STAR WARS
The Adventure of Biggs Darklighter
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(Scrolling introduction...)
Returning to his home planet of Tatooine, Biggs Darklighter says a final farewell to boyhood friend, Luke Skywalker. He informs Skywalker of his plan to jump ship from his new commission as First Mate onboard the merchant ship, Rand Ecliptic and join the Rebel Alliance. Hoping to persuade Luke to join him, Biggs is amazed to discover that young Skywalker has delayed his application to join the Space Academy for yet another season.
In a last ditch effort to change Luke's mind, Biggs tells him of the atrocities the Empire has perpetrated on innocent civilians. But Biggs is unable to convince him and the two friends part awkwardly, with Biggs leaving Luke to contemplate the future.
Darklighter later meets a fellow graduate, Narec Harkin at Mos Eisley spaceport, where they await their shuttle that will take them back to the Rand Ecliptic. Harkin, unaware of Darklighter's plans, has accompanied Biggs to the desert world for his own, mysterious reasons.
Meanwhile, with the Rebellion severely short of starfighter pilots, the Alliance has been forced to leave several fighter craft at its old base on Dantooine, hoping to retrieve them before they are found and destroyed by the Empire. To this end, rebel recruiter Jand Dorric, a former smuggler, has secured the services of three pilots from the Yarlsberg system - an Imperial stronghold.
But the Empire is quick to respond to the treason, and dispatches several fighters to bring down Dorric's ship and kill the traitors.
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The old ship, Quiver's Arrow, sped from the pursuing Imperial fighters at breakneck speed. The whole craft rattled and shook as it reached its maximum sub-light speed, making the occupants hold tighter to their armrests and restraints.
"You're a mad man, Dorric!" yelled one of the new recruits, turning to look out a side view port at the intercepting TIE fighters.
"Shut-up and keep your eyes on that scope," the old smuggler gruffly responded. "Let me know when that closer ships gets within range."
"Within range? I was hoping we were going this fast to escape them!" the frightened recruit responded.
"Look rookie, you're supposed to be a fighter pilot - it's all part of the fun!" Dorric retorted, a rough smile cracking his rugged face.
"We all had nice new craft, fitted with the latest navigational aids and onboard AI systems, " the recruit mumbled back. Then, with a little venom in his voice, he continued, "not falling apart ex-smuggling ships, whose best chance of escape is to drop an engine in front of those ships!"
Jand Dorric spared a moment to look at the recruit. "Not a bad idea, rookie, but I had something a little less drastic in mind." Dorric's grin grew a little at the sight of the recruit's ever paling face. Turning back to his controls, he yelled to the other recruits behind him. "One of you two, when I say 'GO', hit that big red switch above you three times."
A woman's voice responded momentarily, "Yes, S-sir." Dorric nodded his head; glad to know they could take orders even when frightened out of their wits.
Quiver's Arrow zipped from side to side, trying to avoid the incoming laser fire as best it could. But even at long range, the TIE pilots were deadly shots and managed to score several hits upon the aging vessel, much to its owner's disgust. I'm getting too old for this, he thought to himself.
"Um, Sir... Captain? That first TIE fighter is now in range... and the second." The first recruit was also keeping his head. Good, thought Dorric.
Jand Dorric steadied the craft's course for just a moment, keeping a straight line for just a few seconds. "You, back there... GO!" he yelled. And the young girl recruit hit the switch, deliberately ignoring the warning sirens sounding in the cabin.
From behind the Quiver's Arrow, the pursuing TIE fighter's saw their target's cargo bay doors slide open, ejecting the contents into their path. A cloud of gas and what looked like sparkling dust particles billowed out. A pitiful attempt to make us evade, they thought. Well, these TIE ships aren't so easily frightened off. And so they maintained their course, straight through the cloud.
A moment later, the TIEs were engulfed in a huge plasma blast, destroying them utterly and even buffeting the Quiver's Arrow many seconds ahead.
"A little something I picked up while smuggling," Dorric explained. "Refined Kessel spice mixed with ion exhaust is a deadly combination, as our friends behind us have just learnt."
The recruits looked at each other and finally the girl spoke up, "But surely it's illegal to carry spice?"
Dorric laughed in response, "Well, I won't tell the Emperor if you won't."
"It's a deal." she laughed in turn.
"OK. You back there! The quiet boy. Plot us a course to Alderaan."
"Aye, aye, Sir!" the last recruit enthusiastically responded. And Dorric inwardly congratulated himself for getting some potentially useful pilots. Nervous, yes... but no more so than he. But he'd never tell them that.
