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BENACKER ACKER BEN BEN ACKER RENÉEAHDIEH AHDIEH RENÉE RENÉE AHDIEH TOMANGLEBERGER ANGLEBERGER TOM TOM ANGLEBERGER BEN ACKER BEN ACKER BEN BLACKER BEN BLACKER BEN ACKER BEN ACKER BEN BLACKER BEN ACKER RENÉE AHDIEH RENÉE BENAHDIEH ACKER JEFFREY BROWN JEFFREY BROWN RENÉE AHDIEH RENÉE AHDIEH BROWN RENÉE AHDIEH TOMJEFFREY ANGLEBERGER TOM ANGLEBERGER RENÉE PIERCEAHDIEH BROWN PIERCE BROWN TOM ANGLEBERGER TOMANGLEBERGER ANGLEBERGER PIERCE BROWN TOM BEN BLACKER BEN BLACKER TOM ANGLEBERGER MEG CABOT MEG CABOT BEN BLACKER BEN BLACKER MEG CABOT BEN BLACKER JEFFREY BROWN JEFFREY BROWN BEN BLACKER RAE CARSON RAE CARSON JEFFREY BROWN JEFFREY BROWN JEFFREY BROWN RAE BROWN CARSON PIERCE BROWN PIERCE JEFFREY ADAM CHRISTOPHER ADAM CHRISTOPHER PIERCE BROWN PIERCE BROWN BROWN ADAMPIERCE CHRISTOPHER MEG CABOT MEG CABOT PIERCE BROWN ZORAIDA CÓRDOVA ZORAIDA CÓRDOVA MEG CABOT MEG CABOT MEG CABOT ZORAIDA CÓRDOVA RAE CARSON RAE CARSON MEG CABOT DELILAH S. DAWSON DELILAH S. DAWSON RAE CARSON RAE CARSON RAE DELILAH S. CARSON DAWSON ADAMSUE CHRISTOPHER ADAM CHRISTOPHER RAE CARSON CONNICK KELLY DeeCONNICK KELLY SUE D ADAM CHRISTOPHER ADAM CHRISTOPHER ADAM CHRISTOPHER eCÓRDOVA CONNICK KELLY SUE DCÓRDOVA ZORAIDA ZORAIDA ADAM CHRISTOPHER PAULDINI DINI PAUL ZORAIDA CÓRDOVA ZORAIDA CÓRDOVA ZORAIDAS.S.CÓRDOVA PAUL DINI DELILAH DAWSON DELILAH DAWSON ZORAIDA CÓRDOVA IANS.S.DOESCHER DOESCHER IAN DELILAH DAWSON DELILAH DAWSON DELILAH DAWSON IANDS. eCONNICK CONNICK KELLY SUE DeDOESCHER KELLY SUE DELILAH S. DAWSON ASHLEY ECKSTEIN ECKSTEIN CONNICK KELLY SUE eCONNICK CONNICK KELLYASHLEY SUEDDDeePAUL KELLY SUE ECKSTEIN DINI PAUL DINI eCONNICK KELLYASHLEY SUE D MATTPAUL FRACTION MATT FRACTION PAUL DINI PAUL DINI DINI MATT FRACTION IANDOESCHER DOESCHER IAN PAUL DINI ALEXANDER FREED IAN DOESCHER ALEXANDER FREED IANDOESCHER DOESCHER IAN ALEXANDER FREED ASHLEY ECKSTEIN ASHLEY ECKSTEIN IAN DOESCHER JASON FRY ASHLEY ECKSTEIN JASON FRY ASHLEY ECKSTEIN ASHLEY ECKSTEIN FRY MATTJASON FRACTION MATT FRACTION ASHLEY ECKSTEIN KIERON GILLEN MATT FRACTION KIERON GILLEN MATT FRACTION MATT FRACTION KIERON GILLEN ALEXANDER FREED ALEXANDER FREED MATT FRACTION CHRISTIEGOLDEN GOLDEN ALEXANDER FREED CHRISTIE ALEXANDER FREED ALEXANDER FREED JASON FRY CHRISTIE GOLDEN JASON FRY ALEXANDER FREED JASON FRY CLAUDIA GRAY CLAUDIA GRAY JASON FRY JASON FRY KIERON GILLEN CLAUDIA GRAY KIERON GILLEN JASON FRY KIERON GILLEN PABLO HIDALGO PABLO KIERONHIDALGO GILLEN KIERON GILLEN CHRISTIE GOLDEN PABLO HIDALGO CHRISTIE KIERONGOLDEN GILLEN CHRISTIE GOLDEN CHRISTIE GOLDEN CHRISTIE GOLDEN CLAUDIA GRAY CLAUDIA GRAY CHRISTIE GOLDEN CLAUDIA GRAY CLAUDIA GRAY CLAUDIA GRAY PABLO HIDALGO PABLO HIDALGO CLAUDIA GRAY PABLO HIDALGO PABLODEL HIDALGO PABLO HIDALGO REY REY PABLODEL HIDALGO DEL REY
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JOHNSTON E.E.K.K.JOHNSTON E. K. JOHNSTON PAULS.S.KEMP KEMP PAUL PAUL S. KEMP MURLAFFERTY LAFFERTY MUR MUR LAFFERTY E. K. JOHNSTON E.KEN K. JOHNSTON KEN LIU LIU E.E.KEN K.K.JOHNSTON JOHNSTON JOHNSTON LIU E. K. PAUL KEMP PAUL S.S.KEMP E. K. JOHNSTON ELROY GRIFFIN GRIFFIN MMccELROY PAUL S.S.KEMP KEMP PAUL KEMP GRIFFIN McELROY PAUL S. MUR LAFFERTY MUR LAFFERTY PAUL S.JACKSON KEMP MILLER JOHN JACKSON MILLER JOHN MUR LAFFERTY MUR LAFFERTY JOHN JACKSON MILLER MUR LAFFERTY KEN LIU KEN LIU MUR LAFFERTY NNEDI OKORAFOR NNEDI KEN LIU KEN LIUOKORAFOR NNEDI OKORAFOR KEN LIU ELROY GRIFFIN MJOSÉ ccELROY GRIFFIN M KEN LIU MJOSÉ DANIEL OLDER DANIEL OLDER cELROY GRIFFIN ELROY GRIFFIN M ccELROY GRIFFIN M DANIEL JOSÉ OLDER JOHN JACKSON MILLER JOHN JACKSON MILLER ELROY GRIFFIN McORTBERG MALLORY ORTBERG MALLORY JOHN JACKSON MILLER JOHN JACKSON MILLER JOHN JACKSON MILLER MALLORY ORTBERG NNEDI OKORAFOR NNEDI OKORAFOR JOHN MILLER BETHJACKSON REVIS BETH REVIS NNEDI OKORAFOR NNEDI OKORAFOR NNEDI BETH OKORAFOR REVIS DANIEL JOSÉOLDER OLDER DANIEL JOSÉ NNEDI OKORAFOR MADELEINE ROUX MADELEINE ROUX DANIEL JOSÉ OLDER DANIEL JOSÉ OLDER DANIEL JOSÉ OLDER MADELEINE ROUX MALLORY ORTBERG MALLORY ORTBERG DANIEL JOSÉ OLDER GREGRUCKA RUCKA GREG MALLORY ORTBERG MALLORY ORTBERG MALLORY ORTBERG GREG RUCKA BETH REVIS BETH REVIS MALLORY ORTBERG GARYREVIS SCHMIDT GARY D.D.SCHMIDT BETH BETH REVIS BETH GARYREVIS D. SCHMIDT MADELEINE ROUX MADELEINE ROUX BETH REVIS CAVANSCOTT SCOTT CAVAN MADELEINE ROUX MADELEINE ROUX MADELEINE ROUX CAVAN SCOTT GREGRUCKA RUCKAROUX GREG MADELEINE CHARLES SOULE CHARLES SOULE GREG RUCKA GREG RUCKA GREG RUCKA CHARLES SOULE GARY D. SCHMIDT GARY D. SCHMIDT GREG RUCKA SABAA TAHIR SABAA TAHIR GARY D. SCHMIDT GARY D. SCHMIDT GARY D.SCOTT SCHMIDT SABAA TAHIR CAVAN SCOTT CAVAN GARY D.SCOTT SCHMIDT ELIZABETH WEIN CAVAN ELIZABETH WEIN CAVAN SCOTT CAVAN SCOTT ELIZABETH WEIN CHARLES SOULE CHARLES SOULE CAVAN SCOTT GLENWELDON WELDON CHARLES SOULE GLEN CHARLES SOULE CHARLES SOULE GLEN TAHIR WELDON SABAA TAHIR SABAA CHARLES SOULE CHUCK WENDIG SABAA TAHIR CHUCKTAHIR WENDIG SABAA TAHIR SABAA CHUCKTAHIR WENDIG ELIZABETH WEIN ELIZABETH WEIN SABAA WIL WHEATON ELIZABETH WEIN WIL WHEATON ELIZABETH WEIN ELIZABETH WEIN GLEN WELDON WIL WHEATON GLEN WELDON ELIZABETH WEIN GLEN GARYWELDON WHITTA GARY WHITTA GLEN WELDON GLEN CHUCK WENDIG GARYWELDON WHITTA CHUCK WENDIG GLEN WELDON CHUCK WENDIG CHUCK WENDIG CHUCK WENDIG WILWHEATON WHEATON WIL CHUCK WENDIG WIL WHEATON WIL WHEATON WIL WHEATON GARY WHITTA GARY WHITTA WIL WHEATON GARY WHITTA GARYWHITTA WHITTA GARY GARY WHITTA
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DELREY REY DEL DEL REY DELREY REY DEL DEL REY
NEWYORK YORK NEW NEW YORK
NEWYORK YORK NEW NEW YORK NEWYORK YORK NEW NEW YORK
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FROM FROMA A ACERTAIN CERTAIN CERTAIN FROM A CERTAIN FROM CERTAIN FROM A CERTAIN POINT POINTOF OF OFVIEW VIEW VIEW POINT OF VIEW POINT VIEW POINT OF VIEW
1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2 Arrow Books 20 Vauxhall Bridge Road London SW1V 2SA Arrow Books is part of the Penguin Random House group of companies whose addresses can be found at global.penguinrandomhouse.com.
Star Wars: From a Certain Point of View is a work of fiction. Names, places and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, places, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Lucasfilm Ltd. has asserted its right to be identified as the author of this work in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. Copyright © 2017 by Lucasfilm Ltd. &
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Illustrations on the following pages by Chris Trevas: vii, 3, 17, 27, 51, 59, 81, 89, 93, 113, 123, 157, 169, 183, 197, 205, 213, 221, 231, 247, 259, 297, 305, 317, 333, 349, 361, 367, 377, 393, 407, 423, 433, 447, and 455 First published in 2017 by Century This paperback edition published in 2018 by Arrow Books www.penguin.co.uk A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. ISBN 9780099542698 Printed and bound by Clays Ltd, St Ives Plc Penguin Random House is committed to a sustainable future for our business, our readers and our planet. This book is made from Forest Stewardship Council® certified paper.
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CONTENTS Raymus by Gary Whitta ������������������������������������������������������������������� 3 The Bucket by Christie Golden ������������������������������������������������������� 17 The Sith of Datawork by Ken Liu ���������������������������������������������������� 27 Stories in the Sand by Griffin McElroy �������������������������������������������� 35 Reirin by Sabaa Tahir ��������������������������������������������������������������������� 51 The Red One by Rae Carson ���������������������������������������������������������� 59 Rites by John Jackson Miller ����������������������������������������������������������� 69 Master and Apprentice by Claudia Gray ���������������������������������������� 81 Beru Whitesun Lars by Meg Cabot ������������������������������������������������� 89 The Luckless Rodian by Renée Ahdieh �������������������������������������������� 93 Not for Nothing by Mur Lafferty ��������������������������������������������������� 101 We Don’t Serve Their Kind Here by Chuck Wendig ���������������������� 113 The Kloo Horn Cantina Caper by Kelly Sue DeConnick and Matt Fraction ��������������������������������� 123 Added Muscle by Paul Dini ���������������������������������������������������������� 153 You Owe Me a Ride by Zoraida Córdova ������������������������������������� 157 The Secrets of Long Snoot by Delilah S� Dawson �������������������������� 169 Born in the Storm by Daniel José Older ��������������������������������������� 183 Laina by Wil Wheaton������������������������������������������������������������������ 197 Fully Operational by Beth Revis���������������������������������������������������� 205 An Incident Report by Mallory Ortberg ����������������������������������������� 213 Change of Heart by Elizabeth Wein ��������������������������������������������� 221 Eclipse by Madeleine Roux ����������������������������������������������������������� 231
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Contents Contents
Verge VergeofofGreatness Greatnessby byPablo PabloHidalgo Hidalgo 247 247 Far FarToo TooRemote Remoteby byJeffrey JeffreyBrown Brown 257 257 The TheTrigger Triggerby byKieron KieronGillen Gillen 259 259 Of OfMSEMSE-66and andMen Menby byGlen GlenWeldon Weldon 271 271 Bump Bumpby byBen BenAcker Ackerand andBen BenBlacker Blacker 297 297 End EndofofWatch Watchby byAdam AdamChristopher Christopher 305 305 The TheBaptist Baptistby byNnedi NnediOkorafor Okorafor 317 317 Time TimeofofDeath Deathby byCavan CavanScott Scott 333 333 There ThereIsIsAnother Anotherby byGary GaryD D Schmidt Schmidt 349 349 Palpatine Palpatineby byIan IanDoescher Doescher 361 361 Sparks Sparksby byPaul PaulS S Kemp Kemp 367 367 Duty DutyRoster Rosterby byJason JasonFry Fry 377 377 Desert DesertSon Sonby byPierce PierceBrown Brown 393 393 Grounded Groundedby byGreg GregRucka Rucka 407 407 Contingency ContingencyPlan Planby byAlexander AlexanderFreed Freed 423 423 xx
The TheAngle Angleby byCharles CharlesSoule Soule 433 433 By ByWhatever WhateverSun Sunby byE E K K Johnston Johnstonand andAshley AshleyEckstein Eckstein 447 447 Whills Whillsby byTom TomAngleberger Angleberger 455 455
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AAlong longtime timeago agoininaagalaxy galaxyfar, far,far faraway. away.. . . .
