Star Wars the Truce at Bakura - Kathy Tyers [44]
“Smugglers?”
Luke shrugged.
“Probably modified beyond all legal standards.”
“Stolen Imperial equipment is at a premium.”
“Only after I asked did I realize the implications of your flagship having holonet capability.”
Enough on that subject. “Are you aware of what’s at stake here?” Luke told him most of what he’d concluded about the Ssi-ruuk’s intentions. “Why did the Emperor contact them?”
Thanas scratched his neck, trying to look casual, but the stress lines around his eyes darkened. “If I knew, I would not be at liberty to tell you.”
“But you don’t know.”
Thanas only stared back. This would be a touchy truce, if it held.
“We do need to discuss the current tactical situation,” Luke suggested. “According to my data, between us we’ve got two cruisers, seven midsized gunships, and about forty one-man fighters, two thirds currently deployed in the defensive web, one third down for repairs. Do your figures line up?”
Thanas favored Luke with an amused curl of his lips. “Good data. You also have a rather irregular freighter.”
“That, too.” Luke shifted on the repulsor chair. “Have you been able to get any count on the Ssi-ruuk?”
Thanas nodded curtly. “Here insystem, three cruisers. Two midsize ships that’ve hung back, so far, near the orbit of Planet Four—our best guess is planetary assault ships. About fifteen large fighters or small picket ships, just outside the defense net. And no one knows how many of those little fighters—or which cruiser carries them. Maybe they all do.”
Simply put, the situation looked bad. “Where do you get your information?” Luke asked, wondering what Thanas might tell him about in-system intelligence.
Thanas raised one eyebrow. “Standard sources,” he said. “Where do you get yours?”
“Open eyes.”
The exchange was punctuated by more frustrating dead ends, but when Luke stood up two hours later, he had a better grasp of the tactical situation, precise data on orbital defense-net vectors, and a few miscellaneous tidbits stored in his mind and Artoo’s memory banks.
“Commander Skywalker,” Thanas said softly, “I wonder if you wouldn’t favor me with a demonstration of that lightsaber. I’ve heard about them.”
“I think not.” Luke kept his tone polite. “I don’t want to alarm your troopers.”
“They won’t be alarmed.” Thanas touched another key on his desk. The door slid open. Two white-armored stormtroopers stepped inside. “I’d like to keep your astromech droid here. You two: Take custody.”
“I’d prefer to keep Artoo with me.” Luke didn’t think Thanas meant the threat seriously, but he unhooked, swept up, and activated the saber with a single motion. For all his willingness to talk, Thanas thought like an Imperial. He wanted a demonstration. He’d get it.
The troopers fired milliseconds apart. Luke pivoted into the blasts and deflected them. Tiny flames extinguished in Thanas’s gray paneling.
“Hold your fire.” Thanas lifted a hand. “Dismissed.”
The troopers marched out.
“I don’t understand.” Luke stood at ready attention and kept the saber ignited. “You could have lost two of your men.”
Thanas stared at the humming green blade. “I didn’t think you would kill them. I’d have had to take you prisoner, if you did. I wonder if you’d care to fight your way out through the whole garrison.”
Luke reached for his focus of control. “If I had to, I would.” He sensed a trace of amusement in the older man. Perhaps Thanas was hostile more out of professional habit than out of real belief in the Empire, but Luke didn’t trust him yet. He closed down the saber. “I need to check on my forces’ ship damages, Commander.”
Thanas nodded. “You may go. Take your droid with you.”
Luke tucked his thumbs into his utility belt. “My shuttle went back to the Bakur complex. I’d appreciate a lift over to Pad Twelve at the spaceport.”
Thanas hesitated for a slow beat, then smiled back. “All right.”
If Thanas meant to stop Luke and his party from leaving Bakura, he’d get plenty of chances.
A noncom drove Luke