Han and Bria stood on opposite sides of the living room and regarded each other in silence for a long, un-comfortable moment. Han glanced at the door leading to the one bedroom. Uh... guess Muuurgh and Mrrov still think Were an item, he said.
Guess so, she agreed, unable to meet his eyes.
Well, I guess it the pallet out here for me, Han said. Hey, Bria remonstrated, Im a soldier. Ive slept in mudholes before, with no blanket. No need to treat me like a lady, Han/ She smiled and took out a decicred piece. Tell you what... Ill flip you for the bed.
Han grinned at her, his most charming smile. Okay, babe. Fine by me.
Bria looked at him, and their eyes locked. Oh, dear.
She sounded as though shed just run four or five klicks.
Hah was feeling a bit breathless himself. Oh dear what? he said, taking a step toward her.
Bria smiled shakily. The galaxy is no longer safe for humanoid females, she said. Youve learned what you can do with that lopsided smile, havent you?
As a matter of fact, Han did have some idea... and so did a number of women he could name. He took an-other two slow steps in her direction, and chuckled, genuinely amused. Hey... he said. There are times when it works better than my blaster.
Bria was so tense he wondered if she were going to bolt, but she didnt move as he took another step toward her. Ix,,oking down, Hah saw that her hand was shaBng. Arent you going to flip that thing? he asked softly. She nodded and took a deep breath, and her hand steadied a bit. Sure. Call it.
You sure its not a trick coin? Han asked, taking an-other step.
Hey! she protested. Its a rea] decicred? With mock indignation, Bria showed him the disk, twirling it to demonstrate that it was indeed a regular coin. On the obverse was the head of the Emperor, on the reverse was stamped the symbol of the Empire.
Han took another step, and now he could have reached out and touched her shoulder. Okay . . . I pick... heads, he said, quietly.
Bria swallowed and flipped the coin, but she missed catching it, because she was shaking again. Hah, how-ever, did not miss. He caught the coin, held it without looking. Heads we share the bed ....he said softly. Tails... we share the floor.
But . . . we agreed . . . she was stammering and trembling all over now. Just... business...
Han tossed the coin over his shoulder, and in one lunge he pulled Bria into his arms. He kissed her with all the pent-up passion of the past days... and all those lost years. Kissed her mouth, her forehead, her hair, her ears. . and then returned to her mouth. Finally, when he raised his head, he breathed, I say... the heck with business... right?
Right... she murmured, and then it was her turn to kiss him. She wound her arms around his neck, hold-ing him as tightly as he held her.
Behind them, forgotten, the decicred piece lay on the woven matting covering the floor, shining faintly in the dimness ....
The next morning, Han woke up smiling. He got up and went out to stand on the little balcony overlooking the beautiful Togorian garden. He breathed deeply, hearing the twittering of the tiny flying lizards and re-membered one alighting on Brias finger all those years ago, that first time on the beach.
He wished they had time to go back to that beach .... Hey, he thought, when this Ylesian thing is over, well have all the time in the world... and all the cred-its we could want. Well ccrme back here. Then maybe well head for the Corporate Sector, do some business. With the FaJcon, we can go anywhere, do anything ....
He wondered whether Bria would actually leave the Resistance for him. After what theyd shared last night, he didnt see how she couldnt. They were good to-gether, so good there was no way theyd be apart from now on ....
Han heard a step behind him, but didnt turn, only stood staring out at the garden, inhaling the spicy scent of the Togorian tree-flowers. Arms slid around his waist, and he felt her hair against his back as she leaned against him. Hey.. she said quietly. Good morning.
Its good all right, he said quietly. The best in a long time. Ten years, I think.
Did I tell you ast night that I love yoU? she murmured, kissing the back of his neck. You need a haircut...
Several times, he replied. But you can say it again if you want.
I love you ....
Sounds good, he said. I think you need more practice, though. Try it again ....
She laughed. Youre getting a swelled head, Han.
He chuckled, and turned to hold her. You know, the Falcon is going to be so full of huge Togorians all the way back to the rendezvous coordinates, that you just might have to sit on my lap.
I could manage that, she said.
