A/N: Here's the drill, people. I'm going to my dad's house this weekend, and for some strange reason his computer is incompatible with the upload software thingamajig. So, to make up for the delay that will be experienced, you get... TWO chapters! And as a reward for working so hard in the past 24 hours, you will give me oodles and oodles of reviews! Pleeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaase?
"You're Talon Karrde?"
"Yes."
He held up the datacard. "This yours?"
"Yes." He reached for it. "Than-"
"Whoa, not so fast buddy." He pocketed it. "I keep this. Now, you work for Jorj Car'das." It wasn't a question.
"Yes," Karrde admitted. He technically shouldn't have said that, but the man had saved his life. He figured he owed him at least that one scrap of information.
"Ok. You and I are goin' for a little ride, buddy."
That 'little ride' turned out to be a rather large ride, In Karrde's opinion. He had been locked in the back of this old yacht for at least three days. He had lost track of time. His chrono had been taken, for, he believed, that exact purpose. Whether it was supposed to be an interrogation technique or to prevent him from figuring out how long their trip was, he didn't know.
He could tell, however, when the ship exited hyperspace. It wasn't hard, you could easily notice the absence of the slight trembling caused by the hyperdrive.
After a few hours, however they entered hyperspace for the second time. What had happened during the brief interlude, Karrde could only guess.
Finally, after another at least three day trip, the ship exited hyperspace for what turned out to be the last time.
The door opened, and the man who had brought him aboard the yacht stepped in. He held up a blindfold. "Put this on."
Karrde complied wordlessly. He was then taken down the ramp, and then a distance of about 50 feet before being led up another ramp and through a series of passageways. Finally the blindfold was removed to reveal the man Karrde had been least expecting to see.
General Jan Dodonna.