The Adventures of Dash Rendar

by William Tanner

Here is the untold story of the events that took place in other parts of the galaxy between Star Wars Episodes III and IV: a novel in which the brilliant young pilot, Dash Rendar, battles a powerful villain named Prince Xizor.

7. Chapter 7

Chapter Seven

Inside Dash's hotel room, the room in now dark as the restless freighter captain is sound asleep in the comfort of his queen size bed with his P2 unit resting idly by at the foot of his bed. Leebo sets motionless in the outer room in his silent mode as the sound of traffic and the lights of passing vehicles pierce the darkness of the night.

As flying droids of just about every kind pass by the windows, one in particular Shadow droid pauses at each window looking inside. As it reaches Dash's bedroom window, peetwo lets out a series of high tone beeps that wakes Dash as he looks out the window. The droid moves on as Dash tells peetwo who has come to life with it's dome light now turned on, ' Yeah, I saw it peetwo. Keep an eye on the window, we might have visitors tonight. Let me know if anybody shows up. I'm going to get some more sleep, good night.'

Hours later, two dark figures open a sliding glass window on the outside of the living room wall and enters the dark and quiet apartment. The two robbers start looking through the desk and some of the bags that Dash and the two droids brought with them. The noise that they made alerted peetwo in the bedroom, and peetwo moved over and shook Dash into consciousness with its protruding arm.

' I hear them,' Dash whispered as he reached for his blaster.

Dash climbed out of bed carefully not making any noise as he crept to the partially closed door and looked out into the dark room. He could barely see two figures as he pointed his blaster and yelled out,' Get out of here!'

The two figures were startled as one of them, the one at the dresser to the left turned and bolted for the entrance door, while the other one who was going through Dash's tote bags on the table to the far right tried to escape back through the window from which he came.

As the door swung open into the hallway, light came into the room and momentarily blinded Dash who was pointing his blaster at the intruder exiting through the hall doorway. Just at that time, the robber headed out the window turned and fired his blaster at Dash, who was only partially out the bedroom door. The blast struck the side of the door frame to Dash's left. Dash recoiled and peered back around the corner this time focusing on the window and to his amazement recognized the intruder as the same man he saw earlier at the bathhouse. The one that had came into the bathhouse as he and that other gentleman was getting their locker keys at the desk.

The man again fired upon Dash, but this time Dash returned his fire with a blast of his own that just missed the man's head. At that time, Leebo was coming out of his sleep mode as Dash yelled, " Leebo! Stay down.' As he did, the entrance door slammed shut and again the room went dark.

The man at the window went through the opening and as he turned to fire again at Dash, Dash's next volley caught the man in the chest and bolted him backwards and sent him over the side of the narrow ledge and to his death.

Dash rushed over to the edge and peered over but couldn't see into the darkness below. He could only see some small lights that seemed to be moving away from a possible impact area. Then the lights all rushed back coming together as if they all rushed to a single point.

By this time, Leebo and peetwo had moved in behind Dash as Leebo asked, ' What was all that about, sir?' As he asked that, peetwo started peeping several high and low tone beeps and burps as it's dome lit up in it's red and blue dome lights.

' Oh, I see,' Leebo commented to peetwo,' And I suppose you're the one that saved the day too. Your such a boastful little unit aren't you, and I suppose you're the one that caught the intruder too. Really! No, I don't want to hear it. Sir! Are you alright?'

Dash turned back and came through the window, closing the sliding glass door and locking it. ' Yeah, I'm alright, but he isn't.' He said as he turned on the light and started looking through his baggage trying to see if anything was missing.

' Well, at least they didn't get anything. I think that was the same one that robbed that guys locker today at the bathhouse. I thought he looked suspicious today. I wonder what they were looking for. They weren't after money, because they would of taken this.' Dash said as he pulled out his wallet that was inside the tote bag on the table.

' Peetwo, stay on guard in here the rest of the night. I don't think that other one will return, but stay alert in here just in case. Leebo, you too. I'm going back to bed, wake me if you hear anything.'

' Oh my word! I hope we don't have any more excitement tonight. This is just too much. Oh, I imagine you are just beaming with pride. You think the captain is really depending on you. Oh, I see now you think you are in charge just because he put you on guard. Well I'm on guard too you know.'

The P2 unit let out several high and low tone beeps as it's dome top begin spinning back and forth. Peetwo started moving around in a circle coming to a stop after one complete rotation.

' I was not sleeping. I was just biding my time waiting for an opening. Oh, well you can just stand on guard over there than and I'll stand on guard over here. No, I won't be sleeping. Well, that's what you think. I don't want to hear it.' Leebo said in between several beeps and blurps by peetwo as he went back to his chair and sat down.

Peetwo spun around beeping in several loud high pitched tones and went across the room opposite to where Leebo had positioned himself and came to a stop and delivered a final low bass burp and went into a rest mode. Leebo took one final look at peetwo and let out a gasp and said, ' What ever!'

The morning light came through the Venetian blinds and woke Dash , and as he entered the living quarters he could see that Leebo and peetwo were already packed and ready to leave.

' Good morning captain, I hope you slept well. We're already to check out when you're ready, sir.' Leebo stated.

' What's your hurry,' Dash asked.

' Well sir,' Leebo paused, ' After what happened last night, I assumed that maybe a quick exit would be an excellent idea.'

Peetwo peeped several times in agreement.

' Yeah, I guess your both right, a quick exit would be better, ' Dash agreed.

' Oh, thank you sir!' Leebo remarked, surprised that Dash agreed with him.

The three comrades went down stairs checked out and exited the hotel headed down the street to the bank where Dash retrieved the damaging evidence against Prince Xizor and Jabba the Hutt and then they started heading for the space port.

The three figures entered the tunnel headed towards the spaceport hoping to make connections with Josh Olson, who was due back at this time as prearranged at the club the night before. As they continue through the corridors, an eerie feeling came over Dash as the tunnel seemed deserted and strangely quite. Soon they came to the main junction where the tunnel split off in several directions and as they entered the area a voice called, ' I knew you would be here soon!'

