Disclaimer: I am not Michael Reaves, J.K. Rowling, or Steve Perry.
As a result of the Dark Mark's destruction, the deserters aboard the mediwizard broom are released from the Summoning Charm, thus freeing them to make their escape.
Finbok. What the . . . ?
Damara. What . . . ?
Augustus. It blew up. The Dark Mark just . . . blew up.
Rickett. Everybody, hang on. The edge of the shock wave will hit us pretty fast . . .
As the shock wave hits them, Rickett curses as he tries to maintain control over the broom.
I hope she doesn't break up.
The shaking ceases.
Heidi. What happened?
Rickett. Shock wave passed us. We're still in one piece. Now if we can just stay ahead of the shrapnel we should be okay.
Finbok. Remind me to find out who made this ambulance. I want to send them a testimonial. And if they make flitters, I want to buy one.
All but Heidi laugh.
Rickett. Heidi? You okay?
Heidi. Yeah. It's just that . . . the Dark Mark was a monster, no question about that. It was conceived by monsters and controlled by them. But not everyone on board was a monster.
Silence.
Finbok. How did it happen? Was it the Army, or did someone just push the wrong button?
Damara. We'll never know.
Rickett. The superlaser must've misfired. That's the only explanation that makes any sense. It couldn't have been anything the rebels threw at it. Those Firebolts were like beetles trying to take down an Aethonan.
Heidi. Don't be too sure. [explains the thermal exhaust port]
Rickett. I'm not buying it. Even with the targeting computer, the chances of lobbing a proton torpedo down that shaft were a million to one.
Heidi. What was it you told me once? Sometimes long odds are the only ones worth playing?
Augustus. So what now?
Rickett. We have pretty good star charts. And a decent cruising range. We can get to any of half a dozen regions. But there's a DA base on that island right over there, and I'd guess they're pretty happy right now. Might be room for a few people willing to sign up.
Damara. You'd do that? Join Dumbledore's Army?
Rickett. [shrugs] I'm a fighter pilot. It's what I do, and I'm good at it. More to the point, I'm a fighter pilot who's extremely disillusioned with the side I've been on. In addition to my piloting skills, I can take a Ministry broom apart blindfolded and put it back together. I know a few secrets our new friends might be interested in.
Damara. Not to mention, you're the man who outflew Severus Snape.
Rickett. [grins at Heidi] Of course, it depends on your plans.
Heidi. It does? Why might that be?
Rickett. Well, if you're agreeable, I thought we might get married.
Heidi. Interesting way to propose, flyboy. I'll think about it. [grins] They'll need planners and designers, too. And I wouldn't be a prisoner, but a free woman. There are a lot of political prisoners still under the Ministry's hand. I'd like to help them.
Damara. Not a bad idea. Maybe I'll tag along, try to find another cantina to run. Girl's got to eat, after all, and I'm guessing the DA doesn't mind lifting a glass now and then.
Finbok. I wouldn't worry about having to work if I were you.
Damara. No offense, Green-Eyes. But as much fun as you are, I don't want to be a smuggler's woman. I'm done with the adventurous life for a while.
Finbok. Well, I was thinking of getting out of the smuggling business . . . into legal ventures.
Damara. Uh-huh.
Finbok. Probably should have mentioned that my family is, um, well fixed. I think they'd like to meet you. They always hoped I'd find a good woman and settle down, get into the family business.
Damara. Which is?
Finbok. They manage real estate. Own a few properties, here and there. Places like the Railview Hotel on Magic is Might.
Augustus. London.
Finbok. My mistake. Anyway, my share of that alone would mean you wouldn't have to work if you didn't want to.
Damara. Your share? And how much would that be?
Finbok. Well . . .
Finbok hesitates.
Damara. Speak, or I'll twist your head off.
Finbok. Half a billion Galleons, give or take a couple of million.
Damara. What? You're rich? Why'd you become a smuggler?
Finbok. [shrugs] I thought property management was boring. I was young and rebellious, and I wanted to do something more interesting. But I'm thinking maybe I've had enough excitement for one lifetime.
Damara. I'm going to kill you. No, maybe I'll wait until after I meet your family. They'll probably want to help.
Heidi. [to Augustus] What about you, Doc?
Augustus. I'm with Anthony. If the DA will have me, I'll throw in my lot with theirs. I'm a pretty good mediwizard . . . at least, I've had a lot of practice. And the Ministry has to be stopped.
Damara. Somebody made a pretty good start on that today.
Rickett. So . . . since we're all in agreement, let's go see how the other half lives, shall we?
Exit all.
