"What did Captain Terrik mean by another D'ukal?" Quinn laid a hand on Talon's shoulder, halting the two steps he made in returning to his wife's side.
Talon's eyes scanned his crew and they were all waiting for his explanation, and Quinn's reaction to the revelation two of his brothers yet lived. "What evidence were you given that all your family perished?" Talon decided to ignore the obvious smiles on his crewmembers faces.
"They showed me holographs. I'll live with the massacre forever and harbor guilt for being the only survivor," Quinn admitted and missed the silent mirth rolling around him.
"Were all your brother's identified visually?" Talon wanted to laugh with joy that another uncle for his children lived, but kept his expression glowering.
Quinn thought and slowly shook his head. "Zed and Thade were not in the holos, but I was informed their bodies were in the refresher."
"And no holographs?" Talon questioned as he threw a smirk to the shorter man, changing his expression from austere to almost amiable. "The Mistryl's were making you suffer on one hand and on the other spared you the holos of two dead brothers, how kind of them."
Quinn's eyes widened at the revelation his brothers were most likely alive. Before he could speak, Talon looked down at his sons, content in their father's protective arms.
"Hey boys, Uncles Zed and Thade are coming here."
Quinn watched the little ones smile and hug their daddy, obviously aware who their uncles were.
Dankin chuckled and clasped a hand on Quinn's shoulder. "Shada will be beside herself to see you." His smile slipped and he looked at Talon. "Why isn't Shada here?"
Talon quickly replied, "Not in front of peat and repeat. She's sleeping in sickbay...where I might have accidently put her." Talon saw Dankin and Company throw him surprised looks.
Chin groaned, "Please tell us we're not in for a repeat last time uncles were involved, and you stayed drunk for three months."
Before Talon could formulate his small lie, Quinn spoke.
"I saw Shada on the bridge of this ship before the connection was severed. She knew I was on that ship. What happened, Talon?"
With his people still hovering, Talon knew he better offer up an explanation, but didn't want the boys to know he shot Mommy. They were old enough at almost four to understand. "Please, the kids. I'll tell you all later. Right now, I need to get Quinn to Shada and the boys to Nana." He singled Dankin and Chin from the pack with his eyes. "Take the boys and tell Nana what they did and she's not to let them near her neck."
"Should I instruct her to use lethal force?" Chin joked as he took Terrik from Talon's arms.
Talon sighed, "Surely she can handle two small boys. I'm complaining to Calrissian."
Dankin laughingly retorted to Chin as they carted the children to the Emberlene Suite, "Two Karrde and D'ukal hybrid children, not exactly normal human offspring and soon to be a third if the rumors are true."
Chin was heard to respond before they were out of earshot. "Kinda like saying the Solo and Vader spawn are normal, same difference."
Talon closed the Wild Karrde up and knew by the way his crew were hurrying to the lifts that a bar was their next destination, before Booster decided they needed to do more rescue work.
Talon nodded to the physician to wake his wife up. Upon entering the large area with many beds, he slipped into the one by Shada's side and took up the hand holding position he had assumed throughout the battle. He looked at Quinn's proximity and motioned him to stand back. On the way to sickbay, he filled Quinn in on his automatic reaction. He omitted the time they separated over the D'ukal clan. He would let Shada fill her uncle in.
The first sensation Shada felt upon regaining consciousness was a general numbness and burning pain in her upper back. She tried to remember what happened and drew a blank. Her first memory was of her uncle and the rest rushed into their proper place; they were fighting Bothan's over Ryloth and Quinn was on the other ship somehow. Opening her eyes, she let them slowly focus on the ceiling. She knew this room, sickbay on the Errant Venture. Familiar warmth in one hand told her someone was close and attempting comfort. Training kicked in and she knew a stun blast due to having experienced several in her life. Now the burning question; who shot her? Her large brown eyes shifted to the side without turning her head.
Talon smiled, "Good to have you back with us, dearest."
"Only one person was in position to shoot me."
Talon paled a little and she caught his guilty eyes before he shifted them sideways.
"I can explain."
She half chuckled and moaned at the same time as sore back muscles protested. "You taking explaining lessons from Solo? You sound just like him when he's trying to talk himself out of a screaming match with Leia."
"I was more scared you would turn and put a needle in me or anyone who verbally tried to restrain you. Shields were up, you couldn't get off the ship anyway and I didn't want to distract Booster with a typical Solo style fight on his bridge. Normally he would thrive on such a fight, but not when his ship is being destroyed."
