Back on Base

Nomi landed safely at base where she was welcomed by Tarik. The former ambassador flapped his small wings in excitement seeing his old friend being back sound and well.
"I knew you'll come back, my friend," he said while he was hugging the commander tightly.
She chuckled. "There were others who tried to hold me before. Nobody of them succeeded."
Tarik gave his chirping laughter and let go of his old friend.
"We have raided a First Order convoy when you were away, Nomi," he said with a hint of pride in his voice. "There were weapons, ammunition and Coaxium onboard."
"I knew you wouldn't stay put during my absence. You are a capable leader, my friend."
If there haven't been the feathers covering Tarik's face the commander would have seen him blush because of the praise.
"It was a great opportunity I couldn't let pass, Nomi," Tarik responded and pointed at the crates standing in the hangar.
The commander walked over and opened the crate next to her. Looking inside she gave a whistle.
"You're right this is actually a good catch, Tarik. This Coaxium will last for approx. 2 standard months. The Force is with us," she said with a smile while closing the lid.

Not far away from the asteroid which was housing the Resistance base the small rescue fleet fell back in real space.
Dash Rendar breathed a sigh of relief and turned his head to Draco who was sitting in the rear seat.
"Thank you for your help, Draco you made up for what you did. If you want you can stay with us. We're always in need of good pilots and gunners."
He looked expectantly at the man while Corran was staring at his father in disbelieve. The young Jedi was still unsure if he could trust the man who handed their mother over to the enemy. Seeing his younger brother's expression Dash Jr. spoke up in Draco's behalf.
"Draco is a good man, Corran. It was him who paid for my first prosthesis back then. We saw the footage that his crew forced him to betray our mother. He deserves a chance."
His brother pondered it over and nodded his had finally. "Maybe you are right."
Biggs was sitting in the copilot's seat only listening in to the conversation of his siblings. He trusted his eldest brother's judgment if it came to Draco Dracon, who knew the pirate for a long time back on Takodana.
When there came no further objections by his offspring, Dash Rendar steered the Outrider toward the hidden entrance to the hangar.
Minutes later the space ships were landing one by one.
Tasherit cut the engines, unstrapped, rose and hurried to the hatch after she saw her mother standing together with Tarik. Jaden was laughing as he unbuckled as well, rose and followed his fiancée.
"We did a good job out there," he said while he reached for the panel with the button to open the hatch.
Tasherit smiled when the hatch opened and the ramp lowered.
"Yes, we did…all of us," she responded and run fleet-footed down and over to her mother and the former ambassador.
"Mama!" The young woman shouted to the amusement of those being in the hangar.
The commander turned her head and smiled seeing her daughter running toward her. Tarik suppressed a grin about Tash's behavior and went out of the way. A few steps away from her mother Tash stopped, realizing that it was a bit inappropriate to act like a child. Then she walked with a determined pace and gave her mother a crisp salute when standing in front of her. Nomi acknowledged the salute with a smile before she took her daughter in her arms.
"It's good to be back, Sweetie," she said silently. "How could I be this stupid?"
Her daughter hadn't a chance to answer since the Outrider had landed and her crew was heading for the commander. Draco Dracon followed the Rendar's slowly not knowing what he would have to expect by the woman he betrayed.

The commander raised an eyebrow seeing the pirate trailing in her family's wake. She released Tash from her embrace. Tarik who stood still at Nomi's side looked daggers at Draco. The man lowered his gaze and tried not to attract attention, to keep a low profile.
He realized that Dash and the triplets had forgiven him, but he wasn't sure if the commander and Tash had forgiven him as well. But there was still the chance that the Jedi would be too busy to celebrate the reunion with her family, than to pay attention to him. Dash hurried to his wife with a smile.
"I'm so happy to have you back, love," he said while taking Nomi in his arms. Then he cupped her chin and kissed her.
"Thank you for coming to my rescue, darling," the commander answered. "Thank you to all of you, also to you, Draco!"
The pirate had almost passed when he heard the commander's voice calling his name. There was no way to ignore it. He walked over even if he wished that the ground would open and swallow him.
Dash whispered something in Nomi's ear before Draco arrived.
"My husband just told me that your help was vital to my rescue. Astonishing after you helped Canady to capture me. Was this your way to redeem yourself, Draco?"
The pirate lowered his gaze standing in front of the small woman before he answered her question.
"My crew forced me to betray you, Commander, your sons saw the footage. And yes, it was my way to make up for what I did. I'm well aware that my life is in your hands now, Ma'am."
His voice was firm. Saying the last part he raised his eyes to Nomi who gave him a severe look.
"You helped my eldest and his sister on Takodana back then, Draco, this shows me that you are a good man. So I welcome you to our ranks. I'm sure you will serve our cause well, Captain," she said with a smile and to Tarik's surprise who was still standing in hearing range. "You may leave now. My sons will show you to your quarters."
Draco Dracon inclined his head before he gave the commander an awkward salute.
"Thank you, Ma'am," he said feeling as if a burden was taken from his shoulders. Then he turned and followed the triplets.