Talon listened with interest to the story Cale'ven wove in a meeting the next day. His informants provided additional information from across the galaxy and he was putting a picture of the Diversity Alliance together that was nefarious towards humans alone. All planets he had informants, reported the Diversity Alliance started treating humans badly.

"I would like to visit my family," Nawara told the group. "And I need to check on the Kyn clan also."

Booster tapped his fingers on the table top, thinking. "We can't go in with force or your families will be targeted."

Jari looked stressed. The night before, they argued. She wanted him to stay safe and take care of his children first. He caught the look she gave him and shifted his gaze away. He was torn in his duties. As eldest son, he was obliged to take care of his elders and as husband, wife and kits.

"I need to take a ship and find a way to the surface," Nawara insisted.

"Maybe if I make a trip to Ryloth," Cale volunteered. "I could go back on some pretext, may deliver some supplies from Tatooine."

"That plan has merit," Booster agreed. "How will Nawara get away to check on the clans?"

"He goes in as my assistant."

"His face is easily recognizable." Booster shook his head. "She'll know him."

"So. Who says my brother hasn't joined me," Cale countered, keeping his eyes far away from Jari.

"And if it fails?" Jari couldn't believe he was actually doing this suicidal run.

Nawara gave her a smile and reached for her lekku with his, "We have already discussed this. I'm going. If anything happens to me, there are plenty of people to help raise our kits."

She wanted to ask what she'd do for a mate, but held her tongue.

Booster made a notation on a datapad. "We could buy a shipment of alcohol from Huff. It says here that he has a hundred cases of cheap Falleen scotch."

Talon made a face. "Who would be desperate enough to drink that paint remover?"

"Twi'leks love it," Nawara replied drolly and his eyes twinkled.

"Right, you eat moss and think it's good also," Talon replied.

Booster and Mirax flew a shuttle to Huff's farm and negotiated for the purchase.

"This isn't for the New Republic military or Jedi, is it?" Huff wanted to know if he was expected to donate the load.

"No," Mirax replied.

Huff named a price.

Booster clenched a fist and set it on the desk, "You're dealing with me, not Karrde. I'm not that rich."

They came to an agreement and Nawara flew a shuttle to the warehouse.

That night, Nawara held his wife tightly in bed, feeling his kit kick him. He knew she was awake as him, "You're going to be tired."

"So will you."

"I'll find a way back to you."

"You better."

Talon was having his own cuddle session. "I'll tell Dravis tomorrow he won't be getting Bot."

Shada smiled into his bare shoulder. "So it was the best you ever had?"

He was silent, but smiling into the dark, a satisfied smirk that was slow to leave his face. "You tormented me better than ever. I want an encore tomorrow night just to have something to compare to of course."

"Of course." She was silent for a moment. "Thank you for not sending Bot away. He's leaving us soon enough."

He started chuckling. "I was never sending him away….ow, stop that."

Booster moved the ship to the Geonosis System, but didn't contact the locals, wanting to be mobile if needed to jump to Ryloth.

Cale sat in the co-pilot seat of the loaded ship, looking out the viewport at the scene of his brother saying his farewells. He had hugged Jari and Ryman goodbye and tried to tell the baby he was her favorite uncle. Now he watched Nawara hold his daughter, with an arm around Jari's waist.

Nawara addressed Booster, "I hope to bring us both back safely." With a final kiss to his wife, he transferred his daughter and leaned down to kiss her head. Booster had ordered the bridge to tape the scene, on the unimaginable event that Nawara was lost to them forever.

Nawara flew the small freighter Booster kept for short runs. As they approached from the Nightside, Cale answered the hale from the surface. "This is Cale'ven. I have a transport of supplies I couldn't pass up that passed through Tatooine."

"Come to the Ryll mines, cavern four." Cale shivered. He knew that voice, Hovrak the Shistavanen. There were rumors, prisoners were killed and eaten by him.

Hovrak was waiting and looked hungry. "Nolaa wishes to see you." He ordered the ship unloaded. Looking closely at Nawara, his yellow eyes narrowed, but he said nothing.

"Stay with the ship," Cale instructed his brother. Following a Rodian to her private area, he greeted the green skinned, one lekku woman as if she deserved reverence, with a low bow that he had to force.

Nolaa smiled and held out a hand in a welcoming gesture, but didn't touch Cale. "Cale'ven, I've missed you so much. Tell me of your efforts for our cause on Tatooine. I've ordered food and Hovrak sent me a message that you brought a fine scotch. We'll celebrate our victories together."

