[Last Of The Jedi] - 05(30)

“Quintus Farel,” Ferns answered.

“That is an alias.”

“That’s all I have. The apartment was empty when I got there.”

“You took a long time to find me.”

“I was searching. I thought we should work together.”

“I work alone.”

He could not have bested Darth Vader in battle. Ferus knew that. But he had won this round simply by walking out the door. For some reason, he had the protection of the Emperor. As long as he had that, Vader couldn’t touch him.

Vader didn’t have to speak. Ferus knew he was angry. He could feel how difficult it was for Vader to suppress it. Behind his words was fury and frustration. He had gotten to him just by standing here, just by existing… .

Something tickled Ferus’s memory. Something familiar about this scene. What was it? He felt there was something here that he should be able to grasp but couldn’t.

“Lord Vader?” Vader’s comlink crackled. “Space cruiser seen leaving the area, sir.”

“Go after it!” Vader commanded.

“Too late for pursuit, sir. I sent a patrol ship after it.”

“Send everything you have.”

Vader switched off the comlink. “It does not matter,” he said. “They cannot leave the planet.”

The helmet turned back toward Ferus. The blank eyes seemed to study him. Then Vader turned and walked off, his cape swirling behind him.





CHAPTER TWENTY


Keets and Curran sat on the floor together in the holding room.

“What’s taking Sauro so long?” Keets asked.

“I don’t know,” Curran said. “But the longer we’re here, the better. Once we get into an Imperial detention center, we’re sunk.”

“You mean we’re not sunk now?”

The door hissed open. Zackery stood there, a reluctant look on his face. “Senate regulations say I have to send in food.”

Keets brightened. “Things are looking up.”

A cook droid wheeled in. “Things are done by the book in the Senate, young man,” she advised Zackery.

“Don’t call me young man!” Zackery shouted at her.

“Sorry, old man!” the droid trilled.

Zackery snorted and stamped out, but left the door ajar. He stood, his hand on his blaster, and watched.

Keets looked at the droid closely. Despite the fresh paint job, he recognized the antique droid WA-7. It was the same droid that had worked hi. Dexter’s Diner. She’d served him sliders and the slop Dex called a drink at least a hundred times.

Yes, things were definitely looking up.

She placed a tray on the floor next to them. A large pot of liquid, two mugs, and two veg turnovers. She took the items off the tray and then took the tray away again. “Enjoy!” she said.

She began to wheel out. Keets reached for the cups.

“I’m not thirsty,” Curran said.

“Oh, you’ll like this.” As soon as WA-7 was between them and Zackery, Keets took the small blaster out of the pot.

Curran’s reaction time was excellent for a once-bookish senatorial aide. He jumped to his feet and charged as Keets moved forward with the blaster. At the same moment, WA-7 threw the heavy metal tray at Zackery’s neck. It hit him hard, and he staggered backward. Keets flipped the blaster and used the hilt to knock him on the head. Zackery fell heavily.

Keets turned to the three security droids and blasted them into smoking metal.

Keets and Curran stepped over Zackery’s inert body. They peered out into the hallway. The Senate was coming to life again as Senators, aides, and droids reported for work. Intent on their business, no one gave them a second glance. Together with WA-7, they moved into the stream of workers.

“I suggest a fast exit,” WA-7 said. “I can find my own way out. Say hello to Dex for me!”

She wheeled away. Keets and Curran knew the Senate building as well as the homes they’d grown up in. Within moments, they had found the closest exit. They were free.





CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE


Solace steered Astri’s star cruiser straight into the hold. They all climbed out and made their way to the cockpit.

“So far so good,” Oryon muttered. “No Imperial guards rushing the ship.”

“Contact the dockmaster and get clearance,” Solace said. “That will be the real test. I’ll start the departure checks.”

They all stayed in the cockpit, too anxious to find seating. Astri kept Lune close by her side.

“Request permission to take off,” Oryon spoke into the comm unit.

“Checking data,” the dockmaster replied. Minutes ticked by.

They exchanged worried glances.

“It’s taking too long,” Solace said.

“Of course they changed the registry numbers!” Sauro screamed at the Imperial officer sitting at the databank that monitored all Imperial traffic. “Look for a ship that matches its description.”