The excitement at the start of the run is always the same. The step into the unknown; the risks, the reward, the adventure of it all. I still need to get some full time crew, but Kir will be with me at least until Nar Shaddaa; his secret society or whatever have been active there and he wants to get back on the front lines.

I'm also angry, angry at the Empire for killing my dad and trying to kill my brother. They destroyed my home when I was a child and the Dulius family took me in. Now they've tried to take that from me as well. My lekku twitch at the thought and I silently make an amendment to my promise. I won't smuggle... Unless it hurts the Empire.

"Sorry I'm late."

My brother strides over to where I'm waiting. I pull a face and pretend to sulk, it's a game we've played since we were kids. He gives me hug, as usual, but I can feel the difference; he's physically weaker than he used to be, and he's obviously still shaken.

"I'd have left without you, but I'm legally required to have a first mate. Courscant control is like the only place that requires that."

He relaxes the hug and takes a step back.

"Next time I get run through with a lightsaber I'll be sure to tell them that you object to Courscant's traffic control laws and to take me somewhere else."

He's trying to joke about it, but it's not funny.

"You damn well better."

I continue the joke, not because I think it's funny but because I know Kir. He only cracks those kinds of jokes when he's worried.

***

"So; your healer friend. She's kinda cute."

Watching Kir eat is both fascinating and disgusting. Most people just... You know, eat. But not Kir; he wages war on his food. It's not even a subtle war, it's a full frontal assault and the situation is only compounded by the fact he's spent the last month on Jedi style hospital food, which is like a step down in food terms from survival rations. He chokes a little, and I can't tell if its from the intake of food or the comment. I reckon it's the comment but he'd deny it.

"Ok, when?

I know it wasn't right before we left."

He attacks his fourth nerf burger in a row. I idly wonder of he'd change his eating habits if she was here... He might chew a bit.

"Petite, freckles... Chiss.

She watched the ceremony from a distance. I don't think she felt comfortable being there."

He's actually slowing down now, but his hand is hovering; thinking about a fifth burger.

"I reckon she's got a bit of a thing for you; Dashing hero injured fighting the good fight against insurmountable odds."

"I doubt it Lass, she's very much in the "no emotional attachments" camp..."

He decides to go for the fifth one after all.

"Besides its a big galaxy, and I have no intention of being on Tython any time soon."

The way he says it means he wants the that topic closed, at least for the moment.

***

"Captain Dulius?"

The ... Boy rushing up to me is nervous. He's thin and slightly pale and very much the office junior. The cut of his clothes, although civilian, tells me he's something related to the Republic military.

"That depends whose asking."

The flippant comment is mean but it's just so much fun to wind up the pen pushers.

"Captain Lasseya Dulius? Sister to Master Dulius?

I work for the Republic commissioning service."

Commissioning services... What the hell do they want with me?

"Yes, that's me. Time is money so start talking."

"It's money we want to talk to you about. How would you like to earn some extra cash?"

"It depends, what's the catch?"

"No catch, the Republic just wants you to, occasionally, carry additional cargo or personal... At double the standard rate."

Which means I'm likely to be shot at on a semi-regular basis. But creds are creds and its a chance to hit the Empire, or at least contribute to hitting the Empire.

"I'll think about it. Do you have a comm frequency where I can get hold of you?"

I know I'm going to say yes, but old habits for hard."

"I... Urm sure."

"Your office one, just so we're clear"

He hands me a pad with the frequency and terms of payment etc on it, I don't say anything but the fee here is almost three times the rate I charge.

I smile to myself; Extra runs, more cargo... I need to hire someone full time. This could be fun.