Rex and Vader were surveying the scene of the damage done by the TIEs to the building. Luckily none were on the top level of the building when the shots were fired so no casualties were reported. However, no trace of them had been found.
"From what I'm guessing, they probably fell from the roof due to the explosions and fell down towards the lower levels," said Rex.
"Are your men scouring the lower levels?" said Vader.
"Yes sir. I have several squads in the immediate area and more branching outwards for clicks in either direction," said Rex.
"I want them found Rex, even if they are killed. The Emperor will be furious to learn they have escaped our grasp," said Vader.
"Yes sir," said Rex.
Vader turned and walked off to the transport shuttle that had brought them, several gunships in the area either standing by or flying around surveying the area. Rex breathed a deep sigh as he conferred with the men under his command. He saw Kix and a few other high-ranking officers conversing about the spread pattern of their search.
"Any news?" said Rex.
"None so far sir. We retraced the possible trajectories their bodies would have fell from the position the pilots reported back. We think there is a real possibility they might have fallen to the very surface of the planet itself," said Kix.
"I don't care where they fell, I want to see the bodies to confirm that they're dead. No chances must be taken Kix, am I understood?" said Rex.
"Yes sir," said Kix. "But searching over this wide of an area will take time."
"Time isn't a problem. I don't care if it takes days. Find them," said Rex.
Kix nodded and signaled the others to follow him, two squads following behind him. Rex took off his helmet and breathed out in frustration.
"How are they so good at evading us? Wait, they've always been good at evading whoever was pursuing them. Still, there should at least be traces of them around; not so much as a blood trail from them. If we can't find them by today..." thought Rex. The thoughts of them making a clean getaway plagued him. He got on his comlink.
"Get all available men. Contact any additional units you can and seal off every port on the planet. Release their descriptions to the men, but the populace must not know about it. The Emperor's given strict orders to make sure word of this does not get out. Understood?" said Rex.
"Yes sir."
Her eyes slowly opened as she heard voices whispering nearby. They sounded muffled as she regained consciousness. She breathed in deeply before exhaling slowly as her senses were regained and her vision cleared. The room she was in was dark save for a small light. She looked around to see she was the only one in this room on top of a medical table. She tried to sit up before she saw the tube running morphine into her body through her left arm. Her wounds were patched up, small bacta healing patches dotted around her. She slowly sat up, feeling the dull ache in her muscles from the effort. She looked around again before she proceeded to take the morphine tube out of her. The tube fell back, clinging against the container as she moved off the table. Her legs ached but she was still able to stand.
Suddenly, she was aware that the voices stopped and she felt hands on her shoulder.
"No!" she yelled, struggling against them.
"Calm down. You're still in recovery," said a male voice. "We're not here to harm you."
"Let go!" said Ahsoka.
"Please, we're here to help you," said the voice before the hands let go and Ahsoka whirled around, getting in a defensive martial arts stance.
A light came on, illuminating the whole room. Her handler was revealed to be a Bothan, his hair on his scalp scruffy as well as his beard. His clothes were dirty but not shabby, sporting a spacer's jacket and orange flight pants. Behind her she felt another presence and turned to see a Quarren wearing a brown robe over himself.
"What's going on?" said Ahsoka.
"We were healing you from the wounds you sustained," said the Quarren. "Your friend is in the other room."
"Wait, why are we here? And why are you doing this?" said Ahsoka.
"Our benefactor knows the two of you well, and I know of your friend personally," said the Quarren.
"Taran?" said Ahsoka.
"Yes. I saved his life after the Jedi were exterminated and I recognized him immediately, as well as our leader," said the Quarren.
"Can you...take me to him?" said Ahsoka.
The Quarren nodded and motioned for her to follow. She slowly followed him as she and the Bothan walked out of the room. They proceeded down a semi-dark hallway, orange lights giving a dark glow to everything. Other doorways passed by them as they continued down the hall until they reached another room. The doors opened as the Quarren walked through. Ahsoka walked in to see a female Nautolan scanning over the monitor.
