A faint thread of expelled air, and Han recognized it as the ghost of a laugh. Liar.... Han... got... to... tell you.
Han swallowed. Yeah? Im listenin...
Name... my name... it aint... Solo. Lied to
yOU.
Han cleared his throat. Yeah, I know, kid. Thats okay. I give it to you. Far as Im concerned, you earned it long ago.
You... knew?
Sure. Ive known from the beginning, Jarik.
The lax fingers tightened once, and then released. Han leaned over, checked for a pulse, then gently re-leased his grip and stood up. His eyes were stinging, and it took him a second to regain control. The medic bustled by, and Han grabbed her sleeve. HeS gone. Wheres his ID?
She handed him a corn-chip. Han took it, then keyed in, Jarik Solo, under the name of deceased field. The medic called for help, and two labor-droids trundled forward. Han watched as they efficiently wrapped the dead youth in the sheet, then carried him over to the row of bodies laid out neatly on the ground.
Before he could turn away, they were putting an-other wounded Rebel onto the stretcher. Water... the woman croaked. Han took out his flask. Youre gonna be okay, he said, as he helped her to drink. Dont worry.
The woman drank thirstily. Thanks ....she slumped back onto the stretcher.
Thats okay, Han said. Whats your name?
Lyndelah Jenwald .... she muttered, and winced.
My arm hurts ....
Well get you some help, Hah promised, and went in search of a medic.
Satisfied that Jenwald was getting the attention she needed, he left the aid station and joined Lando, who looked at him sadly. Han, Im sorry. I tried to look after him, but they launched a grenade and I had to hit dirt, and the next thing I knew... the gambler broke off, shaking his head.
Han nodded. I know what its Like. There wasnt anything you coulda done, Lando. Dont beat yourself up. Hah took a deep breath. He was a good kid.
Ye-- Lando broke off as both humans heard a familiar roar. Han hastily waved at Lando and went run-ning away from the aid station toward Chewbacca.
The Wookiee, seeing that Han was still unharmed, grabbed Hans shoulder and ruffled his hair in a Wook-iee greeting. Han took a deep breath. Chewie, pal, he said, brace yourself. Jarik bought it.
The Wooldee stared at him for a moment, then threw back his head and voiced a roar of mingled rage and grief. Han silently echoed his friends distress. Chewbacca pulled Han out of the way, began gestur-ing and growling emphatically. Mrrov? Han said. Wounded? She gonna make it?
Chewie wasnt sure, but he thought so.
I gotta go find Muuurgh, Han said. Tell you what, Chewie, you go get the Falcon, fly her over to that apron by the Admin Building. , Then well be ready to load er up.
Chewie nodded and loped away. In moments his tall form was lost to view amid the hurrying troops, dodging between the parked shuttles and tramp freighters.
Hah looked back for Lando, but his friend was gone. He went back to the aid station, asked wherethe Togo-rians were being cared for. The medic he questioned didnt know. It took three tries for Han to find out.
Finally, he was directed to another auxiliary aid sta-tion, where most of the non-humanoids were being treated. Hah saw Muuurgh huge black shape crouch-ing beside a pallet, and hurried over. Hey, Muuurgh!
The Togorian turned at the sound his voice, then leaped up and grabbed Hah in a fierce hug. Muuurgh is glad to see Han Solo. They are taking us up now, and MuUurgh did not wish to go without saying farewell.
Hah looked down.at Mrrov. A bandage covered half her head. What happened?
Muuurgh and Mrrov were on guard at the landing field, and three Gamorreans rushed us. She took two hits from a force-pike before Muuurgh tore her attackers throat out.
Oh, hey, pal... Im so sorry ....Han said. Shes gonna be okay, isnt she?
She has lost the eye, Muuurgh said. And medic says perhaps her hand must come off. He does not know. But she will live. And she will take pride in know-ing that the slaves are free, the Priests are dead.
Han nodded, and couldnt think of anything to say. The medics approached with an anti-gray pallet, and loaded the wounded Togorian femme onto it. Han walked with Muuurgh to the medical shuttle, watched as Mrrov was loaded in, and gave Muuurgh a last, silent hug goodbye.
