Mergers and Acquistions
by Susan Zahn
art by Kristin Brown and Kate
PART 9
PART 5 PART 6 PART 7 PART 8 PART 10
The awesome panorama of deep space greeted Han as the door cycled open. Although he had a pretty good idea of the terror Leia was probably experiencing at that moment, he had to admit to a certain rush whenever he saw the universe spread out before him like this. But he turned away from it to double-check on his companion. His stomach still felt twisted in knots from having treated her the way he had a few moments before, but he'd recognized the onset of a panic attack and it was the only way he could think of to break the vicious mental cycle. He only hoped it'd worked.
Her eyes were squeezed shut now as if she were waiting for the end. When it didn't come, she seemed to steel her courage and cracked one eye open, then the other. Her grip on his hand was painfully tight, but he gave her this time to acclimatize. He would have to keep a close eye on her, though; another relapse in her control could be fatal now. They also wouldn't be using tethers since they'd be leaving the construction area. It was risky, but he wasn't about to tell her that.
"You still with me?" he asked. Their comlink was voice-activated and he waited for her response.
"I'm here."
He took that as an affirmative and started moving through the open hatch. "All right, just follow me. Do what I do. Make sure of your grips. Relax and you'll be fine."
It had been a while since he'd been in a weightless environment himself and it was always a little disorientating at first. At least Ord Mantell provided a horizon of sorts, however uneven and jagged. He stepped onto the convenient beam that led away from the airlock; it branched away in various directions along the outside of the towering building. "Keep talking to me, sweetheart," he said as he paused at the fork, debating which way to head.
"Should I talk about how insane I think you are?" she said, her tone passably flippant although she still seemed a little short of breath. He glanced back over his shoulder to see her trailing behind him, her eyes riveted to what her feet were doing. "Or the various ways I intend to pay you back for what you did to me a few minutes ago?" she continued. She held her arms straight out from her sides as if for balance, even though in her magnetized boots she could have walked upside down if she'd wanted.
"Hey, it was that or watch you hyperventilate and pass out. Getting you mad seemed the best solution." He finally chose a direction and set off, walking at an easy pace that she could maintain.
A snort sounded inside his helmet. "A likely story," she mumbled. He thought she sounded a little less acrimonious and had to smile. She had a force of spirit that he loved, maybe because it was so similar to his own; she wasn't about to admit that he was right.
They reached the end of the beam, and with it the edge of the construction area. He could already see the canyon-like equatorial belt that housed the nearest docking bays. He felt the pressure of Leia's hand on his shoulder, signaling that she'd caught up to him. He twisted a little out of her way and pointed. "That's where we're headed. It'll take a little longer than it looks because we can't take a straight course, but we'll soon be finished. How you doing?" That last part he asked as he looked back at her again.
"I'll be fine. Let's just get this over with."
"Your wish is my command."
"If only it were that easy," she snapped back, sounding much more normal this time. He was glad, since the rest of their little jaunt was going to be a bit more complicated and he wasn't sure she was ready for it.
"Okay, this is where the fun begins. We've got a choice. We can either keep going step by step and double the time it'll take getting there, or we can do a little hopping. It's up to you."
There was a long silence and he began to wonder if she'd understood his request. "Just tell me what to do," she said in a softer tone.
"If only it were that easy," he responded in a mocking tone. He reached to take her hand and pulled her in close so that he could maneuver her in front of him. Then he pointed down toward the ridged surface of the neighboring building. It was only about seven meters away, but a daunting distance if she were too petrified to move. "It's like diving in slow motion. Just plan out your move and aim for what you want, then push off. Let your momentum work for you. Then plant your feet as soon as you get there. It's pretty simple."
She was staring down at the ledge and nodding, her concentration visible in her features.
"Want me to go first?"
She shook her head. "No, I'll go."
She began lining up for the short leap to the next structure by leveraging one of her feet on the edge of the beam on which they stood. "I'll be right behind you," he reassured.
"One..." she counted aloud, although it was clearly for her own benefit. On "three" she crouched, put her hands out in front of her as though about to dive into a pool of water, and pushed off with probably a little more force than necessary. Her aim looked true, however, and he watched with satisfaction as she quickly reached the nearby ledge and didn't fumble with the landing.
"That was perfect," he called out and watched as she twisted around to look back in his direction. She set her feet on the surface and stood, now at a bit of a right angle from his position.
She waved to indicate she was all right. "Of courseit was perfect." Despite the still evident tremor in her voice, her insult at his implication made him laugh. "Now shut up and get down here," she added, clearly having heard his amusement.
Han balanced on the edge of the beam and launched himself toward her, much more sure of his ability. It was definitely an odd sensation to be without weight and he could sympathize with her unease, but he personally found it enjoyable and threw in a little twist as he neared his destination. He contacted the ledge hands-first, then got his feet beneath him and stood up beside her.
"Showoff," she accused.
"And here I was worried about you. I should've known better."
They set off along the flat surface of the structure, literally walking up the side of the building. Soon they reached yet another chasm, this one nearly double in distance from the last. The side of the next building over wasn't nearly as friendly and offered few external features that would provide good landing points. It stood between them and the edge of the docking bay canyon, however, which meant either tackling it or going some distance out of their way to circumnavigate it.
Leia came abreast of him and looked across the gap. She seemed to have defeated or at least internalized much of her earlier terror, but she now regarded this new obstacle with obvious apprehension. "What now?"
"Think you can make it? It'll be a long walk otherwise."
"Then I can do it."
"I think we'll want more of an angle this time," he suggested, indicating the slant of the building's surface with a gesture of his hand. "There's not much to grab onto and that'll give us a better chance of a solid purchase. Let me go first this time." He knew this one was going to be more difficult and wanted her to watch him do it first.
He shifted his footing and carefully lined up his trajectory, then bent his knees and swung his arms as he jumped off. By feel alone he knew his angle and aim were true and he prepared for the moment of impact with the transparasteel wall rising before him. He contorted mid-flight until he was actually facing away from his destination, but ensured that the magnetic soles of his boots would contact the metal before he could rebound and drift away. He was jolted when his shoulders struck the wall, but he slammed his feet down an instant later and they stuck, even as his back began lifting away. He flailed a little and managed to catch onto one of the seams that connected the sheets of transparent steel, then sat up. For a surreal moment, he stared down between his feet into what looked like the middle of a very elegant formal dinner.
Members of the rich and famous set stopped what they were doing to stare up at what had just splatted against the skylight above. On impulse, he made a jaunty salute, then climbed to his feet and looked at the building across the way. "This one's tricky, Leia. Aim for me--I'll catch you." There was a noise in his headset that he took to be muttering, but he couldn't make out a word. "Come on, it'll be all right."
He watched as the princess imitated his recent actions and leapt out into space. She seemed to have a little more poise this time as she floated toward him. He braced himself and reached out. Although she really didn't have all that much forward momentum, it was enough to make him take a step back as she crashed into him. She convulsively wrapped her arms around him before he could set her on her feet. "No time for romance, Princess. We've got an audience."
Her eyes flashed, then her eyebrows drew together in confusion. He pointed down past their feet and only then did she notice the crowd of stunned socialites that were pointing back up at them in distress. Maybe it was the absurdity of the situation, or the possibility that were it not for stupid luck she might've been one of those so visibly offended now; she started laughing. "It's probably the most excitement they've had in years," she quipped.
Han grinned back. It wasn't often that he caught her making fun of the very social class from which she'd
fallen--usually that was his job. "Sure, just look at what they're missing. Come on, we're almost there."
Time seemed to stretch on indefinitely as they moved along the smooth, curving face of the domed roof. Even the novelty of their presence seemed to have worn off. They eventually arrived on the other side and had a bird's-eye view of the artificial canyon below. As they paused, a shuttle eased out of one of the docking bays, then began rising as it moved forward. It flew past them and headed out for some distant rendezvous.
"See, we're almost there. How you doing?"
"The sooner I'm out of this suit, the better," she admitted. "But I'm fine."
"We'll head for the closest docking bay and try to sneak in when the deck crew isn't looking. We're unauthorized to be out here, remember."
"How could I forget?"
Han grunted and shook his head. As much as he'd come to love her, he sometimes wished he could switch the sarcasm off. She wasn't likely to forget this little escapade any time soon.
They reached the base of the smooth dome and found themselves in a much more uneven terrain of exposed machinery, huge housing units for the station's vast climate controls and generators, and other pieces of equipment. Their pace slowed as they entered the maze.
There was a soft click in Han's comlink again and he expected a comment from Leia, but what he heard next was a voice that was at least two octaves lower and far more menacing.
"To your left, dammit! Go! Go!"
They both twisted around on instinct, for a moment forgetting that the voice came from the helmet comlinks, not necessarily from "behind" them.
The unexpected surge of adrenaline made Han curse aloud, then internalize the rest. Kreth, these guys are persistent!In one smooth motion, he grabbed Leia by the shoulder with one hand and the stinger off his utility belt with the other. He shoved it against her chest until she gripped it, then pointed down another corridor that was formed by two large cranes. She nodded her understanding and moved as fast as the ungainly magnetic boots would allow. She seemed to have surmised the situation as fast as he had and wasn't about to argue his reasoning.
Why hadn't they ever bothered to work out a series of hand signals like he and Chewie had done years ago? It was a stupid oversight he'd have to correct immediately--if he ever got the chance. He just hoped she'd have the common sense to stay hidden until he could figure out the situation.
He'd also been a fool to assume that they'd shaken their pursuers. One of them was clearly a member of the resort's Security staff and probably knew the layout and access codes. You're definitely slipping, Solo. You're letting a woman dull your edge.
He couldn't see anyone at the moment, so he could only guess that he was out of sight as well. He flattened himself against the closest wall and then decided to backtrack a little. He was pretty sure they hadn't been encircled, so the bounty hunters were probably still out of range...he hoped. From that single communication, he also suspected the two assailants had finally split up, no doubt with intentions of cornering or flushing him out. That meant that even though his odds were still bad, they'd improved.
Being careful not to activate the blade, he unclipped the knife from his belt. His suit was tough, but not that tough. That'd be a way to end this party real quick.He'd given his only offensive weapon to Leia because he wasn't about to leave her with the knife, or worse yet unarmed. I'm really beginning to hate this place,he mused as he dared to glance around the corner from where they'd come.
Denied his vital senses of hearing and touch, he felt at a definite disadvantage as he crouched at the bottom of a massive sensor array. Whatever he did, he couldn't allow them to spot him first. If that happened, they could easily pin him down with blaster fire and close in. You're in it deep this time.
Leia was conscious of her loud breathing. She'd just started getting somewhat used to the entire ordeal--or at least found a way to shove that disabling fear to the back of her mind--and now the threat of sudden death was back again. Just as disturbing was her very real concern for Han. At least she had something that provided protection from a distance. He was armed only with a knife and her heart pounded harder at the thought. Force guide him,she whispered to herself, the prayer an unexpected and uncharacteristic reflex, but she meant every word.
"Solo..." The voice was back in her helmet, chilling her with its taunting lilt. "Why don't you make this easier for all of us?"
Han's response was crude and negative and it made her smile. She knew better than most what Han could be like when he was belligerent, and she was glad to find that he wasn't holding back.
"Who's the woman? A shame you're dragging her through all this."
Leia squeezed her eyes closed and willed Han to ignore their provocative taunt. She knew the spacer well enough to admit he had a chivalrous streak a parsec wide when she was concerned. The concept was flattering, but could spell his end if he thought she were in danger and rushed to the rescue.
"Of course, you could do us all a favor and just stay out here until your air recycler is spent."
She twitched as that comment sank in, her eyes going wide at the thought. Oxygen supply hadn't even occurred to her. She knew so little about the technology that she'd taken for granted that the recycler could run indefinitely. She turned and pressed her back against the base of the crane, and tilted her head back until the knot of hair cushioned her head inside the bubble helmet. Deep breaths,she chanted to herself, trying to stave off the recurring wave of fear that gripped her. She resisted the instinctive urge to rip at the now confining space suit; some rational part of her knew it would be a fatal move. Deep breaths...
She lost track of time while battling her terror, but eventually forced herself back into the cool, detached attitude she'd managed when their space walk began. She needed to stay calm for both of them. Han was relying on her. You can't fall apart now. Save it for later.
She double-checked her grip on the little stinger in her gloved hands, then carefully made her way to the far end of the crane and peered around the corner. The long, straight pathway that ran toward the bottom of the vertical canyon wall was empty. She eased out and stepped to the next corner. She wanted to run and was frustrated at being unable to move faster.
