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The Cerean Bounty Hunter soon forgot her reason for coming to Lianna. Since her family was very small by Cerean standards, she had no trouble fitting in with the other wives, and she found that she did not have to compete with the other wives for her husband's affection, like her mother did. At work she was placed right away, on the hyperspace drive development team. She helped them to build the upgrades she had done to her own ship, right into the design. Making it more efficient. Since the team leader had read the report on her ship, when she recommended a certain alloy be used for a certain part, it became his recommendation. He reasoned, that because they were trying to rush the new design to Manufacturing, as quickly as possible, to get the prototype built. They can discuss the use of alloys during the initial testing phase. If the right alloys were used right from the beginning, it makes the whole team look better.
When Madam Santhe talked to the Head of Personnel about the new recruit, he informed her that she was fitting in very well. Output from all the wives was up, while the husband's output remained steady.
It was only when one of the wives asked her, to tell them about her last assignment as a Bounty Hunter? That she remembered that her job was not finished. She told the family what she still needed to do. They told her that she needed to go straight from work, to go find the Togruta. They would make her dinner when she returned. When she went to personnel to arrange permission to leave the Santhe Compound, they sent her straight to Madam Santhe's office. She told Madam Santhe, about the Selkath asking her to find out if Andriel had three mothers. She then told her about their prophecy, and about expecting a blessing, if she indeed was the woman whose family they were supposed to help. Now Madam Santhe was interested in everything she could find out about Andriel, so she made sure that the Bounty Hunter knew, she wanted to be kept informed. She then asked her about the testing of the new hyperdrive. She told Madam Santhe, that they had completed all the static tests they could do in the lab. Now they needed to install in on a test ship, to see how it really performed. Madam Santhe suggested that a trip to and from Manaan, might be a good test for the new drive. The Bounty Hunter was overjoyed! On paper, this new drive should get her to Manaan, three times faster than her own ship could. She told Madam Santhe that she would see that this ship and all of its test equipment was hooked up and ready to go as soon as possible. Madam Santhe smiled, it always amazed her, how quickly things get done around here, when she used the right motivator.
The bounty hunter left work early that day, not because she did not have enough to do, but because Madam Santhe told her what time she needed to be at the shuttle terminal, in order to make it to the dress shop Andriel had opened with her Togruta friend, before it closed. She did not bother going back to the family's residence to change. She thought that Santhe Corporation coveralls would be less intimidating than her bounty hunter outfit, which were the only clothes she owned. While sitting in the shuttle, waiting for it to take-off, it was delayed due to some mechanical failure, she wondered how come the Queen of Lianna knew so much about Andriel and her family, when the Sith did not? Weren't the Sith supposed to be watching her? They pretend to know everything, yet they are really very ignorant.
The shuttle started moving, so she decided to sit back and relax.
She arrived at the dress shop just as three Togruta women, with two young children were locking-up. She asked them if they were Shaak Chi, Shaas Baa, and Bandaa Shuuk. She sensed the women tense, she could not understand why they would tense. "Are you friends of Andriel Mirranna and Bacgruta Togruta?" The women seemed not as tense. She also noticed that their outfits looked unusual, not what you would expect from ladies coming out of a dress shop.
"How do you know Bacgruta?" The bounty hunter noticed movement under the one woman's dress. She tensed, and wondered why. The Togruta don't have four sets of arms. She could not possibly be pointing a weapon at her. Shaak noticed were she was looking. "It's only my daughter, she is nursing." Then it dawned on the bounty hunter, these outfits are designed for nursing, she must tell the other wives about them. "Oh, I'm sorry, your daughter distracted me. I just finished a job for Mr. Radcliff on Yitabo. Bacgruta told me that you would know the answer to a question, the Selkath have asked me." Shaak suggested that she walk with them, they are heading back to their enclave. Then she introduced her and her companions to the Cerean. No wonder they tensed, she had used their full names, but they only introduced themselves by their given name.
She told them about Bacgruta. She was now married, to Mr. Radcliff's right hand man, Kenny. The girls became giddy when they heard that Bacgruta was married, they started walking faster, almost like they wanted to skip. They wanted to tell everyone in the enclave. There will be a party tonight. She told them that Kenny was more than twenty years older than her, but was in very good shape, so when you see them, you would think that they were close to the same age. Mrs. Radcliff had adopted her as her daughter, just as she had adopted Andriel, so now they are sisters. Shaak stopped dead in her tracks. "Andriel's mother is called Mrs. Grimshaw not Mrs. Radcliff." "She was Mrs. Grimshaw, now she is Mrs. Radcliff." "But I thought they did not like one another." "Apparently they had been dating for quite a while, then Mr. Radcliff broke it off, because they were getting too close, and Mr. Radcliff had not yet determined if Mrs. Grimshaw was more interested in his credits, or in him. So when Andriel and Chitrah showed up, and Mr. Radcliff saw that Mrs. Grimshaw was getting attached to Andriel. He decided to test her, and got carried away." To Shaak, that sounded almost believable. She was sure there was more to the story, but there was so many other things to ask about, so she asked what work she did for Mr. Radcliff? They tensed, as she expected, when she told them she was a bounty hunter. Then they relaxed again when she told them the reason why she was hired. She told them about following the Mandalorian Bounty Hunter. As he tried chasing Andriel and her family across the galaxy. She told them that she was always amazed that strangers were willing to help them, and how they were able to keep one step ahead of the bounty hunter.
When they arrived at the Togruta Enclave, Shaak led them into the common room, and banged on a table, which made her daughter cry, and told everyone that Bacgruta has married a nice man. A lot of the people cheered, and some of the Togruta men and women started dancing. Shaak pulled her arms into her outfit, so that she could comfort her daughter. The bounty hunter told her that she had a very interesting outfit. Shaak told her it was designed by Andriel. It was her last design, before she left. Shaak told her that she has to stay for dinner, than took her to introduce her to the elders. Her companions handed their children off to some ladies sitting near the weaving looms, and headed to the kitchen to help with the last minute preparations for this evening's meal. The Cerean, was invited to sit with the elders, and Shaak sat beside her. After her companions finished bringing out the food for the elders' table, they went and retrieved their children, and sat beside Shaak. They continued talking through the meal, and everyone else tried to listen. When Shaak found out that Madam Santhe, the Queen, wanted to hear about Andriel, Shaak decided to tell her about the blanket Andriel bought from Santhe Corporation, and how she used it. The Cerean was very impressed. As Shaak continued telling her, what she had done on Eriadu. The Cerean stopped her for one moment.
"So Andriel does have three mothers." Shaak thought about it for a moment, then affirmed that she does. She told Shaak that that was the information the Selkath had asked her about, because they have a prophecy, that if they help a woman, and her family, who has three mothers, from two different species, they will be blessed. Andriel has two mothers who are Devaronian, and one mother who is human, it appears that she is the woman mentioned in their prophecy. She apologised for interrupting Shaak, and asked her to continue.
They exchanged a lot of information as they ate their dinner. After they finished, and the table was cleared of food, the Togruta women got up to dance in celebration about hearing of Bacgruta's marriage. Shaak handed her daughter to the Cerean, so that she could dance with the other women. The Cerean was ecstatic that she was given the privilege of holding a Togruta baby that was only a few months old. She was torn between looking at the baby, and watching the women dance. After the women finished their dance, the men got up and did their celebration dance. After they finished the women got up to dance again. This time they all wanted the Cerean to dance with them, since she brought them the good news. An elder took the baby from the Cerean, and passed her down the table until she reached the hands of Shaak's father. They taught the Cerean some simple dance moves that she could do with them as they kept the rhythm of the dance and the singing. The Cerean could not do the dance moves they were doing, but by doing the moves they showed her, she blended in. When the men got up to dance again, the Cerean remembered that she had to get home to her family. She told them she had a wonderful time.
They invited her to come back with her family. They told her that they were going to have a special feast, in half a month's time. Even the local humans bring their children to play in their enclave, when they have a feast. They were also expecting some of their Nautolan friends to join them. The Cerean told them, she would try to convince her family, because she was convinced that they would enjoy themselves as well. Shaak had gone to the kitchen to bag some of the desert treats they were going to have with tea after the dancing. She handed the bag to the Cerean to enjoy on her flight back. She had one when she boarded the shuttle. It was so good, that she knew she had to share them with her family.
The bounty hunter's family had grown concerned about her, they thought she should have been home by now. They had already put away the food that they had thought of cooking for her dinner, since it was too late to have a heavy meal. The husband had delayed going to his bedroom with the wife whose turn it was to be with him, because he wanted to make sure the bounty hunter was all right. When she entered the apartment, they saw right away, that she was very happy. When the bounty hunter saw her husband waiting with the rest of his wives, she was embarrassed, and apologised to them. She told them that she was not yet used to being responsible to others. She put the desert pieces on a plate, and went around the room, starting with her husband, so that everyone could try a piece. She told them that the Togruta had fed her, and even taught her a few dance steps, and she did them while humming the rhythm of the music. Than they invited her to come back with her family to their special feast. She told them the date, she also told them that the local humans come with their children, and they were expecting some Nautolan friends. Even though she is the newest wife, she thinks that it would be good for the family.
The husband thanked her for sharing, he was now retiring to his room. He took the hand of the wife that was accompanying him. In the bedroom he asked his wife, what she thought, of going to the Togruta's feast. She told him that the bounty hunter obviously had a good time with the Togruta this evening. It would be worthwhile to go as a family, even if they go only once, so that they can share her experience. The husband agreed. The wife was very excited, she would be the one to share this decision with the others at breakfast. Even though the new wife was late, her husband is in a good mood, they should have a good time this evening.
On Cerea, it is not normal practise for families to go out together. That is because you are usually organising an event for between 15 to 30 Adults. It is even harder when children are involved. So if they do go, it is for more than food. Restaurants usually only cater to single women who do not have time to cook for themselves. When a family goes out, they want entertainment with their food. Mystery Dinner Theatre are the most popular, because they challenge the mind, along with filling the belly. Dinner and orchestral music is also popular, especially if there are complicated instrumental movements. The bounty hunter shared the rest of the deserts with the other two wives. She gave a detailed description of the evening, including the fact that she was able to get the information that the Selkath were looking for. She also gave them a detailed description of the outfits the three Togruta women were wearing, so that it was easy to nurse their children. Everything she shared, made the other wives hope more and more that they will be able to go. So there were hugs all around the breakfast table, and kisses for their husband, when the one wife announced that they could go. The bounty hunter went straight to Madam Santhe's office to make her report. Madam Santhe was pleased that she had a good time. She was also grateful that Shaak was considerate enough to tell her about the blanket, and how Andriel made sure the Sith would not get their hands on it. She asked her when she was planning on leaving for Manaan. The bounty hunter said that she was hoping to be ready to depart that afternoon. Madam Santhe was pleased to hear that the family had accepted the Togruta invitation, to attend their feast. Madam Santhe hoped that if they can find nice ways for them to be stimulated as a family, they were less likely to want to return to Cerea, and the wives were more likely to stay and work, after their husband passed away. She called the head of security and asked him to speak with the Togruta elders. She wants a small undercover security team to accompany the Cereans when they go to the Togruta feast, but the Togruta are sharp enough to spot them. So if he arranges things with the Togruta up front, than no toes will get stepped on.
At the hanger, the wives discussed the best way to protect the ship, if it is forced out of hyperspace by pirates. They don't want to connect conventional armament, because it would interfere with their test equipment. They don't want the ship to remain unarmed, because it is possible for one of the newer starfighters to keep up with it, keeping it from jumping back into hyperspace, and eventually destroy their ship. They decide to mount three mines on its underbelly. They are inert while mounted, and only become active when released. They expect the pirate starfighters to be trailing behind their ship, when the mine explodes, when triggered by a starfighter. They expect pirates will back off, because they will not know what caused the explosion, allowing their ship to jump into hyperspace, and escape. The wives presented their proposal to the department head. He liked that there would be no interference to their sensitive equipment. He contacted Madam Santhe, because they would need her approval, and told the women to go ahead. The one wife noticed that her husband was aroused, watching his bounty hunter wife in her bounty hunter outfit, climbing aboard their research ship. She was going to have fun with him tonight.
