A StarWars Fable

by IAmElvie

The story is based on the SWTOR online game. There will be a mix of my characters & game NPCs. All class protagonists exist & occasionally come into contact with each other. My fable may veer some from the actual game content & timeline is imperfect. You will meet KOTOR descendants & a few Star Wars movie ancestors as well as whatever else I toss in. As always, mature readers only.

3. A StarWars Fable-Prologue Smuggler

SWTOR

An Old Republic Tale

Prologue

Smuggler – Hunting the Vista Fox

Ord Mantell

Great…just great. Here to dump her cargo and the damned planet is a warzone. She mentally cracked her knuckles, sighed and rolled her ship through the torrents of fire. All in a day's work. But it had better be worth her while. She didn't often make gun runs and she wanted them off her ship. She settled her ship down on the landing pad and checked her blasters as she left the cockpit. Deliver, get paid and get the hell out of dodge. She was not going to get cornered into taking sides. No. If anything, she was going to head back home to Corellia for a well-earned vacation. Yes, that sounded perfect.

The tattooed human approached her as she stepped down the ramp. Skavak -that was his name.

He grinned at the pretty woman. He knew just how to handle pretty women and egotistical space-jockeys. He'd handled enough in his time. "Can't believe you made it through that separatist shooting gallery, Captain. Your ship isn't even scratched. It takes guts landing in the middle of a battlefield. Nice flying."

"I'm sure it was just luck, Skavak" she replied.

So, the captain did her homework. He hadn't expected that. Most were too cocky to care. "I sincerely doubt that," he murmured just loud enough for her to hear as he motioned her to follow him to the terminal. "I'm picking up those blasters in your cargo hold. Excuse the rush, but I need to get out of here quick. This village used to be safe, but the separatists are taking over. If I were you, I'd haul jets as soon as we're done."

"Exactly my plan. I'm a… courier not a soldier. Hauling jets is what I do best."

"Good call, Captain." His body reverberated with the last explosion. "The bombing is getting closer. The separatists will be on top of us any minute. I've just sent payment to you for making this run, Captain. Soon as I offload those blasters, you'll be free to fly."

"Then get them out of-"

"Skavak! We've got a big problem. Separatists took over the local air defense cannon!" Corso bent over and grasped his knees as he sucked in a deep breath. He didn't think he'd ever run so fast, not even when he was chased by an angry bull nerf.

Skavak held his hands up. The kid had to be wrong. "Whoa! Slow down, slow down, Corso. What are you talking about?"

He raked a hand through his dark, shoulder length hair. "They deployed some kinda remote control stations. Hijacked the cannon's targeting computer. Damn separatists just destroyed an incoming Republic transport!"

"It will be okay, Corso. I'm sure the Republic troops can handle it," she assured him.

He gave a half shake of his head. "They've already got their hands full. Separatist rocket launchers just attacked a Republic walker. Knocked it down hard. With those remote-control stations, the seps can override the air defense cannon's computer – turn that firepower against us any time they want. You might want to take out some of those control stations, Captain."

"He's right," Skavak agreed. "The seps will blast you out the sky if you try to take off." Maybe…just maybe this could work to his advantage.

"I am not getting paid enough for this," she grumbled.

She might complain, but Corso could see the fire in her emerald eyes. She was beauty and fire – like a rising phoenix. He'd heard about some of her exploits – she was almost a legend. And he was being a silly nerf-herder. What would the famous Vista Solo ever see in a man like him? He cleared his throat. "Good luck, Captain. Hope you come back to…us."

Skavak bit back a grin. Looks like little Corso was crushing on the captain. Though, he couldn't blame the young scamp. She was a hot little fox. He wondered if she was as fiery in bed as she was in the cockpit. Perhaps he'd find out someday. "Let's move, lover boy. Swoon over her later – we're running out of time."

"I'm not -" Skavak's chuckle cut him off. He could feel the heat in his cheeks and followed Skavak without a backwards glance. He wasn't sure he wanted to see the look on her face after she'd heard that remark.

As anticipated, there were guards at the control stations. She was often noble in deed, which was rare for someone in her line of work, but when it came to saving her own skin -nobility could take a flying leap. She shot the men from cover; most never even knew she was there. Dead without ever knowing something was wrong. And no, it didn't give her trouble sleeping at night. She didn't wonder if they were a good father or mother. She couldn't let herself think about that, because she knew that they would shoot her without wondering the same.

Her holo chimed and she pulled it from her pocket.

"Captain, you there? It's Corso. We got trouble back at the hangar!"

That was not what she needed to hear. "Has something happened to my ship?"

"Not yet – though can't say how much longer that will be true! We're giving them a warm welcome, but we could use a hand!" He glanced back over his shoulder. "Skavak! Get over here! Help me close the hangar door!" He blinked when he saw Skavak greet the seps. "Skavak? What are you -"

The holo stopped transmitting. Not good. She shoved it in her pocket and hurried from the mainframe's room. She'd taken out three and hoped like hell that was going to be enough. Nope. There was no hoping – it had to be. She was getting off this rock one way or another.

There were several aggressive looking men in the hangar bay and since they did not appear to be helping Corso, who appeared to be injured, she could only assume they were up to no good. She introduced them to her blasters and then hurried over to Corso's side. "You okay, kid?"

"Please don't call me kid, Captain. I'm not that young." He rubbed the back of his head and groaned. "Ugh…feels like a gundark used my skull as a drum. Thanks for saving my hide, Captain. Skavak let those seps in! He stabbed us in the back!"

A harsh breath slipped from her lips. "Does anyone vet your people?"

"Skavak was one smooth customer. Ah, hell…now he has your ship, the guns..." his hand dropped down to his empty side, "and my Torchy. Not my Torchy! Torchy's a genuine BlasTech ALT-25 with magnatomic adhesion grip and side-mounted rangefinder. She's too good for Skavak!"

"So's the Vista Fox. He will not like it when I catch up to him." Oh, no…no, he would not.

Corso whipped out his holo-communicator and tapped into Skavak's frequency. "C'mon…pick up, blast you!"

Skavak grinned. "Aww, what's the matter, Corso? Did I hurt your feelings? Be thankful you're alive, kid."

"Enjoy your little joyride. I'll be seeing you real soon, Skavak. Real soon," she warned.

He winked at her. A woman who had the ego to name her ship after herself. "I didn't know you cared, sweetheart. Then maybe you won't mind me feeling all your curves, Vista Fox. I'll be deep inside you every day. We're going to get to know each other really well."

"Skavak! You've crossed a -" The holo went dead. "Sorry, Captain. He dropped the transmission. He always was good at making an exit." He rubbed the back of his head tenderly. "Listen, Skavak and I were working for a guy named Viidu. When he finds out Skavak is a sep, he'll want revenge just like you. You can find him at Fort Garnik. He's a smart guy with connections everywhere. If anybody can find your ship, it's him."

A slow breath slipped from her lips. "It would seem I have limited choices. I'll go see your man."

He nodded. "Good call, Captain. After you leave, I'll lock down this hangar and send Viidu a holo to tell him what happened. I'll see you and Viidu there soon."

She looked at him for a brief moment. He was a nice guy. Not usually the kind of people she knew. She placed her hand on his forearm. "Thank you, Corso." She squeezed his arm lightly and released him. "We'll find your Torchy."

He could feel the heat climbing into his cheeks. "Torchy is important to me - but it's only a blaster. The loss of a ship is far worse. But thank you all the same, Captain."

The trip to the Fort was on foot. She wished she'd have thought to take one of her speeders off the ship. But she'd landed right in front of the hangar, there'd been no need. She asked a couple of people before she found someone who knew where to find Rendia Freight. She found Viindu upstairs in the freight warehouse having a drink. Hell, she could use one of those right now.

Viidu rose, grabbed a second glass and poured the amber liquid into it. "Welcome, Captain! I'm Viidu. Corso told me we've had a rough day. How about a drink to wash away our worries?" He pushed the drink towards her.

She joined him at the table and took a sip. The heat burned down her throat and into her belly, but it was a welcome heat. "Thanks. I more than needed this right about now."

"I'm sure you did," he said with a nod. "Here's a toast to my favorite things…the best collection of art works and exotic beverages in the whole system. And here's to the stupid seps who destroyed it all. Between them and that backstabber, Skavak, I'm thoroughly ruined."

"I won' t let him ruin me. I'm getting my ship back."

He rubbed his chin and nodded. "You should know, the blasters Skavak stole in your ship belonged to Rogun the Butcher. As employers go, he's not the most forgiving."

She drained the glass and set it down forcefully on the table as she leaned in towards him. "I did my job. My job was to get the blasters to Skavak, which I did. He also paid me for the run. My job in this matter was completed. It was not my job to vet Skavak. It's not my job to get the blasters to Rogun. I. Did. My. Job."

He sat back in his chair and steepled his fingers over his large girth. "Yes, you are right, of course. But I'm afraid Rogun won't see it that way. I'm working for him. You worked for me. He'll blame us equally for this mess. He's killed enough people to fill a convoy of freighters, and now he'll believe we crossed him. Rogun bought those blasters to protect his business from separatists. When he finds out what's happened, guess who dies first? The only way we are getting out of this alive is by finding Skavak, your ship and those stolen blasters. I've got an idea where to start looking. There's a guy named Reki, who's a separatist expert. But he's behind a Republic blockade. I'm friendly with the Republic commander. I can get you in and out of Talloran Village, but you'll need to earn a pass by taking out a few seps to prove your loyalty."

She rubbed her forehead and shot a hard glare at him. "I'm not an assassin. But if they shoot, I'll shoot back."

Viidu nodded. "I'll pull together a survival kit. You smuggle it to Reki and he'll tell you a way to find Skavak."

She pushed the glass towards him and he refilled it. She knocked it back while he gathered the supplies, she would be taking to Reki. She took the kit from him and rose from the table. "I'll see you soon."

She found Reki, alright, and almost wished she hadn't. He set himself up with quite the little harem of war widows. Her disgust was not for him alone but also for the women who chose to stay with him. She shuddered. But at least he'd been able to help her…maybe. He'd told her how to find and read the code for his schematics. Those schematics would show her the way to the separatist computer station. The encrypted files within the computer should let them know where Skavak was going.