She quietly let his explanation sink in. She knew he felt horrible for his actions and was worried, as his usually stoic expressions were open for her to read, complete with pleading in his pale eyes. She had flashbacks on acting before thinking and the pain it caused them and their sons. Thinking quickly, she decided no harm was done, other than her uncle was most likely dead. Coming so close, just to lose another beloved uncle couldn't stop the tears she had no control over trickle into her hair. She felt a vice grip around her hand and the other stroking her brow while she wondered if they would ever know how he came to be on that ship. She vowed, from now on, Bothans were her enemies.
"I'm sorry I hurt you, but the baby is fine." Talon's soft tone brought her back to the present and his head was next to hers on the pillow and tone gravely, like he was withholding his own grief.
Her hand went automatically to her womb and she felt the growing bump, assuring for herself the truth of his words.
Talon lifted his head. "We going to be okay?" he whispered.
She nodded, "Wasn't like you didn't owe me a sucker punch."
"I did not owe you that. I must have missed and scrambled your brains. In this marriage, we have no score cards." He smiled and added into her ear, "Outside the bedroom that is, and we are coming upon that special time when you need me."
Her hand went to his hair and she combed her fingers into the long locks until she had a handful and she tugged his head so their eyes were inches apart. "I was going to tell you to prepare and get yourself a bottle from the Green Room."
His eyes widened. "It's starting?"
She nodded, eyes twinkling at the unmitigated joy in his eyes and wide grin.
"But we're going to start with a full body massage. You do owe me that," she reminded him of why she was in sickbay.
"Do we have any….you know?" He didn't want to say duromilk aloud.
"Not much."
"I'll get some before tonight," he promised softly. He sat up and let his tone return to normal. "About your uncle." He saw her tears start to flow again and let his gaze shift to where Quinn had given them some privacy. "I don't think he's worth crying over."
"Talon." Shada reached out and gave his arm a slap.
"I would agree with Talon." Quinn moved swiftly to the bed and watched his niece gasp and hold her arms out. He held her for a long time while she cried into his shoulder.
Talon held her hand, his mind already returning to the battle and wondering how it went. Talon couldn't take the inactivity any longer and rose with a murmur he was finding the doctor to release her. He found the droid treating minor injuries from those injured when the ship was tossed about. "I need you to release my wife."
The droid finished and without a word, moved to patient D'ukal/Karrde, as she was listed in his records. He sat her up and scanned the injured back. "You are discharged. Any trouble breathing or with the fetus, please return." He handed her a vial of painkiller and issued terse instructions and told her she was discharged.
"Wow, a formal discharge." Shada let both men help her to her feet. With a smile to her uncle, she explained. "Usually we just slip out against doctor's orders."
Talon leaned down and kissed her cheek. "You two have years of catching up. I need to find Booster and see how much trouble I'm in for ditching him with the exchange of first fire." He started to leave and spun around. "Oh, before I forget, your sons had an adventure. I'll let you grill them for details." He smiled and made his escape.
"My sons," Shada muttered as she took her uncle's arm. "Why do I see years of my son, your son in my future?"
Quinn chuckled as they slowly made to the turbolift. "I saw your sons. They are beautiful, but seemed to have escaped from their nanny."
"Oh dear," was her only reply.
Wedge allowed the enemy fighters to land on the two remaining Bothan ships, and ordered his fighters to form up in two groups and circled the Bothan freighters, careful to remain out of range of the massive turbo cannons. Kur ordered them to cease fire, but remain alert as he agreed to an extension for Bothawui's decision. Ryloth spaceport asked for a list of casualties and Wedge heard Nawara tell Lycan'tak to do the honors.
It was a somber moment as silence permeated the defense center. Kur, his brother, Hyze by his side, listened to the five names. Standing behind them were Rown and Jari, anxiously awaiting and dreading news of Nawara.
Kur glanced at them and responded, "Any word on the fighters off the Errant Venture?"
Nawara's voice was heard. "This is Ven; we lost one and had a couple damaged badly enough for the pilots to eject."
Rown and Jari hugged at his voice, Jari couldn't stop the tears and Rown chuckled softly, relief his son lived as he pressed a handkerchief into her hands and held her to him.
Nawara continued, "All forces are patrolling. We will remain on defense of Ryloth until ordered down, then I'll return to my ship."
Kur answered for everyone, "Nawar'aven, it's a pleasure to hear you survived. Your father and wife are present. Any message for them?"
"Only, I'll see them when duty permits." Nawara wanted nothing more than to land and hold his wife, but loyalty was to his ship.
Booster's voice broke in, "All fighters, the ships are moving, heads up."
Wedge was next, "Ven, take the Ryloth fighters and secure the Manda'bui. All Errant Venture fighter, form up on me and we'll escort the Hanoon from the system. Looks like they are leaving.
Kur received a top priority message from Bothawui and took it in the Defense commander's office. He returned swiftly with a huge grin. "We got all we asked for….no demands from them."
