journey to star wars: the force awakens smuggler's run: a han solo adventure (star...
TRANSCRIPT
©&TM2015LucasfilmLtd.DesignedbyJasonWojtowicz
Allrightsreserved.PublishedbyDisney•LucasfilmPress,an
imprintofDisneyBookGroup.Nopartofthisbookmaybe
reproducedortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans,electronic
ormechanical,includingphotocopying,recording,orbyanyinformationstorageandretrievalsystem,withoutwrittenpermission
fromthepublisher.ForinformationaddressDisney•
LucasfilmPress,1101FlowerStreet,Glendale,California91201.
ISBN978-1-4847-2499-6
VisittheofficialStarWarswebsite:www.starwars.com
Contents
Prologue
PartOneChapter01:WaitingtoHurry
Chapter02:ThePrideoftheISB
Chapter03:WhatCouldPossiblyGo
Wrong?Chapter04:PressingQuestions
PartTwoChapter05:MisfortuneChapter06:CaptivatingChapter07:DesperateMeans,inFullMeasure
Chapter08:WookieePowered,RebellionApproved
PartThreeChapter09:NoMistakes,NoEscapes
Chapter10:ALittleHope
Chapter11:Vehement’sGrip
Chapter12:TryingtoBeNoble
Epilogue
AbouttheAuthor
Alongtimeagoinagalaxyfar,faraway.…
Itisaperiodofcivilwar.TheheroicfreedomfightersoftheREBELALLIANCEhavewontheirmostimportantvictorythusfarwiththe
destructionoftheEmpire’sultimateweapon,theDEATH
STAR.
ButtheRebellionhasnotimetosavoritsvictory.Theevil
GalacticEmpirehasrecognizedthethreattherebelspose,andisnow
searchingthegalaxyforanyandallinformationthatwillleadtothefinaldestructionof
thefreedomfighters.
FortheMILLENNIUMFALCON’screw,whosavedthelifeofLukeSkywalkerduringtheBattleofYavin,
theirinvolvementwiththerebelsisatanend.NowHANSOLOandCHEWBACCAhopetotaketheirrewardandsettlesomeolddebts.…
THEOLDMANatthecantinahadmanyyearsofpracticekeepinghisheaddownandhisearsopen,andhe’dbeendoingbothforacoupleofhoursnow.
ThebarwascalledSerendipity,andtheconversationstakingplace
aroundhimwerequiet,respectfulofthespaceandtheotherpatronsboth.Hecouldcatchbitsandpieces,oddwordsthatreachedhim,spokeninanysmatteringofthegalaxy’slanguages.Someofthemheknewwell,othersnotatall.TherewasanIthorianwhohadcomeinshortlyafterhehad,nowsittingatatablewithaDugandspeakinganimatedly,hisvoicealowbassrumblethe
oldmancouldfeelinhischest;aBith,aNeimoidian,andanAdvosze,allapparentlytalkingbusinesstheydidn’twantoverheard;aTwi’lekmalewhisperingsweetnothingsinaDevaronian’sear.
Andthreehumans,twomaleandonefemale,who’darrivedinthepasthalfhourliketheyownedtheplace,werenowseatedmaybetwometersfromtheoldman’s
back.Theywerealreadyontheirthirdroundandgettingloud.Fromhisstoolatthebar,hecouldseethemclearlyreflectedinthemirrorbehindthebartender’sshelvesofliquorsrareandcommon.
“Speed,”oneofthemensaid.Thiswastheburlyone,maybeearlyfortiesinstandardyears.Hewasdressedliketheothertwo,inacombinationofmismatchedImperialuniforms,bitsof
salvagedarmor,andaheavyblastvest.Theyallworeblastvests—samecolors,sameinsignia.
Mercenaries,theoldmanthought,orperhapsagang,swooporotherwise.
“That’swhatitallcomesdownto,”theburlyonecontinued.“Speed,nothingmore.”
“Garbage.”Thiswasthewoman,youngestofthegroupand,bythelooksof
her,themeanest,too.Allthreewerearmed,butshehadtheshaftofavibro-axestrappedtoherbackinadditiontotheheavyblasterholsteredalongtheleftsideofhertorso.Shewasblond,andperhapsbecauseofthatsheremindedtheoldmanatthebarofsomeonehe’ddealtwithyearsbefore.Notthesamewoman,ofcourse—thisonewasfartooyoung—butthememorycamebackallthe
same,asifitwereyesterday.“YourememberRigger?”
thewomansaid.“Yourememberwhathappenedtohim?YouremembertheStreak?”
“Iremember,”saidtheothermale,whowassomewherebetweentheagesoftheburlyoneandthewoman.Hewasbigandbroadshouldered,andhisscalpwasshavedtorevealatattooofaTwi’lekfemale
sprawledonherbelly,herfacenearhisforehead,blowingakiss.Totheoldmanwatchingthethreereflectedinthemirror,itlookedlikethetattoowasflirtingwithhim.
“Sonotspeed,”thewomansaid.
“Streakwasfast,”saidtheburlyone.
“Sure,itwasfast.”Themanwiththetattoosaid,finishinghisdrink.“It
slammedrightintothesideofthatcanyongoinglikeitwasfire.”
“Don’tmeannothingifitwon’tmaneuver,”thewomansaid.“YouwantashipliketheNebulaWisp,ormaybe…whatwasitsname?YouknowtheoneI’mtalkingabout?”
Theburlyonesaid,“TheBlackBox?”
“No,no.…”Thewomantrailedoff,pickingata
fingernailthat,evenfromthatdistance,theoldmancouldseewasfilth-encrusted.Shebrightenedsuddenly.“TheFourthPass!That’stheone!Theysayshe’dstoponacreditandgiveyouchange.”
Thetattooedonegruntedandlookedintohisemptyglass.Atthebar,theoldmancaughtthebartender’seye,thenindicatedhisowndrinkwithafinger,askingforarefill.Thebartendergrinned.
“Defense,”thetattooedonesaid.“Youcanbefast,youcanbemaneuverable,butsoonerorlater,you’regonnagethit.Youcan’ttakethehit,that’sit—show’sover.”
“Theycan’thitwhattheycan’tcatch,”thewomansaid.
“They’llhititeventually,”thetattooedmanpersisted.“Yougotenoughgunspointingatyou,you’regonnabenothingbutscrapfloatinginavacuum.Doesn’t
matterhowfastyouare,doesn’tmatterifyoutwistandturn.Eventually,you’regonnagethit.”
“That’swhatweneed,”theburlyonesaid.“Weneedashipthatcandoallthree.Weneedatriplethreat.”
Thewomanlaughed.“Goodluck.Doesn’texist.”
“Sureitdoes.”Theburlyoneleanedforward.“Youknowitdoes.Iknowitdoes.EvenStraterknowsitdoes.”
Thetattooedone—presumablyStrater—shookhisemptyglass,asifhopingthatwouldmagicallyrefillit,thennodded.
“TheMillenniumFalcon,”Stratersaid.
“TheMillenniumFalcon,”theothersagreed.
Theoldmansighedloudly—loudlyenoughtograballthreehumans’attention.Heheardchairsscrapeastheyturnedtolook
athim.Thebartendersetarefillinfrontoftheoldmanandtookhisalmost-emptyglassaway.
“Yougotsomethingyouwanttoadd,grandpa?”thewomanasked.
Theoldmansippedhisdrink.“You’llnevercatchher.”
Thetattooedone,Strater,leanedbackinhischair.“Thinkwe’vegotabetterchanceofthatthanyou,old
man.”“Andevenifyoudid
catchher,you’dneverbeabletoflyher,”theoldmansaid,asifhehadn’theard.
“Ifit’sgotengines,wecanflyit.”Thewomanwasgettingannoyed;hecouldseeitinherface,reflectedoverthebartender’sshoulder.
Thebartendergavetheoldmanawarninglookthatclearlysaidshedidnotwanttohavetocleanupamess.
“Ashipismorethanengines,morethanshieldsorarmorormaneuverjetsoritshyperdriveoranythingelse.”Theoldmanpickeduphisdrink,ignoringthebartender,thenturnedandstood.“Ashipisallthosethings,butit’snothingifitdoesn’thavetherightcrew.”
“Itoldyou,wecanflyit.”Thewomanwaslookinghimoversuspiciously.Again,theoldmanfoundhimself
thinkingofsomeoneelsefromlongago—someonewithoneeyethathadviewedeverythingsuspiciously.
TheoldmanpulledouttheemptychairandsatdownbetweenStraterandthewoman,facingtheburlyone.Hegrinned,rubbedthescaronhischinwithonehand,thenraisedhisglassintheotheranddrainedit.
“Nah,”theoldmansaid.“Andyou’resocertain?”
theburlyoneasked.“Prettycertain,yeah.”“How’sthat?”Theoldmantiltedhis
chairontoitsbacklegsandlookedaroundthebar.Nooneelsewaslistening.Nooneelsewaspayingattention.Atthedoor,thebouncerhadturnedawayandwaswatchingtheentrancewhilescratchingbehindoneearwithapaw.Theoldmanturnedtheemptyglassinhis
hand,asifconsideringitspotential,oratleastlamentingitsemptiness.
“Youbuymeadrink,”theoldmansaid,“andI’lltellyouastoryabouttheMillenniumFalcon.”
Theyboughthimadrinkandlistened.
THEWOOKIEESIGHED,alowrumble,andgazedatthemedalinhispalm.Onthehumansitlookedsubstantialandsolid,fittobewornaroundtheneck.Inhishandthescalewasaltered,andifhebroughthisfingerstogetherhecouldconcealit
entirely.Aprettything,hastilyengravedinastylizedflowermeantperhapstorecalltheemblemoftheRepublic.Atitsheartarisingsun,halfwayabovethehorizon,bothsymbolizedthedawnofanewhopeinthewakeofthisvictoryovertheGalacticEmpireandrecalledtheDeathStar’sdestruction.
Hesighedasecondtime,tuckedtheawardintothesatchelthathungfromthe
bandolierofbowcasterammunitionslungoverhisleftshoulder,andleanedforwardinhisseattopeeroutthecockpitoftheMillenniumFalcon.Outside,rebelsranbackandforthacrossthehangar,hastilypreparingtheirevacuation.ThebaseonYavin4was,toputitmildly,compromised.WiththedestructionoftheDeathStar,itwouldbeadayatmost—perhapsevenless—beforethe
Imperialfleetarrivedtoreduceanythingtheyfoundtorubbleanddust.Whiletheymightstillhavebeenflushedwiththeirvictory,theRebellion’shighcommandknewbetterthantobelievetheycouldrepel,orevenwithstand,suchanassault.TheyhadbeenluckywiththeDeathStar,andithadcostthemallthesame.Theywouldn’tgetluckytwice.Theplan,astheWookiee
understoodit,wasforthebandoffreedomfighterstoscatteracrossthegalaxyinasmanydirectionsastheycouldmanageatonce,withthegoalofmeetingupagainatalaterdate,andpreferablyinamuchsaferplace.
Hehuffedtohimself,wonderinghowtherebelshopedtosurvive.Theirownfleet—andheusedthewordgenerously—wasalreadyscattered.Allthatremained
onthefourthmoonofYavinwerethethreesnubfighters—twoX-wingsandasingleY-wing—thathadmadeitthroughthebattle,plussomethreedozenorsotransportsofvariousshapes,makes,andsizes,allofwhichhadbeenpasttheirprimeevenbeforethefalloftheRepublic.
TheWookieedidn’tfancytheirchances.
Thatsaid,heunderstoodtheirfire.HewasaWookiee,
afterall,andheknewpassion.Hiswereaproudpeople,apeoplewhohadlivedforhundredsofyearspeacefullyontheirwoodedhomeworldofKashyyykuntiltheCloneWars.Hehadbeenyoungerthen,justonehundredandeighty,andhehadfoughttheSeparatistbattledroids.HehadwitnessedthebetrayaloftheclonesandthebeginningoftheEmpire.Hehadseenhis
people,hisbrothersandsisters,hisfamily,putinchainsandsoldasslavesthroughoutthegalaxy.Hehadbeenputinchainshimself,andjustthememoryofitmadeagrowlriseinhisthroat.
SoheunderstoodtheRebellion.Intruth,hewouldbestandingwiththemifitweren’tfortwothings:theCorellianandtheship.Hewouldn’tabandoneitherof
them.Hewasboundtoboth,astheyweretohim.
HanSolohadnotbeenamantoinspiretrustwhenthey’dfirstmet.He’dbeenafast-talker,smug,evenarrogant.Hehadseemedmoreinterestedinlookingoutforhimselfthaninlookingoutforothers.“Enlightenedself-interest”washowSolohimselfhaddescribedit.
“Idon’ttakeaninterestinmyownwell-beinginthis
galaxy,nobodyelseisgonnadoitforme,pal,”hehadsaid.
Evenwiththat,though,SolohadproventheWookieewrong.He’dprovenhimwrongwhenthetwoofthemhadfledtotheOuterRimtosurviveamidstbountyhunters,pirates,andfellowsmugglers,tryingtoscratchoutalivingwageworkingfortheHutts.He’dprovenhimwrongtimeandagain,andif
theWookieehadlearnedonethingabouthisfriendandpartner,itwasthattherewasnotellingwhattheCorellianwouldcareabout,orwhy.Despiteallhisposturingandswagger,therewasacoretoHanSoloasgoldenasthemedalsthey’dallreceivedfortheirpartintherecentbattle.
Thecommonthecontrolconsoleoverheadlitup,flashingblueandbleatingitsoddsingsong.Onotherships,
thecommwouldjustchirpincessantly,callingforattention,buttheFalconwasnot,andneverhadbeen,likeotherships.Justanotherofheridiosyncrasies,anotherofthethingsthatmadehimloveherso.
Thatwasthesecondreason,ofcourse:thisship.
WhentheboyfromTatooine,Skywalker,hadseentheFalconforthefirsttimebackinMosEisley,he’d
describeditas“apieceofjunk.”Solohadtakenitpersonally,buttheWookieecouldunderstandwhyLukehadthoughtso.Hedidn’tagree,ofcourse,butheunderstood.TheFalconlookedlikejustanotherCorellianYT-1300lightfreighter,andtherehadtobethousands,ifnothundredsofthousands,oftheminservicethroughoutthegalaxy.Hercockpit,forreasonsnoone
butthedesignersbackatCorellIndustriescouldunderstand,waspostedtothestarboardside,andjuttedatanoddangleinsteadofbeingmountedonthecenterline.Herengineswereoverpoweredforhersize,buthercontrolsweresosensitiveastobeparanoid,whichmeantshewastemperamentalandneededapilotandcopilottomanageherinflight.Eventhenshewasliabletoslipout
ofcontrolifbothoperatorsdidn’tknowexactlywhattheyweredoing.
ThatwasjusttheYT-1300seriesasawhole.
ButtheFalcontookallthosecharacteristicsandmultipliedthemexponentially.Shewasbruised.Shewasdented.Sheneededpaintandnear-constantmaintenance.EasilyhalfthemoneytheypulledindoingrunsforJabbatheHutt
orwhoeverelsewenttoupkeep,newparts,fuel.Shedrankfuellikeshe’dbeenwanderingtheDuneSeaforweekswithoutwater.Hergravityemulatorshadanannoying—and,frankly,alarming—tendencytocutoutduringsharpmaneuvering,whichwouldsendyouacrossthecabinifyouweren’tstrappedinwhenithappened.Themultiplecomputersthatworkedto
keepeverythingontheshiprunninginconcertnotonlyhaddeveloped,overtheyears,theirowndialects,butattimesseemedtofeudamongthemselves.Andyoudidn’twanttogettheWookieestartedonthestateoftheionfluxstabilizers,orthewaytheDuvo-Pekaccelerationcompensatorswouldnotjustseektocompensatebutwouldinsteaddopreciselytheopposite.
Oh,butshewasfast.Shewasthefastestship
he’deverflown—hadeverseen.Shecutthroughspaceandatmospherealikeasifborntoit,andseatedsidebyside,heandSolocouldmakeherdanceinwaysthatwould’vemadethosedesignersbackinthedayonCorelliadroptheirjaws.Theyhadmodifiedalmosteverysinglepartoftheengines—fromtheboltstothemain
drive—coaxing,teasingmorepower,morespeed.TheyhadtakenherapartandputherbacktogethermoretimesthantheWookieecouldcount,andeachtimetheFalconhadrewardedthembygivingmoreinreturn,byurgingthemtopushherfurther.
Helovedthisship.Reachingwithonelong
arm,theWookieeslappedtheflashingcommbuttonand
snarledagreeting,askingSolowhatwastakinghimsolong.
“Ohmy!Chewbacca,whereverdidyoulearnsuchlanguage?”
TheWookieechuckled.Itwasn’tSolocalling,buttheprotocoldroid.
“CaptainSoloasksyoutojoinhiminthebriefingroom.”
TheWookieefrownedandgrowledhisresponse.
“I’msureIdon’thavethefirstidea,”C-3POanswered.“Hesaysthatyouneedtojoinhimatonce,becausetheprincesswon’ttakenoforananswerandhefeelsitwouldbemorepersuasivecomingfromyou.”
TheWookieegrinned,mostlybecauseheknewtherewasnobodytoseeit.Thosetwohadbeenateachotherfromthemomentthey’dmet.Thisexplainedthings.They
weresupposedtohaveliftedoffmorethananhourearliertomaketheirwaybacktoTatooine.BetweentherewardmoneyforrescuingtheprincessfromtheDeathStarandthefeethey’dbeenpromisedfortheAlderaanrunbesides,theyhadmorethanenoughmoneytosquarethingswithJabba.Enough,even,togetbackintohisgoodgracesandhavehimcalloffthebountyhuntershe
hadalreadysetontheirtrail.ButthatwouldworkonlyiftheybroughtthemoneytoJabba;ifthebountyhuntersbroughttheminfirst,itwouldbeadifferentsituationentirely.
Jabbadidn’tdealkindlywiththosewhoowedhimmoney.He’dtaketheirfreedomandmaybetheirlives,andhe’ddefinitelytaketheFalcon.Noneofthoseoutcomesappealedtothe
Wookiee.HeknewforafactthattheyappealedtoSoloevenless.
TheWookieebarkedaresponsetoC-3PO,slappedthecommbuttonagain,andswungupfromhisseat,duckingoutofhabitashesteppedoutofthecockpitandknockedthepairofnoveltychancedicethathe’dhungthereasajokesomeyearsago.TherewasonlyonethingthatwouldmakeHan
Solodelaytheirdeparture,andthatwasaprettygirl.
Hehadtoadmit,hewascurioustofindoutjustwhattheprettygirlwanted.
“I’mnotpartofthis!”HanSolosaid.“I’mnotapartofyourrebellion,I’mnotafreedomfighter,andIdon’tworkforyou,YourHighness!”
PrincessLeiaOrganaof
Alderaantooktwoquickstepsforward,herfacetiltinguptoglareatthesmuggler.IfSolo’snearlyhalfameterofheightoverherimpressedheratall,itdidn’tshow.Sheraisedanindexfinger,directingitatthesmugglerasifcontemplatingpokinghimintheeye.
“Ifyouworkedforme,”shesaid,“I’dhavefiredyoualready.”
“IfIworkedforyou,lady,
I’dhavequit.”Solocrossedhisarms,certainhehad,forthemoment,claimedthelastword.
Theprincessremainedmotionlessforamoment,usingaglarethathadonce,heimagined,reducedheropponentsinthenow-dissolvedImperialSenatetotears.Oneoftherebelsoldiersbusydismantlingthecontrolroomedgedpast,herarmsfullofequipment,
carefullyavoidingeyecontact.Duringthebattle,theroomhadbeenclutteredwithdisplaystrackingtheDeathStar’srelentlessapproachtotheYavinmoon,monitorsbroadcastingthepilotchatterasfighterafterfighterhadbeenlost,downedbyanti-starshipfireortheprecisionworkoftheirTIEopponents.Thebase,asSolounderstoodit,hadbeensetupinatempletothegodsofthelong-
forgottenandlong-deadpeopleofYavin4.Therebelshadfounditandmadeittheheartoftheiroperations.Nowitwouldagainbewhatitwas,alegacytothoselostandforgotten.
Abatteredservicedroidwhineditswaypastcarryingoneofthemonitors,andLeiatookthatasanexcusetobreaktheirstaringcontest,turningawayinbarelydisguiseddisgust.Shewas
angryandnotafraidtoshowit,andSolohadtoadmithetookacertainpleasureinwindingherup.Herbuttonsweresoeasytopress.Shewas,undoubtedly,oneofthemostbeautifulwomenhehadevermet,andcomingfromHanSolothatactuallymeantsomething,becausehe’dseenalotofthegalaxyandhisshareofbeautifulwomen.Thatshewassmart,brave—perhaps,givenherpositionin
theRebellion,suicidallyso—andgaveasgoodasshegotonlymadehermoreattractivetohim.Shewasalsoasstubbornasagundark,andheappreciatedthat,too.Infact,hekindalikedher,especiallywithalltheyhadrecentlybeenthroughtogetherwiththekidandtheoldman.
Buttherewasabsolutelynowayhewasgoingtotellherthat,especiallywhenshewastryingtoguilthiminto
maybedyingforacausehehadnopartinandwantednopartof.
Oneofthedoorsintothemakeshift,andnowdiminishing,controlroomopened,andatrioofsoldierscartedmoreequipmentoutasChewbaccaduckedhisheadtostepinside.Solocaughthispartner’seye,andtheWookieenoddedslightlyingreeting.
PrincessLeiawatchedthe
Wookiee’sapproach,trackinghimtoSolo’sside,thenturnedfullytofacethesmuggleragain.
“Peoplewilldie.”Shesaiditsimply,astatementoftruth,lookingathimwiththosebrowneyesthatseemedtoseeeverything.
“Idon’tknowthem,”Solosaid.
Foraninstant—justaninstant—hesawthedisappointmentonherface
andfeltsomethingdangerouslyclosetoguilt.
“Letmeaskyousomething,”LeiasaidtotheWookiee.ShejerkedathumbinSolo’sdirection.“Isthereactuallyaheartbeatinginthere,orjustasafewherehekeepshiscredits?”
Chewbaccasnorted,thenlookedtoSolo,cantinghishead.Hebarked.
“Oh,no,no,”Solosaid.“Youhaven’theardwhatitis
shewantsustodo,Chewie.Goahead,YourShiningRoyalness,tellhimaboutthislittlesuicidemissionyou’vegotupyoursleeve.”
