At
the other end of the base, two men carried a crate between them up
the ramp and into the cargo bay of their ship, Watcher's Light.
Wesley
Giles, the younger of the two, being in his late twenties, lost his
grip on his side of the crate.
"Dammit,
Boy, what the hell are you doing?" the other, Trepur Espen,
yelled at him, letting go of his end.
Wesley
looked up at Espen in annoyance. "Well, you see, I have this
goal to crush all my toes before I'm thirty, and I figured, 'Hey,
this is a big heavy crate, why not crush them all at once?'"
Espen
strode around the crate, eyes blazing. He grabbed the young man by
his dark hair, and growled into his ear, "I'm about out of
patience for you, Wesley. Now pick up the damn crate, and drag it in
the hold yourself." Espen released the other, then marched back
down the ramp, and returned to the inside of the base.
"Bitch,"
Wesley huffed, grabbing the edge of the crate, and pulling it the
rest of the way into the Light.
His
twin sister, Deanna, looked up at the sound of angry mutterings to
one's self and wood scraping metal. "Need a hand, Scruffy?"
"No,
I enjoy dragging heavy crates behind me all by myself."
"Oh,
okay," she went back to re-wiring the circuits for the forklift.
"I
was kidding, Bushroot. Get over here."
"One
sec, I think I've got this," Deanna hopped into the driver's
seat, and pressed the green button to start the ignition. The engine
sputtered before roaring to life.
Wesley
turned toward his sister and her triumph, deciding to leave the crate
where it was. "I can't believe you fixed that hunk of junk.
It's been dead for years!"
"I
told you I could!" she grinned.
"Good
work," he stepped sideways, then pointed at the crate behind
him. "Now you can move that over there," he pointed across
the room to four other crates in the corner. "With the other
ones."
Deanna
drove the forklift toward her brother. It took him a few seconds to
realize that she was aiming for him, and not the crate.
"Hey!"
he exclaimed in surprise, jumping and rolling to the deck.
She
was laughing. "Nice dive."
"That's
not funny, Bushroot! You could have killed me!"
"Could've,
should've, didn't." she used the arms of the lift to pick up the
crate. She maneuvered the vehicle across the cargo hold, then set
the crate on the floor. "What's in this one?"
"Just
some reusable wires and circuit boards, I think."
"Oh,
goody!" she clapped her hands together excitedly.
"Not
necessarily for you," Wesley added.
"Of
course they are. They always are," she parked the forklift
beside the double doors.
Espen
and the twins' father, Gerard Giles, ascended the ramp, another crate
between them. They carried it to the back of the room, and set it
down apart from the others.
"Stay
out of this one, Kiddies," Espen said. "It's not for you."
"Why?
What's in it?" Wesley meandered over to the crate to see if it
was marked in any way.
Giles
put his hand on his son's shoulders. "Leave it, Wes."
Wesley
backed off, but more because of the look on Espen's face than his
father's tone.
"Deanna,
prep the ship for take-off. There are only a couple of crates left,
we'll be leaving shortly," Giles told his daughter.
She
nodded, then headed into the cockpit.
"Do
you need my help?" Wesley asked.
"Yeah,
one of 'em's fairly light weight," Espen nodded mockingly. "I'm
sure you can handle it."
"Shut
up, Espen," he shot back.
"Easy
you two," Giles led the way back into the base. "We're all
on the same side here. Even if it is temporary."
"Good
thing."
Park
shone the mini-light into the bulkhead. He recognized the remnants
of the wires that would return the lights, but there was no way he
could cross them to provide illumination.
He
fingered the headset he was wearing, then spoke into it, "There
is definitely no way I can get the lights working. Not from here,
anyway. I'll try another room, but don't get your hopes up."
"What
about logs, Park? Where did they keep the logs?" Jenkens asked
him, as he replaced the panel over the bulkhead.
"Logs?
Like, for fires and stuff?"
"No,
dumbass, the record logs."
"Oh,
well, how'm I s'posed to know?" Park shot back.
Taggart
broke in over the comm, "I've already got them."
"Good,"
Park said. "Then let's get back to the ship so we can go after
Mi." Jenkens snickered. "Shut up."
