At What Price
Part Three
Han checked his chronometer before ducking into the cantina door. It was precisely fifteen hundred hours and, as his eyes adjusted to the dim interior light of the place, he saw the reserved table was taken. Sitting sipping at their glasses were the same two Imperial officers, and with them sat a young boy, clad in a Security uniform. Han glanced over to Chewbacca, who had once more positioned himself at the bar. The Wookiee nodded at Solo; acknowledging that so far all appeared well. Behind the counter he spotted Taset nervously watching the proceedings.
Han took his seat opposite the Imperials, his back to the bar's patrons and Chewbacca. Immediately a service droid scuttled over and requested his order. "Ka'abin Beer." The Corellian told it shortly.
"We have lost time to make up for, Captain Solo. Perhaps we can now proceed. "It was the Major who spoke.
Not surprised that they knew his identity, Han nodded. "Nothing that I'd like better Gentlemen." His drink arrived and he took a sip. "What have you to offer?"
Yavaire glanced to his companions before answering. " Our precise thoughts, but since you asked first; we have two cannons, two crates of rifles and pistols, plus power packs, a quarter tonne of quemquet explosive and charges. "
Han shook his head. It wasn't enough, it wasn't what the Alliance had been told was on offer. "We were told there were medical supplies, bacta tanks, field packs, micro-laser techn..."
Yavaire waved him off. "I'm sure we can arrange something, Captain." His voice sounded tired and bored. "We're anxious to get to the price, so..."
There's one more thing, "Han told him, leaning closer across the table." The Princess Leia - we'd like her back. "
The two officers exchanged glances, but the boy continued to watch Han.
Yavaire answered. "We don't have her Captain. She is in Security's hands. I have no authority with them. "
Han looked at the boy. "Then why is he here?"
Yavaire glanced over at Rogan D'anti. "An interested party, an apprentice learning the tricks of the trade. He is not an officer, Captain, merely a child born into a privileged position. He has no authority either. "
Han didn't believe him. He remembered Chewie's words about the kid who knew their ' all clear ' signal, the kid who sent the Wookiee on a wild goose chase. Han was sure this was the boy. He looked back to Yavaire. "I'm sure a man of your intelligence could figure something out."
"The Princess Leia is not an option here, Captain. We have a price to discuss. "Yavaire told him with an edge of anger to his voice.
"Listen pal..."
Yavaire ignore him. "Let us say five hundred thousand and you can have some medical supplies thrown in."
"Five hundred!" Despite his concern for the Princess, Han could not believe the man's asking price. The Rebels had given him that exact amount, but he was supposed to barter with them and gain a better deal. "You got that from my log."
It was the Lieutenant who answered. "No, actually it was from your droid."
Han ignored him, directing his words only to Yavaire. "Four hundred, with the medical supplies."
The Major smiled. "Not enough, Captain, not nearly enough considering the risks, considering your friend's life.'
Han was blank for a moment. At first he didn't register the Major's words, didn't have a clue as to whom the Major referred. At first he assumed it was the princess, but the major said she was with security and...and understanding trickled in as Yavaire continued.
"A young man, blond. Goes by the name of Skywalker? He's currently in my custody. "
Han picked up his glass and swirled the liquid around. He took a long draught trying to buy some time, aware of the silence, of the seconds ticking by. Now he knew where Luke had gotten too. A perfectly perfect situation!
At the bar, Chewbacca straightened on his stool, noticing Han's indecision. Something was wrong. He rumbled, low in his throat. Taset glanced at him briefly, then moved away toward the rear exit not wishing to be near the Wookiee should the situation grow ugly.
Han placed his glass down. His thoughts a .bit more organized.
Yavaire continued. "Let's say five hundred again for the arms, medical supplies and your friend."
"Four hundred," Han pressed, attempting to exert more control on the proceedings.
Yavaire looked to his companions as he spoke. "We checked up on Skywalker, and found several recent charges against him. He has some rather important people angry at him. I'm sure Security would be most interested in him. Knowing General D'anti, some use would be found for the boy. He might even be used against the princess, if you take my meaning.
Han began to feel the whole situation slipping away. Indeed he did catch Yavaire's meaning, could see Luke screaming on the rack as the questions were put to the distraught princess. But how to get them out? "Okay," he found his voice, hiding none of his venomous anger. "Five hundred."
