The Windfall, the command ship of the aforementioned former Separatist, Captain Kruus, seemed to be doing nothing in particular when the rebels arrived. Within moments, however, its large sublight engines rumbled to life. What it was doing here in the first place, Harcourt and his crew could only imagine. But what it was doing here now would become apparent to them as it moved ponderously in the Pride of Garang's direction and promptly opened fire. Red turbolaser fire lanced forth from the Windfall and over the bow of the Pride of Garang—a warning shot. The shrill voice of a Neimoidian would follow on Harcourt's comm, no doubt exacerbating the hangovers of those present on his ship. "This is Captain Kwuus of the Windfall," Kruus identified himself, "Power down your shields, weapons, and engines at once. Compwy or you will be fired upon."

There was no demand that the rebels identify themselves. A blind act of piracy, then? Perhaps. But if so, the Windfall's presence here was certainly fortuitous. In any case, Kruus made the apparent blunder of not jamming the Pride of Garang's communications, meaning that Harcourt would be able to signal for help—for whatever good it would do him.

The young pilot saw the Separatist vessel loom in the windows as the Gamma-class left hyperspace. He sighed with relief, these were separatists, and the PFD was allied with them. Surely they had come upon unexpected friends he thought, smiling broadly before shaking the Captain.

"Sur, friends!" suddenly the ship shuddered as it was rocked by the warning shot. Captain Harcourt awoke suddenly as the shockwave hit. "What in tarnashion?" he said angrily, reaching for the shield power throttle before looking out of the window as the message arrived from Kruus' vessel.

The pilot was reaching for the weapons console, before Harcourt grasped the back of his collar and yanked him backwards away from it. "You mad boy? Thems got a frigate, ain't taking no shuttle against no frigate, we gunn a explain this. Gotta be a misunderstanin'"

Captain Harcourt pulled on his helmet and powered down the shields and engines, opening a holo to the Neimoidian "Cap'n Kruus, this here ship is the Prid of Garang, we boys is on your side! We're friends of y'all's high commander, shadowlord"

Their differences aside, though, Shiva had something that Kruus wanted. He had tried to get it once before, and Shiva had rebuffed him (although it was possible he wasn't aware that he had). Kruus needed more leverage against Shiva, and perhaps this crew would do. Kruus cleared his throat. "But," he said, "I'm sure you're right. A misunderstanding, indeed. Let us discuss it aboard my ship." He would be seen waving a hand to someone off-screen, and an instant later the Prid of Garang would be gripped in a tractor beam. "We'll guide you in," Kruus told them.

The grizzled old Captain walked back to the cockpit where he flicked a switch, sending their black box data to the home base, so they would know what had happened, retrieving his hat in the process as they moved into the hangar, securing it upon his shaggy hair at a jaunty angle and lighting a cigar. Nodding to the pilot "I'll go out on my own.. watch what happens to me, if it goes bad, protect the crew."

It was a concerning turn of events, but one Harcourt felt he could talk himself out of, after all, he was a legendary sabacc player. He stood next to the door and waited until they were in the hangar to open it, sliding down the side of the ship and onto the floor, looking around seeking to get a measure of his surroundings, the Bryar pistol a distinct bulk at his waist.