"Shut
up yourself, Espen," Wesley snapped.
"I
didn't say nothin'," he growled, shoving the other into the
wall.
"Ow!"
Wesley righted himself, then leapt onto the bigger man's back,
punching him in the back of the head. "I'm tired of you pushing
me around, dammit!"
Park
heard the skirmish down the hall. "Is that either of you two?"
he whispered.
"Not
me, I'm almost at the ship," Jenkens stated.
"And
I'm at the other end of the station," Taggart replied.
"Then
we're not alone," Park clung to the wall as he made his way down
the hall, toward the noises.
"Figures,"
Jenkens muttered.
"Doesn't
it, though?"
"Leave
them be, Park. Whoever they are, we don't need to meet,"
Taggart told him.
Park
turned the corner, and saw that the larger of the two had the
smaller, younger one pinned against the wall, his fingers wrapped
tightly around his throat. The pinned man was kicking at the other
furiously, trying to struggle free. The big man's face was
expressionless.
"Uh,
excuse me? I think that guy would appreciate a little air,"
Park told the other.
Espen
slowly turned his head in the newcomer's direction. "Who the
hell are you?" he demanded.
"That's
one of those things we'll discuss after
you put him down."
"Espen,
Wesley, where did you two - " Giles entered the scene. "Espen!
Get your damned hands off
my son!"
Espen
threw Wesley to the floor, then stormed back to the Watcher's
Light. "Tell him to stay
out of my way, Giles, and everything'll work out."
"You
learn to deal with it, or you'll be walking
back to Coruscant." the old captain shot back.
Park
helped Wesley to his feet, as Jenkens stated over the comm that he
was almost to his position.
"I
don't know who you are, but thank you," Giles held out his hand
to Park.
"For
what?" Wesley scoffed. "Helping me up?"
Giles
gave his son a look, then smiled at the stranger. "You'll have
to excuse Wesley, he woke up on the wrong side of the Hyperdrive this
morning. Oh wait, he does that every morning," he grinned at
the young man.
Wesley
narrowed his eyes at his father, but said nothing - though he wanted
to.
"My
name is Captain Gerard Giles, of the Watcher's Light.
And you are?"
"Lieutenant
Mortimer Park, of the Angel."
They
shook hands. "You're a long way from home, Park. What are you
doing all the way out here? Alone, no less."
"Oh,
he's not alone," Jenkens cut in. "Unless, of course, me'n
Taggart leave him here."
"You'd
better not!"
"Bradford
Jenkens," he held out his hand.
"Gerard
Giles, and my son, Wesley."
Jenkens
offered the young man his hand, but received no greeting in return.
"I'll
be aboard the Light,
Dad."
"Tell
your sister we'll be leaving shortly."
"Yeah,
yeah. I'm a better pilot than she is." he grumbled.
"If
you say so, Wes. Anyway, as you were saying about your mission?"
Giles pushed for answers.
"Nevermind
about that. We are
with the Alliance," Taggart broke into the conversation. "You
and your family are scavengers."
Giles
recognized that voice. He turned slowly, a smile on his face.
Taggart used a mind trick on the man before he could say anything to
reveal his former identity. Instead, the Captain turned back to Park
and Jenkens, Park being the only one to find this odd.
"We
should go. I can watch the logs on our ship while we travel."
"Where
are you travelling to?" Giles inquired.
"None
of your business."
"I
see. Well, I guess I may see you around."
Taggart
gazed at the other man intensely for several seconds, before shaking
his head. "No, you won't," he then turned from him, and
continued back to the ship.
Park
and Jenkens said their goodbyes, then followed their crewmate
outside.
Giles
watched the three leave, curious to know what Taggart had meant. He
returned to his own ship, Watcher's Light.
"So,
Tag, how do you know that what you need is on those log disks?"
Park interrupted the other's thoughts.
"I
just do."
"Oh,
kinda like you just knew that Giles was going to spoil your
b-reakfast?" Park stopped walking, confused by his own words.
That was not what he had intended to say, but for some reason, he
could not remember what it was he had
intended to say.
