Chapter XIX

Since the Empire discovered the Rebels position on Thakwaa, the Rebels have had to pull twenty-four hour security with just their meager three man crew. They are aware an attack is eminent, the Empire is fully capable of making a strike on their position, the question is: when? TIE bombers could easily bombard the mountainside, but Zallar is fairly confident that the base is fortified and dug in enough to withstand an attack.

It's been nearly five days since Callan and Shila left with Ashla, the Rebels can only hope they're alright and are making progress in their end of the mission. Meanwhile, on Thakwaa, the Rebels have worked tirelessly to prepare for the battle ahead. They work at night, under the cover of darkness, outside of the cave in a single team of two, while the other pulls security from the control center. Every night they lay traps and explosives along the mountainside, tonight, it's Cassian and Ondar's turn to go out.

Cassian and Ondar move behind a boulder and crouch behind it. Cassian takes the backpack full of landmines off his back and sets it between him and Ondar.

"Zallar and I planted anti-personnel mines along the east side last night." Ondar says, "There's still the west, beneath the control center, and at the mountain base."

Cassian pulls out the anti-personnel mines and hands them to Ondar, "You take care of the west side, depending on time, we may have to do the control center tomorrow night."

"What about you?"
"I'll do the mountain base and in the tall grass. I have some flash mines, they won't do much as far as damage, other than blind an Imp for about a minute. But if they attack at night, we'll know they're here."

"And if that night is tonight?"

Cassian shrugs, "I guess run back to the base and hope to hold them off until the others get back. But we're wasting time talking, and it won't be long before the first sun rises."

Ondar nods before hurrying off along the mountainside with the mines in his arms. Cassian, puts the backpack on before carefully sliding down the mountain to its base. He clenches his teeth as the rough terrain scrapes his legs and digs into his palms. The sliding may be uncomfortable, but Cassian knows if he tries to walk down the mountain in the dark, he'll lose his footing and toppel to the bottom. Plus, with there being mines scattered about, it would be just his luck to fall on one by accident.

Cassian gets halfway down when he feels something brush against his foot, he freezes, not wanting to disturb whatever it is he hit. He carefully reaches down, gliding his hand across the dirt until he can feel the rim of a round and cold metal object. Cassian's heart pounds as he realizes it's a landmine.

Cassian moves his foot away from the mine only to hit a large boulder sitting about two feet away from the mine, he realizes he is stuck between a rock and a mine. He quickly tries to think of a way to get past without detonating the mine.

He takes the pack of explosives off - again - and tosses it about three feet away from the mine. In the dark, Cassian doesn't notice the pack come open and a flash mine fall out beside the pack. With the weight of the pack off, Cassian can move a bit easier. He carefully sits up to find a grip on the rock, all while trying not to move his foot. He runs his hands along the rock until he thinks he has a grip, while pushing with his leg and pulling with his arms, Cassian is able to hoist his body up onto the rock and carefully move himself across it and past the mine.

He takes a breath as he lets go of the rock and hits the ground with a thud. He feels around for his pack until he finds one of the straps, he grabs it and slings it across his back. At this point, Cassian should be able to walk the rest of the way down the mountain as the terrain has started to level out. Cassian's knees are relieved as he gets on his feet, he takes a step forward, not seeing the flash mine under his foot.

Cassian's mind goes blank as the mine lets out a loud bang that echoes through the plains. The mine sends a tremendous shock wave that vibrates Cassian's bones and the immense white flash of the blast blinds him.

Once Cassian regains some consciousness, he realizes he fell on his side. His eardrums are pounding, and any outside noise is muffled by his heavy breathing and the loud ringing in his ears. Suddenly, he can feel himself being rolled over onto his back to look up at the night sky. It's hard to tell what are stars vs. white spots. His vision is blurry, but he can make out Ondar's face hovering above him.

Cassian's hearing starts to come back, and he can hear Ondar talking or yelling at him.

