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But a set of subprocessors in 4-LOM’s mind finished one set of calculations he had begun. He calculated a 72.668 percent chance that the New Republic would license bounty hunters to help enforce its laws and protect its citizens from criminals. He calculated that he and Zuckuss had an astonishing 98.992 percent chance of founding the New Republic’s first bounty hunting guild. It could be an opportunity worth pursuing. He would have to study it further.

“Zuckuss really is safe here,” she told 4-LOM. “But if you are this concerned, I will come help guard him on my time off. I know you need to attend to your ship, and you can do that while I watch Zuckuss.”

4-LOM attempted to calculate the best reply, but for a moment he could not. Her words made additional old programs activate in his mind, and it took him a moment to quiet them. It had been many Standard years since he had allowed himself to attribute a positive meaning to another’s actions, the way Toryn had understood his drawn blaster to mean that he was guarding Zuckuss.

“Thank you, Toryn,” Zuckuss said. “But you can sit here with Zuckuss unarmed. Zuckuss would find it a pleasure to talk with you when you have time.”

“Then we will talk,” she said. “But I’m here now to extend an invitation to both of you. I’m a little embarrassed to say this, but the letter I brought to General Rieekan was actually a letter commending my actions aboard the Bright Hope. The Rebel command is promoting me to the rank of commander tonight. I would like you both to attend the ceremony, since I would not be here without each of you.”

Zuckuss tried to speak, but he started coughing. 4-LOM helped him lie back down. “I cannot go anywhere tonight, Toryn,” Zuckuss said. “But I congratulate you.”

“I asked General Rieekan to hold the ceremony here, so you could attend—if that is all right?” Toryn said. She had tried to explain to the general that she was not qualified for a promotion. She told him what she had done for Samoc. “But of course you helped Samoc,” the general had said. “She is one of our best pilots. We cannot afford to lose her. I thank you for everything you did on her behalf.”

Toryn wondered if the general were just being kind, yet her promotion demonstrated confidence in her and her judgment. So she had accepted the promotion and her new work.

Zuckuss looked at Toryn. “I will be honored to witness the ceremony here,” he said.

4-LOM looked at Toryn. “I also congratulate you. What will you command?”

“A unit of Special Forces,” she said. “I want to talk to both of you about that later.”

Samoc, Rory, Darklighter, Rivers, the medical droids Two-Onebee and Effour-Seven, and many other important supporters of the Rebellion attended the ceremony. General Rieekan announced the promotion and Toryn’s new assignment.

“She and I have discussed how best to rescue our friends who took the Bright Hope’s escape pods back to Hoth,” he said. “We are still working to come up with a viable plan, and Toryn has asked to lead the rescue mission, whatever it eventually entails.”

Everyone applauded, but the ceremony was not over. General Rieekan walked forward. “For your resourcefulness and courage in the line of duty, Toryn Farr, the Rebellion is pleased to grant you this award of merit.”

The general draped the medal around Toryn’s neck and shook her hand. Amidst the applause that followed, a golden protocol droid popped open a bottle in the back of the room and an R2 unit carried drinks to all the oxygen breathers. Ammonia breathers among the Rebels brought glasses and a fine bottle—from Gand itself—to Zuckuss. Perhaps one day, perhaps soon, other Gands would join the Rebel Alliance. The med droids analyzed a small sample of liquid from the bottle, conferred amongst themselves, and decided that if Zuckuss imbibed one congratulatory drink it would not hurt him. They let two ammonia breathers enter his chamber to present him with the drink. They took off their helmets, introduced themselves,