Yavaire laughed in delight. "Excellent!"
"Plus the Princess." Han added.
There was silence at the table.
That got 'em, Han thought.
"I've already told you, Organa is not part of the deal." It was Yavaire's turn again to express his anger. "We are merely wasting time now!'
"And I'm telling you; the supplies, the kid and the princess or no deal!"
Yavaire shook his head, while re-appraising his image of Solo. "You would gamble with your friends' lives, all for the sake of a deal?"
"Yes," Han replied, trying to sound nonchalant, hoping his gamble would pay off. "The arms are the important items here Major, but we can go else where for those. If you kill Luke and the princess, they'll become martyrs and heroes, just the titles the Rebels like. "
"I think you're bluffing."
"Suit youself," Han rose from his seat.
"Wait!"
The call came from Rogan D'anti. He had been listening closely to the discussions, had watched as the power had shifted from one to the other, until it firmly established itself with Solo. This is what Rogan had hoped; Solo was pushing for the princess and only he could deliver her. If he could provide her, surely Yavaire's trust in him could only be reinforced; giving Rogan more room to manoeuvre.
Yavaire frowned and leaned closer to the boy and the two engaged in a quickly whispered argument.
At last Yavaire sat upright. "Please sit down, Solo." He shot a glance to the youth; to Han its message was along the lines of ' You'd better be right about this'.
Han seated himself once more and waited for the Imperial to continue.
"We'd need a little time to secure the Princess, and perhaps a little more incentive."
Han had been counting on the man's greed. "I'll give you an extra fifty for the Princess."
Yavaire nodded. "Agreed."
"Fine," Han responded, feeling much more positive, much more in control. "Now for the when and where."
"Lieutenant." Yavaire instructed, relaxing back in his seat and picking up his glass, leaving the mundane arrangements to his lackey.
The other officer responded. "The Shanquar mountain range. There is a plateau..."
"I know it," Han interrupted.
"Tomorrow evening, sixteen hundred hours."
Han mentally noted it as the three Imperials rose from their seats.
"Good day Captain."
The last was from Yavaire, but Han ignored him as he finished his drink. Chewbacca slid into the booth as the contacts left the bar, immediately rumbling out his observations and several questions.
"Yeah, I figured it was the same kid." Han told him. "It's goin' down tomorrow in the Shanquar." He rose from his seat. "Come on, I'll tell you on the way back to the Falcon." He headed for the door. "By the way, we're broke again."
The Wookiee's howled question, and Han's explanation, were cut off as the Cantina door closed.
Passively Leia allowed the detention centre guards bind her wrists and lead her from the cell. In the corridor she was some what bemused to find Rogan D'anti. She smiled at him.
"I take it Captain Solo pushed."
"He was supposed too." Rogan responded shortly. He turned from her and started down the corridor. Leia's guards pushed her forward and they followed the General's son out of the detention block, and into a waiting troop transporter.
Luke had been keeping an eye on the sun's movements since dawn, knowing that a couple of hours after noon he would discover if Rogan D'anti would exchange him for a successful deal or, as he feared, would write him off as a liability. So it was without surprise when, shortly after the sun had reached its zenith, he noted a troop transporter turning into the street and stopping before the shoddy building which housed his prison.
Within moments he had been bound, removed from the room by Rogan and two troopers, and lead into the street. Entering the vehicle he found he had the company of another prisoner.
"Leia!" He greeted the Princess with some surprise and pleasure.
"No talking." The order came from one of the soldiers.
Luke seated himself beside Leia, feeling a little better for her presence, gaining strength from her composure.
Rogan and the troopers took the seats opposite as the engine powered up and the tail gate closed, shutting out the afternoon sun.
Han crouched down in the corridor of the Falcon and hooked his fingers under the floor panel. He lifted it up and leaned it against the wall. He looked down into the secret hold, looked down at the money he had received in payment for rescuing the Princess, the money he would soon be using to buy back her freedom. He had to admit there was a touch of irony there.
He turned at the muted, growled sentence from behind. Chewie had been watching him.
"Yeah, I know this was for Jabba." Han jumped into the hold and heaved up a box. He glanced up at Chewie. "You gonna stand there and watch?"
