"The hunter returns a hero!" Crysta said. "It sure is good to see you all in one piece!"

"I took some hits," Ter'viro said.

"We can check for those later, sugar," Crysta said. "I have received my bonus as the handler of a Champion. It is now time for you to decide how you want your winnings. I will allow the Huntmaster Assistant to explain."

The Assistant said, "Champion, your options are the full amount, or half the amount and a prototype blaster designed specifically for you, or half the amount and a full suit of beskar. Take your time to decide."

"Beskar," Mako said. "You're always jumping in front of things," she told Ter'viro. "If you're going to jump in front of things, you're getting beskar, so get beskar."

"Okay," Ter'viro said. "Beskar."

The Assistant looked at Ter'viro. "I'm pretty sure we have enough." He marked down the choice and left.

"And now," Crysta said. "Is the Champion's feast. Expect the Huntmaster to make a speech or two, but they won't last long."

Gault said, "Any mention of the ship we had to blow up?"

Crysta looked at him. "Probably not. Let's get the three of you cleaned up and out to the winner's table."

"Look at you," Mako said when she saw him. "You... you look really good."

"So do you," he said.

"Don't kid," she told him.

"I'm not."

Gault said, "Are you two going to flirt all night?"

"What flirting?" Mako said. "We were talking. That's... just... all we were doing. Is all."

"Sure," Gault said. "Me, I'm hungry."

They entered the hall to the whistles and applause of the crowd. Mako saw the Mirialan hunter from the Grand Melee. She smiled at Mako and raised a glass to them. They reached the table and sat down. In a line, three Mandalorians that help officiate the Hunt, the Assistant Huntmaster, the Huntmaster, Ter'viro, Mako, Gault, Crysta, and two open chairs for the family of the Champion. Ter'viro looked at the chairs.

The Huntmaster Assistant said, "The Huntmaster assures me he has been invited. He will explain to everyone."

Ter'viro nodded.

Once the food was brought out, the Huntmaster nodded, and the Assistant fired a blaster into the ceiling three times. The Huntmaster stood.

"Rhwowwoorcwo ohwo rhworrahwh," the Huntmaster said. "Ah schucao wokakanraahwh oohurc huwhwokakwooaaowowa rrhuwocao. Aoacwo Oaacrascakahoowh ahwhwwoorcscwowa scwo, acraanwwohraro aoacrcoohurrac aoacwo Achuwhao, aoacraao acwo oaooscwoc wwrcoosc ra wwrascahanro caorcoowhrr ahwh aoacwo Wwoorcoawo." Murmurs came from the crowd. The Huntmaster raised his hands for silence. "Aoacahc ahc whoo oarcahscwo. Acwo rcwooawoahhowowa whoo acwoanak wwrcoosc aoacwosc. Acwo ahwhwwoorcscwowa scwo, Ah wohoraanhuraaowowa acahc oaoowhaorcraoaaoc, rawhwa raananooohwowa acahsc aooo oaoowhaoahwhhuwo. Ah rasc oaoowhwwahwawowhao acwo ohoowh aoacwo Achuwhao wwraahrcanro." Some people still murmured. "Oaacrascakahoowh, akanworacwo caorawhwa." Ter'viro stood. "Waoowoc acwo anooooor anahorwo acwo whwowowac acwoanak?" The crowd burst into laughter, and Ter'viro sat down. "Akanworacwo ohwoanoaooscwo aoacwo Oaacrascakahoowh'c oaoohucahwh, Anoorcwa Scrahu'aowo Oowhooorra rawhwa acahc oaoowhcoorcao Howoaoaowo." He gestured toward the entrance where Vette and Mau'te waited. A different murmur came from the crowd. Mau'te nodded politely, and the two of them went to the Champion's table.

When they reached the table, Mau'te leaned in and whispered, "I know it wasn't you. Tell me if you need help." Ter'viro nodded. "For now, congratulations. You did good." Ter'viro nodded again.

"What he said," Vette told them.

When they sat down, Mako said, "So. Consort. What is that? Like, girlfriend?"

"A bit more," Mau'te said. "It can cover everything from girlfriend to fiance'."

"But we're not there yet," Vette said. "I'm still not sure about this guy." Mau'te rolled his eyes. "Don't give me that," she said. "You have issues."

"So do you," he countered.

Vette said, "My issues don't involve lightsabers and screaming."

"No," Mau'te said. "Your issues have deserved screaming several times."

"My issues have deserved screaming? You're lucky you got me at all."

"Because a caged slave is so difficult to catch," he said.

