Two days of marathon shopping had Shada stocked up on baby items. She had a small corner of Mirax's hold filled and on day four, she, Mirax and Jari'kyn left for Mygeeto, the last location of the Errant Venture. Mirax managed to pick up some collectables and wanted to get to the mother ship and locate buyers. They spent the last day shopping for materials for Jari'kyn.

Jari'kyn placed bolts of expensive cloth on Nawara's account that he set up for her purchases and was anxious to turn them into money. Leia and Iella hated to see them go, but understood they missed their men. They did also. Han called and after dropping Luke on Yavin IV announced he was coming home after swinging by Kashyyyk to drop Chewie off for a visit. Mara headed straight to Yavin IV.

Mirax landed on the Errant Venture while Talon and Nawara were still on Bastion. Shada wasn't too happy when Booster told her; she wanted her husband. Booster met the Pulsar Skate, as did Corran and Valin.

Jari'kyn had mixed emotions about seeing Nawara again after the revelation his ex-wife was on the ship. He wasn't among the welcoming party and she figured the worst, he went back to his ex. She quietly slipped away and went to her quarters; feeling rejected and depressed resulting in dizziness driving her to bed in early. The next morning, still fighting dizziness and weakness, she opened her shop and looked at her orders. Shada wanted baby clothes for the boys. They had shopped for material together on Coruscant, but the bolts still hadn't been delivered off the Pulsar Skate.

"Jari'kyn to Mirax." She commed the personal link.

"Go ahead," Mirax answered promptly.

"When is your ship being unloaded?"

"I'm heading that way right now, meet me and we'll get the crew to haul your supplies to your shop."

She was meandering through the various ships when a human male in an orange flight suit stepped in front of her with a wide smile. "Hi, I haven't seen you around here before. Are you a pilot?"

She went to step around him and he moved just as swift. She started to panic and backed up, fear evident on her face.

He saw the panic and stopped his game. "I mean you no harm. My name's Wes Janson and I'm with Rogue Squadron, or rather was. You have nothing to fear from a harmless little-ole pilot like me. I was going to ask if you wanted to get a drink later. I realize its morning and most beings don't drink this early." He hoped his glib tongue and non-stop chatter put her at ease.

She started to respond and felt darkness prevail, first starting at the edges of her brain, then overcoming her. Faintly she heard a cry as she passed out and didn't know if it came from him or her.

Wes caught her with a cry and was dumbfounded as he lowered her to the deck. He grabbed his comlink and called the medics to Docking Bay 15.

Jari'kyn came to with bright lights shining in her eyes. A medical droid was examining her and she started to sit up.

"No you don't," Shada ordered.

She looked toward the voice and many worried faces were gazing back. She recognized Shada and Mirax, but the rest she didn't know. Then she saw the human who scared her.

He saw her looking at him and stepped forward. "I'm so sorry. Mirax told me what happened to you and who you are. Nawara's going to kill me when he gets back."

Booster entered the room and pushed to the bed. "Janson, I may save him the effort. Stick to human women." He looked at the doctor. "Is anything wrong with her?"

"She has a vitamin deficiency common to Twi'lek's in space. I've fixed the problem." The droid doctor turned to her. "You would have fainted before reaching your destination anyway. You were almost out of vitamin L, an essential vitamin for your species or it causes light headiness and fainting."

"I haven't been feeling well lately. I assumed it was other reasons," she spoke for the first time. This time she was allowed to sit and swing her legs off the edge of the bed. She looked at Wes. "See, it wasn't you after all, but you did give me a scare."

"He's harmless normally. I'm Hobbie, and Wes and I would be honored if you'd have lunch with us so we can make amends for Wes's bad manners."

"Hey, what about us." Another being chimed in. "You're not going to monopolize Ven's girlfriend without us chaperoning."

A blond human woman pushed in. "I'm Rhysati, Nawara's ex-wife. He told me about you, but said you weren't on the ship."

"I got back yesterday." Jari was still absorbing so many beings wanting to be with her.

"He's off the hook this time, but I want to get to know one of my best friend's girlfriend's. Have lunch with me." She glared at the others. "I get dibs on her first, and alone."

"Who died and made you boss," someone else retorted.

"As the real boss, I say if Jari'kyn wishes it, she and Rhysati should talk about their relationship with Nawara."

