Chapter ten

Hours later, with the plan set six of the freighter pilots found themselves just across the street from the entrance of the air tunnel that Yunel had described when Dash's communicator sounded. It was Gortorian, stationed within viewing distance of the main entrance to the building Vetna Technological Labs, Inc.

Dash answered his device and heard the Gammorrean's response, ' Dash! Vader has just left the building. '

' Is he alone? ' Dash ask.

' No! He has a woman with him and several guards. I think they're her guards because they follow close behind her. '

' Okay great! ' Dash replied, ' Stay in position and let me know if they return okay? '

' Will do! ' Gortorian answered.

' Princess Savan, if this new process continues to be as successful as it has to this date, the Empire would be very generous for your efforts in this matter. To be able to clone mature soldiers with the capabilities that these have shown would be a great assist to our Emperor.' Darth Vader confided in her.

' I assure you Lord Vader, this can and will be done, ' Princess Savan assured him, ' We have made great strides in recent weeks and the outcome will even surprise you my Lord. '

' I'm not easily surprised my young Princess, ' Vader corrected her.

' I will leave my able business partner, Guri, here to oversee further developments in our combine venture. She'll report to me directly and will help you with any security you might need to protect our investment. Any decisions that need to be made on my behalf, she has my full confidence and trust. I have had several business deals with her in the past in spite of her association with your uncle, Prince Xizor, and she has never disappointed me. She knows better I'm sure. She will be a great help in any such matters in helping you make any decisions that involve our partnership. Feel free to consult her in anything that you might require. '

' Thank you my Lord Vader, ' Savan answered, ' I shall do just that. '

As Lord Vader and Savan continued down the street, they continued with their conversation all the while escorted by their armed personal guards.

As Lord Vader and Princess Savan moved further away, the six freighter pilots reached the entrance of the tunnel and entered through the opening and continued through the confines until they reached a covered vent that marked the end of the tunnel. Through the vent they could see several plants and foliage that helped hide the air vent from the public and beyond that an empty hallway that bent around in a semi-circle leading to several offices on either side eventually leading to the main entrance to the left.

' You guys stay here until Soria and I check this out, ' Dash said, ' We'll give you a call when the coast is clear, okay? ' As Dash pried open the vent and carefully lowered the cover out of the way.

' Don't be too long, ' Yunel told him.

Dash knotted as he and Soria went through the opening and through the bushes that hide the vent. The two men then went down the hall to the right around a solid hall that was the room that Yunel had described as being heavily guarded with the main entrance that was to the left toward the large corridor.

' Maybe there's a back way into this main room, Soria. Come on let's check it out, ' Dash pointed.

' Lead the way, I'm right behind you Dash, ' Soria responded.

Midway around as the hall turned a corner, the two men spotted a back entrance guarded by two guards that seemed not too vigilant as they ducked back behind the safety of the solid corner.

' Go get the others, ' Dash told Soria, ' I think we can overtake these two without any problems. '

Soria hurried back to the air shaft and soon returned with the other men. Moments later they heard some footsteps headed their way down the hall behind them. They all scrambled into a nearby door in the wall opposite. Dash peeped through a narrow opening in the door as two more guards came heading down the hallway.

' That must be those other two guard relief, ' Dash announced, ' Let's grab them when they get close. '

Just as the two guards got past the door, Dash, Yunel and others jumped out and grabbed the two guards and with hardly any noise at all pulled them back unconscious into the room from which they sprung and proceeded to remove their uniforms. Dash and Soria both dressed in the guards uniforms and once finished Dash turned and said, ' Okay, we'll relieve those two and when they walk past you join us at the door. Okay. Come Soria we've got to relieve other buddies. '

' Good luck you guys, ' Josh told them.

As Dash and Soria reached the two guards, one of them said, ' Well, about time. We didn't think you guys were ever going to get here. '

' Yeah, yeah, yeah, we're here now so stop complaining, ' Dash answered, ' Now go have one on us you bums! '

' We sure will, ' answered the other guard, ' Maybe even several. '

As planned, the two guards left and moments later the other four freighter pilots joined them at the door.

' I'll step inside and check it out, ' Dash said, ' If anybody comes just duck out of sight. Soria, you remain here I won't be long. '

' Well then, hurry it up, ' Yunel remarked, ' We're sitting ducks out here and besides, let's get this damn thing over with. It's making me nervous. '

' Will do, ' Dash replied as he opened the door and went inside.

