The only people to greet the Little Karrde were short of stature and standing back as Talon landed the craft. He looked out the viewport at them as his passengers gathered bags for when he lowered the ramp. Telling Dankin to bring his bag, he was first off and strode to where the youngsters were standing. He looked down upon them and they back at him.

"You here alone?" Talon asked in a stern tone.

"Yes," Terrik answered.

D'ukal added, "Mom is tired and didn't come. She said we are old enough to meet our father." He paused and frowned. "I think that's what she said."

"That's what she said," Terrik reminded him.

The passengers moved to watch the encounter and remained silent, but enjoyed watching Karrde interact with his sons.

"I see, and appreciate you meeting me." He looked around at smiling faces and reached for his bag, which Dankin quickly relinquished.

"D'ukal, carry my bag." He held a smile in as the almost four year old struggled under the weight. "Terrik, you'll carry for half the way home," he ordered.

"Yes, Daddy." Terrik didn't understand what half the trip entailed, but wanted to please.

The door slid open to reveal Booster and Nawara. Talon knew someone was keeping an eye on his son's and suspected those two never strayed far from his boys. He dropped to one knee, ignoring the captain and first officer. "I had to go away and meet with some people. When I return, I expect from now on, you two to greet me."

"We will," Terrik was quick to state.

"I also expect a hug and kiss from my sons." He smiled and held his arms out and gathered both of them to him. Dropping kisses on their heads and accepting reciprocation to his cheeks, he stood and looked at Booster and Nawara. "And how did my son's make it from the Diamond Level to here?"

As the group moved to the corridor and turbolift nearby, Booster explained, "It was Shada's idea. She took the boys to where you keep your shuttle and showed them what buttons to push to get here. Of course, I was informed and when you were approaching, she sent them alone, with my security monitoring of course. They are smart little buggers. Not once did they screw it up, but did discuss things amongst themselves."

Talon smiled proudly down at his boys. When the turbolift opened on the Diamond Level, he spoke, "D'ukal, give my bag to your brother."

"It's not heavy, Daddy," D'ukal protested.

"Give it to me." Terrik tried to take it by force.

Talon rolled his eyes. "I'll have Shada pack two bags for me from now on." He used his father's tone. "D'ukal."

The youngster reluctantly gave the bag to his smiling brother.

Booster finally addressed Kur, as he left the initial greeting to Nawara. "Leader, welcome to the Errant Venture. We'll get you home as soon as we can and I'll hang around to fight the Bothans if you want."

Kur looked relieved. "Having your ship in orbit should deter every planet who's come against us."

The men left Talon and his boys in front of his door. He opened and watched Terrik struggle inside with his bag, while D'ukal ran ahead and jumped on the sofa where Shada was sitting. She smiled at her men. Terrik dropped the bag and joined her, sitting on the other side.

Talon went for a much-needed drink. Returning, he looked at an absence of space and her knowing smirk. Sitting in a chair, he looked at his family. "Did you miss me as much as I did you?"

"We missed you, Daddy," D'ukal stated and his brother nodded.

Shada put an arm around each boy. "I'll get back with you on that one."

"I expect an in-depth answer." He took a drink.

"I'll let you probe me to the core for it." She smiled.

He raised his glass in a toast to the night. "Once upon a time, we'd be in bed by now."

"They are getting old enough to know when bedtime is."

"Which is early tonight," he reminded her and listened to the boys tell him what they'd been doing.

Terrik scrambled off the sofa and returned with two stuffed toys, which he took to show his father. "We got these at the zoo." He handed the toys over.

Talon took them and scooped Terrik onto his lap. Not to be outdone, D'ukal joined his brother. Talon looked at his wife and she took a holograph. "Dankin told me we have spies working for Fey'lya."

Shada put her comlink away. "I trust the information. It has to be someone or one's who are close enough to know which ship Bot was on."

"That could be half the organization."

"We'll find them." She changed the subject. "I'm past the puking stage, still tired though."

"All I cared about was getting out before the other stage." He knew they had to start pulling words with young ears listening. "Want to eat in or go out?" He asked.

"We've been invited for an informal captain's dinner, with just a few invited this time. I think it has something to do with the fact nobody is onboard. Booster told me he'd understand if we missed it."

"I can manage another go at one of his dinners, providing we're in hyperspace."

