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-I-II-III-IV-V-VI-VII-VIII-IX-X-XI-XII-XIII
Chapter I Capt. Pynaegan reports, The reconstruction of FMP-N-287
in the Galvestooine sector has been completed on schedule, and is ready for deployment.
The mission has been accomplished. Further details on this matter are covered
in my previous report to the Grand Admiral. This report will cover the past three
days of our (four crew members, my droid R5-D7, and of course, myself) exploits
after leaving the Galvestooine ship yards. The trip back to Ambria began as any
other. I reviewed all the necessary reports and filed the additional reports of
the technical engineers who were working on the fuel-mining platform. On the second
day, R5-D7 and I boarded Lambda T4aP.T. Athame, my private shuttle. Destination,
the ISD Death's Head in Ambria. The crew consisted of four members. Shuttle commander
Sr.Lt. Breixx Yhorbion; Jr.Lt. Lo'diath Tibile, acting co-pilot; Jr.Lt. Tagryyl
Praxihl, navigator; and Ens. Wandib Stolticks as ship's gunner. I took my place
in the passenger seating area and awaited take off. The engines soon came online
and we lifted off on schedule. It would be a few minutes before we would reach
the nav buoy where we would be able to safely hyper away from the busy shipyard.
I felt the engines hum and oscillate, telling me we had entered the strait away
which leads to the nav buoy, and would momentarily be entering hyperspace. That's
when it happened... The general alarm sounded with its eerie dual tone. As per
regulation, I remained seated so that the crew could perform their duties unhindered
by my presence. The high pitched whine of capacitors told me that the ship's cannons
were being charged up. This could only mean that we were under some form of attack.
R5-D7 whistled a suggestion that he could plug into a scomplink and relay the
situation to me. I ordered the droid to remain in his restraints, that for the moment, we would have to rely on the crew. Besides, if the droid were thrown,
it could be damaged and we may need it for repairs to the ship. Also, the droid
was carrying very important information that I dare not follow up on while in
the Galvestooine sector. It would have to wait until I got to Ambria. The shuttle
was struck several times by cannon fire. X-Wings I guessed. If there's one thing
I know, it's the sound of Taim & Bak Ix4 laser cannons firing into the shields
of my shuttle. Our own cannons began to answer the X-Wings with matched ferocity,
and for a moment, I worried we were going to enter a dogfight. Our ship swerved
and seemed to level out proceeding on course. Several more bolts of enemy fire
hit home as the hyper drive began to initiate. My vision began to blur as the
familiar, minor nausea associated with hyperspace travel washed over me. Alarms
were accompanied by the screams of R5-D7, the air was filled with a light, gray
smoke, and the G-forces threatened to crush me in my restraints. A deafening boom
resounded throughout the ship... After long moments, the shuttle seemed to level
off and several objects floating in the air proved the artificial gravity to be
off line. The door to the cockpit opened and Sr.-Lt. Yhorbion floated through.
Capt. Pynaegan, are you injured? Feeling about my body, I answered, With the exception
of a few bruises, no. What is the damage report Lieutenant? Sr.Lt. Yhorbion grimaces
as he reaches out to a chair to steady his floating form. Shields and weapons
are both offline and the hyperdrive is failing. We are currently verifying our
course, as we sustained much of our damage from a collision with an A-wing fighter
just as we were entering hyperspace. Our systems analysis monitor is damaged making
it difficult to pinpoint the reason for the hyperdrive failing. At this point,
I cut off Yhorbion, R5, scomp into the ship's computer and find out what's wrong
with this ship's hyperdrive! The droid beeped in answer and went to work. Continue,
Lieutenant. The Sr.Lt. frowned, Other than the obvious artificial gravity problems,
there is only the casualty report. Jr.Lt. Praxihl has suffered a broken arm and
Ens. Stolticks was killed at his station. I spoke as I unbuckled my restraints,
The loss of Ens. Stolticks is regrettable. I understand this was his first assignment.
If it were not for our current situation, I'd order a more respectful casualty
detail. Understood sir, said the Sr.Lt. I proceeded to the cockpit. As I entered
I saw Jr.Lt. Tibile at the flight controls and Jr.Lt. Praxihl attempting to salute
and to give his report. Skip the formalities Lieutenant, I said, You've had a
difficult day. What do you have to report? The Jr.Lt. spoke, Yes sir, we have
been slightly thrown off course. However, we should still be able to make Ambria
with only a few navigational adjustments. Don't count on it, JR.LT. Tibile said.
Tibile went on, The droid reports that we are loosing coolant from the hyperdrive's
secondary tank fast! I'm going to have to drop out of hyperspace to shut if off.
Sr.Lt. Yhorbion asked, Why aren't we using the primary tank? R5-D7 bleeps a sentence
and JR.LT. Tibile's face turns white as he reads aloud the translation. The primary
tank is heavily damaged and empty. Take us out of hyperspace Lieutenant, said
the Sr.Lt. Yes, sir. The hyperdrive shut down and the de-celerators slowed the
ship to a halt. Sr.Lt. Yhorbion turned to me, Sir, as you are the ranking officer
on board this ship, what are your orders? All eyes were on me now...Senior Lieutenant
Breixx Yhorbion, you were assigned to this shuttle as Shuttle Commander. This
is YOUR ship and YOUR crew to command. As per regulation, I am your passenger
until such time that I deem you unfit for command. Thus far, I have seen no breech
of protocol or any poor judgment in your orders. Unless of course, this is your
way of pawning off your duties on myself. Lt. Yhorbion's face showed relief as
he realized I was not going to take over his duties as the ship's commander. Thank
you sir. I have no intentions of shirking in my duties. Very good Lieutenant,
proceed. Yes, sir! Lt Tibile, said Yhorbion, What is the status of the hyperdrive?
JR.LT. Tibile relayed R5's translations. The droid has closed off the lines from
the secondary tank to the primary. He says he's going to have to go outside to
make repairs. Right, carry on Lieutenant. Yhorbion then turned to JR.LT. Praxihl,
Lt. Praxihl, what is the status on our position? Praxihl turned from his station,
Navigational adjustments have been made sir. As soon as the hyperdrive can come
online, we can re-enter hyperspace. Yhorbion gave a half smile, This is the first
good news we've had since we found out we weren't dead! His smile died quickly.
Lt, your work here is done for the moment. We will need to get your arm looked
at. I'll take him into the passenger seating and see what we can do about his
arm, I said. After getting Praxihl settled in a seat and buckled down, I started
back to the cockpit to retrieve the body of Ensign Stolticks. As I reached the
door, I was met by Yhorbion. Sir, I feel it is my duty to inform you of a potential
hazard that I do not recall having been covered in my training at the Academy.
The Sr.Lt. looked as though he was fighting some sort of disbelief and hysteria,
trying to keep his own outward, calm demeanor. As I read his expressions, I began
to think it was a mistake not to take command of the ship. But then, just moments
ago, Yhorbion seemed to have matters well in hand. Calm down Lieutenant, I said,
stick with the facts. What is the problem? It's the A-wing sir, the one we collided
with as we left Galvestooine. It has traveled with us entangled in our dorsal
stabilizer. WHAT?!?! I exclaimed. I now understood the Lt's well checked hysteria.
For if what he said was true, there was very little reason as to why any of us
were still alive! My own anxiety strangely enough, seemed to calm down the Sr.Lt.
Perhaps because he no longer felt out of line with his won excitement. Getting
my own thoughts in order, I said, Okay, okay, let's deal with this one step at
a time. Let's get Ens. Stolticks' body back here so we can have more room to work
up front. We strapped Ens. Stolticks into the last seat in the back of the passenger
seating area. As we re-entered the cockpit, Tibile announc3ed, Our sensors indicate
that the A-wing's fusion reactor is missing and that any chances of the fighter
exploding are minimal. The concussion missiles seem undamaged and more importantly,
unarmed. Why didn't we pick it up as an enemy craft when we dropped out of hyperspace?
asked Yhorbion. If the pilot ejected, then his transponder went with him to make
it easier for a rescue team to pick him up, I said. Jr.Lt. Tibile broke in, Sir,
your droid is sending us images of the A-wing. What a mess! It was a horrifying
sight. The A-wing was lodged between the hull of our ship and the dorsal stabilizer
wing. R5-D7 recorded images from every conceivable angle and we were soon able
to reconstruct the collision. It appears the A-wing struck us right as we were
entering hyperspace ; at exactly the same moment the A-wing was dropping out of
hyperspace. It rammed into our forward port quarter, skimming the upper hull.
The stream line design of the craft causing it to wedge itself under the dorsal
wing. The starboard side of the A-wing was destroyed, its engine's front end turned
inward as if trying to get into the cockpit. The fusion reactor must have been
literally squeezed out, much like the guts of a bug hitting the windscreen of
a speeder. The right concussion missile launcher (what was left of it) was resting
in the otherwise empty cockpit. The pilot had indeed ejected, as the seat and
canopy were missing completely. What are the chances of separating the A-wing
from our ship? asked Yhorbion. Not likely sir, said Jr.Lt. Tibile. It looks like
her starboard engine's heat has fused the ship to our outer hull, effectively
welding it into place. This is a job for a fully equipped hanger. If we were to
try it, we would probably cause more damage. We would be signing our own death
sentence, Sr.Lt. Yhorbion finished. Very well, what of the damage to the hyperdrive?
The Jr.Lt. read on, The A-wing's starboard cannon was torn off and had plunged,
muzzle first, through the hull of our ship along the base of the dorsal fin, right
over the void containing the primary coolant tank. The cannon and other debris
ruptured the tank releasing the coolant. The droid says the tank is irreparable,
however the secondary tank can be made to by pass the primary. Will there be enough
coolant in the secondary to get us back to Ambria? I asked. Tibile's answer was
coated with the bitterness of despair, Negative sir, the hyperdrive would overheat
long before we reached Ambria. Micro-jumps came Jr.Lt. Praxihl's voice. We turned
from the console and faced the injured navigator. I smiled inwardly to myself,
glad to have not had to make the suggestion myself. The crew of my ship was proving
themselves to be very resourceful, considering the circumstances. Jr.Lt. Praxihl
drifted into the cockpit, being careful not to jostle the inflatable cast holding
his broken arm in place explained, we can make short hyperjumps, dropping out
of hyperspace when the hyperdrive begins to overheat. Tibile turned to his console
immediately calculating the figures of how long it would take to get back to Ambria.
After a moment, he sat back, Damn, it will take one year, three months, and twelve
days to get to Ambria. And Ambria is the closest civilized system within our range from this position, if you can consider it in range. We simply don't have enough
coolant left. Perhaps we don't, said Sr.Lt. Yhorbion, but scan that A-wing again.
See if you can pick up its hyperdrive. Jr.Lt. Tibile didn't sound very hopeful,
Yes, sir. The co-pilot studied the readouts and the images recorded by R5-D7.
According to my readouts, the A-wing's Incom GBK-785 motivator drive unit is destroyed.
Tibile's eyes lit up and his face broke into a smile, The A-wing's primary tank
is still there and although it's a bit beat up, the secondary tank is still intact!
They are much smaller than our own tanks, but between the two we should be able
to reach Ambria- Tibile was cut off by Praxihl, In about three weeks. Praxihl
had already strapped himself into his seat at his station and calculated the micro
jumps necessary to reach Ambria. Jr.Lt. Praxihl, I said, aren't you supposed to
be recuperating in passenger seating? The Jr.Lt. faltered for a moment then answered,
Yes sir, but I was feeling restless and thought I'd be more useful at my station.
Very well then, I said, You may now make yourself useful by constructing a distress
signal for the Imperial Emergency Frequencies, to be sent out after repairs are
made and we begin the journey home. Then I turned to Sr.Lt. Yhorbion, Would that
be okay with you Lieutenant Commander? The newly promoted Lt.Cmdr. gathered himself
up doing well in keeping his tact in the face of his newly appointed rank. Yes,
sir. Thank you, sir. Oh, and Lt.Cmdr. Yhorbion, I said as I began to exit the
cockpit, See to it personally that Jr.Lt.'s Praxihl and Tibile receive their new
Sr.Lt. rank insignia upon our return. Yes, sir! Lt.Cmdr. Yhorbion said as he saluted.
I floated myself into the personnel seating area to let the crew finish their
work. I found myself going all the way to the back and buckling down in a seat
across the aisle from Ens. Stolticks. I wish I didn't have to give you your promotion
posthumously, Jr.Lt. I'm sure you would have thought of something useful had you
survived. I heard your cannons fire, and you died at your station. Your quick
response to the general alarm is more than likely what saved us all. I sat quietly
for sometime across from Stolticks, almost as though waiting for him to answer.
