Chapter 35
Break out
Melissa's estimate of mid morning was way of base. Mid morning had come and gone, by the time the last seam was welded. Once the job was started, minor but time consuming problems and errors popped at at infrequent intervals, like having to build a fuel tank from scratch or having the welder run out of tibana gas due to the bottle not having been fully filled. Or the support services being unable to deliver in their timeframe, the armourer for one needing several hours for their explosive orders. Not mentioning interruptions from Czerka, first the dockmaster was understandably not happy with his dock being turned into an impromptu construction yard, his complaints was escalated up the food chain resulting in them receiving a visit from Lorso.
Despite her scoffingly dismissing their suspicions , she could not hide the fear she broadcasted, nor the fact that she was frantically typing something on her datapad during the conversation. She almost ran from the docking bay after threatening them with punitive actions should the bay not be cleared on their departure or the area sustained damages. When they saw the dockmaster again both he and the workers were all armed with side arms.
The vehicle named by common consensus as the Beast would never win prizes for aesthetics but I will live up to its name in combat. Due to the suspected threat rating this outing would consist of all the crew barring T3, the large surface of the ex barge making it possible for everyone to have relative comfort.
Zaalbar was watching a group of Jawas carrying away the leftover parts and metal with Mission having sold the lot on the condition that they remove it immediately for six hundred credits. Judging from the noise they were making it seems as if they believed they had made the better end of the deal as they loaded the rapidly dwindling pile of junk. Canderous and Melissa were making sure all the weapons were loaded and combat ready, with Mission busy loading food and water.
"Hey, Melissa , why is there a screen by the rear gunner seat?" Missions voice came from inside
"Lift the seat and you will see." Melissa called back
Mission's head popped out the hatch moments later.
"You are a savage, you know that. A mobile pit toilet, really" Mission remarked
"It was either that or picking a sand dune, there was no place for a septic tank. I had to choose between a septic tank and the air conditioner" Melissa replied.
"The open pit is fine." Mission retracted rapidly
"That is what I thought" Melissa smirked.
Terri, Bastila , Juhani and Carth exited the Hawk dressed in armoured bodysuits and utility vests, their heavily laden backpacks ready by the pile of goods still to be laden. Bastila had a spare suit and vest draped over an arm, which she handed to Mission. The boarding ramp closed behind them as T3 locked down the ship.
The people of Anchorhead stopped in surprise as the ugly vehicle moved towards the main gates. The cockpit of an A wing had been repurposed as a driving compartment, two repeater blasters were mounted in squares next to the compartment, a laser cannon was mounted on the roof on a swivel mounting, various gunports lined the side of the vehicle. The monstrosity was powered and propelled by fighter engines, a grenade launcher barrel sticking out over the engines. The gaurds at the main gate just opened the door, not bothering to check for the hunters licence required for exit.
Once outside the walls Melissa opened the throttle and the beast sprung forward eagerly, running at a speed that seemed incongruous for its size. Canderous fired a few practise shots with the cannon before letting Carth replace him in the control chair to familiarise himself with the system. Zaalbar had opened a hatch and stick his head out. For a moment Terri thought if she should check whether or not his tongue was being stuck out as well, when she looked over to the side she almost thought she imagined HK caressing an ammunition crate.
She would be the first to admit that she found the droid creepy, not only in its speech mannerisms as well as its love of weapons. A sentiment she knew was shared by most. The comlink crackled as Melissa opened up the close circuit from the cockpit.
"We are about two hours out from where we engaged the Sand People, everyone keep a close eye out and keep an eye on the thermal scanners. Zaalbar get your head back inside the vehicle." She spoke.
Zaalbar pulled back grumbling and secured the hatch. The air in the vehicle cooled considerably as the air conditioner circulated more effectively.
About an hour later Juhani toggled her coms.
"Large heat signature, thirty degrees east." She reported
Melissa slowed down and swung slightly east. Carth stepped up to a tube built into the floor and pulled down to levers and swung it in the direction indicates before placing his face into the fitted aperture to view out. The description of the device had been found by Bastila in the first contact drone data. Building it had required some trail and error. The device called a periscope allowed them to see outside the vehicle at a distance without having to step out of the vehicle. Carth was till slightly amused at how effective the primitive devices was. Without Bastila's knowledge, Melissa had send the plans to Dantooine to be patented under Bastila's name.
