AUTHORS NOTE: I APOLIGIZE FOR ACCIDENTALLY POSTING CHAPTER THREE AS A NEW STORY.
CHAPTER FOUR
"Has Karrde briefed you on this mission?" Sebastian asked.
"I would hardly call it a 'briefing as Karrde didn't provide more information,'" Mara chuckled. "I was told the assignment was classified.
"We are at the end of a very long journey" Sebastian said solemnly. "This operation is the return of the foundation of our spiritual heritage, The Divine Artifacts."
Mara gasped. This operation was in a class by itself.
"Palpatine acquired great works of art from around the galaxy," Sebastian explained. "He took a great interest in the Divine Artifacts and ordered to have it added to his Private Collection."
"I tried to explain how important it was to our society, but he paid no heed," Melchik injected in anger.
Mara's head jerked back, clearly in surprise at the outburst. The timid man displayed a fierce resolve.
"I am the Guardian of the Divine Artifacts," he explained. "Appointed by the High Priestess. It is my responsibility to care for and protect our Spiritual Heritage. I did everything possible to stop him, but he unleashed wrath upon me." Melchik brought his hand to his throat and grimaced at the memory.
"I was determined to keep our heritage alive through oral history and holographic images that I had stored away. Upon learning of this operation, I insisted I be a part of the crew."
"He would have stowed away if I hadn't let him join us," Sebastian stated.
Mara respected the man for his conviction; however, could this man handle himself in a possible hostile clash? Volunteering for this mission was one thing. It was different for a man with little combat experience.
"How did you come to know of the Smuggler's Alliance?" Mara asked.
"Let's just say that I have friends in high places that have friends in low places," he chuckled. "Except for you, Karrde, and Lando. No offense, I hope."
"None taken," Mara replied.
Mara studied Sebastian from out of the corner of her eye. His reckless bravado had disappeared, replaced with grown-up confidence. She noticed he had a scar on the left side of his chin. His hands were rough from years of fighting. Mara sensed he was nervous but determined to fulfill this mission. She respected his dedication to this mission. Sebastian was as handsome as that day in the palace.
Mara jerked her head away from him. 'What the hell,' she thought. 'This is a serious operation. You're acting like a foolish girl. When this is over, you and he will part ways and return to your daily lives.'
The land speeder slowed as it approached the destination. It was an abandoned Imperial complex. A large landing pad stood off to the right of the complex.
Their vehicle came to a stop. Mara climbed out and did a visual inspection of the area. The complex consisted of one six level administrative building in the middle, with storage units on each side. All three dwellings were in poor shape. The main building was in shambles. Fragments of the complex appeared as though it would collapse at any minute.
"Kael informed me that our troops are in position and await your orders," Peri said.
"Good," Sebastian replied. "Let's hope this operation goes smoothly."
"They usually never do," Mara muttered under her breath.
"Sir," Melchik said. "They are arriving now."
They watched as three ships arrived. The first was a smaller, luxurious passenger vehicle that stopped first. The other two were medium-sized cargo ships. One was in full view, while the other stopped behind one of the buildings. Only part of the vehicle was in sight.
Mara shook her head. The area was large enough for all three ships. She knew this operation was going to be problematic.
The doors to the passenger ship opened. Two large burly guards walked down the ramp. They each carried a high-level blaster. A moment later, a well-dressed man followed closely behind them. He was a foot shorter than Sebastian with a long, thin mustache that fell to the end of his cheeks. His swagger and smug expression made Mara want to punch him. Two other sentries followed closely behind him.
The guards stopped and then stepped to the side to let the man through. Sebastian stepped forward. The two men stood six feet apart.
"Permit me to introduce myself," the man announced. His tone was formal, but his piercing voice annoyed Mara. "My name is Roand Alenax. I am a merchant. I made a fortune after a glorious career in the Imperial Army."
Mara rolled her eyes. 'Great,' she thought. 'All we need is a pompous idiot whose glorious career was toiling away as a low-level clerk.'
"I specialize in trading exquisite treasures from around the galaxy. For a price." Roand adjusted his cape. "I believe you wish to make a deal."
"Show me you have The Divine Artifacts," Sebastian said.
"Yes, but first." Roand shook his head, his forefinger on his chin. "I regret to say the amount we agreed upon is not acceptable. I'll have to raise my price."
"Why?" Sebastian grumbled.
