THE PARADISE SNARE(82)
“The Altar of Promises,” Muuurgh replied.
“The Altar of Broken Promises,” Bria amended, a bitter tone in her voice.
“I wonder whether Teroenza will survive?”
“I didn’t wound him that bad,” Han said. “I’ll bet even now he’s on his way to the infirmary and the medical droid.”
As he flew, he kept an eye on the map. “Oh, and by the way, there’s something I’d better tell you two.”
“What?” asked Bria and Muuurgh together.
“My name’s not Vykk Draygo. My real name is Han Solo. It’d be good if you started calling me that.”
“Han?” Bria said. “Why didn’t you tell me before?”
“I was afraid if I did, you might slip and give me away to Teroenza or one of his goons,” Han said matter-of-factly. “But I wanted you to know, so I told you as soon as I could.”
“Vykk was an alias?”
“Yeah. One of several, actually.”
“Muuurgh will have to get used to this,” the Togorian said. “How close are we now… Han?”
“We should be there in less than five minutes,” Han replied.
“How are we going to do this?” Bria asked. “I mean, there will be guards there, too.”
“I don’t know,” Han said. “But I’ll think of something.”
He concentrated on his piloting, and then, when they reached Colony
Two, he flew the Talisman over the camp from south to north, skimming low over the treetops. “You said the pilgrims were supposed to assemble at the Altar, right?” Han asked Muuurgh.
“Yesssss.”
“Okay, then, I wonder if we’ll have enough room to do what I’m thinkin’ about …” he muttered, peering at the viewscreen that showed the actual area, and also at the schematic that showed the topographical features and camp buildings. Colony Two was over the Mountains of Faith from Colony One, set on the northeastern edge of the Zoma Gawanga, the shallow ocean that enclosed the entire eastern continent.
“I think we can do it,” he muttered. “I just hope the repulsorlifts on this baby are in prime working condition. We’ll need to hover and lower a wire. I don’t think I’ll have room to actually land. Muuurgh, go back to the middle airlock and see if there’s a wire we can let down. I think most of these ships are equipped with emergency gear, and a wire and hoist should be part of it.”
Muuurgh disappeared, and Han concentrated on flying a slow circuit of the Colony. Bria peered out the viewscreen. “I see them!” she said excitedly. “There’s a big crowd assembling at the Altar!”
“Good,” Han said abstractedly.
Muuurgh reappeared. “Yes, we have a wire. There is a harness that can be attached to it.”
“Okay, pal. Here’s what we’ll do. I’m going to bring this crate down over the amphitheater, real slow. Then I’m gonna set her to hover on her repulsorlifts. Mrrov has no reason to know who we are, so she’s gonna have to get a look at you in order to run over to the ship, right?”
“Yesssss.”
“You’re gonna have to go down in the harness and let Mrrov see you.
Bria, you control the wire, okay?”
“All right … Han,” she said.
“Both of you stay sharp. There may be shooting. The ship’s deflectors should protect us against small-arms, but once you’re outside, that won’t count, Muuurgh.”
“I understand,” “If the guards get too aggressive, I can give ‘em a burst from the ship’s light laser cannon,” Han said. “I’ll aim over their heads, so I won’t hit the pilgrims, but that should make the point.” “Muuurgh is ready, Han.” “Okay. Here goes.”
Carefully Han brought the Talisman in over the amphitheater, wishing he’d had more time to get used to the “feel” of these controls. He circled the amphitheater, belly holocams on, so he could get a good look at the layout. Han was conscious of all the pilgrims looking up and pointing, as he dropped lower and lower with each pass. Finally, he was close enough to engage the repulsorlifts and hover, about twelve or thirteen meters above the permacrete.
Han could see several priests and a bevy of guards behind the milling crowd of pilgrims. He knew the Sacredots must be wondering why the High Priest’s personal yacht was being used to ferry pilgrims to the Kessel slave ship.
“That’s as low as I can get and hover safely!” Han yelled. “Lower Muuurgh!”
He kept a finger poised over the controls that would lower the light laser cannon, but he didn’t want to make an aggressive move first. Han could hear Bria and Muuurgh talking, their voices muffled by distance.