Taran was lying on a similar medical cot, breathing softly as he slept. A white loose-fitting shirt replaced his damaged one. His body also had bacta patches as well. Ahsoka hurriedly went over to his side.
"Is he alright?" said Ahsoka, scanning over him before turning her gaze to the Nautolan.
"He took more shrapnel damage than you did but he'll be fine," said the Nautolan.
"How long have we been out?" said Ahsoka.
"A day," she said.
"It was relatively easy for us to hide you away. Stormtroopers hate coming down here. So easy to get lost and all," said the Bothan.
"You're injuries weren't fatal so patching you up was relatively easy.
"Who are you all?" said Ahsoka, curious about what else was there motive. In these times, help usually came with a price.
"We're known as the Erased. Technically, we don't exist. Stay here, our leader will wish to see you," said the Nautolan, moving towards the door and stepping out into the hallway, the Bothan and Quarren following her.
"Who could it be?" Ahsoka thought.
She looked down and started to stroke Taran's hair as she gazed at his form. He had did everything in his power to save her and he had succeeded, though the real thanks would be to these people. Without them they would have been found and probably captured. Taran soon stirred and his eyes gazed around his surroundings before they fell on Ahsoka beside him. They instantly brightened and he smiled the smile she had grown to love.
"Another fine situation we got into," Taran said softly.
Ahsoka smiled sadly, her fingers rubbing his cheek near his scar. Taran sighed under her touch, his hand moving up to touch hers.
"Where are we?" said Taran.
"I don't know. All I know is that we're in the lower levels of Coruscant and these people saved us," said Ahsoka.
"People?" said Taran.
Ahsoka nodded. "They said they're called the Erased. I don't much but they said that their leader knows us an one of them knows you."
"What did he look like? The one who knows just me," said Taran.
"He's a Quarren," said Ahsoka.
Taran's eyes lit up.
"It can't...so he's okay after all this time," said Taran, sighing and a smile forming on his face.
Ahsoka stroked his cheek, her eyes on his. Taran noticed the look she was giving. He'd seen it before.
"What's wrong?" he asked softly.
"It's nothing. It's just...there's no way I can thank you for what you did. Crashing in all the way into the Palace to save me. I didn't want you to risk that much to save me," said Ahsoka.
"Why would I not? I would do anything to keep you safe, even if it meant at great peril," said Taran, his hand gripping hers. His eyes bored into hers.
"I didn't want the both of us to die there. That's why I told you to go on. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I dragged you down with me," said Ahsoka. "Every time you fought, I was paralyzed with fear because I was afraid the next attack would hurt you, or worse."
"I know, but as I said before I'm never leaving you again," he said, nuzzling her hand with his cheek.
Ahsoka sighed, but managed a smile. This was part of Taran's nature that she knew. He was fiercely loyal to his friends and would risk harm to himself to aid them.
"Thank you, for saving me," said Ahsoka.
"You're welcome Airen," said Taran.
He made to sit up, grunting a little as he felt the soreness around his torso. His right hand came up to Ahsoka's cheek as he gazed on her and before she knew it, his lips connected with hers. Her eyes closed as she lost herself to the feeling. His lips on her was like breathing relief and calm into her being. It was these moments that she was truly at peace. The effect he had on her was intoxicating yet reaching a nirvana inside herself. One of her hands moved to the back of his head and the other one went down to his side. His other hand found the small of her back.
The kiss lasted around twenty seconds before they pulled apart. Their foreheads met as they breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that they were yet again safe and with each other.
A knock on the door turned their heads to its location.
"Our leader would like to see you now. Is Taran Cyneran awake?" said the voice of the Nautolan from the other side of the door.
"Yes I am," said Taran.
The door opened to a reveal a large, slightly humanoid body shape. when he came into the room, Taran and Ahsoka both gasped. It had been two years since the last time they had seen him, but they were not expecting to see him in a place such as this.
"Dex?" said Ahsoka.
