[Adventure Journal] - Side Trip (Timothy Zahn & Michael Stackpole), Star Wars - Books And Short Stories
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Adventure Journal � 12 & 13 - Side Tripby Timothy Zahn & Michael A. StackpolePart Oneby Timothy ZahnThe hazy edge of the planet was just disappearing from beneath the Hopskip's control room viewport, and Ha-ber Trell was trying to nurse a little more power from the ship's as-always finicky engines, when his partner finally reappeared from her tour aft. "Took you long enough," Trell commented as she dropped into the copilot seat beside him. "Any trouble?""No more than usual," Maranne Darmic told him, digging a hand underneath the silvered clasp tying her dark blond hair back out of the way and scratching vigorously at her scalp. "The cargo straps managed to hold through that classic signature liftoff of yours. I'd say we didn't get rid of all the itch mites in the hold, though.""Never mind the vermin," Trell growled. Next time they had a twenty-grade unbalanced cargo, he promised himself darkly, he'd make her do the liftoff. See how smoothly she managed it. "How about our passengers?"Maranne sniffed. "I thought you didn't want to hear about vermin.""Watch it, kiddo," Trell warned. "They're paying good money for us to smuggle these blasters out to Derra IV.""And obviously don't trust us ten centimeters with them," Maranne countered. "They wouldn't be babysitting them like this if they did."Trell shrugged. "Can't say I really blame them for being cautious."Ever since that big defeat or whatever it was out in the Yavin system, the Empire's been spitting fire in � fifteen directions at once. I've heard that some of the independents hauling Rebellion stuff decided it was safer to take the advance money, dump the cargo, and burn space for better havens.""Yeah, well, I don't like hauling for desperate people," Maranne said, shifting the focal point of her scratching to a spot farther down the back of her neck. "They make me nervous.""If they weren't desperate, they wouldn't be paying so well," Trell pointed out reasonably. "Don't worry, this'll be the last time we have to deal with them.""I've heard that before," Maranne said, sniffing again.The proximity-sensor alert began to warble, and she leaned forward to key for a readout. "Sure, this'll pay for the engine upgrades you want; but then you'll want sensor upgrades, and-" She broke off."What?" Trell demanded."Star Destroyer," she said grimly, activating the weapons section of her board and keying in the power boosters."Coming up fast behind us.""Terrific," Trell growled, checking the nav computer.If they could escape to lightspeed... but no, the ship was still too close to the planet. "What's their vector?""Straight toward us," Maranne told him. "I suppose it's too late to dump the cargo and try to look innocent.""Freighter Hopskip, this is Captain Niriz of the Imperial Star Destroyer Admonitor," a gruff voice boomed from the speaker. "I'd like a word with you aboard my ship, if I may.The last word was punctuated by a single gentle shiver running through the deck beneath them as a tractor beam locked on. "Yeah, I'd say it's definitely too late to dump the cargo," Trell sighed. "Let's hope they're just on a fishing expedition."He keyed for transmission. "This is Haber Trell aboard the Hopskip," he said. "We'd be honored to speak with you, Captain.""Well," Captain Niriz said, his voice echoing across the vast emptiness of the hangar deck as he eyed the four beings standing in front of him."Most interesting. Our records show the Hopskip as having two crew members, not four." His gaze paused on Riij Winward."Newly hired, are you?""Our previous ship had to leave Tramanos in something of a hurry," Riij told him, striving to keep his voice casual. The fake ID the Rebellion had provided him was a good one, but if the Imperials decided to dig past it they would undoubtedly come up with his recent connection with the Mos Eisley police on Tatooine. That wasn't a connection he was anxious for them to find. "We needed a ride to Shibric," he continued, "and since Captain Trell was going that way, he was kind enough to offer us passage.""For a hefty fee, I imagine," Niriz said, his eyes shifting to the muscular Tunroth standing at Riij's right. "Rare to see a Tunroth in these parts. You're a certified Hunter, I presume?""Shturlan, "Rathe Pairor rumbled, his voice almost sub-sonic."That's a twelfth-class Hunter," Riij translated, trying to draw Niriz's attention back to him. Palror's distinguished service with Churhee's Riflemen would raise even more eyebrows than Riij's own record if the Imperials found it."Excellent," Niriz said. "A Hunter's talents may prove useful on this mission."At Riij's left, Trell cleared his throat. "Mission?" he asked carefully."Yes." Niriz gestured, and a lieutenant standing beside him stepped