Chapter XIII
The dark planet loomed below as Howard started the landing cycle. Cracken sighed, tapping his fingers nervously. He was miserably bored. Gavis had been in his quarters making his plan. Airen decided to head off and get him. "Howard, after we land; inform the entire crew via the intercom," he said. "Got it, Airen," the other responded. He headed down the hallway, turned the corner and neared Gavis' door. It opened before he got to it, revealing Gavis stepping out. "Major; is the landing cycle underway?" Ideji asked as he stopped. "Howard is on it, sir," he said turning around to walk with Gavis back to the bridge. "Good; see to it Shrike's ship lands at least forty yards from us," Ideji said, turning at the hallway to the bridge. "Yes sir," he said and went to his position to send the signal to the commando's ship. "This is Alpha One, Alpha Two do you copy?" he said. "This is Alpha Two, we see your movement and will correspond," Leonard's voice came back. "Good idea, Le-" he slipped, but then stopped. Airen remembered the old rebel rule that stipulated when you were in Imperial space not to mention personal names, unless absolutely necessary.
"Alpha Two, we'd like you to set down at least forty yards from our landing spot." he said, getting back to his message. "Roger that," Leonard answered and Airen closed off the link. "Your orders have been complied with, sir," he said, turning to Gavis. "We're in the atmosphere, landing now commencing," Howard said. "Alright very good; Airen you're with me. Howard, you are in command until we return," Gavis said, after the cycle ended and the ship was stable. "Attention all hands; we have landed. All members assigned to the mission please head to the hatch," Howard said over the intercom.
"We've landed, sir," Leonard said, turning to Jash. "Good; Alexia get your group and meet me at Gavis' position. Leonard, you've got command of the rest of the crew," Shrike said as he stood. "Okay, got it," they both said, heading off. He sighed, then gathered his tools and headed out. Gavis' position was up a steep hill, he recalled. The hatch opened and he looked around at the desolate prison world. Well, time to get going, Jash thought, heading to the summit.
Gavis exited first and looked around. For a long time, Cracken thought. "Something wrong?" he asked, but the other waved silence as he looked towards nothing. "I believe there is a Wookiee slave camp nearby," Gavis said. Jash appeared over the hill and ran to where they were standing. "As soon as Alexia arrives with the team, we'll hear your plan," the Commander said, adding with barely a passing glance towards him, "Major Cracken, good to see you again." Their team came out of the ship and headed to Gavis' side. "Sir, Alpha One team is ready," the captain of the squad said. "Twelve; a good number. I favor small groups," Jash said, eyeing them. "Well then, you'll have to demote me," Alexia's voice commented as she came out from behind the hill. Airen nearly laughed at the large group of nearly twenty-five and Shrike's reaction to it. "This is unacceptable! I said fifteen, no more!" he said, seemingly demanding an explanation.
"The extra ten have skills we could use like stealth and decoding. The others are here in case of an emergency," she answered. "As long as they all know their duty," Jash said, turning back to Gavis. "My plan is simple, we'll head to the nearest slave camp; which is to the west of here and find one in high intelligence amongst them. We then work with their leader to organize a freeing of slaves from that prison," Gavis said, pointing to a structure behind Shrike's ship. "Once the slaves are freed, chaos will follow and the Imperials will have to act," Ideji said. Alexia was the first one to speak up, Cracken noted, saying, "It is a very well thought out plan, I like it." "Very well, we'll do it," Shrike conceded. "Good, follow me," Gavis said, heading to where he mentioned earlier a slave camp might be.
How Ideji knew so much about this place is still in question, Airen thought. They went through a number of short alleys until they came to an open area filled with Wookiees in prison garb and chains. Eyeing the humans, they growled in rage. Airen prepared to raise his blaster, then Gavis motioned him not to. "I'll handle this," he said, pulling out a translator. "You're ready for anything," Jash commented. [We are members of the Alliance to restore the Republic; here to stop the Empire's construction of their weapon. Can you assist us?] Gavis said through it. [You speak truth, rebels. I may be able to help] came a reply from the crowd, which was now quieted down. A large Wookiee appeared out of the throng and bowed politely to them. He's huge, Cracken thought. Gavis seemed to be amazed to see this alien. "You know each other?" he whispered to Gavis. "He is the reason I gained a bounty on my head. He discovered I was working both sides," Gavis said angrily. The Wookiee stated, [I hope you don't bear a grudge against me.] [Will you help us?] Jash asked through the device. [I will help the Alliance. Come to my residence, we will discuss your plan there] the alien said. "A odd place to run into each other again, eh Jlan?" Gavis asked. [If that is what you wish to call me. I go by many names] the Wookiee replied. "Yes, well for now we must deal with the present," Gavis said. Airen eyed him. Gavis had just spoken in Basic and Jlan had understood it. He wondered if anyone else had noticed. [My home] Jlan said removing the drape. Jash took the translator from Ideji and began to speak thru it. [All right] the commander said, [Here's the plan.]