by Brian Daley
And there sat Blue Max, unscathed, running Off his Own power pack. Han leaned over him. Uh, Maxie? The computers voice still sounded like a childs. Captain Solel Long time no see. In fact, long time no see anything.
Gotcha. Sorry; things were really jumping this trip.
Is Bollux in there with you for a fact?
In response, he heard the nnhulTied drawl of the labor droid coming from Maxs grille, sounding strangely high-pitched through the vocoder. Right enough, Skipper. Blue Max was in direct !ink with me when the disrupter hit me. He pulled all my essential information and basic matrices down here, safe and sound with him, in microseconds. Imagine that? Nat-urally, Ive lost a lot of specifics, but I guess I can al-ways relearn camp sanitation procedures if I have to. The voice became dejected. I suppose my bodys un-salvageable, though.
Well get you a new one, Bollux, Doe promised. One for both of you, a custom puff; you have my word. But now you have to go; my boys will make sure all that circuitry in there remains stable.
Bollux, Han said, and found himself with nothing to say. He hit that problem from time to time. Take it slow.
I always do, the vocoder drawled.
Gbye, Captain SOlo1 Blue Max added.
Jessa, shading her eyes, pointed to the assault craft.
Theres a problem we wont solve in the shop.
A dark-skinned figure sat by the ships ramp, head bent to his chest. He took his uncles death pretty hard, Jessa continued. Rekkon was quite a man; losing him would be hard on anybody. She looked to Han. Hah was studiously looking elsewhere. He saw the boys head come up from his private grief; he bore a startling resemblance to Rekkon.
What do we do with him? Jessa went on. Most of the prisoners will find a new life somehow, even Torms father and brother. The majority of them will leave the Corporate Sector; a few hotheads plan to take it to the courts, as if they had a prayer. But the boys by far the youngest you rescued, and hes got no one now.
She was watching her father expectantly. Docs eye-brows shot up. Dont goggle at me, girlie. Im a cer-tified businessman and criminal. I dont collect strays.
She giggled. But you never turn them away, either.
And you always say theres always room for one more
at the table, well just-
mscramble the eggs, he anticipated her, and wa-ter the soup. I know. Well, I suppose I could at least talk to the lad. He might have some usable aptitude, hmm, yes. Atuarre, you worked with his uncle quite closely; would you mind coming with me?
Dec went off with all three Trianii at his side. Pakka turned and pped Han a parting wave, his other paw-hand caught up in his fathers.
]essa looked at Han. Well, Solo, thanks. See you around. She turned to go.
He couldnt stifle an involuntary Hey/ She turned
back with a cant to her head that let him know hed
have to talk fast. Which he did. I put my life-my
one and precious life, mind you-on the line for your
father-
-and all those other fine people, she cut in, in-
eluding your good friend Chewie---
---and went through a couple of types of hair-raising situations, and all you have to say is thanks?
She evinced shock. Why, you only carried out your part of our deal. And I carried out mine. What else did you expect, a parade?
He glared at her, hoping shed wither from his gaze. She didnt. He spun on his toe and headed for the Fal-coifs ramp with long strides. You winl Women, hahI Ive got the whole galaxy, sweetheart, the whole galaxy. Who needs this?
She caught up, whirled him around. lessa looked good even in cold-weather gear. Numbskull! Whats wrong with striking another deal?
His brow furrowed. I am somehow slipping into something tricky here, he thought, but I cant quite see what. What kind of deal?
She considered it, looking him over. What are your plans? Are you going to join this campaign against the Authority? Or clear out of this part of space? He looked up, sighing. You should know better than that. Rob em blind, thats my kind of revenge. Jessa leaned around him and called up into the ship Hey, Chewie, howd you like an all-new guid-ance system? And a complete overhaul?
The Wooldees delighted honks, preceding his ap-pearance at the ramp, sounded like a happy foghorn. Jessa finished cheerily, And to show you what a sport I am, boys, Ill throw in some body work, repair all minor hull damage. Ill reroute the ducting in the cock-pit, too; get all those conduits and other head-knockers out of your way.
Chewbacca was close to tears of joy. He threw his hairy arm around the Falcons landing gear and gave it a wet Wooldee kiss.
Jessa said, See, Solo? Its easy when youre the besss daughter.
He was fiummoxed. Jess, what am I supposed to offer?
She slipped her arm through his, grinning slyly. Whatre you got, Han? She led him away, ignoring his objections. His outbursts became fewer as the pair walked across the landing field toward the distant buildings. Halfway there, Chewbacca saw, Han held his greatcoat open so that she could slip into it, safe from the bitter winds of Urdur, though her own suit was quite well insulated.
Leanlng casually on the Falcon, the Wooldee watched them go, and thought about what he and Hah Solo could do with a ship milled and tuned fine by the full resources of the outlaw-techs. His m, zzle wrinkled back from his fangs. He was glad for the breather theyd have here on Urdur.
But after that, everybody had best hang on to his cash with both hands.
