It was more than a week since Talon sent his ships on ryll runs, while the Errant Venture imposed its will on all unknown ships entering Ryloth's system. He met privately with each crew on the guise of imparting sensitive and classified information about Rysa, his Bothan contact. He confided her true identity to each ship's crew, altering her name each time and telling them never to tell anyone, including other's in the organization. He also stated, he was planning on hitting Bothawui with his organization to force them to halt their aggression. He told each ship the location they would meet to enter Bothan Space, again dissimulating his information. He had no intention of going to the Bothan system, leaving Dravis and his organization on the fringe of the system, monitoring ships and transmissions. He hoped his six ships housed the informant and he could quickly and efficiently remove the problem. He pondered ways of killing the informant as he made his way to the bridge to watch Ven's latest training session.

Nawara sent his wife and children to the surface to visit the Kyn's and Ven's, with impromptu visits himself when time permitted. Now, he was in the captain's chair, staring at his home world and the identity of ships entering and leaving as blips on the main screen. He decided it was a perfect time to run the newest bridge personnel through his own tests and scheduled them to be on duty. He rose and limped halfway down the catwalk and looked into the pit, holding back a smile at what he saw. The new employees Booster hired tried to look busy, making Nawara's pink eyes twinkle at their efforts.

Talon leaned against the rail beside him. "Anything yet?"

"I got a call half an hour ago…so soon."

Solmari glanced up over her shoulder and saw the first officer talking quietly to Talon Karrde. Since he resumed duties as first officer; he had an interview with each of them. She remembered being summoned to his office a few days before.

"Please sit." The first officer motioned to a chair, while keeping his eyes on his datapad.

"You wanted to see me?" She remembered asking as she sank into the offered seat.

He raised his head, alien red eyes frightening her to the core as he spoke. "Forget any designs you have on the captain. Also, special friends of the captain and myself are off limits unless you wish a visit from me in the middle of the night. Feel free to ask around about me. You will find I'm the enforcer on this vessel. My word is law. Perform your duties satisfactorily and you'll have a job. If I don't like you or your performance, you will be dropped on the first planet we orbit. Consider this your interview; please return to your station."

"I was given this job by Captain Terrik and I'll leave when he says so." She knew now was the time to set ground rules, and wasn't letting this Twi'lek first officer push her around, either in employment or personal life. She personally considered aliens inferior to humans and felt superior to this Twi'lek First Officer. "Captain Terrik likes what he sees in me, if you know what I mean. You wouldn't want your BOSS unhappy with you for ruining his leisure time." Her plan to put the first officer in his place failed miserably when his razor sharp teeth were spotted in a huge grin before he threw his head back and laughed.

"I've seen more action on this ship than he has and I'm married to the only employee I've dallied with. You better be very good at your post, as Ryloth is always looking for humans to work the ryll dens, IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN. You are dismissed." He held her stare until she dropped her gaze and scurried off.

Solmari was sure she peed herself leaving his office. Back at her station, she deliberated on his warning. Not having much contact with many Twi'lek's, she didn't want to encounter him in the dark of night or be kidnapped and disappear forever, servicing Twi'leks in drug dens. She'd heard stories of what the Hutts did to human women who looked like her and saw her chance to escape possible slavery in Hutt Space when Booster brought his ship to her planet. Now she didn't want to be abandoned on another Outer Rim planet.

She knew her attempts to be noticed did just that, but to the wrong person. She focused on her job as a call came in. "Errant Venture, this is the Pride of Darklighter requesting permission to land."

"Hold on, Pride of Darklighter." She quickly ran the vessel through her V.I.P. log. Nothing. She ran the name through all databases and still a blank. Never had this happened to her before and she turned to the officer in charge of approving and directing traffic on and off the ship. "Albron, a ship not in our database wants to land. I'm turning it over to you." There she was off the hook.

Albron, another new hire, double-checked the communication officer's information and she was correct. "Vessel, Pride of Darklighter, who is your captain?"

"I'm Huff Darklighter, captain of this ship. How come I'm not onboard already?"