Cale involuntarily smiled. "I'd be honored."

Over rycrit steaks, Cale informed her about the situation on Tatooine. He was supposed to be recruiting from among the non-Twi'lek aliens. He spoke to a few and had one meeting, giving a speech that guaranteed not to garner much interest. With much exaggeration, he filled Nolaa in.

"So you brought your famous brother?" She let him know scotch wasn't the only message Hovrak communicated.

Cale shrugged, "We were hoping to visit the clan. I brought an attorney to mediate my disgrace with father." He hoped his lie passed her scrutiny.

"He's New Republic and will never join our cause. In fact, I've been monitoring your progress and it's unsatisfactory. It's time for you to leave."

Cale swallowed hard, nodded and rose. "Thank you for supper."

She smiled an evil grin. "When I said leave, I meant to the ryll mines."

Cale didn't hesitate and sprinted to the door, pushing a Rodian guard into the wall as he made his escape. He raced towards the spaceport screaming into his comm for Nawara to get the ship ready to leave.

Nawara heard the panic in his brother's voice and rushed into the cockpit, keeping the ramp distended and fired the engines. A blaster muzzle in his ear ceased his movements.

Hovrak snarled, "Hand over your blaster and shut down."

Nawara relinquished the weapon with his personal name inscribed and turned the engines off. It was a gift from Jari for his birthday. He remembered telling her he'd keep it with him always and felt a stab of betrayal towards his love.

A blaster shot rang throughout the small cargo ship. As he stepped to the top of the ramp, he saw Cale fall, shot in the back.

Nawara got his first look at the infamous Nolaa Tarkona, with her one tattooed lekku, as she ordered, "Don't let him die. I promised him the mines and he'll live out his days working for me." She turned her gaze to Nawara and walked to where Hovrak escorted him to the bottom of the ramp. "The renowned Rogue, Nawar'aven."

Nawara watched his brother hauled away and knew a similar fate awaited. Any reply would be in vain so he drew himself to his full height, waiting sentence and cursed his stupidity of listening to his younger brother.

She continued, "Your brother is a fool. You think I left your clan to oppose me?"

He forced himself to keep the rage off his face, appreciative of his attorney training.

"Speak."

His continued silence was seen in the rage on her face.

"Just like your father. He didn't grovel either, but marched into the Bright Lands with his head held high, like I assume you will do also." She turned to the Shistavanen. "You know what to do." She held out her hand and Hovrak put the blaster in it.

Nawara looked at her retreating and knew she was watching him through her implant and never changed expressions. As he walked to the edge of the spaceport, his thoughts turned to Jari and Ryman and wondered if a son would carry on the family name. He took note of the portcullises that would close if the spaceport was attacked by a vicious lylek and wished for one now. With no such luck, he almost gasped as the heat seared into his exposed skin, bubbling his lekku within minutes. Without looking back, he marched into the heat waves, disappearing almost immediately from sight of those who gathered at the opening to watch another traitorous Twi'lek march to his death.

Nolaa looked at the engraved pistol and came up with an idea. She called her trusted lieutenant, the Wookie Raaba. When the tall Wookie joined her, she held a message tube out. "Take this to Booster Terrik. His ship was spotted nearby at Geonosis. Don't land or he'll kill you. Just shoot the probe. If he comes to destroy us; first, he won't know where to start looking, and second, I'll talk to him. He won't kill the innocent."

Raaba did as requested in her own small ship. She came out of hyperspace and saw the giant red star destroyer looking more lethal painted red than it ever did Imperial white. When turbolaser weapons swung to focus on her, she quickly and without responding to the hails, shot the probe. Backing off, she watched as a tractor beam picked it up and held it in suspension, scanning for weapons like thermo detonators. She waited just long enough to watch as it began its journey to the ship and hightailed back to Ryloth.

Booster clinched the weapon he'd seen on his first officer just hours before and knew Nolaa was sending him a message, taunting him to come and get his first officer. He called Wedge, Hassla'tak and Talon to a meeting. In his office, he put the weapon between them on the desk.

Hassla'tak snarled a string of curses in ryl.

Talon picked it up and remembered Jari shyly approaching him over a year before.

"Talon, could I impose on you for help?"

He looked at Shada, who shook her head that she didn't know what it was about.

"If it's within my power, I'll be happy to help."

