This story picks up at the end of the book: Star Wars, Vision Of The Future.
Shada D'ukal sat in the boss' chair on the bridge of the Wild Karrde staring at monitors displaying the might of the Imperial Star Destroyer Relentless, still stationed at Ubiqtorate Base. She hadn't seen Karrde since he rushed off for a last minute word with Admiral Pellaeon, and without another glance in her direction, he entered the turbolift with the Admiral. Her once close friend, Mistryl Shadow Guard Karoly, quickly hastened with the elder Mistryl, not once imparting a personal word; thus pardoned, but not forgiven was the message. The comfortable chair drew her into a slouching position. Never had she felt so lost and abandoned as now. Where was her future? Gone was the desire to serve others and without the righteous cause of Emberlene, her anchor was gone. Karrde offered a position in his organization for her no less than half a dozen times. For the first time in her forty years, she couldn't remain completely professional around a man and it bothered her. No, that wasn't correct, she amended; his mere presence sent waves of desire to her core, emotions of sheer terror at her lack of control. 'Stop acting like an adolescent,' she mentally scolded. No, she wouldn't go back into that line of work, no matter how strongly Karrde's male persona called to her. Besides, he was extremely private and she didn't know if he had a wife or mistress already and was sure he did. He was too good of looking not to be attached. It would be hard, but she would walk away and not look back, just as she hadn't looked at the truth of Emberlene and its destruction in Car'das' cavern when offered. She jumped slightly, having let her guard down in the security of the Wild Karrde when his voice boomed into her ear.
"There you are. I asked around and nobody had seen you." Talon Karrde moved into her line of sight and she rolled her expressive brown eyes to meet his icy blues. "Admiral Pellaeon has invited us to dine with him before we depart."
"And how do I rate dinner with an Admiral?" She flitted her eyes between him and the front screen, lest he see desire in hers with his inscrutable gaze that drilled into anyone holding his eyes for too long.
"I need a date and since Mara isn't here to grace my arm, I am formally asking you to accompany me to dine with the Admiral. She would normally attend these types of prestigious functions and now you have the honor of being seen on my arm." He grinned at her raised eyebrows and issued a slightly embarrassed laugh. "Okay, I like beautiful women for my ego." He looked critically at her one piece attire fashioned to fit like a glove. "Do you have anything besides work clothes to wear?"
Shada stood with all the grace of a feline. "Of course. You remember that gaudy dress I wore on Trogan?" She almost laughed aloud at the look of horror that flickered across his usually stoic features.
He carefully schooled his remembrance into one of neutrality. "Anything from this century?"
"I'll see what I can find." She left him on the crews quarters deck; she to one room and he another.
He was waiting at the bottom of the extended ramp when she glided with precision to him. He was sure his mouth was open. Before him, was transformed a lethal killer to sophisticated beauty. He thought her attractive at Trogan, but how did he miss her inherent beauty, he wondered. He knew; he thought her the courtesan to Mazzic and therefore off limits. He respected fellow smugglers and their escorts.
Shada wore a tight black dress with hem cut short, leaving black stockinged legs for him to stare at. Customary boots were replaced with expensive black heels, bringing the top of her head to his chin. The top part sported tight sleeves to her elbows and just a hint of cleavage showed as the front dipped in a seductive vee. Her hair was skillfully arranged with her zenji needles tucked in her long, silky strands that flowed over her shoulders. She was sans jewelry and he had a flash that her cleavage should sport an expensive bauble.
Talon also changed into a blue pants and a white long sleeved tunic and blue vest that hid vibroblades. His long black hair with just a hint of graying at the temples was brushed back and over his broad shoulders. He offered an elbow, which she took for the walk across the docking bay to where a small imperial shuttle was waiting, complete with a pilot.
"Hold up."
They turned to see Aves, Talon's trusted lieutenant hurrying to catch up. Like them, he had cleaned up for an evening on an Imperial Star Destroyer; something to partake of for regaling drinking companions in taverns across the galaxy. He joined them in the plush cabin as the shuttle lifted off. Looking Shada over carefully, he smiled. "I for one think the boss should only hire beautiful human women, like you and Mara. You two are a lot easier on the eyes than Chin or Dankin or…."
"He hasn't hired me yet," Shada cut him off. She and Aves hit it off with easy banter from their first meeting and she saw another round forming.
"Before this night is out, I might have a proposal you can't refuse." Talon joined them.
Shada looked back from Aves with raised eyebrows. "You know what I want and I won't compromise again."
Aves smiled to himself at their suggestive dialogue, which he figured was about employment. Pity, the boss needed to get laid, he thought.
He issued his trademark mysterious smile and nodded. "I aim to fulfill your wishes. With Admiral Pellaeon's assistance, I believe we have a solution for your talents, and…" he raised a hand, finger pointed at her, "I must warn you, that sneaky Imperial isn't above trying to one up me for you."