"He was waiting for you and the Pulsar Skate. It left Coruscant about ten minutes after you, so we should be long gone. First stop is to gather up Gillespee and make the much-needed ryll run and then we're headed to Ryloth." She stood. "Am I going to be greeted properly?"

He sat his son's down, finished his drink, and called for Nana to take the boys for food. "We have time before this little gathering?" He followed her into the bedroom, but not before kneeling and hugging Drang and Sturm, who were patiently waiting their turn.

He caught up to her just as her top went flying across the room. She didn't get a chance to turn around before he tackled her onto the bed facedown.

"Any chance you took care of yourself while I was indisposed?" He growled into her ear. He rolled her over and released the front clasp to her bra and lowered his mouth to taste each girl.

"Maybe," she lied. Truth was, she was so exhausted when she fell into bed, thoughts of him locked up was her nightly nightcap, where she'd drift off wishing he were holding her. Now, with him pressing his weight on her and the telling lump between his legs, her baser desires, shelved for a week, drove cognitive conversation from her mind.

"I hope other than tonight, we're not scheduled for pleasantries or I'll decline for us." He stopped sucking on her neck long enough to make the statement.

She ran her hands under his tunic, pushing it up. "Booster told me we'll have plenty of privacy after this function. He has the leader of Ryloth on his ship for the first time and has agreed to lend his ship to assist Ryloth."

"Right now, I couldn't care less, now strip." He rolled off her.


Thirty hours later, the Errant Venture dropped out of hyperspace in the Corellian System. Talon entered Docking Bay 15 and watched the Kern's Pride float in, partly assisted with a tractor beam. Booster immediately ordered them to Devaron while Gillespee was still settling on repuslar lifts.

Booster looked to his left at Talon, who was patiently waiting to be noticed. "You know, one week in lockup doesn't warrant missing my Captain's Dinner, or holing up until just now."

"Didn't Shada make the appropriate excuses for me?" Talon sported satisfied smirk and ran his hand through newly trimmed facial hair.

"She came to my dinner with plenty of excuses, like you were sleeping and she couldn't wake you."

"I didn't get more than a couple hours a night in jail. I rolled off Shada and that was all she wrote. I don't even remember her getting up."

"She didn't tell me that part, and you are a little vague on the details that made you pass out," Booster joked as Gillespee joined them.

"Booster, it's good to see you." Samuel Thomas shook his hand then turned to Talon. "Boss, what did Ven have to do to get you sprung?"

"Shada kidnapped Fey'lya's oldest grandson and there was a trade for me and Ghent. Of course, Ven told the ambassador she didn't have him. In a way, she didn't, Booster did."

"It's a good thing you two were already Fey'lya's bitter enemies so he doesn't have to add you to his list," Gillespee joked.

Nawara entered with a small delegation of Twi'leks and angled directly to them. "After my tour, I'm ready to resume my duties as first officer, since I've heard you are having trouble replacing me," he addressed Booster.

"I'm relieved to have you back and missed you terribly. You're so kriffen irreplaceable and the ship is falling apart, but you'll get it running smoothly in no time, like before. I have all the confidence in you," Booster gushed with exaggerated enthusiasm.

Talon chuckled quietly and added, "Wedge and I both failed to live up to the expertise you bring to the position of first officer. Booster told us repeatedly of your superior skills."

Nawara looked at both men, his lekku twitched and all the men, human and Twi'lek, laughed.

"Nawara, that kind of language is uncalled for," his mother admonished. "I believe they were complementing you and you call them low down liars."

"Yes, Mother. I cleaned up what I was really going to call them since you and my wife are present." He looked at her with a smile. "Booster never complements me, nor does Karrde. They bloviated on purpose because they knew I had to restrain my language and were curious how I'd respond."

Ryma understood and caught her husband laughing at her. "As his mother, I believed every word," she told Rown.

"Oh the sentiment was true," Booster admitted. "But I would never tell him so. He's cocky enough with all his accomplishments and accolades." He looked to Kur. "Sir, I hope the tour meets your expectations?"

Kur laid a lekku on Nawara's shoulder. "I've known his father since before this pup was born and he has grown into a fine Twi'lek man who glossed over the parts of the tour he was supposed to and rambled on extensively about your decorating skills. There was one room marked restricted he walked by without so much as one word, even though I asked him. Since he showed us the illicit cargo holds, it left me curious as to what he refused my request to see."

