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As they jogged out of the Administration Center, they could see the glitterstim factory still shooting up blue sparks into the air—but the sky was no longer black, but lighter, almost blue.

“Dawn’s not far off!” Han said. “C’mon!”

The three broke into a run down the jungle path. When they neared the end, Han motioned them to stay back as he cautiously scanned the landing field. He saw no guards … apparently all of them were still fighting the fire or in the Administration Center.

Still, they went cautiously, blasters ready, every sense alert for movement or sound.

When Han reached the Talisman, he quickly coded Bria’s access code into the lock, then the three went up the ramp.

The Talisman was a little larger than the Ylesian Dream, teardrop-shaped, bulging along its keel. But instead of cargo space, most of its interior was given over to lavish passenger quarters and amenities. It was proportioned and laid out for the t’landa Til, so only the pilot’s cabin contained human-style seats. There was one small, human-sized bunk in a guard’s cabin, but the rest of the passenger cabins were outfitted with the sleeping “hammocks” the t’landa Til favored.

Once inside, Han motioned Bria to the copilot’s seat and instructed Muuurgh to strap himself into one of the passenger berths.

He’d never flown this particular ship during his time here—Teroenza had been too worried by the pirate attacks to risk traveling before the weapons and shield upgrades had been completed.

Quickly Han familiarized himself with the controls. The Talisman didn’t have as much weaponry or shielding as the Dream, but for a private yacht, it was now heavily armed and well shielded.

“Preflight checks completed, we’re good to go. Strap in, folks … we are outta here!” Han cried, and raised ship. The Talisman responded well to his touch and seemed a willing—though rather slow—craft.

“Now for Mrrov,” Muuurgh called excitedly. “Right, Vykk?”

“Right, pal,” Han said. “We should be there just at sunrise. Where are they assembling the pilgrims destined for the Kessel ship?”

“The Altar of Promises,” Muuurgh replied.

“The Altar of Broken Promises,” Bria amended, a bitter tone in her voice. “I wonder whether Teroenza will survive?”

“I didn’t wound him that bad,” Han said. “I’ll bet even now he’s on his way to the infirmary and the medical droid.”

As he flew, he kept an eye on the map. “Oh, and by the way, there’s something I’d better tell you two.”

“What?” asked Bria and Muuurgh together.

“My name’s not Vykk Draygo. My real name is Han Solo. It’d be good if you started calling me that.”

“Han?” Bria said. “Why didn’t you tell me before?”

“I was afraid if I did, you might slip and give me away to Teroenza or one of his goons,” Han said matter-of-factly. “But I wanted you to know, so I told you as soon as I could.”

“Vykk was an alias?”

“Yeah. One of several, actually.”

“Muuurgh will have to get used to this,” the Togorian said. “How close are we now … Han?”

“We should be there in less than five minutes,” Han replied.

“How are we going to do this?” Bria asked. “I mean, there will be guards there, too.”

“I don’t know,” Han said. “But I’ll think of something.”

He concentrated on his piloting, and then, when they reached Colony Two, he flew the Talisman over the camp from south to north, skimming low over the treetops. “You said the pilgrims were supposed to assemble at the Altar, right?” Han asked Muuurgh.

“Yesssss.”

“Okay, then, I wonder if we’ll have enough room to do what I’m thinkin’ about …” he muttered, peering at the viewscreen that showed the actual area, and also at the schematic that showed the topographical features and camp buildings. Colony Two was over the Mountains of Faith from Colony One, set on the northeastern edge of the Zoma Gawanga, the shallow ocean that enclosed the entire eastern continent.

“I think we can do it,” he muttered. “I just hope the repulsorlifts on this baby are in prime working condition. We’ll need to hover and lower a wire. I don’t think I’ll have room to actually land. Muuurgh, go back to the middle airlock and