Walking the streets of Mos Eisley and searching occupant's dwellings for two droids was not what Dirik and his three companions trained to do. They had all spent a considerable amount of time at the Imperial Academy on Carida to do more then frighten the low lives of this backwater planet Tatooine. Dirik didn't mind it though; at least he didn't have to search the desert on a dewback.
They had finished their search on one side of the main road of Mos Eisley and finding no sign of the droids. As they were marching across the road their helmet comlinks came alive with a commanding voice. "All troops head to docking bay ninety-four, repeat all troops head to docking bay ninety-four" The four troopers all looked at each other, shrugged and started to move at a fast march. They had barely started on their way when all four had to dive out of the way of an on coming landspeeder.
Picking themselves up from the sand, troopers TK792 raised his blaster carbine and was taking aim when Dirik placed his hand on the barrel of the carbine. "Don't waste your power pack on them." That was enough of a delay for the landspeeder to move out of range.
TK792 turned towards Dirik; he would have said something but thought better of it. "Come on let's hurry."
They started off again, this time at a run, not caring who saw them. Rounding a corner trooper TD943 suggested they take a short cut he knew of from previous missions on Tatooine. They all turned down many side streets; back tracked this way and that. Dirik was getting a strange feeling about their course. It seemed as though they were heading away from the bays and not towards them like they were supposed to.
Turning down another corner they came face to face with a dead end. Turning around to leave the way they had come, the four stormtroopers were met by a crowd of angry looking males in desert stained tunics. In their hands they held blasters of all makes and sizes. With out warning the crowd attacked. The troopers had barely enough time to bring their own weapons to bear, they were surrounded. Dirik heard the screams of two of the troopers go down. Putting up as much of a fight as he could Dirik quickly realized it was useless to fight this mob, be he wasn't going down without a fight. He couldn't remember when he lost his carbine in the fight, he only wished he had it now to use as a club against his attackers.
Some how he was knocked off his feet. Landing on his back one member of the mob had his booted foot resting on his chest plate restricting him from moving. He also had Dirik's own blaster pointed at his head. The mans finger tightening around the trigger. He was about to fire when TD 943 shouted "Wait!" All members of the crowd looked at 943. Dirik's heart leapt in his chest but soon fell at the realization at what the trooper had done to them. "We can still use this one. Maybe not as a ransom but we might be able to get some information out of him." 943 said taking off the trooper helmet.
Dirik knew that wasn't the same trooper who had gotten on the transport down to the planet who stood before him.
"Knock him out and bring him with us." he said turning to leave.
Dirik's helmet was ripped from his head not to gently. Once the helmet was removed one of the attackers swung the end of the rifle to his head. Everything went black, he couldn't even feel them lift him up and carry his body out of the street.
When he finally came to his senses, Dirik found he could not move his hands our feet. Struggling to see he noticed he had been blindfolded. With out warning a hand slapped across his face, forcing him onto the hard ground of a hot room. He could hear the soft murmurs of a group of people in the room below him.
"Now what do you have to tell us?" the voice of imposture stormtroopers TD943 asked. He could feel his hot breath on his face.
"What are you talking about?" Dirik said dryly. "I have no information for you, so you can either let me go or kill me."
"Oh we'll find a use for you, we'll also get what we want out of you. We do have ways of making you Imperial scum talk." 943 said snapping his fingers.
Once he heard the snap he prepared himself for a round of beatings. For once he wished he was wrong.
Matara reached the bridge in moments. She slapped the door release and stepped into the cockpit area. She knew who it was the moment she saw the Corellian Action V Transport 'Fakes Fire' through the view port. She sat herself into the pilots' chair before she turned on the commsystem.
"What do you want Fawkes?" Matara said as she leaned back in the pilots' chair.
"Now, now Matara is that the way to greet an old friend?" A smooth voice on the opposite end responded. After all we have been through you still treat me as your enemy, why?
"I don't have time to play games with you. Why did you sabotage my ship Fawkes? She said through clenched teeth.
"Sabotage! That's such a very harsh accusation don't you think? You are right about one thing though, I do need your help. You are the best I had, why did you go off and leave me any way?" Fawkes asked in a hurt voice.
"Don't try and make me feel guilty about my decisions because I'm not. Now tell me why you need me and this time I want an honest answer out of you" Matara said bitterly to Fawkes.