"Don't even start with that," she told him. "I'd have gotten out eventually."

Gault said, "Are you sure you're a couple?"

They glared at him, and he backed off.

Mako said, "Well, it's about time. I mean, you two. Seriously. It was obvious." Mau'te, Vette, and Gault looked at her. "What?" She turned to Ter'viro. "Do you know why they're looking at me like that?" Ter'viro shrugged. "No, that can't be it." He shrugged again. "Yeah, maybe. Let's eat."

Hunters approached at various times to congratulate Ter'viro. Mako would translate the shrugs for them. The Mirialan from the Grand Melee walked up and said, "I still might write a song about you. This one wouldn't involve killing."

"I'll keep it in mind," Ter'viro said.

After she left, Mako said, "I told you she was flirting." Ter'viro shrugged. "She was too."

The Huntmaster gave a short but inspiring speech then called on Ter'viro to talk.

Ter'viro stood up and said, "Thank you. Everyone." He sat down. Mako and Mau'te looked at each other. Mau'te shrugged.

Vette said to Mako, "You do it."

Mako stood up and said, "What Ter'viro meant was, we did this for Braden, one of the best hunters ever. He was a mentor to Ter'viro, and he was like a father to me. I was a scrawny little street urchin on Nar Shaddaa when Braden took me in, but he said he saw potential. He was good like that. He said this guy was one of the best he'd ever seen. I didn't believe it. Sure, he's the size of an overfed rancor, but you can't get two words out of him without a fight." People laughed. "But he knew what he was doing. He understood what this meant to me, and he let me go with him. He didn't have to. He kept me alive more times than he needed to, and he brought his targets in alive whenever he could. I'm... I'm glad I got to go through the Hunt with him. This was a hell of a Hunt, beginning to end, and Braden would be proud of him. That's what he meant. Thanks." People applauded.

"Thanks," Ter'viro said when she sat down.

"You're welcome," Mako said. She looked at the hunters in the room, especially the female hunters all sizing up Ter'viro, and she started eating again.

As the night wound down, Mau'te said. "We must go. The life of a Sith Lord is very busy. This Sith Lord, anyway."

"I heard," Crysta said. "That was you in the spaceport, wasn't it? Ten minutes against Darth Jadus."

"Don't start," Vette said. "His ego's bad enough already."

Mau'te sighed. "Ter'viro, well done. I know your parents are proud of you." Ter'viro shrugged a thank-you. Mau'te and Vette left.

"I shall go too," Crysta said. "The Champion gets a private room for the night. Enjoy."

Gault said, "I'm going to go before someone accidentally recognizes me. Have fun, you two."

"Yeah," Mako said. "You could probably get any woman here."

Ter'viro looked at Mako and said, "Any?"

"Sure," Mako said. "Look at them." He was still looking at her. "Oh." She swallowed hard and nodded. He picked her up and took her to the private room.

Once there, he put her down and kissed her as gently as he could. She stood frozen, too nervous to respond. He pulled off his armor and clothes then carefully undressed her. He sat down on the bed so his face was close to hers, and he pulled her close.

"I've... I've never," Mako said.

"Never?"

"Well, no," she said. "No one ever wanted me. They all went for Vette or Taunt or one of the other girls. No one was ever interested in me."

"I don't believe that," he said. "You probably intimidated them."

"Intimidated them?!" Mako said. "That... that... that... that actually explains a lot of conversations. But why me? I mean, that is what I mean, why me?"

"You're crazy, brilliant, beautiful, wonderful. I trust you more than anyone ever. Most of the time, I don't think I'm good enough for you."

Blink.

Blink.

Blink.

"Okay, I'm ready to have sex now," she said. "Let's have sex now."

"Did I hurt you?" he asked.

"A little, maybe, not much. It'll be okay."

"I'm glad," he said and wrapped an arm around her.

"I want to do more stuff," she said. "I want to do lots of stuff, crazy stuff, sexy stuff, all kinds of stuff."

"Later," he said. "Go to sleep."

She swallowed hard again. "I can't."

"What?"

"My implant," she said. "It works like an amphetamine. I don't sleep very much. It lets me sleep enough that I don't go psychotic, but that's it. I'm a little wired the rest of the time."

"Mako, that'd kill you."

"It is," she said. "Slowly. I talked to a doctor about it. He said I'd make it to thirty. I'd probably make it to thirty-five. I probably wouldn't make it to forty."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because you would've quit the Hunt," she said. "I wanted to finish the Hunt, and I wanted to get Tarro Blood. I've got a long list and a short time. I got a lot today. I got a guy I really like, and he likes me, and I had sex, and it was fun. What? Don't look at me like that."

