Star Wars - The Han Solo Trilogy - Rebel Dawn

by A. C. Crispin

  Bria left her troops to deal with the vermin and walked out to the turbolift. She keyed her comlink. Hyx... you there?

  Im here aboard Retribution, Commander, the medical officer reported. The wounded have been transported over, and everything is looking good. Ex-cept for Caronil... he didnt make it. Sorry. The medic and I did everything we could ....

  Bria swallowed. I know that. Are you still needed there, Hyx?

  Not really. The reed droids have things under con-trol here. Im taking the shuttle back to the Shackle.

  Good. Im going to need you soon. Come straight to the Security Hold. Thats where the slaves are locked up. Ill meet you there.

  Bria took the turbolift down two decks, then Started aft. She was nearly to the locked portal when the scuff of a foot behind her made her whirl around, sidearm in hand. Behind her, brandishing a blaster, was one of the slavers whod somehow escaped capture.

  Tile womans eyes were glittery, her pupils dilated, her hair a greasy halo around her face. Stop right there or Ill shoot! she bellowed, holding the blaster in two trembling hands.

  Bria stopped. Trembling with fear? Maybe... but that not all ....

  Drop your weapon? the woman howled. Or Ill kill you!

  I dont think so, Bria said, calmly, letting her blaster hang down in her hand, muzzle pointed at the deck. If Im dead, Im no use to you as a hostage.

  The woman frowned, obviously trying to puzzle out her captives words. Finally, she elected to ignore them. I want a shuttle! she cried. A shuttle, and some slaves to take with me! You can have the rest! I just want my fair cut, thats all!

  Not a chance, Bria said, steel underlying her quiet tone. Im not a slaver. Im here to free these people.

  The woman appeared completely baffled by this. She cocked her head. You dont wanna sell em? she asked, skeptically.

  No. Bria said. Im here to free them.

  Free em? Bria might as well have been speaking Huttese for all the slaver understood her. Theyre worth couple thousand credits apiece, some ofem. I dont care, Bria said.

  The slavers brow furrowed. Why not?

  Because slavery is wrong, Bria said. Youre wast-ing my time, vermin. Kill me or let me go-but youll get nothing from me.

  The woman pondered Brias words, obviously taken aback by the commanders response. It was plain to Bria that the slaver was under the influence of some powerful stimulant. Carsunum, probably. The woman was shaking .all over. The muzzle of the gun was practi-cally vibrating in mid-air. Brias eyes narrowed as she watched the muzzle of the weapon waver, waver . . . then drop fractionally as the drugged woman struggled to comprehend a being who cared nothing for personal profit.

  Brias hand moved in a blur as she brought her weapon up, at the same time throwing herself to the side. The slaver fired, but she was shaking so violently that the bolt didnt even singe Bria. The Rebel com-manders shot struck the slaver just below her chest. The woman went down with a scream and a gurgle.

  Bria walked over to her, kicked away the blaster from the outflung arm and limp fingers, and looked down at the slaver. There was a gaping, charred hole in her abdomen. The woman stared back up at her, pailting shallowly. Bria aimed her sidearm at the slavers fore-head. Want me to?

  The woman shook her head, side to side, then strug-gled to speak. N-no... She wheezed in agony. I-I want... to... live ....

  Bria shrugged. Fine by me. Youve got maybe five minutes, I figure.

  With her sidearm in her hand, Bria stepped over the slaver and continued down to the hold.

  She had to use her blaster on the lock. Inside, she heard screams of panic. The portal swung open.

  The stench hit the Corellian the moment she stepped through the door. Human and alien, the effiu-via rolled out, almost visible, it was so thick.

  Bria looked over the crowd of wailing, moaning, wretched Pilgrims who were cowering away from her, even as they held out their skinny, talon-like hands, pleading, Bring a priest! Need the priests! Take us home!

  The commander felt her gorge rise, and it took her a moment to control herself. That would have been me... almost ten years ago, now, that how I would have been... if it hadnt been for Hah ....

  A step came from behind her, and Bri a whirled, sidearm ready, only to relax when she recognized Daino Hyx. He raised an eyebrow at her. A little jumpy, Commander?

  Bria smiled sheepishly. Maybe just a tad.