After watching the shuttle lift off, Hah turned back toward the big spice warehouse, figuring that was where hed find Bria. Seeing Jace Paol hurrying by, Han asked the lieutenant where she was. Paol jerked a thumb back at the Pilgrims dormitory. Hah jogged over that way, then paused, midway between the warehouse and the dormitory.
Rebel troops were herding Pilgrims out of the dorm, and the dazed, frightened slaves were plainly on the verge of panic. Bria stood before them, a microphone in her hand, and addressed them. Listen to me! she called. The Priests are all dead! You are free now, and weve come to help you?
They killed the Priests? one old man shouted, and began to sob. Wails and moans filled the air.
Just get on these shuttles quickly! Bria said. We have medics and medications to help you feel better. We can cure you!
The crowd grew increasingly restive. Another mo-ment and there will be a riot, Hah thought, uneasily. It was obvious that Bria wasnt getting through to them at all.
We want Exultation! one shouted, and the next
moment, they were all chanting and waving their fists in
the air. We want Exultation/
Bria waved at the shuttles. Just get on the shuttles!
Well help you!
We want Exultation!
The crowd surged forward, and Bria, with a dis-gusted air, signaled her troops. They opened fire with stun beams, and Pilgrims began collapsing in droves.
Having been stunned a few times himself, Han body ached in sympathy for the Pilgrims, and he was a bit shocked by Bria ruthlessness in ordering her troops to simply shoot the slaves.
But there wasnt much point in saying anything about it, he decided. As he stood there hesitating, watching the labor droids begin loading limp Pilgrims into the shuttles, Bria turned away and saw him.
Hah waved, and she ran toward him. He grabbed her, hugged her fiercely, so relieved that theyd both made it through alive. Jarik? she asked.
Han shook his head. No, he said. He didnt make it.
Oh, Han... Im so sorry!
Wrapping his arms around Bria, Hah held her close, kissed her, and felt her kiss him back. They stood wrapped together in the midst of chaos.
Finally, she pulled away, and said, It time to head for the Admin Building. Weve got to see to the Trea-sure Room.
Han nodded. Chewie got the Falcon up there by now, ready to load her up, he said, looking around. The sun was up by now, and the scene before him was orga-nized chaos with Rebel troops everywhere. Bria tugged at him, but Han didnt move. Where Lando? he asked. He was here a few minutes ago. Did he go to pick up his share of the spice? Come on! she urged.
Han looked over at the warehouse, figuring that Lando would probably be right there, waiting to get his share. He spotted him, and took a step toward the warehouse, only to have Bria pull him back. No! Come on, we have to go!
Han eyes narrowed. There something funny go-ing on in there, he said. He could see Lando, and Arly Bron and Kaj Nedmak and about six other smuggler captains standing there, near the open doorway of the Warehouse. Just . . . standing there. Not moving. Han looked at Lando, and Lando looked back, but the gam-bler didnt move. Come on!
Hah started toward the warehouse, then stopped in surprise and dismay. Now he could see what was resting beside the door, covering the smugglers. A heavy re-peating blaster on its tripod, with a Rebel soldier stand-ing behind it. And posted at intervals, three additional Rebel guards-all with their weapons trained on the smugglers.
What in blazes is going on? Han demanded, swing-ing around to confront Bria. What are you doing?
She bit her lip. I hoped you wouldnt find out, she said. It would have been easier. Han, I got my ord
ers last night. There something really big going on, and we need every credit we can scrape up. Everyone is going to have to make sacrifices. The smuggler captains are being held hostage for a little while. Their crews are be-ing allowed to pick up the unprocessed spice... but we have to take the prime stuff. We need it, Han. Im sorry, but I dont have any choice.
Han mouth dropped open, and he glanced back over his shoulder to see other smugglers glaring at him. Oh, blast! he thought. They think I was in on this from the beginning!
What was he to do now? Give up his own share in the Treasure Room, to side with the smugglers? Most of them wouldnt lift a finger to help him out, if their posi-tions were reversed, Han knew that. Besides . . . he didnt know any of them that well.
Except Lando...
Han shook his head and looked at Bria. Honey, why didnt you tell me what you were planning?
Because you would never have gone along with it, she said.
But Lando is my friend. Han shrugged. The rest of em... I barely know. But Lando...
Come on, she said. Your share of the Treasure Room is yours to do with as you please. If you feel bad, give Lando his share later.
