CHAPTER SIX
Maddigan stared at the holo image of Aysha for a long moment before looking to Calhoun and Griss for any sign that they may be joking. They weren't. He let out a deep breath and considered his response. "So let me get this straight…" he began, "You want me to trust these two enough to take me as prisoner and turn me over to the Empire in exchange for this doctor?"
"In a nutshell, yes." Calhoun smirked.
"You will be taken under the illusion of being their prisoner." Aysha was quick to add. "Your bindings will not be secure. When the time comes, they will need you to help extract Vaerel. Everyone comes home. That's the plan."
The last comment was directed at Calhoun and he knew it, he just chose to ignore it.
"And if I refuse?" Maddigan said with genuine seriousness.
"Maddie, please." Aysha purred. "They can't rescue Vaerel without getting on that ship, and they can't do that without a prisoner to exchange. We can do this nice and work as a group, or I can deactivate your primary implants, leaving you weak as a cub for the transfer. The choice is yours."
"You don't have the access to my cybers." Maddigan called her bluff.
"Are you sure about that?" She replied in a cold, even tone. "Have you forgotten who it was that assisted in the implantation in the first place?"
He considered this for a moment the spat out a silent curse. "You always did know how to cover all your bases. Fine, I'll help, but the first sign that things are turning sour, your friends are on their own."
"Fine." Aysha smiled, looking to Calhoun, "But things aren't going to go sour. Everything's going to go as smoothly as synthsilk, isn't it, Bren?"
"That's the plan." Calhoun leaned forward and disconnected the call before Aysha could get another word in. He turns in his chair and nodded to Maddigan. "We have an hour before we transmit the clearance codes Aysha gave us. Once they're accepted and we dock we'll move directly to the maximum holding facility on deck seventeen, get the Doc, make our way back and leave. Easy money."
"Assuming the codes are any good." Griss added grimly.
"And if they're not?" Maddigan asked.
"Then it won't matter. We won't get anywhere near the docking hangar without being blown out of space, let alone to the Doctor's cell." She rebutted. "And to make matters worse," she added, "even our internal communications have a risk of being detected so once you're off this ship we won't be able to safely coordinate. You'll be on your own."
Calhoun considered this for a moment then nodded. "Then we do this old-school." He flipped a switch on the console, shutting down the stasis field containing Maddigan. He then tossed a pair of magcuffs to the cyborg. "Get used to these. You'll want to know how to disengage them when the time comes."
Maddigan inspected the cuffs in his hands. On the inside palm of the left cuff was a small pressure plate. It was awkward to reach, but once pressed the mag lock disengaged.
"And if things do start to go sour," Calhoun said as he stood. Revealing a small triggering device in his hand, "you stick with the group. If you wader beyond a distance of thirty meters, well, let's just say that's as far as you'll ever get. Aysha's not the only one to cover his bases, Maddie." Calhoun winked and left the cyborg alone in his cell.
"He's going to figure it out sooner or later." Griss muttered as she prepped the Fury for flight. "And when he does, he's going to be pissed."
"Maybe." Calhoun leaned back in his seat, pressing the button on the 'detonator' repeatedly. A small red light beamed from the end; a perfect plaything for a pet feisty Loth-cat, but hardly any other real use. "Let's hope it's later rather than sooner."
"Pre-flight check is complete." Griss said, pulling the yoke back. "Here we go."
The Fury's vertical lift engines roared to life, lifting the twenty-odd million tonne ship into the air. The nose dipped slightly as Griss pulled the yoke back, filling the forward monitor with an image of quickly-approaching ground.
"Up, up up!" Calhoun managed to yell. Griss immediately pushed the control forward, the ship responding by levelling off.
"Huh." Griss commented, "Controls are reversed. Didn't expect that."
"Do you want to take it around the block a few times first? Get a feel for it?" Calhoun said, feeling somewhat nauseated.
"No, I think I got it now. Setting course for atmospheric escape and, go." She pushed the controls harder. Although he couldn't hear them, he could feel the vibration of the engines' powerful thrust against the gravitational pull of the planet. Blue sky and cloud gave way to haze, followed by the inky expanse of space. Once free from the pull of the planet's surface the ride became incredibly smooth. "This isn't a bad ride, actually. I assumed the Empire always sacrificed performance for comfort, but this is nice." She mused. "Maybe we should keep it."
