"What did Master Agenord say?" Corso asked.

"Just some of the sights to see on Tython," Xal said. "He can tell you about them later."

"Captain?" Risha said. Something bothered her, like he'd never seen before. "I... need a personal favor. It's got nothing to do with the job. Not directly, anyway. A friend of mine is in trouble because of me."

Xal shrugged. "You've earned a rescue or two."

"To Tatooine, if you please," she said.

"Yes, ma'am," Xal said.

"This is Juran," Risha said.

Xal shook the Togruta's hand. "Pleasure. Xaldiba Onoka. Corso and Bowdaar. Miss Risha explained on the way. Any idea why they took her?"

Juran shook his head. "They wanted Risha. That's all I know."

"Ever been in a fight?" Xal asked.

"I can use a hunting rifle," Juran said.

Xal said, "Try not to hit any of us."

Risha said, "Juran and I will go in first. They won't be surprised he's there."

"And we follow quietly," Xal said. "Bowdaar, can you manage stealthy?"

"Rhwoaoaoworc aoacrawh oaoorccoo," Bowdaar replied.

"What's that mean?" Corso said.

"Whooaoacahwhrr."

"Didn't sound like nothing," Corso said.

Risha said, "Work on your act later. We don't have a lot of time."

They made their way into the Czerka cave. Risha paused a couple of times to disable a sensor, and kept going. They found a group of dead Sand People, and Xal caught Risha's arm. Most of them were one hit kills, none of them more than two. A group of killers suggested a military team. Risha knew. And she was not surprised.

When they were near the captors, Risha and Juran walked ahead. The men responded with precision. Audila, bound and gagged, saw Juran and let out a muffled cry.

"You're the simple girl who's caused His Majesty so many sleepless nights?" their leader said to Risha.

Majesty? Xal thought.

"There's nothing simple about me," Risha said.

"Then I'll see to it your torture and execution are as complex as possible," the leader replied. He looked at Juran. "You were instructed to come alone, Risha."

"He's her husband," Risha said. "Let them go, and you can do whatever you want with me."

"Unfortunately for your friends, I'm to leave no witnesses," the leader said. "Besides, this planet offers precious little else in the way of entertainment."

"I can make it entertaining," Xal called out.

The leader looked toward the cave shadows. "I don't know how this fool slipped past our perimeter, but he won't save you."

Risha said, "This fool is the best shot in the galaxy. How good are you?"

"I assure you," the leader said. "Our liege sent his best."

Risha said, "Captain, any time."

Xal had a clear shot on the man guarding Audila. He was dead before he knew it. Bowdaar rushed forward while Xal and Corso sprayed the men with blaster fire. Juran tackled Audila and laid on top of her. Risha dove for cover and pulled out a small pistol. Once Risha was behind cover, Xal focused on the men. The man wasn't lying. They were good. Bowdaar took a couple of hits before killing the leader. Both Corso and Risha were hit before the three remaining men died.

Once Audila had calmed down, she said, "That man kidnapped me because of you, Risha. He was going to kill us all. Why?"

"It... doesn't matter," Risha said. "I'm sorry for what happened, but it's over."

"You're sorry?" Audila said. "He held me prisoner for days, threatened to kill me, and you're sorry?"

"I promise I'll explain everything to you, someday," Risha told her.

"I'll want that explanation someday, Risha," Audila said. "I'll let you know where to find us. Let's go, Juran."

Once they were gone, Risha began, "Captain-"

"'His Majesty'," Xal said. "That's what he said. 'Our liege'. Outer Rim blasters, military issue. Military tactics. What the hell is going on?"

After a lot of contemplation, Risha said, "Nok Drayen wasn't a gangster."

"Diago said as much," Xal said.

"His grandfather was Arak Drayen the Third, King of Dubrillion," Risha said. "A usurper took the throne, and the Drayens went into hiding. Everything Nok Drayen did was to get the resources to win back the throne."

"For him and his daughter," Xal said. "A king wouldn't have sleepless nights about some treasure hunter."

Risha said, "I hate it when you're clever, Captain."

Xal said, "I hate it when I need to be. If this Arak Drayen was anything like his grandson, I expect he squirreled away quite a bit. Besides, I want to see what all those upgrades can do. But, and I mean this seriously, I am never calling you 'Highness'."

She laughed. "Can we get some kolto?"

"Yes, ma'am," Xal said.

"Anchorhead Hospital?" Elara said from the holo. "Are you injured?"

