PART II
INT. IMPERIAL SHUTTLE, ADEBRA SYSTEM
Grand Moff Winspeak stands with his hands clasped behind his back, looking through the shuttle's viewport. He is watching as Imperial repair ships work to fix the hull of a damaged star destroyer. He shakes his head, sighs, and speaks to the holographic projection standing behind him, which appears to be an Imperial officer.
WINSPEAK
How long will it take to fully repair the damage?
HOLOGRAM
Our men estimate between three to four weeks for a complete repair. However, we can have the ship up and running again in just two, provided we get the resources we need.
WINSPEAK
You'll have them, but make it one and a half. I want this blockade back at full strength as soon as possible.
HOLOGRAM
Understood, sir. We'll do what we can.
WINSPEAK
Dismissed, captain.
The hologram fades out of existence. Winspeak turns to the shuttle pilot and nods.
WINSPEAK
Take us back, pilot.
SHUTTLE PILOT
Aye-aye, sir.
The pilot turns the shuttle back towards the Abraxas, which is positioned opposite the damaged star destroyer. Winspeak continues to observe the damage until his view is blocked by the Abraxas' wedge-shaped hull. The shuttle flies into the topmost docking bay and slowly touches down; once it does, the rear hatch hisses open, and a ramp extends from the shuttle to the deck of the hangar bay.
INT. HANGAR BAY, STAR DESTROYER ABRAXAS
Winspeak walks out of the shuttle to find a young officer awaiting him. The officer snaps a crisp salute to Winspeak and bows ever-so-slightly, then offers him a datapad.
YOUNG OFFICER
Sir. The complete report on the Condor raid, as requested.
WINSPEAK
Thank you, lieutenant. Dismissed.
The officer salutes again and then hurries off. Winspeak scans over the datapad, cursing under his breath. He turns and strides towards the turbolift in the rear of the docking bay. The guards posted on either side of the lift salute as Winspeak steps inside it and punches a button. The lift shoots upward. Winspeak glances back over the datapad, adjusting his uniform with his free hand. Just then, a loud blast rocks the ship, and Winspeak is thrown back, slamming hard against the wall of the turbolift and dropping the datapad.
WINSPEAK
What in the-
Another blast strikes the ship. Winspeak topples to the ground before he can finish his exclamation. The turbolift reaches its destination and stops, and the doors slide open. Two soldiers are waiting outside, and they attempt to help Winspeak up; however, he shoves past them, walking onto the Abraxas' gigantic bridge.
INT. BRIDGE, STAR DESTROYER ABRAXAS
WINSPEAK
Baradi! Status report!
The officer standing near the helm, CAPTAIN BARADI, turns to face Winspeak.
BARADI
It's the Condors, sir! They've launched an attack!
WINSPEAK
Another one? So soon after the last?
BARADI
It would appear so, sir.
WINSPEAK
(Under his breath)
Bastards have grown bolder.
Through the Abraxas' viewport, a handful of attacking ships are visible. The ships appear to be run-down and janky, as though scrapped together from various, mismatching parts. However, each is equipped with an impressive assortment of weapons, ranging from blaster turrets to homing missiles. All of them are currently firing on the Abraxas, rapidly wearing down its shields. Winspeak strides forward to where Baradi is standing.
BARADI
All hands, focus fire on the leftmost ship!
The Abraxas' weapons immediately turn to concentrate on the leftmost ship and open fire. The blaster cannons rip through the enemy ship's shields and burn a hole in its side. The ship feebly attempts to break off and escape, but a few more salvos from the Abraxas blow it to pieces. However, a moment later, the barrage of incoming fire successfully penetrates the Abraxas' shields, leaving the ship vulnerable to the Condors' fire. More blasts rock the hull, causing Winspeak and Baradi to stumble.
BARADI
Shields down! Reroute power to the backup generators, now!
The onslaught continues. Fire breaks out on the bridge as one of the blasts impacts just outside the viewport.
WINSPEAK
Captain! Prepare to launch a Ballista missile at the nearest enemy vessel!
Baradi glances over at Winspeak.
BARADI
A Ballista missile, sir?
WINSPEAK
That's what I said, captain! On my mark!
BARADI
Very well, sir!
Another heavy impact sends Winspeak crashing to the ground. Baradi leans on his command chair to keep himself from falling as the deck shakes violently beneath them.
