Tales From The Empire Page 3

  story, Charlene even integrated source material about the Maelstrom and

  the starliner that originally appeared in the game adventure. The

  story provides a nice bridge between short fiction and previously

  published game material.

  Most Journal authors concentrate on one area: source material, game

  adventures, or short stories. Tony Russo

  covered all the bases.

  His source articles have taken readers to Sevarcos, a world of Imperial

  prisons and swash-buckling spice lords, introduced them to an elite

  mercenary commando team, and explored the tyrannical holdings of the

  Pentastar Alignment. In his adventure, players had to try to free a

  frontier colony from the iron grasp of a crime lord. His story "Blaze

  of Glory" successfully combined the excitement and character

  interaction of a game adventure with source material about a commando

  team, all in the form of a short story.

  Erin Endom, who practices and teaches pediatric emergency medicine,

  merged her medical knowledge and the drama of her job in a Journal

  story. "Do No Harm" is a good example of how new fiction can focus on

  and explore facets of the Star Wars universe otherwise glimpsed just

  offscreen. While many stories focus on Rebel commandos making

  desperate raids against Imperial forces, few contemplate the emotions

  of normally peaceful people who injure and kill others in battle. By

  demonstrating the conflict within a combat medic charged with saving

  lives, Erin brought a different perspective to the war between the

  Empire and the Rebel Alliance.

  Angela Phillips also provided a new perspective on the Star Wars

  universe with her story "Slaying Dragons." Her young heroine, Shannon,

  has ambitions similar to characters in the Star Wars films--to rise

  from humble beginnings and make a difference in the galaxy. Her story

  is notable for its merging of the medieval theme of dragon slaying and

  the movie mystique of the noble Jedi Knights.

  Laurie Burns started by using her experience as a newspaper reporter in

  her Journal story "Kella Rand Reporting."

  By the time she submitted "Retreat from Coruscant," she had moved on to

  integrating her characters into the more significant events in the Star

  Wars chronology.

  She chose to involve her independent courier in the New Republic's

  flight from Coruscant that occurred just before events in Dark Horse

  Comics' Dark Empire series.

  In writing, Laurie did her homework--while fitting

  her fiction into existing continuity, she included appearances by Garm Bel Iblis, Mara

  Jade, and Colonel Jak Bremen, characters Timothy Zahn created in his

  Star Wars trilogy.

  That is perhaps one of the most exciting parts of working on the

  Journal: expanding the breadth of the Star Wars universe. Since it's a

  licensed publication, all the material becomes an official part of the

  continuity. Where else could a kid with a wild imagination and dreams

  of writing science fiction create stories based on the most popular

  films of all time? Stories that unfold in a galaxy where two bantering

  droids deliver plans for an Imperial super-weapon, where a scoundrel

  smuggler becomes a selfless hero, and where a simple moisture farmer is

  transformed into the last Jedi Knight.

  This anthology is the culmination of four years of adventure.

  Like the throne-room scene at the end of Star Wars, it is certainly not

  the end of the saga, only a momentary triumph before we return to

  work.

  As Journal editor, I do not stand alone; I've been blessed to work with

  some very talented individuals from across the Star Wars licensing

  universe. Like any epic adventure, we meet important people along the

  way who help us achieve our goals. The Journal owes a lot to those

  heroes working behind the scenes. West End's Richard Hawran, Jeff

  Kent, and Daniel Scott Palter have provided support and much-needed

  encouragement as the Journal grew from an idea to an illustrated,

  288-page quarterly magazine. None of this would have been possible

  without the imaginative vision and perseverance of George Lucas.

  Lucasfilm's Sue Rostoni helped guide the Journal's initial format and

  content, while Allan Kausch continued his meticulous patrol over

  continuity and quality. Timothy Zahn, Kathy Tyers, and Michael A.

  Stackpole have delighted readers (and editors) with stories in which

  they return to the characters and galaxy they love.

  Up-and-coming authors have contributed stories that expand the Star

  Wars galaxy's scope and still live up to Lucasfilm's standards of

  excellence.

  The Journal has been a place where writers can realize their Star Wars

  dreams. These authors have risen from their humble beginnings to make

  a difference--however small in the grand scope of the Star Wars

  universe in the galaxy far, far away they love so much. They all have

  stories to tell, tales that began as playful musings and imaginative

  romps through George Lucas's Star Wars playground.

  You're about to read some.

  First Contact by Timothy Zahn With a last sizzle of jittering

  repulsorlifts, the space yacht Uwana Buyer settled down into the

  landing field that had been hacked out of the Varonat jungle.

