"Are you sure about this, ma'am?" Sergeant Jorgan asked and watched Elara Dorne down the corridor, preparing her documentation.

Cyr'rnin shrugged.

"That's what I thought," Jorgan said.

Dorne finished and joined them. "Ready to go, ma'am. And you needn't worry. He couldn't possibly be as bad as the two of you say."

Cyr'rnin said, "Right."

The three departed the Republic spaceport outside of Anchorhead, wincing at the glare of the twin suns. Cyr'rnin requisitioned a speeder, and they headed toward the city.

"Are you certain your brother has the knowledge we require?" Dorne asked.

Cyr'rnin replied, "If anyone does, it'll be Xal."

"And you can trust him with the information?" Dorne said.

"Garza cleared it," Cyr'rnin told her.

"Probably because of the job he did at the Temple," Jorgan added.

Dorne's face soured. "I still haven't received a full briefing of that incident."

"Master Agenord's mission is high priority and ongoing," Cyr'rnin said.

"I've noticed," Dorne said. "His missions are invariably marked as highest priority or classified. Only a handful of Jedi could match his record, and most took twice the time."

Jorgan said, "That's Master Agenord all right."

They reached the Anchorhead spaceport and made their way to the Secret Visitor. Xal waited at the bottom of the entrance ramp with Corso, a Wookiee, and a human female.

"Miss Cyr'rnin, ma'am," Corso said and smiled at her shyly.

"Mister Riggs," she replied. Corso smiled again.

"Cyr'rnin," Xal said. "This is Bowdaar, newest member of the crew." The Wookiee nodded. "And Risha."

"Business associate," she said to Cyr'rnin. "Strictly business." She stepped forward to shake Cyr'rnin's hand and looked up at her. And up. And up. "You've got some impressive people in your family, Captain."

"She means Ter'viro," Xal said. "She met him on holo a month ago."

"Have you heard anything about him?" Cyr'rnin asked. "He got his last bounty and fell off the grid."

"Not a word," Xal said. "And it's not like he's easy to hide. I talked to his handler, Crysta Markon. She told me Ter'viro's information officer scrambled his transponder code. She sent Crysta a decryption code, but no one knows how it works."

"Thanks. I'll tell Mom and Dad," Cyr'rnin said. "Now then, on to business. Someone is planting bombs around Anchorhead."

"That's not exactly news."

"Xal," she said. He shrugged. "We need to know how the targets are picked. A lot of gangs have been hit. We asked Sheriff Encot for help, but his people were deployed looking for slavers. We need someone familiar with Anchorhead criminals."

"And my baby sister thought of me," Xal smiled. "Do you know who the bomber is?"

"Classified," Cyr'rnin told him.

"It probably won't matter for my part," he said. "Your bomber must have hired someone local. Do you have any data?"

Cyr'rnin nodded. "We do. Our field medic is currently doubling as our data analyst. Xal, I'd like you to meet Elara Dorne. You'll be working with her."

Dorne said, "A pleasure to meet you, sir."

Xal smiled at Cyr'rnin and said, "Baby sister, did you bring me a present?"

Cyr'rnin, Jorgan, and Risha groaned.

"Is this all he is, ma'am?" Dorne said to Cyr'rnin. "I daresay every woman alive has met a man like your brother. There's nothing special about him at all. I assure you, I shan't be swayed. Captain Xaldiba, if you would come with me, please, we shall be working and nothing else." She climbed the ramp into the Visitor.

Xal gave Cyr'rnin a quick look and followed Elara into the ship. Corso, Bowdaar, and Risha sighed and followed Xal.

When they were alone, Cyr'rnin said, "Are you a betting man, Jorgan?"

"Not on your life, ma'am."

Cyr'rnin barked a laugh and clapped him on the shoulder, almost knocking him over. "Sorry," she told him.

The next morning, they found Sergeant Dorne and Xal outside his cabin. Xal was shirtless, his hands on Elara's waist. Dorne wore the missing shirt and apparently nothing else. She smiled up at Xal, her hands on his chest.

