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| Stand-In Smuggler (Part 2) |
Han and his Wookiee copilot had just eliminated the second destination from his short list of probably worlds Luke might consider.
"Yeah, this is taking too long, Chewie," Han agreed as the Wookiee commented on the slowness of their efforts. "Let's stop off at Fletcher's on Haeon, and see if we can pick up some gossip about Imperial activities. Maybe Luke's decoy operation has shown up somewhere in the network-" Han stated, and punched up the coordinates for the JUMP.
The next day Luke had managed to convince the Major to let him go off on his own. It felt good to be by himself. Idly turning his wristcuff he wondered -that its range was. Sharna was in better shape now, and could call in the rescue party quickly. So why was he staying? It would be worth the risk to be free again. Except she'd summon the Imperials, and they'd hunt him down, using the wristcuff as a weapon against him. Grimacing, he thought of himself lying somewhere, helpless with pain generated by the thing, while Corlan stalked him, laughing at his plight. Eventually, he hoped to persuade her to take it off him. Last night she had not attached the remote sensor while they slept despite her actions that afternoon. Luke thought about their conversation of the day before. That was the other reason he didn't try to escape. He wanted to help her, although he still didn't understand why.
He continued on toward the ridge held spotted. Careful not to be seen against the skyline, Luke scanned the plains in front of him, spotting movement a few kilometers away. He watched for a while longer, and the movement stopped. Whatever it was, it seemed to have vanished. Curious now, he thought about trying to locate it. It wasn't stormtroopers he was sure of that. Staying he could move, his wrist tingled. The major was jerking on the leash; she wanted him to return. Resigned to obedience for now, he headed back. But tomorrow he promised himself held investigate further.
At their camp, he found Sharna up and trying to put weight on her injured leg.
"See anything, Luke?" she asked. I'm going to be able to travel in another day." She seemed cheerful, being up again had put her in good spirits.
"Not really," he told her. I found a ridge from which I can see quite a distance. Looked like there might be a trail to the north. I'd like to go back tomorrow and follow it a ways."
"Maybe I could come with you," she suggested, "I could keep an eye out from the ridge while you go on and explore."
Luke didn't like this idea at all; but before he could object, Sharna stumbled. She fell with a cry of pain. Quickly, he went to help her sit up.
Kneeling beside her, Skywalker checked her wound; it wasn't bleeding again.
"I think it's all right-" Luke said looking at her."But you shouldn't be pushing it. Rest again tomorrow. The day after will be soon enough."
His hands were so gentle, she thought. Impulsively, she kissed him, quickly; and then again, longer and deeper. He responded to the kiss, his arms coming up to embrace her, bands reaching up to stroke her hair. For a moment, he hesitated, remembering; but Sharna pulled him back to her. The walls seemed to break down; she was reaching for him. Moving slowly and with great care, he picked her up and carried her over to their blankets.
Later, she watched him closely; he was thinking, his mind far away. Sharna remembered his hesitation and wondered what he was recollecting. Not knowing why, she felt that whatever it was, Luke was unhappy about it. Suddenly, she laughed to herself, as the pieces fell together. 'Why, he's a romantic,' she thought. 'That's why he doesn't seem like any ordinary smuggler; he probably does it as much for the excitement as for the profit And no wonder held reacted to her story the way he had. He wanted to save her. Her laughter became harsher as she tried to feel contempt for his foolishness. But she could not deny the feeling of lose that swept over her. This was the first time she had been so aware of her aloneness, and had hated it so much. The pain of wanting his closeness was almost physical, but she had denied herself so long that she could not reach out to him. Slowly, the pain turned to resignation. She couldn't change a lifetime of rejection. Shivering she wrapped her blanket tighter, the warm contentment created by their intimacy gone.
Luke was having a hard time sorting out his own feelings, and was not aware of Sharna's struggle. He'd never expected anything like this when held determined to help her. If anyone had asked, held have said he disliked and distrusted her, maybe felt pity for her. Tonight bad confused him. He had followed his feelings and now found himself in a Situation that he felt he had neither the wisdom nor the maturity to control. Luke knew he was attracted to Sharna, and not just physically. He was certainly not in love with her, but the emotion he felt was stronger than pity or a desire to help. She drew him to her. Skywalker wanted to be close to her, and hoped tonight meant she was beginning to trust him. Deep instincts told him to go to her, but Unsure, he hesitated and the healing moment was lost. Both of them slept alone for the remainder of the night.
