Dynasty: Chunk Forty-Two
by Valerie Vancollie and Rebecca Thomson
"What is the meaning of this!" General Ragorsh bellowed as he was dragged in front of the remaining Council members. Several aides also filled the room, making the room seem full.
"Treason, General." Mon Mothma calmly replied, her face pinched in anger as she sat at the head of the table.
"Treason?!?" The General sputtered. "I think not. Unless you mean your own!"
"My own!?" Mon Mothma thundered back, loosing her composure. "You're the one who ordered that attack on the Winiterures, didn't you? Without the Council's permission!"
Ragorsh just growled. "Your permission, you mean. You're weak, Mon Mothma. You refuse, over and over again, to truly fight this war. We can not defeat the Empire with one hand tied behind our backs, toeing your lines of impossible morals. We are at war here! Not holding a peaceful protest with nothing but flowery speeches!"
"We are fighting a war, Ragorsh. But we are not terrorists!" Mon Mothma replied, face red with anger. "And you are destroying everything we fight for!"
"You mean you are! I have watched you forbid one action after another, as we gradually loose one battle after another for lack of firm leadership! Don't you dare call me a traitor! You are the traitor!"
"ENOUGH!" General Rieekan suddenly said.
"Don't pretend to be the moderator here, General." Ragorsh sneered, "everyone knows you're in her back pocket. You don't have an independent thought in your head."
The general glared at the bound man. "You have committed treason against the Alliance, Ragorsh. You have ordered an attack that has far-reaching consequences for the Alliance, and you purposefully kept the information from us."
Ragorsh sneered. "Of course. The two of you want to loose this war. Any attack that might give us victory needed to be kept secret from you. You would have-" The general was cut off from the rising voices of both protest and outrage. The general just grinned, aware that some of the aides were quiet and thoughtful. They were the ones who could see his point of view. He had even spoken to a few of them.
Mon Mothma was banging on the table with her fist, calling for quiet. The room slowly settled. "So, you admit it." She said.
"I admit to trying to get the Alliance to take this war seriously, not to treason." Ragorsh replied, eyes narrowed. "And I admit that I will do what needs to be done in order to win this war. Unlike you, who have done more damage to our cause than I care to think about."
Mon Mothma glared, face purpling with rage. General Rieekan cleared his throat. "Very well. Take him away, the Council will determine his punishment." Mon Mothma bit back a protest as Ragorsh was led away.
He smiled grimly as he was dragged off by the rough guards. He had known that this might happen, and he had made a few preparations. He hoped they would be enough.
"Why didn't you let me have him executed?" Mon Mothma asked, furious at Rieekan. She paced behind her desk in her private quarters.
"Because not everyone would have agreed with you. It's better if we just let him rot in a cell for awhile, we don't want to stir up his supporters until we track them all down." The general replied, slightly worried.
Mon Mothma sat down in her chair. "You're right. He just makes me so- mad."
"I noticed."
"I don't believe this!" Lia mumbled as she entered the sitting room.
"What's wrong now?" Richards inquired as he looked at his wife.
"Randolf's sister just called," Lia said as she winced upon seeing her husband's red eyes. He had clearly been crying when she had entered the room. "She's coming here with her son and some friends."
"What's wrong with that?" Richards questioned. "They'll want to be here for the funeral."
"Yes, but she expects lodging here," Lia explained. "And with the number of friends she's bringing we'll have to squeeze them in along with the other relatives that will be coming over. Not to mention the guards that are still using half our guest rooms and that Anjaleen will need various rooms with the entourage Sasha mentioned she now brings."
"I'm sure that the guards can be transferred to the Star Destroyer Vader is staying on," Richards reasoned. "And I doubt that Anjaleen and Lord Vader will be staying here. Not after what the guards said about our security. They'll be staying either on a Star Destroyer or get the whole top floor of the Royal Liso Hotel."
"Okay, then we should have the necessary room to board the rest," Lia said relieved before she moved to her husband's side. "Are you okay? Do you need anything?"
