STAR WARS
TALES FROM THE NEW REPUBLIC
edited by Peter Schweighofer and Craig Carey
BANTAM BOOKS Newallyork Toronto London Sydney Auckland This anthology
contains stories previously published in The Star Wars* Adventure
Journal from West End Games.
TALES FROM THE NEW REPUBLIC
A Bantam Spectra Book still December 1999
SPECTRA and the portrayal of a boxed s are trademarks of Bantam
Books, a division of Random House, Inc.
Contents
Interlude at Darkknell Part One by Timothy Zahn1
Parts Two and Three by Michael A. Stackpole 20, 38
Part Four by Timothy Zahn 52
Jade Solitaire Timothy Zahn 85
Gathering Shadows Kathy Burdette 129
Hutt and Seek Chris Cassidy and Tish Pahl 170
The Longest Fall Patricia A. Jackson
Conflict of Interest Laurie Burns 219
No Disintegrations, Please Paul Danner 250
Day of the Sepulchral Night Jean Rabe
Uhl Eharl Khoehng Patricia A.Jackson 299
The Last Hand Paul Danner 337
Simple Tricks Chris Cassidy and Tish Pahl 359
Foreword and Acknowledgments
In recent months, the scope of the Star Wars universe has expanded beyond
our wildest dreams. Episode I: The Phantom Menace has given us a detailed view
of the Star Wars galaxy decades before the adventures of Han, Luke, and Leia.
But the era in which those heroes fought and lived remains as popular as ever,
and the adventures in this collection chronicle other heroes of that same era-
whichenough the Empire still cast an ominous shadow upon the galaxy and the
New Republic struggled to maintain order and justice. The exciting stories
contained in this anthology feature some of those heroes from the era of the
fledgling New Republic; some of the adventures make their debut in this book.
For six months in 1998 I served as the editor of the now-defunct Official Star
Wars Adventure Journal, a position previously held by Peter Schweighofer,
editor of Star Wars: Tales from the Empire and co-editor of this volume.
During my short tenure at the Journal's helm, I was fortunate enough to review
work from several of the most popular Star Wars authors.
In fact, the very first draft I received my first morning in the office
was Timothy Zahn's "Jade Solitaire," a new story featuring Mara Jade that
introduced characters later seen in Vision of the Future. For this book, our
assignment was the relatively simple-but excruciating-task of deciding which
stories we would choose from the scores under consideration: some previously
published under Peter's direction and some from my turn as the Journal's
editor. Those appearing in this anthology represent the finest Star Wars short
fiction; they are a diverse group, set in a variety of locales and starring a
wide range of characters. More people than I could list deserve thanks for
assistance along the way.
Chief among them are the authors-who naturally did all of the hard work
and deserve the credit-and Pete, my predecessor. Pete welcomed me aboard the
West End staff and not only provided me with a strong example, but also became
a good friend. His diligent attention to detail and solid work ethic gave me
the steady platform from which an even stronger Star Wars Adventure Journal
would have been launched. Though those issues never came to be, I thank him
for his faith in me and for the opportunity to join him in editing this
anthology. Thanks also go to Pat LoBrutto for leading the way, and our former
West End associates for their input, advice, and encouragement. My wife Karrie
has supported me in every endeavor and has been a constant source of strength
and inspiration. My parents, my brothers Billy and Doug, and the infamous
Gotham Highlanders have always been there for me and have supported my
pursuits throughout the years. And thanks finally to all the Star Wars fans
whose support of the Journal and subsequent anthologies has meant a great deal
to us both.
- Craig Carey, March 1999
Inspiration and support comes from many sources.
Numerous talented authors, a fine co-editor, and many
supportive friends deserve commendations for their work in Star Wars:
Tales from the New Republic. As an editor, I helped channel others"
inspiration and ideas, honing their storytelling skills so they could share
these Star Wars tales with you. Craig and I enjoyed working with all the
authors; each earned their place within these pages.
When West End Games hired Craig Carey to run the Official Star Wars
Adventure Journal in January 1998, he brought his professional attitude,
boundless enthusiasm, and a positive spirit, all of which I admire. After
editing the Journal for four years myself, I was pleasantly surprised how well
Craig learned all aspects of the job. He provided a firm hand, guiding these
stories to their final form. I consider Craig a far better Journal editor than
I ever was. It has been a pleasure working with him. As circumstances
dictated, West End Games never published any of his work. I'm proud to finally
see it here.
Many others deserve special thanks for Tales from the New Republic.