She just wished finding Skavak didn't include so much hiking. She flipped on her holo and called Viidu.

"Captain. Reki told me about Mannett Point. Getting onto the island is a bit tricky. You'll need to swim there. You'll be walking into the rancor's den, Captain."

She smiled. "No problem then. Animals have a soft spot for me."

"You'll be outnumbered 100 to 1, Captain. Play it safe. Do you have a datapad?"

"Of course."

"Then download the files onto it and we'll handle the rest."

Corso smiled at her holo. "Hey, Captain."

She winked at him. "Good to see you, Corso."

"I wish I could go with you, Captain. My vibroblade's pretty good for chopping seps off at the knees. I call it Hewie."

Viidu frowned. "Forget the seps right now, Corso. I need that slicer kit here before the captain comes back."

Corso nodded. "I'm on it. Stay safe and come back soon, Captain."

Viidu rubbed his forehead as soon as Corso left the room. "The seps wiped out his family a couple of years ago. He's ready to go one-man-army and get himself killed. I'm doing my best to keep that from happening. And Captain? Be easy on the boy. He's sweet on you and I don't want to see him get hurt."

She bit down on her bottom lip to keep from saying something she might come to regret. "I'm not gonna hurt the kid and I'd certainly never force myself on someone."

He cleared his throat. "I don't think you'd have to, Captain. Just don' t…encourage him unless you can give him your heart. He's lost enough."

Wow. Some one feels like a daddy. But he was right. Corso had lost enough. She didn't need to add to it. "I won't encourage him, Viidu."

"Thank you, Captain."

She snapped the communicator to her magbelt. Thankfully, the island was no too very far away. And luck must have been on her side, because the tide was out and she barely had to wade through puddles. Moving through the sep controlled island wasn't very difficult. Nothing about her screamed Republic or Imperial. The only seps she had to kill were those guarding the power relays she needed to destroy. But thanks to her trusty silencers, she didn't bring the whole island down on her head.

There – according to the coordinates, she'd found Reki's home. Now to find the Treatise on Bird Watching that held his schematics. Beautiful! The cipher worked beautifully and now she knew where the sep hideout was. Ah, Skavak. Your days are numbered.

She slipped out Reki's back door. The path down hooked around to the hideout. Couldn't he have just told her that? She shook her head and pulled her blasters. Show time.

In the end, all told, seventeen men lost their lives to her blasters. And, she'd even been caught red-handed but talked her way out of it. She truly appreciated how gullible some people could be. In fact, she owned her livelihood to that.

Life was never dull. As soon as she stepped foot into Rendia Freight she heard a handful of men taunting a woman. It sounded like were trying to force her into sexual compliance. She leaned against a large crate. "Better back off boys. Word's out that Rogun has his eye on the girl," she said, pointing to the brunette they were harassing.

Syreena crossed her arms over her chest. "That's right, Bracco. You don't want to get on Rogun's bad side."

Bracco frowned but took a step back. "Figures. Just proves Viidu ain't long for this world. Let's go, guys," he said with a wave of his hand.

Syreena inhaled deeply. "Thank you for stepping in, Captain. I didn't think I was going to get out of that one. My name's Syreena. I'm…I'm with Viiddu. I'm sure he'll appreciate that you helped me out."

She moved away from the crate and nodded to the woman. "Those boys were just lucky they were so gullible or they'd have been singing soprano and walking funny for a week."

Her brows rose. "I'd like to have seen that. But bluff? It's closer to the truth than I want to admit." She cleared her throat. "What Bracco said was true – Rogun the Butcher will kill Viidu if those blasters don't turn up. I hope whatever course of action you pursuing pays off, Captain. More lives than your own depend on it."

She grinned at Syreena. "One thing you should know about me…I always win. Skavak is going to wish he'd never laid eyes on either Vista Fox."

The brunette tilted her head. "You know I actually believe you when you say that." That was no joke. The woman seemed to handle anything thrown at her as if it were nothing out of the ordinary. She had bigger balls then most men she knew. Skavak bit off more than he could chew with this one.

"Wise woman," Vista teased as she headed up the ramp to see Viidu. She gave him the files and told him what happened to his girl so he could be prepared for anything else that happens.

"We'll know where to find Skavak soon, but until then, I have a special job that will please Rogun and take the heat off for a little bit."

Of course, he did. "Considering I'm stuck here for the moment, I've got loads of time …what's this job?"

"There is a canister of some special chemicals that can supercharge artillery cannons in a village nearby. If -"

Corso shook his head. "The Big Boom Run, boss? I can see it making Rogun's day, but it's sure-fire risky. I don't think the captain should do it. It's less stable than a drunk savrip on a speeder bike. Handle it wrong and suddenly you're little chunks of ex-captain."

Viidu held up his hand. "Sure, it's tricky but the captain's resourceful." His gaze slid from Corso to the captain. "Did I mention this run pays unbelievably well?"

She cocked a brow. "Just how unbelievably well are we talking about?"

Viidu grinned. "You do this and you can buy some nice upgrades for your starship when you finally get it back. Trymbo is the scientist's name. He's got a place in Oradam Village. I'll let him know you're coming."

That was not what Corso wanted to hear. Sometimes the risk of danger was greater than the credits involved. "See me before you make that run, Captain. We should talk."

Viidu watched him walk away. "Remember what I said about Corso."

She waved her hand at Viidu to shut him up and followed Corso down the ramp. She was hardly a molester of innocents. Though, there might have been a time or too. She shook the thought out of her head. Corso came to a stop near the front entry.

"Captain -don't suppose I can talk you out of the Big Boom Run?" he asked quietly.

"If this will keep Rogun's men off us long enough to catch Skavak, then it's worth it."

He released a slow breath and nodded. "That's what I thought you'd say. If you're gonna do this, you'll need an edge to make it back alive." He pulled a blaster from his hip and held it out to her butt first. "This here's a Sorosuub SSK heavy blaster. It's cut for a quick draw and has a hair-trigger. I call it Flashy. Flashy's the first blaster I ever owned. I want you to have it."

She was stunned that he'd give her something that obviously meant a lot to him. That showed how much he cared. If she accepted the fine gesture, would she be encouraging him romantically or was it a friendly gesture? And if she turned it down, she knew it would hurt him. She wasn't sure which was worse. She smiled and palmed the baster. "Thank you, Corso. I'll care for Flashy like you would."

He tried to stop the grin from spreading but he wasn't sure he succeeded. Her words made his insides feel all warm and wobbly like he'd had one too many cups of Corellian Red. "I know that, Captain. See ya real soon." At least he hoped he did.

She was done with walking. This time she rented a speeder. The ride to Oradam showed a lot of the devastation for the war, but Oradam itself seemed in pretty good shape. One of the nicer towns she'd seen on Ord Mantell. On the way to the scientist's house she saw a rather striking, large white female cathar with blue eyes helping a man that appeared in dire straights. She was surprised a Republic soldier had the time to deal with one down on his luck civilian. Not in the middle of a war, at least. Maybe she was some do-gooder. She nodded to the trooper as she passed her by and entered the house at the coordinates she'd been given.

Loonda looked up from her pot and smiled warmly. "You must be here for my husband. I told master Viidu he went out fishing. Would you like a sweet flatcake? It's fresh."

The food did smell very tasty. "You've read my mind. Thank you," she said as she sat down at the table to enjoy a light lunch. "Do you have any bantha milk and honey?" She couldn't stand drinking the stuff unless it was sweetened. And bantha milk was, unfortunately, a staple in most places.

"Of course! Help yourself, dearie," she said as she motioned to the jug of milk.

She stirred in the honey and took a sip. At least it was good enough to drink now. "Do you know how long your husband will be fishing?" she asked as she devoured the flatcake.

Loonda tucked a loose curl behind her ear. "Oh, sometimes he can be out all day. If you don't feel like waiting for Trymbo, the walk out the him is lovely. The beach is so relaxing."

Something was a little off about the woman. Had her husband's chemicals affected her in some way? Was age being unkind to her mind? Was she even aware there was a war going on? She might be bold, but she wasn't rude enough to ask Loonda those questions. "Thank you, ma'am. Lunch was quite tasty. I think I'll go pay your husband a visit."

She nodded. "Trymbo's at his fishing camp. I'll send you the coordinates. He'll be thrilled to have some company. Now excuse me, dearie – these Rodian peppers won't cook themselves."

The trip down to the beach was uneventful, likely because she stayed away from people that looked like they were up to no good. Not that she didn't think she could best them, but why risk her life without good reason? The fighting, however, did not seem to bother the razoronn, which were large, hairy omnivores that seemed comfortable enough around people that they didn't attack.

She found Trymbo in a cave at the coordinates his wife had given her.

Trymbo raised his hands in exasperation. "Don't stand there. That spot is reserved exclusively for my gundark friends. You're clearly not a gundark." He leaned in towards her and pointed. "Your ears are too small. Listen," he said in a hushed tone. "Do you smell that? There's a pot of Alderaanian stew bubbling. But how could I smell it all the way on Ord Mantell?"

This poor, dear man was even more confused than his wife. She wondered what the stories at dinner would be like at their house. She couldn't even imagine. "Viidu sent me to pick up a canister of chemicals from you."

He tilted his head. "What's a Viidu? Some kind of musical instrument? Is that what keeps playing that awful tune I can't get out of my head?" He bounced a finger on his chin. "Hmm…I do recall a man saying to expect a stranger coming for my chemicals. You seem pretty strange. Was he talking about you?"

"Yup – you got it right on the nose."

His brows drew together and he shook his head. "Have you been diagnosed with a terminal illness? Are you trying to avoid marrying someone? There are better ways to kill yourself, you know. Hmmm…what you really need is a precision teleporter, but a former assistant crashed my prototype into the sun." He nodded his head. "Well – good luck, my friend. If you should explode, please feel free to come back and tell me all about it. Everyone else has."

"Good luck to you as well. You might wish to get home; your wife has a tasty lunch waiting." She wasn't sure how the man managed to survive on his own and hoped he made it back home in one piece. She legged it back to Oradam and rented another speeder to get back to the Fort. She had no desire to carry the canister all the way back. She rode with the thing tucked between her thighs, her chin resting on the top and hoped for the best.

