Chapter Eleven: Hyperspace
Katarina stood on the bridge of her ship watching the viewport swirl with the sights of hyperspace. Her crew had been on edge ever since they received a distress call from the Shuttle Terminus, reporting that they were under attack by pirates. Whoever had attacked the shuttle had likely forced it from hyperspace since it wouldn't have exited voluntarily. The question was, who could have done it? As far as she knew, only the Empire had the ability to force ships out of hyperspace with gravity wells which were only on the new and experimental Interdictor Cruisers. There had been rumors of some non-Imperial ships having access to this new technology but it was highly illegal. All Imperial Officers had orders to seize those ships or destroy them if they refused to surrender.
They were still a few minutes away of exiting hyperspace when she began to bark orders to her crew.
"Make sure the shields are up when we exit. I want all six turbo laser batteries primed and ready. Make sure that the tractor beams are on line as well."
"Yes, Ma'am," replied her new Executive Officer, Lieutenant Antoine Pope.
Katarina stood stoically, continuing to face forward.
"Captain Quinn?"
"Yes Ma'am?"
"Have two boarding parties ready. I believe you and your men will see action this time."
"Yes Ma'am."
The ship suddenly lurched and was pulled out of hyperspace. It wasn't the planned exit time, as her chronometer still showed they had two minutes left. Katarina steadied herself against the bulkhead as many of her crew, who were unprepared for the sudden departure from hyperspace, fell or stumbled over the various consoles around the bridge.
"Status report," called out Katarina.
"Ma'am, we ran into a gravity well coming from a bulk freighter," replied one of her crew.
"Does it have a transponder code?" she asked.
"Yes, ma'am. It's the Blue Okris, a known pirate vessel, operates near the Yelsain Sector. Scans show she's armed with 4 quad lasers and fully shielded. Forty-five crew on board."
Katarina looked out the viewport directly in front of her, noticing that the Blue Okris was currently linked with the heavily damaged Imperial shuttle. She could see that the shuttle was missing its cockpit completely and the rest of the ship was shot up pretty bad. She also noticed several bits of debris that resembled Starfighters. Headhunters most likely, she thought.
"I want batteries one and two to target the ship's reactor. I want the rest to target their offensive systems."
"Ma'am, the Fennu just exited hyperspace," announced one of her officers.
"Excellent. Instruct Lt. Kraven to maneuver to cut off any escape of the Blue Okris."
"Yes, Ma'am."
Katarina watched has her turbo lasers opened fire on the known pirate ship. As the pirate ships' shields held, it detached itself from the Imperial shuttle and returned fire. The Tiberon shook with the blasts absorbed by the shields and continued to return fire.
"Status report," called out Katarina.
"Our shields are holding. Target's shields are also holding but show signs of weakening," Lt. Pope said from a console nearby. He had a trickle of blood flowing down from his hairline, an injury he must have received when the ship unexpectedly emerged from hyperspace.
"Increase the intensity of batteries one and two. We must disable her reactor before she can make the jump to hyperspace," ordered Katarina.
"Yes Captain," he replied.
Another round of fire struck the pirate ship as it began to maneuver away from the shuttle and the debris of the Headhunters. A rather large explosion blossomed from the engines of the bulk freighter, causing the ship to list a bit, venting smoke and oxygen into the nothingness of space.
"Direct hit on her engines, Captain. She's still functional but listing and venting oxygen," reported a crew member.
"The Fennu has begun to engage the bulk freighter. Her shields are down and they are targeting her laser cannons," called out another crewmember.
Katarina smiled like a manka cat who had finally cornered its prey. She began to relish the moment, knowing that she'd soon be reporting another confirmed pirate capture/kill. She'd be one step closer to getting command of her own Star Destroyer and getting out of this backwater set of systems.
"Engage the tractor beams and hold that ship in place. Captain Quinn, prepare your teams."
Captain Quinn, the commander of the Stormtroopers stationed aboard her ship, saluted and left the bridge.
"Captain, we are still out of range for the tractor beams."
"How long until we are in range?" she asked irritated.
"Two minutes," replied her executive officer.
Katarina watched as the Blue Okris suddenly turned its guns on the Fennu and the space between the two of them turned bright red from all the laser blasts being flung back and forth. Her ship continued to engage it as well.
The pirate ship continued to maneuver and Katarina observed that it had cleared the debris and had a clear path to make a clean jump into hyperspace. A sudden slew of torpedoes was launched from the pirate ship and slammed into the Fennu. The Fennu flared as several explosions erupted from its hull. Katarina nearly lost her composure as she felt her stomach churn. Things had suddenly changed, and she could almost feel her promotion slipping out of her grasp.
"Status report on the Fennu!" yelled Katarina.
"She's sustained heavy damage, their shields are down," reported her communications officer.
"Tell her to fall back. Move us in position to protect them."
"Captain, the Blue Okris is powering up its hyperdrive," reported Lt. Pope.
"Target her reactors. Stop that ship!" yelled Katarina.
