“Captain, we’re being hailed.” A comm tech turned from his station on the Challenger’s bridge to inform Miara. She didn’t respond immediately, thoughts burning their way through her mind with reckless abandon. The idea that this engagement would resolve in anything but the complete destruction of the light cruiser before them seemed ludicrous. She compiled that with the report from General Syndulla that the outpost itself was the cruiser’s target and not the ‘Ghost’ as she had perceived. Miara then mentally rewound through the excessive reports given her by Rebel command, reports of similar instances taking place. Reports that didn’t make sense. Imperials targeting Imperials was becoming frequent practice apparently. “Put them through.” She finally said.
With an affirmative nod from the comm tech, Miara commenced, “This is Captain Larte of the ‘Challenger,’ state your business quickly.” She spoke into the air before her. A light static was broken at once by a timid voice, “Challenger, we...uh….those that are left aboard the ‘Tangible,’ would like to offer our unconditional surrender.” The male voice squeaked out the words with a hurriedness. Miara’s mind referred to those reports from command, similar requests were becoming more common as well it seemed. A flood of emotion took root within her as she stood before the viewport, staring at the smoke trails and small plasma fires emanating from the cruiser. Emotions tightly wound to the fate of her home world. Although not her birthplace, Alderaan had become her home, the destiny of billions from one end of the galaxy to the other. She fought the urge to unleash every weapon her frigate had toward the dying cruiser, and she knew she wasn’t alone in that endeavor across her own bridge.
She motioned for the comm tech to terminate audio and spoke toward her ships link to the Tacnet enabled between herself, the ‘Ghost’ and N’dali. “N’dali, is that vessel worth the effort?” She asked.
N’dali didn’t waste a second, “Yes, definitely...the sub processing power alone is worth it; however, we are going to have to enact our response and subsequent action quickly to prevent any tampering with any link they may have to the Imperial database. According to my calculations we have less than seven minutes. I can, however, extend that window to an additional five minutes with a few simple intrusions.”
“Yes would have been enough.” Miara returned with an eye roll, “extend that window at your leisure N’dali.” She finished, closing her connection to the Tacnet and immediately spoke to the ships comm while motioning toward the tactical tech beside her, creating a square shape with both hands, “Lieutenant Naykie, assemble your squad and prepare for boarding.” She spoke with haste and conviction, the tech beside her giving her a thumbs up which she acknowledged with a simple nod, “Everyone, we have tractor lock and are now on the clock.”
“Do you want us to intervene at all Miara?” Hera’s voice asked over her personal comm.
“Negative General, hold position. N’dali?” Miara asked.
“Already in Captain, no intrusion thus far. You have your window, will advise.” N’dali returned with similar haste through her comm link.
Miara turned toward the comm tech nodding once and spoke immediately into the air before her, resuming the audio to the open hail. “Tangible we have incoming, your surrender is accepted. Relinquish arms and prepare your survivors for immediate evac, medical personnel are on standby for those requiring it. Any action considered hostile will be met with swift termination. Do you understand.” It was not a question.
“Boarding squad away, ETA one minute.” The comm tech spoke from his position.
The response from the ‘Tangible’ came timidly through, “Understood Captain….thank you.” He ended with a verbal sigh, elation coming through in obvious tones.
“Captain. Naykie.” The boarding squad leader chimed over the ships internal comm link to its armed shuttle, “on approach, squad is locked and loaded. Prisoners?”
Miara rolled the term through her mind repeatedly. They certainly had the ability but ‘should they?’ She knew a majority of her crew wouldn’t have any issues ejecting any of those survivors out of the nearest airlock, her own mind swimming with alternatives less humane. She scanned the bridge around her, all eyes returning her gaze. Everyone fixated on her response. She closed her eyes tightly and blew out her breath, “Yes lieutenant.” Miara had expected sighs of dejection to fill the space around her and was slightly surprised and proud to see those faces returning to their respective duties, most nodding in the affirmative. She knew they were entertaining similar thoughts and emotions, but she also knew they would all do the right thing. She just wasn’t sure if this ‘was’ the right thing.
