Chapter 3
Dorric raced through the upper atmosphere of Alderaan in his tiny ship. Having retrieved the information he required, and some rumours that he really didn't want to believe, he was anxious to be back in his faithful ship and on his way to the base. The limited sensors of the orbiter detected the Quiver's Arrow just where he'd left it and he signalled the ship of his return.
Obscured by distance, the Imperial scout Fierce watched on as Dorric approached his ship. Captain Xander looked at the large display on his bridge, biding his time. It would only be a few minutes more before the smaller craft would reach the smuggler's ship and dock. Xander decided that would be the perfect time to intercept.
An urgent beeping sounded from the communications console, and the officer there turned to Xander and summoned him over quickly.
"It's an encrypted Imperial broadcast, Sir. Extremely urgent!" reported the man.
At a wave of Xander's hand, the officer switched the audio on. "Stand clear the planet. Repeat, all Imperial ships, stand clear the planet."
Xander, a cold feeling running up his spine, shouted urgently to Helm's control, "Do as they say! Do as they say! Sound red alert!"
Instinctively he grabbed the old sabre from his belt, fingering it nervously, his instincts tingling. As he ran his fingers over the sabre and the Fierce started to rise from its already high orbit above Alderaan, he ordered sensor control to scan the system for any other objects or craft. The source of that broadcast must be nearby.
It wasn't long before they detected what they first thought was a small planetoid. About the size of a small moon; but it was no moon. Alderaan had no moons.
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Lady Diver's flight computer sounded its quiet, but insistent alert that they were about to leave hyperspace and arrive at Alderaan. Charii looked at Biggs and offered him the controls. "This is your party, 'Mr Biggs', you may as well take us where you want to go."
Biggs took over and rolled his eyes skyward, "I should never have let them call me that," he laughed. But as the ship dropped out of hyperspace, he became all business, flying the ship with such control and finesse that Charii, a good pilot in her own right, was amazed at just how much better he was.
The planet hung silently in the distance before them; a lovely blue/green world with little white clouds only partially obscuring the landmasses and oceans. The Lady started to accelerate towards it, Biggs piloting her on a standard approach vector, not wanting to bring any unnecessary attention to themselves. It was going to be hard enough trying to contact the Alliance as it was. It would be next to impossible if he got himself locked up again for not following the proper re-entry procedures.
The ship's onboard computer started to beep yet again, this time more urgently. Charii flicked some switches on her console and stared in consternation at what she discovered.
"The computer has detected a large body approaching Alderaan," she said, perplexed. "Only I can't get a fix on it... strange, it's about the size of an asteroid, but it seems to be only slowly approaching. Blast, I still can't lock onto it." She then reached under her seat and pulled out a pair of macro binoculars. Consulting the computer display again, she then looked up through the cabin window using the macros. In less than a minute she exclaimed in triumph, "Yes! There it is." But her voice then took on a worried tone as she passed the macros to Biggs. "You better take a look. I can't believe what I'm seeing."
Taking the proffered macros, Biggs spared a moment to look out the cabin, the unsteady sight in the handheld viewing device almost surreal as it swayed back and forth. Biggs held himself steady to get a better look as Charii asked, "What is that thing, Biggs?" He finally locked onto it; a small grey sphere in the distance, but obviously much larger than it had any right to be... and clearly man-made. He could make out hundreds, maybe thousands of lights across its surface. But the most significant sight was a huge concave depression in the upper hemisphere of the object, with a ring of intense green pulses that started to grow brighter and brighter as he watched.
"I don't - " But he was cut off as the green pulses stretched into vivid bright lines, joining in an apex above the concave depression. The resultant single beam of energy they formed lanced out in an unerring path towards Alderaan.
Biggs dropped the macros as the sight became too bright. But he no longer needed the macros to see what was happening. The energy beam stabbed across the inky blackness, colliding with the peaceful planet, ripping straight through its atmosphere and tunnelling into the surface. Continents shook and oceans boiled as the largest man made energy weapon burrowed deeper and deeper into the planet. It took less than a few seconds for the beam to reach the planet's core, instantly releasing all the energy of the core as a violent, unstoppable explosion of godlike proportions.
The planet exploded into a million fragments; those fragments themselves disintegrating into billions of smaller, mountain sized splinters. The splinters cracked and tumbled as they all rushed out in a cloud of debris. The cataclysmic event caused ripples of energy to expand out into the universe as the force of the blast tore a small hole in the fabric of space itself. Those that were keenly attuned to the Force felt the rip as a cry from the universe itself, weeping at the loss of so many of its children.