"Fine, you've broken me, I'll tell the truth. You were the only one who could do that to me, we really miss you over here you know. What I need you to do though is go to Coruscant and pick up a package for me. I can't discuss anymore over this channel, you will have to come aboard the 'Conqueror' for me to give you the rest." He paused then added. "So would you help me?"
"Give me a minute, I need to discuss this with someone." Matara said muting the comm. "What do you think Te? Should we go through with this?"
"I thought he was addressing his request to you not me." Te said crossing her arms across her chest.
"You know I wouldn't do go through this with out consulting you first. Besides I'll probably need backup and you are the only one I trust. We'll be able to get the ship fixed as well. If I know Fawkes he will have the parts we need to fix the hyperdrive." Matara said letting the hope rise with in her. She wasn't about to admit she wanted to see Fawkes again. Curiosity was also eating away at her , she wanted to know what the package contained.
"All right, we can do it. I know you want to find out what is in the package, you can see it in your eyes. What about our own appointments with our customers? We still have shipments to be picked up." Te asked.
Turning off the mute Matara spoke into the mic. "What about our own shipments and pickups Fawkes? We still have agreements to meet."
"All ready taken care of, a few of my men are handling that for you. So you'll help me?"
Matara looked over at T'ishi, who nodded in agreement. "I know I'll regret this but we'll do it. As long as I get to take Te along and use my own ship."
"I wouldn't have it any other way. It will be a joy to see the 'Forbidden' again. You know where the docking tubes are. We'll met in my private lounge, you still remember where that is don't you?" Fawkes asked already knowing the answer.
"Don't get cute with me Fawkes. We should be there in 10 minutes." Matara said flipping the switch to cut power to the comm. "Come on we don't want to keep him waiting."
Using the sublight engines Matara guided her Surronian Conqueror Assault Ship towards the 'Fawkes Fire's' docking tubes.
As the two women walked towards the ceiling hatch T'ishi asked. "How is it you know Fawkes? Was he one of the pirates you used to fly with?"
Matara reached the access ladder to the hatch she didn't answer Te until she had it opened and was in the tube waiting for her. "Yes he was one of the pirates I used to hang around with, they got me started in all of this. We were also lovers at one time as well."
Te hid a gasp of amazement but was no less surprised by her response. Neither one said a word until after they reached the end of the tube.
Walking down the corridor the only sound they heard was the clipping of Matara's boots on the decking. Matara took note of how quiet it was, either everyone else was on an assignment or Fawkes didn't want anyone knowing they were there. What she knew of Fawkes, she would bet it was the latter.
"Was it this quiet when you were last here?" Te asked Matara as they rounded a bend. "Or does he not trust his crew?"
"I don't know. It could be either. Things can change in three years. We'll have to ask Fawkes when we see him." Matara answered.
"Does Fawkes have a name or do you only know him by Fawkes?"
"Someone's filled with questions. You can ask him, because we're here." She said when they stopped in front of a doorway. Matara waved her hand over the door release and the doors to the lounge opened noiselessly.
Once they were both inside, the door closed as quietly as it opened. Matara noticed the room had not changed since she had last been there. The lounge was still decorated in plush furniture, designed to look nice but not very comfortable. The color scheme was the same as well. Fawkes preferred the neutral colors in a room. The holo's on the walls were the same. Her favorite was still up as well, a sunrise on the savannas of Alderaan. Fawkes had taken it when they had stopped at the planet to pick up a few items. It was her first time to Alderaan and Fawkes wanted to show her something special. She smiled at the memory.
The growl coming from Te brought her back to her senses. The fur on the nap of her neck was standing on end when a lean human male stepped into the lounge from a hidden door.
"What have you been telling your companion about me Matara?" The man said taking notice of the golden furred Trianii.
"T'ishi has a very good judge of character. I wish I knew her when I first met you, I might have thought twice about joining your group." Matara said as she walked towards the center of the room.
"Well, I'm glad you didn't. I would never have had the pleasure of knowing you." Fawkes said joining them in one of the conversation rings. "Can I get you two anything? A drink, refreshment?
"No. Tell me what you want me to do for you so I can get my ship fixed and get back on with my life." She said after taking one of the offered seats.
"Yes of course we'll get to that, but first I have not been introduced to your lovely companion." Fawkes said as he took a seat across from them.
