Chapter 4 – Bolraan's Demise
Little more than a week later, Biggs Darklighter, Charii, Welba C'lay and a human female named Olinda Macett were flying over the ground in a small land speeder in the middle of the night. They had 'secured' the transport from a local depot and were using it to stealthily travel across the vast fields of crops outside the city of Corlesh where they had left their ship, the Hope Remains, recently repaired with a new hyperdrive and comm system installed.
It was a clear night, with Bolraan's small, potato shaped moon just rising above the silhouetted horizon. The mission Jobe had given them was simple enough: cripple the Imperial Communications relay station located outside the town. They'd been supplied with more than enough ordinance to do the job and Olinda was said to be an ex-Imperial with much experience in the field. She also had the unenviable job of holding the munitions as they sped through the darkness.
"How are you holding out back there, Olinda?" Biggs asked from behind the controls of the 'speeder. He had to almost shout for her to hear him over the sound of rushing wind.
"Acceptable," came the reply.
Charii, sitting beside Biggs in the front of the craft spoke quietly to Biggs, "Chatty, isn't she?"
Ignoring Charii's comment, he replied to Macett, "I'm sorry for the sudden course changes. But it's either that or crash." Several times Biggs had been forced to swerve wildly to avoid obstacles in his path. There were no trees here on Bolraan, they would take up too much valuable farming land, but he was amazed to find many idle or broken farming machines sitting darkly in the fields. Even a droid or two had popped up ahead of them unexpectedly. On one occasion Biggs had clipped one of the droids, sending it spinning into the darkness. His comment at the time was, "I never realized George's old job was so dangerous!"
George was back with the ship, acting as a makeshift guard while the 'breathing' creatures went on their mission. After Biggs and Charii had finished their reunion with Jobe, they had eventually returned to the Hope to find George standing quietly outside its hatchway. He had told them the stormtroopers that had been milling around the ship had questioned him about the ownership of the vessel, but he simply stood quietly and said nothing. The troopers had then apparently attempted to move him, but his size and weight made it impossible for humans to do so, and they had moved on. George had said, "I didn't feel obliged to co-operate. They are not my masters. You are, Sir and Madam. And besides, the white-clads often used us droids for target practice. I had no desire to assist them." And so George was again employed to guard the ship, standing firmly before its main hatch, silent and foreboding, while the humans went off on their mission. George tended to call all organic life 'humans,' regardless of species.
Biggs steered the 'speeder around another obstacle, and brought the craft to a halt. In the distance he could see the lights of the facility they were seeking. It wasn't as large as he would have expected, but the details had been sketchy and so he assumed Jobe knew what he was doing. Welba, sitting in the rear with Macett, jumped out into the field.
"This is it?" asked Biggs. The little yellow creature, barely visible in his dark clothing, nodded in reply.
"Yes, I scoped it out myself just three days ago. There are a few guards that patrol the area, so keep an eye open for them."
Charii pulled out a pair of macro-binoculars and started surveying the area. "I can't see anyone," she commented after several minutes of scanning. By this time, Olinda Macett had managed to pass the ordinance over to Welba and disembarked where they then shared the load between them.
Welba C'lay shouldered his load, repositioning it so it was more comfortable. "Macett and I will plant these bombs. Circle the area in the 'speeder and see if you can find the guards. Distract them if you can. We'll meet you back here when we're done." And he and the quiet woman headed off towards the facility.
When they were out of earshot, Charii commented to Biggs, "Isn't it a little odd that we have to find the guards? I would think it better if we snuck in and out undetected. At least until the bombs go off."
Biggs, looking intently at the facility, replied, "Yes, I agree. Charii, this doesn't even look like a relay station." He took the macros from her and surveyed it closely. "I've lived on a desert world most of my life, but I'd swear this was more like a food processing plant. I can even see a couple of those huge harvester machines parked outside." He gave the macros back to her and ushered her back to the 'speeder. "But we have to assume they know better than us. Let's see if we can find those missing guards."
He took the 'speeder in a slow arc around the perimeter of the facility. Charii looked for the guards while Biggs steered them about the ever present discarded or idle farming equipment. They were almost directly on the opposite side of the station when they finally found a guard. He sat in a 'speeder much like the one Biggs was flying, but with his lights on and his feet on the control panel. He looked to be reading some sort of electronic news pad.
"Do you see him, Biggs?" asked Charii.