"I go from unwanted to sought after." She felt her heart lighten and smiled at him, which she noticed he returned. She wasn't good at being a stray and needed the security of belonging. Life was hard on Emberlene and companionship was the most prized possession with a people who shared sparse material goods freely. "I will listen."
"Fair enough." He stood and held his hand out to escort her from the shuttle.
"Ms. D'ukal." Gilad Palleaon took her hand in greeting when his officer escorted the pair to a secluded dining area set for three. "To my knowledge, I've never met a Mistryl Shadow Guard until you on the Wild Karrde, and to have several on my ship is amazing. I would hire you on the spot to train my elite forces. That's the best I have to offer and I'm playing my hand first as Karrde here has a counter offer." He smiled to Talon, who noticed the Admiral was still holding Shada's hand.
"What I'm going to propose consists of more than a glorified trainer," Talon countered and was relieved when Pellaeon motioned for them to take seats at the table. He allowed the host to seat Shada and was relieved the setting was intimate so they all faced each other.
"I would offer her all of that and more." Gilad motioned for his personal server to pour wine.
"First, I want to apologize for rushing off with the good Admiral here and leaving you alone on this fine ship's bridge," Talon interjected to Shada.
"You were properly taken care of?" Pellaeon asked with concern.
Shada took a sip of very good wine before answering. It was obvious she was the center of their evening and almost overwhelmed, so used to her role of being Mazzic's imbecilic courtesan. "Admiral, an officer escorted me to the Wild Karrde. I'm sure to keep me from wandering into restricted areas, but I welcomed not being left unattended on such a large ship to become disoriented." Pellaeon needn't know she knew the specs of his vessel.
Talon wondered if that were a subtle dig at his manner of disappearing and explained. "I joined the Admiral in visiting the Errant Venture and had an encouraging talk with Garm Bel Iblis and he will try and fast track a meeting with President Gavrisom of the New Republic. What I'm proposing, my dear, is becoming a neutral source of intelligence in the galaxy for both sides to draw upon equally. As you know, I have no desire to join any faction and this will allow me to use my considerable resources for the maintenance of peace and allow you a position of intrigue foiling attempts at sabotage."
Shada knew he valued information above smuggling, a trait learned from Jorj Car'das. There were depths to him she hadn't scratched the surface of yet. "No smuggling or deceiving."
Talon shook his head. "You will find my organization rarely stoops to common thuggery."
Dinner was served and Shada had to admit the seafood was sublime and didn't feel bad about digging in heartily when she saw both men relish each bite and talking stopped. When it started again, the men were discussing the benefits and hopes for a lasting peace this time. Comfortable in her role of observer, she memorized the Admirals body language and tenor, taking sides between the two men in favor of working with Karrde. Soon both men turned their attentions to her and they spent an enjoyable evening.
"This is the Wild Karrde, taking our leave from Ubiqtorate Base," Talon spoke to the station.
"You're clear to depart, Wild Karrde." An unknown voice responded and Dankin lifted the freighter effortlessly off its repulsars and they glided away from the area for a jump to hyperspace and Coruscant.
Behind him, he heard Shada and C3PO conversing quietly, a habit he couldn't accomplish with a droid.
All his efforts so far hadn't gotten a firm commitment from her, but he had several days to plan his next tact to gain this valuable woman for his organization. He hadn't put this much effort into recruiting a crewmember since Mara Jade. He remembered almost scaring Mara off when she mistakenly thought he was coming onto her with a dinner for two in his quarters. He would be sure and keep a proper demeanor with Shada, although he thought as he rubbed his whiskers, she disturbed his libido in a way Mara never did.
Five days later, Dankin announced over the loud speakers, "We just dropped from hyperspace and have clearance to land at Western Sea Spaceport."
Talon was in the main empty cargo hold while he watched Shada workout, a sight he was sure would never get old. Waiting for her to finish, Dankin's announcement provided his opening and he handed her a towel. "I'm glad you didn't give that old Admiral a glimpse of what you are really capable of doing or he would have kidnapped you."
"I usually don't exercise for a crowd, but if we are going to work together, you might want a glimpse of my capabilities."
He watched her draw the towel down her arms and dab at her throat and felt tightness in his nether regions. It had been a long while since a woman had that effect on him and he wondered if he could maintain his non-fraternizing policy with her.
"Does that mean I can welcome you to my organization?"
She looked up into his hopeful gaze. "I need a job, Karrde, but I do have many questions."
He smiled broadly, showing even white teeth. "Say we drop the droid off to Leia and I take you to my club and answer them."
"Boss," Aves called his comlink directly, "you have a personal message from Princess Leia."
"Probably wanting to know if I've absconded with her brother's droid. Not going to happen with a droid that hasn't been wiped since Skywalker's uncle bought him from the Jawa's."
Shada smiled. "I find his lack of wiping charming. It gives him character most droids are lacking."
They left to ready themselves for a promising evening of good food and companionship; a fact both were conscious of, that they enjoyed each other's company.