"I'm not losing you like that," he said. He grabbed his clothes and went to the holoemitter. Xal appeared, blinking hard.

"Baby brother," he said. "Caught me in a sleep cycle. Congratulations Champion. I knew you could do it. And no one in the family believes you blew up the Aurora."

"Thanks, Xal," Ter'viro said. "I need your help. My girlfriend's implant is killing her. I'd ask Uncle Pehi, but I can't go to Ryloth."

Xal said, "There are better."

Ter'viro shook his head. "Gotta be someone I trust."

"Oh," Xal said. "Anything for you, baby brother. I am on Tatooine. I will meet you at Mos Espa."

"Sergeant Dorne leave already?" Corso asked.

"She did," Xal said. "Arresting Ter'viro might ruin the day."

"Is something wrong, Captain?" Risha said.

"Whatever do you mean?" Xal asked.

"You look like you've been through more than just a few days with your-"

"There he is," Xal said.

Right, Risha thought. Don't ask.

"Baby brother!" Xal called out. "Damn! Is that full beskar?"

"He's alway jumping in front of stuff," Mako said. "If he's going to jump in front of stuff, he needs beskar. I'm Mako, by the way."

"You're still doing that?" Xal said to Ter'viro. Ter'viro shrugged. "Miss Mako, I am Captain Xaldiba, Ter'viro's far less reputable brother. I can already see you are far too good for him, that makes you ten times too good for me. If I may?" He turned her head carefully and examined the implant. His smile changed from genuine to forced. "Has anyone looked at it?"

"A few cyberneticists," she said. "But they all wanted to take it out. I didn't think that was a good idea."

"I think you're right," Xal said. "That would not be a good idea. And, you don't have any control over bioregulation?"

"No," Mako said. "I figured I should, but no."

"You definitely should," Xal said. "Let's get you on my ship where I can scan it properly." As he turned, he spotted Gault. "Now, who are you?"

"Gault Rennow, at your service."

Xal said to Ter'viro, "He's not coming on my ship, is he?"

Ter'viro said, "No. Gault."

"Always a bridesmaid," Gault said and returned to the ship.

"My crew," Xal said. "First mate, Corso Riggs. A good man in a fight. I trust him with my life. Bowdaar. He's the muscle, obviously. Queen in exile, Risha Drayen. That's kind of a long story."

Risha said, "Remind me again why I haven't stabbed you in your sleep."

Xal told Mako, "The 'in exile' part is a sore spot for her. Now then, this is the Secret Visitor," Xal said. "The finest XS freighter still flying. The tales it could tell..."

"Are things you never want to hear," Risha said.

"I owe you Xal," Ter'viro said.

"Your fee is in the galley," Xal said. "I got the ingredients for Mom's casserole."

Mako said, "I love that casserole."

Xal turned toward her. "He made you the casserole?"

"A couple of times," she said.

His jaw dropped. "Miss Mako, I had no idea. Let's get you aboard."

When they reached the infirmary, Xal slid open a hidden panel to reveal a keypad.

"How many of those do you have, Captain?" Corso asked.

"Smuggler ship," Xal said and punched in the code.

After a moment, Mako said, "It's a song, right?" Xal looked at her. "If you say the numbers in Twi'leki, it sounds like a song."

Xal said to Ter'viro, "Are you dating Kriranda?"

"She's not that smart," Ter'viro said.

"I'm not?" Mako asked.

Ter'viro shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe."

Xal tapped the final key, and a scanner bed folded down from the wall.

Risha said, "Is that a cybernetic scanning bed from a capital ship?"

Xal said, "I took some classes once. Years ago."

"Right," Risha said. "This is just a hobby."

Xal said, "Everyone, please go. It's not dangerous, I just don't want you in the way."

Ter'viro went to the galley to start cooking. Risha and Corso followed.

"What's with the scanner bed?" Corso asked. "And, why the Captain?"

Ter'viro said, "Xal asked our parents for a loan to get the Visitor. They'd only agree if he got a degree first."

Risha said, "They hoped he'd give up on the smuggler dream."

Ter'viro nodded. "Got his degree in cybernetics. Paid the loan back within a year. Hardly uses the degree."

"Why cybernetics?" Corso asked.

"He always liked it," Ter'viro said. "But not for a job."

Xal and Mako finished an hour later and joined them.

"Damn, that smells good," Xal said.

"Casserole?" Risha said.

Xal told her, "You do not disparage my mother's casserole."

