Star Wars - The Han Solo Trilogy - Rebel Dawn

by A. C. Crispin

  For the life of him, he couldnt remember.

  Rising, he headed for the fresher. His headache was under control now, and he was beginning to feel hungry. Stepping into the shower, he let the hot water pummel him and leaned against the tiled wall. Ahhhhhhh...

  For a moment he fouml himSelf thinking about home, wondering how everyone was doing. Maybe it was time to head back to Nar ShcMdaa, while he still had some credits left?

  Thoughts of his friends filled his mind. Jarik, Mako . . . and Lando, of course. How was Lando doing these days? Had he ever found a ship to replace the Falcon?

  And what about Bria?

  Han sighed. Maybe, when he got back to Imperial space, hed try looking up Bria.

  Yeah, right, he thought. That should be real easy. Just find the secret HQ of the Corellian Resistance and walk right in, demand to see your old girlfriend... probably get a blaster bolt right between your eyes, Solo ....

  Feeling slightly better, Han shut the water off, and went to get dressed. He decided w get some food, then head back for the Falcon and Chewie. Time to leave this blasted world... whatever world this was ....

  Jabba lounged beside his aunt in her private audience chamber on Nal Hutta, watching and listening as Bria Tharen made her appeal to Desilijic. The woman spoke well, he had to admit... for a human. Almighty Jiliac, Bria spread her hands before her, just think what an opportunity this is for your clan. If Desilijic will just finance our group in terms of ammu-nition and fuel, the Corellian Resistance will make sure that Ylesia is no longer a thorn in your side. Wouldnt it be worth it, to see Besadii brought low? And for such a modest outlay! We provide the troops, the weapons, the ships ....

  But you will take the spice stored in the ware-houses, Jiliac said, in Huttese. Jabba and Jiliack proto-col droid, K8LR, promptly translated the Hutt leader words. Jiliae repulsor sled bobbed slightly as she shifted her weight forward to regard the Rebel com-mander intently. All we would gain could only be mea-sured in negative terms. Now if we were to profit from this...

  Bria Tharen shook her head. If we take the risks, we get the spice, Your Excellency. Running a resistance is expensive. We cant just wipe out your enemies for you and gain nothing for ourselves.

  Privately Jabba agreed with her. Why was Jiliac being so stubborn?

  Jabba spoke up for the first time---in Basic, which he could speak, but rarely chose to. Let me make sure I understand what you are offering, and what you wish from us, Commander.

  Bria turned to him, bowed slightly. Certainly, Your Excellency.

  One, Jabba began ticking points off on his fingers. Desi!ijic will provide you funding to purchase ammu-nition and fuel for an assault on Ylesia. Two, Desilijic will arrange to eliminate the tlanda Td priests before the attack... correct?

  Yes, Your Excellency, Bria said.

  Why do you need us for that? Jiliac demanded haughtily. If your group is such an efficient military force, then you should be able to handle a few puny tlanda Til.

  Because we stand a much better chance of being able to control the Pilgrims if the Priests are already dead, Bria Tharen replied. It shouldnt be too difficult for a kajidic of your resources to arrange. After all, there arent more than thirty priests on the whole planet, or so our intelligence indicates. Only about three per Colony, in most cases. Another thing... we dont want our troops having to deal with fighting off the tlanda Til empathic vibes-we want them to be able to concentrate on fighting.

  I understand, Jabba said. Three . . . in return for our funding and our promise to eliminate the priests, your groups will land and destroy the Besadii enter-prise. Blow up the factories, make sure there is nothing left for Besadii to use in rebuilding.

  That right, Your Excellency, the Rebel com-mander said. The risk is ours. Of course, well also take the Pilgrims and the warehoused spice.

  I understand, Jabba said. Your offer merits con-

  sideration, Commander. We-

  No! Jiliac snorted disgustedly and waved dismissal.

  Girl, we have heard enough. Thank you, but-

  Aunt! Jabba said loudly, then lowered his voice when Jiliac broke off and turned to regard him in sur-prise. He continued in Huttese, May I speak with you privately?

  Jiliac huffed slightly then nodded. Very well, Nephew.

