Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens Smuggler's Run: A Han Solo Adventure (Star...

©&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.