Star Wars_ Millennium Falcon - James Luceno [97]
“A day later we were in the Tungra system, and our run-in with the Interdictor felt like ancient history,” Zenn Bien told Jadak and Poste. “Deliberate run-in, I should say, since the Verpine resistance was determined to incapacitate the prototype almost from the moment they learned of it. Quip, Luufkin, and the rest of us spent a couple of standard weeks outfitting the YT with the stolen parts, replacing the central computer, and upgrading her hyperdrive to the equivalent of a Class One. At the time, Gone to Pieces had to have been one of the fastest civilian ships in the galaxy.”
“Did the Jawas and the rest join the Rebel Alliance?” Poste asked.
“Not straightaway. In fact, I ended up a member of their team.” Zenn Bien laughed and gestured broadly to the salon. “Some of them are around here somewhere.”
“You worked as freelance scavengers?” Jadak said.
Zenn Bien rocked her head from side to side. “In the beginning, we were single-minded in our pledge to remain neutral. Our intent was to hire ourselves out to anyone who needed our unique services— smugglers, pirates, crime syndicates, it wasn't supposed to matter. We even did some work for Rej Taunt. But of course that didn't last long. The Empire was becoming more brutal by the day. SoroSuub gained full control of Sullust. The Zann Consortium pirates were using Sullustans as slave soldiers … When I learned that some of my people were rising up against Chairman Siin Suub, I persuaded the team to help out, and soon enough we found ourselves carrying out special missions for Sian Tevv and Nien Nunb. And soon after that—just before the Battle of Yavin—we became full-fledged members of the Rebel Alliance, taking part in the destruction of the Invincible and a host of other Imperial ships in the years that followed.”
“So how does one go from being a demolitions expert to a beautician?” Jadak asked.
Zenn Bien took a moment. “After all the destruction we had wrought, it seemed only fitting that we devote ourselves to the beautification of the galaxy. When the war ended we came to New Balosar as a team, and most of us never left. I received a tonsorial degree from the Barbers of Sullust, took several husbands, and began populating my warren-clan. Life has been good ever since.”
Jadak mulled it over. “Did Quip keep the YT?”
“He did.”
“Did you ever learn why the Rebels needed a ship of that caliber?”
Zenn Bien shook her head, then said: “Boys, I hate to be the bearer of bad news …”
“We can take it,” Poste said.
She looked at Jadak. “I never learned why the Alliance needed the ship, but I do know that you won't be able to find her.”
“Why's that?” Jadak said.
“Because she was blown to pieces at Bilbringi nine years before the Battle of Yavin.”
“IS THAT YOUR NEW BEST FRIEND?” LEIA ASKED HAN WHILE THEY were waiting for Dr. Parlay Thorp.
Han realized that he was absently toying with the archaic transponder and shoved it back into the pouch pocket of his cargo pants. “Habit forming.”
“Maybe we should buy you a strand of worry beads.”
“Ha, ha.”
Leia hadn't smiled when she made the suggestion, and Han's laugh was equally flat. Clearly, the brief communication with Luke had troubled her. She had barely said a word during the entire trip to Obroa-skai.
“We don't have to do this, you know,” Han said quietly. “We'll explain to Thorp that something's come up and go directly to Coruscant. We can pick up the search right here when everything's straightened out.”
For a heartbeat Leia looked as though she was considering it. Then she sighed and slumped down in the waiting room chair, folding her arms across her chest. “I'm sorry for my mood. Luke sounded concerned but politely ordered me not to join him just yet.”
“Maybe we should buy you a strand of worry beads.”
Leia laughed shortly. “Besides, there's a much better reason for seeing this through.”
Han followed her nod to Allana, who was standing by the waiting room's tall windows gazing at Aurora Medical's spacious