"I'll make you a deal." Calhoun smirked, "Get us in and out in one piece and as far as I'm concerned, this thing's yours. I'll take the Elysium any day, even with Nine's constant chatter."
Griss grinned as she brought the Fury's holographic heads-up display online. An image of their flight path appeared on the monitor before them. She navigated slightly to bring the Fury into position and hit the autopilot. "We should rendezvous with the Imperial ship in roughly twenty minutes." She moved her seat back and swivelled to face him.
"I know." He said, reading her face, "I'm not a fan of this plan either."
"There is an excellent chance that this won't work, that we'll give the docking codes that Aysha gave us and get blown out of space before we can land." She said matter-of-factly, "And even if we do manage to dock, the probability of us being discovered, captured or killed only gets higher each moment we're aboard that ship."
"Don't be such a pessimist." He smiled. It was meant to give some sense of assurance. From the expression on her face it failed miserably. He leaned forward and took her hand in his. "This is going to work. We're going to get in, get the Doc and get out."
"How can you be so certain of that?" She asked.
"Well I don't know about you, but I still have plenty of things I want to do before I die, and you know me," He grinned, "I don't like to leave things unfinished."
"I'm being serious." She warned.
"So am I." He looked at his partner with earnest admiration and trust. "What did I say to you when I first brought you onboard?"
"Hey Lass, ever seen the inside of a smuggler's cabin?" She chuckled.
"Not that." He laughed, "The other thing."
She looked at him, then shook her head, smiling. "You said the universe was a book upon which infinite pages were left blank, waiting to be filled with the stories of daring exploits and adventure."
"And?" He gestured for her to continue.
"And that if I joined your crew you would see to it that as many of those pages were filled with our stories, our exploits and our adventures." She sighed. "Looking back, it was a really cloud-headed thing to say."
"Maybe," He grinned again, "but it's true and you know it. I still have plenty of stories left in me to die on this mission. How about you?"
"Yeah." She admitted, "Probably."
"Probably?" Calhoun smirked. "Better curb your enthusiasm there. I need you clear-headed for this. I have a feeling it's going to get bumpy fast."
Commander Velor stood over the command crew serving on his bridge. Some of the finest men and women the Empire had to offer, and they would live or die at his command. This thought filled him with both a sense of pride and power. Velor himself was a man slight of build, lean, with greying hair slicked back beneath his cap. Every badge, every button was perfectly aligned; his very uniform a testament to the perfection he saw in himself and enforced within his crew. Nothing was out of place and nothing escaped his attention. Another point of pride he congratulated himself on.
"Sir," Came a voice from the Junior Officer manning the comms station. "We're receiving a request for docking from a ship, Interceptor class."
Velor raised an eyebrow. "And why are you bringing this to my attention?"
The Officer shook his head. "The clearance codes they are presenting are out of date by at least three months."
"I see." Velor said, "Put it through." The Officer hit a button and nodded. Velor cleared his throat, more for theatrical effect than any other reason. "Incoming Interceptor, your clearance codes are expired. Kindly transmit the current codes prior to approaching this spacecraft. Failure to comply and we will have no choice other than to open fire. You have thirty seconds to respond."
"They're responding, Sir." The Officer pressed a button.
"Commander Velor, I presume." Calhoun's masqueraded voice rang from the other end.
"Yes, and to whom as I speaking? I do not appreciate talking to unknown persons." Velor motioned to the Gunner to arm the turrets.
"I'm sending my credentials now. Read them carefully." Calhoun sneered.
Velor looked down as the data appeared on his console. His jaw dropped slightly. "Captain Drae, forgive my impetuousness, but I still require transmission of the current docking codes before I can allow even you to approach this vessel. Surely you understand."
There was a moment of silence from the Fury, long enough to give Velor cause to believe the line had been disconnected. He was about to speak when another string of data appeared.
