22
The transport ship Forzani's Pride dropped through the atmosphere of Arramsetti III, carrying Elscol, Sixtus and Ajene one step closer to their goal.
Their destination was the city where Wedge was being held, Jimmarra. The ground troops from the three capital ships would only arrive with the main force so until then, they would have to make do with Elscol's band of Rebels.
They didn't expect any trouble making it onto the planet, as the transport ship was well known to Arramsetti Traffic Control. That and Elscol had bribed their commander a large amount of credits.
Once they landed at the spaceport, they cleared customs with the fake IDs that Elscol and Booster had managed to create for them aboard the Errant Venture. They all went through separately so as not to look too suspicious and had agreed to meet an hour later at the cantina where Elscol had been approached by Heblon.
Elscol was the first to arrive and she made contact with her own people in the crowd. From them she received word that the first and second stages of their plan had been accomplished. The rest of the team slowly assembled, and she noted that it was about an hour and a half before their small fleet would arrive.
In a back room, as they put the finishing touches on their planned assault, Elscol glanced at the faces of the small group she had gathered. Sixtus she knew well as they had been a team for more years than she cared to remember, and she knew she could trust him with her life. Most of the other members of her group had been with her for a while and she knew she could trust them as well.
Then there was Ajene Tuvora. The redheaded woman sat apart from them, her eyes dead and her fear for Wedge's life hidden behind a carefully practiced mask of professionalism. Elscol didn't know her at all and was unsure how she would react under the pressure of this particular mission. Although Tycho had vouched for her, and his opinion carried a great deal of weight with her.
Elscol unfolded a diagram and lay it on the table in front of her. It showed a rough outline of the plaza where the ceremony was to take place. At the center of the map was a large square representing Tchlinda's monument. Appropriately, an X marked the spot where Wedge's fighter had been lowered into position. On the left was the Moff's palace, the balcony where they expected Tchlinda to appear marked by a semi-circle. To one side of that rather large building was the small garrison where Wedge was a prisoner.
"Okay. What men I have will be spread throughout the plaza in various areas since we don't know exactly where they'll bring Wedge out from. We know that our contact should be with him and ready to put their end of the plan into action without any help from us."
She stopped her briefing and glanced over at Ajene. "Major, I think it only fair to tell you that we have some additional help in there with Wedge. I didn't reveal this at the Rogue mission briefing because I wasn't sure that they would be able to get into the garrison. But my people here have told me that they have successfully infiltrated it with the help of Lieutenant Heblon. Two of the stormtroopers guarding him at the moment are with Intelligence. Wraith Group to be precise."
There was a spark of life behind the green eyes. "How did you manage to get two of Wraith Group onto the planet? They aren't part of Starfighter Command. Who sent them?"
"All that I can say is that they aren't here under orders. It's more of a rogue operation."
Ajene didn't seem to be content with that answer, but kept any other comments or questions she may have had to herself. Elscol continued with the outline of their plan.
"The Wraiths, Kell Tainer and Face Loran, are Wedge's insurance policy. They're there to provide cover for Heblon and Wedge as they try and make their way towards the landing area, here, behind the palace." Elscol pointed to a piece of open ground on her map, on the far side of the Moff's palace from the square.
"Kell managed to set up some explosive charges along the sides of the plaza and garrison yesterday. Assuming they aren't discovered, I have the remote that will set them off. Once they go up, we make our move. A sniper will be set up across from the plaza on top of a building and will try to take out any other stormtroopers in Wedge's immediate area once the shooting starts."
"I'm going after Wedge." The group turned around to look at Ajene. There was a look of determination in her eyes that spelled out what would happen to anyone who got in her way.
"Fine. You'll take up a position at the base of the monument—Wedge is bound to be taken past there, assuming that his X-wing will be used in the ceremony. Once he does pass you and is near, signal me over the comlink. That's when I'll set off the explosives. You can then form up with Kell, Face, and Heblon to evacuate Wedge from the area. Your goal will be the landing area at the rear of the Moff's palace, which is where the Skate will come in to pick you up."
"The rest of us are going to blend into the crowd and get as close to the balcony with Tchlinda and Turpa as possible. When the action starts, if we can pick them off, all the better. But my group will be heading into the palace should they try to escape that way. Remember that there will be a lot of stormtroopers around, so keep your heads down."
"We'll get Wedge back or die trying." The icy tone in Sixtus' voice sent a chill through her.
"We haven't failed at liberating a planet yet, and with fewer resources. Freeing one man should be easy." She lay her hand over Sixtus's. "We have an hour to be in place before the fleet and the Rogues arrive. Does anyone have any last minute questions or comments?"
There were shakes of heads all around.
"All right then. Let's get moving."
Once again at her window overlooking the plaza, Moff Lathel Tchlinda stretched luxuriously. Below, the monument to her sons gleamed brilliantly in the morning sunlight, promising a beautiful day. And, if her plans went well, it would be a truly satisfying one as well. Stretching again, she could think of no reason why her plans would go otherwise. Not even Rogue Squadron would be able to stop her.
The previous day, Turpa had contacted Admiral Tesh Dorass, Commander of the Imperial forces in the Qsartun System. Admiral Dorass had at his command two Victory Class Star Destroyers and one Imperial Class Star Destroyer. Tchlinda had wanted one of those ships.
