Their mini-honeymoon ended when they dropped out of hyperspace and maneuvered through heavy traffic to the majestic red star destroyer. Talon was in the captain's chair watching Dankin expertly dodge a freighter and narrowly miss a corvette that was between them and their target. "Karrde to Errant Venture." After a pause, they were looking at Nawara Ven.

Nawara looked back with pale pink eyes. His lekku were drooping on each side of his face and his skin was at least two shades lighter. "Booster was hoping you wouldn't be back so soon on one hand and wishing you were here on the other. We have an outbreak of Findris Flu and the ship is in quarantine. Only essential shuttles and ships are allowed to land."

Talon looked over at Shada who was looking ill before contacting the virus at the thought of her babies being sick. "The boys?" He spoke for both of them.

"In sickbay, very sick, as is my Ryman and Mirax's, Jysella."

"Clear us to land."

"Last chance to slip out. I'll not say a word to Booster."

"And live with Shada abandoning sick babies. We'll land and plan on getting sick."

"You were warned. Your spot is open." Nawara cut the link.

Shada leaned over D'ukal's bed. "Mommy's here."

He opened sick eyes. "Mommy." His arms went around her neck in a death grip as she lifted him close to her. Carrying him to Terrik's crib, she touched her second son. He was as hot to the touch, as was D'ukal's head leaning against her neck.

Talon entered after securing the Wild Karrde. As soon as they landed, he lowered the ramp for Shada to rush to her babies. He stopped and took another holograph of her, child at her breast and a hand on the other. Brushing her hand off Terrik, he picked the boy up. "Are you keeping them here or taking them to our suite?"

"I need to find a doctor and see how sick they are." She started looking around and spotted Ryman and Jysella in cribs identical to those she found her boys in. Both were sleeping, but Ryman was very pale. Of their mother's was no sign. A medic droid entered the area and Shada waylaid it. "Can my son's be taken from this area?"

"Yes." He gave her their condition and progress. "…and the fevers are intermittent, but no longer critical. My internal records state that Captain Terrik ordered them placed in bacta for twelve hours. That lessened the symptoms and improved their recovery time by three point eight days. They need to be force fed liquid every four hours." They listened while the droid meticulously filled them in, issued detailed instructions and handed them medicine. When he finished Shada asked, "Where are Jari and Mirax?"

"I do not know and cannot give information on the patients without their permission."

"If anyone asks, we are taking our son's to the Emberlene Suite," Shada explained to the droid as they left.

Talon helped settle the boys in their large bed, where they promptly fell asleep again.

"Who's going to take care of them when we get sick?" Shada kicked her boots off and lay beside her babies.

"I warn you, I'm a bigger baby than our sons when ill. Luckily, I don't get sick often. Where is the nanny?" He just remembered.

"Good question. Shada to Nana," she spoke into her comlink.

Nana promptly responded, "Nana here. I'm so relieved you have returned and in one piece…"

"Where are you?" Shada cut her off.

"I'm with Mistress Jari'ven. She is very ill and needs care. With the boys sleeping in the nursery, I volunteered. Is that not acceptable?"

"No, that's fine. We just noticed you were missing. The boys are with us at the Emberlene Suite. You help where needed until we succumb to the flu. I'll call you."

Talon was strangely content seeing his family intact again, like a puzzle completed. The break was welcome, but coming home to the boys more so. "I'm going to the bridge." He left, but not before leaning over and kissing each of them.

Shada watched his face when he looked upon his helpless sons. She witnessed rare compassion he tried to mask in public. His final kiss was for her. "Take care of our boys."

He entered a vacant bridge with one lone occupant, Nawara and several droids at the controls. The lekku were hanging listless over his shoulders and looked devoid of life. Picking one up, Talon asked, "Are your brain tails dead?"

"Almost," Nawara croaked.

"I have an idea. Why don't you go home and let me sit in the big chair."

Red eyes met blue. "You are so kind to me and all I have to give in return is the plague."

"Fill me in. I have a healthy crew who just volunteered, by my direct order of course."

