Chapters (57)
- Cover
- Doctor Aphra
- DRAMATIS PERSONAE
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- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
So why could I suddenly not stop thinking about the deep love and care in Tahn’s voice when he spoke of her, the way she’d been so desperate to hold on to hope…
I brushed the thought aside and refocused on Vader.
APHRA:
Er…anything else on the to-do list, Lord Vader?
DARTH VADER:
Another Imperial agent has been tasked to locate the boy who destroyed the Death Star. We must find him first.
APHRA:
The Ante was hinting he knows a lot. If Imperial Intelligence has a lead, I’ll bet he’ll have better.
DARTH VADER:
You have the funds. Arrange a meeting. Offer what is required.
APHRA:
On it. Any other problems on the horizon?
DARTH VADER:
I have a new adjutant, courtesy of the Emperor’s current lack of…faith in my abilities. And said adjutant is…somewhat eager and enthusiastic.
APHRA:
Anything to worry about?
DARTH VADER:
I have no fears. He suspects nothing. But I will need you to handle the journey back to Anthan Prime and this meeting with this “Ante”
person yourself while I assure my adjutant of my loyalty to the Empire.
APHRA:
You got it, Boss.
APHRA (narration):
“New adjutant,” eh? I did not like the sound of that. I mean, here I was, giving it my all. Showing Vader that I was the best adjutant he could hope for—the one who was most definitely not going to use whatever weakness he revealed to her advantage. And the Emperor up and sticks him with some low-rent babysitter who mostly just seemed to be getting in his formidable way? And, even worse, could very possibly get in mine?
I’d just have to keep proving myself. Vader was clearly becoming increasingly aware of my brilliance—sending me on yet another solo mission was definite evidence of that.
He was seeing even more of me. And I was seeing more of him.
I’d just have to make sure this blasted babysitter didn’t muck everything up.
SCENE 30
INT. GAMBLING PARLOR. THE SPIRE. ANTHAN PRIME.
APHRA (narration):
And so I returned to the glitter of the Spire, where the gaseous storms outside were putting on quite a show…
Atmosphere: The storms buffet the station, shaking it around.
APHRA:
Wow, The Ante. Those storms are fierce. You’re not at all worried about having your base here?
THE ANTE:
They bring the tourists here to gaze at their splendor. That covers a lot of my business. They’re safe as long as you’re not foolish enough to actually try flying through one.
APHRA:
Why do you look right at me whenever you say the word foolish?
THE ANTE:
Why do you think?
In any case, it’s a little like having localized asteroid belts, with considerably more style.
APHRA:
Can you navigate them?
THE ANTE:
As much as you can navigate an asteroid belt. As in, not reliably.
I’m a man who likes sure things, Aphra.
APHRA: