A/N: Many thanks to qt3.14159, Sarcasm Turtle (my favorite cousin to Awkward Turtle, by the way), and almostinsane (make up your mind already - once you crack, you never go back and it's great to be nuts! :D) for reviewing. New chapter, oneshot, don't own anybody, oocness and heavy guessing about the Echani, but it seems only natural for them to think that...anyway, enjoy.

"Errands, errands, and more errands." Complaints. As usual. The Handmaiden didn't tell him to shut up. Unusual. Atton remained on guard, shooting a glance in her direction when she wasn't looking.

Ever since their confrontation on Dxun, she hadn't said a word to him. In fact, not many to any of the others either. HK-47 reported, after his usual security patrols around the 'Hawk, that she spent hours in the cargo hold. Normally, this was expected, since she was a training fanatic. However, the assassin droid went on to say that she spent most of her time sitting there, staring at nothing.

Unusual.

Atton suppressed a sigh. Their present mission was to find the Serreco leader in the Nar Shaddaa Refugee Sector and secure his promise, by petition or default, that he would stop oppressing the refugees. The scoundrel didn't particularly care for the "by default" possibility. As they walked down the labyrinthine corridors toward the Serreco part of the docking bay, he patted his pockets, comforted by the feel of his hidden weapons. "I really don't like this…" he muttered.

The lack of the Handmaiden's reply made him look over and realize she had stopped a few feet behind. The expression on her face was reminiscent of one who has just witnessed a hutt announce his desire to donate his wealth to the Nar Shaddaa Orphan's Fund and live a life of humble poverty. "What's wrong?"

She simply continued staring at him.

Irritated, he shrugged and continued down the hall.

Handmaiden followed, surprise still evident on her face. She watched as he breezed up to the blaster rifle-toting guard and asked to speak to his boss.

The guard glared at him. "This is Serrreco territory. What business do you have here?"

"Relax, I know the secret handshake." Atton grabbed his free hand.

"What secret – Ah…" The guard straightened and subtly examined the credit chip the scoundrel slipped him. "Hurry up and take care of your business."

"Thanks." Atton turned to Handmaiden as they entered the bay. "So what's with the surprised look? Did I miss a spot shaving?"

"You said you knew the ways of Echani combat."

"Yeah. So what?"

"One of the greatest lessons of the Echani is never hint at the location of your concealed weapons and yet you did before we passed the guard."

"He didn't notice."

"But I did…"

"What are you – obsessive compulsive?"

"No…"

After they completed the Serreco mission and returned to the ship, Atton happened to pass the cargo hold. On the floor, a datapad lay, one file still open. His curiosity piqued, he read it. "Echani Code Rule #37: Unless a warrior is in non-hostile and familiar company, i.e. close friends or relatives, he must never confirm the locations of his various weapons on his person.