“It’snotasuicidemission,notifyoufollowtheplan.”Leiatappedthecontrolonthemainbattledisplay,oneoftheonlypiecesofequipmentstillremainingandpowered,andonlybecauseitwouldtakethehelpofanotherhalfdozendroidsto
moveit.Thedisplayilluminated,showingamapofthegalaxy.Shetappedtheconsoleagain,thistimeworkingquickly,andtogetherSoloandChewbaccawatchedasthemapzoomeddown,rescalingitselfoverandoveragain,tocenteronasectionoftheOuterRim.Withafinalpressofabuttonthemapfroze,displayingasystemofsixplanets.
“Cyrkon,intheOuter
Rim,ontheedgeofHuttSpace,”Leiasaid,indicatingthesecondplanetfromthesystem’sstar.“OutsidetheImperialsphere,soitgetsalotoftrafficfrompeoplelikeyou.”
Chewbaccasnuffed.“Shemeanssmugglers,”
Solosaid.“No,Imeancriminals,”
Leiasaid.Chewbaccaraisedan
eyebrow.
“Theproblemwithbeingarebellionisthatwedon’thaveresources,”Leiasaid,staringattheprojection.“Andwhatwedohaveisneverenough.Wehavetostayonthemove.We’redealingwithitnow,withthisevacuation—youseeitallaroundyou.TheEmpirehaseverything,alloftheresources,allofthetroops,allofthespies.Forustosurvive,wehavetoplannotjustone
moveorthreemovesbutfivemovesahead.Wehavetohavecontingencies.Notjustwherewe’regoingnext,butwherewemightbegoingifthatlocationiscompromised,ifitfallsthrough.Wehavetohaveoptions.”
“Ifyou’replanningonhidingyourrebelliononCyrkon,it’sgoingtobeashortone,”Solosaid.“TooclosetotheHutts—they’llsellyououtinasecond.”
ShelookedfromthemaplongenoughtoshootSoloanotherwitheringglare.“Thankyou,Captain,forthatbrilliantstrategicinsight.”Shemotionedtothemap.“Cyrkonisn’tthelocationofthenextrebelbase.”
“You’resmarterthanyouact.”
Sheignoredhim,tappingthecontrolsagain.Themapshiftedtotheside,andanewimagesprangintoplace.A
holoofahumanmale,roughlytwentystandardyearsold.Solodidn’trecognizehim.
“ThisisLieutenantEmatt,leaderoftheShrikes.”Leiapaused,staringattheholo.“TheShrikesarespecialreconfortheRebellion.It’sasmallteam,andtheirmissionisverysimple.They’reresponsibleforidentifying,securing,andpreparingnewlocationsfortheRebellion.
Theycompilethelist.Theypicktherendezvouspoints.Theyexplorealltheoptions.”
“That’salotofverysensitiveinformationforonemantobecarrying,”Solosaid.
“Yes.It’salsooneoftheonlywaysforustoremainsecure.Thefewerpeoplewhoknowasecret,thefewerwhocangiveitaway.”
Chewierumbledagreement.
“Butheknows,Han,doyouunderstand?Emattknowsnotonlywherewe’regoing,butwherewemightbegoing.Heknowstherendezvouspoints.Heknowswherewe’vehiddenweapons,food,medicine.Heknowsallofit.”
Solonodded.Somethingwasturningsourinhisstomach,asifhe’deatenamealhemaybeshouldn’thave.Hehadabadfeelingaboutthis.
“TheShrikeswereambushedbytheImperialSecurityBureauonTaanab,”theprincesssaid.“Emattescapedtheambush,buttherestofhisteamwerekilled.Hemanagedtogetabursttransmissiontous,lettingusknowwhathappened,lettingusknowthathe’smadeitoff-planet,onhiswaytoCyrkon.ButtheISBisonhistrail,he’salone,andhe’sexposed.”
Chewiehuffedsoftly,underhisvoice.HeandSolobothcouldseethiscoming.
“TheFalconistheonlyshipfastenoughtoreachCyrkonintime.”Shepressedthecontrolsonthemaponcemoreandtheimageswinkedout.Sheturnedtolookatthem—firstChewie,thenHan.“IftheISBcapturesEmatt,they’llgeteverything.They’lltorturehim.They’lldrughim.They’llget
everything.ItwillbetheendoftheRebellion.”
Shewasn’tangryanymore.Shewasn’tpleading,shewasn’tbegging.Shewasjustlookingatthem,atSoloandhisfriendandpartner,waiting.She’dmadeherargument.
Solopreferreditwhenshewasangry.
Chewbaccagrowled,ashortstringofbarksthatendedinaheavyrumble.
Sololookedathiminamazement.“Thinkthisonethrough,Chewie.”
TheWookieesnuffed.Soloshookhishead.
“You’resupposedtobackmeup,notsidewithher!”
TheWookieesnuffedagain.
Solocouldn’tbelievethis.“She’saskingustoflyintoasystemontheedgeofHuttSpacetorescueaguywhomaybeisalreadydead,never
mindthattheISBisafterhim!NevermindthatCyrkonisteemingwiththeworstscumthisgalaxyhastooffer.NevermindthatJabba’sgotbountyhunterstakingnumberstocomeafterus,ifhehasn’tsentthemalready—”
Chewbaccagruntedandbarked.
“Iknowit’stheOuterRim!Iknowit’sontheway,butevenifwesucceedwe’ll
havetotakehimtotherendezvouspoint,orelseit’snotmuchofarescue!Thisisn’tourfight,pal!”
ThistimetheWookieeremainedsilent,justlookingatSolowiththoseblueeyes.
Leiawaslookingathim,too.
Solosighed.Somefights,hethought,youjustcan’twin.
“We’regoingtoneedthepassphrase,whateveritis,so
Emattwillrecognizeus,”Solosaid.Hetriednottosoundpetulant.
Leiasmiledasifshe’dknownallalonghe’dsayyes.Soloscowled.
“AndIexpecttobepaidforthis,”headded.
COMMANDERALECIABECKwas,asfarasshewasconcerned,averygoodofficerfortheImperialSecurityBureau.Shedidn’thaveachoice.Nevermindthatshewasawoman—andtherewereveryfewofthoseholdinghighranksinthe
Empire—herswasajobthatdidnottoleratefailure.FortheEmpiretowork,loyaltyhadtobeensured.FortheEmpiretothrive,everyonehadtodotheirpart.FortheEmpiretoendure,itsenemieshadtobehunteddownanddestroyed.
Relentlessly.Shewasgladtodothis.
Shetookprideindoingthis,thesamewayshetookprideintheperfectconditionofher
jet-blackuniformandthegleamoftherankinsigniaonherleftbreast.Sheeventookprideinthescarthatraninanalmoststraightlinefromjustbelowherhairline—blondhairinaperfectregulationcut,ofcourse—anddownherleftcheek.Thesamewayshetookprideintheartificialeyethathadreplacedherruinedleftone.Itwasproofofherloyalty,andhercommitment,andsheknewtheagentsand
stormtrooperswhoservedunderhercommandtoldthestorytoeverynewrecruitwhocameaboard.HowCommanderBeck,duringherfirsttourwiththeISB,hadcaughthertrainingofficersellingsecretsforcredits.Howshehadconfrontedhim,heafullcaptainandsheonlyalieutenant,inthemaintenancebayaboardtheVehement.Howhehadtriedtokillherwithalasercutter
fromthenearbyworkbench.Howtheyhadfought.
Howshehadwon.She’dreceiveda
promotionandacommendationforthat.
So,yes,shewasproud.
“Searchthebodies,”Beckordered.
Thestormtroopersergeantatherside,designationTX-828,cametorigidattention.
“Yes,ma’am.”Shewatchedhimpeeloff,
directingtheeightmembersofthetroopasshehadordered.Theymovedbriskly,efficiently,preciselyastheyhadbeentrained.Sheturnedherattentiontothebodyatherfeet,afemaleRodianlyinginapoolofherowngreenblood.Beckshiftedthevisioninhercyberneticeyeandletitscrollthroughdifferentspectrums,infrared
showingheatleavingthecorpse.Thewomanwasdressedasacommoner:low-class,filthyclothes.Beckpushedthebodywithherfoot,rollingthewomanontoherback.Oneofherarmsfloppedtotheside.Suction-tippedfingersreleasedthelong-barreledsportingblastertheRodianhadheldasshedied.
Beckflickedhervisiontoultraviolet,hereyemakinga
soft,audibleclick,thenloweredherselftoonekneeandtookholdofthewoman’swrist.Shemadeafaceasshedidthis.Shedidn’tlikemostaliens,butthisRodian,inparticular,madeherangryevenindeath.Sheyankedbackthewoman’scuff,exposingherforearm.There,visibleintheUVspectrum,wasthemarkingBeckhopedshewouldfind—thespreadwingsofabirdofprey—a
shrike.Shereleasedherholdandreturnedtoherfeet,frowningtoherself.
Shehadbeencorrect,then.
Shelookedattheshiptherebelshadbeentryingtoescapein,asmall,uglytransportthatlookedbarelycapableofreachinghyperspace,letalonestayingthere.
“Sergeant,withme,”Becksaid.
“Ma’am.”Theymadetheirway
aboard.
PartofthepleasureBecktookinherjobwasthatitletherbesmart.TherewerepartsoftheImperialArmyandImperialNavywherebeingsmartwasaliability.Seeingtoomuch,hearingtoomuch,oraskingthewrongquestionscouldgetyouintoalotof
trouble.IntheISBtherulesweremuchthesame,intruth,butwithadifference:youcouldbesmart,ifyouweresmartatyourjob.Beck,whoasachildhadwantedtobeadetective,foundthispartoftheworkespeciallyenjoyable.RootingouttraitorstotheEmpirewasjustsolvinganotherkindofmystery.
Sheforcedherselftogoslowlythroughthetransport,
movingfromthecockpittothecargohold,checkingeachofthesmallberthsasshewent,eventhoughsheknewtimewasoftheessence.WhateverhadhappenedintheYavinsystemshedidn’tknow,buttherumorswereflying,andthatmorning’scommuniquéfromCoruscanthadbeenverycleartoallISBcommands.
BYORDEROFTHE
EMPERORTo:AllImperialSecurityBureauSeniorCommandersPRIORITYONETheEmperorcommandsthatallknownandsuspectedterroristsorterroristsympathizersaffiliatedwiththeself-namedRebelAlliancebeimmediatelyarrestedanddetainedforinterrogationonthechargeoftreason.
Thisdirectivesupersedes
anyongoingoperations.EFFECTIVEIMMEDIATELY
Thismeant,whateverhadhappenedintheYavinsystem,ithadbeenbadfortheEmpire.ItalsomeantthatBeck’sverycarefultrackingofthisparticularrebelcellwasatanend.Shehadhopedtokeepthemundersurveillanceuntiltheycouldleadherbacktoevenbigger
fish,perhapseventheRebellion’shighcommanditself,butthedirectivehadbeenunequivocal:shewastomoveonthem,andtomoveonthemnow.
BeckthoughtoncemoreoftheRodianwoman,deadinthebayoutsideoftheship,andfeltherselfgrowingangryagain.WhenBeckandhersquadhadarrivedinthehangarbayhereonTaanabthey’dfoundthetransportin
preflightpreparations,fourofthecrewofrebelsdisconnectingthefuellinesandloadingequipment.Shehadn’tgottenasfarasshouting,“Stop,you’reallunderarrest!”beforetheshootinghadstarted.Iftherebelshadhadanounceofsense,theywould’vesurrendered,butno,theyhadtofight,anddespitethestormtroopers’settingtheirE-11blasterriflestostun,not
onerebelhadbeentakenalive.
Ithadbeenafurious,ifbrief,firefight—overinlessthantenseconds—withnotoneofBeck’smenwoundedandthefourrebelslaidoutontheground,stunned.Beckhadorderedthesergeanttoputthebinderstothemwhen,fromtheroofofthetransport,she’dspottedmotionanddrawnherblaster.TherehadbeentheRodianatopthe
ship.BeforeBeckoranyofthestormtrooperscouldreact,thealienhadopenedfire.Butshehadn’tshotatthem.
ShehadshoteachofBeck’sprisoners.
Oneaftertheother,theRodianhadputablasterboltintomenandwomenwhomust’vebeenherfriends,hercomrades-in-arms.Beforethestormtrooperscouldbringtheirriflesup,itwasalreadyover.Inaninstant,Beckhad
gonefromfourprisonerstonoprisoners.
“Stop!”Beckhadshouted.
TheRodianhadlookedatBeckwiththoseenormouseyes,thenputherblastertoherowntemple.
Beckcoulddonothingbutwatchherfall.
Sheshouldhavehadfiveprisonersforinterrogation.Insteadshehadnone.
Whatevertheyknew,the
Rodianhadbeenwillingbothtokillanddietoprotectit.Beckwascertainitwasimportant.Soshetookhertimewalkingthroughthetransport,takinginthedetails,andwhenshe’ddoneitonce,shediditasecondtime.Thebodieshadbeenremovedfromthebaybythetimesheexitedtheship,andthesergeantimmediatelycametoattentionatherside.
“There’sonemissing,”
Becksaid.“Alltherebelsare
accountedfor,ma’am.”Beckdidn’tbotherto
correcthim.Sheknewwhatsheknew.ThetransportwasanEE-730,madebyKuat,equippedtoberthsixpassengersandcrewtotal.Allsixbedshadshownsignsofoccupants.Fivebodieshadbeentakenaway.One,therefore,wasmissing.
“Landtenmoresquads
fromVehementimmediately.Iwantasweepofallthelandingbays,allthelocalcantinas,thenormaldrill.NoshipsaretotakeofforlanduntilIgivetheword.”
“Yes,ma’am.”“Andsendascanning
crewaboardwithadataretrievalteamimmediately.Iwanteverythingfromthecomputers,especiallyfromthenavicomputer,aswellasthehyperspacelogs.Have
themsenttomyofficeaboardVehement.”
“Yes,ma’am.”Sheheadedoutofthebay
butstoppedbeforeshe’dtakentwosteps,hereyesfallingtothepoolofdryingblood,whatremainedtomarktheRodian’sdeath.Somepeople,Beckthought,would’vethoughttheRodianbrave.Somepeoplemightevenhaveusedwordslikeself-sacrificeandnobleto
describewhatthealienhaddone.Beckthoughtthosepeoplewereidiots,perhapseventraitors.Shesmearedthetoeofherbootintheblood,feelingthatangeragain.
“Fool,”shesaid.
“Wearenotablockadeship,”CaptainHovesaid.“WearenotequippedtointerdictflightstoandfromTaanab.”
“Findaway,”Becksaid.
“Itakethistomeantheoperationwasnotassuccessfulasyoumight’vehoped?”
“Therewasanunexpectedcomplication.”Beckmovedpasthim,intoherofficeaboardtheVehement,andsettledbehindherdesk.Atherback,thewideportholeshowedaviewofTaanabturningbeneaththem,framedbyalimitlessfieldofstarsstretchingouttowardinfinity
beyond.Sheturnedherseattoadmiretheview,butfurthertoavoidHove’sgaze.WhiletheStarDestroyerVehementwastechnicallyhiscommand,fallingundertheumbrellaoftheImperialNavy,therewasnodoubtastowhichofthemwastrulyincharge.Forthatreason,amongothers—chiefofthembeingHove’sterroratdoinganythingBeckmightfeeltheneedtoreporttotheISBhigh
commandassuspiciousoreventreasonous—hedidnotlikeher,andtheirrelationshipwasdefinedbyacordial,andcool,formality.
“AdmiralOzzelhasissuedacommuniquétothefleetorderingustobattlereadiness,”Hovesaid.“Ifyouhaveinformationthatyouaren’tsharingwithme,I’dask,forthegoodofthisvessel,thatyoureconsider.”
Beckarchedaneyebrow.
Outside,atwo-shipelementofTIEfightersswoopedpast,flyingsentryinperfectparallelformation.
“You’llknowwhatyouneedtoknowwhenyouneedtoknowit,Captain.”BeckswiveledbackaroundtofaceHove.“BurdeningyouwithtoomuchinformationisaninvitationtoleakthatinformationtotheenemiesoftheEmpire.Andyouwouldn’twantthat.”
Hovestiffened,andBeckmanagedtokeepherselffromsmiling.
“No,Commander,”hesaid.
“Irequireanastromechdroidsenttomeimmediately,andIrequireyouonthebridge.WhenIgivetheorder,Iexpectustomoveoutatonce.”
“Theship,asever,isatyourdisposal.”
“Yes,”Becksaid.“Itis.
Anastromech,now.”Hesnappedhisheels
together,pivoted,andexitedtheoffice,thedoorsslidingemphaticallyshutinhiswake.Beckturnedherattentiontohercomputer,whichdisplayedthereportssentupfromthesurfaceandthedatarecoveredfromthetransport.Onceshehadreviewedtheinformationsheusedhercommtocontactthesquadsergeant.
“TX-828,”heanswered.“Sergeant,I’vejust
reviewedthetransport’srecords.Isthiseverything?”
“Yes,ma’am.”“No,itisn’t.It’smissing
thelogsfromthenavicomputer.”
“No,ma’am.”“Thelogisempty,
Sergeant.”“Yes,ma’am,thatis
correct.Bestthedataretrievalteamcoulddetermine,there’d
beenahardwipeonthesystemwithinthelastday.Theysaytherearesignsthatthenavicomputerhaditscachewipedregularly.”
Herdoorbeeped,andBecksparedaglancetowardthesurveillancemonitor,showinghertheviewoutsideheroffice.AnR4modelastromechdroid,shinyblackandsilver,waitedoutside.Shekeyedthelock,lettingthedroidinside.
“Andthesamegoesforthehyperspacelogs,Ipresume?”
“That’scorrect,ma’am.”Shekilledtheconnection
andpointedattheR4unit.“Plugintomylocal,
accessallthedatathat’sjustbeenuploadedfromtheoperationonthesurface,”Becksaid.
Thedroidwhistledandrolledcloser,itstopswivelingasitscomputerinterfacearm
extendedfromitsbodytoplugintotheportatthesideofherdesk.Theunitreleasedalongerstreamofbinarychirpsandwhistles,andBeckwentbacktolookingoutherwindow,thinking.Wipingthenavicomputerwasn’tunheardof,buthardwipingtooktimeandwasdoneonlytopreventexactlywhatBeckwastryingtoaccomplish:retrievaloftheship’shistory.Morethanthat,thelibraryfilescouldbe
corruptedbysuchawipe,andthat,inturn,couldleadtoadisastroushyperspacejump.Disastroushyperspacejumpsnormallyendedwiththeship’screwdeadandtheshipinfragments.
Therebelshadworkedvery,veryhardtohidetheirtrail.TheRodianhadbeenwillingtokillanddietokeeptheirsecrets.Allofthisandthetattoooftheshrike,visibleonlytothosewho
wouldknowtolookforit.Itcouldonlymeanonething.
“Ematt,”Becksaid.“Youwerethere.Wheredidyougo?”
AsifinanswertheR4unitemittedwhat,toBeck,soundedlikeatriumphantstringofbeeps,drawingherattentionbacktoherdeskandthemonitorthere.Despiteitsbestefforts,thedroidhadfailedtorecoveranydatafromthenavicomputerorthe
hyperspacelogs;instead,ithadtakenthedatafromtheship’ssuppliesandstores,inparticularthefuelstore,andcross-referencedthatwiththeEE-730’sflightrange.
“Thattellsmewherethey’vebeen,”Becktoldthedroid.“Notwheretheywereheading.Notwherehe’sgone.Linktothebridgecomputeronmyauthority.Iwantalistofallvesselsthatlefttheplanetbetweenthe
timeweassaultedthetransportandthetimeIorderedtheblockadeinplace.”
Thedroidwhined.Beckconsidered.The
rebelshadbeenpreparingtoleaveTaanabwhensheandthestormtroopershadarrived.Emattmust’vefledtheshipthemomenttheattackstarted.Thestormtroopersonthesurfacehadreportednothing,andshecouldonlyguesshow
manyshipsCaptainHovehadletleavetheplanetbeforeshe’dorderedtheblockadeinplace.
Hewasoff-worldbynow—sheknewit.
Thedroidchirpedandswiveleditshead,usingtheprojectortodisplaythreestackedimages:threeshipsthathadlefttheplanetinthegapbeforeHovehadbeguntheblockade.Onewasanautomateddroidtransport,on
afixedruntowardtheInnerRim,andBeckdismissedthatonerightaway;itwouldbebeyondfoolishforEmatttofleetowardtheheartofImperialcontrol.Oftheremainingtwo,onewasanoldSienarMKIbulktransport.ThesecondwasaKuatYardshauler,apurecargoferry,designedtomovehundredsofunitsoffreightintheirownseparatecontainers.
Itwouldbeveryeasyto
hideinsideoneofthosecontainersuntilthehaulerreacheditsdestination.
“Thatone,”Beckpointed.“Plotitsjumpandalldestinationsalongtheroute.”
Thedroidhadapparentlybeenanticipatingthis,andimmediatelytheshipsvanished,replacedbyastarmapwiththehauler’sprojectedflightpath.FartherouttowardtheOuterRim,onalinetoHuttSpace.
Becksatback.ShewouldtracktheSienar’sflightpathaswell,justtobethorough,butshewasalreadycertain.Shekeyedthecommonherdesk.“Captain?”
“Yes,Commander?”“SetcourseforCyrkon,”
shesaid.“Iwanttobethereyesterday.”
HANSOLOSCOWLEDandstaredoutthecockpitoftheMillenniumFalconattheswirlingblue-and-whitehyperspacetunnel,notreallyseeingit.Hecouldfeeltheshiparoundhim,thelowvibrationoftheheavilymodifiedIsu-Simengines
growling,hurtlingthemfasterthanlightspeed.Hethoughtabouttheoldman,andwhathe’dbeentryingtoteachthekidontheirwayfromTatooinetoAlderaan—thetripthathadstartedthiswholemess,asfarasSolowasconcerned.TheoldmanhadtalkedoftheForce,tellingthekidthatheneededtostretchoutwithhissenses,garbagelikethat.Solodidn’tneedtheForcetofeelwhat
theFalconwasdoing.Itwasinhisbones.
Chewierumbledathim,tryingforthethirdtimetoengagehimconversation.
“I’mnottalkingtoyou,”Solosaid.
TheWookieechuffed.“I’mnotsulking,”Solo
snapped.Eventohisownears,itsoundedsullen.
TheWookieelaughed.“We’llseehowfunnyyou
thinkthisiswhenwe’re
rottinginsomeImperialdetentioncell.Thiswasnevertheplan,pal.”