Sarrah proved to be extremely short for a Togorian, only about two meters rail. But he was in excellent con-dition, his muscles sliding beneath his sleek black fur like oiled cords.
On their way back to the deep-space rendezvous, Han swung by Nar Shaddaa to pick up Jarik and Chew-bacca. Hed been wondering how Chewie and Muuurgh would get along. When he introduced the Wookiee and the giant Togorian, Han was treated to the unusual sight of Chewie actually looking up at another being. Muuurgh regarded the Wookiee assessingly, then said, Greet-ings to Hah Solok friend. He tells me you are his brother-in-fur.
Chewie roared softly, and Hah translated. Chew-bacca sends greetings in return to Muuurgh, he said. He is honored to meet a brother-in-fur from the past, the hunter Muuurgh.
Solemnly, the two huge creatures regarded each other, then both turned to Han. He looked up at them, and could tell that they liked each other. You guys, he said, have got a lot in common.
Indeed, said Chewie. They had Hah.
Any friend of Hah Solok is a friend of Muuurghs, the Togorian announced.
Hah heard the door signal to his apartment buzz, and opened it to find Lando standing there. For once the gambler wasnt dressed in the height of fashion, but in military style rough fatigues, and he wore heavy boots. He was armed with a blaster and a blaster rifle. Hey?
Hah said. Whats up? You goin to a war?
I just heard about your little jaunt to Ylesia, Lando said. I want in. Can I ride along on the Falcon?
Han regarded his friend in surprise. Pal, this aint your kind of thing, he said. We aint expectin much in the way of resistance froin those Gamorrean guards on Ylesia, but theres bound to be some shootin.
Lando nodded. Im a good shot, he said. Hah, Ive almost got enough credits saved to buy a new ship, a real beauty of a sleek little yacht Ive had my eye on. I figure for a share of that spice in the warehouses, this is worth a little risk to my precious hide. Another ten thousand credits, and that little beauty is mine ....
Hah shrugged. Okay by me, he said. Youre wel-come to join the party.
Thus, it was a very crowded-but thankfully short- flight back to the Rebel rendezvous coordinates.
The Rebel fleet was mostly gathered by now, along with most of the smuggler vessels. Bria and the other Rebel commanders conducted final briefings so that each smuggler and each Rebel assault group knew ex-actly what part they would play in the attack. Each group of Rebel assault shuttles had at least three or four smuggler ships to guide them down through the atmo-sphere. There were nine colonies now on Ylesia, and there were nine attack forces, each commanded by a Rebel commander like Bria.
Shed chosen the toughest objective for herself-
Colony One. It boasted the largest warehouses, the most Pilgrims and the best defenses. But Bria was sure that Red Hand Squadron could handle it.
Especially with Han flying beside her. By now, Hah was familiar with Jace Paol, Daino Hyx, and her other officers. He wondered if any of them realized that he and their commander were now a couple.
The assassinations would be starting any time on Yle-sia, and the main attack was set for tomorrow morning (ships standard time, which had nothing to do with day or night on Ylesia) when the Pilgrims would be desper-ate for the Exultation, and amenable to tang orders from anyone who promised it to them ....
As Hah and Bria ate supper that night in Retri
bu-tions galley, Hans attention was suddenly drawn to the external monitoring unit that showed the masses of gathering ships. A familiar shape-one hed known from childhood was moving into view.
He stopped chewing, then swallowed hastily, and pointed. Bria! That big old Liberator-class transport! Whered you get it?
She looked at him and grinned. Looks a bit familiar, doesnt it?
Han nodded. Id swear thats Trader Luck! The ship I grew up on!
She nodded. It is. I was saving it for a surprise. The Corellian Resistance bought it a couple of years ago at scrap prices, and weve converted it into a troop carrier. We named it the Liberator.
Hah had heard that the vintage ship had been aban-doned following Garris Shrikes death. He looked at the old vessel, feeling his throat tighten. He was glad to know that the Liberator now had a new life. Youre going to use her to get the Pilgrims shipped to safety, right?
Many of them, she agreed. Your old home will take them to a new life, Han.
He nodded, and finished his meal, his eyes seldom leaving the huge, antique vessel. Memories flooded him... memories of Dewlanna, mostly....