He wasn't sure how she could tell where he was, but that was her job. "Bowdaar, Corso, and Risha were injured. We had a run-in, but I made it through unscathed."

"Very good," she said. "May I ask the reason for your call?"

"I've been thinking," Xal said. "About a lot of things. Cyr'rnin's in command of Havoc Squad at her age and doing just fine. Agenord's... Agenord. Even Ter'viro. He's in the final round for The Great Hunt. His name will be alongside the best bounty hunters in history. Recent history, anyway. And Miss Risha just told us something. I can't discuss it yet, but I've got names all around me. I don't care if I go down in history." Elara nodded. "But it's time I stood up a little. I'd like to be exclusive, if the offer is still open."

"It is, Captain," Elara said.

"You never call me 'Xal'," he said.

She shrugged. "I've always had an attraction to superior officers. I find the power they have over me thrilling. To a certain point."

"The Visitor has all of its upgrades," Xal said. "We are about to make our final jump. When we get back, I'd like to see you."

She smiled. "You want me to help you spend your riches?"

"No," Xal said. "I'll be asking my aunt Y'nai to set something up for me. I'm a fool with my life, not my money."

"A true smuggler," she said. "Where shall we meet?"

"I'm not a Coruscant kind of guy," he said. "It's tough to find places friendly to smugglers and Republic soldiers that aren't in a war or trying to kill you. Tatooine or Nar Shaddaa?"

"Ta-" She paused. "I'm... I'm not a Nar Shaddaa type of woman. Ta- Tatooine. Yes, Tatooine. I will be there for you, ma- Captain. As soon as we have leave, I will contact you. Captain." She signed off.

Xal thought, Now I've got to be a supportive boyfriend. He smiled. He actually liked how that sounded. Be there for my girlfriend. It sounded better the second time.

The Secret Visitor exited hyperspace into the Hutta lane and maneuvered to the end of a line headed toward Nar Shaddaa. Traffic was ten times normal. Gamblers of all types, gangsters, and bounty hunters waiting for the results of the Great Hunt. Most of the money was on Tarro Blood, but they never saw Ter'viro knock out a bull nerf with one punch. Accidentally.

"Corso, Bowdaar, I want the two of you to stay with the Visitor," Xal said. "The last thing we need now is a surprise from Skavak."

"Sure thing, Captain," Corso said.

"Miss Risha," Xal said. "I can't wait to meet your father."

"You'll have to wait," she replied. "Ten years in carbonite takes its toll. He'll be comatose for a couple of days while his system adjusts."

"I'm sure a pile of riches will wake him up fast," Xal said.

"We have that," she said. "My great-grandfather took the crown of Dubrillion. With it, my father and I can rally the nobility. The grandson of the usurper is not well liked."

"More politics than I care to think about," Xal said. He turned toward Corso and Bowdaar. "I'm going to have something delivered while we're here. See that it's installed."

Risha said, "Do we need another upgrade?"

"It's not an upgrade," Xal said. "It's just a hunch."

"Doctor Chelah," Risha said to the Selkath. "It's time."

Droids maneuvered the carbonite slab onto a table.

"Releasing him from the carbonite will take a full day," Chelah said. "The carbonite must be purged from his system slowly. I'm sorry. I wish it could be more dramatic."

"It's all right, Doctor," Risha said. "We'll be busy. When my father fully wakes, tell him we have gone to the Long Shadow."

"Understood," Chelah said.

"I'm sorry, Father," Risha said. "I should be here for you, but I need to see this through. Captain, this is it."

From the taxi, Risha watched the crowds and the celebration. The end of the Hunt was a holiday on Nar Shaddaa. Celebrations would go for a couple of weeks. "What would your brother think?" she asked.

"He wouldn't care," Xal said. "Not about that. But, if he could make our parents proud, that would be everything."

"I know the feeling," Risha said.

Back at the Visitor, Corso asked Xal, "Are you sure you wanted that installed, Captain?"

"I am indeed," Xal said.

"What did you install?" Risha asked.

Xal said, "I'll tell you on board."

Once they took off, Risha said, "Well?"

Corso said, "The Captain had us install a graviton missile."

Risha blinked hard.

"This," Xal said. He dropped a tracker on the console. "Something about Alderaan bugged me. Skavak had plenty of time to take off with the motivator. He didn't need to install it there."

Risha said, "He planted a tracker."

"He doesn't have the computer or the motivator," Xal said. "But I bet he has a ship."

