Chapter XI
They managed to avoid any interaction with the crew as they made their way back to the Falcon. Shedding their disguises, Han and Luke retrieved their spacesuits from their hiding places and made their way onboard. Chewie was ready and waiting for them in the cockpit. The Wookiee rumbled a message. "What do you mean we won't get paid unless we leave at the same time they do?" Han said.
"It makes sense, Han," Luke said, "They won't be able to pursue us with the Executor if he can distract them. I doubt the Star Empire is ready to test their hyperdrive and the only other ship within range looks like it belongs in a junkyard." "That's what you said about my ship," Solo reminded him, "But that doesn't mean they can't launch their TIE fighters." "We'll just have to handle that problem later," Skywalker said.
The bridge crew soon gained the turbolift, carrying the still unconscious body of Rashan with them. Meanwhile, the duel continued. Vader spun his weapon down towards Zol Xarh, and the bounty hunter caught the blow easily. Long ago, he had learned a great deal about this man and his like. The Dark Lord had needed the information in order to survive, and it had proved useful during his service to the Emperor. Blue-white lightning crackled from Vhaldoq's hand to their common foe, who barely fielded it and Vader's continued assault.
D'ukal swung his blade up, and Vader struck at the man's helmet while the Grand Admiral went for his legs. Zol Xarh spun his weapon vertically, stepping to the edge of the walkway. Suddenly, he flipped backwards into the pit. Vhaldoq stood on the edge of the metal platform, Dark Side energy arcing between his fingertips as he lowered his weapon to his side. "Surrender now," D'ukal said, "Join us and I will tell you everything you want to know." In answer, the bounty hunter rolled beneath the walkway to its far side. Vader turned in that direction, but even as he did the deck began to groan under his weight.
Realizing that Zol Xarh had cut the supports for the section beneath him, the Dark Lord rolled forward and came to his feet on the side nearest the turbolift. Across the way, Vhaldoq now stood near the Admiral's chair. Then Zol Xarh cleared the gap and lashed out at D'ukal. The Grand Admiral ducked beneath the sweep of the bounty hunter's blade, and soon was standing between Vader and their foe. He was about to come to Vhaldoq's aid as they backed towards the front of the bridge when Zol Xarh threw his weapon behind him and straight into the viewport.
The energy beam sliced thru the transparisteel with ease, and the decompressing air shattered what the lightsaber didn't cut. Vader stood defiant before the gale, as did D'ukal. "It'll take a lot more than that to defeat us!" Vhaldoq shouted over the din. At that moment, the double-bladed weapon shot by the duo and dipped towards the floor. A moment later, there was a flash of light and the Admiral's chair broke loose from the deck.
Vhaldoq could not avoid it, and both hurtled into the void. Zol Xarh recovered and deactivated his weapon, then strangely followed D'ukal out into space. Slowly striding against the wind, Vader made it to the turbolift and overrode the security controls. A moment later, he was descending towards the secondary bridge.
"All right," Han said, "There he goes!" "Let's get out of here," Luke said. Solo smiled in agreement and threw full power to the engines. With a burst of speed, the Millennium Falcon shot away from the bulk of the Executor and towards freedom.
"I understand, milord," Ozzel said, "We will rendezvous with you shortly." He closed the channel and turn to regard Captain Piett. "Get us underway immediately," Ozzel directed, "Lord Vader wants that ship at any cost." "Sir, we've detected another unauthorized vessel heading for the perimeter," Piett said. "We are under direct orders, Captain," Ozzel snapped, "We've no time to be chasing every smuggler from here to Raltiir!"
Piett nodded and said, "Our teams should regain access to our engine room momentarily. We can then pursue them." Ozzel didn't reply, turning back to the viewport. Ahead, the shuttle bearing the Dark Lord was on its final approach. He hoped that everything worked out satisfactorily, or the Sith would be most displeased.