Dark Force Rising | Chapter 25 | The Lost Holocron

Chapter 25 of Star Wars: Dark Force Rising (1992) (EU: 9 ABY) by Timothy Zahn. 

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## The Story So Far ##

The long-lost Katana Fleet has been rediscovered and, at this critical period in the twilight of the Galactic Civil War, whoever claims the fleet will determine the temperature of the War for years to come. Han Solo and Lando Calrissian have met with an independent Corellian faction, whom were sold six of the Dark Force warships. Not willing to outright join the New Republic but understanding the tensions that exist, they give the location of their seller, a hapless gambler who frequents the underwater casino on Pantalomin.

Niles Ferrier is a professional ship thief that has been lifting warships for the generous bounty offered by the Empire. He also has a contentious history with Lando. More recently, Lando has thwarted Ferrier from stealing Republic ships at Sluis Van, and was involved in pressuring Ferrier into facilitating a currency exchange at New Cov.

After running afoul of Grand Admiral Thrawn, Ferrier and his crew are under threat of death to locate information on what the Admiral knows to be the Katana Fleet. Ferrier lures Han and Lando into a meeting in order to place a tracker on their craft.

With Imperial Intelligence investigating a connection to smuggler Talon Karrde’s past and Han and Lando’s projected course from Ferrier, the Empire is confident they have triangulated where and who the hapless gambler is that knows the location of the Katana Fleet.

## Chapter 25 ##

Among the coral reefs of Pantalomin, Han and Lando have searched the eight exquisite gambling halls of Coral Vanda in search of the Senna’s contact. As they are about to flog their professional prides to lure in a desperate gambler, they see one of Niles Ferrier’s cigarras. It doesn’t take any effort to spy the ship thief himself standing in a doorway and he signals for them to follow.

High above, aboard Chimaera, Thrawn and Pallaeon oversee the bombardment of the coral reef to force the luxury cruiser to surface.

As turbolaser fire rains into the surrounding water and the Vanda is thrown into disarray, Han is grabbed by Ferrier’s Defel into a liquor storeroom and separated from Lando. Despite Han’s attempt to bargain, Ferrier is adamant to let Lando be killed in the ensuing firefights and make good on his deal with the Empire. He leaves Han guarded by his Defel to close the deal. When the ship rocks again under the assault from above, Han shoves a crate at the Defel and ignites the alcohol that has been spilt everywhere. It is a short-lived distraction, but enough for him to escape.

Han meets up with Lando who has found himself targeted by the many men Ferrier had planted around the ship. The odds are overwhelming, and they struggle with the reality of having been outmanoeuvred. With the mission in shambles, they abandon ship.

From one escape pod among many bobbing on the ocean, Han and Lando watch the Imperials make away with their prize. It is of little consolation that they will be able to forewarn the Republic of the imminent threat.

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