"No," Richards declined as he looked out the window at the lush purple forest that grew behind his home. "I just can't stop thinking of all the things Sasha and I used to do when we were little kids. True, we never did get along too well, but we did have some memorable moments."
"If you want me to do anything, simply tell me," Lia stated after a few moments of silence, unsure of what else to do.
"How old is Benoui now?" Richards suddenly asked, changing the topic as he thought of the boy Randolf had said would inherit his position when he had learned that Anjaleen's husband couldn't do it.
"I think he's nearly twenty-one now," Lia replied as she thought a moment. "Yes, I think that's correct. Why?"
"Just wondering," Richards responded. "After all, he's in charge of representing us in court from now on."
"You don't like that," Lia commented as she remembered how Richards had detested Benoui from the moment he had met him.
"Of course I don't like it!" Richards declared. "He's a bumbling idiot!"
"He's not that bad," Lia reasoned.
"You're right, he's worse," Richards retorted.
Ragorsh looked at his wrist-chrono impatiently as he paced about his small cell. The detention center guards that he had made an agreement with as a precaution when he had put his plan into motion should have come on duty ten minutes ago and yet they still hadn't given any indication that his escape plan was being put into action. For he had taken the time to come up with a backup plan if this happened. He was nothing if not thorough in his planning and his arrest had been one of the possibilities he had foreseen knowing the other two members of the Alliance Council.
Upon hearing a soft click, Ragorsh turned around and watched as the door to his cell silently slid open revealing two men dressed in the uniforms of the Alliance guards.
"General," one of the two said as he saluted.
"Commander," Ragorsh replied as he returned the salute. "Is everything ready?"
"Yes, Sir," the Commander confirmed. "We had a slight delay in getting our pilots to the shuttle to commence the warm-up of the engine, but nothing serious."
"I certainly hope not," Ragorsh stated as he exited his cell and found the rest of the guards waiting for him, one of them offering him a blaster as he passed. "Now let's get out of here before any of those traitors gets wind of what's happening."
"This way, Sir," the Commander said as he opened the elevator and everyone got in. "As you ordered I've made sure that there will be a guard change in the hanger bay, so we shouldn't have any prying eyes until its too late."
"Perfect," Ragorsh replied, pleased as he checked his blaster.
Once he got away all Ragorsh would need to do was send the proper signal to all his men and they would instantly drop their current jobs with the Alliance and join him. If Mothma and Rieekan were going to let the Alliance die, than so be it. But he wouldn't simply sit back in some cell and let them do it. No, he would commence his own rebellion and fight this war the way it needed to be fought. Not only would he do that, but he would win.
The group of men got out of the elevator as it came to a stop and quickly made their way down several hallways and to the hanger bay. Entering it they instantly made for the waiting shuttle and climbed aboard before the replacement guards arrived and took up their positions at the hanger bay entrances.
"Command to shuttle 534," a voice suddenly came over the shuttle com as Ragorsh seated himself in one of the passenger seats. "Where are you going?"
"Command this is shuttle 534, we are leaving on a mission to Dantooine," the shuttle pilot replied as he quickly got the rest of the ship's systems ready to go before he lifted off.
"Shuttle 534 you have no permission to go," the voice stated a moment later. "Please land and wait till you have the necessary clearance to take off."
"Negative," the pilot said as he exited the hanger bay and took the shuttle up towards space. "We are leaving."
"Thanks for coming," Anjaleen said as she looked at Nastalia as she took a seat across from her. "It means a lot to me."
"No problem," Nastalia replied as she smiled at her friend. "I can only imagine what you're going through right now. Besides, what are friends for if they don't help one another in times of need?"
"True," Anja agreed. "But then, its probably good that you weren't here the other day. I was totally out of control. I even blamed Luke for what had happened and got physical."
"You got physical?" Nastalia repeated in disbelief trying to see her friend hitting the young Lord Vader. If it had happened then she was one of few who could do that and survive.
