III. A WARM RECEPTION
Breathtaking.
Standing atop a high mountain precipice overlooking the tropical wonder that was Kashyyyk, Tavora silently gazed out at the jungle's lush flora and towering wroshyr trees. Miraculously, she had, along with her captain and their inept flight mechanic, managed to escape Coruscant without being killed or captured by Imperial forces. In her opinion, every moment since then had been a blessing. Things could have easily gone much worse. But somehow, against all the odds, they were still alive.
Closing her eyes, she basked in the warmth of the sun while the harmonious chirps and whistles of various indigenous life forms filled the air. Kashyyyk was far more pleasant than Coruscant. After their scare on the perilous city planet, she and her companions had immediately set out to deliver their next shipment. Upon their arrival to the Wookiees' homeworld, she had been charged with the task of scouting ahead for any signs of danger. It was an important job… one that a smugglers survival often depended on.
Rule number one: don't trust anyone, and always expect a trap.
Luckily, she had found no apparent threat during her canvass of the area, and what had initially started off as a reconnaissance mission had soon turned into a leisurely stroll through the jungle. The natural splendor of the verdant planet had gone a long way to assuage her fears, and ease her worried mind. Unlike the bustling megalopolis of Imperial City, the wilderness was peaceful. Like dust swept away in the breeze, her concerns had gradually faded until, by the end of her hike, they were all but gone.
Now, as she stood within walking distance to their starship, she was content to wait for her crewmates to finish getting ready. However, she glanced over her shoulder when a loud curse suddenly met her ears. Turning to Diggs as he fumbled with their illegal cargo, she watched him grow more and more frustrated while he struggled to remove a storage strap from a stack of durasteel freight crates.
Exhaling, Tavora made her way toward the ship and started up its lowered gangplank.
"Looks like you could use some help," she spoke up once she had entered its hull. Approaching the disgruntled mechanic, she drew her vibroblade from the scabbard hanging at her side and proceeded to cut the strap loose. "They'll be expecting us soon. How are we coming along?"
"You worry too much, love," Diggs replied; flashing his fellow smuggler a grin when she rolled her eyes at the obnoxious pet name. "Relax. We're running right on schedule."
"Careful, Diggs…" she shot back, holding the tip of her dagger up to better emphasize her words. "I've just sharpened this."
The flight mechanic merely laughed as she sheathed the blade. "Yes, I've been meaning to ask you about that thing. Here we are taking on the Empire and who knows what else, and instead of carrying a good blaster you prefer your shiny, little knives."
"What's your point?" Tavora questioned.
Diggs answered with a shrug. "Only that if you ever do happen to find yourself surrounded by a legion of trigger–happy stormtroopers again, you might possibly benefit from having something with a bit more kick to it."
Always eager to dole out advice.
"I don't like blasters," was her blunt response.
Both Tavora and Diggs turned with a start when their captain emerged from the cockpit and joined them. "You two are at it again, I see…"
"Aah, we were just mucking about, boss," Diggs replied. "It's not my fault that our esteemed colleague here has no sense of humor whatsoever."
"I can think of a few things I'd like to do to you that I'd find fairly amusing," Tavora quipped, resting a palm on her hip while she narrowed her eyes. "Would you care for a demonstration?"
"You see that, boss?" Diggs retorted, folding his arms across his chest to match her challenging posture. "She's very hostile, this one. Must be that hot Pantoran blood, eh?"
At this, Ryder chuckled and arched a brow. "Hey, she may snip a lot, but we all know she's well worth the trouble. Isn't that right, Tavora?"
Sighing, Tavora shook her head and started out of the ship. "I'm sure there was a veiled compliment in there somewhere. Are you ready?"
Ryder smirked and followed in tow. "Absolutely. Diggs, you stay here and get everything prepared to transport while we go make contact."
"What? You want me to stay behind?" Diggs asked, indignantly.
"We're going to meet with an Honor Clan," Tavora replied, never looking back or breaking her stride. "Somehow, I doubt they'll fully appreciate your charm and wit – delightful as they are."
It didn't take them long to reach the encampment. Unlike the typical villages of most native Wookiee tribes, which were ordinarily found high in the treetops, these particular Wookiees resided far below the immense jungle canopy. As Tavora had already explained, they were dealing with some of the fiercest warriors on all of Kashyyyk. As such, mobility was an essential part of their survival; especially now that they were challenging the Imperial occupation on their world.
Constantly in danger and on the move, the Honor Clan had to pack light and be prepared to relocate at the drop of a hat. That was precisely why Ryder and his crew had been contacted. Like much of the galaxy, the tribe was in desperate need of rations and other basic supplies that the Empire had deemed contraband. More often than not, smugglers were enlisted to distribute said goods throughout the subjugated systems. Some were even dubbed heroes for their efforts. However, at the moment, Ryder felt anything but welcome…
Several sets of watchful eyes followed the captain and his second–in–command while they made their way toward a large, burning ring of fire. They could hear a few low growls and inquisitive murmurs as numerous clanmembers emerged from their makeshift tents, and various other temporary shelters. It wasn't long before they found themselves completely surrounded.
Vastly outnumbered… not an encouraging thought.