Dash looked around and pointing a blaster directly at him was Boba Fett. Startled Dash froze in his tracks, as peetwo let out several high tone beeps and blurps as it spun around and quickly scooted behind Dash as if in fear of being blasted. Leebo feebly blurted out, ' Oh my word! His blaster is set on maximum kill. Captain I advise you to do whatever he wants.'

' I'll now relieve you of those files Dash!' Boba Fett said pointing to the vanilla envelope that Dash carried in his hands.' Jabba's been looking for them for quit a while now, and he came to the conclusion that you possessed them. So hand them over and don't try anything. I have orders to use maximum force. I don't want to kill you, but I have orders to get those papers or else. Jabba's reasonable, he doesn't really want you dead. He might even let you back into the fold if you co-operate with him now, so hand them over.'

' I guess I don't have any choice, do I?' Dash replied as he tossed Boba the envelope.

' You never did,' Boba Fett answered, ' Now you and the two droids can continue on your way. Do us both a favor and don't turn around as you leave. I wouldn't want to blast you by mistake.'

' Tell Jabba for me this isn't over,' Dash said as he and the two droids headed down the tunnel towards the spaceport.

Boba Fett stood in silence as he watched the three figures disappear down the long corridor and he receded back down the tunnel from which he appeared.

' Now what do we do?' Asked Leebo as he turned his head looking at Dash as they continued walking toward the doorway to the spaceport that they was now approaching.

' I guess we can still tell them what was on those papers. We don't have any proof. I guess they'll just have to take our word on it,' Dash replied.

' Hey, there's Josh,' Dash exclaimed as he entered through the doorway.

Josh came hurrying over from across the stationing dock,' Hey Dash, I'm glad you made it, I was just getting ready to take off. Do you have those documents!'

' No! I don't. We just ran into Boba Fett, and he took them.'

' Well, let's get them back,' Josh said excitedly.

' No! It's too late, he's gone,' Dash said dishearteningly.' We'd never find him now. I know Boba Fett. He'd never do anything without an escape plan. He's long gone by now.'

' What are we going to do?' Josh pondered,' I already told Massant that you had the evidence on Prince Xizor and Jabba. He was really excited about it.'

' Well, I guess we can still go to Kessel and tell everyone what was on those papers. They'll just have to take my word for it, that's all,' Dash told him.

' Yeah, I guess you could try that,' Josh said,' But, the plans have changed. They want you to meet them on one of the Vergesso Asteroids off the planet of Lybeya. You know where that Vergesso Base is don't you? It's in the third asteroid field that orbit's the main planet in the Lybeya system.'

' Yeah, I've been there a couple of times before when I was hiding from Imperial cruisers. It's ran by the Tenloss Syndicate and the headquarters of the Ororo Transportation Corporation. I've done a couple hauls for them before I got hooked up with Jabba,' Dash paused a moment and said,' Well Leebo, I guess it's out of the frying pan and into the fire. The Tenloss outfit are just as dangerous as the Black Sun, but at least with them we don't have worry about any Imperial interference. It's governing board, the Leukish, is on the outs with Prince Xizor right now so we shouldn't have any trouble with them either.'

' Don't worry, John probably figured that with Prince Xizor's Imperial connections that it was the safest place for all of you to meet. I'm sure he weighted all of the dangers,' Josh said.

' I hope you're right captain,' Leebo answered,' Things are starting to get complicated.'

Dash gave Leebo a puzzled look and then asked Josh,' Are you going to be there?'

' No, I can't make it but John knows how I feel, and whatever you guys decide is okay with me,' Josh paused,' I mean, I'm in this all the way. If we decide to fight. Than you can count on me and my ship to be in the thick of things with all the rest of you, and I don't care if there is just the three of us or a hundred of us. You can count on me. John knows, but you can tell them all that for me again if you want.'

' Okay, I'll tell them,' Dash said as he shook Josh's hand.

The two men parted as Josh headed for his vessel looking back over his shoulder he called out, ' Good Luck Dash and don't forget what I said. I'll be there when the fighting starts.'

' I'll tell them, don't worry,' Dash yelled back.

' Well, Leebo. I guess we're headed for the Lybeya system.' Dash said.

' Is that far sir? I don't think I've ever been there,' Leebo asked.

' Well, it's not as far as Kessel. You don't have to worry,' Dash assured him,' Peetwo and I have been there before. Haven't we peetwo.'

Peetwo let out several high beeps followed by several low blurps as it spun it's head around several times as the little droid raced ahead toward the docking area where the Outrider laid rested.

' See, peetwo agrees with me,' Dash smiles,' There's no problem, none at all.'

' I have a feeling you both aren't telling me everything,' Leebo said in a worried tone.' And, I certainly wouldn't believe anything you say peetwo. No, you can't reassure me. I don't believe anything you have to say so don't even bother.

Peetwo let out several more beeps, ending in a final low keyed deep blur.

Several minutes later, Dash and the two droids blasted off in the Outrider headed for the Lybeya system and their rendezvous with the other independent haulers.

The Outrider was once again put in hyper-drive for their long trip to Lybeya. Time passed quickly as the three comrades journeyed through space. Then the ship came out of hyper-drive at the edge of the asteroid fields that surround the planet Lybeya. The five bands of asteroid fields that protect the planet are wide and present a hazard for any large convoy of Imperial ships. Even individual ships are in danger maneuvering through the asteroid belts, which helps keep the Vergesso Base safe from attack.

As the Outrider entered the field of asteroids, Leebo exclaims,' Oh my word, captain are you sure this is safe? There's so many of them. Are you sure we can pass through all them safely?'

' We don't have a choice Leebo,' Dash told him as he glances at the extremely nervous droid.' Ah, don't worry I've done this before.'

' Oh yes, I forgot. You've must of done this a hundred times at least!' Leebo exclaims.

' Well, not quit that many times,' Dash admits.

' Oh well, at least fifty times then,' Leebo ask looking at Dash for assurance.

Dash shakes his head no.

' Thirty times? Twenty times? Ten ?' Leebo continues asking as Dash answers with a shake of his head no.

' Well then, how many?' Leebo insist.

' Twice,' Dash finally blurts out as he makes a frown as if to say what's wrong with that.

' Only two times,' Leebo shrieks.' We're all going to die! Peetwo do something, I don't want to die.' Leebo pleads as peetwo answers with several loud high tone bleeps dissected by several lower tone bleeps.

