Star Wars_ X-Wing 02_ Wedge's Gamble - Michael A. Stackpole [42]
Its old skipper, he reminded himself. Booster Terrik and his father had been each other’s bane. Booster had a facility for hauling all sorts of contraband, not just spice, and enough of his cargo was made up of things that powerful people wanted that he made a number of influential friends. Booster easily could have become a broker of goods, but he loved flying too much. Eventually Hal Horn caught him and Booster did five years on Kessel.
Booster’s daughter, Mirax, was unbraiding her long black hair as she came down the gangway. She stopped when she saw Corran and smiled. The fierce rivalry their fathers had known gave them a link—a link strengthened by the fact that they also were both raised on Corellia—and that link had allowed them to avoid inheriting their father’s enmity.
Corran returned her smile. “How was your run?”
“No Imperial complications.” She rolled her brown eyes. “On the other hand, having two dozen utterly jubilant Sullustans aboard the Skate for a week is sufficient to remind me why I prefer moving inert cargo.”
“Eat their weight in rations?”
“Yes, but that wasn’t the problem. They’re rather perky when they’re happy, and perky can wear on you pretty fast.” She jerked a thumb back toward the bridge of her ship. “Liat wasn’t any help. He fell instantly and madly in love with one of the refugees. She seemed thrilled, as did the others. I think there may even have been a wedding in the hold, but I’m not sure.”
Corran shrugged. “I don’t know anything about Sullustan customs. We could ask Captain Nunb.”
“That’s a possibility.” Mirax’s smile slackened just a bit as she reached out and laid a hand on his shoulder. “Any bad effects from the trip to Kessel?”
“What do you mean?”
She shrugged. “A lot of good people made it off Kessel, but I know some real rancor bait had to have been let free to win their release. After all, I don’t think the guy running Kessel is going to take New Republic promissory chits in exchange for prisoners. Doole doesn’t do anything for nothing.”
“Unlike some smugglers?”
Her smile brightened again for a moment. “I’m counting on you and Wedge to finish this Empire off so I can begin collecting what I’m owed.”
“And if we don’t?”
“Then just like that Jedcred you wear, the chits will become collectible and I’ll make the money back later.” Her hand shifted from his shoulder, allowing her to give him a light punch in the arm. “Nice change of subject, though.”
“Sorry.” Corran hadn’t answered her question because he hadn’t allowed himself to think about it very much. It was all well and good to tell Wedge before the trip that he didn’t have any problem letting criminals loose. It was true that CorSec, like any other security force, made deals with a lesser evil to get rid of some greater evil. That clearly was what the whole Kessel operation was about—they’d be pitting a resurgent Black Sun against the Empire. With Fliry Vorru included in the mix of people freed, the chances were Black Sun wouldn’t run hopelessly wild.
On the other hand, Corran would have felt a lot better if the list of criminals they freed had been a list of folks lost on a ship that flew into the Maw and never came out again. The criminals were capable of doing the job the New Republic wanted them to do, but it was precisely because they were as ruthless and cruel as any Grand Moff that had ever served the Emperor. And while it was true that their activities would help break the Empire down, Corran knew plenty of innocent people could get hurt by any violent spillovers—and the people they had released could easily be described as sloppy when it came to violence.
“I guess I’m having some second thoughts. I know the Empire wouldn’t hesitate to use any weapon against us, so they’re definitely the target to shoot at.” He frowned heavily. “Once we take Coruscant,