"I have to admit, this isn't quite what I had imagined," Ryder spoke up, uncomfortably clearing his throat. "I'm no Wookiee expert, but I do know that I'd like for my arms to stay in their sockets."
"Relax, they're only curious," Tavora reassured her anxious captain. "Just don't do anything to provoke them."
"Wouldn't dream of it," came his short response.
Together, they approached the halo of fire while a group of Wookiees brandishing spears gathered around its flames, and awaited their arrival.
"Remember what I said," Tavora whispered as they closed the distance. "These are the clan elders. Follow my lead, and don't speak unless spoken to… the last thing we want to do is offend them."
Understatement of the century…
Once they reached the fiery ring, Tavora immediately dropped to a knee and bowed her head. Ryder received a swift nudge in the leg from her elbow when he failed to do the same. However, he quickly obliged and knelt down an instant later.
"This is Captain Jinn," she announced, motioning toward him before drawing her vibroblade and holding it out in her upturned palms. Without lifting her head, she glanced over at Ryder. "Give them your blaster…"
Furrowing a brow, he reluctantly pulled his sidearm from its holster and did as instructed; slightly flinching when more than one of the nearest Wookiees voiced obvious wariness over the sight of the weapon. Much to his relief, they fell silent when one of the elders barked an order that, he could only assume, was meant as a warning. Fortunately, it worked and the younger clanmembers stayed where they were. Resisting the urge to steal a glimpse, he hastily mimicked Tavora's open display of submission by holding his blaster up for them to see.
"We mean no harm," Tavora continued, leaning forward and placing her dagger at their feet. This time, Ryder followed suit without hesitation and presented his blaster as a gift. "We offer you these weapons as a gesture of peace and friendship."
There was a long stretch of silence before one of the elders eventually stepped forward. Keeping their gazes firmly fixed on the ground, the pair of smugglers refrained from looking up as the aging Wookiee made his advance and halted directly in front of them. Ryder flinched a second time when a spear was plunged into the soft soil between his blaster and Tavora's blade. Clenching his jaw, he cast his companion as subtle a glance as he could manage while the elder hovered over them and bellowed. If he hadn't known any better, he would have sworn she was…
Smiling? Is she insane?
Mystified, he watched the Pantoran woman as she gave him a curt nod and stood. Once again following her lead, he finally peered up at the hulking Wookiee and rose back to his full height.
"Take it," Tavora said under her breath. "The spear… he's giving it to you."
Still slightly rattled, Ryder took a moment to compose himself before reaching out and yanking the spear from the dirt. Respectfully inclining his own head, the clan elder let out a series of deep growls and moans. Luckily, Tavora was there to interpret his words and speak on his behalf.
"This is their chieftain, Lowenta…" she translated. "I hope you're hungry, he's just invited us to join them for their night meal. It could be considered an insult if we refuse."
Ryder mustered a smile. "What are we having?"
2 Days Later…
Shortly after his third interrogation had concluded, Ryder had been escorted back to his holding cell. Some time later, the same uniformed men as before had arrived to deliver his boots, gloves and utility belt along with his clean, neatly pressed tunic. The only thing that had been missing was his blaster. Of course, he could still recall surrendering the pistol back on Kashyyyk before he had fallen into enemy hands.
Nice move, captain. Why not just serve yourself up on a silver platter?
Having already changed back into his own clothing, the imprisoned smuggler plopped down on the edge of the room's single bed and began to pull on his boots. The time was fast approaching when he would need to devise a plan, and attempt his escape. Once his captors discovered that he didn't have the answers they wanted and he was no longer of any use to them, he would undoubtedly be disposed of… it was not a fate that he had resigned himself to just yet. He wouldn't go quietly.
Rising from the bed's surprisingly soft mattress, Ryder tightened the straps to his boots before retrieving his belt. Lastly, he grabbed his old, worn–out gloves. He froze a moment later when he slid his right glove on and a strange, unexplainable sensation overtook him. Lifting his hand, he absently flexed his fingers while he intently studied it.
Déjà vu.
His rumination was cut short when the door to his cell suddenly slid open with a whoosh, and he spotted a robed figure standing in the threshold. He recognized his visitor the minute he saw her… along with her associate, she had already questioned him on three separate occasions. Unfortunately, like before, she was enshrouded in darkness and appeared as nothing more than a black silhouette. Oddly, she seemed reluctant to enter and remained in the doorway. He waited, but no words were exchanged.
"Where's your friend?" he broke the growing silence once it had become too unbearable.
"I have come alone," was all the mysterious woman said.
Taking a cautious step forward, Ryder glared straight ahead and tried to make out a face beneath her drawn hood. Still, her identity remained hidden. That was, until she slowly reached up and removed the hood; revealing herself for the first time.
He hesitated before speaking again. "You're not with the Empire, are you?"
Author's Note: I'd just like to thank those of you who have been leaving reviews for the feedback. As always, your input is greatly appreciated and I hope you enjoy the rest of the story! Also, once again, I own nothing (except for a few OC's).
~ThoseWereTheDays
P.S. For you Wookiee aficionados out there, Lowenta means "honored leader".