Booster started. "Friends, thank you for postponing your lives for another wedding involving our own. Most of you didn't know Talon and Shada were a couple until the wedding yesterday. In fact, most of us found out recently, as they were trying to be clandestine. Talon saw what he wanted and in true smuggler fashion, a deal was made. He took Shada to Jorj Car'das and told me before they left, Car'das drew him aside and advised him not to let Shada get away. I don't want to say they have to get married, but somebody forgot to use protection." A ripple of laughter was heard from the crowd. "Shada, last chance to say no." Booster threw that in to keep things upbeat.
"No, he has to get up for his share of late night feedings, I'll marry him." Again the crowd laughed. Word circulated fast about her pregnancy at the reception the previous night, and several smugglers congratulated her, while assuming she became Karrde's kept chattel. Karrde marrying never entered their thoughts, as smugglers had bastards all the time. The invite came as a welcome surprise and a chance to postpone returning to their professions, mainly in the Outer Rim.
Booster led her through her part and turned to Talon. "Well boy, you finally found someone to make an honest smuggler out of you. I will have you know, if she were my daughter, marrying you with a bun in the oven, I wouldn't be holding a holopad, but a blaster." Again their friends laughed.
Talon grinned. "Would you get on with it, Terrik. You know how long these smugglers have gone without a drink? One more comment outside of the vows and I'll instruct Shada to poke you with a zenji needle."
"You really are in a hurry to make it legal aren't you; she still has eight months to go."
Talon motioned to Shada and Booster turned with an exaggerated show of fear to see if she really was pulling a needle. She stood their calmly, smiling at the exchange while the guests enjoyed the banter.
He led Talon through his vows and they exchanged rings. Booster finished. "It's been a great honor for me to marry my two friends. I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Talon Karrde. In the profession, Shada will still go by D'ukal, as she's well known by that name. In private, she'll defer to his name."
The smugglers stood and clapped, as Talon and Shada led the way to the casino. There the wedding party stood in the doorway and greeted their friends, passing mainly to the bar.
Han and Lando brought up the rear. If Talon was surprised to see them, he didn't let on. "Glad you two could make it." He looked beyond them. "No wives?"
"No, and we didn't get an invite," Lando chastised him.
"You didn't?" Talon frowned. "I was sure I sent one to each of you."
"When did they go out?" Han asked.
"Late last night. I'm sorry if I missed you two and am glad you made it anyway." He let them congratulate his wife and they moved into the casino as the doors slid shut.
Alone, Shada asked, "Did you really invite them?"
"I did. I wonder why they didn't receive the invitations." Talon would make inquiries later.
Aves made the toast early into the evening before everyone was too drunk. "To the best boss a being can have. Now we have another new boss, who hopefully will keep our chief from working too hard or getting too grumpy."
"I never get grumpy," Talon interrupted.
"That was a nice way of saying horny, Boss." Aves had to wait for the laughter and comments to die down before continuing. "Where was I. Shada, you bring our boss happiness I've never seen in him and I've known him for twenty five years or more. Ten years ago when we first met you, we had no idea the future, or I'd have warned you about his smooth lines. It's too late now. You both deserve happiness and, I for one, am relieved you have each other. We're a family, we smugglers, and your kids will have those who will always look after them. A toast to the Karrde's." Aves lifted his glass, as did all in the room.
Talon had his arm securely around her waist, where it remained most of the evening. They moved to the buffet table for food.
Shada gasped. "That's food from Emberlene." She looked up at her new husband. "Did you do this?"
He shook his head. "No, Booster was left in charge of food." He noticed ethnic food from his home planet as well and wondered how Booster knew. Booster never once indicated he knew where Talon was from.
Booster moved up to them. "I hope my choices meet with your approval?"
Shada smiled and impulsively hugged him. "Thank you for everything, Booster. It means a lot to me. I don't recognize all the dishes. Are they from Talon's home world?"
