Star Wars - The Han Solo Trilogy - Hutt Gambit, page 26
Unlike most of the defenders of Nar Shaddaa, Jaub was an honest trader, who happened to do business on the Smugglers Moon, delivering exotie foodstuffs to the once-elegant hotel-easinos. There was a sizable Sullustan enclave on Nar Shaddaa, and the little sentient had kin and friends living there. So, when Makos call for help had gone out, Jaub had fgured it was his responsibility to respond. He couldnt let his friends and family be injured, and not try to help them!
Now what? he wondered, firing at a TIE fighter. I cant
compete with these pilots/Ive never even fired my weapons
befire, except in target practice/
But there was no turning back now. The Carrack-class light cruiser had entered the fray. Jaubs already huge eyes went even wider as he saw tile Take That/ impaled in a green burst of turbolaser fire.
Sickened, he watched as the Corellians ship was vaporized.
If Jaub had thought he could outrun any of these ships, he might have tried. But he knew better. All he could try to do, he figured, was to stay alive and maybe get in a lucky shot. Mako was bound to order the real attack any second IIOW!
Jaub zigged again as a TIE roared by him, seemingly out of nowhere. The evasive maneuver brought him within range of the Carrick-class ships turbolasers. The Sullustan pilot squeaked in utter terror as the barest edge of green licked past his vessel.
Im all right, he didnt hit me, he didnt hit me, he didnt . . oh, gods . . . he hit me . . . the Sullustan thought.
His power indicators were dropping. That blast had barely brushed him, but it must have wiped out his stern shields and disabled his engines. The Bnef Nlle was stfil hurtling along, still in the grip of inertia, but his engines were dead.
Jaub tested his maneuvering thrusters and realized they still functioned. He couldnt brake, or speed up, but he could turn his vessel.
He looked around, saw that two TIEs were bearing down on him from the rear. In seconds, theyd catch him and blast him into atoms.
The Carrack-class ship was obviously content not to have to waste its heavy turbolasers on the likes of one small, crippled freighter The big Imperial ship was sailing se-renely along, parallel to and a little behind Jaubs flight path.
Seconds . . . Ive got only seconds. Make them count, Jaub thought. He didnt think of himself as particularly brave, but Sullustans were known to be a practical species.
Jaub sent his ship rolling over, using his maneuvering thrusters hard, deliberately sending the BnefNUe into an uncontrollable spin. Stars and space debris revolved in his viewport, making his stomach flip over.
Bnef nile, everyone! he screamed as he hurtled toward the flank of the Carrack-class ship.
Bnef nile meant good luck in Sullustan.
At first Jaub thought he wasnt going to make it, that the Carrack-dass vessel was going too fast but then he had one final second to realize that he was, indeed, going to impact against the big vessels port shields. Joy filled him, and then there was nothing but fire . . .
Blasted, stupid fools! Why didnt they wait for my or-der? Mako shouted as he stared into his tactical screen. Why did they jump the gun?
Maybe theyd misunderstood him. Mako had said, Pre-pare to evade, and just as he finished speaking, those three impetuous freighters went streaking out of cover. Mako had stared at the screen, cursing steadily in many lan-guages, as he watched two of the errant ships get blown up.
At least that second guy, whoever he was, had made his exit count for something. And even the fool that had started the whole mess had nailed a recon TIE.
Now the third vessel was streaking back toward him, with a TIE fighter in hot pursuit. Great! Mako yelled. Just lead em right to where were hiding! If you live through this, Im gonna personally hunt you down and strangle you!
Mako, hes gonna buy it if we dont do something, Blue said tensely.
I oughta let the fool pay for his mistake, Mako growled, but a last check on his tactical screens convinced him that the Carrack-class vessel was far enough into the debris to be unable to turn quickly and get out of range. Close enough, Mako thought.
All right, he said to Blue and the gunnery crew, lets go save his worthless hide!
Snapping on his comm, Mako said, All right, com-mence attack! First Strike Element, attack now, boys and girls! Get those TIEs, and Ill move in on that Carrack-class. Be prepared to back me up! Were gonna nail that sucker!