"Three bantha's and fifteen Sand people, looks like a moving clan." He reported.
"Terri. Do we follow them?" Melissa asked.
Having been nominated as commander for this mission Terri had the responsibility for these types of decisions. She thought for a moment.
"Break course and follow them at maximum range, keep us out of sight as long as you can." She ordered
The beast swung and they shifted direction, Melissa throttling back to match speed with the slow moving Bantha's. Half an hour later more Bantha's joined the first group with a third group moving closer from the distance. Melissa was forced to shut down completely to let them go past. The group sweltering in the heat of the confined space, the beast looking like a piece of junk just lying there. There was a moment of unrest as a gaffee stick was banged against the sides to test for a reaction inside, followed by screeching minutes later. The bellow of a bantha followed shortly and the six beasts trundled past with at least fifty more sand people
They waited half an hour before starting the engines back up, following the easily marked trail left behind by the group. As night was falling Melissa pulled into a gulley and shut down the engine. The hills were lit by light as a city of tents were highlighted against the sunset.
"Holy shit, there must be thousands in there." Mission breathed in shock
"Possibly." Melissa replied, scanning the camp from her seat
Terri was using the periscope to survey the tent city
"Six Turrets at what seems to be main entrance and twenty guards or so. Cannot see past the screens around the city, but it looks like they have foot patrols out."
"How are we to find Griff in there?" Mission asked
Terri stepped back from the periscope and sat down in her chair.
"Decision time people. There is more in there than what we anticipated. Do we fall back or do we attempt infiltrate?" She asked
Canderous was calmly polishing his helmet.
"My vote is to fall back, there is no way to win an upfront battle. There is more at stake here than Mission's brother." He said
"I agree. Anchorhead needs to be warned as to what is coming for them." Carth stated
"Disgusted agreement: The two meatbags are right, this is a fight we cannot win." HK cast his vote
"I suggest we scout before we leave. See if we can get Griff out before running." Melissa stated
"I agree." Mission replied.
"My vote is for scouting." Zaalbar's growls were translated.
"Scouting." Juhani stated when prompted
"As much as I want to help Mission find her brother, the risk to others is too great. I vote for falling falling back." Bastila said with a sigh
Terri tried not to look at Mission's pleading eyes as she contemplated her choice. She sighed as she made her choice.
"We scout, however at the first sign we are in over our heads, we withdraw. Zaalbar it will be your job to ensure Mission stays here. Melissa, Canderous, HK on me."
"What?! Why am I not going?! My brother is in there." Mission shouted, jumping up from her seat
Terri pushed her back into her seat
"That right there is why you are not going. I know you want to save your brother, so do we, but not at the cost of all the lives in Anchorhead and ours. Right now you are too emotional and likely to go of mission."
"But how will you know you have the right Twi'Lek if I am not there?"
Melissa elbowed Canderous before he could speak, Mission was the only one not told of the suspected cowardice of her brother.
"Give me his amulet and I can use it to match him to the force signature on it." Melissa said
"Can Jedi do that?" Mission demanded
"Not only Jedi. The Kiffar can do it as well." Canderous replied
"Also Mi, you are the only one left here who can drive the beast. Carth will be needed on the cannon should we need extraction, unless you want to take a chance on Zaalbar's driving." Melissa pointed out
"Fine." Mission seemingly capitulated
Terri lifted an eyebrow.
"Mission you are not going. Right now you are broadcasting your intent to slip out after us. Terri snapped "Now decide, stay here or we all go back."
"Damn Force senses. Fine I promise to stay here." Mission groused
Mission shrieked in surprise as she was suddenly grabbed by Zaalbar and tied to her seat.
"I will watch her." He growled out
Melissa was on point when she felt the warning tingle from the force. She dropped to one knee and lifted her fist in the command to stop. Cycling to heat vision she saw nothing to warrant the warning, as she cycled back she saw a flicker on the electro magnetic spectrum. Cycling to it, she gulped as literally hundreds of domes sprung into view. They had nearly walked into a minefield.
"Mines." She vocalised into her microphone.
Terri moved forward slipping Mission's confiscated visor onto her face.
"That is a lot of mines." She said softly.
"Shall we move around or through?" Melissa asked.
"No we are going mine picking. It is so careless to leave your mines lying around, I think we should put them back in front of their tents, they can figure out later whose mines is which." Terri grinned viciously
Canderous and HK Went onto overwatch as the two dropped to their stomachs and slithered into the minefield dragging a tarpaulin behind them to carry the disabled mines as they started clearing a path to the outer wall.