Han thought that over, and then sighed. Ill make it up w you, Lancb, he thought. The Corellian shrugged mentally as he walked away with Bria, leaving the smugglers behindl I cbmt like ths . . . but what else can I do?
He reflected that it was a good thing that Chewie wasnt here. The Wooldee had an overactive conscience ....
When Han and Bria reached the Admin Building, they found Chewie waiting for them, and the Falcon on the apron. Chewie demanded to know where Lando was, and Han hesitated. Hes going back with Arly, he said, a fter a second.
Fortunately, Chewie was too taken up with the Trea-sure Room to notice Hans discomfiture.
Han had picked up a small thermal detonator from the Rebel arsenal, and it was the work of a moment to blow the door.
He stepped inside, and stood there in shock. Most of
the shelves were already stripped bare. Wha-
Teroenza mustve been getting ready to clear out! Bria exclaimed, pointing. Look, its already boxed up for us!
The big rear cargo door of the Treasure Room stood ajar, as though some of the treasure had already been loaded but Han didnt see a ship out there. He figured that Teroenza had summoned a ship, only to fall prey to the assassins yesterday. All right! he shouted, and swung Bria around. Thank you, Teroenza!
He gave her a short but passionate kiss, then turned
back to regard the boxes of booty. Okay, well need a
repulsor-lift dolly, he said. Theres one aboard the
Falcon. Chewie, you-
Dont move, Solo, came a voice from the past. Han froze as Teroenza crawled out from where hed been concealed behind the white jade fountain. The High Priest had a blaster rifle in his hand, and his eyes held a mad glitter that told Han there was no way to talk his way out of this one.
Hands raised, the Priest directed. Han, Chexvie and Bria all put their hands up. Han glanced at the oth-ers, trying frantically to think of a way to get out of this. But Teroenza had the drop on them but good ....
I shall enjoy this, Bria Tharen and Hah Solo, Teroenza said. I have summoned a pilot, and he is coming to collect me from Colony Four. I shall be free of this wretched world... and I shall have my treasure. I shall miss my mate, but, on the whole, not a bad bar-gain. Perhaps Desilijic can use my services ....
Hey, Hah said, Jabbas a friend of mine. You kill me, he wont take it kindly.
Teroenza laughed wheezily. Hutts do not have friends, he said. Farewell, Solo.
Pointing the blaster at Han, Teroenzas small, stubby finger began to tighten on the trigger.
Han shut his eyes. He heard the sound of the blasters whine-
and he felt nothing. No pain. No searing heat.
After a prolonged moment, Han heard the sound of a body fall with a loud thud.
He shot Bria instead of me! he thought, and opened his eyes.
But the body on the floor belonged to Teroenza. There was a huge, gaping hole where the Priests bul-bous left eye had been.
Han stared wildly, wondering if hed gone mad and was imagining all this. Whatk going on? Beside him, Bria gasped.
Han watched as Boba Fett stepped out of a dim cor-ner of the room, his blaster rifle held in his arms. Oh, great! he thought. Now Fett will just kill us all! The bounty hunter kept them all covered as he walked to Teroenzas huge form, and then knelt on one knee. Keeping them covered with the blaster rifle with one hand, Fett used a vibro-saw with the other. The lit-tle instrument whirred, slicing easily through flesh and bone as Fett carefully cut off Teroenzas horn. Hank head was whirling with shock.
Finally the bounty hunter rose to his feet again, and then began backing slowly away, the grisly trophy tucked under his arm.
Han couldnt help it. Youre leaving? he blurted. Did Boba Fetts mechanical voice hold a slight under-current of amusement? Han couldnt decide if he was imagining it. Thatk right, the bounty hunter said. The Priest is a Priority bounty. Im not here for you.
And, having reached the opening in the wall, Boba Fett backed through it and vanished as suddenly as hed appeared.
Hans mouth dropped open, and he felt light-headed with relief. Bria! he yelled, and grabbed her again.
The three shouted and celebrated for a long mo-ment, in the deserted Treasure Room.
Han headed off to the Falcon to get the repulsor dolly. When he returned, they spent several minutes or-ganizing the boxes for efficient loading.