Theenginesshiftedsubtly,almostimperceptibly,butbothofthemfeltit,andbothofthemstraightenedupintheirseats,ChewbaccaalreadyreachingoverheadtolockintheaccelerationcompensatorsasSoloreachedforwardtothrottlebackoutofhyperspace.Therewasnoneedtotalk;they’ddonethis
athousandtimes.Youcouldtellthequalityofacrewbyhowtheyhandledthismaneuver.Therewerepilotswhoearnedverycomfortablelivingsflyingrichpassengershereandtheresolelyonthebasisofhowsmoothlytheycouldswitchfromhyperspacebacktorealspace,withoutspillingtheirpassengers’drinks.Onlytheverybestcouldmanageitseamlessly.
Soloeasedthethrottle
handlesback,cuttingpoweroneachengineinconcertandwatchingastheendofthehyperspacetunnelsuddenlyrantowardthem,afieldofstarsandtheglowoftheatmosphereofCyrkoncomingintofocus.AtthesametimeChewbaccalinkedintothesublights,andSolofelttheFalconcatch,caughtinspace,asiftryingtodeterminewhichwaytogo,eagertokeeprunning.He
nudgedher,reversedthethrottleontwooftheengines,felttheshipyielding,thenbroughttheremainingthrottlesbackup.AllatoncethetunnelwasgoneandtheywerelookingatCyrkon,brown,red,andgoldbeneaththem.
They’ddoneitflawlessly.TheEmperorhimselfcouldn’thavecomplained.Soloactuallygrinned,forgettinghisbadmoodfor
aninstant.ThentheFalcon’s
proximityalarmstartedshrieking,andthebadmoodcamebackasSolotwistedinhisseattosilenceit.
“What?”hedemanded,moreoftheshipthanofhiscopilot.“What?”
Chewbaccabarked,twistingoneofthedialsonthesensorarray,thenslappingtheaft-viewcameratolife.Solostaredatthe
imageonthetinymonitorembeddedinthecontrolconsoleandtriedtokeephisjawfromdropping.
“You’vegottobekiddingme.”
Chewbaccasnuffedathim,cockinghishead.
“Yes,Chewie,Ithinktheyseeus.”
Therewasacracklefromthespeakersinthecockpit,theopencommunicationschannelspringingtolife.
“ThisistheStarDestroyerVehement.”ThevoicehadallthearroganceandentitlementSolohadcometoexpectfromanImperialofficer.“UnknownYT-1300,identifyyourselfandstateyourbusinessonCyrkon.”
Soloreachedfortheheadset,holdingittooneearashegesturedtoChewie,butheneedn’thavebothered—hiscopilotwasalreadyhalf
outofhisseat,reachingunderoneoftheconsolestohisstarboardforthecasefullofshipaliasestheyusedfortheFalcon.Everyshipinthegalaxyhad,builtinaspartofitscoreconstruction,anidentitythatwasbroadcasttoothershipsthatcamenearenough.CalledtheIdentificationFriendorFoe—orIFF—transponder,itwasauniqueID,theoreticallyimpossibletoalter,andnever
mindthatitwaspositivelycriminaleventotry.Thathadn’tstoppedtheoriginalownersoftheFalconfromdoingso,andintheinterveningyearsSoloandChewbaccahadbuiltonthealreadyconsiderablelibraryofaliasesfortheshipsothatnowtheyhad,quiteliterally,hundredsoffalsenamesandthedocumentationtogowiththem.
“Well,hellothere!”Solo
said.Hediscoveredthathehadaffectedadefinitetwanganddecidedtorunwithit.“Lovelyday,isn’tit,Vehement?”
Chewiehadthecaseopenonhislapandwaspullingdatacubes.HeheldoneuptoSolo,lookingathimquizzically.Pluggedin,itwouldsaytheFalconwasashipcalledJin-DenSmoke,runningcharterforafamilynamedDeWeir.Soloshook
hishead.“UnknownYT-1300,we
repeat,identifyandstateyourbusinessonCyrkonoryouwillbeboarded.Youhavetensecondstocomply.”
“Nowthat’snowaytogreetsomeone,”Solosaid.Chewieheldupanothertwocubes,onethatwouldsaytheyweretheBrokenBellcarryinghydraulicreplacementpartsforheavybinarylifters,theother
callingthemFoulMatter,whichwascarrying—appropriatelyenough—sanitationsupplies.Soloagainshookhishead,thistimemorevigorously,andfolloweditwithalookthatsaid,plainly,theydidn’thavetimeforthis.Chewbaccathrewuphishands,droppedthecubes,andrummagedaroundformore.“Youtalkthatwaytoalltheshipsthatcomeacrossyourbow?”
“UnknownYT-1300,youhavefivesecondstocomply.BroadcastyourtransponderidentificationandstateyourbusinessonCyrkon.”
“Now,reininyoureopies,”Solosaid.“Gotitrighthere.Theresomethinggoingondowntherethat—”
“Threeseconds.Twoseconds—”
Chewbaccaheldupafinalcubeand,evenbeforeSolocouldidentifyit,
slammedithomeintoitsreceiverontheconsole,poundingthetransmitbuttonatalmostthesameinstant.
“Youallshouldhaveitnow,Vehement,”Solosaid.
Therewasapause,nothingbutsilenceovertheopenchannel.SoloandChewbaccastaredateachother.Iftheidentitywasrejected—orworse,identifiedasfalse—they’dbefacinganImperialStarDestroyerat
point-blankrange.Atbest,theymightbeabletoevadelongenoughtomakethejumpbacktolightspeed,butthemissionwouldhavefailedbeforeithadtrulybegun,nevermindthattherewasalreadyaStarDestroyerorbitingCyrkon;therewasagoodchancethey’darrivedtoolateanyway.
“WeidentifyyouasLostandFound,CaptainCoszelDridge.Stateyourbusiness
andcargo.”“A-yep,that’sme,”Solo
said.“JustheadingdowntorefuelandgetalittleRandRisall.Understandthere’sacantinaoutonthesouthsideofMotok,youknow,thecapital,wheretheyhavethecutestlittleTwi’lekdancersyou’veever—”
“Yourperversionsareofnointeresttous,CaptainDridge.Infuture,youareadvisedtotransmityourship
identificationimmediatelyuponexitinghyperspace.Youarefreetogoaboutyourbusiness.Vehementout.”
Therewasaclickasthecommunicationschannelclosed.
SoloandChewbaccaslumpedbackintheirseats,exhalinginunison.
TheFalconshudderedasitcutthroughtheatmosphere,
andsettledasSoloandChewbaccaguidedherthroughthetoxicskiesofCyrkononapproachtothecapital.ChewiekeyedincoordinateswhileSolofinalizedtheirlandingarrangementswithMotokflightcontrol,securingalandingbayinoneofthelargestfacilitiesontheedgeofthecity.
TherewasgoodandbadabouthidingoutonCyrkon,
Soloreasoned.ThegoodwasthatthelocalgovernmentwasascorruptastheImperialone,andwithenoughcreditsonecouldbribeorbuyone’swaytojustaboutanythingoneneeded.Whiletherewas,ostensibly,aworkingeconomyontheplanet,therealbusinesswasmadeontheblackmarket,dealingingoodsandweaponsandspiceand,sometimes,evenslaves.Ifyoucouldmakemoneyon
it,itwasprobablybeingboughtorsoldinoneofCyrkon’scities.
ThebadwasthatCyrkondidn’thavemuchinthewayofsaidcities.TherewasMotok,byfarthelargestandthusthedefactocapital,andperhapsahalfdozenothersscatteredacrosstheplanet,butthatwasit.Therewasagoodreasonforthis:Cyrkon’scitieswerealldomed,enclosedstructures
withregulatedtemperatureandatmospherecontrols.Whentheplanethadbeencolonized,longbeforethefalloftheRepublic,ithadbeenanideal,almostidyllicworld,situatedperfectlyinthehabitablezonefromitssinglestar.Sincethen,theatmospherehadturnedpoisonousasindustrialandcommercialventureshadfilleditwithtoxins.Thetemperaturehadskyrocketed,
thesurfacehadbeguntooverheat,andtheresultwasarunawaygreenhouseeffectthatnowmeantyoueitherlivedunderadomeoryoudied,endofstory.
Whichmeantthecitieswereovercrowded,overpopulated,andunderserved.Lotsofplacestohide,sure,butnotalotofplacestorun.
TheFalconglidedtowardtheclusterofportstructures
asdirectedbyflightcontrol,andSolobroughttheshipinaslowpassovertheirdesignatedbay.Eachbaywasprotectedbyamagneticshield—afaint,blue-tingedshimmeringofenergy—andseveralwereoccupied.Chewieleanedforward,peeringpasthim,joininghiminasurveyofthevisibleshipsparkedbelow.Inoneofthebays,theycouldseeanImperialtrooptransport,
Sentinelclass.TheWookieerumbled
unhappily.“Maybetheydidn’tlanda
fullcomplement,”Solosaid.Chewbaccadidn’tbother
todignifythatwithareply.Instead,hepointed,onehairyfingerindicatinganothershipparkedinabayperhapshalfaklickfromtheImperialtransport.Thisonewasn’tmilitary,notatall,butrathera1550-LEX,aluxuryyacht
withabrightbluestripepaintedalongthetopofitshull,runningfrombowtostern.Chewiesnuffedaquestionathim.
“Lookslikeher,yeah.”Chewiesnuffedasecond
time,lower.“We’llsee.”Soloflickedthethrottles,
broughttheFalconthroughaone-eightythatreversedtheirdirection,putthemintoahoverovertheirdesignated
landingbay,thensettheshipdownontoitspadasgentlyasifhewerekissingachildonthenose.ChewiebegansecuringsystemsandSolosettheenginestostandby,asopposedtofullshutdown.TheWookieelookedathim.
“Likeyoudon’tthinkwe’llbeleavinginahurry,”Solosaid.
TheWookieeconsidered,thenhuffedinagreement.Herose,grabbedhisbowcaster
fromwhereitrestedintheemptynavigator’schairbehindwherehe’dbeensitting,andlookedatSoloagain.
“Well,let’shopeyouwon’tneedit.”
Theysteppedfromthecockpitanddowntheshorthalltothecircularmaincompartment.Chewierumbled,growled,thenbarkedasSololoweredtherampandtheysteppedfrom
theshipandoutintothebay.“Idon’tknow,”Solosaid.
“YoucanpackalotofstormtroopersintooneofthoseSentinelshuttles.”
Thatgotanotherchuffinresponse.
“Look,it’sabigcity,pal.Wedon’tknowifVehement’safterhim.Itcouldjustbeacoincidence,right?AndeveniftheyaresearchingforEmatt,they’regonnabespreadout.Sowekeepour
eyesopen,weplayitsmart,we’llbefine.Inandout,nobody’llevenknowwewerehere.”
Theystartedacrossthelandingbay,towardthemaindoorsthatledtotheport.TheWookieerumbledagain.
“I’mtryingtomaintainaspiritofoptimism,here,Chewie,”Solosaid.Hewasgettingannoyed.“Ifyou’renervousaboutthis,I’mgonnatakethismomenttoremind
youthatthiswasyouridea.Iwantednothingtodowithit,remember?”
TheWookieewoofedasSoloreachedthedoorsandkeyedthemopen.Theyslidapart,revealingalong,wide,bustlingpromenadethatstretchedasfarastheeyecouldsee,withmorecorridorsleadingtotheotherbaysextendingfromeitherside.Thenoisewasimmediate—voicesarguing,
shoutinginadozenlanguages,speederswhizzingpast,droidsyammeringinbinary,vendorshawkingtheirwaresfromtheirstalls.Theysteppedthrough,andSolohitthedoorcontrols,lockingtheFalconsafelybehindthem.
“Look,relax,”Solosaid,turningtofaceChewbacca.“We’vedealtwithstormtroopersbefore.Itcouldbeworse.”
TheWookieerumbled
softly.Solospun,watchingas
thecrowdpartedtorevealanoddlytallandleanfiguresomefifteenmetersaway,leadingagroupofthreehumanoids.IttookanotherhalfsecondbeforeSolocouldrecognizetheleaderasadroid,unlikeanyhe’deverseen.Itsfacewasamockeryofaprotocoldroid’s—flat,mattegraywithanextendedcollarflaringoutaroundit,
likesomesteelflower.Itschassiswashumanoidbutseemedonlypartiallycompleted,endingmidtorsoandrevealingthewhirlingmachinerysunkintoitswaist.Itslegswerelong,animitationofhumanskeletalstructure,likeitsarms.Itcarriedaheavyblasterpistolinonemetalfistandalonger,crueler-lookingblastercarbineintheother.Thethreebehindthedroid,aKubaz—
hislongsnoutvisibleevenfromthatdistance—aGran,andahuman,werelikewisemovingtheirweaponsintoposition.
“HanSolo,”thedroidsaid,andevenacrossthedistanceitsvoicewasclear,clipped,metallicliketherestofitsform.“Jabbasayshello.”
Thenthedroidopenedfire.
“PUTTHEMAGAINSTthewall,”Beckordered.“Ifanyoneofthemtriesanything,killthem.”
“Ma’am,”thesergeantsaid,thenjerkedhisarm.“Youheardher.Move!”
Thestormtrooperswereinmotionatonce,tossingtables
asideandgrabbingthecantinapatronsastheywent,throwingthemroughlytowardthewallatthefarsideoftheroom.Protests,weakenedbythethreatofblasterriflesandImperialimpatience,werevoiced,butnonewithconviction.Beckwatchedwithcontempt.Ithadn’tbeenanicecantinatobeginwith,andshedoubtedanyofthecriminalriffraffpopulatingitwerethatnice,
either.Whenthesquadhad
finished,therewerefourteenpatronsagainstthewall,plusthebartender,hisonehumanoidserver,andaservicedroid.Becklookedthegroupoverastwoofthestormtroopersbeganpattingeachonedown,hereyeclickingsoftlyassheviewedeachofthemthroughvariousspectrums.Threehadholdoutblasterstuckedaway.One,an
oldred-huedTwi’lek,wasreachingforhis.Shedrewherblasterandpointeditathisforehead.
“Don’t,”shesaid.TheTwi’lekdidn’t.Beckwaiteduntilthe
stormtroopershaddisarmedthegroup.Notaoneofthem,includingthedroid,hadbeenwithoutaweapon.Thepileontheonlyuprighttablewassubstantial,includingtwovibro-knives,aswellasthe
standardassortmentofheavyandlightblasters,plusonethermaldetonator.
“I’mlookingforaman,”Becksaid.Fromherpocketshepulledhersmallholoprojector,keyedit,andbroughttolifethefileimageofEmatt,threeyearsoutofdateattheleast.Shehelditoutforalltosee.“Thisman,ahuman.HeiswhoIwant.Notyou.Thesooneryoutellmewheretofindhim,the
sooneryoucangobacktoyourdrinking.”
Alongthewall,thepatronsshifteduneasily,somecastingglancesatoneanother,thereststaringatBeck.Therewasasatisfyingfearintheirexpressions.
“IfyoudonottellmewhereIcanfindhim,”Becksaid,“I’llhaveyouallexecuted.”
Thebartenderspluttered,thenfoundhisvoice.Hewas
aDevaronian,oneofthetwohornsrisingfromthetopofhisheadcrackedandmissingitspoint.“Youcan’tdothat!Wehaven’tdoneanything!”
“I’llcomeupwithsomething.”
“TheEmpirehasnoauthorityhere!”
Becksighed,steppingforwarduntilshewasscantcentimetersfromthebartender:hebackedsohardagainstthewallshethought
hemighttrytopushhiswaythroughit.Shesmiledathim.
“Iamtheauthorityhere,”shesaid.
“Wehaven’tseenhim.”ThiswastheTwi’lek.Becklookedathim,flickinghereyeintothermal.Twi’leksnormallyranhotterthanotherhumanoidsandthisonewasnoexception,buthisheatsignaturewasevenmoreelevatedthannormalforhiskind.Fearcoulddothat.
Alongwiththethermalsignature,hereyegaveherpulserateandrespirations,andallthese,usedproperly,couldactasamakeshiftliedetector.
“Noneofushaveseenhim,”theTwi’lekadded.
“You’relying.”Beckpocketedtheprojector,turningtoheadforthedoor.Asshepassedthesergeant,shesaid,“Bringhimoutside.Therestarefreetogo.”
Shesteppedoutofthebar,intotheMotokport,andwrinkledhernoseattheassaultofdifferentscents.Theplacewasfilthy;thepeoplewerefilthy,humanandalienalike.Toomanyaliens,asfarasshewasconcerned,andyoucouldtastethecorruptionintheair.Thewholeplanetwascorrupt,likesomanyontheOuterRim,likesomanyinfectedbytheHutts’
criminaltaint.TheEmpirewasoccupiedbymatterselsewhere,Beckknew,butshesincerelyhopedthatonedaytheEmperor’seyewouldturntowardtheseunlawfulpocketsofbarelymaintainedcivilizationandchaosandbringmuch-neededorder.
Shewouldverymuchenjoytakingpartinsuchanoperation.
Thesergeantemergedwithfourofthetroopers,
leadingtheTwi’lek,hishandsnowinbindersbehindhisback.
“Idon’tknowanything,”theTwi’leksaid.
“Butyou’relying.Iknowyou’relying.”Beckgavehimhersweetestsmile.“AndsinceIknowyou’relying,Iknowyoucantellmethetruth.Therearetwowaysforthattohappen.Theeasywayisyouwilljusttellme.Thehardwayinvolvesan
interrogationdroidandadetentioncellaboardmyStarDestroyer.”
TheTwi’lekblanched,hisredskinfadingtosomethingclosertopink.
“SoIthinkit’saneasychoicetomake,butthenagain,I’mnotyou.”
“Hewasn’t…hewasn’tdressedlikethat,”theTwi’lekmuttered.“Notlikeintheholo,butIsawhim,thismorning,inside.Hewasn’t
hereforlong.”“Whatwashedoing?”“Idon’tknow.Hewas
waitingforsomeone,Ithink.”“Tomeetsomeone?”TheTwi’leknodded
quickly,makinghislekkubounce.“That’swhatIthought,yeah.”
“Anddidhe?”Thistimeheshookhis
headwiththesamevigor,makinghishead-tailssway.“No,he…hekeptwatching
thedoor,andthenhejustgotupandleft,hejustleft.”
“Togowhere?”“Idon’tknow,Iswearon
theMakerIdon’tknow!”Beckusedhereye,
checkedhisvitalsagain.Ifanything,theTwi’lekwasnowmorefrightenedthanbefore,butnothingshecouldseetoldherthathewaslying.Shemadeafaceandturnedaway,gesturingtothesergeanttoreleasehim.
“You’relettingmego?”TheTwi’lektwistedhishead,watchingasthesergeantunfastenedthebinders.Hebroughthisfreedhandsup,rubbinghiswrists.“Thankyou!Thankyou!”
Beckpaused.“Youknowthemanwasarebel?”
“Ithoughthemightbe,maybe.”
Becksighed,suddenlytired.
“Allrebelsandrebel
sympathizersaretobeshotonsight,”shesaid.
Shedidn’tevenhavetolookatthesergeant,didn’tbothertoturnaround.Therewasafraction’spause,thenthesoundofthesergeant’sblasterfiring,andamomentlatertheheavythumpoftheTwi’lekhittingtheground.
“Getthebodyoutofthestreet,”Becktoldthesergeant,againproducingherholoprojector.Shetabbedthe
commbutton,andamomentlateraminiatureandshimmeringprojectionofCaptainHoveappeared.
“Commander,anyprogress?”
“Ihaveaconfirmedsightingasofthismorning.Iwantafulldetachmentbroughtdownimmediately.We’llbeginagridsearchofthecity,workingoutfromtheport.”
Hove’simageturned
awayfromthecamera,andBeckwatchedasherelayedherorderstosomeunseenofficerontheVehement’sbridge.Heturnedbacktofaceher.
“You’recertainhe’sstillonplanet?”
“You’rebetterequippedtoanswerthatthanI,Captain.”
“We’vehadnoshipstakeofffromMotoksincewearrived.”
Beckstartedtoformthewordgood,butsomethinginthewayhe’dsaiditmadeherholdback.
“Yousounduncertain,CaptainHove.”
“No,Commander.Notakeoffs,Iassureyou.”
“But…?”Hoveshiftedintheimage,
pulledatthehighcollarofhisuniform.“There’vebeenahandfuloflandings,nothingreallyoutoftheordinary.
Oneofthemgaveuspause,butweletitthrough.”
“Tellme.”“Lightfreighter,theLost
andFound.Wecleareditforlandingabouthalfanhourago.Itsregistrationcheckedout,butitwasoutofdate.Icheckedafterwe’dclearedit,anditmatchesthemarkingsofashipthatwasputonthewatchlistacoupledaysago.SomeunpleasantnessleavingTatooine,Igather.”
“Whydidn’tyouinformmeofthisearlier?”
“Cyrkonisnotoriousasahubforpiratesandsmugglers,Commander.It’snotuncommonforavesseltouseanalias.Itwasn’tuntilIcheckedthatIsawitwasaknownvessel.”
“Whichbay?”“Ihardlythinkthis
matters,Commander.Ijustwantedtoinform—”
“Ididn’taskwhatyou
thinkandIcertainlydon’tcare,Captain.Whichbay?”
Hove,inherpalm,lookedaway,checkingsomethingoutofsight.“Bayseventhirty-two.ButIreallydon’tsee—”
Beckjabbedtheemitterinherhand,makingHovevanishmidsentence.Theywereintheeighteenhundreds,withbayseventhirty-twomorethanakilometeraway.
“They’reheretorescuehim,”shetoldthesergeant.
Shebegantorun,theclatterofthestormtrooperscloseatherback.
“LOOK,”SOLOSAID.“Canwetalkaboutthis?”
Theanswercameintheformofanothersalvoofblasterfirerippingoverhead,narrowlyskimmingthetopoftheoverturnedzeezfuruitcartthatSolohadtakencoverbehind.Shardsofmasonry
showereddown,piecesofitvaporizedintoafinedustthatmadehimsneeze.Heglancedtohisright,checkingonChewie.TheWookieehadtakencoverbehindwhathadoncebeenashinyandbrand-newlandspeeder.ItwasbigenoughtoshieldChewiefromthebountyhunters’collectivefire,butunfortunatelyforthevehicle,ithadnowbeenhitinadozenplacesanditswindshield
reducedtoshards.Thatlandspeeder’sowner
wasnotgoingtobehappywhenheorshegotback,Solothought.
TheWookieewasreloadinghisbowcaster,palmingoneoftheclipsfromhisbandolierandslappingitintoplaceontheweapon.HegruntedatSolo.
“Iamtryingtothinkofsomething,”Solosaid.
