"Lord Major! What is going on in here?" Lord General said pushing his way into the control room. For once Smit was not sorry to his cousin.
"Lord General sir, we have evidence that aliens have invaded the base." Smit said holding up the alien device his men just gave him.
"What? That is not possible! How could they gain access into this base without us knowing about it?" He stared at the device as if it was a rattlesnake ready to strike him.
"It appears sir, they came in through one of the air vent. They were able to cut a hole in the vent and hook some kind of device to the information hub on Level 17. This device allowed then direct access to our computer system." Lord Major Smit had the pleasure of watching his fat cousin struggle with that notion.
"Lord Major, security team 909 reports cells are empty, both guard are out cold but alive."
"Lord Major team 675 is reporting a fire fight on Level 3 Sector C stairway."
"Send all available troopers to level 1 Sector A! Tell them to stand by to either keep the escaping aliens at bay or repel any additional invading forces that will move in to support them!" The Lord General bellowed out.
"Sir, request permission to join the troops." Lord Major said hopefully, knowing that his cousin couldn't deny the request. A task this important demanded a Lord to be at the front.
"Go!" The Lord General said to his back, Lord Major was already heading to the elevator. "And remind the troops of the King's wrath that will fall on them if these aliens get lose!"
"Drop a grenade!" Command Ritk yelled over the sound of ricocheting slugs. They were on Level One with troopers trying to come up from the 3rd and 2nd floors, too many for him to hold off. The young Jedi was busy cutting into the lock.
"Fire in the hole!"
Both of the troopers used their bodies to protect the good doctor as the thermo grenade went off three floors below them. He could hear the screams of the troops that had been caught in the explosion and the sound of stairs collapsing. After the shock wave passed the trooper leaned down to look at the damage.
"Clear, at least 4 levels damaged. They won't be using this stairway for a long time to come."
"Door is open." The Jedi said looking down at the ruined troops with a look of regret on her face. "The Double Trouble will be here soon. We need to get closer to the entrance."
As the Jedi and Ritk went through the door first he studied her carefully. She didn't seem happy with the grenade but willing to live with it. He had expected a long lecture about the need to preserve live as much as possible. He would have agreed with that if he didn't have aliens killing and torture his men. Level One was the main entrance to the base, in fact the only entrance, and unlike the rest of the base it was a huge open area. This is where they kept the various land vehicles. They could hear the sounds of troopers rushing about the Level One. To better hide their movements, they stay low and tried to stay behind some kind of large track vehicle. Ritk studied the aliens as they rushed around the main floor, they didn't seem to be engaged in a search but in stead they seem to be preparing containment.
"Looks like they are going to set up for us to leave, instead of hunting us down." Ritk whispered as he study the barrier the aliens had set up in front of the door.
"Yes, sir," the trooper in the back agreed. "I think they know that it be a waste of time to hunt us down, especially after they look at that stairway. They have troops blocking our way out and the rest are herding us to them. They will try to pin us between both groups."
"Fas! I was hoping to limit the number of natives I had to kill." The Jedi whispered back.
"You have a problem with killing?"
"If I could got you all out of here without killing a single person, I would have. But it seems that choice is not an option anymore. I'll do it but doesn't mean I like to do it."
Ritk nodded his head; he was willing to accept her answer and more importantly he now knew he wouldn't have to fight her over the way they escape.
"Sir, Ma'am, 4 squads coming up from behind us." The last trooper was whispering from his position at the rear of the group. "More behind them."
"Droid you in position?" The droid beeped once. "Blow it in 10 seconds." She put the comm. link away and started to remove her jacket. "When the door goes make a run for it."
"What are you doing?" Ritk saw what look like bugs crisscrossing her chest; they were beating their wings in some kind of anticipation. She handed him her jacket and looked directly at him. He took a step back without realizing it. Something about her eyes!
"You run and I delay."
Ritk heard the troopers behind them getting closer; he didn't even try to argue with her. She had a grip on her light saber, tensed and ready to go. He and the troopers braced themselves for the big bang to come.
"Smit, we have lost contact with the teams in the stairways. We are assuming they were wiped out." The Lord General said over his walkie-talkie.
"Yes sir, my men and I are almost in position. The main door is well protected."
The next thing he knew he was laying flat on his back, his ears roaring like they did when he was too close to artillery. He opened his eyes and saw smoke and dust in the air. Some of his men begin shooting towards the door. Many of them were like him, lying on the ground in a stun state. There was a second explosion above his head. He could hear the sound of the roof collapsing and felt a sharp pain from below his waist. He tried to roll to his side to get up but found his legs to be trapped under rocks. He propped himself up and looked towards the main entrance. He stared in shock to see the mighty door, that was design to withstand days of attacks, was a jagged hole. He could see none of the troops station near the door moving or firing at the group of prisoners running towards some kind of ship landing outside. He tried to yell at his men, to rally them in stopping the aliens, but he couldn't muster the energy to do so. Then a small blond hair girl jumped down from one of the tanks. She stood with her back to the door and swung some kind of blue beam thing around. From her chest many small black shapes flew away on their own power. She was retreating quickly and steady to the ruin door. Just as she reached the door she spun around and fell to the ground, he had a small hope now of at least recapturing one alien. He watched as his men moved forward, they were hesitant in their movements since there was no real cover between them and the girl but the girl was not moving very well herself. Two of the males ran back in the complex and firing some kind of beam weapons at the troops. Again he heard his men scream out in pain, he watched them drop like flies against this small group. The older male keep firing as the younger male picked up the girl and carried her back outside. After they all disappeared he heard a loud whine coming from outside, or was it the sound of his heart breaking. He was in charge of recovering the aliens, of capturing the invaders and he failed. His cousin, the King, would not be pleased with him. He pulled his service weapon out of the holster, no the King would be very displeased. Better do this way then to face his cousin again.