  "What a fine, civilized-looking place this is," Quelev Tapper

  commented, peering out the cockpit canopy. "You sure we didn't

  overshoot and land in someone's weed dump?"

  Talon Karrde looked out at the pale yellow trees encircling the field

  and the thirty or so dilapidated buildings

  nestled in beneath them.

  "No, this is it," he assured his lieutenant. "The Great Jungle of

  Varonat. Home of a handful of third-rate trading depots and a few

  thousand colonists who haven't the brains to pick up and go

  elsewhere."

  "And an ugly Krish named Gamgalon," Tapper said. "I don't know,

  Karrde. I still think we should have brought in the Wild Karrde and

  Starry Ice and had some decent firepower behind us. We're kind of like

  sitting mynocks here."

  "We're here to observe, not make trouble," Karrde reminded him, popping

  his restraints and standing up.

  "Gamgalon wouldn't be bothering with these private Morodin-hunting

  safaris if there wasn't some big profit involved. I just want to know

  what he's up to, and whether we can carve a piece of it off for

  ourselves."

  "All the more reason to have backup along," Tapper grumbled, checking

  the draw of his blaster as he followed Karrde to the hatchway aft.

  "But you're the boss."

  "How very true. You ready?"

  Tapper took a deep breath, exhaled it noisily. "Let's do it."

  Karrde punched the control and the hatchway slid up into the hull.

  Sniffing at the exotic aromas, he and Tapper walked down the ramp and

  headed across the field toward a building with a faded Port Facilities

  sign hanging on it.

  They were no more than halfway there when two men lounging beside

  another of the buildings peeled themselves away from their wall and

  moved casually to intercept the newcomers. "Howdy," one of them said

&
nbsp; as they got within earshot. "Welcome to Tropis-on-Varonat. Here for

  the sights?"

  "That's very amusing," Karrde complimented him.

  "No, we're here for the hyperdrive mechanic we very much hope you

  have."

  "Ah," the other said, glancing back at the Uwana Buyer.

  "Yeah, I'm not surprised. The flashier the hull, the more crumbish

  the innards."

  "Save the colorful language for the tourists," Tapper growled.

  "You have a hyperdrive mechanic here or don't you?"

  The other eyed him a moment, then turned back to Karrde. "Your

  friend's a little short on manners," he said.

  "He makes up for it in ability," Karrde said, pulling a handful of

  high-denomination coins from his pocket and sorting ostentatiously

  through them. "And in the understanding of schedules. We have some

  highly important business waiting for us on Svivren."

  "Sure, I understand," the other said. "No offense, ah--?"

  "Syndic Pandis Hart of the Sif-Uwana Council," Karrde identified

  himself. "This is my pilot, Captain Seoul." He chose one of the

  coins, held it up. "And we're rather in a hurry."

  "Hey, no problem," the man grinned, jerking a thumb toward the port

  facilities building as he deftly took the coin from Karrde's hand.

  "Buzzy, go tell 'em they've got a customer. Rush job."

  His companion nodded silently and loped off toward the building.

  "Name's Fleck, Syndic," the man continued.

  "Offhand, I'd say you're going to be stuck here for a few days.

  Got any plans?"

  Karrde glanced pointedly around. "Would there be any plans worth

  having?"

  "Matter of fact, there would," Fleck said. "Fellow here runs a pretty

  neat safari out into the jungle--got a trip heading out first thing

  tomorrow morning, in fact. Ever hear of Morodins?"

  "I don't think so," Karrde said. "Big game?"

  "The biggest," Fleck assured him. "Giant lizard-slug things, ten to

  twenty meters long. Make great wall or hallway trophies." His lip

  twitched sardonically. "They're not too fast or mean, either. Good

  way for a beginner to start."

  "That's comforting to hear." Karrde looked at Tapper.

  "What do you think, Seoul?"

  "Doesn't sound too dangerous, sir," Tapper said with just the right

  note of concern. "I trust you wouldn't be going alone?"

  "Naw, there's four other hunters signed up," Fleck said. "And the boss

  always takes a couple of escorts along as guards. Safe as in a

  snuggy."

  "I'd still recommend I accompany you, sir," Tapper persisted. "I used

  to be pretty good with a BlasTech A280."

  "Let's find out first how much it costs to be as safe as in a snuggy,"

  Karrde said dryly.

  "Hardly anything," Fleck sniffed. "Not to a gentleman of your means.

  Only twelve thousand each."

  Karrde smiled. "A man of means doesn't stay there by throwing money

  away. Fifteen thousand for the both of US."

  Fleck grinned. "Hard bargainer, huh? Make it twenty."

  "Experienced businessman," Karrde corrected. "Make it seventeen."