The Wookiee crouched down and helped lift the boxes. He had another question for Han.
"Jabba'll have to wait," Han told him shortly, lifting up another case. "I couldn't work this any other way. 'Sides I expect double from the Rebs for this little effort." He looked up the corridor, towards the cockpit. "Where're the droids?"
Chewie jerked his thumb over his shoulder and rumbled out his reply.
"Yeah, suppose that's okay, as long as Threepio remembers what he's gotta do." Han remembered his argument with the droid clearly, remembered actually having to make a promise to the machine. He only hoped Threepio would perform as requested.
Han hoisted himself out of the hold and replaced the floor section. With regret he looked at the stacked cases full of his reward resting next to the Rebel's money. "That's it then. Let's get this over with." He turned on his heels and strode quickly to the cockpit.
Snow, caught up in the prevailing winds, flurried and drifted across the empty plateau. The Shanquar mountain range towered above this elevated area, cold and hostile guardians from which many would-be conquerors failed to return. Winter never left these mountains, this plateau, jealously gripping its prize in a blanket of ice and snow.
Luke stared bleakly at the scene beyond the open tailgate of the troop carrier. He shivered violently as a chilled gust of wind fluttered around the interior of the transport and moved closer to Leia as Rogan pulled on heavy weather boots and coat. The boy peered out into the blizzard as the muted sounds of a labouring engine reached them.
Young D'anti turned to the troopers. "Stay with them," he ordered, then disappeared into the winter landscape.
Luke once had dreams about seeing and experiencing his first encounter with snow after learning about the phenomenon from a holo-vid. He had seen himself marvelling at its beauty, tasting delicate flakes as they melted on his tongue, at making snow balls and throwing them at friends. As he grew up he had realized this was an unrealistic dream, a naïve fantasy, but he had held onto it, nurtured it along with his other ambitions and wishes. Never had he imagined this white wasteland, this ferocious coldness, this dangerous and potential killer. Never had he imagined his first encounter would be as a prisoner of the Empire.
"Can you see Han?" Leia asked from beside him, her voice trembling with the seeping chill.
Luke shook his head and shivered again. "I can't see anything!"
"No talking." The order came again, and Luke had the fleeting thought that those words were the only ones the lead stormtrooper knew.
Rogan approached the now silent landspeeder and the canopy popped open releasing it's warmth to the elements. Major Yavaire, dressed in his own cold weather clothing, extracted himself from the vehicle. The Lieutenant, who had been driving followed.
"You have the Princess?" The Major asked of Rogan as he glanced over at the waiting troop carrier.
"Yes." Rogan replied.
"And your father?"
"Is unaware," Rogan lied, squinting in the snow, searching the sky for a glimpse of the Corellian's ship. He had given his father the wrong time, thus delaying him, giving everyone else involved the opportunity to conclude the proceedings.
"Excellent." Yavaire also glanced to the sky. "Let us hope our Corellian friend turns up."
"Where's Itael?" Rogan asked, concerned at the Y'iami's absence.
As the throbbing sounds of a starship approached and the Millennium Falcon broke through the snow clouds, Yavaire answered: "He's around."
The Falcon settled gently into the snow and the ramp lowered. The three Imperial s moved forward, eager for the conclusion of the deal.
Before Han left the confines of the ship he released the safety strap of his holster. Drawing on a heavy coat he set down the ramp with Chewbacca carrying a case of money at his back. He was met a few yards from the ship by Yavaire and Rogan, as Chewbacca returned to the Falcon to continue unloading the cases.
"Welcome Captain!" Yavaire raised his voice above the growing howl of the wind.
"Where are the princess and the kid?" Han demanded, wincing as the cold whipped at his exposed face.
"The Princess and the boy will be released once we have exchanged the money for the arms, Captain." Yavaire answered quickly. "However, as a gesture of good will, we will bring them forward." He nodded at Rogan, who briefly spoke into his comlink.
Through the snow Han spotted his two friends, hunched over against the cold and bound, being lead towards them by two troopers. Luke briefly smiled at him, then seemed to grow a little green. He retched and quickly glanced around. The Princess leaned closer to him seeming concerned. Han, although a little worried that Luke may be ill, was relieved to see them both still alive.
"Satisfied, Captain?" Yavaire asked.