"I threw in some of my favorites," Booster covered and looked at Talon. Talon had told him, he never even told Shada where he was from.
"It looks good," Talon commented and had the waiter give him mostly food from his home world, while Shada ordered mainly from hers.
They were sitting at a table with Booser, Mirax and Corran; also Han and Lando, who Talon personally invited to sit with them. Aves chose to sit with his peers. Talon found a moment to pull Ghent aside. "Calrissian and Solo said they didn't get an invitation and only learned something was up from Fey'lya and came to investigate." He was suspicious their mail had been tampered with and didn't put it above the Bothan to do something like sabotage. Not inviting two prominent smugglers would be seen as a slight and maybe strain relations between him and the New Republic. He passed this on to Ghent, who promised to look into it as soon as he returned to Coruscant. "Do it quietly. If their communications are being hacked, we need to find the source. Make sure Solo and Calrissian are informed immediately, in case they have to shore up their security." Ghent went back to his table. He still preferred the company of Karrde's people when among the smugglers.
After the cake, Booster stood and raised his voice. "Listen up all." He waited for silence and turned to Talon and Shada. "We all chipped in and bought you two weeks at secluded resort on Aphran. You will take your bride on a real honeymoon, Karrde. You don't need us smugglers to go down and babysit you, do you?"
"What about Mirax and her trips for paint?" Talon asked Booster.
"My ship is out of commission for a few weeks as the port side is painted. I have some places I need to be, so will have to schedule the starboard side in a few months. I've already talked to Aves about taking over your business, as he's done before. I'll take the runs with Mirax until you get back."
"I'll take over, like when you went looking for Car'das, and I don't want to see your sorry carcass for two weeks." Aves, who was sitting with friends, hollered out.
Dankin came to the table. "Want me to take the Wild Karrde to the docking station for refurbishing, Boss?"
"Stay with her. Nobody is to be in my office unless you're present. Have anyone with quarters in the affected area cleaned out tomorrow before you dock her. Keep the crew onboard until I return. Keep an eye on everyone doing renovations."
Dankin smirked at the instructions and Karrde's insecurity about his pride and joy. "Right, enjoy your honeymoon." With a wink to Shada he went back to his table.
The reception turned into a dance with flashing strobes and loud music, quite unlike what Luke had. Lando and Han watched the festivities from a table and were steadily getting drunk, as they visited with smugglers who dropped by their table. They saw Karrde and Shada take to the floor on one of the few slow dances. They watched Talon dance one with Mirax and Aves, Shada. Booster took a turn with both Mirax and Shada before dropping into a chair at their table. Billey's hoverchair took up another spot and soon a sabacc game was underway.
Talon and Shada stopped by the table from where they'd been circulating. "We're off," Talon announced. He shook hands all around and listened to the ribald comments from his slightly inebriated friends.
"You do know what to do on your wedding night, boy?" Booster inquired with a serious expression. "I could come and make sure you know what to do." Others joined in and with a grin and wave; he led Shada from the room.
"Let's pack and get out of here." Talon kept an arm around her shoulders as they made their way to their room. Soon he was guiding the Uwana Buyer to a secluded resort landing pad. A team of local's were waiting and carried the luggage to their room, that was large and made of natural woods the planet was famous for. A path of lights illuminated the way to the edge of a lake.
They unpacked quietly and finally turned to each other. "Want to take a walk?" Talon offered.
The night air was hot and muggy. "Not in these shoes." She slipped them off. "I do want that walk, but am going to change into something comfortable." She took a bag and hurried to the refresher.
Talon silently agreed and took his black suit jacket off. He wondered what she was up to as he pulled the shirttails from his pants and took it off. He pulled on a sleeveless tunic of lightweight white material. The sound of the refresher door closing him caused him to turn.
She was wearing a shimmering white silk nightgown he'd never seen before. It was held up by thin straps across each shoulder and hung to the tops of her thighs. On her feet, a pair of white sandals. She removed her jewelry, giving him a look at her creamy neck and downward as the V stopped between her breasts. "I'm overdressed."
