Chapter 11: The Heist
Rike Kleiner navigated the heavy traffic of Commenor and landed in a landing bay nearest to the storehouse. He paid for the use of the bay but registered the Nonnah under a false name.
Carter watched as Quilow Pom and his Gungans left early. They wore heavy cloaks to mask their identity. Rex and Wolffe also wore cloaks over their armor. They left right after the Gungans. Their task was renting the cargo haulers they would need to move the equipment. Carter donned his own disguise, a simple outfit with an open coat that had tails down to the back of his knees. It made him look like a gentleman. Chanla and Katrina both wore full dresses, but somewhere in those dresses their small silver blaster pistols were concealed. Cara also wore a dress, and she appeared not to be enjoying it in the least.
Carter extended his arm to Cara. She cringed. "Can't we just blast our way in?"
"The longer it takes for the Empire to become suspicious, the better we are. But don't worry, I'm sure that we will be blasting our way out." Cara accepted that with a nod. She took Carter's arm and they walked out of the landing bay and into the streets.
Chanla and Katrina were up ahead, chatting and laughing. They took their time window shopping in the nearby market, looking at different dresses more elegant than their own. At Carter's insistence Cara joined them, but she looked like a fish out of water. Soon Carter spoke up. "Auntie Chan, we have a schedule to keep."
"Of course, my nephew," replied Chanla. "We were just trying to show your young lady around." Cara rolled her eyes at that comment. It was completely unnecessary for their cover, but Chanla was antagonizing Cara.
They kept walking until they were out of the business district. Soon they were in a more industrial area. There they met Rex and Wolffe. The two clones had obtained the cargo haulers they needed, two long transports with seating in the front and way in the back and with an open storage bed in the middle.
Chanla and Katrina shed their dresses, revealing their jumpsuits underneath. Rex and Wolffe had brought their other supplies. Both women strapped on a utility belt and some armored shoulder pads. Carter took off his coat and changed it for a leather jacket.
Carter looked up just as Cara took off her dress. She had a pair of tightfitting shorts on underneath, and for a top she had only an athletic undershirt that left her thick muscular arms bare. Cara caught Carter's eye. "Don't get too excited, Doc." Carter flushed with embarrassment. Cara pulled on her pants, buckled her belt, put on her boots, pulled her armor over her head, and put on her combat gloves. She looked much more herself.
Chanla climbed on board Wolffe's cargo hauler. "The strike team will be in position. Let's not keep them waiting."
Quilow Pom waited in the shadows as he watched the guards. They weren't Imperials, but local hires. The Empire thought they could hide the storehouse in plain sight. As such having white armored stormtroopers would be counterproductive. But by hiring locals, the quality of guard would be less. It would not be hard for Quilow's squad to disable these guards. Nevertheless, even the most incompetent guard could kill, and Quilow had no intention of losing a single Gungan.
He continued to watch in the shadows. There were five guards. Three of them sat in front of the storehouse's main door under the light, while the other two walked patrol. Quilow gave the first signal, an auditory beep that could be heard through commlink. He watched as a shadow moved and fired a stun bolt at one of the patrols. The man dropped towards the ground but was caught silently by the stealthy Gungan. Quilow received a confirmation beep in his ear comm from that Gungan and from the Gungan on the other side of the storehouse. Both patrols were down.
Quilow gave the second signal. Two Gungans had crawled their way on top of the storehouse. They came to the front of the storehouse and peered down at the remaining three guards. The two Gungans who had taken out the patrols were on either side of the storehouse, while Quilow and his remaining three Gungans were in the next alley across the main street. Quilow received three confirmation beeps from the other Gungans indicating that they were ready.
With everyone in position, Quilow gave the third signal. He and his squad charged the front door. He resisted the urge to issue a war cry. This needed to be done as silently as possible. His squad came around the corner and into the full light of street. The three guards turned to face them. But the two Gungans on the sides of the storehouse jumped out of there corners and fired stun bolts. And the two Gungans on the roof repelled halfway down and fired from above. Quilow wasn't sure who got the first hits, but all three guards dropped to the ground.
Quilow's squad began to move the guards out of the light and to a hiding spot. Quilow himself double checked for more guards. When he was convinced that there were none, he spoke into his commlink his first words since they had arrived. "Lady Neeyutnee, our'san mission completen."
Rex, Wolffe, and Cara walked in the front of the group. Katrina and Dr. Rolanga were next. Chanla was rear guard. The two clones and the young Alderaanian woman secured the area around the side of the storehouse. Quilow Pom and his Gungans were there. Katrina gave Quilow a smile, and whispered, "Bombad," to him. He nodded his appreciation. The Gungans were good.
"Rex and Wolffe, start planting the explosives," ordered Chanla. "Katrina, now would be a good time to disable the alarm."
"Yes, Sir," said Wolffe dutifully.