  That got anything to do with the dead woman out there in the corridor?

  Not really, Bria holstered her blaster, realizing dis-gustedly that now she was the one doing the shaking. More to do with them. She jerked her head at the agonized Pilgrims. Theyre all yours, Hyx. Looks like youve got your work cut out for you.

  He nodded, studying them with a healers kindly de-tachment. How soon will the Shackle be ready to ren-dezvous with the transport?

  Bria glanced at her chrono. I allowed thirty-five

  minutes to take this ship and get her working again. Its

  been thirty-nine. I expect to hear-

  Her comlink signaled, and Bria smiled and answered it. Red Hand Leader here.

  Commander, this is Jaee Paol. We have secured the ship, and the prize crew reports we are now hyperspace capable. Proceed to our rendezvous coordinates?

  Copy that, Jace. Ill advise Retribution. Tell Lieu-tenant Hethar to take her out. Deliverance is waiting for us to transship these Pilgrims. I copy, Commander.

  Bria keyed her comlink. Captain Bjalin, Helot Shackle is ours, along with her eargo. Prepare to ren-dezvous with Deliverance at our assigned coordinates.

  I copy, Red Hand Leader. Well meet you there.

  And... Commander?

  Yes, Tedris?

  Congratulations on a smoothly run operation.

  Thank you, Tedris.

  One month later, Bria Tharen, on a rare visit back to Corelha to meet with her commanding officer, walked quickly into his office. Pianat Torbul, a short, dark-haired man with intense eyes, looked up. Welcome home, he said. Youre late. I was expecting you two days agO.

  Sorry, sir, she said. I picked up a last minute call to help the Pride of the Rim out with a couple of Imp picket ships. Retribution took a hit that damaged sub-light engines, and we had to lay up for a day. I know, he said, and smiled-his quick, irresistible grin. I received the report from the Pt/de. Dont be so defensive, Tharen.

  She smiled back, then, at his gesture, dropped wearily into a seat. So, did you get my report, sir? I did, he said. Seems your friend Hyx is reporting great progress in turning those Pilgrims you rescued off the Helot Shackle back into normal citizens. Congratu-lations. Your faith in him and his new treatment seems to be paying off.

  Bria nodded, her eyes lighting up. It means a lot to me, to be able to give those people back their lives. Their families will be glad to see them ....Theyll be able to live in dignity, and comfort ....

  Unless, of course, they choose to join up with us, Torbul said. Which apparently some of them are al-ready talking about doing once theyre returned to health. Which may take a couple of months. I gather that malnutrition plays a pretty big part in the brain-washing they undergo on Ylesia.

  Bria nodded. I remember my gums started to bleed all the time, It took me two months of decent food to overcome most of the effects.

  He glanced back down at his datapad. Helot Shackle is almost finished being refitted for combat. We can really use her, Tharen, thank you for acquiring her for us. With that in mind... want the honor of re-naming her?

  Bria thought for a moment. Call her Emancipator, she said.

  That a good one, Torbul said. Emancipator she is.

  Torbul clicked off his datapad, leaned his elbows on his desk, and leaned forward. Bria... he said. Now that the official stuff is over and done with, I have to tell you that Im concerned about some aspects of your record.

  Her eyes widened in surprise. But, sir--!!

  Oh, dont get me wrong, Tharen. You are a good fighter, an able leader. Nobody gainsaying that. But look at the name t
hose slavers gave you, that your squadron cheerfully adopted. Red Hand symbol of no quarter. Look at this report on the taking of Helot Shackle. No prisoners. Not a single one.

  Bria stiffened. Sir, they were slavers. They know how the civilized world regards them. They put up a lot of resistance, and not a one offered to surrender. They fought to the last.

  I see .... Torbul said. The two of them exchanged a long look, and it was the ranking officer who looked away first.

  An awkward silence ensued until Torbul cleared his throat. Things are heating up in the Outer Rim, he announced. The Rebel groups out there are really understaffed. Id lille Red Hand to stay out there for a while, give them some assistance.

  Yes, sir, Bria said. Sir...

  Yes?

  I think I may know a way to get more recruits.

  What is that?

  Well, the best weve ever done curing the Ylesian Pilgrims of addiction before was about fifty percent. Remember?