Booster weighed Kur's subtle request. "Come, I'll show you, but if you ever divulge what's behind that door, I'll space Ven and Tak and use it on your planet."

Kur measured him without emotion and looked at Rown. "Perhaps the women shouldn't come."

"I already know what's there," Jari informed him. "I'll never tell and I doubt Ryma will also when she sees it."

Talon wanted to see it again and slapped Gillespee on the shoulder. "Catch you in a bar later."


Booster unlocked the restricted door and entered and the Twi'lek's had their first look at a gigantic piece of machinery.

Kur guessed, "A weapon of some sort." His soft voice filled the silence until Nawara hit a control and the machine came to life.

Nawara punched in a sequence of numbers and the onlookers took a step back when it whined to life with colorful lights bursting forth, both from outside and within. Nawara put it through a firing simulation, something he did once a month to keep it operational and functioning. Rown watched his son expertly look at the screen and punch the correct buttons.

"Anakin Solo showed us how to work it. It's another Hammertong weapon and so far, the only one working after the Death Stars were destroyed," Nawara explained and looked at Booster to continue.

"The original Hammertong weapon was bought by the Bothan's," Booster admitted.

"Shada destroyed a critical part," Talon added.

"I'm afraid their sudden aggression means they got the weapon operational," Booster continued and looked directly at Kur. "This is the closest thing to a death star in existence and designed by the same person. What you've just been told is highly classified and only a very few people know I have it. I fear your planet might be used as an example; don't to mess with Bothans as they can destroy your homeworld."

Rown looked at his son. "And you knew all this?"

"Yes, Sire."

There was heavy silence. Nawara turned and shut the weapon down. Everyone quietly left the room, the weight of Booster's revelation hung heavy in the air and normal chatter seemed trite.

"Where haven't they been?" Booster asked Nawara as they entered the turbolift and the doors closed.

"The bridge." Nawara took Jari's hand and looked down at her while Booster gave the order to the bridge.

Booster took over and showed them his center of operations. The ship came out of hyperspace and they watched as Hassla'tak moved the ship to a new course and bearing. As soon as the signal came all messages were sent and received, he took them back into hyperspace and looked up at his audience. "When we come out of hyperspace, we'll be at Devaron, in about…" he looked at his console, "eighteen hours."

Kur looked out the black screen and spoke quietly to Nawara and Booster, "Do you have a plan for defending us?"

"We'll talk in my office." He motioned to Talon and Rown to join them.

"I need to check on the kids," Jari announced. Nawara scooped down for a kiss before following the men into the room.

Ryma looked at the now closed door. "I take it this is where the drinking and male bonding begins?"

"I knew they would rather talk where they didn't have to watch their language, although you and I have heard every word they will use."

Ryma chuckled and watched Hassla'tak take the captain's chair. "Twi'lek are treated well here?"

Jari nodded. "A large number of us work on this ship because we are treated as equals." She punched the button for the Diamond Level.

Shada, with the boys and Nana, met them in the corridor. "Want to let the kids run wild together or are you two having a private gossip session?"

"Come with us," Jari invited and Ryma nodded.

"I haven't gotten to talk with you much, but have heard all about how you helped rescue Jari and are her friend," Ryma added.

"I'm feeling neglected. After one day, Talon is favoring his best friend over me."

"It's officially called a Strategic Military Planning Session," Jari told Shada, and they all laughed as they entered Jari's suite.

"Well, we can have our own planning meeting. We need to plan how to keep our men home," Shada said.

The women drank caf instead of alcohol and visited. Shada told them about Hammertong and its capabilities.

Talon called Shada and asked what she was doing for supper.

"I was hoping my husband would take me to the finest restaurant on the Diamond Level. I just got home from Jari's and was going to take a shower."

"I'll join you." He cut the link and his long legs carried him home swiftly.


Kur was on the bridge along with Rown'ven when the Errant Venture made orbit of his planet. Nawara was in the captain's chair, while Booster and Talon holed up in his office. Talon needed privacy to direct his ships as soon has he had communication again.

"Take a high orbit, Hassla'tak," Nawara ordered. He didn't need to contact the surface for them to know the Errant Venture had arrived.

