Karrde stood on the bridge behind the helm. He certainly cut an impressive figure in his formal clothes. Shada paused in the doorway a moment to admire him. His suit was black with a hint of blue piping at the seams that emphasized his lean frame. He wore a matching blue vest and a crisp white shirt underneath it all. She saw he wasn't completely without the adornment of jewels himself either. On his right hand was a large but tasteful cabochon sapphire ring. He turned when he sensed her presence and smiled at her, his eyes taking in her appearance from head to toe. "Shada, how lovely you look. That color suits you very well."

The entire bridge crew turned to look at her. "Thank you." She could feel herself blushing slightly. "How do you like our costumes, Dankin?" she asked as she walked to stand beside Karrde.

He shrugged, "They'll do I suppose. Do you feel like a diplomat?"

She smiled wryly, "Not particularly."

"We're about to exit hyperspace at Bastion," Karrde told her.

Torve began the countdown and then Dankin pulled the hyperdrive levers. The mottled blue of hyperspace changed to realspace and there was the Chimaera in space before them. The atmosphere on the bridge was tense at the sight of the Star Destroyer. Generally speaking, coming out of hyperspace to find a Star Destroyer waiting for you was not normally a good thing.

"They're hailing us, Cap't," Chin said.

"By all means put them on."

They stood at the top of the ramp ready descend into the Chimaera's hanger bay, but Karrde seemed reluctant to move forward. "Are you alright?" Shada asked him.

Karrde cleared his throat and gave her a rather abashed smile. "I was once an unwilling guest aboard the Chimaera. It's a little disconcerting to be back voluntarily."

Shada slid her arm through his and met his gaze with a determined look in her eyes. "They won't take you again. I promise you that."

Karrde grasped the hand on his arm and smiled gratefully. "My dear Shada, that may be the single most comforting thing anyone has ever told me. Let's go then."

They walked down the ramp to find an Imperial commander waiting for them. "Captain Karrde, Mistress D'ukal. Welcome aboard the Chimaera. Admiral Pellaeon asked me to convey his compliments."

"Thank you, Commander," Karrde said inclining his head politely, showing no trace of his earlier nervousness.

"If you'll follow me."

Leia's attention was drawn to the couple entering the room as if they owned the place. Talon Karrde and Shada D'ukal certainly made a striking pair. Both were tall and slender and had a physical presence that seemed attract notice. Karrde was rakishly handsome with his long silver streaked hair and neatly trimmed beard. He was as always impeccably dressed. Shada had an aloof, understated beauty that her elaborately coiled hair and boldly colored gown was well suited to.

She excused herself from Mon Mothma and went over to greet them after Admiral Pellaeon had. "I'm so happy you both came."

Karrde bowed politely over her hand. Leia had often wondered at his polite courtliness. It came so easily to him and without fanfare in the way that was ingrained at an early age. It made her rather curious about his origins.

Leia smiled at Shada. "Well, it seems like my atelier was able to help you, Shada. That gown looks wonderful on you."

"Thank you for your help, Councilor. I appreciate it."

"You're welcome. But please call me Leia."

Shada nodded and smiled.

"Leia, I must say those are some impressive opals you have on," Karrde told her. "I don't think I've ever seen the like."

Leia reached up and touched the cool stones set into the elaborate collar style necklace. "Nor will you again. This is the only surviving piece of the Alderaanian crown jewels. This necklace was off world as part of an exhibit when Alderaan was destroyed."

She caught a flicker of annoyance from Shada, but her face remained impassive. Shada had an impressive rope of iridescent black Mon Calamari pearls knotted at her throat and clusters on her ears. Certainly nothing to be scoffed at.

Karrde glanced at Shada and smiled as if he had sensed her irritation as well. Perhaps it was something personal between them then. "Well, this is certainly the occasion to wear them," he said turning his attention back to Leia. "Alderaanian opals always were the most beautiful. I always turned a tidy profit when they came into my hands."

Leia laughed, "I have no doubt that you did."

TBC