“Docking lock, opening hatchway now. ‘Spades’ get your platoon ready.” Lt. Naykie spoke, updating everyone.
“Move, now!” N’dali screamed into the open Tacnet, “Rogue entity.”
Miara didn’t waste a second, “Naykie, advise.”
There was only intermittent static in return, blaster fire consuming much of the return feed. “Three rogue entities, no survivors.” Naykie spoke after a few tension filled seconds. “All friendly fire.” He finished with little to no conviction, Miara wondering if it was a statement or a question.
“I am in. No contaminates. Scans returning only your boarding team Miara.” N’dali filled in the void of sound.
“Lieutenant, please apprise.” Miara stated.
“Captain, three rogues had executed nine others that we can identify, then they turned their blasters on themselves. No one on this team fired a shot. We are performing a detailed sweep, but this is a cruiser after all and will take some time to complete. Any superseding orders?” Naykie asked.
Miara, baffled by the direction this action had taken couldn’t think of any alternatives, “Negative Lieutenant, proceed.” She directed her gaze fully to the forward viewport, catching her chin between thumb and forefinger in thought.
“Miara...Captain..apologies for my lack of formalities. I have identified three distinct subroutines operating independent of the cruiser’s systems and have reason to believe they are in fact explosive devices given their strategic proximity to vital systems. I have been able to access the ship’s internal databanks and can isolate the devices enough to render them harmless, but they will need to be removed and or disarmed completely before I relinquish control of them as I have no idea what triggering mechanism is employed.” N’dali added to the already tense situation, the voice modulation through the Tacnet enhancing both her speculation and assuredness, ‘an odd mix’ thought Miara.
She clamped down on her chin with a little more authority than intended, pinching herself in the process. “Naykie, did you catch that?” She asked.
“Affirmative Captain, will need locations.” The lieutenant replied immediately.
“Check your holo-feed Lieutenant.” N’dali returned just as quickly.
Miara let her hand drop, “How did you get access…..” She couldn’t prevent her forthcoming eye roll even if she wanted to. “Never mind.” Miara could already see the Thebeskan in her head, a white toothy smile lighting up her dark complexion with a wink of the eye.
“Got it Fardi, appreciate the assist.” Naykie replied, activating his personal holo emitter.
Hera and Sabine listening with revved up interest, positioned themselves closer to the cruiser to assist with a fast evacuation if the need were to arise. R3 remained motionless thus far through the exchanges overheard through the cockpit.
Ahsoka, Zeb and Kowani listening through their own personal ear buds as internal comm had been deactivated due to their special cargo, exchanged glances over the chatter. Each just as surprised, if not confused, that the exact same scenario was taking place on the cruiser that had been sent to levy judgment on the outpost.
Ahsoka stepped back a few paces from the seated troopers, studying them as Kowani approached Tovic. “What is going on here Tovic?” She asked, placing emphasis on his name. “Your obviously not conscript either.” She got down on her knees before him, her loose-fitting cargo pants folding around her legs. “I know what they did to you.” She stated, looking him straight in the eyes, tapping either side of her own head. She slid her gaze to the black woman and brought up her right hand to brush a tangled braid away from her temple without resistance. She placed her hand under the woman’s chin and slowly turned her head in the opposing direction to firmly identify the exact same marks upon her that Tovic had. Kowani already knew the third trooper would have the same marks. “None of you are conscript, are you?” She asked. Their return stares were melancholy at best, eyes glazing over and skin hanging slack over their cheeks. “Zeb, they aren’t going anywhere. Would you mind getting some food and water for them?” Kowani asked over her shoulder.
Ahsoka could barely contain her pride. Amid all the frustration and eagerness exhibited by the Mirialan she always found a way to place others before herself. Even enemies. Especially enemies, given the situation taking place on the Imperial cruiser.
“They look like they could use a week of sleep...and a bath.” Zeb said slowly with a wrinkle of his nose, “I never thought those words would have come from my mouth.” He finished in his deep, gravelly voice, walking past Ahsoka slinging his bow rifle over his shoulder, he climbed up the ladder and out of sight.