When Captain Richard exited the bridge, to grab himself a bite to eat, he was surprised to see a very sad Krillgan, sitting in front of the door to his mother's cabin. He asked Krillgan what was wrong. He saw that the sad little boy, was trying real hard not to cry. "My parents are playing in mother's cabin, and they won't let me play with them. I can hear music, and sometimes it sounds like fighting. I think they are playing Hutt Wars. They know that I like playing Hutt Wars with father, and soon I will be as good as him. Why won't they let me play?" The Captain extended his hand to Krillgan. He took the Captain's hand with one hand, with the other he wiped the tears from his eyes. "You know as Captain, it is my responsibility to know about everything that is happening on my ship. I can assure you, that your parents are not playing Hutt Wars. They both love you very much, and would never think of playing Hutt Wars without you." The Captain was not sure if three people could play Hutt Wars together. Krillgan felt much better after hearing the Captain's reassurance, and walked hand in hand with the Captain, to the staff lounge.
"Did you know that it is very important for parents, to be able to play by themselves from time to time? They help to give energy to one another, so that they can be better parents to their children."
Krillgan wanted his parents to have lots of energy, they were more fun to play with when they are not tired. Krillgan decided he wanted something to eat as well, he handed the Captain his selection, so he could warm it up for him. When they sat down to eat, the Captain asked Krillgan, if he could tell him a secret? Krillgan nodded yes, even though he did not know what a secret was. "Sometimes, when parents play together, they start a baby growing."
Captain Richard had overheard Andriel and Chitrah talking to Krillgan one day. They were talking about the prophecy they were given about having more children. He knew that Krillgan really wanted to have a brother and sister. He suspected that part of the reason was because Krillgan had no other children to play with. He watched as Krillgan got down on the deck, after finishing his meal, and started playing with his blocks. He was very creative, he would join them together, making an interesting design. Then he would zap them, and they would all fall apart. He would start all over again, making something new. When he had used up all the blocks, zap, he would start again. The Captain was hoping that the children where he was taking them, would accept him, and play with him, even though it was obvious that he was an outsider. After watching Krillgan for a lot longer than he intended, he decided that he would go take a nap. There was excellent soundproofing between his cabin and Andriel's. So he would not be able to hear anything that was going on in there.
Chitrah let Andriel shower first, now that their passion for each other was spent. They were both concerned about Krillgan. He was not happy when they made him leave. He had let them have alone times before, but this time he resisted leaving. They were concerned, that being cooped up on this ship for so long, was finally getting to him. Andriel wanted to spend some time with him, to remind him that he was still very important to her. Then she would spend some alone time with him. When Andriel walked into the staff lounge, Krillgan dropped the blocks he had in his hands, and jumped up, and rushed towards Andriel. Andriel thought she was going to get a hug from him. Instead he lifted her blouse, and put his head against her tummy. The startled Andriel asked him, why he did that? He told her that the Captain had told him a secret. That sometimes when parents play together they start a baby. Andriel blushed. When Krillgan could not sense any new life, he pulled his head away from her tummy in disappointment. Then he looked at his mother and asked, "What's a secret?"
Andriel decided that she needed to use this as a teaching moment. She took Krillgan by the hand, and led him to a chair in the staff lounge, and sat him down. She sat down on the chair right next to his, and twisted, so she was looking right at him. "Before I tell you about secrets, there is something else I need to teach you. Do you remember how upset I was, when I found out that the two ladies had touched my clothes without asking me?" Krillgan remembered. Since that day he has always asked his mother's permission to touch her clothes, whenever he needed to move them aside, when he was looking for something. So he nodded his head yes.
"It is even more upsetting to a woman, if you touch her body without asking."
He asked her why?
"When you touch a woman's body without first asking. They think you want to hurt them. Because they know that a nice man would ask first."
Krillgan liked that she was calling him a man.
"Did I upset you just now?"
"No, because I knew that you would not hurt me. But you did surprise me."
"Does that mean I have to ask if I can touch you before giving you a hug?"
"Andriel told him No. He has her permission to give her a hug whenever he wants. Because that is a special form of touching."
Krillgan told her that she has permission to give him hugs whenever she wants. So she knelt before his chair and gave him a long hug.
After she sat back down, she told Krillgan that where he asks permission is also important. She told him that if he asks her permission in the crew lounge to touch her tummy, she will almost always say no. But if he asks her in their cabin, when they are getting ready for bed, she will usually say yes. He asked her, why she did not want him to touch her tummy here? She told him that some people, when they know that she has given permission to one person, they think that they have permission as well, and that can be bad. She does not want everyone on the crew thinking that it is okay to touch her tummy.
"Does father have to ask you permission, before he touches you?"
"Yes he does! But there are some special touching, like hugs, and taking my hand, that he knows that he already has permission."
"Are there more rules I need to know, as I get older?"
Andriel told him that there are.
"Growing up is harder than I thought."
Andriel told him that it was usually hard when you first learn a new rule, but after you have practised it for a while, you do it without even thinking about it.
Then she told him about secrets. She told him how when someone tells you something that is a secret, it means that you are not supposed to tell anyone else. Krillgan was upset with himself.
"Does that mean I wasn't supposed to tell you?"
"Children should not keep secrets from their parents, because sometimes bad people will do something bad to children, and say that it is their secret. But the parents needs to know."
"So it was okay that I told you?"
"Yes it is okay. Besides your father and I already knew that secret."
Krillgan felt better. The Captain was good to him, and he did not want to upset the Captain. Andriel asked if there was anything he wanted them to do together. Krillgan understood that the teaching time was over. He told her he was okay, and went back to playing with the blocks.
When Chitrah finished his shower, he sat on the bed, wondering what he could do with his son that was both different, and challenging. Something they had never done before. He remembered the simulator program he had downloaded onto his computer of the laser turret, while they were on that old freighter. Where he learnt the best way to defend the freighter from the pirates. He was sure that he could also find simulator programs for ships, and even starfighters. They could learn to fly those ships together, and when they were good at it. He could connect Andriel's computer to his, and they could shoot it out. On the way back to his cabin, he saw that Andriel was talking to Krillgan, about something. So he tried to be as quiet as possible, not to distract them. In his cabin, he got out his computer, and started searching for simulator programs. He tried to find the newest ones, hopefully of a ship that was still being used today. When he had a good selection. He looked out his cabin door. Krillgan was playing with his blocks, while Andriel was watching. Chitrah walked into the crew lounge. He told Krillgan that he wanted to learn to be a pilot, did he want to learn with him? Krillgan dropped his blocks, and stood up. He told his father that he wanted to be a pilot as well. Chitrah sat down, and had Krillgan sit on his lap. He opened his computer in front of them. He showed Krillgan the simulator programs he had found, and asked him to pick one. Andriel was glad that Chitrah had found something new to do with Krillgan. This should make the rest of the trip much easier.
Whenever they practised flying starfighters, Coris would watch them for a while, then tell them how many of that particular starfighter he had blown up. Krillgan always told him, that he would not have been able to blow it up, if he was flying it. Coris would laugh and pat him on the head. Then he would tell him that he hopes he never becomes a pirate. Because he does not like pirates he can't shoot down. Krillgan would smile, because he knew that Coris did not like any pirates.
Pirates! The Cerean swore. There were four fighters and their support ship. The closest was an Mk VI Interceptor. Not very far behind were two Sith Fighters produced by Revan's Star Forge. They were light, they were fast, but they lacked adequate armour. Not far behind was an IL-5 Ocula, which the Sith renamed Skybolt. If it came close enough to launch its missiles, she was dead. When she left Lianna, she had agreed to take the Perlemain Trade Route as far as Taanab. Then fly through open hyperspace to Manaan. This should give them lots of data, on how well the new hyperspace drive worked in a hyperspace-lane, and how well it performs in open hyperspace. She would only need to cross one hyperspace lane on the way to Manaan. But all this data was useless if she did not survive. They had forced her out of hyperspace where the Perlemain Trade Route bent towards Taanab. There was nothing out here for her to run to. The starfighters were closing on her much faster than expected, and were already shooting at her. She ignored their calls to surrender her ship. They must know someone who is very good at tweaking in-system drives to be able to reach the speeds they were moving at. They were in a staggered line behind her. Fortunately her shields were holding. She had to act now while the Skybolt was still out of missile range.
She released the first mine. The Interceptor flew right past it. Fortunately for her the Sith Fighter right behind him did not. The force of the blast caused the Interceptor to go into a crazy spin. If the pilot was not dead, he was unconscious, and no longer a threat in this fight. The second Sith Fighter was shredded when it flew through the debris created by the explosion. Exploding as well. The Skybolt was able to avoid the debris, and broke off the attack, because they did not know what she did, to take out the three starfighters. She decided not to continue on to Taanab, in case there are more pirates up ahead. She was lucky with that first mine. Now she only had two left. She wanted to save them for her trip home.
She took the time to recalibrate the new hyperspace drive, and input the new co-ordinates. Her only concern was that she would be coming closer to the Hapes Cluster than she would like to.
When the bounty hunter landed on Manaan, she had a much better reception, than she had the previous time. This time the Selkath workers at the Spaceport bowed to her in greeting. They knew that if she came back, it was because she had information for the elders. She bowed back to acknowledge their greeting. She saw one of them run off to warn the elders, and one of the workers approached her, offering to lead her to the elder's home. She gratefully accepted, with all the paths going through the piles of rubble, it would be easy to take the wrong turn, and end up on the wrong side of this huge raft. She had not been here long enough to establish her sense of direction.
When she arrived at the elders, she was warmly received, and offered a cup of seaweed tea, while they waited for the rest of the elders to show up. When they came in, they greeted her as one of their own. When everyone was present, the elder in whose home they were in, asked her what information, she was bringing them. She told them that Andriel does indeed have three mothers. The Devaronian mother who bore her and raised her on Deysum III, the one she had to leave because she was forced to marry outside of her people. Her second mother is a human, on Yitabo. She bonded with her, and gave her life stability, in a critical time of her marriage. Her third mother is also Devaronian. Andriel was pregnant, and seeking to be part of a Devaronian clan, so that her baby would have the emotional stability to grow up healthy. On Eriadu she found a broken community. She found an emotionally spent grandmother. That was hoping she could be the mother figure her granddaughter needed.
Even though they did not have the resources to look after her. She brought healing and hope to a people who were just clinging to life. While she was there, the community started to rebuild, families were reunited, and a new clan was formed. Her baby had all the emotional stability it needed and more.
