"Turbolaser batteries swiveling toward us," Odonnl put in. "Pormfil?"

"Engines at full power," the Kerestian said, his eight cheek nostrils wheezing rhythmically.

"Picking up a transmission, Cap't," Chin announced.

"Acknowledge it," Karrde said, watching H'sishi closely. She hadn't moved, but was still half standing staring at the dark bulk and glittering lights ahead. "Are they activating any tractor beams?"

For about half a second the bridge seemed to hold its collective breath. Then, with a quiet hiss, H'sishi sank back into her seat and began tapping keys on her control board.

[No tractor beams have yet been activated,] she mewled. [The turbolaser batteries . . .]

Her stiffened fur seemed to wilt a little as she tapped more keys. [There is no power in them,] she said, sounding confused. [No. There is power in . . .]

She turned to face Karrde, her yellow eyes narrowing. [There are three functional turbolaser batteries,] she said. [No more.]

"Good," Karrde said calmly. "That means we're in the right place. Always good to know that. Chin?"

The owner awaits, Cap't," Chin said, smiling openly now as he tapped the comm key. "He'd like to speak with you."

"Thank you," Karrde said. "h.e.l.lo, Booster. How are things?"

"Never better, you old pirate," Booster Terrik's cheerful voice boomed from the bridge speaker. "Welcome to the Errant Venture. You shopping today, or just breaking in a new crew member?"

H'sishi hissed softly, her fingers rubbing gently against the control board. But she said nothing. "We're shopping," Karrde said. "For information, mostly."

"Are you really," Booster said in a tone that made Karrde picture him rubbing his hands together. "Well, well. This is definitely my star-shining day. You want to bring the Wild Karrde aboard, or should I send you a shuttle?"

"We'll come aboard if you have the s.p.a.ce," Karrde said. "I'm not in the market for any hardware myself, but I imagine my people will want to browse."

"Well, come on in, then," Booster said cheerfully. "Traders' Alley is open and ready for business, as are the rest of our little boutiques. Go ahead and take-let's see-Docking Bay Fifteen. I'll have someone there to escort you up to the bridge after you've turned your people loose. Don't forget to remind them that Traders' Alley is a cash-only business."

"Of course," Karrde said. "I'll see you soon."

He motioned to Chin, and the other shut down the comm, "Take us in, Dankin," he said. "You know how to get into the docking bays?"

"No problems." Dankin said, getting busy at his board.

At the sensor station, H'sishi stood up and turned to face Karrde. [Was this then a joke, Chieftain?] she asked. Her tone and expression were rigid, not betraying anything of what she was thinking. [I do not appreciate being made to look foolish.]

"You didn't look foolish," Karrde a.s.sured her. "You merely looked startled, after which you returned to your a.s.signed duties."

The Togorian looked briefly around at the others. [Humans enjoy making others look foolish,] she said, an edge of challenge in her voice.

"Humans do enjoy jokes," Karrde acknowledged. "But humor was not the primary purpose of the exercise."

H'sishi's fur had been stiffening again. Now, slowly, it settled back down. [You wished to see if I would run in fear.]

"Or freeze, or panic," Karrde agreed. "If you had done any of those things-"

[I would have been executed?]

Karrde shook his head. "I don't execute my people, H'sishi," he told her. "Not unless a serious crime has been committed against me or the organization. No, you'd simply have been moved to a different position, some post where you'd be less likely to face this kind of stress. An information gatherer, perhaps, or else a shadow business liaison."

H'sishi's ears twitched. [I do not wish such a post.]

"I'm glad to hear that," Karrde said, "because frankly I think you would be wasted there.

You'd be far more useful aboard the Wild Karrde or one of my other ships."

The Togorian seemed to think about that. [I would prefer to stay here, if that would be possible.]

"I think there's a good chance of that," Karrde said. "We'll speak more about it later."

He gestured to her control board. "You can return the datacard to the computer room-we won't need to run that baseline check until we leave."

H'sishi showed her fangs again. [I obey, Chieftain,] she said. Delicately plucking the datacard from its slot with the tips of her claws, she padded from the bridge.

"Well, gentlemen," Karrde said, stepping over behind H'sishi's vacated chair. "You've had your joke, and we all lived through it. Did she pa.s.s?"