Inside, Dash found himself in a short hallway with petitioned cubicles on either side that were divided by tall see-through glass walls that had technicians working at various jobs. Dash continued down the hallway until he came to an opening and as he looked into the room saw what looked like John Massant leaning over a table reading some papers. Just then, the man looked up and spoke, ' May I help you! '

' John! Is that you, ' Dash exclaimed, ' What are you doing here? '

' John! I do believe you have mistaken me for somebody else. My name isn't John, ' The man answered, ' I am number 47, sir. '

' Number 47! You mean you're not human? ' Dash asked.

Just then another voice penetrated the room, ' 47, who is this and what does he want! '

Dash turned and saw another exact duplicate standing against the far wall and at that moment a door opened next to it and yet another John Massant copy came walking through reading a pamphlet not paying any attention to the confusion. That droid continued glancing at his pamphlet as he walked across the room to another table with several papers covering it's top. Just then, Dash realized that two more duplicates were seated at yet another table against the far wall.

' Oh! Excuse me, but I must be mistaken, ' Dash said fumbling for words, ' I thought he was somebody else. Excuse me, I should be going, ' Dash reiterated as he backed his way out of the room. As he did, he could hear one of the droids call out, ' Sound for security, now! '

Dash scampered back toward the door and as he opened it he turned to see guards trailing him yelling, ' Stop! '

Soria peered through the doorway, raised his weapon and fired at the on-coming guards killing one.

The guards returned Soria's fire with a round of their own just missing Dash's head exploding the wall behind him sending debris to the floor with a loud bang. Dash ducked throwing his arms covering his head as some wall paneling fell upon him. Another shot went completely through the open door striking the wall opposite in the hallway blasting a huge whole in the plaster with pieces of plaster flying in every direction.

Josh and Colby peered over Soria's shoulder and saw his volley make contact with one the guards. A blast that exploded the soldier's helmet into numerous pieces and sending the trooper backwards to the floor with his head half gone. It was a gruesome site to the two men as they grimaced at such an atrocious site. Soria fired again just missing two more guards sending the walls around them into exploding debris leaving large holes in the structures. The guards ducked for cover behind the thin paneling wherever they could find any cover.

Dash in the meanwhile, recovered from the volleys directed towards himself, raised drawing his blaster from it's holster and fired several shots of his own towards the troopers with little or no effect. His blasters shots did manage to repel the guards with enough time for him to pass through the open doorway.

Just then a loud alarm sounded inside the building as Dash ran through the door and closed it behind him. As the door closed, two laser shots blasted two holes through the door causing everyone on the hallway side to duck and spin out of the way for cover.

' Oh shit! ' Yunel exclaimed, ' We've had it now. '

Just then several shots pierced the momentary silence as Dash realized it was Josh Olson and Colby Rosmott firing their blasters at several more guards heading towards them from down the main hallway. Their shots made loud explosions in the hall walls causing the approaching guards to scatter to the safety of the sides of the hallway.

Just then, the guards returned fire just missing Dash and Soria, who were still standing at the door.

' We're trapped! ' Yunel exclaimed, ' We've got to fight our way back to the air duck! ' As he said that he begin firing his blaster charging towards the guards, ' Come on! ' He yelled.

He was instantly joined by the others as they all fired on the guards killing three as the guards withdrew back towards the safety of a solid wall. The guards returned fire with several volleys that came close but missed their mark. Than as the freighter pilots neared the opening to the air duck, John Cueto was struck by a direct shot that blew him back down the hall with blood bursting out his back splattering Colby and Josh in their chest and faces as his body flew past them to the floor beside them. It was a deplorable site for the two men having been so close to him as they both looked at each other in disbelief and then looked down at John on the floor.

Colby Rosmott screamed out, ' John! '

Soria stopped momentarily and checked for life as he knelled beside him. He looked up at Colby and shook his head no, announcing his death. Soria then looked down towards the guards and with a look of anger on his face, he fired several shots at the guards sending one of them spinning around with a shoulder injury against the wall. As the man was hit, he grabbed his shoulder with a grievous expression hurling himself to the safety of the floor.

Meanwhile, several more volleys were exchanged between the guards and the pilots as Josh took a hit in the shoulder and two more guards were hit by blasts that allowed the pilots to reach their escape route. Yunel grabbed a hold of Josh and helped him through the opening with the assistance of Colby as Dash covered their retreat with numerous volleys at the guards keeping them pinned down.