Albron quickly ran his name and again drew a blank.

Solmari was taking another call while Albron was busy. "Errant Venture, how may I direct your call?"

A Devaronian male flicked his long tongue at her. "I have an issue with Captain Terrik. Put him on."

"Captain Terrik is unavailable. Perhaps the first officer can assist you?" She held her revulsion in and smiled politely.

"No." The link was cut and the small vessel promptly did a strafing run down the side of the ship setting warning sirens off and another bridge officer was shouting for shields and return of fire.

"Shields are inoperable," the frightened voice of the newest officer to operate that station all but screeched, his tone several octaves higher than normal. "And no crew are manning the ion cannons. He looked to where Ven and Karrde had been standing, but they were gone. As soon as the action started, both relocated to Nawara's office and were looking at the monitors directed into the pit.

A third vessel popped out of hyperspace and started making demands. Nawara watched his new bridge crew while Talon helped himself to a glass of whiskey.

Solmari took the third call, while her station lit up with many calls, both incoming and outgoing. Ignoring anything outbound, she took an incoming call. To her dismay, it was Leader Kur asking in ryl, what, she had no idea. Just as fast, an emergency call with the proper codes came in and she wished she wasn't alone on communications. Huff Darklighter was still demanding to know why he was being ignored and Kur was annoying by his continued chatter in a language she didn't understand and didn't have time to put through the translator. A white haired woman was on the emergency override channel stating she needed to talk to Wedge Antilles or Tycho Celchu immediately. The third vessel was now screaming at her and the second vessel coming around for another run and looked to be aiming at the bridge. Her busiest day in Hutt Space was slow compared to what was being thrown at her and uncontrollable panic made thinking all but impossible. She was aware the officers around her were issuing orders and the inflections in their voices conveyed terror.

Nawara watched his officers and accepted the offered glass. He saw Solmari mute Darklighter and laughed, as did Talon. She told the third vessel to wait for landing instructions and handed the ship off to the correct station. Her next choice was to contact Wedge and patch Winter through. Finally, she translated Kur's demands and responded. "Sir, I apologize for the wait, one moment please while I transfer you to the first officer." Nawara's comlink beeped and he took the call.

"And how is your little test progressing?" Kur flashed his teeth. Nawara had put him on the holoscreen and could see Booster sitting in Kur's office, and they could view Talon in his.

He sported his own razor toothed grin. "Perfect, they panicked for a moment then started pulling it together. They managed to get shields working, but I kept the cannons locked with my code that only Booster can override. They weren't able to override and blow Lord Manos to Corellia's Nine Hells before his meeting with you….pity." Nawara paused. "You were put behind an emergency call to Antilles. I believe you own him a bottle."

Kur grimaced. "I was sure my position rated ahead of an emergency for Antilles. He'll not let me live it down."

"I'll mess with Solmari and tell her you insist she be sent to the ryll dens for making you lose a bet to Antilles." Both Twi'lek's chuckled.

Talon smiled, but stayed out of the conversation until Kur turned his gaze to him.

"Talon'karrde, I just got confirmation, the planet, Cathar, dropped all charges. Mazzic sent two ships and bombed their main spaceport and in particular the warehouses where weapons sent from Nolaa were stored."

"How many planets have ceased their aggression?" Talon was losing count, as daily, more were added.

"All but the Bothan's and Tatooine."

Nawara interjected, "Huff Darklighter agreed to be part of my test. I may have mentioned having Corran return with his X-wing and drop a bomb into his courtyard. He's here to speak with you. I'll give him an escort as it's time for another conjugal visit."

Kur laughed, then got back to Darklighter. "What's Darklighter's title on Tatooine?"

"He's the elected Prefect. He'll hold the post for five years. Only humans can hold the position and it's usually traded among the moisture farmers. They've only held any real power after Jabba was killed."

"Do you know why Tatooine filed charges of lost revenue? I spoke personally with Cale'ven and he was surprised as only a few shipments of weapons made it to the underworld at Mos Eisley. He claimed they were delivered to Valarian, the Whiphid crime lord. He told me he never went near her establishment."

