(this is what happens while Leia and Tigellinus play good-cop-bad-cop for the representatives of the Shwuy sector)

The princess was gone, dragging Imperial top brass in her wake like flotsam caught in the undertow. Even Fel was gone to look impressive on behalf of the fighter units that had won the day, an honor and obligation that Wedge was glad to leave to his brother-in-law. Luke was perfectly capable of representing the Rogues, should anyone ask, and already a part of the delegation, so there was no need for anyone else to sit stiff and bored for hours.

But speaking of stiffs ... The Sabers had stood at perfect attention while Tigellinus and his staff were within sight – and then had cards appear from various flight-suit pockets even faster than the rebels had.

Well, they did have less of a hostile environment to expect. And a Corellian for a leader.

"Fel taught his squad the Centerpoint Two-Hand?" Hobbie wondered aloud, eyes fixed on a card configuration Wedge hadn't seen since leaving Corellia. "Kriff, I think I'm starting to like the guy."

"Hey, you mind if we deal in?" Wes drawled, slinging an arm over the Rogues leader's shoulder. "You see, the fine Commander here tried his best, but it's so rare that you get more than six people together who all know the rules ..."

The Tanaabian smiled winsomely and Wedge went instantly wary. A Wes that put on the charm was a dangerous Wes.

Saber Two (another colonel, these people were really ridiculously over-qualified for a fighter squadron but, well, they served under Fel) raised an eyebrow. Wedge met it with one of his own. Yes, they're mine, but I won't be held responsible for their entertainment if they grow bored.

The other man, oddly enough, seemed to understand the look perfectly. He nodded assent.

For the first half hour, things went well.

"So, there really are girls aboard stardestroyers?" Wes asked nonchalantly, just when Wedge had started to relax.

A good dozen pairs of eyes stared at him in various shades of disbelief or irritation. Tycho and two other Rogues buried their faces in their hands.

"Yes," an Imperial finally said flatly.

"Even on this one?" the Taanabian pilot challenged.

"Yes," Sabre Two repeated, eyes turning back to his cards even as he jerked his head sidewise. "In fact, there's one right there, with the techs Tig has crawling all over that Uvy shuttle."

Wes – and, to be honest, half of the Rogues – craned their necks. The Sabers, in remarkable unison, rolled their eyes before one of the non-players nudged the younger man beside him. "Hoggaz, see if you can't use your charm and get her over. Proof of existence and all that."

The addressed Imperial smirked, ran a hand through his hair theatrically – too short-cropped to fall in any way, let alone a dashing one – and sauntered over. He spoke briefly with the group of technical personnel scanning the transport the Uviuy Exen deputation had arrived in, gesturing towards the group of fighter pilots repeatedly.

When he returned, he was accompanied by a tech that was short and stout, but close-up the overall was obviously stretching across generous curves.

Wes immediately rose with his most irresistible smile. The woman was less than impressed.

"Stars! Another fighter jock. Do we have to import them now?!" she snapped before the rebel pilot had managed a single syllable. She glared at the group, Imperials and rebels alike. "Yes, I exist. No, I'm not interested. Any other questions? I have work to do!"

Collectively, the nearest men took a step back at the vehemence of her tone. Or maybe it was the size of the wrench held in the hand she gestured with.

There were no other questions.

Oo oo oo oo oo oO

It had been a few hours before Luke returned, in half a jog and alone.

"Artoo, get ready for take-off," he called to his astromech, and answered the questions about his abrupt departure for as long as it took to wriggle back into his flight-suit. Including the fact that their stay might extend for an undetermined amount of time, depending on how strict Grand Admiral Tigellinus would make his quarantine.

The last thing the young Jedi heard before the canopy sealed shut around him was Hobbie's exasperated, "Man! Wes, if you absolutely had to get yourself lost on a stardestroyer, you didn't have to get all of us stranded there, too!"

Despite everything, Luke couldn't help but grin.