"He'll blow out his motivator trying to follow us," Risha said.

Xal nodded. "He plans to take the Visitor. He probably got a large gunship, so it can handle the gravitational shear. He doesn't need the computer or the astrogation chart if he follows us through hyperspace."

Risha said, "You want to use the missile to pull him into the gravity well."

"Yes, ma'am," Xal said.

"Ohoowh'ao aoacraao aorcraak huc?" Bowdaar asked.

"It will," Xal said. "But we can microjump out of the well. Skavak can't. He won't have the time to replace his motivator. He'll be on the other side of the event horizon before he can make repairs."

"A jump from a well that deep will put a strain on our motivator," Risha said. "Even a microjump."

Xal said, "I never said there weren't risks."

"And Skavak's gone," Corso said.

"In a few million years," Xal replied.

"I know," Corso said. "But Torchy goes with him."

Xal said, "Next time I see my sister Nin'nussil, I will ask her to make you a gun. It might be a while, though."

"Thanks, Captain," Corso said.

"You and Bowdaar are back on the guns," Xal said. "Miss Risha, you've got missile control."

"Strap in and don't throw up?" she said.

"Yes, ma'am," Xal replied.

Once Corso and Bowdaar were in the turrets, Risha said, "There's about a dozen ways this could go bad."

"Really?" Xal said. "I figured two dozen."

"If he has a second motivator installed-" she began.

"We switch to plan besh."

"Which is?"

He smiled at her. "Not a clue."

She groaned. "If I hadn't seen Tython, I'd shoot you right now."

"Yes, ma'am."

The exited hyperspace to severe buffeting, and Xal said, "Shit! Check the motivator."

"Problem?"

"More strain than expected," Xal said. "It might need a few tweaks."

"Perfect," Risha said and left for the engine room.

"Captain?" Corso said.

"Stay on the guns!" Xal replied. He plotted a long course toward the derelict ship. That ship was a lot closer to the event horizon than he'd been led to believe.

"The motivator is feeling temperamental!" Risha said over the comm. "The droid brains think you're trying to kill them. According to the second brain, and I quote, 'He's trying to jump us into a fucking black hole', end quote."

Xal said, "Tell them to tow the line, or I let the Gree computer join the conversation."

"That did it," Risha said.

A moment later, Bowdaar yelled, "Ahwhoaooscahwhrr!" Xal took evasive action, and an ion missile flew past the ship. It tried to turn, but it strained against the gravity well and detonated.

"Heya, Captain," Skavak said over the comm. "Bet you're surprised to see me."

You'd lose that bet, motherfucker.

"How the blazes did you get here?" Xal said and plotted a new course closer to the black hole.

"I attached something to that fancy new motivator," Skavak said. "I guess you never noticed."

Xal checked the scanner. SGS-87B multirole gunship. Four man design, probably using droids. Half the size of the Visitor, more weapons, less power.

"I'm only surprised you have the guts to face me in person," Xal said.

"I want to be civil about this," Skavak said. "Sure, you've made my life miserable, but I don't hold a grudge. Really." He fired another missile.

Xal spun out of the way, and Bowdaar howled at him. "I told you to strap in!" He steered back on course. "You should've quit while you were behind, Skavak."

"And miss all this fun?" Skavak said. "Not a chance." He fired another missile, but Corso managed to hit it.

"I clearly haven't hurt you enough," Xal said.

Skavak said, "Don't kid yourself. You haven't hurt me at all. Bottom line: There's nothing you have that I can't steal."

Ion missiles, Xal thought. Makes sense. He's staying out of blaster range. He hasn't fired the railgun yet. What kind of ammo would he use? Buzz droids? Ion shells? What would Xal use in Skavak's situation? What did Skavak need to get back, bare minimum? Computer, astrogation chart, motivator. He didn't need the Visitor at all. He was going to target the engines. Xal recalculated the course, went to full burn, and turned hard.

"What the hell?" Risha yelled.

A railgun shell hit the cargo pod. The shell clamped onto the pod and began drilling through the hull. Xal sent an ion pulse through that section of hull, and the droid shell buzzed, popped, and fell away.

Risha staggered back to the cockpit, trying not to topple over, and strapped into the copilot's seat. "Anymore tricks like that?"

"One or two," Xal said.

"Risha!" Skavak said. "So glad to hear your voice again. Shoot Captain Onoka, and all will be forgiven."

She fired a concussion missile at Skavak's ship.