"I heard from Nawara about a blaster in Traders Alley he wishes he owned."

He remembered smiling from ear to ear. He knew exactly the one. A shipment of the latest design had been brought onto the ship covertly and the blaster hadn't been officially placed on the market yet. Somehow, Booster got one of his illicit dealers to buy a lot. He was on the Errant Venture delivering supplies, not even hiding the fact he wanted to see his old friend, whom he hadn't seen in two months. Shada and the boys accompanied him and he escorted them to the Ven suite for a visit, and was getting ready to go on to the bridge when she asked for his help. "I know just the one."

"His birthday is soon and I know if I go and buy one for him, he'll find out. I wish his name engraved on the handle. Nothing happens on this ship he doesn't hear. Can you help without him being the wiser?"

He remembered laughing gently at her. "I'll get you the blaster and Officer Ven will never know it's for him." He pulled his datapad and she chose the engraving she wanted written in ryl.

The next time he saw Nawara, he was wearing his new blaster. "Were you surprised?" He pointed to the prominent weapon on Nawara's thigh.

Nawara smiled and pulled it. "Totally. I didn't know you and my wife were sneaking around together."

"Not exactly together. Every place she goes you get informed. A trip to Traders Alley would have garnered about a dozen calls and of course, you'd hustle off your plush bridge to her side."

Nawara showed a row of sharp teeth. "More truth in that statement than you know. Once, she went to Traders Alley on a delivery and I received several calls. She forgot to mention it to me and I sent the security patrol to that section. When I arrived, she was surrounded and arguing with the sergeant that her presence any place on the ship was none of his business. I escorted her away from them, mainly so they wouldn't hear the dressing down I knew was coming."

"You made it up to her?"

"Finest restaurant on the surface of Corellia that night went a long way for me meddling. We came to an agreement, I wouldn't interfere if she informed me when she was going to the Black Level or Traders Alley and I would assign a guard, discretely, at a distance. What she doesn't know, is I place a trusted guard and have Plakhmirakh shadow her; and inform security in those sectors that the first officer's wife is visiting."

"Venture to Karrde, Venture to Karrde."

Talon returned to the office. "Sorry, I was remembering how Nawara got this blaster and my trusted part. I bought it from Urook, the Given."

Booster nodded. "I got the details out of Urook before Ven's birthday and managed to round up a few extra power supplies for the occasion." He glared at the pistol as if it betrayed Ven.

"I'll go and get him," Hassla'tak announced, as if that were the normal progression.

"No, I can't afford to lose two trusted officers off the bridge," Booster shut him down just as fast.

"I'll call Leia and see if there's any way for the New Republic to intervene, but I'm sure they would have by now if it were possible," Wedge offered his help. His impromptu trip with wife and family to scope out Rysa seemed a long time ago.

"We need to insert a team into Ryloth that's not Twi'lek." Talon turned his powerful intelligence to another solution. "Rysa is still on the ship and I have H'sishi and Plakhmirakh onboard right now. Rysa has two more Bothan's with her."

"I have an idea," Wedge was thinking as he talked, "Have Rysa and her two Bothan's being chased into the system by humans and ask for help. Maybe some superficial damage to make it look authentic and break off when they send help."

They agreed and called Rysa and her crew into the meeting.

"Does he have to make it look so real," Rysa complained as she put out a distress call to Ryloth, while trying to evade the Wild Karrde.

"This is Ryll Spaceport; unknown craft, why is the ship identified as the Wild Karrde, owned by a human, firing on you?"

"My name is Rys'lar. I'm Bothan and did business with the human in question. Seems like he wants to cheat Bothan's, like most humans do. I'm paying the price for resisting." Another well-placed shot took one rear thruster out of her small craft. "I hope they make a decision soon," Rysa muttered to her co-pilot, while the third Bothan fired volleys at the Wild Karrde. With his superior shielding, he told them to make it look real, while his ion cannons were firing at half power.

"Bothan vessel, lock on our signal and follow it to the Ryll Spaceport Number Four. Our fighters are moving to intercept."

"Acknowledged and thank you." Rysa knew Talon was monitoring her communications. Her ship shook as his final volley took her port shielding out and left major damage and scoring along that side. Listing, she made it to the spaceport and skidded along the decking until a tractor beam caught and held her fast.

She piled out as security gathered around, and started issuing orders to her two crewmembers. "I want that bug found. Go over every meter of this ship. That's the only way Karrde could have tracked me down."