He would not. I will review the ship's computer log, I thought to myself, Perhaps
I will find out what you were shooting at and why your gunnery terminal shorted
out. I unbuckled myself and floated up to the storage compartments where I stowed
my personal belongings. After what seemed like forever, I finally found the item
I was searching for. My own Acting Sub-Lieutenant rank insignia, awarded to me
so many years ago at my first assignment. I hastily replaced my belongings back
into storage and floated back down to Jr.Lt. Stolticks. I'm afraid I don't have
your rank cylinder, 'Acting Sub-Lieutenant' Stolticks, I said, But this is a battle
field promotion. I ended my remarks with an unreturned salute. It didn't make
me feel any better. Finally, I eased myself down into a seat, strapped myself
down, set the seat back as far as it would go, and fell asleep.
Chapter II Rebel Leader Aslan to Rebel squadron home base come
in the comm channel crackled. Admiral Crys here, this is a secured channel what
is it As?? she replied in a sweet but authoritative voice. Crys had always had
a fondness for the Cute Little ewok but after being promoted to Admiral she tryed
to put her personal feelings aside and be more business like. Admiral after the
deciphering of the message I got a hunch. Yes what is it Crys responded in an
impatient yet interested demeanor. Well the area where we found this info I found
out that from some of my imperial informants that there was a certain Imperial
Capt. of some renown was seen in that area in his private shuttle than disappeared!!
So I sent a scouting detail out in the area of Galvestooine and they spotted an
Imperial shuttle with the markings Athame!! They try to disable it but they were
intercepted by a squad of TI and shuttle escaped but was chased in hot pursuit
by Officer Reprah in his A-wing into Hyperspace!! we also lost another of our
pilots in combat with the TI but Holmes and Rancor took out 3 out of 4 TI and
were able to return to base with the coordinates of the Hyperspace boey that Rep
was last seen!! Since the area of Galvestooine was hot I am now in a stolen Imp
Shuttle to try and find out what happen to Rep. Suddenly the transmission from
Aslan went blank!! Crys tried to get a response from him but without any success
. Crys Heart pounded as she new of the danger the crazy ewok was in but somehow
she knew he would be ok and what about rep??? She ran quickly to Admiral Zaras
office. Meanwhile Aslan approached the Galvestooine area and using his former
Imperial Codes from his days in the Elite TFA when he was known as SecretKeeper.
He was able to pass by Imperials that were still on the prowl since the rebel
attack. He made his way carefully to the hyperspace boey that Reprah was last
seen and the mysterious shuttle disappeared at. As he approached he used his Jedi
abilities and plotted a course and entered hyperspace . Suddenly he felt the force
urging him to drop out of hyperspace and as he did His homing sensor screeched
and he saw an escape pod coming up on the HUD it had life signs!! It was Reprah
!! Aslan's heart rejoiced as neared the pod . He picked up the Pod and found Rep
unconscious inside. Quickly the ewok revived the pilot who woke with an angry
yell and some language that's not repeatable. Soon Rep was back to himself but
did have some cracked ribs but for the most part was ok, except he was furious
about his beloved A-wing!! But suddenly a smile came across his face when he realized
something. He told Aslan the story about how he was in hot pursuit of the shuttle
and when it went in hyperspace how he collided into it but was able to eject.
But the A-wing disabled the Shuttle and then he paused for effect, I have the
A-wings signature sensor array on still so that means we can tract it!!! Yub Yub
!!! Aslan Shouted and moved quickly to the ships sensor mechanism and punched
in the awing's sensor codes. Suddenly the HUD squealed with a display of the awing
but it was still attached to the Shuttle!! The Shuttle Athame! exclaimed Rep,
it's near that unmapped moon. Rep took the controls and Aslan took care of the
Ion Cannons as they closed in fast. The Shuttle Athame did not try to escape or
couldn't they weren't sure. They seem that they were trying to repair their ship
so Aslan hailed them on the Imperial frequency and ordered them to stop. But suddenly
their ship turned about and awkwardly fired a missile at Aslans Craft!! It struck
home and Aslan opened fired on the shuttle disabling it but causing it to get
swept up by the nearby moons gravity and was sent hurling towards it!! Dam Aslan!!
you always have to shoot too much!! Suddenly the ship's alarms sounded !! Rep
were in trouble here that missile did damage to our hyper drive and our shields
are down to 40% we need to land on that moon to repair!! So Aslan and Rep made
there way to the unmapped moon as they entered the its atmosphere with a rumble!!!
Landing roughly on its surface. Aslan thanked the Maker that the ship was still
intact and noted that the moon although a dessert moon, had a stable atmosphere
in which they could breath. Before they exited the vessel rep announced Aslan
!! Come quick!! The HUD is showing that the shuttle Athame made it through the
atmosphere as well, and has crashed landed about 350kilm away!!
Chapter III The general Alarm once again sounded. Had it not
been for my restraints and lack of gravity, I would have probably had to have
been peeled from the over-head. R5, what's going on? The droid squealed an answer
that an enemy ship had entered our sector and had targeted the Athame. But how?
I asked aloud. No sooner than I said that, the shuttle was rocked by enemy fire.
The lights flickered and went dead. The only light present was the dancing blue
electrical charge swirling around R5. Damn, ion cannons! We're done for...for
certain. Emergency back up came online bringing life support back as well. The
dim emergency lights lit my way to the arms locker. As I opened the locker, Lt.Cmdr.
Yhorbion emerged from the cockpit. Sir, we've been partially disabled, he said
as I handed him a blaster rifle. I know, was my reply as I sorted through the
weapons. We must prepare for boarding. Yes, sir.. I mean, no sir... I mean, not
yet anyway. I held back for a moment on passing out the weapons. What do you mean
not yet anyway? The Lt.Cmdr. was visibly showing signs of discomfort in the face
of my dwindling patience. Sir, the craft that has attacked us was another Lambda-class
T-4a, and it seems to have come alone. As soon as it entered our sector and targeted
our shuttle, our own defense system fired an advanced concussion missile, striking
the craft. The attacking craft then spun out of control , being caught in the
gravity well of a nearby moon. But not before getting off a few lucky ion blasts.
It was now my turn to be sick and confused. I would have sat down if there had
been gravity to do so. I was trying to comprehend everything that was going on.
I looked for a moment at the motionless form of my droid, still linked to the
computer terminal where he was ionized. How long have I been asleep? I asked.
About six hours, sir, the Lt.Cmdr. replied. Six hours, I said to myself. Angry
with myself, I considered disciplinary action against the Lt.Cmdr. but that would
not have helped our situation any. It wasn't his fault that I fell asleep. Let's
get this operation going again and then you may debrief me on what as happened
while I've been... indisposed, I said, feeling foolish for having gone to sleep
in the first place. I put the weapons aside and went to check on R5-D7. The droid
having been ionized had reverted to a shutdown mode. Reaching into an access panel
on his front, left side, I pressed a reset button. He soon bleeped back to life,
automatically running through his diagnostics tests. R5 should be fine, as soon
as he's back online, we should be able to discern our damages more accurately,
I said as the droid righted himself and retracted his scomplink. Were there anymore
casualties? I asked. No, sir, Yhorbion replied. Good, I said, handing him a second
blaster. We'll arm the crew in case we have anymore surprises. The Lt.Cmdr. and
I entered the cockpit and issued the two remaining crewmembers a blaster each.
We left the rifles in the locker. After a momentary meeting with the crew, Lt.Cmdr.
Yhorbion returned with me to the passenger seating to render a full debriefing.
I pulled myself to a seat to listen. Sir, Yhorbion began, approximately six hours
and forty-five minutes ago, repairs to the ship's systems commenced. The hyperdrive
was brought up to thirty-seven percent efficiency. Shields up to twelve- percent
efficiency and a newly devised defense system witch seemed to operate at one hundred
percent efficiency. I was wondering about the missile we fired at the enemy shuttle.
We did not have a missile defense system before. When did we get a missile launcher
installed on this shuttle? I asked. About two hours ago sir. Yhorbion said with
a hint of pride in his voice. The Lt.Cmdr. elaborated. The droid was already working
on the hyperdrive and shields. So, due to our lack of weapons we decided to occupy
our time coming up with a way to repair the weapons. Since none of us are rated
to work on the weapons system, we took the liberty of going through Ens. Stolticks
belongings. We were in the hopes of finding a manual dealing in the repair of
the weapons system. We found Stoltick's text manuals, unfortunately by what the
manual says, we'll have to have the cannon systems replaced in third class repair.
The text also covered missile systems, including Dymek HM-6 systems. Although
the A-wing's starboard launcher was virtually destroyed, the port side was still
intact. Lt. Tibile donned a spacesuit and went outside to retrieve the launcher.
Using components from the A-wing's flare countermeasure system and our own shuttle's
sensor array, we constructed a missile launching system that will fire at an enemy
transponder as soon as we were targeted by that same enemy craft. I was impressed
indeed. Well done Cmdr. your initiative may have just bought us the time we need
to get out of our situation. Continue with the debriefing, I said. The artificial
gravity is obviousliiiiiiEEEE!!!!!! *WHUMP* ...one hundred percent efficiency,
groaned a prone and ailing Lt.Cmdr. Yhorbion. All I could do was watch in horror
as he plummeted to the deck. I looked to R5-D7 just in time to see his head rotate
away from the scene. The droid was wobbling slightly from side to side while chattering
unintelligibly. THAT'S NOT FUNNY R5-D7!!! I said as I unbuckled myself. I stood
up and nearly lost my own balance, having almost gotten used to the zero-g environment.
I helped Yhorbion to his feet. Are you hurt? I asked the Lt.Cmdr. Yhorbion cast
an evil eyeing R5's direction. Only my pride sir, he answered, straightening the
tunic of his uniform. Please accept my apologies for my ill-mannered droid. I
said as I handed the shuttle commander his lost cap. R5-D7 is long overdue for
a memory wipe. From behind me I heard a low mournful moan. Twenty years of service
without a single memory wipe. I added to myself, He knows a practical joke like
this wouldn't be cause enough for me to have his memory erased. Even if these
conditions were not practical as they should be. You may continue Lt.Cmdr. Yhorbion
hid his apparent anger and continued, Well sir, navigation has been found to be
unreliable. Although the computer itself is undamaged, the calibration has been
lost. This was discovered when the moon appeared, about five hours ago. The moon
'appeared' from nowhere? I asked with one eyebrow raised. Yhorbion explained,
The moon was hidden on the far side of a planet. Due to an atmospheric phenomena,
the planet has a black reflective sheen, rendering it nearly undetectable through
a visual scan. All sensor scans seem to pass through or get absorbed by the planet.
The moon orbits the planet approximately every twelve hours. We were scanning
the moon when we encountered the enemy ship. We discovered that the moon is marginally
capable of supporting life. I could hardly believe what I was hearing. Never had
I heard of such a planet. This I have got to see! (I said, and I started for the
cockpit. It was just as the shuttle commander had said. The planet was like a
gigantic mirror, reflecting starlight, and looking as though it wasn't even there.
The moon was very close. I could see its reflection on the planet's surface as
though there was a second distant twin to this heavenly body. Commander, Sr.Lt.
Tibile's voice shook me from my awe stricken state. The droid reports that the hyperdrive has been damaged beyond feasible repair. I could sense the despair
in his voice. We're not giving up yet Lt. said Yhorbion. We've gone through too
much to be stopped by a technicality. We'll think less on what we can't do and
more on what we can accomplish. The shuttle commander turned to his navigator.
Lt. Praxihl, how far have you tracked the enemy ship? Praxihl answered without
turning away from his console. They should be well into their landing cycle. I
have them within a ten-kilometer area. It would be more accurate, but weather
conditions prevent predictability of exact landing coordinates. Ten Kilometers
is acceptable Lt. Yhorbion said as he turned and faced me. I had a good idea of
what was coming next. Captain, our ship is an easy target for a capture operation
in our disabled state. I respectfully request permission to take her down to the
moon's surface in an effort to capture the other ship. If nothing else, we may
be able to hold off an attack on the ground easier than from the confines of our
ship. If we are successful, we may have what we need to get back to Ambria. I
thought to myself. We've pushed our luck this far... Permission granted, carry
on I said, my own voice sending a chill up my spine. I couldn't help but wonder.
Would we be able to land with an A-wing entangled in our stabilizer? At this point
it did not seem to mater. We could be killed trying to land, or captured. Rescue
at this point seemed unlikely. I preferred to take my chances landing. I left
the cockpit and returned to my seat. R5, return to your restraints we're going
for a ride. R5-D7 unplugged from the ships computer and rolled over to his place
and locked in. He bleeped a report that the shields were back on line and that
the engines were running at optimal performance. After what seemed like a long
while, the ship began to buck and kick as we entered the atmosphere. I hung on
to the armrests of my seat, my knuckles turning white. What it must be like at
the controls! I found myself thinking. BOOM!!!!! BOOM!!! TWAARRRRRrrrrrrrrr ..............
