CHAPTER FIFTY THREE
KORRIBAN
Necrolis Darkstar made one final check of his gear before hitting the controls and lowering the ramp of the Wraith. The warm breeze that greeted him brought memories of stepping off the transport when he had first arrived on Korriban as an acolyte. Glancing over to 2V-R8, he knew it was the last time he would be aboard the ship. It was a bittersweet moment for him, almost as if he had come full circle back to the beginning.
"2V once I leave close up the ship and lock it down." Necrolis ordered.
"I will not disappoint, Master." The droid responded, and with a nod at its words Necrolis headed down the ramp and out of the ship.
Necrolis knew he had little time to put distance between himself and the ship. The patrols would already be moving to intercept. Glancing to the gauntlet on his left arm, Necrolis activated the personal stealth device and set out at a brisk pace towards where the academy would be. He had salvaged such from Republic troopers on Balmorra, keeping one of the units after the mission was done. Up above on the plateau, Necrolis knew he would need to make his way carefully down the sheer drop into the valley below to confront Marr.
He had been moving well and quick, the ship well out of sight and the edge of the drop into the valley below coming into view when his comm device chimed. Necrolis answered the call and as expected the voice of 2V-R8 was on the other end. They're slower to respond than I would have expected, Necrolis noted. Crouching down, he took the call, frowning as he knew what was to come.
"Master, I regret to inform the ship is under attack."
"I expected such. 2V initiate internal program N66. Confirm." Necrolis ordered.
"Confirmed, Master. Awaiting further instructions."
Necrolis nodded hearing the droid's words. The self made program he had embedded into the droid's processing overrode its self preservation subroutines, which would make what he was about to do possible. He had originally thought such would be used with Baras. It was likely a touch of paranoia, but Baras had given him the ship as well as the droid, and where that sith had been concerned, Necrolis had taken no chances. I was wrong about 2V, Necrolis reminded himself even as he turned and glanced back the way he had come to watch what would happen next.
"2V initiate Darkstar protocol. Ten second count down." Necrolis said into the comm. A moment later 2V's static voice began counting down.
Necrolis could not see them, but he knew what was happening all the same. The patrol, likely a full squad of ten or more Imperial troopers and a commander would be gathered about the ship. They'd be attempting to force into the ship, blasters and possibly explosives being used in effort to create a tear in the hull. They likely would expect resistance and had met none, but they would simply imply whoever was aboard was hiding. Nothing if not predictable and over confident, Necrolis thought. As the countdown reached its end, he nodded seeing the large explosion mushroom upwards in a large black cloud. The Wraith detonated and was no more, leaving in its wake death and a giant crater to mark its passing.
Full circle, Necrolis thought, watching the large dark cloud that marked the end of what had become his home, as well as the loyal droid that had been as much a part of the ship. There was no going back now, he knew. Not that Necrolis intended to back out of what he had set in motion. Looking back ahead of him, Necrolis could see the upper spire of the sith academy and rising headed for it.
SPACE – KORRIBAN
The StarWolf exited the slipstream of hyperspace, dropping into the edge of Imperial held space a short distance from Korriban itself. Immediately the sensors detected two flights of fighters on an intercept course and Teffa Darkstar muttered a choice curse. He had hoped they might have more time before they had to deal with any resistance. Luck it seemed was not going to be with them.
"Tormen, get ready." Teffa growled, watching the smuggler nod back in response.
The fighters came in from either side, each group of three moving in set attack formation as they closed on the intruding starship. Teffa intentionally kept the power and speed normal, watching and waiting to see how they would respond. It took only a moment for the communication channel to crackle with static as they were contacted.
"Unidentified craft, transmit clearance code and do not deviate from present speed or course."
Teffa looked to Tormen and nodded for the man to transmit. Tormen held up his left hand fingers crossing as with his right he pressed the transmit button. Teffa knew how the smuggler felt. He had clearance, but with the present circumstances he was not about to use his own code. Mako had a small file of Imperial codes, one of which they were now sending out.