"How could I miss him," Biggs replied. He thought a moment, "Let's see if there are any others before we disturb him, shall we? I have a funny feeling we won't," and he silently guided the darkened 'speeder well clear of the uninterested guard.
They were almost back around to the rendezvous point, having found no other guards but with ever growing suspicions, when all of a sudden a bright flash appeared on the horizon, followed closely by a loud boom. Biggs brought the 'speed to a halt and was about to comment to Charii when another explosion filled the night sky, this one closer and much louder. It was quickly followed by another and another; some distant, some nearby. And finally the facility they had been circling exploded dramatically before them. It was a huge detonation, blindingly bright, sending debris and even soil and rocks flying high over head, only to shower back down onto the ground with deadening thuds.
Biggs opened the throttle on the 'speeder and charged full speed to the pick-up point. He was mad; furious. This wasn't part of the plan and he wanted to know why he hadn't been told. He found Welba waiting for them beside the old farming machine, Olinda Macett beside him. He drove straight at them at full speed and pulled up just in time. Welba flinched a little, but Macett stood firmly, unmoving.
"This is madness, Welba!" Biggs shouted from the 'speeder. "How many of these 'facilities' have you destroyed tonight? We were only meant to take out this one. You can't afford to do more than that. Don't you know what this means?"
The yellow creature grinned back at Biggs, "Oh, I know full well what this means. And it was always the plan. I had a hell of a time persuading Commander Q not to tell you, I must say. But I couldn't let him divulge our true plan. In fact, after I saw you with him I wish I hadn't brought you to him. He needs to be strong. Ruthless. The rebellion needs a leader like him, not that 'Jobe' character you brought out in him."
Biggs tried to work out what was going on, "But why, Welba? You know this will attract a Death Star! There's probably one on its way now! You've just condemned the entire planet to death!"
Welba bared his teeth slightly as he replied, growing tired of answering to this annoying human. "I very much hope a Death Star is on its way. That was the plan. You see, Darklighter, the Death Stars have no base, and no-one ever knows just where one will show up... especially when you want one to turn up. Unless, of course, it's coming to destroy a rebel infested world."
"You intend attacking it?" Biggs asked incredulously. "But Jobe said they were impervious now. How do you expect to destroy it?"
Welba C'lay's teeth were bared even more now, little points gleaming in the night. He'd had more than enough of this conversation. "We have no intention of destroying it. We are going to capture it." And he pulled his blaster out from behind him and pointed it menacingly at Biggs. "Now I suggest you get out of that 'speeder. I'd hate to waste time dragging your lifeless corpse from the front seat. Now move!"
But suddenly Welba was blinded by the 'speeder's lights when Charii quickly switched them on. The little creature fired at the speeder instantly, but his aim was off, being momentarily disoriented by the light. The blast took out the right light and a second smashed through the windshield, but Biggs powered the 'speeder forward towards the two. This time Macett moved, diving for cover by the farming machine, but Welba took a glancing blow from the 'speeder and went down, his body making a dull thud as the quick craft glided over him, pushing him prone to the ground.
Biggs sped off, leaving Welba and Macett where they lay. Blaster shots came close from behind, but Biggs manoeuvred away so the farming machine was between them and Welba. The shots ceased.
"That was quick thinking, Charii," commended Biggs as they flew back towards Corlesh.
"I'm just glad it worked. I was afraid I'd hit the windshield wipers instead!" Charii replied.
But Biggs didn't laugh. He was still furious with Jobe and Welba. And more than a little afraid they may not make it back to the ship in time. The trip to the facility had taken over three hours, and Biggs had been going fast. He'd have to do better on the return trip. If the attacks Jobe and Welba had planned were as extensive as he suspected, a Death Star wouldn't be far away.
He set the craft on full power and rushed back towards Corlesh, peering intently into the darkness before him, praying his reflexes would save them from any collisions en route.
(-O-)
Lady Viaan happened to be on the bridge of her Star Destroyer Compliance when the first reports came in from Bolraan. Many Imperial assets had been attacked, the reports were saying. Planet wide. The first significant rebel act in over three years.
It couldn't be coincidence. Of all the things she'd learned in her long, dark life was that there were no coincidences. The Force played a part in everything. It really did bind the galaxy together, in more ways than even the extinct Jedi had known. And she trusted her instincts implicitly. This had something to do with the power she and her Master had felt. Finally.
