THE HUNTERS
Chapter 1
Sorian Marine captain Kilro Azzri walked the halls of the pirate ship. It was a CR90 class, obviously heavily modified with additional cannons, souped-up engines, and bolted-on missile launchers. The rest of his boarding party scurried around the vessel, scanning for hidden cargo or sticking restraining bolts on the pirate droids. As he walked, Kilro thought about how lucky he was. On his unit's first day of action they had reduced by one the number of pirate scum terrorizing the galaxy.
Kilro finished his tour of the ship and headed for the cargo bay. After the stun rounds had worn off the pirate crew had been rounded up, restrained, and taken to the bay to await transport to one of the Sorian Navy ships circling the vessel. They would then be taken to the Sorian homeworld of Sori to await trial. Kilro had no doubt they would be convicted. There was enough proof of that in the cargo bay. The pirate captain had tried to convince him that the crates were part of his cargo, but the Alderaanian seal on the crates said otherwise. Kilro also thought himself lucky that the ship had entered an area where all ships not broadcasting a Sorian IFF were to be detained without question. Under any other circumstances he would have been forced to hail the vessel first, which would have made their story about being a lost cargo ship much more convincing.
Kilro arrived in the cargo bay and crossed his arms. The about twenty pirates and 10 plus droids that made up the pirate crew were scattered around the room. Most were sitting down, their wrist and ankle binders held in front. The ones most likely to cause trouble were on their knees, their binders behind their backs. Two Sorian marines stood watch over them, blaster rifles held at the ready.
As Kilro stood in the doorway he examined the crew. Ten were human, but there were two Zabraks, two Rodians, three Weequay, a Twi-lek, a Huuk, and a Chagrian as well. Most were male, but one of the Zabraks, one of the Rodians, and the Twi-lek were female. All wore dirty flightsuits and helmets with ear covers and blast shields. Some, obviously the enforcers, also wore patchwork body armor. Many sported scars.
Tired of simply staring at this ragtag band Kilro spoke a command into his helmet's communications system. Seemingly on impulse, the two marines herded the pirates into a pack in front of their captain. Kilro pulled his helmet off, noticing some surprised looks as he revealed his blue skin, and spoke to the group.
"I am Captain Kilro Azzri of the Sorian Marine Corps," he said commandingly, "You all are charged with entering a restricted area without required authorization, possession of stolen items, and of course, piracy." The pirates continued to stare at him.
"In a few moments you will be escorted to the Lance-class frigate Tormentor," Kilro continued, "From there you will be transported to Sori, where you will be put on trial." The pirates continued to stare, but Kilro noticed fear on their faces. He waved to his men, who nudged the pirates to their feet. The not-so-merry band trudged away down the hall. Suddenly Kilro's comlink began to beep.
"Kilro here," he said, raising the comlink to his mouth.
"We're receiving a message from command," a voice replied.
"Roger that," Kilro said, "I'll be right there." Kilro replaced his helmet and made his way through the corridors of the pirate ship to his own ship, the Hydra. Once aboard he rode the turbolift to the bridge and walked up to the central holoprojector. The captain of the Hydra,Captain Laris Cooms, was conversing with the holoimage of a tall man in Sorian Navy dress whites, admirals' insignia displayed proudly on his collar. Kilro stood before him and saluted.
"At ease, Captain," the admiral said, "Excellent work neutralizing that pirate scum."
"Thank you sir," Kilro replied, "Just doing my job." The admiral nodded.
"Of course," he said, "Now to business." The admiral stepped back and two more holoimages appeared. One was of a tall human with a scar across his eye. The other was a young Togruta female. Both carried lightsabers.
"This is Jedi General Anakin Skywalker and his padawan Ahsoka Tano," the admiral said, "For the next deployment rotation you will be under their command." Captain Kilro nodded. He had expected this to happen eventually. Even though the Sorians had been hidden from the galaxy for the last few millennia, ever since they had been revealed by the Republic and agreed to help them fight the Great Galactic War and the following conflicts up until the Battle of Ruusan, a few months ago a Republic convoy had once again revealed them to the galaxy. The Sorians had recently agreed to assist the Republic in its war against the Sepratists. Kilro turned to the Jedi and saluted. The Jedi bowed in return.
"Aurek Company, 5th Sorian Marine Regiment is at your command, General Skywalker," Kilro said.
"Good to hear it Captain," the Jedi replied, "The Resolute is almost at your coordinates, stand by." The holoimage flickered out. Kilro turned to Captain Cooms.
"Have all the prisoners been detained?" he asked.
"Affirmative," Cooms replied. Kilro nodded and keyed his comlink to the company frequency.
"All Aurek company personnel report to the hangar bay immediately," he said. Just as he finished the sentence a long, sleek warship slid out of hyperspace in front of the Hydra. "Our ride is here."