She finally turned to see who her greeting committee was. To her surprise, Nolaa Tarkon herself was standing before her. She got a holograph of the Twi'lek female in the briefing. "I don't mean to barge in like this, but I really could use another ship in better condition to continue my run. It's vital I get these thermo detonators to our people on Bothawui in their mounting resistance against human encroachment into our space." As she spoke, she looked around at the ships crowding the perimeter of the spaceport. Her eyes fell on the ship she knew the Ven brothers were using, the specs and holographs burned into her memory. She remembered seeing the craft in a docking bay when she took a tour of the Errant Venture. Being a pilot, she took special interest in the ships Terrik amassed for his personal use.

"Have you heard about the Diversity Alliance?" Nolaa started out.

"Vaguely. They held meetings in some of the cities on Bothawui and Bothan worlds, but I wasn't able to attend. I'm a spacer and always on the move. No shipments, no money."

"We have many Bothan's with us now and could always use more loyal to our cause."

"And the cause is?" Rysa prompted.

"That all non-humans band together and address the atrocities to our peoples caused by the humans and demand reparations. Only when we are strong enough can we go to Coruscant and make our demands."

"I see. Sounds good to me. I just dealt with a backstabbing human. He sold me thermo detonators then tried to steal them back."

"Sounds like a human," Nolaa agreed.

An almost human looking alien moved to stand with them. Nolaa made introductions, "You said your name was…?"

"Rys'lar," Rysa provided.

"And this is Nom Anor, leader of a non-human group called the Red Knights of Life. They are joining us and bringing their numbers into the fold."

Rysa looked at him and a chill went down her spine. Nothing she could put a finger on, but she knew he was trouble. She nodded in his direction, glad Bothan's didn't simulate smiles often and turned back to Nolaa. "Do you have a ship or the means to help me fix mine? I can pay of course."

Nolaa pointed to the shuttle the Ven's flew. "This one is in perfect condition. I have deliveries for you and if you agree to work for me. It's yours until we get the one you flew repaired."

Rysa made a pretext of looking around. "You have lots of small shuttles. How do I know the one you're offering me isn't stolen and someone is waiting out there to vape me if I leave in it?"

"Truth is, it probably belongs to the Errant Venture," Nolaa confessed.

"How did one of Terrik's shuttles end up here?" Rysa hoped she put enough shock into her question.

"You know him?" Nolaa countered.

"Reputation only. Common knowledge he conned the New Republic out of that star destroyer." If Bothan's could sweat, Rysa would be drenched. She almost started panting to cool down.

Nolaa nodded, "The first officer was stupid enough to visit with his brother. I had the pleasure of having him marched into the Bright Lands."

"You mean….you made the first officer go out there?" Rysa pointed and tried to sound calm and not let her claws rip the Twi'lek to pieces.

"I did. He was too dangerous to keep around and would never join our cause."

To cover her shock, Rysa concentrated on not allowing her fur to ripple, a well-known Bothan sign of agitation. "I'll take the shuttle and have my people load and we'll be on our way. What is the cargo you have for us to deliver?" Her numbed mind needed to focus, and fast.

"I have medical supplies for Duro."

"If I can get them in, I'll make it my last stop and return here," Rysa vowed.

Nolaa looked around and called for a Bothan to come and give an orientation to their newest recruits.

Talon was sitting in his customary chair in Booster's office. "You tell her yet?"

Booster shook his head. "Deep down, I'm a coward."

Talon chuckled, "Five years at Kessel made you forget the meaning of that word. If you want, I'll go with you."

Booster shook his head. "It's only been two days."

"Jari won't forgive you if you wait."

Booster sighed and rose. He reached in the drawer, retrieved Nawara's pistol and tucked it in the waistband of his pants, letting his vest cover it up. "I accept your offer to come."

They entered Kyn's, where Moranda and Plakhmirakh were watching Jari talk with a customer. Talon recognized the woman, Cleona Stollic. "How are you enjoying your visit, Mrs. Stollic?" He charmed her with a special smile, while patting Jari on the shoulder in a comforting gesture.

"Mr. Karrde, how nice of you and the captain to drop by this wonderful shop. Did you know, Jari designed Mara Skywalker's wedding dress?"

Talon let a natural smile emerge. "I paid for it, and consider Jari'ven to be a close friend."

Booster found an opening. "Jari, I need to speak with you."

"Of course, it's about Nawara isn't it? Has he contacted you?" They moved a private room in the back of the boutique.