Clearing the field the two paused at the wall and motioned Canderous and HK to move up. Melissa cycled to thermal to ensure nothing was behind the wall before cutting a support pole and lifting the canvas up to make an entrance point. They were barely inside when a scream of agony reverberated through the night followed by the screaming approval of the sand people. Melissa and Terri flinched when they felt the beings last moments through the force. Melissa was breathing harshly to fight back her rage and from the corner of her eye saw Terri struggling as well. Sensing something was wrong Canderous grabbed Melissa's arm
"Ad, are you okay?" He whispered
"That was a child." Melissa said through gritted teeth
Canderous tightened his grip for a moment.
"Focus on the mission. We will save as many as we can." He said, his voice gruffer than normal with surpressed emotion
Melissa nodded and grasped Terri's shoulder in support. The older woman breathing deeply as she regained control of her emotions. They heard a dragging noise.
HK was pulling back a sand people female to their position a metallic hand keeping her from calling out. Once the female was in the shadows he twisted on her neck and dropped the corpse at his feet.
"Nicely done." Canderous gave the droid a rare compliment
That alone was a testament to the rage he was feeling as well. Teri let out a deep breath and looked at Melissa.
"Thanks. Now back on mission."
Following a trail of fear they moved to the side of the camp to where several warriors were guarding a position. Hearing the noise of many feet they found a place to hide as the sand people were returning to their tents.
They waited for several hours for the noise to die down before moving from the supply tent they were in, backtracking to lay down mines in front of each tent till they ran out of mines. Sparks drew Melissa attention and she moved cautiously around a tent. She saw a bunch of Jawas working on fixing a series of portable turrets and working on what looked like a cannon, rather similar to what they had on the beast. One Jawa screeched as it was backhanded by a guard, before scrabbling back to its work
"Found their artillery." She spoke into her microphone
"Found their explosive stash." Canderous reported
"Can you safely sabotage them?" Terri asked
"Only have four guards to deal with and a bunch of Jawas. I don't think the Jawas are here voluntarily." Melissa reported
"Two gaurds." Canderous added
"Take them."
A metallic chime drew their attention
"Delighted: I have found their command tent. Starting meatbag termination."
"Keep it quiet and have fun." Melissa snarled
"Affectionate response: I really have chosen a good mistress."
Melissa strung her bow and lined up on a guard that had his back to her. The arrow whistled before striking him in the back of the head. One warrior looked to see what the noise was before he took an arrow through his visor. The other two dropped moments later. The Jawas huddled in a large group. One was pushed forward as a spokesman as Melissa slinked into view.
"What are you doing here?" Melissa asked
"Big ones make us work, kill and eat us if we do not." The Jawa spoke
"What were you building?" Melissa continued
" Big guns to break wall." The Jawa replied
"How were they going to move them?"
"Me show."
The Jawa led her deeper into the camp where several load barges and several transporters were being prepared for the assault. Melissa toggled her comlink
"We have a vehicle park here, they have been grabbing more beings than we expected."
"I know, the prisoner compound is much larger than what we expected." Terri replied
"If we can get them to the vehicles we can get them out. Especially if HK is taking out their leadership." Melissa suggested
"Fine, fall back to the prison as soon as you are done sabotaging their artillery and explosives, set a timer for two hours, seems like we are pulling a larger jail break."
Carth was watching Mission struggle to loosen herself when his comlink chirped. Mission stopped her struggles to hear the news
"We have found their prison and will effect a mass rescue, we will need you to blow the turrets by the main entrance on our mark and if possible take out their gate. There will be a convoy of transporters busting out on the side." Terri reported
"So we are to be a distraction." Carth clarified
"Yes, hit and run. We will transmit our position as we go. Expect fireworks soon."
Melissa and Canderous moved in concert behind the patrol, two knife slashes later they were the only ones standing. They moved around their section of the wall to the main entrance. Melissa rapidly fired her bow another two sand people dropped. They found Terri and Hk at the other end of the main entrance, having completed their sweep. Terri armed a gas grenade and tossed it into the group in front of the door. Gasping and gagging sounds came as the poison gas went to work. Melissa and Terri moved in, lightsabers lit and cut through the locking mechanism, ignoring the spasming warriors at their feet. At rough count there was at least a hundred beings in the cells, segregated by gender and age. And at the far end a single cell with a single occupant. The one on watch in the cells remained quiet when Terri and Melissa motioned for them to do so.
