By:  A. C. Crispin Published by Bantam Books July 1997 He was a child without a past, a Corellian street urchin, abandoned, foraging for scraps of food, when the cruel Garris Shrike whisked him away to a nomadic band of spacefaring criminals.  Now, years later, chafing under Shrike's sadistic tyranny, driven by dreams of adventure and glory, Han fights his way free.  His goal:  to become an Imperial Navy pilot.  But first he needs hands-on experience flying spacecraft, and for that he takes a job on the planet Ylesia--a steaming world of religious fanaticism, illicit drugs, and alluring sensuality...where dreams are destroyed and escape is impossible.

   They were now only a kilometer above the surface of the planet, coming in with a rush.  Too fast!  Han slowed them, using the brake thrusters roughly.  G-forces seized him, and he felt as though something were squeezing his chest in a giant vise.  He was gasping steadily now, and he dared to look down at his air pak.
    Empty!  The status indicator was solidly in the red zone.
    Hold together, Han, he counseled himself.  Just keep breathing.  There's got to be enough air in your suit to support you for a couple of minutes--at least.
    He shook his head, feeling light-headed and dizzy.  His breath began to burn in his chest.
    He braked again, lightly, and the ship bucked suddenly.
    I've lost my forward stabilizer!