Han turned to the boxes Chewie had piled at his back. The Wookiee was placing down the final case. "There's your cash, Major. Now, where are the goods? "
Yavaire smiled. "They will be here shortly. I had to be sure you had brought the cash. "He motioned to the lieutenant behind him. "Check it out."
Han and Chewbacca remained still, but attentive, as the officer moved forward and checked through the boxes the Wookiee had set down.
The Imperial turned to his superior. "It's there."
Luke tried to quell his growing nausea and panic. His head throbbed sending waves of sickness through him. The feeling was stronger than before, more concentrated than when he had first experienced it at his shoddy prison. His knees buckled and he would have fallen if the Princess had not caught him.
"What is it Luke?" She question quickly, trying to keep abreast of Han and Yavaire's conversation while watching Rogan D'anti. Her own stomach twisted in sympathy with Luke's.
"Something... I don't know. "He glanced at her fighting not to retch again." There's something here! "He looked over at Han, over at Rogan, over at the speeder and back at Han. "Behind Han, behind the Falcon! "
And Leia turned her attention back to the conversation as the sounds of another ship's engine split through the blizzard.
A small, atmosphere bound, cargo vessel descended toward the plateau.
Yavaire smiled. "Your goods have arrived, Captain."
The cargo carrier exploded.
Han was among the first to rise from the snow after the shower of burning debris had ceased. There was the sudden terrible familiar screech of T.I.E fighters, and Han glanced up in horror as another burst of laser fire destroyed the transport that had carried Luke and Leia to the scene. Two Imperial fighters pulled up from the plateau and circled the area. Then fury found Han; it had been a set-up! They had been lured here to be robbed and murdered. He pulled his blaster from its holster.
"Chewie! ' he bellowed, peering in the smoke and blizzard hoping to see Luke or Leia. " Get to the ship! Shields up! Give me cover! "He didn't hear the Wookiee's reply as he stumbled forward in the snow, ducking down at the abrupt reports from a blaster. He hurried on and came upon an extraordinary scene, one which took him sometime to assimilate.
Luke and Leia were on their knees, hands still bound, and struggling with one of their trooper guards. Luke was trying to wrestle the soldier's blaster from his grip, while Leia sat astride the man trying to hold him down. There was a dead trooper sprawled close by, and the teenager, Rogan, was curled in the snow clutching a side wound. There was no sign of Yavaire or the speeder driver.
He started toward his friends when Luke suddenly looked in his direction, his eyes wild. "No, Han!" he yelled. "It's behind you!"
Han turned in surprise and was immediately bowled over by a streak of silver that threw itself at him with a vicious snarl. He lost his grip on his blaster as he tumbled through the snow. Then the creature was gone. He glanced up, looking for his attacker, his blaster and saw the strangest being he had ever encountered. It was tall and covered with fish-like scales which, in the poor light of the snow storm, appeared silver white. Its blue lips pulled back and it hissed as it circled the defenceless smuggler. Han scrambled back in a vain attempt to locate his weapon as the creature threw itself at him again. They rolled together in the deep snow, the being's taloned fingers closing around the Corellian's throat.
With a fierce burst of strength, Luke yanked the blaster from the trooper's hands. He pointed the muzzle at the man's head and the Imperial ceased his struggling. Luke swallowed with difficulty, forcing down the bitter gall that rose in his throat. Leia ran to the other soldier's body and lifted his weapon. She turned, going to Han's aid.
Rogan D'anti clutched at his side and hissed with pain. When the cargo carrier had exploded he had taken his chance with Yavaire and drawn his weapon. He managed to shoot one trooper before turning his gun on Yavaire himself. However the Major's aide was quicker and before Rogan could pull off another shot he had cried with sudden pain, the victim of the Lieutenant's weapon. As Skywalker and the Princess jumped the second trooper, Yavaire and his aide had disappeared into the smoke and blizzard. They were his father's TIEs; General D'anti had lost his trust in his son, had just turned the events around, and Rogan knew his father's forces would be upon them in moments.
Rogan lifted his head and saw Luke guarding the sprawled trooper and saw Leia run toward two struggling figures.
"Enough!" Leia cried.
The creature hesitated and turned his head toward the woman, and saw readied gun. He hissed at her. Then turned to regard Rogan lying nearby. "You have betrayed Yavaire!" His voice undulated with tense anger.