The shuttle seemed to be sliding side ways though it was impossible to tell for
sure. An icy cold blast of wind hit me full force in the face and the ship had
finally ground to a halt. I opened my eyes a crack and found there was no light
what so ever. Were it not for the lack of motion, I would have thought the ship
was still trying to land. The roar of the wind blowing in from the outside was
deafening. I held a hand to my eyes to shield them from the blast. Through my
eyelids I thought I saw some light, so once again I chanced a peek and saw that
R5-D7 had switched on his service beacon. I thought I could hear him whistling,
but could not make out what he was trying to tell me. He was wavering his beacon
up and down. The light I said to my self. He wants me to follow it I looked away
from my droid and followed with what little vision I had at what ever the light
fell upon. It stopped on the doors of a storage locker. SPACE SUITS!!! I realized
I would freeze to death if I didn't make it into a space suit soon. Closing my
eyes tight from the wind, I unbuckled my self and blindly made my way to the storage
locker. I tripped once and fell twice, using the seats to pull myself back up
as I made the four-meter journey to the locker. I pulled the latch and the door
was blown open by the wind. My fingers were numb and I could barely manipulate
the fasteners for the suit. But finally I was able to pull the helmet into place,
and thankfully the seal took hold. The air in the helmet soon warmed and I found
myself sitting again. A voice in the helmet informed me that I had frost bite in my hands and ears. Well I said to my self. Nothing to do now but wait. It wouldn't
be so bad I suppose, but Deities above my nose itches!
Chapter IV Commodore Obiwan stood on the bridge of the SSD Sidious.
He had been on the bridge a total of fifteen minutes and was already tired of
being there. The bored Commodore glanced over to the ship's chronometer for the
fifth time since he came on shift. Great, he thought to himself, Only seven hours,
forty-four minutes, and thirty-two seconds of shift left, but who's counting?
Oops...twenty nine, twenty eight, twenty seven... Obiwan found himself thinking
how nice it would be if something interesting were to happen on his shift. He
quickly shook off the thought. At my rank, interesting things that happen involve
massive deployment of capital starships and thousands of star fighters screaming
after their intended targets. The Commodore tore his gaze from the chronometer
and began walking up the isle between the massive crew pits. No, nothing interesting
tonight. It's only seven and a half more hours. I'll knock out my reports, and
after my shift, go to my quarters, grab a shower, head down to Aule's and have
an early morning mixer with the Capt.. while watching the Kuan swoop races before
he transfers to the Death's Head. Commodore Obiwan reached the end of the isle
and took a moment to take in the view of the massive super star destroyer's bow,
I gotta admit, Kuat knows their business. This is one hell of a battleship. Obiwan
turned away from the view ports and strode back towards the main entrance of the
bridge. As he walked, he took note of Lt. Commander Praedaxx stepping down into
the communications pit. LC Praedaxx is the officer in charge of bridge communications,
responsible for all messages sent and received by all ships in the OBS fleet.
The Commodore shortened his walk by stepping over to the communications pit. The
Lieutenant on duty was debriefing the LC as he read a report on his data pad. Praedaxx looked up and met Obiwan's gaze with a grim frown. Oh hell, Obiwan thought
to himself, There goes tomorrow mornings swoop races. Something interesting just
happened.... What is it Lieutenant Commander? asked the Commodore as Praedaxx
stepped out of the crew pit. Secret message intended for the ISD Death's Head
Sir, Praedaxx reported as he handed the data pad over to the Commodore. Obiwan
read the message... Message Classification: SECRET To: ISD Death's Head, Ambria
System, Order of the Black Saber Fleet From: Platform Yard Operations: 3622-7,
Galvestooine, PLT-FM Construction Fleet To the acting commander of the ISD Death's
Head, It is our regret to inform you that Lambda T4aP.T. Athame was destroyed
as it was preparing to enter hyperspace. The Athame was heading towards Nav-Bouy
GAL-JTP-17 when the first wave of a Rebel hit and fade dropped out of hyperspace.
Two of six X-Wing fighter craft broke their formation to engage the Athame. According
to our surveillance satellites, the Athame's rear cannons destroyed one X-Wing,
and shot down a number of torpedoes. The Athame had nearly escaped were it not
for the second wave of the hit and fade dropping out of hyperspace. The second
wave of Rebel ships consisted of A-Wing star fighters. The A-Wings dropped into
real space right in the jump path of the Athame. The lead A-Wing collided with
the Athame, resulting in an explosion obliterating both ships. The second X-Wing
was disabled as a result of the blast, and was captured with the pilot intact.
The captured pilot had time to erase all navigation coordinates in his astromech
droid, making it impossible to determine the origin of the attack. Rescue teams
turned up only small fragments of the Athame's weapon systems and even less of
the A-Wing. On the casualty list concerning the above mentioned collision: Shuttle Crew LT. Breixx Yhorbion: Shuttle Commander Acting Sub-Lt. Lo'diath Tibile: Co-Pilot
Acting Sub-Lt. Tasryyl Praxihl: Ship's Navigator Ens. Wandib Stolticks: Ship's
Gunner Passenger Manifest CAPT. Brahxcel Higgs Pynaegan: Passenger Cargo Manifest
One astromech droid: R5-D7, modified industrial automation, Current value 4,200
credits. Personal Property of Capt.. Pynaegan For further details concerning enemy
casualties, contact: L.C. Quotalis: Intelligence Liaison, PYO-3622-7, Galvestooine,
PLT-FM-2780-1, Intel Div. Commodore Heillianchs Pa'thard Commanding PYD-3622-7
Galvestooine, PLT-FM C.F. **END MESSAGE** Obiwan stood looking at the data pad
for a long moment... Well, at least I'm not the last one to hear about it, the
Commodore said softly to himself. Sir, a voice came from down in the communications
pit. We are being hailed by the ISD Death's Head.
Chapter V After seeing the Athame had made it also to the moons
surface Aslan quickly checked the scanners and noted that the outside atmosphere
was near freezing and the wind darkness made it impossible to venture out at this
time. Aslan turn to Rep to ask him about communications but before he could, the
comlink Screeched with a loud noise crackled, than popped, and went dead! Aslan
growled and Stomped his feet in frustration. Reprah replied quickly As, As settle
down we can launch a COM beacon in the daylight hours which I estimate in approximately
4-5hrs judging by our rotation around that Planet. Aslan calmed and replied Lets
get some rest were going to need it with this planets atmosphere being so harsh
and Imps within striking distance. Striking distance Sir? Rep seemed confused.
Yes, Rep our job isn't complete until we finish the job I came to do, Reprah seem
really confused now, What do you mean sir I thought this was just a scouting sortie
that went bad? Aslan looked intense as he turned around and grabbed sealed rebel
info casing from his uniform jacket. It had the seal of Rebel consul and Rep new
this was big! Aslan stiffened What I am about to show you Officer Reprah is of
great importance and sensitivity to the rebellion and may tip the balance of fate
of the rebellion in this sector! I share this with you because if something happens
to me you must complete this mission up to death! Reprah was really alert now
and even a bit apprehensive, this was a battle harden rebel warrior that fought
with honor in the Clone wars and the Battle of Endor but Aslan saw Reps disquiet.
Rep I have been ordered by the admirals to capture an Imperial officer of some
importance, his name is Capt. Pynaegan of the order of the Black Saber an elite
Imperial navy unit located in the Ambria Sector. We been tracking his where abouts
with the help of a imperial informant with the code name PK. He was stationed
on the fuel-mining platform in Galvestooine where he found out some interesting
info about Capt. Pynaegan. Pynaegan has been selected by Empire to receive and
transport invasion plans of our hidden rebel bases in the outer sector! He met
with an informant at the fueling platform and had the plans placed in a encryption
chip that was placed somewhere on or in his body PK notified us and it seem a
easy catch, I sent the scouting units to bring him in but someone warned him ahead
of time and he tried to flee! That's why I took after him like I did but I didn't
expect to run into you! But if it hadn't been for your umm Aslan paused for effect
your docking procedure I wouldn't have found him when he excaped into hyperspace.
Reprah look embarrassed but than regained his composure. So you see young padiwan
we need to capture this Imp before he can alert any help or relay the info he
has! Now with the wind howling and Communications down the two soldiers realized
that they would need some sleep if they were to stay sane for this mission even
if it was only a couple hrs. Aslan ordered Rep to try to sleep first as he took
the first watch, even though Rep resisted at first than passed out .
Chapter VI After warming up for a few minutes, I switched on
my helmet's service light and took a look about the seating area. The wind was
still blowing around inside the vessel. Small bits of debris and some form of
sand carried by the gale, gave the air a wind-driven hazy effect. Looking down
at the deck, I found that which I had tripped over while trying to reach my space
suit. It was a portion of the outer hull. Judging by the damage, it looked as
though it had been ripped as easily as foil and pressed into the ship. "The edges
of that thing must have missed me by inches," I thought to myself. I looked up,
"Why indeed are we still alive?!" I said out loud. For the entire upper hull had
been torn off much like the seal off from a rations pack, dorsal stabilizer, and
all. "WE? The CREW!!" A sickening coldness crept into my heart as I turned to
the cockpit door. The outer hull that had been pressed into the ship had folded
down over the door of the command module, obstructing all view. Over the howl
of the wind, I heard a high pitched whistle. R5's restraints were jammed and would
not release the little droid. R5 would have to wait. I had to find a way to my
crew first. I made my way to the arms locker. It had survived the crash and I
exchanged my side arm for the more powerful blaster rifle. I first thought to
try blasting away enough of the hull to pull it aside to reach the door, but then
common sense over came me. "That would take much too long." I began climbing up
the wreckage to the cockpit door to see if perhaps there was a way in from the
outside. The wind's howling had begun dying down significantly. As I peered over
the top of the wrecked craft, I reached out to try to find a handhold. Looking
down outside the front of the craft caused my heart to seize in my chest. The
entire command module was missing. Nothing remained save for the snapped off super
structure and severed lines. Conduits dangled, blowing in the wind and emitting
an occasional spark. I looked about the area, hoping to see any sign of the missing
crew. The darkness and the dying storm prevented me from seeing for more than
about twenty to thirty meters. I saw nothing but sand, rocks, and a series of
boulders that which my ship came to rest against. I climbed back into the wreckage
to wait out the storm. With R5's help, I was able to free the droid from his restraints.
Using a manipulator arm, R5 reached over to the control panel on the chest of
my space suit and pressed a button. "BOOooZipp-DEWOOAHH burr DAPP?!" "OWW!!" I
groaned, squeezing my eyes shut, and hastily searching for the volume control.
"NO! I was NOT ignoring you! I had every intention of freeing you just as soon
as I had a look around and thought it was safe." The droid chirped back with a
statement. "No, you couldn't have told me they were dead. The reason your sensors
didn't pick up any signs of them is because they are missing. And until I see
their bodie3s, they will remain just that. Missing." I knew how unlikely it would
be for my crew to be alive, but then it was equally unlikely for me to be alive
as well. "When the sun comes up, we will find a safe place to camp, and I'll search
for the others," I told R5. The sun began to rise within the hour. Using R5's
plasma torch and a blaster rifle, we were able to remove the wreckage from the
one time cockpit doorway. The morning passed quickly, and although the storm was
long over, the weather conditions had not improved for the better. It had become
stifling hot. I was relatively safe within my suit, but I knew my crew would need
medical attention if they weren't already dead. As luck would have it, I found
a small cave about fifty meters from the ship. R5 scanned the dwelling for life
forms. After the cave proved to be void of any inhabitants, I moved in. It was
a bit small, but R5-D7 made it in with little trouble. Additionally, the cave
did widen a bit when I reached the back. Large enough in fact, that if I wished,
I could have a couple of guests over for a drink. I had to laugh at that thought.
"Ha, Ha. Another glass of wine, Grand Admiral Thrawn? It came all the way from
Alderaan. It's quite difficult to come by these days." I turned to another imaginary
friend. "And Commodore Obiwan, I fear Commander Aule will drink all of his Correlian
Ale and then make short work of your own!" I revoved my helmet and found that
in the cave, the air was much more tolerable than it was outside. "Where are my
would-be rescuers?" I found myself pondering that thought. I replaced my helmet
and returned to the ship to gather the provisions that were stashed beneath each
of the passenger seats. Each seat contained a rations pack that would sustain
one person for two weeks. Though knowing how I felt about them, they would probably
last longer. Sub-Lt. Stoltick's was still sitting where he was buckled down. The
desert heat was taking its toll on the body. "I can't leave you this way," I said.
