Troy Denning - Tatooine ghost

Tatooine Ghost

By Troy Denning

For Hans
Wookiee at Heart

I would like to thank everyone who helped make this book possible. Thanks are due especially to: Andria Hayday, whose suggestions and valuable insight contributed to the story in a thousand ways large and small; to special Star Wars fans Ryan Holden and Elliot Courant, whose enthusiasm for the galaxy far, far away reminds me why this is important; to Dan Wallace and James Luceno for advice and answers; to all the people at Del Rey who make writing novels such a pleasure, particularly Shelly Shapiro, Kathleen OShea David, Colleen Lindsay, Colette Russen, and Laura Jorstad; to Sue Rostoni, Lucy Autrey Wilson, Chris Cerasi, Leland Chee and everyone at Lucasfilm for their Star Wars guidance and keen continuity eyes.

A flight of comets hung just beyond the observation dome, their luminous heads arrayed in a ragged double arrow, their long tails striping the dark sky with silver splendor. The largest were visibly creeping across space, and oneblazing giant with a braided tail that seemed to stretch across half the systemrapidly swelling to the size of a hubba melon. The panorama was just as advertised, the perfect honeymoon view, and Han Solo could tell by the gabble of three-hundred beings packed onto the small viewing floor that everyone else thought so, too.

At Hans side stood Leia, dressed comfortably but fashionably in a sleeveless doublet and a pair of slinky zoosha pants that Han found especially alluring. Her brown eyes were fixed on the patio below, and on her face, she wore a cordial diplomats expression that was more mask than smile.

Behind them, a swarm of droning Kubaz spilled out of the turbolift and brushed past, making pointed comments about blocking access to the viewing floor.

Sorry about this, Han said to Leia. A stop to watch the Corphelion Comets had seemed a romantic way to start their honeymoonleast until they had discovered that it was the height of the season and every resort on the asteroid was badly overbooked. I guess the private dome isnt so private, either.

I dont care, as long as were here together. Leia took Hans hand and started down a broad set of dark, hardwood stairs. Theres a pair of empty chaises out there in the middle. Once we settle in and order a drink, we wont even notice the noise.

Sure. A Pink Nebula sounds good. Jostling for elbow space was hardly the romantic way Han had hoped to start their marriage, but things were bound to improve. Around Leia, they usually did. Maybe the serving droid has earplugs or something.

They were halfway down the staircase when a brilliant starburst of radiance filled the sky. The Solos stopped to look and saw the giant comet splitting into a spectacular set of twins. The crowded patio fell silent.

Now thats more like it, Han said.

The twins began to drift apart, their tails crossing as one comet angled toward the rest of the Corphelions. The other continued to swell in the darkness above the dome. Finally, when its head had grown to an apparent diameter of more than a meter, a nervous murmur began to build on the patio below.

Leia turned back up the stairs. Maybe we should go back to the Falcon.

Han caught her arm. Not so fast. He continued to study the approaching cometrather, the darkness around its edges, watching to see how quickly and evenly its head was obscuring the distant stars. I thought you wanted to see the Corphelions? Not this close, Han.

Relax. As he had hoped, the stars on the comets lower left were vanishing by the dozens; those on the upper right were disappearing only in twos and threes. Everythings under control.

Youve said that before, Leia objected. Youre sure we dont need to go back to the Falcon?

Im sure. Han slipped a hand down to the small of her back. And this time I mean it. Everythings under control, Sweetheart.

Leia glanced from Han to the approaching comet, then back to Han again. Her expression grew more trusting, and she smiled slyly.

Okay, Flyboy. She took his arm. My life is in your hands.

They descended the rest of the stairs arm in arm. The comet had doubled in size during the last few seconds, its tail becoming a fan that curved across a quarter of the dome. A portly Bothan couple rose with their fur standing on end and turned toward the stairs, and that was all it took to send the rest of the crowd scurrying for the evacuation stations inside the asteroid.

Leia pulled Han into a quiet corner and reached up with both hands. As jabbering humans and growling aliens continued to shove up the stairs in a near-stampede, she laced her fingers together behind his neck and stared deep into his eyes.

Hans heart began to beat faster.

How did you arrange this? Leia asked.

Arrange what? Han was genuinely confused.

Leia gently pulled his head close to her mouth. The comet. She flicked her tongue along the lobe of his ear, then continued in a sultry voice. Come on, Flyboy, you can tell me. Did Wedge help you?

Wedge? You think Wedge is out there moving comets around?

Leia gently nibbled his earlobe. It felt warm and well, wonderful. Lando, then. He has that big asteroid tug, and this is just his style. Grandiose, effective. She glanced over at the now-deserted patio. And just a little bit devious.

Landos busy on Nkllon. Han was keeping one eye on the comet. You know that.

You wont tell me? Leia slipped her hands under the hem of his tunic and playfully ran her fingers up his back. Youre sure?

Well, Im

Leia dug her fingertips into the flesh behind his shoulders.

Pretty sure, Han said. I think.

The comet was the size of an Endorian moon now, and he was beginning to worry that his pilots eye had gone weak. The different rates at which the head was obscuring the surrounding stars suggested it was approaching at an angle, but unless the stars on the right stopped disappearingand soonthe comet would not actually miss the resort.

Uh, Leia?

NoIve changed my mind, Han. Leia lowered her hands and, one arm still wrapped around his waist, turned to look at the sky. I dont want to know how you arranged this.

But

Sshhh. Leia touched a finger to his lips. I just want to look. It makes me wish we could forget everything back on Coruscant and stay here forever.

You dont say? The approaching comet was as large as a bantha now. Han glanced toward the empty stairs, trying to estimate how long he could keep his real secretthat he may have miscalculated the comets trajectorybefore they would have to make a mad scramble for the evacuation shelters. I just might be able to arrange that.

Leia leaned her head against his shoulder. If only you could.

Oh, I could The comet grew so bright that its radiance lit the whole dome and there were no stars visible around it at all. Deciding that things were starting to get dangerous, Han pulled Leia out of the corner. In fact

The white spike of an antitail finally appeared in front of the head, and the entire comet began to angle across the domeaway from the resort. Han exhaled in relief, then put on his best lopsided grin and turned to Leia.

Leia looked puzzled. In fact what, Han?

In fact Han waited while the comet drifted over their heads to the other side of the dome, then said, Youre going to be really impressed with what Ive arranged next.

Leia cocked her brow. Pretty sure of yourself, arent you?

Han nodded. I have a reason.

The asteroid entered the comets tail, and billions of tiny dust grains exploded against the resorts particle shield. Space above erupted into a glittering veil of micro-flashes.