Chapters (57)
- Cover
- Doctor Aphra
- DRAMATIS PERSONAE
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- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
It was barely a plan, but thanks all the same. So how are you guys gonna liberate me?
BEETEE:
BLEEP! BLEEP BLEEP!
TRIPLE-ZERO:
Well, I don’t know about that, Beetee, releasing a human-targeted neurotoxin would take out everyone around us—but it would also take out Mistress Aphra!
BEETEE:
BLEEEEEP!
TRIPLE-ZERO:
What do you mean you’ve already begun?
APHRA:
Oh… Void…
As Beetee releases his toxic gas, Aphra passes out.
SCENE 50
INT. HOLDING CELL. THE EXECUTOR. LATER.
APHRA (narration):
Why did I keep waking up in cells? I couldn’t remember losing consciousness. One minute, I was yelling. The next, my eyes were fluttering open and my body was draped across a very cold floor.
BEETEE:
BLEEP! BLEEP!
TRIPLE-ZERO:
Yes, please do wake up, Mistress Aphra. Beetee is getting tetchy.
APHRA:
Whhhh…
TRIPLE-ZERO:
We appear to have rescued you. Without murdering anyone, too.
Something of a disappointment, truth be told.
APHRA:
Wha…what happened, Triple-Zero? I…passed out. Was it some kind of…gas?
TRIPLE-ZERO:
Correct. A human-targeted neurotoxin. Highly permeable across safety filters. I’m genuinely impressed. Everyone who hasn’t received an antidote from their mostly faithful droid assistant is unconscious.
BEETEE:
BLEEP! BLEEP! BLEEP!
TRIPLE-ZERO:
Oh, calm down, Beetee! I was getting to that! Yes, obviously, it’s ineffective against nonhumans or droids. Ah, the disadvantage of a monoculture. Once more, I have to question the wisdom of replacing the droid armies with fleshy ones.
All this embarrassing slumping didn’t happen back in the days of the former Republic. Anyway—with everyone lying drooling on the floor, we should be able to escape with relative ease. Black Krrsantan is docked, awaiting us…
A rumble passes through the ship.
APHRA:
I know my head’s not straight, but…did the ship just move?
TRIPLE-ZERO:
Correct. If I’m not mistaken, someone is stealing the Executor, and is presumably responsible for all the chaos. I have to admit…I do feel a certain spark of professional jealousy.
APHRA:
I…really, why bother? I can run, but Vader’s not going to let me get away.
TRIPLE-ZERO:
This is true, Mistress Aphra. Doesn’t matter particularly to us, of course. As long as someone dies, we’re just dandy.
IMPERIAL OFFICER (on comm):
Squad Pheno-Six. Converge on the Emperor’s quarters and bring him to the bridge.
APHRA (narration):
And there it was. My door.
APHRA:
Trip, I need you to do something for me.
TRIPLE-ZERO:
We’re not leaving, Mistress Aphra?
APHRA:
Not yet. I’ve had another one of my patented never-go-wrong ideas.
APHRA (narration):
Ooooof. I probably should have called it…my worst idea yet.
I didn’t know exactly what was behind this particular door.
But I did know it was my only possible way out.
SCENE 51
INT. EMPEROR’S CHAMBERS. THE EXECUTOR. LATER.
Emperor Palpatine sits on his throne, flanked by guards.
EMPEROR PALPATINE:
You have completed your task, Lord Vader?
DARTH VADER (on comm):
Yes, Master. The ship is secured.