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.
The Tinta home, impressive as it was, was nothing new to Corran. But he did take great amusement in watching Leena’s reaction as they approached the massive structure.
"Wow." Her jaw hung slightly open and her eyes were wide with wonder. "I gotta get into the transport business. Who knew it was this profitable?"
"They aren’t just any old transport company," Joressa explained. "They run luxury liners. I’ve heard stories about how extravagant their ships are."
Corran had to admit the two story tall windows and the massive columns intricately carved along the front of the home were impressive. They stepped up to the front entrance and he rang the bell. "I hope the Tinta’s are home."
"I still could just slice into their system to get the shipping schedule," Leena said as they waited. "I don’t see why we need to bother them just to find out when and where they are expecting their delivery."
Corran didn’t particularly care for how willing Leena seemed to do things on the shadier side of the law. His father had told him there might be times when going against the established law could not only be necessary but would be the right thing to do. Corran, however, found it very difficult to picture such a time. "We are hoping to learn more than just the shipping schedule--" He stopped short as the large doors to the Tinta home swung open.
* * * * *
The servant announced Hal, Corran, Joressa and Leena before escorting them into the study where Berlla Tinta waited. Berlla, along with her husband, owned Tinta Lines, the most popular luxury transport company around. Joressa thought the Force must be with the four of them for such an important person to be home and to have time to see them.
"Oh! Look who it is!" Berlla exclaimed. She jumped out of her seat to greet her guests. Given Berlla's child-like enthusiasm, her long graying hair and wrinkled hands were the only telltale signs of her age. And despite her average size and plain features, Joressa was sure that Berlla's excessive energy and loud voice could overwhelm any crowd. "Hal and Corran here in my very home to see me! What a delight!" She gave Hal an exuberant hug.
Hugging her back, Hal let out a hearty laugh and said, "Good to see you, too. It's been too long."
When it was Corran's turn, Joressa could see him squirm uncomfortably under the tight embrace.
"Hello," Joressa said to get Berlla's attention. "I'm Joressa."
Berlla let go of Corran and targeted in on Joressa, who immediately became the recipient of a well intended albeit bruise inflicting hug. Corran looked relieved and nodded in appreciation.
"And who is this other fine young lady?" Berlla inquired with open arms ready for another hardy embrace.
Leena seemed to welcome the gesture and gave Berlla a good squeeze back. Corran had an amused look on his face. "I gotta admit," he leaned toward Joressa and whispered, "your sister's got spunk."
"This is Leena," Hal said by way of introduction. "She and Joressa are our associates. They are assisting us with our current case. Which brings me to why we came."
"That's Hal Horn for you," Berlla said with her arm still around Leena's shoulders. "Never waste time when there's business to do." She stepped away from Leena and went to sit behind her desk. "Please have a seat. I don't suppose I could interest anyone in something to drink?"
"No. But thank you for the offer," Hal respectfully declined. The others followed his lead and in turn responded with a no thank you.
"Very well, then, let's keep Hal happy and get right to business. I'm fascinated, and I must admit a bit worried, that your current case has anything to do with me. But I will be delighted to help however I can." Berlla hadn't stopped smiling the entire time, and Joressa chuckled to herself wondering if Berlla's cheeks ever got tired.
"We have learned," Hal explained, "that a personal shipment of yours is going to be Kulreg's next target."
"What!? This just can't be! I will have security doubled. No, tripled! And I will warn all my captains! And I must contact the landing bays at once! And --" she paused for a brief second, "who's Kulreg?"
"Kulreg is a very talented thief," Hal explained. "I could use your help in answering some questions for me."
Joressa reasoned that Hal didn’t want to say too much about Kulreg for fear of further upsetting Berlla. She also noticed Corran had rolled his eyes when Berlla started into her fit. She thought it safe to assume that this kind of reaction from Berlla must be typical.
Hal continued, "We know that you are expecting a shipment of some rare goods including food, art, and computer components. What we don’t know is when and where the shipment will be delivered."
"Oh, no! Not that shipment! I've been waiting for months to get that shipment in!"
"Thar she blows," Leena mumbled so that only Joressa and Corran could hear her.
"Please focus, Berlla," Hal beseeched. "When is it scheduled for delivery?"
"Everything will be unloaded from the ship and delivered to my home sometime tomorrow afternoon."
Joressa jumped in with a question. "Why would this shipment be delivered to your home? That is, if you don't mind my asking. I guess I had assumed it was for resale."
"Oh, no, it's not for resale. This is just for my personal use. I've ordered some exotic foods for my chefs and some new art pieces to redecorate with. I'm growing weary of looking at the same drab decor," she motioned toward the walls covered from ceiling to floor with dozens of extraordinary works of art.
Joressa was in shock as she tried to comprehend the wealth this family must have.
"The computer stuff is for the staff," Berlla continued. "I like to keep them happy." Berlla's smile started to fade as she remembered what Hal had told her. "I cannot let anything happen to this shipment. I even rescheduled two trips and several meetings just so I could be here tomorrow when it's delivered. I simply can't let this Kulreg guy get his greedy little hands on it!"
"We won't let that happen" Hal reassured her. Joressa was amazed at how Hal handled Berlla. He showed extraordinary patience. "Do you know when the ship will land on Corellia?"
"I can find out. Just a moment." She started punching buttons on a datapad. "This crazy machine." She scrunched up her face as she attempted to access the file. "It just needs //whack// a little //whack// gentle coercion //Whack!//.
Joressa saw Leena cringe and clutch the arms of the chair with tensed hands. She could only imagine the restraint Leena must have exercised to not jump out of her seat and rescue that poor datapad.
"There it goes." Berlla smiled. "The ship is scheduled to land at 1000 hours in docking bay 2 of my private hangar. The hangar is not far from here. The goods will then be unloaded and delivered by hovertruck the rest of the way."
"Thank you, Berlla." Hal smiled back. "We are prepared to handle this situation ourselves. It is imperative that you do not interfere. Do not attempt to change the schedule or do anything out of the ordinary. If you do, it will alert Kulreg and we won’t be able to catch him in the act. We've been waiting a long time for an opportunity like this. We hope to arrest Kulreg and ship him off planet for good."
Berlla let out a long breath. "I understand. I will not interfere." She paused for a moment before her radiant smile reappeared. "You Horns are absolutely the best! You have my trust and complete confidence. Come! Let's have another hug!" She got out her chair and moved to embrace the Horns. "You boys are so sweet to protect me and my shipment."
Leena nudged Joressa with her elbow. "Glad we were spared from the group hug." Joressa chuckled. Poor Corran looked like he was practically suffocating when Berlla finally let go.
"There is one more thing we could use your help with," Hal said.
"Oh, yes. Whatever I can do."
"We need to speak with the people who will be unloading the goods from the ship and delivering it here."
"Of course! I will contact them immediately and arrange a meeting."
Hal smiled and nodded his appreciation.
Copyright 2001 by Beth Jameson.
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