"You're a cad and a bounder and a roue, and I fear you've ruined me," Elara said.

"What's a roue?" Jorgan asked. Dorne stiffened.

"It's a womanizer," Cyr'rnin said. "I know a lot of words for womanizer."

"Lieutenant, Sergeant," Dorne said, turning to them. "Per regulation 670-31-3R, the wearing of civilian clothing by an active duty trooper is subject to-"

"I'll let it pass, Sergeant," Cyr'rnin said.

"Thank you, ma'am," Dorne replied.

Jorgan said, "No salute?"

Dorne started to salute, remembered her attire, and dropped her hand. Cyr'rnin scowled at Jorgan, and he shrugged.

"Permission to get dressed, ma'am?" Dorne asked.

"Go," Cyr'rnin said.

Dorne ran into Xal's cabin and he watched her through the doorway.

"Breakfast, Xal," Cyr'rnin told him.

"In a minute," Xal said, still watching Dorne.

"Stop ogling her," Cyr'rnin said.

"Not on your life," Xal replied. "Elara, can I get my shirt back?" The shirt hit him in the face. "I think she needs some help." He went into the cabin.

"Stop that!" Dorne said a moment later. "Stop it! What is wrong with you? Don't you dare! That's not a toy! Give me that. Not like that! You cruel, vicious man!"

Xal poked his head out and said, "It might be a while." He closed the door.

After a moment, Jorgan asked, "What about breakfast?"

"Our mother's rule," Cyr'rnin said. "If he's caught with the girl, he makes everyone breakfast. It's supposed to teach him to respect the girls."

"Did it work?"

"No," Cyr'rnin said. "But he makes a good breakfast." They went to the galley and waited.

Xal showed up a while later and asked, "Do I really need to keep doing this?"

"Until you pick one," Cyr'rnin said.

Xal shrugged and grabbed his pans and some food. Bowdaar appeared as soon as the food hit the air. Corso walked in a short time later.

"Miss Cyr'rnin, ma'am," he said. "Didn't know you were here. Can I get you something to drink, ma'am?"

"I have something to drink," she said.

"Right. Can I refresh it?"

"I just got it."

"Right. Sorry, ma'am. Are you cooking, Captain?"

"Our mother's rule," Cyr'rnin repeated. "If he gets caught with the girl, he makes breakfast."

"Captain, you owe me about three months of breakfast."

"Family only," Xal said.

Elara Dorne arrived and stood in front of Cyr'rnin. "Lieutenant, I shall tender my resignation to Havoc Squad effective immediately upon delivery of form HJ9-1773 to the Operations Department and receipt of a response."

"I'm not kicking you out of Havoc Squad for what my brother did."

"I assure you, ma'am," Dorne said. "We were both complicit in the act."

"All of them," Xal said.

"Breakfast, Xal," Cyr'rnin told him. "At ease, Dorne. He's done worse."

"But, ma'am," Elara replied. "I engaged in base, carnal relations with your brother."

Corso looked at Elara, then at Cyr'rnin, then back at Elara.

"They had sex," Jogan said.

"Oh. Right."

Cyr'rnin said, "Don't worry about it, Dorne. Have a seat."

Risha poked her head in. "I smell something... good," she said suspiciously.

Corso said, "If the Captain gets caught, he's got to cook breakfast for everyone."

Risha said, "Captain, you owe us three months of breakfast."

"That's what I said," Corso added.

"Family only," Xal repeated then handed out the food, a massive bowl for Bowdaar and normal sized portions for everyone else. He sat next to Elara, gave her a plate and put one down for himself.

"You added something," Cyr'rnin said.

"Found a new seasoning," Xal told her. "On Taris of all places. It's got a kick." His hand disappeared below the table.

"Stop that!" Elara told him. "I said stop it!" His hand didn't reappear. "Ma'am, with all due respect, I daresay your brother is probably the worst person I've ever met, no offense."

"None taken," Cyr'rnin said.