"If I ever get off from this rock, I'll see to it that you do too." Having said
that, I recovered a second space suit. After several aggravating moments, I had
the Lt. sealed into the suit. "I should have thought of this sooner," I said to
myself. I switched a manual override on the chest controls and reversed a vacuum
setting within the suit, sealing him in like an over-sized rations pack. I then
draped a thermal blanket over his body. When I returned to the cave with my rations
and weapons, I found that I had only two hours of daylight left. I took up a pair
of macro binoculars and I left the cave heading for a nearby foot hill range.
Upon reaching the summit, I removed my helmet long enough to visually scan the
area with the macrobinoculars. With the sun going down, the air was quickly becoming
more tolerable. I did not see any sign of my crew or any wreckage that would be
the command module of my ship. However, what I did find filled my with mixed emotions.
It was the trapezoidal shape of a Lambda class shuttle's dorsal stabilizer, at
approximately 12.7 kilometers away. "I'll not find any crewmembers tonight," I
said as I lowered the device. "Well with that other shuttle out there, I'm glad
I didn't set up the distress beacon yet. We'll need to neutralize the threat first."
I returned to the cave right at nightfall for some troubled sleep
Chapter VII Aslan looked at the huddled mass of a rugged human
pilot passed out on the shuttle console. Somehow this creature so different from
himself and yet seem a lot like himself. He had served with Rep for many years
and remembered how at the battle of Endor they first met. Aslan had tripped and
bit a imperial stormtropper as he was about to shoot Rep in the back causing Rep
to move out of the line of fire and turn and finish off the enemy before he killed
Rep. But somehow this mission the ewok sensed things would be different! Aslan
had a strange feeling that he was going to be the one who would be in peril. He
suddenly shook the feelings off and turned away as Rep started to snore. "Sheesh"
Thought As "Snores like my grandma YUBYUB !" Aslan started to setup and calculate
the Impulse probe to be sent up to the atmosphere to possibly get help from the
rebels that should be looking for their craft. Time went quickly and the ewok
finished the probe set up for launching at daybreak. Next started the recharge
sequence for the ship's engines. Realizing he left Rep to sleep a bit longer he
needed to get some too. He woke the sleeping pilot with ewokian Bark! This caused
Rep to Take a Swing at Aslan almost making him fall backwards. "Dam Ewoks" Rep
mused under his breath. Aslan climbed in the corner of the Shuttle storage ledge
and told Rep to monitor the Athame and that the pulse probe is set to launch in
90mins and to wake him when that occurs. "Sir" Rep responded, even though he never
could get used to saluting a ewok, but this one paid his dues and even saved his
life....
Chapter VIII Alarms sounded and the cursing of Officer Reprah
woke the sleeping ewok from his niche! "What the yub is going on!" demanded the
aggravated Ewok. "Aslan sir its day break and the outside atmosphere is not much
better than the night." " I tried to let you sleep a bit longer and start the
launch sequence of the pulse probe when I started to get a large amount of interference
from the direction of those hills to the south of us" "It was then the pulse probe
shut down and then locked up!" "When I tried to do a internal check of the probe
it started to heat up and that's when the alarms sounded and I shut it down!"
Aslan cautiously investigated the probe, it looked normal but what caused it to
malfunction as it did? ""Dam corellian probes they were cheap but that's you get
when you have Imperials blocking the trade routes," Aslan thought to himself.
All looked normal except the temp of the probe was higher than ....."A tachyon
phase pulse could do this!" Aslan shouted! Rep quickly went to the ship sensors
and sure enough there was tachyon traces coming from the same area that Rep had
spoke of when he tried to launch the probe. "Well Rep we need to find the source
or that tachyon field if we are to launch the probe." "I more suited to these
harsh conditions then you humans so I will take the speeder bike and try to find
our problem." Rep had a look of uncertainty, but he knew it had to be done. Aslan
dawned a space suit and grab a ration pack, elemental sensor device and a Blaster
Pistol. He departed to the outside of the Shuttle where he found the conditions
hot and windy however he learned to endure all kinds of foul weather on his home
planet especially since the climate had changed with the destruction of the Death
Star! Aslan opens the side storage shelf and unloaded the speeder bike and packed
it. It fired it up with a Hum and Aslan mounted it checked the sensor and then
tried his comlink with Rep. Rep informed him that the Tachyon trace were approximately
350 kl due south. Aslan acknowledged and headed off towards the area. The Planet
was a red rocky topography cruel and desolate. The wind made it hard to see much
better than 10kl ahead and kept howling and making the riding of the bike a burden!
The sensors still work well and the tachyon traces were getting stronger! However
the speeder was starting to overheat and slow down. Aslan was about 300kl away
from his shuttle when it happened! The speeder Aslan was riding lurch sideways
throwing Aslan hurtling to the ground and sending the bike crashing like a fireball
in to the rocks ahead! Aslan rolled behind a mound of rocks and suddenly several
blasts of red lasers passed around the place wear the ewok huddled. With his Communicator
and bike smashed he still had his Blaster pistol at his side so he moved quickly
and scurried above the rock where he hide at first and return fire. As he did
he could make out through the wind and dust 2 figures running towards him, returning
fire! Aslan duck down than reappeared in another crevice and returned fire and
struck one of the silhouettes as the other took cover and return fire. Aslan started
to reappear once again but this time he felt his lungs afire and smelled his fur
burning and his head began to swim he let off one last burst of his blaster in
the direction of the on coming intruder and went unconscious!!.......To be continued
Sleep would not come. Instead, came multiple weapons checks, equipment inspections,
and the making of a plan. The plan, to enter the enemy perimeter and possibly
capture a New Republic Lambda class shuttle. Not much of a plan, but it was my
only option. 1. Firstly, there was no way for me to leave this moon in my own
craft. 2. Second, they would probably have some one coming to aid them in my capture.
I had thought they were here with intent to kill me, but then why did they disable
my ship when it would have been easier to destroy it? (Unless they were wanting
to have confirmation of my death) Whatever the reason, I was sure more would come.
3. Third, my crew. I could not be running about searching for my crew whilst I
myself was being hunted. It was up to me to neutralize the enemy, making it possible
to find my crew and leave the moon. (If their shuttle were still capable of hyper
travel) I had to act fast. It was past nightfall and I would only have five hours
of darkness to reach the landing site. R5 would have to stay behind, as his presence
would slow me down. Besides, his data banks carried evidence of a spy in Galvestooine's
shipyards. I propped up a blaster rifle aimed out of the entrance of the cave.
Using wire I pulled from the shuttle, I hard wired the trigger mechanism into
R5 through one of his access panels. R5 bleeped a query to me. "Yes R5, I'm well
aware you are not a war droid and that this 'looks' like it violates your primary
programming, but don't worry. I've already thought of that years ago. It's going
to be alright." After inspecting the blaster rifle's security, and being satisfied,
I grabbed my equipment and exited the cave. After being sure to be clear of the
entrance, I spoke into my spacesuit's microphone. "R5D7, Command override, Beta
seven niner. Command shutdown and restart, stasis mode. Visual impulse reflex
action only. Activate." The trap was set. It was crude, but anyone foolish enough
to enter the cave without first carefully inspecting it, would catch the full
effects of a blaster rifle set to full charge. The thirty kilometer trek was long
and treaturous. Made of foothills and boulders mostly. I couldn't even see where
I was stepping. The space suit was not designed for these conditions and had no
night vision capabilities. I had to use the macrobinoculars at normal magnification
for nighttime use. Viewing through them pressed against my helmet proved to be
a real treat. "Where is a platoon of storm troopers when you need them?" I found
myself complaining. I finally reached my destination near daybreak. Behind a small
boulder, I crouched and viewed the shuttle's portside stern quarter. The boarding
ramp was down! Suddenly I got a sickening suspicion. I turned, half expecting
to see a platoon of New Republic troops behind me with their blasters drawn. I
saw nothing. I scanned the area looking for a picket defense, hasty position,
foxhole, motion sensors, or even a cannon emplacement for support fire in case
of a ground assault. "Nothing," I said as I felt a smile creep across my face.
"They don't appear to be prepared for ANY form of attack." My smile died quickly
as I watched someone emerge from the shuttle. The form was bundled up to protect
him/herself from the biting wind, making it difficult to tell what the gender
was of the person I was observing. I zoomed in the macrobinoculars for a closer
look. "That's not winter gear they're wearing, that's a pilot's flight suit!"
I exclaimed to myself. The pilot moved over to a conical object standing just
beyond the shuttle's nose. I focused in on the object. "A probe? Yes, a probe.
Possibly a pulse probe. But why? And why is that fighter pilot here?" What happened
next took me by complete surprise. I was trying to decide what type of probe it
must have been when the pilot went nova and began beating the probe mercilessly
with a hydro spanner. After his fit of rage, the pilot sank to his knees, holding
his sides as though he were in great pain and trying hard to breathe. After catching
his breath, (I decided he must be male after this display) he recovered his tool
and half-staggered back to his ship. The situation was becoming more clear now.
The pilot was injured and if he was doing outside work, then he must be one of
the most able-bodied personnel on the ship. The probe was a pulse probe and would
soon be deployed to send a distress signal. Meaning the ship was incapable of
hyper travel. Judging by the pilot's attack on the probe, it was probably of Correlian
made, and if he hit it hard enough, it was probably ready to launch. The sun had
fully cleared the horizon and the wind had soon changed from a freezing blast
to a heated breeze. I made my way to a boulder that was larger in size to get
a better view of the front of the ship. No sooner than I had found my vantage
point, a speeder bike's engine whine screamed to life. I looked from around by
boulder and watched as another rebel sped off on an Imperial speeder bike. Perhaps
it was the sand in the burning breeze blocking my vision, but the driver of the
bake couldn't have been over much more than on meter tall! At the foot of the
shuttle's ramp, stood the injured pilot, watching the speeder disappear. After
the speeder bike was gone, the pilot turned to make his way back up into the ship.
I swallowed hard. "Now's my chance." I said to myself. I felt my joints move and
could feel my arms hefting the blaster rifle as I charged after the ship. For
these long moments, nothing felt real. It was as though it were only a dream.
As I reached the foot of the r4amp, I pointed my rifle up into the ship and fired.
The rebel fell towards me clutching his blaster which discharged three times in
my general direction before his limp form lay face down, half dangling from the
top of the ramp. I didn't have time to inspect his body. I rushed into the ship
and...and...and nothing. No one was here. I looked into the cockpit. No one was
there either! No sign of patrols, troops, or technical support. Not even a droid!
"Ha!!...HAHAHAHAHAHAaaaaa! This was too easy!" I exclaimed. I stopped myself and
regained my composure at my own last remark. Time enough for revelry upon my return
to the ISD Death's Head. The first thing I did was inspect the rebel pilot's body.
I went outside and rolled the pilot's body up onto the gangplank, climbed back
up into the shuttle, and pulled the unfortunate pilot into the ship by his ankles.
I had no binders, so I used a set of restraints to tie his hands and feet together.
I then searched his body for weapons and spoke to him as I worked. "When we get
back to Ambria, you're going to wish I had set that rifle to kill. It's really
unfortunate for you that I need a prisoner to find out exactly who sent you."
Having said that, I closed the air lock and boarding ramp. The cockpit was a sty.
Litter was everywhere. As I read the damages at the technical station, I had to
clear a half-eaten fruit from the display. The ship on the other hand was in fair
condition, with the exception being the hyperdrive's motivator being damaged.
I smiled to myself. "R5 can fix that." I said. It was at this time I noticed the
red trouble light on the communications terminal. "Tachyon signal? From where?!"
I switched the display to show the signal's point of origin. "Three hundred and
forty-eight point seven kilometers due south...Commander Yhorbion!" I didn't know
how they did it, but a definite signal was coming from the command module of the
Athame. Some one else had survived the crash. I quickly turned to the pilot's
console and begun to initiate engine start up procedures. Looking outsid4e through
the main view screen, I spied the pulse probe. "Damn, I have to recover that thing
before I leave here." Hastily, I left the ship at warm up and went outside to
retrieve the probe. Several long moments later, the probe lay on the deck in the
passenger seating area. The shuttle soon lifted off into the wind. I reached the
source of the signal within minutes and sure enough, there was the cockpit to
my ship. As the wreck came into view, I saw an explosion just north of the crash
site. I circled low to investigate. There looked to be an exchange of blaster
fire. I flew over to a stable looking clearing and landed the ship. No sooner
had the shuttle touched down, than when I heard a voice from behind me. "YOU'RE
THE SORRY BASTARD WHO KILLED MY A-WING!!!!" I spun around with blaster in hand
and just as I brought my weapon to bear on its target, that's when the hydro spanner
met with the space between my eyes. To be continued??
Chapter X Without warning the Shuttle alarms sounded and the on
board computer announced "Internal compartment ignition detected!!" Rep spun around
and to his horror the pulse probe was about to launch!!! The pulse probe computer
sounded the count down 20sec 19sec 18sec. He quickly jumped into the tactical
station and feverishly pounded on the computers keyboard as the clock ticked down
10-9-8.suddenly the passenger compartment was filled with ethylene gas which was
used for the ships coolant system and in a emergency used as a fire retardant.