"No, I like what I see." She walked up to him.
They held hands to the edge of the lake, where the moonlight danced across the still water. Nearby was a lit gazebo and he guided her to the seats. Fish were jumping and they watched silver bodies hunt for bugs in silence. He never let go of her hand and his gaze kept returning to her nightgown. She caught him looking and smiled. She wanted to seduce him and be in control after his dominance in planning the wedding.
He released her hand and slipped a finger under a strap. "Is this new?"
"I bought it when Mara and I went shopping for lingerie for her wedding. She was…" she broke off.
"She was what?" He let the strap go and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her against him.
"Nothing, female talk." She decided not to disclose what Mara bought to seduce Luke, a jade green shear number that matched her eyes.
"You were going to tell me what she wore last night for Luke, weren't you?" He kissed her temple.
"You don't need to know and I doubt Luke will ever tell, like you."
"You got that right. No other man will have a memory of what you're wearing, except me." They went back to watching the fish jump and he spoke again. "You made me an extremely happy man today, Shada. Ten years ago, I thought you were Mazzic's and was jealous. I even had a passing fantasy of taking you from him."
"I didn't know I made that much of an impression on you. I wish you had. I remember thinking; you were good looking when giving your spiel and figured you had to be married."
He chuckled. "I was."
"Are you truly over her?" Shada had to know.
"When I first saw her after all those years, I was disappointed that I had no feelings for her; just memories of a boy. I'm truly happy for her, and someday we will probably meet her and her husband. My life is complete with you by my side. You know in public, I'll never admit it, I have a reputation as cold and calculating to maintain."
"We don't need to give our enemies ammunition to use against us. I expect to be by your side in all transactions." She let him know her place.
"I married you to legally place you by my side as my equal. I find myself waking early to look at you and think of the possibilities in my life that didn't exist before. Now with a wife and child on the way, the force is with me."
Shada put her hand on his thigh and squeezed lovingly. "I'll be the best partner I can, also lover and wife."
He smiled in the pale lights. "I'm most interested in the lover part, tell me more."
"You aren't in charge tonight. I'll take care of you."
"Here or back in our room?" He felt himself reacting to her silky tone.
"I think a swim is in order first." She stood and reached for the hem of her nightgown.
His hands stopped her. "Allow me." He lifted the material over her head and off. In the dim light, she was beautiful. He stripped as fast as he could; desire evident as his briefs was thrown on the pile.
He followed her to the water and watched in the moonlight as she waded until waist deep. Compared to the hot, muggy night, the water was surprisingly cool and refreshing. They swam and played and it became increasingly sensual. In an unspoken agreement, they gathered clothes and walked naked to their room.
"Pour me a brandy, I'm rinsing off," she instructed.
"I'd rather join you."
"You'll get a turn at the refresher, next."
She reappeared shortly, with blown dried hair and her skimpy gown back in place. Barefoot, she took the brandy. "Hurry back."
He didn't know what she was up to, but complied. It had to be the quickest rinse he'd ever taken and he chomped at the time the dryer was taking with his hair. He pulled on pajama bottoms and hurried to his bride.
She was on the patio, looking at the serenity of the lake and listening to the night creature's cacophony. He poured a brandy and joined her, stopping to commit to memory her silhouette. She looked up at him. "I'm going to make you forget the time's we've made love."
He gave her a slight smile. "Not possible, but I'm looking forward to being ravished and reciprocating," He finished his brandy with a gulp and held his hand out. She didn't erase the memories of their first time and many since, but she came close and his wedding night would be one of his favorite memories. He held her to his side and as they drifted off he asked, "A memorable night for you also?"
"You're everything I've ever dreamed of in bed." Her hand was clasped in his, resting on his stomach, and in that position they fell asleep. A few hours later, she woke to use the refresher, only to find herself in the same position as when she drifted off. Carefully she disengaged her fingers and slipped from his side. Returning she discovered the first hint of morning and smiled.