She was grateful to see Corso hurrying down the ramp to help her haul the chemicals up to Viidu.

"Easy does it…easy does it," Viddu warned. "I've got a storage unit here to stabilize the canister so it doesn't blow." He helped them pick it up and settle it in the storage crate. "There we go…" he said with a sigh of relief when the when he locked down the crate's lid. If it exploded now, at least it wouldn't take them all out.

Vista grinned feeling a whole lot lighter. "That may have been the craziest or at least the most suicidal thing I've ever done," she admitted.

Viidu chuckled. "I'll bet you get a lot of free drinks at the cantina telling this tale. But at least we will keep our skin…for now. Rogun will be too busy selling them to think about the blasters. It buys us some much-needed time."

"That scientist, Trymbo, was a…few freighters shy of a convoy," she said with a motion to her head.

"Oh, I know. Every time I talk to him, he thinks I'm his great-grandfather who crashed into a black hole." With a slight shake of his head he raised his hand. "I've got good news and great news! We cracked the sep computer files and found Skavak!"

Syreena frowned. "Viidu, you promised you wouldn't get so excited. It's bad for your heart.

Viidu's sent her an abashed grin. "Sorry, sweetheart. But this going to be great. Skavak won't even see us coming. Hah! Skavak is taking the blasters to the sep base. Those wackos built their headquarters inside an old volcano. Crazy, right?"

Corso grunted. "What do you expect from foaming at the mouth murderers? I wish that volcano would blow its top."

She quirked a brow at him. "You realize I'm going there? I'd rather it not blow its top while I'm there. I'm rather partial to living. The burnt corpse look is so unflattering."

"I doubt even death could mar your beauty." Did he really just say that to her? He held up both hands in a halting gesture, giving them a slight, frantic wave. "Oh – but…I wouldn't want anything to happen to you, Captain," he assured her.

She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing. "I get that, Corso."

Viidu cleared his throat. "Yes, well…Skavak's delivering the blasters to a psycho named Dareg at the base. You need to get there first, ambush him and fly your ship back."

"I suppose it's time to play hero again. A girl can get used to this."

"Well, you won't be playing hero alone this time. Take Corso with you, Captain. The kid knows more about blasters and rifles than almost anyone I've met."

Finally. A chance to do something more useful. A chance to fight at the famous Captain Vista Fox's side. A chance to show her what he was capable of. "I owe Skavak payback for taking Torchy. That was lower than low."

She supposed stealing a blaster with nothing more than sentimental value was lower than stealing a starship – even if that she'd spent the best years of her life in that ship. "Then let's go take back what's ours."

To save money, she allowed Corso to fly the speeder and climbed on behind him. After she wrapped her arms around his waist she wondered if she should have splurged and rented two speeders. With her breasts pressed into his back she leaned forward. "Are you okay with this?" she asked, her mouth a couple of inches from his ear."

"More than okay, Captain. I'll get us there safely," he told her, his lips twitching into a grin.

She clung tight and pressed the side of her face into his back. She definitely preferred to be the one flying. He settled the speeder down at the Volcano camp and held out his hand to help her off the speeder. She didn't need the help, but the gesture was sweet. It would appear Corso treated women like ladies. A girl could get used to that. Even if she had to be careful with him.

Outside the sep stronghold she saw the same cathar trooper she'd seen earlier. She was firing a small, but impressive assault canon. Vista darted to her side and helped her finish off the seps stationed outside the stronghold.

Wynter snapped the cannon to the magpanels in the back of her armor. "So, we meet again. Who are you?"

Vista grinned. "Name's Vista Solo. That's my…partner Corso Riggs. It appears we've got similar goals. If we work together maybe we'll achieve both of them faster."

She wasn't sure Lt. Jorgan would appreciate someone else knowing their business, but something in Vista's eyes assured her the human didn't give a damn and she doubted she'd ever see the woman again. "Sergeant Wynter L'Vae, Republic Commando. Havoc Squad. I'm trying to find a bomb – what's your MO?"

Vista glanced at Corso and then realization dawned on her. MO…mission objective. "Ah…A thief by the name of Skavak stole my ship and its cargo. I intend to get them back."

"And my blaster," Corso amended.

She winked at Wynter and tried not to laugh. "Torchy has sentimental value to Corso."

"I see," Wynter said, keeping her best straight face. "Let's bring the base down and cover both our objectives. Move out." She saw Vista just blink and flushed. "Sorry."

Vista laughed. "I knew what you meant. I'm just not used to the military drill sergeant tone. I'm better motivated by honey."

"I'll be sure to remember that, ma'am."

"And don't ma'am me – I'm not your mom."

Wynter chuckled. "It's been awhile since I've been with civvies. My small talk might be a bit rusty."

"We'll work on that," Vista teased. "Get a move on it, soldier," she said with a wink and followed the trooper into the base.

Corso looked around after the first wave of seps were taken down. "Look at the size of this place. How'd the seps get the money to build something like this?"

"More likely it was discovered and confiscated," Wynter told him "Even if the imps supported the separatists, they wouldn't sink this many credits into Ord Mantell."

They took a lift up and fought their way deep into the base. As soon as the area was clear of seps, Wynter's holo chimed.

"Sergeant – do not take those civilians any further. I repeat – do not take those civilians with you."

Wynter growled softly. "Lt. Jorgan, I mean no disrespect when I say they have been instrumental in infiltrating the base. The sooner I reach the MO -"

"That is a direct order, Sergeant," Aric growled.

"Roger that." She disconnected the call. "If I finish my objective – I will see if you still need assistance with yours."

Vista pulled out her communicator and sent her frequency to Wynter. "Call if you ever need a helping hand. If I'm nearby, you'll have it."

"That is generous. Far more than I would have expected," Wynter admitted. "I'm not often surprised." She pulled the cannon from her back.

"Oh, I'm full of surprises – and I'm not exactly what you think," she teased. "Paddy's luck to you." With a gesture of her head she and Corso headed in the direction they needed to go. "It's unfortunate Jorgan was being such an ass. I wasn't out for Republic secrets – I only wanted to help."

"Maybe we don't look trustworthy, Captain. I never thought I'd work with a Republic soldier. It wasn't what I thought it'd be."

"Most things aren't," she responded, her voice a bit more somber than she intended.

A frown tugged at his lips. "Something happen, Captain?"

She patted his arm as she turned into another corridor. "Maybe one day I'll tell you…when we know each other well enough to share our deepest-darkest."

"Sounds like a deal, Captain."

A breath slipped from her lips. "Call me Vista…or Fox…or Solo…anything but Captain. I know what I am, I don't have to wear a title."

"I'll do that…Vista…" Her name came out softer than intended. He'd been given permission to call the captain by her given name. She was…larger than life and he was just…himself. Things like this just didn't happen to him – at least not meeting celebrities.

Oh boy…how'd he make her name sound like a caress? With a slight shake of her head she sighed. Better than captain. She turned to see a large man backhand a woman being held by two others. The woman spat in his face. Before he could swing again, she stepped into view. "Tsk-tsk. A gentleman shouldn't hit a lady. Didn't your mother teach you any manners?" she taunted.

"Well, now," Dareg turned to look at her, "I don't see any ladies here, do you boys?"

Corso cocked his gun. "Then you are as blind as you are stupid."

All but the two men holding the woman cocked their guns. "Do you have any last words, degenerate scum?"

Vista laughed softly. "Last words are for the dying - so tell me yours."

"Let justice be served," Dareg yelled out. Rounds started flying.

"And so it shall…" Annalyn dropped to the ground, the men let go reflexively and she rolled forward to grab the blasters they'd taken from her. She raised her blaster. She frowned when the man jumped in front of the woman and obscured her view. "Not the time to play hero, loverboy. Duck!"

He grabbed Vista and pulled her to the ground, covering her body with his as the shot rang out. It took him a moment to realize the position he had her in and rolled off of her, pulling her to her feet. Her arm swung to the left to take out a sep that had taken a bead on them.

When the rounds stopped flying, one sep was left on his knees in the surrender position.

"I surrender! I surrender! Please...I don't want to die. My name is Morant, I have a family on the mainland! I'll tell you what I know. We knew you were coming…we were tipped off ahead of time. We thought she was you…until you showed up. Skavak showed up a few hours ago to deliver the blasters, but it was all a trick. He pretended to be on our side so he could steal some rusty antique droid from Dareg. It was a worthless pile of scrap that had been in Dareg's family for generations. Skavak grabbed it like some big treasure and blasted his way out. He left in your ship. I don't know where he went, but his girl, Syreena should know. She's the one who told us you were coming. Let me go…please, let me go…"

Corso drew his blaster and placed the barrel on the side of the man's head. "Separatist scum killed my family. And I promised myself I'd bury every last one of you," he growled.

Morant swallowed hard. "I've only been here a few months – I haven't killed anyone's family."

"Corso – lower your weapon." She knew her tone was hard – but he did not have to become what he loathed. A murderer.

His gaze met hers. "Vista, I need to do this. I can't just let him go home and pretend like nothing ever happened.

"Corso – he didn't kill your family. He is innocent of that crime. If you kill him then you become the monster you hate. I don't want to see a monster when I look at you."

Annalyn joined them. This want' her fight, but she'd learned much in her life and one such thing was mercy earned far more gratitude and influence than living in fear did. Another thing she learned was revenge killing destroyed a part of your soul – It did not heal you. "Let it go, kid. There are plenty of people in the galaxy that deserve a shot to the head – save it for them. Don't shoot an unarmed man that has surrendered. You're better than that."

Morant's body began to shake. If the man holding the gun cared what these women thought he might just see his family again. "Please…I'll just go home and take care of my family."

Corso closed his eyes a brief moment then lowered his blaster. He didn't want Vista to see him as a monster. "Get out of here before I change my mind."

Vista covered his hand with hers. "I'm proud of you, Corso. You did the right thing."

"So…you two married?" Annalyn inquired.

Vista blinked and jerked her hand away from his. "No…and no. We just met early this morning. He's a friend now, though."

She laughed at the other woman's declaration. "Yeah, sure he is."

Vista took a closer look at the woman and her mouth fell open. That metallic golden brown hair that glowed as if it were alive…those vibrant green eyes with golden center stars…."It can't be." She took a step back in shock.

