[Dark Nest] - 3(40)

“Actually, Captain Solo, the Swiff’s systems status remains

at optimum,” C-3P0 reported. “Aboard a Dray-class transport, that chime indicates a proximity alert.”

Han shifted his gaze to the sensor area of the console and found the flashing beacon.

“That can’t he good.” He reset the alarm, then activated the intercom. “Be ready back there.”

The Noghri replied that they were always ready, and a bank of status beacons turned amber, indicating that the Swiff’s weapons systems were coming online.

Han brought up his tactical display and saw that a space-time hole had opened behind them. An instant later, the distortion closed and a bogey symbol appeared in its place.

“I knew getting out of there was too easy,” Han said. After putting Tito and the Verpine off the ship, they had simply lifted the Swiff’s boarding ramp and pushed through the air lock membrane before the confused Killiks had a chance to stop them. “Someone must’ve slapped a homing beacon on our hull.”

“Maybe,” Leia said. After departing Lizil, they had done a security sweep of the interior of the vessel as a standard precaution, but there had been no time to do an external search without actually landing somewhere. “It’s not going to do them much good, though. We’ll be ready to jump in thirty seconds.”

“As long as they don’t start shooting in twenty.” Han went to work on the sensors, trying to determine what kind of vessel was following them. “When it comes to a fight, this thing is no Falcon.”

Before Han could get a sensor readout, the vessel’s transponder code appeared, identifying it as a Mon Calamari Sailfish-class transport named Real Deal. A moment later, a chirpy Squib voice began to hail them over the open comm channel.

“Solo, you there?”

The Deal fired its ion engines and began to approach.

Han glanced over at Leia, who appeared just as surprised as he did, then activated his comm. “We’re here.”

“What are you doing?” asked a second Squib, probably Grees. “You’re going the wrong way.”

“We were starting to feel unwelcome,” Han said. “And that’s close enough, you three. The Noghri are still a little sore about those hit-bugs you sent.”

“Hey, we knew they didn’t stand a chance against you,” Sligh said. “But we had to try.”

“That was good, the way you turned Tito on us.” Grees sounded more angry than admiring. “He got Krafte and Seneki before we could stop him.”

“But no hard feelings, okay?” Emala asked.

The

Deal

finally decelerated, but continued to drift toward the Swiff, slowly closing the distance. “We’re the ones who started it, so fair is fair.”

“Sure,” Leia said. “But why do I doubt you followed us out here to mend partition barriers?”

“That’s what we like about you guys,” Sligh said. “Nothing gets past you.”

“We could use someone like you in this thing of ours,” Emala added.

The Squibs paused expectantly.

“You’re trying to hire us?” Leia scoffed.

“Recruit,” Sligh corrected. “Hire is such an ugly word.”

“War is very good for business,” Emala added. “And this one is just going to keep getting bigger and better. Trust me when I say that we can have a very profitable relationship.”

“Not a chance,” Han said. He checked the weapons systems and found all of the status beacons green. If the Squibs continued to close, they were going to be in for a big surprise. Real Deal might be better armed than the Swiff, but the Swiff had Noghri gunners-and Han Solo in the pilot’s seat. “But thanks for the offer.”

“Let me put it to you plainly, Solo.” Grees’s voice was low and menacing. “This isn’t an offer you want to refuse.”

“I just hate it when someone tells me what I want.” Han looked over and, seeing that the calculations for the next jump were complete, signaled Leia to transfer the coordinates to the guidance system. “So why don’t you-“

“You’re really not getting this, are you?” Grees interrupted. Jaina is still in Colony space. We can help you get to her-or we can get to her ourselves.”

Leia’s finger hovered over the transfer key. “Are you threatening our daughter?”

“Not at all,” Emala said. “We’re giving you a chance to protect her.”

Han’s rage boiled over. “You try anything, and not only will I stop you, I’ll personally drag you out of your fur and feed you to a Togorian.”

“Now who’s making threats?” Grees asked. “You think you’re too good for us, so what choice do we have?”