Chapter XII – Spy Part I
Padmé Skywalker, the
designated Chief of State for the Rebel Alliance, held
a consortium comprising of the main leadership of the
Alliance and the Jedi Council. The main objective of
this meeting was to determine who would be considered
to infiltrate the Imperials and commandeer a shuttle
for what was anticipated to be the final battle – the
destruction of the Empire. As far as the Rebel
Alliance was concerned tyranny lay on the brink of
extinction.
After careful deliberation, they selected a nominee.
Padmé Skywalker, Prince Organa, Master Yoda and Mon
Mothma contacted their candidate and explained the
mission…then waited for the decision.
Sakoya Jade accepted without hesitation.
************************************
Sakoya reviewed the
multitude of options before her and began to
formulate a plan in her mind. She knew she had the
full support of the consortium and spent a good
portion of a day deliberating on whom she would ask
to join her.
No…no…She
shook her head at her silent musings. No, she’s
on another assignment…hmmm. “There are so many
to chose from…”
“Can I
help?” Offered a friendly voice.
“Always
love.” Sakoya stopped and hugged Obi-Wan as he
emerged from behind one of Endor’s colossal trees.
“Still
trying to put a team together?” he asked as they
turned and resumed walking through the lush forest.
Sakoya
sighed. “Yes…”
“How
about Esyllt Silvo?”
“You must
have been musing over this as well.”
Obi-Wan
grinned.
“I’ve
heard of her,” Sakoya continued, “great with a
blaster. I’ve never worked with her directly
though.”
“She’s no
nonsense and a very good pilot. She would be a good
addition.”
“I trust
your judgment.” She smiled broadly. “Anyone else you
can think of?”
Obi-Wan
stroked his beard, a thoughtful look on his face.
Finally he said, “Routan Errn. He’s excellent with
communications.”
Sakoya
nodded her agreement. “And I have someone in mind to
decrypt the codes we’ll need.”
“Oh?
Who?” Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow.
“An old
friend. Not to worry, dear, I know him very well and
he’s quite adept at his trade.”
“I’m not
sure I like the sound of that…”
Sakoya
hushed the Jedi Master with a kiss. “Trust me,” she
whispered.
************************************
Sakoya
met with the consortium and upon their approval of
the personnel she chose, she assembled her team.
They
gathered in a high security briefing room, bereft of
adequate ventilation, and discussed their mission
for hours. Sakoya presented her ideas, as did the
others, and each of them offered opinions back and
forth. An exhaustive effort, as exhibited by the
sweat that poured from their bodies from the heat
the room generated. At last, they engineered a plan
everyone agreed upon and felt confident in their
decisions.
All that
was left to be done was implement the plan of action
and put it to the test.
************************************
Sakoya
walked with giddiness in her step to the landing
platform through the lush Endorian forest. All she
could think of was the craft she had heard so much
about and that it would be at her beckoning. She had
flown numerous ships but nothing quite like the one
she was about to see for the first time. A broad
smile graced her face and her step quickened as the
anticipation grew.
Surprisingly, she felt no apprehension regarding the
mission and found herself at a loss as to explain
why. Obi-Wan had listened to the group’s strategy
and, albeit with some reluctance, accepted the plan.
He tried, on more than one occasion, to convince the
stubborn Padawan that he should accompany her, but
she steadfastly refused. I need to prove myself,
she had said. In spite of Obi-Wan’s concerns,
his arguments fell on deaf ears. Sakoya would change
the subject or provide some other diversion until he
finally relented.
Sakoya
stepped off the lift and onto the smooth duracrete
platform and stopped. Before her sat a magnificent
ebony ship, the likes of which she envisioned only
in her dreams. Methodically, she approached the
vessel that she and her team would use for their
journey. Sakoya ran her hand along the smooth hull
and slowly closed her eyelids. She inhaled deeply
and a smile crept across her lips as she visualized
the sleek design in her minds eye while she walked,
her hand never leaving the smooth metal. Her
heartbeat quickened, a definite thump resonated in
her chest and she savored the moment even as she
crept beneath the Deliverance’s underside.