The pulse probe sensing this quick drop in temp initiated a shutdown circuit programs
with only 2secs till its engines fired!!! Rep barley able to breath or move grabbed
his unconscious captive and stumbled out the Shuttle ramp removing the blaster
in his near frozen hand. Rep postulated the pulse probe possibly still could be
fired after the gas cleared the shuttle compartment in about 30-45mins, but what
of his ewokian friend? This was getting to be more of a job than the tried veteran
was accustoms to! Aslan regained consciousness at the whine of a shuttle engine
it was his ship!! His flight suit was tattered and he had been hit in the right
shoulder by a blaster, the shock from the blast caused him to go unconscious he
thought. Carefully and painfully he sat up and looked around and saw the body
of a Imperial pilot a few clicks away. But where was the other one, he was sure
there was 2 at least. That's when his blood ran cold! Behind him he heard the
steel cold voice behind him growl "Don't move rebel scum or your dead!" The ewok
cautiously turned around and saw a rather large imperial solider behind him holding
a blaster pistol in his direction. He was injured in the left thigh and had a
crude bandage wrapped around it. "Yes ewok you got me but I got you too so I guess
that makes us even!" "I am glad I didn't kill you, cause I need you to help me
get that shuttle over there so lets go!" Aslan could see that the pilots was a
navigator and his name on his uniform indicated he was Jr.Lt. Tagryyl Praxihl
Rep tied up his captive and now the shuttle seemed to be safe for entry. As he
entered in the shuttle seemed to have faired well except for the nice white frosting
in the rear passenger compartment and that asinine corellian probe sitting there
bleeping in the standby mode. He grudgingly pulled the probe outside his ribs
now feeling like a giant crab pinching his chest, he put the probe in its launch
position and reset the cycle and prepared to start it! Before the final button
was pressed he exclaimed "By the maker you better work this time or I stop paying
Rebel dues!!" Rep stood back at a distance and the Probe Fired up and finally
launch !! "Yeah Yeah!!" Rep exclaimed. But this was cut short by 2 blast of a
blaster and a shout "Drop your weapon Reb!!" It was Praxihl and the with a pistol
at Aslans head ! Rep dropped his weapon and growled to himself "This day really
isn't going well at all!!". I wish you hadn't launched that probe, stated Praxihl
. "But its done now so we need to get you and my commander out of here and if
you don't help I will start killing you one by one starting here with the Ewok!"
Aslan growled and Praxihl shoved him forward. "You Reb grab the commander and
lets get him on board!" shouted Praxihl at Rep and so they entered the Shuttle.
On board Praxihl made sure that the 2 rebs were in the pilot seats as he sat behind
them with his blaster ready for any funny business. Praxihl realized that the
hyperdrive was not functioning correctly but hoped he could get out of the area
of the moon and try to summon help and possibly fix the hyperdrive while in space.
The Shuttle took off with a thud and a rumble and move out of the moons atmosphere.
When it cleared the moons atmosphere the Shuttle Lurched and alarms sounded!!
Praxihl shouted "what the hell is going on!!" At that moment Aslan hit the anti-gravity
relay off. Rep turned and swatted the gun from Praxihl hand and what looked like
a clumsy ballet the 2 struggled for an instance. Without warning Aslan reinitiated
the gravity and the 2 fell to the deck of the shuttle and Praxihl stuck his head
and was knocked unconscious! Rep Groaned and cursed and than laughed and said
" Ewok next time maybe you can find an easier way to let me down" Their laughter
was broken by a joyful and unexpected transmission!! "Shuttle RX5150 this is Rebel
leader Azis and Shuttle RX69U2 do you need assistance??". The Shuttle commander
was none other than Admiral Zarathos "Aslan where the ^*%%& you been??" "Are you
ok?". Aslan and Rep both felt a great relief and went on to tell there rescuers
of there plight and got a tow back to the FMP-N-287 Station which now in rebel
control since the take over there by our operatives.
Chapter XI As commodore Obiwan released the comlink button summoning
Lt.Shaggy and Lt.Garrick to hanger bay 0-9 he glanced down to notice that he had
crumpled the Z95's data sheets into his fist. "Damn", he thought to himself. "This
is gonna be a rough one." Obiwan wasn't quit sure if he was correct in keeping
this mission to rescue Capt.Pynagean out of the Grand Admirals knowledge. "Ahh
balderdash". he said out loud. I'v got to say something." relaxing his clenched
hand he dropped the papers on his desk. A button was pushed that commanded the
attention of the Sidious' communications officer. "Lt.Zarmisk, get me the G.A.,
it's urgent." 'Right away sir", came the reply. Obiwan knew he had a few minutes
to contemplate what he was going to say.. or not say to Thrawn. Sooner than he
expected his comm buzzer rang. It was Thrawns secretary. "The grand Admiral will
see you in his office now sir." Obiwan took a deep breath and began his walk precicely
337 steps to the office of the Grand Admiral. He noticed a picture next to the
door as he exited his office. A worried smile came over the comodores face as
he let his memory sink back to the day that picture was taken. It was Pynageans
30th birthday party. He could almost hear the bleary eyed laughter as the 2 intoxicated
friends arm wrestled while Morgyn was pouring a blass of dew over both Pynageans
and Obiwan's heads. ..."damn"..."I'm comming man...I'm comming" And with that
Obi took the necessary steps to the the GA's office. Obiwan noticed the rare occasion
that Thrawns door was open. The admiral must have heard Obiwan approaching because
as he reached the bulkhead Obiwan could hear Thrawn inside. "Come in. Have a seat."
As the commodore entered the expansive office his heart nearly froze in his chest.
There on the admirals desk were coppies of the data sheets retrieved from the
rebel Z95. Before Obiwan could say anything except "Ummm"..The Grand admiral began
with a few words of his own. "Looks like we have a situation here... I'd say assuming
these data specs are authentic we have a good chance of finding that rebel outpost."
Obiwan sighed a breath and thought it interesting that Thrawn didn't mention anything
about Pynagean. Does he think the captain is already dead? Obiwan continued, "I
would definately agree Sir. But are you saying that these coordinates may be false?"
The commodore was alrteady beginning to get a mental picture of what the GA was
saying. Thrawn went on,.." I supose you're not going to take a seat then? "No
Sir, Id rather stand at the moment" The GA looked at Obiwan with more expression
in his face than the commodore could figure out all at once. "Well Obi, consider
that that Z95's flight recorder was MEANT to be found. We can't put it past these
rebels that that indeed is the case. I am aware of the implications that these
could mean that Capt Pynagean is alive. However,. this could be a trap. If I call
in our sister ship the Tigers Claw to send a fleet of fighters and rescue crew...it
could be a trap. An ambush." The admirals face sunk down to glance at the implicating
data. "Any suggestions Commodore?" Obiwan mentally chewed his tongue. And decided
to take this one a bit slow. "You could be right,..but then given the information
Capt. Pynagean was carrying, I think the rebels must have been tipped off as to
its importance. And if they knew that sir, then it is unlikely that they would
have simply killed him." "I recieved a transmission from the Deaths Head that
Pyn's shuttle was intercepted by a group of A-wings and X-wings. The decoy shuttle
was destroyed and by implication so was Capt Pynagean's. But as you know, we...
I mean, I, assume differently." Obiwan held the admirals gaze as he took a breath.
"There", he thought to himself, "I've sown the seed." Thrawn took up the mantle,
"This is sopmewhat of an impass my friend. I do not necessarily agree with the
assumption that pynnagean is still alive, however it doesn't make this situation
any clearer or easier. This could still be a trap. If I send in the Tigers Claw,
or the Deaths Head to these supposed coorinates for the rebel base and its an
ambush even with the amount of firepower we have we would take considerable and
intolerable losses." the admiral sat heavily in his chair. "and whats more, when
our presence is known near the rebel base,... if even it IS in fact there, the
rebels would most likely kill Pynagean then and there, and THAT is IF he is still
alive!" Obiwan could see the frustration mounting on the face of his friend and
commanding officer. "So many lives at steak," he thought to himself,... "and he
has known Pynagean longer than I have." I see it wasn't thoughtlessness that he
failed to mention Pyn earlier. It was sadness. Sadness that Pyn may be dead already,
and sadness that many other lives may be lost in the attempt to rescue him. "Sir...Thrawn,"
Obiwan said in a low voice. The commodore had decided, in light of the obvious
difficulties and atendant emotions to tell his friend and grand admiral of his
plan. "Don't call in the Deaths Head. Don't call in the Tigers Claw. I have discussed
these problems with a couple of our best men. And I want to go get Pynagean. I
will take only 3 other men with me. I have a plan." -Obiwan held his breath. Thinking
he should have something more to say,.. or at least have said what he did a bit
differently. Thrawn's head shot up to catch Obiwans eyes full square. Obiwan sat
down now. "A PLAN?!! You have a PLAN?!" The words of the GA were suprisingly solid
considering the lkow volume at which Thrawn spike them. "You think I am going
to let my 2nd in command take 3 of my best pilots into a death trap?! I may have
already lost one friend and one hel of a good officer! Do you actually think I
am going to allow the possibility of losing another? By the rancor's breath Obiwan...You
must be insane or think that I am." The commodore was certain that there was a
fist smashing against a desk somewhere in that speach. "As commanding officer
of The Order of the Black Saber, you do NOT , I repeat DO NOT have my permission
to take this flight of fancy of yours into what very likely is a waiting guillotine
for your neck!" Obiwan's heart did that stopping thing again. He sat directly
across and not 3 feet from the admirals face. Unblinking, His chest swelled. Perhaps
it wasnt such a good idea after all to tell Thrawn about his plan, he thought.
And that is about the extent of the thinking he could do at the moment. So he
began talking instead. "Yes sir,... I understand." Obiwan's mind whirled. Suprisingly
enough, Thrawn wasn't finished. "I just hope I have made my official position
clear Commodore Obiwan." -the commodore nodded, his eyes now cast down slightly.
"Now do us all a favour and get your ass out of my office before I throw you down
a garbage shute." Thrawn gave a cursory and sharp salute."Dismissed." Obiwan hesitated.
There MUST be something he could say. Something that could at least crack Thrawn's
extreme objection to a small manned rescue attempt. But finally, the man had a
point. An irrefutable one in fact. The commodore rose from his chair opposite
the admiral and glanced at the door as he slowly headed toward it. Obiwan's fingertips
grazed the surface of the desk as he stood up and began walking to the exit. "But
unofficially," Obiwan heard the voice behind him. "I want that man back here."
The commodore froze in his tracks. Not certain whether or not to turn around.
Thrawns voice was heard once again. "I don't know what you are waiting for Commodore.
I suspect Commander Aule is waiting for you in hanger bay 0-9. And if I am not
mistaken, I saw Lt.Shaggy and Lt.Garrick heading down that way as well... And
tell them I wish them luck in the TRAINING EXCERCISES you four are doing." Thrawn's
head turned down immediately to his desk at the stack of paperwork laid atop it.