"Geez Tycho, why don't you just make it an order," Wes complained.

"Okay, it's an order. Now I believe we were going to go flying before Wes screwed up again."

"Wedge, can't you override him?" Wes tried again.

Wedge stood in the background with Mirax and Shada. "I'm officially retired and just a flyboy like you. I'm not making any decisions."

"What is the last decision you made?" Wes griped.

"What to give my three year old for lunch." He led the way out of sickbay.

Jari'kyn was glad to see them go and realized Rhysati was still waiting. As far as humans went, this one was pretty. "You're here to take Nawar'aven back?"

"Goodness no. I love him dearly, but I have someone else now. I want us to be friends and get to know one another, no strings."

Jari'kyn thought about it and nodded. "Lunch then."

With one last smile at the Twi'lek, Rhysati hurried to catch up with the Rogues. Booster followed, leaving Shada and Mirax to move close to the bed.

"You gave us quite a scare and poor Wes was trying to explain to Tycho he hadn't put a hand on you. He's a friend of ours and Nawara's, so you'll see a lot of him."

"I'm ready to go back to work." Jari'kyn got off the bed and to her surprise felt wonderful.

"I had the bolts moved to your shop."

Two days later, Nawara stood in front of the military judge's panel. "For twenty years, Dr. Eloy has been in hiding. He was pressed into service by Emperor Palpatine and served him loyally for twenty-five years. One mistake he knew nothing about, but happened in his factory, brought a death mark from Emperor Palpatine. He was forced to run for his life. His family was scattered and some killed. Now with peace, he is asking for a full pardon to live the remainder of his days a free man. He retained my counsel to represent him before this court. His contributions killed billions of beings and he has to live with that knowledge, as does Qwi Xux with the knowledge it was her work in building the death star that housed his weapon. Enough have suffered. Thank you." Nawara stopped talking.

Talon listened to his short speech and waited for questions. The lead judge banged his gavel. "We'll recess for an hour and render our decision." Everyone stood as the judges left the room.

Nawara went to where Karrde was sitting and spoke so softly, only Talon could hear. "This could go either way and the judge will have to get his ruling from Pellaeon, if I'm reading the situation correctly. I'm sure that was the real reason we were invited to the party and the questions I was asked."

Talon looked around at the almost empty room. "Want to get some lunch?"

"Sure, but only if you're meeting with wife number one." He flashed a grin. "I need stories for blackmail."

"We are. Her husband will be present, so I'm sure she won't tell of my prowess in the bedroom as a teenager." Talon led the way.

"Too bad," Nawara muttered in his ear as they left the courtroom.

They ordered and Breista wasted no time in asking her burning questions. "Talon, tell me about your marriage. I told you how Chevas and I met and married."

"You knew I was seeing her last time we met. We married a few months ago and she's pregnant." Talon made his answer succinct and hoped for a change of topic.

Breista's face lit up. "Talon, I'm so happy for you. Is it a boy or girl?"

"Boys, as in two."

"Wonderful, congratulations." She looked at Nawara. "Do you have another wife and family?"

"I am seeing someone; maybe someday."

"I want you to know, you are the first non-human I've talked to in thirty years. I find you interesting."

"Thank you." Nawara looked at Talon. "Did you ever tell Breista about what Shada was?"

"No."

"Now I want to know." Breista wouldn't let this one drop and Chevas looked interested.

"She used to be Mistryl Shadow Guard," Talon answered.

"Really?" Chevas joined in and his interest grew.

"What's a Mistryl?" Breista asked.

"I'll have you look it up when we go home," her husband instructed. "But in short, they are hired killers."

"She's my bodyguard," Talon proudly added.

"You use a woman as a bodyguard?" Breista didn't know this man anymore.

He smiled. "When she's killing people, it's poetry in motion." He knew the effect he was having on his ex and his intention was to end her fascination with him and his wife. "I live life on the edge, neither in the New Republic or Remnant. I'm a very powerful smuggler and information broker and my organization is large enough for me to remain neutral."

"He's powerful enough to work directly with Pellaeon and Leia Solo at the same time," Chevas told his wife. He'd read the intelligence on his wife's ex and was impressed.