Never would she have believed such a dream would
become reality. An impressive craft to most but to a
pilot it compared to rapture.
“And I
get to fly this extraordinary ship…” Sakoya found
herself in awe as she concluded her examination by
sitting in the cockpit – her fingers trailing softly
over the console.
“Correction – we!” Esyllt Silvo, a mild mannered
woman with dark hair and eyes, smirked as she sat
down in the co-pilot seat beside her comrade.
“I stand
corrected.” Sakoya smiled.
“Gorgeous, isn’t she?”
“Beyond
words!”
“The
technology Senator Organa incorporated into the
design…and the weapons array…I’ve never seen such an
imposing ship.” Esyllt absolutely beamed with pride.
“It’s my
understanding the Prince used this ship himself when
traveling to our outposts.”
“Where
was I for those missions?” Esyllt chuckled.
“You and
me both.” Sakoya grinned. “With the stealth,
enhanced speed capabilities and unidentifiable
markings this ship possesses we’ll have an advantage
on our mission.”
Esyllt
slowly nodded her head, her acquiescence evident,
“Yes, we will…”
Anakin
came up behind the two women, taking notice of the
wide grin on their faces. “You both approve I
assume?” he flashed them a lopsided grin.
Sakoya
beamed in delight. “Yes…she’ll do nicely…”
“You’ll
have a lot of power at your disposal, use it
wisely.”
Esyllt
turned her head and said, “We will Jedi Skywalker,”
then glanced back at the main console, “we will.”
************************************
Sakoya,
Esyllt and Routan continued to familiarize
themselves with the Deliverance and its
impressive features via several training exercises
and schematics. It came as no surprise that the
trio’s admiration of the vessel was concrete,
especially considering the abundance of compliments
the team expressed.
Confident
in the intelligence gathered, the final preparations
were conducted – to include briefings – and Sakoya
Jade’s team, code named Tempest, readied
themselves to depart.
Having
already said their goodbyes and received warm wishes
for their return, Routan and Esyllt walked up the
ramp and boarded the Deliverance, leaving one
member of the team outside the ship, her eyes
scanning the people before her with a mixture of
sadness and pride. Sakoya Jade had ingrained herself
into the Rebel Alliance long ago and she had gained
a sense of personal freedom as a result. In the
settled dust lay her past and before her awaited the
future, one that she could help change and build –
even if her part proved miniscule.
The
nascent Padawan smiled and hugged her awaiting
friends. Each of them bid her a safe journey and
speedy return but none more so than a Jedi Master.
After the
others had left, Obi-Wan stood alone with Sakoya
near the ramp to the ship, feeling her excitement
mixed with anxiety bubbling over. With a smile on
his handsome face, he placed his hands upon her
shoulders, taking notice of her trembling. “Use the
Force. Calm yourself,” he instructed softly.
Sakoya
gazed into her mentor’s emerald orbs and found the
reassurance and tranquility she needed. Those
expressive eyes... She sighed inwardly. Slowly,
Sakoya closed her eyes and immersed herself into the
Force, letting it flow throughout her body and ease
her senses.
“Much
better,” Obi-Wan noted. He pondered the journey his
love was about to embark on and hoped she would
return – soon.
“I’ll be
alright Ben. I’ll be back, I promise.” The Padawan
opened her eyes and focused deeply on her Jedi
Master.
“…I like
it when you call me that.” Obi-Wan blushed,
referring to the endearing ‘nickname’ the Skywalker
twins had imposed upon him so many years ago.
“…I
know…but you adore another even more, mon aimé,”
she said quietly, stroking his arm with the tips of
her fingers as she fondly recalled the ancient text
she had inadvertently found in Bail Organa’s palace
library.
Those few
words made the Jedi Master take a deep breath as he
brought her in close, wrapping his arms around her
snugly. “Be safe, Sakoya… Please come back.”
“Count on
it.” She smiled, holding him tightly. “I’ll always
come back to you.”
Obi-Wan
Kenobi watched as the Deliverance glided off
the landing platform and took to the air then became
a blur as the ship launched into space.
