Star Wars_ The New Jedi Order 04_ Agents of Chaos 01_ Hero's Trial - James Luceno [91]
“Is this your typical morning mood?” Droma asked.
Han glared at him. “No, but it’s my mood when I don’t get any sleep.”
The Ryn made a sound of dismissal. “I didn’t ask to share your cabin space. I was fine being in steerage.”
Han stopped short in the passageway. “I don’t mind sharing my cabin space. What I mind’s your tail in my face half the night!”
Droma frowned. “We Ryn are compelled to alter our sleep positions frequently. We never sleep twice in the same spot.”
“Next time I’ll reserve the ballroom,” Han said sarcastically. “Would that give you enough room?”
“We’re a superstitious folk,” Droma explained as they resumed walking. “We never eat three times from the same bowl, and we have many rituals regarding bodily fluids—”
Han’s hands flew up. “I don’t want to know about them.” He glanced at Droma. “Why are you still on board, anyway? You told me you were getting off at Vortex.”
Droma shrugged. “I decided I’d have better luck finding a ride to Ralltiir from Bilbringi.”
“Yeah,” Han said slowly. “But I thought you only had fare to Vortex.”
Droma adopted a docile look. “The truth is, I kept just enough of what you won at the sabacc table to secure onward passage.”
“A fine thing,” Han snorted.
The Ryn’s former pugnacity resurfaced. “You’d begrudge me a modest remuneration, even after I didn’t charge you for the card reading?”
Han stopped again. “Charge me? You’re the one who laid out the cards.”
“I don’t recall you telling me to desist.”
“I was being polite.”
“Impossible,” Droma said. “You’re incapable.”
“Hey, if you knew the company I keep …”
Droma looked bemused. “Rich and famous customers in the ship repair business?”
“I … Ah, this is hopeless,” Han said.
Shouldering the travel pack, he accelerated, figuring that the Ryn’s short legs wouldn’t allow him to keep up. Leaving Droma behind after twenty long strides, he quickly rounded a corner in the passageway, then another. Then, out of nowhere, powerful arms grabbed him from behind, holding him fast and whirling him around.
“Han!” his interdictor said, latching on to him for dear life. “I won’t even try to imagine how Scaur talked you into this duty, but I’m sure glad to see you.”
“Scaur?” Han said, then recognition dawned. “Showolter? What the—”
“They hit us in the cabin, Han. Agents working for the Yuuzhan Vong. Killed two of my people. I got one of them, but the other got away—a slippery-looking Rodian named Capo. He’s probably got reinforcements aboard, and they’re probably searching for us now. You’ve got to find a secure place to hide them.”
Han followed Showolter’s hand to Elan and Vergere. “What’s so important—”
“They’re Yuuzhan Vong,” Showolter rasped. “Defectors.”
Mouth falling open, Han gave them a closer look, then returned his attention to Showolter. “How’d you—”
“Is this your partner?” the NRI operative asked.
Han spun, found Droma standing behind him, and frowned. “He’s—”
“Just until Bilbringi, Han,” Showolter said with sudden frailty.
“Han?” Droma asked in mild surprise.
Showolter collapsed back against the corridor wall and slid to his rear, with Han following him down. “Backup personnel will meet you in Bilbringi. They’ll handle the transfer from there.” The NRI officer groaned in pain.
Han realized he had blood on his hands and cut his eyes to Showolter’s shoulder. “You’re hurt—”
Showolter shook his head. “Can’t afford the time. Send a med, I’ll be all right.”
Han rose and grabbed hold of a passing Duros steward. “This man needs to be moved to sick bay,” he said. “Immediately—got it?”
The steward’s round head bobbed nervously. “Yes, sir, immediately.”
Han sent him flying with a shove and bent down to support Showolter. “You have a weapon?”
Showolter looked up at him and nodded. “You need it?”
Han restrained Showolter’s hand from going to his shoulder holster. “No, you do—in case they find you.”
Showolter screwed his eyes shut against a wave of pain. “Get going,