Since the Falcon boasted only a few sleeping bunks, Han decided to stay the night in Brias cabin. They held each other close, each of them acutely aware that to-morrow they would be going into battle.
And in battles... people died.
After tomorrow, Hah whispered to her in the dark-ness, well always be together. Promise me. I promise, she said. Together.
He sighed and relaxed. Okay, he said. And . . .
Bria?
Yes?
You watch your back tomorrow, sweetheart.
He could tell she was smiling, from the way her wice sounded. I will. You too, okay?
Sure.
Hours later, Bria was awakened from a troubled doze by the soft chime of her cabin intercom. She came in-stantly alert, and, pulling on a robe, went into her ad-joining office. The communication officer on duty told her she had an incoming message. Send it through to me here, she said, pushing her hair back from her face.
Moments later, Bria was facing her commanding of-ricer, Pianat Torbul. She stiflened to attention. Sir?
Bria... just wanted to wish you luck tomorrow, he said. And to tell you... he hesitated.
Yes? Tell me what? she prompted.
I cant be specific. But our intelligence reports that the Empire has something big underway. Really big. Something that could crush the entire Rebel Alliance in one or two engagements.
Bria stared at him, in shock. Some kind of secret fleet? she asked.
I cant tell you, he reminded her. But bigger than that.
Bria couldnt imagine what he was talking about, but shed grown used to the need to know system long ago. Okay, so what does that have to do with this raid tomorrow?
Its going to take everything we have, every resource we can muster, every credit we can scrape together, to dea] with this, Torbul said. your mission was impor-tant before this... now its critical. Take everything you can get, Bria. Weapons, spice... everything.
Sir... thats my objective, she said, her heart be-ginning to thud.
I know that. I just . . . thought you should know. Were dispatching several intelligence teams to Ralltiir to try and find out more. Theyll need credits for bribes, surveillance equipment... you know the drill. Of course, Bria said. Sir, I wont fail you.
I know you wont, Torbul said. I shouldnt have contacted you, perhaps . . . youre under enough pres-sure. But I thought you should know.
I appreciate your telling me, sir. Thank you. Torbul gave her a quick salute and broke the connec-tion. Bria sat there in her office, wondering if she should go back to bed, or just start the day early.
She heard Hans voice, a little rough with sleep, from the other room. Bria? Everything okay?
Everythings fine, Han, she called. Ill be there shortly.
Rising, she paced slowly back and forth, remember-ing what hed said to her earlier. Theyd be together... always. Yes, we will, she thought. Well be together. Well guard each other backs, and wgether well fight and well prevail against the Empire. And if we have to sac-rifice to achieve that... we will.
She knew that Han would understand about the treasure and the credits. He pretended to be such a mercenary, but at heart, he wasnt, she knew that ....
Her mind once more at rest, her resolve firm, Bria went back to bed ....
Sunset at Ylesian Colony Five. The ruddy rays of the low sun, breaking through a hundred gaps in the massed clouds, were projected as pastel spikes across the sky. By the choppy waters of the Sea of Hope, the robe-clad Pilgrims assembled on the beach cast long shadows across the sand.
Pohtarza, Head Sacredot of the colony, raised his ugly tlanda Til head and surveyed the crowd, his horn sweeping slowly back and forth as lie did so. His bul-bous eyes shone like blood as they bulged from his grayish, wrinkled flesh. After a moment, he brought up his diminutive arms, and the ceremony began.
The One is All, he intoned in the rumbling, nasal-heavy language of the tlanda Til.
Five hundred voices echoed the phrase back ....The One is All.
At that very moment, at Colony Four on the other side of the planet, it was just after midnight. Dark clouds drifted across the moonless night sky, extinguishing stars, making the night even blacker. On the wall of the Priests Quarters, there was a soft, chitinous scratching. Ylesian vermin frantically darted away in all directions.
Noy Waglla, small and bug-like herself, scuttled up the smooth permacrete and, barely pausing to chew a hole in the grating, through the window. She crouched, poised, on the sill.