“I’ll be
waiting,” he murmured then added, “Why do I have a
bad feeling about this?”
Unbeknownst to Obi-Wan Kenobi, another watched from
a different vantage point and witnessed the intimate
exchange between the Jedi Master and his apprentice.
************************************
Esyllt Silvo, Sakoya’s co-pilot, input their
coordinates and engaged the hyperdrive. Sakoya
turned toward Routan Errn, the other member of her
team, who was actively monitoring the Imperial
frequencies and shook his head as if anticipating
her question. Sakoya nodded and turned back again,
she knew one chance would be all that was allowed
and any mistakes would surely prove fatal. All she
required now was the assistance of an old friend.
************************************************************************
Chapter XII – Spy Part II
“Sakoya Jade! A Jedi?” a tall, dark man asked as he
approached the woman.
“That’s right. Now you have to mind
yourself!” She winked.
“So
that’s your gambling secret!” the handsome man
remarked. “Care for a partner?” he asked smoothly.
Sakoya laughed heartily. “You are impossible, you
know that?”
“The ladies don’t seem to mind.” He grinned
devilishly. “It’s nice to hear from you again
though. What are you up to, you rascal, other than
becoming a Jedi?”
“And you, Lando. I see Mr. Charisma is still as
handsome as ever, now you’re just more respectable
and keep those hands where they belong.” Sakoya
chastised, wiggling her finger in his face. “Or else
I may be inclined to show you my Jedi abilities.”
Lando Calrissian feigned his hurtful shock. “Now, my
dear… Is that any way to treat an old friend?”
“When it comes to you? Absolutely!”
The
former smuggler turned
Baron-Administrator of
Cloud City smirked. “I see you have a new ship…
Exceptional I must admit.” Lando’s eyes glazed over
the elegant craft.
“No.”
“No what?” he asked innocently.
“No bets, no sales,” she said flatly.
“Hmmm…you sure? I’m sure I could come up with
something ‘respectable’.”
Sakoya laughed heartily and patted her friend on the
back. “I’m sure you could but the answer is still
no,” she paused briefly. “Now let me introduce
Routan Errn and
Esyllt Silvo.”
“Hel-lo milady!” Lando took hold of Esyllt’s hand
and shook it as if it were made of glass, ignoring
Routan.
“Alright you ol’ smoothie,” Sakoya removed one hand
from the other, “enough of that.”
Lando smiled in spite of his disappointment and with
a sweeping gesture said, “Shall we then?” then fell
into step beside Sakoya.
************************************
“Very impressive my friend,” Sakoya remarked as she
looked out on of the elongated windows in Lando
Calrissian’s stylish office. Routan and Esyllt were
already seated and waiting for the meeting to begin.
“Now to business.”
“I
read your message a few times. I admit – I couldn’t
believe it.” Lando sat down in one of the luxurious
chairs as one of his aids offered everyone a
beverage then left the grand office.
“Which part?” the Jedi asked over her shoulder.
“All of it!”
Sakoya turned and placed a finger to her mouth,
suggesting silence. She hastened over to her friend
and whispered, “Are you sure we’re secure in here? I
need to trust you.”
“Hey, it’s me, remember?” Lando smirked. “All
kidding aside, yes, you can trust me. You always
could.”
Sakoya used the Force and stretched out her senses
but felt nothing amiss. “Such uncertain times my
friend, I’m sure you understand.”
“I
have no love for the Empire that much is certain. I
contacted Xar’ek as you requested. You were right,
he was…inaccessible…through standard channels.”
“Thank you. It’s been a long time…I knew you would
know how to reach him.”
“He was happy to know you needed him again.” Lando
smiled.
“Please Lando, not now. We have a mission,” Sakoya
groaned.
Lando held up his hands defensively. “As you wish…”
Knowing how crucial this operation was to the
Alliance, Esyllt interrupted the conversation.
“Excuse me, could we speak to Sakoya alone?”
“Of course.” Lando rose from his chair and walked
around his ornate desk. He took hold of Sakoya’s
hand and lightly caressed it. “I’ll be right
outside.”