Blue was taking the Dragon Pearl out of hiding now, and
the racing freighter saw them and swung toward them, like
a child running to hide behind mamas skirts. Blue gave a tense order to the gunnery crew, and the Hurt yachts six powerful turbolasers sent green blasts of destruction to im-pale the TIE fighter.
The TIE blew up spectacularly. Waste of power, Mako grunted. Stupid ships dont even have shields.
The Pearl was now moving toward the Carrack-class ship, which was only then realizing it was being challenged. Blue, launch those Headhunters! Mako yelled.
Already did it two minutes ago! she shouted back.
Quit tellin me my job!
The Vigilance swung toward the yacht, and the two ves-sels engaged.
The Carrack-class, of course, had the advantage in the fight. It was armored much more heavily than file yacht, had better shielding, and more weaponry. It was also faster, but not by much.
However, Makos crew had two major advantages over the Vigilance. Blue was used to maneuvering through Nar Shaddaas debris, while the Carrack-class vessels pilot was not. The Hutt yacht was also smaller, thus far more agile.
Blue pressed that advantage for all she was worth, dart-ing in to shoot, then straining every rivet in the big ship to evade the returning fire.
After being flung to the deck when the artificial gravity shorted out for a second from a hit, Mako got smart and strapped himself into his seat. He saw bursts of color re-flected against the viewport from laser fire and turbolaser fire refl ecting off shields, but he couldnt see the Vigilance from his command center.
He had been worried that Vigilance might be one of the new, refitted models that were equipped with tractor beams, but apparently it was not.
The Hutt yacht shuddered with the blasts, over and over. Were losing the starboard shielding, Blue said tersely. Another hit there, and- WHAM!
The Pearl lurched horribly, like a wounded animal dragged down by a predators claws. Blue swore. Fire! Hit era again!
Jillacs yacht shuddered as the turbolasers fired again, filen again.
Mako was dying to get up and see for himself what was happening, but the ship was pitching so violently that it would have been dangerous. All he needed was a broken arm-or neck.
WHAM-WHAM!
Blast, Blue said. Weve lost three turbolaser mounts.
WHAM!
Make that four.
Blue, what in blazes is going on? Mako yelled over the next volley. Are we hurtin them at all?
Yeah, she grunted. Were hurtin em. Fire, boys!
Again!
Unable to stand the suspense any longer, Mako un-snapped his harness and staggered across the heaving deck to see what was going on.
His port shields are weakening, Blue told him. Our starboard shields are gone. She maneuvered the Hutt yacht so the relatively intact bow shielding was pointing toward the Vigilance.
Engines are sluggish, Mako said, feeling the ship strain to move.
Tell me about it, Blue snapped.
The Pearl fired again, then again, and then-
Mako let out a whoop of glee as he saw, instead of the splash of turbolaser fire against a Shield, a big charred mark appear on the Carrack-class ships armored hide. His port shields are down!
So are our starboard ones, Blue shaded.
But, baby, weve got him now! Disengage!
Mako raced back to his comm center. All right, listen up! Too Late Now! Minestra! Defense Central calling. Come in, over!
Mako was addressing two of the merc vessels that he knew had been assigned to these coordinates. Too Late Now was a captured and modified Imperial patrol craft, and Minestra was a captured Imperial light corvette. Both vessels now sported the blazing claw insignia that marked them as pirates.
Minestra, we read you, Mako, said a voice.
Too Late Now, likewise.
Listen up, guys, good news! We just took down Vigi-lances port shields!
Were already moving in to finish him off, said the voice of Minestras captain. Mako, we saw the pounding you took. Youd better get out of here before more Imps show up.
Were only too happy to, Blue said, and with painful slowness, the Dragon Pearl limped away. Mako glanced at her diagnostic sensors, and cursed. No starboard shields, sublight engines crippled, hull damage, and were leakin some atmosphere. Jiliacs gonna be right irritated bout this . . .
The two pirate ships had arrived by now, and they and the freighters were ganging up on the injured Vigilance, drawing in like scavengers toward a staggering prey. Mako saw the Carrick-class ship take hit after hit, until finally the armor couldnt take any more, and a huge hole was blasted in her port side. The smugglers targeted her engines, then her bridge, and within minutes, she was drifting helpless in space. Lifepods launched from the Carrack as some of the crew began abandoning ship.