"Yes," Anja admitted guiltily. "I pounded him on the chest a bit. I just don't know what I was thinking. What happened wasn't his fault, it's mine."
"What?" Nastalia demanded, not sure she had heard correctly. "Your fault? And just how is it your fault? You could have done nothing to prevent what happened, just like Luke couldn't have."
"Yes I could have," Anja replied. "I should have made sure that more guards went with them and that they understood better just what their position was. After all, Mother knew nothing of the danger she was in. She just didn't realize how far the Rebels would go to score any kind of hit against Palpatine. They were the closest family those terrorists could get to."
"Anjaleen," Nastalia said as she got up and walked round the table to where her friend was sitting. "There is nothing you could have done. Sure, maybe your mother didn't realize the dangers, but your father was no fool. He's been around court since before you were born, he knew the rules of the game. He understood the dangers that came with being related to the Emperor, even if only by marriage, and yet he still went out to the show. It was his choice and there was nothing that you could have done to prevent what happened."
"But..." Anja began before she broke down and started crying once more.
"Shhh," Nastalia soothed as she embraced her friend.
"What happened?" Luke inquired as he stepped out onto the patio and approached the two.
"Luke," Anja cut in before Nastalia could say anything. "I'm sorry about yesterday. I had no right to blame you like that. You did all you could by sending out the extra guards to them."
"That's okay," Luke reassured his wife.
Nastalia watched as Luke walked over to his wife, a chair silently moving across the patio deck for the Sith to sit in. He reached out, taking Anjaleen's hand in his own. Nastalia gulped, surprised at Luke's casual use of his power. How her friend had ever gotten used to him- but she had more important things to think about.
"My Lord," Nastalia began, "I was thinking. Nathaniel's ship isn't very far away. And perhaps it would be better if Anjaleen went home on a ship with people she knew? I mean, Nathaniel would be very discreet." Nastalia didn't add that even if Anjaleen's parents had just been murdered, court etiquette said that she had to at least appear composed in public. Her husband Nathaniel would do everything in his power to give Anja the privacy she needed right now.
Anjaleen continued to sniffle. "Oh no, Nastalia. I couldn't put Nathaniel through that much trouble. He's busy-"
Luke snorted. "If I wanted to, I could have half the Imperial Fleet assembled to take you home. I rather they be out hunting Rebels. But one ship or another has to take us." Lord Luke nodded to Nastalia. "I will have the order sent. And I appreciate your offer."
"What do you mean, 'he's gone'?" Rieekan asked the head of security.
"I'm sorry Sir, but his cell is empty, and almost a quarter of the guards have disappeared as well. A ship took off without clearance this morning, and several more have run off since then. No one noticed that the General was gone in the confusion."
"He's pulling out his men from the Alliance, General." Came the enraged voice behind him. Both men turned to see Mon Mothma calmly staring out the office window at the hangar bay, only her eyes betraying her inner feelings. "Every last vicious killer that follows him is jumping ship."
The General sighed. "Perhaps we should let them go."
"With our equipment? They'll take everything they can carry. And I doubt we really want them loose in the galaxy, committing acts of terrorism in our name. We will have to do something."
"What?"
"I don't know. Call the Council. Call everyone that still follows us. I need a head-count first, then we will decide. But I won't make this choice alone."
The General nodded, worried. He could tell that Mon Mothma had an idea, but she didn't like it.
Luke poured himself another drink in the Admiral's private office. "And the worst part is, Father's worried that people might think he's getting soft in his old age."
"Soft? Prince Vader? Why?" Nathaniel asked, confused.
"Vess. The man who was in charge of security during the attack that we had sent over from the castle. He's still alive. Father needed him for the investigation, so he put off his execution. But the more we learn, the more Father knows that there was nothing the man could have done. It was an impossible situation. And Vess has years worth of personal service to my father, and he's actually good at what he does." Luke took a sip of the blue liquid in his glass.