The male Besalisk was wearing a tattered white shirt and dirty brown pants and also sported a few scars on his arms. He was also a lot thinner since he was last seen, but it was him alive and well. He let out a shout of laughter and ran over to them, enveloping the two of them in his four arms in a crushing hug, picking them up and beginning to swing them around.
"You two are alive! After all this time! I saw the death count and saw your names on it and thought the two of ya were dead, but here ya are! Thank the galaxies you two made it out!" said Dexter.
"Dex...miss you too...we're kind of...dying here," Ahsoka and Taran managed to say simultaneously as they felt they couldn't breath and their rib cages were about to shatter. Dex thankfully got the message and gently lowered them to the floor, the two inhaling rapidly once their lungs had the capacity to take in air.
"What are you doing here?" said Ahsoka.
"After the Jedi were killed off and the Emperor took power, me and others knew it was time to make ourselves scarce. I hacked into the records of the Republic Records Office and erased my existence. Our group is called the Erased; we don't exist," said Dexter.
"How many others are with you?" said Taran.
"Around twenty. Ten are here including the three you've seen, and the others are off doing reconnaissance on the surface. Apparently you two caused quite a stir up up there," said Dexter. "The Empire's looking for any sign of you, though they haven't placed any wanted posters."
"Why would they do that?" said Taran.
"Beats me, although it might be that knowing two Jedi infiltrated the planet and made an attempt on the Chancellor would cause unrest. Either way, troops and security have installed checkpoints nearly everywhere, especially at any spaceports.
"We have two friends to meet in the next two days," said Ahsoka.
"Getting you out of here will prove to be difficult, but we'll manage. We've done it before," said Dexter.
"Thank you Dex," said Taran.
"Now tell me, how did you manage to get out of the Temple?" said Dexter.
"Well, its a long story," said Ahsoka.
"With two different timelines," said Taran.
"I've got time," said Dexter.
The LAAT sped overhead the night sky of the city. Plenty of them were around, flying in patrols with their high-beam lights on. He knew the ground was a surface of activity as squads stood guard at checkpoints and scoured the surface and lower levels for them. It had been a full day and not one sign of them had been seen. It was as if they had simply vanished. He was starting to think that just maybe...
No, they weren't off-planet. There were too many hiding places on the planet that they hadn't discovered yet. Every spaceport was manned and crawling with security patrols. They would find them. A wounded Jedi was better to fight then one at full-strength. Kix joked that if it were two wounded Jedi together would make one full-fledged.
Rex chuckled a little to himself from the stupid joke.
"Something funny sir?" said a stormtrooper.
"Just a little joke from earlier, nothing more soldier," said Rex.
"Okay sir. Do you think we'll find them?" said the trooper.
"I sure hope so, for all our sake," said Rex.
Nightfall in Coruscant was beautiful. The lights from thousands of buildings and thousands upon thousands of signs, speeders and ships gave the city a dazzling beauty. Even from down here, she loved the sight of it. She went back in after gazing up there for a few minutes so as not to be detected. Even down here they had to move around as stormtrooper patrols came through.
She went into the shared room where the Nautolan and the Bothan were giving feedback to Taran and Dexter. Taran was helping Dexter improve his security network around their intended escape route. They would have to be unhindered the entire time if it was to succeed. They had went over the plan before they had left.
The tale of their journeys had taken hours to tell Dexter, but the Besalisk had listened to their every word patiently. When Taran had told him it was the Quarren that had saved his life, Dexter could scarcely believe the odds. Once they were done telling him their story, he told him all of his exploits in the recent years. Taran and Ahsoka were astounded to hear that Dexter had helped another Jedi escape the planet just months after Order 66. They had remembered Ferus Olin from their youth and the rivalry he had with Anakin when the two were just Padawans.
"And I've been here ever since, helping fugitives from the Empire escape or live here among us," Dexter had told them.
He then told them of the others at their location. The Nautolan was named Nix and she had been an aide to a deputy close to the Chancellor until she had resigned in protest of the Republic transforming into an Empire with a single ruler. The Bothan, named Ashur, had been targeted by the Empire after he had aided in the smuggling of a Senator off the planet. The Quarren was named Gyk.
