Star Wars_ Darksaber - Kevin J. Anderson [115]
Tarkin took his pet Calamarian, Ackbar, to pilot them in an unmarked Lambda-class shuttle away toward the Horuz System where the Death Star hung in orbit over the penal colony of Despayre.
Tarkin preferred to travel without a full complement of guards because it allowed him to move unhindered, to slip in where he might hear traitorous words and then crack down accordingly. He also didn’t want to draw attention to the superweapon’s location now that it was so nearly finished.
“What are you waiting for, Ackbar?” Tarkin snapped from the passenger seat beside Lemelisk. “Let us go see this weapon that will crush all resistance to the Emperor’s New Order.”
The Calamarian hunched over his controls and made no response, taking the Lambda shuttle away from Eriadu toward the jump point where they would enter hyperspace.
Tarkin took every opportunity to taunt and harass the quiet, unflappable Calamarian slave. Ackbar was supposedly intelligent, according to Tarkin, and Lemelisk knew that the Grand Moff spent merciless time showing Ackbar the tactics he would use to defeat the Rebels, the secret plans, the tricks and feints designed to evoke despair from those who resisted Imperial rule. Ackbar seemed suitably downcast, all spark of resistance crushed … or at least well buried.
“Preparing to enter hyperspace,” Ackbar said with a complete lack of enthusiasm, his words devoid of inflection. “Destination—Despayre in the Horuz System.”
Without warning, three Rebel Y-wings appeared out of nowhere, bearing down on Tarkin’s shuttle and firing their laser cannons.
“It’s a Rebel attack!” Tarkin said. “Ackbar, take evasive action.”
The Calamarian moved with sudden efficiency—but instead of launching them immediately into hyperspace, Ackbar shut down the shields.
“You fool!” Tarkin shouted.
“Er, what do you think we should do now?” Lemelisk asked.
The Rebel Y-wings came around again, firing precision shots. Explosions erupted from the rear of the Lambda-class shuttle. The craft rocked back and forth. Flames and smoke poured from the rear compartment, and the ship reeled out of control.
“You will die for this, Ackbar,” Tarkin said.
Then the Rebels hit again, sending the crippled shuttle spinning. Tarkin had just climbed to his feet, and the new jolt hurled him against the far wall. He tumbled over Lemelisk, still strapped into his seat.
“Shields are down, our engines crippled,” Ackbar said. “And now they are coming in for the kill.” He looked up at the front viewport. “I just wanted you to understand that I have brought this upon you, Grand Moff Tarkin, in exchange for all the pain you have inflicted upon me and others like me.”
Lemelisk saw the Rebel ships approaching again, deadly weapons already glowing in preparation for firing. Tarkin scrambled to his feet and grabbed Lemelisk by the collar, ripping him out of his chair.
“The escape pod,” Tarkin said. “We’ll leave this traitor to the fate he’s earned for himself.”
Together Tarkin and Lemelisk dived into the small escape pod intended for the comfort of only one person. Lemelisk stumbled and fell flat against the bulkhead and felt something crack in his face; blood poured out of his nose. Tarkin did not pause, but punched the automated launch button. The rear hatch of the lifepod sealed, and with an explosion seemingly greater than anything the Rebel Y-wings had inflicted upon them, the lifepod soared away from the shuttle as the Y-wings came in for their final attack.
The universe reeled, spinning in confusion as Lemelisk tried to stanch the flow of blood from his nose. He saw the Rebel ships circle the crippled shuttle, but instead of immediately detonating it, they clustered around, connecting hatches.
“They’ll be after us in a moment,” Tarkin said as he triggered the distress signal built into the escape pod. Lemelisk