The Selkath were not expecting such a detailed report. They should have, since they asked a Cerean to find this information for them. The elders were very happy to find out that Andriel had three mothers, and that they were all important in her life. As payment they presented the Cerean Bounty Hunter a bottle of Kolto. It was not a very big bottle, but to the Cerean it was huge. She trembled as she accepted the bottle from the elder. This was the life of her husband she was holding in her hands. The elder knew that she was married by her reaction. She asked if it was possible for her to come back, and purchase more Kolto when this bottle was used up. The elder put his hand on her shoulder. "You are now a friend of the Selkath. The Selkath always look after their friends. We will always have Kolto available for you, and at a very reasonable price." The Cerean bowed repeatedly to all the elders that were present, before she left. The elders knew they had given her the right reward. The Selkath workers at the spaceport, knew she had given the elders good information. Because they saw her walking to her ship, holding a small bottle of Kolto to her heart, with tears in her eyes. After she left, one of the elders pointed out that having three mothers is not the only part of the prophecy that needs fulfilling, the prophecy also says that she would cause her husband to spill his seed into the sea. The elder's wife spoke up, "She definitely did that." The others were stunned, and asked her to explain herself. She said, "On the first day they were here. After taking Krillgan for a walk. They sent him here by himself for dinner. Krillgan explained that he knew they wanted to be alone, because they were breathing funny." This caused most of the elders and all of their wives to smile. She said that when they came home, she could smell the smell of sex on their bodies. "Andriel asked her a peculiar question while they were eating their dinner. She asked if the Firaxan Sharks ever came into the swimming area. So I knew where they had been. Very early in the morning, before anyone had gone to bathe. I went down to the landing to wash away the evidence of their previous night's activities. The landing was damp, so everything washed off easily." One of the wives asked if there was much to wash off. She answered by saying that they are a young healthy couple. They even had sex in their bedroom, after Krillgan was fast asleep. They only knew this because both she and her husband were listening for it. They were very respectful, and very quiet. After they came back from bathing, Andriel came up to me and quietly thanked me. She told me that the previous evening, before coming back to our home, she wanted to jump into the water and bathe, but her husband grabbed her arm and pulled her back. He told her that there was something in the water. Just after he said that, something large bumped the landing. They both grabbed their clothes, and rushed up the stairs. They did not stop to finish dressing until they reached the top.
After hearing her story, the one elder said she should not have done what she did, she has desecrated a holy site. The wives did not agree with him, but kept silent, since they did not know how to refute him. After a while, another elder spoke up. "She was right to do what she did. Or we would have desecrated the site." The other elders agreed with the second elder's opinion. The first elder was not upset. This was their way. He said what he said, so that another elder could either validate it, or correct it. Then they talked about what they should do now. They all agreed that the elder's home was now a holy site. It was a place of love, comfort, and peace. Anyone needing those three things in their lives should be allowed to come here, so that the home this family has blessed, can minister to them. They all agreed that the elder and his wife should continue to live here, because they helped to make this place what it is, so they should not be removed from its blessing. They also decided that they need to place two fish oil lamps on the landing. So that everyone would know it is also a holy place. It is a place blessed with procreation love. It is a place where couples who are having trouble conceiving, can go to meditate. All the elders agreed to this. One of the elders went outside and blew into a shell. The sound of the shell was repeated throughout Ahto City. When people started coming, the elder told the people that they need to prepare a feast. The Devaronian woman Andriel, is indeed the woman mentioned in the prophecy. They now have two holy sites to commemorate.
The Cerean had asked the elders, when they can expect to receive the blessings mentioned in the prophecy. The elder told her that he did not believe the blessings would begin until the woman's son Krillgan, will return. He was wrong, the blessing started just after the people knew of the two holy sites. Selkath who were feeling anxious or depressed, would come and sit all day in the elder's home. When it was time to leave, they all said a sense of peace came with them. The mental and emotional strength of their community increased. People were more willing to hear their neighbour out, rather than get into a verbal sparring match with them. At first couples that were having trouble conceiving started meditating on the landing after everyone had finished bathing. No one knew when it started, but couples who had trouble conceiving, would sneak down in the middle of the night, and make love. Most nights you would find one couple, some nights you found two. You could find many couples who would swear, that their child was conceived on that landing. It was only taboo if an unmarried couple was ever found there. They were cursed with infertility for the rest of their lives. The Selkath population experienced a slow but steady increase after the feast honouring Andriel.
On Lianna, it was late in the evening when the Cerean Bounty Hunter landed the experimental ship in front of the R&D hanger. She asked the ground crew to park it inside, than went off running for the married residence. This was unusual behaviour for a Cerean. Usually they will head inside and write up a report, while everything is still fresh in their minds. It was unusual enough, that the ground crew supervisor, included it in his report. The Cerean family had been informed that she had arrived. The husband was waiting near the door to their apartment. He wanted to take her right away to his bedroom. He was looking forward to undressing her, from her bounty hunter outfit. The other wives knew it was her turn. They had each experienced wonderful evenings, because he had been thinking about her outfit. Now it was her turn to reap the rewards, their husband wants to bestow on her.
She came home much earlier than the wives were expecting. Her husband took her hand to take her to his bedroom. Instead she dragged him to the family room where she knew the other wives were. The husband was perplexed, none of his wives had ever turned him down before. He reluctantly followed her, because she would not let him go. When she entered the family room, she held up the bottle of Kolto, so that everyone could see. "Look at what the Selkath gave me." One of the wives squealed in delight. They all rushed over. The husband asked if it was Kolto. The bond wife asked if she could get more. She told them that the Selkath elder said she was a friend of the Selkath. They promised to keep refilling it at a reasonable price. The bond wife kissed her on her lips. She told her, that if she could, she would make her the bond wife in her place. Then she went and kissed her husband. "We will have you for many more years than we could have ever hoped, because of your new honour wife." The husband smiled, "That means I get to spend many more nights with each of you." The other honour wives also kissed the bounty hunter on her lips, then they kissed their husband. They told him that the odds of one of his wives bearing him a child, has just gone from 23% to78%. There is a 50/50 chance that one of his wives will be pregnant before the end of the year. (They had recently celebrated their New Year.) The bounty hunter thought that the bond wife should be the first one to give her husband the life extending massage with Kolto. The bond wife, and the other honour wives, agreed with the bond wife, that the bounty hunter should give their husband the first massage, because this was her night to be with him, and also because she was the one who brought it to them. She asked the bond wife how often they need to give him a massage? She said she did not know. She only knew it was wasted if they tried to give him a massage every night. She would research it tomorrow. As the couple walked to the husband's bedroom, they overheard the bounty hunter telling her husband, that she gets to undress him first, then give him a massage. After that he can do whatever pleases him.
The next morning the entire Cerean family arrived together, late for work. All the wives offered their humblest apology, and promised that it would never happen again. The husband smiled, he hoped it did. The bounty hunter was told that Madam Santhe wanted to see her. When she appeared at her office door, Madam Santhe asked her to come in and sit down. While she was dealing with the papers in front of her. When she heard that the door was sealed, Madam Santhe put the papers down, and looked at the bounty hunter. "What is wrong? We have never heard of a Cerean not making sure her ship was properly secured, before leaving, and this morning your whole family was late for work." (How do you tell your boss, that your husband woke up this morning, wanting to make love to you? She had never heard of it happening before. She jumped out of bed, and told her husband that she was not the bond wife. She wrapped the bed sheet around her naked body, and ran to the kitchen, where she knew the other wives were preparing their breakfast. She ran up to the bond wife, and told her that their husband wants to make love to her this morning. "What should I do?" "You go back to your husband, like a good wife, and let him make love to you. You do want him to make love to you?" "Yes! But I am not the bond wife. I did not want you to be upset with me." She kissed her on the forehead. "You are a good honour wife, now go back to your husband before he changes his mind." This last comment caused the other two honour wives to start laughing. She laughed herself as she ran back to his bedroom. No, she did not want him to change his mind. The wives had to wait for them, because they were not allowed to eat, until he did. So she helped him to the kitchen after they made love, because he was tired again. She wanted him to have at least one bite to eat, so that the other wives would eat. She then asked the bond wife if she could be excused from the table, so that she can go shower. While they ate their breakfast, the other wives, also washed their husband down, so that he would not need to go take a shower. That is why they were all late.) She told Madam Santhe that they had an unexpected family issue that they had to deal with. Madam was not happy with the answer, "And last night." "I know your ground crew is very competent. I was away from my family for so long, I had to run back to them." Madam was not buying it. She did not like it when her employees withheld information from her, it shows lack of trust. "Can you tell me what the Selkath gave you as a reward?" "It was something for the family." Vagueness again. The Cereans are so detail orientated, one of their strengths when it comes to research. Madam Santhe unsealed the door, and told her she could go. After she left, Madam called the head of the R&D department, and asked him what was going on with the Cereans today? He said he wasn't sure. But the bond wife was researching something that is not on her list. "How is the ship?" "We are dismantling it right now. I think she had a run in with pirates. One of the mines is missing." "Make sure she writes up her report right away on the trip. I want to see it as soon as it is ready. Remind her that it should already have been on your desk." Pirates. The report's not ready. What is going on? She calls communication. "I want to see a copy of everything the Cerean bond wife, has looked at since she signed onto her computer this morning, and everything she will look at, until she breaks for lunch. Madam Santhe hates looking over her employee's shoulder. But it is a bad sign when they don't trust you. She has to do something about re-establishing their trust. She can only do that if she knows what has caused them to lose their trust in her.
Madam Santhe was impressed to find out that Kolto could extend a male Cerean's life by up to 15 years. Precious years to the wives, when their husbands are supposed to live such short lives. The Kolto needs to be applied on a regular bases, but not every day. It would make sense that the Selkath would give Kolto to a Cerean, who has brought them good news. They must be able to get more, if they are planning to use it on a regular bases for their husband. There must have been an unexpected side-affect that caused the family to be late this morning. This also means that they will need to take trips to Manaan, on a regular bases. Madam Santhe was confident, that she could now restore the Cerean family's trust in her. She was the last one to leave the office, when she went back to the palace that night. She hoped the Palace Secretary had nothing planned for her tonight. She just wants to have dinner, and a nice hot bath, before retiring tonight.
The next morning Madam Santhe asked that the Cerean Bounty Hunter be sent to her office again. When she came in, Madam Santhe sealed the door, and got up and sat in the chair beside her.
"The health and wellbeing of everyone who works for me is very important to me. Not just from the aspect, that if you are healthy, you will work harder, if you are sick your production drops. To me, you are my family. If you hurt, I want to know, so that we can do what we can to take the hurt away. If you have good news, I want to hear it, so that I can rejoice with you. You do not know how hurt I felt, when you did not tell me about the Kolto. The elixir of life for your husband. Instead of rejoicing with you, my heart was full of sorrow."
"I'm sorry. But you are rich and powerful. You are the Queen. We are but a small, insignificant, Cerean family. We are neither rich, nor powerful. It has always been, that the rich and powerful take the elixir of life, from those who aren't."
"Yes I am the Queen of Lianna. If I wanted Kolto, I could send my people to go get me some, and I have the wealth, that I could purchase more than you have. But it would be wasted on me. It will not extend my life like it will your husband. It would just sit there and collect dust. Though I am the Queen out there. In here I am Madam Santhe. Here you are my family. Would it be good for my family if everyone saw me steal from my own, when I know it will help them? I was happy when I found out that your husband will be with us for many more years. I can see that he loves each one of you. Even you the newest of his honour wives. I know that the bond wife is the strength of your family, and when your husband passes away, she will be the family head. But you bring something special to your family, something no other honour wife can."
"What is that?"
"You bring the blessing of Andriel."
The Cerean fell on her knees before Madam Santhe, just as she would, if she had wronged the bond wife. She had tears in her eyes, and bowed before her.
"Please forgive me, and please forgive my family. It was wrong to dishonour you. We do not deserve the kindness you show us."
Madam Santhe touched her on her head, as a bond wife would, to show she is forgiven. When the Cerean got back up, Madam Santhe handed her a fine linen handkerchief, so that she can wipe the tears from her eyes. She told the Cerean that she needs to go back and discuss with the wives, how Santhe Corporation, can best take advantage of their regular trips to Manaan.
"Just as we did, by testing out the new hyperspace drive. You should also ask the bond wife, if you need us to install a refrigerated safe into your apartment. I'm not sure what the best way to store Kolto is."
When the Cerean stood up, she gave Madam Santhe a long hug, than she thanked her for her patience and understanding. When she arrived back in her department, she told the other wives about her meeting that morning with Madam Santhe. They all turned red faced, when they heard how she really wanted to help them. The bond wife, told all the other wives to follow her. They came up to the open door of Madam Santhe's office. The bond wife knocked on her door. When she looked up, all the wives, bowed to her, and the bond wife said, "Thank you!" Madam Santhe stood up from her desk and bowed back. "You're Welcome."
