Resurrection of the Howlrunners 1987/1999 story by Jonathan Hicks Eleven years after Episode IV - A New Hope There has been much unrest amongst the
people of the superstitious planet of Clayboss
in the Setnin Sector. Scientists uncover a buried, long-forgotten
starship but leave it alone, believing it to harbour evil spirits. When the diggers working on the site die in
mysterious circumstances, the people's suspicions are strengthened. Eager to make some money while
travelling through the sector, Jan Lomona
and the real Goah Galletti divert from their
planned trip to Watanna and arrive on
Clayboss to learn more about the discovery. Using
false credentials and passes they push their way through the mass of officials and local
guards and investigate the crime scene with the assistance of a medical droid. They learn that the men have been poisoned through
their food and that the ship is safe to enter. Both
decide to leave their investigation until the morning and returning to the Berone Sunrise they turn in for the night. The following morning they return to
the excavation site, only to discover that others have been there using energy tools and
crude equipment. There they encounter a
spooked local who firmly believes that it is a haunted ghost ship. Lomona calmly tells the local that they don't
believe in ghosts and begin their digging. The
day passes uneventfully as they slowly uncover the rear of the ship. There they find many markings and symbols, none of
which either can understand. Satisfied with
their days work they set up an encampment and turn in for the night. Once again they wake to find that there
has been another digger working through the night. Most
of the rear of the ship has been uncovered, along with the mid section. A large pit has formed under the centre of the
ship and Lomona and Galletti still cannot identify what tools could have been used for the
excavation. It almost appears that the ground
has been blasted out of the way. Galletti
quizzes one of the nervous locals but he denies hearing anything out of the ordinary and
scampers away. They shrug and opt to
continue with their dig. Two hours later
there is a rumble and the ground disappears beneath Lomona's feet, trapping him beneath
the centre of the ship. Startled, Galletti is
unaware of an attack and he is grappled to the ground by unseen assailants and dragged
away. Goah manages to speak to the attackers
and discovers that they are the local Mapuuti
tribe, far removed from the timid natives of Clayboss, who have been scuppering their dig
to divert them from learning the truth about the ship. They poisoned the original digging
team to scare the locals and allowed Jan and Goah to sweat and toil while they used
advanced energy weapons silently during the night. The
locals were too scared to alert the two off-worlders. Meanwhile, Jan breaks free of his
underground cave prison and gets above ground. He
spies a guard from the new tribe and overpowers him, pressing his heavy blaster against
his neck and ordering him to take him to where Galletti is being held. The guard agrees.
Jan arrives just in time to see Goah being put against a wall to be shot. Jan dives among them, peppering shots in all
directions and breaks Goah free. A melee
ensues and they manage to break free and escape their attackers. Jan and Goah make it back to their camp
and confront the locals, telling them of their discovery.
Ashamed at their weakness but relieved that the Mapuuti no longer have a hold over
them they agree to help Jan and Goah uncover the ship.
A mass of people carry the soil and dirt away from the ship until most of it is
visible and a massive water gun blasts the crusty grime free of the ship. It gleams in the evening light. The ship was sleek and elegant, like an
arrow tip. Powerful engines sat at the rear
and sharp wing tips gave the ship a swooping design.
Beneath the wing section there was a nameplate, specially fashioned to withstand
atmospheric pressures and re-entries. It was
still partially obscured by old stone and dirt, and a few words could barely be read. …lur…ta… When Galletti ran his blaster butt
across the plate the remaining stone crumbled away to reveal the full name. Salura Star. Immediately the two offworlders
understood. The Salura Star belonged to the
legendary Chatroot and along with his group of
warriors the Howlrunners they protected ancient
Setnin worlds from attack and war for over half a century.
Legend had it that the ship was buried on an unspecified world awaiting the call to
protect the oppressed once again. Galletti
was incredulous, believing the ship to be just a myth but Lomona, being a die-hard spacer
knew of the legends and took stock in them. All
concerned turn in for the night. The next morning Jan and Goah return to
the site only to find it surrounded by members of the Mapuuti tribe arguing with a group
of unknown scavengers and diggers. A gunfight
breaks out when Jan and Goah appear, which escalates around the Salura Star. And then, within the ship systems begin
activating and light come on. Jan and Goah
retreat from the scene. The engine ignites
and the soils rumble. Everyone is surprised,
including the new arrivals who believe it to be a set-up and continue their firing. The ship rises into the air, dips its nose and
opens fire upon them with small concealed weapons. Lomona
and Galletti duck down and watch the activities through their macrobinoculars. They are certain that they can see activity in
the cockpit, but before they can be certain the Salura Star blasts off towards the stars,
leaving behind nothing but corpses and questions. One month later on the planet Lydon Jan Lomona is finalising a business deal. His friend Galletti has returned to the Core Worlds with his lover Toni Meera, leaving Setnin for the last time. As Jan returns to his ship he spots a familiar
ivory white starship - the Salura Star. Next
to the ship is standing a pale, drawn man. Jan
recognises the symptoms of prolonged suspended animation.
The man approaches Jan and introduces himself as Chatroot, and asks Jan if he is
interested in a business proposition. Resurrection of the Howlrunners1987/1999 story by Jonathan Hicks Eleven years after Episode IV – A New Hope Histories - The final story featuring the real Goah Galletti before his return to the Core Worlds with his new love Toni Meera. The
legendary team of Chatroot and the Howlrunners return to the sector in this story
after thirty-three centuries away. Cast of Characters Chatroot
Jan Lomona Goah Galletti |