"None taken?" Xal asked.

"You cost me my first job, Xal."

"How did I do that?"

"You slept with my manager and stopped calling her."

"Oh, that's right," Xal said. "Well, her husband threatened me, and he was big and scary."

"And her husband!" Cyr'rnin said.

Xal shrugged. "If you're going to go there with it."

Elara frowned at him and said, "You really are a cad and a roue, aren't you?"

Jorgan said, "Don't forget 'bounder'."

Elara glared at the Cathar and said, "Thank you, Sergeant Jorgan, I shan't forget 'bounder'."

"Did you get any work done?" Cyr'rnin asked.

"Yes, ma'am," Dorne replied. "You brother helped me to identify the most likely groups used to distribute the bombs, before he started saying things. And doing things. And... other... things."

"We've got it, Dorne," Cyr'rnin said.

"Thank you, ma'am," Dorne said. "In fact, I prepared a full report before... things." She gave Cyr'rnin a datapad. "We were able to identify three targets of high probability."

Cyr'rnin read over the pad. "Well done."

"Thank you, ma'am," Dorne replied. Xal's hand disappeared again. "Stop that!" she said and turned to Xal. "Captain, you're a vicious, foul man, and I despise you thoroughly!"

Risha said, "I like this one."

Xal asked Elara, "Dinner tonight?"

"Yes, of course," Dorne replied.

"And it's gone," Risha said.

Elara said, "I mean... possibly!" She glared at the table. "If I can. If we're not saving the city. From bombs. We are doing that, you know." She focused on her food. "I'll meet you at nineteen hundred hours. Don't be late." She finished her meal quickly. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have forms to fill out acknowledging fraternization with a family member of a superior officer. Good day."

Xal smiled at Elara while he watched leave, then he said to Cyr'rnin, "She did a good job with that bomb data. Made finding the targets real easy."

"I believe it," Cyr'rnin said and finished off her last bite. "You're getting better." She nodded at the plate.

Xal shrugged. "A guy's gotta have hobbies."

"Yeah," Cyr'rnin said. "Hobbies. Thanks for the help, big brother. Mister Riggs, Miss Risha, Bowdaar. Sergeant, let's move out." Jorgan finished his food and followed her. Corso watched them go.

"Miss Cyr'rnin sure is pretty, Captain," Corso said.

Xal said, "Don't tell her that."

"Why not?" Corso asked.

"Trust me as her brother," Xal said. "Don't mention the scars, and don't tell her she's pretty."

"If you say so, Captain," Corso replied.

"The scars don't bother you, Mister Riggs?" Risha asked.

"No, ma'am, they don't," Corso told her. "A guy where I grew up came back from the war with a bunch of scars. His wife left him. My granny said, 'Them that matter don't care, and them that care don't matter.'"

Risha watched him for a moment and said, "I'm starting to see how you got your job, Mister Riggs."

"Thank you, ma'am."

"And, Captain," Risha said. "If your diversion is over..."

"Not 'diversion'," Xal told her. "General Garza now owes me a favor."

Risha nodded. "And you owe me a sensor computer."

"Lovely Risha, it is all I can think about. Corso, Bowdaar, let's go."

"Ohacoo rarcwo ohwo rawwaoworc?" Bowdaar asked when the small club came into view.

"Tookreek," Xal said. "The Nikto that owns the place."

Corso said, "Do you ever get tired of it, Captain, go here get this, go there get that?"

"It's kind of the job, Corso."

"Oh, yeah, good point."

As they entered the club, Bowdaar said, "Aoacahc akanraoawo cscwoananc anahorwo rhrawa anhuoaor."

"Welcome to Tatooine," Xal told him.

The Nikto behind the bar smiled at Xal and said, "Ahh... Risha's business partner, here at last. Impressive. I'm honored she felt the need to make a show of strength."

Corso asked Xal, "Are all gangsters this full of themselves?"

"Pretty much," Xal replied.

"I'm sorry to say this," Tookreek continued. "But you've come at a bad time to do business. Things here are... tense."