"Booster is trying to oversee much needed medical supplies at docking bay four. Mirax is in his office doing damage control with the government. Seems like a number of senator's were visiting the casinos when a Devarorian landed with a sick ship. Booster's quarantine sensors were offline, down for maintenance."

"I believe they were down for maintenance this time last year."

"We may not have actually fixed the problem. An ill Hassla'tak is working on it with equally sick Verpine so repairs are barely noticeable. The ship can't leave orbit unless repairs are verified and everyone is healthy and scrubbers working to filter all diseases."

"What percentage of the ship is down?"

"Findris Flu has struck every species, so all of it."

Talon gently pulled on the lekku he was still playing with. "Go to bed. Incubation is four days. I want you back here by the time I feel crappy. I'll switch off with my crew so the bridge won't be without someone."

"Call if you can't handle something." Nawara stiffly rose and left.

Talon went into the pit and punched the internal holovids until he found Booster sitting on a crate with a docked ship before him. The crew was in hazmat suits while Booster wore a bright pair of orange pants and loose top of equal an gaudy and clashing color. Talon decided he got out of bed to oversee the offload. He made a mental note to talk to him about his choice of pajama colors. He switched controls to the helm in case he was forced to do a course correction and told the droid to standby.

"Karrde to Dankin; I found him. He's in docking bay four. Tell him I'm in control of the ship and we're his crew until we succumb to the pandemic."

"On my way." Dankin was waiting instructions. Earlier, he ran into Talon and Shada in the corridor, each holding a sick child. Talon told him Booster was probably doing something he shouldn't and to be ready to assist. Booster was so hoarse, the order he croaked was barely legible. His first indication Talon was back came when Dankin placed a hand on his shoulder. "I got this, Captain. Karrde mutinied and overcame Ven. We're in control now. I suggest you surrender to me and go to bed."

Booster rubbed his eyes. "Karrde's an idiot to come into this."

"You were holding his son's hostage. You're lucky it's me here and not Shada, for you letting a vessel dock without your virus probes operating properly."

"I was hoping you stayed away until the boys were better."

"When did it happen?"

"Seven days ago. We'd been in orbit for two days when they came in from Devaron. I checked and the planet has widespread sickness. The New Republic quarantined the planet; nobody enters or leaves. They actually sent the Second Battle Group to the system."

"Who got sick on your ship to demand that kind of pull?" Dankin asked.

"Admiral Ackbar was visiting with me and we were in that docking bay when the Devaronian's landed and were the first contaminated. Mon Calamarian's have no warning or incubation period. He was sick before landing and quarantined my ship and placed a battle cruiser on each side of me to keep me in orbit."

"I had to fly through them. Talon was challenged and claimed the Venture was his home and they'd have to shoot us to prevent a docking. We've talked enough, I can oversee the unloading. I take it these are medicines?"

"What the doctor ordered. Ackbar was kind enough to let me treat my sick ship."

"I'm being nosy; what did Ackbar want with you?"

"He just got off the comm with Talon and learned the Hammertong was being sold to the highest bidder. He wanted to pick my brain about Huff and the situation. He wasted no time coming to confront me."

"We know who wanted it." Dankin wished he could take the words back. Booster looked way too interested for a sick man. "I'll let Karrde fill you in, but you look ready to pass out truth be told. Off to bed with you." He hurried to the cargo.

Talon moved his son closer to his brother in the center of their bed. Shada was sound asleep on the other side of them and he didn't want to disturb her. He sat in the captain's chair until four in the morning when H'sishi came to relieve him. He made a schedule for his people and called Aves and his crew in to assist as they were in a nearby system. He told them to board in two days and promised a bonus for purposely getting sick. He stripped to his briefs and crawled under the cover.

Shada woke when he entered knowing it was him and fell back asleep immediately. The shaking of her shoulder woke her. She opened her eyes to Terrik trying to tell her something. "What, Baby?"

"Wank."

"Okay," she reached for a covered cup and held it for him. She smelled his diarrhea diaper and rose. Scooping him up, she went to his room. A quick rinse and back into a clean diaper and jammies, she went to repeat the process. D'ukal was still fast asleep. "You hungry?"

