12ABY: Simple Tricks by Chris Cassidy & Tish Eggleston Pahl

Author:Chris Cassidy & Tish Eggleston Pahl
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Hewlett-Packard
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

“We should be within a bay or two of where the Rook’s docked,” Fen commented. They hid behind a trash heap in the alley. The port’s back wall towered above them.

“We’re going to have to hurry,” Kyp said, turning toward her. His serious countenance suddenly changed, a smirk appearing where solemnity had been. His eyes flickered up to her face.

“What is it?” Fen growled, brushing a loose strand of hair away with her elbow.

“There’s something you should know.”

“What now?”

“There’s a big smudge of dirt on your forehead.”

Fen felt her face redden and warm. She wiped her forehead with her glove and saw a large smear of black grease. Groaning, she remembered working on the Lady’s drive a lifetime ago. “It’s been on there since you met me at the ship, right?”

The smirk was now a full-blown grin. “Uh-huh.”

“You could have said something,” she accused, still wiping.

“I just did.” Kyp raised his hand, touching her temple, “You missed a spot.”

Oddly, Fen didn’t shudder at his touch. “Is it gone?” she asked, rubbing her face again.

He nodded and turned back to study the wall. “We could climb it.”

Fen reached a quick decision. “Kyp, there’s something I should tell you.”

He glanced at her quizzically. “Do I have food stuck in my teeth?”

“It’s about Ghitsa.”

“I know already, Fen,” Kyp interrupted.

Rage swept through her again. “You were reading my mind!” she accused.

Kyp rolled his eyes. “I didn’t need to. I’ve been searching through the Force since I landed. I would have sensed someone with Ghitsa’s reputed skills pretty quickly, especially once she was kidnapped.”

“You’ve known all along?” she stammered. “And you were still gonna help me spring a cheap con who finally got what she had coming to her?”

“I know you don’t like to hear it, but the Force guided me here.” He took a deep breath. “I think I’m beginning to see why.”

Fen digested that fact and finally felt an easier truce settle between them. She scrambled to her feet. “Why don’t you try using the Force to throw the rope and grappling hook over the wall?”

Kyp nodded and rose with the rope they brought from the speeder. He swung the hook up in a smooth arc. They heard a gentle clatter. Kyp tested his weight on the line, then clambered up the wall as easily as an insect.

Fen’s ascent was not nearly as graceful. She was grunting with the effort when something suddenly scooped her up and deposited her on the top of the wall.

“Easy,” Kyp muttered, lending a steadying hand as Fen teetered on the narrow ledge.

To her annoyance, he seemed perfectly balanced five meters above the ground. Fen glared at him, but Kyp was neither intimidated, nor apologetic. He only shrugged. “Force grip.”

“Oh. Thanks,” Fen managed. She quickly scanned the port. “There.” She pointed at a hulking Ghtroc freighter two docking bays over.

They ran lightly across the top of the wall, a race against the coming dawn and prying eyes. From the wall Kyp leaped to a rung on the ship’s hull and climbed up to the Rook’s top hatch.

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