"And he failed." Nathaniel said, sighing. "At least I never have those problems, having to kill off decent staff just because they couldn't help themselves." He smiled, letting Luke know that he understood.
Luke sighed back. "I told Father we ought to fake his death, and just send him home. No one will ever notice."
Nathaniel chuckled. "Any leads?" He said, changing the topic.
"Maybe. With any luck, you won't be able to go to the funeral, I'll be sending you off somewhere."
"I would be honored." Nathaniel said, meaning it. He'd rather be fighting than at a funeral anyway.
The hangar was dim and dirty, but large, tucked away in a forgotten cave on a backwater moon. Grim faced men lined the walls, more than one displaying a nervousness brought about by witnessing too much fighting. A shuttle landed, and a party of fighters walked down the ramp. The crowd shuffled about, no one willing to break the silence with cheering, even if they had gathered to see their return. A man walked up to the small group, medals and gold braid glittering in the dim light.
Nate saluted before General Ragorsh. "Mission complete, Sir." He said, eyes still afire with the victory.
"I know, it was all over the news." The general replied, gratified that his men had made it back. Well, most of them. "However, not all of the Alliance supported our move." The general turned back to the room, looking over the expectant crowd. "Well?!" he thundered, "is that how we greet our heroes?!?"
Someone started to clap, and the huge cavern soon echoed with shouts. The general held Nate's hand up, and the roar grew. He let them yell, a smile on his lips. He waited for them to quiet down before he continued.
"This is our biggest victory since the Death Star at Yavin IV!" He yelled, and his men cheered back. "We struck at the very heart of the Empire, at the ruling family! But, but," He added, regret in his voice, "not everyone was supportive of the attack. Not everyone thought we should strike at the Empire." Angry muttering could be heard as Ragorsh continued, leading his men on. They only needed to be told what to think, who to fight.
"As if we shouldn't fight the Empire! As if we should just lay down and let them take our freedom!" He yelled, letting the careful rumors he had already spread fill in the gaps of his argument. Everyone in the large cavern knew whom he was talking about. "We were born to fight! To fight for freedom! And I won't let any two-faced traitors stand in our way!"
The cheering grew again, and the General allowed himself to grin. "And I won't let anyone stand in your way either! Now, I brought a little gift," he motioned, and a small group of men brought out some crates of what looked to be ale, "and I want you all to celebrate our freedom from the rest of the Council. Tomorrow we fight!" With that, he stepped away, letting the crowd cheer him on.
"I should have done this years ago." Ragorsh muttered to himself as he slipped back to his quarters.
"Well?" Mon Mothma questioned as General Rieekan entered her private office. "How many people left?"
"Three quarters of the number of people supposed to be stationed here have reported in as ordered," Rieekan informed her. "So, assuming that several people missed the announcement ordering them to report, Ragorsh got about a quarter of our members from this base alone."
"Its worse than I thought," Mon Mothma stated as her hands formed fists. "What about our cells? Have you contacted them yet?"
"Most of them," Rieekan replied. "Several have reported people going AWOL while others still have everyone. A small number of bases closer to us simply aren't responding to us so we need to assume them in Ragorsh's hands. We are still awaiting reply from those bases on the other side of the Core."
"Very well, inform me as soon as you know more," Mon Mothma ordered. "And what about the upper ranking officers of this base? Are they assembled in the Council room?"
"Yes," Rieekan confirmed. "They are ready and awaiting our presences."
"Let's go then," Mon Mothma said as she walked past the general and out of her office. "How many shuttles and other equipment did we loose to Ragorsh?" she asked as they made their way through the halls.
"Eight shuttles and about half of our portable weapons," Rieekan stated grimly. "They clearly took what they could and left in groups."
"We have neither the time nor the resources for this mess," Mon Mothma complained as she looked at her friend. "On the one hand I want to declare them traitors from the Alliance and thus Imperial so that the people of the galaxy will know that we don't support their terrorist acts, while on the other hand I don't want to create us another enemy. That is the last thing we need at the moment; to watch our backs as well as fighting the Empire."