Solmari received several calls at once and was happy four other comboard operators were working. She became aware whenever Booster entered a busy planet, he had a full bridge staff, but it was her first experience under the first officer. "Errant Venture, how may I direct your call?"

"I'm Hyze'kur…." He no sooner revealed his name when Cov overheard from his station next to Solmari's.

He stole the call. "Sir, how may this great ship assist you?"

"I wish to speak to Kur."

"One moment, Sir." Cov paused the call and looked at Solmari. "When entering a planet, always familiarize yourself with notables. For example, Hyze'kur is regent when his brother is absent."

"Is the brother listed on the V.I.P. list?" Solmari was going to run him.

Cov nodded and punched the call to where Nawara was sitting, with Kur standing by the captain's chair. "Hyze'kur is calling for Kur."

Nawara put him on the main screen and spoke in ryl. "Hyze'kur, we return our leader to you."

Hyze'kur nodded. "The situation is dire. We are keeping the intruders at bay, but need reinforcements desperately. A star destroyer will make them think twice before making strafing runs against our planetary defense shields."

"I need you to drop the shields and let me enter," Kur ordered.

"When your shuttle is approaching, I will, not before," his brother replied.

"Fair enough." He cut the link on the arm of the chair and spoke to Nawara. "Didn't want him saying too much."

Solmari's next call caught her by surprise and she looked at the face of the Bothan who was asking permission to land. She'd been briefed on the way to Ryloth who the enemy was. Before she could make a move, another call was stolen from her. She looked at the next console, but Cov was taking another call. Looking around, she saw the Bothan on the mainscreen.

Kur and Rown were still by Nawara's chair and didn't move when a Bothan female filled the screen.

"Permission to land and park my hide on a barstool?" The Bothan looked directly at Nawara.

"I don't know, what with you being the enemy and all."

"If you don't clear me to land, Ven, I'll tell stories to your wife you'd rather have forgotten."

His quick smile surfaced, and Talon, who left Booster's office, muscled in. "You have anything for me, Rysa? You can beat the kriff out of Ven later, providing I get to watch."

"There is a rumor floating among the Bothan fleet that you were released and Fey'lya dropped all charges. Happy to see the rumor was true. I have information for you, but it'll cost a Hutt's ransom."

"As in information on what was sold to the Bothan military?" Talon remained vague.

She nodded.

Nawara was following the clandestine conversation. "I'm sending coordinates for you to land in the Admiral's Bay. Just don't crash into the Captain's skip or Little Karrde and you'll be fine, and remember, I know your piloting skills. I'll send a greeting committee consisting of Antilles, Janson and Celchu."

"Can't you do better than that?" Rysa complained, and enjoyed bantering with her old friend. "What about you? And where is Corran?"

"Corran's on Tatooine trying to by his own X-wing. He's optimistic and even took Whistler with him. Mirax will bring it to us in the Pulsar Skate if the deal goes through."

"I expect you to join us for a drink. I want to hear all about Pash's and Rhysati's wedding….oh, and before I forget, wear your purple jammies. Wes said he would." With a laugh, she cut the link.

"I would like to meet her." Kur just placed who this Bothan was.

Rown looked confused. "Who is she, son?"

Nawara pulled him down and whispered her identity in his ear.

Kur, who also leaned in told Rown, "I was told of a Bothan who risked much to get information about Nawar'aven to this ship."

"I will join you." Rown now put the pieces together also.

Nawara called his friend's comlinks and informed them who was landing and where.

Talon joined the Twi'lek's in the turbolift.

Booster took that moment to exit his office and Nawara jumped up. "Rysa's landing," was all he needed to say and waved for Talon to hold the lift.


Rysa finished her presentation to a packed conference room. She ended with Bothan's newest warship destroying a moon in an uninhabitable system half way to Gamorr.

Booster, who had fired his own weapon at an asteroid larger than the now space dust moon, knew they had the weapon working. Talon was speaking quietly to Odonnl, who was responding in kind. Booster looked at them. "Anything to add, Karrde?"

"One moment," Talon held his hand up, while Odonnl searched a datapad. "Got it."

Odonnl put the same Bothan ship up on the screen for all present to view. It was the identical vessel.