Sakoya removed her hand and snickered. “Yes, I’m
sure you will and no eavesdropping!”
Lando grinned like a Cheshire cat and left the
office.
After the door closed, Esyllt inquired, “I know we
already discussed this but can we fully trust this
Xar’ek person?”
“Yes, we can’t take any chances.” Routan added.
Sakoya sat down in the chair beside Esyllt and
crossed her legs. “Yes, we did have this discussion
already and have agreed upon it. Why are you
questioning it now?”
“Just an uneasy feeling I guess.”
“Then let me reassure you, there is nothing to worry
about. As I told you both before, we go way back.”
“How far back? Your past is so secret,” Routan asked
curiously.
“Long enough. I understand your concern, but I
wouldn’t have asked Xar’ek if I didn’t trust him
implicitly. As for my past, well, that’s what it is
– my past,” Sakoya offered.
“I’ll be honest, I trust your judgment but I wish I
could feel the confidence you do.” Esyllt couldn’t
help voicing her concern.
“Noted and understood. I don’t expect you to welcome
someone with open arms that you don’t know.” Sakoya
began to wonder if her silence regarding her prior
life would prove to be more detrimental than
beneficial.
“Count me in with or without your friend,” Routan
stated adamantly. “I will do my part.”
“I’m with you too,” Esyllt concurred, showing her
crooked smile.
“Then we have an accord.” Sakoya leaned back in her
chair. “Remember, the Force is with us. Keep the
faith.”
The trio sat in silence until Lando re-entered the
office and sat down at his desk again. “Everything
alright?” The concern in his voice matched his
questioning expression.
“No problem,” Sakoya cheerily replied then asked,
“When will Xar’ek arrive?”
“Judging by his last message it should be anytime,”
Lando informed her.
“That’s good news. Thank you for your hospitality,”
Esyllt remarked.
“You’re welcome.” Lando put on his best smile for
the woman before turning toward Sakoya once more.
“I’m sure you’ll compensate me for my trouble
somehow. Perhaps a game of sabacc?”
“Lando – you are incorrigible! However, I won’t be
the one compensating you.”
“You sure?” Lando asked, trying to sway her with his
charm.
The Jedi chuckled. “Yes, I’m sure.”
Lando arched an eyebrow at his friend. “My
misfortune it seems.” The Baron-Administrator’s
thoughts were interrupted as the door suddenly
opened and someone stepped inside.
A
man strode forward; his smoldering gray eyes
twinkled playfully as they fell upon Sakoya. His
smile reminded the Jedi of the past and her
involvement with him. How she used to run her
fingers through his light colored hair, now much
shorter than she remembered. “Nice to see you again
Lando,” he commented, shifting his gaze.
“And you. You remember Sakoya Jade?” Lando tilted
his head in the Jedi’s direction.
“I
do.” He turned toward her, his muscular physique
imposing in comparison to her slight frame. “Nice to
see you again.” He offered his hand.
Sakoya reached out and grasped his hand. “And you.
Life has treated you well.” She felt nervous and
that little fact bothered her. Xar’ek had been a
lifetime ago! She was with Obi-Wan Kenobi and found
a completion in the Jedi Master that she had never
experienced. Yet, here she was, standing before
someone who had meant a great deal to her in the
past and she felt like a little girl. You
requested him, remember that! she berated
herself. Now you have to deal with it.
“A
Jedi. Impressive.” Xar’ek flashed his old flame a
smile.
“A
great many things have changed Xar’ek,” Sakoya
noted.
“Shall we proceed?” Esyllt interrupted.
“Of course.” Sakoya nodded. “Esyllt Silvo and Routan
Errn, meet Xar’ek Tinsir – electronic
extraordinaire. If he can’t break the code, it’s
undecipherable.”
Everyone exchanged handshakes and pleasantries then
sat back down again to resume the meeting.
“Mr. Tinsir,” Routan began, somewhat timidly, “are
you sure you can break the encryption?”
