Vision of the future

look over the crowds.

'Nothing,' Wedge said, looking around and wondering what in the name of Ackbar's aunt they were going to do now. The Bothan government didn't know they were here, and would probably be furious if they found out. Ditto for any New Republic officials. 'I don't suppose you might be able to, ah—?'

'If I couldn't pick up anything when they were right next to me, I'm not likely to be able to do it at this distance,' Corran said, sounding thoroughly disgusted with himself. 'I hope you've got a backup plan ready.'

'I thought you brought it,' Wedge countered glumly. Unfortunately, about all they could do now was get back on their shuttle and rejoin the Peregrine at Ord Trasi. General Bel Iblis, it was rumored, had an awesome repertoire of Corellian invective that only came to the surface when he was absolutely furious. Wedge himself had never personally been able to confirm the rumor. It seemed likely he would soon have the chance to do so. 'You're never going to live this one down with Mirax,' he warned with a sigh.

'Right—like you're going to be able to live it down with Iella,' Corran growled back.

'Hey, there, my fine young boys. Join me for a drink?'

Wedge turned, to find an old woman with bright eyes standing beside him. 'What?'

'I asked you to join me for a drink,' she repeated. 'It's such a warm day, and all that bright sunlight is hard on old eyes like mine.'

'Sorry, but we're a little busy right now,' Corran said brusquely, standing on tiptoe to peer again over the crowd.

'You young people,' the woman said reproachfully. 'Always too busy to sit down and enjoy life. Too busy to listen to the wisdom of the aged.'

Wedge grimaced, turning his attention back to the crowd and hoping the old fool would take the hint. What she was doing ore-digging on the streets of Drev'starn in the first place he couldn't imagine.

'Look, ma'am, I'm sorry—'

'But too busy to share a drink with a lonely old lady?' she went on, her voice turning sorrowful.

'That's just plain scandalous. Especially when the lonely old lady is buying.' Wedge looked back, searching for a firm yet polite way to get her off his back. 'Look, ma'am—' And paused. Her hand had come up now and was holding two items up for his inspection. Two small, black folders.

Their wallets.

Wedge felt his mouth drop open a few millimeters, focusing for the first time on her face. It was the same woman the two pickpockets had bumped into during their hasty getaway. 'Ah, Corran?' he said, reaching out and taking the wallets from the woman's hand. 'Never mind.'

'Wha—?' Corran demanded, the word strangling off midway as Wedge held out his wallet to him. Warily, he took it, his eyes leaving the woman just long enough to confirm that everything was still there. 'May I ask how you came into possession of these?' The woman chuckled, shaking her head. 'You CorSec people are a stitch. Do they program you for sound, or just feed you the manuals?'

Corran glanced at Wedge. 'We like to be precise,' he said, his voice cautiously offended. 'And it's former CorSec.'

'Whatever,' she said with a shrug. 'Either way, you boys ought to be more careful—those are nice family holos you've got in there, and I'd hate to see you lose them. Now, Wedge, how about that drink? We really do have a lot to talk about.'

'Yes, why not?' Wedge agreed cautiously, a whole list of unpleasant possibilities running through his mind. If she fingered them to the local criminal groups—or worse, to the Vengeance organization—or even if she merely demanded a hefty reward—'You obviously already know our names. And you are...?'

'Moranda Savich,' she said. 'Sort of a second-string employee of your old friend Talon Karrde.

'And on second thought, you two are buying.'

* * *

The waiter droid delivered their drinks, spilling the obligatory few drops onto the carved stone table, accepted Wedge's coin, and departed. 'Chakta sai kae,' Moranda said, lifting her glass. 'Did I get it right, Corran? I've never been sure of the proper Corellian pronunciation for that toast.'

'Close enough,' Corran growled, lifting his gaze with obvious reluctance from the datapad and looking at Wedge. 'Well?'