“I’m sorry,” Lina said. “He was your friend?”
“For many years,” Sata said, hanging her head. “It was his suggestion we take this job. I was the tech expert and he designed and built the lodge. I knew he was involved in something he didn’t want the authorities to know about, although he never spoke of it. I suppose he was afraid of getting me involved or of someone else finding out.”
Lina glanced over at Meggin, who was listening, his eyes half closed.
“Don’t worry about him,” Sata said, smiling at the big man. “The three of us worked together for years. I know he’s got a good heart, deep down.”
Meggin grunted. “Thanks, friend,” he said.
“And besides, we owe you our lives,” Sata said. “Where I come from, that’s a sacred trust. So tell me, what’s really going on here?”
Milo started the story and Lina finished it. They told Sata why they were out in Wild Space, what the Empire had done to their parents, and how they had been betrayed back on Thune. They told her how they had stumbled over the transmissions, heard the call to resist the Empire, and gone in search of the source.
“So that’s what Delih was doing,” Sata said when they had finished. “I’m glad you told me. Maybe it’s for the best the transmissions stopped, though. I can just imagine Gozetta’s face if the Empire had turned up on her doorstep, accusing her of being in league with rebels.”
“But if this isn’t the point of origin,” Milo asked, “then where is?”
Sata hesitated. “This is a dangerous world you’re getting into, children,” she said. “The people who made those broadcasts, I don’t think they are joking around.”
Lina fixed her with a firm stare. “Neither are we,” she said. “We have to find our parents, and the Empire isn’t about to help us. So who else will?”
Sata nodded slowly. “All right,” she said. “I don’t know who sent the original transmissions, but I can guess. I know Delih had friends on a planet called Lothal, in the Outer Rim. I don’t know much about it, except that the Empire has a base there. Whenever he went, Delih would find some excuse to go alone.”
“We have to go there,” Lina said firmly.
“But what about the Imperial base that’s there?” Milo asked. “We can’t just land and start asking people where the nearest rebel broadcasting station is.”
“We can camouflage the Bird somehow,” Lina insisted. “Crater can disguise the ship’s code like we did before. We have to try.”
“I thought you said we’d taken enough risks,” Milo said.
Lina hung her head. “I just want them back,” she said wearily. “I just want to know where they are. And this is the best chance we’ve got.”
Milo was silent for a moment, and then he nodded. “Okay, Sis,” he said. “You’re right.”
“This Lothal,” Lina said to Sata. “Will you take us there?”
For a long time the young woman did not speak. Then she slowly shook her head. “You’re not the only one I owe a debt to,” she said. “Whether she meant to or not, Gozetta saved our lives, too. And those mercenaries don’t deserve to be left in that pit to die. Besides, neither of us has been paid yet.”
“Good point,” Meggin muttered.
“You want us to go back?” Lina asked.
“No,” Sata said. “Just take us both to Gozetta’s ship in orbit and you can be on your way.”
Lina looked at her. “Are you sure you wouldn’t rather come with us?” she asked. “You could help us find the people who sent the transmissions.”
Sata sighed. “I just want to do my work, collect my pay, and go back to my homeworld. I don’t think I’ll be leaving it again for a very long time.”
There was a long silence. Then CR-8R whistled in triumph and spun around on his repulsors. “I have it,” he shouted. “Mistress Lina, Master Milo, we are back in business. The hyperdrive is linked in and awaits coordinates.”
Milo grinned up at him. “Crater, you’re amazing.”
CR-8R stopped spinning and looked down at him. “Yes, I am,” he said. “And don’t you forget it. Now, Miss Sata, did I hear you mention the name Lothal?”
TO BE CONTINUED IN
STAR WARS
ADVENTURES IN WILD SPACE
Book Three: THE HEIST
Star Wars: Adventures in Wild Space: The Nest Page 6