Xal was about to ask what that meant when a large Weequay said, "Hey, pretty face! You don't belong here."

The target of his ire was a human female seated at the bar. She was blonde and pretty, simply dressed, and on her belt she wore... oh shit.

"I'm not looking for any trouble," the woman replied.

"Then you definitely don't belong here," the Weequay told her.

"Captain?" Corso whispered.

Xal sighed. "This is not going to end well."

Tookreek said something, but Xal missed it.

"I'm only a weary traveler," the woman said. "There's plenty of room here for both of us, my friend."

Xal winced. Not the thing to say.

"You're not my friend," the Weequay said. "Got it?"

"Leave her alone," Xal said. "If you know what's good for you."

"Are you some kind of human-lover?" the Weequay asked. "Butt out."

"You stupid shit," Xal said. "Do you see that thing on her belt? It's a lightsaber. She's a Jedi."

"Bullshit!" the Weequay replied. "No fucking Jedi is coming to a dump like this."

"You want to leave me alone," the woman said to him. "You want to stop noticing me."

The Weequay shook his head to clear it. "You're really starting to annoy me. Men!"

"Fuck," Xal said, drawing his pistols. "Some people are too stupid to live."

After a short, messy fight, the human female surveyed the carnage, sighed, and deactivated her lightsaber. "I wish this hadn't ended in violence, but it was brave of you to intervene."

"What can I say?" Xal said. "I'm a sucker for a beautiful woman."

"That's kind of you," she said with a smile. "My name is Nariel Pridence. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Captain Xaldiba Onoka, ma'am. At your pleasure."

"Onoka?" she said. "Really?"

Xal nodded. "Agenord is my cousin."

"Oh. Yes. And Master Yviss-n-ssh...?"

"Yvisnussiish," Xal said. "We call her Yvie."

"Much easier," Nariel replied. "So, she is also your cousin?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Perhaps she'd be willing to help me," Nariel said. "I'm looking for Vaverone Zare, an agent of evil and servant of the Sith Empire. Have you heard of her?"

Xal shrugged. "I try to avoid Sith when I can."

Nariel told him, "I hear she's taken an interest in the local underworld, so I came to observe these criminals and gain information."

Xal said, "Ma'am, undercover is not your strength."

She looked at the bodies. "I fear you're right. But, with your cousin's help, I might not need it. Together, we could stop Zare easily."

"I can try," Xal said and took out his holocomm. In a moment, a Yvie appeared in his hand.

"Xal," Yvie said. "Who's that?"

"Nariel Pridence, Master Yvie. Jedi Knight. I was hoping to get your help against a Sith Lord. Vaverone Zare. If you've heard of her."

"Not really," Yvie said. "I'm afraid I can't help. I'm saving the Jedi Order and helping Sheriff Encot. I have a lot of training to do."

"Of course," Nariel said. "Thank you, anyway."

Yvie nodded and disconnected.

"Thank you, Captain," Nariel said. "I must continue my search for Vaverone Zare. May the Force be with you."

Once she was gone, Tookreek said, "I thought she'd never leave! Look at this mess. Our gang has enough problems without-"

"Don't care," Xal said. "How do I get the sensor computer?"

Tookreek scowled and said, "Our organization is under attack by-"

"Still don't care," Xal said. "Computer."

Tookreek sighed. "I need a special krayt dragon fang from a spice warehouse overrun by Geonosians."

"Where?" Xal asked.

Tookreek showed him a holomap. "The warehouse is here." He zoomed in. "The fang is in that office."

Xal said, "Thank you, very much. We'll be back as soon as we can."

"Ohacro ohoohuanwa rrwooowhoocahrawhc raaoaoraoaor ra ohrarcwoacoohucwo anahorwo aoacahc?" Bowdaar asked.

Xal scanned the building and the Geonosian troops with macrobinoculars. "It looks like someone hired them. They're not touching the spice. It's like they don't care about it."

"Rival gang?" Corso asked.