"Who do we have to thank for that?" Rown asked.
"If I was a betting man…and I am," Kur replied, "I'd say the Smuggler's Alliance."
The commander of Ryloth's defenses spoke up, "The Bothan ships have jumped." There was cheering around the commodious room, accompanied by claps and jigs.
The turbolift doors opened for Talon upon his escape from sickbay, and he found Booster inside. Joining him, he looked surprised. "I was just coming to the bridge to lend my vast experience fighting legitimate governments."
"You missed the war, it's over." Booster remembered to punch in his override code so as not to be bothered by more unwelcome stops, although he was glad Talon was functional again. "I'm going to welcome our fighter's home."
"I saw a couple escorted into medi when I left Shada with her uncle."
"We lost one pilot and had a couple eject. I don't need the expense of replacing fighters to keep Ven happy right now," Booster grumbled as the doors opened into docking bay 15.
"Small price to pay for saving this ship," Talon reminded him.
Mirax was already waiting as the first X-wings broke the magcon field. To her disappointment, it was the newest fighter's Nawara worked with. She knew the more experienced pilots were still patrolling and waited impatiently. She felt her father's arm circle her shoulders and pull her in for a hug. "The feeling never leaves, Dad. Every time he's flying a fighter in battle, I worry." Her stomach was tied in knots and her fists were now gripping her father's large hand that was securely on her shoulder. She saw Talon, standing quietly and took this moment to ask, "What in Corellia's Nine Hells were you thinking?"
Talon let a small smile play about his lips, "Spicing the marriage up. Shada told me I was becoming boring predictability."
Mirax raised her eyebrows. "And the man?"
"Oh him….well…." Talon drawled, "He's another uncle."
Mirax suddenly smiled. "Just when I thought life was becoming boring…what with all of us raising kids and peace in the galaxy, sort of, along comes another uncle with I'm sure a fascinating story. I'm putting together a woman's night out to hear it." She looked at her father. "Dad, I need you to take the ship coreward to meet up with our friends."
Booster was speechless and heard Talon laughing. "I'll see if Kur can spare us," he deadpanned, still not quite believing he was requested to relocate for a party. "You realize I'm not going to Coruscant?"
"I'll find us an alternate planet." Mirax pulled his head down for a rare kiss to his cheek before turning back to the magcon.
Nawara was next and they watched him settle in his spot and start his shutdown procedure. Soon all the ex-Rogues were in berths doing the same. Nawara stopped just long enough to state, "I'll get on the damage, Booster."
Booster nodded; happy his first officer was back and taking charge of the ship. He watched his daughter rush into Corran's arms before returning to the bridge.
Talon finally had all the information he was seeking about the ill-fated Bothan attack. He remembered his wife's request, as if he could forget, and made his last stop the Green Room. He bought the potion and looked at the adult toys for humans before leaving. Standing outside the door were Moranda and Plakhmirakh; the former with her arms folded across her chest.
"Karrde, a rumor reached us, while we were rescuing your spawn; you were trying to kill their mother!"
Talon's face morphed into a slight grimace accompanied by a shrug. "All is well and we have another uncle to add to the family." He filled them in on what transpired and ended with, "I haven't gotten the details on my sons. If you don't want me to shoot both of you here in the Black Level, where your bodies won't be moved for days, give me a reason not to."
Moranda chuckled as they slowly moved towards a turbolift. "We were taking advantage of security manning the cannons to explore the bowls of this fine ship. It was as you suspected, several beings onboard were doing the same. I have holographs for Terrik." She took her commlink and transferred the images to Talon's own unit.
He stopped in the corridor to look at who onboard wished to harm Booster or his vessel. "Good work. I didn't tell Booster what you were doing; let him think you were one of these. That way, no accidental comment to the wrong individual tipped anyone off." He put his commlink away and continued down the corridor, shortening his long strides so the others could keep up. "Now back to my sons."
Moranda answered, while Plakhmirakh issued his own low laugh. "We were done and returning back to my quarters when we saw them, walking hand in hand not far from here. There were several beings between us and your sons, and we had to push through the throng, trying not to lose sight of them. Plakhmirakh went ahead, slipping through bodies effortlessly." She looked at her small companion, "Tell the boss what you heard."
"I was almost to your firstsons, when a large, smelly human grabbed firstborn, D'ukal and said, 'These two are too well dressed for this level. I bet they are lost and the parents will pay dearly to have them back.' D'ukal, to his credit, punched the man in the nose, while Terrik kicked his shin."
Talon smiled, but let them continue.