He shook his head.

"I think a little cereal will help." She sat him on the sofa while she whipped up baby formula cereal and added ground fruit. Making a runny shake, she put it in a cup with a straw for him to suck on.

"Not a baby." He pushed the cup away.

"This is for sick boy's, not baby's. Try to take a little." To her satisfaction, he drank part of the cup. "You're such a good boy. Do you need to go potty before going back to bed?"

He nodded and she took him to his refresher and placed him on a little pot. What came out was pure liquid and he almost needed another rinse. She settled for a wet wipe. By the time he was done, his head was bobbing in fatigue. "Poor little tyke," she murmured and carried him back to her bed. D'ukal's head was on his father's arm, both were out. She retrieved her comlink and took a holograph.

Talon woke to an empty bed. Rising, he looked at the time; almost noon and he had been doing bridge duty for three straight days. It was time to go relieve H'sishi. Dressing, he found his wife in the boy's room and them in their cribs. She looked up from the rocker where she was holding a holopad. "I recorded my ideas for neutralizing the Hammertong." She held the pad out.

"Whatever we do has to be in place before we're too sick to care. How are they?"

Shada rose and went to D'ukal's crib. "D'ukal is improving faster than Terrik. I think Terrik has a weaker immune system and will probably always come down with illnesses faster than his brother."

Talon put his hand on Terrik's head. "I'm relieved you're here with them, but not as much as Booster. When he saw me, I thought I was going to get a kiss. He came to the bridge before getting treatment yesterday. I made him go to the bacta tank to help his recovery. I'll get food on the way to the bridge." With a kiss, he left.

Two days later, Talon tried to snuggle with his wife. He jostled her and she jumped up and ran to the refresher. He sighed and lay on his back and waited for her to return. When her body indented the mattress, he murmured, "Sorry."

"It's not fair. I'm puking at every move and so far you're still working," she grumbled.

"Sorry I didn't get sick. Give it time, Dearest, and I'll be puking beside you." He leaned over for a kiss.

"Not until I'm better."

With another sigh, he returned to his side of the bed.

Days later and he was still pondering Shada's suggestions. He was still playing captain, but Booster was almost well. Crews were filtering back to work so he wasn't alone. His crew was sick and most in bacta. Shada did twelve hours, but pushed herself trying to care for the boys until he put his foot down. Mirax was almost well and took them to her place as Corran was on Yavin IV with Valin with orders not to come to the ship.

"Shada, what am I going to do with you," he muttered audibly to himself while looking at the holopad. She wrote a detailed report explaining why she had to go to Emberlene. The problem was, he couldn't argue her facts. He started planning on how to get her in and out and whom he trusted to assist. He made a list and a thought came to mind. Getting up from the captain's chair, he went to Booster's office and sat behind the spacious desk, still cluttered with datachips and pads. Pulling up a secure channel, he called Leia Solo.

"Talon, why aren't you on your death bed?"

"The virus is avoiding me. When you are clean living like myself…" He trailed off with a grin and got his desired result when Leia shook her head and smiled.

"You didn't call me out of boredom, Talon." She directed him back to the reason for a private call directly to the Chief of State.

"No, I'm working on the Hammertong project."

Leia's face took on a grim expression. "Your report that the Bothan's probably bought it is still sitting on my desk. The only person I've told so far is Han."

"So Ackbar hasn't been informed?"

"Without proof they actually purchased the weapon, although I believe they did, isn't justification to warn our military."

"What about the prototype warship I sent you holos of. Surely you informed the military of its existence?"

"I'm saving it for a politically correct moment when I need something from Borsk. I'm in no hurry to tip my hand, but if he gets the weapon and makes it work, we might have problems. I don't trust the Bothan's as a race." It was a rare admission for her, but she knew he'd keep her secret and suspected they shared that sentiment.

"I lost my Bothan contact." He didn't go into details. "As of now, until I can get back to that area, I have to insert trusted people into the region. I am relocating Moranda Savich to Bothawui as soon as she's able. Being older, the flu hit her extremely hard. I have to get her off the ship soon so she doesn't seek the revenge she is plotting in her quarters against Booster."