Within moments, the Quiver's Arrow was on her way to Alderaan; a blur between the stars.
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Not far behind, the captain of the Imperial scout ship Fierce stared blankly at the screen where moments before their pray had been. The bridge crew was silent as Captain Xander's eyes lost focus, his rage at their failure to bring down the Quiver's Arrow held in tight check. Afraid to disturb him, his second in command finally coughed then reported. "Sir? We were unable to plot their course due to the explosion of our TIE fighters. What are your orders?"
Xander, staring more intently than ever, yet focused on nothing visible to the rest of the crew, eventually replied. "They're heading for Alderaan. We'll pursue." Without looking, without thinking, he reached down and unclipped a strange cylindrical device from his belt.
"But sir, how can you know that? There are much closer systems than Alderaan," the startled officer asked, momentarily casting a glance down at the object now in his captain's hand; something he didn't recognize, but obviously old and worn. A weapon, he believed, but not a blaster.
"I just know," Xander murmured to himself. Then to his officer, obviously embarrassed by his strange reverie, commanded, "Don't question me!"
"Aye aye, Sir! Lay in a course to Alderaan!" the officer relayed. Sweat started to trickle down his neck as the captain's eyes now locked on him, the strange weapon pointed menacingly in his direction.
"And inform Imperial command that we are in pursuit," Xander added, his voice back to its level state. "I'm sure they will be delighted to know our destination." A strange smile drifted momentarily across his face.
Without a word, the second in command saluted and marched over to the communications console, fear blocking any thought of questioning his captain a second time.
The Fierce lurched into hyperspace as Xander finally clipped the ancient light sabre back onto his belt.
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Biggs Darklighter couldn't get that image from his mind: Luke, his best friend in the galaxy, walking away from him back at Tosche station. Luke never noticed Biggs turn back and whisper, "May the Force be with you, Luke." If only I could have convinced him, he thought. But Luke was head strong, and as loyal as they come. Once he'd decided to stay that extra season on Tatooine, that was it: he'd stay. No use dwelling over the inevitable, Darklighter.
The ride to Mos Eisley was quiet. After saying farewell to his father, he'd not uttered a word the entire way to the Spaceport. Only when he encountered his fellow graduate, Narec Harkin at the shuttle depot did he finally shake himself from his reverie.
"Damned, if this isn't a hole you live on, Darklighter." Narec was serious. If he didn't like something, he'd tell you. One of his many "qualities". But Biggs and he had found a common bond, if a little competitive. They'd both exceeded in the Academy and were ranked among the top ten of their class. And so when Biggs had taken his first leave from the Rand Ecliptic, Narec had opted to join him.
Biggs forced a smile, "You get used to it, Narec. I almost miss the heat here."
"Are you kidding? If it weren't for that cantina over there and the four-armed Houri I found, I'd have taken the next shuttle out of here! I've never sweated so much in my life."
Biggs didn't want to know what Narec got up to with a four-armed courtesan, so deliberately ignored the comment. "Well, we'll be leaving very shortly by the look of it." And pointed to the departure sign flashing above them.
"Yes, finally. Then we can get back to the Ecliptic and maybe transfer to a real warship. Kill us some Rebels!"
The look in Narec's eye bothered Biggs. He'd once thought of telling Narec his plan to jump ship, but it hadn't taken long to see where Narec's loyalties lay. In fact, Biggs hadn't even told his family. Just Luke.
"Let's go, killer," Biggs said.
Narec didn't smile. He never smiled. Just grabbed his gear and walked up the ramp. Biggs followed, looking back one last time at his home world, at the swirling sand, the shimmering heat and bustling people of this desert world. Their ticket's checked and re-checked, they were welcomed brusquely aboard.
Once on, Biggs and Narec found their seats and prepared for the long, boring flight to the deep space station some hours away where their ship awaited them. With little warning, the shuttle took off from the space pad, jetting up through the arid atmosphere, the sky darkening as they gained altitude.
But no more than a few minutes into the flight, a message sounded over the shuttle's intercom. "Um, we seem to be being boarded at this time. I've been informed that you should have your tickets and ID chips available for inspection. Hopefully this will be just a short delay. Starline Services apologizes for the inconvenience. That is all."
Narec and Biggs exchanged looks, neither showing concern, but neither knowing what was going on, either. Looking out an observation port, the bow of an immense vessel came into view. A Star Destroyer! Its sleek grey profile slowly filling the entire field of vision. Gun turrets noticeably pointed straight at the shuttle.
"Luke was right!" Biggs said to himself.
"Who?" Narec had heard him. "Do you mean that Starjogger friend of yours?"