Talon nodded, eyes focused on Breista. "I'm more ruthless than your grandfather ever dreamed of being…..have to be in my line of work."

Chevas nodded. "I'm aware of the smugglers creed. Few are loyal to anything except money."

"I hate to interrupt, but we have to get back," Nawara told Talon.

Nawara stood respectfully in front of the panel. Judge, General Lorgas looked at him with distain. "This court lifts the death mark on your client. He is a free man. Next case."

Nawara didn't let the verdict in his favor show on his face, bowed and turned and walked from the room. Talon rose and followed. Ven didn't stop until he was in front of a reception desk. He looked through a pile of datacards and pulled one. He inserted it in his datapad. Talon read over his shoulder, "Full pardon, bounty lifted, order of the Empire," he abbreviated the full ruling.

"How much?" Nawara asked the clerk.

"Two thousand Imperial credits."

Talon paid and they headed to the hotel and then the Wild Karrde. Twelve hours later, they landed on the Errant Venture.

"Let's go tell our client." Talon was anxious to conclude business and get his wife back by his side.

Dr. Eloy held the datapad and read the information over and over. "Never expected to live long enough see the bounty lifted. Thank you, gentlemen."

"Now we need to conclude our business, Dr. Eloy."

"Of course." The doctor pulled a datacard. A little matter of the rest of my credits."

"The contract stipulates, credits are doled out in increments. Five million for the first ten sites," Nawara reminded him. "And two million for the location of the super weapon. If you need my help, Karrde, call me." He left the doctor's quarters to give them privacy.

His first stop was the finest bar on the Diamond Level. After his trip to the human world of Bastion, he needed a drink. He saw the Rogues gathered at a large table and angled to them. "Room for one more?" He looked for a chair.

Wes Janson jumped up to find him one. "It wasn't my fault. I just want you to know I'm innocent."

Nawara looked at him and grinned. All the years he'd known Wes, he heard that line more times than he cared to admit and usually had to fix a misunderstanding with the fairer sex.

Rhysati, sitting by Pash, spoke out. "It really wasn't his fault. We have the medical records and a statement from the lady in question."

"Brandy," Nawara called to the human waiter and didn't sit until the glass was pressed into his hand. Finally, he sank wearily into his chair and took a much-anticipated drink. "Wes, I don't care who you assaulted. I just had a successful trip and want to celebrate, not have you ruin it."

Rhysati got up and moved to the chair next to his and motioned Wes to switch. She leaned close. "Want to tell me about your new girlfriend?"

"I told you, I am seeing a nice woman and am serious. She's Twi'lek… and why are you smiling like that?"

"She is nice and I approve."

"That's good." He took another drink as her words sank in. Putting his drink down, he looked at her and the others. They were all smirking and grinning. "How do you know?"

"She and I had lunch yesterday and then she joined the Rogues for a night of fun and games. She's very lovely."

He downed the rest of his drink, rose swiftly and limped off. In the background, he once again heard Wes exclaiming it was an innocent mistake.

He limped out as fast as he could and checked his chrono. She should be closing shop and going to supper about now. The first thing he noticed was a new illuminated sign above the door saying 'Kyn's'. He paused just inside the door and watched as she waited on a customer. He recognized the old woman and approached. "Moranda." He let his presence be known. "Come up to get something warm to wear?"

"I'm asking if Jari'kyn needs an assistant. Karrde isn't sending me to anyplace that cold again."

"I'm her manager. We'll discuss it tomorrow. Right now, her place is closed."

Jari'kyn looked at him with new eyes. Her talk with Rhysati and the night she spent with his closest friends led her to believe he wasn't just another Twi'lek. He came from a leading family and was a real hero in the eyes of his friends. They wanted him with them even after he lost his leg and he served as their Executive Officer for a long time. Rhysati confided she told him they weren't compatible to have children, the truth. What she left out was a Rutain Twi'lek could carry a human child, but not the other way around. She didn't want to burden him with her failure so asked the doctors to alter the facts. Jeir'kyn confided to Rhysati that she was attracted to him, but felt unworthy to be his equal because of his accomplishments.

"Love isn't a class."

"On Ryloth, it unfortunately is," Jari'kyn responded.

