Your information was— zzzrrk—correct. Skywalker is here. I can sense him.

APHRA:

Never mind Skywalker! You’ve got to run!

DARTH VADER (on comm):

I am a Lord of the Sith. They are the ones who should be running.

APHRA:

Vader, can you hear me? Vader?

Vader’s comm signal fizzles out.

APHRA (narration):

Well. This was officially not good.

I waited for Vader to reestablish contact. I waited for hours—nearly a whole day. Annnnnd nothing. So it was up to me to devise a plan.

Taking initiative once again!

APHRA:

All right, Trip, Beetee: I’ve intercepted rebel communications that say Vader was definitely shot down over Vrogas Vas. No word yet if he’s dead or alive.

At this point…I’m not sure which would be worse. But either way, we’ve got to go after him.

And if he’s dead…well…

TRIPLE-ZERO:

Might I make a suggestion? We could always simply murder everyone we encounter. No matter the problem, I usually find that to be the most elegant solution.

BEETEE:

BLEEP!

TRIPLE-ZERO:

Beetee rather excitedly agrees.

APHRA:

We’re flying into a nest of rebel troops, Triple-Zero. I expect you’ll get your wish.

TRIPLE-ZERO:

How splendid. Did you hear that, Beetee? We get to torture and exterminate indiscriminately!

BEETEE:

BLEEP! BLEEP!

TRIPLE-ZERO:

Oh, I have a simply delightful feeling about this mission.

APHRA (narration):

I tried not to… linger on the question of what Vader would do if he decided I’d sent him into a trap on purpose. I mean, the answer was always going to be something really bad, I knew that now more than ever.

I shook off the shiver that kept running up my spine and firmly reminded myself that I’d escaped his chokey hand once. And I was figuring out how I could use the information I was piecing together about Skywalker…strategically.

But for now, I threw my energy into devising yet another brilliant plan.

First, I called in reinforcements.

APHRA:

Hey, Santy! Long time, no talk.

BLACK KRRSANTAN (on comm):

RAAAAAAWR!

APHRA:

I know, I know—I’m sorry I haven’t called. I am still very dedicated to helping you with your problem, but work’s been so busy. Just waiting for the weekend, you know how it is!

BLACK KRRSANTAN (on comm):

GRAAAAARGH!

APHRA:

Never mind that, I need you on Vrogas Vas.

BLACK KRRSANTAN (on comm):

RRRRROOOOOWWWR?

APHRA:

Yeah, exactly! I’m sending you all the intel now. Get everything and scramble. Yes, that means I’ll owe you. Yes, that “owe” means money.

BLACK KRRSANTAN (on comm):

GROOOWWWR!

APHRA:

Just…get your fuzzy behind out here! Aphra out.

TRIPLE-ZERO:

Oh, excellent! Company! Shall I prepare a selection of weapons? We must be good hosts.

APHRA:

Not yet, Trip. He’ll be here soon enough, and he’s got plenty of weapons—mostly his fists. Give me some visuals.

TRIPLE-ZERO:

Here’s the holo, mistress.

APHRA: