The Chosen Apprentice/Chapter 17

The Stiletto had yet to destroy the freighter’s other gun turret, but the display of blasts on the hull clearly showed their intentions. Which is why it was such a surprise for Ardesh when a transmission came through from the freighter.

“This is…Ca…Stowe of …Lernian Star.” The transmission sounded somewhat garbled and laboured as if there was either something was wrong with the ship’s communications or Stowe realised that he had met his match. Either option pleased Ardesh.

“Acknowledged, Lernian Star this is the Aeolian,” said Ardesh. “Have you suddenly realised the foolishness of your actions?”

“Let’s just say…ould be better for…th of us to…me to some sort of agreement,” said Stowe. “We have…Jedi on board and we…hand him over if you…eave us alone.”

Ardesh didn’t have to get the transmission processed to know what it meant.

“Glad we can do business with you,” Ardesh replied, “now if you’ll dock with us—”

“Negative, Aeolian,” interrupted Stowe. “There’s so…amage to our …king arm, it would be…etter if you…ked with us.”

Ardesh frowned, as far as he could tell this didn’t appear to be the case. Yet appearances were often deceptive...

“We’ll dock with you, Lernian Star,” Ardesh replied. “You better have him tied down, my crew won’t exactly want a wayward Jedi on board.”

“…ledged Aeolian,” said Stowe. “…ian Star out.”

“You heard him, extend our docking arm!” barked Ardesh to Krassk. He smiled as he got up from the seat; this was easier than he had thought.



“Solo, use all the power with that battery of yours to fire on the docking arm when it gets in range,” Stowe ordered.

“But Captain,” Han protested, “I thought we were going to—”

“What we are going to do,” interrupted Stowe, “is cut and run.” He nodded to the co-pilot. “Are we ready to jump?”

“Ready, Captain,” answered the co-pilot.

Stowe turned to Obi-Wan. “This idea of yours better work.”

“It will,” Obi-Wan reassured. Most of them do, he added in thought.



Ardesh stood at the airlock, waiting for the docking to complete so he could board the freighter. The initial plan was to cripple the ship as well box it in so they could board and get the Jedi. Fortunately there had been a change of plans before they sustained too much damage.

“How far are we out?” he asked Xian.

“About forty,” he answered. “Thirty five, thirty—”

A sudden explosion rocked the ship, Ardesh fell against the wall. “What in space happened there?” he bellowed into his comlink.

“They destroyed our docking arm,” replied Xian.

“Well go after them!” Ardesh roared.

“Can’t Captain,” said Xian in a quiet voice, “they’re too far out of range they’ve…” Ardesh felt his anger rise with the next words. “…made the jump to hyperspace.”