• Choose a category
• All
• Classic-Fiction

Garray’s adjutant cursed, then adopted a resigned expression. “The commander has issued the evacuation order.”

Han nodded cheerlessly. “You have to know when to fold.”

“I’ll be leaving you here.”

Han saluted him. “We’ll win this thing yet, Chief.” He turned to give the Falcon a quick glance.

Leia noted Han’s discouraged look. “Well, he did say limp her to Mon Calamari.”

“Crawl’s more like it.”

The mechanic responsible for the several add-ons emerged from beneath the starboard mandible. “We spared as much blaster gas as we could for your quad lasers, but I’d go light on them if I were you.” He gazed up at the Falcon and smiled. “Great ship. Good journey.”

Han pumped the man’s hand in thanks.

A powerful explosion rattled the bay. Paint chips and other objects showered from the vaulted ceiling.

“Everybody get on board,” Han said, “before we end up EV without a ship.” When Pash Cracken and a few of the other officers didn’t move, he stormed over to them. “You waiting for a formal invitation?”

Cracken almost smiled. “With all due respect, Han, we’ve decided to remain here and do what we can.”

Han made his lips a thin line. “Pash, this is bigger than Caluula, and you know it. Alliance command is counting on you people to rally support in your home systems. Besides, you can’t make a difference here. Those are evacuation klaxons you’re hearing.”

“Han’s right, Major,” Leia said.

Cracken still didn’t move. “We’ll take our chances, Princess.”

She blew out her breath. “Your father’s never going to forgive us, Pash.”

“He’ll understand.”

Han nodded. “Then may the Force be with all of you. In other circumstances, I might make the same choice.”

He turned and, without a backward look, hurried Leia and C-3PO up the landing ramp. At the top, he waved Page and the rest of the officers into the forward cargo compartment. He told Leia to begin the start-up sequence, and he sent Cakhmaim and Meewalh to the gun turrets. He ran to the stern to check the status of the escape pods, then raced forward to the cockpit. By the time he arrived, Leia was strapped in and the repulsorlift was cold-started.

Han leapt into the pilot’s chair while Leia lifted the Falcon, turned her about, and sent her streaking through the magcon field.

Local space was crosscut with magma projectiles and turbolaser bolts. Dead ahead, the bloated yncha floated motionless in space, amid a debris cloud created by coralskippers that had thrown themselves against Caluula’s shields. X-wings and other starfighters drifted lazily. Three of the station’s modules were wide open to vacuum and expressing what little atmosphere they still contained. Below, explosions were blossoming on the beige and green surface of Caluula itself, with wounded coralskippers plunging into the atmosphere like fiery meteors.

Han watched a dozen escape vehicles launch from an undamaged module.

Caluula was finished.

“Three skips converging on us.” Leia glanced at him. “It’s our old friends.”

Han’s eyes darted to the authenticator screen. “The ones that tracked us from Selvaris! What is this, a personal vendetta?”

“Maybe they don’t like our paint job.”

“Then I’m on their side.” He clamped his hands on the yoke. “Hang on.”

Han leaned toward the intercom. “Watch the fuel levels, you two. Last thing we need is to be left high and dry.” He glanced over his left shoulder. “Jump coordinates for Mon Calamari coming in.”

Leia studied the navicomputer display. “We’ll have come around to three-zero-three. That means back toward the station.”

“I was afraid of that.”

An explosion shook the ship before it was halfway through the turn.

“There goes the only new piece of equipment they installed. But we can get by without it.”

“I’m counting on that, dearest.”

One of the curve-tailed, tandem-piloted coralskippers appeared in the wraparound viewport, coming straight at the Falcon. “Take the shot!” Han said into the intercom.

Singularities formed in advance of the approaching skip, but sheer firepower overwhelmed them, and the vessel came apart in roiling fire.

“Cakhmaim