Star Wars_ Shadows Of The Empire Part 44

Luke stood with Leia, Lando, and Chewie, with Threepio and Artoo behind them. The building was, like so many of the Alliance structures, a big, cheap prefab unit. It did boast a large transparisteel that faced out from the surface of the asteroid into the blackness of s.p.a.ce. Luke stared through the thick transparisteel into the depths of the galaxy.

"So, if Xizor was on that skyhook like our intelli-gence reports say, I would guess that would put a stop to Black Sun bounty hunters looking to kill you," Lando said.

"There's still Vader," Leia said.

Luke looked at her, shook his head. "I don't think Vader wants me dead.

Yet, anyway. I'll deal with himwhen the time comes."

They looked up to see Wedge approaching. "Got a message for you, Luke,"

Wedge said, "from the Bothans. It was for Dash, but, well..." He trailed off. "Um. Anyway, that missile Dash supposedlymissed during that fracas off Kothlis? Turns out he didn't miss."

"What?" Luke blinked at Wedge.

"Thing was one of the Empire's new diamondboron-armored jobs. Nothing he had to throw at it could have stopped it. The Bothans wanted him to know."

Luke felt a lump of liquid air form in his belly. Oh, man. Dash hadn't screwed up, but now he would never know. How awful, to get taken out before you could learn that you hadn't been responsible for the loss ofyour comrades. And worse was the knowledge that Luke had felt just a little bit glad-not for the deaths,but to see the braggart Dash taken down a notch.

Oh, man.

"What are you going to do now?" Wedge said.

"We're going to get Han," Luke said. "If he isn't on Tatooine yet, he soon will be."

"Going to dance into the Hutt's guarded palace and get him? Just like that?" Wedge said.

"I have a plan," Luke said.

He turned and looked at the stars. Maybe he wasn'ta Master yet, but he had learned a lot.

He was a Jedi Knight, and that was enough for now.

Epilogue.

In the Emperor's most private sanctum, Darth Vader knelt before his master. He believed he had reason to be worried.

"You defied my orders, Lord Vader."

"Yes, my master. But I hope I have not failed you."

"Get up."

Vader stood.

The Emperor favored Vader with a dark smile. "I am not unaware that Xizor served his own ends and that you were shrewd to have uncovered his plot.

I knew about it, of course."

Vader did not speak.

"Are we certain he is dead?"

"I do not see how he could have survived. I watched his skyhook blown to bits."

"Just as well. Black Sun is useful, but it is also like a chirru: Cut off its head and another will appear to replace it." He cackled, amused at his own simile.

"Perhaps the next leader will be equally dangerous," Vader said. "No leader of Black Sun could ever be a match for the power of the dark side."

"But what of the plot to ensnare the Rebel leaders?"

"The new Death Star will draw them in, and this time, you and I will be there to finish this Rebellion." Vader wanted to shake his head. As always, the Emperor was one step ahead of him.

"Young Skywalker will be there, too. I have seen it."

Vader sighed.

"It is all proceeding exactly as I have foreseen it, Lord Vader."

He smiled again, and Vader felt a chill touch him. Truly there was no one in the galaxy who had control of the dark side as did the Emperor. It was a weakness in Vader that he could feel that fear. Some part of Anakin Skywalker still existed in him, despite all he had done. He would have to eliminate it or it would eventually be his undoing.

In Ben's house on Tatooine, Luke took a deep breath and reached for calmness. They didn't expect that Jabba would be interested in the proposal, given whatthey had learned about how nasty he was, but that was not the point. Lando had a way in, as did Chewie and Leia, and this should get Threepio and Artoo into the palace. If the Hutt was willing to negotiate, it wouldsave a lot of trouble, but none of them really expected it. Jabba was, according to all they'd learned, extremely mean-spirited, and he didn't need the money. Too bad.

Oh, well. They'd just have to do things the hard way. What else was new?

"Okay, Artoo, start recording."

Artoo bleeped.

"Greetings, Exalted One. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Luke Skywalker, Jedi Knight and friend to Captain Solo. I know that you are powerful, mighty Jabba, and that your anger with Solo must be equally powerful. I seek an audience with Your Greatness to bargain for Solo's life."

That ought to be servile enough, though if what they'd heard was true, Jabba would probably start laughing about now. Luke paused for a moment, caught his breath, went on: "With your wisdom, I'm sure that we can work out an arrangement which will be mutually beneficial and enable us to avoid any unpleasant confrontation."

Small chance of that. But he pressed on: "As a token of my goodwill, I present to you a gift - these two droids."

Luke fought the grin that threatened him: No doubt whatsoever that Threepio would be stunned to hear this when the recording was played.

Luke had considered telling him but thought it would be better if he didn't know. He got rattled so easily. Besides, Threepio's surprise would help convince Jabba.

"Both are hardworking and will serve you well," Luke finished. He glanced at Artoo, raised an eyebrow, and the little droid shut his recorder off, Leia, standing behind Artoo, shook her head. "You think that will do it?"

Luke shrugged. "I hope so. Only one way to find out."

She moved closer, touched his arm.

Luke said, "Hey, after all we just went through, rescuing one beat-up old pirate ought to be easy, right?"

She smiled. "Right."

He returned her smile. His emotions were mixed. He didn't know how she really felt, about him or about that beat-up old pirate, but he knew how he felt about both of them. Whatever happened, he had to do the right thing; that was just how things were. And the right thing here was simple, if not easy.

Hang on, Han.

We're coming for you.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR.

STEVE PERRY is the author of dozens of science fiction and fantasy novels, the most recent of which is Spindoc, and numerous teleplays for a variety of series. He lives in Oregon with his wife, who publishes a small monthly newspaper.

The End