This story takes place between A New Hope and Empire Strikes Back, when Corran is 20 years old and working for CorSec with his father. Some important background information here: The Lady Star Warriors (LSW) Elite Unit is a specialty unit of 7 women. They are from Earth and have traveled to the GFFA for some adventures. Each member of the unit has a special job and title, and they travel around in their own ship called the LSW Athena. The Star Wars characters and universe belong to George Lucas. This story was written for fun, not for monetary gain. Do not repost this story anywhere without the permission of the author!
Extra Special Thanks: To Becky Schone for helping every step of the way.
Where did you disappear to?" Joressa flopped down at the foot of Leena's bed, waking her up.
"Go away," came a muffled reply from under the covers.
"Nope. You are going to get up because we’re going on a tour of the Corellian Security Force Headquarters today. Then we planned on going shopping. Or had you forgotten?"
Leena slowly moved under the blankets, propping herself up on her right arm. "Oh yeah. I don't know how that slipped my mind, seeing as that's all you've been talking about these days. You still have your hopes set on the remote possibility of running into the Horns?"
"Hey, what would life be without hope?" Joressa smiled and went to flip the lights on in Leena's stateroom. The Lady Star Warriors Elite Unit had been on Corellia for several days now. They had checked out some of the local hotels but opted to continue using their luxury ship, the LSW Athena, for their ground base and sleeping quarters. Each of the seven ladies had her own specially designed stateroom, and Joressa took note of the disarray that Leena's room was currently in.
"Look at this mess," Joressa said as she started to pick clothing up off the floor. "This isn't like you, Leena."
"I know. I've just been busy lately." Leena grabbed an outfit out of the closet and went in the refresher to change and freshen up.
"Yes. We've noticed," Joressa spoke up so Leena could still hear her. "Our Captain was worried about you yesterday when you disappeared after lunch. By nightfall she had Kris and Lori out looking for you. I think you're going to have some explaining to do."
Leena came back into the main room and Joressa noticed the look of concern creasing her face. "Might as well get it over with then," Leena said. "Stop cleaning my room and let's go get some breakfast. I’m sure the others are all up and eating by now." She stuffed her datapad and some datacards in her jacket pocket and they headed for kitchen.
* * * * *
"Say that one more time? I don't think I heard you correctly," Julia said. The rest of the LSW unit had paused from eating their breakfast to hear Leena's response.
"I lost track of the time."
"That's what I thought you said, and I don't believe you for a second." Julia eyed Leena with suspicion.
"You do have an excellent track record for getting into mischief," Captain Marlene asserted. "We are a team and we care for each other like family. We worry when you disappear."
"I understand." Leena looked down at her plate and stirred her food with her fork. She sincerely felt bad for making the others worry, but she also had places to be and didn't want to prolong the lecture. "And I am sorry."
"Just check in with us if you are going somewhere. Here, take this comlink with you today. I know you will be with Joressa, and she will keep a sharp eye on you," Joressa gave a curt nod of acknowledgment, "but I want to be able to reach you. No funny business, now."
Leena looked up with a small smile. "Yes ma'am," she said with a salute. She had taken a risk that Marlene would go easy on her if she appeared humble enough, and it paid off. Perhaps now would be a good time to head out before she changes her mind and decides I should be put on ship maintenance duty again. "Come on, Joressa. Let's go wake up the rest of Corellia!"
* * * * *
"The tour starts in half a standard hour," Joressa reminded Leena. Leena had strayed down a side street and told Joressa that she would catch up with her in a few minutes, but Joressa knew better than to let Leena out of her sight. "Why do I have a funny feeling that this little detour has something to do with why you disappeared yesterday?"
"Because you're my sister, and that means you’re very smart," Leena replied with a big grin, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Joressa knew that look all too well. She double-checked her blaster setting knowing that when Leena had a plan, trouble was sure to follow.
"We'll make it to CorSec Headquarters in plenty of time for the tour. No need to worry."
"Who's worried?" Joressa sarcastically remarked. They turned down a couple more streets and approached a rather inviting tapcafe. Leena led the way in, and Joressa tried not to bump into anyone as they wove their way around the tables. Morning sunlight filtered in through the transparisteel windows, and the smell of fresh caf filled the air. Corellians and various other humans and aliens filled the room with a low chatter. The surrounding walls and floor were a spotless white. Surprise settled in on Joressa as she took in her surroundings. She realized she had expected someplace decidedly less pleasant given that Leena was undoubtedly up to one of her schemes.