"He must be smarter than he looks," Nawara commented, drawing a smile from Kur.

"Yes, your brother does greatly resemble you."

Talon chuckled and drained his glass before speaking. "I don't believe Valarian will come out of the shadows and risk her business to be made public by going to Coruscant and attend a trial. Darklighter is probably here on her behalf. May I attend the meeting?"

Kur nodded and cut the link.


Talon came awake and was out of bed reaching for his blaster. He looked around, attempting to collect his bearings. Willing his breathing to return to normal, he sank onto his side of the bed.

"Lights up. That nightmare again?" As usual, he woke her and she called for lighting to see if he were distressed.

He settled back beside her and took her groping hand. "I wish I could remember them. There is a woman alone in a cave and she's killed by what looks to be a lightsaber. I'm sure it's not you, but can't rule it out. Having spies this close to you and the boys have brought the nightmares back. I used to have them all the time when I was younger, unsure of my destiny and trying to be the biggest, badest smuggler. They went away when you married me."

She knew opening up was still hard for him after almost five years of marriage. "What are we going to do for our fifth?" She tried to change the subject.

"Whatever you want." He rolled on his side, exchanging her hand for a soft breast. After a few caresses, he slid it down to rest on her stomach. "Partly why I retired again was to cater to you. We haven't had enough time together; just the two of us."

She smiled into his eyes. "How many times have we made vows for date nights or vacations and worked instead?"

He sighed. "More than I care to remember. What are we going to do for the boy's birthday? And for the record, I'm sorry I didn't make it home before you fell asleep tonight."

"And I'm sorry I missed the meeting with Darklighter. I make him nervous for some reason." She ended in a soft laugh, which her husband shared.

"He asked about you."

"I bet...he want to know if I'm still alive?"

Talon chortled, "He heard you were with child again. He likes kids; his only positive attribute as far as I can see, and wished us well. Then we got down to business in Kur's office. As expected, Valarian sent him to negotiate. Kur agreed to one shipment of ryll. I offered to send my ships and level the Lucky Despot, but Kur wanted the Twi'leks on Tatooine treated well. He was more interested in them than Valarian's threats. He knows Darklighter doesn't like non-humans and was concerned."

"Did you get a read on how Huff will treat his non-human citizens?" Shada basked in the gentle rubbing of her stomach and closed her eyes, relaxing into the mattress.

Talon called out, "Lights off." The room pitched into semi-darkness. Their side of the ship was towards the sun and even with opaque blinds down, light penetrated in the form of smoky outlines of the viewports. "Kur asked him outright his treatment of Twi'lek's. Huff's no fool and assured him they were welcome in the communities, but he didn't want them owning farms and reminded Kur it was against the law for non-humans to own moisture farms."

"Huff may not be a fool, but he's a jerk." Shada was getting drowsy again.

"Huff stated after Jabba's crime syndicate days, the population voted to restrict certain business ventures of aliens. Seems like Valarian follows local protocols and is given leeway in her underworld activities. The humans are worried there will be a surge of Twi'leks and other heat loving species flood in and take over the planet and change the laws. Kur could see he wasn't budging Huff on that issue and said he would be sending representatives from Ryloth to sit in on council meetings and report directly back to him any mistreatment or complaints and suggested Tatooine wasn't in the position of an all-out war. Darklighter wasn't overjoyed, but Kur softened the blow by suggesting trade agreements and allowing his Twi'lek colonist to operate businesses from Tatooine as an extension of Ryloth."

"Sounds like Kur had this in mind all along," Shada murmured.

Talon could tell she was almost asleep and finished, "Valarian gets a shipment of ryll and Tatooine revenue from tariffs and taxes and Ryloth has a foothold to the planet. Kur outsmarted Huff, but he won't realize it for years."

"And you did?"

