Chapters (57)
- Cover
- Doctor Aphra
- DRAMATIS PERSONAE
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- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Solo, you utter moron.
They shoot at the hives at the same time, unleashing two giant swarms of wasp-worms.
HAN SOLO:
Aaaaahhh! Get ’em off! Get ’em off!
APHRA:
Aaaaaahhhhh! Not wasp-worms! Anything but wasp-worms!
APHRA/HAN SOLO:
AAAHHHHHHHGGGGGGHHHHH!
APHRA (narration):
Neither of us could see what was happening, we were both just rushing toward each other, covered in the things. They swarmed my face, my hands—everywhere. Slithery little creatures that merely make you shiver and squirm at first…but once they start stinging…forget it.
And of course, since Solo and I were mostly focused on the very pressing business of getting them off, we ended up crashing into each other and passing out, while the wasp-worms continued stinging merrily away.
I wish I had one of my trademark witty bon mots to cap this part of the adventure off, but all I can say is:
Ow.
While I was passed out…well, apparently the chaos just kept going.
Trip got a little too cocky about besting a Wookiee and didn’t notice Skywalker regaining consciousness—until Skywalker drew a lightsaber and chopped Trip’s other arm off.
More ow.
My poor, beaten-up droids stumbled around until they found me—still passed out.
I woke up, all muzzy-headed and covered in wasp-worm stings. The rebels, my droids informed me, were headed back to their ship. I ordered Trip and Beetee to follow the rebels—we needed the Skywalker kid alive.
Otherwise, I knew I’d feel Vader’s hand around my neck again.
And this time, he might not let go.
SCENE 37
INT. THE ARK ANGEL. LATER.
APHRA (narration):
Somehow, I made it back to the Ark Angel, muttering about how much I hate wasp-worms all the way.
I settled myself into my seat—wincing as the still-tender parts of my wasp-worm-stung body screamed in anguish. I drummed my fingers on the arm of my chair and forced myself to think.
What was the best next step? I hadn’t secured Skywalker. My algorithm hadn’t narrowed down the crash sites enough for me to find Vader—and even if it had, he was likely long gone by now.
What else could I do?
Information. It all comes back to information.
I pushed myself out of my seat—which was ow again, ugh, I really hate wasp-worms—and made my way over to the part of my comm that I used to intercept Imperial signals.
Skywalker…Skywalker…maybe if I could learn more about him…
maybe that would be a starting point, at least.
I scanned all the transmissions I’d intercepted for any mention of the kid.
And I found something very interesting.
I knew others had been looking for the kid. Vader had mentioned it, and so had The Ante.
But I hadn’t known exactly who was looking for him.