Talon threw a glance at Moranda and she knew the look. "Here, Mrs. Stollic, you seemed to have misplaced your purse." Moranda held a small, expensive handbag out to her.

"I never took it off my wrist." Cleona looked and it was missing.

Talon rolled his eyes and Plakhmirakh quietly chuckled.

"Lovely family you have," Moranda continued.

Cleona looked helplessly at Talon. "How did she do that?"

"Cleona, meet one of the most accomplished pickpockets I've ever had the privilege of hiring, Moranda Savich. She works for me as does the Noghri." Talon pointed to a robed being.

Cleona looked and couldn't see anything under the brown robe and almost fainted when the small being pushed his cowl off, exposing a ferocious countenance.

Talon continued, "That's Plakhmirakh, and Moranda's bodyguard."

Recovering her shock somewhat, Cleona looked at Moranda. "I thought you worked here."

"This is my night job. When Karrde has work for me, I blow this joint." She looked at him. "Got anything more interesting than me going through rich women's wallets?"

"How about a trip to Ryloth?"

"Ven bite the Bright Lands?" She did have the decency to lower her tone.

"Haven't heard, but his pistol came home without him. Booster's telling Jari now."

"I'll miss Ven. His tongue was almost as corrosive as mine," Moranda acknowledged.

"I'm not writing him off yet." Talon broke off as Booster returned alone. "How is she?"

"A strong woman," was all he'd admit to in front of strangers. He addressed Cleona. "I'm afraid the shop is closed until further notice."

Jari joined them and Talon drew her in for a hug, which she gratefully returned. "I'm sorry I can't help you right now, Mrs. Stollic." Jari remained in Talon's embrace and turned her head to address her customer.

"My dear, is it true your husband is missing?"

Jari nodded and pressed her face back into Talon's shirt. He tightened his arms around her.

"Jari, I can run the shop unless Karrde is serious about me going to Ryloth," Moranda offered.

"I'm very serious," Talon rumbled as Jari composed herself and wiped her eyes again.

"Talon, you can't be serious. Nolaa Tarkona hates humans," Jari pleaded with her tone for him to reconsider.

"I'll talk to Shada, but I can't stand by and do nothing. Moranda specializes in these types of situations. Plakhmirakh will be with her and I'll bring more Noghri if I have to."

"Do so then. I want Moranda back here annoying me." Jari let go of Talon and glided to Moranda. "Come back safe." She moved to the door and everyone took their cue to leave.

Booster commed Mirax and then Iella to come and be with Jari and Talon did the same to Shada. Soon the women were together in Jari's quarters, with kids running around laughing and playing, oblivious to the tension in the adults.

Jari looked at Ryman, laughing and playing with her friends and hoped daddy would return. She let the women chatter around her. They noticed her silence and couldn't think of comforting sentiments. Finally, Iella, started telling stories of the times Wedge disappeared and she didn't know if he were alive or dead. Mirax had the same stories on Corran.

Finally, Jari looked at Shada. "You always know where Talon is?"

"When we were separated, I didn't know and was worried he might do something rash and get hurt or killed. He had the same fears about me, especially when I was on Emberlene." The pain was still fresh and Shada didn't want to talk any more than Jari.

"I'll not believe Nawara is dead unless they provide a body," Jari convincingly stated.

"He's proven to be hard to kill," Iella agreed.

Talon called Shirlee Faughn on Aphran. "Shirlee, I need a favor and it's not going to be easy. I'm sending the Dawn Beat coreward. I need you to come and bring Sammy as I don't know how long the job will last."

"I'm getting bored here anyway. It'll be good to get into space again. Can you tell me why it won't be easy?"

"The Dawn Beat is picking up certain pilots. It'll pick you up last." Talon paused, "Hobbie Klivian is going to be on the ship."

"I see. He knows and agrees?"

"No, he wasn't told. You can either avoid him or work it out. I'm not trying to play matchmaker. Thade told me about a date he had with you. I need your expertise on tracking people."

"Can you tell me more?" She wasn't committing herself and son to close quarters with Klivian.

"Ven has disappeared on Ryloth. This line is scrambled so I can tell you this much. I'm inserting Moranda Savich and Noghri onto the surface to investigate. The Rogues are coming, both retired and current. The Dawn Beat has a hold large enough for their X-wings."

"Ven always treated me decently when I was on the Venture," Shirlee admitted.