"We met this ship months ago when we fled Tatooine and left Solo to deal with New Republic military on their way to confiscate Hammertong from Huff Darklighter. The other ship tethered to it is the Fa-Loh-Sui, owned by…."

"Abin-Ral-Xufush, a notorious human hater," Wedge finished.

Kur and his brother Hyze'kur looked at each other, lekku communicating. Kur turned to Booster, who was at the head of the room standing behind a podium. "Do you have a plan, Captain?"

Booster looked around the room, filled with all his private military, many spouses and Karrde's complement of six ships to protect Ryloth. He knew Talon ordered all his people to attend and was still looking for the traitor. Booster doubted any of Talon's crew in the room was responsible, but if he had a spy, he would have to eliminate the obvious. "If the ship comes here, I'll take it on," he assured Kur.

The meeting broke up and Talon stood and ordered, "All my people stay."

Shada stood in the back of the room and Corran beside her. He and Mirax arrived minutes before the meeting. "I need you to feel for someone who might be our spy," she softly informed him when she asked him to stay.

Now, he was unfocused as Talon talked, feeling the emotions of each crewmember.

"…and I'll end with some interesting news," Talon stated. "Dravis did a hit on the 27th Hour Social Club. Kina is still on Coruscant, but called me. Shada, dearest, I have an announcement." All heads swiveled to look at her. "I explained to Kina if she didn't drop all charges, Dravis was just warming up and I named a few of her other interest. I told her I was willing to have the next target picked off. Ven has a copy in his office, and I one also, of the court order, and you are free to resume visits to Coruscant. Kina is a smart woman." He threw his wife a smile reserved for her. "I explained Dravis would be disappointed and as an independent, he might not listen to me or reason. I hinted a total withdrawal from legal action against Ryloth would probably stop his target practice. Ven also has her legal declaration dropping any pursuit against Ryloth."

"When did you learn all this?" Shada felt Corran looking at her and turned to him. "Yes, I might hurt him." She turned back to her husband, waiting while the crews let a ripple of mirth break the tension.

"Right before Booster's meeting. That's why I wasn't mingling beforehand." He looked around the room. "Dravis and Mazzic are putting pressure on the worlds that filed against Ryloth. So far, twelve governments and corporations have folded. That's almost half. The tough one will be the Bothan Sector. We may have to insert covert terrorism against the actual Bothans or companies pulling the strings of the government. Rysa will be information gathering on those parties or corporations. I need a private meeting with each ship before anyone leaves. All crew must be present for instructions. Dismissed."

Shada watched him maneuver through the departing crew until he was before her and Corran. He looked at Corran as his hand reached for Shada's shoulder and gave a comforting squeeze. "Well?"

Corran shook his head. "I would be surprised if it was any of them."

Talon looked grim. "They are the closest to me. Outside my trusted lieutenant's, nobody knows my business to any degree."

"Bot's information to Fey'lya was detailed. Surely your ships know what you were doing with Ghent." Corran argued.

Talon shook his head. "Only a few knew what Ghent was doing and you've cleared my crew and even Bot, didn't you?"

Corran nodded. "He was as clean as H'sishi, Annowiskri, Dankin, Chin and Odonnl. I felt no subterfuge in him or them."

"He wants to know if he can return to school." Shada was meaning to talk to Talon about his future.

Talon contemplated her statement. "I think the Bothan's are done with him and he'll avoid them like Findris Flu from now on. We might have to move the boy to a new school, any ideas?" As he talked, they left the conference room and his arm found its way across her shoulders. Corran threw them a salute and went to find his wife as she said something about taking a run of ryll.

"He doesn't have to go to a medical school for his basic education. He can do that anywhere. If we use Noghri as his bodyguards, he should be safe anyplace. I'm thinking of sending him to Coruscant as our eyes on the planet, where he can keep an eye on the Bothan Embassy and see if we can get a lead on who our spy might be."

Talon contemplated her plan. "Sounds like you've thought this through." He pulled her to him and kissed her cheek. "We know who the enemy is. Who would predict us putting our own spy close to Fey'lya, I like your plan."

"I need to lie down again." She leaned against him.

He threw a concerned look down at her, which she missed. "Are you and our daughter well?"

"Now that you're home, we're doing wonderfully." She smiled up at him. "I am resting and eating properly and have already ditched the alcohol. It's my nap time."

He grinned. "Mine too."