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Wedge glanced at Ooryl’s white fighter. “You need to include Ooryl’s ship on that list.”

“No, it’s done.”

“But, it’s so … plain.”

“Apparently not, if you can see in the ultraviolet range.” Tycho shrugged. “Zraii says it’s a masterpiece.”

“That explains why I’m a warrior, not an artist.” Wedge waved as he saw Corran, Mirax, and Gavin walk down the gangway from the Pulsar Skate. Wait a minute, who’s that? The fourth individual proved taller than Gavin and much bulkier, yet wasn’t slovenly or Huttlike. Then, when his head cleared the interior of the ship and Wedge saw the bristle of white hair, he recognized him.

“So that’s why Corran is looking a bit subdued.”

“What?” Tycho frowned at Wedge. “Who’s the last guy?”

“Mirax’s father.”

“Oh. Oh.”

Wedge trotted the remaining distance and thrust his hand at Booster Terrik. “It’s been far too long, Booster.”

The larger man’s hand engulfed Wedge’s. “You grew up quite a bit during my five years on Kessel. After I got out, well, about that time you were freezing on Hoth, then you were on the go. I assumed I’d run into you sometime, and now seems as good as any.”

“Indeed it is.” Wedge glanced over at Mirax. “Your daughter’s been a lifesaver, you know, and for more than just me.”

“So I gather from what I heard during the trip.” Booster Terrik threw an arm over Wedge’s shoulders, then tightened it against his neck. “I would have hoped, though, you would have found a way to protect her from the likes of Horn there.”

Wedge gently dug an elbow in the man’s ribs. “First, if you can’t control your daughter, how can I be expected to control her? Second, just as I told her, Corran isn’t his father. He’s one of the best men I know.”

“You need to get out more, Wedge.” Booster opened his arms and released Wedge. “Interesting place you have here. Not enough to stop a Super Star Destroyer, but you know that. Still, if you have to die in a box in space, this looks as good as any in which to do it.”

“Tycho’s taking me on a tour. You’re welcome to join us.”

“I’d be happy to.”

Wedge nodded, then looked over at Gavin. “How was Tatooine?”

“Good, sir. We got a fair amount of personal armor and weapons, as well as some TIE parts and assorted other things Mirax thinks we can trade. Uncle Huff said that was all that was left from the Eidolon material.”

“It all looked pretty good, Wedge.” Corran leaned against a pilot-mover. “We’ve got enough in the way of small arms to supply a decent insurgent force. The armor is stormtrooper grade.”

Corran’s voice trailed off as the sound of footsteps drew closer. Wedge turned and saw a pair of individuals coming around Pulsar Skate’s stern. The hulking brute of a man, with a shaved head and a big bushy beard, dwarfed his petite female companion. Wedge hitched for a moment, then started to laugh. “How is it possible that you’re here so soon?”

The auburn-haired woman smiled sweetly. “And I’m happy to see you, too, Wedge. You’ve not changed much, Tycho, or you, Mirax.” She nodded to the others in the group, then offered her hand to Corran. “Elscol Loro and Sixtus Quin.”

“Elscol joined the squadron just after Bakura and flew a few missions with us.” Wedge jerked a thumb toward her taciturn, dark-skinned companion. “Sixtus Quin was a Special Intelligence Operative who was betrayed by his Imperial commander, so he helped us out in a mission on Tatooine.”

Corran nodded. “We can always use more pilots.”

“But that’s not why we’re here, kid.” She shot Wedge a sidelong glance. “The reason we got here so soon was because we were inbound before your summons reached us. We’d heard of the coup on Thyferra and figured we’d ply our trade there.”

Corran stiffened. “And what would that trade be?”

A lopsided grin contorted the left side of her face. “I do what I was doing at the time Wedge recruited me—I find worlds with Imperial tyrants, and I liberate them. Sixtus, what’s left of his squad, and a group of other ne’er-do-wells come with me. We organize local resistance movements; provide them with expertise, weapons,