  He nodded.

  But now, with the new techniques Daino is using to help the Pilgrims we took to Grenna Base, he thinks his success rate will be better than 90 percent.

  Thats very encouraging. But what does that have to do with getting more recruits?

  Bria leaned forward, her blue-green eyes holding his dark ones. Sir . . . there are over eight thousand Pil-grims on Ylesia.

  He sat back. What are you suggesting, Tharen? Give me just a little help . . . an old troopship for transport, a couple more cruisers, some more troops, and I can take that planet. I can shut down the Ylesian operation for good. Well take every colony, free every slave there. Hundreds of them are bound to join us, if the percentages weve seen so far are any indication. Thats a big if, Torbul said.

  I know, sir. But I think the risk would be worth it. We dont have the troops. Not all of the Corellian resistance would be enough to take a whole planet, Tharen!

  Were getting recruits in from Alderaan every day, Bria pointed out, truthfully. And there are so many Bothan and Sullustan Pilgrims on Ylesia, those worlds might send us some troops and ships. Its worth asking them. And what about Chandrila? Theyre part of the new Rebel Alliance-sworn to help us!

  Recruits... its an incentive, certainly.

  She nodded vigorously. Sir, it could work. We can free those slaves. And while were at it, we could take the spice to sell on the open market. Were always short of credits. Think of how many turbolasers or proton tor-pedoes that much spice would buy us! We could bomb the warehouses and factories when we had emptied them. Ylesia and its filthy trade would be a thing of the past.

  Bria realized that she had lost her composure, but in her passion, she didnt care. Her hands were shaking; she gripped the edge of Torbul desk so he wouldnt see the betraying tremor.

  I dont believe the Rebel Alliance would think much of selling drugs as a means of financing the Re-bellion, Torbul said.

  Then, with all due respect, sir, dont tell them where you got the credits! Bria smile was more than a little savage. You know as well as I do that they wont look a gift traladon in the mouth. Theyll take the credits and use them. We need weapons, medical supplies, uni-forms, ammo... you name it!

  True, he said. Fighting a resistance is an expen-sive proposition.

  Think it over, Bria urged. I know Red Hand could do it. And without Ylesia siphoning off some of Corel-lias best, wed have more recruits. Think about whos going to Ylesia these days. Young people, dissatisfied with their lives, unable to pay the horrendous taxes, wanting something more, a better life. Those are exactly the kind of people we need.

  True, he said again. But what about the Ylesian at-mosphere? Your raid on Colony Three two and a half years ago freed a hundred slaves-but we lost a ship in that blasted atmosphere. That treacherous atmosphere of Ylesia is one of their best defenses.

  Brias features twisted in remembered anguish. I warned them, but... that wind shear just caught the ship ....

  Tharen... it wasnt your fault. But we have to think about that. Command is bound to point that out.

  She nodded. Im working on that, sir. Theres got to be a way to deal with the atmosphere. Better pilots, for one thing. Our people are enthusiastic, sir, but face it... most of them havent had much experience. Our training programs need work ....

  I agree. Were working on ways to make our sims better, and broaden their experience before we turn them loose.

  Bria stood up and leaned across the desk. Sir... just promise me youll think about it. I can do it. I even have some ideas about how to fund the raid. At least consider it, okay?

  He gave her a long, level glance. All right, Tharen. I promise you Ill think about it.

  Thank you, sir.

  Interlude 1 The Corporate Sector

  Dressed only in his trousers, barefoot, Han Solo wandered out of the bedroom in Jessa tiny apartment. Her little flat was located on her father, Dock, outlaw tech base, a grim, utilitarian place, but both Doc and Jessa personal quarters were surprisingly well furnished and comfy.

  Han yawned and scratched his head, rumpling his hair even further, then threw himself down on the elegant couch with a thud, and signaled on the big vid-unit.

  The official news from the Corporate Sector Au-thority came on, and Han watched it with a cynical grin. The Authority was getting worse every day. Wouldnt take much to make them as repressive as the Empire ....

  At least the Falcon was now in the best shape of her life. Before his capture and removal to Stars End prison, Doc had upgraded her hyperdrive until shed now make point-five past lightspeed. I oughta be able to outrun just about anything the Imps could throw at me with that, Han thought smugly. Or the Authority either.

