Star Wars_ Boba Fett 06_ Pursuit - Elizabeth Hand [25]
Oh no!
A twist of rope looped around his hands. Boba looked up quickly.
Two levels above him, the grappling hook tore away. The rope began to fall.
But Boba's feet had already found purchase on the ledge outside Palpatine's chamber. For an instant he swayed, perilously close to plunging off.
Then he caught his balance.
That was close!
Boba straightened. In front of him, black transparisteel showed his reflection. He replaced the rappelling line and withdrew a small laser blade. Its ruby tip glowed as he began to cut a hole in the window, just big enough for his hand to pass through. When the hole was completed, he carefully removed the transparisteel. He slid his hand inside, expertly finding the alarm system, then disabling it. His hand slipped down and pulled the latch.
The window swung open.
He was in!
Now to find Mace...
The room was small and dim. It smelled faintly of expensive spices.
Thick carpet was underfoot, and small lights cast a soft glow over a door and sculptures at one end.
That's the antechamber, he thought. That's where Mace is.
Silently he stepped to the door. He put his hand on the latch. It was unlocked. He listened, adjusting his helmet's aural enhancers so he could hear the faintest sound from the other side.
And yes, he could hear breathing. The breathing was slow, measured, calm...
Boba drew his flechette pistol. He took a deep breath then shoved the door open.
And there he was. Boba's greatest enemy - Mace Windu.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The tall Jedi stood pensively at the far end of the room. His hands were in his robes. His head was down. As Boba entered he looked up, eyes widening slightly.
"Who - ?"
Boba stared at him without remorse.
"You killed my father," he said.
Boba's heart was racing. But his voice was cold and utterly calm.
And his pistol was aimed directly at Mace's chest.
"I've waited a long time for this, Jedi Windu - but I'm not waiting anymore!"
Boba fired. The flechette's missile tore through the air. A nanosecond later it burst open. Hundreds of deadly projectiles spun out.
Faster than thought, Mace Windu leaped aside. The missiles exploded against the wall.
"Who are you?" Mace Windu shouted.
Boba fired again. Another starburst of flechettes exploded through the room.
Again, the Jedi was too fast.
"On Geonosis, you murdered a warrior named Jango Fett," Boba said.
FFFFAAMM! He fired again!
"Jango Fett was my father."
"Your father?" Mace raced from the barrage of flechettes. "He had no son! Only clones - "
"He had me!" Boba lunged at Mace. The Jedi fell back, overwhelmed by the young man's rage and power. "And now I'll have you!"
KRACK!
A flechette smashed against Mace's shoulder. The Jedi reeled backward. His hand reached for his lightsaber. But before he could touch it Boba struck again, this time the other shoulder. And again!
KRACK! KRACK!
With each alternate blow the Jedi fell back. In a moment, Boba would have him pinioned against the wall. And then - he'd go for the kill!
"I had no choice!" Mace's voice was deep, unafraid. Without warning he leaped, springing past Boba as he drew his lightsaber. "Just as you're giving me no choice now!"
The lightsaber glowed deep violet. Its hum filled the room, and Mace Windu swung - and struck! PAM!
Boba staggered back. The lightsaber had skimmed his armor. He recovered immediately, darting off. Mace followed, his robes billowing behind him.
PAM!
The lightsaber struck again!
But this time Boba was ready. Or so he thought. Mace's violet blur sliced the flechette pistol cleanly out of his hand. Blinding indigo light flared as Mace Windu drew back, arm raised for another blow.
Before he could strike, Boba drew his dagger with his free hand and charged.
The dagger ripped through