Several more guards came through the door of the lab and started firing at Dash as he turned around and returned their fire killing one and scattering the others. Several shots came close to Dash's head as he heard Soria call out to him, ' Come Dash, let's go! '

Dash fired several more volleys as he turned and rambled through the bushes and through the vent. The rest of the pilots were already headed down through the tunnel as Soria and Dash brought up the rear. Halfway through the tunnel, the freighter pilots could hear a loud commotion behind them as the storm troopers finally made it to the vent opening.

Dash and Soria turned and fired several volleys towards them killing three more guards with blasts that sent blood, guts and body parts all over the troopers behind them. Those soldiers hurried back out of the vent entrance falling into the bushes for safety, pushing back against more guards behind them in a huge pushing match to get out of the line of fire of the pilots.

The action of those soldiers brought a smile to the faces of the two pilots as they both peered at each other with a humorous chuckle. Dash knotted his head toward his retreating comrades as if to tell Soria that it was time to go. Dash peered back over his shoulder as the two men followed the others to the tunnels exit.

As they reached the exit to the air duck, they were greeted by several blast from on-coming guards that were coming from down the street followed by Darth Vader himself.

They could hear Vader order, ' Don't let them escape! ' as they came through the tunnel opening. The pilots returned fire at the guards, as Darth Vader drew out his light-saber and reflected several shots that came his way. Three guards were hit with shots and went down as Soria and Dash join the other pilots outside the tunnel.

' Let's get back to the ships! ' Dash screamed as they all ran down the street, stopping only momentarily to return gun fire as they made their way back to the tunnels that led to the spaceport. As they did, everybody on the streets headed for cover. Ducking into nearby doorways or down connecting streets, behind anything that they could find to get out of the range of misdirected blast shots. In a matter of moments, the entire street behind the freighter pilots was clear.

The pilots continued down the street looking in every direction making sure nobody would interfere with their retreat. At times. One of the pilots would turn and point their weapon at someone that they found hidden behind some cover, startled momentarily only to find them grimacing in fear for their life as the pilot would breath a sigh of relief and lower his weapon just in time.

All the while, the approaching storm troopers continued to fire volleys towards them raising havoc with the store fronts of the buildings leaving devastation wherever the blast struck. Debris fell all over on the sidewalks on both sides of the streets with small fires starting in several places causing their store owners to come out of hiding in order to save their establishments. At the same time, the people ducked any further laser blasts so they could put water on the flames that had flourished.

Meanwhile, Darth Vader was instructing his troops to fan out in different directions sending several down a back street. He then got on his own communicator and made a call to his Star Destroyers off the planets orbit to stand ready for some immediate action.

' Captain Falsnick, have your vessel stand ready for any unidentified freighter headed your way. If they should escape my grasp, captain, I expect you and your forces to blast them clear out of the sky. Have I made my orders clear, captain, ' Vader paused and said, ' Do not disappoint me! '

' I understand Lord Vader, ' The Captain answered, ' I will not fail you. '

As they moved toward the docking area, Dash called Leebo on his communicator and told him to harm up the engines for a quick escape. Yunel did the same thing to someone whom he left in charge of his vessel. Just then they were joined by Gortorian, who was waiting for them inside the tunnel.

' Gortorian! Good, you made it, ' Dash said, ' I forgot all about you. '

' I tried calling, but you didn't answer, ' Gortorian answered.

' Yeah, I know, ' Dash replied, ' I'm sorry, but I was a little too busy at the time.'

' No problem, ' Gortorian, ' I heard all the racket. I even manage to blast a couple guards myself before I decided to make a run for it. I saw you guys heading for the tunnels and I got here ahead of you through a different route, a short cut you might say. '

The Gortorian saw the condition Josh Olson was in and moved over to help. ' Here, I'll take him, ' He said as he lifted Josh into his huge arms and carried him down the tunnel.

' Be careful big fella, I'm only wounded not dead! ' Josh said amusingly.

Dash turned and told Yunel, ' If we get separated, meet us back at Vergesso. I'll tell you what I saw over the station to station communicator later. Our escape from this place might be a little tricky.'

' Gotcha! ' Yunel replied.

As the men reached the hanger where their vessels were docked, they made their ways towards their respected ships when a large number of troopers started firing upon them and as Dash turned to look, he saw Guri and Prince Xizor's niece Savan with several more troopers coming down a connecting tunnel heading their way. Dash and the rest of the pilots turned and return volleys with the numerous guards killing several and scattering the rest.

