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Outside the cockpit canopy the starlines turned into stars, and with a lurch the Millenium Falcon exited hyperspace. After three days, they were finally here. “You can say that again, Chewie,” Han agreed as Chewbacca rumbled a comment from where he was sitting in the co-pilot‘s seat. Beyond the canopy they could both see the drive glows of maybe two-dozen other ships, all heading for the dark, rotating cylinder of Obsidian Station. “Look, I don’t like this place any more than you do,” Han added, turning to give the Wookiee a stern look. “But this is where the meeting was set, so this is where we go. Okay?”Chewbacca responded with a noncommittal growl. Not that Han could blame him. Obsidian Station wasn’t exactly renowned for its hospitality to New Republic officials. Quite the opposite, in fact.
Which was probably, Han reflected, why Par’tah had picked it in the first place. “We getting any funny readings on any of our neighbors out there?” Han asked.
Chewbacca leaned back so Han could see his display. Private freighters, mostly, with one or two luxury yachts thrown in the mix to spice things up. All clearly sporting modifications beyond spec, but not so much to raise any over-inquisitive eyebrows. “Yeah, well, keep an eye out anyway, Chewie,” Han said, returning his attention to the pilot controls. “Just because there isn’t anything suspicious yet doesn’t there won’t be anything later.”
Behind them the cockpit door slid open, and Luke slipped through before it shut again. “I take it we’re here,” he said, casting a look out the canopy.
“We’re here,” Han confirmed. “You ever hear any of the stories about Obsidian Station, kid?”
“Not really,” Luke shook his head, dropping into the seat behind Chewbacca.
“The place makes Mos Eisley look like an Alderaanian ball,” Han told him, “or at least, it used to. It’s been a while since Chewie or I made it back here.”
“Bad memories?” Luke suggested.
Han shrugged. “Let’s just say the authorities weren’t sad to see us go.”
While all this had been going on Chewbacca had been gently easing them towards the dark mass in front of them. Slowly it filled up the Falcon’s canopy till all that could be seen was a black jumble of titanium and durasteel, occasionally spotted by tiny pinpricks of flickering lights. It reminded Han a little too much of his first, close-up look at the Death Star, all those years ago; and the memory made him shiver.
[Corelliyan freiyghter, thiys iys Obsiydiyan Statiyon Traffiyc Control,] their comm suddenly crackled in the singsong tones of the Ho‘Din language. [Iydentiyfy yourself and state your busiyness.]
Han tapped the comm switch. “This is the Millenium Falcon,” he said. Which the guy at the other end already knew; long gone were the days since the Falcon had needed to broadcast a fake transponder. “Requesting permission to land.”
[Permiyssiyon granted, Miylleniyum Falcon,] the response came back promptly. [Par’tah wiyll meet you once you have landed.]
“Did he say Par’tah?” Luke spoke up, and glancing back Han caught the look of surprise on his face.
“I guess we‘re expected,” Han said, turning back to the comm. “Copy that, Control. Falcon out.”
On his display a new light began flashing as Traffic Control activated the beacon that would guide them the rest of the way in. Han typed in a key, and the route appeared suddenly on his screen. Obsidian Station sported a couple of private docking bays along its outer ring (catering to a higher-paying clientele, no doubt), but most ships were routed through the main airlock to one of seven landing areas off the center shaft. It was to the latter that the Falcon had been assigned, to a spot not too far from the club where they were supposed to meet Par’tah. How considerate, Han reflected.
It was an easy task for Chewbacca to guide them through the open airlock/atmosphere barrier and down the central shaft to their assigned landing spot. The area was maybe only half-full, and without difficultly Chewbacca lowered the Falcon’s landing gear and then set them down on the hard durasteel. “Looks like a popular spot,” Luke observed dryly, nodding at the sparse handful of ships outside.
“Yeah, Par’tah always did know how to pick ‘em,” Han agreed, unstrapping himself and getting up from his chair. “Come on, kid. It doesn’t do to keep a lady waiting.”
There was the usual customs officer to meet them, waiting impatiently at the foot of the hatchway ramp. Han wasn’t sure if this was another agent of Par’tah’s or just a particularly incompetent bureaucrat, but after only a few cursory questions the officer handed them a map of the station and then waived them past, moving on to the next ship that had just landed.
“Well, that was easy,” Luke said as they passed through the spaceport arch and entered the station proper.