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RAYMUS Gary Whitta
W
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hat is it they’ve sent us?” Captain Raymus Antilles watched as Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan turned away from him, holding the data card he had handed to her. The data card for which almost the entire military might of the Rebel Alliance, both on the ground and in orbit above the planet Scarif, had just risked everything to steal it from one of the most secure Imperial strongholds in the galaxy. The grand, all-or-nothing gambit had led to the single largest combat engagement in the long history of conflict between the Rebellion and the Empire, and one that despite heavy losses had resulted seemingly in a victory: The card, and whatever highly prized data it held, had been delivered
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safely safelyinto intothe thehands handsofofone oneofofthe theAlliance’s Alliance’smost mostcapable capablecovert covertopoperatives. eratives.The Therest restwas wasup uptotoher. her. “Hope, “Hope, ””she shereplied repliedasasshe shelooked lookedahead, ahead,through throughthe theforward forward viewport viewportofofthe theTantive TantiveIV’s IV’scockpit, cockpit,totothe thelimitless limitlessocean oceanofofstars stars beyond. beyond. Always Alwayssosodamn damnenigmatic, enigmatic,thought thoughtRaymus. Raymus.Leia Leianever nevertold toldyou you more morethan thanyou youneeded neededtotoknow. know.That Thatwas wasfor forthe theprotection protectionofofothers others asasmuch muchasasher herown. own.She Shehad hadlearned learnedthat thatlesson lessonwell, well,the theprincess princess who whohad hadbecome becomeaagalactic galacticsenator, senator,the thesenator senatorwho whohad hadsecretly secretly risked riskedher herlife lifecountless countlesstimes timestotohelp helpnurture nurtureaafledgling fledglingRebellion Rebellion from fromaahandful handfulofofsquabbling, squabbling,disgruntled disgruntledstar starsystems systemsinto intothe theorgaorganized nizedand anddedicated dedicatedAlliance Allianceitithad hadbecome. become.Still Stillno nodirect directmatch matchfor for the theawesome awesomewar warpower powerofofthe theEmpire, Empire,but butenough enoughtotocapture capturetheir their most mostclosely closelyguarded guardedsecrets secretsininaamission missionthat thateven evenRaymus Raymusthought thought breathless breathlessininits itsaudacity. audacity.Enough— Enough—maybe, maybe,just justenough— enough—totogive givethe the oppressed oppressedpeoples peoplesofofthe thegalaxy galaxyaafighting fightingchance chanceatatfreedom. freedom. Raymus Raymuswatched watchedthe thestars starsoutside outsidestretch stretchinto intoaakaleidoscopic kaleidoscopic tunnel tunnelofoflight lightasasthe theship shipjumped jumpedinto intohyperspace. hyperspace.Then ThenLeia Leiaturned turned back backtotohim himand andthey theyboth bothstepped steppedthrough throughthe thecockpit cockpitdoor, door,into intothe the hallway. hallway. “Will “Will we we make make it?” it?” she she asked. asked. Before Before departure, departure, Raymus Raymus had had warned warnedher herthat thather hership shipwas wasnot notyet yetcapable capableofofeven eventhe theroutine routineflight flight totoTatooine, Tatooine,which whichhad, had,until untilrecently, recently,been beenits itsassignment. assignment.ItIthad hadnot not even evenbeen beenable abletototravel traveltotoScarif Scarifunder underits itsown ownpower, power,carried carriedinstead instead ininthe thebelly bellyofofthe therebel rebelflagship flagshipProfundity Profundityasasmechanical mechanicalcrews crews worked workedhurriedly hurriedlytotorepair repairits itsoverworked overworkedand andmalfunctioning malfunctioninghyhyperdrive. perdrive.By Bythe thetime timethey theyarrived arrivedatatScarif, Scarif,Raymus Raymuswas wasable ableonly onlytoto assure assureher herthat thatthe theTantive TantiveIV IVcould couldperform performaahyperspace hyperspacejump, jump,not not that thatititcould couldsustain sustainlightspeed lightspeedtravel travellong longenough enoughtotoreliably reliablyget get them themtotoany anygiven givendestination. destination. “I’ll “I’llbe beable abletotogive giveyou youaabetter betteranswer answerininoperations, operations, ””he hetold toldher. her.
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“Then “Thenlet’s let’sgo, go, ””she shesaid, said,leading leadingthe theway. way.Raymus Raymusfollowed, followed,forced forced totoquicken quickenhis hisstep stepininorder ordertotokeep keeppace pacewith withher. her.
They Theyarrived arrivedatatthe theship’s ship’soperations operationscenter centertotofind findseveral severalsenior seniorofofficers ficersworking workingfrantically franticallyatattheir theircontrol controlstations. stations. “Status, “Status, ””Raymus Raymusrequested requestedasasthe thedoor doorslid slidclosed closedbehind behindhim. him. “We’re “We’remaintaining maintaininglightspeed, lightspeed,for fornow, now, ””the thenearest nearestofficer officerininformed formedhim. him.“Remains “Remainstotobe beseen seenhow howlong longthe theengines enginescan cankeep keepthis this up. up.Maintenance Maintenancecrews crewsare aredoing doingall allthey theycan. can.IfIfwe wecan canhold holdthis this speed, speed,we’ll we’llbe beatatTatooine Tatooinewithin withinthe thehour. hour.But Butthe thedrive’s drive’sstill stillininbad bad shape; shape;motivator motivatorcould couldgo goatatany anytime. time. ”” Raymus Raymusnodded. nodded.All Allthis thishe heknew. knew.After Afterthe thedamage damagesustained sustainedon on its itslast lastmission, mission,the theTantive TantiveIV IVwas wasininno noshape shapefor foraadesperate desperateflight flight from fromthe theEmpire. Empire.For Foryears yearshe hehad hadcarefully carefullysteered steeredthis thisship— ship—his his ship— ship—through throughcountless countlessImperial Imperialblockades blockadesand andcheckpoints, checkpoints,always always able abletotoavoid avoiddetection detectionororsuspicion. suspicion.But Butnow nowitithad hadbeen beenspotted spottedfleefleeing ingthe thescene sceneofofthe themost mostdaring daringmilitary militaryassault assaultininthe thehistory historyofofthe the Rebellion, Rebellion,carrying carryingstolen stolengoods goodsthat thatthe theEmpire Empirewould wouldgo gototoany any lengths lengthstotorecover. recover.Suddenly, Suddenly,the theTantive TantiveIV IVwas wasthe themost mostwanted wanted ship shipininthe thegalaxy, galaxy,and andititwas wasininsorry sorryshape. shape.For Forthe thetask taskofofferrying ferrying the themost mostcritical criticalImperial Imperialsecrets secretsever evercaptured, captured,they theycould couldscarcely scarcely have havepicked pickedaaworse worsevessel vesselatataaworse worsetime. time.But Butthat thatwas wasthe thehand handthey they had hadbeen beendealt, dealt,and andRaymus Raymushad hadno nooption optionnow nowbut buttotoplay playititasasbest best he hecould. could. “The “Thereal realproblem problemisiswhat whatwe’re we’releaving leavingbehind behindus, us, ””the theofficer officer continued. continued.“We “Wecan’t can’texactly exactlyrun runquiet quietwith withaahyperdrive hyperdrivethat’s that’sbarely barely holding holdingtogether. together.IfIfthe theEmpire Empiredetected detectedany anytrace traceofofan anabnormal abnormal hyperspace hyperspacewake wakewhen whenwe wejumped jumpedtotolightspeed, lightspeed,ititwon’t won’ttake takethem them long longtotouse useitittototrack trackus. us. ”” Raymus Raymussighed; sighed;he hehad haddreaded dreadedthis thispossibility possibilityand andhad hadwarned warned
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Leia Leiaofofititprior priortototheir theirsetting settingtheir theirescape escapecourse coursefrom fromScarif. Scarif.TypiTypically callyaajump jumptotohyperspace hyperspacemeant meantaaclean cleangetaway, getaway,aaship’s ship’slightspeed lightspeed trajectory trajectoryimpossible impossibletototrack. track.But Butthe theTantive TantiveIV’s IV’simpaired impairedhyperhyperdrive drivewas waslike likeaaleaky leakyoil oilpan, pan,leaving leavingbehind behindititaaresidual residualenergy energysigsignature naturethat thatwas wasunique— unique—and andtraceable. traceable.He Hewondered wonderednow nowhow howlong long ititwould wouldtake takethe theEmpire, Empire,with withall alltheir theirresources resourcesno nodoubt doubtalready already diverted divertedtotofinding findingthem, them,totopick pickup uptheir theirtrail trailand andfollow followit.it.For Forthat that reason, reason,Leia Leiahad hadthought thoughtitittoo toogreat greataarisk risktotoreturn returntotothe therebel rebel headquarters headquartersatatYavin Yavin4.4.Faced Facedwith withno nogood goodoptions, options,she shehad hadorordered deredRaymus Raymustotoinstead insteadset setcourse coursefor forTatooine, Tatooine,their theirplanned planneddestidestination nationbefore beforethe thehurried hurriedredirection redirectiontotoScarif. Scarif.She Shehoped hopedstill stilltoto fulfill fulfillthe thevital vitalmission missionthat thather herfather fatherhad hadentrusted entrustedtotoher herearlier earlier that thatsame sameday, day,knowing knowingthat thateven evenififthe theEmpire Empirepursued pursuedthem themtotothat that barren barrendesert desertoutworld outworldthey theywould wouldfind findnothing nothingthere therebut butendless endless wastes wastesofofsand. sand. Raymus Raymussaw sawthe thegrim grimexpression expressionon onthe theface faceofofthe theship’s ship’sbosun, bosun, who whowas wasexamining examiningnew newreadouts readoutsatathis hisstation. station.“Don’t “Don’ttell tellme meititgets gets worse, worse, ””he hesaid. said. “The “TheProfundity Profunditytook tookheavy heavydamage damagewhen whenshe shewas wasdisabled, disabled, ””the the bosun bosunreported. reported.“Her “Herelectrical electricalsystems systemsoverloaded, overloaded,and andsince sincewe we were werestill stilldocked, docked,the theoverload overloadfried friedhalf halfour ourgrid, grid,too. too.We Webarely barelyhave have deflectors deflectorsororweapons. weapons.IfIfititcomes comestotoaafight, fight,we wewon’t won’tbe beable abletotoput put up upmuch muchofofone. one. ”” So Sothere thereititwas. was.Surely Surelyonly onlyaamatter matterofoftime timebefore beforethe theEmpire Empire found foundthem, them,and andlittle littlechance chanceofofdefending defendingthemselves themselvesonce oncethey theydid. did. Raymus Raymustried triedtotothink thinkofofaatime timeduring duringall alltheir theirmany manyhighhigh-risk riskmismissions sionsand andclose closeescapes escapeswhen whenthey theyhad hadfaced facedaasituation situationasasdire direasas this, this,and andcame cameup upwanting. wanting.“What “Whatabout aboutthe theescape escapepods?” pods?”he heasked. asked. “As “Asyou youordered, ordered, ””said saidHelfun HelfunRumm, Rumm,the theTantive TantiveIV’s IV’sstalwart stalwart security securityofficer. officer.“All “Allsecured securedand andready readytotolaunch. launch. ”” Raymus Raymusnoticed noticedLeia Leialooking lookingatathim himinquisitively. inquisitively.“Your “YourHighHighness, ness,ififwe weare arestopped stoppedand andboarded boardedby bythe theEmpire, Empire,my myfirst firstpriority priorityisis
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totoget getyou youtotosafety, safety, ””he hetold toldher. her.“At “Atthat thatpoint, point,the thepods podsmay maybe beour our only onlyoption. option. ”” “Surely “Surelyititwill willnot notcome cometotothat, that, ””said saidCorla CorlaMetonae, Metonae,Tantive TantiveIV’s IV’s chief chiefpetty pettyofficer officerand andaalonglong-serving servingretainer retainerofofthe theOrgana Organaroyal royal household. household.“We’re “We’restill stillflying flyingunder underaadiplomatic diplomaticflag. flag.The TheEmpire Empire would wouldnot notdare dareboard boardus. us. ”” Raymus Raymusconsidered consideredthat; that;technically technicallyititstill stillheld heldtrue. true.The TheTantive Tantive IV IVwas wasofficially officiallyaaconsular consularship shipthat thatLeia Leiaused usedininthe theperformance performanceofof her herduties dutiesasasAlderaan’s Alderaan’srepresentative representativeininthe theGalactic GalacticSenate. Senate.As Asaa diplomat, diplomat,she sheenjoyed enjoyedspecial speciallegal legalprotections protectionsthat thatmeant meantnot noteven even the theImperial Imperialmilitary militarycould couldboard, board,search, search,ororininany anyway wayimpede impedethe the free freepassage passageofofher hership shipwithout withouther herexpress expresspermission. permission.ItItwas wasaa broad broadand andvery veryconvenient convenientprivilege privilegethat thatininthe thepast pasthad hadallowed allowedher her and andRaymus Raymustotoconduct conductacts actsofofespionage espionageand andsubterfuge subterfugeright rightunder under the theEmpire’s Empire’snose. nose.But Butnow nowRaymus Raymusfound foundhimself himselfdoubting, doubting,given given the theapparent apparentimport importofofwhat whathad hadbeen beenstolen stolenfrom fromScarif, Scarif,that thatitit would wouldbe beenough enoughtotoprotect protectthem themthis thistime. time. “This “Thisjust justcame camein, in, ””the thebosun bosunreported, reported,looking lookingup upfrom fromhis hisstastation. tion. “The “The Empire Empire has has issued issued aa priority priority red red directive. directive. Any Any ships ships matching matchingthe thedescription descriptionofofaaCR90 CR90corvette corvetteare aretotobe bestopped stoppedand and held. held.Priority Priorityred redmeans meansall allprevious previousorders ordersand andduties dutiesare areimmediimmediately atelysuperseded supersededfor forall allImperial Imperialships shipsgalaxygalaxy-wide. wide.I’ve I’venever neverseen seen this thismuch muchcomm commtraffic— traffic—the theEmpire’s Empire’sflooding floodingevery everyfrequency frequencywith with it.it.Whatever WhateverRogue RogueOne Onebeamed beamedususfrom fromScarif, Scarif,they theyreally reallywant wantitit back. back. ”” All Alleyes eyeswere wereon onLeia Leiaasasthe thefull fullgravity gravityofoftheir theirsituation situationbegan begantoto sink sinkin. in.Raymus Raymushad hadseen seenthis thislook lookon onher herface facebefore; before;she shewas wasconconcerned, cerned,worried worriedeven, even,but butititshowed showedininaaway waythat thatonly onlythose thosefew fewwho who knew knewher herbest, best,had hadserved servedwith withher herlongest, longest,could coulddetect. detect.To Toall allelse else she sheprojected projectedonly onlyfirm firmresolve resolveininthe theface faceofofcrushing crushingadversity. adversity.But But he heknew knewhow howbad badthis thislatest latestnews newswas. was.The Theship’s ship’sfragile fragileconsular consularstastatus tusaside, aside,one oneofoftheir theirfew fewslim slimhopes hopeslay layininthe thefact factthat thatthe theCR90 CR90was was
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aaship shipcommon commonthroughout throughoutthe thegalaxy, galaxy,literally literallythousands thousandsofofthem theminin service, service,and andthe theTantive TantiveIV IVlooked lookedlike likealmost almostany anyofofthem. them.But But though though they they were were aa needle needle inin aa haystack, haystack, the the Empire Empire had had the the resources— resources—and and apparently, apparently, the the determination— determination—toto tear tear the the entire entire haystack haystackapart apartininorder ordertotofind findthem. them.And Anddiplomatic diplomaticprotocol protocolwould would not notstand standinintheir theirway. way.Briefly Brieflyhis histhoughts thoughtsturned turnedtotothe theinnocent innocent crews crewsofofother otherCorellian Corelliancorvettes corvettesthat thateven evennow nowwere werebeing beingstopped stopped and andinvaded invadedby byarmed armedImperial Imperialboarding boardingparties. parties.Some Somewould wouldbe be foolish foolishenough enoughtotoresist. resist. “If “Ifthe theEmpire Empiredoes doesfind findusus. . .”.”Toshma ToshmaJefkin, Jefkin,the theTantive TantiveIV’s IV’s second secondofficer, officer,pondered ponderedaloud. aloud. “Then “Thenlet’s let’smake makesure surethat thatthey theydon’t, don’t, ””said saidLeia. Leia. Raymus Raymuslooked lookedatatJefkin. Jefkin.He Hehad hadserved servedwith withthe theman manfor foryears, years, shared sharedmany manyclose closeencounters encounterswith withImperial Imperialforces, forces,and andknew knewthat that little littlerattled rattledhim. him.He Helooked lookedrattled rattlednow. now.His Hisface facewas wasaaghostly ghostlywhite; white; his hishands handswere wereclammy. clammy.And Andhe heseemed seemedtotobe begazing gazinginto intonothing, nothing, the thehaunted hauntedcountenance countenanceofofaaman manwho whohas hasseen seensomething somethingthat thatcan can never neverbe beunseen. unseen. “Tosh, “Tosh,what whatisisit?” it?”Raymus Raymusasked. asked. Jefkin Jefkinlooked lookedatathim himwith withhollow holloweyes. eyes.“That “That. . . .thing. thing.InInthe thehallhallway, way,while whilewe wewere weretrying tryingtotoget getoff offthe theProfundity. Profundity.ItItkilled killedatatleast leastaa dozen dozenofofmy mymen, men,cut cutthem themdown downlike likethey theywere werenothing. nothing.Blasters Blasters had hadno noeffect, effect,ititjust justkept kepton oncoming, coming,kept kepton onkilling. killing.ItItwas waslike like. . . . like likeaanightmare. nightmare.I’ve I’venever neverseen seenanything anythinglike likeit,it,like likesome somekind kindofof death deathangel. angel. ”” Raymus Raymusand andLeia Leiaexchanged exchangedaagrim grimlook lookasasthey theyrealized realizedwhat whatthis this must mustmean. mean.To Toretrieve retrievewhat whathad hadbeen beenstolen stolenfrom fromthem, them,the theEmpire Empire had haddispatched dispatchednone noneother otherthan thanDarth DarthVader Vaderhimself. himself.And Andthat thatwas was the themost mostdire direnews newsofofall. all.