  When the Tharen woman had been escorted outside the chamber by K8LR and asked to wait for their deci-sion, Jabba said, Aunt, this is an offer too-good to refuse. If we had to hire mercenary forces to eliminate the Ylesian enterprise, it would cost us many times what wed have to pay to fund these Rebels. It would cost... he ran quick figures in his head, at least five times as much. We should accept.

  Jiliac regarded her nephew with scorn. Jabba, havent I taught you better than this? I told you, Desili-jie must never support either faction in a war. You want us to join the Resistance? That policy can only lead to disaster!

  Jabba had to take a deep breath and silently recite the Hurt alphabet before he could respond. Aunt, I am by no means suggesting that we should ally ourselves with these Rebels. But we can and should make use of them to further our own ends! This human female and her Rebellion are a gift from fate. Bria Tharen is the perfect leader for this raid.

  Why? Jiliac blinked at her nephew.

  Jabba let out his breath in a quick huff of exaspera-tion. Think, Aunt! Who were the two humans who es-caped from Ylesia after killing Zawal all those years ago? Remember I investigated the matter after Han Solo came to work for us?

  Jiliac frowned. No ....

  Well, I did. Han Solo escaped Ylesia in a stolen ship, with much of TerOenza treasure in its hold, and the High Priest pet slave. Her name was Bria Tharen, Aunt. This same woman! She has a personal grudge against Ylesia! She will stop at nothing to shut the Be-sadii slaving world down.

  Jiliac was still frowning. So what if she has a per-sonal score to settle? How can that benefit us, Nephew?

  Nothing could suit Desilijic needs better than the destruction of those accursed spice factories! Think of it! Besadii, humbled and impoverished! This is a bargain!

  Jiliac rocked back and forth on her massive belly, staring goggle-eyed into space as if trying to picture in her mind eye how it would work. No, she said finally. It is a bad plan.

  It is a good plan, Aunt, Jabba insisted, and, with a little refinement, can be made to work. After a pause, he added, With all due respect, Jiliac, I dont believe that you have thought the matter through.

  Oh? Jiliac reared back until she towered over her relative. Nephew, your judgment is flawed. I have been very careful, over the years, not to compare you with your reckless parent, who nearly bankrupted Desilijic with his grand schemes, then was foolish enough to wind up on that mudball pfison planet, Kip. However...

  Jabba didnt like being reminded of Zorba and his profligate ways. Aunt, I am nothing like my parent, and you know it! I respectfully submit that you have grown soft and your analysis weak. We must deal with Besadii soon or, most assuredly, we will be ruined. What are your specific objections?

  Jiliac rumbled, and a bit of green phlegm appeared at the corner of her slack mouth. Too fisky, too many uncertainties. Humans are not intelligent enough to be able to accurately predict their behavior. Theyre just as apt to take our credits, then betray us to Besadii.

  These Rebels are too committed to their cause, Jabba said. You are fight, you dont understand hu-mans, Aunt. Commander Tharens group is just dedi-cated enough and stupid enough to risk themselves over those wretched slaves. Humans are like that. Espe-cially this human.

  And I suppose you understand them? Jiliac snorted. Where do these masterful insights of yours spfing from, Nephew? From watching them cavort around scantily clothed?

  Jabba was really getting angry now. I do understand them! And I understand that this offer is not one to toss aside!

  So you would have us arrange to kill some thirty tlanda Til for the Corellian Resistance, Jiliac said. What if that w as ever discovered here on Nal Hutta? Tile tlanda Til here would rai
se such an outcry! They are our cousins, Nephew. Humans are nothingV Jabba hadnt thought of that. He remained silent, mulling her objection over. I still think it could be arranged, he said. Weve gotten away with multiple assassinations before, after all.

  Besides, Jiliac said, sulkily, I dont want the Yle-sian enterpfise destroyed. I want to take it Over. What good will it do us to best Besadii if the spice factofies are destroyed?

  We could build other factofies, Jabba said. Any-thing would be better than having Besadii warehousing that spice and dfiving the prices up and up!

  Jiliac shook her head. I am the clan leader, and my decision is no. That is the end of it, Nephew.

  Jabba tried to expostulate further, but she waved him to silence, and, with a bellow, summoned K8LR and the Rebel Commander. The droid quickly shepherded the young woman back into the room, solicitously com-menting on her bravery the whole time.

