Project Boussh: Epilogue: Outside Of A Droid...
by scifantasy

Sci handed the bottle to Wedge. Wedge examined it, shrugged, and handed it 
to Face. Face examined it, shrugged, and handed it to Thayer. Thayer
examined it closely, recoiled, and tossed it into the air. Wes got it with
a blaster bolt, where it made an impressive fireball. Thayer turned to the
other leaders. "1984. One of the worst vintages ever. Who chose that?" No
one confessed. Thayer signaled for better alcohol.

Sci looked over the sea of faces. "All right, enough waiting." He nodded to 
Mike, who flipped a few switches. Instantly the elaborate sound system set
up on the outdoor pavilion clicked into action. Although Mike, or the droids
working the system if Mike took a break, would be taking requests throughout
the party, everyone had agreed that there was only one song that could
properly start this celebration.

The drumroll was first, with the familiar trumpet chords following. Everyone
was grinning as they silently waited the beats until the opening bars. Then
the theme came up, and the party really got started.

Sci smiled. Just becaue it was the Main Theme to some people in the crowd, 
and the Republic Anthem to others, didn't mean it didn't have the same effect
on everybody. For the first time in what felt like months, he felt truly
relaxed.

If not totally happy. Indeed, he was miserable at Alison's death. But Face, 
who for better or for worse had been closest to Alison, had explained that
the last thing she would want was for everybody to brood over her.

"She was a warrior," he'd said. "She did her job. She knew the risks. Sure, 
we can feel sorry for her, but we might as well throw her a party too." Sci
had nodded agreement, though the thought of her still stung a little.

It sounded, Sci thought, a lot like Callahan's...a thought which made him 
remember something. As he left the room, he waved to Corran. "I owe you this.
Get Whistler, tell him to be ready to scan into Aurebesh from Terran Standard." 
Corran chuckled, but his laughter was drowned out when Sci returned with an
armload of books. A big armload.

Corran swallowed, wondering how Sci managed to read that much. Nonchalantly, he
asked, "Is that all?" However, the laughter redoubled when Sci checked the pile,
and shook his head.

"Just a down payment." Eventually the two set Whistler up with his scanner, 
and for the rest of the evening, every once in a while, someone heard a whistle
of some sort from his direction. Usually one approximating laughter.

Sci sat back to watch the party...