To the bachelor party!

The next morning, the Outlander had showered and was sipping a hot mug of kaf while in his robe and slippers, when there was a knock on his door. "Come in," he said, sticking a slice of mealbread in the toaster.

Much to his surprise, it was Gault who entered, and seemed disappointed to find the Outlander lounging about. "What, you're not already dressed? Come on, hurry up, we don't want to miss the start," he said, going to the wardrobe and getting out the Outlander's casual clothes - trousers, a sleeveless black shirt, fingerless gloves, and a belt, vest, and boots all made of matching rancor hide.

"The start of what?" the Outlander asked, though he got dressed as Gault almost literally tapped his foot. "What are you in such a rush about?"

"That's gratitude for you. I play Niko Okarr all night to win us permission to use his Sky Palace on Nar Shaddaa for your stag do, and you can't even be ready on time to go? Well, that's okay, as your best man, I know this is a stressful time, just leave everything to me. Oh, and it wouldn't hurt to shave," he said.

The Outlander didn't recall naming Gault as his best man, and he surely didn't ask him to go at a marathon of sabacc with Niko. He was about to mention that, but instead shrugged and started shaving.

"I mean, who else were you going to pick, Skadge? His idea of a bachelor party is crashing a rival gang's turf and going on a **** spree. In fact, he's doing pretty much that on Zakuul, against the Heralds of Zildrog in the slums. Blizz? Once he heard you were getting hitched, he took his crew to Hoth to find you something special... or to scavenge parts to build something special, I wasn't really sure. So I knew I was the right choice. I promise you'll enjoy yourself, or my name isn't Gault Rennow."

"It frequently isn't, Tyresius."

"That's a low blow. I gave up that name when I swore allegiance to you. And much to my surprise, I've kept it."

"Fair enough. So, a Sky Palace, eh? Filled to the brim with exotic food, seductive dancers, and potent liquors from worlds I've never been to, right?"

He shrugged. "Probably. Why else have one? Though we will be making a stop to pick up some booze and snacks just in case the larder isn't properly stocked. That'll give the ladies plenty of time to get ready. So, you coming?"

The Outlander nodded and followed Gault to his ship, eager to see whether this would be one of Gault's usual improvised triumphs or even more improvised disasters.