"The information I have just shared with you," Calhoun said in as flat and emotionless a tone as he could muster, "explains why I have been out of communication from the Empire for the past year. I have been working undercover with Imperial Intelligence to capture the fugitive known as Maddigan. I have orders to bring him to you for imprisonment and interrogation. If you would prefer to squabble over stale codes and actively prevent me from completing a mission of this importance and has cost the Empire countless resources then that is fine. I will turn away, but know that your name will be marked heavily in my report as providing interference. It's not easy to get rid of a black mark like that from your service record, Commander."
There was a heavy hush that ran through the bridge as all present waited for Velor's response. No officer dared to make a sound. Some even refused to breathe for fear of incurring the wrath that was undoubtedly brewing in Velor's chest. When Velor spoke, his voice was forcibly calm and controlled. "Lieutenant Bavis."
The Junior Officer jumped at the mention of his name. "Yes, sir?"
"Just how old are those docking codes, exactly?" Velor said between clenched teeth.
"Um…" Bavis stumbled.
"How long?!" Velor's voice cracked like thunder.
"Three months!" Bavis yelped, "At least six rotations."
Velor took In a deep breath and let it out slowly. His hands tightened around the metal railway to the point his knuckles almost glowed white, yet when he spoke, his voice carried with it a well-practiced calm authority. "Interceptor class vessel, you have clearance to dock. Bring your ship to docking bay six-one-Bravo. When you are within range the docking tractors will bring you in."
"Wise choice, Commander." Calhoun replied, "Thank you for the authorization."
"Don't thank me yet, Captain." Velor said, sneering. "That privilege can wait until we meet in person. On the docking arena." Velor made the motion to cut the channel. He set his jaw and pushed away from the bannister. "I want a full armed detail on deck before that ship lands."
Griss gave a nervous glance to Calhoun as the Fury shuddered slightly under the control of the tractor beam. He smiled to her. "We've cleared the first hurdle, at least."
"Every moment from this point forward…" She said, her tone somewhere between dread and anger.
"I know." He pushed himself upright and nodded. "I know. That's why I want you to stay on the ship for this run."
"You can't be serious!" She ejaculated.
"I can handle Maddie until we get to the prison level, and from there I'm sure the two of us can get the doctor back here." He said sternly, "But we're most probably going to need to take off quickly, so I need to know the ship's manned and ready to fly."
"No." She shook her head and stood. "No. I can prep the ship remotely, you know that. There's no need…"
"That's an order." He said. His tone and expression made it clear to Griss there was no room for negotiation. "If things go south, and we both know they probably will, I'll need to know at least one of us is getting out of here alive. Take this ship and run. When the smoke's cleared get back to Nine and the Twins and leave the system. Don't look back."
"Bren…" She wanted to scream, to fight, to do anything other than stay behind, but she knew there was no changing his mind. She locked her eyes with his, a stern look on her face. "Aye, Captain."
"That's my girl." He winked then headed to the rear of the ship to gather Maddigan.
Griss sat back in her seat, feeling cold and alone for the first time in years. She looked out the main view screen to the monolithic Imperial Ship drawing them in like a spider dragging a fly that foolishly fell into its web.
"Wake up, Sunshine." Calhoun kicked Maddigan's heel and tossed the pair of rigged magcuffs to him. "It's showtime."
Maggidan growled and stood. "We never discussed a contingency."
"That's because there is none." Calhoun scoffed.
"I'm not a real fan of not having an escape plan." The cyborg said as he closed the cuffs around his wrists.
"I never said we didn't have an escape plan." Calhoun smirked. "Just that we don't have a contingency. Trust me, this will work."
Maddigan regarded Calhoun up and down and let out a heavy sigh. "And if I don't trust you?"
Calhoun shrugged. "I hear Korriban's absolutely dreadful this time of year. Any time of the year, actually. I guess we'll find out."
The Fury glided into the landing bay, guided by the ships automated tractor gear. As it lowered itself to the surface of the bay the Fury's landing gear slipped out from their recesses and buckled slightly under the weight of the ship as it came to a rest.
