Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens: Lost Stars by Claudia Gray

Author:Claudia Gray
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub, azw3
Publisher: Disney Publishing Worldwide
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

The next day, the storm had moved along far enough that they could start distributing their supplies. To Thane’s surprise, another group of pilots had landed a few days before with a substantial haul of medical gear and emergency rations, so they wound up working side by side.

“You brought that ship in yesterday?” said their leader, a black-haired man a few years older than Thane. “That was a nice piece of flying.”

“Thanks.”

“You do a lot of hauls like this? To worlds in trouble?”

“Sometimes. Lohgarra gets the credit for that,” Thane said as the two of them unloaded crates. “But I like that she does it.”

“Less money in it for you.”

“Never cared much about money.”

“What other runs have you been on?”

Thane hesitated before answering. If he was suspected of disloyalty to the Empire, he could be reported…but there was no way to talk honestly about his experiences of the last several months without making his feelings clear.

He’d known the Empire was rotten, but he hadn’t realized how deep the rot went. The plight of the Bodach’i had disturbed him deeply, and yet now he knew they were only one of hundreds of entire species the Empire had subjugated for labor. He’d flown the Mighty Oak to worlds mined so savagely that new seas had been carved into what were once cities and farmlands. He’d looked down at cities strafed to rubble and ash by Imperial laser cannons as punishment for even mild defiance.

“Zeitooine,” Thane said. “And Dinwa Prime, and Arieli. More recently, Ivera X.” He spoke evenly but was aware what he’d said was in effect a list of the Empire’s war crimes.

The other man met his eyes evenly. “Then you’ve seen a lot.”

“Yeah.”

“When we get done here, you and I should have a chat. I’ve been to several of those worlds. Good to hear what other people believe should be done.”

Is he thinking about reporting me? Thane knew it was possible, but his gut told him no. Slowly, he nodded. “Sure. We’ll talk. I’m Thane Kyrell, by the way.”

The black-haired man smiled and held out his hand to shake. “Wedge Antilles.”

They wound up sharing a couple of ration trays just inside the hangar doors. The worst of the hurricane had passed through by that time. Heavy, silvery sheets of rain still fell, but the winds had died down until the palms and jungle trees merely swayed. The sound of rustling leaves and raindrops on the metal roof remained loud enough to drown out their conversation if anyone attempted to listen.

“You showed courage,” Wedge said. “Leaving like that.”

Thane shrugged. “I laundered my credits and sneaked away. Not the bravest thing anyone’s ever done.”

“You defied the Empire alone. You gave up the life and career you’d built rather than violate your principles. I’d call that brave.”

“Stop trying to get on my good side and say what you’re trying to say.”

This was met with a sharp look—apparently Wedge Antilles wasn’t used to not being taken at his word. Maybe Thane was being unfair, but so what? He had to be careful about whom he chose to trust.

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