Xal shook his head. "They'd have taken the spice."

"Plan, Captain?" Corso said.

"Minimal troops," Xal said. "The defenses look thrown together. They haven't been there long. If we hit them right, we might scare them off long enough to grab the fang."

Bowdaar said, "Raanan ohacoo oaacraananwowhrrwo rhooohwarararc ohahanan wwraanan!"

"Stop it," Xal said. "It's talk like that that gets us killed. Targeted strike. Grenades and blaster fire."

"Rac rooohu oaooscscrawhwa," the Wookiee replied.

Half an hour later, the bulk of the Geonosians were fleeing into the distance.

"Did that seem a bit easy, Captain?" Corso asked.

"This wasn't a rival gang," Xal said. "This was some kind of message, a very bloody message. Let's grab the fang and get out of here."

They ran to the office and recovered the fang. As they turned to leave, a woman entered, slutty outfit, arrogant expression, and carrying a lightsaber. Sith Lord.

The woman said, "While I'm pleased Diago finally responded to my provocation, I was expecting a bit more."

"Captain?" Corso asked.

"No blasters," Xal told him.

Bowdaar said, "Cacwo scraorwoc scro wwhurc ahaooaac."

"Is that absurd little trophy the reason Diago sent you?" the woman continued.

"I don't believe we've met," Xal replied.

"My name is Vaverone Zare," she said. "I'm interested in discussing a bargain with Diago Hixan."

Xal shrugged. "I'm trying to get a meeting with Diago, myself."

"What does the fang have to do with it?" Zare asked.

"I know a guy who knows a guy," Xal told her. "But they don't know you."

Zare smiled. "No. I don't believe they do. Very well. Arrange a meeting with Diago, and I will reward you. For your assistance, you'll receive a gift few beings ever enjoy- the pleasure of my company. You'll be the only member of your species who experiences me as something besides a master."

Xal's eye twitched. "You're that good at conversation?"

She walked to Xal and cupped him between the legs. "I am good at more than you could imagine."

"That'd be tough," Xal said. "I once dated a pansexual Rattataki."

"Unless she was a Sith Lord, you have no idea." She leaned in and kissed him. "Get me to Diago, and I will make your flesh scream." She gave him a gentle squeeze and left.

Corso said, "You ain't thinking about it, are you, Captain?"

"She was trying to distract me," Xal said. "Weaken my defenses so she could read my mind. Did she get anything from you two?"

"I don't think so, Captain," Corso replied.

Bowdaar shrugged like he wasn't sure.

Xal sighed. "Then we assume the worst. Let's get back there fast."

As they approached the Tookreek's cantina, they heard explosions and blaster fire.

"Those are Imperial blasters," Xal said.

"Acoooh waoo rooohu orwhoooh?" Bowdaar asked.

Xal said, "I can tell from the pitch."

They reached the cantina and found the Imperials in a defensive position, trying to hold back Nariel, Agenord, and Kira. Xal stopped the speeder near the Jedi, and he, Corso, and Bowdaar jumped out, using the vehicle as cover. Overwhelmed, the Imperials soon surrendered.

"Agenord," Xal said. "Thanks for the assist. What brings you to Tatooine?"

"I can't say," Agenord said. He grabbed the head Imperial. "Who sent you?"

"They are agents of Vaverone Zare," Nariel said.

Agenord looked at her, and she dropped her eyes. "Who sent you?" Agenord said to the Imperial.

"I'll tell you nothing, Jedi scum," the Imperial replied. Agenord made a fist and twisted it sharply. The Imperial screamed in pain and doubled over. "We are agents of Vaverone Zare," he squeaked.

Agenord pulled him up. "The machine in the desert, where is it?"

The Imperial gasped, his eyes wide with fear. "We don't know. They... they don't let us know."

Agenord sighed. "He's telling the truth. Kira, call for Republic troops." He looked at the Imperials. "Line up, sit down, hands behind your backs, and don't piss me off." The Imperials complied. "Xal, good to see you. Have you heard anything about Ter'viro?"