He smiled into the dark. "Let's just say, I don't think Kur would ever try that tact with me." He started to drift off and listened to Shada's quiet breathing when his commlink buzzed. "Karrde," he answered and felt Shada perk up as she stirred and rolled to face him.

Booster's voice boomed into the stillness. "Karrde, a fleet of Bothan ships just popped out of hyperspace. I believe your Hammertong ship is one of them."

That brought Talon back out of bed and he heard Shada gasp just loud enough for him to pick up. "Be right there." He threw the commlink on the bed and reached for the clothes he just took off. He looked around and Shada was also throwing on comfortable clothing. He kept his gaze on her, always enjoying that activity. She forgo her customary one-piece jumpsuit in favor of a looser tunic. In the turbolift, he had just enough time to communicate his concerns. "I regret sending the Wild Karrde on a ryll run. If it were here, I could get you and the boys to safety."

"We live a precarious life. You can't shelter us and you know we'll never be a normal family, like the Stollic's."

At the thought of the older, portly couple, Talon chuckled and took her hand. Bringing it to her lips, he kissed her knuckles. "I consider them our personal success story. We took stagnant predictability and transformed them into halfway interesting people." The door to the bridge opened and they were all business.


Nawara and Rown left the meeting with Booster and Talon at Kur's office in the hall of ancients. Nawara flew his X-wing and planned visiting his wife and kits, now staying at his family's warren. The men entered the foyer to the smells of cooking meat.

"Daddy," Ryman called and ran to her father, arms outstretched.

Nawara scooped her up and saw mom following holding the baby. He looked at his father with a smug grin. "You do not know the joys of an all-female family."

"It's not too late to kill you and your brother and find out," Rown joked back.

"You two are impossible." Ryma overheard as she joined them and smiled when Rown threw her a wink and they went into the living area, leaving the younger Ven's alone.

Ryman started fussing and latched her mouth onto Nawara's shoulder.

"Ouch," he pulled her back. "Cutting teeth I see."

"She's been crying all day….here." Jari handed him a teething toy.

"How bout a kiss to go with my toy."

Jari complied and broke off, speaking softly, "Your mother is breaking important news to your father."

"Going to share with me?" He squeezed Amilla's hand, bringing a smile to both of them, for she recognized Daddy and he knew it.

"No, Ryma wants to show you." She led the way to the commodious living area with its many comfortable sofas and chairs.

Nawara saw his parents at the data console and stayed back, but close enough to see and hear. His mother was pointing to something. He looked closer and smiled. On the holoscreen was the record of unions. Under V's was Cale'ven married to Sienna'tak. He looked at the date. Two days ago. "No wonder I haven't seen little lek."

"I want you to propose a change, where we have actual marriage ceremonies like normal planets," Ryma told her husband with her serious, you better do as I say look. "You are a member of the leading council; propose the change."

Rown looked at Nawara, who grinned back. "I see no support from you, firstborn."

"I liked my marriage to Jari just fine. We recorded the event and got to the most important part."

Ryma turned and smacked his stomach. "I think a nice ceremony with family and friends would be lovely. You could have gotten to the marriage bed after the party."

"I did that with Rhysati. The only difference was the time it took to get to the most important part." Nawara smiled down at his mother.

"You had no family at that wedding ceremony," his mother grumbled and turned the screen off.

"You and momma Tak already planning the gathering?" Rown asked as they went to supper.

"Of course, we began long ago," she stated as she took his arm. "I'm sad that this is almost our last wedding and want our remaining daughter to have a real ceremony."

Rown laughed and glanced at the younger couple following. "In a few years Ryman will be getting married." He ended in a wink to his son.

"You will be drying out in the Bright Lands when my little girls are old enough, ere I allow let a lecherous Twi'lek or any species near them," Nawara growled, playing the game.

"Did I tell you, Terrik Karrde kissed Ryman." Jari just remembered.

Nawara rounded on her, still holding the object of their discussion. "I'll have words with the father, or just plant a vibroblade in his heart."

Jari smiled. "I thought it was cute."