  Then, in order to induce Hah to go after her father and rescue him from Stars End, ]essa had fixed the Fal-con up with an all-new sensor suite and dish, to replace the ones damaged in aright with an Authority lighter.

  Later, following Doc rescue, the grateful ]essa had recently finished t he Falcbns repairs, putting in an all-new guidance system and repairing all of the hull dam-age the YT-1300 had accrued. Han had even considered giving the ship a coat of paint, so shed look just like new, but, after some consideration, had rejected the idea. The Millennium Falcns beat-up appearance was one of her strongest assets in catching opponents unaware.

  Nobody expected a grubby old freighter to have a military-grade hyperdrive that had been customized and upgraded by the galaxy master tech, a sophisti-cated sensor suite, topnotch jamming capability, and all the other improvements Han had bestowed on the love of his life.

  ]essa was still asleep in the other room. Hah leaned back and propped his feet up on the table, thinking about Jess. She was certainly the best thing to come his way so far in the Corporate Sector. The two of them had had a lot of fun ....

  Just the other day, theyd flown the Falcon to one of the swankiest casinos in a nearby sector, and put on their best bib and tucker for a gambling spree. Jess had gotten her blond curls done in a wild new style, striped bright red, and bought a stunning red gown that was snug in all the right places. Han had been proud to be seen with her, and assured her she was the most beauti-ful woman in the place.

  The news-vid changed from Corporate Sector re-ports to a brief report from the Empire. Palpatineg forces had stifled yet another uprising on yet another world. Hang mouth twisted. Same old, same old... He found himself thinking about SaUa, wondering if shed gotten over being mad yet. He suspected not. It was a good thing she wasnt here to see him with Jessa. SaUa was the jealous type. She was one tough lady, but, then, so was Jessa. Han was profoundly grateful that the two of them were unlikely ever to meet.

  Thoughts of SaUa led naturally to wondering how Lando, Jarik, Shug and Mako were doing. Han even thought of Jabba with something approaching nostalgic affection. He bet the Hutt leader was having a hard time replacing him. If he ever decided to go back to Im-perial space, Hah suspected Jabba would welcome him with open arras... repugnant as that thought was.

  Han watched another brief news bite
from the Em-pire. Seemed that the Empire had now declared that the Rebel forces in the Outer Rim had been completely crushed. Sure, he thought. Right. That must mean that theyre quite a thorn in the Imps side ....

  He wondered whether Bria had anything to do with harassing those Imp forces . . . . or was she back to being a spy these days?

  Han sighed, realizing that he actually missed Nar Shadtiaa. The Corporate Sector was a fun place, lots of adventures to be had and profits to be made, but it wasnt home.

  He wondered whether he should just cut his losses and head back for Imperial space. At the very least, it was probably time to head out and look for some action (translation profit) here in the Corporate Sector. True, hed promised Jessa to help her and Doc in their cam-paign against the Authority. But that might be risky. And it wasnt as though he owed ]essa anything. Hed rescued her father, hadnt he? At great risk to his own precious hide? A tiny honest corner of his mind re-minded him that hed mostly gone on that rescue mis-sion for Chewieg sake. No way he was letting his pal languish in an Authority prison ....

  And yet. . things were very pleasant here for the moment, though he knew it couldnt last. Right now, things were going well with ]essa. They were having a good time. Maybe hed just postpone leaving for an-other month... or two... or three ....

  Hah ? came a sleepy murmur from the bedroom.

  Im here, honey. Just watchin the news, Han said.

  He flicked off the vid and went out to the tiny kitchen. Hed make Jessa a hot cup of imported stim-tea that shed come to be very fond of, and take it to her....

  Boba Fett stood in the queue waiting to board the luxury liner Queen of Empire, for her voyage to Velga Prime and points in between. The liner was the sister ship to Haj Shipping Lines Star of Empire and was fully as large and opulent.

  Boba Fett was boarding the liner from an orbiting space docking platform, but there were nearly a thou-sand sentients waiting to board, so each line was several hundred beings long. The bounty hunter gauged the slow progress of the line, and figured it would be at least ten minutes before hed be free to carry his large, heavy traveling case to his cabin.