Instead of returning to bed, she pushed a button in the sitting room kitchenette, and soon the smell of caf filled the air. She slipped her robe on and settled in a plush chair on the patio and watched the eastern sky turn pink then yellow.
"Why are you up?" Talon padded to the patio, his own cup of caf with him and he sat in a chair beside her. She noticed that he donned his pajama bottoms.
"I wanted to see my first sunrise as a married woman."
"Any different?" He took a sip.
"Not so lonely. That was quite a performance. I have a question." She wasn't sure she wanted to know the answer.
"Anything, my love." He watched her face carefully, wondering what she was going to ask.
"Have you ever done that with another woman, you know, that many times?"
He let out a laugh. "No, not even my first marriage matched last night." He watched her face relax and continued. "I hadn't had a woman for about three years before you. I would only seek them out on rare occasions and that was for a single act, then I'd pay and leave. I wasn't into intimacy, just relief to keep from going mad."
"Are you telling me what I want to hear?"
His free hand captured hers. "You can ask around. Aves and Chin, and others will tell you, I'm all but a hermit around the female species. If I didn't make it clear a few hours ago how much I cherish your body, we can go back to bed and I'll reinforce my love for you."
"I'm sore."
His laugh rang out in the morning air. "What do you want to do today?"
"I saw a data brochure inside. I want to do anything not involved in our trade."
He retrieved the pad and they planned their day, taking a boat to explore the lake and many points of interest and hiking numerous trails.
It was noon, when Han landed in his assigned parking spot on the palace spaceport docking area. He called Leia to tell her he was home and found she was having lunch with Tendra and they were discussing their missing husbands.
They entered to a quiet setting. "Where's the kids?" was the first thing Han asked, while Lando went to kiss his wife first.
"Some greeting," Leia teased.
With a lopsided grin, he kissed her and repeated his question.
"With Threepio, doing lessons, as the twins will be going to Praxeum soon." They sat down to lunch and for the women, a chance to learn what happened.
"Are you going to tell us what was going on or is it a smuggler's secret?" Tendra asked.
Lando and Han exchanged grins and Han answered, "Something we were supposed to get an invite to, but something went awry in the transferring of messages to both our comlinks. We gave Ghent a lift back and he's working on it this afternoon. It stinks of Borsk Fey'lya, and makes his contacting me all the more suspicious."
"What were you two supposed to be invited to?" Leia asked this time.
Lando did the honors with a toothy grin. "We were supposed to be invited to the wedding of Karrde and D'ukal."
Both women gasped. "What…" Leia started.
"We missed it?" Tendra finished.
"We barely made it in time," Han cut in. "The Venture jumped out to Aphran, and Booster married them last night. We of course stayed for the party and would have been home sooner, except for having to rid ourselves of hangovers."
"How much did you lose?" Leia looked at him. "You still have the Falcon?"
"That hurts," he replied with mock indignation. "I only lost a thousand credits to Billey."
"Billey was on a hot streak last night," Lando agreed. He looked at Tendra. "I lost two thousand."
Leia shook her head in dismay. They weren't rich like the Calrissian's and just downsized to help with finances. She wasn't drawing full Chief of State pay and he wasn't working at all.
Ghent called them the next morning with the results of his covert investigation. "Our old friend, Taz Breil'lya, is behind the glitch in your messages. I had to track him through the fronts of the Devaronian crime syndicate and a Hutt wannabe. They hacked your accounts and put a block on any communication that originated from Karrde's personal unit. I checked and he's the only one and you two were the only recipients. I put safeguards on your accounts, so if they try something else, I'll be notified and so will you guys. I was able to retrieve the messages and sent them on to you."
Han wondered what Fey'lya was up to. He had no doubt who was behind the orders and figured Breil'lya still worked for him. "Thanks Ghent. Are you contacting Karrde?"