Krillgan, it turned out, was a natural pilot. It did not matter which starfighter he chose, when he went head to head against his father, he would always win. Fred had been talked into going against him, and had lost as well. Only Captain Richard was a match for him. But Krillgan would still take three out of five battles. The Captain had started sitting him on his lap, when he was in the pilot's chair. Letting Krillgan handle the hand controls, while he handled the foot controls. Krillgan loved this new responsibility he was given, it made him feel like he was a grownup. Andriel appreciated that he no longer lamented, that there were no other children for him to play with. From Andriel's perspective, he had discovered a ship full of them. He no longer asked to touch her tummy, after she and Chitrah had one of their play times. What she tried not to show, was that she was tired of living on this ship. She wanted to walk on the ground again, if only for a short time. Chitrah felt the same way she did, but he tried to encourage her. He would tell her again, that the Captain knew what he was doing, even though no one else did.
Coris was actually dreading the day that they would have to leave, he very much enjoyed Chitrah's martial-arts classes. He even persuaded Chitrah to let him wear his practice suit, and battle Andriel. He won't do that again. She is one tough lady.
The next stop was on a Sith controlled planet. It was one of the planets that they took over because of the treaty. They have had no problems with the local populace, so the troops stationed there are fairly relaxed. The Captain told them that the important thing they have to do, is keep the Imperial Troopers off of the ship. Captain Richard went over what he wanted each one of them to do. The crate that they were dropping off was almost as wide as the ramp. He told Pula, and Coris, to use it as a wall, if the Imperial Troopers approach the ship. Bikto was to stand at the top of the ramp, at the communications panel. He would signal the bridge, when to lower or raise the ramp. He did not want the Imperials hearing them giving voice commands. He wanted Andriel and Chitrah standing in the entrance to each of the cargo bays. That way they would be in position to pull Pula, and Coris, up off the ramp, if the Imperials start shooting. He wanted Krillgan to standby, in one of the cargo bays, in case someone was injured. But he could only come out once the ramp was closed. Coris told everyone that he wanted Andriel on his side of the ramp, because he thinks she is stronger. Even Krillgan laughed. Captain Richard said that he would be taking the pilot's chair, because next to Krillgan, he was the best pilot they had. Coris ruffled Krillgan's hair, and reminded him to never be a pirate. Fred would be taking the captain's chair. Because he can monitor the whole ship from there, and issue the voice commands, to lower and raise the ramp, as Bikto signals him.
When the Captain was satisfied that everyone knew their role. He sent everyone to bed, because they would be landing in the morning. Fred told the Captain to get some rest, because their second best pilot needs to be awake and alert. The Captain took his advice. Next morning, the Captain guided the ship to the surface as gently as possible, since he and Fred were the only ones strapped in.
Captain Richard instructed the computer to go to assault mode. So that no alarms would sound because the passengers were not in their seats. Assault mode was for when you were landing on the surface with both cargo bays crammed tight with Planetary Assault Troopers. It also prevented the computer from powering down any systems upon landing, like it normally did.
Right next to where they were assigned to land, was a squad of Imperial Troopers. They were pretty bored, and when the squad leader saw the unusual ship land in his sector, he decided he wanted to see what it looked like inside. When the ramp started to lower. He led his squad to the ramp. The ship's crew unloaded a crate right in his way. He told them to move it aside, they were coming aboard their ship. Pula said "No". The squad leader was so surprised, he stopped in his tracks. He ordered them again to move it aside, because he was coming aboard their ship. Both Pula and Coris, crossed their arms in front of their chests. This time Coris said, "No You're Not!" Then the ramp started to rise. Coris told the squad leader that they had promised the owner of the crate that they would bring it to this planet. It was up to him to see that the crate was turned over to its rightful owner.
The squad leader slipped his blaster rifle off of his shoulder, with his squad doing likewise. He ordered them to drop the ramp, so that they could come aboard the ship. Pula bent sideways, so that they could see his face, and smiled. "Have a nice day." Then both he and Coris jumped up off of the ramp. The squad heard that the ship was almost at full power. The whole squad ran for cover, and the squad leader radioed the traffic controller that they have a ship in their sector of the spaceport, that refused to let them aboard, and was now departing the planet. The traffic controller ordered a starfighter wing to scramble for interception. Five pilots scrambled to board their brand new Blade Class Starfighters, recently shipped from Lianna. They were a little out of practise scrambling, because they never had to do it in real life before. They all thought this was a great way to break in their brand new ships.
The freighter was already in the upper atmosphere, before the starfighters lifted off. Coris had scrambled to his favorite position, the lower gun turret in the tail of the ship. He had strapped himself into the turret, hanging upside down, many times before. He knew that it would not be until they left the planet's atmosphere, that the ship's artificial gravity, would be powerful enough to start counter acting the pull of the planet's gravity. Pula had climbed up into the top gun turret in the tail section, and was unaffected by the planet's gravity. Bikto had reached the engineer's station, and strapped himself in. Fred asked the Captain if he wanted him to take the gun turret above the crew's lounge. The captain told them that Coris and Pula can handle anything the Imperials throw at them. He then asked Fred where the passengers were. Fred told them that the computer shows them as being strapped into their seats in the crew's lounge.
The starfighters did not have a chance. Coris took out three of them. Pula took out one and badly damaged the other. When the damaged starfighter turned tail and headed for the planet. Pula and Coris, both cheered. When everyone else heard the cheering, they knew that the fighting was over. The Captain ordered the computer to step down from assault mode. This way the computer could put any systems not being used, to sleep mode. Every one headed to the crew's lounge. They all wanted to celebrate. Captain Richard came out of his cabin with some bottles in his hand. They were chilled, and he was saving them for a special occasion. He told everyone he had new ale and regular ale, "Pick your poison." Chitrah asked the captain if it was Marley's Brew. The Captain laughed and asked him how he knew. Chitrah told him he just guessed. He and Andriel both took a bottle of Brew. Andriel told Krillgan that he can celebrate too, and would share with him. Krillgan asked, if it really was poison? Andriel told him that if you drink too much, it can be. If it is not made properly made, it can be. If it is not properly stored, it can be. But he does not have to worry because he has Devaronian blood in him. It is only people like his father that have to worry.
Fred asked, what she meant by that? Chitrah told him that it meant that his little son, could drink him under the table.
The Captain had seen too many men, tricked into trying to outdrink a Devaronian. He agreed with Chitrah. Coris said he would like to see that, because he wanted to see Fred drunk. So did Pula, and Bikto. The Captain said there was not enough alcohol on the ship, for that type of challenge. The crew was only mildly disappointed, because they believed the little guy could do it. Fred felt like he had just dodged a blaster bolt.
Everyone decided to cook up some grub to have with their drinks. While they were doing that, Coris started telling everyone what had happened when the ramp lowered. When he told them about the whole squad pointing their blaster rifles at them. Krillgan asked him, if he was scared, because he could have been shot? Coris told Krillgan, that he wasn't worried about being shot, because he knew he would heal him, and he ruffled his hair. Pula broke in, "Shot nothing. We could have been killed."
"I was plenty scared. I'm surprised no one saw my knees knocking."
Everyone laughed, except Krillgan. He had not realised until now, that they really could have been killed. Weren't those starfighter pilots killed when Coris, and Pula destroyed their ships? Krillgan knew that he could heal injury, but he could not heal death. He quietly finished his meal. He wasn't hungry any more, but it was wrong to just throw it out.
Back on the Sith planet the Imperial Troopers had contacted the owner of the crate, to tell him his shipment had arrived. He looked very pleased and told them he will be right there. A squad of soldiers escorted him out onto the spaceport landing area to where the first squad was guarding the crate. When he saw his crate and no ship, he became very apprehensive and ran over to his crate.
"Where is the ship? Where is the Captain?"
"He left."
"Why did you let him leave, I need him."
"He left, because he did not want us aboard his ship."
"Why would you idiots try and go aboard his ship."
"Don't you know I need him?"
The poor merchant sat on the ground and started crying. The squad leader was embarrassed, he had never seen a grown man cry before. He asked the merchant, what was wrong? The merchant became very angry, "You want to know what's wrong? Do you really want to know what is wrong? I will tell you what is wrong. You just cost me more than a thousand credits. That is what is wrong. I needed the Captain to certify that this crate has been sitting in a warehouse these past few years. Without his certification, this product is almost useless."
The squad leader asked him to open the case. The merchant looked him straight in his face.
"You really are an idiot. Do I look like the type of person that walks around with tools in my pockets?"
One of the squad raised his blaster rifle to smash the crate open with its butt. The Merchant shouted, "Stop! I did not say it was worthless. I said it was almost worthless."
The squad leader sent one of his squad, to find tools to open the crate. When they opened the crate, and moved the protective material aside, they found it full of jars. The squad leader picked one up, and saw that it contained something that looked like furry eggs, inside a liquid. He asked the merchant what it was. The merchant told him, "They are pickled farm oysters. The longer they are pickled. The more credits they are worth, and these have been pickled for a long time."
The squad leader asked what farm oysters are?
"You must be a city kid, otherwise you would know that they are Nerf Testicles, pickled in 90 proof alcohol. You can only buy them in your higher end eateries." The merchant than handed him his card. The squad leader wanted to know why he was giving it to him. The merchant looked at him, "You must have been dropped on you head when you were born. This is the address to which you will have this crate delivered. Just so you know, I am on my way to speak to the Moff, about this."
The merchant turned and left. The squad that had escorted him out to the tarmac, followed him, with big smiles on their faces.
The squad leader turned to one of his men, and told him to go hire a couple of porter droids, to take this crate to this address. Then handed him the card. The Trooper asked how he was supposed to pay for it. The squad leader asked him, if he has any credits? He shook his head no. He turned to his squad, and asked if any of them had credits? They all shook their heads no. He told the Trooper to go to the vehicle pool, and find a vehicle, so that they can transport the crate to the address.
That evening when they had gone to bed. Krillgan asked his mother, if it was wrong for him to ask Coris if he was afraid, and to laugh when he said how brave he was, because Pula was right. They could have been killed, and he cannot heal dead people. Andriel sat up and drew him towards her, so that he was sitting between her legs, and she had both arms wrapped around him. She kissed him on his head, thinking that children his age should not have to think about things like that. She told him that he can only do, what he can do. He knew that she was crying for him, because he could feel her tears on his head. He fell asleep like that feeling very safe. When Andriel was too tired to hold him anymore because she was falling asleep. She gently laid him down on his side, and laid behind him, with one arm draped over him. He woke up in the middle of the night. He felt his head pressed against his mother's cheek, and he felt her arm envelope him. He went back to sleep, he was still safe.
When the Cerean Bounty Hunter returned to Manaan, she brought the other two honour wives with her. They both thought the elder's home was nicer than she described it. They had come along, because it was obvious that she was pregnant, and she might not be in any condition to travel, the next time they need to come for Kolto. What the two women did not know, but the elder suspected, was that they were also pregnant. Which is unheard of, for a Cerean family. The bond wife was alone with her husband, enjoying all the time she had with him. The bounty hunter had emptied the last of their Kolto, before leaving, so that she could continue his treatments, and deal with the side effects. She was actually hoping they would be home soon, because he was starting to tire her out.