"Definitely," Dankin said. "With banners waving, I'd say."

"Agreed," Odonnl nodded. "Took her a second to gather her wits, but then she got right back down to business."

"And she did not forget how to use her console, as some have done," Pormfil added, whistling emphatically through his nostrils. "I do not believe even Elkin did so well when he was thus tested."

"Perhaps," Karrde said. "Though I'd wager H'sishi left something behind that Elkin didn't."

Pormfil sniffed the air. "The aroma of nervous sweat?" he suggested.

"No." Karrde pointed at the group of small indentations in the edge of H'sishi's control board. "Claw marks."

A familiar figure was waiting for Karrde and Odonnl as they headed down the Wild Karrde's ramp. "Ah-Captain Karrde," Nawara Ven said, dipping his head in a formal Twi'lek bow. "It is good to see you again."

"And you, Ven." Karrde nodded back. "I trust life is treating you well?"

"It is all enjoyment aboard the Errant Venture," Ven said, smiling thinly. "Come.

Booster's waiting for you on the bridge."

The Twi'lek led the way toward a bank of turbolifts, limping only slightly on his artificial leg. "I notice you've lost some of your turbolasers," Karrde commented. "My people were reading only three active batteries as we came in."

"Fortunes of business, I'm afraid," Ven said, keying the turbolift call. "We had to break two of them down for parts for three others, but then had to sell those three to purchase components for the hyperdrive."

"By my count, that still leaves five from your original ten batteries," Karrde pointed out.

"Yes," Ven said, rearranging his head-tail on his shoulder as the turbolift door slid ponderously open. "The other two are currently under repair."

They stepped into the turbolift. The door closed again, and the car began to move. "Only two of the turbolifts in this section are still working," Ven said. "You'd be amazed at how many things there are to go wrong on a Star Destroyer."

"I can imagine," Karrde said. "Back during the height of the Rebellion I heard a Special Operations man describe a Star Destroyer as 174,000 design flaws waiting to be exploited."

Ven tossed his head. "A low-end estimate. Booster finally gave in and hired a group of two hundred techs-Verpine, actually-to upgrade some of our systems. That was seven months ago, and they're still at it."

"I suppose that's what you get when you try to run a ship this size with less than what's supposed to be the bare-minimum skeleton crew," Karrde suggested, looking around the car.

"Entropy will always get ahead of you. I presume Booster isn't thinking of selling?"

Ven favored him with a sly grin. "Why? Are you thinking of buying?"

"I could probably be persuaded," Karrde said. "Certainly if it comes down to the ship falling into someone else's hands. I wouldn't want to face down a Hutt in one of these things."

"Oh, I don't know," the Twi'lek said dryly. "Given the Hurts' past performance, it might be entertaining to watch."

"Not if it was someone like Jabba."

"True," Ven conceded. "At any rate, I'll pa.s.s your offer on to Booster."

The turbolift car settled to a slightly clunky stop, and the door slid open to reveal the aft bridge. "Booster asked me to apologize for not welcoming you in person, incidentally,"

Ven said as he waved them toward the archway that led to the main bridge. "You'll understand in a moment why he couldn't."

"No problem," Karrde said, glancing casually around at the aft bridge consoles. Here and there an indicator light still winked, but for the most part the consoles seemed to either be on standby or to have been shut down completely. He stepped into the archway, turning back around to throw a quick look at the aft bridge's hologram pad-which also seemed to be shut down&mdash "Talon Karrde!" Booster's voice boomed. Welcome aboard."

Karrde completed his turn. Booster was striding down the command walkway toward them, arms flung wide open in expansive welcome.

And walking right behind him&mdash "And look who else has come to visit the old man," Booster continued, half turning to gesture just as expansively at them.

"Yes, indeed," Karrde said, motioning Odonnl forward. "Odonnl, I don't believe you've met Booster's family. This is his lovely daughter Mirax, and his son-in-law Commander Corran Horn. Former-I'm sorry; current member of General Wedge Antilles's celebrated Rogue Squadron."

"Ah," Odonnl said guardedly. "Pleased to meet you. That's the group Ven here used to be with, isn't it?"