Below her, in the darkness, she could hear the sleep-ing noises of the Priests she had come to kill. Jabba would pay well for this, enough that she might someday be able to return to her own species. The great crea-tures in their sleeping harnesses filled the small room, made it stink of musk. The Hyallp crawled up the near-est rough-textured harness, and paused below the enor-mous head. The tlanda Til shifted slightly, and she backed away, alarmed, but, after a moment, the Priests snoring resumed Waglla advanced even closer. This is going w be easy ....Waglla seized the large vial strapped to her back in her formidable mandibles, pulled out the stopper with her palps. Jabba had tested the substance himself A drop of the poison called srej-ptan, placed on the Sacredot lower lip, would kill even the largest tlanda Til in seconds, silently and without struggle. Retracting several of her legs, Waglla climbed toward the Priests mouth.
The All is One, intoned Pohtarza.
The All is One.
Aiaks Fwa, Whiphid assassin and bounty hunter, waited in the corridor leading to the underground mud baths of Colony Seven. It had been a tedious few weeks, living as Pilgrim, trying to blend in, when all his instincts c,dled for getting it over with, hunting the ugly muphrida down and escaping. But the Bloated One had specified tonight as the time, and Fwa wanted to collect his full fee.
The sound of tlanda Til voices echoed up from the dimness below, and Fwa heard their characteristic shuf-fling gait. The assassin checked the two small hold-out blasters he had smuggled into the compound. Fully charged, of course.
He tensed, thinking that the credits he was about to become entitled to were not so much the prize of a hunt, so much as a gift. Security here in Colony Seven was lax beyond belief.
Fwa could see them coming now, and he pressed himself into a hollow in the uneven wall. As hed ex-pected, it was his targets-the three male Saeredots. He could smell them, and his sensitive nostrils recog-nized the reek of the males.
They were close now, coming closer, closer....
Fwa leaped out with a ferocious roar, blasters raised.
Aim for their eyes/he thought, as he fired his first salvo.
In service to the All, every One is Exulted.
.. evej One is Exulted.
Tuga SalPivo, down-on-his luck Corellian space-tramp and jack-of-all-trades, paused for a moment at the edge of the Ylesian jungle and looked back. Colony Eight was a gra
y smudge in the very first light of dawn. Sunrise was still an hour awa y. SalPivo grinned and wiped the sweat off his face with a back-and-forth motion, catching a whiff of the vinegary vomm powder residue on his hand. He couldnt wait to see the explosion ....
It was so quiet. Even the scraping and peeping of the Ylesian jungle was gone. There was no wind at all.
SalPivo forced himself not to blink as he waited. When the brilliant orange flame flowered from the tlanda TiIs sleeping chamber, there was a moment be-fore the sound reached him, and he thought, It doesnt seem real ....
Then the crack and boom rolled over him, almost knocking him down, followed by the cries and wails of the remaining inhabitants. Job well done, he said to himself, chuckling. Ill be back on Poytta before the fire put out ....
We sacrifice to achieve the All. We serve the One. .. serve the One.
The RodJan named Sniquux sniffed the air thought-fully, his aqua snout wiggling. Mid-afternoon sun slanted down into the wide courtyard, and dust seemed to hang in the hot, thick air. With infinite care, he se-cured the last strand of monofilament fiber across the opening of the passageway to the factory compound. Colony Nine was not yet finished, but the main build-ings and dormitories were close enough to completion to start up operation. Nearly three hundred Pilgrims were resident, most of them employed on the construc-tion gang. Sniquux had come in with the last bunch, his experience as a permacrete artisan coming in handy.
Here they come/The Rodian stepped back from the invisible wire, then ducked under it, making sure he came nowhere near the deadly stuff. Once in the corri-dor, he made his way up to the first level balcony, which overlooked the courtyard. The six tlanda Til, three males and three females, were returning from their post-siesta walkabout, ambling toward the dinner hall and their supper. A cadre of Gamorrean guards sur-rounded them, their axe heads glinting in the sun. Sniquux pulled the sound projector remote control from his little pouch, hefting the device and feeling the smoothness of its contours.
I dont even have to get near them, he thought, delight-edly. I bve this assignment. I dont have to risk my delicate little neck. His ears twitched expectantly as he turned the dial to its maximum position and engaged the trigger.
Star Wars - The Han Solo Trilogy - Rebel Dawn Page 27