Velor, flanked by armed troopers on either side, stood at parade rest, his eyes locked on the ship as it landed. A moment later the main hatch opened with an audible hiss and release of pressurized oxygen, followed by Maddigan, bound by the magcuffs and led by Calhoun at gunpoint. Velor could feel his men tense at the sight of the cyborg. He felt his own muscles tighten and willed them to relax. This was, after all, his ship. His domain, and he effused to be intimidated by anything whilst standing firmly on its deck.
"That's close enough." Velor ordered Calhoun and Maddigan to a halt. "Your orders, Captain."
"My orders are simple enough." Calhoun said, his voice augmented to carry the lilt of an Imperial Accent. "I am to deliver this piece of living scrap to your maximum security detention center in exchange for another prisoner"
"Exchange?" Velor's eyebrow raised in surprise. "An exchange for whom?"
"Some Twi'lek scientist you supposedly have on board." Calhoun tried to remain gruff and forceful. He'd be damned if he was going to lose control of any conversations with the Commander.
"Twi'lek scientist? Surely you're mistaken." Velor sneered. "We have received no orders to suggest that particular prisoner is to me moved anywhere. Considering his importance," Velor continued, "I sincerely doubt High Command would give such an order." He motioned for two of his troopers to move forward. "We will take this prisoner off your hands, but I am afraid I can not allow you to remove anyone until I have confirmation. Until then you are more than welcome to remain here as our guest."
As the troopers moved forward Calhoun could feel Maddigan's muscles tense, ready to spring into action. He pressed the barrel of his blaster into the man's back as a warning. "I appreciate the offer, Commander," Calhoun said, maintaining an even tone, "But my orders strictly disallow my handing over of this prisoner to anyone until I can personally assure he is behind a stasis field." His voice lowered. "Do you know what this man is capable of should he somehow manage to regain power to his augments? He would tear each of us limb from limb like a wild beast, and when he's done here he'll go through this ship, deck by deck, and slaughter everyone on board. Right now the only thing preventing him from doing that is this blaster pressed against the one soft sport this walking tank has. The instant my finger lifts even a millimetre from this trigger we're all dead."
The troopers stopped in their tracks and eyed Maddigan warily. They took a half-step backward when he beared his teeth and growled.
"If you want to ty and verify my orders, by my guest." Calhoun added, "But I will be walking this prisoner to his holding cell, and the sooner the better, 'cause my finger's starting to get rather tired."
Velor set his jaw to the point his teeth ached. To be given orders on his own ship was a discomfiture he refused to allow, but being held responsible for the death of his crew due to the release of a crazed killer cyborg was too great a risk to his record to even contemplate. Still, he had to be sure.
"How can I be assured he is as sedate as you say he is?" Velor asked.
"Hit him." Calhoun chimed.
"I beg your pardon?" Velor was genuinely befuddled by this suggestion.
"Hit him. Right across the chin." Calhoun said, feeling Maddigan's muscles tense once more. "And don't hold back. If he goes berserk I'll blast him. If not you know he's in safe hands."
"Hit…. Him?" Velor shook his head. "I shall not strike this man."
"Surprising." Calhoun coughed, "passing on an opportunity for a free hit at an easy target? What's the matter, Commander? Don't have the stomach for it?"
"Oh it isn't that, I assure you." Velor said in a snide leer. "I just defer such duties to those under my command who are more specialised at the skill." He snapped a finger over his head. "Lance Sergeant Braun, front and center."
The troopers stood aside to make way for Braun. He easily stood a full head over the others and Calhoun was pretty sure the straps on the man's breastplate were straining to hold his armor over his bulging pectorals. Braun stopped less than a foot away, standing nose-to-nose with Maddigan.
"Would you like to strike this man, Sergeant?" Velor asked.
"Yes, sir." Said Braun with a slow nod.
"Very well then. You may proceed." Velor looked down and inspected his nails, feigning complete disinterest in what was happening.
Braun stared at Maddigan though his skeletal white-and-black helmet, sizing the Cyborg up. Then, with almost lightning speed, surprising for a man his size, he swung a haymaker into Maddigan's cheek with a thunderous CRACK!