' Relax, I've got everything under control. Your not riding with some slow handed Troig you know. I'm pretty good at this. Remember I got us through that last asteroid field a few days ago without any damage. Right!'

' Yes captain, but that success just lowers our chances this time, sir,' Leebo warns Dash.

' Ah, you just worry too much,' Dash conceded as he activated the Outrider's proton cannons to blast away some of the smaller asteroids in their path. ' See, I told you that it would be alright.'

Just then some of the exploded particles slammed into the ship's outer hull. A worried look came over Dash's face as Leebo shrieked.

' It's alright, those small rocks won't damage the ship,' Dash assured him and then in a low voice he said to himself,' I hope.'

In and out, around and over, Dash maneuvered the Outrider through the first two asteroid fields blasting away at the smaller rocks. Each time the smaller particles struck the vessel, Leebo would shriek and peetwo would spin around several times beeping and spinning around in large circles inside the ships control room hull.

The Outrider came into a small clearing in between the wide circle of the second and third belts. Then into view came a large asteroid floating towards them. ' I think that it,' Dash told them as he maneuvered the ship around the large rock. Soon, into view came some lights of a huge dome down deep in a large crevice. As they came closer, they could see some more lights in the deep dark fissure as well as some more light from some dome like buildings on an upper plateau.

' Those lights there are the private living quarters,' Dash pointed out,' and those domes are the Computer Center.'

' What about those taller structures, sir, what are they.' Leebo asked.

' Those are lodgings and I think those others are office buildings. I really didn't go in any of those when I was here before. A lot of the town is underground. That's where I spend most of my time here, in the Cantinas and at the Corporation offices. I really didn't venture out among the rest of the place. Besides, it looks the place has gotten a lot larger since I've been here.'

' Where do we land?' Leebo asked.

' There's a small opening on the other side of the rock. It's a tricky landing area. A small hanger that's hidden by several extruding rock formations. If you don't know where it is you could miss it completely.' Dash told them as he maneuvered the ship around the moon-sized planetoid to a dark side of the asteroid until some dim lights came into view.

' There it is!' Dash exclaimed as he turned the ship sharply, slowing the vessel down to impulse speed and maneuvered the ship in line with the hanger opening.

' This is Captain Dash Rendar of the Outrider. I like to request permission to land,' Dash called out on his ship-to-ship communicator.

' It's all clear, Captain Rendar you have permission to land your vessel,' A voice replied.

' Thank you,' Dash responded.

The Outrider came to rest on the landing platform inside the hanger.

' See, I told you that I would get us here safely,' Dash smiled as he peered around at Leebo.

Leebo let out a huge sigh of relief and peetwo came rolling over near Leebo beeping in several low and high tones, spinning it's dome.

' Oh you little bucket of nuts and bolts, I was not scared,' Leebo insisted, ' I was just resting my visual visor and my holographic projector system. LE-B02D9 droids don't get scared.'

Peetwo beeped some more and ended in a low toned blurp.

' Well, I don't care what you think, I was not scared.'

Just then a signal man motioned for Dash to park the ship out of the way and as he moved his vessel into an individual hanger area. Dash could see another ship coming to a landing on the platform. The vessel was a highly stylized shiny silver metal vehicle that had a curved shaped hull as though it had been sculpted like a chiseled statue.

The vessel's name appeared on the side, Stinger. It was a modified Surronian assault ship, with a hull some twenty-eight meters long and powered by four Surronian A-2-grade and four A-2.50-grade ion engines. The vessel's weaponry consists of a pair of fire-linked ion cannons facing forward as well as a turret-mounted double laser cannon on top.

' Wow, what a ship,' Dash exclaimed, ' I wonder who she belongs to?'

' I think your about to find that out,' Leebo said motioning to the now extended entry ramp.

A tall statuesque young woman exited down the ramp followed by two muscular body guards. The beautiful well figured woman stood nearly 1.7 meters tall with long blonde hair that was shoulder length. Her pale clear blue eyes and her exquisite figure was accentuated by her skin tight scarlet colored jumpsuit that revealed her cleavage and well tanned skin.

As she spoke to one of her guards, her rich alto voice was warm and inviting, but a certain coolness about her subtracted from immediate appeal.

As she headed out the main exit from the hanger area, she looked over at Dash , smiled and knotted her head with some sign of pleasure.

' I wonder who she is,' Leebo asked. ' She must be someone of great importance, I can always tell these things. She is most appealing, isn't she captain?'

' She sure is,' Dash replied as he and the two droids headed towards the exit. Just then Dash stopped the main controller near the doorway.

' Excuse me. Could you tell me who that woman was that just left here,' Dash asked.

' The only thing I know sir is her name is Guri and she has business with the governing council here. She comes around every once in awhile here lately, that's about all I know,' The man answered.

' Thanks. Oh, by the way, where would I find a man called John Massant. Do you known him?'

' No, but if he's here he's probably at one of the cantinas. Probably the one called the Drunken Drummer. Just follow that hallway, you can't miss it.'

' Okay, thanks again,' Dash turned to his droids, ' Come on guys, lets try to find John.'

' Okay, captain,' Leebo replied as the three comrades headed down the tunnel toward the town.

The short tunnel ended into a wide street that went in both directions. To the left, Dash noticed a lot of activity and he lead his droids down the sandstone street until they stood in front of the Drunken Drummer Cantina.

' This must be it,' Dash said,' You two wait for me here, a lot of these places don't allow droids. I shouldn't be too long. If John Massant is here and if it's alright, I'll send for you.'

' Okay, captain. You don't have to worry about us, we'll be alright,' Leebo reassured him.

Dash left the two droids standing on the street and entered the Cantina. The place was dark and smokey, but only partially occupied. As he neared the bar, he looked out of the corner of his eyes and saw three men seated at a table near the back of the room. One of the men motioned to the man seated with his back to Dash. The man turned in his chair to face Dash, instantly got up from his chair and started toward Dash while at the same time motioning for Dash to approach him. As Dash neared the man, the stranger extended his hand and ask,' Are you Dash Rendar? My name is Jose Roemosa. I'm a friend of John Massant.'