From what Turpa had told her, Admiral Dorass had a secret. He was an ambitious man, always with an eye to his personal fortune. In order to increase his wealth and power, he would deal with anyone who could give him what he wanted. Including the Rebels.
How Turpa had discovered his dealings with the Rebel Alliance, Tchlinda didn't care. All that she knew was that they had him within their power. If the Imperial Council ever found out about his traitorous ways, he would be executed. And the only thing that Dorass feared more than losing his wealth was losing his life.
Not more than five minutes after contacting him, Turpa had convinced the Admiral to send one of his Victory Class ships, the Retribution, to Arramsetti III. It would be in orbit within the hour. With the addition of the Retribution and its TIE Fighters, Tchlinda had at her disposal two capital ships as well as six full squadrons of fighters. It was more than enough to take on anything Rogue Squadron would be able to scrounge up, including the two Mon Calamari cruisers they had faced in their last battle.
Turpa came over and stood behind her, massaging her shoulders and kissing the nape of her neck. "Well, my dear, the day you've waited and worked for has finally arrived. Soon your sons will have their revenge, with the decaying corpse of their killer entombed in their shrine."
"Yes, Osiel. I've looked forward to this day for a very long time. Revenge will be extremely sweet indeed. I wonder if Lieutenant Heblon has managed to revive Antilles. I am afraid that I lost control in our last session and I was beginning to believe that he would not live for the ceremony. Shall we visit the detention level to check on his progress?"
"If you wish." He held out his arm and they headed down to the detention bay, five levels below.
As the couple exited the private turbolift close to the detention cell, the two stormtroopers standing guard snapped to attention.
"Lieutenant Heblon?" Turpa called.
"Sir?" The big Lieutenant stepped out of the cell assigned to General Antilles and came to attention. He saluted briefly then let his hands hang at his sides. He wasn't wearing his uniform jacket or cap.
"Have you been able to bring him around at all?" Turpa asked. Tchlinda moved down into the cell, just far enough to see the prisoner.
"No, Admiral. The best I could do was get a little water down him so he'll live a little longer. The interrogation was apparently too much for him. See for yourself, sir."
Heblon stepped aside and both Turpa and Tchlinda entered fully into the cell. Tchlinda looked closely at the pilot who lay on the bunk, unmoving. His breathing was labored and his forehead glistened with sweat. She stooped and caressed his face with her open hand. "A pity. He's about to die a slow and well-earned death and he doesn't even know it." She turned and looked at Heblon. "Do you have his flightsuit?
He nodded towards the bright orange garment that lay piled in a heap in a corner of the cell. Tchlinda moved over to it and picked it up. She studied it for a moment before handing it to the Lieutenant. It was still covered in Wedge's blood from when Turpa had beaten him.
"You know what to do?"
"Yes, Madame Tchlinda. It will be done exactly as you've ordered."
"Very well. Come, Osiel. We have a celebration to prepare for."
Heblon remained at attention and watched as the two Imperials left the cell. Once they had turned the corner, he dropped the flightsuit and sank to his knees. His chest began to burn and he reminded himself to breathe. A stormtrooper came in and crouched beside him.
Face removed his helmet laid it beside Heblon. "You okay?"
Heblon nodded.
"Sorry I couldn't warn you that they were coming. They popped out of nowhere, and I didn't want to risk being overheard."
"That's all right, as long as they don't suspect anything."
"They seemed too pleased with themselves to notice anyone else. I assume that was Tchlinda?"
"Yeah, that's her."
Face shivered. "I don't remember the last time I saw a more cruel couple."
"Heblon?"
Both men turned to look at Wedge, who was groggily trying to sit up.
"I'm here." Face gave Heblon a hand and he climbed to his feet. He moved over to the bunk and helped Wedge to sit up, but as soon as he let him go, he slumped back down onto the bunk.
Face frowned. "Well, this is going well so far."
Heblon put a hand on the pilot's forehead. "He's feverish again, but not as bad as before. The bacta must be starting to take effect."
"But not soon enough." Face looked over at Heblon. "You had better tell him."
"Tell him what?" Wedge said as he managed to lift himself up on one elbow. Heblon noted that he kept one hand protectively on his belly.
Heblon sat on the edge of the bunk beside him, Face standing over his left shoulder. "Tchlinda will be sending for you in a little while. Her ceremony is scheduled to start in an hour. Your friends and their fleet are going to be here soon, and Elscol is most likely in the plaza at this moment with her group. I need to know if you're able to do what we talked about."
As if in answer to the question, Wedge's strength gave out, his arm buckled and he dropped to the bunk again. He landed on his back and his whole body tensed with the pain it caused. "I don't really have a choice, do I?" he managed to grunt.
Face came closer to Wedge, crouching by his bunk. "Wedge, Heblon has a stimulant he could give you. It should give you enough strength to help fight your way to the Skate, but in your condition, it could also kill you. I wanted you to understand the risk before we let you make the decision."
Wedge glanced from one man to the other. "Face, if I stay here, Tchlinda will kill me for sure. Do what you have to...I trust you."
Face looked at Heblon. "What time is it?"
"Just after ten."
"Wait until the last possible moment then give him the medication."
They both looked at Wedge. He was unconscious again.