Mako grinned. You did good, guys! Okay, my ships out of it, at least until we do some damage control, so Im heading for Illusion Point almad of schedule. You guys stick it out. Those skirmish ships should be arrivin any minute!
Admiral Greelanx stared at Commander Jelon, taken aback by his subordinates report. You say that the Vigi-lance is out of the battle? Captain Eldon is dead? Yes, Admiral. I regret to say it, sir.
What about his TIEs?
All destroyed, sir.
Greelanx was too disciplined to swear aloud, but he did so mentally. Order the skirmish ships to full speed. Order two squadrons of TIEs to accompany them. Instruct them to engage the enemy at will. Yes, sir!
For a moment Greelanx considered bringing the other Carrack-class, the ttpost, into combat, but he decided against it. The Outpost might be needed for mopping up, later. He didnt want to risk his only remaining recon ves-sel.
Well shaw these wretched criminals, Greelanx thought angrily, completely forgetting, for the moment, that he was supposed to lose this battle . . .
Captain Soontir Fel stared at Admiral Greelanxs tiny holo-figure as it seemingly stood perched atop the Pride of the Senates comm board, feeling as though someone had punched him in the stomach. Eldon is dead? Greelanx nodded shortly. Unfortunately, yes.
I see, sir. Permission to speak, Admiral?
Go ahead. Greelanx was anything but welcoming. Perhaps we should take these smugglers a bit more . . seriously . . . sir? They apparently are capable of mounting a coordinated attack, as opposed to simply shoot-ing at random.
Your comment is noted, Fel. Greelanx out.
The tiny holo-figure popped out of existence.
Soontir Fel stood for a moment, head bowed. Captain Darv Eldon had been one of his classmates in the Acad-emy. They had been close friends for nearly ten years. His death was like a vibroblade wound.
Fel swallowed, then straightened his shoulders. He would have time to grieve later. Right now, it was his duty to kill as many of these smugglers as he could . . .
At first, Han Solo found it very strange to shoot at TIE fighters, rather than fly them. As soon as Mako had ordered in the First Strike Element, Han, with Chewie and Jarik in the Br/as wing-mounted gun turrets, had gone after and engaged several TIEs. Hed nailed two, so far, and was cruising through the debris, looking around for more.
The Bria had one weakened rear shield, which put her engines in possible jeopardy should she take another big hit there, but was otherwise undamaged, due largely to Hans flying expertise.
Han was one of the few smugglers who was flying with-out a partner. Mako wanted him free to keep watch over the fleet, to go where he was needed without encum-brances. Han recognized that Makos decision was a testa-ment to his own flying skill and was pleased.
Han glanced over at the left gun turret on the Br/as wing, and saw Jarik in the movable seat, headset in place. So far, the kid hadnt done well. Hed been overeager, ner-vous, and had managed to miss everything hed aimed at. Han was beginning to think he shouldnt have encouraged him to come along for the ride.
Chewbacca had done considerably better, hitting one TIE fighter and sending it wheeling away. Seconds later it had crashed into a large piece of debris and exploded.
Hah himself had gotten another TIE with his bow-mounted twin lasers.
MaYos voice came over his headphones Listen up! Those skirmish ships are arrivin and engaging at will! Ev-eryone stay sharp!
Han had just decided to go hunting for one of the skir-mish ships, when suddenly a TIE fighter swooped toward them, lasers blasting.
Chewie, Jarik! Hah yelled. Look sharp! Automati-cally he evaded the blasts, and triggered a shot with his bow guns.
A clean miss. Han swore.
Another TIE was swooping toward them, eager to catch the Bria in a crossfire Han snapped off a shot at it as he sent his ship swooping away, and saw the TIE wobble. Hed hit it!
The other TIE came in again, and this time Chewbacca was right there, firing, firing-
A sudden Wookiee howl of rage and frustration echoed in Hans headphones. HeS been hit/ was Hans first illought, and his breath caught in his diest, but when he looked to his right, he saw Chewie bouncing up and down in his movable seat, roaring, cursing, and waving his long, hairy arms, obviously furious-but unhurt.
Whats got into him? Han wondered, then he looked again, and saw what had happened.
The Brias gun-control yoke, wires dangling, was clutched in Chewies paw-hands. In his enthusiasm to nail the TIE, Chewbacca had forgotten to ration his great Wookiee strength; hed ripped the control yoke clean out of the gun mount!
