Survival, Dark Times 2

[Revan Jast]

Kurt nodded. "I'll be sure to do my best to take them down." Switching back to the woman, he asked her what frequency the security forces were on. Once she told him, he thanked her and turned the dial.

"Ok, listen up. The Killer crew has gotten loose, and Sora has taken me on to help find them. Any security forces in the vicinity of..."

He looked at the street signs for a moment. "Of the 432nd and King Road intersection, get your asses over here. I'll be leading a team in the hunt for the rogue crew."

It wasn't a minute or two later till he had six men running for him. "Who the hell are you?" one of them asked him.

"A merc with a penchant for killing," he replied, offering a smile that was almost creepy. The guard looked away.

Kurt looked down the street. "Alright, we're gonna go this way, straight east. The Crew is down that way somewhere, so maybe if we coordinate with the others we can box them in."

"Well then, lead the way," another one said.

Kurt did just that. Hope this buys you all enough time.

[hk47fan]

Trika

We all quickly went down into the passageway beside the sewers...sometimes I'd be disgusted about being beside a place like that, but I had just crawled through a trash compactor and the GS was much worse.

Everyone was walking along calmly, but as quickly as possible. Caitlin and Chewie were still helping Leia along.

"Is this passageway long?" Miss Haltzilakas asked Winter.

Declan

The guards approached, and I ignited my lightsaber once again. They all looked at me, firm facial expressions. "Where are the fugitives?" one asked sternly.

"With all due respect, you will not know until they are long gone," I replied.

"Open fire! We don't have time for this!"

The plethora of security officers opened fire, and I began to furiously deflect bolts. I may be a master at combat, but I wouldn't last forever...however, I'd last long enough.

Barriss, I thought, reaching out into the Force. When you find my wife Marlena, and I know you will, tell her...I love her, too.

I remembered her Force message a short time ago. It seemed to have some urgency to it, but I knew Marlena...she would be alright.

With that, I attacked, and began my final battle.

[Rain]

Winter

"No." I answered hastily as I kept walking, "The exit is a minute or so up ahead. As it's a quarantine dock there will be no guards, until the doors open of course. So I need you all ready to take off before you leave so you can escape the guards standing outside."

We kept wlaking until we came to an old ladder. I climbed up and opened the hatch at the top. I glanced around just to be sure. "It's clear." I said as I pushed myself up. I then extended a hand to Memah, who was next in line.

She hesitated. "Yeah, uh, if this is a quarantine dock, do we really want to be in there?" She asked, clearly anxious.

I let myself smile. "Don't worry, no deadly viruses in here. This place was used by the Imperials to cover up things they didn't wnat anyone seeing. Looks like Sora had a similar idea." I motioned again for her to grab my hand so I could help her up, "Now come, we don't have much time..."

[Revan Jast]

Selas climbed up to the top next with a speed that was uncanny for someone his size. He reached back down and directly lifted Fi up. "I've got to get the Killer going," he said to Winter. "I trust you can handle Leia?"

Winter nodded, and Selas ran off for the old familiar ship. It seemed almost foreign and imposing, here in the dim lights of the spacepad. Yet seeing it warmed his heart. So much history here, on this ship, he thought, running a hand over its hull. "Lower ramp," he spoke aloud, hoping voice activation still worked. It did. Sora hadn't had time to wipe the old crew out of the computer, only to lock the ship in the zone.

Fi went up first and Selas followed her. When he got to the top, he hesitated. "Wait! Isn't Sanji coming?"

"I talked with her before meeting you back there on the streets. She's going to stick with the Jedi for now... but we'll probably see her on Bespin, Selas. Try not to worry too much about her. She's a big girl."

Selas frowned. "I'm her father, and as estranged we might be, I still wonder how she is." He sighed. "I guess you're right. The Jedi will keep her safe, I'm sure. Go get buckled up."

Fi left for the main hold while Selas headed for the cockpit. He took a seat and flipped a few switches, powering up the main lights and communications and setting the engines on standby. "Alright, Han. Get your ass on that Falcon and let's leave this rock behind," he said aloud to no one in particular.

[hk47fan]

Kossk

I climbed up into the quarantine bay, and looked on at the two ships before me...the two most identifiable ships on this planet, probably. Led by honorable bodies.

I walked up the ramp of the Killer, touching its plating as I stood at the top of it. I looked at it.

"This will be one of the very few times our bodies have ever been on this ship without the Captain...but I am sure those few will turn into many," I hissed.

"Alright, we need to decide who is going with who," Miss H said, looking at us all. "Aside from the obvious people."

"I'll go on the Killer," Dusk said.

I also saw the Ewok brush past my body, heading for the cockpit himself.

"I'm going on the Falcon, because I'd expect that to be where Leia goes, considering Han will be on it," Caitlin replied.

"I will travel with Captain Solo," C-3PO announced. "And I believe that R2 will be coming with me."

