Chapter II
"Well, that could have gone better," the navigator mused. Airen Cracken replied, "You're right, it could have. Our leadership is however, more optimistic." He gestured to Colonel Davis. "Oh, sure let's have a party. Two ships floating in space, half the force dead not to mention our Imperial guests right on the way for the grand finale," his associate said. "Something you wish to say, Howard?" Davis asked, glaring at the navigator. "I'm fine Colonel, how about you?" Howard smiled back. "I won't be fine until we're halfway across the galaxy from Despayre, so I suggest you find the nearest course we can take out of here," the colonel snapped back. Howard nodded an affirmative and turned back to Cracken and mumbled, "What a grouch!" "You'd be that way too if you were in command after such a failure," Cracken retorted, tapping the Colonel on the shoulder. "You found something, Major?" Davis asked. "Maybe," Airen said, "We're midway between the Corellian Trade Spine and the edge of the Inner Rim. Our records show that there's a star system where we could refuel nearby." "Plot out a course and go into hyperspace as soon possible," Davis ordered.
As the ships returned to regular space Davis ordered a routine scan of the area. "That's odd," Cracken murmured. "My orders, or something you found?" Davis said angrily. "There's a ship not too far from here floating in deep space," he answered. "Imperial?" the colonel inquired. "Unclear; the ship's design isn't found in the database," Airen said. "Is their life support still functioning?" Davis asked. "It's at minimal levels," Howard told him. "Alright, let's check this out," the colonel decided, "Be ready for anything."
The footsteps were coming closer, he could feel it and how he did not know. Who was he, where was he and why were these troops after him? Thousands of questions filled his mind with no answers being given. "There he is!" a voice yelled. "Good work, lieutenant," another voice replied. "Thank you, sir," the first said. "However, you just gave away our position; allowing the escapee the upper hand," his superior chastised him. [Your blue-skinned commander is correct. Now stand down,] he said with a laugh. "The Empire is not afraid of you, scum!" the trooper yelled back and raised his blaster.
The alien grabbed it from the man's hand and said, "I would suggest against that, lieutenant. Wookiees are known for their uncontrolled temper, I'm sure you recall." "What do you suggest we do then?" the officer asked furiously. The alien made some sort of gesture and then turned towards him. [What are your intentions here?] the alien asked in his language. [You speak our tongue quite well, for an outsider,] he answered back, drawing some sort of weapon. [That's not really necessary,] the alien said coolly. Then he sensed it, something from behind him. Turning around he ignited his weapon and deflected the blaster shot back at the trooper. However it was too late as the other man by the alien commander shot as he had turned. As he fell prone, slowly everything went black. "Excellent. Bring him to the shuttle so that we may return to the Admonitor," the alien's voice said as he slipped into unconsciousness.
The capsule door opened to the darkened ship as Cracken and a group of six entered the unknown vessel. "Alright, spread out and search for survivors!" Davis yelled upon entering. "Howard, Airen, you're with me," he said to both of them. "He must be in a bad mood if he's using your first name," Howard said to Cracken. "I'll let him pass by this time," Cracken murmured, rolling his eyes. "This technology is far out of date," Davis said, looking it over. "Like I said before; it goes back to the time period before the formation of the Old Republic," Cracken remarked, pointing at it. Davis glared at him and went to the next room. "What'd I do now?" he said humbly. "Hey! We found someone and he's wounded," a voice over Davis' comlink said. "Your location?" he said in a gruff voice. "Southwest corridor by the hyperdrive," the voice replied. "Contact our ship and get a medical team over. We'll meet you on the bridge," Davis answered. "It appears this trip was worthwhile after all, gentlemen," Davis said, smirking as the two followed.