Star Wars_ The Black Fleet Crisis 02_ Shield of Lies - Michael P. Kube-McDowell [1]
Excerpt from Star Wars: The Black Fleet Crisis: Tyrant’s Test
Introduction to the Old Republic Era
Introduction to the Rise of the Empire Era
Introduction to the Rebellion Era
Introduction to the New Republic Era
Introduction to the New Jedi Order Era
Introduction to the Legacy Era
Star Wars Novels Timeline
Dramatis Personae
On Coruscant, capital of the New Republic:
Princess Leia Organa Solo, president of the Senate and chief of state of the New Republic
Alole, aide to Leia
General Han Solo, on detached duty
Admiral Hiram Drayson, chief of Alpha Blue
General Carlist Rieekan, head of New Republic Intelligence
First Administrator Nanaod Engh, administrative director of the New Republic
Senator Behn-Kihl-Nahm, chairman of the Defense Council and friend and mentor to Leia
Senator Tolik Yar of Oolidi
Senator Tig Peramis of Walalla
Senator Cion Marook of Hrasskis
Ayddar Nylykerka, chief analyst for the Asset Tracking Office, Fleet Intelligence
Plat Mallar, sole survivor of the Yevethan raid on Polneye
Belezaboth Ourn, extraordinary consul of the Paqwepori
With the Fifth Battle Group of the New Republic Defense Fleet, in Farlax Sector:
General Etahn A’baht, Fleet commander
Captain Morano, commander of the Fifth Fleet flagship Intrepid
Esege “Tuke” Tuketu, K-wing bomber pilot
With the Teljkon Task Force:
General Lando Calrissian, Fleet liaison to the expedition
Lobot, chief administrator of Cloud City, on vacation
See-Threepio, protocol droid
Artoo-Detoo, astromech droid
Colonel Pakkpekatt, expedition commander, New Republic Intelligence
Captain Bijo Hammax, foray commander
On N’zoth, spawnworld of the Yevetha, in the Koornacht Cluster, Farlax Sector:
Nil Spaar, viceroy of the Yevethan Protectorate
Eri Palle, aide to Nil Spaar
Vor Duull, proctor of information science for the viceroy
Outbound from Lucazec in the skiff Mud Sloth:
Luke Skywalker, a Jedi Master
Akanah, an adept of the White Current
On Kashyyyk, homeworld of the Wookiees:
Chewbacca, attending coming-of-age ceremonies for his son Lumpawarump
I.
Lando
Chapter 1
The Teljkon vagabond was on the run once more. But this time, there were hitchhikers aboard.
“Hyperspace?” See-Threepio echoed in a dismayed tone as he struggled to free himself. The droid’s limbs were tangled up with Lobot, R2-D2, and the equipment sled in one corner of the vagabond’s airlock—a chamber that had suddenly become a spacegoing prison. “You must be mistaken, Master Lobot.”
“I am not mistaken,” said Lobot, pushing a flailing golden leg away from his faceplate. “All my data links terminated at the same moment, in exactly the same manner I associate with a hyperspace jump.”
“There was a course change, too, during the acceleration,” Lando said from the opposite corner of the lock. He flexed his ungloved right hand, trying to drive the bone-chilling cold from his aching fingers.
“Master Lando!” See-Threepio cried in his most plaintive voice. “Can’t you make it stop?”
“I didn’t make it start, Threepio,” Lando snapped.
“With all respect, Master Lando, you most certainly did,” Threepio said huffily. “Now, you just reach back in that hole and undo whatever you did, and quickly, too. Colonel Pakkpekatt will be most upset with us for running off with his starship.”
“Colonel Pakkpekatt is probably inventing new words in Hortek right now,” said Lando. “But at least he’s on a ship that he can boss. We’re not. Any damage over there? Lobot? Artoo-Detoo?”
The little astromech droid emerged from the jumble of bodies and chirped once.
“Artoo-Detoo reports that all his systems are operational,” said Threepio.
“I’m uninjured, Lando,” said Lobot. “My suit took the impact of the equipment sled. But my data links are still all down, and I am finding it disorienting.”
Lando nodded. “Artoo, can you help Lobot out?”
Rotating in midair with the aid of its microthrusters, the droid chittered disagreeably.
“Don’t be rude,” Threepio chided.
“What’s going on?”
“Master Lando, Artoo says that he prefers to keep his systems private.