  The other's forehead wrinkled, then cleared. "All right.

  Seventeen it is."

  "Very good," Karrde said. "When do we leave?"

  "Five-half tomorrow morning," Fleck said. "Just be here I'll tell the

  boss you're coming. Don't forget to bring the seventeen." He pointed

  across the field. "You can get outfitted over at that building over

  there, and get a room for the night in the hotel next door. It's, uh,

  nicer inside than it looks."

  "One would hope so," Karrde agreed. "I trust no one will be offended

  if we pass on the accommodations. The outfitters will know what

  equipment we'll need?"

  "Sure," Fleck nodded. "Like I said, the boss runs these safaris all

  the time."

  "Very good," Karrde said. "Come, Seoul, let's go see what they have to

  offer."

  Varonat's sun was beginning to settle down behind the jungle by the

  time Karrde and Tapper finally made it back to the Uwana Buyer with

  their purchases. "I hope we gave them enough time," Tapper commented

  as they climbed up the ramp.

  "I'm sure we did," Karrde said. "It doesn't take long for a

  professional to search a ship this size. And I'm not expecting

  Gamgalon to be employing amateurs."

  Abruptly, Tapper touched Karrde's arm. "Maybe he is," he said,

  dropping his voice.

  Karrde frowned. Then he heard it: a muffled clank from the aft section

  of the ship. "Should we take a look?"

  Tapper murmured.

  "It would look suspicious if we didn't," Karrde said, grimacing.

  If this whole thing fell apart through the incompetence of Gamgalon's

  own people . . . "Nice and easy."

  Moving quietly, they headed down the central corridor to the engine

  room, hearing another clank as they reached the door. Karrde caught

  Tapper's eye, nodded.

  The other nodded back, lowering his bundles to the deck and getting a

  grip on his blaster. Karrde touched the release, and the door slid

  open-The woman sitting on the floor beside the open access panel was

  young and attractive, with a cascade of red-gold hair tied back out of

  the way behind her head. Her face was calm and controlled as she

  looked up at their abrupt entrance; beneath her jumpsuit, her figure

  was slim and athletic and nicely formed.

  And in her hands were a hydrospanner and one of the power flux

  connectors from the Uwana Buyer's hyper-drive.

  "Can I help you?" she asked coolly.

  "I think you already are," Karrde said, the brief moment of surprise

  passing into relief. Gamgalon's searchers had not, in fact, fouled

  up.

  "I take it you're the hyper-drive mechanic."

  "Cleverly deduced," she said. "Celina Marniss. You have any

  problems?"

  "Only with the hyperdrive," Karrde said. "Why, were you expecting me

  to?"

  Celina shrugged, returning her attention to the power flux connector.

  "I've known some men in my day who didn't think a woman could be

  decorative and competent at the same time."

  "Personally, that's my favorite combination," Karrde told her.

  She favored him with a look that was slightly amused, slightly

  strained-patient. "So you're Syndic Hart. Buzzy was most impressed

  with you."

  "I'm ever so pleased," Karrde said. "I won't ask which way he was

  impressed." He nodded at the access opening.

  "Any idea yet what's wrong?"

  "Well, for starters, your flux connectors are all about four degrees

  out of sync," Celina said, hefting the one in her hand. "They have to

  have been ignored for a long time to drift that far off."

  "I see," Karrde said, his favorable first impression of this woman

  moving up another notch. Chin had assured him that the flux connector

  gimmicking would take an average hyperdrive mechanic at least a day to

  find. "I'll have to speak to my maintenance man."

  "Personally, I'd fire him," Celina said. "I'll get these readjusted,

  then we can see what else is wrong."

  "Good," Karrde said. "As Buzzy may have mentioned, we're in something

  of a hurry."
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  "Funny way to go about it," she said, nodding toward the packages in

  the corridor behind them. "Gamgalon's safaris usually take upwards of

  four days."

  "It's been my experience that a failed hyperdrive normally takes at

  least six to ten days to fix," Karrde said.

  "Possibly another reason to fire your mechanic," Celina grunted.

  "I'm guessing I can do it in two or three."

  "What makes you think we're going on a safari?" Tapper asked

  suspiciously.

  "The packages, for a start," Celina told him. "Besides, you're

  obviously well-off, and you talked to Fleck. He's Gamgalon's chief

  come-up flector-does his job pretty well." She shrugged, turning her

  attention back to the flux connector. "Besides, what else is there to

  do around here?"

  "Cleverly deduced," Karrde said. "You're wrong about my personal

  wealth, though. I'm merely chief purchasing agent for the Sif-Uwana

  Council."

  "I'd call that a marginal distinction," Celina commented.