“I’ll say,” Han said, casting a look around. According to the map they’d just been handed, Par’tah’s club should be down the corridor to their right. “I guess being respectable has its advantages.”
They turned right. The station corridors were almost as empty as the landing area had been, and Han didn’t see more than a handful of people milling around. Mostly more Ho’Dins, although he also spied one or two other species, including what looked like a particularly wide Herglic. All of them were giving Han a respectable amount of room. Maybe it had something to do with the six-foot Wookiee trailing behind him, or else the lightsaber hanging conspicuously at Luke’s belt. Either way, he'd take it. “The locals are friendly, at least,” he observed.
“Like you said, Par’tah knows how to pick them,” Luke agreed. “Remind me again why we’re meeting her.”
“Par’tah’s a pretty big name in smuggling,” Han explained, checking the street signs as they went. “A couple months ago when Chewie and I were meeting with all the smuggling groups, Par’tah’s was the only one that expressed any interest in working with the Republic.”
“Did she take you up on the offer?”
“Not exactly,” Han admitted. “She’s a smuggler first and foremost, and smugglers don‘t trust governments
farther than they can spit. But Par’tah’s got no love for the Empire. If you really need someone to help sneak onto an Imperial base, Par’tah’s your man. Isn‘t that right, Chewie?”
Behind them Chewbacca growled his agreement. By now they’d come to one of the moving rampways that connected their level with the ones above and below. “Come on,” Han said, hopping on. “The club’s this way.”
They were supposed to meet Par’tah at a place called “23”: a chic sabacc casino on one of the lower levels. Han had never been to this particular club, or even heard of it before, though that didn’t necessarily mean anything; he hadn’t been to Obsidian Station in years, and anyway Lando was the real gambler between them. But Han knew Par’tah, and he knew she wouldn’t pick someplace that wasn’t at least a little respectable.
Their ramp reached the bottom, and Han and the others hopped off. The lower levels were even more sparsely populated than the upper ones, if that was possible: other than a couple Twi’lek hanging around near the ramp, Han didn’t see anyone.
Which probably made it all that much easier for Luke to notice their tail. “Don‘t look,” the kid murmured suddenly, “but I think we’re being followed.”
“No kidding,” Han said, trying anyway to glance behind them as casually as he could. He couldn‘t see anyone yet. “How long, do you think?”
“I can’t be sure,” Luke said. “Maybe since the landing area.”
“Hmmm,” Han responded, shifting his head for a better peek. Yes, there he was now: Han could spy someone maybe fifty meters back, hugging the wall on the other side of the corridor. Whoever the guy was, he was good—Han wouldn't even have noticed him if Luke hadn’t pointed him out.
“What do you want to do about it?” Luke asked.
“Probably just another one of Par’tah’s people,” Han guessed. “She likes to keep tabs on things. Anyway it‘s too late to do something.” On their left he had noticed a sign bearing the numbers 23, flashing in big, bright fluorescents over the door of a mid-sized casino. “We’re here.”
* * *
[Message from Ma'nee,] Syl'va reported, listening to the singsong voice coming from her comlink. [Solo and Skywalker have just arriyved.]Seated in a private booth near the back of the near-empty casino, Par’tah looked up from the data pad she had been reading. [Fiynally,] she said, setting the data pad aside. [Have her show them iyn.]
While Syl'va passed on the order Par’tah cast another look around the casino. Their booth had a good vantage of the place—the reason they’d chosen it, in fact—and from where she and Syl'va were sitting they could keep an eye on pretty much everyone who walked in or out. So it was easy for Par’tah to spy Skywalker and Solo as they suddenly appeared in the main entrance, with Solo’s Wookiee in tow. In front of them Par’tah could see Ma'nee leading the way across the room between the unoccupied tables, depositing them at Par’tah’s booth before returning to her station outside. “Well hello, Par’tah,” Solo greeted with his usual grin as he slipped into the booth on the other side. “Long time no see.”
[Iyt iys a pleasure to see you also, Solo,] Par’tah said, giving him a once-over. Her eyes lingered for a moment on the blaster slung at his side before turning to his companion. [And you Iy take iyt are the Jediy Luke Skywalker.]
“That’s right,” Skywalker confirmed, sliding in behind Solo. The Wookiee, not surprisingly, stayed standing, his towering form casting a long shadow over the table. “Nice to meet you. Han’s told me a lot about you.”