She watched as her own turbo laser struck the hull of the Blue Okris. Each time a ring of fire would erupt from the hull breach created by the lasers followed by smoke and yet, the ship continued to move away.
"Hail the Blue Okris. Inform her Captain that if they continue to resist we will have no choice but to destroy them," Katarina ordered her communications officer.
"No response, Captain."
"Do it again," commanded Katarina.
"I've received a transmission from them. Their reply is, 'Sorry to have to leave so soon. Lovely party and all, but we are needed elsewhere'," read her coms officer.
Katarina watched as the bulk freighter quickly entered hyperspace, disappearing from her view. She clenched her jaw, grinding her teeth in frustration. She wasn't about to let them get away.
"Track them," she growled.
"Their trajectory points them towards Yelsain," reported Lt. Pope.
She called out for her communications officer to get Lt. Kraven on the holo-vid. When his image appeared, it was veiled by smoke and he looked haggard. He had a bandage around his head, he'd been injured.
"Lt. Kraven, are you ok? What is the status of your ship?"
"I'm fine, just a small cut. We've sustained heavy damaged to the hull; I've had to seal off the crew quarters. Targeting systems, Weaponry and Navigation are still functional, and we are working on restoring shields. I have three dead and 4 wounded. I could use a tech team to help with repairs, Captain."
"Hold your position and we'll dock with you. I'll send over one tech team along with materials necessary for repairs. Transfer your wounded to us. Let's make this quick, the Blue Okris has a head start on us."
"Understood Captain. Thank You."
Katarina addressed her executive officer.
"Lt. Pope, you heard what he needs; make it happen. I need to send a report to Captain Koshtik."
"Yes Captain."
Katarina walked over to the navigational control center. She placed her hand on the shoulder of the ensign currently occupying the station.
"Plot a course for Yelsain. Inform me immediately when you're finished."
"Yes, ma'am."
The children stood in awe of the stranger as he looked at each of the kids. When he spoke, his voice was firm and commanding and yet calming at the same time. He had a bemused smile on his face, as if he knew something but refused to share it. He settled his gaze upon Evie and surprised her when he spoke again.
"My companion here is hurt and he needs some medical attention. Evie, you and Bendu take him down to one of the crew quarters and get him situated. Javid and Teba, please finish securing the airlock and then meet us in cockpit. Mowen, if you don't mind…"
Mowen frowned. Now he was taking orders from strangers. He looked over to Evie as she nodded in affirmation. He sighed inwardly and promised to himself that he would have to take this up with her later.
No one seemed bothered by the fact that this stranger knew their names, except Teba. She stood back from the rest and watched the stranger intently. He wore no uniform, so she surmised that he wasn't part of the shuttles crew, which made him either a passenger or a prisoner. It wasn't like the military to offer flights to just anyone, so she chose to go with the latter.
Bendu took the injured man's arm and draped it over his shoulder, taking the weight off the gray-haired stranger and moving towards the hatchway, half carrying, half dragging the second man towards the crew compartment. Evie quickly followed.
The stranger removed his environmental suit, placing it in a nearby locker. He pulled an old brown robe out of the pack attached to the suit and wrapped it around his shoulders. Teba looked at the robe and the stranger questioningly. The robe was full of holes and covered in burn marks.
"Who are you?" she said with suspicion in her voice.
"I will explain soon enough. We have a lot to do and a short time to get it done, okay?"
The stranger winked at Teba and noticing TKR standing beside her, nodded knowingly to the droid. TKR made a barely inaudible beep in response.
"I'll show you to the cockpit," said Mowen as he led the way. Megara was quick to follow and the stranger fell in line behind her. Javid moved to the airlock and checked the controls and the seals. Satisfied, he turned to follow everyone else when Teba grabbed his sleeve and pulled him close, "Did you see that?"
"See what?" replied Javid.
"He wore no uniform and his robe was full of burn marks and holes."
"So?"
"That doesn't strike you as odd?"
"We just rescued him from a damaged shuttle," he said exasperated.
"Javid, he acknowledged TKR as if he knew him," she continued.
"Teba, you're being paranoid. Enough already."
"Don't you think it's strange that he knows who we are?"
"He was on the Imperial Shuttle, remember? We didn't turn off our transponder when Mowen brought us out of hyperspace so we were clearly broadcasting ourselves as the Jud and the ship is registered in Mowen's name. Before the shuttle was disabled, I'm sure they knew exactly who we were."
"But he knew our names!" said Teba tersely.
Javid shrugged, "It's not like we've got anything to hide."
"It's not our secrets I'm worried about. It's his," she said motioning to the newcomer.
The stranger suddenly reappeared in the hatchway and eyed the two siblings. He smiled warmly.
"You two coming?"
They both nodded, Teba doing so reluctantly.
"Good. Plug TKR into the ships computer, he has information that we could use," he said.
Javid motioned for TKR to follow him, as Teba stood in shock. No one had introduced the droid to the stranger. How did he know its name? What information did TKR have? Who was this guy?
