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Booster nodded soberly. “I’m beginning to think the same of Errant Venture.”

“Next time maybe you should choose a different shade of red,” Talon said.

They laughed and downed what remained in the glasses. Lando was quick to refill them, emptying the bottle.

“So what’s next for you guys?” Tycho asked the four members of the Smugglers’ Alliance.

“We’re waiting for the dust to settle,” Talon said. “And I don’t mean the yorik coral dust. Everything from here to Helska and back has been given a good shaking. A lot of groups that were at the top are suddenly at the bottom, and the other way around.”

“Who, for instance?” Tycho said.

Talon considered it briefly. “Well, at the top you’ve got the Bothans, chiefly because of Fey’lya’s brave last stand and Kre’fey’s heroic victory. But vying for second place are the Sullustans, Hapans, the former Imperials, the Mon Calamari.”

“Who do you figure has fallen?” Wedge asked.

“Everyone Rimward of Wayland. Plus the Ithorians, Bimms, Kuati, Corellians. But more than anyone, the Hutts.”

Lando nodded. “A lot of folk were forced to do without spice during the war, and have lost their appetite for it. In fact, just about anyone who had regular dealings with the Hutts has lost credibility—the Rodians—except for the Jungle Clans—Whiphids, Klatoonians, Weequays, Vodrans, Io-trans, Nikto … Didn’t help that a lot of them supported the Peace Brigade.”

“They’re the ones who should be brought to trial for war crimes,” Booster said.

“They will be,” Wedge said. “Cal Omas has left the decision to individual worlds and systems.”

“Who else is on the way up?” Tycho asked.

“Corporate Sector and Tion Hegemony,” Talon said, without having to think about it. “Just about every system Rimward of Eriadu on the Rimma, and Varonat on the Trade Spine.”

Lando looked at Han. “I’ll tell you who’s gained the most—your friends, the Ryn.”

Han sniffed. “Figures Droma would come out of this smelling like a flower.” He paused, then added: “Of course, knowing Droma, he’s somewhere saying the same about me.”

“Yeah,” Tycho said. “We didn’t think you could become a bigger hero than you already were, old man.”

Wedge smiled. “Someday they’ll raise a statue—”

Han held up his hands. “I’ve already heard that one from Leia. Besides, every world, every system’s contributed a hero to this war.” He put his elbows on the table and leaned forward. “I haven’t told this to anyone, but I swear on the Falcon that I saw Fett at Caluula, and he did as much as anyone to try to save that station from the Vong.”

Lando was staring at him in disbelief. “As in Boba?”

“Of course, Boba—running with a bunch of other guys in Mandalorian armor and jet packs. He even managed to come up with a new Firespray.”

Talon touched his mustache. “Well, I wasn’t going to say anything, but I heard that that same bunch showed up to help liberate Ord Mantell.”

“And Tholatin,” Crev said.

“And Gyndine,” Booster added.

Lando shook his head, as if to clear it. “Hey, if Pellaeon can be considered an ally, why not a former bounty hunter?”

Han glanced from Lando to Talon. “You’re the people that deserve statues. But I suppose that’ll have to wait until Wolam Tser or someone does a holodocumentary about the notorious Smugglers’ Alliance.”

“That would be Ex-Smugglers’ Alliance,” Talon said.

Han rolled his eyes.

“It’s true, Han. We’ve mended our ways.”

“Seen the light,” Booster said.

“Come around,” Crev added.

“Reformed,” Lando said.

Tycho looked around the table. “Anyone want to add another cliché?”

“How about ‘gotten too old for this’?” Han said.

Wedge nodded. “That’ll do.”

Han glanced at Lando and Talon again. “What, Tendra and Shada are making honest men of you?”

Talon shook his head firmly. “Shada and I are business partners. That’s it.”

Lando grinned at Han. “Hey, it was your wife who wrote the book on the subject.”

Everyone laughed, then raised their tumblers.

“To the war’s true unsung heroes,” Han said, “the spouses.” When he had set down his glass, he turned back to Lando. “Seriously, Lando. What’s