"You are going to need all the room you can get, I'll go on the Killer," Lynn said.

"Me too," Nack agreed.

"I will travel on the Killer as well," Ackbar said.

"I can travel on either ship," Miss H told us. "Anyone else?"

[Rain]

Winter

"The whole giving birth thing doesn't agree with me." Memah said, rasing her hand, "I guess I'll take the Killer also."

"Alright." I said with a nod as the respective parties gathered. "Good luck to all of you."

"Winter, come with us!" Leia pleaded well it was more of a pant as the contractions had clearly started. "We can't just leave you here!"

"I'll be fine, Leia!" I assured her, "We've been through this. Now you lot have to go!"

A tear dripped from Leias cheek, as she nodded solemnly "I... I understand." She finally said, "But we will see each other again! Don't you think I'm going to let my children grow up without their godmother!"

I was slightly taken aback. And for once, I was speechless. Leia and I were close in the past, but we were only recently reunited. I was honored that she would bestow such a position to me. "Count on it!"

The groups made their way to their ships, then I remembered there was one last thing. "Trika!" I called out, "Before you go, I need you to help me with something."

[hk47fan]

Trika

"I'll go on the Falcon, then," Miss Haltzilakas decided.

Everyone then began to board their respective ships, with mostly everyone piling onto the Killer...though it'd make sense, considering it was the bigger ship and Leia was about to scream bloody murder on the Falcon. I sure didn't want to be around for that.

Before I could board the ship, I heard Winter ask me something. I turned around to face her. "Yes?"

[Rain]

Winter

I waited until everyone else had boarded the ships, then I pulled out a remote. "Take this." I said as I handed it to Trika, "It will remotely open the door so you guys can fly out. Make it quick though, the guards outside likely have anti-aircraft artillery, so you will have to get out immediately to avoid them."

Trika looked confused as to why I was giving this to her specifically. The truth was I could have given it to any of them. The remote wasn't the reason for calling her back.

"That's not all." I said before I allowed her to leave, "I need you to knock me out." There was a slight pause, "Look, no arguments, just do it. Sora is eventually going to discover I wa shere, at least this way it seems like I tried to stop you guys, and got a knock on the head for my troubles. It will gain me his trust, and enable me to work on the inside to help you out.

I stepped back and composed myself. "Good luck, Trika. I'm ready..."

[hk47fan]

Trika

I blinked, not only at the remote, but mostly at her question...though I did understand it. "Damn, you Aldeeran girls are smart," I remarked. "I usually don't hit people without good reason, but I can make an exception. Hope it doesn't leave a bruise."

I curled my hand up into a fist, and calling upon all my might, I punched Winter right in the face. She immediately slumped to the ground, unconscious.

I turned and ran straight towards the Killer. The Falcon's ramp was already closing, so once I got to the top of the boarding ramp of the other ship, I did the same for it.

As it closed, I ran for the cockpit. "Lets get out of here!" I shouted.

I pressed the button on the remote, and the docking bay doors immediately opened. No more than one second after they did, the Falcon zoomed out of them, with the Killer right behind it.

[Rain]

Han

I peered out the viewport at Trika making her way onto the other ship. "Alright Chewie get us prepped for launch, I'll be back in a second."

I got up and made my way into the cargo hold, where Caitlin and Leia were situated. Leia was breathing heavily and it was clear she would be giving birth soon. "Han... I need to tell you something."

"Yeah?"

"It's Olee. She has been captured by Jabba the Hutt. She gave herself up so that we could escape." Leia continued, "We have to get her back Han..."

I had completely forgotten about Olee in all this chaos, and after hearing what Leia had told me I had every intention of getting her back from that stunted piece of slime. Olee was the reason for Leia being here now, and therefore the reason for the survival of my unborn children. "We will. I need to go back to the cockpit now, and fire this baby up. You're in safe hands with Caitlin. I'll be back once I plot the co-ordinates for Bespin. I promise."

We exchanged smiles and I made my way back to the pilot's seat. Chewie had prepped teh ship and we were ready to take off. The doors ahead opened.

"Alright Chewie, punch it!"

[Revan Jast]

Selas opened the comms to the Falcon as he started the engine. "Ready when you are!"

As the Killer came to life, he placed his hands on the controls, ready to take off. It felt awkward, him being here. This was Sora's seat... not his. His best friend and brother (yes, he considered Sora his brother) had commanded and piloted the Killer for years from this very spot, and now the task had fallen into his hands. He had some very large shoes to fill... but he didn't think he ever would.

"There's no man like Sora Trok," he said quietly. "Goodbye, my brother."

The Falcon zoomed out of the docking bay, and Selas gunned the engines, following him out. There was no room for error, no room for mistakes, no time to reflect, no time to remember.

"Make sure your seatbelts are fastened, folks. We're out of here," he said, struggling to not cry. No time for crying either.

