"Corso," Xaldiba said. "Welcome to the Secret Visitor."

"Captain, that name is all you." Corso looked over the Captain's ship, his first real look since Ord Mantell. Mismatched panels, scrapes, dents, blaster marks, it matched the Captain in everything but the color. They climbed up the ramp into the ship, but the Captain stopped short in front of a protocol droid.

"Greetings, master," the droid said. "I am Seetoo Enntoo, steward of this vessel. It is my extreme good fortune to serve you."

Xaldiba replied, "You were bought by a thieving, gutless son of a kath hound- but this is my ship. You can go, or you can be scrap."

A voice said, "I'm guessing my life just got complicated."

Xaldiba spun toward the voice and drew his blaster. "Same goes for you; get off my ship or die."

"Your ship?" The speaker was an attractive, well-dressed woman that looked far too good for the likes of Skavak.

Xaldiba slapped his hand on a control panel and said, "Identify."

The panel scanned his hand, and the ship's computer replied, "Identity confirmed. Welcome aboard, Captain Onoka."

The woman smiled. "You just answered a lot of questions, Captain. Put down the blaster and let's talk." She waited, but the blaster didn't drop. She shrugged and said, "My name's Risha. I've been traveling with Skavak as part of a business arrangement. I needed a ship that could make a very difficult jump to the far Outer Rim. Skavak said he had one, but he never treated the ship the way the original owner did."

"What did he do to my ship?" Xal asked.

"He didn't have it that long," Risha said. "But he was never interested in routine maintenance. I never cared for Skavak. I needed the ship. Skavak was going to deliver my cargo, but he's proving unreliable. I think you might be a much better partner."

"Let's hear your offer, and we'll see."

"My offer is simple," she said. "I make you filthy rich."

"You have my attention," Xal said.

Risha smiled again. "The items in the cargo hold are pieces to a key- a key that unlocks the lost treasure of a very rich dead man named Nok Drayen."

Xal laughed. "What next, Revan's lost tomb?"

"Who's Nok Drayen?" Corso asked.

"Please tell me you're joking," Risha said. "The man was a criminal legend."

"He was a gangster," Xal said to Corso. "But he died a while ago."

"Nok Drayen was the greatest gangster who ever lived," Risha said, with a hint of irritation. "He personally wiped out the Rath Cartel and the Vandelhelm Combine during the Syndicate Wars. When he died ten years ago, Nok had more wealth than some Outer Rim worlds. Even the Hutts were jealous."

"You sound a little jealous yourself," Xal said.

Risha sighed. "He was ruthless, bloodthirsty and vindictive. The only criminals who didn't fear him were the dead ones."

"I knew all that," Xal said. "Get to the part about my ship."

Risha said, "Nok hid his fortune right before he died. For ten years, treasure hunters across the galaxy have searched for it in vain- until now. I've figured out how to get the lost riches of Nok Drayen."

"How did you do that?" Xal asked.

"I know better than to just give up my secrets, Captain," Risha said. "Whoever gets Nok's riches will become an underworld legend. Help me deliver these things in your cargo hold, and Nok Drayen's wealth will be all yours."

Xaldiba thought for a while then lowered his blaster. "What are you getting out of this?"

"I'm after something personal," she said. "The money doesn't mean anything to me, Captain. I'm the only one who can help you trade those items to get Nok Drayen's treasure, but I won't tell you everything up front. To get the riches, you trust me the same way I trust you: one step at a time. Deal?"

"Maybe," Xal said. "First step, I want to see what you did to my ship. I know a 'private' spaceport. It'll be tough for Skavak to find, at least before we're done."

"Second step, captain," Risha said. "You haven't introduced yourselves."

"Xaldiba Onoka. And Corso Riggs, my first mate."

Risha smiled once more. "Looking forward to working with you, Captain."

"Not to worry," Xal said, maneuvering his ship into a burned out wreck of a building. "Coruscant has lots of places like this. Skavak can't possibly know which one I picked."

The interior of the building was buttressed and cleaned. Several floors had been removed but disguised to appear intact. As soon as the ship touched down, Ugnaughts scurried from a far room, maintenance tools and droids in tow. Xal waved to the Ugnaughts and exited the ship.

"Gansar, buddy," Xal said.

"Captain Xaldiba," the lead Ugnaught said. "I see you have the Secret back. Is the Skavak man gone?"

"Not yet," Xal said. "I doubt he knows about you, but keep an eye out."

"Very good," Gansar said. "And I see new man and beautiful lady."