"'No, thank you' would have been enough," Skavak said. "Too bad. We were going to share the prize."

Risha switched off the comm. "Ideas, Captain?"

"Use the derelict for cover," Xal said. "He can't risk us getting too close to the black hole."

"Neither can we," she replied.

"He might have a spare motivator, but I doubt it's enough on its own," Xal said. "He needs the computer and the astrogation chart, or he is trapped. That gives us the advantage." He turned again and caught a shell near the airlock. He fired another ion pulse.

"How many of those do you have?" Risha asked.

"Best not to dwell on that," Xal said. They were close to the derelict now, but nowhere near the landing bay. He watched the scanner and waited. He circled around the farside of the derelict, and waited for Skavak to fire. Skavak wouldn't use the railgun here. The turns were too tight. At this speed, the missiles were the best option. Skavak fired three missiles just before Xal was out of sight. Xal burned the engines hard, disengaged, turned one-eighty, and burned hard again. Right at Skavak. Skavak had expected the attack and had already turned toward the Visitor. Xal smiled and thought, I've been wanting to kill you since Ord Mantell. The ion missiles were programmed to ignore the ship that fired them, but they struggled in high gravity. Xal flew straight at Skavak and fired the graviton missile. The Visitor's mass gave her an advantage. More momentum was harder to turn. Even at full burn, they were stationary for a time. Skavak and the ion missiles, on the other hand, were pulled to the center of the pulse. All three missiles detonated, disabling Skavak's ship. It began drifting toward the black hole.

The comm buzzed. And buzzed again. And again. And again.

"Good-bye, Torchy," Corso said.

Xal locked onto Skavak's ship. When he had a clean shot, he fired, destroying the engines.

The comm buzzed again.

"He might have an EVA suit," Risha said.

"True," Xal said. "But if he gets aboard the derelict, it's a stand up fight." He winked at her and turned toward the landing bay.

Once they landed, Xal said, "Corso, Bowdaar, stay with the ship. Watch for Skavak."

"Yooohu scahrracao whwowowa huc," Bowdaar said.

"No," Risha said. "We'll be fine."

At the first door, Risha put her hand on a sensor panel and waited. After a moment, the computer said, "Genetic match detected. Welcome aboard, Princess."

"Not a word, Captain," Risha told him.

"Wouldn't think of it," he said.

The droids stopped and bowed as they walked past then returned to their work.

The computer said, "Warning: Hull integrity failing. This vessel is entering the singularity's event horizon."

"What happened to the crew?" Xal asked.

Risha began, "If I know my great-grandfa-"

A holoprojector activated at the sound of their voices. "This is Captain Porlon. I'm recording this message so people will someday know the truth. Our tyrant king has betrayed us all. King Drayen ordered my ship's droids to execute us, scuttle the vessel and deny Dubrillion its greatest treasures. My crew is attempting to flee with the king's reliquary in an escape pod, but- men, the Executioner is here! Hold the line!"

Xal deactivated the projector. "Great guy."

Risha said, "The original usurper had a lot of support. His grandson, not so much."

They reached the central chamber and found the reliquary watched by a hibernating droid. "Biological entities identified," it said, coming to life. "Beginning mandatory royal edict playback."

"Stop," Risha said. "By order of Princess Risha Drayen."

"Genetic match confirmed," the droid said.

"We're taking the reliquary," Risha told it. "Summon a cargo droid."

"As you wish, Princess," the droid said. A wheeled droid rolled over and loaded the reliquary onto its bed.

"Follow me," Risha told the cargo droid.

On the way back, they heard blaster fire from the landing bay and started running. Skavak and one of his droids had made it onto the ship. Corso spotted him and fired the Visitor's ventral turret. The anti-fighter cannon didn't leave much.

"Captain," Corso said. "The son of a bitch didn't even have Torchy on him."

Xal held back a smile. "Get the reliquary on board. I will check the motivator. When I'm sure it's safe, we can leave all of this behind."

"Acoooh waoo ohwo waahhoahwawo ahao huak?" Bowdaar asked.

"Two parts to the captain, one to each of the crew," Xal said. "After Miss Risha has her crown. How do we open it, anyway?"

"My father has the code," Risha said.

They were safely in hyperspace. The droid brains calmed down once the ship was away from the black hole.

Corso said, "What are you going to do with yours, Captain?"

"I will contact my aunt Y'nai," Xal said. "She is Agenord's mother. She also runs the finances for the family farm."

"Farm?!" Risha said.