Tahiri's side and shoulder felt like they were dunked in molten metal. The trooper had laid her down on the deck of the Double Trouble near the hatch.
"Do you have anymore first aid kits?" He asked as he leaned out to cover the commander's retreat.
"In a storage bin under the couch in the lounge." She said trying to stand up; she needed to get to the bridge. "You can put Dr. Hegerty in the port cabin."
"Stay put girl. You're bleeding from the right shoulder, hip and side." He said pushing her down. As soon as the commander closed the hatch the trooper headed to the lounge.
"I have to get to the bridge, we need to head down to the Widowmaker."
"Lets us stop the bleeding first, Jedi. Your droid can get us moving in the right direction without you there." As soon as the trooper came back with the kit, he squeezed her left shoulder. "I go let the Captain know we are on the way down."
"I'll be there in a few minutes." She called as he ran towards the bridge. She watched the trooper spread some bacta on her shoulder and other wounds.
"You have three slugs wounds. You going to need some time in the bacta tank to get that shoulder fix when we get back."
"You would think I could complete one mission without getting hurt in some way." She said grimacing against the pain as he applied bandages to her shoulder. One of the other troopers came back from the port cabin. "How is Dr. Hegerty doing?"
"She is bad shape, there is not much we can do until we get down to the Widowmaker, hopefully our medic can do more for her."
Tahiri nodded her head as she felt the Double Trouble left off and head towards the Widowmaker.
"Help me get to the bridge."
"You should really go to your cabin and rest." The trooper that provided first aid to her said as she struggled to stand.
"Are you a pilot?" She asked already knowing the answer, when neither one of them answered she nodded her head. "That's what I thought, I'll go in to a healing trance once we get into hyperspace. Now help me up."
Reluctantly the two troopers help her stand, she was wobbly as she stood. She felt lightheaded but somewhat clear headed enough to make her way to the bridge. In the lounge she walked over to the back up engineering control panel and punched a couple buttons. A hatch above their heads swung down with a ladder dropping to the deck.
"The quad guns are up there, I won't be able to fly and fight at the same time in my condition. Can either one of you operate them?"
"Please ma'am, don't be insulting." The second trooper said with a grin, "We are Imperial Storm Troopers, if it shoots we can operate it."
"I forgot, then please be my guest." She said with answering grin, "Keep the bad guys away and provide ground support when needed."
"My pleasure ma'am." He said snapping off a salute and climbing up the ladder. The other trooper helps her in to her small bridge. The droid swung his dome around and looked at her as she entered. The commander got up from her chair when he saw her.
TAHIRI YOU HAVE BEEN INJURED!
"It's ok, I'll be fine."
"I contacted Captain Yage, she is preparing to evacuate the Widowmaker. Also your Master Skywalker is on line TI-078."
"Thanks," she said sitting down and closing her eyes fighting the vertigo caused by the loss of blood.
TAHIRI YOU NEED IMMEDIATE MEDICAL CARE! YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE IS LOW.
"I'll go into a healing trance when we go into hyperspace, don't worry." She said with a small smile as the commander helped her put on a headset.
TAHIRI, I AM CAPABLE TO OPERATE THE SHIP. YOU NEED TO BE REPAIRED.
"I will be fine droid, don't worry." He is getting as over protective as Anakin, she thought with amusement.
"Tahiri this is Luke, the commander just briefed us."
TAHIRI YOU ARE NOT 'OK' I HAVE SCAND THREE FOREIGN METAL OBJECTS IN YOUR BODY. ONE IN YOUR RIGHT SHOULDER, RIGHT MIDSECTION AND IN YOUR RIGHT HIP.
"Tahiri, have you been hurt?"
"Yes Master Skywalker but she refuses to rest until we get to the others." The trooper from behind her said.
"Your droid is right, you need to go and heal."
"Master Skywalker, we have hundreds of aliens combat ships and troops around us, she can't fly in here if she is that injured." Captain Yage said from the Widowmaker.
Tahiri closed her eyes, everyone was talking and no one was listening. She fought back the urge to slap them all with her light saber.
"Everyone please be quiet." She said just loud enough for them to hear her. When they were all quiet she went on. "I'm not happy either but we are going to fly into a combat zone. This is not like the droid flying to the complex, this time they know without a doubt that we are coming. I'll let the droid do most of the flying but will be here as back up. Once we get the crew on board any pilot that is still alive can take over for me but until then I am staying right here!"
