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Culled from the pages of the "Star Wars Adventure Journal, one of the most popular "Star Wars magazines in the field today, comes this exciting new short-story collection. Here are stories from such award-winning and "New York Times bestselling authors as Timothy Zahn, Michael A. Stackpole and Kathy Tyers as well as exciting newcomers, including Erin Endom, Laurie Burns, and Patricia A. Jackson. From the desperate flight of a civilian mail courier carrying vital Rebel intelligence through an Imperial blockade, to a suicidal commando raid on an impregnable Imperial prison, to a Corellian smuggler mysteriously hired by an actor turned Jedi Knight turned Imperial assassin for one final transformation, these tales capture all the high adventure, imaginative genius, and nonstop action that are the hallmarks of the "Star Wars saga.
What's more, the centerpiece of this magnificent collection is the short novel "Side Trip, the first-ever collaboration between Timothy Zahn and Michael A. Stackpole, in which a freighter smuggling arms for the Rebels is commandeered by an Imperial Star Destroyer led by a mysterious helmeted figure who claims to be the notorious bounty hunter Jodo Kast. It is all part of a devious plan that includes Hal and Corran Horn, who are working undercover to nail the infamous Corellian warlord Zekka Thyne. But one slip-up can get them all killed.
Collected for the first time, "Star Wars(r): Tales from the Empire is one book no fan will want to be without.
(r), TM and (c) 1997 Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. Used under authorization.
Leseprobe. Abdruck erfolgt mit freundlicher Genehmigung der Rechteinhaber. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.
With a last sizzle of jittering repulsorlifts, the space yacht Uwana Buyer settled down into the landing field that had been hacked out of the Varonat jungle. "What a fine, civilized-looking place this is," Quelev Tapper commented, peering out the cockpit canopy. "You sure we didn't overshoot and land in someone's weed dump?"
Talon Karrde looked out at the pale yellow trees encircling the field and the thirty or so dilapidated buildings nestled in beneath them. "No, this is it," he assured his lieutenant. "The Great Jungle of Varonat. Home of a handful of third-rate trading depots and a few thousand colonists who haven't the brains to pick up and go elsewhere."
"And an ugly Krish named Gamgalon," Tapper said. "I don't know, Karrde. I still think we should have brought in the Wild Karrde and Starry Ice and had some decent firepower behind us. We're kind of like sitting mynocks here."
"We're here to observe, not make trouble," Karrde reminded him, popping his restraints and standing up. "Gamgalon wouldn't be bothering with these private Morodin-hunting safaris if there wasn't some big profit involved. I just want to know what he's up to, and whether we can carve a piece of it off for ourselves."
"All the more reason to have backup along," Tapper grumbled, checking the draw of his blaster as he followed Karrde to the hatchway aft. "But you're the boss."
"How very true. You ready?"
Tapper took a deep breath, exhaled it noisily. "Let's do it."
Karrde punched the control and the hatchway slid up into the hull. Sniffing at the exotic aromas, he and Tapper walked down the ramp and headed across the field toward a building with a faded Port Facilities sign hanging on it.
They were no more than halfway there when two men lounging beside another of the buildings peeled themselves away from their wall and moved casually to intercept the newcomers. "Howdy," one of them said as they got within earshot. "Welcome to Tropis-on-Varonat. Here for the sights?"
"That's very amusing," Karrde complimented him. "No, we're here for the hyperdrive mechanic we very much hope you have."
"Ah," the other said, glancing back at the Uwana Buyer. "Yeah, I'm not surprised. The flashier the hull, the more crumbish the innards."
"Save the colorful language for the tourists," Tapper growled. "You have a hyperdrive mechanic here or don't you?"
The other eyed him a moment, then turned back to Karrde. "Your friend's a little short on manners," he said.
"He makes up for it in ability," Karrde said, pulling a handful of high-denomination coins from his pocket and sorting ostentatiously through them. "And in the understanding of schedules. We have some highly important business waiting for us on Svivren."
"Sure, I understand," the other said. "No offense, ah--?"
"Syndic Pandis Hart of the Sif-Uwana Council," Karrde identified himself. "This is my pilot, Captain Seoul." He chose one of the coins, held it up. "And we're rather in a hurry."
"Hey, no problem," the man grinned, jerking a thumb toward the port facilities building as he deftly took the coin from Karrde's hand. "Buzzy, go tell 'em they've got a customer. Rush job."
His companion nodded silently and loped off toward the building. "Name's Fleck, Syndic," the man continued. "Offhand, I'd say you're going to be stuck here for a few days. Got any plans?"
Karrde glanced pointedly around. "Would there be any plans worth having?"
"Matter of fact, there would," Fleck said. "Fellow here runs a pretty neat safari out into the jungle--got a trip heading out first thing tomorrow morning, in fact. Ever hear of Morodins?"
"I don't think so," Karrde said. "Big game?"
"The biggest," Fleck assured him. "Giant lizard-slug things, ten to twenty meters long. Make great wall or hallway trophies." His lip twitched sardonically. "They're not too fast or mean, either. Good way for a beginner to start."
"That's comforting to hear." Karrde looked at Tapper. "What do you think, Seoul?"
"Doesn't sound too dangerous, sir," Tapper said with just the right note of concern. "I trust you wouldn't be going alone?"
"Naw, there's four other hunters signed up," Fleck said. "And the boss always takes a couple of escorts along as guards. Safe as in a snuggy."
"I'd still recommend I accompany you, sir," Tapper persisted. "I used to be pretty good with a BlasTech A280."
"Let's find out first how much it costs to be as safe as in a snuggy," Karrde said dryly.
"Hardly anything," Fleck sniffed. "Not to a gentleman of your means. Only twelve thousand each."
Karrde smiled. "A man of means doesn't stay there by throwing money away. Fifteen thousand for the both of us."
Fleck grinned. "Hard bargainer, huh? Make it twenty."
"Experienced businessman," Karrde corrected. "Make it seventeen."
The other's forehead wrinkled, then cleared. "All right. Seventeen it is."
"Very good," Karrde said. "When do we leave?"
"Five-half tomorrow morning," Fleck said. "Just be here--I'll tell the boss you're coming. Don't forget to bring the seventeen." He pointed across the field. "You can get outfitted over at that building over there, and get a room for the night in the hotel next door. It's, uh, nicer inside than it looks."
"One would hope so," Karrde agreed. "I trust no one will be offended if we pass on the accommodations. The outfitters will know what equipment we'll need?"
"Sure," Fleck nodded. "Like I said, the boss runs these safaris all the time."
"Very good," Karrde said. "Come, Seoul, let's go see what they have to offer."
Varonat's sun was beginning to settle down behind the jungle by the time Karrde and Tapper finally made it back to the Uwana Buyer with their purchases. "I hope we gave them enough time," Tapper commented as they climbed up the ramp.
"I'm sure we did," Karrde said. "It doesn't take long for a professional to search a ship this size. And I'm not expecting Gamgalon to be employing amateurs."
Abruptly, Tapper touched Karrde's arm. "Maybe he is," he said, dropping his voice.
Karrde frowned. Then he heard it: a muffled clank from the aft section of the ship. "Should we take a look?" Tapper murmured.
"It would look suspicious if we didn't," Karrde said,...