forward and offered Trell a datapad. "I want you to take a cargo to Corellia for me.""Excuse me?" Trell asked carefully as he took the datapad. "You want me to-?""I need a civilian freighter for this job," Niriz said. His voice was gruff, but Riij could hear a distinct undertone of distaste. "I don't have one. You do. I also don't have time to locate someone else to do the job. You're here.You're it."Riij craned his neck to look over Trell's shoulder at the datapad, his earlier trepidation about their IDs and cargo giving way to cautious excitement. For a Star Destroyer captain to ask for help of any sort-especially from a scruffy civilian freighter pilot-was practically unheard of.It implied urgency and desperation; and anything that bothered a senior Imperial officer that much was definitely something a good Rebel agent ought to look into."What do you think?" he prompted.Trell shook his head. "I don't know," he said. "It'll throw our schedule all to blazes and back."Riij ran a series of highly vulgar words through his mind, making sure the frustration didn't show on his face. Trell, unfortunately, was not a Rebel agent, good or otherwise, and he clearly wanted nothing to do with any of this. "It wouldn't take all that long," he cajoled carefully."And all good citizens have a duty to help out.""No," Trell said firmly, offering the datapad back to the lieutenant."I'm sorry, Captain, but we just don't have time. Our cargo's due on Shibric-" "Your cargo consists of six hundred cases of Pashkin sausages," Niriz interrupted coldly. "I presume you're aware that the governor has recently decreed that all foodstuff exports now require an Imperial license."Trell's mouth dropped open a couple of millimeters."That's impossible," he said. "I mean, the inspectors didn't say anything about that.""Just how recent was this decree?" Maranne asked suspiciously.Niriz gave her a thin smile. "Approximately ten minutes ago."Riij felt his stomach tighten. Urgency and desperation, indeed."off-hand, I'd say we've been set up," he murmured to Trell.Niriz's eyes flicked to Riij, returned to Trell. "I am, however, prepared to waive that requirement this one time," he continued."Provided you're prepared in turn to deliver your sausages a little late.""As opposed to not delivering them at all.>" Trell countered.Niriz shrugged. "Something like that."Trell looked at Maranne, who shrugged. "It's a two-day round trip to Corellia from here," she said. "Add in delivery time, and we're talking three days, tops. It'll be a scramble, but our schedule can probably absorb that.""Not that we have much choice in the matter." Trell looked back at Niriz. "I guess we'd be delighted to help you out, Captain. What's the cargo, and when do we leave?""The cargo is two hundred small boxes," Niriz said."That's all you need to know about it. As for departure, you'll leave as soon as your sausages are offloaded and the new cargo put aboard."At Riij's side, Pairor rumbled again, and Riij had to fight to keep his own face expressionless. If some bored Imperial took it into his head to poke around beneath the top three layers of sausages in each box..."Don't worry, we'll keep them cool," Niriz promised."There won't be any spoilage.""I'm sure they'll be safe," Trell said. "Where does this cargo of your's go?""Your guide will fill you in on those details," Niriz said, gesturing behind them. Riij turned to look-And felt the breath catch in his throat. Stepping around the stern of the Hopskip toward them, his stained Mandalorian armor glittering in the overhead light-Trell swore under his breath. "Boba Fett.""It's not Fett," Niriz corrected. "Merely, shall we say, an admirer of his.""A former admirer," the armored figure corrected, his voice dark and muffled. "The name is Jodo Kast. And I'm better than Fett.""Not that that means much," Niriz said, his lip twisting."I've always found that a competent stormtrooper could handle any three bounty hunters without working up a sweat.""Don't push it, Niriz," Kast warned. "Right now you need me more than I need this job.""I need you less than you might think," Niriz retorted."Certainly less than you need an Imperial pardon for that mess you left on Borkyne-" "Gentlemen, please," Trell jumped in hastily. "I'm a businessman, with a schedule to keep. Whatever your differences, I'm sure you can lay them aside until this job is finished."Niriz was still glowering, but he gave a reluctant nod."You're right, Merchant. Fine. You and your crew can rest in the ready room over there until the cargo's been transferred.As for you're" He leveled a finger at Kast. "I'd like to see you in the bay control office. There are a few things I want to make sure you understand."Kast nodded gravely. "Of course. Lead the way."Niriz stepped into the bay control office, the armored figure strid...
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