Chapter 4 – Escaping with the plans
Things had all but come to a standstill onboard the Blockade-Runner "Tantive IV" as Imperial Stormtroopers began to fan out and look for any more Rebel soldiers that were still lurking in the hallway. Although the recent gunfight had taken a bit longer than what was expected, the Imperials did their job well and were nothing if not thorough with the Rebel soldiers who were waiting for them when the Star Destroyer captured the ship. However, the Imperial officers didn't want to take any chances with any lingering resistance.
Then when one of the Stormtroopers heard that the Emperor's right hand agent himself was preparing to board the Rebel ship he signaled to the rest of his team to stand at attention, to which the rest wasted no time.
Then in the midst of the makeshift fog that was still lingering from the gunfight, out appeared a tall intimidating figure. Despite the fact that this individual was not dressed in an Imperial uniform let alone Stormtrooper armor, the body language more than conveyed the notion that this was still someone high up in the Empire's hierarchy and therefore not one to be questioned, unless it was the Emperor himself.
Plus the fact that the figure was clothed in a mixture of tunics/robes with separate gray armor plating on the torso, and armored gauntlets on the forearms with the face nearly obscured by the hood added an aura of mystery but not in a welcoming way, given how the Imperial officers tried to move away as much as possible to allow him to pass through.
As the figure continued to survey what had happened one Rebel soldier peered from his hiding spot and readied his blaster to take a shot. However no sooner did he deactivate the safety did the dark figure then stop looking around and freeze.
Thinking that this was his opportunity the Rebel then aimed at the figure and fired, but no sooner did he take the shot did the figure then hold out a hand and somehow absorb the blaster bolt, with no sign of pain.
Immediately two of the Stormtroopers moved into action and fired back at the Rebel, but the figure gestured to them to hold their fire as he then stepped forward to deal with the Rebel himself.
Once again the soldier fired some more shots at the figure to which the latter simply raised his hand again to absorb the shots. Realizing that things weren't working the soldier then holstered his blaster and charged at him with a vibrosword only to have the figure catch the sword arm with his left hand, immediately applying enough pressure to break the bones in the man's hand, causing him to drop the vibrosword as he yelled in pain.
Grabbing his adversary by the throat with his other hand, the dark-clad figure then raised him up as he brought the latter closer to his hooded face.
"Defiant even in the face of defeat." Remarked the foe in a voice that was somewhat digitized, yet not robotic. "An admirable quality, yet futile."
"Just who…are you?" Asked the Rebel with a strained voice.
"You really wish to know?" Asked the figure with a slight chuckle as he then unceremoniously dropped the man to the floor. Then he pulled back the hood of his cloak, revealing the visage of a male Zabrak. Red markings lined his face along with horns on the head with the nose and mouth concealed by what looked like a breathing apparatus. But even with that contraption the whole ensemble made the Zabrak look even more menacing, especially with the amber-colored eyes that seemed to drill right into the Rebel's soul.
"So…it really is you." Remarked the soldier fearfully.
"And who exactly is it you think I am?" Asked the Zabrak as he began to step towards the Rebel slowly.
The Rebel didn't answer.
"Well, since you seem unable to articulate anything at the moment, allow me to help refresh your memory." He then raised his hand in upwards grip which caused the Rebel to find himself floating up as he tried desperately to breathe.
"Those who know me the best know that there is no need to conjure up images of me to stoke their own fears, for they only need to remember I am fear. And if they oppose the Emperor's will, they only need to remember I am the hunter, with them as my prey. And right now…from what I can see and sense about you…well…you are nothing of significance by siding with these traitors. Absolutely NOTHING!"
As he said this the Zabrak drew a small hilt-looking object, to which upon drawing it ignited a crimson plasma blade which then swiped across the Rebel quicker than one could blink, removing his head and right arm.
