EXT. SPACE - TATOOINE
With the blurring of pseudo-motion, the Light Hammer drops out of hyperspace, its trajectory carrying it on a course directly toward the mottled orange globe of Tatooine.
INT. LIGHT HAMMER - BRIDGE
MR. SOLO: (to Bail) Our trajectory is taking us straight along toward the planet. Shall we maintain present course?
BAIL: (strokes his chin) Let's play it safe and go into a high orbit. We don't want the people down there to think we're unfriendly.
CMDR. VANESS: (scrunches her nose up at the sight of the ugly desert planet filling the viewscreen) Even if we were, there's not much they could do to repel us. (beat) I doubt the Hutts would even bother putting a patrol on duty to defend this worthless rock.
As those words come out of her mouth, a ship appears on the viewscreen, leaving the atmosphere of the planet on an intercept course. As the craft grows larger in the viewscreen, it becomes apparent that the ship is an ungainly Xiytiar-class transport; though outfitted with some modified weapons systems, the bulky cargo ship is nowhere near the match for a dreadnaught like the Light Hammer.
COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER: We're being hailed, sir.
BAIL: Patch them through.
The view of the cargo transport before the orange orb of Tatooine disappears from the viewscreen, instantly replaced by the image of a GREEN-SKINNED NIKTO CAPTAIN.
NIKTO CAPTAIN: I am Wahr Blarh, captain of the Defense Fleet of Tatooine. State your identity and business in this system.
BAIL: I am Bail Organa, Prince of Alderaan and admiral of the Galactic Empire. We are here under the suspicion that your world may be in for an attack from Mandalorian renegades who have been attacking ships and making raids on worlds all along the Outer Rim. (beat) I believe our government made arrangements with your masters prior to our arrival, and that you were made aware of our coming.
CAPT. BLARH (NIKTO CAPTAIN): (sighs) You are beyond your borders, Admiral. The concerns of your Empire are no concerns of ours.
BAIL: This isn't strictly an Imperial matter, though, is it Captain? From what I've been made aware, your side of the border hasn't been all that safe from Mandalorian attacks, either.
CAPT. BLARH: (sighs) So it is, Admiral, so it is. (beat) I have been ordered to provide you with any assistance you may need should you need it. Should you or any of your crew find yourselves in the need to go planetside, please register with us first -- unauthorized Imperials are not welcome on Tatooine.
BAIL: Thank you, Captain, we'll keep that in mind.
Without any farewell, the nikto discontinues the transmission, restoring the image of the cargo ship stationed in front of Tatooine back to the viewscreen.
BAIL: (turns toward Vaness) Well, that went well.
Vaness, in response, merely smirks.