"You see," Roand shrugged. "Our journey encountered some, how shall I say, "unforeseen circumstances."
"Such as?" Sebastian asked.
"I would think you would anticipate certain dangers in your line of work," Mara remarked. "Such as Pirates. Bounty Hunters. Or even Galactic storms. So. Tell us what circumstance you encountered?" Her tone dripped with sarcasm and anger.
"My dear lady," Roand condescended to Mara. "Are you saying I'm not to be trusted?" The man surveyed Mara, Peri, and Melchik. "I must say, I admire your top-notched crew." He burst out in hysterics.
Mara knew the man was stalling. If he wanted more credits, he would have already asked. She looked over Roand's shoulder to the sentries. One had his hand on his blaster. The other one kept glancing at the vehicle.
While Roand kept laughing, Mara stepped closer to Peri. She turned her head to whisper. "I believe his troops are filing out of the back cargo hatch to surprise us from behind."
Peri lowered her head. "Kael has a plan in place," she muttered.
Roand stopped laughing. "As I was saying, about the price. I'm asking for an additional ten thousand more credits."
"Before I agreed to any changes in payment," Sebastian curled his fist in anger. "I need to ask. How do I know you have the Divine Artifacts?"
"What?" Roand's mouth dropped in shock. "I'm surprised you would ask such a question."
"I have to be sure you have them," Sebastian said.
"Well," Roand shrugged his shoulders. "If you doubt my word, you can see for yourself."
The guards parted to allow Sebastian to pass. But just as he started towards the vehicle, Melchik stopped him. "Sir," he said. "The care of Divine Artifacts is my responsibility. Let me go in your place."
"Melchik," he said.
The man interrupted. "Sir," he asserted. "I can verify their authenticity. It is my solemn duty to preserve this antiquity. It is why I insisted on being a part of this assignment."
Sebastian gave a quick look at the ship. "Very well," he nodded. "You may proceed."
Mara examined Roand. A cruel smile grew as he watched the man walk to the ship's ramp. Her eyes grew wide and ran after him. "Melchik," she screamed. "No. Stop."
As soon as Melchik stepped on the ramp, the doors opened. A guard shot the man in the man in the chest, killing him.
Sebastian and Peri eliminated the Roand's guards, while Sebastian's troops, led by Kael, emerged from their hiding places.
Mara fought off the troops with her lightsaber, then somersaulted in the air, landing on the ground. She pulled a knife from her boot, killing a soldier who was ready to fire on her. Mara got a glimpse of Roand running to his ship. She ran towards the ship, fighting along the way.
Once inside, Mara headed to the cockpit, thinking he might try to escape. There was no sign of him. She quietly wandered through the corridors, listening to any sound as to his location. Suddenly, she heard noises coming from the back of the ship towards the cargo area.
The hatch was open. Mara found Roand holding a mid-size flamethrower, ready to destroy scrolls and books.
"Don't come closer," he warned. "You are in time, my dear little girl. You can watch me destroy these treasures."
Mara deactivated her lightsaber. She glared at him, slowly inching her way towards him. Just as he was ready to activate his weapon, Mara raised her arm, and fired a single shot, killing him. She stood over his lifeless body.
"I am not your dear little girl," she sneered.
Mara placed the books and scrolls into their protective cases. She ran back to their vehicle, putting the treasures inside. Mara fired and killed two more of Roand's people. Mara rushed to help the others, but she let her guard down.
One of Roand's men fired above her head, hitting a small fragment of the building and striking her on her back. Mara fell, hitting the ground on the right side of her body, knocking her lightsaber and blaster out of her hands.
Dizzy, weak, and in pain, Mara crawled towards her weapons. She rose to her knees, then to her feet, taking a moment to steady herself. Her eyesight was slightly impaired, but she could see that Sebastian was in trouble.
With the last ounce of strength, Mara ran towards him, lightsaber activated. She eliminated the enemy with a stroke of her weapon.
The fighting was over. Sebastian and his team were victorious. Roand's troops had been eliminated or abandoned their posts. Kael and his team boarded the cargo ship to protect the rest of the artifacts.
Still dizzy and disoriented, Mara slowly staggered off. Sebastian saw she was in trouble and ran towards her. As soon as he reached her, her legs gave out, and collapsed into his arms.
"Karrde was right," Sebastian muttered. "He did send the best person for this mission."
And then she lost all consciousness.