New chapter up. Enjoy. :)

Nikka POV

I sat at one of the sensor terminals on Odessen, watching helplessly as Rio and several of his people, including Theron, flew up to confront Arcann. I had planned to fly up with Bowdaar to help run interference, but my plans had been shot down by both Rio and Theron. It was too dangerous, they said and they needed me to monitor the situation from the planet and help if Arcann tried to invade. It was an excuse if I'd ever heard one. They just wanted me out of the fighting and nowhere near Valkorion's children.

I wanted to argue, but Rio didn't need anything else to worry about except stopping Arcann, so I held my tongue and grudgingly agreed to stay behind. I quietly monitored the battle above, ensuring no unfriendly ships were descending on the planet. I doubted they would, since Arcann didn't care about this stupid little planet, or even the Alliance, really. He cared about Valkorion and since Rio was on his way up to his ship, Arcann had no reason to attack the planet. His father was coming to him.

That is, no reason to attack unless he defeated Rio, then he'd open up on the base in short order. I was praying to every god I had run across in my travels, that it wouldn't happen and that both Rio and Theron would return to me in one piece.

"How we lookin?" Major Jorgan asked from behind me. The soldier had also stayed behind, along with Kaliyo and Torian. I was alright with him and the mando, but I wasn't overly fond of Kaliyo. The Rattataki was a little too extreme for my tastes. Don't get me wrong, I'm not above a little rule breaking...or a lot of rule breaking...if the situation calls for it, but I had never been called a terrorist. None of my jobs required me to slaughter innocent people.

"So far, so good. The gravestone is making progress and nothing is heading in this direction. It looks like they successfully made it onto Arcann's ship."

"Relax Major Fuzzball. That fleet won't attack until the commander bites it."

I growled slightly, getting out of my seat and turning to face Kaliyo. "I've had enough of your mouth, Kaliyo. I'd be careful if I were you."

"A threat? Gee, I'm shaking in my boots. You only talk because you're the commander's sister and you know no one would dare touch you."

I got right up in her face. "No, I talk because I'm tired of your shit. I get why the commander keeps you around. You're good in a fight, but I swear by the Force, if you don't shut that trap of yours, I'll shut it for you. Permanently. Now go take your attitude to the cantina and get a drink. I'm sure if we get invaded, you'll be able to figure it out from there." I stood my ground, not taking my eyes off her until she looked away. I wasn't worried about Kaliyo. I'd sense it if she ever tried anything against me. She may have been good in a fight, but so was I and I was willing to bet I was better at cheating.

"Fine. I might just leave this crappy planet." She huffed off and I held my tongue. There was so much more I could say to her, but I decided to keep my mouth shut. Best to end things before they came to blasters.

I sighed once she was gone.

Major Jorgan laughed. "Well handled, Captain."

I looked at the Major and he was smiling at me. Torian also had the faintest of smiles.

"I genuinely hate that woman. I mean, I'm not the most lovable teddy bear in the world either, but she just loves to push things right up to the edge, just to see if they'll fall. I honestly don't know how you've managed to work around her for this long and not shoot her." I said to Jorgan. "You must have the patience of a saint."

"I have years of training dealing with people like her."

I laughed. "It's probably a good thing Rio's the commander around here and not me. I don't have the temperament or patience to be a diplomat. I'd probably have shot her a long time ago."

"Would have been doing us a favor." Jorgan replied. "Hopefully, she won't go after you in your sleep."

I pulled a small device out of my pocket and showed it to Jorgan. "She won't"

"What is that, a tracker?"

I smiled and nodded. "I planted a subcutaneous device on her weeks ago. It's both a bug and a tracker. Neat little device I picked up the last time I visited some Nikto tech geeks I befriended a few years ago. The implant is completely undetectable. I record every word she says and know exactly where she is at all times." I tucked the device back into my pocket. "I figured she was someone that needed to be watched."

"Sneaky. Would have been easier to kill her." Torian added, talking for the first time. The mandalorian had been quietly listening to our conversation and though he seemed to agree with our assessment of Kaliyo, he didn't feel the need to comment. He was the strong, silent type. He made me miss Akaavi. She only spoke when there was something worth saying.

"Maybe, but I'm not an assassin or a bounty hunter. Not yet, anyway. I'll stick to smuggling and information brokering...and the occasional bit of slicing." I shrugged. "Ya know, the stuff I'm good at."

We returned to the terminal and continued to watch and wait.

I slipped out of the party quietly, while no one was paying attention.

I saw my brother leave the victory celebration after only about an hour and had waited another hour to ensure he wasn't going to return on his own, before going out to look for him. I was fairly confident I knew where he had wandered off to, considering his troubled mind. I carried with me two mugs of ale. I had a feeling he'd need another drink.

I found Rio looking out over the deserted hanger, just where I knew he'd be.

"I'll never understand why you find hangerbays relaxing." I said, handing over one of the mugs to Rio. He took it with a smile and a nod.

"It's not over, Nikka."

I sighed audibly. "Yeah, I know. Arcann is still alive, Scorpio is in command of the fleet and who the hell knows what happened to Vaylin."

"I doubt we're lucky enough to have her die in the explosion."

"Probably not. Force users are notoriously hard to kill." I said, sitting on the edge of the elevated walkway, my legs dangling off the side. Rio sat next to me. "But this was a victory, Rio. The galaxy now knows the Eternal Fleet isn't invincible. You've given everyone hope and hope can be the best victory."

Rio actually chuckled. "You sound like a Jedi."

I put my mug down next to me and slap Rio on the shoulder. "Watch your mouth!"

This made Rio laugh full out and I couldn't help but laugh with him. I hated to be compared to a Jedi and he knew it. The comment broke the tension of the situation nicely.

"I know it's a victory, Nikka. A well earned one. I'm glad everyone is getting a chance to celebrate for a change." He looked down at his mug, then took a long pull from it. "I just worry about what comes next."

"You can worry about what comes next tomorrow." I picked up my mug and held it up to him. "For now, here's to your victory. Hard fought and well earned."

"And, to living to fight another day." He added.

We clinked glasses and downed our drinks. The war might not be over, not by a long shot, but it had still been a good day.

To Be Continued...