The Millennium Falcon rested peacefully in the open expanse of its aerie on Geonosis, black carbon scarring marring its battle-weary hull. Next to it, sat Blade-4, unsullied and bright in contrast. Deep toward the back of the open cave, scattered piles of equipment and furnishings were arranged near open hollows in the cave wall, where two figures sat back on a long low-backed bench. A gray droid rested behind them, plugged into a power generator just inside one of the hollows. The two figures rested their feet on the crates in front of them and leaned back.

Boba took a swig of Cheedoan whiskey and swished it around in his mouth. Videsse had her arms pulled back with her hands clasped behind her head.

"We should've moved everything up here a long time ago," she commented as she looked around.

Boba not having anything to say, said nothing.

"What are we gonna do now?" Videsse asked.

Boba took another gulp of the whiskey. "Find a job," was his flat answer.

"What?" Videsse asked. "I thought you were gonna retire?"

Boba removed his feet from the crate and leaned forward, staring directly into her green eyes. He pointed and said, "Tried to. You've got a way of making me broke. Even though I had a million credits. Did you think Donal was cheap? It costs a lot for a coward to find an ounce of courage."

She smiled back at him. "Well, I think you'll find I'm worth it," she laughed.

Boba didn't say anything in response but shook his head.

Videsse wouldn't let it go. "I know you want me around."

Boba put his feet up and took another sip of his whiskey.

Videsse reached into her chest pocket and pulled out a white data chip and dangled it from her fingers. "You're pride just won't let you admit you want me around."

Boba looked over at the chip. "What's that supposed to be?"

She tossed it to him. "Something to help your conscience."

He caught it and flipped it between his fingers. "Yeah?"

"Just check the history on that. You'll see that it had thirty million credits on it," she said confidently. "Where it is now, well . . ."

Boba straightened back up at the implication.

"Yeah, this little mechanic is suddenly worth a fortune," Videsse gloated.

Boba chuckled to himself. "You are like you mother!"

"Is that who I remind you of?" she countered.

Boba shook his head and looked at Videsse with a hint of admiration. "Well, if you think I'm going to say this is the beginning of a beautiful partnership, you're deluded." He went to take another swig from his glass bottle but found it ripped from his hands.

Videsse threw back a big gulp and wiped her mouth with her forearm "I wouldn't expect anything else."

Boba grabbed the bottle back from her and commented with a smile, "Well, you are good at fixing stuff, Dess."

This time, Videsse knew what he meant and smiled back. "I need you, too."

The two of them kicked their feet back up on the crates and settled into the bench, not saying another word, but gazing with satisfaction at a large quadrate object leaning on the cave wall in front of them- a carbonite cast. The Keeper hung frozen, gripped in infinite stillness, and in his upturned bronze hands rested the black and unlit head of IG-88.