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Han rolled his eyes. That wasn't exactly the message would have sent to a shadowy figure following him into a dark alley. But it had become clear the old man liked to do things his own way. Han played along, lowering the blaster. "Yeah, come on out, or stop wasting my time."

There was a flicker of movement behind one of the towering piles of garbage. It was the kid, Mazi. This time, he was alone.

Han sighed. He didn't have time to play babysitter.

"You know something," Fess said. It wasn't a question.

Mazi shrugged. "Hear you been looking around for Halle."

"You know where she is?" Luke asked.

Mazi shrugged again.

"Tell us!" Luke shouted.

Fess shot Luke a sharp glance.

"Let me handle this," Han said. He tapped the pocket where he kept his credits. "How much you want, kid?"

"Didn't come here looking for a payday," Mazi mumbled.

"Then what?" Again, Han wondered how long this kid would last on the streets. Rule number one: Someone offers you cash, you take it.

Mazi shifted his weight. "I met Princess Leia once, you know? School trip to the palace. Dead boring. But she was nice and all."

"Nice, huh?" Han grinned. "Not the first word that comes to mind."

"There's this place Halle and Kiro go when they want to be alone," Mazi said. "This abandoned schoolhouse, a few blocks up the river. They think it's like this big romantic secret that they're together. Usually pretend they don't even know each other."

"So how come you know?" Han asked.

"I know a lot of stuff," Mazi said. "It's easy to be invisible, when you want to be."

"And sometimes when you don't," Han said quietly.

"Whatever. Anyway, that's all I got." He turned to leave.

"Wait." Han pulled out a handful of credits.

"I told you, I didn't come here for that."

Han shoved the money into his hand. "Just take it kid."

Mazi grabbed the credits and ran off.

"What are you all looking at?" Han asked, realizing Fess and Luke were staring at him.

"You were rather good with him, Captain Solo," Fess said. "I wouldn't have guessed."

Chewbacca barked in agreement.

"He just reminds me of someone," Han mumbled. He brushed past the others, heading out of the alley. "Now can we stop wasting time and go find Leia?"

They charged down the street, seeking out the building that Mazi had described. "Stay strong, Your Highness," Han heard Fess murmur. "We're on our way."

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Stay strong, Your Highness. We're on our way.

It wasn't a voice in her head. It was just a feeling, a moment of calm and confidence.

As if Luke was there with her, lending her some of that infuriating certainty that right would prevail. She stared blankly at the wall of her dim cell, trying to picture Luke's face.

But it wasn't Luke's face she saw, it was Fess's.

"You're sure we can trust them?" Nahj's voice carried through the narrow gap between the ceiling and the door.

"We're not giving them the prisoner until we get evidence that they're serious about resettlement," Halle said.

"Unless they decide to come and take her," Nahj pointed out.

"The Empire doesn't know where we're holding her," Kiro said. "Halle thought of everything."

"The man I've been dealing with reports directly to his Lordship Darth Vader," Halle boasted. "This is a done deal. You know Vader has the authority to make it happen."

"I've heard he can make anything happen," Nahj muttered. "That's what concerns me."

Whatever brief spurt of confidence Leia had felt was gone. All with a single word: Vader. She'd faced him before, and that was enough for one lifetime. If her friends really were coming to rescue her, they'd better hurry.

So you're just going to sit around and wait, Your Highness? Giving up that easy?

This time, the voice was in her head—cool, mocking, and completely her imagination.

I didn't realize you were such a pushover, Your Majesty. She could almost picture Han's crooked smile, goading her on. I know you royal folk are used to having everything done for you, so this may come as a surprise: Some of us rescue ourselves.