Leia laughed. "I went into Jari's and encountered Moranda working at the shop. Her people skills need work. She told me I could get waited on only if I pardoned all her crimes."

Talon joined her in laughing. "I hope you did. She's a valuable employee; besides Antilles likes her."

"I'll think about it. What can I do for you?"

"What do you know about Emberlene?"

"Not much. I'd have to do research."

"Shada has a death mark on her if she returns. I need to get her on and off the planet."

"Whatever for?" Leia was flabbergasted he'd suggest putting his wife in that type of danger.

"She knows where the missing Hammertong part is stored. My plan is to steal it." He omitted the part where he was also going to kill Dr. Eloy.

Leia was silent for a moment and he waited for her to respond. "Where do I come in?"

"I was thinking a visit to Emberlene to draw attention to you. You know, go in with pomp and circumstance. Offer some aid so they aren't burdened by your visit."

"I go in the front door and Shada the back."

"Something like that." He held his breath.

"When will this theft take place?" She was mentally pulling her calendar up.

"I'm short of informants so don't know how fast the Bothan's are moving. I had to send two ships as scouts. Gillespee is doing a mercy supply run to Emberlene. Shada told him where to go and who to contact. I haven't heard from him yet, but will any day. I sent Corvis to Bothan Space to snoop around on the guise of looking for business, legit or otherwise."

"So I may have to move fast?"

"If Bothan's are trying to buy the part….yes. Also, I'm agreeing to Shada as she knows her way around….You know, I married Shada because she's almost as smart as me, but will follow any order like a droid."

"Talon, you're a beast." Leia was laughing again. "I'm telling her you said that."

He was grinning. "Please do. I like the pain."

"Sadist," she muttered and let him continue.

"She was the one who suggested we might not be looking for Bothan's on Emberlene, but Abin-Ral-Xufush's people might also be brokering the deal or even another party."

"And you didn't think of it?" Leia sounded skeptical.

"I miss very little. In my business; that's suicide. The fact that Shada can keep up with me is impressive."

Leia listened to his praise of his wife and the undercurrents of his vast intelligence. He didn't refer to it often and never bragged, but he let it slip out over the years, usually in his knowledge about any topic that left those around him stunned. She was glad he was her friend and not an enemy, for he'd be formable. "Keep me informed and I'll see what I can do on this end. Emberlene is neutral. What will be my cover story?"

"Simple; compassion that you're famous for. You heard about them and wanted to do something."

"I'll study their plight. If I have questions, how's Shada?"

"Very sick. Twelve hours in bacta barely touched her symptoms. I hope she doesn't have to travel ill. Not to change the subject, did Solo get home all right?"

"He got in day before yesterday, after dropping Luke on Yavin IV. He said he woke to a message and you were long gone. You don't want to hear the expletives he called you."

Talon showed an even row of white teeth. "None I didn't call him over the Little Bantha Cub." He looked up as Booster entered. "I have to go; later." He severed the connection.

Booster motioned him out of his chair.

Taking his customary spot, he noticed Booster looked much better. "How many dips did you have?" Talon asked.

"Four. Bacta doesn't flush the virus, but makes the aches and fever tolerable."

"I'll just stay in bacta then when I get sick."

"Why are you still mobile?"

"Don't have a clue. I've purposely placed my mouth on my infected family."

"Maybe you've put your mouth in a place where it keeps you immune. A study is in order."

"I wish. Shada won't even let me kiss her on the head."

"Have you had Findris Flu?"

"Once, you?"

Booster nodded. "This is my third go-around. If you don't succumb to puking in the disposal, I want to know why and so will the doctor and science in general."

"I'll be more than happy to donate my body to science to avoid the flu." Talon stood. "Are you taking your ship back?"

"I am, but you can do Nawara's rounds as he's still too weak. I put him back in the captain's chair."

"Sure, I've been chair bound for too long. Boring being in your chair while in orbit." With a salute he left.