"I got a bad feeling about this." Tormen complained, glancing out the front viewport watching the two squadrons circling about them in formation.
"Stand by on weapons, and if I get this crate moving make sure you get those rear deflector shields up to full power fast." Teffa stated, toggling switches and preparing for the worst.
"I take it we have arrived?" Malavai Quinn said, moving into the cockpit to hover behind Teffa's chair.
"Yeah, better tell everyone to get ready and strap in. This could get rather bumpy." Teffa remarked back without taking his eyes off the ships readouts.
Malavai Quinn head the bounty hunter's words and looked out at Korriban, a red ball hovering against the black backdrop of space a ways off. His good eye could make out the fighters as they circled about them, but with the new implant that had replaced his damaged eye he could follow the craft and see their heat signatures and get a thorough tactical readout of them almost instantly. While he had yet to get comfortable with the implant, it was proving far more useful than hinderance. Beyond and well out of visual range of his good eye, he could even see the capital ships in orbit around the planet.
"There's three dreadnaughts out there, one slipping to the far side of the planet." He informed.
"Just great." Teffa growled, shaking his head at the news. "So if we don't get blasted to bits here, we can closer to the planet."
The static crackle of the communications system coming back to life made them all jump a little. The Imperial pilot's voice seemed strained but firm as he spoke. The three men all glanced at one another as they listened to the instructions given.
"You check out. You will follow the co-ordinates being provided. Maintain speed and do not deviate from this flight plan. You will dock with the Shimasu for inspection and verification of cargo and personnel."
Teffa looked back at Malavai Quinn who nodded, letting the bounty hunter know it was standard and normal procedure. Looking to Tormen, the smuggler gave a worried look back and shrugged. They all knew there was no way they could go through with landing within the dreadnaught command ship, let alone being boarded. Once they were found out, they knew they would follow with Marr's instructions and be captured if not killed outright. They needed to get to Korriban and to Necrolis, not sit in a holding cell or be used as a pawn against him, Teffa knew.
"Quinn get everyone ready and get them into the escape pod." Teffa barked.
"Escape pod?" Quinn questioned.
"Yes." Teffa growled glancing back over his shoulder. "Get them in there. This is going to turn nasty and it's the most heavily protected section of the ship."
"Right away." Quinn nodded and turned and hurried back into the ship.
"Umm… something I should be aware of?" Tormen asked, getting that uneasy sinking feeling once more.
"Just be ready with the weapon systems and those shields." Teffa replied back. "I'm counting on you, Tormen."
Tormen turned to look at the bounty hunter and groaned. He could already tell what the zabrak was thinking. He can't really be serious, the smuggler thought, but already knew in fact the man was. He watched as Teffa reached for his helmet, and followed suit, grabbing his own and fastening it. The ship was far more armed and armoured than most would have been, but going up against a dreadnaught as well as fighter escort could only be classed as suicide. No self respecting gambling man would take such odds, Tormen knew.
"Anyone ever tell you, you're a crazy son of a bitch, Teffa?" Tormen commented.
"Mako tells me all the time." Teffa laughed and answered back.
"So does Risha with me." Tormen remarked. "We should let the two of them talk, betting they'd get along."
"You ready?" Teffa asked, changing the subject.
"No." Tormen answered honestly, shrugging in his seat once again. "Not that it matters."
The StarWolf followed the flight path dictated, moving ever closer towards the dreadnaught class capital ship that hung in the way above the planet. One squadron broke off, the other three taking up position around the Mantis class starship. Teffa watched as a fighter paced them on either side, the last taking up position behind them. That was the one they had to worry about most, the bounty hunter knew. The trailing ship would have an easy time to lock on and it would take Tormen a few seconds to get the deflector shields in place. The StarWolf had two rotating repeating pulse cannons on either side of the main body of the ship, but it would take time to activate and rotate them into a rear firing position. All Teffa could hope was that surprise would slow the pilot's reaction time enough to at least allow for some shielding to be in place before they took too many hits.
"Stand by, Tormen."