“Call me Xar’ek, I’m not much on formalities. To
answer yer question – not a problem. I’ve deciphered
too many codes to bother counting anymore. Besides,
I’m a Rebel at heart and the Empire and I don’t
exactly see eye to eye. I wouldn’t mind shaking them
up a bit. It’ll be amusing.” He winked.
“Amusing?” Esyllt’s mouth hung open.
Sakoya sighed. “You haven’t changed a bit Xar’ek.
Still the ‘go in and shake ‘em up’ attitude.”
“But will such a cavalier attitude interfere with
our operation?” Routan inquired.
“Let me put you at ease, my friend,” Xar’ek glanced
at Routan, “I know the stakes and I’m not one to run
at the first sign of trouble. Danger and I tend to
like each other but that doesn’t mean I’m foolish.”
He roguishly grinned.
Who’s the more foolish? The fool or the fool that
follows him?
Esyllt wondered.
Routan remained quiet, silently deciding to keep
watch on this person. He only hoped the integrity of
the mission hadn’t been breached by the addition of
this partner.
“Now that we are all gathered it is time to get
underway.” Sakoya stood up and announced, “May the
Force be with us.”
************************************
Lando escorted the group back to their ship and said
his farewells. “You have a beautiful ship… It would
be a shame if it got damaged.”
“It’ll do,” Sakoya stated, placing her hands on her
hips. “Don’t worry, my friend, it’ll remain
unscathed,” she said with more confidence than she
felt.
The former smuggler shook his head in silent
amusement. “This is suicide you do realize?”
“I
accepted this mission being fully cognizant of the
consequences. The Force will be my ally.”
“You’ve changed…not that I mind…” Lando observed as
he stepped forward.
“I’m not as I once was… I have a new life.”
Lando took hold of her right hand, brought it to his
lips and kissed it tenderly. “Good
luck…I want to see you alive again.”
“Thank you. For everything.” Sakoya smiled slightly
then turned and followed her team up the ramp of the
Deliverance.
“I
hope I see you again,” Lando whispered as the ships
hatch closed.
************************************
The engines of the
Deliverance
hummed to life, their resonance
music to the ears of
the occupants. After Esyllt input the coordinates
into the navigation computer, the ship lifted into
the air, leaving Cloud City in its wake.
Out in space, the stars flitted around like
fireflies, Sakoya took a long intake of breath and
embraced the Force as it calmed her and allowed her
to relax. “Engaging hyperdrive. May the Force be
with us,” she said determinedly.
************************************************************************
Chapter XII – Spy Part III
Sullust, a dismal, volcanic world known for its
mineral mines and technologies and plagued by
violent storms was not the type of place someone
would choose for a vacation. However, it would serve
the purpose for which it was now intended.
There was one particularly special enhancement Bail
Organa had incorporated into the design of the
Deliverance and in spite of the instability of
the technology, the Prince had proven quite
insistent. Having never been employed, other than
initial testing stages, the unreliable cloaking
device was about to be used for the first time. From
what the crew experienced with the rest of the
grand
ship, there was no reason to doubt its successful
operation.
Esyllt cut the engines and the foursome readied to
depart the ship. Tensions inadvertently rose during
the jump into hyperspace and Sakoya found herself
immersing into the Force to calm everyone, including
herself. Her choices for this team had been specific
and each of them fulfilled the roles she required.
Esyllt Silvo was an excellent co-pilot and expert
marksman, while Routan Errn excelled at
communications and could tap into virtually any
network. Finally, there was Xar’ek Tinsir, a
specialist in encryption and a part of Sakoya’s old
life that never seemed to truly fade away. Each of
them contributed to this mission but they’re
personalities tended to mar their objective. Sakoya
couldn’t wait for this assignment to be over and
back into some semblance of normalcy in her life and
Obi-Wan.
The fierce atmospheric conditions on Sullust
required the donning of protective masks for the
party in which they happily complied – one of the
few things that was mutually agreed upon. Routan,
Esyllt and Xar’ek then left the ship and concealed
themselves behind the overabundance of large rocks
that jutted out in every direction, their blasters
aimed and ready to fire should any treachery arise
in the exchange about to take place.