"Nawara and I used to fly together, yes," Corran said, his tone equally guarded, Booster, I suppose I don't mind that Karrde knows we're here, but-"

"Relax, Corran," Booster soothed, stepping forward to briefly grip Karrde's hand.

"Karrde's top people are just as trustworthy as he is."

Corran shot Karrde a decidedly ambivalent look. "That makes me feel so much better."

"Don't worry," Karrde a.s.sured him, offering his hand. "We won't tell Coruscant one of its most revered heroes is a.s.sociating with riffraff."

Corran took the proffered hand, his face relaxing into a slight smile. "I appreciate that.

How's Mara doing these days?"

"Quite well, thank you," Karrde said. "As a matter of fact, she should be along anytime-she's temporarily flying with the Starry Ice, which is supposed to be meeting me here." He shifted his gaze to the woman. "h.e.l.lo, Mirax; it's been a long time. Where's the little one?"

"Valin's right down there," Mirax said, giving Karrde a far more genuine smile than her husband's as she waved toward the starboard crew pit. "And he's six years old-not so little anymore."

"Indeed not," Karrde said, taking a couple of steps to the side and looking down the crew pit. The boy was perched on a couple of extra cushions in one of the chairs, staring at one of the displays, completely oblivious to the visitors or the scattering of Booster's men manning some of the other consoles. "Teaching him to fly the ship?"

"Hardly," Mirax said, coming up beside him and smiling fondly down at her son. "Dad set up one of the tractor beam consoles so he could play games. Do you want to say h.e.l.lo?"

"Don't disturb him," Karrde said. "Perhaps we'll have time later. Is he still keeping up with his music?"

"Like a mynock with his tail on fire," Booster said wryly. "I just bought him a new chordokeylo-he'd already worn out his first one. But seriously, Karrde, I'd appreciate it if you would keep Corran's presence here to yourself. This is supposed to be a quiet meeting-only a handful of New Republic officials know anything about it."

"I understand," Karrde said, eyeing Corran again. "A secret mission, eh? Cloak and blade, skulking around darkened cantinas, whispered conversations with shadowy contacts-that sort of thing?"

"I'm sure you realize we can't discuss it with you," Corran said, his face not quite stony.

"Yes, of course," Karrde said. "Say no more." He nodded toward the crew pit. "Though I can't say I approve of your superiors allowing you to take your family along on such a dangerous mission."

"It's nothing like that," Booster said with a touch of mild exasperation. "All Corran needs is a little information-"

"Booster!" Corran snapped, glaring at his father-in-law. "Seal your word port, will you?"

"Perhaps I can help," Karrde offered. "I do have certain information sources of my own.

Some of which, I daresay, are better even than Booster's."

"Thanks for the offer," Corran said. "We'll manage."

"He does have a point, Corran," Booster said, rubbing his cheek thoughtfully. "Maybe you ought to lay the situation out for him."

"No." Corran shook his head. "No offense, Karrde, but this is high-level stuff. You're not authorized to know anything about it.,'

"Yes, but-" Booster began.

"No, that's all right," Karrde said, holding up a hand. "If his superiors don't even want outsiders knowing he and his family are here, they certainly wouldn't want him discussing his errand."

"Exactly," Corran said. "Thank you for understanding."

"So if I may, I'll just borrow Booster for a few minutes to discuss my errand," Karrde continued, reaching into his inside jacket pocket and pulling out a datacard. "But before I forget, Mirax, I brought this for your son."

Mirax frowned as he handed her the datacard. "What is it?"

"An Ettian tonal card for his chordokeylo," Karrde told her blandly. "I understand it's proper etiquette for a guest to bring a small gift for his hosts' children."

Corran leaned over her shoulder to look at the datacard, a slightly sandbagged look on his face. "But how did you know-?" He looked back at Karrde, shifted a rapidly hardening glare to his father-in-law. "Booster?"

"Not guilty," Booster said hastily, holding up both hands. "I didn't tell anyone you were coming. Not even my own people."

"As I said," Karrde said quietly. "My information sources are quite good."

For a minute the bridge was silent Corran looked at Booster, then at Mirax, got no help from either of them, and finally looked back at Karrde. "What's it going to cost me?" he sighed.

Karrde shrugged. "Whatever it's worth, of course. We can negotiate price later."