"I talked to his handler," Xal said. "She didn't know anything."

"Ask again," Agenord replied. "Just in case." He turned to Nariel. "And you are...?"

"Nariel Pridence," she said. "Jedi Knight."

"I got that," Agenord said. "I might need you later. Talk to Master Satele. She'll clear it."

"Forgive me, Master Agenord," Nariel said. "But I seek Vaverone Zare. She is a being of vast darkness and a grave threat to the galaxy."

Agenord looked at the troops. "The galaxy?"

"Yes!" Nariel said. "If she succeeds in her endeavor."

"Right," Agenord said. "If you finish early, I could use your help."

"Of course," Nariel said. "Will Master Yvie also be needed?"

"Possibly," Agenord told her.

"I shall be honored to help," Nariel replied.

One of the Imperial troops whispered, "'The galaxy?' That was a little uncalled for." His commander told him to shut up.

"Captain," Nariel said. "Please tell me you've discovered something."

"Well, you did help," Xal said. "Agenord, I gotta see a guy about a fang. Master Nariel, right this way."

"I'm telling you," Tookreek said from the back of the speeder. "Diago won't like a Jedi showing up."

"You said that," Xal told him. "A bunch." He pulled to a stop in sight of the hideout. "He'll like it less if that Sith Lord shows up, and he doesn't have any protection."

"I'm just-" Tookreek began, but Bowdaar growled at him.

Xal said, "Do your job, and get us to Diago."

Tookreek showed the fang to the guards, and the group was ushered inside.

When they reached Diago, the crime lord stood and scowled at the bar owner. "What have you dragged to my sanctum, Tookreek? A Jedi and her motley crew?"

"I take offense at that," Xal said. "I am entirely independent, and those two are my motley crew." Corso and Bowdaar looked at each other and shrugged.

"The captain is here on business, boss," Tookreek said. "We mean no disrespect."

"You brought a Jedi!" Diago said.

"My fight is not with you," Nariel said to Diago. "I seek someone far more dangerous."

"Oh, you have no idea," Vaverone Zare replied. "Captain? Forcing me to follow you through that blazing desert? Not your best move. Now I'm hot and sweaty in a bad way."

Xal said, "It didn't slow you down."

Zare said, "That chill creeping down your spine right now? It's regret."

"Surrender is your only option, Zare," Nariel said. "You can't win."

Zare looked her up and down. "Did someone take in a stray puppy?"

"A Jedi, a Sith, a rogue, and two lackeys," Diago snarled. "What do they add up to? Empty chatter, like fingernails on transparisteel. I will silence- who is that?"

Diago's holoemitter activated, and Risha appeared. "Captain? Haven't heard from you in a while. Everything all right?"

"I'm kind of in the middle of something, Risha."

"Beautiful girl...," Diago said, entranced. "So beautiful..."

"Creepy," Risha said. "So creepy. Captain, I'll let you get to work." The transmission ended.

"I want to see her again," Diago said. "Now."

"She, uh, doesn't seem to be answering her holo," Xal replied.

"Then bring her to me," Diago said. "She is mine."

Xal's eyes narrowed the same way they had with that plague doctor on Nar Shaddaa. Corso saw it and loosened Flashy in her holster.

"I don't work for you," Xal said.

"It wasn't a request," Diago said. "You bring her to me or I take her from you."

"Diago, dear," Vaverone interrupted. "I can offer you so much more- just as soon as we rid ourselves of this Jedi."

Nariel said, "Afraid to fight me alone, Sith?"

"Have you forgotten your companions already?" the Sith asked. "I haven't. You want to kill the Jedi." She waved a hand at Xal.

"You want to drop your weapons," Nariel said, waving her own hand.

Xal waved his hand. "You want to stop this bullshit. You both look-" Something fell next to his feet. He looked down and saw Flashy on the ground. Sheepishly, Corso retrieved his blaster.

Vaverone said to Corso, "You want to kill your captain."