"It'll be a group decision," Rieekan reassured her.
"Thank the Force for that," Mon Mothma muttered.
Vess shook his head as he walked down the corridor on board the Executor. In less time than he would have thought, Vader had gotten not only the number of men involved in the attack, but most of their names as well. He had been utterly ruthless in his interrogations, using a combination of drugs and droids that was normally not used due to the high risk of killing the subject. However the Dark Lord had clearly used the Force to judge when to stop and when he could continue and had thus quickly cracked the two Rebels.
The most interesting piece of information had been one that had accidentally slipped past the lips of one of the prisoners. The Sith Lord hadn't even been asking for it but it had come out and he had pounced on it like a cat. It seemed that the mission hadn't gotten official sanction of the Alliance Council, simply from one of its members. It was a pity that they hadn't captured someone who held a higher rank, someone who knew why this had happened and not someone who was simply following orders.
Vess shook his head as he entered the room he had been assigned since moving out of the home of the Winiterures' relatives. Sitting down on the bed he frowned in confusion. He had spent another morning working with Prince Vader seeing if they could track the remaining ships which had gotten out of the system before the spaceport had been closed and they had managed to narrow it down to three.
The more Vess interacted with the Dark Lord, the more he knew that he probably wasn't going to die as there was no more reason why he should be alive. He had given all the information he knew to the Prince. If he did survive and was sent back to the castle then he would throw himself into the training the Emperor's guards were giving with all he was worth. If he lived he was determined to make up for his failure at a later date. But first he would need to get back alive and today he would have to face Anjaleen as she arrived and apologize to her personally for failing.
"Quiet!" Mon Mothma called out, trying to make herself heard over the loud buzz that had filled the room as soon as she had stated their only two alternatives. "I know that we are caught between a rock and a hard place, but those are the only two courses of action I see available to us. If anyone else has any ideas or suggestions, please speak now."
"Couldn't we simply say that what they did was not authorized?" an Aqualish inquired as silence fell over the room. "Or something similar instead of outright declaring them traitors?"
"In that case it would make people think that the Council can't handle our members," Rieekan stated. "Indeed, if it had been anyone other than Ragorsh we would have known something was up as someone lower would have needed our authorization for the transferal of the men who carried out the actual attack."
"True," the Aqualish admitted. "But I don't like declaring them traitors. That will only breed more hatred between us and them and we can't afford that at this point in time."
"Do you suggest remaining silent and letting the people think that we not only agree but gave permission for that attack?" Mon Mothma asked as other people began to mutter amongst themselves. "Then our enlistment rates will sink and the desertion rates will soar."
"I see your point," the Aqualish responded. "But I still don't like it."
"Me neither," Mon Mothma declared as she surveyed the others. "Which is why I want this to be a mutual decision. Either way we stand to loose more than we gain."
"So we either say nothing and let people think we sanctioned the attack," a Bothan began. "Or we tell the people the truth and risk getting Ragorsh's wrath aimed at us as well."
"Yes," Rieekan confirmed. "But don't forget, if we remain silent then we will also be saying that we agree with all of the future attacks Ragorsh will commit. The people won't know he's acting separately from us."
"I say we tell the people the truth," a Sullustian voiced his opinion. "After all, Ragorsh's wrath will not be great considering the fact that he will also be busy fighting the Empire. He will be more of a problem once the Empire is gone, but we need to think of the here and now."
"I second that," another voice stated before more and more people began to talk.
"Silence!" Rieekan ordered and waited until the others had done so. "Everyone who wants to go public raise your hands. I guess this means that is what we do," he said as nearly all hands shot up.