Therewasanothersalvo,
andSoloshiftedinhiscrouch.Chewiewaswatchinghim—Solonodded,andbothmovedatoncetoreturnfire.Thebountyhuntershadsimilarlygoneforcover.Thedroidwaspositionedbehindoneoftheheavysupportcolumnsalongonesideofthepromenade,buttheGranwas,forthemoment,exposed.Solosnappedofftwoshotsinquicksuccession,thefirstcatchingtheGranhighonthe
leftshoulder,thesecondmissing.TheGrancursedinHuttese.
ChewieroaredandSoloheardthebowcaster’sdistinctivesnap,catchinginhisperipherytheflightofthelong,slower-movingboltlaunchedfromtheweapon.Thepillarthedroidwashidingbehindtookthehit,butasignificantchunkofthepermacretevaporized.
Soloduckedbackdown,
exhalingandadjustingtheDL-44inhishand.Thiswasnotgoingwell.Theywerewastingtime,andwithallthisshooting,itwouldn’tbelongbeforeanImperialparadeofbucketheadsshoweduptoinvestigatethecommotion.
Somethingominouslyheavyclatteredontothegroundnearbyandrolledintoview,whiningasitapproachedsteadilyandrapidly.Withoutthinking,
Sololashedoutafoot,thetoeofhisbootcatchingthemetalballandsendingitbouncingoffoneofthesidewallsofthenownearlydesertedpromenade.Aninstantlatertheballexploded,andSolofeltamoment’sgratitudethatthispartoftheporthadclearedalmostinstantlywhentheshootinghadbegun.Bountyhunterscameinallshapesandsizes,allofthemwiththeirownaxestogrind.
Some,heknew,wereverycarefulonthejob,preciseandprofessional.Youcouldrespectpeoplelikethat,evenifyoudidn’tagreewiththewaytheymadealiving.Others,though,caredaboutnothingbutobtainingtheirtarget.Ifinnocentsgotintheway,well,thatwasjusttoobadforthoseinnocents.Theywerecollateraldamage,justthecostofdoingbusiness.Withthefirepowertheseguys
werecarrying,Solowascertaintheyfellintothelattercategoryandnottheformer.
Buttherewasonethingthathisexperiencehadtaughthimwasuniversaltoallbountyhunters.
“I’vegotthemoney,”Solosaid.“Listentome.IhaveJabba’smoney!”
Thefiringstopped,andSolosnuckoneeyeclearofthecart,tighteninghisgriponhisblasterpistol.Allfourof
thebountyhunterswerestillbehindcover,buttheyhadheardhimandheknewhehadtheirattention.
“I’llgiveittoyou.Allofit.”
Chewbaccalookedathiminamazement.Soloignoredhim.
“Allofit,it’syours—justletusgo.”
“Where?”Thedroid’svoice,metallicandill-modulated.
“It’sonmyship.Youletmegoandgetit,I’llbringittoyou.”
“Solo.”Thedroidsoundeddisappointed.“IfIletyougototheship,youwillnotcomeback.Wewillcomewithyou.”
“Youcomewithus,there’snothingtostopyoushootingusinthebackonceyouhavethemoney.”
“Correct.”“SoyoucanseewhyI’d
thinkthat’skindofarottendeal.”
“Wecanofferyouanotherdeal,”thedroidsaid.“Wecankillyouhere,thentakeyourshipandyourmoney.”
“Idon’tlikeeitherdeal,”Solosaid.
Chewiesnortedinagreement.
Solosighedandlookeddownthepromenadeinthedirectionhewasfacing,away
fromthebountyhunters.Therewasasquadof
Imperialstormtroopersapproaching,ledbyanofficerwithablasterinherhand.SoloquicklyholsteredhispistolandlookedtoChewie.
“Putitdown!”hehissed.TheWookieelookedat
himlikehewasmad,theninthedirectionSolowaspointing—andthenhegotitandpromptlyputthebowcasteraside.
“Rebels!”Soloshouted,pointingroughlyinthedirectionofthedroid.
Thebountyhunterschosethatmomenttoresumefiring,andtheofficerandstormtroopersimmediatelyscattered,splittingintotwogroupsandpressingthemselvesagainsteithersideofthepromenade.BlasterboltssailedoverSolo’shead,smashingintothewallsandgroundfartherdownthewide
hallway.Solopushedofffromthecartandbeganrunninglowtowardwheretheofficerhadtakencoverbehindanotherofthepillars.Moreshotspepperedthewallbehindhim;hefelttheheatofoneoftheboltssingehishairasheslidinnexttoher,breathlessandnotneedingtoworkveryhardatpretendingtobescared.
“They’recrazy!”SolosaidtotheImperialofficer.
“Theyweregoingforoneoftheshipsandthensomethinghappened—theyjuststartedshooting!Ithinkthey’retryingtoescape!”
“Stayback!”thewomansaid,pushinghimagainstthewall.Shewastall,almosthisheight,ablondwithoneblueeyeandonecyberneticeye,glowinganinfernalredandsetinablackmetalhousingfusedtoherskin.Itwasfrighteningtolookat.The
scarthatranverticallyfromherhairlinetoherjawalongthatsidewasdeep,andthewoundthathadmadeitmust’vehurtterribly.“Howmany?”
“Four,Ithink,”Solosaid,makinghiseyeswide.“Twoaliensandadroid.They’rebeingledbyahuman.”
Theofficer’sjawclenchedandshepivoted,motioningtothetroopersinpositionacrosstheway.
“Setforstun.Iwantthemallalive.We’llneedanionblaster.”
“Icanhelpyou,”Solosaid.
“You’vedoneenough,citizen.Stayherewhereyou’resafe.I’llwanttospeakwithyouoncethesetraitorsareincustody.”
“Myfr—myservant,he’strappedupthere.”SolopointedtowhereChewbaccawasstillhuncheddown
behindthedamagedlandspeeder.“Ineedhim.He’sveryexpensivetoreplace.”
“We’llcleartheroute,”theofficersaid.Shemotionedagaintothetroopersoppositeher,givingthemthegosignal.Theymovedthewaystormtroopersalwaysmoved:quicklyandpreciselyandasaunit,advancingingroups,givingoneanothersupportfire,makingtheirway
quicklyupthepromenade.Thebountyhunterswereshootingback,eitherunwillingtosurrendertheirbountytotheEmpireor,morelikely,notyetrealizingthatthebattletheywerefightinghadchanged,thattheywerenolongerexchangingshotswithSoloandChewbacca.
Thegroupreachedthelandspeeder,andChewbaccascoopeduphisbowcasterand
raninlong-leggedstridestowhereSolowaswaitingforhim.Theyeachsparedaglancebackupthepromenade.
“ThisisCommanderBeckoftheImperialSecurityBureau,”Soloheardthewomanshouting.“Throwdownyourweaponsandsurrenderandyourliveswillbespared!”
Chewiehuffed.“Definitelytimeforusto
go,”Soloagreed.
Thecantinawasinacargohold,andthecargoholdwasinthe1550-LEXthey’dseenonapproach.Ithadtakenonlyamomenttodouble-checkthattheshipwastheoneSoloandChewiethoughtitwas,MissFortune.Theyslippedintothedockingbaywithoutdifficultyandwithoutanyonepayingthemany
attention.Theyapproachedfromthebackofthevessel,wherethecargorampwasdownandaverytaciturnShistavanenwasleaningagainstoneofthehydraulicstruts.Theycouldhearmusicandvoicescomingfromwithin.TheShistavanenheldupaclawedpaw,stoppingthem.
“Coverisfifteencredits,”hegrowled.Heraisedhislupinehead,muzzlecanted
uptolookChewbaccaintheeyes.“TwentyfortheWook.”
“I’mafriendofDelia’s,”Solosaid.
“Everyone’safriendofDelia’s,”theShistavanensaid.“Thirty-fivecredits,buddy.”
“Robbery,”SolotoldChewbacca,fishingthechitsoutofoneofhispockets.HedroppedthemintotheShistavanen’shand.“Don’tspenditallinoneplace.”
Theyclimbedtherampintowhathadoncebeenthesubstantialandreasonablyspaciouscargoholdoftheship.Technically,Solosupposeditstillwasthecargoholdoftheship,butthatwasnolongerthepurposeofthespace,norhaditbeenforaverylongtime.Instead,therewasalongbartopagainstthefore-endbulkhead,withtransparentcasesbehinditdisplayingbottlesandbottles
ofthefinestliquorsthegalaxyhadtooffer.Ahalfdozensmallround-toptablesfilledtherestofthespace,withtwoorsometimesthreeseatsateach—andmostwereoccupied.
ThefreightthatgotmovedaboardMissFortunewasprimarilyliquidinform,frequentlyintoxicating,andgenerallyoverpriced,butitcamewiththebenefitofbeingservedinjustaboutthe
mostdiscreetlocationpossible.MissFortuneneedednopermits,paidnotaxes,and,whenthelocalauthoritiesgotwindofthosetwofacts,couldquiteliterallypickupandflyawayatamoment’snoticetosetdownonsomeotherworldandrepeattheprocessalloveragain.Forpeoplewhomadetheirlivingonthego,travelingfromworldtoworld—smugglers,scouts,
mercenaries—itwastheperfectplacetohaveasafeandquietdrinkandmaybecatchuponthelatestnews.
Sololedthewaytothebar,threadingbetweenthetablesandbellyingupbetweentwoemptystools.Thebartender,facingawayfromhim,wasahumanwomanwithshortredhair.Whensheturnedandsawhim,agrinbrokeacrossherpale,lightlyfreckledface.
ThenSolorealizedshewasn’tlookingathim,butatChewbacca.
“Hey,Wookiee,”thewomansaid,pushingupontiptoeandleaningouttowrapChewieinahug.Chewbaccachuffed,embracingherandliftingheroffherfeet,andSolosawhercheekscolornearlytheshadeofherhairasshewassqueezed.
“You’regonnabreakDelia,Chewie,”Solosaid.
Chewbaccarumbled,barkedonce,andsetherbackdown.Thewomansteadiedherselfandranfingersthroughherhair,catchingherbreath.
“Solo,”shesaid.Shewastryingnottowheeze.
“CaptainLeighton.”DeliaLeightongrinned
again.“Iheardyouweredead,Han.IheardthatGreedosplatteredyoualloverMosEisleyorsomething
likethat.Iwasalmostsadaboutit.”
“Almost?”“Youstillhaven’tpaid
yourtab.”“I’vegotthemoney.”“Thatso?”Sheputher
elbowsonthebar,linescrinklingatthecornersofhereyesasshesmiled.“Let’sseeit.”
“Idon’thaveitwithme.”“Iknewyou’dsaythat.”“Icanpayyou.The
money’sontheFalcon.”Sololeanedcloser,puttingthetwoofthemface-to-face.“Thatandmoreifyoucanmaybehelpusout.”
“Alwaysananglewithyou.”
“Noangle,justinformation.I’mlookingforsomeone.”
“We’realllookingforsomeone,Solo.”Deliastraightened,pulledthehandtowelfromwhereithung,tail
stuffedintothebeltatherwaist,andbeganwipingdownthebar.AnoldWA-7seriesdroidrolleduponhersinglewheelandsethertrayonthebar.
“Twojuri,anincandescent,andonebottleofBost,”thedroidsaid.
Deliabeganfillingtheorder.
“Delia,we’reinabitofahurry,”Solosaid.
“Andthat’snewhow?”
“Canyouhelpus?”Shesetabottleonthe
trayandpoppedthecapoff.“Youhaven’ttoldmewhoyou’relookingforyet.”
“Humanmale,roughlytwentystandardyears,brownhair,browneyes.Hewould’vejustarrivedinMotokwithinthelasteighteenhoursorso.”
“So,maybeathirdofthehumansvisitingMotok,that’swhoyou’relookingfor?”She
settwoglassesonthewaitress’stray,thenreachedbackforabottlewithoutbotheringtolookatit,flippeditoverherheadintoherotherhand,thumbedthestopper,andbegantopour.Theliquidthatflowedoutshimmered,turnedsilver,andendedupfrothingclearintheglassesandsmellinglikesweetfruit.“You’rebeinguncharacteristicallyvague.”
“He’slookingtogetoff-
planet.He’sexpectingalift.”Sololeanedinoncemore,catchingthebartender’sgaze.“He’sexpectingaveryspecificliftfromsomeveryspecificfriends.Thekindoffriendsyou’vebeenknowntobesympatheticto.”
Tohercredit,Deliadidn’timmediatelyreact—justfinishedfillingtheorderandwatchedasthedroidscoopedthetrayupandrolledquicklyaway.Shewaited,then
slowlyslidhereyesbacktoSolo.Thesuspicioninthemwasunmistakable.
“You’veneverbeenknowntostickyourneckoutforanyonebutyourself,”shesaid.
“I’mhisride,Delia.”“Idon’tbelieveyou.”“YouthinkI’mworking
fortheEmpire?”Sheglancedat
Chewbacca,whohadremainedsilent,listening.She
shookherhead.“Butthereareother
peopleyou’reknowntoworkfor,”Deliasaid.“Theslugs.”
“Iwouldn’tsellmyworstenemytotheHutts.”
“Webothknowthat’snottrue.”
“Okay,”Solosaid.“Maybemyworstenemy.Butthat’snotthis.I’mthisguy’slift,Delia.”
“I’msupposedtobelieveyou’vejoinedthe
underground?”Soloshookhishead.“No,
noway,absolutelynot.Thisisaone-timething.”
Deliabitherlowerlip.“Chewie?”
TheWookieenodded.“Straight-up?”TheWookieenodded
againandhuffed.Sheshookherhead
slightly,amazed.“Theymustbepaying
youanawfullot,”Deliasaid.
“Notnearlyenough,”Solosaid.
“EXECUTE,SIGMAFOUR,”thestormtroopersergeantordered.Instantly,twoofthesoldiersflankingeithersideofthepromenadewereinmotion,arun-and-gunthatthey’ddrilledsomanytimesitrequirednothoughttoputintoaction:
advancing,firing,advancing.Pastthecoverofthehalf-
destroyedlandspeeder,Beckwatchedasoneoftheirfouropponentswentdown—theKubaz,hittwiceinquicksuccessionbystunblasts.Theremainingthreeseemedtohesitate,asifstunnedbytheprecisionandspeedoftheattack,andthesecondteamofstormtroopersopenedfirethen,downingtheGran.Thehuman,hisclothingamixture
ofsalvagedmilitaryandrefugee,allbundledbeneathafilthycloak,turnedandtriedtorun.
“Stophim,”Becksaid.Sheneedn’thavespoken
atall.Thehumanhadn’tmadeitfourstridesbeforehewasshotinthebacktwiceinquicksuccession.Hisbodylitasuddenblue,suffusinghimwithchargedparticlesthatoverloadedhisnervoussystemallatonce.Through
hercyberneticeye,shewatchedasthehuman’sbiosignswentwildforaninstant,thencollapsedtobaselineastheelectricalimpulsesthatdrovehisbrainweresuddenlyandsavagelyforcedintoresetbytheshocktohissystem.Itwasthesameprocessthatallowedmedicalanestheticstodotheirjob,Beckknew,butsomehow,watchingithappentoafleeingrebelmadeitthat
muchmoresatisfying.Thatleftthedroid,some
leftovermodelfrombeforetheCloneWarsfromthelooksofit,anditwascrab-steppingoutofitscoverandraisingitsweaponsinsomemockeryofsurrender.
“Donotshoot,”thedroidsaid.
Thestormtroopersergeantbroughtuptheshort-barreledDEMPgunfromitsstrapoverhisarmandshot.The
electromagneticpulsehitthedroidandthemachinelocked,trembled,sparksflyinginalldirectionsastheionizedchargeracedoveritshousingandthroughitscircuits.Thedroidmadeapathetic,almostchildlikewhine,thencollapsedwithaloudclank.
“Efficient,”Becksaid.Itwasquitepossiblythehighestpraiseshecouldimaginegiving.
Thestormtrooper
sergeant,designationTX-828,inclinedhisheadeversoslightlyinacknowledgmentofthecompliment.“Thankyou,ma’am.”
Beckslidherdutyblasterbackintoitsholsteronherthighandstrodeforward.Oneithersideofthepromenade,shapesbegantoappear,thosepeoplewhohadexercisedthebetterpartofvalorandgoneintohidingwhenthefirefighthadbegun.Shuttersslidback
ontheshops,oneaftertheother,andthewhirandwhineofdroidsgoingintomotionmeltedintobackgroundnoiseas,slowly,communicationandthencommerceresumed.Peoplestaredatherandthestormtroopersastheyadvanced,thesergeantdirectinghistrooperstodisarmandbindtheprisoners.Beckignoredthemall,focusedontheslumped,motionlessformofthehuman
lyingontheground,hisbodynowalmostentirelyconcealedbyhiscloak.
Shestopped,standingoverhim,thenusedthetoeofherboottonudgehisbody.Foraninstantshesaw,instead,theRodianwomanwhohadtakenherownlife.Theangerreturned,anditmadeBeckpushharder,forcingtheunconscioushumanontohisback.
“I’vebeenwaitingforthis
alongtime,Ematt,”Becksaid.
Themanshewaslookingatwasn’tEmatt.
Shelookedhimover,assessing.Thehodgepodgeofsalvagedmilitarygearandpiecesofbodyarmorwasrecognizableaslate-eraclonetrooperandmockMandalorian.Theweaponinhishandhadbeendropped,buthercyberneticeyeimmediatelymatchedittoa
schematic—aMerr-Sonn4,normallyusedbypoliceforitsabilitytoswitchbetweenautomaticblasterfireandsemiautomaticstun.Thehiltofavibro-bladehungfromhisbeltandasecondweapon—aBlasTechHSB-200holdout,hereyetoldher—restedinaholsterbeneathhisarm.Threegrenadesonthebelt,twoofthemstunners.
Beckbent,tookholdoftheunconscioushumanbyhis
collar,andsearchedhimwithherfreehand.Hehadapouchbeneathhisshirt,sensorshielded.Shesnappeditfreefromitscord,droppedtheman,openedit,anddumpedthecontentsintoherpalm.Credits,aholoprint,andanIDcard.Sheglaredatthecard,thenthrewitdownbeforestridingbackinthedirectionshe’dcome.
“Bountyhunters.”Shesaidthewordsasthougheach
wastoxic.“They’rebountyhunters,notrebels.”
Shestoppedshort,glaringdowntheonce-againbustlingpromenade.
“Theothertwo,thehumanandtheWookiee,where’dtheygo?”
TX-828,thesergeant,said,“Idon’tseethem.Theymusthaverunoffwhenwemovedonthetargets.”
“Wewerejustplayed.”Beckfeltthefuryracing
alongherspineandfoughttocontrolit.“Theyplayedus.Thosetwo,thosetwoweretherebels.They’reheretorescueEmatt—I’dbetanythingonit.”
Behindher,sheheardthedroidgrindingbackontoitsfeet.Itwhirred,clicked,thenspokeassheturnedtofaceit.
“ThisunitisdesignatedCaptivator,”thedroidsaid.“ThisunitcarriesanauthorizedImperial
certificationtohuntbounties.Youhaveinterferedwiththisunitanditspartners.”
Beckmovedcloser.“Ifyouhaveacomplaint,droid,fileitwiththeGuild.”
“TheImperialofficermisunderstands.”Somethinginsidethedroid’sheadmadeawhizzingnoise,thensettledintoahumthat,Becksuspected,wasdesignedtobeexactlyasannoyingasitsounded.“Theindividualsare
notrebels.Theindividualsaresmugglers.ThehumanisdesignatedSolo,Han.TheWookieeisdesignatedChewbacca.Therewardfortheiracquisitionis…significant.”
“Acquisition.”“Itismoresignificantif
theyareacquiredalive.”Becklookedthedroid
over,thenattheothers,theKubazandtheGranandthehuman,allofwhomhad
reachedvariousstagesintheirreturntoconsciousness.TheGran,shenoted,hadbeenwounded,butitdidn’tlookserious.
“Captivator,”Becksaid.“Let’stalk.”
“Thisunitoperatesunderself-actualizationprogramming.”Captivatorrotatedonitscentralaxis,turningitstorsoinafull
three-sixtywhileitslegsandheadremainedmotionless.Itseyes,suchastheywere,flickeredbetweenyellowandwhite.Beckfeltlikethemachinewasstaringather.“Thisunithasaself-improvementdirective.Thisunithasacquiredprogrammingandmodificationstomakeitthemostefficienthunterinthegalaxy.”
“Andanego
modification,Isee,”Becksaid.
“Thisunithasnoego.Thisunitrelaysfacts.”
“Soyou’resayingyoucantrackthosetwo,SoloandtheWookiee?”
“Thatiscorrect.”Becklookedovertherest
ofCaptivator’screw.Nowthattheyhadrecovered,shedidn’tknowwhattomakeofthem.TheKubaz,hislongsnoutdanglingfromwithin
hishood,whisperedsomethingtothehumanandtheGran,neitherofwhomhadstoppedstaringathersincethediscussionbegan.Thedroidwasclearlytheleaderoftheteam,andknowingwhatshedidaboutbountyhuntersandhowtheyworked,BecksuspectedthattherewassometruthtowhatCaptivatorwastellingher.
Shehadorderedthewholegrouppulledintothe
relativeprivacyofoneofthesmallshopsliningthepromenade,thendirectedthesergeanttoclearthespace.Ithadbeenarestaurant,alien-focusedfastfood,andthesmellofgreasewasheavy,mixingwithspicesfromworldsBeckhadlikelyneverheardof,letalonevisited.Thehumanproprietorwatchedthemsuspiciouslyfromthefarcorner,underguardofanothertwo
stormtroopers.Beckconsideredwhatsheknew.
“Youcanidentifytheirship?”sheaskedthedroid.
“Confirmed.”“Doyouknowwhereit
is?”“Negative.”Captivator
clicked.Alineoflightsonitstorsoflashed.“Butitwillbeasimplematterformyselfandmypartnerstolocateit.”
“Iwantadescriptionofthatship,”Becksaid.“Its
name.Itsrealname,notwhateveraliasitmayhaveusedtoland.”
Thebountyhunters,arrayedbehindCaptivator,shifteduncertainly,exchangingglances.
“Cannotcomply,”Captivatorsaid.
“Notonlycanyoucomply,youwillcomply,”Becksaid.“OryournextjobwillbeonKessel,andyourpartnerswillfindthemselves
toilinginanImperialpenalcolony.Name,description.Now.”
Anewlightflashedonthedroid’storso,followedbyagentlehydraulicwhineasitrotateditsheadthistime,turningitinaone-eightytoviewitspartners.Themove,Becksuspected,wasforshow;Captivatorsportedalmostadozencamerasandlensesonitshead.Shewascertainthedroidcouldseein
everydirectionatonce,withtheprocessingpowertoassessandanalyzetheinformationacquiredfromitssensorsnearinstantly.Itwasstallingfortime.