"Wake your people up and stay quiet." Terri ordered them
She and Melissa went from cell to cell and slashed the locks open. The last cell contained a Twi'lek male who jumped to his feet. Melissa was on him in a moment a hand to his mouth before he could scream. Even in the poor light she could see that his accommodations was more comfortable than the rest and she had her suspicions as to why.
"If you make a noise I will kill you." She whispered harshly
Her suspicions was confirmed when she dragged him from the cell and some of the miners angrily moved towards him. She gave a flurry of her lightsaber to draw their attention.
"We can deal with whatever he has done later. Now we leave." She said.
Melissa pulled the man over to HK and thrust him at the droid.
"You will do everything this droid tell you, otherwise I will give him permission to kill you slowly. And if you try to alert your new friends I will let him skin you alive from the feet up, Hu'tuun."
Terri was locked in a whispered argument with several older humans.
"We will not allow weapons on our vehicles. Nor will we allow the two war mongers with you to leave with us" One old man vehemently stated
"Do you speak for everyone." Terri demanded
"I speak for my flock." The man answered pompously.
Terri spun to the group behind her.
"How many of you feel the same?" She demanded.
About thirty lifted their hands, before throwing glares at their brethren that did not.
"Fine, one transport is yours. When we break out you go in the opposite direction we are." Terri snapped
"Those are our transports." An older woman objected
"No, they stopped being yours the moment the sand people dragged you in here. Now take what you are offered or stay. Either way we are leaving with those transporters. Now shut up or fight for it" Melissa demanded
"We will not lower ourselves to your level creature." The old man declared
Melissa stepped back in disgust
"Yes, you will happily let your children be slaughtered for your beliefs. I am done here. Those who want to live follow us, the rest stay here and die in agony."
Melissa led the way to the vehicle park with the great majority following. Terri using force compulsion on the children who wanted to stay with their parents in the cells. The old man and woman giving her contemptuous glares but making no move to stop her as she led them out. HK right behind her holding the Twi'lek by the scruff of his neck. Canderous paused for a moment before laying a blaster pistol by the door with a spare power pack. He closed the door behind him, to find Terri watching him looking conflicted
"You cannot save others from themselves. You can only save those you can." He said.
Carth untied Mission and showed her a message Melissa had sent him.
"They got him, now let us buy them the time to get out."
Mission nodded and slipped into the driver seat. Carth took position by the mounted cannon, with Juhani and Bastila taking the mounted heavy repeaters. Zaalbar took the rear gunner position, keeping his bowcaster ready to cover the entrance hatch. Mission slowly increased the power and the beast lifted high on its repulsor coils, keeping her hand on the accelerator for the moment to charge.
Melissa was running from unused vehicle to unused vehicle slapping breaching charges on the fuel tanks, while Canderous and Terri were loading the prisoners into the transporters, making more noise than they were comfortable with. HK had twice stopped sudden rushes to get to the Twi'lek, leaving Melissa to wonder how badly he had betrayed the others and how many more attempts they will have to stop.
"Time to go." Terri's voice came over the comlink.
Melissa stepped onto her allocated transport and nodded to the driver acting as the driver. She mag locked her boots and took her rifle in her hands standing by the rear door.
" Rover three to Rover one, Ready to go." Canderous called in
"Rover two ready." Melissa reported
"One and Four ready moving now."
Melissa looked around nodded to the miner and the woman slowly accelerated behind the other two transports, heading for the breach point. There was a flash of light as Terri blew the breaching charges on the wall and the transports rushed forward, having been warned to keep in strict line through the cleared corridor in the minefield. Explosions rocked the air as the beast attacked the front entrance.
Melissa shot out the plexiglass window and opened fire as figures rushed towards them. The crump of mines exploding filled the air as the Sand people discovered the gifts left for them by their tents. Taking a moment from shooting Melissa sent the detonation signal to the charges she had left as they cleared the minefield. A massive explosion rocked the tent city followed by the smaller pops as the fuel tanks on the left behind vehicles blew. The larger explosion was nothing in comparison as the explosive cache was blown and their ammunition dump blew in sympathethic detonation, the Sand people having been stupid enough to place the two next to each other.