"There is nothing 'cute' about a Karrde," Nawara thundered as they entered the luxurious dining area. He sat Ryman in her high chair and kissed her growing lekku. "I'm the only male allowed to kiss you." He sat beside his daughter. "You promise to tell Daddy if a boy kisses you?"

She smiled and nodded.

Rown chuckled, "By the time she's fifteen, your list will be long." He reached for the platter of Rycrit.


Nawara dozed beside his wife, content with her pressed against his side after days apart. As they went to bed, she teased him about all she could teach their daughters on how to pleasure a man.

"You have to show me everything you'd teach them, so I approve," he murmured against her lips, hands and lekku already stimulating her to respond.

He woke when he heard the main console beeping an incoming call and soon his father was answering. Rown pounded on his door. "Nawara, Bothan's are here."

Nawara jumped up, pushing Jari off him harder than he intended. "Sorry," he spoke softly, then louder, "Have the spaceport clear my X-wing."

"Okay." Rown left to make the call.

Nawara ran through the wide passageways instead of waiting for an airtaxi. His craft was readied and a ladder pushed against the side. Several young Twi'lek males were loitering for a glimpse of the most famous pilot of their species. They weren't disappointed as they watched a pre-flight warmup and the X-wing lift gracefully and float past the portcullises and veer upwards and out of sight.

Nawara flew towards space and made a call to the defense station. "This is Nawar'aven, please lower the shields so I can get out."

"This is Lycan'tak, Nawar'aven, we'll join you at your location and enter in space together."

"I'll be waiting, uncle," Nawara laughed the uncle moniker out.

"I heard my niece was defiled by a Ven," Lacan retorted in the same jovial spirit. He turned serious, "Are you leading my unit or joining your own?"

"Wedgean'tilles is leading my fighters. I'd be honored to lead home forces."

"Good, they've been wanting to fly with you. Hear that leks, our leader is E.V. One."

"All fighter units, this is Ryloth Defense, shields dropping on my mark. They will remain down for ten seconds, good luck." A few seconds later, the fighters were in space on an intercept course with the four Bothan cruisers.

Nawara swallowed hard when he saw the lead vessel. It was the one who loaded the Hammertong weapon in the Blenjeel System two years before. He had viewed Karrde's holorecording until memorized. He saw fighters pouring from the belly of the Errant Venture and soon had Wedge on comlink, which was being monitored by everyone on their side. "What's our strategy?"

Wedge took stock of the fighters from the planet and his while he planned. "Split into manageable groups. We have me, Tycho, Wes, Corran and you for group leaders. We'll use colors and..." there was a pause where Nawara interjected.

"Lycan'tak is here and can lead a group."

"Great, that makes six groups and we have exactly twenty-four fighters. My group will be Red Group. Tycho's Blue, Wes' Gold, Corran's Green, Lycan'tak's Black and Ven's White. Ven, Tak, Janson, Horn, you'll lead the Rylothean fighter groups. Take a moment to form up on the leaders," Wedge ordered, and soon six groups were in tight formation, learning to fly together. The Twi'lek's were excited to finally face their nemesis, although only three were chosen to go with the great Nawar'avan.

"I take it we're shooting to destroy?" Nawara did his own calculations where his Ryloth fighters would be most effective.

"One shot with the Hammertong and your pilots may not have a home to return to." Wedge's severe tenor told Nawara just how serious it was.

"I flew with Gold Wing against the second death star," Nawara spoke softly, almost to himself as he had flashbacks of the battle over Endor.

"And I flew down its throat," Wedge muttered just as inaudibly, but all listening heard the dread in their tones in engaging another weapon powerful enough to take out an entire planet with just one blast. Suddenly, the thrill of combat diminished.


Booster was sitting at his post in the captain's seat, monitoring everyone. He called his senior officers to the bridge and they in turn ordered their people to assist and learn.