Anjaleen sat in her uncle's sitting room, receiving one set of acquaintances after another. She felt as if she would wilt under the strain. Half a dozen red-robed Imperial Sovereign Protectors fanned out around the chair she was sitting in. Vader's personal house guards lining the walls. Luke sat next to her, dressed in a subdued green. She was surprised he owned anything that wasn't covered in jewels, but he seemed to have pulled the outfit out of somewhere. Anja pulled herself back to the conversation at hand.
"Yes, we are truly sorry for your loss, Lady Vader."
"Thank you." Who was it she was talking to? She thought she had seen this fat balding man at her wedding, but she couldn't recall. Fortunately, he just smiled again as he bowed to leave.
Once the man was out of earshot, Luke sighed beside her. "This is a waste of time." He whispered. "I wish I could get us out of here."
Anja sighed back. "Yes, that would be nice."
Beside her, Luke stiffened. The guards picked it up, and the whole room was suddenly saturated with tension. Across the room, the new arrival just hung his head. Luke rubbed his forehead. "Anja, are you sure you want to do this?"
She nodded. "Yes. I must." She lifted her chin, nodding to the man. He tentatively started walking forward.
Luke sighed again. "Very well, but at least have the rest of the guests leave. They do not need to see any of our household's internal affairs." Anja silently agreed, and Luke motioned the guards, who cleared the room of everyone waiting to see Lady Vader.
The man came forward, stopping several paces back from the seated pair, silently bowing. "My Lady-" He quietly said, then checked himself, "Lady Vader, I wish to formally apologize for my failure."
In a small voice, Anja replied, "very well."
The man took a big breath, and Anjaleen remembered his name. Vess. The one who had been in charge of her parent's security. Or at least, the man Prince Vader had sent to help with her parent's security.
"Lady Vader, I most humbly apologize for my failure to protect your parents from the Rebel attack. I knew that the security was insufficient for the job, and I was unable to find a way to compensate. I can not ask your forgiveness, but I do sincerely regret my decisions."
Anjaleen nodded, looking at the man, and then at Luke. Luke casually shrugged. "He is yours." Anjaleen blinked, looking back at the man who was hanging his head before her. Luke had given this man's life into her hands. She could order his death, if she wished. And no one would ever complain. Not even the man himself. Anja could see the deep shadows under his eyes, his haunted expression.
She came to her decision. "Vess." He barely flinched. "It is my understanding that you sent word that this planet was not offering its court representative adequate security for his position, is that true?"
"Yes, Lady Vader."
"And you requested more support?"
"Yes, Lady Vader."
"And that support was in transit during the attack, is that true?"
"Yes, Lady Vader."
"And my parents had chosen, against your advice, to attend the flower show. Am I right?"
"Yes, Lady Vader."
"Well, I knew my mother was an idiot, but I am still surprised that my father chose to go."
Vess didn't reply. He dared a glance at her, faintly surprised that the Lady looked furious. Lord Luke shifted beside her, reaching out one hand to brush her arm.
"And you can stop calming me down, Luke. It's not going to work. The truth is, my parents'- death- was clearly preventable by only two people and those two people were my parents themselves. If they had listened, they'd still be here."
Her husband shifted. "Well, them and the Rebels. The Rebels could have chosen not to attack."
"You can't trust terrorists to be reasonable." Anjaleen ground her teeth. "Vess, go back to the Castle. I accept your apology. Besides, if you really had done anything wrong, Darth would have figured that out by now."
"Yes, my Lady." The man bowed again, relief flowing over his face. He turned and left.
Anjaleen slumped in her seat. "Luke, do you think I could get out of seeing any more people today?"
"Yes."
"She's mad at her parents now. For being stupid." Luke said as the turbolift aboard the Executor rushed to the bridge. His father grunted beside him.
"Normal, actually. Is she settled in her rooms?"
"Yes." The doors swished open, and the two Sith stepped out.
"My Prince, we have just received another communication from the holo-news channels. It appears that the Rebels have made another announcement." The current Admiral reported.
The two Sith exchanged glances. "Show me." Prince Vader said.
