Michael P. Kube-McDowell - Shield of lies

Chewbacca, attending coming-of-age ceremonies for his son Lumpawarump

The Teljkon vagabond was on the run once more. But this time, there were hitchhikers aboard.

Hyperspace? See-Threepio echoed in a dismayed tone as he struggled to free himself. The droids limbs were tangled up with Lobot, R2-D2, and the equipment sled in one corner of the vagabonds airlocka chamber that had suddenly become a spacegoing prison. You must be mistaken, Master Lobot.

I am not mistaken, said Lobot, pushing a flailing golden leg away from his faceplate. All my data links terminated at the same moment, in exactly the same manner I associate with a hyperspace jump.

There was a course change, too, during the acceleration, Lando said from the opposite corner of the lock. He flexed his ungloved right hand, trying to drive the bone-chilling cold from his aching fingers.

Master Lando! See-Threepio cried in his most plaintive voice. Cant you make it stop?

I didnt make it start, Threepio, Lando snapped.

With all respect, Master Lando, you most certainly did, Threepio said huffily. Now, you just reach back in that hole and undo whatever you did, and quickly, too. Colonel Pakkpekatt will be most upset with us for running off with his starship.

Colonel Pakkpekatt is probably inventing new words in Hortek right now, said Lando. But at least hes on a ship that he can boss. Were not. Any damage over there? Lobot? Artoo-Detoo?

The little astromech droid emerged from the jumble of bodies and chirped once.

Artoo-Detoo reports that all his systems are operational, said Threepio.

Im uninjured, Lando, said Lobot. My suit took the impact of the equipment sled. But my data links are still all down, and I am finding it disorienting.

Lando nodded. Artoo, can you help Lobot out?

Rotating in midair with the aid of its microthrusters, the droid chittered disagreeably.

Dont be rude, Threepio chided.

Whats going on?

Master Lando, Artoo says that he prefers to keep his systems private.

Yeah, well, I dont like telepaths, either, Artoo, said Lando. But Id sure like to be able to think at the colonel right now. Give Lobot a link to your event log. There might be something in there we can use to figure out what happened. Does anyone see my right glove?

Lobot was clinging with one hand to the equipment sled. I think your glove blew out the airlock in the decompression.

Just perfect. Lando looked at his purpled hand, then at the inflated wrist cuff that was keeping his suit sealed. Whats the pressure in here now?

Six hundred forty millibars, said Lobot. Repressurization began after the entry sealed.

Repressurization? Thats interesting. From where? Lando craned his head and looked at the seamless, featureless bulkheads. Artoo, see if you can find the vents.

The droid acknowledged the order with a beep and rose to begin cruising along the bulkheads at close range.

All rightheres the way it looks to me, said Lando. Were no longer invited guests and welcome visitors. She shook off Lady Luck and tried to spit us out. Probably would have succeeded if she hadnt been trying to run away from the task force at the same time.

Which raises a question, said Lobot. Why didnt she know?

Im listening.

It appears to be a misjudgment. Two defense routines were activated without consideration of their combined effect. The repressurization of this compartment appears to be another inconsistency.