'Knowing is Half The Battle'

Day 1-08:57:44

Imperial outpost, Jixuan Desert

Goll has taken the blurrgs back to the Syndulla house to keep them from blowing out cover, while the rest were hiding around the base to ambush the transport. I got the worst part out of all, I had to disguise myself as a stormtrooper to help them time the right moment to pounce, but not before I extracted a mountain load of information from the server in the outpost. It wasn't much, but old habits die hard for me.

The code for the ambush is "He's here.". Even though with almost every probability accounted for, I still wasn't on board with this idea. But what can I do? I'm the only one in the team that could fit inside a stormtrooper armour properly.

Just keep your cool. Soldier.

"Heads up. Transport is inbound, 30 seconds out." Said Numa. I looked around and noticed a dot on my right. It didn't take a genius to figure out it was the transport we're here for. An RTT, as I expected. Another two speeders emerged at the side of it, with a scout trooper on either one of them. My eyes glued at the RTT as it stopped in front of me. Even if they already know about our attack, I'll be ready to take them.

The two scout troopers stepped off, along with an officer from the RTT. "You don't usually come out alone, soldier." The officer pointed. Normally I would've panicked when questioned like this, and Gobi knew that well. So while the other twi'leks were setting up for the ambush at the front door and the over watch, he gave me specific instructions on what to say.

"I know sir. Good to see you too. I'm afraid we have a technical problem inside that would need your attention, sir. The power's..." I replied, but I was interrupted before I could finish my sentence. "...cut? Certainly you have enough men to handle that. Besides, it's daytime right now. So no pressure soldier." "I guess you're right." I said as we approached the front door.

"He's here." I heard the shatter of glass almost instantly, followed by a grunt from the other side of the front door. The ITT's windscreen was shot into pieces and Gobi pushed open the door with all his might. I quickly turned around and knocked out the officer before he could react, while Nordon, who stayed with Gobi, gunned down one of the scout troopers. The other trooper drew his pistol, but was shot by Crost(I think) before he could pull the trigger.

All of it happened in less than five seconds. Objective complete. No casualties on our side. It seems like things couldn't get any better. The twi'leks and I pooled into the transport with some other supplies found inside the base. "You know how to drive this thing, kid?" Asked Gobi.

I shook my head, as the only thing I really know how to drive is a motorcycle from my home planet. "Excellent! Here's a chance for you to practice then. Nordon, take the gun. Let the kid drive." The rest nodded with evil grins on their face. I was about to protest, but Gobi made a point: you got to learn what you don't know.

I sighed and plopped onto the driver seat, having almost no idea on what to do. I pushed the first handle I saw, and it turns out it wasn't even a handle. It was the joystick for steering and accelerating. Alright. Just like playing video games. I thought.

I finally managed to get the hang of it. And by 10:00 we're back at Syndulla House, with a full load of supplies and munitions. "Just leave it here. Come on." Said Gobi. "Nice. I really need to stretch my legs after all that driving." I replied in relief. I picked up my DC15 and got outside the ITT with the rest of the twi'leks. Supriisingly, I wasn't even tired, at all. I guess the training I made up for myself for running away from the Empire has paid off.

Cham was already waiting for us, along with some other twi'leks that weren't in the job. "Nice job people. We'll last well for another three weeks with all this support. And kid, I need to have a word with you." The rest turned their attention on me, which was getting creepy as it always was. "Oh don't worry, you're not in trouble." He continued.

The rest chuckled in response. I couldn't help but curse under my breath. I followed him to his room, trying not to think of what he'll say. Or at least I thought I was going to his room. He brought me to the war room, where battle plans and various pictures were stapled on one side on the wall, and carvings of twi'leki on the other side. "This is what we do all the time, steal from the Empire and use it to free the people. That picture consists of every member of this movement, except those who need to stay in the shadows, like the sniper who helped you out this morning."

He shifted to the right wall and pointed at the twi'leki carvings on it. "Those are the names of all the members of our crew. After you make it through the trial, you may carve your name on it as well."

I noticed that a few of the names had an extra scratch on it, like it was taken off a list. "General, why are some of the names scratched off?" Cham sighed and told me those people died fighting either the Separatist or the Empire, including his wife.

"I'm sorry." It was all that could come out of my mouth. I've lost faith in my parents, but losing someone you actually care about? I haven't been through that.

Cham left afterwards. But I decided to stick around for a while. I remembered Gobi telling me about my trials on my first night here. From what I understand, I will have to survive out in different, but equally hazardous environments of Ryloth. Whether it's having to live with Gutkurrs, getting past packs of Lyleks, infiltrating the Imperial fortress of Nabat, or starving for days with no help. Every two weeks I can return for resupplying, but I have only five hours to do so, and the supplies I can take are limited.

The whole procedure will last for roughly two months, or go on until I pass. But since the Empire is growing every day here, those who take the trial won't necessary have to be solo. I was one such example. While I was driving the ITT earlier this morning, Nordon informed me that I will be joining Numa tonight when she comes back for resupplying.

They've detailed out everything, which is a lot. They even told me this kind of trial only happens when Cham is too busy to train new members himself. It was weird to be, but it's quite reasonable for them to have such a system, since the Movement was created for almost 10 years, which is very long for an insurgent group.

I should really just stop thinking that much. Or at least not now.