When the Bounty Hunter introduced them to the elder and his wife, she let them know that they also are honour wives with the same husband. The elder assured her that if they come in her name, they will deal with them as if they were dealing with her. But if another Cerean comes to deceive them. They will not deal with them. The Cerean wives did not know how much credits to bring with them. They knew Kolto was scarce, so they all cleaned out their savings, and split the credits between them to carry. Their husband told them they were taking too much. He said they were overthinking it. If the Selkath call you a friend, then they will offer you a good deal. After the bounty hunter gave the elder her empty bottle, he disappeared, then returned a short time later. Her bottle was full. She asked him how much, and he quoted her a price. The other honour wives could not believe what he said, and asked him to repeat the price. The bounty hunter could afford it on her own, with just her researcher's salary, without the other honour wives' wages. She paid him. When he handed her the bottle, the three honour wives said, if your wife wasn't standing right there, we would have kissed you. His wife laughed and he smiled. This is a good family, they will have many blessings.
Madam Cothia turned pale when she saw the Rodian walk into the brothel. She did not care why he was there, she just knew that she had to get him out. It was a good thing it was not quite noon, and her girls were not up yet. She was sure they would go hysterical if they saw him. She went up to him and told him that he has to leave, they are not open yet. He complained that there were others already in the house. She told him that they were either staff, or guests that have taken one of their rooms for the night. He told her that he was just looking for his cousin. She told him, that if his cousin is who she thinks he is, than he might not want to stay in town. "His cousin skipped town, owing a lot of people a lot of money. We have laws that say that we can collect from family members. On second thought why don't you wait right here. I'm pretty sure I know someone who would want to talk to you."
"That's okay. I don't see my cousin anywhere. I'll just go look somewhere else."
He hurried out of the brothel.
Madam Cothia went up to one of the mercenaries sitting in the dining area. "How good are you at following someone?"
"I'm okay but my buddy at the other table is the best."
He called his buddy over, and told him that Madam Cothia has some work for him. He was a wiry fella, not the type of person you would think to take with you to a bar fight. There was not really anything about him that stood out. Madam Cothia smiled, he was perfect. She told him there was a Rodian male that had just left. She wants him followed, and she wants to know everything. He saluted her, and ran out the door.
When one of the mercenaries she had hired, to help defend the spaceport, came by to pick up lunch. She told him, that they should expect company tonight. He asked her, what made her think that? She told him that a Rodian had been by earlier, checking the place out. He said he was looking for his cousin. The only Rodian that has been on this planet, had connections to the Hutt's. She also told him that she sent someone out to tail him. He asked her if it was the skinny guy that works for this mercenary unit. She said yes, and he kissed her on the forehead. "Good girl! I'm sure our Commander will want to talk with you." Later that afternoon the mercenaries' Commander came by and asked Madam Cothia if the guy she sent after the Rodian was back yet? She told him he hadn't returned. He said he shouldn't be long, the Rodian just left the planet. They waited together, but no one showed up.
The Mercenary Commander had just stood up and told Madam Cothia to tell the Commander of this mercenary crew, that they have a man missing. When the guy came stumbling through the door. He was bleeding, it looked like he had been stabbed. A couple of mercenaries ran to help him. Two more slammed two dining tables together, and asked one of her girls to get fresh linen. She looked at Madam Cothia, who was racing for her room. She told her to, "Just do it." The young lady sprang to action. Madam Cothia grabbed two vials of Kolto, and burst into her lieutenant's room. Her lieutenant had just started undressing a client (first thing you do to make sure they are clean. If not you help them shower in the corner.) She told her to take the two vials to the apothecary, have him make up the first vial into the Kolto pacs for the med kits, the second vial should cover the cost. They need them right now, and she wants change. She told the shocked customer that she will send in another girl to look after him. He smiled, "Will she be purdy too?"
She told him that all her girls are purdy. Her lieutenant knew better to than to argue with Madam, especially when she is upset. The first girl Madam Cothia spotted, she asked her, if she had a customer? She said she didn't. She told her that there is a client in her lieutenant's room that needs looking after. She was about to tell Madam that she just saw her run by, then she smiled, the lieutenant never lets anyone use her room, now she can, and she won't be in trouble. Madam Cothia went back to the dining area, she wanted to know how the guy was doing. She saw the two mercenary Commanders talking. They weren't really Commanders, but that is what they preferred to be called, when they represent their mercenary group. She thinks one is a Sergeant, or was that Sergeant Major? The other was some sort of officer, maybe Captain. Do they have Captains in the army? Because it sounds like a navy rank. When she approached them, they stopped talking, and turned to her. They told her that he bled out a lot, but should be okay. She told them that she just sent one of her girls to the apothecary, to get a Kolto pac. The officer asked her if they really have any, because every time he checks, they are all out. She told him that she had overhead one of her customers say, that he just had a fresh supply come in. The officer said that he would stop by first thing in the morning and see if he has any left, they are really hard to come by. Then he told her that his man followed the Rodian to the new Wedding Chapel. First he wanted to go into the apartment, but was told he can't because their seamstress lives there. Then he wanted to check things out in the warehouse, and was told he can't because they are right in the midst of renovations. It was after that that the Rodian spotted him and ambushed him. "From the times he mentioned. We believe that he went straight back to his ship after the ambush." They wondered, what did he want with the Wedding Chapel? She told them that the Wedding Chapel used to be the Rodian's lair. The one who started this whole mess.
It was clear to the two Commanders. First the Hutts send a scout to see if they can recover any product, to cover the cost of the operation. Then they send the retaliatory force. The officer asked Madam Cothia if it was all right with her, if their two Mercenary Units combine for tonight, at no extra cost to her. He wants revenge for his man, and he has a man who is presently trying to nail down a contract, that would be easier to get, if their two units combine. Tonight might be a good test to see if they can work together. Madam told them that she has no problem, with them seeing if they can work together. Her lieutenant returned a short time later, and handed her a bag with the Kolto pacs in it, and the change. She told her that she was surprised how fast he could move, when he found out that they had a wounded man in their house. Madam Cothia handed her one of the pacs, to give to the Commanders. Then she told her who she sent to her room, to look after her customer. The lieutenant cringed, and thought, "Why her?" Madam Cothia went straight to the kitchen, and asked Chef, if she could store this bag in his cooler for a few days. Chef looked in the bag.
"You like your cold credits, do you?"
Madam forgot that the change was still in the bag. She reached in and took it all out. Chef said for only a couple of days? Madam Cothia raised her right hand, and said, "I promise."
The Captain instructed his men, to be ready for action at sundown. He then went with the Master Sergeant to inspect all of his preparations. He was impressed. The rest of the Master Sergeant's people were introduced to the Captain, and told that he would be co-ordinating things tonight. His crew was really happy. First they were going to have strong backup. Second, the chance of seeing action tonight was very high. The Captain really liked that the Master Sargent's own man took over spaceport traffic control, when the real traffic controllers went home for the night. That meant anyone landing their ship at night, will feel compelled to follow the traffic controller's instructions, when he answers their hails, because it would look too suspicious if they didn't. That means that when the troops exit the ship, and go for cover, they won't suspect that they are snuggling up to anti-personnel mines.
When the Captain returned to the brothel to check his men, he told his best scout to stand down. He knew he was feeling better after the Kolto pac, but he needs him fully healthy for their next assignment. He was sure it would not hurt him, if Madam's girls keep him company. A merc came up to him and tells him, "I wish I could stay. They're all so gosh darn purdy."
In space, the Rodian docks his ship with the assault ship. He gives his scouting report to the Red Demon's CO. He tells him that there are only three mercenaries, providing backup to spaceport security. He did not know about the two that were sleeping. He also told them that the crews looking after freight storage at the spaceport have gotten lazy, which is another sign that the Rodian is not there. They should have plenty of cover all over the spaceport. He said that the Hutts are going to be pissed, because he could not find the Rodian, who had promised them all those hours of videos he had recorded of the women at the brothel. The Rodian's warehouse has also being converted to a Wedding Chapel. So if anyone found the memory chips they have either been destroyed, or sold them to another Consortium. The CO, thanked him and reminded him that he will get paid when they return from this mission.
The CO inherited the Red Demon unit from his Commander when he perished on assignment, near the end of the Great Galactic War. He was a male Devaronian. He looked like a Red Demon, and he fought like a Red Demon. So that is how they got their name. Of the original 20 that started this unit, only four of them remain. Not to take away from the new guys. They fight just as hard as the guys he started with. He tried to talk the Hutts into letting him leave half his men behind. This is over kill. They insisted. They said they were paying for the whole unit, so they want the whole unit to go. They are paying for results, not so half of them could take a vacation, when they should be working. The good thing is, you can't argue with the pay, or with the bonuses. If everything goes according to schedule, they should be hitting the spaceport at three in the morning local time.
Spaceport security did not like being decoys. They understood the importance of maintaining their scheduled rounds. But each one of them has gone to the bathroom three times more often than they normally do. The mercenaries call it nervous bowel syndrome, than laugh. They wouldn't laugh so hard if they felt like the moving targets at a carnival shooting gallery. At least they all knew their part, as soon as you hear something explode, hit the deck and keep your head down. "They forget that we hear something explode every time we go to the bathroom."
The assault ship pilots were surprised to hear a response, when they made their regulation call to spaceport traffic control. They checked to make sure they were broadcasting on the right frequency. Most spaceports this size do not have 24 hour traffic control. But the guy spoke the talk, and directed them to one of the landing sites, that they have of the spaceport layout. Regulations say you have to land were they tell you.
The mercenary pretending to be the spaceport traffic control, radioed the captain, to let him know that the ship that is coming in, has all the indications that it is an assault ship. The Captain ordered him to hold his position, until the fighting starts. If another ship shows up, and he is not there to direct them, it could spook the pilots of the assault ship, and he might not land. Or he might land in another location. Then they would be in big trouble. The attackers would have the advantage. The guys out on patrol all saw the landing lights of the ship coming in. Every one of them wanted to run for cover. It took all the courage they could muster to keep walking their beat. All the defending mercenaries watched as the ship touched down. The ramp lowered, and the attacking mercenaries, dressed from head to toe in black, all wearing night vision goggles, silently race down the ramp, and took cover behind stacked crates of freight. All of their hearts were beating at least twenty times per minute faster, because of all the adrenaline pumping through their bodies. One of the attackers raised his hand. Probably their Commanding Officer, not knowing it was the signal the defenders were waiting for. They detonated all of the anti-personnel mines they had attached to the fake crates of cargo. Just like that, two thirds of the attackers were wiped out. The rest were all injured. The pilots took off as soon as they heard the explosions, raising the ramp as they gained altitude. As one of them put it, "They weren't paid to die." The surviving attackers did their best to try and afflict as much damage as possible on the defenders. But they were in a hopeless situation. They were pinned down, with nowhere to manoeuvre. They could not retreat because their ride just took off. The defenders knew what they were doing. Some of them were moving, to where the attackers would be fully exposed. There was certainly more than three of them. One of the attackers stood up and started blasting away with a blaster rifle in each hand. Soon the others joined him. This was their last stand. The defenders would know that they were men who knew how to die. The defenders were just grateful, that they shortened the inevitable. After they were taken out, the Captain ordered a ceasefire, and did a headcount. They did not lose anyone. He told them to help the injured, and get back to the brothel. Remember they were never there. The Captain and Master Sergeant removed all evidence of them ever being there. They shock hands with the officers in charge of spaceport security, and thanked them for their cooperation. Then disappeared. It is security's job to dispose of the dead bodies.
At the brothel they were putting tables together again, for the wounded. Though no one was killed, they did have critically wounded. One of the ladies from the original five man unit took a blaster bolt in the left side, right in the seam of her body armour, and three from the eight man unit that combined with them. Their Medic asked Madam Cothia, if she had anymore Kolto pacs? She asked him how many he needed. He figured three would be sufficient for now, and another two tomorrow. She ran to the kitchen and removed three from the bag in the cooler. When she handed them to the medic, he noticed right away how cold they were. He warmed one up with his hands, and the other two he put in two different pockets, so that they would be warm by the time he needed to use them. The medic thought that the woman's injuries had the potential for being the most severe. When he removed the torso portion of her body armour, he found she was wearing nothing underneath, just like most mercenaries. It made it easier for medics to deal with wounds, without having to pick out melted pieces of fabric from the wound. Between gritted teeth, the Sergeant commented, that she was happy they had not damaged her two girls, or she would have been very upset. The two privates from her unit were watching what was happening to her. They had never seen her without some sort of covering over her upper torso, in the more than two years they had worked with her. "We also would have been upset if your two girls had been damaged." The Sergeant asked her friend and fellow Sergeant, who was at her side, if she could get rid of these two clowns. So she threw an armoured glove at them, and told them to go stare at one of Madam's girls. They told her that all of her girls were busy helping where ever they could. "Besides what Sarge has, is just as beautiful as anything the girls have."
