[SoNE Episode XIII - Freebuild 2] On the run

[LucasLaughing]

Note:  this freebuild follows my freebuild Destined to Hang, and takes place before my episode XIII entry Blunt Force Trauma.

 

 

One of the first things soldiers learn is to grab shut-eye whenever possible, so I sleep during the short jump from Commenor to Kuat. The beeping of the nav computer wakes me, just before we drop out of hyper.

  Pilot: Have a nice nap?

Kirana: Yes -

  - Give me one reason why I shouldn't broadcast a distress call saying I've been hijacked by a fugitive.

Because you already know whoever's after me will kill you too, just to keep things quiet. Besides, I'm not a fugitive.

  I -

Imperial Patrol vessel, this is Kuat System Control. Submit your ID and orders.

   KTC, this is system patrol 468-echo-73, coming in for minor repairs.

Roger, patrol. Your transponder shows you currently assigned to Commenor – what are you doing out here?

 

Uh-oh, I can picture his hand moving toward the 'scramble TIEs' option on his console.

 

   KTC, Commenor is correct, however my commanding officer ordered me to take the ship here for repairs.

And why would he do that, patrol?

   KTC, my, uh, understanding is he was operating the vehicle when the damage occurred.

… Oh. Oh. So you mean -

She interrupts him, her voice a perfect imitation of the upper-class Coruscanti accent that officers often adopt.

   Ensign, how the ship was damaged is irrelevant. Your only concern is seeing that the repairs are completed quickly and discreetly.

 

Smart. Tapping into the one experience that unites navy, army and stortrooper corps: getting screwed over by your superior officers. While she finishes talking our way into the system, I try to figure out who to contact.

It's hard to know who to call when your own side is trying to kill you. I have a whole new understanding of Goatm's world. Right now, there are two people I trust.

Captain Jackson Parth was my executive officer back when I was in the 142^nd SpecOps group. He's a good man, and being a SpecOps officer often means knowing when to look the other way. Still, he's a career officer, and whatever 'they' are claiming I've done, it might be too big to ignore.

That leaves 'Grace.' Probably not her real name. She's part of the ISB … the organization is suspect is trying to kill me. Not ideal, but she does owe me a favor...

 

This is TB, calling the DID. The boss is mad, but I'm not sure why. Could use some advice. Out.

  Your codename is 'TB?'

Nickname, not codename. Where are we headed?

  Cargo complex. Plenty of spots to disappear for a while and figure out what to do.

 

Well, it's a bit of a fixer-upper, but I suppose it'll do for now.

Ow! What the hell was that for?!

   You don't get it, do you? No, you just waltz into a system and wave around your spy credentials, demanding a ship and a pilot. I wasn't even supposed to be on duty today! And now, I'm stuck out here with a shot-up ship – which, I might add, was shot by our own people -

Ok, calm down.

   No – you don't get to tell me to calm down. Why were Imperial ships shooting at us?

I don't know.

 Oh, well, that's fine then.

Yeah?

 No!

Her hand moves back … toward her blaster?!?

The rebel pilot pulls a blaster from beneath him, and I fire at point-blank range. His head explodes like an overripe meiloorun. Marla glares at me, pure hate in her eyes, as she picks up the blaster he dropped.

There's no time to do anything. I aim my rifle as she raises the blaster toward me.  My rifle?!  Where is it??  I have to-

 

 

 

 

 

Pain. Pain means I'm still alive. Damnit.

 

 

 

 

She has my comlink...

 

 Grace: TB, you've been a very naughty boy.

 Yeah ... so I hear. Can you extract us?

Yes, but I'll need you to do something for me first.

I, uh, thought you owed me one?

I did, and I just spent ten minutes convincing your lovely companion not to kill you or turn you in. Now we're even. You want something else, I have a job for you.

Sounds like I don't have a choice. What is it?

One of my … associates needs an operator and all his other assets are committed. He'll comm you the details. In the meantime, I've given your companion the coordinates of one of my safehouses. It's not far.

No offense, Grace, but I'm not sure an ISB safehouse is the best place for us right now.

I didn't say ISB safehouse, did I?  You can take an air-taxi there - pay with hard credits only.  Get moving, Grace out.

 

I guess we -

   -don't speak to me.

 

The details from Grace's associate come through a few minutes later.

A simple job. He wants the same thing everyone wants.

He wants me to take a life.

 

Spoiler

 

Phew - that's a long one.  For judging purposes, the hanger walls are mostly the same as the walls in my episode entry, but the rest of the scene was rebuilt.

Thanks for viewing - C & C always welcome!

For those of you not tired of my story yet, the three part backstory with Grace starts here: Flight of the birdman

And the three part story related to his flashback starts here:  FUBAR

 

 

 

[Cody Startale]

Great build as always, the stun shot is excellently executed. But I really, really dig your plot and writing. Something about it feels very natural, in a Star Wars-way, something about the way the characters act and talk to each other. It's almost like reading an X-Wing novel, and as a great fan of Aaron Allston's work, that's about the biggest compliment I can give you.

 

Eager to see more!

Edited December 14, 2016 by Cody Startale

[ChiefPie]

Great story! looking forward to the rest!

[Merc4Hire]

Great dialogue and execution. The conversations really do feel natural and Star Wars-like and the hangar bay looks great. The yellow and red colors balance the build nicely and I also really like that midi-scaled Tie Bomber. 

[Shadows of Nar Eurbrikka]

Judges have awarded you 4 XP!