Plakhmirakh didn't pause, but recounted what happened next. "A second human, the companion of the one with D'ukal, grabbed Terrik by the scruff of his neck and yarded him back, making the boy cry out in pain as he was slammed into the wall. That human is in the morgue. I was more careful with the one holding your eldest."
"About that time, I arrived and got a swift kick to his shins." Moranda added her own minuscule part. "It wasn't much, but he turned his attention from Plakhmirakh to me, giving short stuff here a chance to snatch D'ukal from his arms and place a stiletto in his ribs. If you want us to finish him off, just say so."
"I understand he's in bacta. I'll pay him a visit and decree his fate." Talon pushed the button and they entered a turbolift. "How did Booster end up with the boys?"
"I called the bridge, where I thought you were," Moranda answered. "I got some bubblehead named Solmari I found out later, who told me you were indisposed, but not where you or Shada were. Then she had the audacity to cut the link with a warning not to call back. Can I have Plakhmirakh scare her?" Moranda pleaded.
Talon grinned and hit the override to the bridge. "Sure, how about right now." He motioned for her to continue.
"We asked the boys if they were hurt and they shook their heads, but were crying and asking for Mommy and Daddy. We made the choice to track you or Shada down. I knew the code to get us on the bridge, so that's where we went. The skirmish had just ended and the boys ran to Booster and climbed into his lap. He looked over, expecting to see the nanny. I quickly told him what happened and he said he'd find you and return your baggage."
"He found me and did just that." Talon looked to see who was in the captain's chair as the doors opened. Nawara was occupying the big chair. They sidled up to him and Talon threw an arm across the back of the chair, leaned over and whispered. Nawara looked over into the pit and nodded. Talon motioned to Plakhmirakh and silently the Noghri made his way to the communications console Solmari was manning. She was sitting at the second station when a call came to her.
"Errant Venture, how may I direct your call?" she spoke to an older Twi'lek woman. Suddenly a knife was punched into the button her finger just vacated. Not knowing anyone was near her console; she jumped and screamed at the row of needle sharp teeth near her cheek, and was looking into the eyes of the scariest being she'd ever seen.
From her position at the family holoconsole, Ryma'Ven laughed. "Plakhmirakh, how delightful to see you again. Up to your normal tricks, I see. I'm calling Nawara with the guest list for a party tomorrow night and you and Moranda are on it. I trust you can come?"
Plakhmirakh let out a threatening growl to Solmari and she leaned as far from him as she could, watching as he gently pushed his knife down again, opening the link. "Lady Ven, I've been busy patrolling your son's route on the ship and killing troublemakers he usually takes care of. I can take time from doing his duties to attend a gathering and thank you," he silkily replied. "Who are you wanting to speak with?"
"Nawara."
Plakhmirakh looked for the transfer button and with a swift flick of his knife to another button, the call was transferred to the main screen. He turned his full attention to the shaking woman, cowering in her chair, and smiled, knowing the effect it had on humans. "Next time Moranda Savich wishes to speak with Boosterclanterrik, you will put her through."
"I had orders, in time of war, no unauthorized calls, especially to the Captain." She hated her uncontrollable shaking voice. For the second time in two hours, she was faced with those who thought the rules didn't apply to them. She was determined to address someone with these abuses from what she considered guests. But for now, she absorbed what this short, vicious being had told the Twi'lek woman about killing onboard and wondered if the First Officer knew. She glanced up to the Captain's chair and saw the First Officer deeply in conversation in Ryl with the woman.
An hour later, her shift ended and she found the First Officer, sitting in the captain's chair, working on a datapad. "Sir." She cautiously approached.
Nawara looked up from reading damage reports and issuing repairs and priorities. "What can I do for you, Solemari?"
She found her courage. "Twice, I was approached with unauthorized requests during a battle. On both occasions, I handled them to the best of my abilities. The first, Talon Karrde, I handed off to Mirax Horn and the second, Moranda Savich, I cut the link with a warning not to contact the bridge during a battle. I had no idea who the elderly woman trying to reach the captain was. She was here an hour ago with an evil creature of the likes I didn't know existed. Who are they? And why were they with Talon Karrde?"
Nawara laughed. "Karrde's people. Like him, they think they run the ship."
Realizing she wasn't going to be chewed out and emboldened, she asked, "The short alien stated he killed someone onboard, is that so?"
"Yeah." Nawara remembered something in a report about that, but not the details of why someone felt they had to challenge a Noghri.
"Is this normal during a battle….I mean Karrde and his people violating regulations?"
Nawara showed his teeth. "Smugglers and Rogues have no manners. You performed exceptionally during our little one battle war." There was dismissal in his tone that she picked up on.
With a smile and nod, she left; feeling better and decided now wasn't the time to ask for a transfer to another post on the ship. Besides she still had hope the Captain would notice her.