"I... I want to kill you, Captain," Corso echoed. He raised his blaster.

Xal said, "You'd make Cyr'rnin upset."

Corso shook his head. "Right. Can't upset Miss Cyr'rnin."

"No more!" Diago yelled. "I'll find the beautiful girl myself. Droids! Kill everyone!"

Tookreek said, "But I didn't do anything!"

"Everyone!" Diago yelled, and violence followed.

Diago's security droids attacked, spray and pray, throwing blaster fire at the whole group. Tookreek fell fast. Xal, Corso, and Bowdaar jumped for cover and fired back. Vaverone and Nariel engaged each other and deflected at the same time. One of the deflections hit Diago, injuring him seriously. Another deflection clipped Xal, and direct fire injured Corso and Bowdaar. Vaverone injured Nariel and knocked her back then turned on the remaining droids. When they were dispatched, she retrieved a crimson box from a shelf behind Diago.

"That?" he said and coughed up blood. "That is useless."

"To you, perhaps," Vaverone said and walked over to Xal. "You betrayed me, Captain, but I got what I wanted. I'll let you live this time. I think I would enjoy making your flesh scream. Until next time, farewell." She turned and left.

"No!" Nariel said, clutching the wound on her side. "We must stop her. She can't... she can't succeed."

"Shut up, and lay down," Xal said. "You're too wounded to move. Corso, Bowdaar?"

"Need some kolto," Corso said. "But I'll make it." Bowdaar echoed the response.

Xal struggled to his feet and recovered the sensor computer from one of the other shelves.

"Nok Drayen's computer?" Diago said. "Of course. This had to be about him. People always ask me, 'What was it like to fight Nok Drayen?' I'll tell you, Captain. Nok Drayen was never a true gangster- not like me. He just pretended."

"Captain?" Corso said. "We got to go."

"I want to hear this," Xal told him.

Diago chuckled. "People think I fought him because he was more successful. Because he made me 'number two.' Because he stole my wife. Lies! I fought him because he was no more a gangster than I'm a Senator. Nok was a con artist. The whole underworld was his mark. He was using us for... something. I don't know what. But I do know he never gave a damn about being 'King of the Underworld.' It was all just a game. At least that pile of filth is dead. I'm still alive, and he's not." Diago laughed. "I won."

Xal watched Diago for a while, considered killing him, then decided against it. "That Sith probably killed half your men on the way in and the other half on the way out. You're exposed, injured, and an asshole. Good luck." He helped Nariel to her feet, and all four of them limped away.

"I still won!" Diago yelled at their backs. "You hear that, Nok? I won!"

"I thought you separated genders," Nariel said to the medical droid. She looked down the line of kolto tanks, Bowdaar at one, Xal and Corso at the second, and her at the third. Only the medical robe protected her from full exposure.

"We had to adjust our policy in light of the recent bombings in Anchorhead," the droid replied. "We must separate by groups for the time being."

"Very well," the Jedi replied. To Xal and Corso she said, "Don't look."

"Ahao ahc whooaoacahwhrr," Bowdaar said. "Ah rasc raanohraroc whraorwowa."

"We know it," Xal replied. He turned away from Nariel, disrobed, and climbed into the tank. Then he immediately turned back. He caught a glimpse of an athletic back and a firm ass before the Jedi's body disappeared into the tank.

"You were looking," she said without turning back.

"Indeed I was, ma'am," Xal said.

"You are as dishonorable as you are unscrupulous," Nariel said.

Xal replied, "Thank you, ma'am."

She sighed. "Nevertheless, you did your best to help me. You have my gratitude." She stretched and moaned a bit. "I might need the assistance of Master Agenord to defeat Vaverone Zare and retrieve what she took from Diago Hixan."

"That useless red box," Xal said.

"Most likely a holocron," Nariel said. "Based on its size and shape. Only a Force Sensitive can open them. That is why Diago thought the item was useless."