They watched the grainy recording of Mon Mothma declaring that traitors had made the most recent attack in silence. Luke spoke first. "Do you think it is real?"
"Perhaps." Darth Vader replied. "I would match with the intelligence reports I have received."
Luke sighed. "So, now we have two groups to hunt down. Two groups to predict." He sounded resigned.
"Perhaps more with time. They are very splintered now. This was always a possibility."
"With any luck, they'll turn on each other." Luke growled, and then suddenly locked eyes with his father. "Or, at least with a little help."
"We've got it," Nathaniel exclaimed, ignoring the look the other Admiral sent him as he entered the bridge of the Executor, having decided to personally deliver this message. Quickly he walked to where the two Vaders stood. "My Prince, my Lord, two of the three remaining unknown ships that left the planet before the lockdown have been located. We also have a good idea of where the last ship went due to the fact that a captain on his down time saw it."
"Good," Luke said as he took the report and scanned it.
"This should lead us to Ragorsh," Vader stated, using the name Mon Mothma had given in her announcement as he looked over his son's shoulder at the report. "Seeing that he is the more volatile of the two fractions this might be our chance to put the two at war with one another as well as fighting us. After all, the quickest way to eliminate the Alliance is to cause even more internal fighting."
"Indeed," Luke agreed before he turned his attention back to the waiting Admiral. "Inquire around and see what you can get of older ships that aren't clearly Imperial. Something the Rebels might have and would use in an attack. Some X-wings if possible. But do it quietly, we don't want to alert them of what we're doing."
"As you wish, my Lord," Nathaniel replied, trying to suppress his smile as he bowed and moved away to head back to his destroyer where he could access the information he'd need.
"Hurry up, Honey," Edith called out as she stopped once more and turned to look to where her husband was buying something from a street vender. "We will miss the shuttle to Malester if we don't get a move on."
"Coming, coming," Nocer replied as he took the datachip he had just bought and hurried forward. "And don't you twitch your tail like that, I was just getting us something to read for on the flight so that we don't get bored."
"I don't care about no reading material," Edith stated, her fur changing from red to brown in irritation. "I don't want to miss this shuttle as the next one won't leave until tomorrow and then we'll not get to see the podrace."
"Good, then perhaps you won't waste our credits gambling," Nocer responded as they rounded a street corner and the spaceport came into sight before them.
Edith was just opening her mouth to reply when a loud siren went off nearby. "Attack!" someone cried out as people scattered and ran for cover as X-wings swooped down from the sky. Some began firing randomly while others concentrated their aim on the Imperial defenses guarding the port.
"What are they doing?" Edith wondered aloud as she narrowly avoided being fried as an X-wing blew away several shops at the side of the street.
"Who knows?" Nocer responded as he pulled his wife closer to the smoking rubble. "But I doubt that they'll hit the same place twice."
"But why are they attacking Jine?" Edith questioned as a shuttle descended from the atmosphere, guided by a couple of Y-wings and landed in one of the docking bays of the port.
"They probably want the cargo of some ship," Nocer guessed as he kept his eyes on the sky, looking for any warning of where the X-wings would spout their deadly energy beams next.
"And I used to think that the Rebels were the good guys in this war," Edith whispered softly so that no one else could hear it but her husband.
"I know what you mean," Nocer admitted. "It used to be only the Empire who killed civilians, now the Alliance does it too," he continued as he looked to where a Zabrak child held the clearly dead body of a parent. "This war has reached the point where neither side is any better than the other."
"Yes," Edith agreed. "I wish that it would simply end so that the useless bloodshed would stop."
As if on cue, a loud scream tore from the spaceport followed by blaster fire just before an X-wing fired once more, bringing another building down on the huddling innocent bystanders.
"Oh Force," Edith said as she turned away as the people where crushed and blood of various colors flowed freely from the rubble. "Let this end. One way or another, I don't care who wins, just finish it."
Thoughts? Comments? Suggestions? E-mail Rebecca or me at valeriev84@hotmail.com