With a wry smile Obiwan gave a crisp "Yes Sir" accompanied by a salute to the
back of Grand Admiral Thrawn's head. And all at once stepped out of the office
toward the turbo lift that would take him down to the briefing room in hanger
bay 0-9. Sitting in front of his TD in hangar bay 0-9 Aule Jr is just wondering
what takes this long for Obiwan to come from his office to the bay when he hears
the call for LT Shaggy...Right after the call Obiwan steps in the hangar bay and
smiles with his whole face. "Dont ask me what ive done...I talked to Thrawn cause
my loyality forced me to do it...He didnt give me the order to go after Pyn...He
didnt give me the permission for that mission...but he told me to make a practice
close to the last destination Pyns shuttle has last been...U know what that means
my friend?" "YAHOOOOOO" was Aule Jr´s only answer before he steped to his TD to
make the last checks before the start while Obiwan wents into his office to take
on his pilot suit... *********************************************** After Obiwan
and Shaggy got their fighters ready they got the permission to start their training
flight and started... Hypered shortly out of the range of the Sidious they stopped
for a little briefing of the mission... "Aule and Shaggy...i made a little plan
for this mission...its less a plan its more a thinking of how things could work...the
coordinates for the next hyper jump that will lead u 2 directly in the heart of
the system we think Pyn should be held in r in ur puters...each of ur TDs got
a new cloaking device...that r prototypes and have never been tested...the person
that builted theme in told that they should burn out after 10 mins...maybe less...so
u will hyper directly in the system and turn on the cloaking device right before
u jump out of hyperspace...then u try to reach the station that should be at that
positiuon..." "What about possible fighter resistance?" Aule Jr askes..."Our inteligence
reports that there should be nearly no fighter or cap ship cover around the station
and the station stands alone in the free space...no star or planet near it...This
datas r about 1 week old so be carefull...it could have changed..." "What should
we do when we reached the station?" Shaggy wonders..."Aule Jr tries to land and
sneek in and u will stay close to the station...and when i say close i mean about
1 or half a meter away from the hull...so u wont be on their sensors and can cover
Aule Jr when he got Pyn and starts..." "But how will Aule Jr find him?" "Guess
he knows...he has once been arrested in this station so he should really know
where the cells r..." "What? Is this the Talemoon station? Hell...I really wondered
what it was...I remembered there was something witht this coordinates..." "So
will u find Pyn in their?" Obiwan askes Aule..."Hell, sure i will...They got me
3 long years in there...i remember every inch in the station...If Pyn is in there
i will find him...i promisse...I WILL find him!" "OK...Aule...I got a second pilot
suit in ur TD...Let Pyn take it on right after u started...There wont be much
space in ur TD and u wont have enough space to fly in fight maneuvers...but u
got to try to get out there save...and thats the point when Shaggy and me get
into my plan... I will stay right out of the sensor reach with my TB and wait
there for 10 mins....Then I´ll hyper with my TB into the system...U got to have
Pyn save in ur TD after this 10 mins, cause I´ll fire all my heavy rockets on
the station and jump out of the system to the following coordinates...The main
part of mybomber compartment is rigged to suport live so I wont have enough rockets
to hardly damadge the station with my attack, but it should bring u a couple of
seconds...the seconds u need to hyper out" Obiwan transferes the coordinates to
Aule and Shaggy "There I will wait for ya...Shaggy....u got to cover Aule on his
way to the hyper point...Then u will bothe hyper to the coordinates I did send
u...There Pyn will step out of ur TD...his pilot suit should make it possible
for him to hold the vacuum for a couple of mins...and I´ll catch him with my tractor
beam and bring him into my bomber compartment... Then u got enough space in ur
TD to maneuver, so Shaggy wouldnt have to fly cover alone if the Rebs should follow
us...Then we will take 3 more hyper jumps back to the Sidious. Thats my plan-"
"OK my friends...lets go, kick some Rebel asses and get our old friend Pyn back...I
really wanna kick those Rebel Asses that took me away one of my best friends!"
Aule Jr shouted out and Shaggy and Obiwan get a major grin on their face while
bothe say at the same time "Lets go get him back!" Then they turn for the hyper
point and jump out to the station... Shaggy was deep in thought when Obiwan yelled
over the intercom."Lt. Shaggy get down to 0-9 hanger on the duble and bring your
flight suit with u." With out even waiting to see if he was done yelling i crabed
my gear and was half way there in about the time it took Com. Obiwan to turn his
commlink off. Getting into the hanger, Shaggy sees some of his good pals and wonders
what is going on. Aule runs up to me all excited about something. Shaggy thinks
to him self "i have never seen him acted this way before, something has got him
all wired and ready to go." Com. Obiwan turns towards me and askes if i am ready
for this. Not realy knowing what he was talking about, Shaggy says yes and soon
after was going through pre-flight check ups. Turning around, Shaggy looks at
Aule and aske what is going on. Aule just smiles and says"we are finaly going!!!!"
Still lost, Shaggy gets up and walks to the Commador's office and asks to see
him. Waiting just a minute for two before Shaggy was let in to see him, Shaggy
started thinking about what could be realy going on. Shutting the door behind
me when entering Obiwan's office, I turn to ask him what is the happs, but before
i could he stopps me by saying that we are going after a friend of ours that has
been lost. Not realy knowing how to respond, Shaggy shakesa his head and exclaims
"but didnt the GA say that we couldnt act on this?" "That is a yes and a no answer"
Obiwan responds "He said that he cant let us go after him, but we have been schedule
fopr an training exercise right next to the last location Pyn has been at" Shaggy
starts to realize what is going on and ask to be dismissed. Before walking out
the door Shaggy turns around and salutes like he has never done before. "Thank
you Sir, you might have just saved my job here with OBS. I was thinking about
taking one of the new Tie defenders and go after him." Getting back to the hanger,
Shaggy turns towards the rest of the crew and couldnt help but let out a big YAHOoo!!!!.
"Gentlman, we are going out for an exirsize today. So be ready for any thing and
be ready to lock and load if need be."
Chapter XII Recovering from a long night of drinking, I was
approached by Garrick. He wanted to know if I wanted to go do some turkey shooting.
"Sure, It would be a fun time." So we both jumped into our T/F and taxied out
of the hanger into the great beyond. Sitting there in the cockpit, I realized
I really don't know how to fly these darn things much. "Shaggy to Garrick, think
we should head back to the hang..." but before I finish, he broke in with a message
of his own. "Garrick to Shaggy, We got a couple unfriendlys heading our way what
should we do?" " Hold position and let me think about this a sec." Checking my
sensors, I realized that the two craft heading our way had locked their protons
onto us and were about to fire. " FIRE, and don't hold anything back." Locking
one in my sights I pulled the trigger and watched the little Z-95 explode into
nothing. Turning my craft into the next target, and realizing it was gone also.
"What was that all about? I haven't seen any other craft in our space for awhile."
"I don't know Shag, but think we should head back to the hanger and report this."
"Roger that" ***********************************************************************************
It was a morning like any other. The fighter craft were for the most part recovered
and operational having been recently deployed for WoW. Sub-Lt.D'orjahl was performing
a diagnostics test on a TIE Fighters cannon system as two suited up pilots strode
over head on the cat-walk to their prospective craft. Glancing up out of the cockpit
of the TIE the Lieutenant thought to himself, "morons, why the Empire ever invested
in nothing more than two tiny ion engines strapped to a pair of cannons is beyond
me. The only thing nuttier than that is the pilots (if you can call them that)
who fly them." D'orjahl finished his test with satisfactory results. "If I didn't
know better, I'd say that one of those pilots was almost staggering. Too long
in the pilots lounge would be my guess. Pfft, morons." The hangar evacuation signal
came on to clear the landing bay, and the Sub-Lt. carried his equipment pack to
the safety lock so the two TIE Fighters could be launched. D'orjahl watched through
the window as the two fighters were hurled into the void via tractor beam. "Good
luck guys, and have fun." Soon the hangar was back to normal. The technicians
buzzing about the fighters and clean up crews, policing up small spills. Sub-Lt.D'orjahl
was well into removing an ION engine from a TIE Interceptor when the general quarters
alarm screamed to life. "Awe, now what!" Dropping everything he ran to the safety
lock and met up with his fellow technicians. "What's going on?" D'orjahl asked
the Lieutenant Commander. "I don't know yet." Came the reply. "My guess is we're
under attack" The LC ordered the technicians to their posts as he spoke into a
comlink. "Lt.D'orjahl, you stay here and tend to the ships that come in." D'orjahl
turned to the window and stared at the fighters that left not more than half an
hour ago, now sporting battle scars. "HEY! THAT'S HELL DRIVER TWO! THAT SHIP WAS
BRAND NEW! DAMMIT SHAGGY YOU DRUNK BASTARD!" The Sub-Lt. then looked to the other
ship. "AND THAT'S THE NEW GUY GARRICK! THAT SHIP DOESN'T EVEN HAVE A DESIGNATION
YET! WHAT KIND OF TRAINING ARE YOU GIVING SHAGGY! ASTEROID NEGOTIATION! I BUILT
THAT SHIP OUT OF FIVE DIFFERENT CANNIBAL CASES! IT WAS PRACTICALLY NEW!" Before
long the pilots were led away from there ships, by a medical team and D'orjahl
ran to the wounded space craft. "Hmm. Some scorching but pretty much unharmed.
Well time to do the Data logs." D'orjahl gathered his gear and set to work downloading
the fighter's data from the battle computers. "Wow, this is interesting" he told
himself as he scanned through the information. "I wonder if they realize just
what they ran into out there..." Reaching into his equipment satchel, D'orjahl
pulls out a banana and eats it while downloading the data from the second TIE
Fighter. ***************************************************************** Totally
surprised about the Data he got from the 2 TF he wonders whom to report to. This
Data is so hot that he normally would have to report to GA Thrawn directly, but
its about the lost Cpt. Pynaegen and he knows that he was one of Cmd Aule Jr´s
best friends within the fleet. Therefore he decides to first talk unofficial with
Cmd Aule Jr. about the Data he found... Leading his steps to Aule Jr´s office
he looks still on the Data and tries to find out what this could finally mean...
Reaching the office he steps in, salutes, and takes a seat..."I got some possible
good news for u about Pyn"...Aule Jr. jumps up "What? U got good News about Pyn?
What is it?" "Yes Sir...What I do know is totally unofficial...I never should
report this first...but I know that Pyn has been one of ur best Fri." "Don't wait
this long... tell me what kind of news u got" Aule Jr. stops the long speech D'orjal
wanted to start as always. "Ok...2 pilots where on a patrol with TF today. They
met 2 Rebel Z95 Headhunter. The first ships within this system since months..."
"And what's so special with this 2 Z95...I cant see it" Aule Jr. asks. "Let me
tell u everything I found out before u ask again please." "OK, go on. I won't
stop u again." "The special thing with this 2 Z95 is that they got the same ID
signal as 2 Z95 of the Rebel group who attacked the shuttle bringing Pynaegen
back. I guess the only thing that we can get out of this is, that some of the
people missing from the crew of the shuttle must have survived and been captured
by the Rebels. I guess the Rebels forced some of them to talk about our station
here... Maybe the Cpt survived too..." "WHAT? U think some of our people within
the shuttle could have survived?" "Yes Sir. That's the only way the Rebels could
have found out about our station here..." "U got some Data where this Z95 came
from?" "Nope...Sorry...But maybe the flight recorder of one of the Z95 can be
found on the place where this little fight with the 2 TF took place. " "Ok...Thank
for informing me...Now go and report. " D'orjal stands up, salutes and leaves
the CD Ale Jr. alone knowing that Ale Jr. would do everything possible to get
his friend Pynaegan back. ******************************************* Alone in
his office again Ale Jr. is thinking of how to use this Data and if it is really
possible that Pynaegan is still alive...Then he got an Idea.... I got to talk
to Obiwan about it, maybe he will fly out with me to find Pynaegan again, *********************************************
"Hello my friend...take a seat...Nice to see u again..." Obiwan says as Ale Jr.
steps in his office. As he sees the Eyes of his friend full of problems he asks,
"What's going on? U got any Probs?" "Yes Obi...I need your help...But this is
absolutely unofficial!" "Ok...no problem my friend...u know that I would ever
help u when I can..." Then Aule Jr. starts to tell Obiwan everything about the
short fight this morning, the Data D'orjal got out of this and that D'orjal thinks
that some of the Shuttle crew could have survived... "Wow...That r good News I
guess...but what's the prob?" " I don't know what to do...It takes always this
long after such news till the Data r studied, attack plans r made and the fleet
is on its way to save the survivors. Maybe Pyn doesn't have this time. Can u help
me to get him out of this on our own? I know it is a damn hard question, but u
know that Pyn is the same good friend for me as u r. Will u help me?" "Sure will
I help u mien Freud! U know I would really help u every time I can...but tell
me please how to do it this time?" Obiwan answered on Aules Question with a smile
on his face... Totally overwhelmed that he finally got his friend to help him
Aule Jr. draws his plan how to find and help Pyn... "We got to get out there and
find one of the Z95´s flight recorders first...we need to know where they came
from. And we need to start ASAP." "Then lets go...I will be in the hangar within
5 mins...I guess it will get great fun to fly with u again..." "I hope that one
flight recorder survived the fight and we can find it." "I'm sure we will." **********************************
Reaching the coordinates D'orjal gave to Aule Jr. there were multiple small parts
of the former Z95 showing that the 2 OBS pilots did great work in distorting the
2 Rebel crafts...But most of this parts were nearly as small as Dust... "Aule
JR....I got something that might be interesting...wait...Ill get it with the Tractor
Beam of my TI" "Ok..." "I got it...It's what we've been looking for...It's the
flight recorder of one of the Z95´s and its still working...YAHOO" "Ok...lets
fly back and look what we can get out of this..." ********************************
Back on the SSD Sidious they try to get the Data out of the flight recorder..."This
mad Rebels...They never learned to spent enough money an Techniques to cover their
Data suavely...Here we got the coordinates of the station this 2 Z95 came from."
Obiwan says... "What we do know? Should we try to get Thrawn to make a big attack
on the Rebel station or should we try to get a plan of our own to save the possible
survivors? I would prefer to do it on our own cause a small 2 man group could
sneak in there much easier then a big amount of people. We 2 didn't have such
an adventure together for a long long time...guess it could be like in old times..."