"On it," said Katrina, also affirming Chanla's orders. She used her datapad to remote activate her slicing program back on the Nonnah. Then she slipped to the front of the warehouse. Two of the Gungans came with her. She hesitated outside the streetlight. But she came forward without incident, found the data port, and inserted her spike. The preprogrammed spike simulated a droid's data probe such as those commonly found on astromechs. Katrina watched as it began to rotate and work its way into the data port. Once she was convinced it would do its job, Katrina retreated back into the alley. Between the spike and the preprogrammed slicing code on the Nonnah, the Imperial garrison shouldn't receive any alarm.
She got back just in time to see Rex and Wolffe arguing about the explosives. "No, no, no. This one goes there, and that one goes there," said Rex.
"Are you sure?" asked Wolffe.
"Does it really matter?" asked Cara.
"Sabine gave us very specific instructions," said Rex. "The bottom explosives have a higher charge. They should push the bottom of the wall inward."
"Which will cause the top portion to fall outward into the alley," said Dr. Rolanga with understanding.
"It will be easier if the wall falls outward," explained Rex. "That way it doesn't land on any of the supplies. We can't afford to waste time climbing over the debris that would cause."
"There, that's the last one," said Wolffe. Two of the Gungans who had repelled from the top of the storehouse to place the higher explosives came down. Wolffe waved everyone down the alley. "Take cover."
Everyone hid behind the cargo haulers in the alleyway. Wolffe held his finger above the detonator. "Wait," said Katrina. "I need another moment for the spike to finish its work." Katrina consulted her datapad with the count down. It hit zero, and she nodded to Wolffe. With some pleasure the clone jammed down on detonator with his thumb.
Katrina watched as the explosives detonated in perfect sequence from top to bottom. The bottom charges were more powerful, and a large portion of the storehouse wall did fall outward and land into the alleyway.
The sound of the explosives was muffled, but the noise of the falling wall was unavoidable. Hopefully with the security disabled no alarm would be raised. However, the Imperials could still be alerted if someone nearby called in an emergency. That point must not have been lost on Chanla as she ordered, "Let's move. Someone might have heard that."
"Let's go, Doctor," said Katrina to Carter Rolanga. She drew her pistol and entered bodyguard mode. She and Carter ran forward behind Cara Dune and two Gungans.
When they arrived at the hole in the wall, both Carter and Katrina stopped to admire the result. The portion of the wall still standing next to the hole was covered in paint of multiple colors, including mainly purples, oranges, and reds. Katrina noted that the orange paint was vaguely shaped like the Rebel symbol.
Katrina heard the click behind her. She looked back and saw Rex taking a picture with a holorecorder. "Sabine asked me to get a picture. For her, destruction is as much an art form as construction. And she never disappoints."
Katrina looked back at the explosive artwork. "Those of us on Naboo enjoy a good piece of art. This is most unique." Katrina smiled. The Mandalorian woman had style.
An alert appeared on Aargant's computer. A slicing code had breached the Commenor security system through the Rebel backdoor. "I have you now," said Aargant. He charged out of his quarters.
He arrived on the bridge of the Star Destroyer. Commander Bowmen spotted him. "Agent Aargant, has your prediction come true?"
"Yes, Commander. A slicing code has breached Commenor."
"Alert the local garrison," said Bowmen. He turned to his crew. "Full alert. Helm, take us on a heading to Commenor. You may jump as soon as the Assailant is clear of the gravity well. Full speed."
Aargant came to a comm station. "This is ISB Agent Maxsis Aargant to Commenor garrison. Rebel activity has identified in your sector. The Rebels are attempting to steal Imperial property. Engage immediately. Hold any survivors for my interrogation."
Yes, Aargant would have them.
Rex, Wolffe, and Chanla swept the storehouse first. When they reported there was no one inside, Katrina escorted Carter in. Cara acted as rear guard. "Alright, Doctor, tell us what to load," said Chanla.
Carter walked over to the medical area of the storehouse. He began to compare the items to the priority list on his data pad. "There it is, the phase five atomic level scanner," said Carter. He pointed to a large circular device designed for a patient to pass through it.
"I didn't think it would be that big," said Katrina.
"Let's get it loaded," said Chanla. She waved at Rex, Wolffe, and a pair of Gungans.
Carter looked at the device. With that he could save Auntie Kat. Carter shook his head. They didn't just come here for the atomic scanner. Carter began pointing out different items. "Those three bacta tanks. That set of surgical tools. Those medical statis capsules." He continued to point out items. Cara and Chalna began sorting the smaller items. Rex, Wolffe, and the two of the Gungans came back to lift the bigger items. Cara also helped. When he wasn't giving directions, Carter helped moving things as well. The only one who didn't help was Katrina. She stood blaster in hand in a position where she could see both the front door and the hole they had blown in.