"Tahiri, you be no good to the others if you pass out." Master Skywalker said she could hear his deep concern for her in his voice.
"I'm using the Force to keep my self conscious and start healing. I promise you Master Skywalker, as soon as another pilot is on board I will go into a healing trance. But right now I'm the only pilot here."
There was a long pause; she looked at the controls only sometimes seeing double controls.
"How long till you get to the Widowmaker?"
"5 minutes sir."
"Tahiri, you die on me I will be very angry with you."
"I know Luke," she said with a grin, it was nice to know that she was loved. The droid made a noise that didn't translate but sounded like a sigh of defeat.
"Keep this channel open so we can monitor your progress."
"Yes sir."
"I'll go back and get the crew loaded. Trooper you stay up here, as soon as another pilot get here help her to her cabin."
"Yes sir!"
"Our helms man has been notified she will head to the bridge as soon as she get on board. I'll have two storm troopers escort her to the ship."
Tahiri let their voice fall into the background as she struggled to keep her concentration on the controls and where she was flying too.
Captain Arien Yage looked at the engineering nightmare that was her bridge. When her ship crashed on this planet over half of it was destroyed, including most of engineering, hangers and many critical relay stations. The only saving grace is that they had a full month before the aliens showed up and started to attack them. If the aliens had launched an attack within days of their crash they wouldn't have had a chance against them. But in that month, and the time since, every member of the crew from her to the lowest cook on board worked around the clock to do some hasty repairs. Power lines were scavaged from what was left of engineering, batteries were slowy recharges using emergency solar power, new relays were installed, bulkheads removed, shield control practically rebuilt from scratch. Strom Troopers went through what was left of the city finding any supplies that could be used. Surviving aliens had shot them at but they remember what was important and didn't deviate from their mission to avenge fallen comrades.
When the aliens did arrive in force, the crew hunkers down for the long haul. They still worked at getting at least one turbo-laser working, the shields strengthen they still worked to survive. The pride she felt for her crew was greater then words could say. When she briefed them earlier on the plan that the Jedi had come up with she tried to tell them just how proud she was. Usually when she says that they were the finest crew in the Imperial Navy, it was mostly just words a ra-ra speech to instill a sense of pride in them. But this time she couldn't say it without getting choke up, with out her eyes getting moist. This crew had survived the worst that the universe could throw at them and they came through it. There they were, all 212 of the survivors sitting around the bridge as she stood at her station babbling like an idiot and crying. They were all dirty and smelly, no one had taken a shower in months water was too scarce, tired from the months of repair works, from months of around the clock shelling, hungry from the lack of food but they never lost hope that their Captain would get them home safely. That is what Captains do they protect their crews, they make sure they get home to their families. Many wouldn't and that hung on her like a planetary weight, a mistake that can never be repaired. But she would make damn sure the ones who were left would get home. She tried to tell them but she couldn't. But they knew, the crew somehow always knows what their Captain was trying to say, and as one without anyone giving the order they stood straight and tall and salute her.
"Sergeant, make sure crewman Lit is the first one on the Double Trouble, the Jedi has been injured and they need a back up pilot." She said into the comm. link as she walked over to the signal surviving turbo-laser control board. "Have two of your men escort her on board."
"Yes Captain." There was a short pause then he went on, "Ma'am I have 15 men who are willing to switch places with you."
"No Sergeant, the Captain is always the last off her ship."
"Yes Ma'am. Good luck Captain." His voice distressed.
"May the Force be with you all." She said closing the connection as she sat down behind the crude targeting console. Damn fine crew! She thought as she began targeting the largest ships out on the sea. The auto firing controls was not repaired enough to allow the computer to handle it, it had to be aimed and fired by a person. Next to her was the last duty for her to perform; this ship even in its present state cannot fall into the aliens' hands.
Tahiri could see the ships that surrounded the island on her scanners before she could see they visually. They had resume heavy bombardment of the island but didn't seem to notice that she was on the way. Which surprised her considering the four planes that they had passed. One tried to shoot her down with a crude missile but it was too slow to catch her.
"Stand by one minute."
As she approached she saw the Widowmaker open up with one turbo-laser, targeting the ships out at sea. The large ships disappeared in a flash of light and explosions, slowly sinking below the water. As she passed over the land she saw many men point their weapons at her as she slowed down enough to come in for a landing.
"Angle the defectors please, we don't want some luck shot to bring us down."
YES TAHIRI
About 14 storm troopers had position themselves and a couple E-webs to outline a landing zone. They were taking a bloody toll on the natives of this planet. She could see hundreds of bodies falling in pieces as they try to reach her and the Widowmaker. The trooper at her guns divided his attention between the ground and a few of the aircraft that was flying near them. She heard the bridge door open behind her.
"Ma'am, I am a pilot," an older dark hair woman said stepping up to her.
"Good," Tahiri was beginning to fade in and out too much. "Master Skywalker I'm going now."
"Ok Tahiri, I down load the course the droid is to take. The Star Destroyer Mon Mothma will met you in one week."
As she walked back to the rear of the bridge she felt the ship lurched, she started to turn to ask what happened but never made it. She didn't even remember passing out.