A little while later both Bendu and Evie arrived at the cockpit. Megara was at the communications station, while Mowen occupied the pilot's seat and the stranger occupied the co-pilots. Javid was leaning against the bulkhead and Teba was standing with her arms crossed, near the back; her scowl showing her distrust of the stranger, who was talking to Megara.
"When we enter the Yelsain system, let me do the talking. I know the place and I have some contacts there that can help us out. Megara, search through the files, you'll have to find a different transponder code before we exit hyperspace."
"Why?" Megara asked as she scrolled through several files.
"Well, you disrupted a pirate raid and destroyed three of their starfighters. The bulk freighter, I'm sure, was able to get a good scan of this ship. I'm fairly sure they transmitted that information on ahead. Yelsain is a known haven for pirates, if you come in broadcasting as the Jud, you may find more trouble than you can handle," he explained.
"I can handle anything they choose to dish out," puffed Mowen.
"Varakis the Hutt is a very dangerous individual. Though your bravado is commendable, it is ill advised," he chided before turning to acknowledge both Bendu and Evie.
"How is my companion?" he asked.
"His wounds are superficial. Mostly scrapes and bruises. He did have a rather large bump on his forehead. I've got a cold compress on it to help alleviate the swelling. I didn't sedate him; he may have a concussion. He's resting for the moment," replied Evie.
"That's good to hear."
"You didn't mention that he was an Imperial Officer," stated Ben flatly.
The stranger shrugged.
"It wasn't something that needed to be pointed out," he said.
"An Imperial Officer? Was he the pilot?" asked Mowen excitedly.
The stranger turned to face Mowen.
"Just a passenger, same as myself. We were headed for Travnin," he said as he noticed a gleam in Mowen's blue eyes, "Now don't get any ideas, there won't be any reward for his safe return. I can assure you of that."
"Why? Who is he?" asked Evie.
"NO, NO, NO! I don't care who the other guy is, I want to know who HE is!" yelled Teba as she pointed as the stranger.
The stranger chuckled.
"No beating around the bush with Teba around," he laughed.
Teba glared at him.
"Ok, ok," he began, "I've known you all for a very, very long time. My name is Craer. I am an old friend of your parents."
"I'm sorry to tell you that our parents are no longer with us," Evie said sadly.
"Oh?"
"Pirate attack two years ago," added Megara.
Things got quiet for a moment before Javid blurted out, "Well that explains how he knew us Teba. I told you that you were just being paranoid."
"I don't remember ever meeting him," she mumbled under her breath.
"You were still very young Teba, when last I saw all of you," offered Craer.
"How were you able to recognize us then?" asked Megara.
Craer motioned to Evie, "She looks like Phylox, acts a lot like her too," he said warmly.
"Well, it doesn't matter, since they are no longer with us. We were told that the pirates in this sector rarely take prisoners," explained Mowen.
"Do you believe that?" Craer asked.
No one spoke, each one lost in their own thoughts as they pondered Craer's question. None of them wanted to believe that their parents were dead. But the truth of the matter had always stared them in the face. Though they weren't officially listed as dead by the authorities, they might as well be, after-all, they hadn't been heard from or seen in over two years. Bendu finally broke the silence.
"I would like to think that they are still alive. I often feel as if they are but experiencing a lot of pain."
"Hmmm, torture," agreed Craer, nodding.
"Are you saying that they are alive and being tortured?" asked Evie angrily.
"I didn't say anything of the sort, he did," Craer said looking directly at Bendu.
Evie turned on Bendu.
"No, that ISB Officer told me there were no survivors found in the wreckage, the pirates most likely killed them. The thought of them being alive and being tortured is unfathomable," argued Evie.
"But not impossible," added Craer.
"By who? The pirates? The Empire? Why?" asked Evie.
"The Empire is known to resort to such tactics," stated Craer.
"But our parents weren't criminals or traitors or anything like that," she stated defensively.
"Our parents had no cargo on that trip, they took no money with them. There was nothing of value on board their ship. I find it odd that the pirates would just attack them. There was nothing to gain from it," stated Bendu.
"Bored pirates being malicious?" offered Mowen.
"Are you saying that the ISB Officer lied to us?" asked Evie, ignoring Mowen's comment.
"It wouldn't be the first time the Empire has lied. How well did you know your parents and their activities?" asked Craer quietly.
"They were just ordinary business owners," stated Evie.
"That's what they wanted you to believe," revealed Craer.
"Wait a minute, what about GPC-1? We found that file on her. She was with our parents the day they disappeared," blurted out Megara, her mind racing.
"A file?" inquired Craer.
"Yes," she began as she accessed the computer to retrieve the file, "We found an encrypted file in the computer labeled GPC-1. She's listed as inventory at Jevik's warehouse in the Mestra system," replied Megara.
"Are you saying that Jevik's a pirate?" asked Craer skeptically.
"He's no pirate. He does have his hands in all kinds of shady business, though. My guess is salvage…most likely," stated Mowen.
"A clue then, perhaps," prompted Craer.
"To what?" asked Megara.
"The truth," stated Craer.