She demanded a report of Bolraan from one of the bridge crew on hand. He reported back quickly that Bolraan was an agricultural world of little military importance and that the facilities the rebels had hit were mainly food processing plants, storage silos, packing plants and the like. He continued on, detailing its location and the current governor, population, etc until she cut him off mid sentence.
"Despatch Death Star Omega to Bolraan immediately, I believe it is the nearest of the fleet to that world. Inform them to wait for my arrival before cleansing the system. I want to personally inspect this sudden insurrection. And relay a message to Coruscant, informing Emperor Vader I am on my way to investigate."
"Yes, Ma'am. Omega is already en route as per standing Imperial orders to suppress rebel uprisings, but I will update their orders and relay your message," the bridge officer informed her.
Viaan did not bother replying, but stared out the main view port at the stars ahead. She had been randomly flying about the galaxy for the last two weeks, relying on her instincts to find the source of the immense power she had felt. She was beginning to wonder if she had been wasting her time, but finally she had a lead. And it pleased her immensely.
As she turned to leave the bridge, she stopped by the bridge officer she had been speaking to, looking him up and down. "What is your name?" she asked as she appraised his body, lingering her gaze on his broad shoulders.
"Flight Officer Jencil, Ma'am," he replied, a nervous trace to his voice.
"How very nice," said Viaan, not referring to his name. "Report to my quarters when you have finished here. I wish to... debrief you. Personally." And she turned and left.
The other officers avoided any comments after she had left. Lady Viaan had taken other officers for 'debriefing' in the past and it was something you did not joke about for fear of her vicious retribution. Or worse still: you might be next.
(-O-)
Speeding through the night, Biggs could finally see the city lights ahead in the distance. It was a cold night on Bolraan, but he was sweating profusely. His eyes were bloodshot and his nerves were on edge. Beside him, Charii was little better. She too was staring ahead intently, watching for any objects Biggs might miss in their flight of terror. At first he had seen them all, and quickly avoided them, but as he got tired and the strain increased, she had been forced to shout several times to inform him of a rapidly upcoming danger.
Bolraan's small, misshapen moon had finally reached its zenith and provided a little more light for them to navigate by. It helped, but not much. However, with the city now visible, they knew the ship wasn't far away and Biggs backed off on the throttle and took a moment to relax. He had managed to cut the journey down to less than two hours. A remarkable feat.
Now that they didn't need to stress over the view ahead of them as much, Charii closed her eyes and leaned back in her seat. She took a moment to stretch her weary muscles and rub the strain from her eyes. "Do you really think they can capture a Death Star, Biggs?" she asked, opening her eyes again and looking up into the sky.
"I really don't know," he replied. "But let's not wait around to find out." He paused a moment, then continued. "Jobe really must be insane. What if he fails? All the people on this world will die! How could he even consider it?"
Charii kept staring at the sky, watching the moon revolve slowly as it drifted across the black sky. As she watched, a small bulge appeared along its distorted crescent shape, growing slowly in size.
"Biggs... I think we have to go. Now."
Biggs spared a moment to glance at her, startled by her strange, frightened tone. He followed her eyes skyward, but couldn't risk a longer look and turned back to the task of piloting the speeder. "What is it?" he asked, but sure he knew what the answer would be.
"It's here," she replied softly. "Coming from behind the moon. Oh my stars, we're too late..." The way she said it sent a chill up Biggs' spine. The tone of defeat. A Death Star had arrived.
Instantly, Biggs powered the speeder on at full speed. "It's never too late, Charii. Hold on!" The speeder almost screamed as Biggs pushed it beyond its safety limits. Dark objects flew by dangerously close, some scraping the sides of the craft. Charii shook herself and again took up her task of look-out.
Second after second; minute after minute, Charii alerted Biggs of more and more objects in the night. But finally, when she had barely opened her mouth to tell him, a rusted old droid hulk came smashing into the windscreen, snapped cleaning in two by the force of the speeder's momentum.
The speeder listed to one side, scraping the ground as the droid's sudden weight and impact threw the craft's balance off. Internal gyros spinning, and Biggs' uncanny skills were the only things that stopped the speeder from flipping and crashing there and then. Even so, it planed sideways for a hundred metres, out of control, before hitting another farm mechanoid, and collapsed onto the ground in a cloud of grain, dirt and metal.
The two occupants pulled each other out of the now dead craft, shaken slightly by the sudden halt. They checked themselves for injuries, but neither had been seriously wounded. Just bruised and disheartened.