"Corso, first mate, a man I can trust, and Risha-"

"Strictly business," Risha said.

"Must be very special for 'strictly business'," Gansar said. "How do we help the Captain today?"

"Fuel and routine checkup," Xal said. "And I'll be tuning the engines."

Gansar nodded and began issuing commands to the other Ugnaughts.

"Let's start on those engines," Xal said, returning to the ship.

"I was taking care of the engines," Risha said.

"No you weren't," Xal said. "The fuel ratio was off. I could tell by the way she handled."

Corso followed them into the ship and back toward the engine room. He stopped at the door, looked around at the corridor, and looked into the engine room again. The Secret had the most pristine engine room Corso had ever seen. Every surface was spotless, every tool in its place.

"Never been in the engine room, Mister Riggs?" Risha asked.

"Never been aboard the ship, ma'am," Corso replied.

"And you're the first mate?" she said.

"He proved I can trust him," Xal said without looking up from the engine. "Look at this." He pointed out a section of the fuel system. "I replaced the standard intermix with a Rendili 55K130. It's more efficient and doesn't need the fuel ratio that high."

"And that fit?" Risha said.

"With the right adapter, yes. Corso, go down the corridor until you see a panel with a corner bent out. Rap on the corner, and the panel will pop off. I need you to make an adjustment."

Corso found the panel and popped it off. The components behind it were as clean as the engine room. The panel itself was warped and rusty, with the paint scratched in several places.

"Got it, Captain," he called out, and Xal started shouting commands.

After two hours, Xal said to Risha, "I fixed most of what you did."

She rolled her eyes.

"Yeah," Xal said. "Get to the cockpit, and fire up the engines to two percent. You're going to learn what this ship is supposed to sound like."

Corso followed her to the cockpit.

"Ma'am, was the ship like this when you came on board?" he asked.

Risha smiled. "Ever get the feeling the Captain is hiding a few layers?" She flipped controls with an experienced hand. The engines started with a low steady hum, much smoother than they had been on the short flight here. Great, now she'd have to agree with him. Something in the hangar caught her eye, and she exhaled sharply. "Shit! Captain, who did you piss off?" she yelled.

"What race is she?" Xaldiba yelled back.

Risha shook her head. "We've got Jedi coming in!"

Corso checked out the incoming figures. "It's all right, Captain. It's Master Agenord and Kira. That's the Captain's cousin."

She stared at Corso in shock then ran after Xal.

"Your cousin is a Jedi?!"

"Yeah," he said. "My cousin is a Jedi."

"You didn't think to tell me that?"

"I've known you three hours, and you were working with someone who wanted to kill me."

"Still," Risha said. "Considering your profession, you might want to lead with that. Why is he here?"

"That's not for you to know yet," Xal told her. He headed toward the entrance.

A smuggler with a Jedi cousin? she thought. What the fuck? She ran after Xal, caught sight of Agenord, and exhaled again. Well, some Jedi were more acceptable than others. The woman at his side was less acceptable. She had long legs and a nice chest, but Risha had more and a more womanly shape. She had the fiery redhead thing, but Risha had sultry. Still, definite competition.

"Xal," Agenord said. "I have your package and a gift."

"Gift?" Xal said.

Agenord held up a data card for a holoemitter.

"Captain," Risha said. "You haven't introduced me to your cousin yet."

Xal sighed. "Agenord, Kira. Risha."

"Business associate," Risha said with a smile. "Strictly business, I assure you."

Kira said, "Please don't feed the ego."

Risha smiled at Kira. "Honey, it's not if you feed the ego; it's when and how."

"What's this?" Xal asked, holding up the card.

"After the Temple-" Agenord began.

"You were part of the assault on the Temple?" Risha asked.

"Yeah," Xal said. "He led the assault."

Oh. Damn.

Agenord said, "I asked Master Satele to let me shape a crystal for Cyr'rnin's rifle."

"Miss Cyr'rnin?" Corso said, walking in. "Oh, just talking about her."

"Teeseven recorded it for you," Agenord finished.

Xal loaded the card into the ship's emitter. It showed a very sturdy looking Twi'lek woman leaning over a rifle.

Risha said, "Your sister is Republic military?"

"Yes," Xal said. "Special forces. Havoc Squad."

"I'm betting you're the odd one in the family," she said.

"One of them, yes," Xal told her.

Cyr'rnin lowered a crystal into the emitter chamber of her rifle, slowly to stop her hands from shaking.

"What color is the crystal?" Corso asked.

"Blue," Xal said. "It's blue."