Dressed completely in black, Sakoya descended the
ramp of the ship and straight into a frenzied wind
that churned up pebbles and dirt and cast them at
the planet’s intruder. Ignoring the pinpricks of
pain on her exposed cheeks the onslaught caused, she
turned to watch in satisfaction as the cloaking
device engaged and remained active. The wind
continued to whip against her back, pounding
unmercifully and suddenly she felt something strike
her head. She glanced around to find small white
pebbles quickly litter the ground.
“Hail – just what I need.” She mumbled. “As if this
hot, noxious air isn’t enough to make me want to
leave this place.” She resolved, eager to get this
transaction done quickly.
Although Sakoya could call upon the Force to aid her
and keep the discomfort tamed to a degree, the
others didn’t possess such an advantage and they
suffered the miserable consequences. The wind, rocks
and hail produced stinging sensations all over their
bodies – a definite irritant that made them wince
more than once – and the team was thankful for the
protective masks and eyewear. Adding more misery to
their dreary situation, a burst of acrid rain
erupted and cascaded upon them.
Through the rain, Sakoya observed lightning in the
distance and wondered what could possibly entice
anyone to live in such an environment, every spec of
land composed of dirt, rock and swirling winds.
The plan was quite straightforward. Meet an Imperial
informant that had been able to secure a
Lambda-class shuttle the Alliance requested and
retrieve it. The contact hadn’t asked questions of
why the craft was needed nor would he; his
compensation didn’t include all-inclusive
explanations. As protocol demanded, precautionary
measures were put in place to ensure each
transmission to and from this source was heavily
encrypted and impossible to trace. If the Imperial
network intercepted any of the messages, they would
look like random feedback and ignored.
************************************
Armed with blasters strapped to her thighs and her
lightsaber attached to her belt, Sakoya walked
forward and waited. The obnoxious weather swirling
around her obscured her vision to some extent but
she could still discern her surroundings.
She waited.
And waited…
From out of the elements a figure approached her; he
was male, judging by the gait and bulky outline.
Sakoya cursed the wretched planet and its foul
weather for impeding her vision as she watched the
person edge closer.
“Ice,” he said over the ever-increasing wind and
rain.
“Fire,” Sakoya responded.
“The shuttle is half a click South. The codes are
deeply embedded into the nav computer. Good luck.”
“And to you,” she answered. A sudden chill raced
down the Jedi’s back and her senses felt as though
they were on fire, much akin to the volcanoes in the
distance. “Get down!” she shouted and dove for
cover. Within moment’s blaster fire erupted from
every direction blowing apart anything in its path.
Caught in the crossfire, laser blasts littered their
brave informant’s body and he crumpled to the
ground, dead. Sakoya scurried for the over-sized
rocks to protect her as more blaster fire whipped
over her head.
Esyllt struggled to identify the movement not far
from her position, but the oppressive weather
hampered her ability to see clearly. Suddenly her
eyes widened in horror as she glimpsed hordes of
stormtroopers and she immediately fired her weapons.
She downed one stormtrooper after another but still
they advanced. Although they were severely
outnumbered, Esyllt wasn’t about to surrender and
kept up her barrage.
Xar’ek couldn’t see where Sakoya had gone from his
vantage point and he hoped she was alright.
Stormtroopers poured in from everywhere and the
Rebel team didn’t have enough firepower to last very
long against such formidable odds. He had strained
to hear what the spy said to Sakoya and heard
‘South’ and something about a ‘click’. Blaster shots
continued to race all around him, whittling away at
the rocks that provided protection but the uprising
wind proved even more deadly as it whisked shards
everywhere. Xar’ek covered his head more than once
against the debris that threatened him from every
angle. A quick glance at the others proved his fate
was no more favorable than theirs. Out of the corner
of his eye, Xar’ek saw Routan take a hit in the
shoulder. As the Corellian reeled back from the
force of the shot, another invaded his heart and
took his life.