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Raymus Raymusreturned returnedtotohis hisquarters quarterstotowrite, write,while whilehe hestill stillhad hadtime. time.As As captain captainhe heknew knewthat thathe hewould wouldgo godown downwith withhis hisship shipififnecessary, necessary,but but inincase caseititcame cametotothat thathe hewould wouldfirst firstdispatch dispatchaafinal finalmessage messagetotohis his family familyback backhome. home.He Hehad hadalready alreadythought thoughtititthrough; through;asashis hiscrew crew piled piledinto intothe theTantive TantiveIV’s IV’sescape escapepods podstotoevade evadeImperial Imperialcapture, capture,he he would wouldhand handsomeone someonehe hetrusted trustedan anencrypted encrypteddata datacylinder, cylinder,with withininstructions structionsthat thatititbe bedelivered deliveredtotohis hiswife wifeon onAlderaan. Alderaan. As Ashe hesat satdown downtotowrite, write,that thatgrim grimscenario scenarioseemed seemedmore morelikely likelytoto him himthan thanany anyother. other.He’ He’ ddhad hadaabad badfeeling feelingabout aboutthis thismission missionfrom from the thebeginning. beginning.Hastily Hastilyimprovised, improvised,orders ordersrewritten rewrittenatatthe thelast lastminminute, ute,and andnow nowhere herethey theywere: were:barreling barrelingheadlong headlongininaabroken brokenship ship toward towardthe theedge edgeofofthe thegalaxy, galaxy,carrying carryingthe thelast lastbest besthope hopefor forthe thesursurvival vivalofofthe theRebellion, Rebellion,and andthe theentire entireEmpire Empiresearching searchingfor forthem. them. He Hewould wouldwrite writethree threeletters, letters,one onefor forhis hisbeloved belovedwife, wife,the theother other two twofor forher hertotogive givetotoeach eachofoftheir theiryoung youngdaughters daughterswhen whenthey theywere were old oldenough enoughtotounderstand. understand.He Hehad hadsosomuch muchhe hewanted wantedtototell tellthem. them. More Morethan thananything, anything,he hewanted wantedthem themtotoknow knowthat thateven eventhough thoughthey they would wouldgrow growup upnever neverknowing knowingtheir theirfather, father,ititwas wasnot notfor forthe thelack lackofof his hislove lovefor forthem. them.No, No,ititwas wasbecause becausehe heloved lovedthem themso, so,because becausehe he was wasdetermined determinedthey theyhave havethe thelife lifethey theydeserved, deserved,that thathe hehad hadgiven given everything everythingtotohelp helpsecure secureititfor forthem. them.That Thatwas wasthe themost mostbitter bitterirony irony ofofwar: war:The Thegreatest greatestacts actsofoflove lovefor foryour yourfamily familywere werethe theones onesthat that kept keptyou youapart apartfrom fromthem. them. He Hetried triedtotowrite, write,but butno nowords wordscame. came.He Heknew knewwhat whathe hewanted wantedtoto say saybut butnot nothow howtotosay sayit,it,and andthe thelonger longerhe hestared staredatatthe thescreen, screen,the the more moreagonizing agonizingthe theprospect prospectofofcomposing composinghis hisfinal finalwords wordstotothose those he hemost mostloved lovedbecame. became.To Tohis hiswife wifehe hewanted wantedtotosay sayhe hewas wassorry, sorry,for for all allthat thatshe shehad hadbeen beenasked askedtotogive givethat thatsosothat thathe hemight mightserve servehis his princess princessand andher herRebellion, Rebellion,often oftenleaving leavingher hertotoraise raisetheir theirchildren children alone alonefor forweeks weeksand andmonths monthsatataatime. time.He Hehad hadbarely barelyseen seeneither eitherofofhis his daughters daughterssince sincethey theywere wereborn. born.As Asgreatly greatlyasasthat thatpained painedhim, him,the the
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sacrifice sacrificehad hadalways alwaysseemed seemedworth worthitittotoRaymus, Raymus,inspired inspiredasashe hehad had been beenby byLeia’s Leia’sown ownpassion passiontotofight fightfor foraafuture futureininwhich whichnot notjust justhis his children childrenbut butsons sonsand anddaughters daughtersthroughout throughoutthe thegalaxy galaxycould couldgrow grow up upfree freefrom fromImperial Imperialtyranny, tyranny,something somethingthey theyonly onlyread readabout aboutinin history historytexts. texts.And AndLeia, Leia,who whohad hadcome cometototrust trustand andrely relyupon uponRaymus Raymus like likefew fewothers otherssave saveher herown ownfather, father,had hadinsisted insistedon onensuring ensuringthat thathis his family familywas waswell wellprovided providedfor forduring duringhis histime timeby byher herside. side.But Butthat thatall all seemed seemedlike likecold coldcomfort comfortnow nowasashe hereflected reflectedon onhow howmuch muchprecious precious time timehad hadbeen beenlost, lost,and andhow howlittle littlehe hemight mightnow nowhave haveleft leftasasthe theEmEmpire piretightened tightenedits itsnoose noosearound aroundhis hisship. ship. ItItwas wasonly onlywhen whenhe hehad hadfinally finallybegun beguntotowrite writethat thatthe theship shiplurched lurched aftward aftwardhard, hard,almost almostthrowing throwinghim himfrom fromhis hischair. chair.He Herecognized recognizeditit instantly, instantly,the thesudden suddenviolent violentdeceleration decelerationwhen whenaaship shipdropped droppedout outofof lightspeed lightspeedunexpectedly. unexpectedly.Looking Lookingtotohis hisviewport, viewport,he hesaw sawthe thetunnel tunnel ofofshimmering shimmeringblue bluelight lightoutside outsidedissolve dissolveaway, away,replaced replacedby byan aninky inky void voidpunctuated punctuatedwith withpinpoints pinpointsofoflight. light.The TheTantive TantiveIV IVwas wasno nolonlonger gerininhyperspace, hyperspace,but butback backamong amongthe thestars. stars.Exposed, Exposed,easily easilydetectdetectable ableby byany anyImperial Imperialship shipthat thatmight mightbe beininthe thearea— area—which whichwould would certainly certainlybe belooking lookingfor forany anyvessel vesselmatching matchingtheir theirdescription. description. He Hesprang sprangfrom fromhis hischair chairand andbolted boltedtoward towardthe thedoor, door,leaving leavingthe the letters lettersunwritten. unwritten.
“What “Whathappened?” happened?”Raymus Raymusasked askedasashe heentered enteredthe thecockpit. cockpit. “Motivator “Motivatorfinally finallygave gaveout, out, ””the theship’s ship’spilot pilotreported. reported.The Theinstruinstrument mentpanel panelbefore beforehim himand andhis hiscopilot copilotwas wasablaze ablazewith withblinking blinking warning warninglights. lights.“We’re “We’reatatsublight sublightfor forthe therest restofofthe theway. way. ”” “Where “Whereare arewe?” we?” The Thecopilot copilotworked workedthe thenav navconsole, console,punched punchedup upaalocal localsensor sensor image. image.“We’re “We’reclose, close,about aboutaaquarter quarterparsec parsecout. out. ”” Raymus Raymusstepped steppedforward, forward,directly directlybehind behindthe thetwo twohelmsmates helmsmatessoso
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that thathe hemight mightsee seebetter betterthrough throughthe thecockpit cockpitviewport. viewport.And Andthere thereitit was. was.Barely Barelydiscernible discernibletotoan anuntrained untrainedeye, eye,but butRaymus Raymusknew knewwhat what he hewas waslooking lookingfor. for.From Fromthis thisfar farout, out,Tatooine Tatooinewas waslittle littlemore morethan thanaa speck, speck,just justaatiny, tiny,palepale-orange orangedot dotadjacent adjacenttototwo twofar farlarger, larger,brilliant brilliant lights, lights,the theplanet’s planet’sbinary binarysuns. suns. “How “Howlong longatatbest bestspeed?” speed?”They Theywere weresosoclose, close,yet yetstill stillsosofar. far.IfIfthe the hyperdrive hyperdrivehad hadheld heldout outfor forjust justaafew fewmoments momentslonger, longer,they theywould would already alreadybe beininthe theplanet’s planet’sorbit. orbit.But Butnow, now,forced forcedtotohobble hobblethe therest restofof the theway wayatatsublight sublight. . . . “Eight “Eightminutes, minutes, ””the thepilot pilotresponded. responded.“I“Ithink thinkwe’ll we’llmake makeit.it. ””There There was washope hopeininthe theman’s man’svoice, voice,aasense senseofofrelief— relief—the thefirst firstRaymus Raymushad had heard heardfrom fromanyone anyonesince sincetheir theirnarrow narrowescape escapefrom fromScarif. Scarif.And Andnow now he hefelt feltit,it,too. too.Eight Eightminutes. minutes.IfIfthey theycould couldhold holdout outjust justthat thatmuch much longer, longer,he hecould couldget geteverybody everybodytotothe thesurface surfaceand andscuttle scuttlethe theship; ship; then thenatatone oneofofthe theplanet’s planet’sinfamously infamouslynono-questionsquestions-asked askedspaceports spaceports he hecould couldprocure procureanother anothervessel, vessel,unmarked unmarkedand anduntraceable, untraceable,with with which whichtotospirit spiritthe theprincess princesstotosafety. safety.For Foraabrief briefmoment momenthe heallowed allowed hope hopeback backin; in;considered consideredthe thepossibility possibilitythat thatmaybe, maybe,just justmaybe, maybe,there there was wasaaway wayout outofofthis. this.That Thatthe theprincess princessmight mightstill stillbe besafe safeafter afterall, all, that thatthe thestolen stolendata datamight mightstill stillfind findits itsway wayback backtotorebel rebelcommand, command, that thathe heand andhis hisloved lovedones onesmight mightstill— still— The Theimpact impactrocked rockedthe theship shipsosohard hardititslammed slammedRaymus Raymusagainst against the thecockpit cockpitbulkhead. bulkhead.Like Likeaapassing passingbreeze, breeze,his hisreverie reverievanished vanishedasas quickly quicklyasasitithad hadcome, come,and andaashrill shrillcockpit cockpitalarm alarmsounded. sounded. “Star “StarDestroyer!” Destroyer!”the thepilot pilotexclaimed exclaimedininresponse responsetotothe thenew newsensensor sorreading readingthat thathad hadjust justappeared appeareddirectly directlybehind behindthem. them.“They’re “They’refirfiring ingon onus!” us!” “Man “Manthe theturbolasers turbolasersand andreturn returnfire, fire, ””Raymus Raymusordered. ordered.“Put “Puteveryeverything thingwe’ve we’vegot gotinto intothe theaft aftdeflector deflectorshield, shield,and andget getusustotothat thatplanet!” planet!”