I don't know how we're going to get out of this mess now.She knew that every step, every move could betray her presence, yet she couldn't stay still. She was positive that Han needed her help. What was Luke's most recent dictum? "Trust your feelings"?
She hunkered against a generator and closed her eyes for a moment, trying to will away the vertigo caused by weightlessness and the sight of the ground curling up and over her in the artificial gorge. Trust your feelings.Even though it was an old Jedi maxim, she figured it couldn't hurt, and it did seem to provide some comfort.
Keeping low, she peered around the next bend, then pulled back quickly. Drawing another deep breath, she risked a longer look. At the end of the short passageway stood an open airlock, the steady flash of the red light above a tempting beacon. The coast was clear.
She wanted nothing more than to dash for that hatch, go back inside, and collapse in a boneless heap, but instead she exhaled in a huff and stayed where she was, studying the scene. It seemed too easy. Something was wrong. She thought hard, then reluctantly backed away from the corner and considered her options. There weren't many. Then her eyes drifted upward.
For the first time, she noticed the series of rungs that led up the side of the huge casing across from her. On an impulse, she made a short leap to the closest step, then began climbing with her free hand, the other still holding the tiny gun at the ready. As she neared the top, she edged up until she could just see over it. She had a good view of the surrounding landscape, but still couldn't see anyone. She did find that the rungs were part of a network of handholds that had clearly been designed for maintenance. Making a decision, she clambered over the edge of the generator and up to its top. She fought to maintain her bearings, focusing on landmarks that would help her find the hatch again, and started to work her way back to where she thought Han might be. The comlink had remained eerily silent; she hoped that meant he hadn't been discovered yet.
She neared the opposite edge of the box-like structure and steeled herself again before daring a peek down into the corridor between her and the next encasement. With a start she spotted a suited figure, heading away from her. She barely contained a shout of joy; her joy turned to fear when she realized the man wasn't Han. Heart in her throat, she dared to keep an eye on the figure as he neared the distant corner and paused. She started bringing up her weapon, but something made her falter. Maybe it was the idea of murdering someone in cold blood. Considering they were themselves being hunted, it seemed an academic and unhealthy inhibition, yet she hesitated. Somehow it just didn't seem justified yet and she felt like an assassin. There are always options.It was a belief her adoptive father had drilled into her.
She raised her head and surveyed the rest of her surroundings. Although her view was excellent, she realized she'd have to get lower to offer any effective help. Looking back to the unmoving figure that was obviously waiting in hopes of ambushing anyone approaching the airlock, she climbed headfirst over the edge and headed down toward the floor, then on impulse lined herself up toward the top of the neighboring structure and pushed off. Feeling as though she were moving in slow motion, she held her breath as she drifted across the corridor before reaching the other side. Grabbing at the new set of handholds, she swivelled around and checked on the lone gunman again. He had moved and was walking back in her direction but hadn't looked up. She pulled back to hide beyond his range of vision and debated whether to stay here and keep an eye on him or to continue searching for Han and the other bounty hunter.
She also considered breaking their instinctive radio silence. It wasn't as if the sound would reveal her position, and it might reassure him that she was okay. She was finding the utter absence of sound--other than her own respiration--very disconcerting.
She was saved from having to make up her mind when an instant later she heard the stranger's voice over the intercom again. The message made her want to cry out in refusal.
"Dirk, I've got him!"
There was a whoop of joy a moment later that made her blood chill. Trying not to think of what might've happened, she looked back over the edge and saw her man rushing back to the end of the corridor, where he stopped in the middle of the pathway, arms akimbo, and waited for his partner.
"Get moving!"
There was a grunt that reverberated in her helmet, followed a moment later by a painful curse that Leia recognized as Han. He's still alive!
"Whoa, and he's alive!" the other assailant hooted, a perverted echo of her own thoughts. "We're rich!"
This meant they still had a chance, though. And with any luck she'd already been forgotten or discounted as a threat. Drawing on some reserve of concentration and determination that she hadn't suspected before, Leia now saw her plan of action mapped out before her. It was only the execution that would be exacting--but exacting was what she did best.
PART 5 PART 6 PART 7 PART 8 PART 10