"Ready when you are." Tormen said back, hands poised above the controls at his station.
"This is Teffa." The bounty hunter stated as he hit the ships internal comm system. "Things are about to get real bumpy. Strap yourselves in and hang on."
"And make sure you pass out those little air bags. You're going to need them." Tormen interjected, watching as Teffa just shook his head in response back as he closed the channel.
Moff Roudt stood on the bridge deck staring out the large viewport that gave him a 180 view from the front of the ship. The Shimasu was his baby, a well working machine for which he demanded and expected perfection from those working aboard her. Darth Marr had given him command of the small fleet that had been stationed about the sith home world. The Interrogator had just passed out of line of sight behind the curve of Korriban, while the Agressor was closer out to the outer marker they had established to cover Korriban.
"Sir, incoming report from our patrol. We have an incoming craft for inspection and detainment." Captain Meredaa said, moving up to stand at attention rigidly.
Roudt nodded at the news, turning his attention off the port side of the Shimasu where four bright dots were drawing slowly closer. Routine procedure the Moff knew, but he had learned long ago to trust his hunches. Routine always bred a sense of complacency. With that in mind, Moff Roudt turned to face the captain, dark black eyes staring at the man intently.
"Did they have a clearance code?"
"It was an older code, sir. It checked out but also did not match the ship's transponder being broadcast." Meredaa reported, frowning as he spoke. "Your orders, sir?"
"Move to stand by stations." Roudt remarked, turning back to stare out the viewport to watch the approaching ships. Arching an eyebrow questioningly, the Moff wondered what that discrepancy might mean.
"Alert Korriban just to be safe, and advise the other dreadnaughts as well." Roudt added to his orders.
Teffa Darkstar watched the large dreadnaught draw closer until he could no longer see the massive ship completely in the viewport. Absently he flexed his fingers on the controls, making himself wait for just the right moment to open up the thrusters and push his engines into full power. There were not going to be any second chances, Teffa knew, so he had to make sure he reigned in the adrenaline and was patient. Great, I'm starting to think and act like Necrolis, Teffa realized.
Tormen Darklight sat beside the bounty hunter, watching his controls, every so often glancing out the viewport at the approaching side of the dreadnaught. Looking back to Teffa Darkstar, Tormen wondered what the man was waiting for. Checking the readouts on his display, the smuggler could see they were getting close to being in tractor beam range. Once that ship locked onto them, they were going to be stuck. A small ship like the StarWolf would not have enough power to break free, and they would be sitting orokeet even if they tried.
"Don't you think we're about close enough?" Tormen questioned.
"Wait for it."
" Ten seconds to tractor beam range." Tormen stated as he looked at the readouts once again. "We have to make our move."
"Wait for it." Teffa repeated, throttling back the engines.
"You're slowing down. What are you doing?" Tormen asked in alarm, turning to look at Teffa.
"I'm drawing that rear fighter in. Wait for it." Teffa growled, locked dead on watching his own displays, seeing the fighter close in quickly and almost be on top of them. "Tormen, get ready."
"You get him any closer he's going to park that fighter up our asses." Tormen complained, but moved his hands to hover over the shield and weapon controls.
"Now!" Teffa exclaimed, slamming forward on the controls, flooding power into the engines and sending the StarWolf into a dive.
Tormen grunted at the sudden lurch and steep dive of the ship, feeling the weight press down on him from the g-forces. Fingers pounded into the controls, activating the weapons, and throwing the deflector shields to full rear at maximum power. Teffa rolled the ship, putting it into a tight spin before levelling out and running across the underside of the dreadnaught. Banking left, Teffa guided the ship through the blasts that streaked about them, weaving towards the blunted point of the nose of the dreadnaught.
"Two dropping in for pursuit. Looks like the third got caught in that tractor beam." Tormen advised, already targeting the fighters that were pursuing them. "Nice move, have to remember that one."
"We ain't out of this yet." Teffa remarked. "Stand by to throw shields full forward when we come up over the top."