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He Heassembled assembledhis hissecurity securityforces forcesand andgave gavethem themtheir theirorders, orders,sending sending every everyman manhe hecould couldarm armtotothe theforward forwarddocking dockinghatch hatchtotoset setup upaa defensive defensivebulwark. bulwark.He Heknew knewtheir theirchances chancesofofrepelling repellingan anImperial Imperial boarding boardingparty partywith withthe themeager meagerforces forcesatathis hiscommand commandwere wereslim, slim,but but they theymight mightatatleast leastbuy buyhim himtime timetotoget getthe thecivilians civiliansaway awaytotosafety. safety. As Ashis histroops troopsdeparted, departed,the theship shipwas wasrocked rockedhard hardagain, again,and andaaloud loud explosion explosion sounded sounded somewhere somewhere far far behind behind Raymus. Raymus. His His comlink comlink crackled crackledtotolife, life,and andhe heraised raiseditittotohear hearthe thesounds soundsofofchaos chaosand andpanpanicked ickedvoices voicesfrom fromthe thecockpit. cockpit. “Sir, “Sir,that thatlast lasthit hitoverloaded overloadedour ourshield shieldprojector; projector;we wehad hadtotoshut shut down downthe themain mainreactor reactorbefore beforeititblew. blew.We Wecan’t can’tmaintain maintaindistance distanceon on that thatDestroyer— Destroyer—it’s it’sclosing closingfast. fast. ”” “Distance “DistancetotoTatooine?” Tatooine?” “Point “Pointtwo twoseven” seven”came camethe thereply. reply.They Theywould wouldnot notget getaway, away,RayRaymus musknew, knew,but butthe theescape escapepods podsstill stillcould. could. Raymus Raymusheard heardaamuffled muffledmetallic metallicecho echoall allaround aroundhim, him,the thesound sound ofofthe theship’s ship’shull hullgroaning groaningunder underoutward outwardpressure, pressure,and andknew knewwhat what that thatmeant. meant.The Thedestroyer destroyerhad hadlocked lockedon ontotothem themwith withits itstractor tractor beam beamand andwas waspulling pullingthem themin. in. “Sir, “Sir,they theyjust— just—”” “I“Iknow. know.Get Gettotoyour yourescape escapepods!” pods!”And Andhe heran, ran,searching searchingdesperdesperately atelyfor forthe theprincess. princess.The Theship shipwas waslost, lost,he heknew. knew.But Buthe hecould couldstill still save saveher. her.
He Hecould couldfind findher hernowhere. nowhere.He Herushed rushedthrough throughthe thehallways hallwayssearchsearching ingasasall allaround aroundhim himhis hiscrew crewhelped helpedthe theprincess’s princess’ssenatorial senatorialstaff staff pile pilehurriedly hurriedlyinto intoescape escapepods. pods.There Thereweren’t weren’tenough enoughfor foreveryone, everyone, he heknew. knew.As Asitithad hadalways alwaysbeen beenwith withthe theRebellion, Rebellion,they theyhad hadtotomake make the thebest bestofofwhat whatlittle littlethey theyhad. had.And Andgood goodpeople peoplewould wouldhave havetotodie. die. He Heheard heardthe thedistant distantexplosion, explosion,knew knewthat thatitithad hadcome comefrom fromthe the
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forward forwardair airlock. lock.Then Thenthe thesound soundofofaafurious furiousexchange exchangeofofblasterfire. blasterfire. Imperial Imperialtroops troopswere werenow nowcoming comingaboard aboardhis hisship. ship.Not Notmuch muchtime. time. Have Havetotofind findher. her.He Hehad hadnot notdedicated dedicatedsosomuch muchofofhis hislife lifetotoprotectprotecting ingher heronly onlytotofail failnow, now,ininher hermost mostcritical criticalhour hourofofneed. need. Finally Finallyhe hespotted spottedher herasashe herounded roundedaacorner. corner.She Shewas wasatatthe thefar far end endofofthe thewhitewhite-walled walledhallway. hallway.Alone Alonesave savefor foran anR2 R2unit, unit,warbling warbling affirmatively affirmativelyasasshe shespoke spoketotoit.it. “Your “YourHighness!” Highness!” When WhenLeia Leiaturned turnedtotosee seehim, him,she shequickly quicklyushered usheredthe thedroid droidaway. away. Puzzled, Puzzled,Raymus Raymusraced racedtotofollow followher, her,catching catchingup uptotoher herasasshe sheslipped slipped through throughaabulkhead bulkheaddoorway doorwayinto intoaashadowy shadowyside sidecorridor. corridor. “You “Youmust mustcome comewith withme, me,I Ihave havetotoget getyou youtotoaapod, pod, ””he heimplored. implored. “I’m “I’mnot notleaving, leaving, ””she shesaid. said.“Get “Getasasmany manyasasyou youcan cantotosafety. safety. ””RayRaymus musknew knewby bythe thedefiant defianttenor tenorofofher hervoice voicethat thatthere therewould wouldbe beno no arguing arguingwith withher. her. “The “Thetransmission transmissionfrom fromScarif Scarif. . .”.” “Leave “Leavethat thattotome, me, ””she shesaid, said,aapurposeful purposefulglint glintininher hereye. eye.Behind Behind her, her,the theR2 R2unit unitbleeped bleepedatather herurgently. urgently. The Thesounds soundsofofblasterfire blasterfirewere weregetting gettingcloser closernow, now,and andless lessfrefrequent, quent,asasthe theImperial Imperialboarders boardersdepleted depletedthe theTantive TantiveIV’s IV’smeager meagerdedefensive fensiveforce. force.Mere Meremoments momentsremained. remained. “Your “YourHighness— Highness—”” “You “Youhave haveyour yourorders, orders,Captain. Captain.And Andmy mygratitude. gratitude.For Foreveryeverything. thing. ””Leia Leiaraised raisedher herhand handand andtouched toucheditittotoRaymus’s Raymus’scheek, cheek,giving giving him himaawarm, warm,bittersweet bittersweetsmile smileboth bothofofaffection affectionand andofofsorrow. sorrow.Both Both ofofthem themknew knewthat thatthis thiswas wasthe thelast lasttime timethey theywould wouldever eversee seeeach each other. other.And Andthen thenshe shewas wasgone, gone,the thelittle littledroid droidtrundling trundlingaway awayinto intothe the shadows shadowsafter afterher. her. There Therewas waslittle littleleft leftfor forhim himtotodo, do,his hisship shipcaptured capturedand andswarming swarming with withImperial Imperialstormtroopers, stormtroopers,all allbut butaafew fewescape escapepods podsalready alreadyaway. away. All Allthat thatremained remainedwas wastotoend endhis hislife lifethe theway waythat thathe hehad hadalways alwayslived lived
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it,it,fighting. fighting.He Herushed rushedaway awaydown downthe thehall, hall,ducking duckingbehind behindaabulkbulkhead headasashe hesaw sawthe thefirst firststormtrooper stormtrooperround roundthe thecorner cornerup upahead, ahead, firing. firing.Raymus Raymustook tookaim aimand andreturned returnedfire, fire,dropping droppingthat thatstormstormtrooper trooperand andthen thenanother. another.Then Thenthe thenumber numberofoftroopers trooperswho whowere were arriving, arriving,taking takingpositions, positions,firing firingatathim, him,quickly quicklybecame becametoo toomany, many, and andhis hisonly onlyrecourse recoursewas wastotorun. run.He Hesprinted sprintedaway, away,knowing knowingthat thathe he was wasquickly quicklyrunning runningout outofofship shipbut butdetermined determinednonetheless nonethelesstotomake make the theEmpire Empireexpend expendevery everypossible possibleresource, resource,every everyounce ounceofofsweat, sweat, every everyprecious precioussecond, second,before beforethey theywould wouldinevitably inevitablytake takehim. him.Maybe Maybe just justenough enoughtotobuy buyhis hisprincess princesstime timetotoexecute executewhatever whateverlastlast-ditch ditch plan planshe shemight mighthave. have. He Hewas wasalmost almostatatthe thehallway hallwayjunction junctionleading leadingback backtotohis hisquarters quarters when whenhe hewas wastackled tackledand andbrought broughttotothe theground, ground,three threeImperial Imperial troopers troopersforcing forcinghim himinto intosubmission. submission.He Hestruggled, struggled,resisting resistingthem them totothe thelast, last,until untilaarifle riflestock stocktotothe theside sideofofhis hishead headdazed dazedhim, him,took took his hisstrength. strength. “This “Thisone’s one’sthe thecaptain!” captain!”He Heheard heardthe thetrooper’s trooper’smodulated modulatedvoice voice behind behindhis hisright rightear earasashis hisarms armswere werepulled pulledbehind behindhis hisback. back.“We “We need needhim himalive!” alive!”And Andthen thenhe hewas wasup upagain, again,his hisvision visionaahazy hazyblur blurasas he hefelt felthimself himselfbeing beinghauled hauledforward, forward,his hisboots bootsdragging draggingalong alongthe the floor floorbehind behindhim. him. “My “Mylord. lord. ””He Heheard heardthe thetrooper’s trooper’svoice voicebehind behindhim himagain. again.“The “The captain. captain. ”” Raymus Raymusfelt feltaashadow shadowlooming loomingover overhim himaamoment momentbefore beforesomesomething thingcold coldand andmetallic, metallic,like likethe thejaws jawsofofaavise, vise,clamped clampedhard hardaround around his histhroat. throat.As Ashis hiseyes eyeswidened, widened,he herealized realizedthe theblack blackshape shapethat thatnow now towered toweredover overhim, him,though thoughlittle littlemore morethan thanaadark darkblur, blur,was wasDarth Darth Vader, Vader,and andthat thatthe themechanical mechanicalgrip griparound aroundhis histhroat throatwas wasaahand. hand. The Thestormtroopers stormtroopersmoved movedtotosurround surroundthem themboth, both,asasthough thoughaaSith Sith Lord Lordneeded neededany anyassistance assistancewhatsoever. whatsoever. “The “TheDeath DeathStar Starplans plansare arenot notininthe themain maincomputer, computer, ””an anarriving arriving trooper trooperreported. reported.
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So Sothat’s that’swhat whatthey theysent sentus. us.Even Evenininhis hisdisoriented disorientedstate, state,Raymus Raymus now nowunderstood understoodwhy whythe therebel rebelfleet fleethad hadgambled gambledeverything everythingtotosteal steal that thatdata, data,and andwhy whythe theEmpire Empirehad haddispatched dispatchedits itsmost mostfearsome, fearsome,ununstoppable stoppableasset assetininits itsattempt attempttotorecover recoverit.it.That Thathideous hideousspherical spherical leviathan leviathanthat thathe hehad hadseen seenlay laywaste wastetotothe thesurface surfaceofofScarif, Scarif,unimagunimaginable inableininsize, size,unthinkable unthinkableininpurpose. purpose.The TheEmperor’s Emperor’smonstrous monstrousatattempt tempttotosecure secureultimate ultimatedominion dominionover overaagalaxy galaxyslowly slowlyfinding findingthe the will willtotooppose opposehim. him.The Thesecrets secretstotodestroying destroyingititwere wereininthe thehands handsofof his hisprincess. princess.And Andhe hewould wouldgladly gladlydie dietotoprotect protectthem. them. “Where “Where are are those those transmissions transmissions you you intercepted?” intercepted?” Vader Vader dedemanded. manded.“What “Whathave haveyou youdone donewith withthose thoseplans?” plans?” Raymus Raymusfought foughtuselessly uselesslytotopry prythe thefingers fingersfrom fromaround aroundhis hisneck, neck, felt felthis hisfeet feetleave leavethe thefloor floorasasVader Vaderlifted liftedhim himeffortlessly, effortlessly,all allthe thewhile while tightening tighteninghis hisgrip, grip,choking chokingthe thelife lifefrom fromhim. him. “We “We intercepted intercepted no no transmissions, transmissions, ”” he he spluttered, spluttered, fighting fighting for for breath. breath.“This “Thisisisaaconsular consularship. ship.We’re We’reon onaadiplomatic diplomaticmission. mission. ”” “If “Ifthis thisisisaaconsular consularship, ship, ””Raymus Raymusonly onlyvaguely vaguelyheard heardasashe hebegan began totolose loseconsciousness, consciousness,his hisvision visiondimming dimmingaround aroundits itsedges, edges,“where “whereisis the theambassador?” ambassador?” Even EvenasasRaymus Raymusfelt feltthe thelast lastofofhis hislife lifeebbing ebbingaway, away,he hefound foundhimhimself selfstrangely strangelyhopeful hopefulonce oncemore. more.He Heknew knewofofcourse coursethat thathis hisstory story had hadreached reachedits itsend, end,that thathe hewould wouldnever neveragain againsee seehis hisbeloved belovedwife wife and andchildren childrenon onAlderaan, Alderaan,and andyet yetstill stillhe hehad hadhope. hope.He Hehoped hopedthat that somehow somehowLeia Leiaknew knewofofaaway wayout outeven evenfrom fromthis; this;hoped hopedthat thatthe the glimmer glimmerininher hereye eyehe hehad hadseen seenininthat thathallway hallwaywas wasthe thegerm germofofan an idea ideathat thatmight mightyet yetsee seethe thestolen stolendata datareturned returnedsafely safelytotothe theRebelRebellion. lion.He Hehoped hopedthat thatititwould wouldempower empowerthem themtotodestroy destroythat thathateful hateful weapon, weapon,tototurn turnthe thetide tideofofwar, war,totorally rallymore moresystems systemstototheir theircause, cause, totoallow allowaagalaxy, galaxy,once onceagain, again,totobreathe breathefree. free. InInhis hisfinal finalmoment, moment,he hehoped. hoped.