"So?" Mako asked.

Xal said, "Ter'viro, with your permission, I'd like to talk to Uncle Pehi." The others looked at him. "He's Agenord's father. He's also a cyberneticist. He maintains the droids on the farm, but he's a lot better than that."

Ter'viro nodded, and Xal activated the holoemitter. A female Twi'lek appeared.

"Xaldiba," she said.

"Aunt Y'nai," Xal said.

"Ter'viro?" she asked.

"Ma'am," he said. "Not allowed to explain. Sorry."

"I am not too surprised," she said. "Xal, is this about your account?"

"No, ma'am," he said. "I need to speak with Uncle Pehi."

"'Need'?" she said.

"Yes, ma'am."

"I will get him." She disappeared. A male Twi'lek soon took her place.

"Xaldiba, Ter'viro, how may I help you?" Pehi asked.

Ter'viro said, "My girlfriend's implant is killing her, sir."

Pehi nodded. "Xal, do you have any scans I can see?"

"I do, sir."

"Problem?" Pehi asked.

"You'll understand, sir." Xal transmitted the scans.

Pehi looked at them and said, "Oh. Do you want to tell her?"

"What?" Mako said.

Xal said, "You have an in utero implant. You were grown around it as a fetus."

"So...?" Mako said.

Pehi told her, "They're not possible. They've been theorized for decades but never perfected."

Xal said, "And, your implant shows both Republic and Imperial tech. Military grade. You were made to be a weapon."

"Oh," Mako said. "Yeah. That makes sense. I'd be a clone, right? Probably."

"You'd be a clone," Xal said. "No one would waste that implant on an unknown."

"Yeah," she said. "I've got sisters. I think. Why is it killing me?"

"It shouldn't be," Pehi said. "It's wired into your pituitary, but you should be able to turn it off at will."

"Unless they wanted me to be used to it," Mako said. "So I'd be a better slicer."

"That does make sense," Xal said. "If you can fix the programming, you'll be fine. Mostly. You've got years of damage that won't go away, but you won't add any more."

"Right," she said. "Could you read the code?"

"It threatened to kill you every time I tried," he said.

"Oh," she said. "Self-recognizing code. I hate that shit."

"There's good news," Pehi said. "The cyberneticist and the programmers were not on the same page. That tech is designed to keep you alive. The engineer was your best friend ever."

"I don't know where to start looking," Mako said.

"We know someone with connections," Xal told her. "When he helps, he really helps."

Mako nodded and said to Ter'viro, "Maybe we could talk to Mau'te."

Xal and Ter'viro gasped, and Pehi froze.

"I am sorry, sir," Ter'viro said. "I didn't think to warn her."

"I understand," Pehi said. "How do you know Mau'te?" he asked Mako.

Mako said, "He's dating my best friend."

"She must be very special," Pehi said. Mako shrugged. "But don't mention him to Agenord. If you meet him. They don't get along. Xal, I will research the tech and try to find a source. It should narrow things down a little."

"Sir," Ter'viro said. "Someone tried to kill her already."

"I'm not surprised," Pehi said. "Don't worry. Your father still has his tractor. We'll be ready." He looked at Mako. "Xal, how serious do you think he is."

Xal smiled. "He made her the casserole twice."

Pehi looked at him. "Oh. I will tell them that." He disconnected.

"First," Xal said. "Casserole. And I get to talk to my baby brother about the Hunt. Tomorrow, I will contact Agenord. Can you tell us anything about the Aurora?"

"I didn't blow it up," Ter'viro said. "I can't say who did or why. You'd be a target. Agenord already knows to ask questions."

"He's like that," Xal said. "The smell of that casserole is about to kill me. Let's eat."

"Captain," Risha said between bites. "I... will never... disparage... your mother's... cooking... again." She moaned around the food. "Why don't you make this?"

"Only two people in the galaxy can make that casserole, and I am not one of them," Xal said.

Corso said, "I never thought I'd say it, Captain, but that was better than my granny could do. Oh, where'd they go?"

"They left while you were eating," Xal said. "It's okay. We talked plenty."

"I like her," Risha said. "That friend she talked about reminds me of someone I used to know. I think they'd get along."

"Miss Mako is one of the good ones," Corso said.

"Speaking of good ones," Risha said. "How did things go with Sergeant Dorne?"

Xal sighed slowly. "Someone did something to her. I don't know who or how, but she needs to talk to Agenord."

"How bad is it?" Risha asked.

Xal said, "If I found who did it, I'd strap him to the Visitor's exhaust and take off."