"I guess that's it," Charii stated, defeat slipping back into her voice. "We can't get to the ship on foot in time."
But Biggs took her hand and lead her on, "I'm sure the ship's just ahead. Come on, there's still time!" And he ran on, almost dragging her behind.
Moments later they both rejoiced as the Hope Remains came into view. They'd made it!
Out of breath, the two ran full speed to the ship's entrance, almost bowling George over who was standing silent guard before the hatch. "George! Quickly, get inside. We have to go!" Biggs yelled.
"I can't do anything quickly, Sir," he replied, but turned about, opened the hatchway and walked into the ship as rapidly as the old droid could manage. The two humans slid past him and breathlessly made their way to the cockpit. Skipping many of the start-up and warm-up procedures, the two had the ship almost ready to fly within a minute of sitting in their seats.
Biggs fired the engines and started to lift off the Hope. He quickly asked Charii, "Can you see that Death Star? I want to steer as far away from it as possible."
As the ship gained altitude, Charii consulted her instruments, looking for the location of the Death Star on the scanner. But it didn't register. In fact, most of the instruments were useless. "I think they're jamming us," she said. Charii then scanned the view from the cockpit window, trying to locate the massive station visually. "Yes, there it is!" she exclaimed excitedly. It was now past the moon and was beginning to eclipse the little planetoid in the night sky. Worse still, she saw the huge circular depression on its surface was lit with a green glow as the main weapon began to charge. "It's firing!" she yelled.
"We'll get caught in the blast for sure!" Biggs replied. "I can't get us up quick enough... I'm so sorry, Charii."
But it was Charii's turn to be optimistic. "Don't you give up on me now, Biggs Darklighter," she said. "This is the Hope Remains, remember. You just keep flying, I have to get something." She span about and shouted into the rear of the ship, "George! Come here quickly!"
Biggs did as he was told, and flew the Hope higher and higher into the sky. George also obeyed, answering, "As fast as I am able, Ma'am. How may I assist?" But Charii simply tapped the droid's chest with three precise taps, and it popped open, revealing a small, recently modified containment unit. Charii reached in and extracted her small, spherical heirloom she had stored there, packed and padded tightly with small bags of seeds.
"Thank you, George. You're a darling. Go back and strap yourself in." The droid did as he was bidden, and Charii turned back to Biggs. "This is our hope now." And she twisted the top.
But nothing happened. No flashing lights, not weird figures. Nothing.
"Err, Charii. Now would be a good time," Biggs said, trying not to sound too nervous. The Death Star's green glow reached a blinding level. It was about to fire.
"I don't understand!" Charii screamed. "What am I doing wrong?!"
Biggs reached over and laid a hand on hers to reassure her, and to feel her warmth one last time, "Charii, it's probably broken. It was a good idea, but-" Then suddenly everything went dark. The object 'snapped' once again, and the air went cold.
The Death Star fired, its green tunnelling laser stabbing into Bolraan's surface, just as its predecessor's had burrowed into Alderaan. A hundred or more small starships, caught unawares in orbit, and in between the station and the planet, were vaporized in an instant. Their occupants were thankfully unaware of any danger, and perished as quickly. Many other ships headed away in random, panic induced directions. At the point where the laser penetrated Bolraan, a huge expanding circle of fire rocketed outwards, igniting fields, towns, droids and people in a massive conflagration. The laser went deep, making its way to the core and vaporising it, fracturing the planet with the massive detonation of its pent up energies. The entire planet then burst asunder, even more violently than Alderaan had twenty years earlier. This time, there were only small chunks of the planet remaining, flying outwards from the centre of the explosion, and a massive fireball expanding and flaring in the night. Imperial efficiency at work
From within the time bubble, Biggs and Charii watched in horror, as the Empire annihilated another world and its people. Protected from the energies released, and the small solid remnants of Bolraan hurtling out, they sat silently as the planet died quickly. Charii had not rotated the device far, so the time change was minimal, but enough to protect them from the disaster.
In the rear of the ship, three glowing figures appeared. The droid, secured in his dedicated dock, looked them up and down, scanning them, but was unable to determine what they were. Charii glanced back from the cockpit at the scene, but said nothing, just gave George a half smile to reassure him.
As the cloud of debris fled away, thinning out, and the fiery expanse died, the two humans stared silently into the darkening emptiness of space. The ships not caught in the explosion had now fled the scene, and only the Death Star was visible in the distance. It hung there like a grey ball, its circular weapon looking like a fading, dull green eye. It seemed to be almost winking at them; mocking them.