The transporter was rocked by the concussions blows and the children inside it screamed in fear and panic. If she had not mag locked her boots she would have been knocked from her feet. Melissa gave a mocking laugh as some warriors ran into their own minefield and detonated the charges. If not for the sound dampeners in her helmet she would have been deafened.
The three transporters swung west and ran out over the dune sea giving the beast opportunity to catch up. Melissa could see the pink haze on the horizon as the twin suns began their ascent into the sky. Several miles from the camp they pulled to a stop to asses for damages and injuries. The plexiglass in the transporters had cracked and splintered from the explosive concussions causing a few minor cuts, several had bruises from being thrown from their seats but fortunately no serious injuries.
The problems started when the colonists rediscovered their religion once they were safe. The miners agreed to drive the transports to Anchorhead and the strike team plus one Twi'lek male stepped to the beast. Terri and Melissa holding back a moment to talk to the miners. Terri turned to the senior miners
"We will go back on the trial and slow down any pursuit if there is any." She informed them.
"Thank you, we will let the company know what you have done for us and warn them to stand ready." One said
"Why are you protecting that piece of shit" A miner demanded pointing to the Twi'lek
Melissa removed her helmet and rubbed a hand through her matted hair.
"We promised his sister we will bring him back." She explained, sighing
"Do you know what that bastard did?" The miner demanded
"We found the backpack with ammunition, so we know he tried to run." Melissa replied
"That is the least of what he did. When we got dragged into that shithole they forced a Jawa to get us to reveal our leaders, the bastard pointed them out without hesistation. The Sand people put him in the cells with the children and he stole their food and water. They put him in a solitary cell for his safety while he spilled everything he knew of Anchorhead. That kid that the animals killed, he pulled the boy out of the cells for them"
Terri lifted her hand, visibly trembling in rage. Melissa was flexing her hands over her blaster pistol
"I get it. You want him dead, believe me, I get it. His protection only lasts while his sister is with him. If you catch him alone, he is yours." Terri said, her voice ice
The miners nodded
"Fair enough, we owe you for saving us, so we will abide by your rules. Better warn his sister to be careful though, we cannot guarantee the actions of the families of the people he got killed or the others in Anchorhead."
"That is all we can ask." Terri agreed
The two climbed into the beast to find the man sprawled out comfortably in a seat.
"Really, sis, you look great. Like really rich and successful. You know I have a business opportunity…"
Griff grasped at his throat as his airway suddenly closed from a presence. Mission spun around and saw Melissa having her hand stretched out in a grasp.
"What the hell?" She screamed
Melissa dropped her hand and Griff coughed, rubbing his throat
"Tell her what you did, Griff." Terri stated coldly, force lightening crackling around her fingers
"I did not nothing, I was a prisoner." He tried to deflect
"So you fought bravely and got captured. And you kept fighting to protect the others, so they put you through hell in a solitary cell." Melissa sweetly suggested
"Exactly, I am a hero." Griff exclaimed
"Wrong answer." Melissa snarled
Canderous grabbed her as she moved in, fist raised. Mission jumped in front of Griff where he cowered in his seat. Carth and the others were standing around unsure as how to act. Mission was looking confused and hurt.
"What is going on? Why are you acting like this?" She asked voice trembling
Terri took out the amulet they found from her utility vest and tossed it up and down in her hand. Griff's eyes following it
"Do you know what we found when we found this, Griff?" She asked, softly
"How should I know?" He retorted
"A backpack full of ammunition and an unused blaster, the thing is you were caught in the opposite position than your crew."
Melissa handed HK a datachip she pulled from her helmet.
"Play this." She demanded
A hologram sprung to life showing the relative comfort he had in his cell compared to the others.
"They really worked you over, didn't they?" She snarled
Griff pulled himself into a smaller position
"So I lied. What was I to do? Resist them and be killed?" he moaned
"Like the others you sold out to the Sand People?" Melissa asked
"I never sold out anyone." Griff retorted
"HK. Play the last conversation on that recording." Melissa ordered
Mission was horror struck as she heard the accusations against her brother.
"Griff, please! Tell me it is a lie, tell me you did not get a kid killed." She begged
Griff remained silent. Melissa pushed her way to the driver seat. Terri looked at Mission. Anger was palpable in the confined space
"We will have to deal with this once we reach Anchorhead and it is going to be bad. We will try to keep him alive for you, but if it comes up to us or him…"
Taking a deep breath to centre herself before she addressed the crew.