"You don't want her husband catching you ogling his wife, or you will be in big trouble."
Just than the Captain and Master Sergeant walked into the brothel, having put away the extra gear they used for the operation. The two privates made themselves scarce. The medic was very surprised to find the Sergeant's injuries were not as severe as he first thought. The Sergeant said that she believed it was because she was shot more from the front rather than the side, so it was only a glancing blow. The medic agreed with her, otherwise she would be breathing from her side as well as her mouth right now. He used an aerosol spray to numb the wound that also contained an antiseptic. He used a scalpel to cut away the charred pieces of flesh, because they could interfere with healing, and could also be a source of infection. He covered the wound with artificial skin from his Medi-kit, and gave her an injection of the Kolto solution from the Kolto pac that Madam had given him. He told her that there may be some scarring, and definitely discomfort as she heals. He needs to give her another injection, later that day, to help with her healing. The Master Sergeant had gone with the Captain to check on the other wounded, when he saw the Medic working on his wife. He came over to her just in time to grab a hold of the bed sheet his wife was laying on, to help carry her to a room. He saw the nice new bandage the Medic had taped over the wound. He was grateful that Madam's girl had covered her with another sheet before leading them to the bed where they could put her down to rest. The Sergeant grabbed the arm of the young lady before she could leave the room, and asked her if she could find a comfortable chair for the Master Sergeant to sit on, at his wife's bedside. She was sure he would fall asleep in it. The young lady was surprised to find out that they were married. She knew they were good friends, as everyone in their unit was. It was a shock to think that they were married, yet they still came here with their unit. That would explain why she never saw him with any of the girls. The Master Sergeant helped the Sergeant remove the rest of his wife's body armour. When they were finished the Sergeant made her friend swallow a pill the Medic gave her, so that her friend would sleep and heal. Then she left the two of them alone. At the same time the young lady returned with a chair that she hoped would be comfortable enough. When she entered the room, she saw the Master Sergeant standing at his wife's side, holding her hand, and she had heard him say, "I love you."
The medic came up to the merc who took two blaster bolts to the chest. The chest piece on his body armour was completely shatter, he told the guy he was one lucky guy. The merc told him that he did not feel lucky. The medic told him that if the blaster bolts had hit him a couple of centimeters closer together, he would be dead right now. They tried to take his body armour off, but he had a lot of fragments imbedded in his skin. The guys helping the merc who was shoot in the arm, came over and asked him to look at his buddy again. His arm does not look right. The medic came over and swore. He should have looked more closely the first time. The blaster bolt took out a section of the bone in his arm. It was the body armour that was keeping the arm rigid. Now that they removed the armour it was just hanging there, and he was in a lot of pain. He probably needs a pin in it at the least, he might need it completely rebuilt. He had asked the Captain for a scanner, so that he could detect wounds like this. When the guys first come in, they are still so pumped up on adrenaline, that they think they only have a scratch. He told his buddies that they have to keep him lying down, they can't let him sit up. They are going to have to remove all his body armour, and get a regular pair of pants on him, they will have to change into civvies themselves. He then walked up to Madam Cothia, and asked if they have a trauma clinic, or hospital, with a bone surgeon. When the Captain saw the medic walking towards Madam Cothia, he thought he should go listen in. Madam Cothia told him that there was a hospital on the other side of the spaceport, but she did not know if they had a bone surgeon. She would give them a call. When she left the Captain asked him what was wrong. He told him that the mercenary with the arm injury has a piece of bone missing, which he did not detect because he does not have a scanner. He will need a pin in his arm at the least. There is a chance that the bone is fragmented. He is in a lot of pain, but he has to go into surgery right now. So he cannot give him anything, in case it interferes with what they need to give him for the surgery. When Madam Cothia came back, she told them that the hospital does have a trauma unit, and they have a surgeon on call. She told them to call him in, because they are sending them a patient whose arm is in bad shape. He put a quick splint on the guy to stabilize his arm. So it would not hurt as much on the way to the hospital, and to make it easier for the surgeon to examine him. The Captain asked Madam Cothia, what a common family name was around here. Madam did not know, so she gave him her maiden name. Try Brennan. The Captain came up to the injured man's buddy. He reminded them not to use their real names in the hospital. "If they ask you your names, tell them you are Ben Brennan. If they ask why you all have the same names, say your cousins. No, better yet, say that you are all brothers. Same father different mothers. That will keep them from bothering you, but give them a chance to gossip amongst themselves. The Captain handed him 100 credits. Give them this if they ask for medical insurance, and tell them you can get more insurance if it's needed."
They carried him on the bed sheet out to Madam's skiff. Madam told the droid to take them to the hospital, than come right back. The medic went back to working with the chest wound patient. While he was gone, they removed all the other pieces of his body armour. The medic went to work with some tweezers, to pull out all the fragments of body armour he could find from his skin. One of Madam's girls asked him, if she found a pair of tweezers, did she want her to help. He said he would not mind, if what she saw did not bother her. She told him she was raised on a farm, and has seen a lot worse. The merc asked the medic if he could hurry up. He was getting cold laying their naked. The medic told him that the cold was helping him right now, and he needs to keep still. With her help, he was able to get all the fragments out much faster. He got out his aerosol can and sprayed his entire chest, to numb the pain and to provide the antiseptic. He got out his scalpel to cut away the small amount of charred flesh at the impact point of each blaster bolt. He told the mercenary that he has good news and bad news for him. The good news is that he will now have what looks like four nipples, the bad news was that they were not symmetrical, so it will be a major turnoff for the guys. He told the medic that he did not care about the guys. What will the gals think? He told him to keep his shirt on and they won't even notice. The young lady put her hand over her mouth, because she was afraid she might say something, or laugh. The medic only put small pieces of synthetic skin, over the flesh where he removed charred skin. He did not want to put any dressing over the burns. As there was excessive bruising all over his chest, under the burns, so only a body wrap would work. He thought it was best to leave it exposed. He injected small amounts of the Kolto solution all around the burns. Then he gave the mercenary some medication to knock him out. He then told his two buddies that they need to get some padded leather strapping from the Captain. They need to keep their friend completely immobilised for the next two days, so he can heal faster. He showed them where the one leather strap should go across his shoulders pinning him to the bed, and where the other strap should go across his hips to keep him from moving about. One of them had to stay awake with him at all times, to keep an eye on him. In case he squirms while he is sleeping, and the leather strap across his shoulders slips up, and chokes him to death. He told them that if they were having trouble staying awake, send for help. He told them that it would be okay to put a blanket on him, but only up to the leather strap at his hips. His chest must remain uncovered. He will be coming around at a regular intervals to keep him medicated, so he remains unconscious for the next two days. The medic next looked at the patient with the leg injury. Like he suspected it was a clean through and through. There was partial cauterisation, as the blaster bolt passed through, sealing some of the blood vessels, so there was minimal seepage of fluids from the wound. There were no major arteries severed, and there was enough seepage of fluids that he did not have to go in and cut the cauterised flesh away. The Kolto should encourage muscle tissue growth to fill in the hole, rather than the scar tissue that would normally grow in a wound like this. He will need a cane to get around for the first month, while the new muscle tissue connects properly with the muscle tissue which is already there. He sprayed the wound, giving it a good soaking. Then he gave him two injections of the Kolto solution. And covered both openings to the wound with gauze pads, then wrapped gauze around the leg to hold the pads in place. He told the mercenary that it would be best if he stayed off his leg for the next couple of days, so that it could heal. Then the medic looked at the minor injuries. One of the Mercenaries had part of an ear shot off. A drop of the Kolto solution on the wound, was all it needed. A couple had burns from near misses. That only required a drop of the Kolto solution. There were some scrapes, which prompted him to ask the mercenaries if they wanted him to call over one of Madam's girls to kiss it, to make it better. They just wanted a drop of Kolto on it, then they would go kiss the girls. One of the mercenaries twisted their ankle during the firefight. He had them ice it, then told him he would wrap it up when he returned from the hospital. The medic then went to find the guy with the chest wound. When he found him, he inspected how well they attached the padded leather straps. He was able to hang a bag of intravenous fluids to the headboard of the bed and had it drip into a vein in his arm. He told his buddies that this will keep him hydrated, because he will not be able to drink while he is unconscious. He told them they are not going to like what he has to do next. He took a thin well lubricated piece of tubing, and forced it into the hole at the tip of his patient's horn of manhood. He pushed it in, a predetermined length. He attached a bag at the end of the tubing, and they could see a few drops of fluid come out of the tubing into the bag. He told them he had to do this, because they will not be able to wake him up to relieve himself, for the next two days. After this, he jumped onto Madam's skiff, and had the droid take him to the hospital. The Captain had handed him some credits, just in case. He tried napping on the way to the hospital. He must have been successful, because the droid had to wake him, to let him know he was there. He checked at the check-in counter for a Ben Brennan. The guy must have thought he was a comedian, because he asked him which one. So he told him it did not matter, they all smelt the same. The guy was obviously confused by the reply, which he should be, because it made no sense, just like his question. He ended up telling him where the waiting room was for patients in surgery. He found both mercenaries stretched out, asleep on the couches. He made room for himself, and joined them in dreamland. The next thing he knew, a nurse was shaking his shoulder. She asked him if he was here about Ben Brennan. He told her he was. She told him that he was just out of surgery, and would probably be out for at least another twenty minutes. He asked if it would be okay to see him. She said she could take him to his room, but he was still sedated. The medic told her it was okay. She did not like that he started going through the patients charts as soon as he entered the patient's room, like he was some sort of doctor. She was surprised that he was able to call up the scans on the patient's arm on the terminal in the room. She told him that he was not supposed to do that, it was privileged patient information. He just waved a hand at her and told her it was all right. He studied the scans, like he knew what he was looking at. Then he looked at the chart again. Then he pulled a needle out of the pack around his waist and a container with fluid in it. That is when she panicked, and ran for the doctor. They both ran back to the room, in time to see him remove the needle from the patient's arm. The doctor asked him what he had just injected into his patient. The man told them that he was actually his patient. He had just referred him to them, because he could not do what needed to be done. What he just injected into his arm was Kolto solution, from his medi-kit. He then asked, if he is the surgeon who operated on his buddy's arm. He would like to tell him he did some very good work. He then informed them that as soon as his buddy wakes up they would be leaving. The surgeon objected, he needs to be kept under observation. The man said that he would be under observation, just not in the hospital. The surgeon asked, if this had anything to do with the incident at the spaceport? "You know Doc. That we cannot talk about stuff like that." The surgeon told the nurse that she can leave, he has everything under control. She just stood there, which annoyed the surgeon. He asked the man were one could obtain the Kolto solution. He told the surgeon that he did not know. He was able to get a Kolto pac from Madam Cothia at the brothel. Both surgeon and nurse thought this was good information to know. At this time, the two mercenaries stuck their heads through the doorway, and asked, "Hey Doc. How's our brother?" Both men in the room started to reply, then they both stopped. The medic, turned to the surgeon. "It's your hospital, you can tell them." The surgeon quickly told them how well the surgery went. The surgeon and nurse then decided it was best to leave these men alone. She did hang back a little, trying to stay close enough to hear something. She was disappointed, either they were talking very quietly, or they were not talking at all. When they were ready to leave, the intern in charge of the Trauma Unit that day, did not want them to leave until he put a plaster cast on the patient. He did not tell them that it was because he needed the practise. The medic told him the splint was sufficient, because he needed to monitor the wound to make sure it was healing properly. The argument between them became quite heated, so a nurse went to get the Surgeon. After hearing what the nurse told him, he knew he had to intervene. When he approached, he called the man Doc, because that is what the other men called him. The intern was taken aback, by this. Obviously there was some sort of rapport between these two men, and the surgeon was recognising him as a medical professional. When Doc explained to him what the intern wanted to do, and why he opposed it, the Surgeon turned to the intern and told him that Doc was right, he needs to let them go as they are. The intern had no choice. He had to do as he said, or he would never be allowed to specialise in the field of medicine he wanted to.
