Anakin was amazed at the tale that Han and Qi'ra had told him. He had always known that crime syndicates and slavery went hand in hand and had a presence in the Galaxy. His own lifewas proof of that. But even still, he had been shocked at how easily and relatively openly this Lady Proxima had been able to operate. It seems it was fairly well known on Corellia. At least in the less savory parts of the planet.

Anakin was far from an idealist anymore. Eight years of war had driven that from him. He still missed the old him sometimes, when everything was black and white and he believed that if only the people in charge had enough power, they could fix everything that was wrong with the Galaxy and make things better for everyone. Now he knew that those thoughts led to only one place, the Dark Side and the Emperor. But despite all that, Anakin had grown convinced that the Jedi would have to do something about Lady Proxima and the Black Sun syndicate. In fact, Anakin had requested an audience before the High Council to discuss just that. And he fully intended to bring Han and Qi'ra with him when the Council granted the request.

_

Han and Qi'ra were safely bedded down for the night in the Barracks. There was a guard outside their door, and the Jedi they had spoken to earlier had emphasized that, while he believed them, the Jedi had learned the hard way not to take what they were told on blind faith, but to verify it. They weren't confined to their quarters, but the clone guard had very clearly explained th them that they were only allowed in the dining room, the refresher, the exercise room and the yard until they were checked out. Which could take awhile. Neither of them knew what their last names were. But the Jedi had taken holos of them along with DNA and fingerprint data to send back to CorSec to make sure they weren't wanted. Or members of the ISB or Imperial Army. Once that came back, they were free to do what they wanted.

"What they wanted" was also exactly what they were discussing at that very moment as they lay in bed together.

"Look on the bright side," said Qi'ra. "At least we didn't end up getting sold to Black Sun or to the Hutts. And here at least, we'll have protection."

"Yeah," Han half grunted, half laughed. "Protection. We're so protected there's a blaster wielding Stormtrooper standing right outside our door."

"Han!" Said Qi'ra as she punched his shoulder. "You and I both know that he isn't a Stormtrooper."

"Ok, fine. He's still a Clone soldier. With a blaster rifle. It doesn't really change my point much though. We're still in captivity. Well, sort of."

As Qi'ra shook her head she said, "That's just your ego talking. You know, I'm surprised we were able to get that speeder through that narrow gap as big as your head can get." Qi'ra's word's were softened by the smile she wore and the lighthearted tone in her voice.

"Hey! It worked, didn't it? Besides, I read about Master Skywalker doing it when he used to Pod Race."

"Haaaan. That was in a Pod. With the Force to help him. Not a speeder. What would have happened if we hadn't made it through? We probably both would have been caught. At best they would have killed us. Just promise me you won't pull too many more stunts like that? I don't want to see the Galaxy without you."

Smiling at Qi'ra, Han told her, "I promise. Not too many more. Now, what do we do going forward? We don't have many credits and I doubt there's a ship for sale anywhere around here."

Looking uncertain Qi'ra responded, "I'm not sure. We always talked about this day, but deep down, I don't think either of us really expected it to happen. I guess we could always ask to be transported somewhere else. But that puts us back at risk of getting sold to slavers."

"Well, what about if we stayed here? I overheard some people talking in the dining room that they were looking for pilots. I could learn a lot here. Maybe even fly a starfighter."

"And what about me?"

"I heard that they were looking for secretaries too. Ooophhhh!"

Qi'ra smacked her arm across Han's stomach with that remark and exclaimed, "A secretary! You better be grateful I love you fly boy or you'd be getting a lot more than just that. What if I don't want to be one? What if I decide to, oh I don't know, join the Special Forces?!"

Pulling Qi'ra into his arms Han told her, "Qi'ra, you can do whatever you want. You're easily the most talented person I know and the smartest." Giving her a kiss, Han continued, "So we're decided? We stay here and learn? Prepare ourselves for our futures?"

Nodding her head Qi'ra said, "Yes. I think that's for the best for us. And who knows, maybe you'll even get to spend more time with your hero!"

Laughing, Han pulled Qi'ra close and nuzzled her neck, telling her how much he loved her before they both drifted off to sleep. They had a big day tomorrow.

_

"Take good care of her Captain. She's the finest hunk of junk in the Galaxy," said Captain Tel Daggoth. Today was a bittersweet day for him. He had finally gotten to command a Star Destroyer, the Resolve, four years ago. But today, he was relinquishing command. He'd been selected for promotion to Commodore and would be taking command of a small squadron of frigates. The man to his left, however...

"I will Captain, you have my word," replied Captain Gilad Pallaeon with all the quiet enthusiasm of a new father. He was relieving Captain Daggoth and taking command. The Resolve may be one of the older ships in the fleet, but she had a proud history behind her. Serving first in the Clone Wars and now for the last four years, fighting the Empire. She'd fought in numerous engagements and had even managed to utterly wreck a Victory class star destroyer the year before over Dac. He couldn't have been prouder if the Chancellor had been pinning the Medal of Bravery on his chest.

"I know you will Gilad. I wouldn't have agreed to the promotion if I didn't trust whoever they were going to have relieve me. When I heard it was you, I knew she'd be in good hands."

"Thank you, Tel. That means a lot to me. I won't let you or her down. She may be getting up there, but I wouldn't trade her for anything."

_

As Captain Pallaeon sat in his cabin later that night, going over reports and the million other items that required a captain's constant attention, he thought about the series of events that led him here. If you had told him five years ago that he'd willingly betray the Empire, turn his back on his oaths of loyalty to the legitimate government of the Galaxy, he would have laughed. Then had whoever told him that arrested for treason. But that had been before Caamas. Before that witch Aella. Thoughts of her and what she did to his Admiral still made him shudder. That had been the turning point. He couldn't stand by and knowingly commit atrocities. When General Skywalker had offered another path, he had jumped at the chance. Even if Captain Medina hadn't been willing to change sides, he certainly was. The Jedi were far from perfect, but they were thousands of times better than the alternative.

And now, he had been recognized as a rising star. Of course it helped that the fleet was barely a hundredth of the size of the Imperial Navy. But still, his tactical and strategic thinking had been noticed. First by Admiral Sykes, who had him transferred to his own personal staff. After that, he was sent to attend the first class of the newly formed Republic Navy Staff College. After graduating at the top of the class, granted it was a small class of only twenty students the top was still the top, he had been promoted to Captain and given this ship. He couldn't wait to get started.