[Has he?] Par’tah asked, her eyes moving to Solo again. [And what iys iyt he has been saying, Jediy?]
“Nothing bad,” Solo assured her. “The kid’s looking for somebody who does occasional business with the Empire. I told him you might be able to fit the bill.”
“You do still do business with the Empire, don’t you?“ Skywalker asked, leaning forward.
[Some,] she admitted cautiously. [When Iy must.]
“Any of that business ever involve the detention center on Dromond?”
Par’tah looked at him for a moment, turned back to Solo. [Iy do not liyke where thiys conversatiyon iys goiyng.]
Solo shrugged. “Then tell us to stop, if you want it to."
Par’tah considered for a moment. [Go on,] she said at last.
“All right,” Skywalker said, glancing at Solo…and Par’tah thought she noticed a look of relief pass between them. “So. Dromond?”
[Yes, Iy have done busiyness at Dromond before,] she said. [Iy deliyvered a cargo of food suppliyes to the faciyliyty there perhaps siyx months back. What of iyt? Iy do business wiyth many people…iyncludiyng the Republiyc.]
“We’re not here to chastise,” Skywalker soothed. “I just need someone who can get me into the facility.”
Syl'va snorted. [Of course you do. And what iys iyt you will do, once we get you iyn? We do not wiysh for any of our people to be put iyn danger.]
“We’ll pay well…” Skywalker started.
Par‘tah sighed. [Iyt iys not the money. Iy have no love for the Empiyre, Skywalker; for years they have been nothiyng but slavers and thugs. I do busiyness wiyth them not because Iy wish to, but because Iy have to. Iyf Iy am caught assiystiyng you, they may revoke my contracts. Or worse, seek retriybutiyon agaiynst my people.]
“I understand,” Skywalker said. “I can promise the Empire won’t learn about your role from anyone at our end.”
[Can you truly promiyse us that?] Syl'va challenged. [Iy have heard many rumors of a leak comiyng from wiythiyn your Iymperiyal Palace.]
“Delta Source doesn’t know anything about this,” Solo tried to assure her. “This isn’t exactly an officially-sanctioned mission. About the only people who know about it are the three of us.”
[Iy see.] Par‘tah wasn‘t sure if that made her feel better, or worse. [How much?]
“Twenty thousand,” Solo said. “In advance.”
Par‘tah was silent for a moment, considering. [That iys a generous offer,] she admitted, and it was; twenty thousand was several times more than they’d ever made on an Imperial contract. [And all we have to do iys get you iynto the faciyliyty?]
“And out again,” Solo nodded. “What do you say, Par’tah?”
[Iyt iys an iyntriyguiyng offer—]
She were interrupted by a click from the comlink at Syl'va’s belt. [What iys iyt, Ma'nee?] the other asked, flicking it on.
[Iyt may be nothiyng,] Ma'nee’s voice came back. [But there iys a Kubaz that has been hangiyng around the casiyno entrance for several miynutes now, and he does not leave.]
Syl'va shared a look with Par’tah. [A Kubaz?]
[Yes,] Ma'nee confirmed. [Iy think iyt possiyble that Solo and Skywalker were followed here.]
“What is it?” Skywalker interjected.
Par’tah looked up at him. [One of my associyates thinks you may have been followed.]
“We definitely were,” Solo said, rising up a little in his seat. “We assumed whoever it was was one of your people.”
[No,] Par’tah’s headtails bobbed as she shook her head, [iyt was not.] She took the comlink from Syl'va. [Ma'nee, thiys iys Par’tah. Has the Kubaz triyed to contact anyone yet?]
[Iy do not know. Maybe. Iyt iys possiyble.] There was a pause. [Do you want us to piyck hiym up?]
Par’tah looked at Syl'va. [Do not bother,] she told Ma'nee. [We are leaviyng anyway. Tell the others to get back to the shiyp. We wiyll meet you there.]
Ma'nee signed off, and Par’tah handed the comlink back to Syl'va. “Trouble?” Solo asked.
[Possiybly. Iyt seems you were followed here by what Iy beliyeve iys an iynformant for the local poliyce. No doubt they are already on theiyr way. We have perhaps fiyve minutes at most before they arriyve.]
Behind Solo, the Wookiee growled quietly. “The local police?” Skywalker repeated. “I thought Atrivis sector was aligned with the Republic.”