That morning Luke left the campsite very early to go investigate the source of the movement he'd seen the previous day. The major seemed content to stay behind; she was going as far as the water source to exercise her leg.
Travelling as quickly as caution would allow, Luke made it to the spot where he estimated yesterday's disturbance had stopped. He found nothing. 'Great.' he thought, flopping down in disgust. 'Not even a lizard! Maybe I expected a rescue party with Wedge in the lead.' he sighed out loud.
"Something troubles you, young human?" The voice seemed to come out of the ground.
Luke jumped straight up, and came down in an awkward crouch as something unwound itself from a hole at his feet. It was long, and thin with leathery brown skin. It looked like a snake that bad grown legs, lots of legs. Luke had never seen anything like it. And it spoke Basic, although a strangely convoluted form. He wondered why held expected it to hiss.
"Allowing me to introduce myself, I am Berrolff," The creature said an it drew itself up, facing the stunned rebel. Berrolff was about two, and a half motors tall as he stood on three of the leg's.
"My name is Luke, uh, Luke Skywalker." Luke replied stammering slightly.
"It is to wonder, Lukaluk, what you are doing here?" The creature asked curiously. "There are many Imperials about, and the others. It is not safe."
Luke was so surprised to hear about others who weren't Imperials, that he didn't bother to correct Berrloff's pronunciation of his name.
"But why did you speak to me?" He asked. "I might not be a friend."
"Last day, I watched you on the ridge." Berrloff replied. "Knew the Imperials hunted you, and the other human. Watched you, heard you; knew you needed friend."
"You said there were others, not Imperials, here also," Luke reminded Berrloff. "Do the Imperials hunt them, too?"
"Yes, at first." the creature replied thoughtfully. "Now, not so much. Clever, these others. Berrolff hiding from them. Not from you, Lukaluk. You feel good. We help each other. Maybe other friends come soon to see Berrolff."
Luke felt at ease with the strange creature. 'Maybe that's what he meant by 'feel good',' the young rebel thought. I wonder who these others are? Probably the remnants of some smuggling group. Anyway, I don't thin: I should tell Sharna about Berrolff. She wouldn't 'feel good' to him I guess.'
Luke looked back at the creature who was gazing at him expectantly. "I have to go back to the other human soon," Luke told him. oWill you come here again?"
"No, no." Berrolff seemed alarmed. "Not being good to return here. Others come. Stay by watercamp, Lukaluk. I will find you." he assured.
Luke trusted Berrolff, but he wasn't sure he could convince the Major. As her wound healed, she was becoming more impatient. if something didn't happen soon, he was sure she'd summon a rescue party. He had done what he'd been sent to do, Hoth was safe for now. Luke liked to think held at least have a chance of making it himself. He didn't want to just throw his life away. And despite their intimacy the day before Sharna felt even more distant. If things did not change, she would not let him survive to leave Hobard. it could eventually come down to his life against hers.
When Luke reached their camp, Sharna was not there. Quickly, he went to the water source. Maybe she'd fallen, and was unconscious.
No one was there, but there were signs that a large party had come visiting. 'Imperials or others?', he wondered. If it had been Imperials Sharna would have identified herself, and they would have waited for him. That left the others. They must have seen him leave, come in, and taken Sharna. Knowing the Major's proficiency, it must have been a surprise attack. Just like the one that was suddenly launched at him.
Fortunately, Sharna's disappearance had put him on guard, and the blow aimed at his head did not connect. Well, he'd been wishing for a simple fight.
He was doing pretty well, when a large human stepped out of the rocks. He had Sharna, and was holding a blaster to the Major's head. Luke started to raise his hands, and then pitched forward unconscious as something hard smashed into his head.
As he woke up, Luke realized his head was pillowed on something soft while a cold, wet object poked at his face. ,
"You fool, you damn romantic fool!" he heard Sharna's voice. "Why didn't you just run away?"
"Good to see you too," He croaked as he got his eyes opened and realized he was lying with his head in her lap.
Sharna was so surprised she hit him in the eye with the wet cloth she was using to wipe his face. He raised a hand to push it away and sat up, wincing as his head throbbed.
"Where are we?" he asked.
"Now that's really original," Sharna retorted. "Must everything you do be so predictable!""
Luke was about to respond in kind, when he realized the major wasn't angry at him. She was blaming herself for their capture.