Finally, Biggs spoke. "Jobe has failed. And it cost him his life, and that of this innocent world. What madness!" Charii could only sob in reply, as tears ran down her face. They held hands and just stared at the Death Star as it sat motionless before them. How could anything compete against such a mindless act? He wondered who was worse, the Empire of the new Rebellion.
Then suddenly another ship appeared near the station. Biggs recognized it instantly. A distinct triangular shape, although dwarfed by the Death Star, was huge in comparison to their own ship. A Star Destroyer. As he watched, he realised it had changed course from the station towards... them! It grew and grew in size, approaching them far too quickly for Biggs' liking.
He then realised Charii's heirloom was still operating, and twisted it 'off' just as something astonishing happened. The Death Star fired on the Star Destroyer! Amazed, he watched on as the Death Star fired small, inaccurate volleys at the dart-like Star Destroyer. Shot after shot lanced out towards the large ship, until finally one clipped the underside of the vessel. It billowed a curtain of black smoke, blotting out the surrounding stars, as something burned inside. Even better, the Star Destroyer changed course and headed away from the Hope Remains.
Biggs piloted the Hope in the opposite direction, but not before noticing the big ship leap into hyperspace as another volley from the Death Star crossed its bow. Biggs flew on, wondering what was happening, when suddenly a voice came over the comm system - a familiar voice.
"This is Commander Q aboard the Rebel Death Star Omega. Hailing Biggs Darklighter on the Hope Remains. Come in, Mr. Darklighter."
Charii and Biggs stared at one another in silence. He'd done it. He'd actually done it. Captured a Death Star! Charii finally motioned Biggs to answer. He reluctantly flipped the comm switched and said, "Congratulations, Commander." But his voice betrayed his feelings, and Jobe noticed all too well.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't tell you. We couldn't risk you knowing, just in case. Welba insisted on secrecy." Biggs did not answer, and the silence was damning. Jobe finally added, "I don't suppose I can talk to Welba, can I?"
Biggs replied coldly, "Only if you can talk to the dead. We left him on Bolraan." Charii sat silently beside him, staring at her hands.
"Oh, I see," came Jobe's response. "Sacrifices have to be made in times of war. He'll be missed."
No longer able to contain himself, Biggs replied loudly, "How could you do this, Jobe? An entire world was destroyed. All those people. Millions lost, just so you could have a chance... a small chance, of capturing that station."
"But we did it, didn't we?!" protested Jobe. "And that's what counts! Now we can fight back on even terms!"
"It's insane! What are you going to do? How far do you think you'll get before they stop you? Have you thought about it?" Biggs shouted at the comm.
"Oh yes," came Jobe's voice, colder now. "We've thought through the possibilities many, many times. And now it's time to attack." He paused. "We're going for Coruscant. And we'll take Vader and his whole operation in one fell swoop!"
Charii and Biggs looked dumbfounded at the comm station, not believing their ears. He couldn't be serious. But no, he really was. You could hear the determination in his voice. They didn't know what to say in reply, but Jobe wasn't waiting for one anyway.
"Mr. Darklighter," he said formally, his voice full of authority. "I order you and your vessel to this station immediately. We have no more time for idle conversation. I have a war to win."
But Biggs was in no mood to be ordered anywhere. "I'm sorry, Jobe. We aren't going anywhere with you." He looked to Charii for confirmation, and she nodded in silent agreement. "As of today, we're through with the Rebellion. We're going somewhere you can't follow."
"Yes, that mysterious little object of yours. Not destroyed, was it? Welba thought not. I'll be needing that, too," Jobe replied. "It could be very handy against the Empire. Please don't make this any harder than it already is, just surrender yourselves peacefully."
"No, Jobe. You can't stop us, and you know it. Goodbye." Biggs took Charii's hand and grabbed the object again. But before they could activate it, Jobe responded one last time, with a trace of the old Jobe intact.
"Very well. May the Force be with you, Mr. Biggs," he said. Moments later, the Death Star Omega turned about and slowly flew off into the void.
Aboard the Hope Remains, Biggs and Charii flipped switches and programmed jump coordinates, saying nothing. After a few minutes, the little ship leapt into hyperspace and left the planetary system once know as Bolraan, now nothing but a small collection of rocks and ash.
(-O-)