"Ok...lets try it out on our own...But lets take Shaggy with us...he is a great
pilot and could help us with this adventure..." Obiwan agrees... "OK...Lets go
and find him...I guess we should start immediately after getting everything we
need for this little trip" Aule JR says...for the first time with a smile on his
face since he heard about Pyn being missing... ************************************
" Ale, I knew there was a good reason you came back." Obiwan says with a smile
as Aule prepares to exit the office. Commander Aule turns on his heals and with
a bit of enthusiastic fanfare gives Obiwan a salute. "Indeed sir, indeed" -and
with that Aule's footsteps are heard sprinting down the hall. Obiwan centered
his thoughts. There was something strange in the force... A ripple... Somewhere.
This had happened so fast, and with a bit of luck as well. ""Funny how things
work," he thought to himself. After that last transmission from the Deaths Head,
I wasn't sure what to think. And now this." (I still have yet to relate to Aule
or even the GA about that transmission.) Shivers went up the Commodores spine.
Once again turning to the immediate task at hand he clicked the button on his
desk's console, raising his secretary. "Get me sub.lt D'orjahl. Make it private
and make it fast." "Yes sir" came the reply. Despite his attitude there was something
about D'orjahl that Obiwan liked. "Perhaps it was the fact that id the Sub.lt.
Had worked on his people skills a bit more it may have been him in this chair
instead of me." Obiwan thought as he went over the data sheets once again. "Nevertheless,
I only tolerate his close calls with insubordination because,"... "You Rang Sire?"
A voice rang out from just outside the office door. Obiwan spoke out loud. " That
tone of speech could have only come from one man." Turning toward the door there
was a slightly greasy and surpassingly nan-chalant D'Orjahl. Banana in hand. "Come
in SubLt. have a seat" "Yes sire" - he said again. "And Stop it with the 'Sire'",
Obiwan persisted as D'Orjahl sat at the desk. 'Whatever you say Me lord" -D'orjahl
quipped Shaking his head Obiwan decided to let that slide and get to the point.
" I don't think I have to tell you what I called here for do I?" As the Commodore
took his seat with out losing eye contact with D'Orjahl. Sensing what was going
on D'Orjahl slowed his chewing and tensed a bit. "No sir, not at all." "Good,
then let's skip the small talk. I need 3 TA's equipped with Ions, as much blaster
power as you can muster and I need them now. And I need one T/B with the bomber
compartment rigged to support life" The Sublet's brow went all wrinkles, "but,...
Sir?"......"and why the T/B modification?" "Oh Yes" Obiwan continued, " and I
need 2 of those with cloaking devices." this last comment caused D'Orjahl to break
out in a laugh, almost losing on the commodores desk what banana he hadn't already
swallowed. "sir!!! they don't make cloaking devices for such small craft!" *cough
*cough* choke* "Yes Lt., I know THEY don't,... Obiwan stared at the Mechanic...
" But I know YOU do." D'orjahl's face went pale. His Banana dropped to the ground.
I know every inch of this ship' D;orjahl thought to himself.. And every security
action that takes place. there's no way He could ave known I was working on that...
no way at all. And besides, I am not doing it for anyone's glory. I figure if
I make these craft invisible a lot of the time, then that mean less damage and
that make my job a lot easier. If this guy thinks I am working on these cloaking
devices so these butterball-weak minded-glory seeking-wannabe's don't get themselves
killed then he's got another thing coming "Well?" It was the Commodore's voice
bringing him out of his thoughts. D'Orjahl backpedaled, " Well, I don't know how
you know that Sire,... But I can see what I can do. And I do also suppose that
you know these "things" I am working on are not fool proof. I mean they'd HAVE
to be fool proof in order to put them in the hands of any of these space-morons,..
besides... they don't work but for ten minutes then they go out. Well, burnt out,
is more like it. So I don't see how they'll be doing any body much good." "Well,
for one thing, I DIDNT know what you were working on, I guessed. And as for the
Morons, SubLt. ...I'll be filling one of those slots,... and God willing Capt.
Pynagean will be filling that bomber compartment and on his way home in a short
time. You do your Job and Ill do mine." Obiwan bent down to pick up the banana
from the floor and unceremoniously stuffed it into D'Orjahl's pocket. The SubLt.
was about to have something to say about that when Obiwan interrupted him. "And
one last thing D'Orjahl...Keep this out of the GA's ears." It must have been "out
of the GA's ears",.. that made D'Orjahl smile with a bit of twinkle in his eye.
"I'm on it." And with that the mechanic bolted out of the office with almost as
much enthusiasm as Aule had. the Commodore decided not ever to mention that he
left without being dismissed, or even saluting. Shaking his head again Obiwan
pushed yet another button on his console. "Lt.Garrick and Lt. Shaggy please report
to hanger bay 0-9, immediately." ***************to be continued********** As commodore
Obiwan released the comlink button summoning Lt.Shaggy and Lt.Garrick to hanger
bay 0-9 he glanced down to notice that he had crumpled the Z95's data sheets into
his fist. "Damn", he thought to himself. "This is gonna be a rough one." Obiwan
wasn't quit sure if he was correct in keeping this mission to rescue Capt.Pynagean
out of the Grand Admirals knowledge. "Ah balderdash". he said out loud. I've got
to say something." relaxing his clenched hand he dropped the papers on his desk.
A button was pushed that commanded the attention of the Sidious' communications
officer. "Lt.Zarmisk, get me the G.A., it's urgent." 'Right away sir", came the
reply. Obiwan knew he had a few minutes to contemplate what he was going to say..
or not say to Thrawn. Sooner than he expected his Comm buzzer rang. It was Thrawns
secretary. "The grand Admiral will see you in his office now sir." Obiwan took
a deep breath and began his walk precisely 337 steps to the office of the Grand
Admiral. He noticed a picture next to the door as he exited his office. A worried
smile came over the commodores face as he let his memory sink back to the day
that picture was taken. It was Pynageans 30th birthday party. He could almost
hear the bleary eyed laughter as the 2 intoxicated friends arm wrestled while
Morgyn was pouring a glass of dew over both Pynageans and Obiwan's heads. ..."damn"..."I'm
coming man...I'm coming" And with that Obi took the necessary steps to the GA's
office. Obiwan noticed the rare occasion that Thrawns door was open. The admiral
must have heard Obiwan approaching because as he reached the bulkhead Obiwan could
hear Thrawn inside. "Come in. Have a seat." As the commodore entered the expansive
office his heart nearly froze in his chest. There on the admiral's desk were copies
of the data sheets retrieved from the rebel Z95. Before Obiwan could say anything
except "Ummm"..The Grand admiral began with a few words of his own. "Looks like
we have a situation here... I'd say assuming these data specs are authentic we
have a good chance of finding that rebel outpost." Obiwan sighed a breath and
thought it interesting that Thrawn didn't mention anything about Pynagean. Does
he think the captain is already dead? Obiwan continued, "I would definitely agree
Sir. But are you saying that these coordinates may be false?" The commodore was
already beginning to get a mental picture of what the GA was saying. Thrawn went
on,.." I suppose you're not going to take a seat then? "No Sir, Id rather stand
at the moment" The GA looked at Obiwan with more expression in his face than the
commodore could figure out all at once. "Well Obi, consider that that Z95's flight
recorder was MEANT to be found. We can't put it past these rebels that that indeed
is the case. I am aware of the implications that these could mean that Capt. Pynagean
is alive. However, this could be a trap. If I call in our sister ship the Tigers
Claw to send a fleet of fighters and rescue crew...it could be a trap. An ambush."
The admiral's face sunk down to glance at the implicating data. "Any suggestions
Commodore?" Obiwan mentally chewed his tongue. And decided to take this one a
bit slow. "You could be right, but then given the information Capt. Pynagean was
carrying, I think the rebels must have been tipped off as to its importance. And
if they knew that sir, then it is unlikely that they would have simply killed
him." "I received a transmission from the Deaths Head that Pyn's shuttle was intercepted
by a group of A-wings and X-wings. The decoy shuttle was destroyed and by implication
so was Capt. Pynagean's. But as you know, we... I mean, I, assume differently."
Obiwan held the admiral's gaze as he took a breath. "There", he thought to him,
"I've sown the seed." Thrawn took up the mantle, "This is somewhat of an impasse
my friend. I do not necessarily agree with the assumption that Pynaegan is still
alive, however it doesn't make this situation any clearer or easier. This could
still be a trap. If I send in the Tigers Claw, or the Deaths Head to these supposed
coordinates for the rebel base and its an ambush even with the amount of firepower
we have we would take considerable and intolerable losses." the admiral sat heavily
in his chair. "and what's more, when our presence is known near the rebel base,...
if even it IS in fact there, the rebels would most likely kill Pynagean then and
there, and THAT is IF he is still alive!" Obiwan could see the frustration mounting
on the face of his friend and commanding officer. "So many lives at steak," he
thought to himself,... "and he has known Pynagean longer than I have." I see it
wasn't thoughtlessness that he failed to mention Pyn earlier. It was sadness.
Sadness that Pyn may be dead already, and sadness that many they lives may be
lost in the attempt to rescue him. "Sir...Thrawn," Obiwan said in a low voice.
The commodore had decided, in light of the obvious difficulties and attendant
emotions to tell his friend and grand admiral of his plan. "Don't call in the
Deaths Head. Don't call in the Tigers Claw. I have discussed these problems with
a couple of our best men. And I want to go get Pynagean. I will take only 3 other
men with me. I have a plan." -Obiwan held his breath. Thinking he should have
something more to say,.. or at least have said what he did a bit differently.
Thrawn's head shot up to catch Obiwan eyes full square. Obiwan sat down now. "A
PLAN?!! You have a PLAN?!" The words of the GA were surpassingly solid considering
the low volume at which Thrawn spike them. "You think I am going to let my 2nd
in command take 3 of my best pilots into a death trap?! I may have already lost
one friend and one hell of a good officer! Do you actually think I am going to
allow the possibility of losing another? By the rancor's breath Obiwan...You must
be insane or think that I am." The commodore was certain that there was a fist
smashing against a desk somewhere in that speech. "As commanding officer of The
Order of the Black Saber, you do NOT , I repeat DO NOT have my permission to take
this flight of fancy of yours into what very likely is a waiting guillotine for
your neck!" Obiwan's heart did that stopping thing again. He sat directly across
and not 3 feet from the admiral's face. Unblinking, His chest swelled. Perhaps
it wasn't such a good idea after all to tell Thrawn about his plan, he thought.
And that is about the extent of the thinking he could do at the moment. So he
began talking instead. "Yes sir,... I understand." Obiwan's mind whirled. Surpassingly
enough, Thrawn wasn't finished. "I just hope I have made my official position
clear Commodore Obiwan." -the commodore nodded, his eyes now cast down slightly.
"Now do us all a favor and get your ass out of my office before I throw you down
a garbage chute." Thrawn gave a cursory and sharp salute. "Dismissed." Obiwan
hesitated. There MUST be something he could say. Something that could at least
crack Thrawn's extreme objection to a small manned rescue attempt. But finally,
the man had a point. An irrefutable one in fact. The commodore rose from his chair
opposite the admiral and glanced at the door as he slowly headed toward it. Obiwan's
fingertips grazed the surface of the desk as he stood up and began walking to
the exit. "But unofficially," Obiwan heard the voice behind him. "I want that
man back here." The commodore froze in his tracks. Not certain whether or not
to turn around. Thrawns voice was heard once again. "I don't know what you are
waiting for Commodore. I suspect Commander Aule is waiting for you in hanger bay
0-9. And if I am not mistaken, I saw Lt.Shaggy and Lt.Garrick heading down that
way as well... And tell them I wish them luck in the TRAINING EXCERCISES you four
are doing." Thrawn's head turned down immediately to his desk at the stack of
paperwork laid atop it. With a wry smile Obiwan gave a crisp "Yes Sir" accompanied
by a salute to the back of Grand Admiral Thrawn's head. And all at once stepped
out of the office toward the turbo lift that would take him down to the briefing
room in hanger bay 0-9. ************************************************ Sitting
in front of his TD in hangar bay 0-9 Aule JR is just wondering what takes this
long for Obiwan to come from his office to the bay when he hears the call for
LT Shaggy...Right after the call Obiwan steps in the hangar bay and smiles with
his whole face. "Don't ask me what I've done...I talked to Thrawn cause my loyalty
forced me to do it...He didn't give me the order to go after Pyn...He didn't give
me the permission for that mission...but he told me to make a practice close to
the last destination Pyns shuttle has last been...U know what that means my friend?"