She entered back into the dimly-lit hallway and back into the room that she and Taran would share for the night. The past few days had been the most shocking days of her life. From discovery Taran was alive to infiltrating the Temple, fighting the Dark Side Adepts, Inquisitor and Vader as well as the 501st Legion. To say it had been just a stressful endeavor was the biggest understatement in the galaxy.
She breathed a sigh as she fully lay down on the large mattress that lay in the corner of the room. She rolled onto her side as she began to doze off. She was nearly asleep until she heard the door open and felt his familiar presence. She turned over to look at him as he placed his jacket down onto a nearby chair and kick off his boots.
"How'd it go?" she asked.
"Cameras were placed and the other two people are ready for their part. All there is now is to go ahead with the plan. The passenger ship leaving tomorrow is making a stop near Raxus Prime. All we need to do is see if we can get a ship there, which I think is very possible," said Taran, laying down on the mattress next to Ahsoka. He now sported a black shirt, the green shirt being irreparable.
"Stressed?" said Taran.
"Just a bit," said Ahsoka. "When we link up with Barriss and Jaysh, what then?"
"I'm...I'm not sure. I guess the best thing to do is to find somewhere to stay that's safe," said Taran.
"Any ideas?" said Ahsoka.
"A few, but we'll have to wait and see," said Taran.
Ahsoka shifted closer to him, her right arm going to his arm.
"Do you miss them?" said Ahsoka.
"Who?"
"Your people," said Ahsoka.
Taran looked at a spot on the ceiling. "Everyday."
Ahsoka rested her head on his chest, breathing soundly. His hand went to her back and began to rub her softly. "I miss my mother. I wish I could go back just one time, just to tell her that I'm still alive. There's no telling how she took the news of us dying. I just want to set her mind at ease."
"I wish the same for Uncle Long, and the younglings. There's no telling how they took it, but we have to stay away from them to protect them. If the Empire found out that we went there, they'd be the first people they'd take into custody and do whatever they felt like to draw them out," said Taran.
Ahsoka sighed. She knew it would be like this for probably the rest of their lives. It would be a lonely existence, but at least he was there beside her. Somehow, just thinking of that made everything feel not as bad.
They were silent for awhile. Suddenly, Ahsoka's hold on her tightened as she sniffled
"What's wrong?" said Taran, looking down on her. Ahsoka lifted herself to hover over him, her eyes watering.
"I can't believe he would do that to her. To Padme," she said sadly with anguish in her voice, a single tear escaping her eyes.
That hit him hard. The knowledge of Padme killed by her own husband sickened him to his very core. He didn't know why he hadn't broken down right then and there. Yet, all that had come out of him was the desire to kill Vader where he stood. He deserved to die a thousand times and more, but none of that would bring Padme back. He remembered their last meeting together, the smile on her face when they left to go back to the Temple. If there was anything that was good about that last memory, it was that it was a happy one. Bur what of the baby? Had it perished as well along with its mother?
A dark feeling emanated inside him as the probably outcome of the child's fate intensified in his mind. His hatred towards Vader had escalated once he learn. He wanted to end his days right now at that very moment.
"Taran, please don't," said Ahsoka. Taran snapped out of his thoughts to focus on her.
"It's not worth it," said Ahsoka, looking into his eyes.
"He killed her Soka. Both of them. His own wife and child. He's got to pay," said Taran.
"And then what would you do once you killed him? With your emotions the way they are, you'd become just like him," said Ahsoka.
"No, I wouldn't!" said Taran.
"Yes, you would! You'd kill him with all the rage and hatred you're feeling and then you'd want more and more to make sure that this doesn't happen again, and then you'd become just like them," said Ahsoka, her voice rising to match the passion of her words.
Deep down, Taran knew she was right. Personally, he wanted to tear the Emperor and Vader limb from limb. Then he'd move on to everyone who hurt him or his loved ones in a vicious cycle that would only have a violent end.