[Techniycally that iys true, yes. However, ever siynce the Empiyre revealed iyts new clones our government has been lookiyng for ways iynto Grand Admiyral Thrawn’s good graces.]
Solo’s hand fell on his blaster. “They’re in for a rude surprise, if they think they can take us without a fight.”
[There wiyll be no need for viyolence. We wiyll be gone by the tiyme the poliyce arriyve. So,] Par’tah said, [make iyt twenty-fiyve thousand, and you have a shiyp.]
Skywalker looked at Solo, got a microscopic nod. “Twenty-five it is.”
[Good,] Par’tah said, getting up from the booth. [Then let us go. My shiyp iys thiys way.]
She took them through a door in the back that led to the casino’s various storage areas. Par’tah led the way, with Solo and Skywalker following; while Syl'va and Solo’s Wookiee brought up the rear. The rooms were mostly empty, save for a couple of lonely SE4 servant droids moving boxes around. “I see we're taking the scenic route,” Solo commented. “Where exactly are we taking it to?”
[There are several dockiyng bays iyn the back of the casiyno,] Par’tah called back. [Normally they are used for the loadiyng and unloadiyng of crates and suppliyes. But Iy have an understandiyng with the propriyetor. My shiyp iys there.]
“Great,” Solo said. “What about the Falcon?”
[Unfortunately there iys not tiyme enough to retriyeve iyt,] Par’tah said. [But do not worry. Iy will have one of my associyates look after iyt for you.]
They came to another unmarked door. Par’tah opened it, and beyond they could see what she was talking about. A small docking bay was on the other side, barely big enough for the curved and elegant stock light freighter berthed within. Beyond it, framed through the hazy blue airlock, was the blackness of deep space.
[My shiyp,] Par’tah introduced them, waving a hand. [The Fiyreflower. Iyt iys one of the fastest shiyps iyn thiys part of space.]
“I’ve heard that before,” Skywalker said wryly.
[Iy am sure that you have.] She led the way inside the docking bay. [Come. Iy wiyll iyntroduce you to my crew.]
Around the freighter a group of Ho’Din could be seen scurrying about like busy Ewoks, moving this way and that. [Iys everythiyng ready, Viyr’go?] Par’tah asked as one of the Ho’Din stepped up to greet them.
[Almost,] Vir’go said, hooking her hands through her gun belt and give their visitors a quick once-over. [We are fiyniyshiyng the prefliyght sequence now.] She nodded at Skywalker and Solo. [What are they doiyng here?]
[They are comiyng with us,] Par’tah told her. [Iy wyill explaiyn later. Fiyniysh up whatever you are doiyng here and then get everybody iynsiyde. No doubt the local poliyce are already on theiyr way.]
Vir’go nodded before scampering off towards the Fireflower’s aft engines. [Gentlemen?] Par'tah said to Skywalker and Solo, gesturing at the open ramp.
They all filed up into the ship, and Par'tah led them down the twisting corridors to the Fireflower's bridge. Here everything was only slightly less chaotic than outside. Five or six more Ho’Din were bustling about warming up stations and running through checklists. [The prefliyght sequence iys almost complete, Par’tah,] one of them reported as they entered.
[Good,] Par’tah nodded, indicating to Skywalker and Solo to park themselves in an out-of-the-way corner as she stepped over to one of the pilot consoles. [Ma'nee?]
[All set at my end, Par’tah,] Ma'nee answered, looking up. [Just waiytiyng for Viyr’go to be done reviyewiyng the coolant liynes.]
[She wiyll only be another moment,] Par'tah said, settling into the co-pilot’s seat. Outside the cockpit viewport she could already see the last of the Ho’Din finishing up.
But that wasn’t the only thing going on outside. “Uh, Par’tah?” Solo spoke up.
Par’tah looked up from her display. Past the cluster of her people, and pushing through the main door, marched a sudden group of uniformed Ho’Din. Their light-armor vests and helmets marked them as the local police. [Viyr’go, get iyn here now—] Syl’va snapped into the comm.
[Hold iyt!] one of the police yelled to the stragglers outside, raising his blaster rifle. [Lower your weapons and step away from the shiyp.]