Those onboard the Lady Diver looked on in horror. But the horror was quickly replaced by fear as the debris from the planet's destruction came racing towards them. Biggs reacted swiftly, overriding the now obsolete re-entry flight path and applied full thrusters – towards the planet's debris!
"My stars, Biggs! What are you doing?" cried Charii. The two accountants in the rear of the craft remained silent in the wake of the massive destruction they had witnessed.
But Biggs had no time to reply as he sped them on what looked to be a collision course with some of the larger approaching chunks of Alderaan's remains. Closer and closer they came until finally he whipped the nose of the craft up and around, pulling a tight arc directly in front of one of the larger pieces.
His face a mask of concentration, he now had the Lady tearing away from the mushrooming debris, the large chunk behind them, protecting them from any smaller, faster rocks and mountains that may fly past.
As their protective mountain sized chunk of Alderaan took blow after blow from other bits of debris, its course changed continually, and so Biggs had to continually match the Lady's course to stay within the protective umbrella. This continued for quite some time until finally, it seemed the immediate danger had passed.
Biggs accelerated the ship away, sweat dripping from his brow and a sickening feeling in his stomach.
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Captain Xander and the Fierce's crew looked on as Alderaan became an expanding ball of rubble. Safely distant from the destruction, they had looked on in horror and fascination; some with glee.
Impressive, thought Xander, quite impressive. If that doesn't scare those rebels into submission, I don't know what will.
"Sir?" one of his officers said, "We are receiving another transmission. But this one is specific to us, Captain. To you in fact. It's from Grand Moff Tarkin onboard the 'Death Star', sir."
Xander hesitated a moment at the mention of that name. Tarkin, his old mentor. The man who'd given him this very commission on the Fierce, not to mention the trinket he wore on his belt. Tarkin had taken him under his wing in his early days within the Empire. Guided him, instructed him, shaped him into the man he was today. When Tarkin had given Xander the sabre, he had said it had belonged to one of Xander's long dead ancestors. "I want you to take this weapon and keep it with you at all times. Use it to focus your mind when things are unclear. I see much potential in you, Xander. Don't disappoint me. Ever." Xander could still see that cold, evil look in Tarkin's eyes. He had never asked Tarkin who his ancestor was. From the time he'd spent with Tarkin, he'd discovered that if Tarkin wanted to tell you something, he would. If not, don't ask.
Xander motioned his crewman to relay the message. "It says, 'New orders: Proceed immediately to Dantooine. Suspected rebel base. Do not engage. Report findings immediately.'"
Xander smiled and spoke, "Reply with our acknowledgement and add the following: Grand Moff Tarkin, congratulations on a spectacular achievement. Your 'Death Star' is a welcome surprise. My compliments. Xander.'"
Spinning on his heel, he ordered the Fierce to leave the system and head directly to Dantooine.
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Meanwhile, the crew of the Lady Diver sat in silent shock as they contemplated what they had witnessed. Such a horrible, despicable act of violence and unnecessary power. Just how insane was the Empire becoming? To do such a thing to an entire world? So many millions killed!
But amazingly, as they sat there wondering what to do next, the Lady started picking up a faint distress signal from within the outer limits of the debris field. The signal was weak and distorted, but nonetheless clear in its intent; someone was in trouble.
Biggs quickly commanded, "We're going after them." And turned the ship about to track down the source of the transmission. No-one argued the point. After such death, saving just one life could mean so much.
Piloting through the outer quadrants of the debris field proved easier than Biggs had hoped, due to the dispersal of the matter at this distance from the centre of the destruction. The signal grew steadily in strength as less and less of Alderaan's remains blocked the transmission. Eventually, Charii managed to pinpoint the tiny disabled craft, spinning helplessly through the cloud of detritus.
Biggs flew the Lady Diver in close, matching velocity and spin with their target in another dazzling display of understated brilliance and Charii quickly used the grappling arms to lock the ship to their hull. The Lady incorporated the universal docking hatch and the two craft's hatches melded together, allowing Jobe and Neville to gain access to the smaller craft.
Inside they found the one bloody, yet breathing occupant; an old man in an tattered flight suit, unshaven and barely conscious. They dragged him back into the Lady and released the craft, letting it spin back into the debris field.
"Th-thank you, thank you," said the man and instantly went into a coughing fit.
When he had recovered enough, Biggs asked him, "Who are you? Where's your ship? Are there any others?"