Now it was Hans turn to swear. Chewie, you big furry oatq. look what you did!
Chewbacca snarled in Hans headphones that he was only too aware of what hed done. Hah had never heard his hairy friend use language like that before.
Whump! A shot from the TIE had impacted on the Brias amidships shield.
Hey, Solo! Concentrate on your flying, or youre gonna be dead! Han shook his head, realizing that from now on, hed have to consider his right side as crippled, and shield it as best he could.
He spoke into his headset. Jarik, listen up, kid! Chewie broke off the blasted gun yoke in the right turret! Its .all up to you to nail these TIEs!
Jariks voice was faint and shaky. Mmmm . . . me?
Yeah, you! Now look sharp! Hes comin in again!
Jarik crouched in his movable seat in the left gun turret, frozen with terror. My worst nightmare come true! Im go-ing to kill us all!
He forced himself to straighten up and swiveled, looking for the TIE. The targeting grid hung before him. Would he be able to zero in on anything? He didnt know. Hed failed miserably, so far.
Where is it, where is-
Suddenly he saw it. There it was, coming in a 1ooping path from overhead that would allow it to flip over and then get off a shot at the Brias bow.
I cant do it . . . what if I cant do it? Jariks mind screamed, but somehow his hands were moving, and then his body was following suit as he swiveled in his seat. There was the targeting grid, there was the TIE and suddenly-
the two images were one.
Without conscious volition, Jariks thumb squeezed the firing trigger.
A red beam shot out, catching the TIE in the middle of its small body.
In magnificent silence, the TIE blew up.
Jarik sat there, staring in shock. Did I do that?
Hans voice in his ears. Great shootin, kid! Lets go do it again!
Did I do that? I did! I did it/I can do it/
Jarik Solo grinned, felt a wave of satisfaction and pride. Okay , Hah!
Jarik checked the charges on his gun, then, as the Bria swooped off, began searching their surroundings for more targets . . .
Aboard the Rimrmner, Salla Zend checked her position, then glanced quickly out of her viewport to make sure her flying partner was in correct position. Because the Rimrun-ner equaled the MiUennium Falcon in speed, shed been paired with Lando and his odd little droid pilot.
Salla had to hand it to Vuffi Raa. Shes never before heard of a droid that could pilot, but she gathered that Vuffl Raa was some special type of droid, from some com-pletely different part of the galaxy. Obviously not your ev-eryday astromech. From the moment theyd deployed, Vuffi Raa not only had kept formation with her, the droid had occasionally outflown her!
She spoke into her headset. Any of those skirmish ships on your sensors, Vuffi?
Nothing so far, Lady Salla, the little droid replied.
And my name is Vuffi Raa, please.
No problem, Vuffi Raa, she replied. So what does that name mean, anyhow?
In the language of those who programmed me, it is a number, Lady Salla.
Huh. Salla was doing a visual inspection as she flew through the debris. No skirmish vessels so far, but her sen-sors showed a large group of vessels moving through the cloud of debris surrounding Nar Shaddaa. It was only a matter of time. Lando, stay sharp with your guns. I see Imp slugs everywhere.
Right, Salla, Lando said.
Rik, Shug? We could have incoming any second. You guys ready?
Ready, Salla, Shug replied.
We are ready, pretty lady, Rik Duel said, in a manner that he fondly imagined to be charming.
Salla grimaced and rolled her eyes. Can it, Rik. Stay sharp. This is no time to get cute.
Hey, Salla, I cant help it if Ive got eyes! Rik said, in mock4njured tones. That jerk Solo doesnt appreciate you, you know. You deserve better than that Corellian creep.
You are one fine woman, and he-
Stow the chatter, Rik, Salla snapped, tiring of the ban-ter. And rein in your hormones. Your routine is getting real old.
But, Salla- he protested, sounding very, very injured, I fell for you the moment I- Lady Salla! Vuffi Raa broke in. Incoming!
Salla checked her sensors and ship ID codes. An Impe-rial Customs Guardian-class light cruiser, the Lianna Guard! She altered her flight path to challenge the new-comer head-on, and was impressed to see how quickly Vuffi Raa followed her lead.