' Where's John?' Dash asked,' I thought that John was suppose to be here, where is he?'

' John got arrested this morning,' Jose said.

' Arrested! For what?'

' We're not sure,' One the other men spoke up.

' Yeah, they really wouldn't tell us. They just hauled him off and told us not to follow,' Jose explained, ' I think someone tipped them off that we were meeting here or something, because we weren't here that long when they picked him up. One of the guys that grabbed him said that we could see him sometime tomorrow after he's been processed. That's about all we know right now. So we thought that we'd better wait around here for you. We didn't want to miss you, you know.'

' Oh great! Now what's happening,' Dash remarked.

' What do you mean?' Jose said, ' Oh, these guys are alright. This is Yunel Laird and Soria Uehara. They're in this with us, they're okay.'

' Well, I don't know if you heard about my trouble with Boba Fett,' Dash started telling them.

' You don't have to tell us, we've already heard,' Jose interrupted, ' About the evidence, right.'

Dash shook his head as Jose continued, ' That's okay, we already got the word. We know you don't have them anymore, but that doesn't matter anyway. John told us that you read them. Your word is good enough with us. S'all you have to do is tell us exactly what was in those papers and we'll believe you. We know your reputation for being a straight-shooter. Besides, we've all had our suspicions about these hijacking. Everyone one of us, but nobody's ever saw any proof until now.'

So Dash went about and laid down the arrangement that Jabba the Hutt and Prince Xizor had set-up and about running into the bookkeeper/ lawyer and his sudden death.

About that time, a female servant quickly came over and asked, ' What would you like sir?'

' I'll have a Rangoon Fizzer, if you have them,' Dash inquired.

' Sure enough sir. I'll have that for you straight away, ' She answered, ' And what about your friends?'

' Sure!' Dash said, ' Bring them whatever they're drinking too.'

Another round of drinks were delivered as the men continued discussing the situation. At first they were surprised at what was going on and as Dash explained the setup, they realized that they had to do something about it or else they were setting-ducks for more hijackings.

Dash all of a sudden stopped, looked around and asked Jose, ' Is this all we got? Where's the rest of the men. I thought there would be more.

' Relax Dash. There's fourteen, fifteen if your with us,' Jose explained, ' The rest of them are on runs. John didn't think we needed everybody here. Besides, Too many people would call too much attention to us. John thought it would be better if only a few of us met. The rest are waiting for his call. The five of us were suppose to come up with a plan of action. Even this few I guess was too many. Why else would they have picked up John.'

' Is everyone going to be in agreement with what we decide? I mean, what if we decide to attack Prince Xizor's fleet. Can we count on everyone to participate.'

' I can just about guarantee it Dash,' Jose assured him,' Everyone that John and I've talk to on Kessel was one hundred percent committed.'

' Well, I guess the only thing we need now is a plan,' Dash said.' But first, we're going to have to find out why John was picked up and get him out.'

' Actually, we've already came up with one,' Jose told him. ' I'll tell you and you can let us know if there's anything we're missing, or if perhaps you might have a better idea. We've came up with the idea of one of the ship's set up as a decoy, and the rest of us stationed somewhere behind one of the moons off Kessel and when Prince Xizor attacks the lame-duck so to speak, then we'll close in on him and surround him. Blast his small fleet clear out of the sky.'

' Well, it's simple, but sometimes the best plans are just that, the simpler the better, ' Dash agreed.

' Now the only thing we need to do now is figure out when Prince Xizor plans to organize his next hijacking. We've got to lure him into attacking on the same day everyone can be there. We can't afford to wait a week or two laying around idle, everybody has to make a living to make. That's the only drawback so far that we can think of. There's got to be a way we can find out his next move. You know, when he's going to strike next. You have any ideas on that Dash?'

' Wow, that's a tough one alright,' Dash thought, ' Does anyone know anybody that might be able to help us on that, maybe somebody close to Jabba or the Prince. It could be someone on one of his assault ships.'

The four men looked puzzled as their eyes looked at each others eyes hoping that someone would come up with an idea.

Just then Jose Roemosa broke the momentary silence, ' Maybe we need to sleep on it. Kind of clear our minds. Besides, we've got this problem about John to deal with first. Maybe he's came up with an idea already, but we've got to get him out of trouble first. He's the key to this whole thing. If he's in jail this whole thing will fall apart. There's too many people depending on him to lead us.'

' Yeah, that's a good idea. I'm tired anyway,' Dash agreed,' I need to relax and just take the rest of the night off. Let's get another round of drinks.'

After Dash ordered the drinks he paused a moment and than asked, ' Hey, have you guys ever heard of a woman by the name of Guri. She just arrived here about the same time I did.'

' Are you sure her name is Guri, what did she look like?' Soria Uehara said

' Well, she's tall, blonde, has blue eyes and built like an hour glass. I mean, she's got a great figure on her. She has beautiful tan skin and she's gorgeous. Really, really beautiful. Why do you know her?' Dash exclaimed.

' Well, she sounds like the same Guri that works for the Black Sun criminal syndicate,' Soria said,' She usually pilots a ship called Stinger, if that's her.'

' It is her!' Dash exclaimed, ' That was the name on her vessel. What's she doing here?'

' Yeah, I heard that the Black Sun and the Tenloss syndicates were rivals, aren't they?' Jose added.

' Your right, they are. I don't know what's going on, but maybe we had better find out. We might be able to use whatever information we can uncover,' Yunel Laird interjected.

' The guy at the spaceport said that she's been coming here every so often. There must be something going on, maybe it has something to do with the spice shipments. Prince Xizor is still the head of the Black Sun, isn't he?' Dash asked.

' Oh yeah,' Jose answered.

' That guy said she had business with the Ororo Transportation board of directors. Do you guys know where they have their offices? Maybe I could go over and check this out,' Dash told them.

' Yeah, it's the tallest building on the other side of the Computer Center, you can't miss it,' Soria answered.

' Okay then, I'll head over there and see what I can find out,' Dash said,' I'll meet you guys back here tonight around nine o'clock with the information.' Dash took the final gulp of his drink and said,' Well, I guess I'd better get started.'