They arrived back at the brothel just in time for a hot breakfast. The bleary eyed Captain was leaving just as they entered, he said he had some place to go. After breakfast, the medic managed to squeeze a couple of drops of Kolto solution, out of a now empty Kolto pac. He used the drops to massage the foot of the mercenary who had twisted his ankle, then he wrapped it up for support. He told the merc that he could walk on it, but try to keep it to a minimum for that day. He then went to check on all of his critical patients. He was happy to see someone awake, keeping an eye on his chest wound patient. He checked the bag that was holding the fluid being drained from his bladder. It would be a number of hours before he would need to empty it. He was happy to see that the lady shot in the side was resting comfortably. The Master Sergeant, who had fallen asleep in the chair next to her bed, was still holding her hand. He left the room quietly, there was no need to wake either of them, but the Master Sergeant was going to need a neck massage when he wakes up. He came across one of Madam's girls, he was surprised because he had never seen one up this early before, except for Madam Cothia herself. He asked her if they have bedsheets for children who have a problem wetting their bed. She did not know, and asked him why he would need it, since there are no children in the house. He told her he was worried about his chest wound patient. He was keeping him unconscious, but there was still the small risk that he might have an involuntary bowel movement, which would soak through the bed sheet and ruin the mattress. She thought for a moment, and told them that they have a special small bed sheet that a lady is allowed to use if she is having trouble with her moon cycle, and is worried that she might bleed excessively through the night. The medic thought that would be perfect, so she went to retrieve it for him. She helped the medic position it under his body. When she saw the tube coming out of his horn of manhood, and connected to the bag. She told the medic that she guessed he did not want any of the girls coming in to play with him while he slept. The medic told her she was a naughty girl. The mercenary who was keeping an eye on his buddy told her that he would not mind playing with her, when his friend comes to take his place. She whispered in his ear where he could find her. When they left the room, the medic told her he needs to rest for a couple of hours, can she make sure someone wakes him up, because he has to go check on his patients again. He found a couch and fell asleep on it right away. She came back with a blanket and covered him. She gently stroked his cheek with the back of her fingers. This is the type of man that she hoped, would someday come, and take her away with him. Then she left. The Captain had just returned from the apothecary with the Kolto pacs he had just purchased. Madam Cothia's tip paid off. He was planning on giving the medic the Kolto pacs right away, but since he was sleeping, he can give them to him, after their meeting, just before lunch. He decided he needed to sleep as well.
At the meeting the Captain told the mercenaries that were present, that because of a tip from Madam Cothia, he had just spent Two Thousand Credits, to buy Kolto pacs. "With the scarcity of Kolto, it might be a long time before we can find some again. So if you go to the medic, and he thinks your injury does not warrant using the Kolto solution. Don't get mad at him, he is just trying to save it, for the time he needs to save your life. Now that we have some new faces joining us, I can't call you dogfaces anymore, because a couple of the mercenaries have very nice faces." Then he looked at the two privates. "You know I'm talking about you." Then he blew them a kiss. The privates turned bright red. Which made everyone laugh. They did not know if the Captain was hitting on them. Because if you look up dogface in the dictionary, you will find a picture of both of their faces right there. Then the Captain got serious, "The mercenary unit we wiped out last night, was the Red Demon Unit." The mercenaries started congratulating one another. This should translate into lucrative contracts. The Captain held up his hand for silence. "I know what you are thinking, because of Red Demon Unit's reputation, we should be able to demand more credits for our services. Now that is true until we are all dead. Most will not believe that two small units that have never worked together before, were able to combine their resources, and take out a larger unit like the Red Demon Unit. This thinking may save our lives. If word gets around that we took out the Red Demon Unit. Other mercenary units that are around the same size as them, will hunt us down. Not for revenge. Just so they can say they took out the mercenaries that wiped out the Red Demon Unit. So you can't say anything to anyone, until you are really old, and writing your memoirs. By then, it won't matter anymore." The mercenaries were all disappointed, but they knew the Captain was right. "Because the Princess Unit has joined with us, I just received word this morning that we were able to get the next contract. We ship out in eight days." The guys were already looking forward to their next contract, it is going to be different working with some good looking female mercenaries. They knew they had a good reputation as being tough. At the spaceport they showed that they don't back down from a fight. The Captain came up to the medic and handed him the Kolto pacs. The medic put all the pacs in his medi-kit except one. That one he was going to use right now before he had lunch. The Captain asked him if everyone will be ready. He told him, that because he has the Kolto pacs, they will all be ready except the one guy who was shoot in the leg. He will probably need the help of a cane for the next month. He wants to talk to their Masseuse, because she has experience working with injured patients. He wants to see if she will give priority to the injured mercenaries, when they ask for massages. A good massage can be almost as good as Kolto, when it comes to healing injuries. Before he walked away, the Captain told him, that he thinks one of the young ladies likes him. The medic was surprised, and asked who? The Captain said the young lady who covered him with the blanket this morning. The medic shook his head. He did not know who covered him with the blanket. He would not mind thanking her. The Captain said it was that young lady right there, and he motioned with his head. The medic turned to see a young lady lead the guy who had been watching his buddy, who said he would like to play with her, to a bedroom. The one who had helped him this morning, and he had called a naughty girl. He was embarrassed for having called her that, she was really nice. He thanked the Captain for telling him that. Then went to find the patients he wanted to give injections to.
After lunch, when he was just finishing his rounds, he almost bumped into the young lady, as she came out of the bedroom with the mercenary. When she saw it was him, she suddenly became embarrassed, like he had caught her doing something bad. Lots of men have seen her come out of a bedroom with a customer, and it had never bothered her before. But she was afraid to look at his face, in case he was upset. When the medic saw her reaction to him. He knew she liked him. He asked her if he could talk to her for a second. He did not sound upset, so she looked at his face. He was smiling at her, so she smiled back. "I forgot to thank you for helping me this morning, I really appreciate it. I also understand that you are the angel I have to thank, for covering me with a blanket this morning. I don't know of any way I could ever pay you back, but as soon as I finish checking my patients, I would like to go for a walk to stretch my legs, and if you are not doing anything, I could use the company." She told him she would love to go with him, but she needs to check with Madam Cothia first, in case she was planning on sending her on an errand. He told her that he would wait for her in the dining area.
She went to Madam Cothia's office and saw that she was in a meeting with two mercenaries. Since the door was open, she thought it was safe to interrupt them. She knocked on the door and the conversation stopped. They all turned to her. She apologised for interrupting them, than she asked Madam if she needed her for anything, because the medic has asked her to go for a walk with him. Madam Cothia told her she could go, and she should take the shawl hanging on the back of the door, because she does not want her getting a chill. She also told her that if she sees her lieutenant, she should tell her about this meeting, because she should be here. Then she told her that when she comes back, she wants to talk with her.
Madam Cothia always had a short talk with any of the girls who look like they are falling for a mercenary. She likes to tell them that sometimes the mercenaries don't come back, even though they really want to. She remembers the first time she fell in love with a mercenary. She wasn't the Madam back then, she was just one of Madam's girls. She remember seeing all his buddies coming through the door of the brothel. He wasn't with them. When they saw her they all stopped, and looked embarrassed. That's how she knew he was dead. She started crying right where she stood. Madam put an arm around her, and led her to Madam's bedroom. She never told her to stop crying, she just held her, to let her know that she was there for her. At first she held her to herself, when they first sat on the bed. As it became later in the day, Madam got on the bed, resting her back against the headboard, and let her curl up beside her, and lay her head on Madam's lap. Madam had stoked her hair like she was a little child. She fell asleep like that. When she woke up in the morning, Madam was still stroking her hair. She got up, and saw the tearstains running down Madam's cheeks. Sometime during the night, Madam had been crying. She kissed her on her lips, and thanked her for being there for her. After that, if Madam asked her to do something, she did not hesitate to do it. It was shortly after that that Madam made her, her lieutenant, because she did not have one. After that, whenever a mercenary did not come back Madam was always there for her. The last time it had happened, Madam had retired, and she was the Madam. When she showed up at her home with tears in her eyes, she knew why she was there, and took her in. It was a few days later that she first met Richard. A mercenary unit had hired his ship to bring them back because they knew it used to be a military ship, and they could all safely fit in his cargo bay. They brought him and his crew to the brothel, to treat them to the best meal on the planet. She felt drawn to him, and he to her. She was emotionally broken when she first met him. He made her feel whole again. When she took him to her bedroom that evening, he confessed that he had never paid for sex before. But they never had sex. He made love to her. She told him that if he comes back to her, he never will have to pay for sex. He was the only one that always came back to her.
Madam wiped the tears from her eyes, and turned back to the gentlemen with her.
The young lady found Madam's lieutenant having lunch. She came up to her and whispered in her ear that Madam was in a meeting, and said she should be there. The lieutenant nodded her head to let her know that she heard her. As she approached the medic she held out her hand to him. He took it and they walked out the door, while the lieutenant quickly went to the meeting.
After the meeting, Madam Cothia and her lieutenant retrieved the last of their Kolto pacs from the Chef's cooler. They then went into the wine cellar. After the lieutenant closed and locked the door. Madam Cothia showed her a secret compartment in the wine cellar where they could keep their Kolto pacs. They agreed that it was okay to sell four of the six pacs they have, but they should always hold on to two. They knew that that apothecary had charged the Captain double, to recoup the profits that he would have gotten, if he would have sold the ones he made up for her. Maybe they can get him to do it again when they have more Kolto. Madam Cothia did not tell her that she still had one vial hidden in her bedroom.
On the Sith planet there was a military inquiry, since an influential local merchant claimed that the squad leader's action cost him more than a thousand credits in profit, and four Starfighters were lost with their pilots aboard, and a fifth Starfighter was damaged beyond repair, and its pilot was in a Bacta tank, recovering from his wounds.
When the merchant was asked, why the captain of the freighter and his crew, had acted the way they did? The merchant told them they had a number of reasons. First, this was their first trip to this planet, after the treaty, when it became a Sith planet. The merchant himself has heard rumours in the cantina, that freighters that have large crews often have crewmembers shanghaied by the Sith military. The officer conducting the inquiry, knew it wasn't a rumour, it was true. The merchant said that this ship normally had five crewmembers. The officer asked him, why so many? The merchant told him that it is quite an old ship, even though it does not look like it. So it does not have all the automation that the new freighters do. The second reason, which he had already mentioned to the squad leader, was that they were returning freight that had been stolen from their ship, a number of years back, and recovered by some local authorities. They were probably skittish about having strangers aboard their ship. Since this probably was their first trip to a Sith controlled planet, they were probably nervous about what sort of reception they would receive, since the ship was registered in the Republic. They may have feared that the Imperial Troopers might have tried to seize the ship. The officer realised that every reason the merchant gave, could account for the crews' actions. The officer asked him about their actions against the starfighters? The merchant told them that this ship has more confirmed kills against pirates, than any freighter he knows. So they would have needed to send a lot more starfighters, before this crew would have been concerned. The officer wondered how many they would have lost if they had sent more.