But the man shook his head, "No, my ship was destroyed. Stars, it was... horrible. Those poor kids. And the whole planet!" Shaking himself, he continued, "My name's Dorric. Captain of the Quiver's Arrow. Or former captain, now..." More coughing continued.
Charii mopped his brow and asked, "How did you survive the explosion?"
Dorric looked up at her and smiled roughly, "Gorgeous, I may be old, but I can still outfly anything the Empire can throw against me..."
"Damn the Empire," Biggs exclaimed. Dorric looked across at him and nodded.
"Yes, couldn't have said it - better – myself," Dorric then collapsed into another fit, blood dribbling from his nose.
Charii turned to Biggs, "We have to get him to a medical station or hospital ship." But Dorric held up a hand and looked at all four of the Lady's crew members. Sizing them up with his keen eyes, he made a decision. He'd always been good at judging people. That was why he was so good as a recruiter for the Alliance.
"You have to take me to Dantooine. Warn them of the terrible weapon the Empire has created. Tell them the rumours were true!" He spasmed again as the coughing attack took hold. A much fiercer one this time.
"Dantooine? Is that where the rebel base is?" asked Biggs.
But Dorric could not reply, as the coughing got so bad he was forced to lay back down. As they waited for him to recover, they realized that he may not live much longer. The blood he was spitting out was thick and very unhealthy looking. Eventually the coughing stopped and Dorric lay unconscious on the floor of the ship. Not dead, but not far from it.
Biggs looked to Charii, Jobe and Neville. They looked back, awaiting his decision. He stood up and walked to the flight controls and entered in their new destination: Dantooine.
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The Fierce orbited above Dantooine, keeping close to one of the planet's natural satellites in an attempt to hide their whereabouts from any rebel sensors. During their brief time there, the Fierce had detected no unusual flight activity and had eventually sent down a scouting party to search several potential base locations. The party had since returned, having found just one location that was once clearly a military base, but long since vacated by any rebel forces.
Xander had then messaged the Death Star, "Inform Grand Moff Tarkin that we have discovered the remains of a rebel base, but that it has been abandoned for some time." He had then ordered the Fierce to maintain its stealthy location, trusting his instinct that the old base still had a part to play in coming events.
His crew, now in awe of their commander's uncanny abilities, had complied unquestioningly.
Unsure of how long it would take for something to happen, the captain had retired to his quarters for a long overdue break. He sat at his desk, the sabre in his hands, rolling it back and forth in his fingers. In the time he'd had it, he had only ever activated it once or twice. The laser light blade of the sabre would cast a harsh blue light; the power was intense, the light brilliant, and yet he was afraid of it. He had no skill in handling the weapon but still he felt a connection with it.
He tried not to wonder which of his ancestors had owned the weapon before him. Tarkin knew but had never told. Was it important that he didn't know? Could it explain his insights? Xander just didn't know.
He shook himself, focussing his mind as he purged the doubts and worries from his mind. He was an Imperial. Obey the chain of command. Never question your superior. Comply. Think only when asked to think. And ultimately, serve the Emperor.
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Xander woke with a start when his second in command knocked briefly at his door. He hadn't realized he was asleep nor how long he had been resting. But Xander had the knack of becoming fully awake in seconds, "Yes? What is it?" he commanded.
The officer entered Xander's cabin and saluted quickly, "Sir, our sensors have detected a ship entering the system. It appears to be scanning the planet. It is not an Imperial craft and is transmitting some sort of message at the planet."
Xander looked at him, "Have you intercepted the message?"
"No, sir. It is a narrow beam transmission. We were lucky to detect it at all."
Captain Xander stood up, "Very well. Prepare our remaining fighters. I shall meet you on the bridge shortly." The officer saluted and retreated from the room. The feeling took Xander again; the feeling of expectation.
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"It's no use, Biggs," Charii said, "I'm not getting any response to my hails. Has Dorric woken up yet?"
Biggs shook his head sadly, "I'm afraid not." He sat back beside Charii at the flight deck. "I think we're just going to have to land and hope that if there is a base here, they don't shoot us out of hand."
Charii then took the Lady Diver into a gentle dive towards the planet of Dantooine. Her destination; the only high technology structure they could detect. But as they had discovered in their scans, it had no discernable energy emissions whatsoever.
The ship entered the atmosphere and shook only partially as the winds grew thicker and the craft decelerated to a subsonic speed several hundred feet above ground level. Charii flew the craft in a wide arc around the perimeter of the structures, but could see and detect no sign of organization. Biggs indicated a clearing not far from the outermost of the structures and Charii sat the Lady down, its landing feet extending like claws, the nose touching the ground like a huge beak.