Outside the storehouse stood Quilow Pom and one other Gungan. Two others had climbed to the roof where the last two Gungans already were. Not having the extra help slowed things down, but they had decided that a heavy lookout was more important to their safety than pure speed.
Carter took a box of medical tools to the cargo haulers. The atomic scanner was already loaded, as were a few medical capsules and a bacta tank. Wolffe and Cara were carrying another bacta tank. Carter let out a sigh of relief. This was working.
Rike Kleiner was leaning against the wall outside the landing bay when a pair of Imperial stormtroopers walked down the street. Rike subtly looked the other way and saw another pair. He swallowed hard but kept his cool. He causally headed back inside.
Once he got on to the Nonnah, he activated his comm. "Nonnah to away team. I think the tooka's out of the bag. Imperial patrols near the landing bay."
Chanla's heard Rike's message. She looked up at Katrina who had heard it as well. She turned to Dr. Rolanga. "Doctor, top priority only. We are running out of time."
"What do you mean? How do you know that?"
"Imperials are near the Nonnah."
Neku, one of the Gungan warriors on the storehouse roof saw them first. Imperial troop transporters coming down the street. He activated his comm. "Lady Neeyutnee, Imperials a-coming. Three-sa transporters onna their way."
Chanla shouted her orders. "Grab what you can and go!" She ran out through the hole in the wall and grabbed Quilow Pom and the other Gungan. She got to the edge of the alley and peered around the corner. She could see the troop transports alright. They would be on top of them in just a few minutes.
Chanla looked about the well-lit street. She pulled out her silver Naboo blaster pistol and took aim. She fired at the streetlight nearest the storehouse. She hit it on her first shot. It took three shots to hit the next one. By that time, Quilow had taken out two more. They cast a shadow upon the street.
Chanla knelt on one knee. Quilow stood above her. Both were more than half hidden. The other Gungan laid prone on the ground. Chanla spoke to the Gungans on her commlink. "We will draw them out of the transports. Neku, you and your team will hit them from above."
When had she become a battle strategist? She spent most of her life avoiding combat. But in the past couple of years, she had been in several blaster fights. Growing up she had idolized Queen Amidala. Chanla had in her mind that romantic image of Queen Amidala literally leading her forces into battle, despite the fact that pacifistic Naboo would not approve. When Chanla had become Queen Neeyutnee during the Clone Wars, she took the more reasonable view that Naboo should avoid the War, and besides a few skirmishes she had succeeded. But if only Amidala could see her now.
The Imperial transports came to a stop in front of the storehouse. A few stormtroopers jumped out of the transports side doors. Not enough to spring Chanla's trap. She braced her right arm along the wall she was hiding behind and took aim. She picked the lead trooper and squeezed the trigger. The blaster pistol issued its "who'amp" noise, and the green bolt lanced out and struck the trooper in the chest, burning a hole right through his armor.
Quilow and his Gungan partner also fired their blasters. The stormtroopers scurried to find cover. Three more were hit before the main door of front transport opened. Stormtroopers poured out of the transport, only to be gunned down by the four Gungans on the storehouse roof.
Chanla's plan worked well, but she knew it was only a matter of time before the stormtroopers would overwhelm them.
Katrina listened to the shots outside the storehouse. "That was fast," she said. "I didn't expect the Imperials to get here so soon."
"Maybe they detected your slicing," said Cara.
"Impossible. The only way for them to notice was if they knew what they were looking for."
"Kallus did suspect the ISB might be on to us," said Rex.
Katrina thought about ISB agent on the holo-transmission she had intercepted weeks ago. Could he have found her slicing work?
"We don't have time to think about it," said Wolffe. "Let's get it all on board and strapped down. It's time for us to make our escape."
The two clones and the two Gungans grabbed what was left. Carter already had his hands full, but he dropped something. "Leave it," said Katrina as he stopped to pick it up. The doctor reluctantly moved on.
They got to the cargo haulers and loaded the last of what they could. Rex turned back to them. "Strap it down as best as you can then get ready to go. Come on, Wolffe. Let's do this." Both clones put on their helmets and ran to join the battle.
Chanla kept firing. She and the two Gungans were behind great cover, and the stormtroopers were struggling. The troopers were charging them, exposing themselves to fire not just from Chanla and her two teammates, but also to the four Gungans on the roof of the storehouse. But it was only a matter of time before the Imperials changed their strategy.
Chanla spotted the change immediately. The stormtroopers stop their advance and fell back behind the troop transports. Chanla grabbed her commlink, ready to give orders, and watched carefully. What would the Imperials do now?
The large dual barreled cannon on the top of the nearest troop transport pivoted and aimed at the roof of the storehouse. Chanla shouted into her commlink which was already in her hand. "Strike team, fall back! Fall back!"