Cyr'rnin aimed the rifle down a practice range and fired. A bright bolt left the blaster rifle, and Cyr'rnin stopped, gasping for breath. She looked back, probably at Agenord, obviously trying to hold in her emotions. She fired again, and couldn't hold it in anymore. She turned back, and her face broke into a smile. Xal hit the holoemitter fast, freezing the playback. He zoomed in on his sister's face.

"Sorry," he said to the room. "It's been a while since I've seen that."

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

Pretty? Risha thought. Half her face had been ripped off and sewn back on. Even so, Corso sounded like he meant it.

Xal started the playback again.

"Oh, you got a hug," he said. "Now I hate you."

"If you'd waited, you could have been there," Agenord told him.

"She wouldn't have smiled to spite me."

"You might be right," Agenord said.

Xal said, "This is going to Mom and Dad. I've got something for you too, if you want it." He took out a data card. "I had to go to a Mandalorian for it. It is this year's Grand Melee."

"Grand what?" Agenord said.

Kira said, "A contest for bounty hunters to enter the Great Hunt."

Agenord looked at her.

"What? I've got a life outside of you."

"Why do I want it?" Agenord said, taking the card.

"Ter'viro wins," Xal said.

Kira and Risha looked at him.

"My brother," he said.

"Is... a bounty hunter?" Risha said.

Xal shrugged. "I've got an interesting family."

Agenord turned the card in his hand and smiled. "You're right. I do want it. Thank you for your help, Xal. Corso. Miss Risha."

"Master Agenord," she said. "You've given me a new perspective on Jedi."

Kira groaned.

After they left, Risha said, "I hope I didn't disappoint you, Captain."

"Not the first time that's happened," Xal said. "My second girlfriend told me she was going through me to get to him."

"I'm very sorry," Risha said.

"Why? She still had to go through me."

"You find the good in everything, don't you, Captain?" Risha said.

"I have been known to," he replied.

Risha sighed. "Are we ready to go?"

"I need to check the hyperdrive. Then we're ready."

An hour later, Xal declared the Secret ready to fly.

"Gansar," Xal said, "Excellent work as always. Sorry about the Jedi."

"Not at all, Captain Xaldiba," Gansar said. "They were very polite, and we were ready to move anyway. We will be at Jenth-site for the next five months. You still have credit, so we are done. Take care, trustworthy man and beautiful lady."

After they were back aboard, Risha said, "I like your mechanic."

"He's a good man in difficult times," Xal said. "Now, where are we headed?"

"Taris," Risha said with a smile.

"Oh, shit," Xal said.

Risha laughed. "I said 'rich', Captain, not 'easy'."

Xal eased the Secret into the Coruscant sky, slipped between two patrol routes, and headed toward the hyperspace lanes.

"Well?" he asked her.

Risha sighed. "Yes, Captain, you know your ship."

"Wait until we jump," Xal said. "You won't even feel it."

Skavak had tried to impress Risha with the ship's speed. His jumps were like hitting heavy rapids. Xal's jump was like drifting with the stream and wouldn't cost them much time.

Risha sighed and nodded. "You are definitely the better choice, Captain. That jump to the Outer Rim will be tricky. It will take-" The console beeped. "That's Skavak's signal. This should be an interesting conversation."

A seething Skavak appeared above the holoemitter.

"You're late, Skavak," Risha said. "And I just made a new friend. I think you two will loathe each other."

"Congratulations, Captain," Skavak said. "You're officially number one on my list of people to kill. When I get my hands on you, you'll wish you'd never left Ord Mantell."

"Says the man who spent all his time running from me," Xal said.

"You don't even know what you've stumbled into, Captain," Skavak snarled. "You're messing up a deal I spent months putting together."

"With a ship that was never yours," Xal said. "You could have gotten a finders fee instead of a blaster shot."

"You were a nobody smuggler with a ship he never deserved," Skavak said. "Don't know how you got away from those Imperials, but next time I'll kill you myself. Assuming Rogun the Butcher doesn't get you first. I sold all those blasters you were supposed to deliver for him on Ord Mantell. Can't imagine he'll be happy you lost them."

"I'll work something out with Rogun, don't you worry," Xal said.

"Nobody 'works things out' with Rogun the Butcher. I suggest you enjoy what's left of your life."

"That's every day for me," Xal said.

Risha said, "Are you done posturing, Skavak? The captain and I have cargo to deliver."

"Don't even think about cutting me out of this deal, Risha!" Skavak said. "You don't know what you've got. His cousin's a Jedi! Did he tell you that? I had a good laugh when I found that out."