  Jiliac shot an exasperated glance at Jabba, and har-rumphed loudly. Girl, as I was saying before, when I was interrupted--- she glanced at Jabba meaningfully, we appreciate your offer, but our answer is no. Desili-jic cannot risk allying with the Resistance in this matter.

  Bfia Tharen features betrayed her disappointment, Jabba noted. She sighed, then squared her shoulders.

  Very well, Your Excellency. She reached into the

  pocket of her fatigues and took something out. If you

  should ever change your mind, you can reach me-

  Jiliac waved aside the proffered datacard, then glared at her nephew as he reached for it. Jabba gazed at Bria, holding the datacard. I will keep this, he said. Farewell, Commander.

  Thank you for the audience, Your Excellencies, she said, and bowed deeply.

  Jabba watched her as she walked away, and found himself thinking that shed look maguificent in a danc-ing girls costume. All that reddish hair spilling down over her bare shoulders. Nicely muscled shoulders. This human was fit, exquisitely so, and her height was impressive. What a dancing girl shed make! Jabba sighed.

  Jabbad his aunt said, I did not appreciate the way you appeared to disrespect my decision just now. Never forget that we Desilijic must always present a united front when conducting business with inferior species.

  Jabba did not trust himself to speak. He was still bitterly angry over his aunts refusal to see what a great opportunity Bria Tharen had offered them.

  If I were the leader of Desilijic, he thought, I wouldnt have to listen to her paranoid conservatism. Sometimes you have w take chances to make large gains. Mother-hood has made her stupid and weak ....

  It was only then that Jabba realized, for the first time, that if Jiliac were out of the picture, that he, Jabba Desilijic Tiure, would be Desilijics next leader. He would have to answer to no one.

  Jabba lay there, his tail twitching thoughtfully then glanced sideways at his aunt. Suddenly her belly rip-pied, and her baby slithered out. Mamas precious! she exclaimed. Jabba, look! Getting bigger every day!

  She cooed at her baby. Jabba grimaced, belched, and then wriggled rapidly out of the room, unable to stand the sight of either of them for one second longer.

  Bria Tharen picked up her glass of wine, sipped it slowly, appreciatively, then smiled at her escort. Thats wonderful. Thank you so much, Lando. You dont know how long its been since I had an evening where I could just relax.

  Lando Calrissian nodded. Bria had returned to Nar Shaddad aboard the shuttle from Nal Hutta today, fol-lowing what shed said was a disappointing interview with the Desilijic leader. To cheer her up, the gambler had promised to take her out for a nerf tenderloin dinner at one of the Smugglers Moons finest hotel-casinos, the Chance Castle. Bri5 was wearing a softly draped gown of turquoise that matched her eyes, and Lando was wearing his black and scarlet outfit, for old times sake.

  How long? Lando asked, twirling his own Wine-glass slowly in his fingers. Well... I imagine being a Rebel commando leader is fairly time-consuming. Al-most as time-consuming as being the mistress of a Sec-tor Moff.

  Her eyes widened, then narrowed. How did you find that out? I never told you ....

  Nar Shaddad is the criminal nexus of the galaxy, Lando said. An information broker owed me a favor, and I called it in. Commander Bria Tharen, right?

  Her lips tightened, and she nodded curtly. Hey, Lando said, reaching out to touch the back of her hand gently, didnt I tell you you can trust me? You can. I have no love for the Empire. If I werent such an arrant coward, Id join the Rebels myself. I know lots of se-crets, and Im good at keeping them.

  She smiled faintly. Whatever you are, you arent a coward, Lando. Nobody who stood up to Boba Fett like that could be called cowardly. You should think about joining the Resistance. Youre a good pilot, you can think on your feet, and youre smart. Youd be an officer in no time.

  She hesitated, then added, more seriously, And about Moff Sam Shild... all I can say is that appear-ances can be deceiving. I was on assignment for the Re-sistance, but I was nothing more than a social hostess and aide for him, though he wanted everyone to think otherwise.

  But you were also spying on him.

  Gathering intelligence is a nicer term.

  He chuckled. So where you go tomorrow, after you leave Nar Shaddaa?

  TII head back to my squadron, and my next assign-ment... whatever that may be. Im missing two of my senior officers now... plus an excellent combat trooper. Her expression darkened. Fett killed them with no more thought or caring than you or I would step on an insect.

