Star Wars - 183 - Allegiance by Timothy Zahn

Author:Timothy Zahn [Zahn, Timothy]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Fiction, General, Science Fiction, Media Tie-In, Space Opera, Adventure, Life on Other Planets, Star Wars Fiction, Leia; Princess (Fictitious Character), Skywalker; Luke (Fictitious Character), Solo; Han (Fictitious Character)
ISBN: 9780345477392
Google: A5I_lPgUqD8C
Amazon: 0345477391
Publisher: LucasBooks
Published: 1991-01-01T08:00:00+00:00

The cabin door slid shut on the glowering Wookiee. LaRone double-checked the lock, and then he, Bright-water, and Grave returned to the lounge. Marcross and Quiller were waiting for them there, Marcross still seated at the computer desk. "They all happily snugged in?" Quiller asked.

"As happily as possible, which isn't very," LaRone told him. "Opinions?"

"There's definitely something off key about them," Brightwater said. "I just don't know yet what it is."

"How sure are we they aren't with the BloodScars? Grave asked. "A smart enforcer might have been able to spin that kind of story for us on the fly. Might even have been willing to frost those local pirate ships to throw us off the mark."

"Maybe, but it doesn't explain their work at Conso City," Quiller pointed out. "According to the latest reports, the raiders made off with about fifty thousand in

cash, plus a few passengers."

"The BloodScars picking up the swoop gang survivors," Brightwater murmured.

"With the robbery as a diversion or cover," Quiller said, nodding. "And Solo and his friends were definitely working against them." "Part of a rival gang, then?" Grave suggested.

"Possible," LaRone said. "But they just don't feel like pirates to me."

"You're sure you're not letting that lightsaber influence you?" Grave countered.

LaRone snorted. "Not when the only other person I've ever actually seen carrying one is Lord Vader."

"Interesting you should mention Vader," Marcross said thoughtfully.

"There was a rumor making the rounds awhile back about some special Imperial agent called the Emperor's Hand who's popped up onto the scene. Reports directly to Palpatine, outranks practically everyone in the Empire—"

"And carries a lightsaber," Brightwater said suddenly. "Yeah, I heard that same rumor."

"Rumors being worth half a credit a truckload, of course," LaRone reminded them.

"But it's definitely the sort of thing Palpatine would do," Marcross pointed out. "Look at how he tried to outflank the regular military establishment with the ISB and the Grand Admirals."

"You think Luke might be this Emperor's Hand?" Grave asked doubtfully. "I don't know. He doesn't seem the type, somehow."

"Maybe that's what he wants you to think," Marcross said. There was a beep from the computer, and he swiveled back around. "Got it," he said, peering at the display. "Correlation between Solo's vector and our HoloNet data gives us exactly one system: Gepparin. A few farming settlements, a good-sized mining complex, and not much else."

"Good spot for a pirate hideout," Brightwater commented. "How far out is it?"

"About forty hours," Marcross said. He cocked an eyebrow at LaRone. "I trust you weren't planning to show our guests our shiny white dress outfits?"

"Not to worry," LaRone said. "As long as they're locked in their cabins, we can come and go as we please."

"Speaking of locking, I hope someone remembered to lock down the armories in those three rooms," Quiller warned.

"I did," Brightwater assured him. "There's a simple sequence in the cabin computers that can lock and unlock them. What about the two kids in the hold?"

"Purnham security's going to take them off our hands," Quiller said.

"Their brig shuttle's on its way now.

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