Rogan shivered remembering the claws piercing his shoulder and winced as the ripples brought renewed pain to his blaster wound.
"Get up!" Leia ordered, gesturing with the blaster, motioning for the creature to move aside. Again her stomach rebelled and her head began to pound; she dismissed the symptoms as an adrenalin rush.
As Itael's fingers loosened their grasp on his neck, Han drew in a great whooping breath and coughed, spitting blood from his mouth. The creature stood and moved to the side watching Leia closely; there was surprise on his features as though he had suddenly realized something and he glanced over at Luke and smiled tightly.
Han scrambled to his feet and lifted his blaster. He searched the area, blinking in the falling snow and smoke, looking for Yavaire and his lackey.
Luke, blaster still trained upon the fallen soldier, watched Itael surrender and waited for a sign to move from either Han or the princess, conscious that they were not yet out of danger. He frowned as he glanced from the princess to Han; the Corellian's figure was obscure, his outline hazy in Luke's eyes, almost as though Han was standing in shadows. He glanced at Leia, the Princess was unaffected. The spacer took a step back from the creature and the haziness vanished.
Before Luke could ponder on this a gust of wind blew dense smoke over him, stinging his eyes and blocking his vision with sudden tears. He coughed and blinked as the trooper also started coughing. He didn't dare raise his bound hands to wipe at his eyes as this would remove the gun from the soldier. He blinked frantically trying to clear his vision and was suddenly aware of someone standing at his back. He whipped his head around and was dealt a quick blow to his skull. He fell back into the snow, and as his vision abruptly cleared, he saw Yavaire standing above him. He winced as pain vibrated through his head but managed to retain his consciousness.
Yavaire turned to the trooper. "On your feet, and bring him along." The Major turned in Han and Leia's direction as the stormtrooper hauled Luke to his feet.
Solo rubbed at his throat as he peered into the blizzard. "Can you see anything?" He asked of Leia. "Where'd Luke disappear to?"
"I'm here." Luke called.
Han turned as his friend emerged from behind the burning troop carrier. At his back was Yavaire and his lackeys. "Watch him, Princess." He told Leia, meaning the Y'iami, and stepped forward to confront the Imperial major.
Yavaire took hold of Luke and pushed him to his knees. He placed his blaster against the back of the youth's head. Above them the TIE fighters made another swoop, though their cannons remained silent. Yavaire smiled at the group, at Rogan in particular. "Well done, boy. Your father's pilots are as accurate as ever. "Then he turned to Han." We don't have much time, Captain. "He gestured at their guns. "Drop your weapons and tell your Wookiee to leave the ship and join you out here." His eyes focused on the cases of money behind the Corellian.
"Not likely." Han replied, his voice hoarse, his throat sore. He wasn't going to deliver them all into Imperial hands, besides Chewie was more useful on the ship.
"I will kill the boy." Yavaire warned.
Han glanced at Luke, feeling almost light and silly as he answered. "Go ahead." He blinked as a snow flake landed on his eye lashes.
Luke stared wildly at Han in shock, his throat and mouth suddenly dry. His head ached from the thump he'd received and from the presence of the strange being. The Corellian was playing with his life! He shifted his gaze, looking to the others for some kind of succour, and found Itael. The creature stared at him. Luke could feel the dislike, the revulsion from the being, but he didn't understand it. But, there was something else, something he couldn't fully grasp; his knowledge of the force was still so limited. The creature didn't share the same aura as other living beings, he didn't create the warmth of life Luke had begun to recognise - instead he reflected it, cast it back in undulating waves at those who generated it, and it seemed to be this which had sent Luke's senses reeling, which had thrown his balance askew and upset his internal systems. Luke maintained the creature's stare, fighting his sickness and fear, and everything else faded into the background, as he willed Itael to glance away first.
Yavaire tightened his grip on his blaster surprised, at first, by the spacer's words. Then he understood and recalled Han's words from their meeting about death being martyrdom to these rebels; if he killed Skywalker, the way would be open for Solo to gun him down and the boy would become a heroic symbol for the Alliance. This Corellian was devious and dangerous. Thinking quickly he addressed Han once more. "An exchange then, the boy for the money."
