."
"I'll never understand or accept," she replied and watched his Lekku twitch in what she knew was irritation.
"I had to try before moving on for good." He disengaged his hand.
She reached out and stroked tchun, his left Lekku. "I miss making love to you."
He smiled, showing an even row of sharp, filed teeth. "We can, for old time's sake, but I'm sure Pash was sitting next to you to gather the courage to ask you out."
She looked surprised. "He's not a Rogue anymore and besides he was my partner and your roommate. We're just friends."
He smiled knowingly. "He doesn't have to be Rogue to be interested in you. Have you dated since our divorce?"
"No. I've been kept busy flying and being deployed. Still lots of small fires we're putting out, and of course the almost civil war."
Nawara looked around the room. He saw Pash nursing a drink and looking in their direction. His intuition was correct and he turned back to Rhysati. "I've monopolized enough of your time and promised Wedge, I'd talk with him." With a kiss to her cheek, he left her at the table alone.
Pash moved quickly back to her side. "How are you doing?"
She sipped her drink. "Melancholy that we are worlds apart. I'm not wrong and neither is he. Our species reached an impasse. We could get back together under his conditions only. I would have to accept his having an affair at least twice to produce children for him and he left it open for me having a relationship with a human to produce children. It's so cold and I couldn't do it. I could do artificially, but not take another man to bed just for his seed. Outside that one issue, he's the best man I know."
"Are you getting back with him?" Pash let her talk, looking for signs of hope.
"No. Our desire to have children for the future will keep us apart. I want to remain his friend and hope he finds the perfect Twi'lek companion."
"What about you, are you looking to move on?" he pressed.
She sighed and looked at him with a smile. "I guess so."
"Keep me in mind." He watched her eyes widen and rapidly continued. "I would have asked you out all those years ago, but Nawara beat me to it. I would like to date you now."
"I'm afraid my track record with Rogues isn't the best. Don't you have someone?"
"I've had several someone's, but nobody special."
"Nawara said you are interested in me. How do you suppose he knew?"
"Twi'lek's are smarter and more intuitive than they let on or look. That's what made him such a good E.O. I bet he's just as good on the Venture." Pash waited for her response.
"If we don't work out, can we remain friends like I am with Nawara?"
"We're friends now aren't we? Let's build on that, okay?" He was relieved; the hard part of dating was over, convincing the woman to go out with him.
She accepted by clinking her glass to his.