“Star destroyer dead ahead.” Titan said to his friend in the gunner seat of the fighter.
The exo peered into his frontal display. “We have enemy fighters inbound!” He exclaimed. “It appears we have been noticed.”
A cloud of screaming TIE fighters erupted from the destroyer’s hangar bay. Titan weaved and tucked the TIE through the numerous holes and passages in the Resurgent star destroyer, searching for an entry point while the exo fended off their pursuers using the rear turret. “I don’t think we’ve been properly introduced.” Titan called to the exo. “Name’s Titan.”
“The closest thing to a name that I have is G-7567.”
“Sounds like a mouthful. Hey, how about Giant? Can I call you Giant?”
“Hmm...” the exo brought his hand to his chin for a moment of thought. “Yeah...I like the sound of that!”
Titan continued evasive maneuvers, but the other TIEs continued to chase them relentlessly.
“It’s no good,” said Titan, exasperated. “Incoming flak is too heavy. We need to get out of here.”
“Surely you do not suggest that we run?”
“If we don’t they will kill us, or worse, capture us.”
Before the exo could respond, a blast from one of the TIEs sheared across the hull of the fighter.
“That did not sound good.”
“They hit the hyperdrive!” Titan shouted over the crackle of damaged electronics. “Now we’re stuck! We’re done for-wait, why is it still on my display-“
With a shudder, the damaged hyperdrive sprung to life. Random coordinates were calculated into the navicomputer, and the fighter zipped into the hyperspace dimension.
“What the-?!” Titan exclaimed. “The hyperdrive malfunctioned!”
“I guess you got what you wanted.” Giant sulked from the gunner seat. “We have successfully run away. Congratulations.”
“You don’t understand!” Titan shouted back. “The coordinates inputted into the computer were random! We could be going anywhere! We could even be heading into a-“
The indigo blur around them suddenly vanished as they reentered realspace right in front of a star.
“-That!” Titan heaved the the flight stick hard to the right.
They managed to get away before the heat could dissipate their shields.
“Alright alright alright, there should be a habitable system around here.” Titan checked the monitors. “Let’s see...hmm...well that’s odd.”
“What is it, Titan?” Giant inquired.
“We’re in the Mandalore system. This where you come from?”
“I...I think so. My memory is a little fuzzy.” Giant rumbled, holding his head with one hand. “I think I may have lost some of it in the crash.”
“Or when Seth hit you in the head.”
“That might‘ve played a part.”
The flight console started beeping as multiple red dots appeared on Titan’s radar.
“They found us?” Giant puzzled. “How could this happen?”
“Hyperspace tracking.” Titan answered. “Apparently that’s a thing. I think it’s bull, too.”
The fighter’s engines roared as it made its way to the orbiting moon of Concord Dawn.
“Hang on! This is gonna get rough!” Titan shouted to the back, putting the TIE in full throttle.
The fighter groaned and vibrated on entry into the atmosphere of the planet.
“Shields at 30% and dropping!” Giant reported. “They’re too fast! I can’t shake them off!”
“Just hold on! We can lose them through the mountains up ahead-“
“Too late! The shields are down!”
“Son of a-”
The left wing of the TIE erupted in a plume of flame, the fighter spiraling down towards the planet below.
——————————————————————
Grand Admiral Liam frowned as he received the communique. His TIE squadron had downed the stolen fighter, yes, but with noticeable casualties. He would have to note their efficiency in his next report.
“Prep the ship for hyperspace.” He commanded the helmsman. “Chart coordinates to Concord Dawn. I want us there in less than half a rotation.”
The helmsman nodded and started the calculations.
The Admiral keyed his comlink. “Bring the special forces commander to the bridge. I have an assignment for him.”
“Admiral!”
He turned around to see his aide, Valenti walking briskly towards him.
“This had better be important.” Liam muttered impatiently.
“Priority transmission from Number One, sir.”
The frown melted off from the Admiral’s face and was replaced with an expression of dismay. “By all means, Valenti, put him through.” He said, regaining his calm disposition.
He turned to the bridge’s central hologram projector as a dark figure appeared. He was seated on a blackened stone throne. His visage was blurred, and he wore dark gladiatorial armor on his large frame.
“Progress report.” He boomed in a low, evidently disgruntled voice.
Liam straightened himself. “We have located the asset and have tracked him to the planet of Concord Dawn. We are en route for recovery now.”
“And what of the City?”
“It poses no threat. Our forces our pulling out as we spea-“
Liam’s face slammed into the floor with a sudden [i]thud[/i].
“[i][b]Idiot![/i][/b]” the man thundered, now standing upright. “Do you not realize that the fighter could’ve been a decoy?”
“No, your Excellency.” Liam said as he got up.
“Lore must be punished for its treachery. Wipe it from the map.”
“Sir?”
“Do it, or I’ll have your head.”
Liam bowed. “It will be done at once, my lord.”
The hologram dissipated with a crackle. Liam clenched his fist. “That man is a liability to the Empire.” He murmured. “You heard the Emperor.” he declared to his subordinates, “Let’s get started.”
-
BuNp [spoiler]I thought Liam was the emperor... Or is this his backstory as well?[/spoiler]