She was surprised that anyone still recognized her. Not to the extent they used to, but they shouldn't recognize her at all anymore. She kept a low profile because she should be nothing but a wrinkled, old crone by now. "Don't you just love the curve balls life throws at you?" Annalyn quipped with a grin on her face. "Surprise!"

Corso studied at the newcomer that seemed to know a little too much concerning his feelings for Vista. Was he that transparent? He couldn't be – surely Vista would have said something one way or another if she understood the depth of his feelings for her. His gaze slid from the newcomer to Vista. "Cap – Vista…do you know her?"

She shook her head in disbelief and started laughing. "I've never met her before – but I know of her. Corso Riggs, meet Annalyn Starr of Starr and Okarr – the most famous smuggler couple the galaxy has ever known."

He grew up on old stories he'd heard of the pair as a child. "But I thought…" heat crept into his cheeks. He thought they died fifty years ago.

Annalyn rolled from heel to toe, her metallic hair gleaming in the artificial light. "You thought I died?" she asked roughly. "A part of me did. Nic – he didn't make it. The empire took my Morning Glory. They took my Nic…I bought a new ship and spent the last few decades taking from them – hurting them the only way I can…financially. I free their slaves…I raid their warehouses…I steal their treasures. Nothing I do to them will ever make up for my loss. Which is why I know what you're going through, kid. When I first lost my ship and my husband, I executed a lot of imps before they even knew I was there. Then, I discovered they were normal men just like any other. They joke, they tease, they love their families and they believe with all their heart that what they are doing will help the galaxy – some want nothing more than peace. They were us with different accents. I became friends with a few – even a couple of sith. Those murders? They destroyed a part of me inside – they will haunt me forever. There is no healing found in murder. I learned that lesson the hard way, kid. I wanted to save you from that lesson."

It wasn't Starr's words that changed his mind. He couldn't bear the thought of Vista seeing him as a monster – a murderer of unarmed men. His gaze slid briefly to Vista and darted away. "Maybe time will dull my grief and anger."

"No," Annalyn said with a somber shake of her head. "It would take many long years for time to fade those memories – but love has a power time lacks. If you ever find it, kid…don't ever let it go. It will heal in ways you can't imagine. Until then…find something to fight for instead of rage against. You'll be a stronger man for it."

Her words hit him on more fronts than he'd have thought possible. He knew Vista barely saw him as a man. That was something he aimed to change – even if it was an uphill battle. He wasn't afraid of the challenge and would do whatever it took to win her heart. He knew he could make her happy. "I know what I'm going to fight for," he said with a steely determination.

Annalyn laughed softly. "I bet you do. Vista Solo – yes...I know who you are too. I may not be the woman I used to be, but I do keep up on the best and brightest. As one captain to another – I'd like to help you find your ship."

That was far more than she expected. "I'm grateful that you would even offer…but what are you getting out of it?"

"What – the warm and fuzzies of helping someone out doesn't work for you?" She chuckled at the look on the woman's face. "I'll get satisfaction. I stopped on Ord Mantell for supplies and to update weapons protocol on my droids. Skavak took something of mine off my ship. I followed him here…I lost him. I intend to find him again."

It would appear Skavak was hellbent on sowing his own defeat. "Then it would appear we all have something in common and Skavak is building an army of enemies. Before we go after Skavak, we need to get back to Rendia Freight to see Viidu. He needs to know about Syreena."

"Come on then," Annalyn said with a wave of her hand. "I'll get you there quickly. When you're done, find me at the port. I need to pick up my droids."

She pulled up short when hurried out of the chamber. She could have sworn she saw a white cathar. She spun around to see the back of the trooper disappearing. "Come on – we told Wynter we'd help her. Her CO might have a tantrum, but if we can help – we will. She filled Annalyn in on her earlier meetings with the trooper as they followed her down the shaft.

They followed the trail of dead bodies and pulled up near the entrance of the room behind a girder to see what they could overhear and find out if Wynter would need their help.

"…You aren't supposed to be here, Wolf."

"And I would not be, except Command feared you were dead and sent me in to find you and make sure the bomb did not disappear again."

A woman stepped in behind Wolf, her shotgun poised. "I will take her."

"No, Wraith. Wolf deserves to know the truth. I had hoped it wouldn't come to this. I harbor no ill will toward you. Except you made Gearbox and Fuse question our decision. He motioned to Fuse laying out cold on the ground. Fuse turned on us. But he'll come around again. Now you, Wolf, are a warrior. Everything Havoc should be. But I'm afraid the Republic no longer values her warriors – even the very best among them."

"Tavus, you know what the Empire is like! They are controlled by power mad Sith who torture and kill to get their way. They enslave and abuse. Regardless of anything that happened here - you can't believe it is better over there!"

The man named Tavus squared his shoulders. "The Empire respects warriors, Wolf. The Republic's top officials, on the other hand, have decided to cast us aside. The truth is that no matter what they may say, the Republic Senate doesn't actually believe it can win another war against the Empire. That makes you and I a threat. Every Havoc Squad victory fires up people's imaginations, fills them with pride – which means the bureaucrats can't afford to let us keep succeeding."

"Even if that were true, does that mean we should just lay down and let tyranny win? That we should stop fighting for freedom and democracy and just let it die? I would rather die fighting for freedom than become a slave of tyranny. Please…Gearbox…listen to me. It doesn't have to end this way. You know I'm right. You know there's another way. There's always another way! This will destroy your soul." She held out her hand towards him. "Give me the chance to help you find peace or to help you find a reason to go on fighting."

"If only you'd been with us longer, Wolf. You'd understand. You might have even come with us. The Republic abandoned us. During a mission on Ando Prime, they simple left us to die. But I won't try to persuade you. Honestly, I hope you die with your ideals intact. The rest of us will never have that luxury." He turned when Gearbox held his hand out.

Wraith slammed the butt of her shotgun against the side of his Gearbox's head. His eyes rolled up and he dropped heavily to the ground.

"Get them into the shuttle," Tavus motioned to the two downed me n.

"You're a real charmer," Vista responded as she stepped out from behind the metal girder that had hidden their presence.

"Who the hell are you?" Tavus demanded. This was getting out of hand.

"Vista Solo – spoiler of rotten plans and yours stinks like week old sani-liners. That's my partner, Corso Riggs and -"

Annalyn stepped forward. "Annalyn Starr – thorn in the Empire's backside more years than you've been alive."

He clenched his jaw. "I don't really give a damn who you are – except you have no business being here."

"That's where you're wrong. You see, I made a promise to Wynter and I'm a woman of my word – my honor's intact…too bad you lost yours," Vista taunted.

Wynter kept her attention focused on Tavus. If Jorgan had an issue with this he could suck it up. She'd not invited the trio to this party. "It's not too late, Tavus. Please turn back."

"Turn back to what? The Republic that wants me dead and gone? No, Wolf, I think not."

Wraith's smile was more of a sneer. "Thank you for finding the ZR-57 for us. We were worried the seps would waste our big present for the Empire."

"But thanks to your efforts," Needles replied with a small bow, "we can now present the Empire with this magnificent tool of destruction."

"I honestly wouldn't do that if I were you. As presents go – that one will prove disappointing," she warned.

"You could not be more wrong. Time we were off. Colonel Vorr? Please give Wolf the warrior's death she deserves – you can do what you want with the others." His gaze returned to her unsettling, large blue eyes. "I'm sorry it had to come to this. It's been an honor serving with you, Wolf. Goodbye."

The ramp rose as he disappeared into the shuttle. She got one round off, before the door closed, but then she had to devote her attention to the Imps determined to take their lives. Eventually, she and the civilians were the only ones left standing. She noticed Corso was clutching his arm, red seeping between his fingers.

"It's only a flesh wound," he said when he noticed that every female's eyes were locked onto his wound.

"Which you received helping me out." Wynter removed the small medkit from her belt. "Annalyne, stand watch. Vista, help him out of his coat and shirt." When his arm was bared, she ran an antiseptic pad over the wound, followed by a dab of kolto and wrapped it in a clean sani-wrap. "You're good to go for now." She put the kit away and looked all three of them over. "I want to thank you. I know I told you not to come, but I'm glad you did. I'm not sure if I would have survived if I'd been on my own – there were too many. You three have earned a friend in me today. If you ever need me, call on me. Until then, did you need assistance with your objective?"

"Nah, my ship wasn't there. Annalyn's gonna take us to Coruscant where we will continue our search for Skavak. I hope we meet again, Wynter. We work well together."

"That we do," the trooper responded.

Once they cleared the base, they went their separate ways after a round of handshakes. Vista truly hoped their paths would cross again.

There was no surprise when they returned to Viidu and found he'd been murdered by Syreena who was caught in mid-holo with Skavak. It wasn't right that Viidu died like that. He was a man with a caring heart. She wanted to wrap her hands around Syreena's throat and squeeze. But the woman didn't even raise a blaster at her. She didn't let Corso shoot a man that didn't fight back, so she couldn't either.

Syreena looked from Vista to Corso and then settled on the woman, who was clearly the leader. "Skavak has taken your ship and the blasters to Coruscant. If you hurry, you can catch him there. The separatists are retreating and the Republic just reopened the shuttle port. I'll give you a shuttle pass if you let me disappear. Do we have a deal?"

She gritted her teeth. She hated letting that conniving bitch go, but if something happened and the Lucky Star wasn't there, they would need those passes. "Fine. But, Syreena? Fix your life and stay out of trouble. I won't let you walk a second time."

Syreena started walking towards the doorway. "Understood, Captain. Hope I don't see you around." She stopped and turned to look at the captain. "If you find Skavak, go easy on him. He's a two-timing liar, but…it would be nice to see him again…someday."

Vista shook her head as the woman departed. Some people never learn.

"Glad that ended peacefully, I'm not one to hurt women. I'm gonna make sure people know what she did to Viidu, but I'm glad I'm not responsible for her death. We should leave before the bounty hunters show up and we need to get to Coruscant."

"We? Well, we did make a pretty good team. Stick with me, farm-boy, and we'll get your Torchy back." She hoped she was doing the right thing. She knew he wasn't her responsibility, but she didn't feel right leaving him on his own. Despite what had happened to his family, life hadn't turned him into a jaded cynic. There was an odd innocence or naivety about him that made her feel protective.