Rogan watched the snow filled sky, listened for any sounds above those of the wind and fires. He was growing restless, wondering why his father had not yet made his appearance. He was also growing weak from his wound, from the cold.
Leia watched the exchange carefully, praying Han knew what he was doing. She glanced at Rogan as he lay bleeding in the snow; he was watching the sky. She glanced at Itael and saw him staring at Luke with an intense concentration. Looking over at Luke she noticed the same concentration. He appeared no longer to notice his precarious situation.
Luke maintained the eye contact, feeling his own energy being repelled back at him and he pushed harder, put all his effort into forcing Itael back, but it seemed the Force could not penetrate the creature's shield. His body trembled with his exertion and with the cold.
There was an abrupt rumble of heavy engines, the whine of laser fire and the snow between Han and Yavaire erupted into plumes of white. The Falcon's guns also opened fire. Itael fell back, his hoarse cry of surprise drowned by the fighter's screech. He broke off his stare with Luke, and took the attack as a chance to escape. He dashed across the snow field towards Rogan. The Corellian fell back, grabbed hold of Leia and pushed her toward the Falcon. "Forget him," he told her. "I could use you in the gun turret." Then he too ran, but he headed for Yavaire.
Rogan's heart pounded as Itael broke contact with the Jedi and headed in his direction. Yavaire's pet had been unsettled by Skywalker, the creature had not provided the cover Yavaire relied on, instead he had attacked immediately at the first sign of a threat, and he had been held, almost entranced, by the presence of the Rebel. Now though, that spell was broken and Itael was free to seek his revenge for betrayal. A scream was torn from the teenager as the creature bore down.
The Princess turned at the sound of the scream and pulled of a shot at the creature. The blast missed the beast but was enough to divert him. The Y'iami changed direction and headed for Yavaire. Leia ran to Rogan. The boy may have caused all their problems, but she couldn't leave him to die here; besides, she had a fair idea of who he was. She took him by the arms and dragged him back to the Falcon as Chewbacca opened up the guns.
Rogan grimaced with pain as the Rebel princess grabbed hold of him. "What..?" He started.
"Later," she told him and she pulled him up.
He slung an arm over her shoulder, and they staggered to the ship as the fighters opened fire once more. Leia turned for a quick glance as two more troop carriers appeared out of the blizzard. She couldn't see either Luke or Han and the odds were rising against them.
"My father," Rogan tried to explain to her.
"Later," Leia told him again as she dumped him down in the safety of the ship's corridor next to the steps to the gun emplacements. Turning quickly she climbed into the turret.
"Your Highness!"
She looked down in surprise to find Threepio in the belly bubble. "Threepio!" Surely Han hadn't altered the robots behavioural inhibitors to enable the droid to kill?
"Your Highness, I..."
The ship shook under a barrage of blaster fire. Leia took hold of the guns and, noticing the lieutenant and remaining trooper head after Han, she pulled off a couple of shots, halting them both. They sprawled into the snow and lay still.
Yavaire hauled Luke back toward his speeder, fighting against the youth's struggles. He threw the boy against the body of the vehicle and glanced back, looking for his aide, looking for the trooper, watching for the Corellian and saw the nearing troop carriers. "D'anti!" He muttered, not surprised at the appearance of more soldiers. Rogan must have been stringing him along the whole time and the Imperial couldn't help but admire his ingenuity. He bent to grab Luke by the scruff of the neck.
"Kill the Jedi, Yavaire."
Yavaire turned around to face Itael as Skywalker groaned and vomited into the snow. "He'll be of use to us." Yavaire explained. "He's wanted by Vader. We can bargain with him. Perhaps get away from this fiasco with our lives."
Itael glanced at Skywalker, seeing that Yavaire's words had shaken the boy-knight, horrified him. Giving this child to the Dark Lord, joining this child with another wizard, increasing their power, was not what Itael wished. That would pose an even greater threat to the Y'iami, they would be swallowed by the Force, wiped from the galaxy. "No," he told the major. "It is better if he dies!" The youth was strong - he might not be trained, but his instincts were keen; Skywalker might not be aware of it, but he had turned Itael's reflections back at him, forced him to break their contact and he had badly shaken the Y'iami.
