The Life and Times of Jarik Solo

Chapter 3

Quickly pulling himself together, Jarik reverted all main power, including emergency response systems, to forward thrusters. His intention was to just pull hard enough to break free of the tractor beam.

As he prepared to do this, he knew that the propulsion from breaking free of the tractor beam would shoot him right into the planet's gravitational pull; he'd have to make a crash landing due to his damaged ship.

Well, he thought, that's a risk I'm going to have to take. With that, he jerked the forward momentum lever into overdrive, sending his ship right into the Falleen planet's atmosphere.

Gritting his teeth, Jarik fought against the centrifugal force pulling his entire body back, while also struggling to keep his ship in control. Realizing the attempt was futile, Jarik prepare himself for ejection at the right altitude. This was not how he planned to go out; in an out of control ship heading straight for some unknown city.

Once he knew he was at the right place, he pushed the eject button, propelling him a couple meters above his ship in a safe bubble. Jarik's ship, however, did not share the same fate. Although Jarik was blind to anything outside his little ejection bubble, he still winced when he heard the large explosion of metal on metal, and the citizens of the planet screaming and panicking.

I really hope I don't have to pay for the damage, he mused, she was a beautiful ship, even for a cargo freighter.

Just then, another thought crossed his mind. The weapons! At least those supposed bounty hunters chasing him above Nar Shaddaa could rest easy; there was no way he could deliver the weapons now, unless the buyer wanted to pay for scrap metal.

Speaking of scrap metal, if Jarik didn't get out of the ejection bubble in time, he'd have a worse fate than both his ship and cargo. After scrambling to free himself from the seat restraints, Jarik climbed out into the bright sunlight, ready to face whatever awaited him.

What awaited him was a tall, narrow faced Falleen man adorned with many military medals and sashes, along with an escort of at least six formidable looking soldiers.

Well, Jarik thought dryly, I've always wanted to have a military escort. This is just not how I expected it.

The Falleen man looked mildly surprised that the pilot of the cargo freighter that escaped the tractor beam was so young, but he quicly hid it behind an indifferent mask. He gave Jarik an incredulous look.

"Are you going to introduce yourself, boy, or will you stand there looking like an idiot?"

Try as he might, Jarik could not get words to form properly. After a few seconds of struggle, Jarik started to talk.

"I'm Jarik Solo from Nar Shaddaa," he said. After catching a scathing look from the man, Jarik quickly added a timid, "Sir."

After giving him a scrutinizing stare, the man finally spoke. " Well, Jarik Solo, care to explain why you decided to grace our planet with your presence?"

Jarik immediately decided he did not like this man; his entire demeanor radiated arrogance and cruelty. Nevertheless, realizing that this man should not be kept waiting, Jarik replied.

"Sir, I was flying to Imperial Center to meet my, uh, great-aunt. She bought me that ship as a gift. " Jarik gestured to the flaming remnant of his ship. "I accidentally plotted the incorrect hyperspace coordinates, sir."

Jarik prayed to whatever gods there were his story would hold. The Falleen cast a suspicious look towards Jarik.

"Then why, pray tell," he said, "did the picket ship report blaster damage to your starboard side?"

"Well, I may have run into some trouble over Nar Shaddaa, sir, pirates. They're also why I plotted the wrong lightspeed calculations."

A disdainful look appeared on the man's face. Although it was obvious the man did not entirely believe Jarik's excuse, he had no proof against it either.

"Very well then," he said finally, "you will stay with me until we can contact your great-aunt. I also would like to know nore of your trip here." The smile on his face could only be described as malovelent.

Supressing a shudder, Jarik moved to follow along beside the man, who had already started heading towards the city, and whatever destiny was waiting for him.

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