Jenkens
was already aboard, not even listening.
"Park,
listen to me," Taggart turned on him. "I want you to stop
trying to figure me out. Obviously, if it was important for you to
know, I would tell you without hesitation."
"Can
I ask you one question?"
"No,
I am not a Sith. Or a former Sith. There are more Force-sensitive
beings out there than just the Sith. Now, let it go. No more
questions, no more prodding."
Park
nodded, then ascended the ramp. Jenkens warmed up the engines, eager
to get off-world. Taggart sighed, and looked back at the former
secret base. A single tear rolled down his cheek. "Helena, I'm
sorry I wasn't here when you needed me."
Jenkens
flipped on the external speakers. "Come on, Raine. The only
thing you can do now is expose that spy so this doesn't happen
again."
Taggart
went into the ship, just as the Watcher's Light
entered the planet's atmosphere.
Meanwhile,
several thousand lightyears away, the Angel
was under attack. A swarm of TIE fighters had caught them off-guard
during one of their skeleton-crew shifts. The TIE's had come out of
Hyperspace, lasers firing.
"Shields,
forty-five percent," Nordat called to her Captain.
"We
can't take another series of shots like those last ones,"
Breckin stated.
"Yes,
Breckin, I am well - " Lindsey's remark was cut off as the Angel
lurched.
"Oh
my gosh," Nordat breathed. "Captain, I know how they
figured out our position. And
that we were undercrewed."
"How?"
"Someone
onboard sent them a message."
"Someone
- ?" Lindsey swept his crew with a disapproving glare.
Breckin's
gaze unintentionally fell on Simpson. He quickly looked away before
she noticed.
A
TIE flew directly toward the Angel,
in a game of chicken.
"Captain?"
Simpson wanted an order.
"Steady
as she goes, Lieutenant," Lindsey stared at the TIE, as if
locked in a death glare with the pilot.
Green
laser spilled out of the cannons, splashing across the remainder of
the Angel's shield.
"Shields
five percent," Nordat said. "Lindsey, we have to - "
"Sir,
I'm reading - eight homers headed straight at us! Time to impact,
fifteen seconds...thirteen..." Simpson counted off.
Breckin
plotted a course that would take them out of battle, even if it would
not be implemented. "Captain, I suggest we get the hell out of
here, while we still have our hyperdrive intact."
"I
agree," Nordat spoke up. "Staying here, it's suicide."
"Six...five...f
- "
The
ship shook in different directions as the homing missiles impacted
the hull. The first two took out the shields, leaving the Angel
completely exposed. The third, fourth, and fifth hit the engines,
leaving the ship dead in space. After the impact of the next three,
the lights, sensors, and all things electrical went out.
"We're
sitting ducks," Nordat stated.
"I'm
detecting several launches. Escape pods, Lindsey. Everyone's
leaving," Simpson informed them all, just before her station
blinked out.
"TIE's
moving to - they're going after the pods!" Nordat had run to the
viewport.
"There's
nothing we can do for them," the Captain stated. "How many
pods were launched?"
"I'm
not sure," Simpson shook her head. "There's no way to
tell."
Lindsey
assigned the other six members of his crewmen to search the ship for
survivors, while he, Nordat, Simpson, and Breckin prepped the second
shuttle for their escape.
Nordat
lagged behind, peering through the windows. "The pods and TIEs
are gone."
"They
could be on the other side of the ship, and you just can't see them
from here," Simpson snapped.
"Come
on, you two, we've got a shuttle to get to." Breckin took
Simpson's hand in his, leading her away from the plexi-glass.
Nordat
followed solemnly. "Do you think that any of the pods got
away?"
"We
can hope," Lindsey said, unlocking the hangar door.
The
four set to work clearing the floor and getting ready for take-off.
Nordat ran preliminary checks on the engines, while Breckin plotted
their course.
"Where
do we want to go?" he asked.
"Whatever's
closest. We don't have fuel for a long journey." Lindsey
explained.
"If
only we knew where those damn fighters went." Simpson muttered.
"That
would be helpful, wouldn't it?" Breckin replied, bringing up an
interstellar map. After careful calculation, he concluded that
Coruscant was a safe bet, but he was assuming they would not
encounter any setbacks.