As Charii powered down the engines, Dorric groaned from the rear of the craft. Biggs and she quickly finished the flight shutdown operation and went as quickly as they could to his side. The old smuggler's eyes were barely open, his breathing erratic.
Biggs told him, "We're at Dantooine, Dorric. Is this the rebel base? We can't see anyone or anything. I think they've all gone" Dorric tried to say something but it came out only as a whisper.
Biggs leaned closer to him, listening. Dorric managed to say, "Base abandoned. Must find... ships. Use the... activator." And then relapsed into a coma-like state.
Activator? What activator, thought Biggs, and told the others. "Mr Biggs?" Neville spoke up. "We found this in his hand when we were bandaging him. Could this be the activator?" And passed over a small, palm sized device.
Biggs looked it over, not sure what it was. But it was Charii who recognized it. "That's the activator. It's actually a tracking device as well. If I'm right, it should lead us to whatever it is Dorric came for. With any luck."
Biggs gave her a sideways look, "How did you know that?"
She gave him her smile again, "I've had an 'interesting' life. I'll be glad to discuss it over dinner with you sometime." Paused, then "After this is all over," she added on reflection.
"I'd love to," Biggs responded.
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Biggs, Charii and Jobe exited the Lady Diver, leaving Dorric in the hands of Neville who volunteered to stay behind. Biggs switched on the activator device. It lit up a small, simple screen, indicating the direction they needed to travel. Naturally it was pointing straight at the old fabricated structures. They marched off in single file, dutifully following the course laid out for them
Not five minutes into their trek, they heard a high pitched keening sound coming from above them, increasing in volume rapidly. Biggs recognized the sound immediately and pushed the other two quickly to the ground as two TIE fighters raced overhead, their laser cannons blazing aware. Brilliant green flashes tore through the sky, but none seemed to land near the party. The shots were aimed elsewhere.
"The ship!" cried out Biggs.
The scream of the starfighters was momentarily drowned out by a louder sound; that of a large explosion. A rush of hot air followed as the blast erupted into the scrubland they'd been walking through. Scrambling to their feet, they ran into the heat as it quickly dissipated, heading back along their path as quick as they could.
But they were too late. There before them was a charred black ruin of a ship. Lady Diver was totally destroyed, unrecognisable as a starship any longer. But more disturbing was the thought of Neville and Dorric, both killed instantly in the destruction of the Lady Diver.
Jobe started to run towards the craft, but the heat of the still burning debris was too much for him and he was forced to sink to his knees, pounding at the soil in consternation. "Neville..." he cried. Biggs and Charii stood with him, watching the ship burn and collapse in on itself. Neville and Dorric gone. And Charii's ship.
The two TIE fighters never returned, they just flew straight up into the sky, disappearing into the distance.
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Onboard the Fierce, Captain Xander returned to the bridge. Summoning his second in command, he ordered an update on the fighters sent after the unknown vessel. The man stood tall as he reported, "Sir, I'm pleased to say we eliminated the vessel on the ground. It was totally destroyed."
Xander looked at him coldly, his anger rising rapidly, "What do you mean you destroyed it!? Did I ask you to destroy it? Did I!?" He ripped the light sabre from his belt, thrusting into the man's chest. "If I'd wanted them killed, I'd have said, 'kill them'. You complete fool!"
And he activated the sabre.
The laser blade erupted into the man's body, which offered no resistance. It protruded from his back, the uniform he wore singeing as the heat from the sabre ignited the fabric. Before the officer died and collapsed to the ground, he look down at the hole in his chest, a look of horror on his face. Xander deactivated his weapon and stood back. The man lay at his feet, the burnt flesh filling the bridge with a sickly cooked meat smell.
"Someone clean that mess up. And send a squad of troopers down to the planet. I want any survivors captured. Alive this time, if you don't mind!" Incompetent idiots!
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Jobe followed Biggs and Charii back into the scrubland. His best friend was dead. They'd known each other for years, always helping each other out, spending their off duty time together discussing plans for the future. Now he was gone. Jobe just couldn't believe it. He stopped in his tracks, overcome with grief.
Charii dropped back to come beside Jobe. Putting her arm about him she tried to console him, "Neville was a good man, Jobe. I only barely knew him, but he seemed so genuine... so sincere. I'll miss him too." Jobe turned and hugged her, crying quietly onto her shoulder. She stroked his hair, and looked up sadly at Biggs.