"Oh, where were my manners." Matara said letting sarcasm leak into her voice. "Fawkes this is T'ishi. Te this is Corbin Fawkes."
"Please to meet you." Te replied through a clenched jaw towards their white haired host.
"Like wise. Now Matara, I need you to pick up a package for me. I can only trust you and another of my crew with this mission. He'll be waiting by the docking tube, he knows what he has to do already."
"Wait, you never said I had to take one of your own men with me. T'ishi and I can do it by ourselves." Matara said in protest.
"No. You'll need him with you. He's one of my personal bodyguards, you already know who it is. It's Koyak. He'll be going to escort you around and keep you safe. Coruscant is not the place for you to go around unprotected." Fawkes said in a voice she knew he was not going to take no for an answer.
"Fine, so what's in the package?"
"That is something I can not tell you Matara. Now listen carefully because I'm only going to tell you once. You will reach Coruscant in plenty of time to buy yourselves gowns for the job, don't worry I'll pay. Then you will wait one day, if you get there in time. Go to the Corsica Gem restaurant. You are part of the Sico party. The host will then take you to your table. Order what you want, again I will pay for that, later you will be joined by another individual who will then ask you to dance. The song will be a very old Coruscant waltz, Koyak will teach you the steps. When the dance is over he will lead you to the package. Once you have it give him this white credit voucher, he'll know what to do. Once you have the package bring it back to the base. It shouldn't take you more than a week." He stood then added. "The bags by the door are yours, you know the routine. See you in a week."
"What about my ship? I need the hyperdrive fixed before I can go anywhere."
"It's already fixed. Two of my droid mechanics fixed it while we have been chatting. You are ready to leave now." He waited for the two women to rise and lead them to the door they had entered from. "It was a pleasure to meet you Te, I want you to take care of Matara." He whispered in her ear so Matara couldn't her what he said.
He then turned towards her. His dark brown eyes looked at her with sadness. "It was good to see you again. You haven't changed since you left."
"You've changed. The beard is a nice touch." She said indicating the thin white line of hair that outlined his jaw.
"Take care of yourself. Listen to Te and Koyak." He said pulling her into a hug.
She didn't want him to let go but released him when they separated. Picking up her bag she lead the way out of the room and headed towards the docking tubes.
They had finished their search on one side of the main road of Mos Eisley and finding no sign of the droids. As they were marching across the road their helmet comlinks came alive with a commanding voice. "All troops head to docking bay ninety-four, repeat all troops head to docking bay ninety-four" The four troopers all looked at each other, shrugged and started to move at a fast march. They had barely started on their way when all four had to dive out of the way of an on coming landspeeder.
Picking themselves up from the sand, troopers TK792 raised his blaster carbine and was taking aim when Dirik placed his hand on the barrel of the carbine. "Don't waste your power pack on them." That was enough of a delay for the landspeeder to move out of range.
TK792 turned towards Dirik; he would have said something but thought better of it. "Come on let's hurry."
They started off again, this time at a run, not caring who saw them. Rounding a corner trooper TD943 suggested they take a short cut he knew of from previous missions on Tatooine. They all turned down many side streets; back tracked this way and that. Dirik was getting a strange feeling about their course. It seemed as though they were heading away from the bays and not towards them like they were supposed to.
Turning down another corner they came face to face with a dead end. Turning around to leave the way they had come, the four stormtroopers were met by a crowd of angry looking males in desert stained tunics. In their hands they held blasters of all makes and sizes. With out warning the crowd attacked. The troopers had barely enough time to bring their own weapons to bear, they were surrounded. Dirik heard the screams of two of the troopers go down. Putting up as much of a fight as he could Dirik quickly realized it was useless to fight this mob, be he wasn't going down without a fight. He couldn't remember when he lost his carbine in the fight, he only wished he had it now to use as a club against his attackers.
Some how he was knocked off his feet. Landing on his back one member of the mob had his booted foot resting on his chest plate restricting him from moving. He also had Dirik's own blaster pointed at his head. The mans finger tightening around the trigger. He was about to fire when TD 943 shouted "Wait!" All members of the crowd looked at 943. Dirik's heart leapt in his chest but soon fell at the realization at what the trooper had done to them. "We can still use this one. Maybe not as a ransom but we might be able to get some information out of him." 943 said taking off the trooper helmet.
