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Synopsis:
Socorran smuggler Kaine Paulsen prepares for a
dangerous job - sending supplies to an outpost on
Thrugii, a mining colony that has proven extremely
inimical to life. Even worse, the sector authorities
have that planet completely embargoed. Despite the
warnings of his old friend Karl Ancher, he resolves to
make the trip with his son Drake. At Ancher's advice,
Drake goes to see about helping a refugee Wookiee on the
run calm down. Drake talks to a man named Seth, who
explains that the Wookiee, Nikaede, is being transported
to Mos Eisley to hide. Suddenly stormtroopers barge in,
out to arrest the three. Seth protests - he was in the
process of selling the Wookiee! Then Ancher steps into
it, spinning a yarn about the boy losing his mother and
buying the Wookiee as a companion. They all are herded
down to Imperial customs as Kaine takes off. There, the
group is met by Colonel Veesle and a platoon of
stormtroopers. Veesle instantly recognises Ancher for
the outlaw he is and throws the whole lot behind bars.
They find a friend of Ancher's, Tait Ransom, also behind
bars. They manage to break out and steal a gunship. A
little later, Drake overhears Ransom telling Ancher that
he had found Kaine's ship - in lots of pieces. Ransom
gives Drake 1,000 credits and wishes him luck, then
leaves. Drake decides there is something he has to do.
Nikeade tags along, swearing a life debt to Drake. He
travels to a dormant volcano where his father hid a
freighter called the 'Steadfast'. He is surprised to
find Ancher's most prized possession, a modified
blaster, waiting for him in the ship. The 17-year old
pirate decides his first job will be to finish what his
father started - getting supplies to Thrugii. |