"Cassian! You alright? Come on, snap out of it!"
Cassian tries to talk, but can only garble out, "F-Fl..ines, wor-."

"What?"

Cassian tries again, "Fl-Flash mines work."

"Are you alright?" Ondar asks trying not to laugh.

Cassian rubs his eyes in an effort to get rid of the spots.

"I'm fine, let's just hope the Empire didn't see that flash."

Suddenly, the grassy plains rustle at the mountains base, something is moving. Ondar pulls out his flashlight and shines its beam down at the source of the noise. The light reveals the black plating of a large Imperial Probe Droid as it rises from the grass, it's scanners are directed towards Ondar and Cassian.

"Probe!" Ondar yells.

"Destroy it, quick before it sends it's transmission!"

The droid sounds its screeching alarm before immediately firing at Ondar and Cassian. Ondar shoves Cassian to the ground, narrowly avoiding being hit. The droid, still firing at the Rebels, turns to retreat from the scene and back to Tunka City.

Ondar grabs his blaster and returns fire at the probe. He hits it once in its side, sending it spiralling off course. Finally, with two shots to its functions drive, it falls into the grass, sputtering its dialect before going silent.

"Did you get it?" Cassian asks while still laying on the ground.

"Yes, but I'm not sure if I got it before it sent the transmission."

"It doesn't matter, the Empire knows we're here anyway, otherwise they wouldn't have sent the probe. Come on, let's get back inside, we don't have time to set the rest of the charges."

Ondar helps Cassian up and start to climb back up the mountain towards the hangar door. They're about fifty feet to the door, when suddenly the two are ambushed by a hail of blaster fire. Ondar looks about in an effort to locate where the fire is coming from, when one of the bolts hits his shoulder and throws him to the ground.

"Ondar!"

Cassian hits the ground and grabs Ondar's legs to pull him behind the cover of a large tree ten feet away from the. The blaster fire strikes the trees massive trunk and impales the ground around them.

"Ondar! Are you alright?"

Ondar grabs at his shoulder, he can't take his eyes of the wound, "I'm fine, it'll heal. Where's that fire coming from?"

Cassian hugs the tree trunk and waits for the right moment to peak around it and look in the direction of the incoming fire. It's coming from up the mountain, coming from the control center.

"It's Zallar. He must think were Stormtroopers!"

"I'm going to strangle that Thakwaash!"

Cassian waves his hands up from behind the tree, "Zallar! Hold your fire! It's us!"

Zallar must not be able to hear Cassian as the fire continues to fly by their heads. Cassian has to get Zallar's attention, he sees Ondars flashlight on his utility belt and grabs it. Cassian points the light towards the control point and continuously flips the light on and off. As Cassian was hoping, Zallar holds his attack.

"Zallar it's us! Ondar's hit!"

Cassian grabs Ondar and puts him over his shoulders to carry him to the hangar. He ignores the Rodian's weight as his adrenaline fuels him to get inside and get help. Once in the hangar, Zallar helps set Ondar down to inspect the wound.

Zallar is baffled, "I'm sorry, I saw a flash and blasterfire down the mountain, I assumed we were under attack. In the dark, I thought you were Stormtroopers."

"You shot me you fuzzball!"

Ondar reaches up to grab Zallar's collar, but Cassian stops him. "It was an accident, Ondar, a clumsy accident, granted." Cassian looks towards Zallar. "But we would have likely done the same."

Zallar moves Ondar's hand, "Let's get a look at the wound."

The wound isn't terrible, the bolt just skimmed his shoulder blade. Thankfully, the heat of the blast cauterize the wound.

"You'll be fine." Cassian says, "It'll hurt for a few days, maybe you should rest for a bit."

Ondar sits up and looks at Cassian, his face appears as if he is almost insulted by Cassian's suggestion.

"It's gonna take more than a mere shoulder wound to keep me from fighting the Empire. I'll rest once we're outta this mess."