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THE BUCKET Christie Golden
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K-4601 was disproportionally grateful for the stormtrooper helmet. For one thing, it smashed down the unruly tuft of blond hair that would never obey a comb or brush—the one that made him look like he was thirteen. His fair skin reddened and paled easily, too, which meant that no matter how diligent he was in schooling his expressions, his coloring always betrayed him. With the helmet on, though, and with the device that rendered the voices of stormtroopers almost completely identical, his reactions—good or bad—were much harder for others to determine. He was particularly appreciative of it today, as he was grinning like an idiot. He couldn’t believe his first assignment straight out of
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the theAcademy Academyhad hadbeen beenaboard aboardan anImperial ImperialStar StarDestroyer. Destroyer.And Andnot not just justany anyStar StarDestroyer, Destroyer,either. either.TKTK-4601, 4601,also alsoknown knownasasTarvyn TarvynLarLareka, eka,served servedon onthe theDevastator, Devastator,the theflagship flagshipofofLord LordVader Vaderhimself. himself.He He was wasnow nowpart partofofVader’s Vader’spersonal personallegion— legion—“Vader’s “Vader’sFist. Fist. ””AAjunior junior member, member,totobe besure, sure,but buthe hewas wasstill stillan anofficial officialmember. member. Today Todayaathrill thrillofofexcitement excitementlaced lacedthe theactivity activityofofthe thefinely finelytuned tuned military militaryinstrument instrumentthat thatwas wasVader’s Vader’sFist. Fist.IfIfLord LordVader Vaderhimself, himself,he heofof the theblack, black,gleaming gleamingarmor, armor,the theominous ominousbreaths, breaths,the thedeep, deep,resonant resonant voice, voice,and andthe theunfathomable unfathomablecommand commandover overobjects objectsand andpeople— people—ifif hehewanted wantedtotogive givechase chasetotothis thisvessel vesselasasititsped spedaway awayfrom fromthe theBattle Battle ofofScarif, Scarif,then thenasasfar farasasTKTK-4601 4601was wasconcerned, concerned,the therumors rumorshad had more moreofoftruth truththan thanfiction fictionabout aboutthem. them. Behind Behind“the “thebucket, bucket, ””asasthe thehelm helmwas wassometimes sometimescalled, called,no noone one could couldsee seehis hisbrow browfurrowed furrowedininconcentration, concentration,his hisblue blueeyes eyesnarnarrowed. rowed.No Noone onecould couldsee seethe thejoy joyhe hetook tookininaasuccessful successfulmission missionwith with no nocasualties, casualties,either, either,nor norwhen whenhe hewas wasreluctant reluctanttotofollow followorders ordersthat that sometimes sometimesseemed seemedtotoborder borderon onsenseless senselesscruelty. cruelty. He Hewas wasgetting gettingbetter betteratatpushing pushingthat thatpart partdown, down,though. though. Earlier, Earlier,TKTK-4601 4601had hadstood stoodrigidly rigidlyatatattention attentionwhile whileVader, Vader,standstanding ingaamere meremeter meteraway, away,atatthe themost, most,had hadgrasped graspedCaptain CaptainAntilles Antillesofof the theTantive TantiveIV IVby bythe thethroat, throat,lifted liftedhim himoff offthe theground, ground,and andinterrointerrogated gatedhim. him. Where Whereare arethose thosetransmissions transmissionsyou youintercepted? intercepted?Vader Vaderhad hadboomed, boomed, ininthat thatsonorous sonorousyet yetdreadful dreadfulvoice voicethat thatDeath Deathitself itselfmight mightuse. use.What What have haveyou youdone donewith withthose thoseplans? plans? We Weintercepted interceptedno notransmissions. transmissions.This Thisisisaaconsular consularship. ship.We’re We’reon onaa diplomatic diplomaticmission. mission.The TheTantive TantiveIV IVbelonged belongedtotothe theHouse HouseofofOrgana Organa ofofAlderaan. Alderaan.TKTK-4601 4601knew knewthat thatboth bothfather fatherand anddaughter daughterofofthat that House Housewere weremembers membersofofthe theImperial ImperialSenate. Senate. IfIfthis thisisisaaconsular consularship, ship,where whereisisthe theambassador? ambassador? As Asseemed seemedtotobe beaanot notuncommon uncommonprogression progressionwith withLord LordVader, Vader,
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he’ he’ ddgrown grownsosofurious furiousthat thathis hisfingers fingerscrushed crushedthe theman’s man’swindpipe windpipe before beforethe theunfortunate unfortunatecaptain captaincould couldeven evenmanage managean ananswer. answer. TKTK-4601 4601could couldhear hearthe thevertebrae vertebraesnapping snappinglike likedried driedtwigs. twigs. He Heswallowed swallowedhard. hard.The Thebucket bucketconcealed concealedall. all. Vader Vaderhad hadordered orderedCommander CommanderTKTK-9091 9091totosearch searchthe theship— ship—tear tear ititapart apartwere werehis hisexact exactwords— words—until untilthe theplans planswere werefound. found.As Asfor forpaspassengers, sengers,unlike unlikethe thelate lateCaptain CaptainAntilles, Antilles,they theywere weretotobe betaken takenalive. alive. And Andsosothe thefour fourstormtroopers stormtroopershad hadbeen beensent senttotosearch searchfor forthe theillillfated fatedship’s ship’spassengers. passengers.They Theywere werenow nowpoking pokingaround aroundininvarious variouscorcorridors, ridors,closets, closets,and andother otheroutout-ofof-thethe-way wayplaces placesininaalifelife-andand-death death game gameofofhidehide-andand-seek. seek. TKTK-4601’s 4601’sheart heartwas wasstill stillracing racingand andhe hecould couldfeel feelthe theheat heatininhis his cheeks cheeksand andthe thesmile smileon onhis hisface. face.He’ He’ dddeliberately deliberatelypushed pushedthe thecasual casual murder murderofofthe thecaptain captainout outofofhis hismind, mind,and andnow nowhe hewas wasbeyond beyondexexcited. cited.He Hefelt feltexultant. exultant.They Theywere werenot notjust justconducting conductingrandom randomraids raids on onsullen sullenpopulations populationsofofdistant distantworlds. worlds.They Theywere wereininsearch searchofofthe the real realthing. thing.Real Realrebels, rebels,with withreal realcunning, cunning,who’ who’ ddmanaged managedtotosteal steal plans plansfrom fromaamajor majorImperial Imperialbase basethat thatought oughttotohave havebeen beenimpregimpregnable. nable. Clever Clevercreatures, creatures,the therebels, rebels,he hethought. thought.He Hewould wouldnever neveradmit admitit,it, but butthere therewas wasmuch muchtotobe beadmired admiredabout aboutthem. them. Rumor— Rumor—that thatsweet, sweet,swirling, swirling,shapeshape-shifting shiftingcreature— creature—had hadititthat that the themissing missingambassador ambassadorwas wassenatorial senatorialroyalty: royalty:Princess PrincessLeia LeiaOrgana Organa ofofAlderaan, Alderaan,totobe bespecific. specific.ItItwas wasaalogical logicalconclusion, conclusion,considering considering the theTantive TantiveIV IVwas wasowned ownedby byher herfather. father.Both Bothshe sheand andBail BailOrgana Organa had hadpublicly publiclyexpressed expressedsympathy sympathyfor forthe therebels’ rebels’cause. cause.That Thatdidn’t didn’t mean meanthey theywere werethemselves themselvesrebels, rebels,ofofcourse. course.But Butwhat whatififthey theywere? were? TKTK-4601 4601badly badlywanted wantedtototalk talktotoTKTK-3338, 3338,who whowas wasfollowing followingimimmediately mediatelybehind behindhim himinintheir theirsweep, sweep,and andask askififhe hethought thoughtititwas was true. true.What Whatwas wasshe shelike, like,this thissenatorial senatorialprincess? princess?She Shecouldn’t couldn’treally really be bejust justnineteen, nineteen,could couldshe? she?
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Younger Younger than than he he was, was, and and already already aa senator. senator. Astonishing. Astonishing. ItIt wouldn’t wouldn’tbe besurprising surprisingififshe shehad hadindeed indeedbeen beenseduced seducedby bythe thesiren siren song songofofthe theRebellion. Rebellion.Its Its“championing “championingofofthe theinnocent, innocent, ””its itsdefiance defiance ofofthe theorder orderoffered offeredby bythe theEmpire. Empire.He’ He’ ddbeen beennineteen nineteenonce, once,too, too,and and remembered rememberedthe theappeal appealsuch suchideals idealscould couldhave. have.But Buthe’ he’ ddbeen beensmart smart and andresisted resistedthat thatcall. call.He Hewas wasaastaunch staunchImperial. Imperial. An AnEmperor Emperoroutranked outrankedaaprincess, princess,and andthe theSenate’s Senate’sdays dayswere were numbered. numbered. “Think “Thinkwe’ll we’llfind findany anyofofthem?” them?”asked askedTKTK-4247, 4247,who whowas wasbringing bringing up upthe therear. rear.He Hewas waseven evennewer newerand andmore morenaïve naïvethan thanTKTK-4601 4601had had been beenwhen whenhe’ he’ ddjoined joinedVader’s Vader’slegion. legion. “Lord “LordVader Vaderwill willbe bepleased pleasedwith withususififwe wedo, do, ””TKTK-9091 9091answered. answered. He Hedidn’t didn’tsay saythe theopposite— opposite—that thatLord LordVader Vaderwould wouldbe bedispleased displeasedifif they theydid didnot. not.TKTK-4601 4601didn’t didn’teven evenwant wanttotothink thinkabout aboutthat. that. I Iwant wantthem themalive, alive,Vader Vaderhad hadsaid. said.Their Theirblasters blasterswere wereset seton onkill. kill. They Theywere wereininaabattlefield, battlefield,even evennow. now.Too Toomany manyofofthe thecrew crewwere wereloose loose and andarmed, armed,wandering wanderingabout aboutand andopening openingfire, fire,for forthe thestormtroopers stormtroopers tototake takechances. chances.TKTK-9091, 9091,taking takingpoint pointasaswas washis hisright, right,had hadordered ordered them themtotokill killthe thecrew, crew,but butswitch switchtotostun stunupon uponsighting sightinganyone anyonewho who might mightbe beaapassenger. passenger. “What “Whatififwe wefind findthe thesenator?” senator?”chimed chimedininTKTK-3338. 3338. “Same “Samething. thing.Stun. Stun.But Butwe wedon’t don’tknow knowfor forcertain certainthat thatshe’s she’shere, here, ”” the thecommander commanderanswered. answered.“Don’t “Don’tlet letdown downyour yourguard. guard.IfIfthis thisreally really isisaarebel rebelship, ship,they’re they’recornered corneredanimals animalsnow, now,and andthey’re they’regoing goingtoto fight fightdirty. dirty. ”” Of Ofcourse coursethey theywould. would.Lying Lyingthrough throughtheir theirteeth teethabout abouttheir theirillegal illegal activities. activities.Hiding Hidingininshadows. shadows.Dirty Dirtyfighters. fighters. But Butafter afterthe thequick quickflush flushofofexcitement excitementand andanticipation, anticipation,the therouroutine tineofofchecking checkingcorridor corridorafter aftercorridor corridorfaded fadedbefore beforethe themundanity mundanity ofofthe thetask. task. And Andthen thenall allatatonce oncemundanity mundanitywas wasshattered. shattered.“There’s “There’sone, one, ”” TKTK-9091 9091said, said,turning turningtotoTKTK-4601. 4601.“Set “Setfor forstun. stun. ””
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TKTK-4601 4601instantly instantlyadjusted adjustedhis hisblaster’s blaster’ssetting settingand andturned turnedtotolook. look. The Theinstant instantlasted lastedless lessthan thanaaheartbeat, heartbeat,but butTKTK-4601 4601felt feltititwas was frozen, frozen,locked lockedinintime. time. Her Herclothing clothingwas wassosowhite whiteasastotoalmost almostglow, glow,her herskin skinsmooth smoothand and pale paleasascream. cream.As Aspale paleasashis hisown, own,though thoughher herlong, long,glossy glossyhair, hair,gathgathered eredup upininelaborate elaboratebut butefficient efficienttwin twinbuns bunson oneither eitherside sideofofher herface, face, was wasaarich richwarm warmbrown, brown,not notthe thebright, bright,sunny sunnyyellow yellowofofhis. his. And Andshe shewas wassoso. . . .little. little. TKTK-4601 4601had hadimagined imaginedthat thatrebel rebelwomen womenwould wouldbe bestrong strongand and muscular. muscular.Tall, Tall,powerful powerfulwarriors. warriors.This Thisone onestood stoodbarely barelyaameter meterand and aahalf, half,and andlooked lookedlike likeshe shemight mightbreak breakififheld heldtoo tootightly. tightly. But Buther hereyes— eyes— They Theywere werenot notcold, cold,those thosebrown brownorbs. orbs.They Theywere weresteady, steady,however, however, and andthey theywere werecalm, calm,and andthey theytold toldhim himasasclearly clearlyasasififshe shehad hadshouted shouted the thewords: words:I Iwill willnever neveryield. yield. She Shegripped grippedaasmall, small,handheld handheldblaster, blaster,the thebarrel barrelpointing pointingup. up. And Andsuddenly suddenlyTKTK-4601 4601understood understoodhow howititwas wasthat thatthis thisnineteennineteenyearyear-old oldgirl girlwas wasmore moreofofaawoman womanthan thanmost mosttwice twiceher herage. age.He Heununderstood derstood how how she she had had become become aa popular popular senator, senator, why why she she had had sympathy sympathyfor forthe theRebellion. Rebellion.Why Whypeople peoplefollowed followedher. her. And Andininthat thatinstant instantthat thatlasted lastedfor foran aneternity, eternity,he healso alsoknew knewthat that they, they,elite elitemembers membersofofVader’s Vader’sFist, Fist,were weregoing goingtotobe betoo tooslow, slow,that that their theircommander commanderhad, had,very verywrongly, wrongly,judged judgedthis thiswoman womanharmless, harmless, had hadreacted reactedfar fartoo toocasually, casually,and andwas wasabout abouttotopay paythe theprice pricebefore before any anyofofthem themcould couldreact. react. The Thewhite whitesleeves sleevesfell fellaway awayfrom fromher herslender slenderarms armsasasshe shelifted liftedthe the blaster. blaster. TKTK-9091 9091fell, fell,his hisarmor armorscorched scorchedand andsmoking. smoking. The Themovement movementshocked shockedTKTK-4601 4601out outofofhis hisreverie. reverie.Time, Time,which which had hadslowed slowedtotoaacrawl, crawl,sped spedup upagain, again,rushed rushedtotomeet meethim, him,and andhe he fired firedhis hisown ownblaster blasterdirectly directlyatatthe thewoman womanwho whocould couldonly onlybe bePrinPrincess cessLeia LeiaOrgana. Organa.