The transport's cannon fired. The dual blast destroyed the top of the storehouse's façade. Chanla looked up in horror. "Strike report! Are you still there?"
Chanla heard Neku's voice. "Wesa still here. But wesa hav'en injuries."
"Fall back to the cargo haulers. We need to leave now."
Two ball shaped objects landed near Chanla and her two Gungan teammates. She ducked behind cover and braced for the grenade blast. But instead, the grenades produced a thick smoke. The smoke poured into the alley, and in just a few seconds Chanla couldn't see. Suddenly Chanla panicked. She might not be able to see, but the stormtroopers could through their helmets. They could walk right up to Chanla and shoot her at point blank. Or they could capture her, and Chanla did not want to be an Imperial prisoner.
"Fire at anything that moves!" she shouted into the smoke. She couldn't even see Quilow Pom next to her. She fired her blaster even without a target. This might be it! This might be Chanla's last mission. She just needed to buy enough time for the rest to escape. She could save them, and she could save Kat.
Chanla was continuing to fire her blaster when the stun bolt hit her.
Rex saw Chanla go down and Quilow Pom dive down to protect her. The Gungan life debt meant more to him than anything. But Rex had no intention of letting the Gungan sacrifice himself.
The stormtrooper helmets that allowed the Imperials to see in the smoke were only cheap knockoffs of the clone trooper helmets that Rex and Wolffe were wearing. Rex could see clearly through his helmet's visual filters. With his two favorite blaster pistols in hand, Rex walked into the battle zone with Wolffe beside him.
The stormtroopers were lazy, thinking their advantage was all they needed. Rex almost felt bad for them as he fired at the advancing and exposed troopers. His blue blaster bolts found their targets easily.
"Quilow, get Chanla out of here," said Rex. "Wolffe and I will cover your retreat. Get back to the cargo haulers."
"Mesa thanking you." Quilow swept up the unconscious woman. Wolffe directed Quilow and the other Gungan through the smoke back down the alley. Rex stood his ground, his legs in a wide stance, facing his enemy squarely, and firing his blasters.
The stormtroopers finally learned that their enemy could see, but it was already too late. The two clone troopers with years of war experience needed no communication. They both knew what to do. Walking backwards, firing their blasters, they retreated back into the alley.
The smoke began to clear, and the stormtroopers had to emerge from their advantage. Rex and Wolffe's blue blaster bolts were joined by red blaster bolts from the other Gungans and possible Cara Dune and the green bolts from Katrina's pistol. Rex and Wolffe reached the cargo haulers.
"Chanla!" shouted Katrina.
"She's only stunned," said Rex. "The Empire wants prisoners."
"Bring her over here!" shouted Dr. Rolanga. Near the doctor, Rex could see two wounded Gungans laying in the front of Wolffe's cargo hauler. To make room for the doctor and his patients some of the valuable medical equipment was dumped on the ground.
"Wolffe, let's get out of here," said Rex, issuing orders in Chanla's absence. "The remaining Gungans split up. Katrina, stay with Chanla. Cara, get on my cargo hauler. It's time to leave."
The remaining Gungans got on the cargo haulers' rear seating section. Dr. Rolanga was in the cargo area of Wolffe's hauler along with the injured, and Katrina was seated next to Wolffe in the front. Cara Dune joined Rex in the front of his hauler. Wolffe gave Rex to signal to go ahead, and Rex eased the throttle forward. The cargo hauler proceeded towards the far end of the alley.
Just as they were about to reach the end of the alley, an Imperial troop transport moved into position to block their escape. "Hold on to something!" said Rex. Cara's eyes widen, and she grabbed ahold of the dash in front of her. Rex threw the throttle level wide open and tighten his grip on the controls.
The troop transport was almost in position when the cargo hauler rammed into it. The cargo hauler was not only the slightly bigger vessel, but it was also the far heavier vehicle given that it was fully loaded with stolen supplies. The Imperial transport was slammed to the side. Rex banked hard to his left and brought the cargo hauler out into the street.
"Whoo!" shouted Cara Dune.
Rex looked over at her. She had nearly fallen out of her seat. "You okay?" he asked.
"Are you kidding? Can we do that again?"
Katrina watched Rex's hauler slam into the Imperial transport. She was glad to see that Rex's vessel got the better of the two. She fired her blaster at the Imperial transport as Wolffe drove them by the crashed vessel. Then they were out into the street.
"It's going to be a race now," said Wolffe, his voice modified through his helmet filter. "And they're faster than us. But we have to get to the Nonnah intact."
"Right. Speaking of the Nonnah." Katrina grabbed her commlink. "Away team to Nonnah, we are making our escape, but we are being pursued. Get the Nonnah ready to fly. Hopefully, we can get to you before the Imperials."
Rike Kleiner's voice responded. "It's too late. They're already here."