Maddigan took it, slowly turning back to face Braun. Velor paused when he saw the man was smiling.
"What's so amusing?" Velor demanded.
Maddigan sprayed Braun's helmet with bloody spittle before answering. "Before this is over I'm going to have Sergeant Braun's helmet as a souvenir."
"You'll have to kill me first." Braun hissed.
"Aye." Maddigan grinned again. "That's the plan."
"Enough!" Velor shouted, losing his composure for a brief moment. "Sergeant, fall back in to ranks."
Braun hovered for a moment, still staring at Maddigan, then backed off and fell into line.
"I trust that satisfies your concerns, Commander." Calhoun said flatly. "Can we now move this prisoner to the holding cells or would you like to see an example of what he is capable of?"
Velor pointed out three troopers. "You, you and you. Escort the Captain and his prisoner to security deck seven. In the interim I shall contact Imperial Command to clarify any ambiguity as to your mission directives."
"Good luck with that." Calhoun smiled. "Imperial Intelligence likes to hold their cards close to their chests if you know what I mean."
Velor held Calhoun in a threatening stare. "Either Command will verify the nature of your presence here or I shall place you into custody myself. Am I understood?"
"You do realize I outrank you, Commander." Calhoun was starting to feel a very unpleasant anxiety rise in his stomach.
"Unless you carry the title of Darth, Lord or Admiral, Captain, I am the senior officer aboard this vessel and you shall abide by my command."
In the Fury, Griss cringed as she listened in over the comms. Calhoun was losing his grasp on the situation already and they hadn't even left the hangar yet. She tried not to run the odds of the mission's success in her head but knew at this point they had better odds of navigating an asteroid field with dead sensors and a blindfolded pilot. If only she could contact Aysha, tell her that the mission's too risky to continue, tell her anything to get Calhoun back on board, but she couldn't risk sending out a signal without it being picked up by shipwide communications. In a matter of moments Velor would be contacting Imperial Command and discover they never sent Captain Drae here with a mission. Worse, if they escalated the query to Intelligence they were dead.
She pressed her face in her hands. 'Think, think, think!' She leaned back and stared helplessly at the console before her.
Calhoun counted the steps as they marched, making a mental note of every turn and corner. He was certain Maddigan was doing the same. Or, at least he hoped he was. If it came down to making a mad dash in an escape it would be far more beneficial to know where you're going rather than running blindly.
After what seemed forever they came to a secure door with a single security lock. The trooper in the lead held a hand for the group to stop, after which he leaned and spoke into the mechanism.
"Trooper six-oh-eight-eight-seven Charlie. Security access code Alpha Tango Sixer Four-Four. Five to enter, including a new prisoner. Male, cyber-augmented." The trooper stood and waited for a response.
A voice crackled from the intercom. "Trooper six-oh-eight-eight-seven Charlie, your access code has been accepted. Please stand clear of the security doors."
The trooper did so. A moment later the blast doors opened. From the looks of them, they were at least eight inch durasteel. No blasting through if they got caught on the other side, Calhoun figured.
The trooper motioned for the group to follow and led them into the main receiving area for high-profile prisoners. The room itself was spacious and octagonal, with a center security station housing at least five guars armed with serious-looking needlers on their hips. A rack of high-density assault rifles rested well within reach, should the need arise where stunning and subduing an escape is less preferable to killing them outright.
The Officer in Charge looked up from his station as they approached, eying Maddigan up and down. "Prisoner's name, crime and political affiliation?" he asked.
The troopers looked to Calhoun expectantly.
"Maddigan." Calhoun snapped, "crimes include murder, arson, larceny and a list of others. Political affiliation…"
The Officer waited for an answer. When none came, he looked up and stared at Calhoun blankly. "Yes, political affiliation?"
"Mercenary." Maddigan said grimly. "I rather not like to take sides. You never know who's willing to pay more to have someone dead, who, you know, leave yer options open I always say."
The Officer blinked at Maddigan, then looked down at his console, saying sarcastically, "So it speaks. Will wonders never cease. Place a shock collar on him and send him to processing."
"Shock collar?" Maddigan said, laughing with nervous energy. "I'm not wearing a collar."