"Yes," Xal replied.

"You?!" she said.

"Yes."

"Farm?!"

"Are you done yet?" Xal asked.

"I'll need some time to adjust," she told him.

"As I was saying, Y'nai will safely invest for me, in case I ever have a chance to retire. I'm sure she could find someone to help both of you."

Bowdaar said, "Ah orwhoooh cooscwooowhwo."

"Fair enough," Xal said. "Corso?"

"She any good?" he asked.

Xal said, "The woman's tighter than a Hutt."

Corso said, "If she's Master Agenord's mother, I'm sure I can trust her."

"I suppose you'll be leaving us, Miss Risha," Xal said. "Dubrillion awaits."

"Not yet, it doesn't," she said. "I need allies. I need troops. King Actavarus isn't going to just step aside." She looked at the three of them. "He also won't stop sending assassins."

Bowdaar said, "Rooohu aoacahwhor ah'sc rawwrcraahwa ooww ra wwahrracao?"

"Never," she replied.

Corso added, "Where I'm from, we protect our own."

"I'm sure my father has plans," she said. "But it would be nice to have a place to fall back to."

"Miss Risha," Xal said. "The Visitor is not fall back. She is prime real estate."

Risha laughed. "Very true, Captain. The Visitor did better than I ever expected."

"Now that we have that settled," Xal said. "It's time to meet your father."

"There is nothing more I can do," Doctor Chelah said. "The disease has spread to your heart."

"I wasn't using it anyway," Nok Drayen said. "Besides, my daughter has returned."

"Just as you said, Father. The ship recognized my blood."

"And this?" he nodded at Xal.

Risha said, "The smuggler that got me into the Long Shadow and out again."

"Xaldiba Onoka. I'd introduce my crew, but your droids wouldn't let them enter."

"Give me the reliquary, Risha," Nok said. "I want to see these treasures before I die. I'll enter the code my father taught me, and... there. Such a simple act to fulfill a lifetime of effort."

"Congratulations, Captain," Risha said. "Nok Drayen's lost fortune is yours."

Nok said, "With one exception. Take the crown, Risha. Claim your birthright. Restore the Drayen dynasty as rulers of Dubrillion. Wear the crown and rule that world. The Crown of Dubrillion commands the respect of millions."

"Will they be enough, Father?" Risha asked. "Can I really do this?"

"If you're going to rule a world, Risha, you'll have to do questionable things," Nok said. "This is my final lesson to you. In the grand scheme of things, one spacer is meaningless. Keep the reliquary and its wealth. Kill him, then kill his crew."

"I've betrayed too many people already, Father. The captain earned this reward. He saved my life and the lives of my friends."

Nok hissed at her. "You spent too many years without my guidance. You're weak, Risha. Emotions are a distraction. This wealth is destined for royalty, not usurpers or fortune hunters."

"Chip off the Drayen block, aren't you?" Xal said.

"Everything I've done..." Nok said. "The blood I've spilled... for nothing! This isn't how it's supposed to end..." The alarms on the medical bed blared for a moment then stopped.

Chelah said, "His life signs have ceased. I am sorry."

Risha told him, "Dispose of my father's body as he instructed, Doctor Chelah. You're released from my family's service." Chelah nodded. "I'm sorry you had to see that, Captain."

"I appreciate you not trying to kill me," Xal said.

Risha said, "After all you've done, that would've been highly ungrateful." She looked at the crown. "Not sure what I'm supposed to do, now. Everyone I've met from Dubrillion has tried to kill me. I don't have an army or a starfleet. I'm supposed to take over a whole planet with just a crown?"

"I'm sure you'll come up with a brilliant plan," Xal said. "Until then, I need a good mechanic."

"We protect our own?" she said.

Xal smiled. "Yes, ma'am, we do." He looked around. "What happens to this place?"

Risha said, "I already have a buyer. My father was wrong. Everything he did was not for nothing. All the wealth he earned as a gangster is safe. In a lot of different places. It will be there when I need it."

"I wondered how you afforded those upgrades." He closed the reliquary and pushed it toward the door.

Outside, they found Corso and Bowdaar very, very quiet.

"Captain," Corso said. "You need to check the news feeds."

"Because?" Xal said.

Bowdaar said, "Rooohurc rhrcooaoacworc ohoowh aoacwo Rrrcworaao Achuwhao."

"Way to go baby brother," Xal said. "So, what's wrong?"

Corso said, "You need to check the news feeds."