He let out a heated breath to control his anger as he calmed down. Ahsoka hugged him close to her.
"I meant what I said. I'm not going to watch you fall to the dark side," she said softly.
"I'm not going to hurt you. Even if I did fall to the dark side, I couldn't do that to you," said Taran.
"Anakin said the same thing. People change," said Ahsoka.
Taran thought about her words. They thought that Anakin would always remain how he was. Instead, he became the opposite of that. Or was he like that always?
"I won't change," he thought. He spent the night there with her, holding her as they fell asleep.
Rex stood outside one of the main spaceports on the planet. He looked out over the entrance as beings came in lines before being stopped by stormtroopers at the gateways and checked. The process had been going on for a day in length. Kix and others were stationed at the other surroundings ports to continue the same process.
"This is just getting annoying," he said to himself.
Over 24 hours and still no sign of them. The patrols were pushing near exhaustion now, but Lord Vader persisted that none shall rest until they were found.
Rex scanned over the crowd, not looking down at the people but elsewhere for signs of an unusual activity. He knew they would be hooded or cloaked if they tried to pass in through here. He also knew they would try for any areas with low security or hidden ways to get in. He had every square foot of the building on watch and patrolled by his men. No one was going to get through here without a serious fight from the 501st.
As he looked out, he noticed two hooded figures some distance off from the port. He took out his pair of electrobinoculars and zoomed in, taking a step back to stay in the shadows. The vision got close until he could see them clearly. Their hoods were pulled over their face but they definitely seemed to be scoping the port's security. As he looked he noticed that one of their hoods seemed to have two peaks underneath. He knew which species had horn-like projections like that.
"Sergeant Jaeger," said Rex into his comlink.
"Yes sir?"
"Take a group of five men and go as if you're going on patrol to the alleys. Circle back until you get to point 05 and come towards the two hooded figures that will be directly in front of you," said Rex.
"Yes sir."
"And do so as if it's a normal patrol. No urgency," said Rex.
"Yes sir."
He saw Jaeger gather the men he needed and make for the alley. Rex himself headed down to the ground level of the port. He passed by the many immigrants and tourists coming in and those en route to leaving the planet whether it be to return to their homes, to engage in trade, or travel to other planets for their leisure. Rex paid them no mind, focusing on his goal at hand. He walked over to the two squads handling the traffic at the entrance, blending in as if he were working alongside them.
"Both squads be ready to move on my mark," said Rex.
"Yes sir," said a chorus of voices.
Rex looked around the area where he could just see the hooded figures some distance off. A minute later, he saw Jaeger and his men coming down the street, walking down in two columns as they hugged the buildings. The figures didn't seem to notice.
"Move out now. Move slowly so as not to arouse suspicion," said Rex.
He started out first as he picked his way through the crowd. The two squads followed suit as well, moving out by themselves so as not to arouse suspicion. He saw Jaeger's men close on the figures, who still weren't aware of their presence.
"Just a little closer," he thought.
Suddenly, one of them turned and saw Jaeger's squad coming for them. They turned and began to run down the alley.
"Kriff! After them!" Rex commanded.
Immediately the combined three squads chased after them, firing down the alleyway. The red bolts passed by them closely, but none succeeded in scoring a hit. The figures ducked behind anywhere they could as they ran in a zigzag-like pattern to avoid being hit. They ducked into a stairway that would lead them to the lower levels.
"We're not losing them this time," said Rex.
His men picked up the pace, still continuing to fire after the ones they were pursuing. They were heartily surprised when one of the figures pulled something out and soon they were ducking from blaster bolts.
"That's odd," Rex thought as he narrowly avoided the laser fire, one bolting sailing painfully close to his head.
Rex returned the fire, keeping the figures ducked down as the chase continued. Soon they were levels below the surface around the Orange District. Rex stopped and hugged the wall as his comrades ran forward. He took in a few breaths as he readied his blaster and took aim. He saw his target in the scope and sucked in a breath. His finger pulled the trigger with ease.
