Star Wars_ Legacy of the Force 07_ Fury - Aaron Allston [100]
The general continued to look unhappy. “There are a lot of ifs in that plan, Grand Master.”
“True.”
“How do you intend to do it?”
Luke glanced toward Kyle Katarn for a moment. “It’s inevitable that Jacen will command the mission to Centerpoint Station himself. We’ve managed to plant a tracer beacon on him, and he still apparently hasn’t detected it. Sadly, it’s very short-range, but if we can keep StealthXs in rotation near the Anakin Solo, we can detect when the mission starts. It would be better if we had a longer-range tracer, but we’ll use what we have. Then—”
Leia, looking curiously guilty, interrupted. “Actually…there’s a full-power holocomm beacon on Jacen’s ship. Zekk planted it. He also disabled their tractor beam, partly to allow us to escape and partly to give the ship mechanics some sabotage to detect and repair…so that they would miss the more subtle addition to their holocomm system.”
Luke looked between Leia and Zekk. “When was this?”
Zekk shrugged. “When we raided to get the information on Brisha Syo’s asteroid from his shuttle memory.”
“It would have been useful to have known this earlier.”
Han shifted, uncomfortable. “We’ve been busy putting out fires.”
Luke sighed, then continued. “With our new, fancy holocomm beacon on the Anakin Solo, we detect when Jacen begins his operation, and jump to Corellia. General Celchu brought us an expert who can help us figure out how to destroy it.”
“That’s not what I brought him for.”
“Regardless, he was willing to help blow it up once, he’ll be willing to help blow it up a second time.” Luke shrugged apologetically and moved on. “Meanwhile, we send a unit of Jedi aboard the Anakin Solo to distract Jacen…and to retrieve the Chume’da.”
“How do you plan to get them aboard?” Han sounded dubious. “I kind of doubt the old Love Commander trick will work a second time.”
Luke looked at Tycho. “General, when you arrived, your shuttle transceiver broadcast what I assume was a false registration and identity. I also assume that it’s capable of broadcasting a registration and identity consistent with General Celchu of Starfighter Command.”
Tycho nodded. “Of course.”
Luke spread his palms. “There you have it. We go in on General Celchu’s shuttle.”
Slowly, Tycho shook his head. “Much as I personally might want you to succeed in this, I sort of have to say no. Duty and officer’s oaths and all that. You understand.”
“Oh, that’s right.” Luke turned to Wedge. “Could I trouble you to set your blaster on stun and point it at the other general?”
“No, not really.”
“Please?”
Wedge sighed. “I’m not going to point a blaster at my best friend. Plus, his pilot will be obliged to jump in the way or do something equally noble and foolish. I’m not going to point a blaster at my little girl.”
“Thank you, Daddy.”
Wedge thought about it. “I do have a solution, though.” He pointed his forefinger at Tycho, aligning his thumb straight up. “Imagine that’s a blaster. Wait a second.” He adjusted an imaginary knob on his thumb. “Had to make sure it was on stun.”
Tycho looked at his hand. “I’m imagining that it’s a BlasTech DL-Eighteen.”
Wedge shrugged. “An adequate choice, under these circumstances.”
“Maybe. If we’d all imagined that it was a DL-Forty-four, big and imposing, I might actually be intimidated. A DL-Eighteen is barely worth surrendering to.”
Syal shook her head, her expression sad.
Luke began looking from face to face as he spoke. “Wedge, handpick a starfighter squadron. We’ll use it to chase the shuttle to safety aboard the Anakin Solo, then to support any operation against Centerpoint Station. I’ll lead a unit of Jedi to assault Jacen; our job will be to take him out if possible, and to distract him from the rescue operation in any case. Han, Leia, I want you to lead the expedition to rescue the Chume’da. Master