"That's Skywalker, and yes, that's him. He thought he saw a battle between two ships earlier today. Seems he was right. See that scoring on the side of the Star Destroyer? That's recent damage." Biggs then noticed something glinting in the stars from the other view port. "My stars, there's another one! It must be serious."
Taking Biggs by surprise, Narec asked: "I thought you said this Skywalker was going to the Academy. Shouldn't he be starting soon?" Biggs didn't answer, caught off guard by the unexpected turn in the conversation.
Narec turned his head and saw the other Star Destroyer off in the distance; its distinctive triangular shape a foreboding sight in the star flecked sky. "Yes, somebody's in big trouble all right." His scowl lessened for a moment, "Hey, maybe we'll see some action after all!"
Biggs gave him a dark look, but Narec was now too busy gaping out the view port, the moment past. Then the airlock at the back of the shuttle starting clicking and cycling, and before they knew it, a squad of Imperial Stormtroopers had rushed onto the ship. Spreading out among the frightened passengers, their black rifles pointed everywhere at once, lightweight armour shining brightly in the glowing light above.
A hush came over the crowd as a grey clad officer entered the craft. Eyeing the passengers, he slowly started checking each person's paperwork. Gradually he worked his way up the length of the shuttle, sometimes questioning dubious looking characters and re-checking suspect IDs. His manner was brisk, no-nonsense, with a touch of arrogance. A typical Imperial, thought Darklighter.
Even though he had done nothing wrong, Biggs felt his palms sweating as the imposing officer approached him. He diligently passed his documentation over, trying his best to act nonchalant. The officer scanned them all in and paused a second when he read something of interest to him.
"Academy graduate, I see, Mister Darklighter." He had a nasal voice, irritating on the ears.
"First Mate now, Sir." Biggs replied.
"Ah yes, of course. I suppose I'll be saluting you one day, won't I?" He paused a moment, amused at some hidden thought in his odd little mind. "Then again, maybe not." And he passed the ID and ticket back.
"And you, Mister... Harkin? Another graduate on his way to become the next Darth Vader?" A smirk emerging on his face.
Narec popped him a crisp salute, "Yes, Sir!" To which the officer involuntarily responded in kind. The smirk vanished to be replaced by embarrassment and then subdued anger, his cheeks colouring.
Without another word, he shoved Narec's ID and ticket back in his hand, and went on to the final few passengers at the front of the craft. Obviously not finding what he was looking for, the officer abruptly turned about and stormed out of the shuttle, giving each of the men a menacing look as he strode past.
The white, imposing Stormtroopers quickly marched behind him, leaving the shuttle and returning to their ship. Crewmembers of the shuttle then resealed the airlock and prepared to depart once more.
Again, with little notification, the shuttle accelerated away from Tatooine, its twin suns shining brilliantly in the distance, the planet itself slowly shrinking behind them. Before long they made the jump to hyperspace.
Biggs' last thought was of Luke, hoping he wasn't caught up in the trouble brewing around Tatooine.
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The trip was slow and boring. Very little to do and nothing much to look at. The shuttle had very little in the way of in-flight entertainment and so the passengers had to make their own fun. A group at the rear of the craft had started a game of sabaac; some more listened to that computer generated musical gibberish that was all the rage years ago, whilst others just tried to sleep.
Biggs found himself nodding off when Narec tapped him on the shoulder from behind, having returned from the card game in progress. "Wake up, Darklighter. Let's go score some credits."
"I didn't think you liked to gamble, Narec." Biggs replied, trying to wake up. "Always preferred a sure thing."
Narec pointed at the game, "Have you seen who's playing? Just a bunch of aliens. That's no gamble, that's charity."
Biggs winced at Narec's obvious xenophobia. Why are so many people like that, he thought to himself? But it wasn't his concern, and besides, he had his own vices. One of which was sabaac.
"Ok, Narec. But let's not try to bankrupt them, shall we?"
Narec said nothing, simply lead the way to the game and sat at one of the empty seats. No smile, no expression. The perfect sabaac face.
Biggs joined him, introducing himself and Narec to the players already in attendance. One caught Biggs' eye straight away. An alluring woman of the Callite race. Long, purple hair all the way to her waist; strange black markings visible on her dark mauve neck and cheeks; and the most exotic green eyes he had ever seen. Quite a beauty.
"I'm Biggs Darklighter. I'm here to rescue your money." And added a wink and a smile that, when directed at most women, made them giddy. The Darklighter charm was almost as legendary as his piloting skills. But this was no ordinary woman. She stared back at him, clearly unimpressed by the brashness of his introduction.