"Why don't You just tell me what happened." Luke said quietly.
It was just about as he had guessed. The others had seen him leave, and had jumped her while she was concentrating on exercising her leg.
"Why didn't you use the wristcuff to call me back?" He asked. Then he had another thought. "Did you call the, rescue party?"
"I didn't want you to run into an ambush." She snarled at him. "I thought you might do better coming in on your own-" She paused for a moment. "Actually, you weren't doing badly until you let that oaf bluff you."
"Thanks," he replied dryly. "That oaf had his blaster pointed at your head. What was I supposed to do? And you haven't answered my other question."
"He wouldn't have shot me," She said confidently, "He thinks I would be an asset to his prestige. And I did send the rescue call, but I don't know how long it'll take. If the captain meets that destroyer up there, they may have to compare notes before anyone rushes to our rescue."
So, for better or worse, for good or ill, the Imperials were on their way. He would think it funny, relying on the Empire for rescue, if he wasn't so sure that the operation would have fatal consequences for him.
"Do you know who these people are? Sharna asked interrupting his thoughts. "I take it they're not part of your convoy?"
"No, they aren't." Luke hesitated a moment, but decided his original plan of keeping Berrolff a secret was a good one. "I guess they're the remnants of smuggling gangs flushed out by the Imperial operations. Probably ones who were caught on the ground, when that destroyer showed up."
"From what they've said, it seems like operations here have fallen apart rather thoroughly," Sharna told him. "I don't think your convoy will be back for its rendezvous."
Before Luke could answer, the one she had called the 'big oaf' came over to them.
"My name's Arnow," He said speaking to Luke. "The lady here explained that you're smugglers with the Imps hot on your trail. If you want you're welcome to stay with us, as long as you follow the rules of our band. And the only rule that matters is that everything is mine." He looked significantly at Sharna. "You have any problems with that?" he asked Luke.
Luke looked at Sharna. "I don't know. Do I have any problems with that?" he asked her.
Major Corlan was facing the fact that her whole operation to trap a rebel convoy was only going to net a handful of scruffy smugglers. She decided it would make her feel better to see Luke, who was the cause, however innocent of this mess, get the stuffing kicked of him.
Sharna looked challengingly at Luke, and stated in a loud voice. "I don't want to belong to that big oaf."
Skywalker looked from Arnow, to the major, and back to Arnow again. "Then you take him on." Luke said pointing to the man standing over them. "My head's splitting already."
The whole group roared with laughter at that. Arnow reached down, helped Luke to his feet, and clapped the rebel on the back.
"We're going to get along fine young fellow." He laughed, "I like you."
With their laughter echoing in her ears, Sharna rose and stumbled away from camp.
As soon as he could, Luke caught up with her. "What are you so mad about?" he asked as he made her stop, and face him. "You were trying to get my head beaten in, and you know it. Besides, I took your advice."
"What advice?" Sharna asked skeptically. "I did something unpredictable." Luke claimed proudly. "Admit it! You weren't expecting anything like that." he smiled.
All of a sudden, the major started laughing. "No, you're right. You certainly did something I wouldn't have anticipated., She pulled his head down for a kiss. "It wasn't very heroic, either." she stated. "I don't see why you should get a reward.' With that, she kicked him in the kneecap. Luke reflexively reached down to grab his knee, and she pushed him over. "I hope that teaches you not to play tricks on me.
As she turned away, Luke knocked her legs out from under her. Sharna fell over, and he rolled on top of her pinning her arms as she tried to hit him.
Once again he felt strongly attracted to her; and he wanted very much to believe that there was hope. But this was a dangerous predator he held in his arms, and he had no protection from her anger. 'It's no use,' Luke thought, regret and grief overcoming his earlier hope. He knew suddenly that he had run out of time, that he could not help her. She must have felt something of this because she began to struggle.
"What in blazes do you want from me?" She demanded angrily.
Propping himself up on his elbows, Skywalker looked into her furious face. "Nothing," he said sadly. "There's nothing you can give me; I shouldn't have tried to force you . You aren't ready for this." he finished. There must be a way to keep her from doing further harm to herself.' he thought. Somehow he had to show her what was happening in her mind and soul ...
"I don't want any more harm to come to you through me. I know you can't let me leave me here alive, but promise me one thing." his voice was sad, resigned. "When the time comes, don't be the one to end my life." With that he kissed her, then got up, and disappeared into the darkness.