The men all said good luck as Dash got up and headed toward the door. Several Nosaurians, four Gossams, a couple of Yarkora, three Rodians and a Kubaz are milling around obstructing Dash's path to the front exit door of the cantina. As Dash weaved his way through the crowd, one Nosaurian stepped in his way.

The creature was taller than most of his species standing nearly 1.65 meters. It, like most of it's kind of bipedal reptiles, possess four-fingered hands and have three-toed, bird-like feet. It's head had a row of horns in a crown like shape and the creature had a long beak. Most Nosaurians speak their own native language, a combination of barks, warbles and hisses, but are capable of speaking Basic, but prefer not to. One characteristic that distinguishes their personalities is that they hate humans. A deep-seated animosity that may change over time due to assistance offered by humans; this is, of course, a slow change.

This particular Nosaurian confronted Dash with a glare and an angry hiss that startled Dash as he abruptly came to a sudden stop. The Nosaurian spoke in a deep growling voice, ' Tread carefully human! Those around you mean to harm you .'

' You looking for trouble,' Dash answered back.

' Not us, but these walls have eyes and you and your friends are being watched. There is evil here.

Nothing is as it seems. Tread careful human.'

' Thanks for the warning,' Dash replied.

As he headed out the door, Dash spotted Leebo and peetwo and said,' Oh! I forgot all about you two out here waiting, was I in there long.'

' That's alright captain, we occupied ourselves. Did you find out what you wanted to know?' Leebo asked.

Somewhat,' Dash answered,' There's more trouble here than I expected, John's been arrested.'

Dash looked up into an opening into the night sky and saw a flash of lightning followed by a huge roar of thunder.

' Looks like we're in for a thunder storm. ' Dash stated as the sky was darkened by rolling dark clouds and streaks of lightning flashed across the night sky in an array of colors that was most unusual for most planets. The many marvelous colors of the spectrum took turns flashing across the night sky followed each time by huge crackling thunder that seemed at times that might burst the sky itself apart. Great sheets of rain could be seen in the distance, but the near vicinity was moisture less. At times, bolts of lightning flashed and crackled in the night sky as well as colorful flashes of streak lightning lite up the dark clouds overhead.

' Come on, let's see what we can find out about John,' Dash said. ' Peetwo, maybe you had better go back to the ship and protect the vessel. There's strange things going on here. Don't let anybody in for any reason. You know the procedure.'

Peetwo let out a series of beeps, spun around and headed back down the tunnel toward the docking bay.

' My word captain, now you have me worried. Is it really that bad?' Leebo asked.

' I don't know, but I don't want to take any chances just in case. I've been warned that we are being watched. ' Dash answered, ' But by who I'm not sure. This is a dangerous place. Anything could happen.'

The two comrades headed through the open passageway toward the downtown area as the night sky continued its colorful light show overhead. The streets were somewhat busy with numerous creatures of just about every species going to and fro. Just then, Dash noticed some disturbance several blocks ahead as armed soldiers were racing about in several different directions as if they were chasing someone. Creatures were scattering towards them, ducking into the many stores racing to get off the street. One human came rushing toward Dash and Leebo. Dash reached out and stopped the man asking, ' What's going on!'

' There's been an escape!' The man answered.

' An escape! From where,' Dash asked.

' From the containment!' He answered, ' Several convicts have escaped. You must let me go, they'll shoot anyone suspicious. They don't care. You must get off the street too, or you'll be shot.'

Dash let go of the man's shirt and he scurried away into the nearest door. Dash told Leebo, ' He's right. Maybe we should get off the street as well ',and the two comrades ducked into an automatic opening door in the next store front ahead of them.

They found themselves in a small mall with several hallways leading to many types of businesses, but before they could venture much farther into the huge corridor several soldiers came through the automatic door from which they had just entered. As the soldiers entered, the lights inside dimmed to a low blue hue. The change of light inside made Dash look around suspiciously at the sudden darkening, but he immediately brought his attention back to the men entering.

Dash turned to face the armed men who had fan out in a large half circle with their weapons pointed toward him and was startled at the fierceness of their expressions when all of a sudden a huge lightning flashed silhouetting a tall female figure in the doorway. As the figure stepped forward into the hazy blue light a soft voice spoke, ' That's not him. Spread out and search the stores.' Then with her command the soldiers quickly filtered out pass Dash and Leebo down the many halls searching for the convicts.

Two more armed guards stepped through the doorway, but these two were dressed different than the others as they stationed themselves behind the woman. ' My name is Guri. Could I see some identification please?'

' Sure!' Dash replied as he pulled out his papers and handed them to her, ' I'm Dash Rendar and this is my droid Leebo.'

' What is your business here may I ask,' Guri questioned.

' I'm here to meet some friends,' Dash replied.

She stood there tall and statuesque with a muscular, well trimmed body inside a skin-tight fitting red leather jump suit that showed every curve of her well proportioned physique. Her pale blue eyes, silky blonde hair, clear well tan features and rich alto voice which was warm and inviting seemed to melt Dash in his footsteps.

' It's not often that I meet such a handsome stranger as you in such an out of the way place as this.' Guri announced as she stroked Dash's face, gently moving her fingers down the side of his sideburns to his jaw.

Dash smiled, but then made a stern look at the two armed men around her.

' No need to be alarmed, these are my bodyguards,' She told him.

' You feel the need for guards? Dash asked.

' I'm an important person and important people always need protection in such surroundings as these. I'm here on business and the people I have to deal with are lets say not necessarily your pillars of high society.'

' I heard that you work for Prince Xizor and the Black Sun crime syndicate,' Dash challenged.

' Oh! You are well informed as well as being handsome,' She said as she turns her head and tells one of her guards over her shoulder, ' I'll have to be on my toes all the times with this one, he's much more intelligent than most.'

She then brings her eyes back to meet Dash's and then says, ' If there's anything I could do for you please just let me know, and I do mean anything.'

' Well, there is one thing. A friend of mind by the name of John Massant was arrested earlier and I would like to find out why, ' Dash said.

Just than, Dash noticed a stern look come across her face. A look that changed her outstanding beautiful features into a sinister frightening expression.

' This Massant was one of the men that escape. What do you know of this person. Did you help him escape!'