“Sergeant,”Becksaid.“Takethemintocustodyonachargeofobstructionandsuspicionofaidingandabettingterrorists.”
“Yes,ma’am.”Thestormtrooperraisedhisrighthand,signalingtherestofthe
squad.“Wait,”Captivatorsaid.
Itsheadswiveledbacktofaceher.“WeareloyaltotheEmpire.Wewillcomply.”
ThesergeantglancedatBeck,andshenodded,barely.Hemotionedthesquadback.
“I’mwaiting.”“ThevesselisaKLT-
Kuatlightfreighter,”Captivatorsaid.“VesselisnamedRoundaboutRight.”
Becksmiled.“Anything
else?”“Thevesseliseasily
identifiablebythedepictionofadeep-spaceAngelpaintedonitsporthull.”
Beckstaredintothedroid’svisualsensors.Thebountyhuntersshifted;shesawtheKubazcreepingonehandeversoslowlytowardtheblasterholsteredathiship.
“Youandyourpartnersarefreetogo,”Becksaid.
Thedroidbuzzed.Thebountyhuntersatitsbackrelaxed.TheKubaz’shandwentbacktorestathisside.
“LonglivetheEmperor,”Captivatorsaid,thenpivotedandheadedoutofthelittlecafé,theotherbountyhuntersintow.
Thesergeantwaiteduntilthedoorhadclosedbeforehesaid,“Ma’am,Ibelievetheywerelying.”
“Iknowtheywerelying.”
Shefacedtheproprietor,whohadn’tmoved.Hewasroughlytherightheight,alittleoverweight,buthewoulddo.“VehementrecordednoKLTslandingsincetheyarrived.We’relookingforaYT-1300.You,theEmpirerequiresyourclothes.”
Theproprietoropenedhismouthtoprotest,thenrememberedthetwostormtroopersguardinghim.
Heunfastenedhisapronandbeganpullingoffhistunic.
“Getoutofyourarmorandputthoseon,”Becktoldthesergeant.“Takeacomlinkandfollowthem.Stayincontact.”
“Atonce,ma’am.”Itsoundedtoherlikethesergeantwassmiling.
“I’lltaketherestofthesquadandwe’lllocatetheirship.Withluck,we’llambushthemastheytrytoboard.”
Sheturnedbacktotheproprietor,nowstandinginhisundergarments,andtookthebundleofclothesbeingpresentedtoherbyoneofthestormtroopers.Shesetthemdownononeofthesmalltabletops.Thesergeantwasalreadyoutofhishelmetandgloves,quicklyworkingthefastenersonhisbreastplate.Hewasolderthanshe’dhavesuspected,perhapsnearingforty,graybeginningtocolor
hisblackhair.WithsomesurpriseBeckrealizedthathewasaclone,perhapsoneofthelaststillinservicebasedontheoriginalKamino-producedtemplate.Thatconfirmedhersuspicionsabouthisage.Therewereonlyafewofhiskindleft.Infact,Beckcouldn’trememberhavingeverservedalongsideonebefore.
“TX-828,”Becksaid.“Yes,Commander?”He
wasoutofhisarmor,now,pullingontheshirt.Hisvoicesoundedstrangewithoutthemodulationofhishelmet.
“Whatdotheycallyou?”“Ma’am?”hetuckedin
hisshirtandtookthecomlinkoneofhistroopershandedhim.
“Youhaveanickname.Inthebarracks.Whatdotheycallyou?”
“Torrent,ma’am.”“You’llusethatasyour
callsign.”Sheknelt,pulledthecufffreefromherrightboot,anddetachedthesmallholsterandholdoutblastersheworethere.SheroseagainandputtheholsterwiththeweaponinTorrent’shand.“FortheEmpire.”
“FortheEmpire,ma’am.”Shewatchedashe
steppedoutofthecafé,checkedthestreetbriefly,thendisappearedintothebustleoftraffic,moving
quicklytocatchupwithCaptivatorandtherestofthebountyhunters.Sheturnedtooneofthetroopers,alreadygatheringTorrent’sthings.
“Let’sfindthatship,”shetoldhim.
DELIALEIGHTONknewtroublewhenshesawit,anecessaryskillasastarshipcaptainandarguablymoreimportantasabartender.
Troublewasonthecargoramprightnow,intheformoffourindividuals—onedroidandthreehumanoids—
arguingwithherpartner,copilot,andbouncer,Curtis.Shereachedunderhersideofthebartop,besidethesink,andputherhandonthegripofthesawed-offScattermastershekepthiddenthere.
“Letthemin,Curtis,”shecalled.
TheShistavanenlookedatherunhappily,lipscurlingbackalongthesidesofhismuzzle,baringhisteeth.She
smiled.Shealwayssmiledwhenshecouldmanageit.She’dlearnedthetrickbackbeforeshe’dacquiredtheship,whileworkingasabarmaidinacantinaonLothal.Thathadbeenaroughcrowd:spacersandsmugglersandpirates,allthedifferentspeciesthegalaxyseemedtohavetooffercomingthroughatonepointoranother,includingoneoldDurowhoalwaysdrankbyhimselfin
thecornerandtoldherstorieswhenthingsgotquiet.She’dlearnedthesmile,thefriendlydemeanor,howtospendhoursonherfeet—andhowtodealwithtrouble,howtoknowwhenitwastimetostandyourground,timetohidebehindatable,andtimetorun.
MissFortunehadbeenthatDuro’sship.He’dleftittoherinhiswill,muchtohersurprise.Itsoriginalname,in
Durese,translatedto“serendipity,”butsinceDeliacouldhardlypronouncetheDureseandnobodyelsecouldpronounceitatall,she’drechristenedit.Suddenlyacaptainandstillabarmaid,she’dcombinedthetwoprofessions.Itlethertravel,anditlethermeetpeople.Curtishadjoinedherearly.Curtis,whohadmoresympathythansensewhenitcametothingslikethe
RebellionagainsttheEmpire.Curtis,whoconvincedDeliatosometimesletMissFortunebeusedtopassmessagesbetweenrebelcells.
Thegroupmadetheirwayuptheramp,thedroidleading.Theyhadweaponsinhand,thoughnotraised.Thefewpatronsatthetablescarefullypickeduptheirdrinksandmovedoutoftheway.TheWA-7,Bobbie,swiveledinplace,tray
perfectlybalancedonherhand,andwatchedthempass.
“Getyoufellasadrink?”Bobbieasked,voicemodulatorflashingasshespoke.
Thefourignoredherandapproachedthebar.
“I’mafraidwe’renotequippedtoservedroids,”Deliasaid.Shewasstillsmiling.
Thedroidrotatedinplace,itshead,thentorsospinning
twicequicklytotakeinthebarbeforestoppingasquicklyasithadbegun.Oneofitsopticalsensorscametolife,glowingblue,andaninstantlaterabeamofthesamecolorlancedout,scanningDeliafromheadtotoe.
“That’salittlerude,”Deliasaid.Hersmileneverfaltered.
“TherewasaWookieehere,”thedroidsaid.
“Analysisofthelocalatmospheredetectsdander.OpticalanalysisdetectsthepresenceofthreeWookieehairsonyourclothes.Youhadclosecontactwithhim.”
Shetightenedhergripontheshotgunbeneaththebar,butkeptthesmileinplace.
“Who’sasking?”shesaid.“TheWookieetraveled
withahuman,aCorellian.NameSolo,Han.Verify.”
“Who’sasking?”Delia
saidasecondtime.Theweaponscameup,
andcameupquickly,andsuddenlyDeliawaslookingatthewrongendoffiveblasters.TheGranatthedroid’srightslammedhisfistonthebar.“We’reasking!”
“Ifyourhand’sonaweapon,littlelady,I’dletitgoandtakeastepback,”thehumansaid.
“Verify,”thedroidrepeated.
Curtishadcomeofftherampandwasnowapproachingslowlyandquietlyfrombehindthegroup.Deliatriedtocatchhiseye,towarnhimoff,buteitherhedidn’tseeherorhedidn’tlisten.Fromhisbelthepulledthegripofhisshockstaff,theoneheusedwhencustomerssometimesgotoutofhand,andmovedaclawedthumbovertheactivationstud.Theweapon
extendedinbothdirectionsinstantly,lockingintopositionasaquarterstaff,aglowofenergysurgingateitherend.
Thedroid’storsospun.Deliamovedtofreetheshotgun,buttheGranandthehumanbothleaptforward,grabbingherbyeacharm.Curtisgotasfarasmidleap,thestaffraisedtocomedownonthedroid,andthentherewasasingleshot.
DeliaLeightonlosthersmile.“No!”
Curtishitthedeckhard,growling.Hetriedtogetup,andthedroidshothimagain.Thistimethestunbolttook,andDeliawatched,herarmsnowgrippedbythehumanandtheGran,asherfriendcollapsed,thestaffrollingfromhishand.
“Gethim,”thedroidsaid.Thelastofthefour,the
Kubaz,bentandyanked
Curtistohisfeet,wrappingonearmbeneaththeShistavanen’sneck.
“Putyourblastertohishead,”Captivatorsaid.
TheKubazlookedatthedroid,gurgledathim.
“Ifwedonotcompletethisbountywithintheallottedtime,therewillbefurthercomplications.”Thedroid’sheadswiveled,primaryopticsfocusingontheKubaz.“Wedonotwanttocompetewith
BobaFett.”TheKubazgurgledagain
inagreementandwithhisfreehandputhisblastertoCurtis’sjaw.
“MycolleaguewillkilltheShistavanenifyoudonotverify.”Thedroid’storsoswiveledback,weaponsagainpointedatDelia.“Verify.”
“Theywerehere,”Deliasaid.“Lethimgo!”
“Insufficient.Timesince
present.”“Notlong,lessthanan
hour.”ShewatchedastheKubazpushedthebarrelofhisblasterharderintothesideofCurtis’sneck,crushingthefurthere.“Please,lethimgo.”
“Wherearetheynow?”Deliahesitated.Curtis
whinedsoftlyinthebackofhisthroat,eyesopening.Hewasstaringather.
“Theywentintothecity,”
Deliasaid.“Theyweregoingshopping.”
Thedroidhummedtoitselfforamoment.“Thisunitisequippedwithabiomedicalsensorarrayandvoiceanalysissuitethatwillaccuratelydetectfalsehoods.Youarelying.”
“I’mnot,I’m—”Thedroid’sheadswiveled
tofacetheKubaz,actingasifitwaslookingathim.“Infiveseconds,killthe
Shistavanen.”Deliastrainedagainstthe
handsholdingher,heartracingneartopanic.“No!No,I’mtellingthetruth!”
“Fourseconds.”“Please—”“Three.”“Please,listen—”“Two.”“Theywenttomeet
someone!”sheblurted,desperationmakinghershout.“Theyhadtomeetsomeone!”
Thedroid’sheadswiveledbacktolookather.
“Location.”Shefeltlikeshewantedto
cry,suddenly,couldfeeltheachebehindhereyes.Shesaggedinthegriponherarms.Curtiswaslookingather,yelloweyeswide,begginghernottobetraytherebels.
Shedidn’thaveachoice.Shetoldthemeverything.
THEONLYTHINGthatmadeMotokdifferentfromathousandothercitiesintheOuterRimthatHanSolohadvisitedatonetimeoranotherwas,asfarashecouldtell,thepresenceofthedome.Andeventhatwasn’tunique.Itwasjustanothercity,
foundedbycolonistswho’dventuredoutfromtheCoreWorldsinsearchofopportunityandabetterlife.Ithadgrown,ithadflourished,ithadfacedsetbacks,ithadbuiltadome,andlifehadgoneonandeveron,asitdid.TherewerepeopleinMotokwhowereborn,lived,andwoulddiewithouteverleavingthedome,withouteverknowingwhatitwastobreathefresh
airorfeelnaturalweather,rainorsnoworthekiln-dryheatofadesertworld.Solofeltalittlesorryforthosepeople.Thegalaxywasabigplace,theuniverseabiggerone;itseemedawasteofalifenottotrytotasteatleastsomeofthefeastthatwasoutthere.
They’drentedaspeeder—oneofthenewV-40s—attheport,andChewiedidn’tapproveofthechoice,mostly
becausethevehiclehadn’tbeenbuiltwithWookieesinmind.Itwasalittleontheflashyside,aslategraywithblackflaringsandaconvertibletop,butSolohadn’tpickeditforthosefeatures.Itwouldbefast,andheknewtheImperialswouldbeafterthemsoonenough,ifnotalready.Speed,asithadbeensomanytimesbeforeforhim,wasacrucialally.Itwasn’tcheap,either,buthe
figuredtheyhadthecreditstoburn,andanyway,he’dbillHerRoyalAnnoyanceandtheRebelAllianceforitoncethey’dmadetherendezvous.
Soloprogrammedthein-dashnavicompandsetadestinationnearthelocationDeliahadgiventhem.Hewasstillalittleannoyedatherreluctancetobelievehewasworkingwiththerebels,thenfoundhimselfwonderingwhyhecaredwhatshethoughtof
him,anyway.Itirkedhimonlyslightlymorethatshe’dlookedtoChewieforconfirmation,thathiswordhadn’tbeengoodenough.Sure,thereweretimeswhenSololied,thereweretimeswhenhecheated,thereweretimeswhenheplayedfastandloose—butneverwithhisfriends.
“I’matrustworthyguy,”hesaidtoChewbacca,outoftheblue.“Imean,youcan
trustme,right?”TheWookieeshiftedin
theseatbesidehim,hiskneesnearlytuckedbeneathhischin,stilltryingtogetcomfortable.Heletoutalowcollectionofrumbles,punctuatedwithabark.
“That’sdifferent,”Solosaid.“Youknowthat’sdifferent.DealingwithpeoplelikeJabba,you’vegottostayonyourtoes.Thosetypes,they’realwayslookingtoput
oneoveronus.It’saquestionofdoingittothembeforetheydoittous.”
Chewbaccagrowled,barkedsoftlyagain.
“Nameonetime.Nameone.”
TheWookieerumbledandbeganspeaking.Afterthirtysecondsorso,Solocuthimoff.
“You’vemadeyourpoint.”
Chewiechuckled.
“Wecamebacktohelpthekid.”
Asnort.“Thatwasnotallabouta
reward.”Anothersnort.“Theprincesstrustedme
enoughtoaskustodothis.”Chewiesmoothedthefur
coveringhiskneesandlookedatSolo.TheWookieebarked.
“Okay,fine,shetrustedusboth.SodidDelia.”
Chewiejustshookhisheadandgrowledgently.Sologuidedthespeederoffthemaindraganddownanarrowingsidestreet.Buildingsweregettingshorter,theneighborhoodclearlyturningmoredownscale,withfaultylightingandfewerpedestrians.
“Yeah,”Solosaid,moretohimselfthanhisfriend.“Yeah,theytrustyou,notme
—you’reright.”Thenavicompchimed,
andSolopulledthelandspeederover,parkingitaroundthecornerfromtheaddressDeliahadprovided.HeandChewietookamomenttocheckthestreetandsawitwasallbutdeserted,withtheexceptionofamunicipalservicedroidvainlyfightingalosingbattleagainstlitter.Solopulledhimselfupandswunghislegs
overtheedgeofthespeeder.Chewietooklonger,snarlingtohimself.
“Stopcomplaining,”Solosaid.“NexttimeI’llpicksomethingbigger,okay?”
Theyroundedthecorner,headeddowntheblock.Asignaheadofthemflickeredwithfaultywiring,alternatelytellingthemthattherewasvacancyornot,dependingonwhenthecircuitscutout.Thedoorstothehotelslidapartas
theyapproached,oneofthemsticking,forcingChewbaccanotonlytobendhisheadtoclearthetopofthedoorframebutalsototurnsideways.Sololedthewaythroughthelobby,ignoringthedroidclerkbehindthecounter.Itwasn’tthelowestrenthotelSolohadvisited,buthewouldn’trecommendittohisfriends.Anoldhumanwasasleeponabenchbesidetheelevators,buthewokeup
enoughtoyawnandstareatthemastheywaitedforthecar.
“Yourfriendneedsashave,”themansaid.
“Neverheardthatonebefore.”Soloreachedintoapocket,pulledacoupleofcredits,andheldthemout.“Youwanttomakealittlechange?”
“DependswhatIhavetodo.”
“Youseeanyonecoming
throughherewholooksliketheydon’tbelong,youhittheenvironmentalert.Youdothatforme?”
“Youmeananyoneasidefromhim?”ThemanindicatedChewbacca.
“YouknowwhatImean.”Theoldmaneyedthe
chitsinSolo’spalm.“Icandothat.”
“You’reacredittoourspecies,”Solotoldhim.
Theycameofftheelevatorandintoadimlylithall,thescentofoldfoodandsweatstrongintheair.Chewieeasedthestrapforhisbowcasteroffhisshoulderandmovedtheweaponintohishands,checkinginbothdirectionsasSolomovedforward,readingthenumbersonthedoors.Solo’srighthanddroppedtohisholsterandunsnappedthestrapholdinghisblasterinplace.
TheWookieemadeanalmostinaudiblewoof.
“Yeah,pal,”Solosaid.“Metoo.”
TheyreachedthedoortotheroomDeliahadgiventhem.Therewasadoorbell,butSoloignoredit;Deliahadtoldhimtoknock.Herappedhisknucklesoncebeneaththeeyeslit.“Hereforapickup,”hesaid.“PackagefromAlderaan.”
Therewassilence.Behind
him,SolocouldsenseChewiecheckingthehall,coveringhisback.
“IrememberAlderaan,”avoicesaidfromtheothersideofthedoor.
“Neverforget,”Solosaid.Themagneticlocksonthe
doorslidbackwithasolidthunk.
“Comein,”thevoicesaid.Solosharedalookwith
Chewie,thentabbedtheopenbuttononthepanelabovethe
doorbell.Thedoorslidopenimmediately,revealingaroomnarrowerthanthehallitselfandevenmorepoorlylit.Asinglefixture,recessedintothewallontheleft,guttered,thenflaredbrightforamoment,andinitSolocouldseeaman,dressedinrefugeeattire,tearsinhistunicandponcho.Helookedtobeinhismid-twentiesatmost,andlikeamanwhowaslivingonacocktailof
suspicion,fatigue,andworry.Hishandswereoutofsightbeneaththeponcho,andSolohadaverygoodideawhattheywereholding.
“Closeitbehindyou,”themansaid.
SolosteppedinsidefarenoughtoallowChewietoenterbehindhim.Thedoorclosedwithawhine,andtheoneceilinglightflickedon,droppingablue-whiteglareontoallofthem.
“Who’reyou?”“HanSolo.I’mcaptainof
theMillenniumFalcon.”SolojerkedathumbbacktowardChewbacca,loomingoverhisshoulder.“ThisisChewbacca,mypartner.”
Themanlookedatthem,thenbroughthishandsout,empty,fromwherethey’dbeenhidden.“Ematt.You’remyride?”
“We’reyourride.Soonerwe’reoutofherethebetter.”
“Noargument.”Thelightssuddenly
changedhue,flashingred.Aninstantlater,aklaxonstartedblaring.Emattstarted,onehandagainvanishingbeneaththeponcho,thistimeemergingwithablastercarbine,itsbarrelcutdown,presumablyforeaseofconcealment.Hestaredatthemaccusingly.
“YoubringtheEmpirewithyou?”
“Notonpurpose.”Soloswore,turninganddrawinghispistol.
Chewiehadopenedthedoorandwasstickinghisheadout,bowcasterattheready.TheWookieegrowledbackatSolooverhisshoulder.
“Chewiesaysit’sclear.Weshouldmove.”
“Stairsattheendofthehall,”Emattsaid.“Saferthanthelift.”
“Youheardtheman,”Solosaid.
Chewieled,longlegstakinghimdownthehallquicklyenoughthatSoloandEmatthadtoruntokeepup.TheyreachedthedoortothestairsandtheWookieehitthepanel,butthedoorrefusedtoopen.Chewieslappedahandagainstthepanelasecondtime,andtherewasawhiningnoise.Onthedisplayaboveit,Solocouldreadthewords
EMERGENCYLOCKOUT.“Environmental
emergency,”Solomuttered.Ofcoursethebuildingsealeditselfoff.
“Elevator,”Ematthissed.“Getitopen!”Solotold
Chewbacca,turningbacktowardtheelevatorsandpressinghissideagainstthewall.Ematt,ontheoppositesideofthehall,wasmirroringthemaneuver,bringinguphiscarbine.Behindhimcamethe
soundofmetaltearingasChewietorethedoorpanel’saccessplatefreefromthewallandbeganyankingatwires.
“Don’thotwireit!Openit!”
Chewiesnarled,andSolothoughtitbetternottorespond—allthemoresosincethatwasthemomenttheelevatorchimedanditsdoorsopenedtorevealthesamedroidfromtheport.Itwhirled
intoview,plantingitselfsquarelyandbringingupbothitsguns.Fromthecornerofhiseye,SolocouldseeEmattglaringathim.
“Onthebrightside,”Solosaid,“they’renotImperials.”
“Thenwhoarethey?”Emattdemanded.
“Bountyhunters.”Thedroidopenedfire,
rippingplasterchunksoffthewalloverSolo’shead.
“Bountyhunters?”Ematt
soundedincredulous.“Youletbountyhuntersfollowyou?”
“Ididn’tletthemdoanything!”Solosnappedofftwoshots,bothhits.Neitherseemedtobotherthedroidmuchatall,becauseitimmediatelyreturnedfire.“Deliasoldusout!It’snotmyfault!”
Behindhim,Chewieroaredinfury,andSolotwistedaroundintimetosee
thattheWookieehadabandonedtryingtorewirethepanelandnowhadbothhandswedgedintheseamofthedoortothestairwell.Heroaredagain,louder,andthedoorsuddenlybrokeapartwithagratifyingsoundofrendingmetal.Chewielookedathim,satisfied.
“Yes,you’reverystrong—go!”SologesturedtoEmatt.“Go!”
Emattloosedthreeshots
ofsuppressingfirefromhiscarbineinquicksuccession,andSolofollowedthosewithanotherfourfromhispistol.Withalunge,Emattwasoffthewallandthroughthedoor,Chewieafterhim.Sololaiddownanothersalvo,thenfollowedtheothersintothestairwell.Chewiewassomehowagaininthelead,leapingfromlandingtolandingaheadofthem,bowcastergrippedinonefist.