"Oh, I am terribly sorry." The Officer said, "If it's an inconvenience to you I'm sure we can work something out. Perhaps you'd like a cup of tea and a biscuit while we ready your suite? Perhaps lounge at complimentary bar and help yourself to something a bit stronger?" He leaned forward, the sarcasm dropping from his voice. "You do realize this entire ship is a floating prison, don't you? You don't get a say in how you're processed."
"No shock collar." Calhoun spat.
"I'm sorry, sir, but all incoming prisoners are to be collared." The Officer stated, adding "It is, as you know, standard procedure."
"If this were a standard prisoner I'd agree…" Calhoun tried to read the rank on the Officer lapel, but could never make sense of the colored pips.
"Warrant Officer, Second Class." The Officer offered.
"Warrant Officer," Calhoun repeated, "Second Class, yes. Well, this man has been illegally implanted with high-grade military augments. Experimental. Some Republic, some Imperial and some we've never seen before."
"Your point being?" The Officer chided.
"My point being the last time someone attempted to place a shock collar on this man, it sent his augments into a frenzy. Overloaded the poor man's brain." Calhoun was pushing his luck and he knew it. Might as well run with it. "Although he, himself, was unconscious and had no idea of his actions, his augmented reflexes took over. When he finally did manage to come to, he was standing ankle deep in the remains of…"
"Oh for the love of…" Maddigan broke free from his cuffs and grabbed the Officer by the head, slamming his face into the console, which erupted in a shower of sparks and smoke. The other troopers stood still for a moment in stunned silence, as Maddigan single-handedly dispatched two more Intake Officers.
Calhoun dropped to one knee while Maddigan made his way around the room with inhuman speed, leaving troopers and Imperial Officers alike lying on the floor, bleeding, unconscious or worse. He couldn't risk firing his weapon lest the ship sensors detecting weapons fire and alerting the bridge. He had no choice other than to take a more manual approach.
Leaping behind one of the troopers as he raised his rifle to fire upon Maddigan, Calhoun used an old trick he had picked up from a Mandalorian on Talos V. Trooper armor was tough, but had its weak points, specifically in the fleshy underside of the arms at the pits. Calhoun thrust his fingers up as hard as he could, hitting the pressure point and temporarily paralysing the troopers arms. Before he could fire, the trooper lost his grip on his weapon and dropped it to the floor. The trooper then fell to his knees, whereupon Calhoun tore his helmet off of the man and proceeded to smash it against the trooper's skull, sending him to a very painful slumber.
When the last of the troopers were incapacitated, Calhoun spun at Maddigan. "Are you completely insane?! We needed to keep a low, subtle profile. This…" he gestured at the bodies littering the floor around them, "is NOT subtle!"
Maddigan sighed. "Too late to worry about that now, I s'pose. Besides, do you really think they were going to fall for that 'crazy cyborg' story a second time? There was no way I was going to let them put a collar on me."
"Great. Perfect. Well, you're in charge now. What's out next step?" Calhoun spat.
"We stick with the plan. Locate the doctor, get him out, leave this ship." Maddigan huffed. "Nothing's changed."
"Okay, sure." Calhoun folded his arms across his chest. "And how are we going to locate him? The computer's smashed. We have no idea which cell he's in and no way of accessing the data. Unless, that is, you have some fancy slicer tech in that cybersteel head of yours."
Maddigan glanced around the room. There were three main corridors leading to holding cells. The doctor could be in any of them. "This isn't a full prison. There aren't that many cells. Maybe sixty along each path, thirty on each side. I'll take the left, you take the right. If we don't find him we'll meet back here and both take the center." He looked to Calhoun and shrugged again. "Unless you want to wait here for the relief shift to show up and ask one of them."
A chime rang out from the security desk, followed by Velor's voice. "This is Commander Velor. What the bloody hell's going on down there?"
The two men glanced at one another. What now?
Velor sat at his desk and waited for a response from the prisoner intake guards. When no immediate answer came, he pressed the button again. "Warrant Officer, report!"