Patrick LoBrutto and Evelyn Cainto at Bantam Spectra provided invaluable
guidance and assistance through the logistics of producing this anthology.
Timothy Zahn, Michael A. Stackpole, Jean Rabe, John Whitman, and Richard
Hawran offered their constant encouragement and friendship. Numerous "dark
side" and "light side" friends (and those in between) helped bolster my
spirits when things seemed rough. Denise Clarkston's warmth, kindness, and
late-night chats helped put everything in perspective. My family provided firm
support and love, as they always have throughout my life, no matter what
endeavors I undertook.
Thanks to Lucy Autrey Wilson and Allan Kausch for their official guidance
at Lucasfilm. And, of course, George Lucas deserves special thanks for
creating movies which inspired us yesterday, excite us today, and will
enthrall us in years to come.
- Peter Schweighofer, March 1999
Interlude at Darkknell
PART I
by Timothy Zahn
Senator Bel Iblis?"
Garm Bel Iblis looked up from his datapad, frowning with the subtle
tension of prespeech jitters. The man standing in the doorway was the
assistant director at the Treitamma Political Center, charged with the
responsibility of smoothing any obstacles that might impede the firm step and
stalwart tread of an exalted member of the Imperial Senate.
Or so the gentleman had gravely explained upon Bel Iblis's arrival this
afternoon. Clearly the Anchoron reputation for flowery speech and genteel
decorum had found a focal point here at the Treitamma.
Which was going to make the bluntness of his speech tonight all the more
shock
ing. The dark truth about Emperor Palpatine and his secret agenda for his
newly established Empire...
He shook his head briefly in annoyance. Assistant Director Graskt was
still waiting patiently, and here he was letting his mind drift. It showed
just how seriously this speech-and the situation it represented-had taken over
his every waking thought. "Yes, AsDir Graskt, what is it?" he asked.
"A gentleman from your staff has just arrived from Coruscant," Graskt
said, stepping forward and holding out a datacard. "He asked me to deliver
this to you right away."
"Thank you," Bel Iblis said, the hairs on the back of his neck tingling
as he reached across the desk and took the datacard. Sena would never send a
package to him without making sure the courier had his private comlink
frequency. The fact that there had been no calls concerning any such arrivals.
..
He slid the datacard into his datapad. There was nothing on it but a
single line: "Meet me at the northeast exit. Urgent. Aach."
"Will there be a return message, Senator?" Graskt asked.
"No, that's all right," Bel Iblis said, long experience in the political
arena enabling him to keep the sudden tension out of his voice and face.
Aachwas the code name of a special messenger from Bail Organa, a messenger the
Alderaanian viceroy used only for top-level Rebel Alliance business.
"Would you like to speak with the gentleman?" Graskt persisted. "I asked
him to wait at the main entrance."
"That won't be necessary," Bel Iblis said. The last thing he could afford
was for the two of them to be seen in public together. Besides, Aach had
undoubtedly slipped away by now for their more private meeting. "I'll have
plenty of time to see him after my speech."
"Then the message does not in fact bespeak a crisis?" Graskt asked.
Bel Iblis felt the skin around his eyes crinkle as his eyes narrowed
slightly. For someone who had struck him as having taken a double helping of
the traditional An-choroni politeness, Graskt was suddenly being
uncharacteristically nosy.
Unless Aach had overplayed his hand in order to make sure the datacard
was delivered. But that didn't seem likely. Could Graskt be a spy for
Palpatine, here to keep an eye on him?
He felt a flash of annoyance. No-that was absurd. The man was probably
just trying to be helpful. "To middle-level staffers, all news bulletins mean
a crisis must be happening somewhere," he improvised, giving Graskt an easy
smile. "It's important enough, but hardly a crisis. Certainly not worth
delaying my speech for." He looked at his chrono. "Which reminds me, I'm due
on stage in fifteen minutes, and I still have to change."
"I'll leave you to your preparations, then," Graskt said. "Good evening,
sir." He bowed deeply and backed out of the room.
Bel Iblis gave him a fifty-count and then followed. The Treitamma's
northeast exit was off the group of backstage rooms to the left of the main
stage, about as far away from the bustling main entrance as it was possible to
get. Bel Iblis eased noiselessly down the stairway, alert for the various
staffers hurrying around making final preparations for the evening's round of
speeches, and slipped outside.
A landspeeder was parked in the service alleyway behind the Treitamma,
gray and muted in the dim evening light. Standing on the far side of the
vehicle, pressed into what little shadow there was trying to watch all
directions at once, was Aach.