"Dies!" Yavaire almost shrieked, the prospects of losing the last hope of retrieving something from the deal, pushing him to the edge. He grabbed hold of Luke and thrust him toward the being. "Here! You take him then! You kill him!"
Itael staggered back from Luke and shuddered. Luke himself felt his head spin, his stomach took another dive as the reflected energy sent his senses reeling again.
"You can't, can you? You can't kill something you need!" Yavaire raised his blaster intent on killing Itael, and was cut down by a sudden laser blast.
Luke glanced up and was relieved to see Solo standing behind them. Han advanced carefully, keeping the Y'iami covered with his weapon.
"'You okay, kid? " The Corellian questioned.
"Yeah," Luke sounded breathless and weak.
"Some shopping trip, huh?"
The Falcon's guns opened fire on the advancing troop carrier, it slew across the snow, but continued its pace. Above them, the fighters roared in for another strafing run.
"Come on!" Han took hold of Luke's arm.
"You should not live." Luke turned at the quiet sentence, shaken by the events. Itael held his gaze. "You are not meant to be. Your existence endangers us all."
Frightened and sick with the Y'iami's close proximity, Luke could find no words for the creature, he merely turned with Han and started toward the ship. He only caught the first few words of Itael's parting sentence.
"You are..." The rest was carried away by the steady battery of fire from the Falcon, "...not alone." Itael finished to himself.
Luke and Han ran toward the waiting freighter dodging laser bursts as the troop carrier came to a stop and spilled out its occupants. The stormtroopers headed straight for them. Han pushed Luke up the ramp and pulled off a few shots before he too ducked into the ship.
"Chewie!" The Corellian roared and he punched the hatch control, sealing them off from the elements. "Threepio, now!"
"Oh, dear, " the golden droid muttered to himself. He looked to the gun's scanners and sighted them on the cases of money. The Corellian had kept his promise; there was no living being near the boxes. He drew off one shot.
Lieutenant-General D'anti stood amid the dwindling blizzard, the roar and throb of the Millennium Falcon's engines still rolled across the plateau. Yavaire was dead, several stormtroopers lost, the rebels escaped, the money destroyed. He had lost everything he hoped to gain. He turned to his subordinate. "My son?"
"There's no sign of him, sir." The captain reported.
D'anti nodded with angry resignation and an unexpected feeling of loss. Rogan had rejected everything his father believed in and had escaped him. At the final moment Rogan had delayed D'anti, had fed him the wrong time for the meet, had given himself time to make good his flight. It was only good fortune that a passing patrol had spotted the meeting.
"Clever boy," D'anti muttered, with a touch of admiration and pride. His son had bested him, his son had orchestrated and pulled off an elaborate escape. Then he squinted in the fading evening light. He was sure he had seen a flash of silver in the distance. He watched carefully, but the movement was not repeated. He turned his back on the snow plain, turned his back on his son, and walked slowly back to the waiting transport.
Rogan D'anti lay back on the bunk and allowed the painkiller the Princess had administered to soothe his wounds. He smiled as fatigued drifted over him, teasing him with the pleasures of a deep sleep. He was free, he was safe, he had escaped. The Rebels would have many questions for him, would not automatically trust him, but at that moment, he didn't care: the bunk was comfortable, the cabin warm, his relief overwhelming, his father light years away. He closed his eyes and slept.
Luke watched as Leia placed a clean dressing over Rogan's wound and pulled up the blanket, covering the sleeping boy. "Will he be all right?" he asked, feeling his own strength return as the Falcon carried him farther away from Xalan.
"I think so," Leia replied, stepping back from the med bunk. She took his arm. "Come on, let's see your head."
They sat by the game board. Luke turned his head, allowing Leia to study the lump. He winced when she touched it. "Who do you think he is?"
"The son of the Xalan section Commander," Leia told him, "I think he was also the Rebel contact who set up the deal. Though we'll have to wait until he wakes to find out for sure. But that's my guess. Do you have any dizziness or nausea? "She questioned.
Luke briefly recalled the strange creature he had encountered. "None." His stomach had settled.
Leia sat back as the two droids entered the compartment. "I don't think you need anything for this. But we'll have you checked by the med-techs back at the base." She glanced at the droids. "That was a good shot, Threepio," she commented with a smile.