"YAHOOOOOO" was Aule Jr´s only answer before he stepped to his TD to make the
last checks before the start while Obiwan went into his office to take on his
pilot suit... ************************************************ Shaggy was deep
in thought when Obiwan yelled over the intercom. "Lt. Shaggy get down to 0-9 hanger
on the double and bring your flight suit with u." With out even waiting to see
if he was done yelling I grabed my gear and was half way there in about the time
it took Com. Obiwan to turn his comlink off. Getting into the hanger, Shaggy sees
some of his good pals and wonders what is going on. Aule runs up to me all excited
about something. Shaggy thinks to him self "I have never seen him acted this way
before, something has got him all wired and ready to go." Com. Obiwan turns towards
me and asks if I am ready for this. Not relay knowing what he was talking about,
Shaggy says yes and soon after was going through pre-flight check ups. Turning
around, Shaggy looks at Aule and asked what is going on. Aule just smiles and
says "We are finally going!!!!" Still lost, Shaggy gets up and walks to the Commodore's
office and asks to see him. Waiting just a minute for two before Shaggy was let
in to see him, Shaggy started thinking about what could be really going on. Shutting
the door behind me when entering Obiwan's office, I turn to ask him what is the
hap's, but before I could he stops me by saying that we are going after a friend
of ours that has been lost. Not really knowing how to respond, Shaggy shakes his
head and exclaims "but didn't the GA say that we couldn't act on this?" "That
is a yes and a no answer" Obiwan responds "He said that he cant let us go after
him, but we have been schedule for an training exercise right next to the last
location Pyn has been at" Shaggy starts to realize what is going on and ask to
be dismissed. Before walking out the door Shaggy turns around and salutes like
he has never done before. "Thank you Sir, you might have just saved my job here
with OBS. I was thinking about taking one of the new Tie defenders and go after
him." Getting back to the hanger, Shaggy turns towards the rest of the crew and
couldn't help but let out a big Yahoo!!!!. "Gentlemen, we are going out for an
exercise today. So be ready for any thing and be ready to lock and load if need
be."
Chapter XIII The OBS pilots climbed out of their cockpits.
Looking around, they see fighters packed tight in the hanger. A group of Naval
Guards was armed and waiting for them to disembark. Obiwan was furious as he headed
to the Lt. in charge of the troops. "What is going on here? Who are you and why
have we been detained? We are officers in the Imperial Navy!" The Lt. stayed calm
in the face of Obiwan's anger. "Sir, I am Lt. Cra'lyth. I have been ordered to
see you safely to the Captain." "Who's your Captain?" demanded Aule. "Sorry sir,
I'm not at liberty to say. My orders are to escort you. I'm sure the Captain will
explain everything. If you'll follow me?" The Lt. gestured for the pilots to follow
him. Obiwan, Aule, Shaggy, and Garrick looked at each other. None of them had
a clue as to what was going on, but hopefully this mysterious Captain would have
their answers. "This had better be good," thought Shaggy. Heading down a long
corridor, Shaggy noticed that there was something odd about this ship. He noticed
that the hall seemed more compact than necessary. The hanger had also seemed larger
to fit in all the fighters. The layout had definately been changed. Lt. Cra'lyth
led them to a conference room. The navy troopers halted at the door and turned
to stand guard. The four OBS pilots walked inside and took a seat. "So when do
we meet this Captain? He's got a lot of explaining to do," said Obiwan. "And so
I shall, Obi." came the reply from behind a screen. "Lt. Cra'lyth, thank you,
that'll be all for now." Obiwan and Aule stood up in surprise to see Morgan walk
to the table and take her seat. With a half-smile, she said, "Hello once again
my brothers. I do apologize for the rude interruption of your mission, but I have
need of you elsewhere. As you may or may not know, Pynaegan isn't dead. Not yet
anyway. If you'll please sit down, we can get down to the business of finding
him." "Morgyn!!" exclaimed Aule, "How did you?!..Where have you?!..." speechless,
Aule could only wonder about the answers to the many questions he had tumbling
through his head. "I'll answer all of your questions old friend, please take a
seat," said Morgyn. Garrick and Shaggy looked at each other questioningly. Obviously,
Obiwan and Aule knew this woman. How they knew her was still unknown to them.
Obiwan and Aule took their seats and waited for Morgyn to continue. "Alright,
through some contacts I have, it's been discovered that there's a traitor working
at the Galvestooine ship yards. In fact, it's the Commander of the yards. Pynaegan
had uncovered information revealing this fact and was bringing it back to OBS
when his shuttle was attacked. Before he left, we came across a transmission and
traced it to it's source and destination. De-coding the transmission, we discovered
the request for an attack on the Athame made by Commodore Pa'thard of the station.
Unfortuneately, by the time we had this information, the attack had already taken
place. The info you got from the Z-95 data recorders does in fact show us where
the attack came from, but I've got other plans for you." "But if Pyn is alive,
we need to get to that rebel base now! Why the change in plans Morgy?" asked Aule.
"Because Pynaegan isn't at the rebel base. Not yet at least. Your orders are changing.
I need you to go after the traitor. I'm going after Pynaegan myself. Your bomber
is being refitted as we speak to hold four commandoes that will go in to grab
the traitor." At this point, Obiwan and Aule looked at each other and smiled.
"Morgy! It's great having you back!" exclaimed Obiwan. Morgyn just smiled. At
that time, a commlink sounded. Pressing a button, Morgyn replied, "Yes?" A voice
said, "New update on Galvestooine Ma'am." "Bring it directly to me here." replied
Morgyn. "Yes, Ma'am." After getting the updates and going briefly through them,
Morgyn passed the data pads down to the OBS members. "Seems as though you boys
are going to see some action. The rebels have taken over the Galvestooine station.
You're going to need reinforcements. Obi, get in touch with the Sidious, tell
them to meet you at Galvestooine. I'm going to drop you outside of the system
then continue on to get Pynaegan." "Wait a nanosec..." interuppted Garrick, "you
mean Pyn's not at Galvestooine??" "No, he's not...and he's not at the Rebel base
either. In fact, he's way off course," answered Morgyn. "How do you know? You
seem to have a lot of answers to things we couldn't find out." "Yes, I do. And
how and why I have this information isn't your concern. What you should be worried
about is achieving your orders. Those orders are to go to Galvestooine and caputre
the traitor. Have OBS give you cover. Obiwan, go ahead and signal the Sidious
now." "Yes, Ma'am!" replied Obiwan. Garrick leaned over and whispered to Shaggy.
"Why is Obi taking orders from her? He's higher ranking than she is," he stated.
Shaggy shrugged and answered, "I don't know, but apparently these three know each
other." Later, Garrick asked Aule about Morgyn. "She's an old friend for one.
She also happens to be Pyn's wife," said Aule. "His what?!" exclaimed Garrick.
"You heard me. As far as the orders go...did you not notice her uniform? She's
ISB. She's not giving orders, they've come from a higher source. She's just relaying
them. For now, just get ready to lock and load..it's going to be interesting."
Both men grinned at the thought of being able to take care of some rebels, and
headed to their ships. As the corvette dropped out of hyperspace near Galvestooine
and deployed the OBS fighters, the pilots heard Morgyn's voice through the comms
in their helmets, "I'll try to get back in time to help if I can. If not, I'll
meet you in Ambria. Have a care...and watch your backs. Morgyn out." Commodore
Obiwan heads down the cooridor as he is escorted by Lt.Cra'Lyth in oprder to contact
the SSD Sidious in an emergeny call requesting the audience of Grand Admiral Thrawn.
The walk is not a long one but it seems to take forever as the seconds tick by.
Dialing in the sub space emergency frequency Obiwan raises the Sidious. "This
is Commodore Obiwan, security number 27-24-95 EM code 5595." As per protocol there
was no response from the comm officer and the request was immediately put through
to Grand Admiral Thrawn. Thrawn immediately put all comm link devices in operation
which make the comminique a secure one. Brief seconds passed before the GA screamed
into the mouthpiece. "What the HELL is going ON Commodore? Where in God's name
ARE you? We showed you beeing highjacked by a corvette and POOF you are gone!
I don't think I have to remind you that this is not an authorized mission, and
further more," "Stop" said Obiwan calmly. "It seems the situation has changed
abruptly. That Corvette is being piloted by Morgyn." "Being piloted by WHO?! exclaimed
Thrawn, not sure that he heard correctly. "Yes Grand Admiral, you head me right,
and I see you are astounded as much as I was by the news, but it seems Morgyn
is working with the ISB and has information that we were not privy to." There
was a short silence until Thrawn had pieced together the news he had just heard.
His voice slowed and he once again assumed the impasioned yet even keel he is
renouned for. "So I can assume that you are calling me to reinforce your squadron
in this new battle plan." -it was not a question. OBiwan broke in saying, "Yes
sir, thats exactly why I am calling. We need the Sidious and every man we can
spare to meet us at the nearest hyper point just outside these coordinates." A
scrambled message was imediately unscrambled by the Admirals commlink computer.
Thrawn at once recognized the coordinates as being in the sector of the Imperial
ship yard in the Galvestooine system. Commodore Pa'thard was in charge of that
operation he noted to himself. He thought to himself, "Sometimes all this paranoia
pays off." No one is above suspicion in the Imperial Navy as being a possible
spy or double agent. The grand Admiral spoke at once. "I see, but of course you
realise as much as I do that if I mobilize our forces to these coordinates and
the information here turns out to be false we are BOTH going to be spending the
next two thousand years in a Saarlac Pit." The GA could almost see Obiwan nodding
his head. "Indeed sir, I know, but I have every reason to believe that this infomation
is true and accurate. The Rebels have taken over the Galvestooine station and
capt.Pynagean is not being held at the rebel base as we suspected by the data
retrieved from the Z 95's Lt.Shagy and Lt.Garrick intercepted." "I was figuring
on that." the GA said. "We have discovered a virus imprinted into the transmission
we intercepted from the Ship yard at Galvestooine, intended for the ISD Deaths
Head. The thing is, that message was MEANT to be intercepted. The virus disabled
our close nav incomming ship vector capabilities. It seems those two Z 95's were
only scouts which were to be followed by a whole armada of rebel craft. We would
have been cought completely off guard. If not for the Deaths Head covering that
hyper point near the Rebel Base we surely would have been over run." Obiwans mind
staggered at the implications. Thrawn continued,"That means that the spy the rebles
have on our ship yard on Galvestooine is none other than Commodore Pa'thard."
"Yes I hve just discovered that myself," Obiwan almost yeled into the commlink.
"Which brings me to the purpose of this emergency message." "Morgyn and the rest
are going on to rescue Capt.Pynagean while my crew here and a group of commandos
are going in to retrive the traitor Pa'thard at Glavestooine. They are already
over run and taken over by the rebels and we will need every available recource
to back us up." Thrawn immediately took up the mantle and said,"The deaths Head
is too far away to be of much use in this." Obiwan heard his commanding officer
grand Admiral Thrawn click his link to the bridge of the Sidious as he sent to
cordinates of the Galvestooine system to the flight officer. "All hands to battle
stations, code red." Thrawn wasted no time in telling Commodore Obiwan, "We are
on our way. Good Luck." Commodore Obiwan paces away from the Corvettes comm station
in a rapid step. When he reached LtShaggy, lt.Garrick and Commander Aule he aslo
wasted no time. "Looks like we are in for quite a mess. GA Thrawn has confirmed
that our ship yard has indeed been taken over by rebel forces. As Morgyn said,
our best couse of action is to head to Galvestooine and re-take the yard. We will
undoubtedly be met with very numerous and very hostile forces." "Lets get this
ball rolling." There were no worried looks on the faces of his pilots. All turned
in unison to head back to the hanger bay where hopefully the modifications on
the tie bomber were complete and the commandos were in place in its compartment.
The recpetion was a kuch more appropriate one as the OBS crew entered the hanger.
There were many salutes and "good luck sir's" going around as Obiwan, Shaggy,
Aule and Garrick prepared to board their ships. Aule noticed a kind of tension
in the air. "They seem a bit solemn." he said to Lt.Shaggy. Shaggy responded.
"I think that's because they don't think we will be coming back." Morgyn was heard
saying from beneath the ship elevators saying, "I know you have a few minutes
until the SSD Sidious arrives. I am sending along three flight groups to accompany
you and draw fire while you use your advanced decoy system to get into the ship
yard's main platform. I am sure we can hold them off for the 10 minutes necessary
before your cloaking devices burn out." Aule and Obiwan looked at eachother simultaneously,
then at Morgyn. She volunteered the information she knew they were perplexed about.
"I know sub.Lt. D'Orjahl rather well you might say." "I hope his cloaking device
works. Or rather, it should be called a wide field general decoy",.."But this
is no time for semantics." Obiwan steadied his eyes on Morgyn. "It is so like
you to say that." "Well I do what I can." she responded, and with a wry smile
each saluted the other as Obiwan disapeared into his craft. No sooner was the
flight group ready and checked out when all could hear the flight officer over
the commlink in their helmets. "Coordinates reached. Flight groups Alpha one,
Delta seven, and Omega six, you are clear for launch." " We have reached the Galvestooine
system. Good luck."
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