Bel Iblis crossed the alleyway toward him, trying to suppress a grimace
and not entirely succeeding. This cloak-and-blade mentality was going to be
the end of them yet. "Not being too obvious, are we?" he suggested tartly as
he rounded the front of the landspeeder and stopped, facing the other.
"Your preparation room seemed a bit too public for a meeting," Aach
countered, his voice as calm as his face. "Would you rather I showed up at
your hotel room after the speech? That could have proved a bit awkward."
Bel Iblis felt his lip twitch. Awkward, unfortunately, was hardly the
word for it. His wife Arrianya, a daughter of the old Core World families, had
an unreserved and totally unwavering faith in Palpatine and his Empire, a
faith that had first astonished, then baffled, then finally frustrated him.
The clash of their differing political views had cast a chill over their
marriage the past few months, and had dropped their two children into the
middle of what was all too often a verbal war zone.
The speech he was about to make out there on the Treitamma stage was
going to upset Arrianya enough as it was. All he needed was for a shadowy
messenger from Bail to show up in the middle of the inevitable argument
afterward. "What's the message?" he growled.
In the dim light he saw Aach's mouth twitch. "Sorry, Senator. I didn't
mean-"
"I know you didn't," Bel Iblis said. "What's the message?"
Aach looked around the area again. "There's been a breakthrough," he
said, lowering his voice to something barely above a whisper. "We've located
Tarkin's project."
Bel Iblis felt his throat go suddenly dry.
"Where is it?"
"I don't know," Aach said. "All I know is that a courier will be in the
Continuum Void tapcafe in the city of Xakrea on Darkknell in three days with
some inside information about it. Bail wants you to send your most trusted
aide to rendezvous with him and pick up his datapack."
Courier. Bel Iblis glanced around, a bad taste in his mouth. A three
would get you the sabacc pot that this so - called "courier" was in fact the
thief who'd stolen the datapack in the first place. A minor military figure,
most likely, either a trooper or perhaps a clerk attached to the project.
And two would get you the sabacc pot that his actions hadn't been
motivated by anything as selfless as love of the Republic. "And how much am I
supposed to pay him?"
Aach hesitated, just noticeably. "Bail basically said to give him
whatever he wants. Look, we need this information-was
"Yes, yes, I understand," Bel Iblis cut him off. "If we can't get honest
patriotism, we'll settle for honest greed."
"That'll change," Aach promised, a quiet fire simmering in his voice. "As
soon as Palpatine's agenda finally becomes clear, we'll have the whole
Republic flocking to our side."
"I'd settle for the top five percent of the Imperial Academy," Bel Iblis
said sourly. Now was not the time for brooding about Palpatine's maddening
talent for pulling the cloak over people's eyes. "Fine. I'll get one of my
people on it as soon as I finish my-was
Andwitha brilliant flash, the Treitamma Political Center blew up.
Bel Iblis was lying on the ground when he fumbled his way back to
consciousness, pressed up against the wall of the building across the alleyway
on one side with what was left of the landspeeder looming over him on the
other. Behind the landspeeder a ragged section of wall where the Treitamma had
been was burning furiously, bathing the whole area with an unreal-looking
blaze of yellow light and pouring black smoke into the sky.
Bel Iblis blinked, shifting his eyes upward. Aach was kneeling over him,
a gash in the side of his face streaming blood. "Come on, Senator, we've got
to get you out of here," he said urgently, tugging on his arm. "Can you stand?
"
"I think so," Bel Iblis said, gathering his feet beneath him. He looked
over at the burning building again as Aach helped him to his feet...
And abruptly the haze blanketing his mind seemed to flash-burn away.
"Arrianya!" he gasped. "Aach-my wife and children-was
"They're gone. Senator," Aach said, his voice suddenly vicious. "And
you're going to be next if we don't get you out of here right away."
"Leave me alone!" Bel Iblis snarled, trying to push Aach's hand away and
staggering as his trembling legs nearly collapsed again beneath him. "I've got
to get to them. Let me alone."
"No," Aach bit back, tightening his grip on Bel Iblis's arm. "Don't you
see? You're the only one they were trying to kill in there. Y."
Bel Iblis stared at the blazing building, a jolt of fresh pain and
emptiness and anger twisting together and cutting into hm. No. No-it couldn't
be. Destroy a whole building-kill dozens or even hundreds of people-just to
get at him? It was insane.
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