Star Wars_ X-Wing 07_ Solo Command - Aaron Allston [109]
After a mere ten minutes of frantic activity, she began to get her breathing back under control.
The stars beyond the magcon field suddenly twisted and blurred as Reprisal entered hyperspace.
“This will be a short jump,” her commanding officer said. “Prepare to launch on arrival.”
The Falsehood waited in low planetary orbit, its crew watching the green, lush world slowly turn beneath them.
“It’s been too long,” Donos said. “They’re on to us.”
“Probably,” Wedge said. He didn’t look at all uneasy.
Squeaky said, “I see other vessels awaiting final clearance to descend.”
“Either they’re not on to us,” Wedge said, “in which case our waiting here is standard procedure, or they’re on to us, and they’re having other vessels wait nearby so we won’t get suspicious.”
“Oh,” Squeaky said. “But we’re suspicious anyway.”
“They failed,” Wedge said.
“Will it matter if they destroy us anyway?”
“Not really.” The console beeped at Wedge, and he leaned over to look at the comm unit’s text screen. “We have final approval for descent to our primary target zone.”
Chewbacca shook his head, making a nearly subsonic noise of dissent. He gestured at the sensor board.
There, approaching from planetary east in a similar orbit, was a large, indistinct signal.
“Looks like starfighters,” Wedge said. “At least a full squad. All right, we go.” He unbelted. “Donos, take the belly gunport turret, I’ll take the top. Chewbacca, the controls are yours. Squeaky, you have the comm unit. Call in the Wraiths now, then bring in Mon Remonda on the holocomm unit, then stand by in your new mode.”
“I’ll be so pleased to make my debut.”
“Only if they address you, now.”
“Yes, sir.”
Donos followed Wedge back to the turret access tubes and descended to his turret. He powered it up, swung his weapons back and forth a few times to gauge their speed and responsiveness. Meanwhile, he felt the Falsehood maneuvering as it pointed spaceward and accelerated away from Comkin Five.
Squeaky’s voice came over the ship’s internal comlink. “Chewbacca says estimated two minutes until the TIEs are in range. At least five until we’re far enough away from the planet’s mass shadow to enter hyperspace. Wraiths report that they will intercept us in three and a half minutes.”
Wedge’s voice was next. “So they have a minute and a half to batter us before we have reinforcements. We should be able to handle that.”
Squeaky said, “Chewbacca says … oh, my. Oh, dear, dear dear.”
Wedge said, “Report, Squeaky.”
“Are you sure you want to know? It’s not good.”
“Do you want to walk home? Report.”
“Chewbacca reports a capital ship dropping out of hyperspace along our escape vector. It’s closer than the Wraiths, and it’s deploying TIE fighters. Excuse me, TIE interceptors. Two squadrons. They are deploying in what he calls umbrella formation and approaching.”
Wedge said, “And our pursuit?”
“They’re, ah, they seem to be hanging back. Pacing us, no longer gaining.”
“Driving us to the hunters. Thank you, Squeaky.” There was a long moment of silence. “Chewbacca, make your course straight for the capital ship. When you’re just outside the range of their tractors, deploy Package One and vector away. Then allow Package Two to deploy at its discretion.”
A grumble sounded over the comm unit.
“He doesn’t seem happy with your order, sir, but he’s complying. Ah, ah, the capital ship is identified. A Rendili Star-Drive Dreadnaught-class heavy cruiser. Oh, it’s the Reprisal! How nice to see it still functional. The Reprisal visited Kessel one time.”
“Save your reminiscences for later. And put your mask on.”
“Yes, sir.” The droid’s voice sounded resigned.
13
Lara put everything into acceleration, hurtling toward the Falsehood as fast as she could travel. She shouldn’t have been able to outstrip the other TIE interceptors of the combined units, but most of them dropped slowly back. In a matter of moments, she was at the fore with three other TIEs—her wingman and two interceptors of the 181st.
One of them communicated. “Anxious