Traits Of Descent

Chapter Three

Aboard the freighter Wild Karrde

The shuttle moved upward into the small docking bay of the Wild Karrde with ease. Luke and Corran finished up landing procedures and each headed down the shuttle's ramp. At the bottom of the ramp Aves was there to greet them. He stared at the two of them as they descended the ramp individually.

"Well, if it isn't the Hero of the Rebellion and a former CorSec bum," he announced wryly.

Corran was the first down the ramp and he replied, "Bite your tongue, Aves. We paid your docking fee handsomely. Or can't you count that high?"

"I do believe that fee just went up a thousand credits for insulting me."

"Is that all it costs to insult you? Luke, better have those New Republic credits handy. I'm in an insulting mood."

Luke came down behind Corran and warned, "Let's not get carried away."

Aves looked at Luke with his hard-chiseled face scowling at the Jedi Master. "Skywalker, you must be here on business."

"Why do you say that?"

"Mara's not here."

Luke turned to Corran, exasperated. "Why does everyone think I need to speak with Mara?"

Corran shrugged. "Beats me. And Aves, you should already know we're here on business."

"Yes, but that's as much as Karrde told us."

"Is that odd?" Luke asked.

"Not really. Karrde does leave even us out of the loop sometimes. Though, I suspect it's about those murders on Nal Hutta. And if the Jedi Master is here, then there must be a Jedi connection that the Hutts managed to hide from the HoloNet."

Corran sneered. "We could be here to discuss the impending implosion of the Smuggler's Alliance."

"And that would be something that Karrde would share with us. Come on, Karrde's waiting. You remember how to walk and talk. Or was that not in your Jedi training?"

The two men ignored his remark and followed Aves through the decks and up onto the bridge. Luke had been on the Wild Karrde so many times that he didn't need guide. They reached the bridge and Karrde's crew were busy at their respective positions. Karrde himself was standing before the main viewscreen scratching his black goatee and wearing his vest that mimicked the same color as his beard. Upon seeing Aves come in with Luke and Corran following him, Karrde's face brightened.

"Ah, Luke Skywalker and Corran Horn. Welcome back to the Wild Karrde. I trust Aves was courteous."

"No more than usual," answered Corran.

Aves pointed at Corran and spoke as if they were on a schoolyard. "He insulted me."

Before Karrde could respond, Corran said, "It was said in fun, Aves."

Karrde smiled and looked at Aves to repeat, "It was all in fun, Aves."

Aves grumbled something undetectable and went to the navcom station. Karrde then greeted his guests. "First order of business, how is your beautiful wife, Mirax, Corran?"

"She's taking it easy these days."

"No doubt. She has been through much in the past year."

"And I haven't?"

"I'm sorry, Corran. I didn't mean to imply anything. And how is Booster?"

"Effectively avoiding you."