From a distance, an asteroid field looked like an impending dark cloud. On closer approach, one could distinguish the cluster of rocks that made up this so-called cloud, and sharp eyes could make out the rocks' jagged, yet deadly outlines. It was either a fool or a rookie who entered an asteroid cluster without thinking. It took considerable skill and deft maneuvering to dodge the large rocks that hurtled though space. It also took a lot of guts.

'Remember what I told you – don't keep your eye on one single asteroid. Keep 'em focused,' Deacon pointed ahead of Riobhan's eyes, 'straight ahead of you. Thinking ahead of the game – that's the trick to getting out. Understand?'

Riobhan nodded. Deacon noticed that he looked a little green. Heck, he certainly couldn't blame him. The boy was only thirteen. Deacon himself had been around fifteen or so when he attempted his first asteroid run. Nonetheless, it was not a situation to be taken lightly – and certainly not what many people did for fun. Except the chosen few, thought Deacon as he grinned.

'Relax. We have our systems braced for impact – if we get hit, it's not likely we're going to blow up instantaneously.' comforted Deacon.

'Sir, might I argue that there is a high possibility that-' spoke up a logical-sounding voice suddenly from behind them both.

'Shut up.' said Deacon, before the droid could continue. He turned his attention back to the boy. 'Just focus. You should do fine.'

'You really think I can do this?' said Riobhan, not taking his eyes off the cockpit window.

Deacon too, looked through the window at the asteroids and watched the rocks grow larger as he spoke. 'If I didn't trust you, you wouldn't be sitting here in this seat. Now fly this damned thing – those babies out there aren't sitting around waiting for your nerves to turn to steel.'

Riobhan swallowed as the ship was engulfed by the asteroid field. He swerved to the left sharply to avoid one particularly large rock and vaguely heard Deacon say something. He wasn't paying much attention to anything but the matter at hand. He felt the ship give a little jolt and heard the droid let out a little squeal.

'Take it easy – that was just a small one, nothing to worry about...' spoke Deacon to Riobhan, in an attempt to ease his anxiety.

'I do think the boy isn't paying much attention, Sir. Perhaps it would be wiser if you regained-'

The ship pitched forward suddenly and everyone was jolted forward. Deacon saw the droid, Red, fall to the floor out of the corner of his eye. 'Rio!' exclaimed Deacon. 'Watch for the ones on your side!'

'It wasn't me!' shouted Riobhan. 'I could've sworn I dodged them!'

'Don't swear! Just keep your eyes open!'

Deacon felt a cold hand on his shoulder. 'Sir, I think you should-' began Red.

Annoyed, he brushed away the droid's hand. 'He's doing fine!' exclaimed Deacon, although he didn't seem as confident in his words himself.

'But Sir!' persisted the droid.

Another jolt rocked the ship and caused the lights aboardto flicker off momentarily.

'I was looking ahead!' protested Riobhan.

'Then what the hell was that?!' said Deacon simultaneously alarmed and puzzled.

'I was trying to tell you, Sir – that was no asteroid impact. I think it was a laser blast.' explained Red.

'Impossible! We'd have detected something on radar!' said Deacon, swinging around in his seat and punching buttons on his screen console.

'You've set the systems on standby emergency mode for Mister Riobhan's asteroid run. That automatically shuts off unnecessary functions that might drain primary energy. This includes shutting down radar too.'

'Well, why didn't you say so before?' said Deacon, giving the droid an incredulous look.

'Sir, I-' started Red as Deacon quickly rose up and brushed past the droid.

'Deacon!' shouted Riobhan amidst the sudden chaos. 'Where are you going?' He turned his head a fraction of an inch.

Deacon pointed emphatically towards the cockpit window and the asteroid field before them. 'Don't you worry about me – worry about those damned rocks!' With that he ran out of the cockpit and climbed down into the gun turret chamber. He turned on the main communicator aboard the ship.

'Red, I want you to switch the radar back on. Shields up to seventy percent.' He swiveled around in his seat, simultaneously controlling the laser guns with his movements. He pointed it up and down, left and right, looking for his target. He spoke into the intercom again. 'Rio, I know you got a lot on your plate right now, but I want you to prime up the engines for hyperdrive. Soon as we're out of this field, we're not sticking around this bantha hole.'

The boy didn't reply. Deacon could only hope that he comprehended. In the meantime, his computer screen came to life in front of him. A small blip flickered on and off repeatedly, indicating that another vessel was close on their heels. But who was the pilot? Deacon could think of several sour encounters and resulting enemies he'd made in the past – but narrowing it down now seemed like a terrible idea. Instead, he focused his attention on their pursuer. After agonizing moments of searching, he finally found his target. Grasping the trigger with both hands, he tightened his grip letting a stream of blue laser blasts erupt from the barrel of the gun. He held his breath as one shot ricocheted off the wing of the other craft, sparks flying in its wake. He pulled the trigger again, directing the gun towards its moving target. This time there seemed to be a larger impact. A small eruption arose from the other vessel's starboard engine, followed by plumes of black smoke that obscured Deacon's vision of the ship. Seconds later he noticed that the blip no longer blinked on his radar screen. He let out a long breath.

'S'okay, boys.' spoke Deacon into the intercom. 'I got him.'

'That was a sweet little job you did back there,' Deacon complimented Riobhan later on. ''Course you had me worried when you didn't answer.'

Riobhan leaned back in his chair, beads of sweat rolling down the sides of his pale face. 'I apologize for being too busy dealing with rocks that looked like a herd of stampeding Banthas. I don't think I've ever felt that scared in my life.' he said through gritted teeth.

'Get used to it.'

'All I ever wanted to do when I was a kid was to become a politician,' said Riobhan with his eyes closed. 'A peaceful politician.'

Deacon grimaced. He'd always detested politicians and their pontifications.

Riobhan opened his eyes and looked at Deacon. 'Who was that, anyway? Who'd want us dead so badly that they'd follow us through that minefield?'

'Well, I guess we can rule out the Trade Federation. Their pilots aren't worth a burnt-out blaster. This guy – whoever he was – had some pretty good moves. His ship looked familiar though...seemed like one of the old Corellian fighters. Lovely framework but the engine and accessories don't leave much to be said.'

'He was Corellian?' said Riobhan, his eyes wide.

'I don't know who "he" was, Riobhan. And besides, a couple years ago Corellia used to export fighters like they were going out of style. They were hot property on the market. Chances are that our newfound enemies probably purchased it around that time.'

'I bet it must be one of your old gambling buddies.' quipped Riobhan, half heartedly.

'Or someone who is extremely upset about this deal we just made.' said Deacon, more seriously.

They sat in silence as they listened to the sounds of the droid's metallic feet clink within the confines of the ship. Unbeknownst to them, both were thinking the same thoughts. Perhaps their new found luck – or so-called luck – also brought with it a mound of mystery and risk. Perhaps it wasn't worth all this trouble after all. But both continued to sit quietly in their seats, refusing to acknowledge the probable truth. The benefits from their deal loomed in front of them like an oversized dangling carrot. And they'd both suffered enough to know when to seize opportunity whenever it decided to waft their way on the rare occasion. No, this was just a coincidental problem, they'd decided. Nothing to sound the retreating trumpets about. They'd stick to this task and complete this job.

'Looks like we're coming up on Alderaan,' said Deacon, breaking the silence and looking at his console.