Without turning, Kowani addressed Ahsoka, “He’s right, they need rest more than anything else. We can’t leave them here.”
“…...protocol.” Tovic mumbled, his lips barely moving, eyes unblinking as he stared at Kowani.
“Come again?” Kowani asked delicately. “What protocol?”
Tovic was clearly struggling with words. “Directive 21A…...under…..Protocol 17.” He finally managed between raged breaths. Kowani turned to Ahsoka who was shrugging her shoulders, tossing her head slowly back and forth with her arms raised. “No clue.” The Togrutan said in return.
Kowani stretched out with her emotion and directed several small Force flows into the three troopers. Tovic’s eyes brightened slightly, and he blinked several times. “Tovic, stay with me. What is Directive 21A, and what is Protocol 17?”
The trooper breathed deeply several times while closing his eyes, his chest beginning to rise and fall in rhythm with his breathing, his head lolling forward.
“Immediate purge of all assets, through any means necessary.” The black woman mumbled quietly; her eyes closed fully. She smacked her lips together a few times to draw out saliva and swallowed hard. “It’s nice to at least be considered an asset.” She added slowly. “Directive 21A.” She mumbled a few more times as Zeb was returning with the requested items. He handed a small canteen and a pouch of bread to Kowani whom had fixated on the black woman. Ahsoka stepped forward to take related items from the Lasat and sat down next to Tovic. Zeb himself took the cue and squatted down beside the brown skinned trooper lifting his own canteen to the man’s parched lips.
“My name is Bren.” The woman told Kowani between swigs of the water and bites of the bread. “I never forgot it.” She said looking up at her, a solitary tear snaking its way down her left cheek. Whether from the needed nourishment, her revelation or simply just being alive, Kowani couldn’t tell, even with the guidance of the Force. “You know Tovic and that’s Conda.” She said pointing to the man beside Zeb. ‘Bren’ was the only one talking now, the other two mashing bread into their mouths.
“When is the last time you ate anything Bren?” Kowani wondered aloud.
Bren sat with her head cocked to the side for a long moment, “I don’t remember.” She said finally, explaining a lot Kowani thought.
“We ran out of food about a week ago.” She continued between mouthfuls and breaths, “We ran out of water a few days ago. Our commissioned took the only operable shuttle we had to hunt down supplies, and the techs with them.”
“That explains the information we pulled, some of it anyway.” Zeb said as he tipped the canteen in his hand toward ‘Conda’s’ mouth.
Bren took another bite, taking her time with it. Her gaze, although hazy, was regaining some of its natural luster. As she swallowed she looked deep into Kowani’s own eyes. “When you touched down on Trunion the others saw an opportunity to take your vessel.” Bren continued. She took a few deep breaths. “Why did you come to Trunion anyway?”
Kowani wanted to answer the question in full disclosure and looked toward Ahsoka for guidance. Ahsoka shook her head slowly from side to side in a gesture Kowani had expected. She knew these troopers wouldn’t even begin to understand their motives had they been healthy, in their present state, answering the question at all would be foolhardy.
Kowani looked deep within the woman’s eyes, “Looking for refugees.” She decided. “What is Protocol 17?” She said, changing topics back to the original query.
Bren closed her eyes again, “enacted upon the loss of significant military assets.” She recited without hesitation. “Protocol triggers Directive. We aren’t versed in what is transpiring, only what we need to know.” She opened her eyes staring directly into Kowani’s again, “and on Trunion, we needed to know absolutely nothing.”
“Found the third and final according to Fardi. Threat nullified. They did leave behind two mechs and a protocol droid that won’t shut up, but the ship is yours Captain.” Naykie apprised the Challenger.
Miara blew out a short breath, glad the tension was beginning to lift. “Assets?” She asked her Lieutenant.
“Trip IN Cep’s, twin LN’s and a carbon scored, heavily damaged Lambda.” Naykie responded.
‘So, they had fighters after all but either didn’t feel the need to utilize them or weren’t able to,’ Miara thought to herself. An odd turn of events to be certain but aligning with the unusual report’s intelligence had been gathering since the Death Star’s destruction.
