II: Escape from Hoth

Another shot fired, another random snowtrooper downed. Dax's new friend, Nal Krotan, wondered how so many had managed to pour into the base in such a short time. He glanced around to find any more, saw his sister, Jan, blast one in the face.

More bolts came from the direction of Jan's kill. A trio of troopers stepped forward, E-11 blaster rifles ready, as a fourth attempted to set up an E-web cannon behind them. A flurry of bolts came from Dax and Jan, cutting short the lives of the snowtroopers.

Nal quickly moved towards his partners. "Should we go that way?"

Jan shook her head. "That's not the right way. I know the way to the hangar with our transport. Follow me." She took off, almost leaving Dax and Nal behind.

They traveled through the icy hallways of Echo Base. Just meters away from the transport's hangar, they nearly ran right into another squad of snowtroopers. Nal quickly activated and tossed a thermal detonator. The explosion sent the Imperials sprawling through the air.

One of their rifles hit Jan in the face. The other two looked at her: Dax didn't know what to expect, but Nal did. Her eyes widened slightly, her mouth wavered, and a small tear began forming in her left eye. Nal walked over and tried to calm her down, but it didn't look like it would do any good; suddenly Dax walked over, just looked her in the eyes. He had an almost magical effect on her: she immediately calmed down and stared up at him. There was something about her expression that would have made him fall unconscious if he didn't turn away. His face burned red as he attempted to establish leadership. "W-we, uh, we have to get going soon, more troopers could be on their way."

The other two nodded and followed him the short way to the transport. They found more Rebels on the loading ramp, quickly filling the transport. Jan turned to Dax, put on an expression she hoped he would find cute, and asked innocently, "Dax..would you mind joining us on the transport?"

Dax looked surprised: he was about to agree when he remembered he still had his own starfighter. And F3..he couldn't leave them behind. "I..I'm sorry, Jan, I can't leave my ship or F3 behind. I'm sure you.."

She wouldn't hear it. "Dax, please, I want you to stay in the transport with me." She made no effort to hide anything from him. She wanted to be with him, through all the danger they would no doubt face on the way off the planet.

The hangar shook, and a path opposite the one they just arrived from collapsed. The man standing in front of the transport received a transmission. "Transport, this is Solo. Better take off -- I can't get to you. I'll get the princess out on the Falcon."

"Understood, sir." He shut off the COM link. "Alright, everyone get on the transport now! We have to leave soon or the Empire'll disassemble it and shove the pieces right up our asses!"

Another transmission came. Everyone received it; it was urgent. "Main generators are disabled. All blast doors no longer function." Dax's heart sank. He remembered Jan closed the door in Bay 7. Jan, however, seemed almost delighted.

Nal turned to the transport. "Hey, pilot! What bay doors are closed?"

The pilot checked something on his wrist-communicator. "Uh...lessee..yeah, we've got Bays 3, 5 and 9 closed." All three were shocked. Dax glanced at Jan, then Nal. Why the hell isn't Bay 7's door closed? Who opened it? "Well, Jan, I guess I'll still be able to get my ship out of here. Don't worry- X-wings are fast, I'll escort the transport." The pilot overheard, shouted "Thanks!" as he boarded the transport. "Last call! Get in NOW!"

Dax dashed back the way he came, waving goodbye to his new friends.