Par’tah’s people did the exact opposite, and there was a sudden crash as both sides opened fire. [Viyr’go!] Syl’va called again, but already they could see Vir’go scrambling for the Fireflower’s entry ramp, her blaster firing furiously at the guards. [How much longer?] she demanded, turning to Ma'nee.
[Iyt stiyll needs another miynute,] Ma'nee said tersely. She yanked her head back reflexively as a blaster shot bounced off the transparisteel canopy outside. [Par’tah…]
“I’m on it,” Solo offered, sliding over to the weapons console. He pressed a few keys, and there was a new flash outside as the Fireflower’s laser cannon started firing. “Looks like they’ve got some kind of repeating blaster out there,” Solo called, checking his display. “Your people better get inside before they finish setting it up.”
Syl’va turned back to the comm. [Viyr’go—]
[She iys iyn,] Ma'nee said. [They are closiyng the hatch now.]
[Seal iyt,] Par’tah ordered. Outside she could indeed see the guards outside setting up what looked like a knock-off of a BlasTech E-web. [And get the shiyelds up.]
“I got it,” Solo assured her. By now the guards had taken cover positions behind the scattered crates and boxes spread across the bay, safe and secure from anything the Fireflower might throw at them. Or not quite. Solo pressed another key on his console, and the Fireflower’s laser cannon suddenly switched direction and started firing at the hazy airlock that framed the bay’s entry port. There was a sizzle and a brilliant flash as the laser fire made contact, followed by a less-spectacular flicker as the airlock suddenly gave out; and then the guards were suddenly screaming past the viewport as they were sucked haplessly into the vacuum of space.
“That should take care of them,” Solo observed, even as from Ma'nee’s board came at last a tiny ping. [Prefliyght sequence iys complete,] she reported. [The shiyp iys ready for takeoff.]
[Then let us be off,] Par’tah said. [Punch iyt.]
There was a roar as the Fireflower’s sublight engines came suddenly to life, and the ship rocketed forward through the open port. [Any followers?] Syl’va asked as the ship twisted and turned through open space.
[Not yet,] Ma'nee said, staring at her sensor display. [Iy thiynk…wait, yes, there one iys. Comiyng iyn at mark siyx poiynt two.] She swallowed. [Iyt iys a Star Galleon.]
Par’tah peeked over Ma'nee’s shoulder at the display. It was a Star Galleon, all right, coming up from where it had been hiding beneath the station’s main hub. [Then let us get to work on a liyghtspeed calculatiyon,] she suggested, checking the sensors again. The Star Galleon was still three kilometers out, but it was gaining fast.
Solo apparently had noticed that, too. “They’re coming up on us pretty quick,” he noted from where he was still sitting at the weapons station.
[We wiyll make iyt,] she assured him. [How much longer before we can make the jump to liyghtspeed?] she asked Ma'nee
[Iy am stiyll waiytiyng on the naviycomputer,] Ma'nee answered back.
Solo‘s Wookiee woofed a comment. “I thought you said this ship was fast,” Skywalker added.
[Iyt iys,] Par’tah told him, [just watch. Ma'nee: full throttle.]
There was another burst as the Fireflower’s engines kicked in at full power, pushing them back into their seats; and in the rear display Par’tah could see the Star Galleon grow suddenly smaller and more tiny. [Satiysfiyed?] she asked Skywalker.
But they weren’t out of it yet. The navicomputer still needed a couple more minutes, and the Star Gallaeon—not quite content to let its prey outrun it—was at least content to open fire. Green turbolaser blasts started flashing past the cockpit canopy. [Ma'nee?]
[Almost there,] came Ma'nee’s curt response.
It was a couple tense moments as the Star Galleon continued its pursuit. But Par’tah had been right: it was no match for the speed of the Fireflower, and this far away it wasn’t able to fire much more than ranging shots. On the sensor display the distance continued to grow between the Fireflower and its pursuer, until it wasn’t more than a tiny blip on the monitor.
Finally, at long last, the navicomputer pinged. [The calculatiyon iys complete,] Ma'nee reported. [Shall Iy plot a course for Dromond?]
[Not quiyte,] Par’tah said, thinking for a moment. [There iys a small asteroiyd fiyeld near the planet. We wiyll head there fiyrst.]
With a shrug Ma'nee entered the course correction in the ship’s navicomputer. Then reaching over she wrapped her hand around the hyperspace controls and pulled them back; and with a slight shudder and a burst of starlines the Fireflower left Obsidian Station far behind.
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