Beyond the Borders: Unknown Regions Part 2
The Present: In Space Above Lothal
Sabine stared out the Viewport of Ashoka's red ship at the vastness of space, her heart sank. "Where do we start? In all of that. Where do we start?" She asked Ashoka, waving her hand at the endless void in front of them. They had the initial direction that the Purgills had taken the Chimaera but beyond that how far did the Space Whales go?
"I do not know, all we can do is follow the projected path and hope that we find clues along the way." Ashoka believed that the Force would guide them, even though she was no longer a Jedi she did have a connection to the Force and with that connection they should be able to locate Ezra Bridger.
"We should have started looking years ago." Sabine said with an edge of frustration. In truth she wanted to start searching the second that the Purgills had taken Ezra. At the time it was impossible, first they had to prepare for the return of the Empire and then help Ryder establish a functioning Government. Time slipped away and now they were following a cold trail.
Ashoka had to ask the question. "What if he does not want to be found? Five years is a long time and he may have made the decision not to be found." Looking at the younger woman Ashoka could sense and see the hurt expression on her features. Ashoka shook her head then set the coordinates for a Hyperspace jump. Her own thoughts were on the reestablished New Republic and the Return of the Jedi. She knew that there were Jedi that had survived the purge and may come out of hiding to reform the Jedi Order. She had not decided yet if she would come forward or not. She was not a Jedi anymore and had no desire on being one again. The first jump was calculated. A mining Outpost near the Hoth Systems Asteroid Field. If the Purgills stopped, even briefly the Outpost would have easily detected them. Pulling the Levers towards her, the "Red" as she called her ship jumped into Hyperspace.
The Past: Start of the long Journey
At Forty Nine Percent Power the Sub-Light Engines could only propel the massive ship at one-third power. The almost functional long-range sensors had detected a system a few parsecs away and what would be only a Three hour Hyperspace jump now took most of a week to approach. Ezra had argued sternly with Thrawn about how to deal with the one Inhabited World within the System. Believing that coming in peace and asking to trade for the materials and supplies needed was better than demanding the World to release what they needed. Of course finding a Hyperdrive the size of a Corvette Cruiser would be probably be almost impossible, but maybe the World before them would have the replacement parts they would need to repair the Chimaera's Drive.
"So Captain, what do you suggest?" Thrawn asked as he peered out the forward Viewport. Several smaller ships orbited the World before them and most of them looked like century old transports and cargo ships. None of them was even close to being advanced enough to be of any use to them.
"We make contact and hope that perhaps they have some compatible parts that we can use." Ezra advised as a Larger then the other ships approached the Star Destroyer. After a quick scan of the ship the Chimaera detected that it was some type of Warship. Extremely old, about the size of a Corvette Cruiser and with some small weapons blistering its hull. Painted dark blue it slowly made it's way towards them. Looking over he saw Thrawn exhale and signal the communications station.
"To the approaching ship, I am Grand Admiral Thrawn of the Empire. We come in peace and wish to trade for equipment and supplies." Thrawn said as the dark blue ship stopped and in seconds someone spoke through the communication system.
"This is First Commander Eeeze, welcome Grand Admiral Thrawn. Traders are always welcome if they come in peace." A Human man on the holoscreen said as he bowed slightly. "Your ship is too big to orbit our world, if you hold station were you are I will contact the Traders to conduct any trading you desire." With that the holoscreen turned off.
"Perhaps you were correct in this approach, Captain." Thrawn admitted, but he still frowned at the idea. The Empire always demanded what they needed and payment would come if it was within the best interest of the Empire. Of course, Ezra argued that at present they did not have the weapons or fighters to force any world to submit. They needed what they had to defend themselves against Pirates or other threats. Thrawn relented and agreed, wasting what they had was foolish and could be expensive in the end. Since they had several regular TIE-Fighters that could be traded it made sense. It also made sense that the Eighteen Fighter Pilots they had all be trained and use the TIE-Interceptors instead of the TIE-Fighters. Ezra had suggested both and Thrawn reluctantly agreed.
"Thank you Sir." Ezra replied with a grimace, he hated being a temporary Imperial Captain. In his mind the rank and position was temporary, there was no way normally that he would even consider joining the Empire. Though in the last few days he did come to respect Thrawn, Ezra had noticed that a lot of the blustering and egocentric behavior that Thrawn had was more of a front. Perhaps to please the Emperor. Checking the readouts from the numerous stations he noticed that Lara Marcell was casually glancing at him from time to time. "Uh oh." He muttered, Ezra knew that look it was the same he had given to Sabine for years.
Remaining several days, Ezra took the opportunity to go to the World that the citizens called Wayfar and attempt to find out how so many Republic citizens were within the Unknown Regions. With reluctance and under stern orders from Thrawn, three Stormtroopers were sent with him. Ezra argued again that he could take care of himself and did not need protection. He had lost the argument. Walking into a Museum on Wayfar, one of his last stops he looked at the old relics from the past. Century old ships and Navigational Probes sat on displays. Leaving the white Armored Stormtroopers at the entrance Ezra sought out the Administrator. Finding the Mon Calamarii carefully restoring a Relic. "Excuse me sir, perhaps you can help me?"