' No! I just arrived here. A mutual friend of ours told me he had been arrested. I was on my way to see if I could see him when all of this commotion started. I had no idea he escaped. Why was he arrested in the first place is what I want to know. What I understand is that he didn't do anything. He was arrested as soon as he arrived here. I want to know the reason. I thought this was a safe place for our kind of people.'

' It was syndicate business and doesn't concern you. Unless you would like to take his place in one of the Tenloss' containment facilities. The Leukish would more than gladly accommodate you with whatever length of prison sentence you prefer.' Guri poured out in a vicious tone.

' No thanks, ' Dash replied, ' He wasn't that close of a friend. I think I'll just mind my own business and go back to the cantina.'

' I think that is a wise decision, Mr. Rendar, ' Guri added.

' Maybe we'll meet again under more pleasant circumstances and we can get to know each other better without all these interferences.' Dash told her.

' Yes. I would like that Dash,' Guri said as she motion her guards to move on and continue the search.

As they continued down the main hallway, Dash watched her as she boldly paraded along in total command as a mighty war lord might as they inspected their troops. Her guards were aware of her every gesture as they moved about checking out every nook and cranny at her pleasure.

Dash turned back toward the door and noticed the downpour of rain which had been going on for several minutes and remarked to Leebo, ' Oh boy! It looks like we're going to get wet.'

' Sir, where are we headed,' Leebo inquired, ' Maybe we can wait here until the rain subsides.'

' No time for that,' Dash whispers, ' We've got to find John Massant before the soldiers do. His life may depend on it.'

Dash quickly moved through the door momentarily leaving Leebo standing alone. Leebo startled quickly responds, ' Captain! Wait for me!' and Leebo followed Dash out the doors.

As Leebo reached Dash just outside the entrance, Jose Roemosa and the two other men from the cantina joined them underneath the overhang of the entrance that kept them dry from the tremendous down pour of rain.

' Dash, have you heard?' Jose asked, ' John has escaped!'

' Yeah, I know. They're looking for him now, ' Dash answered. ' Where do you think he would run to.'

' I don't know, ' Jose paused,' I guess he would try to make it back to the cantina, or maybe the ship.'

' The ship?' Dash inquired,' You all came together.'

' Yeah, we all came in my ship.'

' Maybe you had better send these two back to the ship and prepare for a quick get away. Leebo, you go with them and get the Outrider ready. Jose and I will try to find John and we'll all get out of here. '

Just then they heard a commotion down the street. When they turned around they saw a man running across the street followed by several lazer blast. Then seconds later several soldiers quickly followed after him firing their guns until one of them yelled out, ' I think we got him!'

The four men and Leebo hurried toward the crowd that was gathering around the fallen convict. Pushing through the crowd Dash and Jose reached a point where they were able to see. As one of the soldiers turned the dead body over a gasp from the crowd could be heard. Dash and Jose turned and came back through the crowd of people as others moved to take their place to view the remains, Yunel grabbed Dash's sleeve and asked, ' Is that John?'

Dash just shook his head no and Jose said, ' Come on, it ain't him.'

As they moved away from the crowd, a small Rodian boy came up to Dash and said, ' The one you're looking for is safe. Come with me and I'll take you to him.'

The men started following the boy across the street and as they proceeded, Dash noticed Guri and her two guards coming from the same direction they had just come. Out of the corner of his eye, Dash could see her looking in their direction. He pretended not to notice in fear that he would give away what they were doing. Dash whispered to the other men, ' Don't look, she might get suspicious. '

As the men disappeared down the street, Dash glanced around to see if Guri and her two guards were following. To his relief, he didn't see no sign of her and he asked the boy, ' How far is he?'

' Not far, ' the boy answered, ' Just follow me, I'll take you to him. We have him hidden. Don't worry it's safe.'

They all turned another corner and proceeded down a much darker street as the rain continued to bare down on them. Once in a while, lightning would still flash overhead, the thunder would rumble and now the wind began to blow ferociously whipping the rain around them nearly blowing them off their feet. They all grabbed their own clothing and ducked their heads to ward off the cold wet rain and fierce wind. It was getting tough to see where they were heading as they all began moving faster to get out of the elements. Soon they found shelter under an overhang of the back of one the buildings. The boy motioned to them that it was the next building and they all raced through a narrow alley to a back door and scrambled inside.

' This way, ' the boy said and led them up several flights of stairs to the apartment building third level. The building was old and worn with pale green walls and dirty white doors every so often. He led them to the end of the corridor and turned to the left as the hall ran along the outside wall.

Dash stopped momentarily at the window at the end of the hall and surveyed the ground below to make sure they weren't followed. Then he joined the others as they entered through an opened door into a room that was lighted by a blue light.

' Jose! Yunel, Soria, it's great to see you guys, ' John said in a surprised voice, ' Dash! I'm glad you made it. Man it's great seeing you guys. I thought I'd never see you guys again.'

' I thought you sent the boy to get us, ' Dash asked.

' Well, I did, but I didn't think he'd find you. At least not this quick. I described you guys to him, but he's just a kid. I never really believed he'd be able to find you guys among all those others. After all, we all pretty much look the same if you know what I mean.'

' Yeah, I guess your right, ' Dash said. ' One of the escape convicts got killed a couple streets over. That's where he found us.'

' Who was it,' John questioned, ' Was it a guy with red hair and a beard. '

' Yeah, it was, ' Dash answered.

' That was Red Swarzak. He was my cellmate in the containment. It just so happens he has a brother on one of the transports that belong to Prince Xizor. He told me that his brother was coming to get him out of jail, but couldn't get him out before the eighteenth because his vessel had a big shipment to pickup on the sixteenth.'

' Yeah, but how do you know the shipment he's talking about is one of the hijack shipments? ' Dash asked.

' What other shipment could it be, ' John stated, ' I've never heard of any ever being picked up under Prince Xizor's name. Especially from Kessel, and that's where Red said his brother was at. He said he was contacted by a transmission from there. So it's pretty obvious what vessel he's on to me. '

' Don't you see. If his brother is on one of the hijacker's ship, than the next hijacking is on that day. We're just going to have to take that chance. Now I seriously believe we've got them, because that's all we really needed to know was the date and I think we have it. ' John said.

' Yeah, but what shipment are they going to hijack? ' Dash asked.