“Cap?” Naykie’s modulated voice interrupted her thoughts.
“Go ahead.” Miara responded.
Lieutenant Naykie didn’t answer immediately causing Miara to wonder what she had missed within her inner dialogue. “We’re going to need additional containment ability to..uh..clean up over here.” He said slowly with unintentional hesitation.
Miara thought it through for a few moments and shocked everyone involved with her response, “I am on my way over Lieutenant, we’re going to give the dead a proper deep six. The respect they didn’t get from their own.” She looked around briefly to acknowledge the looks of shock but also those of agreement, again proud of the overriding sentiment. “Commander.” She said suddenly, shifting her gaze to a squat Mon Cal standing erect and at full attention. “Aturg, the ship is yours until my return..and stop staring at me like that.”
Challenger’s commander rolled his left eye and drew air in sharply. “Allowing for three hundred and sixty degrees of vision is worth the sharp comments Captain.” He said with a barking and at the same time gurgling voice, “joking aside, stay safe over there Captain. Challenger will wait patiently for your return.” He croaked, assuring Miara that her ship was well cared for. She turned on her heels and headed for the hangars.
“Ani, I understand you’re otherwise involved now, but I am going to need your help syncing our masking between these two crates. You have your uplink yes?” N’dali’s voice broke into Kowani’s ear, cutting off her conversation with the female trooper. Kowani turned her head from Bren’s gaze and spoke quickly into the comm at her wrist. “Copy that three seven, affirmative on the gear. On the LC?” She waited patiently after posing the question, wondering who was going to pilot the newly acquired vessel.
“On the LC. Hera you in position to deliver?” N’dali’s voice rang in Kowani’s ear again.
“Affirmative.” Hera answered quickly.
Kowani turned to Ahsoka who was already nodding. She turned back to Bren who had closed her eyes again and was resting her head against the ship’s hull. Kowani reached a hand down to pat her lightly on her head and set the unfinished bread beside her before heading toward the ladder. She could feel the ship maneuvering as she reached the upper deck and turned left toward the port airlock.
“Give me a few seconds Ani and you’ll have the lock.” Hera updated.
Kowani took a moment to trace through the conversations going on in her ear bud that she was only half listening to while talking to Bren, remembering the Lieutenant mention droids, “Naykie...Lieutenant Naykie?”
“Go ahead for Naykie.” He responded almost immediately.
“You mentioned droids, are they restrained?” Kowani asked.
“Bolts? Yes.” Came the reply.
“Copy.” Kowani said in return. Thinking quickly, she left the port air lock and headed for the cockpit, “Naykie, keep those droids together and don’t allow that protocol droid out of your sight...in fact don’t let any of them out of your sight.” “Copy, we’ve had eyes on them since arrival.”
Reaching the cockpit hatchway, Kowani braced her momentum with both arms straddling the doorway. “Sabine, mind tagging along on this one? And Hera, I’m going to need R3.”
Hera glanced over her shoulder with an eyebrow raised, “Leaving things a little thin considering the company we’re keeping, don’t you think?” She half scolded.
Kowani cocked her right thumb behind her, “Those three can barely stand, besides Ahsoka and Zeb are with them.” She said matter of fact.
“And if this is a trap?” Hera returned. “We need to be mindful of the situation Ani. Your questions to those troopers, as well as their answers, were heard by all.” She finished waiting for realization to take hold. Kowani’s obtuse stare in return did little to help matters. “Ani.” Hera began anew. “If there are protocols being triggered, directives, then we must assume there are more layers to them.” Hera turned toward the canopy and pointed toward the nascent light cruiser. “We must assume there is a contingency plan if this ship fails to either report in, or worse, is being monitored……” her voice trailed off with a sudden thought. Hera stared at the ‘Tangible’ before her, her thoughts coalescing into a frightening scenario. “It makes sense.” She said to herself, deep in thought. She half turned to Sabine beside her before returning her gaze to the light cruiser.
“Hera?” Ahsoka’s modulated voice crackled in over the ship’s comm. “I think we may have a problem.”