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She Shecollapsed collapsedinstantly, instantly,striking strikingthe thecold, cold,gray graysurface surfacehard hardwith with no nochance chancetotobreak breakher herfall. fall.She Shelay laysprawled, sprawled,her hertiny, tiny,delicate delicatefingers fingers still stillclutching clutchingthe theblaster. blaster. TKTK-4601 4601rushed rushedtoward towardher, her,suddenly suddenlyseized seizedwith withworry worrythat thatshe she had hadhit hittoo toohard, hard,that thatshe shewas wasdead. dead.He Hefelt feltaastrong— strong—and, and,he heknew, knew, treasonous— treasonous—wave waveofofrelief reliefwhen whenhe herealized realizedthis thiswas wasnot notthe thecase. case. “She’ll “She’llbe beall allright, right, ””he hesaid. said.He Herealized realizedthat thathis hiswords wordswere wereheavy heavy with withunexpected, unexpected,unwanted unwantedemotion. emotion.But Butthanks thankstoto“the “thebucket, bucket, ”” they theycame cameout outsounding soundingasasclipped clippedand andprecise preciseasasthey theyalways alwaysdid. did. He Hetook tookaabreath. breath.“Inform “InformLord LordVader Vaderwe wehave haveaaprisoner. prisoner. ”” ItItpresaged presageddark darkthings, things,ififVader Vaderspecifically specificallywanted wantedtotointerrogate interrogate this thisone. one.He Hehimself himselfhad hadencountered encounteredhis hiscommander commanderonly onlyaafew few times, times,and andthat thatwas wasenough. enough.What Whathe hewould woulddo dototoher her. . . . No. No.He Hewould wouldnot notbe beswayed swayedby byaapretty prettyface faceand andaamien mienfilled filledwith with resolve. resolve.The Theprincess princesswould wouldhave havebeen beendelighted delightedififher hershot shothad haddisdispatched patchedTKTK-9091, 9091,ororhimself, himself,ororthe theother othertwo twoininthe thepatrol patrolgroup. group. “Sir, “Sir, ””TKTK-4247 4247said saidtotohim, him,“the “thecommander’s commander’sdead. dead. ”” Dead? Dead?ItItwasn’t wasn’tpossible. possible.The Thewhite whiteplastoid plastoidsuits suitsprotected protectedthe the soldiers soldiersencased encasedinside insidethem, them,diffusing diffusingblasts blastssosothat thatmost mostshots shots weren’t weren’tlethal. lethal. But Butthe theprincess princesshad hadaimed aimedtrue, true,and andfrom fromonly onlythree threemeters metersaway. away. TKTK-4247 4247was wasbent bentover overhim, him,and andnow nowhe heturned turnedhis hishelmeted helmetedface facetoto his hisnew newcommander. commander.“Orders, “Orders,sir?” sir?” Sir. Sir.With Withthe thedeath deathofofTKTK-9091, 9091,the therole roleofofcommanding commandingofficer officer fell felltotoTKTK-4601. 4601.He’ He’ ddwanted wantedtotoclimb climbhigh highininthe theranks, ranks,but butnot notlike like this. this. For Foraamoment, moment,he hedidn’t didn’treply. reply.He Heknew knewthe theorders. orders.Stormtroopers Stormtroopers lay laywhere wherethey theyfell felluntil untilafter afterthe thebattle, battle,and andTKTK-9091 9091could couldbe beno no exception exceptiontotothat thatrule. rule.TKTK-4601 4601could couldstill stillhear hearthe thescreams screamsout outininthe the corridors— corridors—both boththe thehighhigh-pitched pitchedsounds soundsofofblasters blastersfiring firingand andthe the cries criesofofagony agonyfrom fromtheir theirvictims. victims.
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He Hestrode strodetotowhere wheretheir theircaptive captivelay. lay.Her Herbody bodywas waslimp limpand andher her face faceslack. slack.Its Itsfire firewas wasquelled, quelled,but butits itsbeauty beautystill stilllingered. lingered.She Shewould would wake wakeininaafew fewminutes, minutes,perhaps perhapsfeeling feelingslightly slightlyhungover hungoverfrom fromthe the effects effectsofofthe thestun stunbolt boltbut, but,asashe hehad hadtold toldthe thegroup, group,“fine. “fine. ”” Unlike UnlikeTKTK-9091. 9091.His Hiscommanding commandingofficer. officer.His Hisfriend. friend.The Theone one who whocracked crackedthe thestupidest stupidestjokes jokesininthe theworld worldininhis hisoff offhours, hours,but butwho who was wasall allbusiness businesswhen whenhe hedonned donnedthe theuniform. uniform.Except Exceptthis thistime, time,he’ he’ dd underestimated underestimatedthe theenemy. enemy.AAstupid, stupid,stupid stupidmistake. mistake. The Theprisoner prisonerstirred stirrednow, now,groggy, groggy,moaning moaningsoftly. softly.True Truetotoher herrebel rebel spirit, spirit,though, though,the thefirst firstthing thingshe shedid didwas wasstart starttotoraise raisethe thepistol. pistol.TKTK4601 4601kicked kickedititaway awayangrily. angrily.She Shegazed gazedup upatathim, him,blinking blinkingrapidly rapidlyasas her hereyes eyesslowly slowlyfocused. focused.At Atthe thesight sightofofhis hisface— face—his hishelmet— helmet—an anexexpression pressionofofdisgust disgustflitted flittedacross acrossher herface. face. That Thatbeautiful beautifulvisage visagewas wasasasmuch muchaaface faceofofthe theenemy enemyasasany any scarred, scarred,bearded beardedone. one.Leia LeiaOrgana Organawas wasaakiller. killer.She Shelooked lookedatatthem them and anddid didnot notsee seethe thepeople, people,only onlythe theEmpire Empirethey theyserved. served.To Toher, her, Tarvyn TarvynLareka Larekahad hadno noname, name,no noface, face,only onlyaanumber. number.He Hewas wasnothing nothing more morethan thanaauniform uniformofofthe thehated hatedfoe, foe,totobe beshot shotatatand andeliminated eliminatedasas quickly quicklyasaspossible. possible. He Hereached reacheddown downand andgrabbed grabbedher herwrists, wrists,hauling haulingher hertotoher herfeet. feet. The Theprincess princessstruggled, struggled,but butTKTK-3338 3338pressed pressedthe theblaster blasterinto intoher her back. back.She Shestiffened, stiffened,and andstilled. stilled. “Lord “LordVader Vaderwants wantstotosee seeyou, you,Senator SenatorOrgana, Organa, ””TKTK-4601 4601said. said.He He snapped snappedaapair pairofofstun stuncuffs cuffsaround aroundher herslender slenderwrists. wrists.“You “Youcan caneieither thercome comealong alongwith withususon onyour yourown owntwo twofeet, feet,ororwe’ll we’llstun stunyou youagain again and andbring bringyou youtotohim himthat thatway. way.Your Yourdecision. decision. ”” For Foraamoment, moment,he hethought thoughtshe shewould wouldlunge lungeatathim. him.Instead Insteadshe she composed composedherself. herself.“I’ll “I’llwalk, walk, ””she shesaid. said.Her Hervoice voiceheld heldno noquiver quiveratatall. all. ItItwas wasasascool cooland andregal regalasasthe therest restofofher. her. But ButTKTK-4601 4601thought thoughtofofVader’s Vader’sabilities, abilities,and andthe thetorture torturedroid, droid, and andhe hesuddenly, suddenly,abruptly, abruptly,did didnot notwant wanttotobe bethe theone onewho whodelivered delivered
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her hertotothe theutter utterlack lackofofmercy mercyshe shewould wouldreceive receiveatatDarth DarthVader’s Vader’s hands. hands.To Tothe theominous ominouswhir whirofofthe thehovering hoveringtorture torturedroid, droid,and andits its myriad myriaddrugs drugswith withwhich whichtototorment tormentthe theprisoners. prisoners. He Hesaid saidon onhis hiscomm, comm,“This “ThisisisTKTK-4601. 4601.TKTK-9091 9091isisdown. down.We We have haveaaprisoner prisonerinincustody. custody.Request Requesttwo twoadditional additionaltroops troopstotoescort escort prisoner prisonertotoLord LordVader Vaderper perhis hisinstructions. instructions. ”” “Copy, “Copy,TKTK-4601. 4601.We Wesee seeyour yourposition. position.TKTK-7624 7624and andTKTK-8332 8332are are en enroute. route. ”” The Theother othertwo twolooked lookedatateach eachother, other,then thenatathim. him.“Sir?” “Sir?” He Heignored ignoredthem themand andcontinued continuedspeaking speakinginto intothe thecomm. comm.“Re“Request questpermission permissiontototransfer transfertotoactiveactive-duty dutyunit unitfor forthe theduration durationofof the thebattle. battle. ”” “Permission “Permissiongranted, granted, ””came camethe thevoice. voice.“Nothing “Nothingofficial, official,but butI’ve I’ve got gotaahunch hunchwe’ll we’llbe besending sendingsome sometroopers trooperstotothe thesurface surfaceififVader Vader doesn’t doesn’tfind findwhat whathe hewants wantshere. here.No Nostone stoneunturned. unturned.Lot Lotofofsand sand there, there,though. though. ”” “Copy “Copythat, that, ””TKTK-4601 4601said saidimmediately. immediately.“Transfer “Transferme metotothat thatunit unit ififit’s it’sdeployed. deployed. ””Leia LeiaOrgana’s Organa’seyes eyesnarrowed narrowedasasshe sheregarded regardedhim him speculatively. speculatively.Doubtless, Doubtless,his histeam teamwas wasstartled startledand andwondering wonderingwhat what the thehell hellhe hewas wasdoing. doing.He Hewas wasaamember memberofofVader’s Vader’sFist. Fist.He Hecould couldbe be here herefighting, fighting,killing killingthe therebels, rebels,doing doingwhat whatthey theyhad hadtrained trainedfor, for,and and instead insteadhe’ he’ ddrequested requestedwhat whatamounted amountedtotoaademotion. demotion.They’ They’ ddbe beeven even more moreshocked shockedififthey theyknew knewwhat whathe hewas wasthinking. thinking. TKTK-4601 4601loved lovedthe theEmpire. Empire.He Hebelieved believedininit.it.He Heknew knewititcould could bring bringorder orderand andpeace peacetotothe thegalaxy. galaxy.But Buthe healso alsoknew knewthat thathe hecouldn’t couldn’t keep keepdoing doingwhat whathe hewas wasdoing doingnow now. . . .killing killingrebels rebelswhile whilelooking looking into intotheir theirfaces, faces,their theireyes, eyes,seeing seeingthem themopen openand andexposed, exposed,emotions emotions naked nakedtotohim, him,while whilethey theyonly onlysaw sawflat flatblack blackand andwhite. white. He Hecould couldstill stillkill killthem— them—but butonly onlywhen whenthe thebattlefield battlefieldwas waseven. even. Only Onlywhen whenhe hecouldn’t couldn’tsee seethem, them,asashe hesaw sawthis thissenator, senator,this thisprincess, princess, this thisrebel. rebel.He Hecould couldshoot shootthem themout outofofthe thesky, sky,and andhe hewould— would—but butnot not shoot shootthem themininthe theheart. heart.
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The Thetwo twonew newstormtroopers stormtroopersarrived. arrived.TKTK-9091 9091was wasleft leftwhere wherehe he fell. fell.Per Perorders. orders. He’ He’ ddhave haveunderstood. understood. The Thefour fourescorted escortedthe theprincess princesstotomeet meetthe theDark DarkLord, Lord,each eachofof them themtowering toweringabove aboveher herdiminutive diminutiveheight. height.As AsTKTK-4601 4601watched watched them themgo, go,the theprincess princessturned turnedtotolook lookatathim himsearchingly. searchingly. Spontaneously, Spontaneously,without withoutthinking, thinking,he heremoved removedthe thehelmet. helmet. The Theprincess princessseemed seemedstartled startledtotosee seehim— him—aahuman humanmale malenot notmuch much older olderthan thanshe, she,fairfair-haired, haired,blueblue-eyed, eyed,his hischeeks cheeksflushed. flushed. Their Theirgazes gazeslocked lockedfor foraamoment, moment,then thenshe shegave gavehim himaaslight slightnod nod and andturned turnedaround. around.TKTK-4601 4601didn’t didn’tkid kidhimself himselfthat thatshe sheunderstood understood the thegesture, gesture,ororthat thatthey theyhad hadmade madeany anykind kindofofconnection. connection. But Butdamn damnit,it,he’ he’ ddreminded remindedher herthat thatthere therewas wasaaperson personinside insidethe the plastoid plastoidarmor. armor.And Andmore moreimportant, important,he’ he’ ddreminded remindedhimself. himself.
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THE SITH OF DATAWORK Ken Liu
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sst! Arvira, I need your help!” I looked up from the tiny text scrolling by on my screen. Behind the stacks of tablets teetering on my desk appeared the anxious face of Bolvan, gunnery captain. “I’m kind of in the middle of something here,” I said, gesturing vaguely at the tablets full of datawork. Interruptions were part of my job, but surely he could see I needed a chance to catch up? Everyone thought being fleet logistics liaison (grade 4) on an Imperial Star Destroyer was a cushy job. But it took a lot of datawork to keep the crew of a massive ship like this fed and clothed and in fighting shape. Desk jobs in the Imperial Navy were no less stressful than combat ones.