The Salmon Colored Mon Cal turned and looked at Ezra. "Of course, how can I help you." Then the Mon Cal looked down and his huge eyes widened. "By the Gods of the past, you are a Jedi."
"Yes." Ezra replied as the Mon Cal approached and shook Ezra's hand within his vast flipper type hand. Feeling the excitement from the Mon Cal.
"There has not been a Jedi here in almost fifty years, the last one died of old age. This is quite an honor. I am Professor Asaak Gillak." Asaak said as his large eyes gleamed with excitement.
"I would like to know how you all got here, perhaps you have the course and coordinates of your ship available?" Ezra asked with some hope that perhaps there was some records here. The other places he had visited had no such records. Not even the Defense Command Headquarters for Wayfar.
Shaking his massive head, Asaak frowned. "I am sorry, when we departed the New Republic and arrived here a lot of our Navigational systems were malfunctioning and it was only because of Jedi Master Philik Dorn that we found Wayfar." Gesturing to a painting of a Man holding two Lightsabers in his hands on a nearby wall. The Jedi Master's Painting was from almost sixty years ago and the Man seemed to be quite old. "As you probably already been told, originally our mission was just to explore and settle on the outskirts of the Republic and Unknown Space. How we ended up here was purely an accident."
"Yes, one of the High Councilors informed me." Ezra said as he closed his eyes and turned to leave. The High Councilor was eager to tell Ezra the History of how the One Thousand Four Hundred and Thirty Two had arrived near Wayfar. Also that they had stripped the Cruiser that they used to arrive and that the Hyperdrive Engine was now part of their Power Plant, so any hope of bartering for the system was impossible. "Thank you for your time, I better report back to my Commander." Walking out of the Museum, Ezra barely noticed when the Three Stormtroopers fell in behind him to escort him back to the Lambda Shuttle. To his continued dismay he spotted Lara Marcell, with her escort of One Stormtrooper. She had been sent down to negotiate for Reactor parts and Power Cells. Seeing him she waved and smiled at him as he approached. "Ah, Bantha Shit." Ezra muttered as he returned the salute from Lara. "Any luck Ensign?" He asked the young girl that smiled and pointed behind her. Several large crates waited just outside the Shuttle.
"Yes Sir, They may not have a lot of the needed Engineering Parts. But they do have an abundance of Power Cells. No Reactor Parts that will work with our systems so the Hyperdrive is still going to be a problem." Lara replied then noticing his expression she had to ask. "No luck on the course coordinates, Sir?"
"No, there are no records of how they got here. It seems a Jedi Master used the Force to bring them here when they had a Malfunction in their Navigation Systems. Before you ask the Jedi Master has been dead for almost fifty years. I am so looking forward to reporting this to Grand Admiral Thrawn." Ezra said with a bit of sarcasm as he stomped up the ramp of the Shuttle and sat heavily in the pilot seat. In the end though the trading had been reasonably good, all of the supplies and parts had only cost them Three TIE Fighters. Not bad for what they had acquired. After the cargo was loaded, Ezra lifted the Shuttle and flew it back to the Chimaera.
The Present: The Hoth System.
Stomping onto the "RED", Sabine was annoyed. The Administrator admitted that all records and sensor data had been erased long ago. She felt frustrated at a possible clue was no longer available. Ashoka was not ready to give up, she told Sabine that she was going to talk to some of the Mining Pilots, hoping that perhaps one or more might remember seeing the Purgills, any Star Destroyers or anything of value. Sitting at the Cockpit, Sabine closed her eyes. She knew a lot of her impatience was due to that she never formalized her relationship with Ezra. For over a year, Sabine had considered claiming Ezra as hers, instead she believed that there was time. That was a delusion. She often wondered why she had not at least kissed him or told him how important he was to her. She knew the answer, she was afraid and confused about her feelings for him. Now she was ready, that is if they could locate him. Smirking she could imagine as she dragged him into her Family Home on Knownest, proclaiming him as her husband. Her thoughts were interrupted when Ashoka entered and exhaled.
"I found one, he remembers seeing the Purgills dragging Five Star Destroyers past Hoth. They jumped again along a Six one Eight Vector. Unfortunately the Purgills also jumped in different directions. He could not tell what ships they were when they Jumped in and then left." Ashoka told Sabine and gave a small smile.
"That is not good news, Ashoka." Sabine stated with a bit of aggravation, seeing Ashoka smile.
"True, but all we need is to find the right direction or vector that had the Chimaera. I have the Nine Possible directions, now all we have to do is trust the Force to guide us to the right one." Ashoka went to the Pilot Controls and closed her eyes, letting the Force guide her as she entered a series of Coordinates. In moments the "RED" jumped into Hyperspace.
The Past: Three Days away from Wayfar
Ezra stood on the Hanger deck as Lieutenant Perkuns, highest Ranking and now the Commander of the TIE Fighter Pilots paced in front of him. "Lieutenant all I want to know is if the Pilots have been trained on the Interceptor's or not." Ezra said to the Pilot as the older man frowned at him.