They hurried to the port, eager to get off Ord Mantell. They only had to ask one dockhand to find out which ship was the Lucky Star. A sweet heaven, she was a looker – sleek for a freighter. She was shaped like a tapered 'U' with the cockpit sitting raised above the middle of the two outstretched arms. It was nearly as smooth as a baby's bottom. No slapped-on upgrades that stuck out like a sore thumb, no poorly welded fixes, no emergency patchwork. She looked almost shipyard new, which was surprising for any ship – much less one that trolled imp space.

There were well armed droids on either side of the ramp leading up into the ship's belly.

"You have been granted permission to board the Lucky Star," the droid informed them.

"If I'd had droids like that, Skavak never would have stolen my ship."

He chose not to comment on that or on how cute she looked with her bottom lip pouting. If Skavak hadn't stolen her ship, he would not be flying off Ord Mantell at her side. He was looking forward to their adventures together. He was looking forward to proving himself and he was looking forward to trying to earn her love. "We'll get her back, Vista."

"Yes…we will." She looked around in awe. The inside of the ship was as pristine as the outside. There were no visible cables or hoses along the edges of the flooring, everything was tucked in and out of sight. She suspected, like her own ship, there was an additional cargo hold hidden beneath the flooring, though you couldn't tell by walking on it.

"Come on up – I've already completed the pre-flight checks. Let's get off this rock!" Annalyn yelled down at them.

They followed her voice; the cockpit was in the same direction hers' was, but the shape was completely different and the field of view was much larger. "I've never been aboard a ship like this. It looks fresh from the shipyard."

Everything about the ship was top of the line- a fine looking freighter flagship. "A lot of creds went into this baby."

She grinned at Corso. "You don't know the half of it, kid. Her systems won't even boot without my biometrics. Let's haul jets outta here."

Coruscant

The trip and company were far more enjoyable than she expected. It had been some time since she'd spent any real time with other people. They'd traded stories, played pazaak and learned that Corso could not handle his booze. The kid was almost poetic with his flowery compliments but at least he was a harmless drunk.

Coruscant itself was barren of almost anything natural, which was something someone in her line of work usually cared about. But when she stepped down onto a world, she wanted to feel dirt beneath her feet, smell the musky scent of wildlife and the delicate scent of flowers in bloom. Her stays on planets like this were never very long and avoided unless there was no other choice. But Skavak was reason enough to stay as long as she had to.

"If we're gonna find Skavak, we're gonna need some local help."

She crossed her arms under her breasts. "You got someone in mind, Corso?" Vista asked.

He grinned. "I happen to know the perfect guy. There's a gambler named Darmas Pollaran who keeps tabs on everything worth knowing about Coruscant. You'll like him. When Darmas isn't playing sabacc, he buys and sells the kinds of answers we need. Give me a second, I'll raise him on the holo."

Darmas looked up at the dark-haired kid, though he wasn't as gangly as he'd once been. Little Corso was growing up. "Corso, is that you? It's been too long, you rascal. What brings you to Coruscant?"

"A friend and I are in a bind. Is there a place we can meet you?

"Of course. Come to my private cantina booth. I'm here now…. winning my tenth hand of sabacc against a very persistent rodian."

"Sounds like my kind of place," Vista replied with a grin.

Darmas turned to put a face to the voice. "I hope that's only the first of many affinities we share."

She pursed her lips to keep from laughing. Darmas was a charmer. "I bet."

"Manias?" Analyn shook her head. "I'm sorry, you sound like someone I knew once. But that's not possible, that sewer rat's long dead by now."

Darmas swallowed hard but kept the grin on his face. "I'm far too endearing to be a sewer rat. And once you meet me, I'm sure you'll discover I have nothing in common with your…friend." Of all the joints she had to walk in to…and not looking a day older than he'd seen her last. Of course, he didn't look the same at all. But she was supposed to have died or he'd have been more careful.

"Darmas is a good man," Corso assured her. "Keep your commlink channel open, Darmas. I need to tell you about Viidu."

They took a taxi to the Galactic Market sector. She let Corso fly while she and Annalyn squished into the second seat. It was worth it to save a few creds. Annalyn had money to spare, but even she enjoyed saving creds.

Ah…the Dealer's Den cantina. Not one she'd visited before, but it was attractive and obviously meant for those that enjoyed spending creds.

Corso looked around stunned by what he was seeing. He was used to crowded, dingy, small cantinas. "Wow – even the cantinas here are big. Darmas says this is the best watering hole on the planet."

Darmas rose when his card game ended to greet the trio that had come to see him. He ignored Starr for the moment. He smiled. "Forgive me for being so forward, but you're more radiant than a Tatooine sunset. Darmas Pollaran, at your service." He took her hand and raised it to his lips.

Oh brother – he was one of those. She plastered a warm smile on her lips. "Vista Solo…and you're even better looking in person, Darmas."

Why was Darmas flirting with her and why wasn't she putting a stop to it? "Come on, Vista…isn't he a little old for you?"

Darmas settled onto the sofa. "Don't listen to the boy. Feel free to compliment me anytime. Sorry to hear about Viidu. He was a man of refined tastes and a terrible card player. I'll truly miss him. Now…I know this isn't a social call – much as I could wish otherwise. Corso says you have troubles and I'm prepared to help."

She leaned up against the card table and crossed her legs. "A man named Skavak stole my freighter and we were told he was due to come here."

"Corso mentioned stolen cargo and the infamous Rogun the Butcher, too. My sympathies. The man works with the Empire and cheats at cards. I'm happy to help you find him. I've already alerted my best informants and I'm getting some interesting leads."

Corso grinned. "What did I tell you, Vista? Darmas can find out anything. We'll have Skavak in no time."

She ran a hand through her thick, red mane. "How much will this information lighten my wallet?"

Darmas held up a hand for a negligible shake. "Free of charge, my dear. I would never consider extorting credits from a beautiful woman in distress. Skavak recently used the services of a data slicer named Kixi in the Migrant Merchant's Guild headquarters. She's quite talented, I hear. She might be able to help you flush him out of hiding. Be careful though – the guild is well armed." He turned to greet Starr. "Now, have I passed the test?" he asked her with a quirk of his brow. He had to force himself to breath when he realized he was holding it.

Annalyn frowned and she crossed her arms under her breasts. "There was no test. You sound like him, but you don't look like him. I already apologized – I won't do it again." He may not be Manias, but he rubbed her the wrong way. He reminded her of the imp-scum and that was enough. She didn't' trust him farther than she could look at him.

He held his hands up in surrender. "Well then – I stand corrected and you have my apologies for bringing the matter up again. You are welcome to stay and enjoy yourself while your friends are busy." He knew offering for her to stay was a risk, but it also showed he had nothing to hide. Manias Holding had been his first alias as an Imperial agent. In the end, he'd had to burn that identity, thanks to Starr and her husband Okarr…two names he'll never forget. It almost cost him this alias when he saw her again. Thank all he held dear that he was able to keep it together. One wrong step around her and he'd have to run. The fun of fooling her was the only thing that kept him from having a bounty put out on her. No…this was a high stakes – win or lose everything game and it was invigorating. Perhaps he'd get both of these ladies in bed. He had no real interest in Starr – not anymore…but the revenge would be sweet.

She shook her head, her metallic golden-brown hair catching the multitude of neon lights. "No, thank you. We're going after Skavak together. He stole something of mine and I am getting it back."

The only problem they encountered en route was needing a security pass to enter their destination. that proved to be of little consequence because Annalyn was a crack slicer. It would appear that this Kixi was well protected…or guarded. They'ed had to scrap a few droids to get behind her locked door.

Kixi was uncertain what these newcomers meant. Freedom or servitude under new masters? "Been monitoring you on the security network. You sure know how to make an entrance. Whatever issues you have with the guild, I'm on your side. I'm just a slave here."

"Relax, we're not here to hurt you. We just need your help," she assured her.

Hope welled inside her for the first time in two years. "Then you'll let me leave? I've been locked up for two years. I'll do anything to get out."

"Skavak owes us each a debt - he'll regret he ever saw Vista Fox."

Kixi's dark green hair fluttered with the slight shake of her head. "I knew that Corellian pig-lizard had ticked off the wrong person. No wonder he was in such a hurry. He paid the guild to clean his identity record."

Skavak was Corellian? He gave their people a bad name. Time for him to pay handsomely for that. "Are you willing to dirty it again before you go?"

She chuckled. "He won't be able to walk ten meters without attracting attention. Give me a moment" Her hands flew over the controls. "I saved records of everything I erased. I'm just transferring the data back. There. The minute he passes an identity checkpoint, it'll trigger an alarm."

Annalyn stepped forward. "Leave the files open and run. I'll…finish up and remove evidence of our tampering."

Relief flooded through the mirialan. "Oh, thank you! You three are my heroes!"

Annalyn grinned as the green woman ran off and hopped onto the terminal. "Let's see what else I can do to dear, sweet Skavak. Hmm…yes…now he's an undercover Republic agent. Oh – yes…and one more parting favor. He's now suffering from Bothan Nether Rot – no cure for that little nasty." She giggled. "I wonder how he got that? Give me a moment to tidy things up…. There. No one will know it's been tampered with."

"I'm glad I'm not your enemy," Corso said as he squeezed his thighs together unconsciously. "Let's get back to Darmas and see if he's learned anything more."

She frowned. "I hope you do not blindly trust him."

Corso eyed Starr. "He's a good man. He's helped me out whenever I needed it and he's helping us now."

She nodded. Blind trust. "As you say."

Vista sighed. "Come on…trust issues aside, he's still the only lead we have."

Annalyn grinned as they entered the cantina again. "Corso – I think you are the only man alive that doesn't even give those dancers a glance," she teased.

He couldn't help but be offended by her words. "Unless they are in trouble, I have no need to look. I'm not interested in anything they have to offer."

"Has your heart already been spoken for?" She couldn't help herself. Until Vista Solo opened her eyes and put him out of his misery, he was just so easy to tease.