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“Please, “Please,I Ireally reallyneed needyou!” you!”he hepersisted. persisted. I Isighed. sighed.Officers Officerswere werejust justlike likebabies: babies:When Whenthey theyneeded neededsomesomething, thing,ititwas wasalways alwaysthe themost mostimportant importantthing thingininthe theworld. world.“I“Ihaven’t haven’t forgotten forgottenthe theentertainment entertainmentholos holosyou youwanted. wanted.But ButI Ihave havetotoprioriprioritize tizeprocessing processingthe thecaptured capturedcorvette corvetteTantive TantiveIV. IV.Especially Especiallysince since Lord LordVader— Vader—”” “No, “No,no! no!It’s It’ssomething somethingelse. else. ”” I Ipaused pausedthe thescrolling scrollingscreen. screen.ItItwas wasclear clearhe hewasn’t wasn’tgoing goingtotoleave leave me metotomy mywork workuntil untilI Itook tookcare careofofhis hisproblem. problem.I Itried triedtotoput puton onmy my most mostconvincing convincingsmile. smile.“How “Howcan canI Ihelp helpyou?” you?” He Heglanced glancedback backinto intothe thecorridor corridortotobe besure sureititwas wasempty, empty,closed closed the thedoor doortotomy myoffice, office,and andsat satdown. down.“Er “Er. . . .it’s it’slike likethis this. . .”.” I Isat satthere therepatiently patientlyuntil untilhe hefinished finishedhis histale. tale. “So “Soyou youordered orderedHija Hijanot nottotoshoot shootthe theescape escapepod?” pod?”I Iasked, asked,just justtoto be besure sureI Iunderstood. understood. “Right. “Right. ”” “And “Andwhy whynot? not?Wait, Wait,isisititbecause becauseyou youwanted wantedtotoavoid avoidthe thedatadatawork?” work?” I Iwasn’t wasn’tjoking. joking.Like Likeall allmilitaries, militaries,the theImperial ImperialNavy Navyran ranon ondatadatawork. work.Most Mostofficers officersspent spentmore moretime timefilling fillingout outforms formsand andfiling filingrereports portsthan thanshooting shootingatatrebels. rebels.Per PerImperial ImperialNaval NavalRegulation Regulation132. 132. CAT.ch(22), CAT.ch(22),shooting shootingan anescape escapepod pod(other (otherthan thanduring duringan anarmed armed engagement engagementwith withan anintensity intensityclassified classifiedasasabove aboveCategory CategoryV) V)required required the thegunnery gunnerycaptain captaintotofile fileaaForm FormXTMXTM-5151-CT CTtotoexplain explainwhy whythe the action actionwas wasnecessary. necessary.This Thiswas wastotoavoid avoidgiving givingthose thosesquawking squawkingsenasenators torsan anexcuse excusetotoclaim claimthat thatthe theImperial ImperialNavy Navyengaged engagedininwar warcrimes. crimes. Bolvan Bolvanhad hadalways alwaystried triedtotoget getby bywith withasaslittle littledatawork dataworkasaspossible. possible. He Heshook shookhis hishead headno. no. Well, Well,this thiswas wasinteresting. interesting.“Are “Arewe wetrying tryingtotoconserve conservelasers lasersnow?” now?” He Heignored ignoredmy mysarcasm, sarcasm,but buthis hisface faceturned turnedred. red.“The “Thesensors sensorsdedetected tectedno nolifelife-forms formsaboard. aboard.I Ithought thought. . . .um um. . . .we wewouldn’t wouldn’thave have been beenscored scoredwith withaakill kill. . . .soso. . .”.”
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Of Ofcourse; course;now nowhis hisactions actionsmade madeperfect perfectsense. sense.Annoyed Annoyedwith with rebel rebelpropaganda propagandathat thatshowed showedImperials Imperialstotobe bepoor poorshots— shots—frankly, frankly, the thestormtroopers stormtrooperscould coulddo dowith withmore moretargeting targetingdrills— drills—fleet fleetbureaubureaucrats cratshad hadissued issuedaanew newpolicy policythat thattied tiedgunnery gunneryofficers’ officers’promotions promotions tototheir theirkill killratios. ratios.Shots Shotsfired firedatatunoccupied unoccupiedescape escapepods podswould wouldinindeed deedbe beconsidered consideredwasted. wasted.I Ithought thoughtthis thiswas wasaaterrible terribleidea ideaatatthe the time. time.The Thenew newpolicy policywould wouldencourage encouragesome someambitious ambitiousgunners gunnerstoto aim aimfor forrebel rebelpilots pilotsinindisabled disabledvessels vesselsrather ratherthan thandangerous, dangerous,armed armed drones. drones.But Butthe thebrass brassnever neverasked askedfor formy myopinion. opinion. “Fine, “Fine,sosoyou youlet letthe theempty emptyescape escapepod podgo. go.What’s What’sthe theproblem?” problem?” “Lord “LordVader Vaderordered orderedthe theTantive TantiveIV IVbe betorn tornapart apartuntil untilthe thesecret secret plans plansstolen stolenby bythe therebels rebelswere werefound, found,but butnow nowthat thatthey’ve they’vegone goneover over every everycentimeter centimeterofofthe theship, ship,Commander CommanderPraji Prajistill stillhasn’t hasn’tlocated locatedthe the plans. plans.I I. . . .I’m I’mafraid— afraid—”” “Ah “Ah. . .”.”I Iunderstood. understood.“I“Itake takeititthe theescape escapepod poddidn’t didn’tjust justdrift driftinto into space?” space?” “No, “No, ””he hesaid. said.“It “Itfollowed followedaatrajectory trajectorytotothe thesurface surfaceofofTatooine. Tatooine.I I just justthought thoughtititwas wasaamalfunction malfunctionatatthe thetime, time,but butmaybe maybethat thatwasn’t wasn’t it.it.What Whatififthe theplans planswere wereaboard?” aboard?” “This “Thisisisindeed indeedaatricky trickyproblem, problem, ””I Isaid saidthoughtfully. thoughtfully. I’I’ ddalways alwaysliked likedBolvan. Bolvan.He Henever nevermade madetoo toomany manyoutrageous outrageousdedemands mandson onthe thelogistics logisticscorps, corps,and andhe hewas wasaaterrible terriblecard cardplayer, player,which which meant meantthat thatI Iusually usuallymanaged managedtotowin winextra extracredits creditsfrom fromhim himininpriprivate vategames gamesamong amongthe theofficers. officers.I Ididn’t didn’twant wanttotosee seethe thepoor poorman man courtcourt-martialed martialedfor fornegligence negligenceififthe theplans planswere weresomehow somehowaboard aboard that thatescape escapepod. pod.Even Evenworse, worse,Lord LordVader Vaderoften oftendidn’t didn’teven evenbother bother with withaacourtcourt-martial. martial.ItItmust mustbe benice nicetotobe beable abletotoignore ignoredatawork datawork requirements requirementswhenever wheneverone onepleased. pleased. “That’s “That’swhy whyI Icame cametotoyou, you, ””he hesaid, said,his hisvoice voicepleading. pleading.“I“Ifigured figuredifif anyone anyoneknew knewhow howtotopatch patchup upaaproblem problemlike likethis, this,you youwould. would. ”” Now, Now,not nottotobe beboastful, boastful,but butI Idid didhave haveaareputation reputationfor forexpertise expertise inindatawork. datawork.I Iknew knewthe theins insand andouts outsofofthe thehundreds hundredsofofthousands thousands
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ofofeverever-changing changingforms formsand andquestionnaires questionnairesand andapplications applicationsand and data datagrids gridsand andcharts chartsand andreports reportsand andrequisition requisitioncommuniqués communiqués that thatkept keptthe theImperial ImperialNavy Navyhumming. humming.I Iknew knewjust justwhat whatcheckboxes checkboxes tototick ticktotoget getmy myship shippriority priorityservice serviceinindocks, docks,what whatkeywords keywordstoto stick stickinto intoblank blankforms formstotoavoid avoidaasurprise surpriseinspection, inspection,and andthe thesecrets secrets for forrequisitioning requisitioningentertainment entertainmentholos holoseven evenwhen whenall allthe theshipboard shipboard bandwidth bandwidthwas wassupposed supposedtotobe bereserved reservedfor forcombatcombat-related relatedtranstransmissions. missions. And AndI Ishared sharedmy mywisdom wisdomliberally. liberally.Junior Juniorofficers officerswho whowanted wantedtoto avoid avoidsnoring snoringroommates roommatescame cametotome mefor foradvice adviceon onthe theXPTSXPTS-77 Bunking Bunking Application Application (claim (claim aa propensity propensity for for sleepwalking sleepwalking and and punching punchingsources sourcesofofnoise); noise);senior seniorofficers officerswho whowanted wantedtotomaximize maximize their theirshore shoreleave leavecame cametotome mefor forhelp helpwith withthe theSSSS-VACVAC-2B 2BVisa Visa(pick (pick aadeparture departureport porton onthe theother otherside sideofofthe thevacation vacationplanet planetfrom fromthe theararrival rivalport); port);and andeven eventhe thecaptain captaincame cametotome mewhen whenititwas wastime timetotofill fill out outthe theestimated estimatedoperating operatingbudget budget(the (thetrick: trick:. . . .Ha, Ha,asasififI’m I’mgoing going totoshare sharethat thattrick trickhere). here).Some Somecalled calledme meaadatawork dataworkwizard, wizard,orormaybe maybe even evenaadatawork dataworkJed— Jed—Oh, Oh,never nevermind mindthat. that.The Thepoint pointis:is:I Iliked likedhelphelping ingpeople, people,and andififthey theychose chosetotothank thankme mewith withlittle littlefavors favorsororgifts giftsoror credits, credits,ititwould wouldhave havebeen beenimpolite impolitetotosay sayno. no. Oh, Oh,all allright, right,let letme mejust justcome comeout outand andsay sayit.it.ItItwas wasnice nicetotohave have people peopleininyour yourdebt. debt.With Withthe thepolitical politicalsituation situationasasvolatile volatileasasititwas, was, you younever neverknew knewwhen whenyou’ you’ ddneed needtotocall callininaafavor. favor.By Byhelping helpingpeople people today, today,I Iwas wasjust justhelping helpingmyself myselffor forthe thefuture. future. AAgood gooddatawork dataworkmaster masterneeded neededtotohave havestrings stringsout outtotoasasmany many puppets— puppets—er— er—I Imeant meantstudents studentsasaspossible. possible.ItItwas wasprudent. prudent. After Afterthinking thinkingover overBolvan’s Bolvan’sproblem problemfor foraamoment, moment,I Ihad hadan anidea. idea. I Ihanded handedhim himaatablet. tablet.“Here, “Here,start startfilling fillingthis thisout. out. ”” “What “Whatisisthis?” this?”Bolvan Bolvanlooked lookedwary. wary. “That’s “That’saaForm FormINSINS-776776-TX. TX. ”” “What “What. . . .what whatdoes doesititdo?” do?” “Don’t “Don’tyou youeven evenbother botherreading readingthe theinstructions? instructions?Oh, Oh,all allright, right,I’ll I’ll
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explain. explain.That’s That’sthe theform formyou youuse usetotorequest requestan animmediate immediatemidmid-cruise cruise extraextra-vehicularvehicular-armament armamentinspection. inspection. ”” “Why “Whywould wouldI Iwant wanttotodo dothat? that?That’s That’sgoing goingtotosend sendall allthe thegunners gunners ininEV EVsuits suitstotoinspect inspectevery everysingle singleone oneofofthe theDevastator’s Devastator’sguns. guns.ItItwill will take takehours hourstotocomplete!” complete!” I Ishook shookmy myhead headininmild mildannoyance. annoyance.ItItwas wasreally reallyhard hardsometimes sometimes working workingwith withpeople peoplewho whohad hadno nounderstanding understandingofofthe thesubtleties subtletiesofof datawork. datawork.“As “Asthe thegunnery gunnerycaptain, captain,you youare areone oneofofthe thefew fewofficers officerson on board boardwith withenough enoughauthority authoritytotorequest requestsuch suchan anaction, action,and andImperial Imperial regulations regulationsrequire requirethe thechief chiefgunnery gunneryofficer officertotobe beinincharge chargeofofthe the inspection. inspection.Hija Hijawill willbe beoccupied occupiedfor forthe therest restofofthe theday dayclimbing climbingfrom from gun gunembankment embankmenttotogun gunembankment embankmentoutside outsidethe theDevastator.” Devastator.” Bolvan Bolvanstill stilllooked lookedconfused. confused.“He’s “He’sgoing goingtotohate hateme. me.He Henever never wants wantstotogo gooutside— outside—says saysititgives giveshim himspacesickness— spacesickness—”” “If “Ifhe’s he’soutside, outside, ””I Isaid, said,“then “thenLord LordVader Vaderisn’t isn’tgoing goingtotocorner cornerhim him ininaahallway hallwayand andask askhim himabout aboutany anyescape escapepods! pods!He’s He’sthe theonly onlyother other witness. witness. ”” Bolvan’s Bolvan’s eyes eyes widened widened with with understanding. understanding. “Oh “Oh. . . .Ohhhhhh! Ohhhhhh! What Whatdo doI Iput putdown downfor for‘Reason ‘Reasonfor forrequesting requestinginspection’?” inspection’?” ““‘Reports ‘Reportsofofnonnon-responsive responsivetriggering triggeringmechanism. mechanism. ’ ”’ ” Bolvan’s Bolvan’sfingers fingersdanced dancedover overthe thetablet. tablet.“I“Itake takeititthis thisisistotolay laythe the groundwork groundworkfor forlater laterclaiming claimingthat thatthe theguns gunswouldn’t wouldn’trespond? respond?Clever. Clever. ”” “This “Thisisisjust justgoing goingtotobuy buyyou youaalittle littletime, time, ””I Isaid. said.“It “Itdoesn’t doesn’tsolve solve the thewhole wholeproblem. problem. ”” He Helooked lookedup, up,alarmed. alarmed.“So “Sowhat whatelse elsedo doI Ido?” do?” “You “Youfill fillout outaaForm FormDKSDKS-7777-MA(n). MA(n). ””I Iflicked flickedthe theform formover overonto onto his hisdatapad. datapad. Bolvan Bolvanlooked lookedatatme mewith withhis hishelpless, helpless,watery wateryeyes. eyes. I Irelented. relented.“That’s “That’sthe theform formused usedtotorequest requestthe thedetailed detailedmanifest manifestofof any anynonnon-military militaryvessel. vessel.InInthis thiscase, case,since sinceyou’ll you’llbe beasking askingfor forthe the manifest manifestofofthe theTantive TantiveIV, IV,aaconsular consularship shipon onher herlast lastdeparture, departure,you’ll you’ll need needtotoadd addininAppendix AppendixP2, P2,Declaration DeclarationofofClassified ClassifiedMilitary MilitaryNeed. Need. ””