Dirik knew that wasn't the same trooper who had gotten on the transport down to the planet who stood before him.
"Knock him out and bring him with us." he said turning to leave.
Dirik's helmet was ripped from his head not to gently. Once the helmet was removed one of the attackers swung the end of the rifle to his head. Everything went black, he couldn't even feel them lift him up and carry his body out of the street.
When he finally came to his senses, Dirik found he could not move his hands our feet. Struggling to see he noticed he had been blindfolded. With out warning a hand slapped across his face, forcing him onto the hard ground of a hot room. He could hear the soft murmurs of a group of people in the room below him.
"Now what do you have to tell us?" the voice of imposture stormtroopers TD943 asked. He could feel his hot breath on his face.
"What are you talking about?" Dirik said dryly. "I have no information for you, so you can either let me go or kill me."
"Oh we'll find a use for you, we'll also get what we want out of you. We do have ways of making you Imperial scum talk." 943 said snapping his fingers.
Once he heard the snap he prepared himself for a round of beatings. For once he wished he was wrong.
Matara reached the bridge in moments. She slapped the door release and stepped into the cockpit area. She knew who it was the moment she saw the Corellian Action V Transport 'Fakes Fire' through the view port. She sat herself into the pilots' chair before she turned on the commsystem.
"What do you want Fawkes?" Matara said as she leaned back in the pilots' chair.
"Now, now Matara is that the way to greet an old friend?" A smooth voice on the opposite end responded. After all we have been through you still treat me as your enemy, why?
"I don't have time to play games with you. Why did you sabotage my ship Fawkes? She said through clenched teeth.
"Sabotage! That's such a very harsh accusation don't you think? You are right about one thing though, I do need your help. You are the best I had, why did you go off and leave me any way?" Fawkes asked in a hurt voice.
"Don't try and make me feel guilty about my decisions because I'm not. Now tell me why you need me and this time I want an honest answer out of you" Matara said bitterly to Fawkes.
"Fine, you've broken me, I'll tell the truth. You were the only one who could do that to me, we really miss you over here you know. What I need you to do though is go to Coruscant and pick up a package for me. I can't discuss anymore over this channel, you will have to come aboard the 'Conqueror' for me to give you the rest." He paused then added. "So would you help me?"
"Give me a minute, I need to discuss this with someone." Matara said muting the comm. "What do you think Te? Should we go through with this?"
"I thought he was addressing his request to you not me." Te said crossing her arms across her chest.
"You know I wouldn't do go through this with out consulting you first. Besides I'll probably need backup and you are the only one I trust. We'll be able to get the ship fixed as well. If I know Fawkes he will have the parts we need to fix the hyperdrive." Matara said letting the hope rise with in her. She wasn't about to admit she wanted to see Fawkes again. Curiosity was also eating away at her , she wanted to know what the package contained.
"All right, we can do it. I know you want to find out what is in the package, you can see it in your eyes. What about our own appointments with our customers? We still have shipments to be picked up." Te asked.
Turning off the mute Matara spoke into the mic. "What about our own shipments and pickups Fawkes? We still have agreements to meet."
"All ready taken care of, a few of my men are handling that for you. So you'll help me?"
Matara looked over at T'ishi, who nodded in agreement. "I know I'll regret this but we'll do it. As long as I get to take Te along and use my own ship."
"I wouldn't have it any other way. It will be a joy to see the 'Forbidden' again. You know where the docking tubes are. We'll met in my private lounge, you still remember where that is don't you?" Fawkes asked already knowing the answer.
"Don't get cute with me Fawkes. We should be there in 10 minutes." Matara said flipping the switch to cut power to the comm. "Come on we don't want to keep him waiting."
Using the sublight engines Matara guided her Surronian Conqueror Assault Ship towards the 'Fawkes Fire's' docking tubes.
As the two women walked towards the ceiling hatch T'ishi asked. "How is it you know Fawkes? Was he one of the pirates you used to fly with?"
Matara reached the access ladder to the hatch she didn't answer Te until she had it opened and was in the tube waiting for her. "Yes he was one of the pirates I used to hang around with, they got me started in all of this. We were also lovers at one time as well."
Te hid a gasp of amazement but was no less surprised by her response. Neither one said a word until after they reached the end of the tube.
