Some years later: On a pirate flagship

Andronikos watched his crew celebrate their latest raid from his captain's chair. Several Twi'lek dancers were entertaining and there were bottles he hadn't seen in years being passed around. He had his own bottle in his hand at his side, and he'd nursed it as much as he could. Well, as much as you could nurse a whole bottle. He drained it and got to his feet, searching out another. One of his men tossed him something and he took a swig before realizing what it was. Corellian whisky, he thought, Damn. He made his way over to the door to his quarters, the bottle still in hand. Before he could slip inside, one of the Twi'leks had grabbed the hand without the bottle.

"Come play, Pirate King," she giggled, trying to draw him into her.

He looked at her coldly, but before he did something stupid, his first mate had hurried over and lifted her bodily away. She screamed with laughter and forgot him. He hurried inside his room and locked the door.

He ran his hand over his mohawk and took another swig of the whisky. Memories of Liri came flooding back. She'd married him after she became a Darth and they'd celebrated on the bridge of Fury, so crazy for each other that they'd forgotten the whole crew was still on the ship. For as focused on her as he had been, any of the others could have caught them and he wouldn't have noticed. Another chug of the whiskey slid down his throat and then he noticed his holo light up.

"Damn," he said and answered it.

"Well, well," said Darth Decimus, "Am I interrupting?"

"Does it look like it? I'm just drinking." Andronikos said politely enough. "I wouldn't let you see what's happening on the bridge right now though," He grinned at the Darth.

Darth Decimus arched an eyebrow, "Well, you're all certainly to be congratulated. Your fleet pulled off a perfect raid."

"That we did. Your cut is on its way. I assume you're calling with a new target."

Darth Decimus ignored the question. "You're being called the 'Pirate King' now; were you aware?"

Andronikos shrugged. "Who cares what people call you?" He grinned meaningfully at the Darth. "Pirate King does have its perks though."

"But not the perk you want."

Andronikos scowled at the hologram.

"My apologies, I do, indeed have a new target for you, but I'm calling in regard to our arrangement." Darth Decimus nodded once, "I assume you still want the same thing?"

Andronikos mouth went dry. "I thought that was just the carrot you were holding over my head," he managed to get out.

Darth Decimus actually grinned, "You would have made a good Sith; that was originally the plan, but some things have changed and it would be beneficial to me to make good on my word. I have a feeling I'll be able to work out something further with you in the future."

Andronikos frowned at that, but the Sith went on.

"On Friday, I'll land on your flagship. It has taken some doing to arrange this, so I won't be able to stay long. You have two weeks, then I'll return. You'll hit the next target and we'll negotiate again."

Andronikos nodded. "Ah, there won't be any... fallout, from this, will there?" He asked.

"No, I've arranged it as a vacation to avoid suspicion." answered the Sith.

Andronikos took another pull from the bottle. "I guess I'll see you Friday," he said, as casually as he could manage.

Darth Decimus smirked at him and cut the connection.

Andronikos finished the bottle in the dark.