[Dark Nest] - 3(32)
Tarfang let out a long, fading gibber, and Cakhmaim moved over to threaten him with a stun stick-not that it was necessary, with Meewalh still straddling him.
“It doesn’t look like you’ll be killing anyone to me,” C-3P0 said to the Ewok. “Princess Leia’s bodyguards appear to have you very well under control.”
“Relax,” Han said. “Your secret is safe with us-and you’ve got to get out of here before the trouble starts.”
He motioned for the Noghri to release Tarfang. Meewalh growled low in her throat but quietly slipped off the Ewok.
Tarfang’s eyes darted from one Noghri to the other, and it seemed to Han that he was trying to estimate his chances of launching a successful attack while still lying on the floor.
“Your devotion to operational security is admirable,” Leia said, using the Force to set the Ewok back on his feet.
“But Captain Juun is right. We don’t pose a threat to your mission, and you do need to be going.”
Han picked up the head of Tarfang’s Fefze disguise and plopped in place before the Ewok could utter more threats, then shoved him onto the cargo lift with Juun.
“The next time we see Gilad, we’ll be sure to tell him how brave you two are,” Han said. “And thanks for the warning-we owe you.”
Cakhmaim activated the lift, and the two spies dropped slowly out of sight.
Han went to Leia’s side. “Now, that was a surprise.”
“What? That they lasted this long?” Leia asked. “Or that they’d risk their lives to help us?”
Han shook his head. “That they’re crazy enough to come back to this place in bug costumes.”
“You’re right.” Leia reached up adjusted Han’s wig. “That is crazy.”
Han frowned. “It’s different for us,” he said. “We’re good at this stuff.”
“Sure we are,” Leia said. “That’s why the Squibs are trying to kill us.”
“Yeah, I don’t get that,” Han said. “We had a deal.”
“Maybe they don’t like us having something on them,” Leia suggested.
Han shook his head. “That doesn’t make sense. The Squibs know we can’t tell Lizil anything without exposing ourselves. Trying to take us out just adds to the chances we’ll be caught, and they know we’d try to settle the score by telling Raynar who helped me and Luke on Woteba.”
“Maybe they think they can kill us before we talk,” Leia said.
“They’re arrogant, not stupid,” Han countered. “Even taking us by surprise, there’s a big chance we’ll survive. Any way you look at it, attacking us here is a risk.”
“Then it doesn’t make sense,” Leia said. “They should be trying to cover for us, not kill us-at least while we’re still in the nest.”
“Right.” Han rubbed the synthetic skin of his disguise, then said, “So they’re trying to hide something-something big enough to risk angering Raynar.”
“Something to do with the black membrosia?” Leia asked.
Han thought for a moment, then shrugged. “I can only think of one way to find out.”
“Ask the Flakax?” Leia asked.
“May I point out that Flakax males are noted for being unhelpful and rude?” C-3P0 asked. “I really don’t think they’re going to tell you much. Perhaps it would be better to leave before they arrive.”
“Too late.” Leia closed her eyes for a moment. “They’re here-and they feel very dangerous.”
Han went to the control panel and checked the external monitors. The two Flakax had arrived with four Verpine assistants. They were each bearing a crate labeled GREEN THAKITILLO or BROT-RIB or some other delicacy that the Squibs had pressured the Solos into carrying as part of the agreement to help them reach Jaina and Zekk in the war zone.
“Six of ‘em,” he reported. “All carrying crates.”
“Their weapons are probably in the crates,” Leia said. “I’ll take care of those first.”
“Right,” Han said, motioning Cakhmaim and Meewalh to follow him. “We’ll get the drop on them from behind.”
C-3P0 started to clunk away in the opposite direction. “I’m sure you don’t want me in the way. I’ll wait on the flight deck until you sound the all-clear.”
“Good idea,” Leia agreed. “Keep a watch on the external monitors.”
“And if it looks like any Killiks are coming this way, get out there and stall,” Han said. “We can’t have the bugs stumbling on this fight any more than the Squibs can. It could blow our chances of joining the convoy.”