"Battle stations people. We are going to sweep the way back to give the transporters enough time to get to Anchorhead."
Griff looked like he wanted to object but he kept his mouth shut when he noticed the glares being thrown in his direction. He tried looking to Mission for help but she kept her back turned on him, tears streaming down her face. Bastila reached in and gathered the girl in a comforting hug. Griff yelped in surprise as Zaalbar grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and deposited him on the ground by the door, the wookie pointedly wiped the seat down with antiseptic wipes before gently pushing Bastila into the seat as she was still holding onto Mission.
Halfway back to the tent city they saw a cargo barge , filled with Jawas to the brim,limping in their direction. Melissa stopped the beast and Terri and Bastila stepped out. A Jawa fell into the sand as it was pushed from the barge by its brethren
"What is going on in the city?" Terri demanded
"Big ones fighting each other and leaving, no one see Jawas leave." The Jawa replied
" The guns you were building, are they destroyed?" Terri asked
"Half of Camp burned down, many big ones dead. Female big ones and small big ones running away. Jawas not be slaves for many years to come."
Terri pointed to the east.
"Two hours in that direction, you will find a sandcrawler, it is yours to do with as you want."
They climbed back into the beast and closed the hatch sighing in relief as the air conditioner cooled them down.
"Sounds like the gathering is breaking up, the threat to Anchorhead may have been averted for now." Bastila reported
"We are going in to check, I assume?" Carth commented
"We have to." Terri replied
Melissa engaged the accelerator and they moved back on their trail, their destination marked by pillars of smoke. On arrival at the remnants of the camp they saw flashes of light as different clans were settling grudges and groups running into the sand dunes. Bodies were strewn around the landscape. They looked on in grim silence as they surveyed the scene
"Fascinated: What a lovely scene. We should do this more often" HK had to break the silence
"I have said it before, there is something really wrong with that droid." Junani remarked
HK moved to the hatch.
"Curious Enquiry: Are we going to retrieve the bounty markers now or do we watch this wondrous scene for a while longer."
There were armed figure on the wall as they were approaching Anchorhead. Sparks were visible as hastily constructed defences and fortifications was being added to the walls For the first time since arriving on the planet they were contacted on approach and identification demanded. There was a large armed group in the square behind barricades by the door as the beast entered towing a docking barge. Terri jumped out and leaned against the hull of the beast as Lorso was pushing her way through her staff and the settlement residents, who crowded closer to the beast, Terri gave her a mocking salute
"Bounty completed. When can we expect our credits?" She asked
"You will be paid per gaffee stick as the bounty states as soon as you produce them" Lorso replied
Terri pointed to the towed barge
"Better start counting then, at rough count we collected one thousand three hundred. Now at the promised fifty credits per stick, that bring us to sixty five thousand credits. Apart from the stick anything else on there is ours as prices of war." Terri stated
Lorso's jaw dropped and she turned pale
"You killed a thousand three hundred." She stammered
"A bit more, several were vaporised in explosions and that is only the intact gaffee sticks, we were not in the mood to try and patch fragments together." Terri replied
"There is another matter. The miner Griff Vao, you do still have him." Lorso pulled herself together
"Yes, why?" Terri answered
"He has to appear in front of a human resources tribunal for his actions." Lorso stated
" And what sanctions is he facing?" Batila asked
"Dismissal from the company if he is found guilty." Lorso answered
Loud boos and jeers answered her statement and a chant of hang him started up. Several pieces of food were being thrown in Lorso's direcrtion
"How about you just accept his resignation by third party and let us deal with him. You do not want to hold a health and safety review when his colleagues accidentally kill him before his hearing." Terri suggested.
Lorso looked over her shoulder at the mob behind her. She rapidly nodded
"That is acceptable, as he has not finished his task before his resignation he is not due any payment however."
"He will live with that." Terri replied
Terri stepped onto a barricade to address the mob. Lorso took the moment to scurry back into the crowd surrounded by her security detail. She lifted her hand in a request for silence. It took several minutes before she could finally speak
" The Sand people are scattering as we speak. The imminent threat is over for the moment." She declared
Cheering broke out as the crowd relaxed at the news. Terri gave them a few moments before speaking again
" That does not mean the threat is eradicated, if you have contact with people outside the wall urge them to come in till it is certain that they have scattered or tell them to bunker down. The settlement will need to keep a carefull watch." She called out
"What about the traitor, when do we get him?"A voice called from the crowd
Brutal shouts and whistles showed their approval for the idea. Terri winced as she knew the pivotal moment was on them.