There was a crackle of static followed by a man's voice. "Everything's fine, Sir." The voice said with an alarming amount of uncertainty. "We, um, had a slight problem with the new intake, but everything's under control now."
"Who is this?" Velor demanded. "I want your name and rank now."
There was another pause before the voice chimed again. "Smythe, Sir. Warrant Officer First Class."
"There is no Smythe rostered for today's cycle." Velor said flatly.
"I wasn't rostered for today, Sir." The voice said again. "I traded shifts with Jenkins for personal reasons."
"I see." Velor said, adding "And you say all is under control at the present? What's the status of the new intake?"
"He's been sedated, Sir." The voice offered. "Out like a baby."
"Very good. Carry on." Velor said, disconnecting the feed. He rapped his fingers on the surface of the desk and pressed another button. "We have a security breach in Prisoner Intake. Security Team Alpha respond immediately. There are two suspects, an augmented human and a man masquerading as an Imperial Captain. Both are to be terminated on sight. Security Team Beta, report to the landing bay and secure the Interceptor. No one is to leave this ship."
Velor sat back in his chair and reviewed his monitor, upon which the screen was split between an image of the imaginary Captain Drae and Privateer Bren Calhoun.
Calhoun released the pressure from the voice augmenter on his throat and looked to Maddigan. "We probably have less than a minute to find this doctor and leave before we're overrun by troopers."
Maddigan looked over the security desk. He reached out and hovered his palm above the controls. A moment later small, thread-like appendages crept from his fingers and palm, snaking their way down to the surface of the computer, finding any niche they could to infiltrate the processing unit.
"Okay, that's both incredibly fascinating and disturbing." Calhoun admitted.
Maddigan said nothing, his mind focused on the task at hand. A brief moment passed then the sound of the stasis fields going down sung though the room. The appendages wormed back into their place within Maddigan's hand. "I've just released all seventy-five prisoners, including the doctor. I suggest we start shouting out his name."
The prisoners peeked out from their opened cells, some stepping into the corridor, others remaining seated and unwilling to budge. They were confused, concerned and anxious.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" Calhoun shouted, addressing them all. "You have been granted a brief reprieve from captivity. However, armed troopers will be arriving momentarily, and when they get here they're going to want to put you back in your boxes!"
A murmur washed over the prisoners as they regarded Calhoun with scepticism tinged with bloodlust. He suddenly remembered he was dressed in an Imperial uniform. He looked over to Maddigan. "A little help?"
Maddigan climbed atop the computer console. "Some of you recognize me. Others have heard of me. I am the Mandalorian Maddigan, and what this man says is true. We have come to extract a Doctor Vaerel."
The crowd of prisoners turned towards the Twi'lek man standing in the rear trying desperately to remain unnoticed.
Griss listened to the commotion on the open channel. There was no way Calhoun and Maddigan were going to get the doctor back to the ship in time. She then noticed the armed troopers entering the landing bay and marching towards her position.
"Frek!" she swore, trying to come up with a solution, seeing none. She'd have to break the silence.
Boss, come in.
There was silence for a long moment, adding to Griss's anxiety. Then, I thought we were supposed to run quiet. We've located the doctor and are about to return to the landing bay.
She breathed a sigh of relief then shook her head. Negative! The bay is hot. You'll have to make alternate plans for evacuation. I can pick you up after.
Again, a long silence. Finally, Calhoun's voice echoed in her mind. Understood. Do what you have to do. Maintain silence until pickup.
Her internal comm went dead. She looked at the ships monitor and saw the troopers making their way across the bay and directly towards the Fury. She strapped in and started flipping the engine's main power. No time for a ready-check.
A loud CLUNK echoed through the bay as the Fury released its docking clamps. The Lead Trooper raised a hand, bringing everyone to a halt and activated his comm. "Interceptor Class Vessel, power down and re-attach docking clamps. Prepare to be boarded."
The troopers waited for a reply. When none came, the Lead Trooper motioned for them to continue. Before they took a single step, the Fury's vertical lift jets flared to life, filling the bay with an echoing thunder as the ship began to rise from the platform.