Sakoya dodged in and out of the immense rocks,
trying to get to one of her team. This was one
battle they couldn’t win but with the ship safely
cloaked, there was a chance, however small, to
attempt to reach the shuttle. Sakoya was almost to
Esyllt when blaster fire scorched her leg and
brought her to the ground.
Xar’ek took two of the mini-detonators he had
brought, activated them and threw each directly at
the advancing troops. The precious moments the
explosion brought sent him running toward Esyllt’s
position. Turning slightly, he simultaneously fired,
ran and dodged in and out of the rock formations.
Along the way, he scooped up Routan’s blaster until
at last, he reached Esyllt and saw Sakoya on the
ground, a blaster in each hand and obliterating as
many stormtroopers as possible.
“Told you danger likes me.” Xar’ek frowned.
Esyllt glared at him menacingly. “Thanks for
nothing,” she chided.
Xar’ek ignored the woman and focused on Sakoya. “Can
you stand?” he asked.
“It’s pretty bad.” Sakoya examined her leg. “I have
bacta in the ship but that doesn’t help now.”
“Both of you hold them off as much as you can. How
far is the shuttle from here?”
“Half a click to the South,” she groaned.
“Here,” he handed them the last of the
mini-detonators he had, “I’ll make for the ship and
blast these troops to smithereens.”
“How do we know you won’t abandon us?” Esyllt
seethed.
Xar’ek was exasperated with this woman; he made
every attempt to be cordial but to no avail, she
simply disliked him for some reason. If it were
up to me, he surmised, I’d leave you on this
wretched planet. It matches your disposition. “I
won’t but we can’t hold out much longer. We’re
wasting time arguing!” Xar’ek didn’t wait for any
ugly retort and made his way to the Deliverance.
“Guess it’s time this ship lived up to its name,” he
whispered to himself.
************************************
Xar’ek’s heart pounded in his chest as he sprinted
up the ramp of the ship. Thanks to the cover and
concealment the rocks provided, he managed to evade
the stormtroopers and considered himself fortunate
that the troops main concentration centered on the
blaster fire. He raced to the cockpit and quickly
activated the weapons systems, impressed with the
array of weaponry available to him. One of the
Deliverance’s powerful laser weapons appeared
from the hull, swung about and aimed directly at the
Imperial troops.
The resulting explosion scattered armored bodies all
over the ground.
“C’mon, now’s our chance. I’ll get you to the ship.”
Esyllt stated.
“The shuttle, we have to have it!”
“Sakoya, don’t be a fool!”
“No, we can’t leave without it! I won’t fail!” She
struggled to stand.
Another laser blast zipped over Esyllt’s head and
she quickly turned and fired. The final offending
Imperial fell backward to the ground, although his
final breath hadn’t yet left his body.
Believing her shot to be fatal, Esyllt helped Sakoya
to her feet and the two stood up. Sakoya fell to the
ground again almost immediately, the lifeless form
of Esyllt Silvo of Chandrila draped across her – a
blaster burn on her back.
************************************
Xar’ek applied bacta to Sakoya’s injury and looked
mournfully at her. “I’m sorry…”
“Me
too… We obtained our objective…but at a high price.”
“At
least we were able to give them some kind of
burial.” Xar’ek assured her.
Sakoya took a deep breath. “Yes…”
“Will you be okay to fly the ship back to Alderaan?”
“Yes, I’ll be fine. The Force embraces me and
teaches me that things don’t always turn out the way
we hope. We try our best…and sometimes we fail,” she
said somberly.
Xar’ek wrapped his arms around her and whispered
into her ear. “You’ve always been a fighter…even
when –”
“Please don’t speak of that. Not now…” Sakoya said
sorrowfully as she tried to squirm away from him.
Wordlessly, Xar’ek broke the embrace and stood up.
“I’ll go fire up the shuttle. We’ll rendezvous on
Alderaan and then I’ll take you to Endor.”
“What about you?” she wondered.
“I
think I’ll stick around. The Rebels always need more
bodies, don’t they?” He playfully grinned.
Sakoya Jade groaned.
************************************************************************