"I get that you want him to pay for what he did. His actions are inexcusable." She called out. "But ask yourself this. Is killing him here and now really justice? Would you like to be judged by law or would you like to be judged by a mob?"
There was silence at this proclamation.
"I know Republic law has no say here, the Hutt's word is law here. What I suggest is contacting the Hutt and let her make the decision as to what to do with him."
"Why would the Hutt intervene?" A voice called from the crowd
"Despite what Czerka claims we all know who really owns Anchorhead. If the attack had come to pass she would have lost all her investments here. The attack might even have emboldened the Sand people to attack her citadel of power or Moss Eisly. So I believe Sakara will have a keen interest in protecting her interests. Should she not be interested elect a court of your own and try him legally." Terri replied
"How do we know you are not attempting to stall for time to make an escape if his sister asks you to?"
Terri thought for a moment.
"Elect representatives to come with us to our ship when we contact Sakara and have them listen in. They can stand guard over him in our ship with us till this is decided."
Melissa stepped from the beast, dressed in just her body suit
"I will stay here as insurance that this is no trick to deceive you." She stated.
"Her word is good enough for me." The foreman of the second sandcrawler spoke out. "She risked her life to get us out of the dessert, my crew and I will guard her during her parole till we have an answer."
"Are you sober enough to stand?" A voice called, eliciting some laughter
"Hell, we will get her too drunk to run away if we have to." A miner replied.
Five representatives were quickly elected and they climbed onto the beast to go to the Hawk. HK had been off loaded as well to see to the barge as the Czerka employees were preparing to start counting the gaffee sticks. Melissa sat down with a sigh on one of the barricades.
"Kid, why did you stay behind here?" The foreman asked
"If I stayed near him I would have killed him." Melissa answered honestly.
There was a hum of approval at her answer. The foreman pointed to the walls.
"I know you are good with engines, do you think you could help us get the defences ready?"
"Sure, just get me something to eat first though." Melissa replied
Terri was inwardly swearing as she stood in the communications room of the Hawk with tow representatives from the town. Roughly a third of the crowd had made their way to the docks and were camped outside or on the walls of the docking bay. Griff was kept under guard by Canderous and the three other representatives in the small dusty store room attached to the docking bay. She could sense Missions distress from within the cargo bay. The image of the protocol droid who had initially answered the call faded and the bloated figure of the Hutt made her appearance
"Greetings Sakara, you reputation precedes you." Terri greeted her in Huttesse
"As do yours, hunter or should I say hidden Jedi." Sakara replied in basic
Terri shrugged
"As I am certain you are aware, there was a threat to your investments in Anchorhead." Terri began
"Yes, I am aware. My guests will now have extra entertainment as we will begin a hunt to cull the vermin that dares impugn on my mercy. Though I do not think we will match you and your companions numbers in kills. Most impressive and surprising for a Jedi to take such direct action."
"Your words flatter me, great one. We do have a complication."
"Yes, Griff Vao. It seems the timing of my inevitable meeting with him has been escalated."
"I am sorry. Inevitable meeting?"Terri queried
"He has been borrowing heavily and making promises on returns on investments. He even went so far as to claim to be able to brew Tarisian Ale, a very valuable commodity now. A claim I seriously doubt. I will be there in the morning to collect him for a personal discussion."
"We will eagerly await your arrival." Terri acknowledged
"Of course, you will." The Hutt garbled in laughter
The transmission terminated. Terri turned to the two representatives
"Are you satisfied?"
"Till the hutt has him, no. However you have kept your word, we will keep ours. Your girl can say her farewells to her brother." One spoke
"Which is more than what most families got." Another bitterly stated
Canderous came in and leaned on the doorway
"Zaalbar and T3 is on watch with two settlers, Carth and Juhani will spell them in a few hours. Heard from HK , the Ad is fine, she is building a turret system on the wall." He reported
Canderous waited till the representatives have left the room before speaking.'
"It is best if you and Bastila keep an eye on Mission, make sure she does not do anything stupid. The mob outside is calm now but that can change in a heartbeat."