Soria turned and looked back down the tunnel that they were just in as laser blast sounded from that direction as well and called out , ' Let's get out of here. Here comes Vader and some more troops! '

Dash took a quick look in that direction and yelled, ' Come on! ' He then returned shots in both directions as the soldiers came closer and closer. The ramps of both vessels lowered as Leebo stood at the top of the Outriders' and called out, ' Hurry sir! '

' Leebo, get behind the wheel. There's no time to loose! ' Dash responded.

As he call out, Colby Rosmott was hit by a laser blast that sent him across the floor in pieces with a big explosion that drew the attention of everyone near him, ' Colby! They got Colby! ' screamed Yunel.

' Yunel! Forget him, let's get out of here, ' Dash yelled as Yunel stopped his journey toward Colby and instead obeyed Dash's summons.

Yunel then stopped and fired at the troopers coming towards them as several blasts in both directions exploded against the walls of the hanger that sent debris falling down around them.

Just as the Gortorian made it to the Outriders' ramp, Josh called out to him, ' Let me down, I can make it now! '

The huge creature set him down on his feet and as Josh moved up the ramp, the Gomorrean let out a loud squeal noise and several oinks, sounding like a pig caught in a fence. Dash turned his head and saw that the creature had been hit by a laser blast that tore off one of his massive arms.

The huge animal let out several more high-tech squeals and low deep grunts as it was hit again by another blast that saw blood splatter from it's gigantic body in several directions. The creature raised it's remaining arm and squeal again with a deafening sound that shook those that was near him. Then in a most grotesque gruesome manner another laser blast hit the creature dead on and exploded the animal in a hundred pieces in every direction as blood and guts spattered all over Dash, Soria and Josh as they stood near the creature firing their blasters at the approaching troopers.

' Come on! ' Josh yelled out.

Dash looked at the creature as it exploded, froze momentarily, and then turned and brought down two more storm troopers with accurate blasts. He looked in the direction toward which Darth Vader was advancing and called out to Soria to blast away at the door panel that would close off the tunnel.

Soria responded and fired several blast making contact that sealed the entrance of the tunnel blocking Darth Vader's path towards them. Unfortunately, the tunnel from which Guri and Savan's troops were coming had no such device to close off their advance.

Dash looked over at Yunel, who was going up the ramp of his vessel, and waved to him as he looked back towards the Outrider. ' Come on, Soria, ' Dash said ' It's time to go,'

Soria scrambled up the ramp, bending down as he fired at the troopers, as the ramp started up with the Outriders' engines roaring with a tremendous deafening sound that shook the hanger's walls. Soon the two vessels hovered momentarily then moved towards the spaceports exit with Yunel's ship moving out first followed by the Outrider.

The massive force of the two ships repelled the on-coming troopers as they now reached the immediate vicinity of the hanger causing them to stumble backwards. The mighty force of the winds swept dirt and everything else that wasn't weighted down into a whirlwind that caused Guri and Savan to hang back out of harms way.

' This isn't over yet! ' Guri announced as she moved across to the main control room of the hanger and put in a call to her security vessels orbiting just outside the planets realm.

The two vessels blasted away from the spaceports landing platform towards open space when suddenly Yunel announced, ' Dash! We've got company.'

Dash rushed to his pilots station and saw three starship destroyers heading in their direction. Just as he spotted them, they begin to fire upon the two freighters.

' Leebo, get ready for light speed. I'll keep them busy until you can the switch. '

At that moment, two huge blast struck Yunel's vessel and a tremendous explosion saw debris and sparks fly in every direction. Yunel returned laser blast towards the approaching destroyers. Then a blast shook the Outrider. A blast so powerful that Josh fell off his seat while Soria was still tending his wounds. Soria too fell backwards to the floor as Dash called out, ' Everyone alright! Hurry up Leebo, make that switch! '

Than another blast struck Yunel's freighter with such a tremendous resounding wave of destruction that the Outrider shook in accordance. Yunel's vessel rambled momentarily and with a loud gut wrenching deep-tone noise the vessel exploded into a million pieces with streaks of fire and lights and a million pieces of debris blasting out in every direction. A sound wave of mass destruction evaded the entire area around it with a force that made all the passengers aboard the Outrider freeze in shear fear.

' Oh my God, it's gone! ' Dash announced stunned by the event.

