I ended up splitting this one up because it got really long. Which is why there's two chapters today instead of one! ^_^

The hatch hissed and a soft, controlled female voice came through the hallway, "Captain?"

Ryli hurried down the corridor and gradually a tall Mandalorian Zabrak came into view.

"Akaavi!" Ryli called cheerfully. "You're back!"

The woman bowed as Ryli approached her.

"Do we hug?"

"I believe it's customary in your culture after a long absence, yes," came the cool voice again.

Ryli threw her hands around the other woman's torso.

"I'm glad to see you. I wasn't sure you were coming back."

Akaavi's hands went around Ryli briefly, patting her on the back and then they both stepped away. "To be honest, I wasn't sure I was either."

Ryli tilted her head questioningly, "It's been months. Did you accomplish what you set out to do?"

"Indeed I did."

"I'm happy for you then."

"I was happy too, and then I realized I had no purpose anymore, no home." The two of them headed down the hallway to the crew quarters. "I came to request a permanent position with your crew."

"You're welcome to it, but you're free to do what you like. I'll never hold you here."

"Nonetheless, you fight for a purpose. A purpose I understand and can support."

"Well, I'm glad you're back then."

Akaavi glanced in the rooms as they walked. She and Bowdaar caught sight of each other and both bowed carefully to each other. Before she'd left, she and the Wookie had spent a lot of time sparring. "Where is Corso? Or Guss?"

"Guss took off to go visit some friends awhile back. He sends me regular holos, but I get the feeling I'll have to threaten him to get him back here for a serious job." Ryli rubbed the back of her neck, "Ah, Corso is off on a job with my old friend Juran."

Akaavi's eyebrows lifted briefly, "He left you?"

"Not exactly. It was sort of my idea."

"Is this like the last time I asked you about Corso and I shouldn't press too much?"

"Well, no, but to change the subject, I wanted to ask you a favor."

"I don't consider it a favor to help you. Why did you not ask before?"

"You had your whole vengeance thing. That was important to you."

"So what do you need?"

"I need information on my sister, actually."

"How would I succeed here where you have failed?"

"I'll take that as a compliment." Ryli grinned as Akaavi nodded, "She's a slave in Imperial space, probably on Dromund Kaas, or was."

"I see; I have access to information you cannot obtain. I will seek this information for you. Give me the details you have so far."

As Ryli sat down with Akaavi at the bar talking, she felt better. A lead on her sister would be just the thing to distract her while Corso was gone.

Corso walked behind Juran and Geotre, who were giggling at something as they approached the cantina. He'd been to Balmorra before, but everything was getting rebuilt now. People had happier expressions on their faces than he'd seen last time.

The cantina wasn't changed much, except there weren't any Imperials anymore. He caught sight of a Twi'lek face across the room and cursed mildly in his head, catching up to Juran and Geotre.

"What'll you have, Corso?" Geotre grinned, "First round is on me."

"Just a beer to start."

"No way, give me a real answer."

"Uh, whisky? I don't know, choose for me." From the glint in Geotre's eye, Corso knew he'd made a mistake, but just swallowed and took the drink that had been ordered for him.

Someone tapped him on the shoulder and Corso sighed, turning around.

"Hey! Corso, wasn't it?" said Numen Brock.

Corso nodded, taking a sip of his drink and almost choking in the process.

"What is this?" He asked Geotre, coughing.

"Special blend. Hi, I'm Geotre, this is Juran. I don't think we've met."

"Numen Brock, I met Corso and his Captain Ryli when they came by awhile back." Numen looked around the bar, "Is she here, by any chance?"

Corso gripped his glass tightly, "No, I came with them," he said shortly, jerking his finger at the two male Zabraks beside him.

Numen looked disappointed. "That's a shame. Are you still running with her?"

"Ah, yes, just helping out her friends."

"Well, tell her I said hi. It was good to see you though."

"Yeah, you too."

Numen turned and made his way back to the people he'd been sitting with. Corso stared down into his glass for a moment, remembering begging Ryli not to go off with that guy. Face it, that was pretty pathetic of you. He drank the rest of the glass hastily and turned to Geotre, "I'll take another one."

"Alright! This is going to be a good night after all."