Joressa stood behind Leena as she approached a man sitting up to the bar. She kept a close ear on what Leena was saying while watching her back for any signs of trouble. She knew that even the nicest of places could harbor the sleaziest of people.
"I have what you asked for," Leena said to the man at the bar.
"He’s over there," a gruff voice replied. "Kulreg wanted to make the deal in person. He’s waiting for you at that table."
Joressa saw the man point to his right. Leena strode confidently over to Kulreg’s table, pulled out a chair and sat down without waiting for an invitation to do so.
"Your sister is welcome to sit down as well," Kulreg said smoothly. Joressa’s eyes grew wide in surprise that this man knew who she was. She also noticed that Leena didn’t even flinch. That means Leena was prepared for a curveball, and therefore she must already realize what type of people she is dealing with here. This deduction did not ease Joressa’s sense of caution in the slightest, but rather increased her wariness as this man was definitely trouble.
Kulreg was large in stature, dwarfing the table they sat at. His muscular arms bulged under his black jacket. His hands were covered in tattoos and his bald head gave him a very intimidating appearance. Joressa took a seat and kept her hand loosely over her blaster.
"I brought what you asked for," Leena said as she gave Kulreg a hard stare. She was obviously not going to allow herself to feel intimidated. She certainly has guts, Joressa thought with a bit of pride.
Kulreg reached inside his jacket but then paused as he looked toward the entrance of the tapcafe. "Sithspawn. It’s CorSec," he whispered. "Just act natural and they’ll go away." Joressa watched Kulreg’s dark eyes trace the movement of the CorSec officers. Then she noticed a slight change in his facial features immediately followed by Kulreg pulling his jacket collar up to halfway hide his face. "Just my luck. The Horns are with them." He spat the name out in disgust. "I swear they have a sixth sense focused just on me."
Joressa couldn't contain herself. "Do you mean Hal and Corran Horn?" She turned in her chair and scanned the room. "Where!?" Half the patrons in the tapcafe, including the CorSec Officers, turned to see who had shouted. Joressa saw the two officers in CorSec uniforms standing at the bar. With them were two other men dressed in plain civilian clothes, whom Joressa immediately recognized as the Horns. The barkeeper set cups of caf and some muffins in front of them and she realized they had just stopped by for some breakfast. What luck!
Joressa quickly turned back around in her chair when the Horns moved away from the bar. "They’re coming this way!" she said in hushed excitement.
"I can’t believe this," Kulreg mumbled, shaking his head. He looked at Leena, "Just don’t be nervous. They can smell fear." Kulreg sat up straight and nodded to the Horns as they approached.
"Brugg." Hal addressed Kulreg by his last name.
"Horn."
"What are you doing here at this early morning hour?" Hal asked.
"Enjoying the services of this fine establishment," Kulreg said coolly.
Joressa’s eyes were glued on Corran. He looked back at her with brilliant green eyes and smiled. Then with an outstretched hand he greeted her. "Corran Horn."
Joressa shook his hand. "I’m Joressa. It’s an honor to meet you," she said enthusiastically.
Corran looked perplexed. "Really? It’s not every day that a friend of Kulreg is honored to meet me." He gave a little smirk, but Joressa could see the suspicion in his eyes, and glared at Leena. She had hoped to make a much better first impression.
"I’m not with him. I’m with my sister. This is Leena." Corran reached over to shake Leena’s hand.
"We are visitors to your planet. In fact, this is our first time here," Leena explained.
Joressa directed her attention back to Hal, who had been conversing with Kulreg. "I’ve got my eye on you," he warned.
"No need to waste your time on an innocent guy like me." Kulreg’s smile sent shivers down Joressa’s back. If the Horns were leery of this guy, then she and Leena shouldn’t be anywhere near him. They should conclude their business and distance themselves as soon as possible from this creep.
"One day you'll slip up, Kulreg," Hal warned. "And when you do, we'll be all over you like stink on a bantha. Let’s go, Corran." Hal gave a little nod to Joressa and Leena, "Ladies." He turned on his heels to leave, and Corran fell in step behind his father.
"Wow," Joressa breathed out. "Do you believe it, Leena? What were the chances of that? I actually got to meet Corran Horn."
"I would dare say the chances are pretty good around me," Kulreg said with irritation. He stared at the retreating Horns with hatred in his eyes as they left the tapcafe with the other officers. "CorSec is a nuisance I would be happy to be rid of." A sinister smile snaked across his face, which made Joressa feel very uneasy. "Now. Where were we?"
Copyright 2001 by Beth Jameson.
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