Slowly the icy expression on her face melted as she weighed Biggs up and decided she liked him. She broke into a smile; a smile that even Biggs couldn't match. She transformed from 'quite a beauty' into the most gorgeous woman he had ever seen. His heart skipped a beat.
"I'm Charii," she replied. "But don't expect your 'rescue attempt' to succeed." They both laughed and Biggs took a seat opposite her, their eyes lingering on each other a moment longer.
"I look forward to the attempt, nonetheless," he countered lightly.
"Likewise," she purred.
"Can we get on with this already?" Narec moaned.
Biggs glanced at him briefly then back at Charii once more and just laughed with her as the cards were dealt. He was going to enjoy this game, no matter the outcome.
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The credits passed around the table as luck came and went for the individuals playing the game. Everyone seemed to be doing well at one time or another. Everyone but Narec, that is. His total credits only ever went down, making the always sour man that much more unpleasant. Even worse for him was the obvious attraction between Darklighter and that alien woman, Charii. They kept smiling and flirting with each other; stealing glances at one another. Infuriating! How could any decent Imperial officer have anything to do with that thing?
Narec kept his expression rigid the whole time, determined not to let anyone see his seething feelings show. The game continued and he lost another hand. Someone was cheating. Possibly. But it really didn't matter. This would be a good opportunity to carry out his plan. Kill two gelfbirds with one stone, as they say.
Reaching below the table, he slid out his small concealed blaster from its holster. This was going to be fun.
Biggs glanced at something glinting in the harsh light of the shuttle's interior, just above the edge of the table, slowly rising. Not expecting trouble, he didn't realize it was a blaster until it was too late. The gun rose up, Narec's hand steady as he swept the nozzle across the players in front of him.
Time slowed down for Biggs as he leapt from his seat and dived across at Narec. The man's expression had finally changed as he pointed the blaster at Charii, a foul expression of disgust and the hint of a sadistic smile curling the edge of his mouth.
Biggs grabbed his wrist just as the blaster discharged, causing the blast to miss Charii by a mere fraction. Wrestling the weapon from Narec's hot, sweaty hand was easy as they fell to the floor amid shouts of shock and outrage from the other passengers. But it wasn't until he had pinned Narec to the ground before he heard Charii call to him.
"Oh my stars, he killed someone!"
And there, sitting upright in his seat, a charred hole through his chest, was a man that until recently had been sleeping soundly behind Charii. Now a lifeless corpse.
Several of the shuttle's crew came hurriedly to the scene, anxious expressions on their faces. But as they attempted to assess what had happened, the intercom interrupted them.
"We are now approaching our first stop, the space depot Dalrath 159. All passengers must change craft at this stop. We hope you had a pleasant flight."
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The shuttle docked at the space depot minutes later. In that time, Narec had seemingly regained his senses and was calmly explaining to Biggs that he had no intention of blasting anyone; that Biggs had jumped to the wrong conclusion. Wanting to believe Narec, he let him continue.
"Let me go first and explain the situation," said Narec. "I'll explain that it was an accident and that you didn't mean to make me blast that guy."
Biggs, dumfounded at the turn in events from just a few minutes earlier, was caught off guard by Narec's dubious argument and what he said next, "Biggs, that girl looks pretty shaken up, you better make sure she's ok." And so Biggs, taken aback, turned his attention to Charii at the other end of the shuttle.
With Biggs distracted, Narec boldly walked off the craft before he was missed. Meanwhile, Charii made her way through the jittery passengers to Biggs' side.
"Are you all right?" he asked her when she finally made it.
"No, but I'll live, " she replied bravely. "I don't usually get shot at on these flights." And forced a smile for him.
Smiling weakly himself, Biggs told her of Narec's defence. "He says it was all an accident."
"And you believe him?" she asked incredulously. "You can't trust that man. There's something... wrong. I have a bad feeling about him."
"I know, but I think he's just a bit misunderstood. He's just - " But before he could finish his thought, a squad of Stormtroopers charged into the shuttle, scattering the passengers about as they came directly for Biggs.
"You! You're under arrest. Do not resist or we will shoot you!"
Charii quickly attempted to intercede. "But you've got the wrong man! He hasn't done anything wrong! He saved my life!"
Without giving the girl a second look, the lead Stormtrooper paused a second to ask Biggs a question. "Is your name Darklighter?"
"Yes, soldier. I'm Biggs Darklighter. First mate aboard the Rand Ecliptic. I think there's been a misunderstanding." Biggs stood tall and imposing, trying to intimidate the trooper, but to no avail.
"No misunderstanding, sir. You are coming with us... dead or alive, we don't care. Choose."
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