When he question each member of the squad, he received the same responses. The crew was nice. They were unarmed. They were not nervous, even when they pointed their blaster rifles at them. It was almost like they expected it. The just refused to allow anyone aboard their ship. They thought it was a nice gesture when the Gotal wished them a nice day before the ramp to the ship finally closed.
The officer could hardly wait to hear the reason that a squad of starfighters was sent against this ship, and why the squad leader wanted to board this ship to begin with. When one of the officers did get the opportunity to question the squad leader, they were surprised to hear that the squad leader did not suspect the freighter's crew of smuggling, or suspect them of any illegal activity, until they refused to let them board their ship. It turned out that the only reason the squad leader wanted to board the ship, was because he had never seen this particular design before, and wanted to see its interior layout. When asked about why the starfighters were scrambled. He replied that it was standard procedure to notify traffic control, if a freighter suddenly departs, before they have a chance to review their papers. The officer pointed out that he had not asked to see their papers. The squad leader replied he would have, once he was aboard the ship.
After the officers holding the inquiry deliberated. The officer in charge addressed the squad leader. He told him that he was not going to recommend that he be court martialed, even though there was sufficient evidence to support it. Instead he was recommending that the squad leader and his entire squad be transferred to a location where his inquisitive nature might benefit the Empire. He was going to recommend that they all be transferred to Balmorra. To the squad leader, this was worse than a court martial. He was sure that within a few days of them arriving on Balmorra, he could expect to be shot in the back by his own squad.
Madam Santhe was told by her office secretary that a representative of the government on Cerea, wished to speak with her. Madam Santhe said she would take it in her office. She activated the communicator in her office and saw the image of an elder, stately, Cerean female. As Cerea was almost on the opposite side of the galaxy from Lianna, in the Mid Rim, there was a considerable delay, between transmitting, and receiving. Madam thought it was a painful way to have a conversation. She called out the office door (very unladylike) to have someone bring her a cup of tea. When the Cerean official realised that she was connected. She bowed and addressed her as "Your Majesty", she then proceeded to explain the reason for contacting her. "Their government has recently confirmed a splendid phenomenon taking place on her planet. The Cerean male she has employed has only four wives, which in itself is not that uncommon for the few males that venture off of Cerea. What is unusual is that three of his four wives are currently pregnant. They have no record of it ever happening before. As theirs is a race in decline. Any possibility that this decline can be reversed, has the full attention of their government. To that end they want to send him a number of Cerean females, from which he can choose more honour wives. They are also including with this group the woman they have selected to study this family, and hopefully be accepted as one of his honour wives. If she is not selected, there are two other researches that are as equally qualified. Anyone of the three can study the family, but the researcher must be accepted as an honour wife. The reason they are contacting her first, and not the Cerean male, and his family, is because of the relationship she has with the family, and because of logistics. It appears that the family reveres her, holding her in a position of Matriarch, which in itself is unusual for Cereans. Concerning logistics, any new honour wives must be allowed to live with their family, and employment must be found for them, except the honour wife which is the researcher, her salary will be paid by the Government on Cerea. They are assuming that she would not allow any of the new honour wives, to go work for another company. So the number of new honour wives may be dependent on how many positions she can make in her company for them.
When the government first met with the researcher who proposed this project, somehow word of this project was leaked to the public, they received more than Three Hundred Thousand Applications from Single Female Cereans that were hoping to become one of this man's honour wives. They were able to bring this number down to Two Hundred applicants, by first eliminating any women who were older than the researcher herself, since a woman's fertility decreases with age. Another important factor they used, was how qualified the applicants were in terms of being able to work in Research and Development of weapons and ship systems. It would be negligent on their part if they only sent him candidates that were highly qualified in the social sciences, but had no knowledge of the simplest engineering principles. They have hired a luxury cruise liner to carry all of the Two Hundred applicants, along with a number of escort ship, all carrying Starfighters/Fighterbombers. To protect the candidates. It will probably take them at least Two months for them to arrive in Lianna's system. They were hoping that she had enough influence, that she would be able to keep the Sith from getting involved, because they had heard that the Sith require everyone to get permission, before they are allowed to marry."
She stopped talking after that, so Madam Santhe knew she could respond right away, it will just take a while for the reply to reach Cerea. "We will cooperate fully with our Cerean family. As far as the Sith's involvement. Their system cannot handle any person having more than two partners in a marriage. So as far as they are concerned, it is only the bond wife that is registered as married to him. All the honour wives just happen to live at the same location. We will need to know the mass and volume of every ship that will be arriving in the armada. So that our spaceport will be able to maintain its current orbit, once the armada is anchored to it. Only the cruise ship will be allowed to anchor to our spaceport directly. Let them know that they are not supposed to open access to the spaceport, or that will be considered an invitation by the Sith to come aboard. The escort craft will not be allowed to dock with the spaceport, but they can dock with the cruise ship and with each other. Santhe Corporation shuttle craft will be the only craft from Lianna, allowed to dock with the cruise ship, and will handle all the resupply situations for the Armada, as well as transporting any necessary personnel between the surface and the cruise ship." Madam Santhe than hit the mute button and called out for another cup of tea. When the Cerean responded, she thanked "Her Majesty" for her cooperation, and asked that she arrange for her communications department, to transfer her, so that she can communicate with the Male Cerean, and his family. Madam Santhe stepped out of her office, into the outer office. She asked a secretary to contact the head of R&D, to let him know that they will be transferring a call from the government on Cerea, for the Cerean Family, into his office. It was the only place in R&D where they could be assured some privacy. As soon as she has finished speaking with the head of the department. Contact communications to transfer the call. The Cerean male was unhappy that the government on Cerea, felt that they had a right to interfere with his family. This was one of the reasons he choose to leave Cerea with his than three wives, and come to Lianna to work for Santhe Corporation. His fourth wife was a nice bonus and has fit in very well. He likes his small family. He does not want the thirty wives his father had, and how they hurt one another to compete for his father's affection. His mothers, who all displayed a great deal of affection towards him, would hurt one another, just so that they could spend one night with his father. He was too young to know whether they did this deliberately, or whether this was just a normal unintentional side effect of their competition. He saw how his birth mother was torn apart inside by this, she wanted to protect him from the ugly side of family life, but she also had to compete if she wanted to be with her husband. His father died at a young age, even for a Cerean male. He has always believed that it was his wives, competing for him, that caused his premature death, because he was not blind to the fact that they were injuring one another. When the Cerean Official ended her speech, he did not reply. He just terminated the call. Then he got up and went home to his apartment. Not saying a word to anyone. His wives got up and followed him, because they could sense he was in distress, and wanted to do what they could to comfort him. The head of R&D contacted Madam Santhe right away, and told her what happened. On one hand she was surprised by his reaction, because Cereans tend to be more driven by logic than emotion. On the other hand she knew he was a passionate man, she could see it in the way he threw himself at his work, and in the way he interacted with his wives. She asked the head of R&D if he could determine how many more people they can absorb into R&D without it affecting productivity in a negative way. She than told him that the Government on Cerea, wants him to take more wives, and is sending over a boatload of females for him to choose from. The department head said that he knew many men who would be happy to have more wives if their current wife would let them. Madam Santee, reminded him that on Cerea the ratio of women to men is Twenty to One. When does more become too many? Especially when you have a big heart, like our Cerean male. He is probably afraid that he might not be able to love them all, like he does now. The more wives he has, the less time he can spend with each of them. The department head understood the logic. He told Madam Santhe that he should have a number for her by tomorrow. She than asked him about the construction taking place on the nursery extension, will it be done in time for the arrival of the first Cerean baby. He told her that it should be done 10 to 14 days before the due date they were given.
The Cereans did not show up for work, the next morning. Now Madam Santhe was really concerned. As soon as the department head gave her a firm figure, which was already after lunch, she headed straight for the Cereans' apartment. The Cerean male was lamenting that their happy family was ruined. He reminded his wives that this was why he left Cerea, so that they could keep a small happy family. "It was only when our bounty hunter showed up, that I knew I had room in my heart for one more, and you were all so willing to accept her that I was sure this was the way it must be. Now our own government says I must have more, because we are too happy, because we are able to make babies." He turned to his bond wife, "You know I can't choose. If I go up to the ship, and see all the women that want to marry me, that I will not be able to say no to any of them. And want to bring them all here, and try to love them even if it kills me." His bond wife gave him a big kiss right on his lips. Then held him to her, and told him, "We all know you are a man with a big heart, which is why it is so easy to love you, and why it is so easy for us to love each other because of you. So no matter what happens, know that we love you!" He started feeling better and went and hugged and kissed each of his wives. They then heard that someone was at the door. His bond wife told him it must be someone from the company, because they did not show up for work today. He instructed one of the honour wives to go to the door and send the person away, he did not want to talk to anyone. When the Honour wife saw that it was Madam Santhe at the door, she went back to her husband and pleaded with him. "Please dear husband, it is Madam Santhe at the door. Please don't make me send her away." The other wives got done on their knees and also pleaded with him. He was deeply moved by this. He told the honour wife to go bring her in, she is a good woman. Maybe she can help them? When Madam Santhe entered the family room. The husband took her hand in both of his, and knelt before her, his wives all got up and knelt around him for support. "Please Madam Santhe, please help us. They want to ruin our family. Madam Santhe did not know at first what to do, this was all so emotional. "Please let us all go and sit on your comfortable chairs. One of the wives can go and make us all a cup of tea. You know that I would never let them ruin your family. Is there a way that you can take a few more wives, without upsetting your family's dynamics?" The bond wife told her that her husband is afraid, that if he goes up to the ship, and sees all the women who want to marry him, that he would bring them all back with him, he does not have the heart to turn any away.
Madam Santhe told her, that her husband is a good man, with a kind heart. There is no reason he has to go up to the ship. The bond wife asked her to elaborate. Madam Santhe told them that the first thing they need to know is that she had asked the head of R&D to determine how many more people they could take into R&D without productivity suffering. He has told her that they only have room for four more, with the resources that they currently have available. That means that if they include the researcher, the greatest number of additional honour wives he can take at this time is five. She looked at the husband and asked if that was manageable, or should they consider a smaller number. He told her that that was a more manageable number than two hundred. This cheered the wives up. Their husband was starting to return to his normal self. Madam Santhe turned to the bond wife. "Since your husband cannot go to the ship and choose who should be his new wives, the burden of choosing the new honour wives is yours, and whichever of the other wives you choose to share the burden with." Madam Santhe suggested that they go to the ship, and randomly select candidates for interviewing, after they had interviewed the researcher as a potential honour wife. After they have found the women that they are satisfied will fit into their family, and be good honour wives, they should stop interviewing candidates. Even if the first four people they interview, besides the researcher, fit their criteria as good honour wife material. That way everyone will know that they all had an equal chance. Their disappointment at not being chosen, should be minimised. The women all liked her suggestion, and their husband approved. The husband also talked to them about setting up a schedule, so all the wives would know when they will be with him next, so that there is no competing for his affection. He also suggested that only they be allowed to give him a Kolto massage, because they already know how to deal with its side effects. Madam Santhe wondered why all the wives suddenly turned red. She knew that now was not the time to ask, she was sure that eventually one of them would tell her. As she got up to return to the office, she suggested they take the rest of the day off, and enjoy being a family. She did expect them at work, first thing in the morning.
When Madam Santhe was finally told by the bond wife what the side effect was, she had a good laugh. Even though the bond wife was uncomfortable telling her. When Madam Santhe confirmed that they all enjoyed this unexpected time of pleasure. She told her to tell the other wives she was happy for them. She then asked the bond wife if it was true that she also was pregnant. The bond wife looked shy and smiled, she said it was true. Madam Santhe hugged her, and congratulated her. Four for four, no wonder they wanted him to have more wives.