Walking down the corridor the only sound they heard was the clipping of Matara's boots on the decking. Matara took note of how quiet it was, either everyone else was on an assignment or Fawkes didn't want anyone knowing they were there. What she knew of Fawkes, she would bet it was the latter.
"Was it this quiet when you were last here?" Te asked Matara as they rounded a bend. "Or does he not trust his crew?"
"I don't know. It could be either. Things can change in three years. We'll have to ask Fawkes when we see him." Matara answered.
"Does Fawkes have a name or do you only know him by Fawkes?"
"Someone's filled with questions. You can ask him, because we're here." She said when they stopped in front of a doorway. Matara waved her hand over the door release and the doors to the lounge opened noiselessly.
Once they were both inside, the door closed as quietly as it opened. Matara noticed the room had not changed since she had last been there. The lounge was still decorated in plush furniture, designed to look nice but not very comfortable. The color scheme was the same as well. Fawkes preferred the neutral colors in a room. The holo's on the walls were the same. Her favorite was still up as well, a sunrise on the savannas of Alderaan. Fawkes had taken it when they had stopped at the planet to pick up a few items. It was her first time to Alderaan and Fawkes wanted to show her something special. She smiled at the memory.
The growl coming from Te brought her back to her senses. The fur on the nap of her neck was standing on end when a lean human male stepped into the lounge from a hidden door.
"What have you been telling your companion about me Matara?" The man said taking notice of the golden furred Trianii.
"T'ishi has a very good judge of character. I wish I knew her when I first met you, I might have thought twice about joining your group." Matara said as she walked towards the center of the room.
"Well, I'm glad you didn't. I would never have had the pleasure of knowing you." Fawkes said joining them in one of the conversation rings. "Can I get you two anything? A drink, refreshment?
"No. Tell me what you want me to do for you so I can get my ship fixed and get back on with my life." She said after taking one of the offered seats.
"Yes of course we'll get to that, but first I have not been introduced to your lovely companion." Fawkes said as he took a seat across from them.
"Oh, where were my manners." Matara said letting sarcasm leak into her voice. "Fawkes this is T'ishi. Te this is Corbin Fawkes."
"Please to meet you." Te replied through a clenched jaw towards their white haired host.
"Like wise. Now Matara, I need you to pick up a package for me. I can only trust you and another of my crew with this mission. He'll be waiting by the docking tube, he knows what he has to do already."
"Wait, you never said I had to take one of your own men with me. T'ishi and I can do it by ourselves." Matara said in protest.
"No. You'll need him with you. He's one of my personal bodyguards, you already know who it is. It's Koyak. He'll be going to escort you around and keep you safe. Coruscant is not the place for you to go around unprotected." Fawkes said in a voice she knew he was not going to take no for an answer.
"Fine, so what's in the package?"
"That is something I can not tell you Matara. Now listen carefully because I'm only going to tell you once. You will reach Coruscant in plenty of time to buy yourselves gowns for the job, don't worry I'll pay. Then you will wait one day, if you get there in time. Go to the Corsica Gem restaurant. You are part of the Sico party. The host will then take you to your table. Order what you want, again I will pay for that, later you will be joined by another individual who will then ask you to dance. The song will be a very old Coruscant waltz, Koyak will teach you the steps. When the dance is over he will lead you to the package. Once you have it give him this white credit voucher, he'll know what to do. Once you have the package bring it back to the base. It shouldn't take you more than a week." He stood then added. "The bags by the door are yours, you know the routine. See you in a week."
"What about my ship? I need the hyperdrive fixed before I can go anywhere."
"It's already fixed. Two of my droid mechanics fixed it while we have been chatting. You are ready to leave now." He waited for the two women to rise and lead them to the door they had entered from. "It was a pleasure to meet you Te, I want you to take care of Matara." He whispered in her ear so Matara couldn't her what he said.
He then turned towards her. His dark brown eyes looked at her with sadness. "It was good to see you again. You haven't changed since you left."
"You've changed. The beard is a nice touch." She said indicating the thin white line of hair that outlined his jaw.
"Take care of yourself. Listen to Te and Koyak." He said pulling her into a hug.
She didn't want him to let go but released him when they separated. Picking up her bag she lead the way out of the room and headed towards the docking tubes.