He could no more stop his eyes from seeking out Vista then he could stop the heart beating in his chest. He knew he wanted to impress her. He wanted to win her affection. But now he realized he wanted her heart because she already had his. He saw Vista's head turn in his direction and he tore his eyes from her to look at Starr. "I suppose I am a taken man."

She nodded and glanced at the oblivious Solo. "Whoever she is - she's a lucky woman."

Vista bit back a frown. Corso was taken? She wondered why Viidu thought the kid was interested in her? It was better this way. She couldn't hurt him if his heart belonged to another. If he felt anything towards her, it was just a touch of hero worship. That she could handle and still keep her promise to Viidu.

"You, my dear, grow more beautiful each time I see you," Darmas told her with a wink as he settled onto a loveseat. "An informant saw you leaving the Migrant Merchant's Guild. I trust Kixi was useful?"

Annalyn didn't like Darmas putting moves on Solo not when something bothered her about him. She couldn't put her finger on it…but something told her to be wary. "She gave Skavak back his well-earned identity and I dirtied it even more."

No...no…her skills as a slicer didn't bother him. His identity was long established and solid. He had to believe that. He nodded. "Then he won't be able to hide for long." He turned his attention to the much more appealing Vista Solo. "My sources reveal Skavak is doing business with the Black Sun gang. They have holorecordings of all their meetings. So, you'll find information about Skavak on those holos. But…they fragment them. You'll have to assemble the relevant footage by accessing several computers. Do be careful and good luck."

A taxi ride later and they were in the Black Sun district. The coordinates Darmas gave them saved them a lot of exploratory footwork. They split up to hit all three rooms. It would appear that she was the only one of them that didn't have to fight for the data. She always did tend to have the luck of the Corellian…but Skavak's luck, Corellian or not, had finally ran out.

The mainframe, however, was well guarded. Since no one chose to walk away it took them a few minutes to fight through the Black Sun. Needless to say, as lady luck would have it, they were the ones left standing.

They inserted their data splices and learned that dirty little shit-weasel had a lawman after him.

He gently palmed her elbow. "It might be this lawman knows how to find Skavak. We'd better try to save him…Vista."

She stiffened her spine to hold back the shiver. Why did her name off his lips always sound like a caress? "Not often I get to save the law. This should prove interesting."

They headed back to the port and took the lift up to the second docking bay level. The hangar was well fortified. Further in, they found the cathar that had been talking to Skavak in the holo and several thugs taking on one, small man. "The sullustan must be very dangerous to warrant so many to stand against him."

Urbax growled. "I told you idiots to watch the door! You!" he said, giving his attention to the newcomers. "You don't belong here. Better leave before that pretty little face is marred."

"Wait, upstanding citizen! Under Article 11607 of the Emergency Service Laws, I hereby deputize you. These men are interfering with a criminal investigation."

"Deputy, eh?" She grinned. "You heard the man." She grabbed her blasters, twirled them and took aim. "Drop your weapons or lose your life."

Urbax shook his head. "I like a spirited woman – too bad I have to kill you," he growled.

They didn't drop their weapons. She hissed when a round sliced the arm of her coat before she could get her defense screen up. Stupid…she knew better. She would not be that slow again.

Corso stepped forward, putting himself between her and the shooter. Four against three, the thugs didn't stand a chance. "You okay…Vista?" he asked softly.

She felt his breath fan the side of her face as he looked over her arm. "I'm fine. You don't need to protect me…I'm a big girl." She squared her shoulders. "Don't put yourself at risk for me, kid."

He stared down into her emerald eyes that held him captive. "I'm not a kid. And not even a herd of angry rancors could stop me from protecting you."

Corso protected women. It's who he was and she knew it wasn't an argument she could win right now – if ever. She'd learned a long time ago to pick her battles and this would not be one of them.

Miel snapped his blaster back onto his magbelt. "I am grateful for your assistance, deputy. I apologize for drafting you into service on such short notice, but you performed admirably. I have not properly identified myself. I am Officer Miel Muwn of the Sullustan Constable Brigade."

"I'm…Fox Solo. Starship captain and courier. And I quite enjoy being a deputy and helping the law," she told him with a warm smile. Almost no one knew her middle name was Fox, so she felt safe enough using it. She'd created a squeaky-clean alias for it many years ago. It was the identification she used when she went through any security scan. It was the name of her twin sister, older by a couple of minutes, that went missing when they were small children. She was never declared dead and the DNA was a perfect match. No one ever questioned the identity.

"Then you shall remain my deputy, Fox Solo. With my gratitude. I have come to Coruscant pursuing a dangerous criminal named Skavak. He is wanted by the government of Sullust for high crimes. He stole the priceless Murustavan Ruby. It is my job to arrest him and retrieve it."

She smiled at the little guy. "He's wanted by me for stealing my starship. His blaster and her pet. We've got your back, Miel."

"Ah! I suspected your timely intervention here was not coincidence. As my deputy, I propose we cooperate and share any leads we discover." Coruscant was a confusing world to him and he would be grateful for her help.

She inclined her head to the sullustan. "Of course, Officer Miel."

"I'm glad to have allies on this world. Together we will bring that lawbreaker to justice! Now, I will contact the local security forces and file all appropriate reports."

"Time to jet," Annalyn pointed out.

"We should check in with Darmas since we still don't know where Skavak is. I tried calling him, but he must be in a game. Let's go," Corso told them.

Unfortunately, friends were waiting for them in the casino. Kids playing bounty hunter. She didn't want the deaths of children on her conscience.

"Look!" Egara said as she pointed in the red-haired woman's direction. "It's the captain from Rogun the Butcher's bounty contract!"

Scorch stepped forward. "Hold it right there, captain!"

She held her arms out to stop her friends from raising their weapons. "Me? Wouldn't I have to have a ship to be a captain?"

"Come on you two – let's cremate this fool and get rich!"

She smiled coldly at the kids. "I'm not who you're looking for, but neither do I tolerate fools. You kids run along home to your mamas before I spank you."

"All right, that's it. Let's roast this stupid nerf-herder!" Scorch snarled.

Riloh held up his hand. "Hold it, Scorch." He looked at the three that faced them and saw his death in their eyes. "I think this is more trouble than it's worth."

"I'd listen to your friend, Scorch. If you make a habit of killing innocent people, you're going to find your name on some bounty hunter's list. How many innocents have you killed?" Annalyn inquired.

"Ha! I never flame-broiled anyone that didn't have it coming!" he scoffed.

Egara grunted. "Except for that rodian droid tech – and the trandoshan cloth merchant."

Riloh nodded. "And your last girlfriend. What was her name? Mira? Marzi?"

"It was Myrella – and that was an accident!" Scorch turned to Egara. "You said this was the captain Rogun wanted – are you sure or not?"

Egara's lips tightened and her fists clenched. Now she doubted what she knew. "I don't know! I thought…I don't know! Let's – let's get out of here. I think I made a mistake."

Vista flashed them a warm smile. "You kids have a nice day and be careful who you confront. It's a dangerous galaxy."

Scorch shoved his friend's arm as they walked away. "Why'd you bring up Myrella in front of total strangers? That was just cold…," he mumbled.

"I would have blasted them," Annalyn admitted. "That hot tempered Scorch has killed innocents with no remorse."

"Yes, but I don't think his friends have. They shouldn't have to die for his mistakes. Besides, he's young still. I'm hoping they will be able to get through to him. If they don't…well...I have an old friend here that can handle him…if it comes to that."

Darmas rose until Vista seated herself and then settled onto the loveseat next to hers. "Having some trouble with bounty hunters, Vista?"

A cocky grin spread over her lips. "Just some kids that needed to rethink their lives." She sighed softly. "I seem to be popular with all the wrong people."

Darmas leaned towards her. "All the right people find you charming, too," he murmured before clearing his throat and sitting up. "I hear Black Sun's on an emergency recruitment drive. I take it my lead was worthwhile?"

"That it was. It led me to a sullustan lawman, who is also chasing Skavak."

His grin was smarmy. "It's good to have friends with common interests."

Was this guy for real? "Are we friends then, Darmas?"

He leaned in her direction. "Friendship is just one step along the journey I'd like to take with you." He steepled his hands in his lap. "And…while we wait for Skavak to make his next move, perhaps we can play a little sabaac?"

Corso squared his shoulders. He did not appreciate how strong Darmas was coming on to his…to Vista. "Vista…I think we should…"

He waved Corso off. "Corso, don't be such a spoilsport. What do you say, Vista?"

"Sabaac?" Her brows drew together and her lips pursed before smoothing into a smile. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt to have a friendly game."

"Great!" Darmas said as he rose from the sofa. "Get us a round of drinks, won't you, Corso?" He could tell the kid would rather do anything but. "There's a good man," he said with a grin as Corso headed towards the bar. "Come, my dear…the table awaits."

An hour later, Darmas sat back in his chair with a grunt. "You win again. That was…very impressive." He didn't like losing, so he certainly didn't let her win. That she did, was concerning. It would appear the woman had brains to go along with her big breasts.

"Impressive? Vista cleaned your chrono, Darmas," Corso said with more glee than he should have felt. He knew he was just plain jealous of the attention she was giving Darmas. He wanted to flirt with Vista – but he didn't want her to think he was treating her as anything less than the lady that plumb stole his heart.

Darmas rubbed his chin as he rose to resume his seat back on the sofa. "Hmmm…I'd say you've played this game before."

Annalyn laughed, her hand flying up to cover her mouth.

Vista's grin grew slowly until merriment danced in her eyes. "I never said I was a beginner."

Darmas chuckled. "Then I'm a victim of my own assumptions. Well played, my friend." His hand rose to his ear. "Hold on, I'm receiving an alert from my network." He rose, his gaze settling on Vista. "Looks like your efforts have paid off. My informants witnessed Skavak fighting someone and fleeing into Justicar territory. Looks like we've got him! Odd though, the justicars don't tolerate outsiders. Skavak must truly be desperate to risk his life going there."

That was music to her ears. "He knows we won't stop. He's a scared little man running out of options."

Darmas took her hand and gave it a brief squeeze before letting it go. "Play your hand carefully, my dear. My instincts tell me Skavak hasn't shown all his cards yet."

She had to force herself not to wipe away his touch. "You've been a real prince, Darmas. I won't forget it."