Suddenly a Rebel assault shuttle settled down on the permacrete beside the Falcon. Han stared at it in sur-prise as Jace Paol and a squad of Rebels disembarked. Bria . . . he said, hey, whatk going on? This is our treasure. Were taking it, and were going away in the Falcon... right? Together... right?
He looked at her, and she stared back at him. She bit her lip and didnt answer. Han felt a cold knot settle into his stomach. Bria... honey... remember, you promised? Wed be together, right? Always? He swal-lowed. Bria . . .
Chewie roared with anger and frustration, and sud-denly Briak blaster was there, in her hand, covering them both.
Han, she said quietly, we need to talk.
Hwan stared at Brias drawn blaster, poleaxed. Honey, hat are you doing?
I need it all, Han, she said. Not for me, but for the Resistance. She waved to the Rebels and they came in, took Hans repulsor-lift dolly, and began stacking boxes on it.
Han stared in disbelief as the first load of treasure went out the door. Bria... he said hoarsely, you cant do this. This aint happening. Youre . . . youre just tryin to kid me, right?
Im sorry, Han, she said. I have to take it all. Everything my teams could salvage off this wretched world. All the processed spice, all the weapons, all the treasure. I know its not fair, but I cant help that. Did the other Rebel commanders do this, Bria?
Hah asked.
Not as far as I know, she said. But I was the one that got the communication last night, Han. Intelli-gence has discovered that the Empire has some kind of big project underway. Really big. So big that the fate of entire worlds could depend upon it. We have to find out what theyre up to, and that will take credits... lots of them. For bribes, surveillance, troops... you name it. I just hope what weve gotten here on Ylesia will be enough.
Han wet his lips. I thought you loved me. You said you did.
Another load went out the door. Han stared at it, wanting to moan aloud. Chewie did moan aloud.
Bria sighed and shook her head. Yes, I love you, she safd, softly. I want us to always be together. Come with me, Han. You cant go back to Nar Shaddaa now. Come with me and well fight the Empire together. You, me and Chewie. Well make a great team. We .all have to make sacrifices, and well have made ours in giv-ing up the treasure. You dont think Im keeping any of this for myself, do you?
Hah shook his head, and his voice was very bitter. No, I dont think that, Bria. Not for a moment. He took a deep, ragged bre
ath. Bria . . I loved you.
Her face twisted in anguish at his use of the past tense. Han, I love you! I do! But I cant let how I feel about you jeopardize the Rebel Alliance! This raid was a test, and we passed it! The other Resistance groups are going to see that we can get things done! Han. . . we took a whole planet. This raid is going to go down in Rebellion history, I just know it!
Yeah, as the raid where Bria Tharen stuck it to peo-ple who trusted her. Including the guy she said she loved.
Tears welled in her eyes, broke and ran. She stepped out of the way as her soldiers maneuvered yet another load of treasure out the door. Han... please, please... come with me. Youre a born leader. You dont need to live like a criminal. In the Rebel Alliance you could be an officer, and they do pay us! Not much, but a little, enough to live on! Please, Han?
He stared at her coldly. She was crying so hard now that Jace Paol stepped over and took the blaster out of her hand. Were loading the last bunch of boxes now, Commander.
She nodded, then tried to pull herself back together, wiping her eyes on her sleeve.
Please, Han. If youre too mad now, I understand. Just... send me a message. Jabba knows how to reach me. Please, Han.
Tll send you a message, Hah said. Remember everything I said to you that night at the Blue Light? Well, it was all true, and I was a fool for ever trustin you. He dug in an inside pocket, and took out a small pouch. Inside was a piece of flimsy. Recognize this, huh?
She looked at it, came closer, and then backed away, nodding, her face very pale and set. Yes...
Well, Im such a fool that I carried it around with me all these years, Han snarled. But as of today, I am no womans fool, sister. No woman is ever gettin to me again. Ever.
With slow, deliberate movements, he ripped the flimsy into tiny pieces, then let them slip through his fingers and scatter to the floor. Youd better get in your ship and get outta here while the getting is good, Bria. If I ever see you again in this life, Ill shoot you on sight.
She stared at him in shock, until Jace Paol took her arm and said, Commander... weve finished loading.
I understand, she said, in a small, shaking voice.
Star Wars - The Han Solo Trilogy - Rebel Dawn Page 30