Sharna sat up shaking, and stared after him. Regret overwhelmed her. She wanted to run after and hold him. Maybe there was still a chance. He wanted to help her; she could let him. Then reason reasserted itself. It was too damned late. She looked in the direction he had gone, remembering last night. 'All right, Luke, my foolish romantic,' she thought. 'You have my promise.' Slowly, she got to her feet and followed him back to the camp, her tears failing unseen in the darkness.
Feelings of sadness and helplessness overwhelmed Luke as he headed back to camp. He hadn't been able to reach the 'real' Sharna, and there was no escape that he could see from the trap which was closing fast. He walked wearily toward the smuggler group, then froze as he realized the camp was surrounded. The Imperial rescue team had arrived.
The cruiser's captain was very pleased with himself, which didn't help the Major's black mood. Luke stood to one side watching them, and trying very hard to avoid notice. He didn't want to die, but he could see no way out of this. He'd done his best for the Rebellion and for Sharna; all he could do, now was wait. She hadn't spoken to him again. Had he reached her after all?
"Well, Major. It didn't go quite as you thought. I spoke with the Captain of the Star Destroyer, and he tells me this smuggling mop-up had been planned quite a while ago." The captains explanation was delivered in an insufferably smug voice. "A shame Intelligence didn't know about it."
"Yes, well, these things happen." Major Corlan sounded very calm, almost off-hand about it. Skywalker listened in admiration. Her control was fantastic.
Inside she was seething. Her own service had let her down, had allowed this space jockey to gloat over her. When she got back she would find out who was to blame and see that they suffered, no matter how long it took. She smiled to herself. They would still find her a force to reckon with.
"At least, we know it broke up part of that rebel convoy," The captain continued, breaking in on Corlans thoughts of revenge. "With the Navy alerted, we should pick up the rest of it very soon. Lord Vader himself is directing the search for the rebel base."
'So Vader was involved. That was interesting' Corlan thought. 'They must be taking the rebel threat very seriously.' It was time to get back into the center of things. And there was only one task to accomplish before this mission was over. As they all began to move, Sharna stopped and took Luke's arm.
'Please wait here for us," She told the Captain. Skywalker tensed, wondering what she would do.
Sharna led him off to one side. "I wanted to say goodbye, Luke." With that she put her arms around him, and kissed him once, then again. As she held him, she triggered the highest setting on the wristcuff. His body convulsed suddenly, his brain on fire, all the nerves stimulated capacity to endure.
She held him until he quieted; and then slowly, regretfully, lowered his body to the ground. Major Corlan stood up turned to the Captain.
"I'm finished here," she told him.
Curious, the Captain walked over to Luke, and felt his pulse .
"Major," he called." Your smuggler is still alive. You didn't kill him."
Without looking back, Major Corlan replied, "I know." And then softly as if speaking to someone who wasn't there, she went on, "I promised."
"But he will die if you leave him like this." The Captain protested.
Major Corlan said nothing; she kept on walking toward the shuttle. Bewildered, the Captain followed, deliberately looking away from the still form on the ground. He shivered and went on board, avoiding any contact with the Intelligence officer. The sooner she was off his ship, the better.
Chewie gently picked Luke up and carried him out of Berralff's house while Han listened to his explanation. 'Not that it made much sense,' Han thought. Sounded more like some kids' story--evil witch putting Luke to sleep with a kiss. Well, Luke would tell them about it later.
Han was relieved they'd decided to check out Hobard, despite the rumors of Imperials being there. Whether it was the Force Luke believed in, or only Solo's desire to make sure his old pal Berrolff had survived, Han couldn't say. It was just damn lucky.
Berrolff told them how held gotten Luke back to his home after whatever it was had happened. The young rebel was weak and exhausted, but he'd be OK.
'He'd done a great Job,' Han thought affectionately. 'Almost as good as I would have done.' According to the rumor network, the Imperials were chasing some mysterious rebel convoy. They'd leave Hoth alone for a while at least now.
Han was in a hurry now. He couldn't wait to see Leia's face. It would make her royalness take back her comments about his great ideas.
Han thanked Berrolff, and assured him they'd bring Luke back to see him when he was well.
"Come on, Chewie. Let's go!" Han yelled happily as he boarded the Falcon. "There's a Princess waiting for a happy ending!"
-- The End --
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