One of the targets fell face down onto the ground, a burn mark right between the shoulder blades. The other cloaked figure paused for a moment before taking off down the street.
"After him," said Rex, running towards the body that his men were about to huddle around.
They acknowledged his order and went off to pursue the other target. Rex and another stormtrooper looked at the body. The cloak was around the body. From the two points, he knew it was Ahsoka.
"Why would he leave her here and not try to defend her?" he thought.
He hastily pulled the cloak off the body and let out a gasp.
"Final boarding before departure," announced the pilot of the large passenger freighter.
The ship was huddled with passengers from all walks of life. There were two seating/passenger arrangements of the ship: those for Humans and nonHumans. the nonHuman accommodations. The nonHuman sections were in the lower holds of the ship. The rooms were also exceedingly cramped for the 400 passengers, but it would do.
"You know you can take it off now," said Ahsoka.
"Just need to make sure," said Taran, beginning to take the huge trench-like cloak off of him that covered his head. He had worn it as a disguise to blend in. Human passengers were checked and faces were more recognizable. No one cared much about the nonHuman passengers, with Ahsoka going in without much difficulty. Singling out Togruta to eyes not use to them was an easy mistake to make, though they would have thought the lessened security would have double-checked to make sure once most of the stormtroopers guarding the front entrance left to chase after the members of the Erased.
Ahsoka let out a small laugh as she helped him take off the cloak. Their quarters were cramped, but they would do. Any type of living arrangement was good enough for them. They had been in worse conditions before. They had a room they had to share with two others in a room with two bunk beds who hadn't came in yet, that is if there was any.
"How many hours do we have till we reach Raxus Prime?" said Ahsoka.
"Almost a day since they have to make some stops before they arrive. Raxus Prime is just a refuel point," said Taran.
"I hope Barriss and Jaysh are okay," said Ahsoka.
"I'm sure they'll be fine. I'm more worried about getting their by the appointed time. For all they know, we're dead," said Taran.
Ahsoka sighed. He was right. They couldn't hail them on a frequency unless they were on a planet. Any other communications with them would be tracked and bring the forces of the Empire on them. If they weren't there, there was no telling what plan of action they would have to do next.
"It'll be okay, regardless of the outcome," said Taran.
"How can it be okay?" said Ahsoka. "The Empire knows we're alive and will do anything to make sure we're dead."
"We're alive. That's more than anything to be thankful about," said Taran, gazing into her eyes.
Her gaze turned from his. "What if they attack our families? We wouldn't be able to defend them."
"I'm aware of it, but I think they won't. They've actually been trying to keep this under wraps and going to our home planets to try and draw us out would spread word throughout the galaxy," said Taran. "If anything, their agents will be working overtime to try and find us."
"But they still can," said Ahsoka.
Taran sighed. "I know."
They were quiet for awhile, the hum of the ship's engines the only sound in the room. Taran wished he had words to soothe her, to tell her everything was going to be fine. He knew nothing was fine. If anything, their lives were about to become that much worse. Taran didn't have the answers for any of these issues. Would he stand idly by if his uncle were attacked? Ahsoka's mother?
He could only do one thing. He climbed up to the top bunk, sitting beside her. His right arm wrapped around her to bring her closer.
"I can't promise anything Soka. I wish I could say we'll be okay, but I know that nothing lasts forever. I just want us to be alright with whatever time we have left. Difficulties will come; they always do. Right now, I want to protect you as best as I can," said Taran.
Ahsoka looked into his eyes.
"But what about them?" said Ahsoka.
"I want to help them, but the most I can do to protect them is for them to never find out we're alive," said Taran. "That's all that can be done."
Ahsoka leaned onto his shoulder, breathing quietly to herself.
"I want to protect her, so badly, but you're right. It's all we can do," said Ahsoka. "I'm going to need to get use to this feeling after two years."
"What feeling?" said Taran.