He took a step closer to her, inhaling the scent that was uniquely hers. He knew he was playing with fire, but the rewards were worth the danger. "I hope this isn't the last time we see each other. I can't help but think there's more to our relationship than revenge on Skavak. I think we complement each other well."

Corso stepped forward angling his body between theirs. "I may have been a bit hasty when I said we could trust Darmas…"

Corso…ever the white knight and obviously very taken with the beautiful Vista. "Relax, son. Vista can make her own decisions." His gaze lowered to meet hers. "I hope you make Skavak pay for all his crimes. And…I'm hoping to see you again soon."

He'd heard more than enough from Darmas. He wanted Vista far away from the cagey old man. "We need to go, Vista. We can't let Skavak get away again," Corso warned her.

Annalyn bit the inside of her cheek. Maybe she should clue Vista in on what was going on. No…no…this was far more fun. Would Corso fall deeper in love? Would he discover it was only some childhood fantasy? Or would he grow a pair, stop playing nice and just kiss her? She doubted Vista would take a man seriously until he took himself seriously. She knew she wouldn't. Time would see how this played out.

Corso shook his head when they got a break from the fighting. "Darmas wasn't kidding about the justicars. They're surlier than a bronto in rut. There!" He said pointing to a doorway. "That is where we're to meet Juul and Jiik."

Juul crossed her arms over her chest. "You're the captain, right? About time you got here. Thanks to you, the justicars snagged my brother Jiik. Never should have tangled ourselves in your cloudhead business."

Her eyes narrowed on the belligerent kid. "I get that you're worried about your brother, kid. But it is not my fault you chose to take the job, nor is it my fault that he was captured. You did what you did for credits. Pure and simple – just like we all do. So, grow up and accept responsibility for the choices you choose to make. Good or ill, choices have consequences. Now, let's just focus on what matters. Your brother and Skavak."

"I'm Juul – not kid! And what do you know? You live in the clouds. You don't know anything about turfer land."

Her gaze hardened. "What do I know? I wasn't born on a ship, kid. I know what it means to take chances. I know what it means to face loss. I know what it means to fight to survive. So, don't tell me what I don't know. If you want respect, then act like an adult and earn it, before I forget you're just worried and turn you over my knee. Now, if you want my help then tell me what happened."

She swallowed her temper. Where there was one informant there were others and she knew she couldn't rescue her brother on her own. As much as it galled her, she needed the cloudhead's help. "Jiik and I were tailing Skavak when the justicars came after us. Jiik stuck to Skavak, I drew off the justicars. I lost those helmet-brains easy, but they snagged Jiik and hauled him off to their detention center! If you want Skavak, then rescue my brother!"

"I already told you I'd help you find your brother. Now, lose the chip on your shoulder before someone decides to knock it off," she warned the girl.

"Are you threatening me?" Juul hissed.

"No. And it's sad you don't know the difference between a warning and a threat. Not everyone's as nice as I am, kid. You mouth off to the wrong person and Jiik will lose you – is that what you want? Him trying to survive without you?"

"No," she grumbled.

Maybe she'd finally gotten through to the girl. "Then stop giving me grief and work with me to find your brother."

"Fine. I'll send you the coordinates of where they took him. You must destroy all the droid-eyes so that you are not seen. I don't want them coming after him later. Here," she said, handing Vista a holocommunicator. "Give this to my brother so we can contact each other. Remember – destroy the droid-eyes."

There were a lot of droid-eyes in the cell block…and a lot of justicars. Since they were unwilling to negotiate with words, they let their blasters do the talking. She was stunned to find Miel in one of the holding cells. "I did not expect to find you here."

"Deputy!" Miel felt relief flood through him. "I did not expect to be incarcerated. These lawbreakers pretended to be peaceful officers. That is a severe offense under Statute 52974 of the Sullustan Criminal Code. The fugitive Skavak ambushed me and fled. The justicars interrupted my pursuit and demanded I surrender."

"Why didn't you contact us? I thought we were working together on this," she admonished.

"I would have, but my holotransmitter was destroyed during Skavak's ambush. I did not want to harm people I believed were local authorities, so I surrendered. I became aware of my error when they incarcerated me."

She moved to the control panel next to the door and shut down the holofield. "We have one more person to rescue and then we'll join you in the hunt."

Miel nodded. "This is the second time you have come to my aid. I owe you a significant debt. When I return to Sullust, I will file a Form 453391 and request an official commendation for your actions today."

"We'll see you soon, Miel. In the meantime, take care of yourself." Further down she saw a kid that appeared like he'd been through a beating. She deactivated the controls. "Corso…can you help him stand?"

She flipped on the holo after Corso got Jiik to his feet. "Your sister sent us, Jiik."

He tried to smile but failed when his sister popped up on the holo. It hurt too bad to smile. "Hey, sis. I knew you wouldn't forget about me. Who's the cloudhead?"

"The captain Darmas asked us to help. What happened when you followed Skavak? How did the justicars snag you?"

He grunted and leaned heavily on Corso when a bolt of pain shot through his body. "Saw something I wasn't supposed to see. I caught the justicars trading supplies with the Empire. Skavak and the imps were laughing about something. The imps took Skavak into The Works."

"Thank you! We'll head to the Works."

Juul's mouth fell open. "Are you crazy?" she asked. "The Works is nothing but toxic ruins and berserk droids. People who go down there don't come back. If you follow them, you are braver than I thought…or dumber."

Jiik took a step away from Corso's support. "I want to go home now. This is the worst party I've ever been to."

"Jiik – remember the tunnel we found? Crawl in and come to the warehouse. I'll hide you from the justicars."

He groaned. "Great, Juul. I'm going to smell like rancor droppings for a week. Thanks for busting me out, Captain." He took the holotransmitter the captain handed him. "Good luck down in the Works, Captain. You'll all need it."

"Well, hell." Vista shrugged. "I can't contact Miel since he lost his holotransmitter. Let's go - Skavak's not getting away again."

"No, Vista…he's not," Annalyn agreed wholeheartedly.

The Works were nothing like what Vista had imagined. If she ever had to go to The Works again – hang that thought. She was never going to The Works again. There were few people living down here, those that did weren't quite right in the head. Exposure to the toxins, she imagined. The further they went in, the more imps they saw. However, they appeared to be focused in one area of The Works, so that was the direction they went.

There were a lot less imps in The Works by the time they located Skavak. She drew her gun and marched up to Skavak. "End of the line, Skavak!"

Commander Kasstroff shot a glare at his men. "Is it too much to ask that someone guard the entrance of our base?"

Skavak smiled, impressed despite being caught. "Captain. Seriously. I admire your persistence, but this is ridiculous."

"Who is this woman, Skavak, one of your conquests?"

"She wishes," Skavak scoffed.

Corso jerked his blaster towards Skavak. "You're going to be nothing but a floor stain when we're done with you, Skavak!" he growled.

"Corso – heard about your job. Don't let unemployment make you bitter." He laughed when a realization dawned on him. "No…I don't think you care about that job - I think you're jealous at the thought of Vista in my bed." His gaze moved to the vibrant woman. "Were you the one that fouled up my identity record and sent half the galaxy chasing me? That wasn't very nice, Vista."

"It's all about the love, Skavak," she sneered sarcastically.

Skavak chuckled. "Love…I knew you wanted me. Is that why my record states I have Bothan Nether Rot? Couldn't stand seeing me with another woman? You'll just have to face that it's over between us, sweetheart."

"There's only one way this is going to end between us, sweetheart."

He shook his head. "Haven't you had enough revenge on me? Did you have to frame me as an undercover agent? That was below the belt – even for you."

Her brows rose and her mouth fell open in shock. "You're an undercover agent? So that's why you're working deals with the imps…this is a sting operation! I'm not a part of all of this!" She yelled to the non-existent agents.

"Skavak? "But the man was already running off. "Kill them all!" Commander Kasstroff bellowed. "And bring me Skavak's head on a plate."

Miel darted into the fray. "Attention, Imperial lawbreakers. You are in violation of Statute 1983 of the Sullustan Criminal Code. Drop your weapons and surrender the gem!"

"How dare you talk to me!" the Commander huffed. "Who do you think you are giving me orders? You're as good as dead, alien filth."

Miel ignored him. "I have already disabled your comlinks and cut you off from any reinforcements! Drop your weapons now!"

Miel took a blaster bolt to the chest and went down hard, but they could do nothing until the imps were no longer a threat. As soon as the last one fell, she darted over to the lawman's side. "We'll get you to a kolto tank."

He coughed, blood spraying from his mouth. "It's too late for that. I'm – I'm unable to…to maintain," he coughed again, "pursuit of Skavak. Here…codes…docking bay 87. Find…" a coughing fit over took him. "Bring him to justice…for me…"

A final rattle brought only silence. She rose and sent an anonymous message to Cor-Sec explaining about the imps and the lawman they'd killed in The Works. She hoped they'd send him home.

"Poor little guy, he never deserved to go out like this," Corso murmured.

"No. He was a good man with a noble soul," she said as she reached for his hand and gave it a brief squeeze. She looked up into his blue eyes. "I don't think many are lucky enough to get what they deserve. I've been far luckier than most and maybe that's not fair either."

"Come on, you two. We have a man's dying wish to fulfill," Annalyn reminded them.

They followed Annalyn, who appeared to know exactly where to go. "Over there – that's docking bay 87." She shrugged. "I've used it before. Gimme a sec…I've got the door."

Inside were only a handful of people. She thought there'd be more security.

"Excuse me," Fabizan said with a raised hand to halt the intruders. "In case it wasn't obvious by the locked door you sliced through, this is a private docking bay."

"I'm sure, but it's also a private docking bay with a very stolen ship in its hold. A ship with MY name, Vista Fox, so let me ask you this….do you want me to bring the authorities in to investigate your activities or will you stand aside so I claim my ship?"

"I'm sorry, Skavak paid a lot of money for security. My hands are tied," he told her.

Corso and Annalyn raised their blasters and put holes int the heads of the two security guards. She blinked and looked at the man left standing. "You were saying?"

Skavak did not pay him enough to die. "Yes…your ship. I've been taking good care of it. All the cargo's still on board. Even had it detailed. No harm done…right?"