"I'll leave him a message. I'm not going to interrupt his honeymoon for something like this."
"Good idea. Lando and I'll do some research on our end and hopefully by the time his honeymoon is over, we'll have it taken care of."
Day four into the honeymoon found the Karrde's in the local village, wandering through market places and shops where local produce and wares hawked to tourist. The place was crowded with a booming tourist trade. Shada was on the lookout for enemies and Talon was on guard, but not expecting trouble.
He watched her scan the people. "My love, relax." He slipped his arms around her from behind, hands resting on her stomach.
"You know I can't not scan and relax. I feel better now that I'm sure those in our vicinity are harmless."
His comlink buzzed a message. He read it verbally, just loud enough for her to hear. "It's from Ghent. Solo and Calrissian sent a spacer to work Breil'lya over. You're in the clear and they are taking the credit. Ghent out."
"Are you going to let it drop?" She took his hand as he replaced his comlink.
"No. I'll meddle in some of Fey'lya's businesses and cost him money. That will hurt him more and I'll do it through my dummy companies. I'm better at this game than he is. He can guess I'm behind it, but proof is all but impossible. I'll let you set the stings up so you learn how to do so."
"How did you learn all this?"
"On my home world, that's how business was conducted, subversive and fraudulently."
"You won't even tell me where you are from?" She felt this was going to be an issue, especially in light that she was having his baby.
He guided her down a street until they were in a park. "I don't want my origins to affect our relationship or future."
"Do you trust me?" She turned to face him.
"If I tell you, you must never divulge it. Nobody in my employ is privy to that information."
"I don't believe I'm one of your employees," she reminded him.
"You have the right to know, I'm just scared someone will use it against me. I'm from Empress Teta." He waited for her response.
"Ruled by a council of prince's. One ruling family with male succession to king by election from within the council of princes," Shada recited from memory. "Mazzic has operations on the planet. Are you from the main planet or one of the subsidiaries?"
He let his breath out. She didn't seem shocked at all. "The main planet. I never went back when I left at age eighteen with my bride, except to look for her for a week or so. We went to Coruscant and then to Kuat. I was certain I could find work on a ship at the shipyards. That's where her father's thugs found us and the rest you know."
"Was your family political?" Empress Teta was famous for its politics. The pastime involved sitting in pubs and discussing politics.
"Yes. The main reason I don't want this to become public, is I would be pressured on Coruscant to get involved. I don't want anything to do with politics."
"And you don't have to. I'm not telling your secret. Breista hasn't either, or word would have spread back to us, I'm sure."
"No, Breista disowned her home world and Empress Teta disowned me. I tried to talk her into returning for the sake of her children."
"Will you return to your family once we have a baby?" She watched the leaves rustle in the slight breeze. They were sitting on a park bench watching small animals run through the trees.
"My father made it clear, I was no longer had any part of that family. I've never contacted a single person, family or friend after I was disowned." He sounded slightly bitter and she took his hand.
"I'm forbidden to contact my family on Emberlene also. Part of my Mistryl severing."
He snorted softly and stood, pulling her up. "I say we start our own dynasty and one of the condition is nobody can be disowned."
"I like it." She melded into his arms for a kiss.
Talon brought his yacht out of hyperspace and they floated through the shipyard, gazing at the ships under construction and repair. The Wild Karrde was in its berth and workers were spotted, like specks in the distance. He moved in for a closer look, but didn't announce his arrival just yet. The two weeks passed swiftly, but both were ready to resume running his organization.
"Unidentified ship, state your name and purpose for being at the shipyard." A voice broke the silence in the cabin.
"This is the Uwana Buyer, and we're here to take possession of the Wild Karrde," Shada announced.
There was a pause. "Is Captain Karrde with you?"
"He is," she replied. "We'll be docking on the Errant Venture."
"Acknowledged." The link ended.