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“What “Whatam amI Isupposed supposedtotodo dowith withthe theTantive TantiveIV’s IV’smanifest?” manifest?” I Iflicked flickedover overyet yetanother anotherform formonto ontohis histablet. tablet.“You “Youfill fillout outApApplication plicationSUGSUG-171171-TI. TI. ”” He Helooked lookedabout aboutready readytotocollapse collapseininthe theface faceofofthis thismounting mountingpile pile ofofdatawork. datawork.“Which “Whichis?” is?” “Don’t “Don’tyou youpay payany anyattention attentiontotothe thetraining trainingholos? holos?You Youfilled filledout out an anacknowledgment acknowledgmentstating statingthat thatyou youwatched watchedaaholo holoon onthis thisfamily familyofof forms formsjust justtwo twodays daysago. ago. ”” Bolvan’s Bolvan’sconfused confusedexpression expressiontold toldme methat thathe heprobably probablysigned signedthe the acknowledgment acknowledgmentwithout withoutreading readingititjust justtotoget getititoff offhis hisdesk. desk. “The “TheSUGSUG-171171-TI TIisisused usedtotodispatch dispatchan anoperational operationalsuggestion suggestiontoto another anotherofficer. officer.It’s It’sused usedwhen whenyou youneed needtotobypass bypassthe thechain chainofofcomcommand mandand andthere’s there’sno nomilitary militaryemergency. emergency.Fleet Fleetcommand commandisisvery very proud proudofofthis thisinnovation innovationininimproving improvingthe theinitiatives initiativesofofall allofficers. officers. ”” He Heacted actedlike likehe hewanted wantedtototear tearhis hishair hairout, out,but buthe hemanaged managedtoto force forcehimself himselftotocalm calmdown. down.“Who “Whoam amI Imaking makingthe thesuggestion suggestiontoto and andwhat whatdo doI Isuggest?” suggest?” “Commander “CommanderPraji, Praji,like likeyou, you,hates hatesdatawork. datawork.You Youjust justtold toldme methat that he hehas hasgone goneover overevery everycentimeter centimeterofofthe theTantive TantiveIV, IV,but butI Ibet betyou youhe he hasn’t hasn’tdocumented documentedhis hissearch. search.I Iknow, know,I Iknow, know,when whenLord LordVader Vaderisis breathing breathingdown downyour yourneck, neck,the thelast lastthing thingyou youwant wanttotodo doisismore moredadatawork. tawork.But Buttrust trustme, me,ififthe theplans plansaren’t aren’tfound, found,everyone everyoneisisgoing goingtoto want wanttotomake makesure suretheir theirbehind behindisisproperly properlycovered. covered.That’s That’swhy whyyou you want wanttotomake makeaasuggestion suggestiontotoPraji Prajitotoget gethis histroops troopstotofill fillout outmultiple multiple copies copiesofofForm FormSRSSRS-9898-COMP, COMP,Inventory InventoryofofCaptured CapturedVessel. Vessel. ”” “But “Butififthe theplans plansare areon onthat thatescape escapepod, pod,how howisisdocumenting documentingthe the rest restofofthe theship shiphelpful?” helpful?” I Iknew knewthen thenexactly exactlyhow howmy myteacher teacherfelt feltback backwhen whenI Iwas wasaakid kidand and I Ijust justcouldn’t couldn’tsee seethe thepoint pointofof“showing “showingmy mywork” work”on ontests. tests.Even Evendadatawork taworkwizards wizardshad hadshameful shamefulmoments momentslike likethat. that. I Ihad hadtotobe bepatient patientwith withhim. him.“The “Thepoint, point,Bolvan, Bolvan,isistotolet letPraji Prajibe be the theone onetotofigure figureout outthat thatthe themissing missingplans plansmight mightbe beon onthat thatescape escape
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pod podwithout withoutexposing exposingyour yourown ownrole roleininits itsescape. escape.So Soyou youhave havehim him do dothe thecareful carefulinventory, inventory,and andsend sendhim himthe theship’s ship’smanifest manifestyou youobobtained tainedininthe theprevious previousstep. step.Praji Prajiwill willthen thendo dothe thecomparison comparisonand and notice noticethe themissing missingescape escapepod. pod. ”” “But “Butthen thenhe’s he’sgoing goingtotoask askme mewhy whyI Ididn’t didn’tshoot shootthe thepod podwhen whenitit jettisoned, jettisoned,which whichputs putsme meback backexactly exactlywhere whereI Istarted!” started!” “We’re “We’renot notdone doneyet, yet, ””I Isaid. said.“The “Thetrick trickwith withdatawork dataworkisislayering layering and andcomplementing. complementing. ”” “Sounds “Soundslike likeyou’re you’retalking talkingabout aboutfashion, fashion, ””he hemuttered. muttered. I Ilet letititslide. slide.“Your “Yourgoal goalisisbuilding buildingan anunassailable unassailablestructure structurefor for diverting divertingresponsibility responsibilityelsewhere— elsewhere—aakind kindofofescape escapepod podfor foryourself, yourself, ififyou youwill. will.So Sofar farI’ve I’vetaught taughtyou youhow howtotoget getHija Hijaout outofofthe theway wayand and how howtotolead leadPraji Prajitotodiscover discoverthe themissing missingescape escapepod, pod,and andthe theonly only remaining remainingpiece pieceisistotoerase eraseany anyhint hintthat thatyou youcould couldbe beresponsible. responsible. ”” “How?” “How?”he hespat. spat.I Icould couldtell tellhe hewas wasabout aboutready readytotograb grabmy mylapels lapels and andshake shakeme. me. I Ideliberately deliberatelyslowed sloweddown. down.“You’re “You’regoing goingtotofile fileaaMaintenance Maintenance Request RequestNIWNIW-5959-SUD, SUD,with withaaSchedule ScheduleP.” P.” He Hegroaned groanedpitifully. pitifully.He Hewas waslike likeaadrowning drowningman manready readytotogive giveup up on onthe thestraw strawhe hewas wasclutching. clutching.“What “What. . . .isisthat thatgoing goingtotodo?” do?” Time Timetotoexplain explainthe thecoup coupde degrâce. grâce. “This “Thisisisthe theform formyou youuse usetotoreport reportvisibilityvisibility-impaired impairedviewports viewports and andviewscreens viewscreensand andrequest requestaacleaning. cleaning. ”” “A “Acleaning?” cleaning?” “That’s “That’sright. right.Specifically, Specifically,aawashing washingofofthe theviewports viewportsand andviewviewscreens screensnear nearyour yourworkstation. workstation. ”” He Hejust justlooked lookedatatme. me.“A “Aviewport viewportwashing? washing?What What. . . .? ?How How. . . .? ? Why Why. . . .?”?” “Once “Onceyou youput putthe therequest requestin, in,maintenance maintenancewill willdispatch dispatchmultiple multiple droids droidstotothe thestation stationyou youdesignate— designate—I Isuggest suggestwhere whereyou youand andHija Hija were werestanding— standing—and andcover coverevery everyviewport viewportand andviewscreen viewscreenwith withaa thick, thick,white whitefoam. foam.The Thedroids droidswill willeven evendo doititfrom fromthe theoutside outsideofofthe the
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viewports. viewports.It’s It’sthe thelatest latestcleaning cleaningand andpolishing polishingagent agentfrom fromthe theImpeImperial riallabs, labs,specifically specificallydesigned designedtotoremove removelaser laserscarring scarringand andscorching scorching from frombattles. battles. ”” I Iwatched watchedhis hisface facego gothrough throughthe thestages stagesofofterror, terror,confusion, confusion, anger, anger,disbelief, disbelief,astonishment, astonishment,epiphany, epiphany,rapture. rapture. “C“C-cover coverall allthe theviewports?” viewports?”he hestuttered. stuttered. “That’s “That’sright, right,all allofofthem. them. ”” “With “Withaathth-thick thickfoam?” foam?” “Very “Verythick. thick.Can’t Can’tsee seeaathing thingthrough throughthem. them.Can’t Can’tsee seethe thestars, stars,oror the theTantive TantiveIV, IV,ororeven evenTatoo— Tatoo—”” “Or “Orany anyescape escapepods! pods!Oh, Oh,Arvira, Arvira,this thisisisbrilliant!” brilliant!” “This “Thiswill willexplain explainwhy whyyou youcouldn’t couldn’tsee seeany anyescape escapepods podsfrom from where whereyou youwere. were.Praji Prajiwill willjust justassume assumethat thatthe theescape escapepod podwas wasjettijettisoned sonedwithout withoutanyone anyonedetecting detectingit.it. ”” “And “Andhe hewill willhave havetotothen thenbring bringthe thebad badnews newstotoLord LordVader Vaderand and face facethe theconsequences. consequences. ”” That Thatsmile smileon onhis hisface facewas wastruly trulydelightful delightfultotosee. see.I Iloved lovedhelping helping people. people.“Exactly. “Exactly.Now Nowgo goand andget getall allthe thedatawork dataworkdone doneASAP. ASAP.You’ve You’ve still stillgot gottime. time. ”” He Hegot gotup, up,tablet tabletininhand, hand,and andran ranfor forthe thedoor. door.But Butbefore beforeexiting, exiting, he heturned turnedaround. around.“What “Whatcan canI Ido dototomake makethis thisup uptotoyou? you?AAgame gameofof cards cardstomorrow tomorrownight?” night?” Aha, Aha,sosomaybe maybehe hedidn’t didn’tknow knowmuch muchabout aboutdatawork, datawork,but buthe hedid did know knowhow howtotopay payfor foraafavor favorwithout withoutbeing beingtoo tooobvious. obvious.“Maybe. “Maybe.But But you youknow, know,I’ve I’vealways alwayswanted wantedtotoknow knowwhat whatit’s it’slike liketotofire firethe theguns gunson on this thisthing. thing.Even Evendatawork dataworkwizards wizardslike likepewpew-pewpew-pew, pew,you youknow?” know?” He Hegrinned. grinned.“I’m “I’msure sureI Ican canwork workout outaatargettarget-practice practicesession session sometime. sometime. ”” I Iwaved wavedfor forhim himtotogo goand andreturned returnedtotomy myendless endlessdatawork, datawork,glad glad totohave havelaid laiddown downanother anotherstrand strandininmy myinvisible invisibleweb webofofinfluence. influence.
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STORIES STORIES IN IN THE THE SAND SAND Griffin GriffinMcElroy McElroy
II
f fone onewere weretototry trytotofind findthe theperfect perfectsummation summationofofwhat whatlife lifeon onTaTatooine tooineisisreally reallylike— like—the thesparseness, sparseness,the theintolerable intolerabledryness drynessofofititall— all— one one would would not not need need toto look look further further than than the the sandcrawlers sandcrawlers that that checker checkerthe theplanet’s planet’ssurface surfacewith withfleeting fleetingtread treadmarks markseach eachday. day. Every Everycentimeter centimeterofofaasandcrawler sandcrawlerisisprudently prudentlydesigned designedtotofitfitthe the ship’s ship’sgrueling gruelingfunction, function,and andsandcrawlers sandcrawlershave haveaalot lotofofcentimeters. centimeters. Each Eachship shipisisan anidentical identicalmonument monumenttotopracticality, practicality,and andperforms performs each eachday’s day’swork workwith withexacting exactingprecision. precision.They Theydo dososoindomitably, indomitably, overcoming overcoming Tatooine’s Tatooine’s considerable considerable environmental environmental hazards hazards with with ease. ease. On Onthe theuppermost uppermostdeck deckofofaasandcrawler sandcrawlerstationed stationedininthe theWestern Western
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GRiffiN GRiffiNMM cELROY cELROY
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Dune DuneSea, Sea,aasloped slopedbulk bulkbelt beltcarried carriedscrap scraphoisted hoistedfrom fromthe thesands sands below belowtotoaasalvage salvagebay bayseated seatedatatthe thevessel’s vessel’speak. peak.Underneath Underneaththat that belt beltwas wasaasmall smallhidden hiddengap gapmeasuring measuringone onemeter meterlong longand, and,atatthe the incline’s incline’stallest tallestpoint, point,half halfaameter meterhigh, high,with withaawidth widthmost mostnonnon-Jawas Jawas would wouldfind findoppressive. oppressive.ItItwas wasan anunintended unintendedcompartment compartmentininaavevehicle hicleshrewdly shrewdlydesigned designedfor formaximized maximizedefficiency efficiencyofofspace. space. InInthis thiswedgewedge-shaped shapedgap, gap,aaJawa Jawanamed namedJot Jotdreamed dreamedofofstarships. starships. Jot Jothad haddiscovered discoveredthe thecompartment compartmentby byaccident accidentwhile whileworking working an anintake intakeshift, shift,sorting sortingthe theunceasing unceasingflow flowofofmetallic metallicdebris debristhat thatthe the sandcrawler sandcrawlersucked suckedup upinto intoits itspowerful powerfulmagnetic magneticmaw. maw.AAparticuparticularly larlylustrous lustrousthermal thermaldissipater dissipaterhad hadcaught caughthis hiseye eyeasashe hepushed pushedanancient cientalloys alloysinto intopiles pilesaccording accordingtototheir theirworth worthororusefulness usefulnesstotothe the crew. crew.But Butasashe hereached reachedtotopocket pocketthe thedissipater, dissipater,Jot Jotwatched watchedititslip slip sideways, sideways,between betweenthe thebulk bulkbelt beltand andthe theship’s ship’shull, hull,tumbling tumblingdowndownward wardand andout outofofsight. sight. Jot Jotsearched searchedfor forthe themissing missingdissipater dissipaterduring duringhis hislimited limitedbreak break time timeover overthe thenext nextnine ninedays, days,hoping hopingnot nottotoattract attractthe theattention attentionofofhis his peers peersduring duringhis histireless tirelesshunt. hunt.By Bypressing pressinghis hisslight slightframe framebehind behindthe the maglift’s maglift’spneumatic pneumaticservos, servos,he hecould couldedge edgehis hisway wayprone, prone,then thenpry pryaa flimsy, flimsy,rectangular rectangularaluminum aluminumpanel panelfrom fromthe thebulk bulkbelt’s belt’shousing, housing,givgiving inghim himan anentryway entrywayhe hecould couldjust justscrape scrapethrough, through,sosolong longasashis his slightly slightlyround roundbelly bellynever, never,ever evergot gotany anyrounder. rounder.ItItwas wasaaclumsy clumsyact act ofofcontortion, contortion,but butluckily luckilyfor forJot, Jot,he hewas waslikely likelythe theonly onlyJawa Jawaaboard aboard the thesandcrawler sandcrawlerwho whocould couldpull pullititoff. off. This Thiswas wasbecause becauseJot Jotwas wasvery verysmall, small,even evenby byJawa Jawastandards. standards. When When Jawas Jawas first first learn learn toto walk, walk, they’re they’re given given the the insulated, insulated, moisturemoisture-regulating regulatingrobes robesthat thatwill willsustain sustainthem themtheir theirwhole wholelives. lives.As As infants, infants,their theirrobes robesare arehemmed hemmednearly nearlytotothe thearmpit, armpit,the thefabric fabricdoudoubled bledand andfolded foldedwithin. within.As AsJawas Jawasmature, mature,the thehem hemisislowered loweredtotobetter better cover covertheir theirnewfound newfoundheight. height.Most MostJawas Jawasmeasure measurethemselves themselvesby bythe the number numberofofhems hemsthey’ve they’vehad hadput putin; in;the theaverage averageJawa Jawahas hasfive fiveororsix sixby by
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