Emattclambereddownthestepsafterhim,withSoloonhistail,checkingoverhisshoulder.Forahandfulofsecondstherewasnothingbutthesoundoftheirmovementastheydescendedasquicklyaspossible,andthenablastershotrangoutfromaboveandshatteredtheconcreteabarecentimeterfromSolo’sleftfoot.Hefiredback,upthestairwell,withoutlooking.
ThesoundofaWookiee’s
snarlfilledthespace,echoing,andSololookeddown,pastEmatt.Chewiehadreachedthebottomofthestairs.TheKubazbountyhunterhadanticipatedthisescaperouteandwastryingtocutthemoff.SolopushedpastEmattandraisedhisblaster,tryingtofindashot,buttheanglewashorrible.ChewieandtheKubazweretooclosetoeachotherforHantoriskit.TheWookiee
roaredagainandwithonehandliftedtheKubazbythefrontofhisshirtandsmashedhimagainstthewall.ThenChewbaccatossedhimthroughthenow-opendoorsintothelobby.
“Okay,”Emattsaid.“He’sstrong.”
“Move,”Solosaid.Theyemergedintothe
lobby,theoldmanstillonhisbench.“Ididwhatyouasked.”Heheldoutapalm.
Soloflippedsomecreditsattheoldmanandranthroughthelobby,Emattbesidehim.Chewiewasnowbehindthem,andSoloonceagainheardthedistinctivesnapofthebowcasterfiring,thebassthudoftheshotsmashingintoawall.Higher-pitchedblasterfirechasedthemoutintothestreet,andSoloturnedtoheadforthespeeder,catchingmovementofftohisright.Thehuman
hadtakenpositionbehindwhatSolointuitedwasthebounty-huntingteam’sownspeeder.SololashedahandbacktograbEmatt’sponchoandpulledhimdownashedove.Thehuman’sshotsizzledoverheadandpunchedadentinthefacadeofthehotel.
“They’renotusingstun,”Solosaid.Then,moreindignantly,“They’retryingtokillus!”
TheWookieereacheddownandyankedSolobacktohisfeet,SolointurnpullingEmattupafterhim.Chewiewhuffed.
“Alive,”Solosaid.“We’reworthmorealive!”
“Lesstalk,morerun,”Emattsaid.
TheymadethecornerandturneditasanothershotnarrowlyskimmedpastSolo’sshoulder.Aswoopbikewasparkedahalf-dozen
metersshortofwhereSolohadleftthespeeder.Ithadn’tbeentherebefore,andhenearlysmashedintoit.HetwistedandkeptrunningfortheV-40.Solovaultedintothespeeder’sfrontseat,thankfulhe’dleftthetopdown,andEmattsimilarlytumbledintothepassengerseatbesidehim.ThevehiclesaggedonitsrepulsorsasChewiedoveintotheback.Solokickedtheenginetolife,
slammedthethrottleforward,andwrenchedtheyoke,andthespeedershotforwardandslewedintoaone-eighty.Aheadofthem,now,thehumanwasstandingintheopenandraisinghisrifletohisshoulder.Theweaponwasscoped,andSolocouldswearhefeltthereticleonhim,thecrosshairssettlingbetweenhiseyes.Thespeederhowled,launchingtowardtheman.
Solorealizedhewas
abouttogetshot.Therewasnothinghecoulddo,noplacetomovethespeeder,nootherdirectiontoturn.Thehumanhadhimdeadtorights.
Besidehim,Emattwasononekneeinhisseat.Raisinghisowncarbinetohisshoulder,hefired.Solowascertainhe’dmissed,butthehumanbountyhunterstaggeredandfell,hisownshotgoingwild.ThespeedertoreforwardasSolobrought
itthroughtheturn,acceleratingbackinthedirectionofthehotel.TheyflewpasttheentrancejustastheGranandthedroidemerged.Chewiefiredonce,thebowcaster’sboltexplodingoverthebountyhunters’heads,thenduckeddowntoavoidreturnfire.Solo,ontherear-screenprojection,sawtheGrangodown,peltedbyrubble.Thedroidloosedasalvoatthem,
oneoftheboltsskippingoffthetailofthespeeder.Thevehicledipped,andSolojerkedtheyokeandbroughtitbackundercontrol.
“Ihopeyouhaveaplan,”Emattsaid.
“Yes,wehaveaplan,”Solosaid.“Wegototheport,wegotoourship,weleave.That’stheplan.It’sagoodplan.”
“It’snotaverygoodplan.”
“Icantakeyoubacktoyourhotelifyou’dlike,”Solosaid.
“No,thankyou,”Emattsaid.“We’lltryyourplan.”
Soloswungthespeederontothemaindragandopenedthethrottletofull.Buildingsandvehiclesblurredpast.Hecheckedtherearscreenagain,catchinghisbreath.Chewbaccawasreloading.
“Shesoldusout,”Solo
said.TheWookieesnarled
angrily.“Thenhowelsedidthey
knowwheretofindus?”Solodemanded.
“Icanthinkofacoupleofways,”Emattsaid,settlingbackinhisseat.“Betrayalisn’ttheonlyoption.”
“Yeah,well,it’stheoneI’musedto.”
“Ifeelsorryforyou,then.Trustisaspreciousasitis
rare,butyouonlygetitbygivingit.”
Emattwassoundinganawfullotliketheoldmanhad.
“Trustisn’tgiven,it’searned,”Solosaid.“Likefriendship.”
“Youmustbeverylonely,”Emattsaid.
Solodidn’trespond.
“THAT’STHESHIP,”Becksaid.
“Yes,ma’am.”Thestormtrooperbesideher,acorporalnowcommandingthesquadinTorrent’splace,soundeddubious,eventhroughthespeakersonhishelmet.“Itdoesn’tlooklike
much,ma’am.”Becknoddedslightly,
agreeing.TheshipwasaYT-1300,asCaptainHovehadreported.Tohereyetheshiphadn’tseenagooddaysinceitcameofftheCorellianEngineeringlineallthoseyearsago.Paintseemedanafterthoughttoitsowners,andtheinnumerabledentsandscratchesalongthehullmadetheshiplooknotasmuchusedasabused.
Anotherofthesquadsteppedupandpointedahandheldscanneratthevessel,takingaquickreadingfromstemtostern.“They’vemodifiedtheIFFtransponder,”thetroopersaid.“Lotofnoise.Can’tgetapositiveID.It’sbroadcastingasLostandFound.”
“TakeitssilhouetteandsendituptoVehement,”Becksaid.“Iwantapositive
identification.”“Yes,ma’am.”Beckpulledhercomlink
andkeyedit.“Sergeant,thisisBeck.We’vefoundtheship.Report.”
Therewasaburstofstatic,thenTorrent’svoicecamethrough,oddlysmoothintheabsenceofhishelmet’sspeakers,evenoverthecomlink.Shecouldhearthehowlofaspeederengineandthewind.
“Asyoupredicted,Commander.Thebountyhuntersheadeddirectlytoanotheroftheberths,thenproceededfromthereintothecity.Iacquiredaswoopbiketofollowthem.Theywenttoalow-renthotelontheMotoksouthside,neartheedgeofthedome,andenteredthebuilding.Iremainedoutsidebehindcover,andyouwereright,ma’am.Wasn’tmorethanthreeminuteslaterthe
twoweencounteredonthepromenadeexitedwithathirdhuman,thehuntersinpursuit.Iwasn’tabletopositivelyID,butI’mcertainit’sEmatt.”
“They’rebeingpursued?”“Notatthemoment,
thoughtwoofthebountyhuntersarecertainlygoingtofollow.”
“Onlytwo?”“Ihadtoexercise
initiativetoexecuteyourplanasrequired,ma’am.”
“Discreet,Itrust?”“Verydiscreet,ma’am.”“Whichones?”“TheGranandthe
humanhadtobeneutralizedtoallowthequarrytoescape.”
Beckdidn’tbotherfightingthesmileshefelt,thoughshekeptitsmall.“Letmeknowwhentheyreachtheport.”
“Understood.”Shepaused.“Verygood
work,Sergeant.”“Thankyou,ma’am.”Becktuckedhercomlink
away,thenturnedtothetrooperwiththehandheld.“Anything?”
“Cominginnow,Commander.Shipisidentifiedas…theMillenniumFalcon.OwnerofrecordisaCorellianwantedonmultiplecounts,everythingfromsmugglingtoimpersonatinganImperialofficer.Nameof
HanSolo.Shiphasaregisteredcopilot,aWookieeknownasChewbacca.”
ThetrooperturnedthehandheldtoBeck,showingherthescreenwheretwofileimagesofahumanandaWookieewereslowlyrotating.
“Thetwofromthepromenade,”Becksaid.“Excellent.Corporal,IwantallImperialunitsonthislocationimmediately.When
theyarrive,positiontwosquadsaroundthisship.Theremainingunitsaretotakecoveroutsideofthebaytocutofftheirretreat.MakeitveryclearthattheunitsoutsidethebayaretoremainconcealeduntilIgivetheorder.Wedon’twanttoscarethemoffbeforethey’reinourtrap.”
Thestormtroopernodded,hishelmettiltingupanddownslightly,thenmovedoff
quicklytocallintheothersquads.Beckgazedattheshipamomentlonger,thenbeganaslowwalkaroundit,examiningitfromallsides.Shedislikeditonprincipleanddislikeditsownerevenmoreasaresult.Aship,shefelt,shouldreflectprideofownership.Ashipshouldgleam.Ashipshouldbemaintainedinthebestofallconditions.Thisshiplookedasneglectedasshehadbeen
inherownchildhood.Shefeltnosympathyandnopityforwhatsheplannedtodotoitsowners.Asfortheshipitself,itwouldbebesttoimpounditasImperialsalvageandmeltthewholethingdown.
Itwouldbeamercy,shethought.
Hercomlinktrilled.“Beck.”
“Fiveminutesout,”Torrenttoldher.“They’re
movingfast.”“Understood.Whenyou
arrive,assumecommandoftheunitsonthepromenade.You’llleadtheminonmysignal.”
“Yes,ma’am.”Beckfinishedhercircuit
aroundthefreighterandsawthatthereinforcementshadarrivedandwerenowbeingdeployedasshehadordered.Intotal,shehadmorethanfortystormtroopersin
positionandwaiting,morethanenoughtodealwiththreeenemiesoftheEmpire.Becktookamomenttoorderacoupleofthetrooperspreciselywhereshewantedthemtowait,thentookanotherlookaroundthedockingbay.Withthestormtroopersinconcealment,everythingappearedasonewouldexpect:mundane,evenboring.Asingledoor,
recessedoppositethebowoftheship,ledintothebayfromthepromenade.Shepausedtostudythedoorandnotedthatthelightsaboveitwereglowingblue.Thatwouldn’tdo,sherealized;they’dleftthedoorintothebayunlocked,somethingSoloandtheWookieewereboundtonotice.
“Trooper,”shesaid.“Lockusin.”
“Yes,ma’am!”
Becktookapositionbehindoneofthelandingstrutstotheforeoftheship,whereshewouldn’tbespottedwhenSolo,hisWookiee,andEmattarrived.Herstomachachedgently,inanticipationandexcitement.Thiswas,shereflected,turningouttobeaverygoodday.Thetrooperatthedoorfinishedworkingthepanel,andthelightswentfrombluetored,indicatingthelockhad
beenthrown.Nomistakes,Beck
thought.Notthistime.
Threeandahalfminuteslater,Beck’scomlinkcalledforattentionagain.Shehaditinherhandandbroughtitimmediatelytoherear.
“Beck.”“Headingyourway.”“Getintoposition.Out.”
Sheturnedtoaddressthe
waitingstormtroopers,raisingherchinslightlytohelpprojecthervoiceclearly.“Allweaponsaretobesecuredonstun.Wewantthemalive.Irepeat,wewantthemalive.OneisaWookiee.Itwilltakemultipleshotstoputhimdown.NooneistofireunlessIgivetheorder.”
TherewastheimmediatemutedclatterofstormtroopersinarmoraseachcheckedhisE-11,
makingcertaintheblasterwassettostun.
“Youarestormtroopers,”shesaid.“YouarethekeenestweaponintheEmperor’sarsenal.Donotfailhim.Donotfailme.”
Fromhercomlink,Torrent’svoice:“Onapproach.Twentyseconds.”
“Yourstatus?”“Inposition.”“Waitformyorder.”“Yes,ma’am.”
Beckputhercomlinkaway,drewherownblaster,anddouble-checkedthesetting,confirmingshewaslockedonstun.Thistimetherewouldbenomistakes.Thistime,therewouldbenoRodianwillingtodietoprotecttheRebelAlliance.Thistime,everythingwasgoingtogoasplanned.
Thelightsoverthedockingbaydoorsswitchedfromredtoblue.
Beckraisedherfreehandandhelditaloft.Allaroundthedockingbayshecouldsensethestormtrooperstensingwithanticipation,withexcitement.Shewasfeelingitherself,herheartbeginningtoquickeninherbreast.Sheclosedhereyeandswitchedhercyberneticoneintofullspectrumjustintimetowatchthedoorsnapopen,towatchherquarrywalkintothetrap.
TheoneidentifiedasSolowasleading.Hewastallandsurprisinglyhandsome,wearingboots,trousers,anoff-whiteshirtthatlookedlikethetunicwornbeneathanImperialofficeruniform,andablackpocketedvestovertop.Heturnedasheenteredandwalkedbackwardforaninstant,speakingtothetwowhofollowedhim.
“She’sfast,”Solowassaying.“You’veneverbeen
onanythingfaster.We’llbeokay,Ipromise.”
ThesecondonetoenterwasEmatt,andthedatastreamfromBeck’seyelitimmediatelywithalertsasthecyberneticsandthecomputeragreedontheidentification.
WANTEDFORCRIMESAGAINSTTHEEMPIRE—EXTREMELYDANGEROUS—APPROACHWITHCAUTION.
AllthethingsBeckalreadyknew.Andtherehewas,twentymetersawayandcomingcloser.Shefoughttheurgetoholdherbreath.
“Shebetterbe,”Emattsaid.“Becauseshelookslikesheneedsatow.”
TheWookiee,takinguptherear,growledaresponsethatechoedsoftlythroughthecavernousspace.Hewassmallforhisspecies,yetstillwellovertwometerstall,
coveredheadtotoeinapeltthatrangedfromblondtochocolatebrown,withtouchesofbrassandgold,andwascurlyinplaces,straightinothers.Thebowcasterinhishandsmadehimlookthatmuchmoreimposing.
“We’regoingtobefine,”Solosaid.“Trustme.”
Beckloweredherhand,givingthesignaltothetrooperstomove,andbefore
she’dfinishedthegestureshecouldhearthem,seethem,allgoingintomotion.Theysteppedoutfrombehindthelandinggear,fromwherethey’dbeenconcealedbehindthefuelingpumps,thestoragecrates,theloadlifters,themammothgeneratorsforthemagneticshieldthatservedastherooftothebay,keepingCyrkon’ssavageatmosphereout;theyslippedfromtheshadowsatthefarwallsand
roseupfromwherethey’dbeenhidinginthescaffoldingabove.Theymovedinnear-perfectunison,thesoundtheymadeterrifyingandcertain,andthethrillBeckfeltasshecameoutofcoverherselfwasasclosetojoyasshewouldeverallowherself.
TheCorellian,Solo,reactedinstantlywithwhatwas,toBeck,undoubtedlythequickestdrawshehadeverseen.Hishandwas
emptyandthenitwasmoving,andthentheblasterheworeonhisthighwasfreeofitsholsterandinhishandandcomingup.TheWookieeandEmattweren’tasquick,buttheywerefast.
Nonewasfastenough.Beckalreadyhadher
blasterpointedatSolo.“It’sreallynotworthit,”
shesaid.TheCorellianlookedlike
hewasconsideringarguing
thepoint.Foramoment,shethoughthemightactuallyshoother.EmattandtheWookieebothpivoted,turningbacktotheexittolookforanescape.Solostartedtoturnwiththem,thenstoppedasTorrent—stillwithouthisarmorbutnowwithhisE-11—steppedintotheopendoorway,theremainingstormtroopersfromoutsideathisback.Theyflowedintotheroomlike
water,surroundingSolo,Ematt,andtheWookiee.
“It’sover,”Becksaid.Sololookedbackather.
Hesighedandreholsteredhisblaster.
“Yeah,”HanSolosaid.“Iguessitis.”
CHEWBACCAMADEALONG,low,mournfulnoise,whatwould’vesoundedlikeahowliftherehadbeenanyvolumebehindit.Itwasthesoundofdespair,andfrustration,andself-recrimination.Itwasasoundthatsaidnogooddeedwent
unpunished.IfSolohadbeena
Wookiee,it’stheexactsoundhe’dhavemadeatthatmoment,too.
Thestormtrooperssurroundingthemdidn’tmove.HeheardChewie,behindhim,makeanother,shorterandevengentlerhowl,andsawoutofthecornerofhiseyeasoneofthetrooperstookChewie’sbowcaster.Theydisarmed
Emattnext,thencametoSolo.Reluctantly,heslidhisblasterfreefromitsholsterandhandeditover.
“I’mgoingtowantthatback,”Solosaid.
Thestormtrooperdidn’tsayanything,juststeppedback.Ahumanmale,maybeinhisearlyforties,movedupfrombehindthemandwenttotheImperialofficerwhohaddoneallthetalkingsofar.Theyspokeforamoment,
andSolocouldn’tmakeoutwhattheyweresaying,butthemanremainedatherside.Therewassomethingvaguelyfamiliarabouthim.
Theofficerstrodeforward,herblasterpointedprettymuchdirectlybetweenSolo’seyes,butshehelditinsuchawaythatitseemedsomehowlikeanafterthought.Itwasthesamewomanfromthepromenadeearlier,butthistimeSolo
couldgetabetterlookather.Shewasalmosthisheight,andpretty,too,inanicy-blondsortofwaythatthescardidn’tseemtodiminishasmuchasthatterrifyingcyberneticeyedid.Shewasbrimmingwitharroganceandself-satisfaction;itwasevidentineverythingshedid,everythingabouther,fromthewayshemovedtothewayshespoketotheslight,contemptuoussmileplaying
atherlips.Solothoughthemight
justhateheronprinciple.“MynameisCommander
AleciaBeck,”shesaid.“YouarenowprisonersoftheImperialSecurityBureau.Youareoutnumbered,outgunned,andwithnohopeofescapeorrescue.Anyresistancewillbemetwithforce.Isaythistomakeitclear:youhavenohope.”
“Ihavealittlehope,”
Solosaid,mostlytoannoyher.
Itworked.Thewomansteppedcloser.
“No,”shesaid.“Youareterrorists.Youarerebels—”
“I’mnotarebel—”“Andyouwillmeetthe
fatereservedforallenemiesoftheEmpire.Youwillbeinterrogated.Youwillbebroken.Thenyouwillbeexecuted.”
“You’llneverstopus,”
Emattsaid,behindSolo.Solofoughttheurgeto
rollhiseyes.Thewomanshiftedher
gazefromSolooverhisshoulder,tolookatEmatt.Hersmileactuallygrew.
“Ematt,”shesaid.“Howdoesitfeelknowingyourteamsacrificedtheirlives,onlyforyoutoendupinmyhandsattheend?Ishouldthinkthatwouldhurtquiteabit.”
Emattmovedforward,comingshouldertoshoulderwithSolo.“Youwillneverstopus.Wewillnotbebroken.Howeverlongittakes,wewillneverstopfighting.”
SololookedatEmatt.Itwasn’tthewords,oratleastnotthewordsalone;itwashowEmattsaidthem,theconvictionofthem.Itwasabsolute,anditwasfearless,andforSolo—whoatthat
momentwasn’tabovefeelingmorethanalittleworried,ifnotoutrightscared—itwasbothsurprisingandadmirable.He’dyettofindacausehewaswillingtodieforoutsideofhisownskin,Chewbacca,andtheFalcon.Hedidn’tliketheEmpire,butthatwasmostlybecausehedidn’tlikebullies,andasfarashewasconcerned,that’salltheGalacticEmpirewas:acollectionofbullieswho
rampagedacrossthegalaxy,pushingpeoplearound.Caseinpoint,theImperialofficernowsmirkingatEmatt.
ButEmattbelievedwhathewassaying.Hebelievedinwhathewasdoing.Andnotjustthat,hebelievedthatwhathewasdoingwasrightandwouldprevail.
Youhadtoadmiresomeonewiththatkindofconviction,Solothought.Eitherthatoravoidhimatall
costs,anditwasclearlyfartoolatetodothat.
“Never,”Emattrepeated.TheImperialofficer
lungedsuddenly,catchingEmattbythechinandpullinghimforward.Atthesametime,oneofthestormtrooperstookholdofhisarms.Beck’ssmilevanished,andSolotooktheopportunitytotakeahalfstepback,closertoChewbacca.
“Youwilltellus
everything,”Becksaid.“BythetimeIamfinishedwithyou,youwillbebeggingtotellmeeverything,Ematt.”
Shereleasedhim,andthestormtrooperpulledEmattuprightagain.Beckturnedtothemanstandingbesideher.“Bindersonallofthem.Searchthem.IwantatransportimmediatelytomovethemaboardVehement.”
“Yes,ma’am.”
Chewietiltedhishead,andSolofelthairbrushinghisearastheWookieerumbledquietly.
“I’mworkingonit,”Solosaid.
“Quiet,”oneofthestormtrooperssaid.
“Sure,sure.”Sololookedaround,tryingtobesubtleaboutit.Therehadtobeawayout,buthewasn’tseeingit.Withfortyormorestormtrooperssurrounding
thethreeofthem,muchashehatedtoadmitit,theywereoutofmoves.IfhecouldgetaboardtheFalcontherewereoptions.Theshipwasplatedwithmilitary-gradearmorthatwouldeasilyshrugoffthesmall-armsfirefromtheblasterriflesandkeepthemsafe.Therewereacoupleofothersurprisespackedaboard,too.Butitmeantgettingtotheship,andhecouldalreadytellthatBeck
wasn’tabouttoletthathappen.Therewasnowaytogetaboardwithoutgettingshottopiecesintheprocess.
Whatelse?Thebaywaslitteredwithexactlythesortsofthingshe’dcometoexpectfromsuchplaces.Cratesofreplacementpartsscatteredhereandthere,therefuelingsystem,itspressurepumpsandhoses—thatcouldbeabigboomifhecouldsomehowdisruptit—the
greatbigmagnetic-fieldgeneratorsmaintainingtheenergybarrieroverhead.Sologlancedup,sawtheshimmeringblue,Cyrkon’spollutednightskyaboveglowingadullreddishbrown,MissFortunecomingslowlyintoview,ridingitsrepulsorssilently,thedistantairtrafficglidingpastbeyond,the—
SoloblinkedandnudgedChewiewithhiselbow,usinghiseyestodirectthe
Wookiee’sgazeskyward.MissFortunewasmakingaslowturn,almosthoveringnow.Astheywatched,theventralhatchontheyachtslidopen,andamomentlatertheturretdroppedintoplace,rotatingtopointatthem.