' It's Yunel. He's gone! ' Dash reiterated.

' We're ready for light-speed, captain, ' Leebo announced, ' Secure yourself, in three seconds, two, one. '

As Leebo counted down, Dash hung his head in a sad state and then the Outrider disappeared in a flash of bright lights the color of the rainbow and in an instant was gone.

The next night, Dash found himself sitting at the counter of the Drunken Drummer Cantina on Vergesso downing several ' Rangoon Fizzers. ' Earlier, at the landing platform, Dash and Leebo saw Soria and Josh Olson off as the two men headed back to Kessel to pick up another spice load for Durga the Hutt. They were offered the run through their communication with the Hutt after dropping off a consignment at Naboo, before taking the side trip to Vergesso.

Leebo set beside Dash with his head in his hands, mumbling, ' Gee, my captain . Events have certainly run amok for us. The Gods haven't looked down upon us with favor. I guess the good and the righteous don't always win. '

' It's not that way, Leebo, ' Dash said raising his head, turning his face to look at Leebo, who was still looking straight ahead into the mirror on the wall behind the bar.

' The righteous do win in the end, ' Dash told him, ' We just haven't earned that right yet, that's all. Evil doesn't just lay down just because they're bad. It takes a huge sacrifice to defeat them. Anything that is gain easily isn't worth gaining in the first place. Our comrades have sacrificed their lives, but I guess it's not enough yet. '

' But sir, when will it be enough? ' Leebo asked.

' I don't know, ' Dash replied, ' Only God knows that. '

Then to Dash's surprise, the electronic music that was being played stopped, and when he turned around, he saw a live band taking their positions on the raised stage. It was the Max Rebo Jizz-Wailer Trio. A humanoid dressed in a red satin pantsuit stepped to a microphone and announced, ' For your entertainment, I would like to take this time and present the Galactic renown Jizz Trio straight from their triumphant tour of the Inner Rim, the Max Rebo Jizz-Wailer Band.

Lead singer Sy Snootles quickly stepped in front of the microphone and started singing the rhythm and blues classic, ' Evil! ' Max started pounding the keyboards as the song took off. He was soon joined by the third member of the combo, Droopy McCool, who started wailing away on his flute, as Sy managed a raspy deep throaty voice for the blues classic.

The sight of the combo brought a smile to Dash's face, he wheeled around on his stool so he could enjoy the performance. Dash scanned the stage looking for that Twilek dancer that set him up to get mugged on Nar Shaddaa, but he didn't see any dancers. As the announcer came walking by him, he grabbed the guy's arm and leaning into him he asked, ' Where's the dancers?

The guy looked at him puzzled and said, ' What dancers? '

' You know, the Twilek dancers that are usually with the band! ' Dash explained.

' Oh! Those dancers. They're not here, ' He said, ' They're part of the Evar Orbus Band. This is just the trio. They sometimes play with Orbus too, but not tonight. Orbus's band is playing someplace else. We've just got Max and his group, so enjoy them while they're here, okay? '

' Yeah, that's okay, ' Dash agreed, ' These guys are great! '

The guy nodded his head and smiled as he continued on his way to get behind the bar to help serve drinks. The orders for liqueur poured in as the music inspired a drinking frenzy as the patrons wanted to get a drink so they could set back and listen to the band.

The whole cantina seemed to come alive as the combo wailed away at their opening number. By this time even Leebo turned in his seat so he too could enjoy the music. The alcohol continued flowing as the band ran through their repertoire with the crowd cheering after each number.

Dash downed one fizzer after another losing himself in the music. All his worries faded away now. It was nice to forget his troubles, he thought as the first few numbers ended and the din of the noisy bar reminded him of his plight. But then, Sy would tear into another song and Max's organ would demolish the din of the noisy customers. Dash's thoughts would drift away with each musical note of Droopy's high pitched flute and the rhythm of the combo lifted his spirits.

A couple hours past quickly, and as the combo started packing up the announcer told the crowd that the Max Rebo band would be playing in Mos Eisley on Tatooine tomorrow night. Dash nudged Leebo, ' Come on Leebo, let's get out of here. '

' Where are we going sir? ' Leebo asked.

' I don't know, ' Dash thought, ' How about Tatoonie? '

' Tatoonie it is sir, ' Leebo agreed, ' That desert air will be good for my parts. I have been getting a little oily anyway. I need to dry out in that warm climate. '