The Lost Ones (Young Jedi Knights, 3) by Kevin J. Anderson & Rebecca Moesta

Author:Kevin J. Anderson & Rebecca Moesta [Anderson, Kevin J. & Moesta, Rebecca]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Star Wars, Science Fiction, Fiction
ISBN: 9780425169995
Publisher: Berkley
Published: 1995-01-02T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

“SHUTTLE MOON DASH, this is Coruscant Control Tower One. You are cleared to leave spacedock. Bay doors opening in Gamma Section.”

Captain Narek-Ag opened her main comm channel. “Thank you, Tower One. This is shuttle Moon Dash, heading for Gamma bay doors with a full load of cargo.” She switched off the comm unit and grinned conspiratorially at her copilot, Trebor. “A few more good payloads like this,” she said, “and I may just ask you to marry me.” Her hazel eyes held a teasing look.

Trebor grinned back, accustomed to his captain’s sense of humor. “Keep making good business deals like this one, and I may just accept.”

With the ease born of long practice, Narek guided her shuttle out of its docking bay in one of Coruscant’s orbiting space stations. “Coordinates locked in?” she asked.

“Locked in and confirmed,” her copilot answered the moment she finished speaking.

Narek chuckled as her shuttle streaked away from the spacedock. Accelerating through the inner Coruscant system, she calibrated their hyperspace path for Bespin, the next planet on their run. “You know, for a small-time operation-“-we’re not half bad,” Trebor finished for her.

“Not half bad,” she echoed with a satisfied nod. “Calculating hyperspace path.”

“Almost ready,” Trebor said. “If we hurry, there might be enough time to deliver this cargo to Cloud City and still arrange for a second payload on the return trip. That would double our profit for this run.”

A pleased smile spread across Narek’s face. She flicked her auburn hair to one side. “I love it when you think like a businessman.”

“Businessperson,” Trebor corrected. “Approaching top acceleration. Prepare for jump to lightspeed.”

Suddenly the Moon Dash lurched as if it had slammed into an impenetrable barrier. The tiny craft ricocheted, spinning uncontrollably. Alarms whooped and bright warning lights flashed across the control console.

“What was that?” Narek demanded, her head to clear the blurry spots from her vision. She stared out the viewport at empty space.

“I don’t know!” Trebor said. “Nothing showed up on the sensors. Nothing showed up on the sensors! It’s supposed to be clear space!”

“Well, it’s the hardest piece of clear space I’ve ever encountered,” Narek-Ag shot back. “Damage report.”

“Not sure. Can you get us stabilized?” her copilot asked. “Okay, looks like we got a lower hull rupture. Awww, there goes all our cargo! Engines running beyond the red lines.” He swallowed. “We are in deep trouble, lady.”

Then, as if to emphasize Trebor’s assessment, a shower of sparks erupted from the main guidance console. Moon Dash careened out of control.

“Emergency, Coruscant One! This is shuttle Moon Dash. We’ve struck unknown space debris,” Trebor yelled into the comm unit. A burst of static from the speaker grille was accompanied by a squeal of feedback and another spray of sparks.

Narek-Ag coughed and tried to wave away the smoke. She flicked a pair of switches. “Aft-thrusters not responding,” she said in a terse voice. “Still scanning the area-there’s nothing. What did we smash into?”

“News ain’t any better from where I sit,” Trebor said. “Can’t get much worse.

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