She initiated the next call. "Uwana Buyer, seeking permission to land on the Errant Venture,"
The communications officer, Cov, on the Errant Venture welcomed them back and gave clearance to dock at Bay 15. Ven was in the captain's chair and heard the exchange. He rose and hurried to the bay to be on hand when they pierced the magcon field.
"Ven," Talon called out with a broad smile as he hurried down the ramp.
Nawara looked behind him. "I could have sworn you took unto yourself a wife. I seem to remember in my drunken state a woman."
"Oh her. Newness already wore off and she is packing. So much for wedded bliss," Talon joked.
"I take it you had a good time?" Ven noticed with amusement, Karrde wasn't leaving the ship.
"I would recommend Aphran as a honeymoon spot to anyone, including you, Nawara."
The Twi'lek laughed. "Just so happens, I am kind of seeing a woman."
"Really?"
"When Booster heard she was looking for work, he invited her to the Venture without telling me. Her name is Jari'kyn and she designed Mara Jade's wedding gown."
"I remember hearing about her. I liked Mara's gown, classy and not slutty. So you're seeing her?" Talon saw Booster behind this.
"Well, I'm a bit rusty in the dating arena, but am trying. Booster took her on a tour and brought her to the bridge where I was in charge. I should have suspected something was up when he turned her over to me, to show her assigned quarters and told me to introduce her to Carie, who designs gowns in that small shop on the Diamond Level. He's been trying to set us up, but no first date yet."
Talon gave a non-committal nod. "I'm sure Shada knows the place."
"I tried to impress her by telling of my exploits with Rogue Squadron, but she wasn't awestruck. Most women find I was a Rogue a turn on. I'm still working on Jari'kyn."
Talon laughed. "Good luck. Shada wasn't impressed with me either."
"That gives me hope." Both men turned when Shada walked down the ramp and joined them.
"Did you get the gifts for the crews lined out?" Talon drew her to his side.
"Have you contacted Dankin?" When they landed, she was packing and he supposed to tell the crew they were back.
"I'm in no hurry. Nawara has interesting news." He looked back to Ven. "Is Booster around?"
"No. He's on Coruscant with his family. Antilles is retiring from active duty in a few days and there's a party planned and lots of pomp."
"Why aren't you with them?" They finally started leaving the docking bay as they talked.
"Booster didn't have anyone he trusted to take over for a few days," Nawara admitted.
"If I take over, will you go?"
"If you take over, Booster will space me, I'm sure."
"I'll call him. You deserve to be with your old mates and no arguing." Talon considered the matter settled.
When they arrived at the Emberlene Suite, his first call was to Booster.
Booster's was smiling in the holovid. "And how was a real honeymoon, my boy?"
"We traveled Aphran from end to end. It's quite interesting for a laidback world. Tourism is the main trade outside their wood products."
Booster's smile faded. "If I wanted a tour guide, you're not it. How were your nights? Got everything polished off, I hope."
"Kriff, I knew there was something we forgot to do. It was a honeymoon and not a vacation with the children. Shada," he hollered, "we have to go back." He grinned at Booster.
Booster shook his head, but his grin also was back. "But you did enjoy yourself?"
"We had a great time and told Nawara to take his bride there, if he were to ever marry again. And speaking of Ven, I told him I'd hit you up to take over so he could go to the Rogue General's retirement."
Booster gave it a short thought. "Sure. Have Nawara show you the basic functions and tell him to get over here."
Talon sat in the captain's chair and watched the busy shipyard through the viewports, and dreamed of owning such a vessel. He once asked Booster to sell him the ship and got turned down flat. He saw a movement to his left and turned his head. Shada moved to stand beside him. He took her hand and brought it to his lips.
"The crew is coming over from the Karrde for supper at our place," she informed him.
He smiled. "I like the sound of that, our place."
"No regrets?"
"None."
The End
The next segment will be picked up in a story called Reformation Of A Smuggler and take up where this story leaves off.