He came closer and placed his hand on Jobe's arm, not saying a word. The three of them stood there a moment, grieving for their loss until Jobe finally shrugged them off gently, wiping the tears from his eyes. "We have to make this worthwhile," he said determinedly. "Come on, let's track down Dorric's target. Let's make Neville proud." And he walked off, taking the device from Biggs' hand, leading them onwards.
Biggs and Charii followed him, their hands slipping into each others without thinking as they walked side by side.
Jobe walked briskly ahead, following the lead of the handheld tracking unit. With the others following close behind, he took them to a partially collapsed building in the centre of the old base. The device beeped more insistently as they approached its target. As Jobe waved the tracker about, trying to pinpoint the source, Biggs lifted up an old panel to discover a holo projector buried below.
As they dusted off the projector, it started to power up; the tracking device going silent as it did so. A brief flicker of light appeared before them as they stood back. In the dusty, dark interior of the old building, the projection of a beautiful woman, shafts of light shining through her almost angelically, appeared and spoke to them.
"Commander Dorric, I must make this brief as we are rushed to move to our new base. As you know, we are desperate for ships and capable pilots to man them. We cannot risk losing any in this struggle against the Empire. Hidden in the base are several craft vital to our efforts that we must have delivered safely to our new location, which for security's sake, you will have only been told just prior to your arrival. With the new recruits that you have hopefully brought with you, these few remaining craft could make all the difference. Thank you, Commander. I hope your journey is swift and safe."
The holo ended, fading out. Jobe squealed and threw the tracking device to the floor, "It burnt me!" he exclaimed. They watched as the small device melted on the ground. Moments later, the holo projector also self destructed, leaving them in darkness.
In the darkness, Jobe asked, "Who was that? She was beautiful."
Biggs pondered a moment before replying, "I'm not sure, but I think it may have been Princess Leia, the Senator I was telling you about. I've never seen her before, but she was reputed to be exquisite."
Charii kicked at the dirt, "I hate to interrupt you boys, but the 'Princess' said they had some ships hidden here. Best we started looking for them."
"Charri, I didn't mean - " But Biggs was cut short by a deep rumbling sound from below their feet. The old building started to collapse; the very ground they stood on started to open up. It soon became clear that it was a huge hatchway of some sort, opening to reveal a large chamber below.
"It's the hangar!" shouted Jobe. "And there are the ships!"
He was right, with the sun now able to shine in as the old building fell away, they looked down upon five small fighter craft.
The group quickly discovered an access ladder off to one side. They ventured down, the air in the hangar cold and still after being undisturbed for so long. Charii whistled in appreciation, "These are nice ships. No wonder the Alliance didn't want to lose them. But it's a pity we can only save two of them."
From behind her, Jobe chirped up, "I can fly one! I have nine hours flying time logged," he boasted.
Biggs looked at him, a fond smile on his lips, "What did you fly?"
"A simulator," Jobe replied weakly. But before Biggs could protest, he quickly added, "It was set on its second highest setting! And I only crashed four times!" He looked at Biggs expectantly.
"Ok, hot shot, you've got yourself a ship," Biggs acquiesced. But Charii protested, pulling Biggs aside as Jobe whooped for joy and ran to a Y-Wing he'd been eyeing.
"You can't let him take a ship! He'll be killed in the first battle!"
"Charii, the Alliance needs all the ships they can get... and all the pilots, too. We have to take as many as we can, regardless of the risk to ourselves. I know he's unseasoned, but I have a friend back on Tatooine who was just as untried as Jobe, and he's now a good a pilot as I've ever seen." Biggs held her hand, silently staring at her, his eyes searching hers for understanding.
She looked down, "I know you're right, Biggs. But with Neville gone..."
Biggs took her shoulders in his hands as she looked back up into his eyes. They shared a moment, each with their own thoughts, until Biggs finally said, "He'll be ok. I'll look after him." And he walked over to Jobe, leaving Charii behind, watching him. What about me?, she thought to herself.
A tiny tear welled up from the corner of her eye, but she quickly brushed it aside as she looked about the ships, deciding which one she should take.
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Meanwhile, the bridge crew of the Fierce, fearful of failing their captain, diligently went about their duties, checking and rechecking all findings. The crewman manning the sensor station summoned his superior when he noticed some unusual energy readings from the planet's surface. The captain was then informed.
Xander enquired, "Where are our ground forces?" And was informed they were searching the area immediately around the remains of the destroyed ship.
"Belay that, send them to the source of the energy."
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