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Han turned to look at the man. “Glitterstim. One hundred vials.”

“Whooo!” Darak Lyll whistled in amazement. “Where’d you come by that?”

“None of your business,” Han said. “Want it? Give you a good price …”

“Wish I could, young fellow, wish I could,” Lyll said, sounding regretful. “But I’d be a fool to take it. Just no market here on Alderaan.”

Han cursed under his breath and turned away. What am I going to do? he wondered. His time was definitely running out. Maybe he should hop an intercontinental shuttle to some other city. Maybe it was only Aldera that was so preternaturally clean on this world …

Han sighed. I don’t have time. I either sell that stuff in an hour, or I—

A hand fell on his shoulder. It took every bit of self-control Han possessed not to yell and bolt, he was so keyed up. Instead he just turned and glared at the middle-aged, dark-skinned man who’d fallen into step with him. “I think you’ve mistaken me for someone else,” he said evenly.

“I don’t think so, Vykk,” the man said. “Pilot Vykk Draygo, out of Ylesia, right?”

“So what?” Han said. “I don’t know you.”

“Marsden Latham,” the man said, flashing a holo-ID badge under Han’s nose. “Alderaanian internal security force.”

Oh, no …

“We’ve been keeping an eye on you, Pilot Draygo, ever since you limped in here this morning. We’re happy we can help you out with repairs and fix up your partner. You saw that message when you first came within frequency range of Alderaan?”

“I saw it.”

“Well, it’s meant to be taken seriously. We don’t like trouble here.” The man smiled suddenly, showing very even, very white teeth. “You wouldn’t be out to cause us any trouble, would you, Pilot?”

Han strove to keep his face impassive. They know that I’ve been trying to cut a deal … must’ve been watching me all morning … Silently, he cursed the official. Aloud, he said, “Course not, sir. I’m a peace-loving kinda guy.”

“I told my chief that, and I’m glad to have my impression confirmed. Nice talking to you, Pilot Draygo. Enjoy your stay on Alderaan.”

The man’s strides came faster and longer, then, and he walked away from Han, up the street.

The Corellian forced himself to keep walking slowly, forced himself not to glance behind him. They were there, no doubt, shadowing him. The game was over, and he was busted. Scowling, Han shook his head, half in disgust, half in admiration. Those security operatives must be good. He’d had no idea they’d been tailing him.

Obviously, the man’s “talk” had been a not-so-veiled warning to stop trying to sell his cargo. He’d have to take it back to Ylesia. There weren’t any other planets close enough to reach so he could make the sale.

He checked the time, discovered he just had time to get out to check on Muuurgh before he’d have to call back to Ylesia. Han’s strides came faster as he headed for the nearest public transport station.

The University medical facility where the Togorian had been taken was attached to the University of Alderaan campus. Han swung down from the repulsorlift public transport and stood looking around for a moment. Nice … he thought, real nice … For a moment he wondered if the Academy would look anything like this. Probably not, he concluded. It’s a military establishment. It’ll look more like a base, I’ll bet … but this … this is real classy …

Green and blue lawns stretched across the central quadrangle. Flower beds made bright splashes of color and surrounded the huge central fountain. At the center of the fountain was a massive sculpture carved from living ice of a young Alderaanian man and woman standing with linked hands, reaching for the skies. Hey, that’s got to be worth a barrel of credits, Han thought, eyeing the sculpture and realizing it must be a priceless work of art.

Definitely a classy joint, Han decided as he walked past the huge fountain and continued up the impressive white-stone stairs to the medical facility.

The info-droid at the front desk gave him the number of the Togorian’s room. Han hurried