"Isn't
there somewhere else, less Imperially populated?" Simpson asked
calmly.
"Well,"
he examined the map again. "We might be able to get to Aria.
It's a little bit farther to go, but you're right, Coruscant's a bad
idea."
"Where
are the others?" Lindsey grumbled, going down the ramp to have a
look down the hall.
The
ship lurched violently. They could hear steel wrenching lose from
steel.
"Captain!"
Simpson yelled down the ramp. "We have to get out of here!
We're coming apart!"
Lindsey
ran to the inner door, and tried to see through the window. All he
could make out was smoke, grey billowing smoke, occasionally
illuminated by flickers of blue and green light. The Captain raised
his fingers to the keypad to enter his passcode.
Simpson
grabbed him by the wrist. "Sir, there may be no gravity or
pressure. You could destabalize this bay. We have to go, Kane.
They're gone: Casualties of war."
The
Captain listened to her words, not entirely believing what she was
saying. When did Simpson get so decisive?
Another
wave of gut-curling metal tearing reached their ears.
Captain
Kane Lindsey was forced to make the hardest decision of his life.
"Let's go."
The
two returned inside the shuttle.
"Take
us out," Simpson told Breckin.
He
nodded to her. She kissed him for good luck, then sat down and
strapped herself into the seat behind him.
Nordat
gave the command for the outer doors to open. Breckin maneuvered the
shuttle into open space.
"Here
goes nothing," he said under his breath.
Lindsey
stared sadly as the Angel
faded from his view. Even after entering Hyperspace, his eyes
remained where his ship had been. He could see from the exterior
that the damage was too extensive, it could not be salvaged. Most of
the Angel had broken
apart, floating freely in space.
He
was not sure, but he thought he saw bodies. Floating.
Nordat
glanced over her shoulder. Lindsey had been silent since returning
to the shuttle. She reached around and patted his knee comfortingly,
but he did not take his eyes from the stars streaking past outside.
The
doors to Palpatine's office opened for S'Ritak Vedul before he even
stepped off the lift. He strode down the corridor, trying to look
menacing.
"Stop
trying, Vedul. Twi'Leks are not
fierce to begin with," the Emperor stated.
"They're
just oogly," Caylon grinned at the young Sith.
Vedul
narrowed his eyes in annoyance at Caylon. "Is there a reason
why you're here?"
"Absolutely.
I was just tellin' Sid, here, that both of my sources have relayed a
very enthusiastic missions completed."
"That,
and he was sucking up." Palpatine rose from his chair. "How
is Maul? Angered, I presume?"
"Quite,"
the apprentice nodded.
Both
Sith sensed Darth Maul enter the building.
"Raef,
you should go. This could get messy."
"But
I thought I was supposed to help. I will
protect you with my life, Sire."
"I
appreciate that, Raef, I really do," Palpatine hissed. "Now
leave." He used
the Force to reinforce the command.
"As
you wish," Caylon bowed, then departed.
"We
have to make this look good." Palpatine raised his arms,
calling on the energy he controlled.
Vedul
could not mask his surprise, as the first bolt of blue lightning
struck him square in the chest.
Darth
Maul Force-threw the guard against the wall, not even looking in the
man's direction. He was going to the dungeons in the lower levels of
the Imperial Palace to free Jareena. Whatever Palpatine was up to,
Maul was not about to get left out of the loop.
Four
Imperial Guards, in their crimson robes rounded the corner behind the
Sith Lord. He turned quickly, grabbing for his lightsabre. He
easily deflected the guards' blasts with the glowing blade back at
them, striking two, one of whom was killed instantly. The wounded
guard's head twisted in an unnatural way. The sound of bone breaking
echoed down the corridor.
The
remaining two guards continued to fire at Maul, only to have the
bolts of electricity deflected harmlessly into the floor or walls.
Maul used the Force to strangle one guard, continuing to block the
laser fire at the same time. When the guard dropped lifelessly to
the floor, the Sith leapt through the air at the final remaining
crimson-clad man. He brought the glowing blade down on the guard's
skull, slicing it down the centre.
