(Chapter five.)

Ja-ni, R2-D2, and the Resistance soldier peered around one of the marketplace tents and spotted two Stormtroopers talking to some of Unkar's men. One of the thugs nodded oblingingly and pointed right to where Ja-ni and her friends were standing. The man grabbed Ja-ni's hand and started to run.

What are you doing? she asked. R2-D2, come on! was his only reply. But the laser bolts that ripped past them spoke eloquently on his behalf. They had to get out of there, and fast! They zigzagged through a maze of tents as blast after blast followed them through the market. Cal Kestis was quick, but he had no idea where he was going.

Let me go! Ja-ni tried to pull her hand away.

We gotta move! replied Cal Kestis.

Ja-ni wasn't trying to argue that point. I know how to run without you holding my hand. She said. The man tried to pull her toward Unkar's trading stall. No, this way! Ja-ni took the lead, dragging the man behind her, with R2-D2 close to their heels.

She pulled them inside an empty tent to hide. They're shooting at both of us, she said, still trying to process how drastically her life had changed since that morning.

Yeah, they saw you with me. You're marked, he said apologetically.

Well, thanks for that! Ja-ni said.

Hey, I'm not the one who chased you down with the stick, he replied. Anyone sell blasters around here?

Suddenly, they heard something outside the tent. The man grabbed Ja-ni's hand and started running again.

Stop talking my hand! Ja-ni grumbled. She could run from terrifying enemy soldiers on her own, thank you very much. They made it only a few steps before a mechanical scream filled the air. A Empire Tie fighter whipped over them. The ship fired right into the crowded outpost, sending Ja-ni flying. Flames engulfed the dry canvas, spreading quickly through the marketplace. Nilma was in ruins. Ja-ni knew there was one place left to go, the spaceport. She took the Resistance soldiers hand and ran faster than she had in her entire life.

We can't out run them, he said between gasp's.

We might in that quadjumper! Ja-ni replied. The beautiful ship looked like it had just rolled out of space dock.

With the ship's powerful engine, they could easily leave the Empire in their dust.

We need a pilot, the man said. Ja-ni smiled confidently. We've got one! All those hours practicing with her flight simulator were about to pay off.

How about that ship? the man pointed to an YT series cargo ship. A giant tarp covered most of the spacecraft, but the parts that were showing weren't much to look at. Some of its paneling was loose, and the hull hadn't been cleaned in years. But it seemed like it could make orbit. It's closer.

That one's garbage, Ja-ni scoffed. But no sooner had she spoken than a Tie fighter blew the beautiful quadjumper into dust. Ja-ni quickly reconsidered. The garbage can do! The trio ran aboard the old cargo ship. There was one consolation in stealing that piece of junk, Ja-ni knew it belonged to Unkar Plutt.

She would enjoy imagining the fury on his blubbery face when this was all over. Ja-ni made her way to the cockpit and showed the man where the gunning seat was.

You ever fly this thing? he asked.

Ja-ni dodged the question. Nobody flown this ship in years. She sat down in the pilots chair and took a deep breath. I can do this. I can do this. she said over and over to herself. It was just like the flight simulator at home. No need to be completely terrified. Ja-ni ran through the prelaunch sequence in the record time and smiled as the engines roared to life. She eased forward on the throttle while pulling back on the control yoke. The ship blasted ahead in one smooth movement and took to the sky.

Ja-ni felt her smile grow even wider. But her joy didn't last long. Two Empire Tie fighters were swooping down on them.

Stay low and put up the shields if they work, the Resistance soldier shouted up to her.

Ja-ni strained to reach the shield modulator across the wide control panel. Not easy without a copilot, Ja-ni said through gritted teeth. No matter how much she stretched, the control was too far away. There was no way she could keep steering and turn on the shields. For three insane seconds, Ja-ni let go of the yoke and reached out to hit the shield modulator. The ship veered wildly to the right, throwing R2-D2 momentarily into the ceiling of the ship. Ja-ni leaped back to the yoke and stabilized the wild weaving.

I'm going now! she said.

In Ja-ni's hands, the ship banked upward and swooped down over the sands of Tatooine. The Tie fighters were close behind, firing bolt after bolt at the cargo ship.

You gonna fire back? Ja-ni shouted.

Working on it! the man shouted back.

After a few tense moment's, Ja-ni saw red bolts firing at the Tie fighters. Her new friend had done it!

We need cover, quick! The man called between blasts.

Ja-ni scanned the horizon and saw the ship graveyard ahead. We're about to get some! she said. Giant Star Destroyers and crashed starfighters were scattered everywhere. It was the perfect place to hide... as long as they didn't join the fleet of crashed ship's themselves!