"Helplessness," said Ahsoka. "Back when we were younger, I felt I could do anything I had the will to do. Now, it's like I can't do anything. How do I cope with it?"
"By doing what you can do," said Taran, his hand lightly squeezing hers.
She gazed up at him. "Thank you, for everything," said Ahsoka.
"Don't mention it Snips," said Taran.
A small laugh escaped her lips before they found their way to his. A soft sigh emanated from his throat as he relished her lips. A small smack sounded when their lips disconnected before they met again. Suddenly, the door opened up behind them.
"Oh my," said a feminine voice.
Taran and Ahsoka hastily turned to see a male and female Twi'lek. Both were a light-blue complexion with clothing befitting their homeland.
"Sorry," said Taran and Ahsoka, Taran scratching the back of his head as Ahsoka bit her lip and looked away, signs that the two were embarrassed.
"What's are you doing here?" said the male Twi'lek.
"What do you mean?" said Taran.
"Shouldn't you be on the upper deck with the other Humans?" he said.
"Nal!" said the woman.
"It's okay. Imperial ships aren't fans of our relationship or any like it. So, if she has to suffer I'm going to be right there with her," said Taran.
"That's noble," said Nal.
"Where are our manners. I'm La'aela and this is my husband Nal," said the woman. Her husband grunted in return.
"I'm...Tia," said Ahsoka. Taran noticed it dramatically, but gave no face to voice his surprise. Instead, he went along with it.
"I'm Bruck," said Taran.
"It's a pleasure to meet you both. We're on our way to visit family on Ryloth. And you?" said La'aela.
"We're...going to see some friends of ours to meet up and then afterwards, who knows," said Ahsoka.
"Sounds lovely," said La'aela. "Sorry if we intruded on a private moment."
"It's okay, nothing too serious was going to happen," said Ahsoka.
"Easy for you to say," Taran thought.
The bodies of a dead Bothan and Human were displayed on the ground. Rex and Darth Vader stood overlooking them at the front of the entrance. The port was closed off once word had came that they had slipped out. There was no telling which of the four ships that had left in that hour span they had smuggled themselves aboard.
"This was all connected sir," said Rex.
"How did they escape?" said Vader.
"These two drew off the majority of our men in the area towards them, leaving the front entrance short-staffed long enough for them to slip through. We confirmed this with the video surveillance," said Rex.
Vader stood looking at the bodies, his respirator the only sound coming from him.
"Did none of the staff see them?" said Vader.
"No sir," said Rex.
Vader turned and walked towards the four staff members of the spaceport. The four men tensed when they saw him walking towards them.
"How did you let them through without so much as raising an alarm?" said Vader.
"We're sorry my Lord. We didn't see them through the press of people arriving," said one of them.
"Unacceptable," said Vader.
He outstretched his hands and suddenly the four men began to clutch their throats. It was as if an unseen person was choking them. Rex had seen this before. Countless times to be more precise.
"Do you know what you have just let happen? Jedi infiltrators have escaped from the planet thanks to you, along with an artifact greatly needed by the Emperor," said Vader.
"W-we...s-s-sor...agh..f-for...give...u..s!" one of the staff tried to say.
"You have no idea the resources we have to utilize to make sure word of this does not spread. This failure is your last," said Vader.
With a further tightening of his fists, the four fell to the ground. Their windpipes constricted beyond repair, they slowly died. Rex saw as one of them, his face turning blue as he reached straight towards them as if he could stop their misery. He gave a last twitch before his hand fell to the ground and he lay there still.
"Rex, call together every available agent we have and have them meet me at my palace. Have men from flight operations to chart down every planet those ships are journeying to," said Vader.
"Yes sir. Where are you off to?" said Rex.
"To relay the Emperor of this failure," said Vader, leaving towards a transport inside the spaceport.
Sorry again for the long update. I've finally realized how big these chapters are going to be and so it would make sense to release them within every month, but nothing is planned but that's the longest you all have will have to wait, the shortest being two weeks at most. Review your thoughts and stay tuned for the next update!