Licking
his lips in satisfaction, Maul ran down the stairs to the dungeons.
Lou
heard footsteps approaching, and she tried to meld into the wall.
After five hours of torture, she just wanted to be left alone. She
hoped that whoever it was was bringing her something to eat or drink.
Lou was parched, mentally and physically exhausted, and very afraid.
Out
of nowhere, Lou hoped the being making his way through the darkness
was Darth Maul coming to rescue her.
A
shadow passed by, how she noticed it among the other shadows, she was
uncertain. The shadow returned, this time stopping in front of the
door.
Lou
covered her ears to block out the squealing hinges, squeezing her
eyes shut. She jumped when a hand touched her shoulder, more from
surprise than fear. She accepted the offered hand, and slowly stood.
"Are
you alright?" Maul asked quietly.
Lou
was surprised to hear the concern in his voice. "I've had
better days," she leaned on him for support. "You won't be
in trouble for this, will you?"
"No.
I believe this to be part of the Emperor's twisted plan."
"What
about the boy?"
"S'Ritak
was doing what I instructed him to do. I apologize for his
misinterpretation of my words. Do you know why the Emperor wanted
you here?"
"I...He
kept saying something about unleashing my power. I don't know what
the old coot's talking about."
Maul
groaned. "I think I do."
The
two Imperial guards dragged the unconscious body of Maul's apprentice
to the elevator, then threw him in. One of them pressed the button
for the main floor, while the other checked the silent alarm.
"Let
them escape," Palpatine's voice carried down the hall. "But
don't make it seem too easy."
The
guards nodded in sync, then got on the other elevator.
Vedul
came to in the elevator. He sat up, gingerly touching the charred
skin on his chest. Closing his eyes, trying to ignore the pain, he
summoned his Master through the Force.
"S'Ritak's
in trouble," Maul stated, sensing the young Twi'Lek's distress.
"You
brought him here?
After he clobbered you with a vase?
An expensive-looking one at that." Lou scoffed.
"Expensive
it was. I'll fix it later."
"How
can you - "
"Trust
him? He is still my apprentice," he stated, slightly annoyed.
"My job is to teach him the ways of the Dark Side. He is only a
boy; he is still learning."
"He
betrayed you," she stated.
"It
was to serve the Emperor, which I told him should always come first."
"Oh
really," she exhaled slowly, a sudden pain in her side hindering
her movement.
Maul
opened the doors with the Force. They stepped out into the cool
night air. "I have to go back - "
"I
know."
"Stay
here, I won't be long," he went back inside for his apprentice.
Lou
leaned back against the wall to wait. She wondered which hovercar
was Maul's.
Vedul
stepped out of the elevator, wondering how long he could maintain his
balance. He stumbled several steps, hoping Maul would hurry. He did
not notice the group of Imperial guards enter the lobby on his left,
all the young Sith's focus on calling his Master.
"S'Ritak!"
Maul yelled at the Twi'Lek. Vedul dropped to the floor. He howled
in pain, rolling onto his back. Maul ignited both ends of his
lightsabre, and attacked the crimson-clad guards.
Lou
raised her head, knowing somehow that she was needed. She got up
slowly, stood still to get her bearings, then ran inside the Imperial
Palace.
The
first thing she saw was the unmistakable red glow of Darth Maul's
double-bladed lightsabre. He was fighting off a handful of Imperial
guards.
Vedul,
Maul's apprentice, lay in agony on the floor. She did not get this
impression from his physical state; she could feel
his pain somehow.
Lou
ran to the alien boy. She helped him sit up. "Can you walk?"
"With
a certain degree of help, I think so," he answered.
"Good.
Come on," she pulled Vedul to his feet, and he put his arm
around her shoulders. "Maul!"
The
Sith Lord sliced the final guard in half, then jogged toward them.
"I thought I - "
"You
needed another set of hands," she silenced him.
Maul
glared at her, then took the lead to his hovercar.
"What
will we do now, Master?"
"Go
home, patch you up, pack, then leave. Palpatine's up to something,
and if he doesn't want my help, then he will have my opposition."