"I've met Master Agenord," Risha said. "He's a good man. And very cute. I'm sure he could fit into places you could never get to."

"Sweetheart," Skavak said. "You two-"

Xal switched off the comm. "Sounds like he'll be easy to find. So, how are we fixed for food?"

Risha smiled. "We were about to leave for Taris. We wanted as little local food as possible. We are fully stocked and ready to go."

The next morning, Risha walked into the galley and found a Mirialan woman, wearing one of the captain's shirts and nothing else, standing at the counter eating breakfast. The woman looked up with a smile.

"Who are you?" Risha asked. "And why are you half naked?"

"I'm Kixi. I helped Xal and Corso with Skavak, and they rescued me from the Migrant Merchant's Guild. But, then I had to get off Coruscant really fast. Xal is giving me a ride. I'm thanking him by going through his computer and making sure Skavak didn't leave anything behind."

"You need to be half naked for that?" Risha asked.

"I'm also thanking him with sex," Kixi said. "Mostly the computer thing. Well, like sixty-forty."

"Uh, hi, Miss Kixi," Corso said from the door.

"Hi, Corso," Kixi said, started to wave, then stopped and pushed the shirt down.

"When did you get on board?" he asked.

"Xal brought me in through one of his special doors," Kixi replied.

"Special doors?" Corso said.

"Wouldn't be much of a smuggling ship if I didn't have those," Xal said. "Kixi, looking good. Can I get my shirt back?"

"Stop it," she said. "You're terrible."

"Not what you said last night."

"I have to go get dressed," Kixi said, slipping past him.

Risha said, "Is this going to happen a lot, Captain?"

"Pretty girls showing up?" Xal said. "On occasion."

Corso coughed.

"Could you keep her out of my cargo bay?" Risha said.

"My cargo bay," Xal corrected.

"The cargo bay," Risha replied.

Xal smiled. "I'll get you the spare key."

"How long is she going to be here?"

"I'm dropping her off at Brental Four," Xal said. "It's on the way. She just needed off Coruscant."

"Did she really help you two?" Risha said to Corso.

"Yes, ma'am, she did," Corso said. "Helped Master Agenord, too. Even had a Sith Lord after her."

Xal gave Corso a sour look.

"Sith Lord?" Risha said to Xal.

"Don't worry," Xal said. "Agenord killed him. We just got roped in a little."

"Like the Esseles," Corso said.

Xal held back a word.

"Huh," Risha said, looking at Xal. "Captain, I think you are the right man for this job." She took a food pack and left.

"Captain?" Corso said.

"You're a good man in a fight, Corso," Xal said. "But stay away from the negotiation table."

Sometime later, Risha found Kixi in the cargo searching behind an open panel.

"Did the captain let you in?" Risha asked.

"I sliced the door," Kixi said. "It's what I do. Don't worry. I didn't get anywhere near your stuff."

The cargo was still in the right place, and the shanjaru didn't seem skittish.

"Did you really help Master Agenord?" Risha asked.

"A little," Kixi said. "Gave him some info on a data card, but I guess it helped."

"What do you think of him?"

"He scares me," Kixi said.

"How?" Risha asked.

"That guy is overpowered like you wouldn't believe," Kixi said. "He's the kind of guy that could the galaxy, and I don't want any of that."

"Not attracted to powerful men?"

"Fuck no," Kixi said. "Too much responsibility. Everything you do affects lives." She turned around. "He just saved, like, a hundred thousand people or something. Just another day's work." She shook her head. "I like the quiet guys. Stay out of the headlines. Have a little fun along the way."

"Like the captain?"

"You got it," Kixi said and turned back to the panel. "He's not going to settle down, but he knows how to have fun, and he can be a decent guy. He did a lot more than he needed to to help me. All he wants in return is some computer work and a few blowjobs." She pulled a circuit card from the panel. "Slicing node." She checked the corridor then leaned close to Risha and whispered, "Give him a go. Doesn't stop 'til the job is done." She winked at Risha and left.

"Kixi," Xal said. "Welcome to Brentaal Four."

"It's nice," she said. "And not trying to kill me. Well, I got all of Skavak's slicing nodes and restored your system. So, thank you for the ride. And the orgasms. Corso, Risha, take care of him."

"Trying to, ma'am," Corso said.

Kixi smiled at him and walked away.

Xal looked at Risha.

Risha sighed. "Fine. She wasn't that bad. Can we go?"

"We can go," Xal said.

You've got a few layers, Captain, Risha thought. I wonder which one matters the most.