The voice of traffic control dispatcher breaks through, “Glimmer, read back, please. What’s going on out there? That ship’s no authorization to take-off until further instructions.”
Dee and Zeb look at one another, hesitating what to say or do. Dee-Four is the first to react, and answers. “Base One Control, this is Intelligence Agent D-4Y7 on the Glimmer. I find the conflicting orders to be unacceptable, and I will submit a proper complaint to the supervisor. Lucky for you, it will have to wait. I am in in the middle of a very important and confidential mission and I must part immediately. Control, requesting permission to take off.”
A wave of yearning for Kallus hits Zeb like a punch in the stomach. He can hear his mate when he’s with his bastard mode on in the words that Dee speaks, even if with computerized voice but with unquestionable authority, enough to make the dispatcher pause. The droid has learned from the best.
“But the order that just came in—“
The frustrated sigh Dee-Four lets out is impressive. “Organics,” he mutters.
Fortunately, Chopper rolls into the cockpit, warbling something at lightspeed. As usual, Zeb doesn’t understand a word, but Dee does. Without missing a beat, he uses the information Chopper told him.
“Control, authorization code Vev Grek Seven Three Dorn Eight. I repeat, Vev Grek Seven Three Dorn Eight.”
There’s a moment when they wait with bated breath, until the dispatcher’s voice comes through the comm again, sounding a little put out. “Glimmer, permission granted. You’re cleared to take-off.”
Zeb sinks into the co-pilot seat, letting out a huge breath. His relief is short-lived. He sees through the viewport of the ship that the security squad is still running on the tarmac and approaching them fast.
“Go, go, go!” he says to Dee-Four.
“Everyone hold on!” Dee warns as he puts the ship on the air, with no seconds to spare before the security team reach them. Only a few minutes later, they break from Yavin IV’s atmosphere and into outer space.
“I’m comin’, love,” Zeb think to himself, as Dee engages the hyperdrive and the Glimmer jumps to hyperspace.
—Excerpt from Feed Me Poison, Fill Me 'till I Drown, Chapter 2