"Listen, I do not care what Grand Admiral Thrawn has ordered. To me you are a Rebel, a traitor and even worse a murderer. You are not my commanding officer, so go away." Perkuns to empathize his opinion pulled his blaster and pointed it at Ezra. "I could shoot you and under the Empire guidelines not even be punished for doing it."
"True you could try to shoot me and you would probably fail." With a smooth almost unseen movement, Ezra pulled his Lightsaber and ignited it before him. Waving it in front of him. All other sounds and talk on the Hanger Deck ended as the other Pilots and Maintenance Crews all stared at the scene before them. "Then most likely Thrawn would have you executed for disobeying his orders."
"Doubtful, since I am the only experienced Pilot on board." Perkuns stated as he considered pulling the trigger.
"Do not believe that!" Thrawn said as he entered the Hanger Deck. "Is there a problem here, Captain?" Thrawn asked as he stepped out of the Turbo Lift and walked towards the two men. The whole deck had come to attention, all except Ezra and Perkuns.
"No problem, Sir. Just a minor disagreement that I can handle." Ezra replied as Perkuns slowly put his blaster away.
"Good, now Captain I understand that you are unaware of procedures yet but I expect a report on the operations of the Chimaera every twelve hours. Also I would advise that you keep your communicator on." Thrawn stated sternly as he stared at Ezra with his eyes glowing brightly in anger.
"Like I have said before, Sir. I am not one for procedure." Ezra smirked at Thrawn.
"Well I will have to have Ensign Marcell instruct you on Imperial Ship Procedures then." Thrawn turned and stalked back to the Turbo Lift and returned to the Bridge.
"Now that is settled. You will store the TIE-Fighters and have your Pilots Trained on the Interceptors. Do I make myself clear Lieutenant?" Ezra asked as he put his Lightsaber away.
"Perfectly Sir." Perkuns replied. "You should know Sir, that you had no chance of surviving with that thing. I am a Triple AAA Marksmen with a Hand Blaster." Smirking.
"I very much doubt it. I have been blocking Blaster Bolts for years and long before you fired three times I would have cut the Blaster and probably your hand off." Ezra turned and departed, he still had to go to Engineering and get Dillon's report. Silently cursing that he allowed Thrawn to make him a Captain. As he rode the Turbo Lift he closed his eyes. "Great, I have been avoiding Lara Marcell for days and now she is going to instruct me on Imperial Procedures. I do not need this."
Back on the Hanger Deck one of Perkun's Pilots stepped over to him. "Sir, you should have shot that Rebel Jedi Scum." The Pilot said as he took his helmet off and glowered at the departing young man.
"Pilot, unless you want to spend a week in the Brig do not ever disrespect a superior officer in my presence! Do you understand!" Perkuns turned and glared at the Pilot.
"Yes Sir, Sorry Sir. It will not happen again" The pilot said automatically somewhat confused at what had happened.
"Good, now do as Captain Bridger has ordered. Store the TIE's and get prepped to train on the Interceptors. That means all of you." Perkuns said loudly as the other seventeen pilots rushed to obey the orders. Prekuns smirked slightly watching Ezra walk away. Perkuns never really respected his superior officers, but he could see that he could respect Ezra easily. Normally a Command Officer would have called for the nearby Stormtroopers to handle an irate Officer. Not that one, the Jedi Captain was all set to do it himself. He knew all about Lightsabers and Jedi. He also knew what they could do, so Ezra would have easily deflected the Blaster Bolts and probably cut Perkun's hand off for good measure. Smiling Perkuns went to move his own TIE Fighter off the Deck. Feeling satisfied at who Grand Admiral Thrawn had chosen to be the Captain and Second Officer.
After reporting to Thrawn, Ezra went to his office. To his dismay Ensign Lara Marcell was waiting with a stack of Data Pads. "Oh shit." Ezra said barely audible as Lara gave him a small smile.
"Sir Grand Admiral Thrawn has ordered me to instruct you on Imperial Star Destroyer Procedures." Lara stated as she waited for Ezra to open his office door. "Also he has ordered me to give you this." She handed Ezra a Comm-Link Communicator. "It has been Permanently Turned on and the Volume has been preset to just below the highest level." She told him with a sly smile as she saw him exhale sharply and take the device with a grunt.
Opening the office Lara followed him inside and put the pads on the desk. Picking one of them up and waiting for him to sit so she could start instructing him. "It is not really necessary for you to instruct me, I will read them over eventually." Ezra complained as Tara shook her head.
"I have been ordered to do this, Sir and also if that was true you would have read them long before now and obeyed them." Sitting across from Ezra she turned on the first of twenty two pads. "Now shall we begin with Bridge and Reporting Policies and Procedures, Sir." Handing him a duplicate pad so he could read along as she instructed him.
"Instead Ensign why not just shoot me?" Ezra said as he heard her chuckle and to his amazement he liked it. it sounded nothing like Sabine's laugh or but it was still really nice to hear.
"Sorry Sir, against Imperial Procedure to Shoot a Superior Officer." Lara smiled then began to lecture him.
To be Continued.