"You're doing what?!" Tormen glanced over his shoulder before shaking his head. "You aren't going to do what I think you are going to do?"
"Hey, we'd be crazy to do it and it's the last thing they'll expect!"
"We're gonna die!" Tormen muttered.
Moff Roudt made note of the mantis class ship as it got closer, watching it intently. He knew all too well that class was favoured by bounty hunters, most of which would have been employed at one point or another by the Empire for various jobs. It would explain the inconsistency his people had reported, Roudt noted. It would be more likely the bounty hunter owning the ship had switched transponders to hide. He had begun to feel a little better even as Captain Meredaa moved to join him.
"All is ready, posts are manned, and I have an inspection crew standing by in the hanger bay." Meredaa reported.
"Very good, Captain." Roudt remarked.
Before either man could say more the mantis class ship dove out before the tractor beam could snare it, instead capturing their own fighter and holding it from pursuing the craft. Roudt swore loudly, stepping towards the window of the viewport and watching the ship dive down under the Shimasu. Behind the Moff, Captain Meredaa spun about racing to stare left and right at the manned stations on the bridge.
"Gunnery stations I want that ship removed from my sky." Meredaa snapped. "Track it, destroy it. Launch alert fighters and sound general quarters."
Even as the men snapped to their duties, Meredaa wondered if they would be capable of overcoming the element of surprise. They were going from a confident relaxed position to one of playing catch up with what was clearly a skilled pilot. They were fighting with the unknown now, and he had been around long enough to know that was assuredly not a good thing.
Hearing Roudt give a shout of warning, Meredaa spun about and stared past his commanding officer to see the bounty hunter ship rise up over the bow of the ship, spiralling before lining up and making a run right at the bridge.
"Shoot that ship!" Meredaa snapped. "Keep firing assholes!"
Meredaa moved to join the Moff even as the top batteries opened up, laser blasts streaking blindingly against the dark backdrop of space. Roudt watched with fascination and awe as the pilot came right at the bridge, the ship's weapons firing and blasts spraying over the deflector shields that protected the command center. Absolutely fearless, Roudt noted as the ship drew ever closer on a collision course. Meredaa turned back to face the controllers, face flushed red as he screamed at them.
"You incompetent bastards! Fire! Fire!"
"Calm yourself, Captain." Roudt stated even as the mantis class ship drew down to point blank range before veering sharply up, so close that its passing shook the entire command deck before it disappeared past and out of sight.
"Keep tracking that ship! Where's those fighters damn it?!" Meredaa continued to seethe and shout at his subordinates.
Roudt turned and placed a hand on Meredaa's shoulders, the contact bringing the captain to silence immediately. With slow deliberate steps, Moff Roudt moved between the two banks of controllers, dark eyes looking left and then right before speaking, his voice calm and direct.
"Continue pursuit and tracking of the ship. Contact Korriban and advise them of the incursion immediately."
Teffa Darkstar yanked hard on the controls pulling the StarWolf up over the bridge deck before spiralling tightly and angling downwards. To his right the bounty hunter could hear Tormen Darklight groan, and could only hope the smuggler was not going to throw up inside his helmet. The ship shuddered as fighters continued to pursue them, shots driving off their shielding even as Teffa rolled them and angled them into a tight sharp descent towards the planet.
"We're starting to heat up already." Tormen growled, trying his damndest to balance the shielding between their bottom hull and where the fighters were closing in and shooting at them. " I don't know how much more we can take. Shields weakening here. We're in big trouble."
"Ya know that moment when you realize it really was a bad idea?" Teffa growled, fighting to right the trajectory as a blast shifted the ship down and left. "I think we just reached that point here."
"Fuck, we're going to reach Korriban alright." Tormen complained. "In pieces!"
Teffa swore under his breath and gritted his teeth even as he banked to avoid bracketed shots. The StarWolf groaned in protest before shuddering. Red blinking lights began to flash over control panels even as the lighting kicked over to all red indicating a major problem with the ship. Teffa checked the readouts even as hands moved with practiced skill to get them back onto and hold their descent trajectory. Teffa shook his head seeing the display, noting they had lost their bottom wing and engine, and there was a large tear in the hull where a shot had split the armoured hull running down the left side.