Solmari was with the communications clutch, standing as unobtrusively as possible in the pit. Cov was at her station and it was her first taste of a real battle, as the Bothan ships positioned themselves around the mighty star destroyer. She looked around for the first officer at the secondary battle command station. It was empty and she wondered if Hassla'tak would take over if the captain were incapacitated. She saw someone rushing to the seat and watched as the Captain's daughter, Mirax Horn, settled into the position to monitor weapons and ship's functions. Solmari's eyes kept sweeping and she spotted Talon Karrde and his wife join the captain and couldn't stop herself from admiring his toned physic and dashing features.

"Message coming in for you, Captain," Cov was speaking into the speakers on the armchair console. Normally, he would just holler out of the pit, but not during times of aggression where everyone was talking at once and issuing orders. "It's from the Bothan military vessel identified as the Kaagan."

Booster punched a button on his armrest and a multi-patterned male Bothan appeared.

"Captain Terrik, I presume?"

Booster gave one nod.

"Bothawui has no quarrel with your fine ship, but we are here because an act of war was committed against our system by malevolent Twi'lek's."

Booster almost laughed and felt Talon shaking quietly beside him. "I have many Twi'lek's working for me. Are they also wicked?" His side screens indicated many Bothan fighters from all four ships launched, outnumbering his and Ryloth's fighters, three to one.

Talon rushed to the pit and leaned over Cov's shoulder. He spoke quietly and soon Cov had a secure connection. "Karrde to Dravis."

Dravis appeared almost immediately. "Been waiting for your call. I take it the Bothan's have arrived?"

"They have. You know what to do and you'll only have one chance, good luck." Talon cut the link before it could be traced, even though Ghent set the security for communications up on this ship. He hustled back to Booster's side, where Shada hadn't moved.

She watched the Bothan admiral give her continuous stares, as if he'd never seen a human female before.

"….afraid I must assist my friends," Talon overheard Booster explain.

Another holo-image came to life as Kur joined the discussion from his office on the planet.

"I'm not letting you fire on this planet. As members of the New Republic, there are proper channels for airing complaints." Kur tried reasoning and that allowed Booster to sweep his gaze to the side screens that showed the movements of Bothan ships. It gave his crews time to man their stations at the turbolasers and ion cannons.

The Bothan sneered at Kur, showing his considerable fangs and sharp teeth. "You have refused all attempts to settle this amicably. My government won't allow strafing attacks by pirates that was so successful on lesser worlds. We are waiting for them."

Talon fought to keep his face devoid of expression and hoped he hadn't sent Dravis to his doom.

"Last chance, Kur." The Bothan captain looked smug, like he was holding high sabaac.

Kur sadly shook his head. "All planets have backed down except Bothawui. I have reports that the government was never involved, just a few corporations. Does Bothawui take its orders from private companies?"

Kur's astute observation angered the Bothan and he snarled, "Pay for the theft of funds from our banks or feel the might of my weapon."

Booster felt the stiffening of those around him at the famous words spoken so long ago and decided to join the discussion. "Do you know what weapon I carry?" Years of negotiating taught him how to control his emotions. He knew Karrde, standing to his right, exuded the same expression and stance.

The Bothan faltered, looked at Booster and again at Shada. Without another word, he motioned with a furred hand. A human male was led into the viewscreen and he spoke one last time. "We have more than a planet killer on our ship."

Shada gasped and took one step to the screen, only stopped by her husband's hand on her shoulder.

Talon's eidetic memory caused his eyes to widen and he heard the Bothan commander order the weapon powered up and aimed at Ryloth; discussions at an end as the screen went first blank then back to showing the prostrating vessels. From a great distance, as shock almost overpowered him, he heard Booster thunder for his own weapon to be powered up.

"Not this close to the planet," was Talon's first words when his brain started functioning again.

Shada whirled on the men. "You can't destroy that ship."

Booster didn't give her a glance as he issued orders for the fighters to engage.

"I'm going to that ship." Shada turned and ran to the turbolift.

There was a collective gasp when the shot of a blaster pierced the large command area. Booster paused his orders as his head cranked towards the blast. He saw Talon and the now prone form of Shada.

Talon looked dazed as he holstered his blaster.