  Thats why hes the most feared bounty hunter in the galaxy, Lando pointed out.

  Yes .... She took another sip of wine. Hes hke a one-man army. Too bad hes loyal to lhe Empire. I could certainly use him in combat!

  Lando looked at her. It means everything to you, doesnt it? Defeating the Empire?

  She nodded. Its my life, she said, simply. I would give anything I have-or am-to further that dream.

  Lando picked up a piece of fiatbread, drizzled Kashyyykian forest honey on it, and took a bite. But youve already devoted years to that goal. When does Bria Tharen get a chance to have a life of her own? When do you just say, enough? Dont you want to have a home, a family, someday?

  She smiled sadly. The last person to ask me that question was Han.

  Really? When the two of you were on Ylesia? That was a long time ago.

  ,Yes, she said. Its been wonderful to be able to talk to you, find out what hes been doing. Do you know, Lando, in just a few months it will be ten years to the day since we first met. I can hardly believe it... where did the time go?

  Where time always goes, Lando said. Theres a gi-ant black hole in the center of the galaxy, and it just sucks it right up.

  She shrugged and smiled wryly. That explanation works for me. Ill have to remember that.

  Lando poured her some more wine. Anyway, you didnt answer my question. When are you going to have a life for Bria?

  Her blue-green eyes were very intent as they met his across the table. When the Empire is defeated, and Palpatine is dead, then Ill think about settling down. I would love to have a child... someday. She smiled. I think I still remember how to cook and do domestic things. My mother certainly spent enough time trying to turn me into appropriate wife materid, and that in-cluded plenty of instruction in womanly duties.

  Lando grinned. I suppose she wouldnt much like your current rebel image. Dressed in combat fatigues, armed to the teeth.

  She laughed wryly and rolled her eyes. Poor mother! Its a good thing she cant see me, shed keel over in utter horror!

  Just then the server brought their steaks, and both dug in with appreciation. Lando, this is so wonderful, Bria said. This beats military chow six ways from sundown.

  Lando smiled. Just one more reason I couldnt join the Rebellion, he said. I have a penchant for fine cui-sine. I dont think I could stand a steady diet of rations.

  She nodded. But youd be surprised what you can get used to... with enough practice.

  I dont want to find out, Lando said, lightly. How
could I give all this up? He waved a hand at the ele-gant restaurant, and, beyond it, the glittery clamor of the gaming tables.

  She nodded. I have to admit, I have a hard time imagining you in a Rebel uniform.

  At least not without extensive re-tai!oring, Lando said, and they both laughed.

  Have you ever been in combat? she asked him, on a more serious note.

  Oh, sure, Lando said. Im a decent gunner as well as a better-than-average pilot these days. Ive seen ac-tion here and there. And, of course, there was the Bat-tle of Nar Shaddaa. Han, Salla and I were in the thick of it.

  Tell me about that, she said. It just amazes me that smugglers-as independent and hard-headed as most of the ones Ive known are-could band together like that to beat the Imperial fleet.

  Always pleased to talk about himself and his es-capades to an admiring audience, Ldo launched into a fairly detailed narrative of how the smugglers had joined forces with Drea Renthals pirate fleet to destroy many Imperial fighters and several big capital ships. Bria listened with grave and knowledgeable attention, asking strategic or tactical questions every so often to encourage the gambler in his story.

  Finally, when Lando was finished, and theyd or-

  dered dessert, Bria sat back as the server cleared their

  plates away. What a story! she said. Im really im-

  pressed by the smugglers daring and expertise. They

  are all marvelous pilots, arent they?,

  You have to be good to stay ahead of the Imp cus-toms ships, Lando replied. Smugglers can handle just about anything-they fly thr ough asteroid fields, play tag with nebulas and space storms, and they can land on anything. Nothing fazes a good smuggler. Ive seen them land ships while fighting uneven gravity fields on asteroids barely bigger than their vessels. Gravity shifts, atmospheric turbulence, sandstorms, blizzards, ty-phoons... you name it, they know how to handle it.

  Bria was looking at him intently. Of course. Smug-glers would naturally be the most experienced pilots in the galaxy .... but theyre also good fighters ....