"He told me his family wants to welcome you to their clan." Nawara had confided in his ex that Jari'kyn had been kidnapped recently, on his last holocomm call to her. When Mirax and Shada filled everyone in during Jari'kyn's fainting spell, she didn't let on that she already knew about the kidnapping.

Rhysati slowly convinced her to overcome her inferiority complex and love him as an equal. Now with Moranda and him exchanging barbs, she made her decision. "Moranda, Nawara is right. You and he can handle the details tomorrow. Personally I think you'll be bored within a week."

"That's the beauty of it. This will be part time. When Karrde needs me, I'll dump you like a cheap whore and be gone until I get it out of my system and return with a bottle of something good and stories galore."

Jari'kyn took Nawara's arm and saw his eyes glow brighter. "An arrangement like that may just work." She walked them to the door and locked it.

"Don't do anything I wouldn't fifty years ago," Moranda stated as she walked off, with a small creature in a Jawa robe following.

"What brings you back so soon?" was his first question. Her lekku reached up and snagged one of his, a first for her.

"I've decided to accept your proposal."

He felt a reaction in his groin. "First, supper in the best restaurant and then I'll bring you flowers." He switched to Ryl as soon as they were alone on the promenade. "That is if that's what you want for us. I don't want how the human's marry. I want a Twi'lek relationship."

"Like the traditional union on Ryloth. I like that you still keep with the traditions, even if you broke them to marry a human. I accept."

His heart leapt at her words. "If you like, I'll dress in the clothes of our people," he volunteered.

"Off duty, I will like it fine. I don't think Captain Terrik will understand loincloths and knives in meeting rich patrons."

"Humans have no sense of tradition," he replied and escorted her to supper. They parted outside in the bustling area and he told her he'd be at her place within the hour. They greeted the Karrde's coming in and parted.

As promised, he showed up at her door in his family attire and a bouquet of flowers. At the shop, the owner had to ask, "Mr. Ven, you've never bought flowers from me before. Who's the lucky lady?"

"Me." He laughed at her surprised look. "Look up Ryloth wedding customs," he stated and made his escape.

Alone, she did and turned red as she read aloud. "Oh my. It says here when a Twi'lek male is asking a lady for a sexual relationship, he brings flowers signaling pollination as a hope all unions are productive. Outside the courtship ritual, Twi'lek's believe it is a crime to kill a living flower." She thought of the few Twi'lek males who bought flowers and realized never had a female Twi'lek ever bought flowers from her. She read the last part. "The giving and accepting of flowers constitutes a Twi'lek marriage, which is logged in the hall of records on Ryloth. No marriage is overruled even if there is a class difference. The Twi'lek from the lower class is raised to the higher class and the entire clan benefits." What a strange race, she thought to herself.

Talon transferred the first amount and received the initial ten sites. He was surprised they were all near the core. Each place yielded a comprehensive list.

"The codes for gaining entrance is at the bottom of each list," Eloy volunteered.

Talon bought the second batch. These were scattered all over the galaxy. Finally, he paid two million credits and received the location of the super weapon. As he suspected it was on Mytus VII. "Why live on a penal colony?"

"It was the safest place I could think of. Nobody suspected a wanted man would be next to an Imperial prison."

"I'll send my people to verify the places. It will take time. My person on Trogan says the area was as you stated. I want to go to Mytus VII first. You'll have to assist in the loading so we don't break it."

"Where are you putting it?"

"On this ship."

"Captain Terrik is buying it?" Dr. Eloy hadn't thought of that.

"He is. I wouldn't trust it in anyone else's hands."

"Are you going to call the security guards off me now?"

"No, they are there for your safety and always have been. I'm contacting an ex-Mistryl who might be hired to protect you. For now, you need to stay here and travel with us. Your weapons are responsible for destroying Alderaan, and the Sun Crusher did worse. You have to have a new identity, of which we have the best equipment to do so on this ship; better than the Imperials ever made." He left and called Booster as he went to his quarters. "Your weapon is on Mytus VII. We need to go their first and get it loaded."

"I'll sent the locals home and we'll be underway." Booster was anxious to see the weapon. He opened a ship-wide channel. "This is Captain Terrik, thank you for visiting the Errant Venture. I hope your stay was pleasant. Unfortunately, we are leaving orbit in three hours. Shuttles are running to escort you to the surface. Terrik out."