Then they were up over the buildings of Coruscant, up in the atmosphere... and gone.

------------

Kurt and his group had covered considerable distance and they were nearly at the containment bay when the doors opened. "What the he-" one of the guards started to say, as they all turned in that direction.

The Falcon sped out first, followed by the famous Killer. No one even bothered to fire a shot; they were all captivated by the sight of two of the most famous ships in the galaxy. After a moment or two the guards ran after them, as if it were possible to even keep up on foot. Their attention diverted, Kurt raised his hand and waved at the fleeing ships.

I wish you luck, wherever you're going. Maybe we'll meet again someday.

Turning around, he headed for the inside of the containment bay. He thought he'd spotted a figure inside.

------------

"So it has begun," the dark robed figure said, standing on the balcony carved out of black rock. Tall stone doors stood open behind him, arcane symbols and hieroglyphics adorning nearly every inch of them. He leaned forward, his pale hands gripping the cold railing around the balcony. "Yes... so it has begun for us all."

After a few moments he turned around and went inside towards the darkness, towards what sounded like snarling and growling and clanging metal. The stone doors swung shut behind him with a loud boom, a sound that traveled across the barren landscape for what seemed like miles.

And then all was silent.

[Rain]

Winter

I looked up at the beige ceiling. Then I felt the pain. "Uh!" I said as I slowly brought my hand up to my painful jaw. I was surprised Trika hadn't broken it, with teh strength she had hit me with. I slowly rolled over onto my stomach, and pushed myself up onto my knees. I was too dizzy and disorientated to stand up, or even think straight for that matter.

Blood dripped from one of my lips and created a small pool on the floor. This was what I had hoped for. I glanced around and noticed both ships were gone.

They did it!

My hearing began to get better as I heard the muffled sounds of shouts. I looked at the opening, and could make out a figure coming towards me. As the figure got closer I noticed who it was. Kurt Jervada.

I smiled, or at least tried to with a massively swollen lip. "Looks like they got away. Bummer, eh?"

[Revan Jast]

"Don't I know it," Kurt said, smirking. He extended his hand out to her, and she grabbed it. Pulling her up, he glanced around at the now empty bay. "It feels weird already with them being gone."

He stood back and brushed his clothes off, then put a hand on Winter's shoulder. "You can walk, right?" She nodded in reply.

"Good." Kurt took a few steps forward into the sunlight. "Well, first things first. Let's go see the boss and tell him what's up. I'm sure I'll get a few credits docked from my paycheck for letting them get away, but who gives a fuck?" he said, his smile showing that he was being sarcastic.

Looking at the security guards, he shrugged and motioned towards the bulk of the city. "Lead the way, folks. We've got a meeting with the Admiral."

And with that, they all walked into the setting sun.

[hk47fan]

Sora

I sat in my office, hoping to get the report any minute now that they had been stopped...that they were in custody. But it never came...and I wasn't surprised. They were strong, I knew that much...but I thought they were better than this.

But I was wrong. I had been wrong about alot of things, it seemed.

I looked out my window...I saw two famous ships ascending towards the sky. One of them was my own, that they had taken.

I scowled, but I wasn't shocked. Of course they would try to do that, it was only logical...they knew they had to leave Coruscant, and Han needed his ship back...and of course, in order for everyone to be able to escape, they had to steal the Killer, the only other decent-sized ship that they could get their hands on.

I felt a tear fall from my eye as I watched my own ship, a ship I had owned and ran for years, vanish into the sky, with most of my former friends on it.

You actually betrayed me...I thought you all were above this, I really did. Thats why I kept hoping you would understand...but it appears that none of you are what I thought you were.

"You'll regret this," I vowed, my tone a very low and harsh one.

It may be out of character for me to say that...but if people that I knew and loved could truly be like this, then perhaps Mesiros was right. And perhaps I had been too soft...it was time to harden up, and truly run this government the proper way.

I turned, silently and solemnly, and walked away from the window.

Kossk

I stood at the viewport as our bodies and our ships went into space...we quickly flew far away from Coruscant, leaving the Captain, the former Captain behind. Now, once again, a vast amount of space was before our bodies...we were back to what we were years ago: Fugitives.

I looked down at the Selas body.

"Before this event, your body was first mate....congratulations, Selas, your body is the new Captain," I told him. Not in a mean way, but not in a happy way, either. This was a very sad events for all of our souls and bodies.

I walked into the Main Hold, where most of the other bodies were.

"I...I just can't believe it," Nack said, his body likely in disbelief.

"I guess the fight's begun," Ackbar commented. "Yet another fight...a fight for freedom."

"Not just for freedom," I corrected, lowering my head.

"What else are we fighting for?" Dusk asked curiously, looking at me.

I raised my head, and locked eyes with every single one of them.

"Survival."

---------

To Be Continued...