WINSPEAK
Now! Fire!
A large missile streaks out of the Abraxas' large central cannon, located on its underside. The missile soars through space until it collides with its target, the closest attacking ship. The Condor ship is immediately vaporized in a massive, blindingly white explosion that sends ripples through the Abraxas' hull. A moment later, nothing of the Condor ship remains. The other attacking ships cease their fire and pull back, then jump to hyperspace. Winspeak takes a deep breath and stands back up, looking at Captain Baradi. Just then, an ensign at the communications station speaks up.
ENSIGN
Sir! Incoming transmission from Condor vessel!
BARADI
Put it through, ensign.
A large holoprojector situated near the middle of the bridge flickers to life, and the image of a man appears. He is tall, with dark skin and long, straight black hair tied loosely behind his head. A long cape hangs over his shoulder, and stitched into it is a crest depicting a dark blue bird with its jagged wings spread wide.
BARADI
KAI TELANA.
KAI TELANA
Nice to see your memory's still intact, captain.
BARADI
I wish I could say the same for your ships, Blackbird.
KAI TELANA
True. Something I'm already eager to pay you back for.
BARADI
Then why run?
KAI TELANA
Don't try playing the tough guy, Baradi. It doesn't suit you. This war won't be won through direct conflict. We both know it. But it will be won. And you can mark my words on that.
BARADI
Oh, I will, believe me. What I can't understand, however, is why you then continue to throw your ragtag ships at us when you openly admit they stand no chance. The last I checked, you didn't have too many of them. Or have you stumbled across a spare fleet since we last spoke?
KAI TELANA
You have no idea what our resources are.
BARADI
Don't we? It is not very difficult to sneak spies into a terrorist organization, Mr. Telana.
KAI TELANA
It's not very hard to root them out, either. I'll be sure to send their heads to you personally.
BARADI
Save your idle threats. Why did you contact us? Or was it just to gloat about another failed attack?
KAI TELANA
Actually, I called because I heard you've got the new grand moff on board. I was hoping I could talk to him.
BARADI
How did you hear this?
KAI TELANA
(Smirking)
What was that about it not being difficult to sneak spies into a terrorist organization? I guess the same could be said for over-arrogant despot organizations. Especially when jackasses like you run the show.
Winspeak steps forward.
WINSPEAK
Enough of this. I am here. Speak.
KAI TELANA
Ah, good. Grand Moff Harvell Winspeak, right?
WINSPEAK
That's correct. I hear you're the one they call 'Blackbird'.
KAI TELANA
One of my kinder nicknames. Has a nice ring to it. I've heard much more interesting things about you, though, grand moff.
WINSPEAK
Such as?
KAI TELANA
You're Adebran. Aren't you? Born on Adebra VII, as a matter of fact.
WINSPEAK
I fail to see the relevance of such information.
KAI TELANA
Oh, you're right, there probably isn't any. I was just curious; what's it feel like to turn your back on your own home? To oppress and slaughter the very people you once called your kinsmen?
WINSPEAK
(Clears his throat)
My loyalty is first and foremost to the Empire and-
KAI TELANA
I figured it'd be the same old stock answer as the rest of your Imperial friends. Never mind, then. I've called to deliver a message to you. The same message I delivered to your predecessor, Vinyan, and the same one I'll deliver to your successor once your precious dark lord decides to get rid of you, too.
WINSPEAK
Fine. Speak.
KAI TELANA
This system will never be yours. The more of us you kill, the more will just flock to our cause. We will break through your little blockade. And when we do, you'd best hope the Republic gets to you first. Because if we do, be sure we will show you no mercy.
WINSPEAK
Yes, yes, sounds very well-rehearsed. Is that all?
KAI TELANA
No. Just in case you forget all that, I've got a shorter version, as well.
WINSPEAK
Let's hear it.
KAI TELANA
Don't kriff with the Condors.
The hologram fades out as Telana disconnects.
BARADI
Arrogant as ever. Fancies himself a great leader, but he's just more terrorist scum.
WINSPEAK
Captain. Send repair crews out on this ship immediately. I want a full damage report on my desk in twenty minutes, delivered to me by you. In person.
BARADI
You'll have it, sir.
Winspeak straightens his uniform as best he can, then turns and marches off the smoking bridge as Baradi begins barking new orders at the crew.