Chapter XVII
The hologram transmitter beeped, causing him to awaken. Pushing it on, the form of his master appeared. "Lower the ramp and prepare for launch, I've got a rebel in pursuit! Contact Vhaldoq and tell him to come to the surface immediately; Tarkin out," he said. The Mon Calamari prepared to activate the channel to the Death Star but stopped. A rebel; now is my chance to finally be free, he thought. Picking up the blaster he'd secretly taken, he stood up and accidentally leaned on the link to Vhaldoq. Shrugging, he lowered the ramp as Tarkin approached and he headed out. "Quickly, see to it he's killed," the Grand Moff said. Raising the blaster, the alien smiled slightly. "What are you doing? You traitorous scum!" Tarkin said, glancing behind him. The alien could a man he took to be a rebel approaching. "Give me that weapon!" Tarkin yelled, jumping forward and grabbing it out of his hand. "Now you'll die at his hands-" Tarkin began, but then the blaster flew from his grasp and into the rebel's. "You are Gavis Ideji and that Wookiee... I must contact Vhaldoq!" Tarkin said, racing into the ship. The alien waved for the stranger to stay. "I will get the plans," he said. The man nodded. He ran back inside, only to have Tarkin blast him. Falling to the floor, he moaned. "Ackbar, you simple fool. Or was I a fool to trust you?" Tarkin said, laughing. "Vhaldoq here; what's the situation?" the hologram said, with a brief static interruption.
"My sources have led to find a former servant of the Emperor, a Wookiee named Rkvzlnmara who is now in league with the rebels," the Grand Moff said. Ackbar tried to get up, but stumbled again. "I've heard of him... you look wounded," Vhaldoq said. "A assassination was attempted by the rebels and my servant," Tarkin said, glaring at the Mon Calamari. "Have you any clues as to who is leading the rebels?" the admiral asked. "Yes, a man named Gavis Ideji; who appears well versed in knowledge of the Jedi," Tarkin said. Ackbar nodded silently and thought, A Jedi, savior of my people; now I know what I have to do. "Really... I will get to your position as quickly as possible," Vhaldoq said as the transmission ended. "As for you..." he began, when the alien sprang upon the Grand Moff and grabbed the blaster, knocking Tarkin to the ground. "Go ahead, shoot me," he said, taunting Ackbar. "No, I am not like you and your kind. The plans, give them to me," he said. Tarkin glared at him, but handed them over. "Your new rebel friends will never penetrate our defenses. You have made a grave mistake," Tarkin said as he began to leave. "I... think not," the alien said, heading down the ramp.
Outside, the rebel Ackbar now had a name for was still waiting. "I believe this is what you were looking for," he said. "I thank you my alien friend, but who are you?" Gavis asked. "Ackbar and you must be Ideji the Jedi. I am honored to be in your presence," he said. "So Tarkin has discovered my identity... we must return to the ship at once," Gavis said. Suddenly the shuttle behind them launched and went upward into the sky. "Tarkin is getting away," Ackbar said. "No matter, we have the plans now," the other said, walking off, "Speak of what has happened here to no one, otherwise the other rebels may not take to you kindly." Ackbar nodded. "Not even the fact I am a Jedi, you must pretend to know nothing," the other said. "I understand," he said nervously.
The rubble fell to the ground as she surfaced. She was hurt badly. Looking around, she saw the rebels were gone and Tarkin as well. Hearing the voices of approaching stormtroopers, Ismaren stood and weakly ran down an ally. Wherever Tarkin is, she thought, he is on his own.
The ramp lowered as they neared, soldiers rushing out to help them inside. "Where's Shrike?" Leonard asked, heading toward Alexia. "Dead; Gavis has gone after Tarkin, like the message I sent you said," she said, crying slightly. "Shrike's really dead? This is horrible! Quickly, get him inside," Leonard said. Cracken stopped to gaze at the sensor readout. Then he spotted something. "Star Destroyers, five of them!" he said, pointing to the large ships. "Oh no! I hope Gavis gets back here soon or we may have to leave without him," Leonard said. Airen smiled inwardly; that wouldn't be so bad, he thought. "Can I talk to you privately?" Alexia asked Leonard. Airen eyed her, thinking, Was she beginning to suspect Gavis as well? He desperately hoped so.
"Sir, incoming ship, it's-" the man on the comlink began. "I know, commander. Grand Moff Tarkin is in serious condition, get a medical team ready for him when he arrives," Vhaldoq said, cutting the other off. "No sir, I've picked up five Star Destroyers just come out of hyperspace. They say they came from the Kashyyyk system," the man said. "Odd," D'ukal said, turning his shuttle's comlink to that of the other ship's frequency. "Unidentified Star Destroyer, come in," he said. "Ah, Admiral Vhaldoq, it has been far too long," the voice came back. "Thrawn? What are you doing here?" he said. "Tracking a runaway Wookiee by the name of Rkvzlnmara," Thrawn answered. "Interesting; he's in league with the rebels here. Hold on, I've got an incoming message," Vhaldoq said, switching to the new transmission. "Admiral Vhaldoq; the plans have been stolen. Do not-I repeat; do not let the rebels escape!" the message from Tarkin said, ending there. Switching back to Thrawn's frequency, Vhaldoq began to speak. "I believe my assistance is required, correct?" Thrawn said before the other could speak. "Precisely; I am sending all the data you'll need. I trust you can handle the rest," Vhaldoq said. Even in hologram form, Thrawn's eyes appeared to be glowing bright red. "As you wish, Admiral," the alien said.