"Can I count on you?" Talon put as much sincerity in his tone as possible.

"Is it something Shada can do?" Shirlee tried for another way out, "or Odonnl?"

"I have Odonnl working overtime on other projects and all the ships are picking up the slack of the Wild Karrde being berthed on the Errant Venture for who know how long. I am moving people around until this is settled or I have to take the Wild Karrde for business."

"And I'm not expendable?"

Talon smiled, "You really don't want to cross paths with Klivian, do you?"

"I'm not trying to be problematic. Okay, I don't want to see Klivian or have Sammy ever meet him."

Talon looked intently at her holo. "I could have Shada go to Rishi and get the Uwana Buyer and come get you."

"Oh that's a much better option." Her eyes narrowed. "You were holding that sabacc card all along."

Talon almost looked chagrined. "I don't want Shada, who is still healing, to be away from medical."

"Or you?"

"Or me. I'll send the Uwana Buyer and you can travel in luxury."

"You have a deal then."

Talon broke the link, sat back in his chair in the main room of his suite and sighed. He added a note to his journal. "Shada is healing and working out too much in my opinion. I hate to send her alone to fetch Shirlee or more Noghri. I'm sure plans will change before she leaves." He cut the link and went back to running his business and issuing commands to his lieutenants on tasks they needed to perform. The door chimed. "Enter."

Booster came in, went straight to the sideboard and poured an expensive dollop of Whyren's Reserve. Talon joined him and poured his own drink. "We can stand here or take a seat," Talon offered.

Booster sank onto the couch and Talon a chair. They looked at each other and Booster stated what was on his mind. "If I have to replace Ven, would you be interested in a position of co-owner, under me of course. I would have to completely restructure personnel. Ven does more than three humans. Hassla'tak is good, but not Nawara."

Talon was completely surprised at the offer. He remembered a time several years before when he broached Nawara on buying the ship when it looked like Booster didn't have the funds to get the ship up and running. Ven reported back that Booster flatly refused his offer.

"How much would this set me back?"

"I get thirty percent of everything you run through the ship. Ven makes me that much money and I need to replace his business skills. I'm tight, too tight for running a ship this size…"

"You won't get an argument from me." Talon took a generous gulp. "You don't have a backup plan in place for losing your number one brain-tails?"

Booster shook his head. "Years ago, I put out word I was looking for a first officer when I realized I couldn't make all the decisions alone. I had no idea who I was looking for and hoped to draw some top quality applicants. I was quite shocked when Ven contacted me a couple days later. He told me, he was leaving Rogue Squadron and wanted to get off Coruscant as his marriage to Rhysati was over. He brought his attorney skills, contacts, piloting skills and so much more. I sent a shuttle to Coruscant for him. Back then, I stayed far away from those who might try and take my ship. He expected an interview and I gave him a broken down ship instead. He asked if I needed to know anything about him and I remember telling him if I needed a dossier, I'd either call Antilles or check old holonews files. What he didn't know is I contacted Wedge right off. He told me Nawara informed him he was moving on and he expected him to resume his barrister trade. He was surprised, but gave a glowing recommendation, which I found an understatement within a week of Ven coming onboard. He had the ship running as smoothly as it could with seventy-five percent of it not working properly."

Talon chuckled, "I remember the time I came onboard right before I met Shada and its deplorable condition. You've made strides in improving conditions."

"I freely admit it was mostly Ven. I let him take over operations, and the casinos were up and running within months and he had a steady stream of funds adding to the coffers. You're the only person I know or trust to not screw me over too badly."

"Am I being interviewed?"

"No, you're hired."

"I have a business to run." Talon took another gulp, not quite believing Booster was serious. "What about Mirax?"

"CorSec will be looking over my shoulder."

"I can live with that."

Booster ignored Talon's gibe. "Valin and Jysella are going to be Jedi. Mirax will need help running this ship when it's hers and I'm already tapping your sons before someone else makes use of your spawn."

Talon stopped his flippant responses. "You serious?"

"I'm thinking long term."

"I could see my sons running this ship, one here and one on the Karrde. You know, Solo told me he plans on his kid, Jason, and Chewbacca's son, Lumpy, inheriting the Millennium Falcon."

"I'm starting to miss not having a son." Booster finished his drink.

"You have me and Wedge."

Booster stood. "Better than nothing, I guess."

"We'll find Ven." Talon was determined not to be put in the spot of being Booster's employee or having to tell him no. He escorted Booster out.