Threepio stiffly nodded. "Thank you, your Highness. Though Captain Solo seems rather upset about it." Artoo agreed with a tooted whistle."
"Upset?" Luke asked. "Why?"
The droid seemed surprised at the question. "Because he lost the money."
"It wasn't his fault," Leia told the machine. "The Alliance will understand."
Artoo let loose with a babble of noise. "What's he saying?" Leia queried.
Threepio looked rather hesitant, but complied. "Captain Solo and Chewbacca also lost the money the Alliance gave them for aiding in your rescue, Your Highness."
Leia and Luke exchanged surprised glances. Then Leia rose and made her way to the cockpit.
"If you will excuse me, Master Luke. I believe I should re-align my internal functions, the whole episode has rather upset my behavioural balance." Threepio prattled at an inattentive Luke as he and Artoo disappeared aft.
Luke relaxed back into the recliner allowing his aching muscles to loosen. He was tired, but his mind remained active, turning to the events of the previous few hours. What was that creature? Why did he reflect and not create the Force? Were his scales a natural barrier to the Force, a mirror of sorts? Luke was sure Itael was not evil, there had been no feeling of twistedness, only that unsettling ricochet of power. But, why did Luke pose a threat to him? Why did he wish Luke dead?
"You can't kill something you need!"
The Major's words returned to him, but what did he mean? Luke shook his head and rubbed at his tired, stinging eyes. Again he was left only with questions. He knew so little, had so much to learn and no-one to teach him.
Those thoughts brought forth other words uttered by the desperate Major.
"He's wanted by Vader."
He was wanted by his father's murderer, Ben's killer, and that scared him more than Itael 's plea for his death. Vader had been Jedi. Could Vader teach him?
Shivering, he quickly dismissed the sudden, frightening thought. Luke rose from the recliner and walked over to the acceleration chair and picked up his lightsaber. His father's sword. He turned it in his hands for a moment recalling the moment Ben had given it to him, remembering the feel and vibration of the sword when he activated it and he silently wondered what Obi-Wan had awakened in him, and if it was this which the creature on Xalan had feared. He replaced the weapon onto his belt clip, taking some comfort from its weight and, pushing Itael and Vader from his mind, he turned and disappeared into the cabin Han had assigned to him. He lay down on his bunk, seeking the same sleep and rest as Rogan D'anti.
It was sometime before slumber found him.
"No," Han was firmly telling his co-pilot as Leia entered the cockpit. "No, absolutely not"
"Problems?" Leia asked, looking over the pilot's shoulder.
"Nah!" Han assured her. "A little damage to the shield when we took a shot to the aft before we made light speed. Nothing we can't fix. "
Leia seated herself behind him in the navigator's chair. "I came to thank you, both." She included Chewbacca.
Chewbacca rose from his seat and grumbled out something at Han, placing a paw on the princess's shoulder as he passed.
"What did he say?"
Han glanced at his charts. "He's going to check out aft, put the droids to work. Says he can feel a private discussion growing." A hand went to his neck and he gently rubbed his bruised throat.
Leia smiled and moved to Chewbacca's chair. "I know about the money. Threepio told me. "
"Figured as much." Han replied and frowned, he pointed to the charts. "Is Yavin…?"
"Han," Leia pressed.
He turned to her, looked at her tired features, her dishevelled hair.
"Thank you."
Solo merely nodded his acknowledgement and turned soundlessly back to his controls.
He slouched back into his chair when the Princess departed and stared at the twisting lights of hyperspace beyond the cockpit. He'd lost it all, he'd let it burn and for what? For selfish reasons; if he could not have it, then no-one could? Or for the lives of a Rebel princess and a kid? He certainly had paid a high price for them this time. No money to pay Jabba, no money to pay for repairs. In total - no money and all the problems he had thought resolved only a day or two ago remained.
He turned and looked at Chewbacca's chair where the Princess had sat. There was more though, and he fought it. Fought the strange thoughts which crept unwanted into his mind, the questions which demanded to be answered; why had he agreed to take this mission? Why had he taken Luke and Leia along? Why had he given up his hard earned reward? Why had he given up his freedom to these idealist Rebels?
A high price, indeed. Han chose not to answer the questions. He turned, instead, back to the controls of the Falcon and to the stars ahead.
END.