"Tormen seal off the main cargo area now. We're venting our air. We've got a fire back there too." Teffa snapped even as more blasts sent the StarWolf shuddering and bouncing.
"She's not going to take much more of this. Weapons are out, shields are just about out, it's all I can do to protect the hull from the heat here." Tormen advised, shaking his head as he continued to try and manage the failing systems.
"I've got co-ordinates locked in here. We're entering the planet's atmosphere." Teffa advised, banking away from more fire even as he noted three more ships joining the pursuit. " They're not going to let us land here."
Tormen growled in annoyance, hating that he could not even shoot back with the systems being down. Hearing Teffa, and noting their number of pursuit fighters had grown, the smuggler knew the zabrak was right. They were in a failing ship, missing an engine and having no chance of out distancing them. Try and slow down and land they would be shot out of the sky before they reached terra firma.
"You thinking what I am thinking?" Tormen asked the bounty hunter.
"Might be the only way." Teffa shrugged as he fought the controls of his dying ship.
"Certainly crazy enough they would never expect it." Tormen agreed tossing back to the man the same thing he had said about attacking the dreadnaught.
"Fuck it. We didn't want to live forever anyways." Teffa stated boldly, then hit the internal comm system. "Brace for impact!"
The warning given, Teffa angled the ship banking left before trying to lift the nose of the ship up as the StarWolf struggled between the rising mesas, pointed towards the main docking station outside the sith academy. The rising rectangular building with its twin landing pads drew closer even as the ship bucked and bounced as turbo laser emplacements on the top of the structure opened fire on the incoming vessel.
"I think they were expecting us!" Tormen remarked even as more lights flashed and behind both men a console flashed with electricity and shorted out.
" You remember I said nobody gets to kill you but me?" Teffa remarked as they zeroed in on the building. "Looks like we both get our wish to kill the other here. Been nice flying with you, Tormen."
"Fuck that. You can die, I'm walkin outta this." Tormen fired back. "Been a good ride, Teffa."
The StarWolf bucked hard right and Teffa yanked on the controls, spinning the ship back into place and on its side as it got in close and under the lowered range of the gun emplacements. An explosion threw the ship back right side up as the left engine fell away in a ball of flame, debris tearing more holes in the hull. Teffa drove the controls straight forward, throwing every last bit of power into the ship's forward moment watching the building loom up and fill the viewport even as the StarWolf hammered into it.
Necrolis Darkstar carefully picked his way down the almost sheer mesa rock face, working his way down above the tomb of Tulak Horde. With the aid of the force, Necrolis had been able to find small outcroppings to leap to, slowly descending while keeping a careful watch to ensure he had not been discovered. The closer he could get before they noticed him the better, he knew. It would mean less fighting just to reach his goal, since he had no doubts Marr would not have pulled back his forces.
Crouched down and leaning back against the rock face behind him, Necrolis looked about the Valley of the Dark Lords. A frown creased his brow as he heard the roar and sounds of weapons fire echoing about. Glancing up and around, Necrolis could at first see nothing. Looking off towards the Wilds, he spotted the black smoke trail as a ship flew in low towards the valley, sith fighters pursuing it. Necrolis groaned, recognizing the design of the ship and knowing instinctively who it would be. Damn stupid hard headed fools, he thought seeing the StarWolf streaking low and fast towards the academy spaceport. Pull up, he urged silently, watching as the guns of the spaceport opened up on the incoming ship. Unable to do more than sit and watch, Necrolis kept his gaze on the ship until it disappeared behind the building. He winced and closed his eyes as the explosion of the ship ploughing into the spaceport echoed and reverberated about the valley. Taking a slow long deep breath and exhaling, Necrolis opened his eyes to see the large plume of black smoke rising over the spaceport.
"Dammit, Teffa." Necrolis muttered fearing with the impact and sound of the explosion, the odds were no one would walk away from such.