In fact there was only one strange soul up at this hour who seemed pleased by the acid rain, and that was Wint Runa, the man who now stood beneath the Paradise's dome and beamed at the fluorescent green skies above.
Wint and his friend had arrived an hour ago at the faux rainforest-themed Lost Paradise, one of Nar Dundo's countless spaceport bars. Beverage service was a profitable business; everything about the planet's corrosive environment encouraged visitors to stay indoors and drink heavily until their ship departed. Still, anyone who wanted to have a good time on Nar Dundo did it under cover of night, when the view wouldn't spoil the fun, so most of the Lost Paradise's clientele had already left to sleep it off. The slow morning had become even slower once the two late-comers ordered the cheapest rounds possible and nursed them like hypochondriacs.
"See, Shino," Wint said, pointing upward, "now this is a true shithole planet. C'mon, lookit this rain, for fuck's sake. Wherever this mysterious place is you're bitchin' about, it can't be any worse."
"Shut the hell up and sit down, Wint," Shino replied, unmoved.
Wint shrugged and plopped back into his seat, still smiling. It was a manic but strangely charming expression, despite a face that had clearly enjoyed some brawls its time. "Yes, sarge."
"What did I just tell you?"
"Aye-aye, boss."
Shino made a point of being preoccupied with her beverage. Wint glanced at her, shrugged again, and pretended to fidget with his glass.
Shino caved in first. "You always talk too fucking much, that's your problem."
"Yeah, and now you never fuckin' talk at all, to anybody. What's goin' on?"
"Nothing's going on. Did you expect me not to change in the last twenty years?"
"Not like this."
"Not like what?"
"You haven't been home since you quit, and that ain't like you. Even that sister of yours's started to miss you, it's gotten so bad."
"Can't go home. You know that."
"'S not worth it. Dai was an idiot. Forget it. Even Larus knew better than to blame you. And if it's that fuckin' hunter--"
"That's not it. It's just this job."
"Yeah, and what job is that, now? You never say."
"A professional should know better than to ask."
"That's a loada fuckin' shit, Shino. If you asked, I'd tell, and you know it. Crew first, everything else second, like you always said."
"Wint, you dumb fuck. We were kids pretending to be a gang."
"Yeah, but in your head, we still are, right? That's the way you think," Wint said. "An' I know that 'cause it's the same for me. So?" He stared at Shino until she scowled, pushed her own drink away, and folded her arms on the table.
"I've got a ship. Pilot for hire now. And there's a contract I still have to complete. That's all. Once it's done, things will be different."
"Contract? For how long?" Wint's eyes narrowed. "This what you've been doin' the last seven years? On some unnamed dump of a planet in the middle of nowhere?"
"You don't know that. How long? Until it's over."
No trace remained of Wint's semi-permanent smile. "Shino."
"Yeah?"
"Just 'cause I've blocked one too many punches with my head doesn't mean I'm that fuckin' stupid. What are you tryin' to tell me without actually tellin' me?"
Shino's expression didn't change. After a long pause, Wint shrugged and leaned back in his seat. "Okay, I get it. You can't tell me. But to tell a member of your ship's crew, that'd be different, right?"
"The old gang again, huh?"
"Just sayin' what you were thinkin'," Wint said, the grin starting to return. "Can't believe you didn't call me first thing."
"Forget it. It's too dangerous to get anyone else involved."
"The fuck it is! What happened to the fearless, loud-mouth brat always gettin' us in trouble?"
"Life happened, Wint," Shino said, very quietly.
"Well... yeah. Yeah, guess you're right. Still ain't fair, though." Almost as an aside, he added, "I'm not goin' anywhere, in case you change your mind."
"Weren't you just here for a quick job? What about the wife and ki--dammit, Wint, you could've said sooner. How long ago was this?"
"Last year."
"Shit."
"Don't sweat it, Shino, it had to happen," Wint said, with another one of his shrugs. "Dunno how your parents did it but you ask me, soldiers and marriage don't agree." He noted the stony look on Shino's face. "What?"
"Forget it. Did you leave them to come out here?"
Wint drained his glass, then squinted at it as if to check he'd gotten all the contents. "Got to work, yeah? I let her have everything, it was easier on the kids that way. They still all hate me, but fuck, what more can you do, right?"
"Sure."
"Got nowhere to go, nothing to lose, Shino. Might as well help you raise hell against the old bosses, if that's your game. Never liked the stuck-up bastards anyway... am I right?"
Shino looked at the dome. "Still raining."
"Very correct."
There was another pause. "It wouldn't be--"
"You weren't the only one there, y'know. We all saw enough of Valis to make our own judgements. This is mine."
"One question first."
"Sure, open fire."
"You had this planned out all along, didn't you."
"Well, a professional should know better than to ask."
"Asshole."
"True."
"I'll think about it."
"Fair enough."
"Another round?"
"Why not? Better not leave until the rain stops. You're paying, though."
"Fine." For the first time all morning, Shino grinned back. "My pleasure."
"Wint! It's about time. Where'd you go?"
Wint beamed back at the indignant young man pacing up and down the length of the apartment's main living area. "Ran into an old friend by the spaceport. Had a few drinks," Wint said, radiating honesty. "What've you been up to?"
"Waiting for you," was the petulant reply. "We're gonna be late for work."
"Yeah, well, the slugs can wait a sec or two. That Twi'lek crush of yours is never on time, either. No rush."
"Oma is not my anything," Haru Kovach sputtered, his sudden blush telling another story. "She doesn't even know I exist." Not for lack of trying, Wint mentally added.
"Sure thing. Who'll it be next, a fish-head? At least try charmin' a Bothan or someone useful."
"Rukeb won't answer my messages anymore. Says I lack serious commitment."
"Your family, kid, is an absolute marvel."
"Shut up and let's go."
"See? That's what I mean. The Force help your poor parents once they find out what we're all up to."
Haru scowled as he grabbed his jacket. "Don't get me started on my family, that collection of deluded Imperial lackeys. No offense, Wint, I know you and my sister were close, but if I ever see any of them again? It'll be too soon."
Wint shrugged philosophically. "You never know. People change. Besides, that's blood you're talkin' about."
"Yeah, mine? Trust me, I know what I'm saying."
"I guess you do," Wint said, and whistled a happy tune as they walked out the door.