New chapter up. See what happens when Nikka is faced with Corso! Enjoy.

Nikka POV

I walked through the command center with Lana, trying my best not to be annoyed with her. She had figured out I was Force sensitive and had been on an unending quest to convince me to let her train me as a Sith. She was being oddly persistent about the idea and almost protective of me since freeing my brother.

"Lana." I said quietly. "I didn't even really want to train to be a Jedi, let alone a Sith. My sensitivity has been a pain in my ass all my life. I know enough about the Force for it to be useful. I don't want to learn anymore about it."

"You really should consider my offer. You don't need to become a Sith, but there are things you could learn that might be helpful. With you being, well, related to who you're related to, it might be beneficial to learn more about your abilities and not just from a Jedi perspective. The Force isn't exactly black and white anymore."

I sighed. "I'll think about it, okay, just don't go telling everyone about what I can do. Only a handful of people know about it and I'd like to keep it that way." We stopped in the hall just outside the hanger. I turned to her, giving her a serious look. "That includes Theron."

"Theron doesn't even know?"

"He does not. Hell, the only reason you know is because we've gotten to be close enough friends for you to sense it. You're freakishly perspective when it comes to detecting the Force."

Lana put up her hands. "Don't worry, Nikka. Your secret is safe with me, but please, consider my offer."

Satisfied, Lana let the subject drop. We continued walking and entered the hanger. A ship full of mercenaries from Rogan had just arrived and Rio was on his way to talk with their leader. I looked up and stopped in my tracks.

"Son of a hutt." I said, turning my back, though I was fairly sure I hadn't turned quickly enough.

"What's wrong?" Lana asked, scanning the hanger, trying to see what I reacted so strongly towards.

"One of the damn mercenaries is my damn ex-husband. Thank the Force Theron is offworld. I am not ready to have my current lover meet my ex-husband." I made a mental note to ask Rogan if he knew one of the mercenary crews interested in joining the Alliance contained Corso. She knew Rogan didn't like Theron much, but if he intentionally sent Corso her way, she'd have to have a few words for her old friend.

"I'm guessing the one walking this way is him." Lana said, crossing her arms over her chest and giving whoever was approaching an unfriendly glare.

I took a deep breath and let it out slowly, trying to calm myself. I then turned around and came face to face with Corso. He looked exactly the same as I remembered him. He always looked young, but he hadn't seemed to have aged at all. His hair was even the same.

"Nikka, I…"

I held up my hand. "No, you do not get to talk. We have nothing to say to each other."

"Let me just explain."

"Explain! Explain? You left me without so much as a note and now you want to explain?" I said, rather loudly. His crewmates were all looking our way. I figured I had a right to cause a scene.

"Shall I dispatch him for you?" Lana asked using a rather evil tone, reaching for her lightsaber. Corso seemed to shrink away from Lana a bit and rightfully so. Lana usually kept her Sith traits fairly locked down, but she could go into full Sith mode in seconds if necessary, to be intimidating.

I thought about it for a moment, then shook my head. "No. There are a few others who have already called dibs on that honor." I glared at him, but to his credit, he didn't try to talk. "I'll hear you out. One hour, in the cantina." I could sense Rio rounding the corner to the hanger. "That is, if you make it that long. You gotta talk to the commander, first."

Rio walked up behind me, in full armor. Even without the armor, Rio was a big man. With it, he was an intimidatingly big man. Corso had only met Rio on a handful of occasions, but recognition showed on his face as soon as my brother came into view.

"Commander, you remember Corso I assume."

The look Rio gave Corso was enough to peel paint and made Lana's initial look seem like a friendly nod. "I do. He's part of the mercenary group that just arrived?"

"I suggest you return to your crew." I said with a slight smile. "One hour."

Corso nodded and returned to his place among the other mercenaries. Rio placed a hand on my shoulder, then with a nod, continued into the hanger. The leader of the band approached and they began to talk quietly. I took the opportunity to get the hell away from Corso. Lana followed along.

"So, you're actually going to hear him out?" She asked.

"Yeah. I know him. He won't leave me alone until we talk, so I might as well get it over with. Besides, I'm curious what kind of excuse he's come up with after all these years."

Lana shrugged. "I'd just kill him and be done with it."

I stopped in the control room and pulled out my holo. A few seconds later, Bowdaar appeared.

"Hey, big guy. Can you meet me in the cantina in like thirty minutes?" I asked. Bowdaar had officially joined the Alliance when Rio had liberated the slave trade on Zakuul. I was thankful to have my wookie friend back.

"Of course. I'll see you there." He replied, not even questioning my motives for asking.

I turned off the holo and saw Lana almost laughing.

"I said I was curious, not stupid."

I headed towards the entrance and Lana hung back. "Are you going to be able to get this mess sorted out before Theron gets back?"

"I hope so!" I shouted back without looking. I could hear her chuckle before taking the lift back to the surface. I was glad someone was amused by my bad luck.

To Be Continued...