' Well, didn't you say something about shipments being insured by two different companies. That will eliminated about most of them. Only the largest most valuable shipments use two insurers. Then subtract the ones not insured by Jabba The Hutt. That should eliminate some more. I think by the time we're through, we can nail it down to just a couple shipments. Don't you think, Dash?'

' Yeah, I think your right, but your too hot.' Dash added. ' We'll have to have someone else spot the shipment for us. They'll spot you and know something's wrong.'

' How about me, ' Soria said, ' They would never think of me and I could do it easily enough. I have a friend at Kessel that's in charge of the shipping dock. I visit him all the time when I'm there. So you see it wouldn't cause any suspicions.'

' Great! Than it's settled,' John said, ' Soria, will confirm the shipment. We can garrison all our ships on the back side of the main moon of Kessel. There's a space port there that is used sometimes by the Imperial fleet not far from a Correctional Facility that is used sometimes. They won't bother us there as long as we show our papers and not cause any trouble. Besides, we won't be there that long anyway. They do have a cantina, while we wait for the call from Soria. '

' Perfect! ' Dash said, ' Just as long as we don't all arrive at the same time. When you call everyone, space out their arrival times. We've only got a couple of days. Tell those who can arrive the soonest to arrive now and we should get started as soon as possible. Once in space we can take our time getting there, but we need to get out of here as soon as we can. Especially you John. '

' We can organize our plan of attack when everyone's present, ' John added.

Than the boy said that he would see if the cost is clear. He slide aside a cover in the outside wall exposing an enclosed slide.

' What's that, ' Dash said in a surprised voice.

' That's my slide. It's the quickest way to the ground below. It comes out in the fenced yard back of the building next to us. Than there's a loose board in the fence to the alley. I use it all the time when I want to escape. You can use it too. I'll signal with my torch when it's clear. ' Than the boy showed Dash his flash light. ' Wait until I signal, than come down the slide, okay!'

' You got it kid, ' Dash said as the boy slide down the shoot.

Dash looked around at the men and with a smile remarked, ' He makes a great little spy doesn't he?'

Just than a noise was heard of people coming down the hallway. ' Shh! Someone's coming this way, ' Dash said, ' Quick, inside the other room. '

The five men and Leebo moved into the back bedroom and closed the door. Soon they heard a crashing noise as soldiers busted through a door down the hall. Than they heard voices shouting orders and quickly moving footsteps moving into one of the rooms.

' We better get out of here, ' Yunel said, ' They're searching for us.'

' John, you had better go down the shoot, ' Dash said, ' And, take Leebo with you. '

' You're right, ' John said, ' But what about you?'

' They don't have anything on us. You and Leebo can wait down below for us. We'll stale them for a while. Go! ' Dash told him.

John and Leebo slide down the shoot and Dash put the cover back and slide a chair in front of it. He and the other two men poured themselves drinks and waited for their visitors.

Than their was a knock at the door and when Dash went to open the door he heard a voice say break it down. Dash jumped back out of the way and to the left behind a huge cabinet when all of a sudden the door came crashing open. Guri's two guards came through the opening with the their blasters drawn. Guri followed them inside and instantly pointed to Jose and the other two men and said, ' Arrest them! '

Dash came out from behind the cabinet still with the half filled bottle of whiskey in his hand. He bashed the guard nearest the door and knocked him unconscious while yelling to the others, ' Run! ' Dash then caught the other guard with his left fist in the face as the man turned to face him. The guard went crashing over a coffee table.

Guri turned and slammed Dash back against the wall as Jose and the other two captains scurried out the door behind Guri. She stepped toward Dash as he came ricocheting off the wall with a leg extension that pushed Guri back against the door opening.

Guri stepped back halfway into the hall and yelled, ' Stop them! ' to the soldiers who were searching the other rooms as Jose and the others were running down the hallway. One soldier stepped out a door on the right and Yunel crashed into him sending the man catapulting back into the room. As Jose, Yunel and Soria reached the stairs two soldiers came out of another room and fired blaster shots at them.

' Watch out! ' Jose yelled a laser blast exploded above them just missing their heads.

Both Jose and Yunel returned fire killing both men as they descended the stairs. More blasters volleys struck the wall above their heads as other soldiers came into the hallway.

' Oh shit!' Yunel cried, ' Let's get out of here. '

Soria returned fire wounding one soldier, causing the others to duck back into the rooms for cover as he turned and followed the other two down the staircase.

Meanwhile, Dash made an effort to get to the slide, but Guri quickly grabbed his arm and spun him around and with her left arm jammed him in the chest sending him crashing into the sofa. The guard who fell over the coffee table got up and grabbed at Dash, but Dash brought his foot up and pushed him back into a chair behind him next to the wall opposite.

When the guard got up, Dash bashed him over the head with a lamp that left him unconscious on the floor. Dash smiled and said, ' Well, two down and one to go!'

' That's what you think Rendar!' Guri responded as she came at Dash.

Dash swung at Guri, but she blocked his attempt with her left arm to Dash's surprise. Than she bashed Dash in the face with a blow that sent him clear across the room with him crashing through the door to the bedroom.

' Now I'll finish you,' Guri said as she headed toward him.

Dash got to his feet just as she reached him with another upper cut that sent him back over the bed into an end table.

As she continued toward him, Dash grabbed another lamp and crashed it along side her head but with no effect. Dash was momentarily surprised by the lack of effect as Guri turned Dash to place him with his back toward the window and smashed him with her left fist. The blow sent him crashing out the window.

As Dash crashed backward through the window, he was able to grab hold of a cable outside the building that helped break his descent. He held on long enough to slam into the side of the building below the window. He lost his grip and fell through the cloth cover awning over the window below and then again through a second awning over the window on the first floor apartment, each time slowing his descent.

Finally, Dash crashed into a large pile of rumble on the ground sore but not injured. He slowly got to his feet, dusting himself off.

' I would of rather used the slide, ' Dash amusing told himself.

Dash looked up and saw Guri looking down at him. She pulled out her weapon and fired down at him just missing as he jumped back against the wall with a painful smash.