She’soutofhermind,Solothought.
Thestormtrooperwithoutarmor—becausethat’swhathewas,Solohaddecided—wassearchingEmatt,and
beingthoroughaboutit.Anothertrooperstoodwithhim,holdingthreesetsofbinders.
Chewiehuffed.“Themagneticshieldis
stillup,”Solosaid.Chewiehuffedagain.
Therewasalookinhisblueeyes.
“It’snotmyfault.”Soloturnedsuddenly,steppingclosertotheWookieeuntiltheirchestswerealmost
butting.“AndIdon’twanttoheartalklikethatagain.”
“Itoldyoutobequiet—”thestormtroopersaid.
“Youtellhimtobequiet,”Solosnapped.
Beckglaredatthemboth,andEmatttwistedwherehestood,hishandsnowoutinfrontofhim,thebindersreadytosnapontohiswrists.
Chewieleaneddownandgrowledloudly,blastingSolowithhotbreathandcalling
himsomethingthatSolowould’vebeenashamedtosaytohisownmother.
“Listen,furball,”Solosaid.“YousaythatagainI’llmakeyouregretit.”
“GetyourWookieeundercontrol,”Becksaid.
Chewiesnarled,showingSolohisteeth.Hesaiditagain.
“That’sit.I’vehadenoughoutofyou,”Solosaid,andheswungand
punchedChewieinthejaw.Itwasagoodpunch,andonanyoneelseitwould’vecertainlyrockedhim,ifnotknockedhimbackontheseatofhispants.
Chewiebarelymovedhishead.Heroaredandbothhandscameup.ThenwithallofhissubstantialWookieestrength,heshovedSolo,sendinghimflyingbackintothestormtrooperbehindhim.Thefirstcollisioncauseda
second,thenathird,aclatterofarmorhittingthefloorandSololandingatopthepile.StormtrooperswerepointingtheirriflesatChewie,buttheWookieelashedout,catchingonealongsidehishelmetandsendinghimtumbling.Hegrabbedanotheroneandliterallyswunghimatyetathird.
“Stunhim!”Beckshouted.
Solo,stillatopthe
stormtrooperChewbaccahadthrownhiminto,twistedandwrenchedtheblasterriflefromthetrooper’shand.Hethumbedtheselectortoturntheweaponfromstun,raisingitandrollingallatonce.Heputthesightsonthegeneratornearesthimandfired.Blasterboltsflewandsmashedintothemachinery,burstingthroughitsexteriorcasing,andSolofiredagain.Thegeneratorblew,exploding
intofragmentsandfire,andthenSolowasuponakneeandsightingatthesecondgenerator,acrossthebay.Heknewitwasamuchhardershot,buthefiredanyway.Thesecondgeneratorblewatonce,andabovethemthemagneticshieldvanished,immediatelyreplacedbythehowlingoftheheated,toxicairrushingintothedockingbay.Tinyparticlesofsmogstunghiseyesandinstantly
coatedthebackofhisthroat.Solofelthimselfimmediatelybeginningtoperspire,andjustasimmediatelyfeltthesweatevaporatingfromhisskin.
Everyonewasmovingatonce,now,Chewieroaring.Beckwaswheelingaroundinplace,herblastercomingup,andEmattandthestormtrooperwithoutarmorweregrapplingwitheachother.
“Getdown!”SoloshoutedandlaunchedhimselfatEmatt,catchingthemanaroundthewaistanddragginghimtothedeckjustasMissFortuneopenedfirefromitsbellyturret.
ThefirstsalvoofshotsslammedstraightintothegroupofstormtroopersSolohadleftbehind.Heheardshouts,criesofpain,andscrambledtohisfeet,draggingEmattwithhim.
ChewiewasalreadyhalfwaytotheFalcon,droppingtheramp,andSoloallbutthrewEmattafterhim.Hiseyesandthroatwereburningfromthepollution,thefoulatmospherealreadyfeelinglikeitwascorrodinghisflesh.Theheatwasclimbing;ithaditsownweight,tryingtocookhiminsideandout.Thestormtrooperwhohadtakentheirweaponswasflatontheground,facedown,hitbythe
turretfire.“Run!Go!”Anothersalvofrom
above,toocloseforSolo’scomfortashedroppedtheE-11andscoopeduphisandChewie’sweapons.Stormtrooperswerefiring,butMissFortune’ssalvoswereforcingthemintocover,andnowSolowasracingafterEmatt,whowassprintingfortheramp.Chewiewasoutofsight,
alreadyinside.SolosawBeckscreamingorders,sawherraisingherblaster,andthenthestormtrooperwithoutarmorwaspullingherintocover.AninstantlaterMissFortunewasrackingshotswheretheImperialofficerhadbeenstanding.Solowasalmostattheshipwhenhefelthisrightleggosuddenlynumbashewasgrazedbyastunbolt.Hemanagedtocollapseontherampasit
begantoraise.Emattpulledhimforward,intothesafetyoftheFalcon.
“Chewie!Timetoleave!”SolopulledhimselfuprightusingEmattandthesideofthehull,thenhalfhopped,halflimpedthroughthemaincompartmentandtowardthecockpit.Theshipcametolifebeneathhisboots;hecouldfeelitleapingsuddenlyintotheair.Sweatranintohiseyes,makingthemsting.
EmattstumbledandSolohadtobracehimself,andthenhewasinthecockpitandfallingintothepilot’sseat.
“ToldyouI’dthinkofsomething,”hesaid,reachingfortheheadsetwithonehandandtakingtheyokewiththeother.
Chewiebarkedandslappedabatteryofswitches.Behindthem,Emattwastakingthenavigator’sseatandalreadystrappinghimself
in.“Youtwoplayitfastand
loose,”Emattsaid.“It’sworkedsofar.”Chewiesnorted.“Ibarelytouchedyou.”
Solofinishedsettingthecomlinkheadsetinplaceandturnedonthespeakersinthecockpit.“I’mtheonewho’sgonnabebruised,pal.MissFortune,thisistheFalcon.”
“FiguredIowedyouone,Han.”
“Thissettlesmytab?”“Notonyourlife,”Delia
said.“Yougethim?”“I’mhere,Delia,”Ematt
said.“Nicefriendsyou’vegot.”
“Beggarscan’tbechoosers.I’mthinkingit’stimeforallofustogetoutofhere.”
Chewierumbledinagreement,andSolorockedthethrottleforward,bringingtheFalconoffofrepulsors
andfeatheringtheenginestolife.Theshipresponded,surgingandeager,andalreadyoutsidethecanopySolocouldseethepollutionofCyrkonmeltingaway,thestarsspringingintoview.Offthestarboardside,theMissFortunewaskeepingpace,wispsoftheupperatmospherestreamingfromtheship’shulllikesmokefromadyingfire.
TheFalconbegan
bleating,andChewiecheckedhisdeck,slappedanothertwoswitches,andreachedupbehindhim,poweringuptheweapons.Sologlancedathissensorsandtwistedtostaboneofthebuttonsonthenavicomputer,bringingittolife.
“Anglethedeflectors,”hesaidtoChewie,thenpointedatEmatt.“Youbetterknowwherewe’regoing.”
“Iknowwherewe’re
going.”“Feedittothe
navicomputer.”Solotwistedback.Hislegwasbeginningtothrob,thestunwearingoff.Aheadofthemandfartoobig,theStarDestroyerwasturningintoview,aflightoftinydotsintightformationheadingtheirdirectionfrombeneaththemassivevessel.“Delia,eightmarksatone-one.”
“Weseethem.TIEs.”
“Howlonguntilyoucanmakethejumptolightspeed?”
“Coupleofminutes.”“Juststayawayfromthat
StarDestroyer.”“Youthink?”“Destinationis
programmed,”Emattsaidasthenavicomputerbeeped.“It’lltakeacoupleminutesbeforethejumpisplotted.Canweholdthemoff?”
Solocheckedhissensors
again,thentheviewfromthecockpit.TheTIEswereclosingin,fast.
“Idon’tthinkwehaveachoice,”hesaid.
BECKCOULDTASTEbloodinhermouth,whereshe’dbittenherownlipwhenTorrenthadsavedherlife.Shehadnodoubtthatwaswhathehaddone,either;whileshe’dunderstoodtheCorellianandtheWookieewereplayingatsomething,
theattackfromabovehadbeenentirelyunexpected.Shejusthadneveraccountedforthepossibilitythattherebelsmighthavecloseairsupport,anditwasamistakethathadcosther—thesamewaytheRodian’swillingnesstodiehadcosther,thesamewayshehadneverimagineditwasanactofwhichanyrebelwascapable.Anothermiscalculationonherpart,oneshewouldnevermake
again.Halfherstormtroopers
weredeadorwounded,hitbyblastsfromtheshipoverhead.Shecouldeasilyhavebeenamongthem.Hernormaleyestung,tearsrunningdownhercheekfromthesickeningairthatnowhowledthroughthedockingbay,butthetearsevaporatedalmostasquicklyastheyappeared,leavingsaltstucktohercheek.Theheatwasghastlyandturnedher
mouthdry.Shewinked,tryingtoclearhergoodeye,speakingtothecomlinkinherhand.
“Vehement,respond.”“CaptainHove.”“Twoshipsjusttookoff,
theYT-1300andanother.Iwantthoseships,Captain.Iwantthoseships,Iwantthecrews,Iwantthemalive.”
“Theyjustappearedonourscopes.”
“Theydonotmake
hyperspace,isthatclear?”“We’renotanInterdictor,
Commander.Wedon’thavetheabilityto—”
“Noexcuses!”Beckwasshouting,sherealized.Risingoverthewindcametheroarofthetransportasitslidintoplaceoverheadandbegantocomeinforalanding.“I’monmywayup.Donotallowthoseshipstoescape!”
“Asyouorder,Commander.”
Thetransportwasdown,itsmainrampdropping.
“Withme,”Becksaid.Torrentrosefromwhere
he’dbeenkneelingbyoneofthedeadstormtroopers.Hisexpressionwasgrim,andshewonderedifthetrooperhadbeenafriend,wonderedhowTorrentcouldtellthetroopersapartwhentheywereallinidenticalarmor.Hegottohisfeet.
“Let’smove,”hetoldthe
remainingstormtroopers.Quicklyandasaunitthey
filedintothebackofthetransport.Beckhitthepaneltoraisetheramp,andtheshipwasliftingoffbeforethepressuresealshadlocked,thefoulatmosphereofCyrkonabruptlybanished.Beckcoughed,clearingherlungs,andfeltasifsomethingwastryingtoscrapeopenherthroat.Thestormtroopers,intheirhelmets,hadbeen
sparedtheworstofthenoxiousair.Torrenthackedacoupleoftimes.Beckwipedthetearsstillstreamingdownherunmarredcheekandmadeherwaytothecockpit.
“IwanttobeontheVehementinthreeminutes,”shetoldthepilot.
Thepilotnoddedandgavetheshipfullthrottle.Theenginesrosetoafeverpitch,theatmosphereburnedpast,andaheadofherBeck
couldseetheStarDestroyer,enormousandimposingandappearingmuchcloserthanitwas.Thetwosmallerships,theMillenniumFalconandtheother,unidentifiedvessel,appearedminusculeincomparison,evenasthetransportbankedtogivethemwideberth.
“MissFortune,”Torrentsaidfromoverhershoulder.Sheglancedbackandsawthathewaslookingpasther
atthesameview.“It’stheshipItrackedthebountyhunterstobeforefollowingthemintoMotok.”
Becknoddedslightly,makingamentalnotetofurtherinvestigateMissFortune.Therewasnowaytoengageeithership,notinthetransport.Theyhadtoavoidthem,hadtogetbacktotheVehementwhereshewouldbeabletoassertsomecontroloverthesituationoncemore.
Knowingallthisdidn’thelpher,didn’trelievethefeelingofpowerlessnessconsumingher,thegrowingfrustration.
“They’llneedafewminutesbeforetheycanjumptohyperspace,”Becksaid.“Wecanstillcatchthem.”
“Yes,ma’am,”Torrentsaid.
Forthefirsttime,shethoughthesoundedlessthanenthusiastic.
ThesecondflightofTIEsscreamedpastthemasthetransportmadeitsfinalapproach.BeckwaitedimpatientlyastheshipcompleteditslandinginthemainventralbayoftheVehement,andassoonasshefelttheshiplockingdown,shewashittingthereleaseandexitingbeforetheramphadcompletelylowered.Sheran,notcaringwhosaw,tothemainlift,shovedasidethe
twolieutenantswaitingforthecartoarrive,steppedin,andheadedforthebridge.
Sheemergedintoacalmthatimmediatelyannoyedher.CaptainHovestoodwithhisbacktoheratthefarendoftheStarDestroyer’sbridge,staringouttheviewport,hishandsclaspedbehindhim.Sherandownthecentralwalkway,thecommandandcontrolpitsoneitherside,slowedtoajog,
thenawalk.Hoveheardhercomingandturnedtogreether.
“CommanderBeck.Twoflightslaunchedandengaged,we—”
“Moveusincloser.Iwanttractorbeamsonthosetwoships,theFalconandtheotherone.”
Hoveclosedhismouthtightlyandarchedaneyebrow.“ThereareeightTIEfighters—”
“Yes,Iheardyou,Captain.I’mwonderingifyouheardme.”
Helookeddistinctlyuncomfortableandglancedtohisright,lookingpastBecktothearrayofcrewandofficersalldoingtheirbesttoappearnottobelistening.Beckdidn’tcareiftheywereoverheard,butHoveobviouslydid,andheloweredhisvoice,steppingcloser.
“Commander,theTIEs
areengagedwiththeenemy.Activatingthetractorbeamriskscapturingourships,aswellasthequarry.”
“Iamaware.”“Themodulationrequired
tocapturethequarrywilltearaTIEapartifitalsofindsitselfcaughtinthetractorbeam.”
“Iamawareofthat,aswell.”Beckfixedhimwithastare.“Isthisaproblem,Captain?”
Hovespokeslowly.“Thoseareourpilots,Commander.”
“Youinsistonstatingtheobvious,Captain.Youhavemyorders.Executethematonce,orIshallhaveyouarrestedforderelictionofdutyandaidingandabettingtheenemy.”
Hove’sjawtightened,hisbackstraightened.Heinclinedhishead,clickedhisheels,thenturnedtofacethe
commanddeck.“Closetotractorbeam
range,”heordered,andBeckwassomewhatmollifiedtofindnohesitationoruncertaintyinhisvoiceashespoke.“Targetthefreighterandtheyacht.”
Theorderwasechoedaroundthebridge,aflurryofmotionatthehelm.TheStarDestroyerbeganitsturntoport,andthroughthebridgewindowsBeckcouldseeMiss
FortuneandtheMillenniumFalcononcemore,stillsmallbutgraduallycomingcloser.Flashesofturbolaserfirecutthedarkness,needlesofredandgreenandblueslicingthroughspaceasthetenshipstwistedandspunanddancedtogetherincombat.
“Beamcontrol,confirm,”Hovesaid.
Theresponsewasimmediate,loudandclear.“Atyourorder,Captain.”
“Timetotarget?”“Oneminute,eleven
seconds.”Hoveturnedtofacethe
windowsagainandcantedhisheadslightlytowardBeck.“Itwillbeclose,butweshouldcatchthembeforetheycanmakethejumptohyperspace.”
Beckkepthereyesonthebattle,slowlycomingcloser.OneoftheTIEstriedtocutacrosstheFalcon’sstern,
sweepingintoanotherpass,andalineofgreenreachedoutfromMissFortuneandtouchedthefighteralongonesolarpanel.TheTIEbrokeapart,explodinganinstantlater.Sevenagainsttwo.
“Foryoursake,Captain,”Becksaid,“Ihopeyou’recorrect.”
“GOTTHREEMOREcomingaround,starboardattwo-eightmarkseven!”Emattsaid.
Chewiesnarled.“What’dhesay?”“Hesaid,‘Shootthem.’”
Soloplayedthethrottle,droppingthrustonthe
Falcon’sstarboardsublightengineandatthesametimepullingtheyoketotheleftandback,bringingtheshiparoundinanearlyuncontrolledspinandloop.TheartificialgravityaboardtheFalcon,afractionofasecondbehindthemaneuver,struggledtocompensate,andSolonearlyflewfreeofthepilot’sseat.Chewbaccasnorted.
“I’llstrapinwhenI’mnot
tryingtokeepusallfromdying,”Soloretorted.“Delia,howyoudoing?”
“We’vehadbetterdays!”AnotherTIEseemedto
comeoutofnowhere,firingasitwent,andshotoverheadsocloseSolowascertainhecouldseethepilotinthefighter’stinycockpit.TheFalconshudderedaslaserfirerakedthedorsalhull.ThedeflectordisplaytoChewbacca’sleftflashed,the
smallgraphicrepresentationoftheshipthathadbeenglowinggreentoindicatetheshieldswereatfullpowernowbeginningtoshifttoyellow.TheWookieereachedundertheconsole,pulledacoilofwiringfreewithanattendantburstofsparks,andshovedtheendintooneofthesocketsathisrightelbow.Thedisplayflared,theyellowvanished,andthegreenreturned.
“That’llworkfornow,”Solosaid.“Holdon.”
Outsidethecanopy,thestarfieldwhirledlikesomeonewastryingtosenditdownadrainasSolobroughtthestarboardenginebacktomatchthrustwiththeothertwopropellingtheFalcon.Theyshotforward,theshipnowrapidlyrollingaroundandaroundasitwent.
“Ican’tgetashotifyoudothat!”Emattsaid.
“I’mgivingyouashot,”Solosaid.“Getready.”
TheFalconcameoutofitslastrollandSolojinkedtoport,thendippedthenosebeforeyankingbackontheyoke,hard,puttingtheshipintoatightCorellianturnandinvertingtheirflightanddirection.TheTIEsthathadfallenoffwiththeFalcon’saccelerationreappeareddeadahead,closingfast,fourofthemintightattack
formation.Chewiechortled.“Moneylaneshot,”Solo
said.“Doit!”Emattworkedthe
Falcon’sturbolasers,thetwoturretsmountedatopandbeneaththeship.Normally—ideally—SolowouldmanoneofthegunsandeitherChewieoranotherwarmbodytheother,buttheircurrentsituationclearlydidn’tallowforthat.SoloandChewiewerebothrequiredinthe
cockpit.Itwasn’tthefirsttimeSolohadfoundhimselfinthissituation,andheandChewbaccahadaccountedforitbyrunningauxiliaryfirecontrolthroughthecockpit.Itwasn’tasaccurateasmanningthegunsindividually,anditreliedheavilyoncomputerassist,butifEmattknewwhathewasdoing,he’dbeabletodownatleastoneoftheTIEs.Solohadhandedhimtheshot
onaplate.Emattknewwhathewas
doing.AflareoflightburstofftoSolo’sleftasthedorsalturbolasersfired,andoneoftheapproachingTIEsbloomedintoacascadeoffireanddebris.Theremainingfighterstriedtosplit,twotoport,onetostarboard;Emattopenedupwiththeventralturret,andasecondTIEexplodedintonothingness,vaporizedbyadirecthit.
“Okay,”Solosaid.“Thatwasn’tbad.”
“Han!One-fourmarksix!”
SoloputtheFalconintoanotherroll,thistimeswoopingaroundtoeyeballthecoordinatesDeliahadgiven.TheVehementwasloomingcloser,muchcloserthanithadbeenbefore.
“They’removingtotractorbeamrange,”Solosaid.
Oneofthecomputersatthenavigationstationchirped,thenchortled.
“We’vegotthejump,”Emattsaid.“Let’sgetoutofhere!”
“Delia,we’regoodtogo.”Solobanked,thetworemainingTIEsstillpursuingthemandskimmingpasttoport,firingastheycame.TheFalconrockedagain,theshielddisplayflashing,thegreendisappearingintoa
washofyellow.Theywerelosingtheirshields.
MissFortunecameintoviewthroughthecockpit,thelittleyachtloopinginanattempttoshakethethreeTIEfightersstillrelentlesslyattacking.Ashewatched,oneoftheTIEsfiredasalvothatrakedalongMissFortune’shull,shotsflashinganddissipatingalongitsshields.Therewasaflareoflight,thenaburstofdebrisfrom
atoptheyacht.“Delia—”Therewasstaticoverthe
comms,harshwhitenoiseforaninstant,thenDeliaLeighton’svoice,threadedwithbarelyrestrainedpanic.
“Wejustlostournavicomputer!Wedon’thaveajump!”
“Youstillhaveauxiliary?”
Curtis’svoicecameoverthespeakersforthefirsttime.
“It’sgonnabeanotherminutebeforewecanrunthebypass.”
“Wetakeanotherhitlikethat,we’redeadinspace!”TheedgesofpanicinDelia’svoicewereclearer.
ChewbaccabarkedandlookedatSolo.
Itwasn’tgood.AquickcheckofthesensorsshowedthattheStarDestroyerwouldbeintractorbeamrangeinsidetwentyseconds.They
hadtheircoordinatesplotted,andthehyperdrivewasready;allitwouldtakewasaturntotheproperheadingandkickingintolightspeedandSolo,Chewbacca,Ematt,theFalcon,allofthemwouldbeinstantlyandsafelyawayfromtheEmpire’sgrip.Theycouldleaverightnow—missionaccomplished.
ButitwouldleaveMissFortunebehind,exposed,vulnerable.Itwouldmean
thatDeliaandCurtiswouldbecaptured,broughtaboardVehement.Theywouldbeinterrogatedandtortured.Atbest,thecrewofMissFortunewouldspendtherestoftheirlivesonsomeImperialpenalworld.
Atworst,they’dneverleavetheVehementalive.
ChewiewasstilllookingatSolo.HecouldfeelEmattbehindhim,doingthesame.
“Youbetterclearmytab
atthebarafterthis,”Solomuttered.
Hepushedthethrottlesforward,feelingtheFalconsurge,andslappedtheillegalSLAMactivatorhe’dinstalledtogivetheshipanadditionalburstofspeed.MissFortunezoomedcloser,theTIEsonitstailstillswirlingarounditlikeangryinsectseagertofeast.EmattopenedfireandclippedoneoftheTIEs,sendingit
twirlingawaytowardthenimbusglowofCyrkon’satmosphere,firedagainandcaughtanotherwithagrazealongthecockpitball.AtmosphereimmediatelyeruptedfromtheperforatedcabininacloudofwhiteandgrayvaporastheTIEsplinteredintojaggedpiecesofmetal.
