Razor's Edge: Star Wars (Empire and Rebellion) Read Online Free PDF

your idea.”
    â€œYou heard wrong.” Han wasn’t going to clarify that. He didn’t want to be in this conversation, and he sure as hell wasn’t going to go into detail about what was said and decided in Alliance meetings to which Itran had clearly not been invited. He made his expression deliberately bored. “Either say what you want to say, or go find something else to do.”
    â€œI just think it’s suspicious. You’re involved in this mission and we get hit by Imperials. I’ve heard you’ve got a lot of influence with the Princess. Maybe you’re using it for your own purposes.”
    Such as getting myself blown up or captured by Imperials?
Han wondered. Itran was angry, and looked like he wanted somebody to blame for it.
    â€œYou think I’m the one giving orders on this ship?” Han responded. “Why don’t you go ask her about that?” He hoped Itran would be just that dumb. He wasn’t sure how many of the rebels who worked with Leia knew the calm façade concealed an impressive temper, but Han enjoyed watching it in action. It was on his list of things he found the most attractive about Leia Organa.
    Itran’s eyes narrowed, but before he could respond, Sorel emerged from behind the tall set of sensor connections a few meters away and said, “Kifar, you’re off duty. Why don’t you go get some rest?”
    Itran hesitated self-consciously. He’d obviously had no idea that the engineering chief had been within possible earshot. He said, “Sure,” and turned to go.
    As Itran vanished into the back of the bay, Sorel joined Han. “What was that about? Is he that mad about the dampers?”
    â€œNo. Something else.”
    Sorel sighed. “He’s new. He’s been working on the supply transports, mostly in the Outer Rim. I don’t know that he’s ever been in a firefight. The first time is never easy.”
    The engineer was right about that, at least, Han reflected. And maybe that was all it was.
    Leia had no problem staying awake for the next hour or so, while the
Gamble
came out of hyperspace, the transmission was sent to Madine on the Alliance fleet, and the nail-biting worry began as the ship rumbled, hesitated, then finally made the next jump that would hopefully leave them within easy sublight distance to Arnot Station. Only when they were back in hyperspace did she drift off.
    â€œPrincess.”
    Leia bolted upright to see Sarit standing in the hatchway. She had been having a nightmare in which she was on the terrace of the summer palace on Alderaan, talking to Lieutenant Esrai, when the whole scene dissolved in an energy blast that Leia was somehow unaffected by. The dream had ended in a vivid image of her looking down to find Esrai’s blood on her hands. Reality gradually reasserted itself, and she realized she had slumped over in the chair, her cheek feeling tight and scratchy where it had pressed against the old cracked simulated leather of the headrest.
    â€œI’m sorry to disturb you,” Sarit said, “but General Willard is awake and asking for you.”
    â€œYes, thank you.” Leia checked the time on the console. They should be coming up on Arnot Station soon, the ship hadn’t exploded, and her headache, while still present, no longer felt as though some giant riding animal was stomping on her brain. She pushed to her feet, yawned so hard her jaw cracked, and tried to push her raveled braids back into order. After a moment, she gave up. There was no one on the ship who was going to be scandalized by the fact that Princess Leia’s hair looked like a small creature had been living in it.
    Leia went to the next cabin and found Sarit checking over General Willard with a diagnostics scanner. The general was sitting up on the bunk, propped against pillows; his forehead and temple showed the ugly purple of bruises, and he looked as if he had aged a decade. But he