Star Wars_ X-Wing 05_ Wraith Squadron - Aaron Allston [122]
Wedge asked, “How well guarded?”
“The bunker has at least two security doors I can see. I don’t mean two outside doors. One outside door with a security station there, and an intermediary chamber, with a second security door inside. Maybe more.”
“How do the TIE fighters exit?”
“A roof door retracts. Large enough to let two punch out at a time.”
“How about security on top of that roof?”
She shrugged. “I haven’t been up there yet. I’d want to wait for nightfall.”
“Do it tonight. But first, have Donos retrieve his laser rifle from the smuggling compartment. I want him on station covering you. If you trigger an alarm—”
“Thanks.”
“—he can give you the cover you need to escape.” Wedge thought over his options. “All right. Here’s the preliminary plan. Tonight, Plague Group, with Grinder, goes in and acquires the biological agents. Meanwhile, Falynn and Donos will do the preliminary test of the TIE bunker’s security. If all goes well and the bunker looks like we can crack it, we do the rest tomorrow night.
“Tomorrow …”He counted off on his fingers to make sure he accounted for everyone. “Janson, Kell, Tyria, Phanan, Piggy, and Grinder will get into the Hawkbat’s shuttles and infect them. Janson will command that unit. It would also be good if you can find something to do to make it look like some other sort of mission if your presence is detected—some sort of theft, perhaps.”
Kell nodded. “Got it.”
“Myn will find a good, high station from which to provide sniper support to either unit. And Atril, Falynn, Face, and I will enter the TIE bunker and steal all four TIE fighters.”
Falynn looked surprised. “All four?”
“Yes. Unless you can guarantee that the two we steal will both make it intact off world.”
She shook her head. “Guarantees are not my business. How do we get in?”
“Through the doors on top—when the TIE fighter leaves. We’ll grab it when it returns.”
“And how do we make sure a TIE fighter will leave when we want it to?”
Wedge smiled. “I communicate with Runt and ask him to strafe the spaceport.”
Kell nodded. He turned it into Face’s head bob. Falynn and Piggy joined him.
“Stop it,” Wedge said.
Wedge left first, then Kell a couple of minutes later, to help minimize the number of people who would see the Wraiths together.
“Ready?” Piggy said.
Falynn nodded.
Then the music stopped and a spotlight pinned the two of them. Falynn rose and half drew her blaster. Piggy grabbed her hand, stopping her from completing the motion, dragging her back into her seat.
An amplified voice said, “The management of the Howler would like to congratulate Master and Mistress Wallowlot on the occasion of their fifth wedding marker!”
Patrons of the Howler offered scattered applause and a fair amount of laughter. A server swept up to deposit a pair of drinks. Falynn peered around the core of the spotlight beam to spot the man on the lighting board, controlling the beam, and Kell standing beside him. Kell offered her a big grin and a thumbs-up, then headed off for the door.
Then the beam was cut off and the bar patrons’ attention returned to their respective drinks and pursuits.
Falynn glowered at the door through which Kell had fled. “That wasn’t funny.”
Piggy kept his translator voice low. “Why not?”
“Well … well … he might have compromised our identities.”
“These aren’t identities. We leave here in two minutes. You lose your wig and I resume my guard clothes and we’re done with them.”
“It still isn’t funny.”
“I think it is. Though we must have revenge on Kell, of course.” But Falynn looked so unhappy he felt compelled to ask, “Why does this bother you so?”
“People will think I’m, I’m …” She stopped short and looked stricken. She didn’t meet Piggy’s eyes.
“That you’re wed to a Gamorrean?”
“Honest, Piggy, it’s not like that.”
“I think it is.” He kept his tone reasonable,