“Han,go.”Deliasuddenlysoundedmuchcalmer.“ThatStar
Destroyer’sunbeatable.We’redonehere.We’renotgoingtohavethejumpintime.”
TheFalconjolted,shieldsfadingfromyellowtored.ThreeTIEfightersandaStarDestroyer.Deliawascorrect—therewasnowaytowinthatparticularfight.
“We’recoveringyou,”Solosaid.
“Han—”“Delia,shutup.I’m
tryingtobenoble.”Heheardherlaughover
thespeakers.
AboardVehement,BeckwatchedasthenumberofTIEfighterssteadilydiminished,whathadbeeneightnowreducedtothree.Somethingwaswrongwiththeyacht,though;she’dseenittakeahit,seenthedebrisfly.TheFalconwasanothermatter.
TIEshadscoreddirecthitsonitsaftsectionabovetheengines,twicealongthedorsalline,andoncenearthemandiblesthatjuttedatthefrontofthefreighter,butnotoneoftheshotshadseemedtohaveanyappreciableeffect.
Itdidn’tmatter.Theywereinrange.
“CaptainHove.”Hovehalfturnedand
gesturedwithhisrighthand
towardthepit.“Atmaximumpower,”heordered.
“Targetlocked,”camethereply.“Tractorbeamatmaximumpower.”
TherewasnovisibleresponsefromtheemittersattheforeoftheStarDestroyer.Unliketurbolasers,theenergyfieldforthetractorbeamwasoutsidethevisiblespectrum,butthroughhercyberneticeyeBeckcouldseeit.Shecouldseeitall:theconelike
rayslowlyflowingawayfromthem,asemitransparentwaveofgoldthatspreadinexorablytowardthefiveships.
ItfirststruckoneoftheTIEspursuingtheFalconandyankeditbackasifonaleash,takingthefighter’svelocityandsuddenly,evencruelly,stealingitaway.Thestresswastoomuchforthelittlefighter;thetwinsolarpanelsoneithersidetore
apartlikeitwasachild’stoybrokeninanangrytantrum.Theballofthecockpithungmotionless,suspended,thencrushedinonitself.
BesideBeck,Hoveturnedaway.
Thebeamcontinueditsadvance.
“Noescape,”Becksaid.
“Theycatchusinthattractorbeam,we’redone,”Ematt
said.“Ican’tletthemtakemealive,youunderstandthat?”
“They’renottakinganyofus,”Solosaidwithfarmoreconvictionthanhewasfeeling.
Chewiewhuffed,quicklyrebalancingpowerfromtheenginestotheshieldsagain.Forthesecondtime,hepulledthecordofwiringandpluggeditintoyetanothersocket.
“I’mworkingonit,”Han
replied.Heclickedonthecommsagain.“Delia,youandCurtismakearunfortheatmosphereandwe’llcoveryou.Howlonguntilyou’vegotyourjump?”
“Anotherfifteenseconds,”Curtissaid.
MissFortunebrokesuddenlytoitsstarboard,bankingtightly,andSolotwistedtheFalconaroundtofollow,closingthedistancebetweenitandtheTIEfighter
betweenthem.ThelastoftheTIEspursuingthem,behindtheFalcon,pulledupabruptly,andontherearmonitorSolowatchedasitmetthefateofitspartner,thetractorbeamfromtheStarDestroyertearingittoshreds.Hefeltsomethingsickeningandhardforminginhisstomach;hehadnolovefortheEmpire,butthewillingsacrificeoftheirownpilots,theirownships,inpursuitof
theFalconandMissFortunewasalevelofbrutalitybeyondwhathehadeverseen.WhoeverwasgivingordersonVehementwouldstopatnothingtocatchthem.
Amournful,softwoofcamefromChewie.Solodidn’tbothersayinganything.HeandtheWookieewerethinkingthesamething.
MissFortunewasaccelerating,nowpulledtighterbyCyrkon’sgravity,
theremainingTIEstillgamelyfollowingandtheFalconclosinginbehind.SoloheardEmattlininguphisshotandbroughttheyokeupjustafractiontoallowbothturretsaclearfieldoffire.Thetargetingcomputerbeepedslowly,thenmoreandmorerapidlyastheTIEcameintorange,thentrilledloudly,signifyingalock.TheFalconvibratedslightlyasbothturretsfiredtogether,
turbolaserboltsconvergingonthefighter,trackingontothecenterball.Thefighterburstlikeapuncturedballoon,shardsofmetalsprayinginalldirections.
“Shutdowntheweapons,”Solosaidoverhisshoulder.“Chewie,rerouteallpowertotheengines,standbytocutoffonmyorder.”
“Fullpowerwon’tbeenoughtogetawayfromthattractorbeam,”Emattsaid.
“IknowwhatI’mdoing.”TheFalconjerked,
enginessuddenlyshriekinginprotestasthewholeshipshuddered,slowingrapidly.
“Cutthem,”Solosaid.Chewbaccamoved
withouthesitation,longarmsrisingtostriketherowsofenginecutoffswitchesoverhead.TheFalconwentsuddenlysilent,itsenginesgutteringout.Theywerestillmovingforward,momentum
andCyrkon’sgravityeachworkingontheship,buttheywereslowing,andslowingquickly.Itwasgoingtobeveryclose.
“Delia?”“Fiveseconds.”Soloeyedthesensors
againandnudgedtheyoke,adjustingtheFalcon’sapproachtotheplanet.Theywereintheouteratmosphere;hecouldseethefaintshimmerbeginningto
surroundthecockpit.“Ihopeyouknowwhat
you’redoing,”Emattsaid.“IalwaysknowwhatI’m
doing,”Sololied.
“Whataretheydoing?”Beckdemanded.
“I’mnotcertain,Commander.”Hovecheckedoverhisshoulder.“Wehavetheship?”
“We’rehavingtrouble
establishingthelock,”theofficeratthetractorbeamcontrolsaid.Thereluctanceinhisvoicewasunmistakable.“Interferencefromtheplanet’sgravity.Thebeamkeepsslipping.”
“Thenbringusincloser,”Becksaid.
Hovehesitated,thennodded.Thesecondship,MissFortune,wasstilloutofrange,butBeckcouldlivewiththat.Emattwasaboard
theMillenniumFalcon,andthatwastheshipshewanted.Thatwastheshipshewasgoingtotake.MissFortuneandhercrewcouldbetrackeddownandpunishedlater,buttheircapturewas,atthismoment,incidental.TheprizewastheMillenniumFalcon.Theprizewasthatship,anditscrew.
TheStarDestroyercontinueditspursuit,Cyrkonnowfillingtheview,ahaze
ofpollutedatmosphere.MissFortunewaspullingup,usingtheplanet’sgravitytohelpslingshotbackintospace,buttheFalconwasnowonwhatappearedtobeadive,asifitscaptainintendedtoburytheshipintheplanet’ssurface.Thestressonthehullofthelittlefreightermusthavebeenenormous,certainlymorethanitshouldbeabletoendure,fromthelooksofit;yetitwasholdingtogether.
Andwhileitwascomingcloser,itwasnot,Beckfelt,doingsonearlyquicklyenough.
“Wherearetheyheading?”Hoveasked.
CaughtbetweenfreefallandtheslackeninggripoftheVehement’stractorbeam,theMillenniumFalcontrembledandhopped,theatmospherearoundtheshipgrowing
thickerandthicker.Thedistant,faintoutlineofthedomedcapitalbegantoresolvebelow.Solonudgedtheyokeandriskedusingthelandingjets,separatefromthenow-coolingengines,toadjusttheship’sangle.
“Delia…”“Comingup.…We’vegot
it,we’reready!”“Thenwhatareyou
waitingfor?Go!”“Han…”
“Delia,you’restilltalking!Go!”
“Thenextone’sonthehouse,”DeliaLeightonsaid.
Thecommswentdead—nostatic,justtheheavypresenceofemptyair.Chewiechuffedandadjustedhisgriponhisownyoke.Onthesensors,MissFortunevanished,launchedintohyperspace.
Therewassilenceinthecockpitforseveralseconds.
“So,yourplanistocrashintoMotok?”Emattasked.Itsoundedveryconversational.
“Ideally,no,”Solosaid.
“Telemetryputsthemonapproachtothecapital,”someoneanswered.
“Pullthemback,”Becksaid.
“We’retrying,Commander,”thebeamofficersaid.Helookedupat
herfromthecommandpit,helpless.“Ourlockwon’tmaintain.Thisisthebestwecandoatthisrange.”
“Thenbringuscloser!”“Youwantustofollow
themintotheatmosphere?”Hoveasked.
“Ifthat’swhatittakes.”“Commander,ifwe
attempttotractorbeamthemwithintheatmosphere,withoutapreciselock…thebeamwillsplash.Therewill
beoverlap.Collateraldamagetotheplanetcouldbeimmense.”
“Ifthat’swhatittakes,”Beckrepeated.
“We’lldestroythedome,”Hovesaid.“We’llshredtheprotectionaroundMotok,Commander.We’lldestroythecity.”
Becksawit,then,sawwhatHanSoloandtheWookieeweredoingwiththeirship,thegamblethey
hadmade.Yes,Vehementcouldfollowthemdown,couldstopthem,couldpullthembackwithitstractorbeam.Butinsodoing,itwouldrenderMotokinhospitable.Itwoulddecimatethecity,anddoitbeforemillionsandmillionsofwitnessesonthegroundwhowouldseetheStarDestroyeroverheadandnotseethetinyYT-1300stockfreightertheywerepursuing.
Thosewhodidn’tdiefromexposuretotheplanet’stoxicatmospherewouldknowonlythattheEmpirehaddestroyedtheirhome.Theywouldremember.Theywouldshare.EvenwiththeEmpire’scontroloverthemedia,thewordwouldspreadandpeoplewouldhear.Someofthosepeoplewoulddemandanexplanation,andmorewoulddemandvengeance.Andamongthose,some
wouldtakeaction.Somewouldbecome
rebels.Hovewaswaitingforher
order.Theentiretyofthebridge,thewholeofVehementwaswaitingforherorder.Shethoughtaboutthefreighter,theMillenniumFalcon,anditscrew—threepeopleagainstthemightoftheEmpire.Ashipthatlookedasthoughitcouldbarelyfly,thathadshrugged
offTIEfighters,thathadmaneuvereditselfintoadead-engineglide,thatwasdaringher—daringher—tocatchit,atthepriceofturninganentireworldagainsttheGalacticEmpire.
Withoutaword,sheturnedonhertoeandbeganthelongwalkpastthecommandandcontrolpits,totheelevator.
Thefailure,sheknew,washersandhersalone.
TheFalconshuddered,andsuddenlytheyweren’tglidingasmuchasplummeting,Motokrisingrapidlybeforethem.
“Engines,Chewie!”Soloyankedtheyokewithonehandandbroughtbothfeetdownhardonthepedalsforthelandingjets.Hisfreehandflailed,caughtthemasterswitchfortherepulsorliftgenerators,andthrewthemtolife.Theshipgroaned,
creakingasmultiplestressesplayedallatonceacrossitshull.
“We’restillfalling,”Emattobserved.
“Chewie,theengines!”TheWookieehowled,
thensmashedafistintotheconsole.Agrindingnoiserosefromthebackoftheship,thenfaded,thenrose,thenfadedagain,thistimewithapatheticcough.
“Stillfalling.”
“Iknow!”Motokwascomingcloser.Veryquickly.“Openthemanifoldontheprimarythrust!”
TheWookieepunchedtheconsoleagain,thistimeleavingavisibledent,thenreachedpastSoloandtwistedoneofthelargerhandlesfixedtothewall.Theenginesgasped,thegrindingnoisereturning.
“Still—”“Sayitagainandyou’re
gettingoutandwalking.”Sololungedoutofhisseat,almostsplayinghimselfacrossChewbaccaastheWookieedidsomethingsimilarintheoppositedirection.“Onthree,Chewie,manualrestart.One…two…three—”
Eachofthemyankedonseparateleverssimultaneously.Theenginescoughed,protested,andsuddenlyroared.Pilotand
copilotscrambledupright,tookholdoftheirrespectiveyokes,andpulled.Motok,frighteninglyclosebelowandgrowingcloser,seemedtospreadoutbeforethemastheFalcon’snosecameup,andSolocouldswearthebellyoftheshipkissedthetopofthedomeastheyleveledoff,thenbegantoclimb.Hepushedthethrottlesforward,felttheFalcon’senginessingingtohim,andtheywerelookingat
starsagain,theStarDestroyernowwelloutoftractorbeamrangeontheirsensors.TheproximityalarmwarnedofmoreTIEfightersbeinglaunched,twelveofthemthistime,butitdidn’tmatter.
Sologrinned,reachingwithonehandforthehyperspaceengage.Withhisother,hestrokedthesideoftheconsolenearesthim.
“Don’teverscaremelikethatagain,baby,”HanSolo
said,andhegentlypushedtheleverforward.
TheFalcon’sresponsewastoleapthemintohyperspace—andtosafety.
“AND…?”THEWOMANSAID.
Theoldmantiltedhishead,glancedpastthethreearoundthetablewho’dlistenedtohistale,andthensettledhisgazeonthewomanoncemore.Herubbedthescaronhischinwithanindex
finger.“Andwhat?”hesaid.
“Theygotaway.EmattmadeittotherendezvousandtheRebellioncontinuedtogrow.YouheardoftheBattleofHoth,right?Thiswasafewyearsbeforethat.TherewasstillalongwaytogobeforeEndorandeverythingthatcameafter.”
“ThatisthebiggestloadofpoodooIhaveeverheard,”Stratersaid.Hisfrustration
broughtcolortohisheadandmadetheTwi’lekwomantattooedalonghisscalplookasifshe’dsuddenlyhadtoomuchsun.
Theoldmanshrugged.“Thingaboutthegalaxy,there’sasmanyversionsofthetruthastherearestars.Gotanoldfriendwho’sfondofsayingthattruthisgreatlydependentonyourpointofview.Truthain’tthesameasfact,kid.Youbelievewhat
youwanttobelieve.”“I’veneverevenheardof
Cyrkon.”Thewomanfoldedherarms,lookingannoyed.
Theoldmanshruggedagain.Hisglasswasempty,andhesliditawayfromhimselfacrossthetabletop.Whenhebroughthiseyesbackup,hefoundtheburlyonestaringathim.Hewastheirleader,theoldmanhaddetermined,andhehadn’tspokenoncethroughoutthe
entiretyofthetale.AboutthetimetheoldmanhadbegundescribingtheescapefromMotok,theburlyone’sattentionhadseemedtowander,movingtothebar,thepatrons,thebartender,eventhebouncer.Hishandshadbeenoutofsightsincethen,belowthelevelofthetable.Butnowtheoldmanhadhisattentionagain.
“That’saveryconvenientlytoldstory,”the
burlyonesaid.“That’sastoryfullofsomeverynicecoincidences.”
“Hey,yeah,”Stratersaid.“Likehowyou’retalkingaboutabarthat’sinashipinaportandwe’reinabarinashipinaport.”
Thewomanlookedtowardtheentranceofthecargobayandstaredatthebouncerforamoment.“WithaShistavanenbouncerworkingthedoor.”
“Andaredheadatthebar.”
Theoldmansaidnothing.He’dhadonehandbeneaththetablehimselfforthepasthalfhour,andnowhisfingersbegantowraparoundthegripoftheheavyblasterholsteredonhisthigh.
“Theycould’vechangedthename,”Stratersaid.
“Youidiot.”Theburlyonedidn’tlookawayfromtheoldman,buthewas
clearlyrespondingtohistattooedfriend.“Ofcoursetheychangedthename.Serendipity.HeevensaidthatwaswhatthenamemeantintheoriginalDurese.”
Theoldmanmettheburlyone’sstare,thenglancedovertheman’sshoulderagain.Hegrinned.“Sowho’reyouwith?TheIrvingBoys?OrtheGuavians?OrDucain?I’dputmoneyonDucain.Healways
wentlowrentonthehiredhelp.”
Therewasamoment’spausebeforethecreditdropped.Theburlyonemovedfirst,hishandsreappearingabovethetable,ablasterineach.Thewoman,ahalffractionbehindhim,yankedthehaftofhervibro-axefromwhereitrodeonherbackandthumbedtheactivatorasshebroughtitclosetotheoldman’sthroat.
Theweaponhummed,andtheoldmancouldfeeltherapidcycleoftheblade’snear-invisiblevibrationthroughtheair,inhisteeth.Straterwastheslowest,thelasttofigureitout,fumblinghisownweaponupandflushingevendarkerwiththeembarrassmentofhavingbeenplayedforafool.
“Solo,”theburlyonesaid.
“Youwanttobecareful
withthat?”HanSolousedhisfreehandtopushthevibro-axe’shandlegently,tryingtomovethebladeawayfromhisthroat.“Guycouldgethurt.”
Neithertheaxenorthewomanbudged.
“Seriously,”Solosaid.Theburlyonesetboth
elbowsonthetable,eachofhisblastersnowpointingdirectlyatSolo’sface.Hespokeconversationally,relaxed,clearlycertainthe
situationwashistocontrol.“Wewanttheship,”the
burlyonesaid.“That’sit.YouhandovertheFalconandmaybeyouwalkaway.”
Solosmiled,thenfoundhimselfgrinninginawayhehadn’tinyears.“Thatsoundslikeanunfairdeal,actually.”
“It’sthebestyou’regoingtoget,oldman.”
Soloconsideredthedistancebetweenthevibro-axeandhisthroatand
decideditwasfarenoughtoriskshakinghishead.“Idon’tthinkso.IthinkI’vegotacounteroffer.”
“You’vegotnothingtobargainwith.”
Frombehindhim,atthebar,DeliaLeightonsaid,“He’sgotthis.”
Solodidn’tturntoseewhatshewasdoing,buthedidn’tneedto.TheMissFortunemayhavechangeditsnameonceortwice,or
evenhalfadozentimesinthepastthirty-oddyears—he’dhonestlylostcount.Anditmayhaveseenafewmodificationshereandthere—anewwaitresstoreplacethebusteddroid,anothercoatofpaint—butsomethingshadstayedthesame.Thedrinkswerestilloverpricedbutpouredfairandstrong.Curtisstillworkedthedoor,asmuchastheentrancetothecargobaycouldbecalleda
door.AndDeliaLeightonstill
workedthebarwithherScattermastercloseathand.
“Youfirethatthing,you’llhithim,too,”thewomansaid.
“That’sallright,”Deliasaid.“Hestillhasn’tsettledhistab,soI’llcalliteven.”
“Hey,”Solosaid.“I’mgoodforit.”
Theburlyonegrittedhisteeth.“You’rebluffing.”
“Threeofus,twoofyou,”Stratersaid.
“Youwanttocountagain,”Solosaid.
“Youthinkwe’veforgottenaboutthebouncer?He’snotgonnareachyouintime.”
Soloshookhisheadagain,feltthedistortionfromtheaxeticklinghisbeard.
“ThingpeopleforgetaboutWookiees,”Solosaid.“Theyrememberthatthey’re
verystrong.Theyrememberthey’vegotatemper.Theyremember,maybe,thatthey’refromKashyyyk.Buttheyforgetonething.”
Theburlyoneglancedathiscompanions,justanedgeofnervousnessnowevident.Hereadjustedhisgriponhisweapons.
“What’sthat?”heasked.“Theycanbevery,very
quietwhenitsuitsthem,”Solosaid.“Isn’tthatright,
Chewie?”TheWookiee,whohad
beenstandingbehindtheburlyman’schairforthepastdozenseconds,growled.Inoneswiftmotion,Chewietookholdofthemanbytheshoulders,hoistedhimsmoothlyfromhischair,andsenthimflyingroughlyinthedirectionofCurtisandthedoor.Solotookthatopportunitytograbtheshaftofthevibro-axewithhisfree
hand,forcingitawayfromhisneck,andpointedhisblasteratthewoman’sfacewiththeother.Straterstartedup,tryingtorise,butChewbaccasimplyreachedoutandplantedonebighandonhistattooedhead,slamminghimbackdownagain.
Solopulledthevibro-axefreeofthewoman’sgrasp,tosseditaside,thenreachedoutandtooktheblasterfrom
hershoulderholsterandsentitsailinginthesamedirection.ChewiehadalreadydisarmedStrater.Soloslidhischairbackandgottohisfeet.
“YoutellDucain,youtelltheIrvingBoys,youtellallofthemthis:we’renotafraidofthem,”Solosaid.
Thewomanglaredupathim.
“Yeah,”Solosaid.“You’vegotalittleCommanderBecktoyou,you
knowthat?”Chewierumbledsoftly.SolohalfturnedtoDelia.
“Thanksforthedrinks,Captain.”
“Youstillhaven’tsettledyourtab.”
Chewbaccachuckled.Sololookedwounded.“IsaidI’mgoodforit.”
“I’vebeenhearingthatalongtime.”
Thesmugglerholsteredhisblasterandlookedaround
thebar.Theburlyonewasoutcold,Curtisalreadyhaulinghimthroughthedoors.Straterandthewomanweregloweringathim,buttheyweren’tgoingtomove,notnow.
“Nexttime,Delia.Ipromise.”
“Holdingyoutothat.”“C’mon,Chewie.”Theystartedfortheexit,
sidebyside,theWookieetoweringovertheCorellian.
TheycamedowntherampasCurtiswasdustinghispaws,theburlymanproppedagainstthenearwallofthedockingbay,disarmedandstillunconscious.
“Hey,”Curtissaid.“WhateverhappenedwithBeck?”
Chewbaccachuffedandbarked.
“Tellyounexttime,”Solosaid.
GREGRUCKAisanaward-winningNewYorkTimesbest-sellingwriterofseveralhundredcomicbooksandovertwodozennovels.HelivesinPortland,Oregon,withhiswife,authorJenniferVanMeter,andtheirtwochildren,ElliotandDashiell.Hefirstvisitedagalaxyfar,farawaywhenhewassevenyearsold.Hehasyetto
return.
PHILNOTObeganhiscareeratWaltDisneyFeatureAnimationwhereheworkedonsuchfilmsasTheLionKing,Pocahontas,TheHunchbackofNotreDame,Mulan,andLilo&Stitch.In2001,PhilstartedhiscomiccareerasthecoverartistforDCComics’BirdsofPrey.
SincethenhehasworkedonnumerousprojectssuchasDangerGirl,JonahHex,Avengers,UncannyX-Force,X-23,TheInfiniteHorizon,andmostrecently,Marvel’sBlackWidow.