"Not yet," Corso growled. "But you owe Vista something for all her trouble."

Fabizan nodded briskly. "I could give you a nice ship upgrade and charge it to Skavak's account. Interested?"

"You bet I am," she said with a grin and slapped her blaster back onto her magbelt. She winked at Corso. "Thanks for the thought, farm boy."

She gave them a quick tour of her ship while they waited for the upgrades to be finished.

Annalyn's throat tightened up. "Nic had a ship just like this one. I miss that old ship as much I miss that old bastard."

"I can't give you back your husband, but if you want to trade ships," she teased to try to lighten her friend's mood.

Annalyn blinked as a spark of hope warmed her insides. "You would be willing to trade?" She held her breath, barely daring to hope.

"Wait…you're serious? You would trade my old girl for your very expensive, much newer ship?" She couldn't not have heard Annalyn right.

"Just because something is old, it does not make it any less of a ship. I know exactly what's under your girl's hood. Some of the best years of my life was spent in her sister. There were none available when I was looking for a ship. Building one to look just like this XS Freighter would not have been the same. It wouldn't have the age, the character, the weight. It would have been a mockery. But if you're willing…I'd give just about anything for this old girl. And if she needs more upgrades – I've got the creds to see it done."

"If you are sure you this is what you want, I can hardly turn down a ship like yours. But I'd like to get my things and the core identi-chip."

Annalyn's smile glowed and she hugged Vista tightly. "Of course! It wouldn't do for me to be flying around in the Vista Fox. Come, we'll make use of the droids in our bays to swap out our belongings. And I'll go grab my core identi-chip! Be right back!"

She looked at Corso and at the woman that was all but running from the hangar bay. "This seems like a weird dream. Why would anyone make such a trade?"

Corso shook his head. It did seem like a dream. "Maybe for sentimental reasons? Her past and memories are important to her. Maybe that's what she fights for?"

"Maybe…Let's get those droids to start unloading the freight."

As they descended the ramp and ran into Fabizan.

"Do I work fast or what? You're going to let Fabizan scoot along now? I've got other business far, far away from here."

"Sure thing…just have the droids unload everything and move it the ship in docking bay 85 before you leave. My ship's under a new command."

"I – yes…of course. Thank you." He hurried away. In moments, droids and small lift vehicles were ascending the ramp into the belly of her old ship. She gripped Corso's hand. "I can't believe this is happening. This is really happening!"

A dark-haired woman skirted the droids and dashed down the ramp. "What is going on? Where are they taking my things? I demand an explanation. And who are you – one of Skavak's special friends?"

Vista cocked a brow and released the hand she'd captured. "I am Vista -the ship's owner. Or at least I was. I've traded ships with a friend of mine. My things are being transferred to my new ship."

"That so? What an interesting development. My name's Risha. I've been traveling with Skavak as part of a business arrangement. He and I had a deal to deliver the items that are being moved, as we speak," she pointed to the old droid and the man in carbonite."

Vista grunted. "Skavak isn't known for honoring his deals."

Risha nodded. "Then maybe my luck is about to change. Hey – be careful with that head, will you?"

She shuddered at the sight of the head in a jar. "I do not want to know where that came from."

"Probably for the best. And you're right – Skavak is proving unreliable. So, I will give you the same offer I gave him. It's simple. You make the deliveries and I make you filthy rich."

"I think I can live with that. My new ship is in docking bay 85, if you want to head on over there. I can't leave this ship unguarded until Annalyn claims it. Pardon me – I need to retrieve the core identi-chip." She hurried up the ramp and into the belly of her ship. She doubted it would be the last time she'd be aboard it, but the next time it would be under someone else's ownership. She knew this ship inside and out, it had been with her for years, but she didn't have any sentimental memories. Maybe that would change with her new ship. She had people that were a part of her life now.

Most captains were unwilling to sell or trade their ships. When you know how your ship moves, when you work together as a fine-tuned machine…when your back's up against the wall, it is far better to be with the familiar than trying to learn new systems. But now that she'd found her ship, she had nothing better to do for the moment than learn the peculiarities of a new ship. "It's going to be a fun adventure…learning a new ship." She pulled out the identi-chip and slid it into her pocket. With a smile growing by the second she hurried down the ramp.

"Get him out of that cage now!" Annalyn growled.

She noticed Risha holding a blaster on Annalyn. "Whoa there…Annalyn's with us. She the new owner of…this ship."

Risha glared at the metallic haired woman, her blaster did not waver. "She is trying to free my Shanjaru. Not only do we need him, but he'd kill anyone who gets in his way and I don't want to have to kill something we need."

Annalyn leaned in but didn't draw her blaster…yet. "Dibble belongs to me. My husband brought him home and we raised him from a cub. Skavak stole him from me and you are not taking him anywhere!"

"Dibble?" Vista asked with a smirk.

"Don't judge. We were drunk, but Dibble liked his name and refused to acknowledge another."

Vista looked at Risha and nodded. "I'm sorry, Risha, she's telling the truth. Dibble is hers, that's one run we won't be able to make."

Risha slid her blaster back into its holster. "We have to come up with another plan. We need to make that delivery."

"Voss," Annalyn stated. "If you have other deliveries, then make them. I'll fly to Voss and pick up a male mawvorr. Even a blood test could not tell a shanjaru and a mawvorr. Same animal – different planet."

Risha's face brightened with a smile. That woman was as devious as she was. "I think I'm going to like you." She tossed Annalyn the keys. "But I'll let you unlock the cage."

Annalyn cooed all over her baby before sending a droid to move the cage back into her new ship. "Some of your things were already being loaded onto the new Vista Fox. I had to remove the retinal biometric scanner, it only worked for me. There were two protection droids that came with the ship, they are yours now. Any quirks I should be aware of?"

"She tends to drift a bit to the left on take-off, but otherwise she's well behaved. I've repaired the thrusters, but thruster 2A needs replaced. I haven't been able to afford that yet – sorry." She felt the heat sting her cheeks.

Annalyn squeezed her arm. "Hey, hon…don't be. I'm getting something I've wanted for longer than you've been alive. It's obvious you've taken good care of her – that's what matters. I'll be sinking creds into her anyway…to personalize her," she said with a shrug.

"The last of your items have been loaded onto the new Lucky Star, master," the droid informed Annalyn.

"Thank you, CJ. You, CD and EN can all board. Here…give this to EN to install," she said as she handed him the biometric scanner. "I'll be there in a moment." Her eyes fastened onto Vista's. "I hope you are going to enjoy your new ship as much as I am. I really – I can't thank you enough for doing this for me. It doesn't bring my husband back, of course…but I feel closer to him."

Her red brows drew together in concern for her friend's mental health. "Is that…healthy?"

She laughed softly. "Not for most people. But Nic and I…we were bound together long ago. There can never be anyone for me but him. And that is a story for another time."

"Thanks for everything, Annalyn. The ship…Voss…if you find yourself bored...we can always use another partner."

"See you soon, hon…and maybe I'll just take you up on that. It's been a long time since I worked with someone else. I think I'm going to like it." She hugged Vista, shook the hands of Corso and Risha. "Come on, Dibble. Let's haul jets."

Vista smiled at the large shanjaru bouncing around her friend like a puppy. They were considered cat-like, but it looked like an oversized puppy to her. A few minutes after the pair disappeared into the ship a golden droid hurried down the ramp. By the time it reached the bottom, the ramp was lifting.

"I am quite sure I do not know why I was asked to leave the ship with all due hasted. I have been assigned to the Vista Fox. Have I displeased the captain?" it asked.

"I am the captain of the Vista Fox – that is no longer the Vista Fox, it is the Lucky Star. But I think I'd remember if I had a droid, which I didn't. You are free to go."

"Go? Master! You are the captain of the Vista Fox? Then you are my new master. I am C2-N2. I am your protocol and maintenance droid. I will do everything I can to keep the crew and ship running smoothly," it informed her.

"Well, follow us then, C2. The new Vista Fox is in docking bay 85." When they arrived, she came to a stop and sucked in her breath. Corso took her hand and she didn't think anything about clamping down on it. "This is really happening. She's mine. Almost hard to imagine. Even stranger is that I have Skavak to thank for it."

He couldn't take his eyes off the captain. She was glowing like a dola flower on a hot summer's day. "Maybe I'll thank him for us before I put a hole in his head."

Risha's gaze shifted from Corso to Vista. "Are you two an item or something?" she asked, motioning her finger between them.

She hastily let go of Corso's hand. "We're just friends. We've been through a lot together, so we're pretty close." She hurried up the ramp and into her new ship. She needed to plug in the core identi-chip so they could take off.

"Are you going to tell her how you feel about her?" Risha inquired with a raised brow.

"I need to prove I'm worthy first," Corso replied as he hurried up the ramp.

Risha's lips twitched in amusement. Well…isn't that interesting. Stupid but interesting. If he didn't tell her how he felt about her he risked losing her. Odd that he didn't realize that. Not that she would enlighten him. No, this was far more intriguing…something she could watch unfold while they dealt with the cargo.

Vista spun around in a gleeful circle. She felt like a kid in a candy shop. She'd gone over every nook and cranny on the ship and everything was perfect...luxurious and perfect. Who would have thought that a freighter would be luxurious? But it was! Seats were made of the finest leather grain that would mold to you when you sat down, as if you were sitting on a cloud. The bed in the captain's quarters must have been made out of some sort of gel. It had give to it but thicker than water and moved with you as it cradled you. She had wondered what it would be like make love on such a bed.

Like her old ship, the main deck curved around in a circle, with the other rooms all coming off the main deck. No hoses or tubes could be seen anywhere. It was too bad the blasters were gone, but she should make enough on Risha's deliveries that she could buy Rogun another shipment of blasters. Or maybe she wouldn't. She didn't give a hot damn about Rogun. She had only been trying to help Viidu because she cared. But Viidu was dead now and Corso was safe with her. She really had no motivation to do anything for the tantrum throwing Rogun. She did her job – she wasn't responsible for someone else's job…especially a dead man's.

She met up with Corso on the bridge, received permission to depart and set a course for the coordinates she input. She was eager to put the new Vista Fox through her paces and it appeared, by the expression of Corso's face, that he agreed wholeheartedly.