Star Wars_ The New Jedi Order 04_ Agents of Chaos 01_ Hero's Trial - James Luceno [90]
Showolter and Saiga hit the deck. At the same time, Vergere leapt from her bed to protect Elan, forcing her into a corner of the cabin and planting herself between the priestess and harm.
Capo slithered through the doorway on his belly, weapon extended in front of him and firing repeatedly. Blaster beams ricocheted sibilantly around the stateroom. Showolter rolled across the floor until he hit the corridor bulkhead. With nowhere to go, he risked a shot at the doorway, but by then Capo had moved. Showolter rolled back the way he came and managed to get to one knee, but Capo had him in his sights and fired. The blast found his left shoulder, just under the collarbone, and spun him completely around. The smell of burned cloth and seared flesh filled his nostrils. But even as he was falling, shots from the floor told him that Saiga had joined the fight.
A bloodcurdling scream rang out, followed by an agonizing moan. Showolter blinked his eyes open in time to see a wounded Capo dragging himself toward the front door of the adjacent suite, and Saiga—propelling herself backward on her rear—pressing a hand to the gaping hole a blaster bolt had opened in the center of her chest.
Showolter came to his feet and staggered into the adjoining cabin space, gun raised in one shaking hand. Capo was already halfway into the corridor, and all Showolter’s shot did was provide him with an impetus to hurry. Showolter stumbled to the door, but only to close and lock it. Wisps of smoke coiling from his charred shoulder, he wobbled back to his cabin.
His fingers found no pulse in Jode Tee’s throat. Throwing Elan and Vergere a quick look, he crawled over to Saiga, who had propped herself against the entry door.
“Did you get him, Major?” she asked weakly.
Showolter shook his head.
“Who were they?”
“I don’t know, but they had the code.”
The Bothan’s eyes widened. “Our code?”
“Same one I was given.”
“Then how did you know we were on the level?”
“One of them claimed to be working out of Gamorr. I guess whoever supplied the code didn’t know that we phased out that safe house a long while ago.”
A pained groan escaped Saiga.
“Saiga,” Showolter said sharply. “You said we have two more aboard.”
Eyelids fluttering, she managed a nod.
“Who are they? How were you instructed to make contact? Saiga. Saiga!”
Her eyes rolled up into her head. A final breath rattled from her lungs and she died.
Showolter’s eyes glazed over. He turned and sat unmoving on the floor.
“You’re hurt,” Elan said, close to his ear, in what sounded like genuine concern.
The Queen trembled innocently. “Lightspeed,” Showolter slurred, mostly to himself. He tried to focus on Elan. “Got to get you out of here. Capo’ll be coming back with reinforcements.” He made a futile attempt at standing, then pointed to the luggage. “In my bag … painkillers and bandages.”
Vergere was suddenly beside him, her slanted eyes brimming with tears. “Let me help you,” she said.
Cupping her delicate hands, she held them to her eyes. Then she rubbed her moistened palms together and pressed them to Showolter’s wound. He locked his teeth against intense but short-lived pain, then he took a long, shuddering breath.
“Better?” Vergere asked.
“Yes,” he told her, plainly astonished.
“It’s a temporary repair. You’re going to need medical attention.”
He nodded in understanding, pushed himself to his feet, and rearmed his blaster. Cautiously opening the door, he peered into the passageway.
“We’re leaving,” he said. “Our only chance is to locate my backup.”
“But you don’t know who you’re looking for,” Elan reminded.
Showolter nodded grimly. “I’m hoping they’ll recognize me.”
Elan offered her shoulder for support, and the three of them headed for the communal areas belowdecks.
TWENTY-TWO
Han emerged from the portable refresher like a man on his last legs, slamming the door behind him as if to prevent something