Deactivating his weapon and placing it back on his person, the Zabrak then gestured to two Stormtroopers to take the body away while he and the rest of the Stormtrooper squad went further into the Blockade Runner's corridor, hoping to find not so much surviving Rebels, but rather what they had in their possession…
"It's all here."
"Okay, let's hurry. We don't know how much time we have left before they come looking through here."
An Astromech droid chirped urgently as two voices finished talking before one person then placed a data-tape into the droid's drive slot, to which the droid then chirped that it had received the information. Once that was done the droid turned and headed straight down the dark hallway as fast as its wheels could carry it…
"Sorry Darth Maul, but the Death Star plans are not in the main computer or in any of the other sub-directories on the ship's network." Reported one Stormtrooper to the Zabrak as the latter was holding up yet another helpless Rebel soldier who tried to attack him.
"If I have to ask a second time after this, you will be missing more than just one appendage." Threatened Maul as he glared at the Rebel. "Where are those transmissions you intercepted? What exactly have you done with those plans?!"
"We have…not intercepted…any transmissions of any kind." Replied the Rebel soldier as he gasped for breath. "This is…a councilor ship. We are on a diplomatic mission!"
Maul just chuckled darkly under his respirator. "Well then, if this is truly a councilor ship, then where may I ask is the ambassador?" He finished as he tightened his grip on the man's throat.
Unfortunately the strain from breathing and the extra pressure from the Sith Lord's strength proved too much for the Rebel and he then passed out, to which Maul dropped him unceremoniously to the floor.
"Commander, tear this entire ship apart until you find those plans, and if you find any passengers, bring them to me, I want them alive!" Maul barked.
Immediately the Imperials fanned out and began searching everywhere, even pulling out scanners to use on nearby crates.
In the midst of this, two hooded figures then stealthily approached the Stormtroopers, each with a blaster in hand.
"Sir!" Called out another Trooper as he spotted the Rebel duo, only to be shot down.
"I see them! Men, set for stun!" Answered another Trooper as the squad took aim and fired. Unfortunately, a couple more Troopers were shot down before one managed to get a shot in and take out one of the pair that was fighting back, while another Trooper followed up with a stun shot of his own.
With the two Rebels out the Stormtroopers then walked over to them and propped them upright so they could remove their hoods, revealing the faces of two young brunette women. Both were dressed in maroon/tan jumpsuits with utility vests, but the petite one was sporting metallic armbands signifying political office.
"Are they both alive?" Asked the Stormtrooper captain.
"Yes." Replied another Stormtrooper. "The stun shots worked."
"Excellent." Said the captain before gesturing to another Trooper. "Inform Lord Maul we have two prisoners."
"And not just any prisoners," added another Trooper as he looked through a data-pad which brought up the identification of the two women. "But Senator Padmé Naberrie of Alderaan and her handmaiden/chief assistant Dormé."
R2-D2 kept quiet as he rolled on towards the launch bay for the escape pods. Despite realizing that this wasn't exactly in the original plan, he knew the importance of having a contingency or two in case things went down the tubes, hence what he was doing right now. Of course, things were now a mixture of both guess work and clear paths at this point. Fortunately the planet the ship was passing through was where he needed to go, and despite being only a droid R2 seemed to have developed a "sense" of knowing that things do have a way of working themselves out regardless of the circumstances. But then again, that might have come from being around his mistress and particularly her small family during these many years.
Rolling up to an escape pod and putting in an override command, R2 quickly made his way into the pod, to which immediately the escape pod closed shut and jettisoned from the Blockade Runner. The Imperials spotted the ejection but upon discovering there weren't any lifeforms aboard chose to ignore it, believing it to be a malfunction.
As the escape pod hurtled toward what looked like a desert planet R2 knew he couldn't do much except buckle down as much as he could. Although the little astro droid wasn't sure what would happen when he touched down he did know that he had a mission to accomplish, and by the Maker he was going to accomplish it, come hell or high water.
He could only hope that the person he needed to meet was alive and well, because the alternative scenario was not one R2 wanted to think about…
