[Han Solo] - 03(71)

This fellow, Fett knew instantly, was a combat soldier, trained to use his hands and feet as weapons—and trained also in using the vibroblade he held in one hand. Behind his two masks, Boba Fett smiled slightly, pleased to be challenged, and by someone who plainly knew what he was doing. He had another lethal dart he could have used, but he decided against it. A little exercise would be welcome. It had been a long time since he’d indulged himself in unarmed combat; few foes were worthy of his time.

The man was already dancing in, balanced, his eyes level, vibroblade ready for a disemboweling slash. Boba Fett let him come, then dodged at the last possible second, pulling himself into an arc like a null-gee dancer, and then spinning around, out of the way. As he moved, his hand moved out and dealt the soldier a stunning clip behind his right ear.

The soldier managed to dodge at the last moment, though, and the blow that had been meant to render him unconscious only dazed him. He staggered a little, shook his head, then came back for more.

Boba Fett was pleased to oblige. They sidestepped around each other in a grim parody of the way Lando Calrissian and Bria Tharen had danced in the Star Winds Lounge only minutes before.

The guard lunged again, and again Boba Fett waited, then evaded the movement at the last possible second. Another blow made the Corellian gasp—this time Fett’s instep impacted with the back of his knee. The guard’s leg buckled, and, for the first time, Fett saw fear in his eyes. He now knew he was totally outclassed, and yet he conquered his pain and weakness and moved in again. A man who knows his duty and does not shrink from it, Fett thought. Admirable. His reward for his courage shall be a quick and easy death ….

For the first time, Fett went on the attack. His foot lashed out in a precise blow, and impacted with the man’s wrist with stunning force.

The vibroblade went flying. Fett spun in for the finish. Another sweep behind the other knee, and the man sagged, his legs unable to hold him. But that did not matter. Fett already had him around the neck in a grip as hard and relentless as durasteel. One quick, sideways jerk, and the guard sagged in his arms, dead.

Boba Fett dragged the man over to the corner, and laid him down, then brought the others over, too. He tossed the covers from one of the beds over the bodies. As he was finishing the task, he saw that the Tharen woman was beginning to stir.

When Bria regained consciousness, she found herself bound so efficiently that she didn’t even bother struggling past the first moment. She was alone in the living room, sitting on the lush carpet, propped up against one of the armchairs. Her head was muzzy, and she was terribly thirsty, but she was otherwise unharmed.

Except for the fear. Bria had been in tight situations before, in battle, but she’d never been captured like this. It was the most helpless feeling in the world, to sit there alone, and wonder who had done this to her . .

. and why?

It had to have been that Anomid, but Bria had never had any dealings with the aliens before, and she couldn’t imagine why any of them would wish her harm. Perhaps the Anomid was a bounty hunter. That was the only explanation that made sense ….

She wet her lips, took a deep breath, and prepared to scream a scream that would be heard even outside the closed door of the stateroom. It was then that she noticed two things: the bodies of her companions, covered with bedclothes and stacked efficiently out of sight of anyone at the door—and the sound sponge. The little device was set up on the floor near her and the blinking light showed that it was on. It would effectively muffle any outcry she could make. Bria shut her mouth and her eyes and leaned her head back against the chair. Great. Whoever that Anomid is, he thought of everything.

Who could he be? The alien had evidently dealt with Darnov, Feltran and even Treeska (and Bria knew his reputation at unarmed combat) in a matter of minutes. She could see the wall-chrono, and realized she’d only been out about ten minutes.

As she sat there, struggling to think of something she could do, the Anomid opened the door to the stateroom and entered, carrying a huge, heavy case that he placed on the floor with a thud. Seeing that Bria was awake, he went into the ‘fresher and soon returned, carrying a glass of water. He knelt beside her, turned down the sound sponge so she could hear his voice. “That sleeping drug causes great thirst.

This is plain water. I have no intention of harming you. The bounty on you is for unharmed delivery.”

He held out the water, and Bria leaned toward it, then hesitated. She didn’t dare drink it. What if this was an Imperial bounty hunter or agent?

What if the water was laced with truth drug? Even though her thirst was now a raging hell in her mouth and throat, she shook her head.