Star Wars_ The Han Solo Trilogy 03_ Rebel Dawn - A. C. Crispin [151]
The Corellian had carefully recorded a message to Renn Tharen. It had been hard to know what to say. In the end, he’d settled for: “Sir, this is Han Solo. I know you remember me. I have some bad news for you, sir. Bria is dead. She died bravely, though. You can be proud of her. She didn’t want you to always wonder, so she asked someone to give you the message. Sir, I’m sorry.… I know she loved you. Han Solo out.…”
Han took a deep breath, and said his own, silent, farewell to Bria Tharen. Rest in peace, Bria, he thought. Goodbye, babe.…
He reminded himself that Bria was part of the past. There was no use dwelling on painful memories. I have to concentrate on the present.…
Today he needed to see Jabba, that was for sure. And he had to find some work. Any work.…
He knew that Chewie was probably over at Chalmun’s Cantina. Chalmun was some kind of distant relative of Chewie’s, along with half of Kashyyyk.…
Han headed over to Chalmun’s. Even at this midday hour, Chalmun’s was bound to be jumping. Han could hear the jizz band tootling away as he approached the entrance.
Inside, it was dim, and comparatively cool. Han took a deep breath, scenting intoxicants from a dozen worlds. He walked down the steps, nodding at Wuher, the sour, ugly bartender. Wuher jerked his head to his right, and Han reflexively looked over that way. Chewbacca was heading purposefully toward him.
The Wookiee was plainly excited and pleased about something. He stopped Han by the entrance and conferred with his partner in low-voiced grunts and moans.
Han tilted his head sideways, and peered past the Wookiee at two humans who were standing at the bar. “A charter?” he said. “Well, hey, that’s better than nothing! Good work, Chewie! Is that them? That old guy in the Jawa robe, and that kid in the moisture farmer’s outfit?”
Chewie nodded, commenting that even though the old man looked harmless, he’d dealt effectively with Doctor Evazan and Ponda Baba just moments before—and used a most unusual weapon to do it.
Han frowned, impressed. “Pulled a lightsaber, you say? Huh. I didn’t know anyone still had them. Okay, I’ll work out the details with the old guy and the kid. You take ’em over to that empty booth and I’ll join you in a second.”
Han paused for a moment to check out Chalmun’s as Chewbacca ushered their prospective customers over to the corner table. Good. No sign of Greedo.…
Then he started across the crowded cantina, where Chewie, the old man, and the boy sat waiting.…
THE BEGINNING …
About the Author
A.C. Crispin is the author of the bestselling Han Solo Trilogy. Her newest project is a prequel to the Disney Pirates of the Caribbean films. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Price of Freedom, focuses on Jack Sparrow’s early life, and will be released May 17, 2011.
Ms. Crispin writes in her own universes, including her seven book StarBridge series, and Storms of Destiny, the first novel in a planned trilogy. She’s also created stories in other media universes, including Star Trek, V, and Alien. Crispin is active in Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, and serves as the Chair of Writer Beware, SFWA’s “scam watchdog” volunteer group. www.writerbeware.com
Ann Crispin is married to SF writer Michael Capobianco and lives in Maryland. Learn more about her current projects by visiting her website: www.accrispin.com.
By A.C. Crispin
Star Wars: The Han Solo Trilogy
The Paradise Snare
The Hutt Gambit
Rebel Dawn
Fantasy
Gryphon’s Eyrie (with Andre Norton) Songsmith (with Andre Norton)
Star Trek
Yesterday’s Son
Time for Yesterday
The Eyes of the Beholders
Sarek
Science Fiction
The Starbridge Series – Books 1–7
The Exiles of Boq’urain:
Storms of Destiny
Winds of Vengeance
Flames of Chaos
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Price of Freedom
STAR WARS—The Expanded Universe
You saw the movies. You watched the cartoon series, or maybe played some of the video games. But did you know …
In The Empire Strikes Back, Princess Leia Organa said to Han Solo, “I