"You do not have permission to launch!" The Lead Trooper yelled into his helmet, "Power down NOW!" When the Fury again failed to respond, instead slowly rotating to bring its nose into position with the main bay doors, the Lead Trooper changed channels and yelled again. "Docking Officer, we have a rogue starship! Seal the main doors and isolate that ship now!"
In the control center the officers were already in a state of commotion. The Docking Lieutenant punched the console. "We're trying! Controls aren't responding. I repeat, controls aren't responding!"
Griss watched the events on the deck, the control spike she had managed to remotely connect with the Cruiser's on-board computer functioning perfectly. She had temporary control over the docking bay's procedural functions. All she had to do was open the bay doors. Of course, that would create an instant vacuum into space which would tear each of the troopers into the void and to their certain demise. Her finger hovered over the release button momentarily. She sighed and pressed another.
"Troopers on the docking deck, evacuate." She said, her voice booming through the ship's external speakers. "I'm going to open the bay doors in twenty seconds. I repeat, evacuate the deck."
The troopers looked to one another and then to the Lead Trooper, who gave the signal to stand firm. "Unidentified trespasser, power down your vessel and allow us to board. Cooperate and we will ensure you will be escorted to the holding pens without harm to await trial. You have ten seconds to comply before we open fire."
Griss blinked. Were they serious? Her answer came in the tell-tale sounds of blaster fire pelting against the ship's hull. She pressed the external speaker buttons again. "You idiots! Those blasters can't penetrate this ship's hull shielding. Get off the deck. Now!"
Several of the troopers paused and glanced to their commanding officer. Some took a step backwards. "Sir…" said one uncertainly.
"Keep firing!" was his order. He then switched back to the private channel with the Docking Lieutenant. "Status."
The Officers were frantically punching every command they could think of, but nothing seemed to work. "Negative." The Lieutenant said. "If she does in fact breech the doors you and your troops will be blown into the black. I suggest a tactical retreat."
"I am not about to leave my post, Lieutenant!" The Lead Trooper barked, adding "Come up with an alternative now."
"Don't be a fool!" The Lieutenant growled. "She's obviously using a command spike. As long as the interface is within range we're locked out. Let her go. As soon as she exceeds the range of the spike we'll have control again, and once we do, we'll have her!"
The Lead Trooper gnashed his teeth before reluctantly gave the order to his mean to retreat.
Griss watched as they left the deck, thankful. Once they had cleared the area, she armed the main ion cannons. "Target obstacle directly ahead." She ordered.
"Warning." came the computer's gentle, Imperial-accented voice, "Proximity to intended target exceeds the maximum safety regulations. A detonation would result in potential damage to this vessel. Manual override required."
She swore again and grabbed the main gun controls, lining up her target.
From outside the Imperial Cruiser, in the soundless vacuum of space, the great metal doors buckled and exploded outward in a showering display of flame and debris caught in zero gravity, followed by the Fury, ejected not under its own power, but the sudden release of atmosphere.
Griss spat as the Fury's main control panel became illuminated in countless warning lights. Sirens rang and squealed, threatening to deafen her. She almost couldn't make out the computer's voice under the cacophony.
"Warning! Warning! Main engine malfunction." It said in a disturbingly calm and monotone voice. "Sudden depressurization has placed an exceeding amount of stress on the hull. I am reading atmospheric leaks on several decks. Recommendation: return to dock and commence repairs."
"Not gonna happen!" Griss shouted over the clamour. "Activate NAVCOM to pre-set coordinates and engage."
"Main engines are offline." The computer offered, "It is unadvisable to navigate under manoeuvring jets only."
"Do it!" She screamed. "And shut off this damned noise"
The Fury's navjets spit to life, limping the vessel away from the Cruiser. White streamers of escaped oxygen fell from the ship like banners as it bobbed and weaved its way through the dead of space.
Maddigan gathered Vaerel and looked to Calhoun. "What do you mean our ride's gone? How are we supposed to get off this ship?!"
"That's the question of the hour." Calhoun grimaced, his eyes locked on the door which stood between them and the incoming sentries. He then glanced around the room. "Things are about to get pretty interesting in the next few minutes."
