EPISODE I - SIX: Checkpoint
The Resistance shuttle emerged from hyperspace, Aporoth still far ahead of them. The First Order kept three Imperial-class Star Destroyers in a wide orbit around the planet as a means to screen any possible threats to their operations on the surface. There was no reasonable way to maintain communications between the space lanes and ground control due to radio signal disruption caused by Aporoth's natural energy resonance. It was necessary for all inbound craft to announce their intent and destination in order to be granted passage.
The small craft didn't need to hail one of the antiquated navy vessels because there was one conveniently waiting directly ahead of it.
"This must be our lucky day," chirped Adria.
Dex studied the situation with a bit of anxiety; this just felt a little too familiar to him. He was told "Star Destroyers" according General Organa's intel, but didn't expect them to be the same model as the one he encountered with his grandfather all those decades ago. He tabled the prickly feeling that ran down his spine.
"This must be our lucky day," chirped Adria.
Dex studied the situation with a bit of anxiety; this just felt a little too familiar to him. He was told "Star Destroyers" according General Organa's intel, but didn't expect them to be the same model as the one he encountered with his grandfather all those decades ago. He tabled the prickly feeling that ran down his spine.
"I've got this part," Dex whispered.
The commlink beeped an incoming transmission. "Unidentified freighter, state your name and destination." The officer's voice had the same clipped affect as the Imperial officer his grandfather encountered over Taris. Yes, this was definitely too familiar.
"This is the cargo shuttle," Dex hesitated, looking for the name of the craft. "Blue Kaadu. We're on a supply run to K'owan."
"This is the cargo shuttle," Dex hesitated, looking for the name of the craft. "Blue Kaadu. We're on a supply run to K'owan."
"K'owan, is it?" the officer replied with a questioning tone. "You're quite a stretch off target if you're heading to K'owan."
"Yes, yes... I'm aware of that," Dex said with as much confidence as he could dredge up.
Adria threw Balagon a look of concern, a look which he was eager to erase.
He continued, "I have a rookie pilot at the helm and I'm training her to locate her targets by sight since beacons are useless down there. I'm sorry if any of this appears out of the ordinary, but she's gotta learn somehow."
There was dead silence that was broken by faint crackles of static. The moments passed slowly and everyone aboard the shuttle started to feel itchy. Balagon nodded to Almeida, indicating to her that she was to take the conn if blaster bolts started heading in their direction. Dex kept his fingers nimble over the lightspeed controls and Womahil stood ready at the console of ship's sole gun turret.
Waiting.
Waiting. Everyone in the command area could hear deliberate movement from the hold. They were either trying to get within earshot of the transmission from the Star Destroyer or they were prepping an escape pod. Either action seemed rational at this point.
Waiting.
Finally, the officer's voice broke the endless silence and permission to proceed to K'owan was granted. "You will continue en route to K'owan and we shall be tracking your journey. Two TIE fighters are presently headed to the entry coordinates and any deviation in your path will result in your destruction."
"Got it," Dex said. "Thanks for the help. Blue Kaadu out." He switched off the commlink and exhaled loudly.
Jai sauntered over to Balagon with a sneer. "You were worried."
"I was worried," Dex admitted. He quickly added, "but I was sure they'd let us pass. Blue Kaadu? We hardly seem like a threat with a ship named after a children's nursery rhyme."
Jai chortled and wheeled back down to his seat as the thrusters pushed them onward to Aporoth.
There was dead silence that was broken by faint crackles of static. The moments passed slowly and everyone aboard the shuttle started to feel itchy. Balagon nodded to Almeida, indicating to her that she was to take the conn if blaster bolts started heading in their direction. Dex kept his fingers nimble over the lightspeed controls and Womahil stood ready at the console of ship's sole gun turret.
Waiting.
Waiting. Everyone in the command area could hear deliberate movement from the hold. They were either trying to get within earshot of the transmission from the Star Destroyer or they were prepping an escape pod. Either action seemed rational at this point.
Waiting.
Finally, the officer's voice broke the endless silence and permission to proceed to K'owan was granted. "You will continue en route to K'owan and we shall be tracking your journey. Two TIE fighters are presently headed to the entry coordinates and any deviation in your path will result in your destruction."
"Got it," Dex said. "Thanks for the help. Blue Kaadu out." He switched off the commlink and exhaled loudly.
Jai sauntered over to Balagon with a sneer. "You were worried."
"I was worried," Dex admitted. He quickly added, "but I was sure they'd let us pass. Blue Kaadu? We hardly seem like a threat with a ship named after a children's nursery rhyme."
Jai chortled and wheeled back down to his seat as the thrusters pushed them onward to Aporoth.
