Star Wars_ Young Jedi Knights 03_ The Lost Ones - Kevin J. Anderson [19]
Zekk didn't particularly want to go home, but he certainly couldn't stay.
He hurried out into the corridors without answering Jaina.
7
LATER THAT NIGHT, the bulk space cruiser Adamant lurched into the Coruscant system, heavily guarded by New Republic warships. The number of assault fighters bristling with turbolaser cannons that clustered around the supply cruiser hinted at the military importance of the cargo it carried.
Standing ready on the cruiser's command bridge, Admiral Ackbar remained tense despite the additional precautions that had been taken. The Adamant approached a docking zone near the Coruscant space stations, precisely according to schedule. The assault fighters powered down their weapons and split off as each squadron signaled farewell to the admiral, commander of the New Republic Fleet.
"Thanks for the escort," Ackbar said into the Comm unit. "Coruscant security will take over from here." He switched off and paced the bridge.
It had been a long haul, but the New Republic badly needed the modern hyperdrive cores and turbolaser battery emplacements his ship carried in its armored holds. The Adamant would deliver the components to the Kuat Drive Yards, where they would be installed in a new fleet of battleships.
Ackbar had been charged with making a formal inspection tour-and he always relished the chance to be aboard a fine military ship.
Though the main threat from the evil Empire had ended, trouble still flared up in the non-allied systems. The fragile government, led by Chief of State Leia Organa Solo, had to be ready at all times with a force strong enough to ward off attacks from known or unknown enemies.
"Coruscant Central acknowledges our arrival," said the helmsman.
Admiral Ackbar nodded. "It'll be good to take some rest and recreation downside," he said, turning to the helmsman and staring with his round, fishy eyes. "Ever been to Coruscant for a furlough before, Lieutenant?"
The young man nodded. "Yes, sir. Several times. I know where there's this little rooftop cantina, a rotating restaurant that lets you look out across the whole city. They've got a keyboard player with ten tentacles.
Boy, you should hear the music she makes!"
Admiral Ackbar chuckled just as the tactical officer turned from her station, her normally pale skin flushed as she shouted an alarm.
"Admiral! An unidentified fleet just appeared off our starboard bow.
Range is less than fifty kilometers and closing fast. They appear to be in an attack formation."
Ackbar whirled to look out the front viewports. "Attack formation?" he said. "But we're in the Coruscant protected zone, one of the most heavily guarded areas in the galaxy. Who could possibly attack us?" He saw the incoming fleet as it soared in like birds of prey, appearing out of nowhere. In the same moment, he felt the stunning blows from their ion cannons, which immediately crippled the Adamant's defensive systems.
"Battlestations!" he cried in his gravelly voice as another thundering blow slammed into the side of the Adamant.
"Minor outer hull breach," the operations officer shouted. "Loss of pressure. Emergency bulkhead doors have closed."
"Transmit a distress signal," Ackbar yelled. "Request immediate assistance from Coruscant security. Now!"
"All weapons systems off-line," the tactical officer reported. "We can't even fire a shot. Engines are still undamaged, though-almost as if our attackers are trying not to target them."
"They want to steal this ship," Ackbar said as the cold realization struck him. "And its cargo."
The communications officer had begun transmitting a distress signal, but the round-faced young man looked up almost immediately, his cheeks pale.
"Sir, communication systems are nonfunctional. We can't even request help."
Admiral Ackbar swallowed. Coruscant would