"I don't think so," Xal said. "He'd collected a lot of interesting artifacts. I recognized a few. He wouldn't have taken them, because they were pretty. He had to know what they were. I'm guessing he hired a Force Sensitive to try to open the holocron, but it didn't work. Vaverone might not be able to use her prize."

"We can only hope, Captain."

Xal did some stretching of his own and groaned in response. "I'll ask Agenord if he has time to help. I doubt it, though. They keep him pretty busy."

"Yes," Nariel said. "I have heard stories about him. I thought they were exaggerations."

"He's like that," Xal said. "Still, you did your best, and you couldn't get your prize. I guess I owe you. If you want, I'll introduce you to Yvie."

Nariel turned toward him. "You would do that for me? Thank you, Captain. Master Yvie is-"

"Exactly your type?" Xal finished.

Nariel turned away again. "Jedi are not permitted such thoughts. I... I only wish to train with her. Perhaps ask for her help against Vaverone Zare."

"Do all Jedi talk like you? Agenord doesn't."

She scowled at him. "Those of us that trained with Master Ilgrit acquired her manner of speech. If you think I'm bad, you should hear my classmate, Yadira Ban."

"Some other time," Xal said and settled into the kolto.

"Will she be displeased?" Nariel asked as they approached Yvie's ship.

"I doubt it," Xal said.

When they reached the ramp to the ship, a hologram appeared of a pretty young woman. "Greetings. I am Holiday, AI of the Vigilant. How may I help you?"

"Miss Holiday, I am Xaldiba Onoka, cousin to Master Yvisnussiish. My companion would like to ask her a favor."

"Xaldiba Onoka?" the hologram said. "I was expecting someone more... something else. I will inform her that you are here. Tell me, Captain, how do you think I would look with ginormous boobies?"

"They wouldn't fit your frame," he replied.

Holiday scowled at him. "Very well. She is ready to see you. Could you possibly talk to her about... you know?"

Xal shook his head. "She doesn't listen. Trust me."

Holiday scowled again and disappeared. The door at the top of the ramp opened.

They found Yvie in a bathrobe and headed toward the cargo bay. Tharan was nearby working on part of the ship. Routine maintenance, from the look of it.

"Yvie," Xal said. "I'm a little surprised you're here. I thought you were saving the Jedi Order."

"I did that part already," Yvie said. "Master Vossan is on his way back to Tython. I'm going to help Sheriff Encot with slavers." She looked at Nariel and her brow furled.

"Nariel Pridence," the young Jedi said. "I had asked for your help, but you were busy. I was hoping I might train with you. If that's okay."

Yvie shrugged and called for her C2 droid.

"Yes, mistress?" the droid said upon arriving.

"Nariel is going to be training with me today. Give her stuff a wash."

"Yvie," Xal said.

"What?" Yvie replied. "May as well." Yvie gave her robe to the droid. Xal and Tharan winced and looked away, but Nariel gasped and stared.

"Really. Yvie," Xal said.

"You've seen it before," the naked Twi'lek replied.

"When you were nine," Xal told her.

"Whatever," Yvie said. "Well, Nariel?"

"Well... uh... what?" Nariel asked.

Yvie rolled her eyes. "We're going to train. Give your clothes to the droid."

Nariel looked at the two men. "Perhaps after we're in the cargo bay."

Yvie said, "I want to see if you're worth it."

Nariel looked up and down Yvie's body, then nodded and began to undress. She handed each piece to the droid until she was as naked as Yvie. She clutched her breasts and her sex, trying to maintain some modesty. The men tried to look away but still glanced at her.

Yvie scowled at the other Jedi. "Drop your hands. You look silly." Nariel complied, and Yvie examined her body. "Not bad. Actually, pretty good." She pulled Nariel toward her and kissed her. Nariel froze in shock until Yvie let her go. "Never tried a woman. It could be fun. Okay, let's go." The two Jedi disappeared into the cargo bay.

"Has she always been like that?" Tharan asked.

Xal nodded. "Well, she's your problem not mine. Good luck." He left before Tharan could respond.