Terri sat down in the chair, and pulled at her hair
"How do I go in there and tell Mission her brother will be dead by nightfall tomorrow if he is lucky? Hasn't she lost enough already?" She asked, her voice broken
Canderous sat down opposite her.
"Right now you are thinking what could you done differently. The answer is nothing, except having killed him out of hand. He made his choices and he will pay for it accordingly. For scum like him, there is no happy ending. Now Mission needs you, so you have to be strong for a little while longer."
With that he pulled a packet of nicotine sticks from his pocket and lit one before offering the packet to Terri, who actually took one. They smoked in silence till Canderous stubbed his out. He stood with a sigh
"Now I am going to the wall to have some words with my foster daughter."
"That is another can of worms that has to be addressed. What the hell was she thinking volunteering to be a hostage?" Terri asked
Canderous gave a wry laugh
"She truly is her father's daughter. He would have done the same in a heartbeat. She probably is thinking by staying she is guaranteeing our safety, and by removing herself from the temptation to kill the sack of osik down there she is not hurting Mission by killing her brother, not thinking that Mission needs her more than anyone here." He said
"So what are you going to do?" Terri asked
"Kick her ass and chew her out. Before explaining to her what she is doing wrong in small words then taking her place as the hostage and sending her back. Better keep that droid of hers with me in case it thinks of creatively interpreting her orders."
Terri smiled softly.
"I never thought I would say this about a Mandolorian. You are a decent man and a good father." She said
"Bah, hanging around you Jettii has made me soft." Canderous scoffed
"You were already soft before hanging around, grandpa Candy." Terri teased
"Really soft." Canderous muttered
Mission was huddled in the corner of the cargo bay when Melissa entered the room, crushing her stuffed toy to her chest. Terri and Bastila walked out leaving the two alone. Melissa sat down in front of her.
"I know my timing is the worst possible now. I am sorry I hurt you. I thought by staying behind as a hostage I was protecting us, protecting you both from the crowd and from me. To not hurt you by hurting your brother" Melissa said softly
Mission remained silent. Melissa took a deep breath before continuing.
"That is not the whole truth. I was so angry I did not think to be there for you as I should have. I was selfish and I am so sorry for hurting you. I hope that one day you can forgive me for that but I will understand if you can't."
Mission leaned forward and pulled her into an embrace. Melissa held the girl tight.
"Just hold me. I don't want to be alone" Mission whispered
"I will always be there for you. I won't fail you again." Melissa whispered back
Griff jumped to his feet as Mission entered the store room in the early morning.
"Thank sis, I knew I could count on you. How are we leaving?"
Mission shook her head
"We are not leaving, Griff. I cannot betray the others like that by helping you escape." Mission said
"Come on, sis. You and me, we are family. It is us against the galaxy." Griff declared
"Is it Griff? Were was the us against the galaxy when you left me on Taris?" Mission asked
"Lena did not have enough money for both of us. I was going to save money and come and get you. You know that was short term thing. I left for us."
Mission looked him in the eyes
"I found Lena on Dantooine, Griff. I know the truth, even if I did not want to believe it."
"She lied to you, sis. She was always jealous of how close we were." He replied
"Even now you are lying to me. Griff, for once in your life be honest." Mission begged
Griff paused for a moment
"Yes, I left you. You were becoming too old for out tricks to keep working. I had to do what was best for us." He said
"You did what was best for you. You always have. Now you have crossed a line there is no stepping back from." Mission stated
"So I chose my life over that of a bunch of people who were going to die anyway. You would have done the same." He declared
"Before meeting Melissa and the others; maybe. But I would never have sacrificed a kid." Mission replied
"That kid would have been dead in a year anyway even if the sand people have not grabbed their pathetic little colony of tolerance and peace." He tried to justify his actions.
Mission walked to the door.
"Thank you for looking after me all those years on Taris. I will always love you."
"Sis, come on. Lets be reasonable."
"Goodbye Griff."
Melissa embraced her as the door closed behind her. They could hear Griff screaming insults and pleas at her to come back, through the door. The settlement gaurds moved a way a bit to give her privacy.
"I thought seeing him for the last time would have given me peace, but I am more conflicted now than before." Mission cried
"I wish I had the right answers for you. But I can only be here for you." Melissa replied
"Take me away from here. Please?" Mission asked
Melissa pulled her close and led the way back to their room and pulled her onto the bed holding her tight as Mission cried bitterly for her lost brother.