' Give me a break! Doesn't this bitch ever give up? '

Dash returned fire and that made her pull back away from the window long enough for him to escape down the alley. As he ran down the alley, Guri lend out the window and fired several shots at Dash, but the downpour of rain distracted her aim and the wind caused her to squint obscuring her attempts.

As he reached the broken fence that John and Leebo were coming through, he was out of range of Guri's blaster and well covered by the back corner of a tall structure that stood in the fenced yard. They were soon joined by Jose and the others, who exited the building through a side door, through the fence and the backyard from which John and Leebo came from.

' Where's the boy? ' Dash asked.

' I don't know, ' John answered, ' He's down the street I guess. '

' Well, we can't wait for any signal, we've got to get off this rock now!' Dash said, ' We should probably split up, John and Leebo come with me. We'll cut through here between the two buildings. You three go around the other end, we'll meet you back at the spaceport. If we're not there, go ahead and take off. Once we get away we'll contact you over the wireless.'

' Okay, but if we don't hear from you we'll come back. You can count on us, ' Jose assured him.

Dash, John and Leebo headed into the darkness of the narrow passageway as the rain poured down upon them. The others went the long way down the alley to the street using the cover of the heavy rain and the shadows of the partial blackout as cover.

The wind and rain howled between the buildings tearing off awnings and anything else that wasn't secured. Lightning still flashed and the rumble of thunder pounded the structures as the sound ricocheted off the numerous buildings as it sounded like huge drumming coming from every direction. The crackling of the streaks of lightning made the men uneasy as several bolts struck lightning rods on the tops of several of the structures above them.

' I wonder if any of those lightning bolts ever hit anyone around here? ' Yunel asked the other two men. ' This is the most fierce lightning storm I've ever seen. '

' Yeah, This is even worst than the one I saw on Vortex several years ago, and I thought that one was bad. ' Jose told them. ' You can thank those lightning rods up there. If it wasn't for them, we'd be toast.'

Several minutes later, Dash and his two companions entered the spaceport and found Jose and the others preparing to board the transport. The Outrider's engines too were humming away and it's loading platform was down thanks to peetwo, who was positioned at the top of the ramp.

Peetwo started beeping and blurping away glad to see Dash and Leebo safe. Leebo started up the ramp and in a indignant voice said, ' Oh! Alright. Of course we're safe. You can stop sounding off now, I'm here to protect you, ' Leebo told him.

Peetwo beeped some more. ' Oh, it was nothing, ' Leebo lied, ' I had everything under control. The Captain was completely safe with me. '

' What took you guys so long?' Yunel asked, ' We had the longest way to go!'

' We had to hold up awhile, ' John said, ' We ran into a patrol and had to duck out of sight for several minutes until they searched an area ahead of us.'

' What's the matter Dash, ' Soria asked, ' How come the long face? '

' He's feeling a little down, ' John said.

' Wouldn't you? ' Dash replied, ' If you had your ass kicked by a woman! '

' What'd mean? ' asked Soria.

' I guess that Guri kicked the shit out out of him in the apartment, ' John explained, ' His ego is a little bruised, that's all. '

' Hell Dash, your lucky you got away, ' Soria told him.

' What do you mean lucky? ' Dash queried.

' Don't you know? ' asked Soria, ' I hear she's a human replica droid. A one-of-a-kind. You can't even tell the different. '

' You're kidding me, right? ' Dash said looking puzzled.

' No! ' Yunel interjected, ' I heard that too. Your lucky you got away. I heard she's a trained assassin. They even say that she killed her creator minutes after she was activated.'

' No! You've got to be pulling my leg or something, ' Dash smiled.

' No really, she is, ' Soria replied, ' She has all the functions of a human. I mean she eats, drinks and does everything a woman can do. I know, you can't tell the difference. Only that she can kill you faster than a thermal detonator. '

' Say, I don't feel so bad now, ' Dash said.

' Ah, you should of never told him. ' John quipped , ' At least not right now. You know, let him stew over it for a while. The humility would of done him good. '

' Gee, thanks John, ' Dash shot back,' I'll remember this. First chance I get I'll return the favor. '

As Dash and the others start to board their ships, the men heard a loud, ' Stop them! ' from the tunnel leading from the Computer Center.

Instantly, laser shots just missed the men. As Dash and the others spun around they could see several soldiers firing on them and further back behind the soldiers came Guri and her two guards.

Dash and the others returned fire killing three of the soldiers as they backed up their perspective loading ramps. John Massant was caught in between the ships and Dash called out to him, ' John! Come with us! '

Than he called to Leebo, who was nearly inside the vessel, ' Leebo! Get this thing out of here. '

Leebo started scurrying up the ramp as peetwo spun around and moved inside out of Leebo's way, all the while beeping in several loud tones.

As John made his way to the Outrider, Dash covered him with several more well aimed blasts that took out two more soldiers. In the meanwhile, Guri and her two guards joined the attackers firing on the two ships. But they were too late as both ramps began rising and the two vessels' engines roared with a deafening noise that was amplified in the enclosed hanger. The ships began to lift off the metal floor and started to rock back and forth gaining height as the soldiers continued firing upon the vessels.

Instantly, the ships moved into position and headed out the hanger opening, escaping without any further damage. The attackers continue to blast at the two ships, as the vessels lower gun turrets return fire scattering the soldiers and killing several more.

Guri was yelling out orders to the soldiers to concentrate their weaponry on the engines as she and her guards were trying to gain a better firing position closer to the exit. The ship's turret guns sent a long bead of fire in Guri's direction and she and her two guards had to duck down behind several stacks of barrels as the blast just barely went over head. As she regain her composure, Guri could see that it was too late and a frustrated angry expression came across her face.

The two ships exited out the hanger opening through the heavy sheets of rain and strong winds that roared through the portal. As they flew out, several large flashes of lightning illuminated the sky and blinded those watching their escape. Even the vessels themselves disappeared in the bright light and only several colored back lights on the ships were visible.

As the ships moved out of reach, Guri let out a scream, ' You let them get away! Prince Xizor will not like this. I should have you all shot! ' She said glaring at the soldiers and their sergeant in particular.

The two vessels soon came along side each other far out of reach from the space portal and ready themselves to go into light speed. Than in a flash of rainbow colored light, the two ships blasted into hyper-speed and disappeared in a tremendous streak into deep space.