EPISODE I - TWENTY-FIVE: Shafted

The buzz of the dampening fields of the core hummed in an almost relaxing rhythm. If one were able to submit to it, the droning sound would easily lull them to a fast sleep. The overall temperature of the chamber was cool, but not chill-inducing. Despite the nature of this machine, it was a place that at least humans would find comfortable. 

"Everyone, cover your ears," shouted Irie. The color of the light suddenly changed to a hot orange glow before a loud, low-pitched pop interrupted the calm.

"What in blazes was that?" spat Dex while he and the rest of the group gingerly pulled their hands away from their ears.

"Rock," Irie responded matter-of-factly. 

"Rock?"

"Big rock, actually," she clarified. "Now and again, something solid comes up through the shaft. Magrah tells me that's the reason for the shield." Irie looked around to see if she could spot the way into the control tower. "Rocks come up, explode and fall back into the hole... pulverized. We need to go over there." The old woman gestured to the large monolithic structure that hugged the edge of the pit. It was hard to gauge just how far away it was because of the sheer size of it, but it nevertheless called to Adria's mind a black dagger, rammed down the throat of its victim.

The team continued on their path, wary of more loud noises and the presence of anyone who was actually supposed to be inside the chamber. 

Dex passed Adria and shook his head at her. "Rocks," he scoffed. Adria grinned at him and turned back to make sure they weren't being followed. 

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Ten minutes passed without incident--no troops, no workers, no rocks. Nothing. Dex and Adria were in awe of the impressive inverted skyscraper that plunged down toward the center of the planet, or somewhere thereabout. Like everything else in this place, it was dark, shiny and imposing. They'd been to Coruscant and Hosnian Prime and had seen some gigantic buildings, but this structure was something of a completely different nature. Dex kept close to Irie on their approach to the blast door.

The old woman pushed a single button on the control box. Dex mused to himself, that's it? There's not much security present once you get inside. That's pretty foolish.

As foolish as the lack of security was, they all breathed a collective sigh of relief that they accomplished something with ease for once today. Once the blast door shut behind them, they could feel the pressure within the tower change. The dampening field that further protected the structure from exploding geological material both pushed outward and pressed tightly against it. The foursome strained to adjust the pressure in their ears and breathed big breaths of air to try to relieve the feeling of anxiety in their chests.

Knowing that they couldn't mill about until they felt comfortable, the team pressed forward and down an access ladder. They couldn't risk taking another turbolift down to the regulator area below them. While Balagon, in his stolen officer's uniform, could pass as someone who belonged there, it was doubtful that the Ansons and Adria would pass in their maintenance uniforms.

It was slow going. The older couple was starting to feel the fatigue and aches of the journey setting in. This was probably the most activity they'd had in a long, long time. Hell, even Dex himself was starting to tire out--mostly due to the side effects of his illness and the medications he was taking. Still, he was grateful that all of them were alive and the Ansons had retained their spunk and humor through all of this. Silara Narvo did well in selecting guides for the mission despite the fact Dex and Adria both had their suspicions about her loyalties.

Dex waved his hand at Captain Almeida, gesturing to her that they'd reached the level on which their target was located. She expelled her pack onto the floor and helped Irie and Etler off the ladder as they arrived at their destination. It wasn't just the Ansons whose hands ached from clinging to the rungs of the ladder on their descent. Everyone shook their hands out, trying to get the blood circulating back into their fingers. 

Since the regulator station couldn't be conveniently placed off the access tube, the group had to make their way down a dark and barely lighted hallway in order to reach the station. The dampening field continued to produce odd sensations on their bodies. Dex felt his pulse throbbing in his neck, which made the collar on his uniform feel tight and constricting. He tugged at the neckband as he walked, hoping to loosen it, but to no avail. 

Adria spotted two figures up ahead in the multi-leveled chamber that laid ahead of them. The foursome stopped in their tracks, feeling confident that they hadn't been detected. One of the two was a naval captain and the other was clearly a subordinate. The superior officer was handsome. His chiseled features and square jaw, which was shaded by beard stubble caught Dex's attention--even at this distance.

Etler jockeyed for a better look. Recognizing the officer he uttered, "He doesn't come around here very often. Something must be happening."

Balagon leaned over to Elter. "Who is that?" he asked.

"That's Captain Tanga. He's in charge of this operation."

Adria pulled a face. "In charge? I thought Benemer Strim was running this show."

"Benemer Strim thinks he's in charge, but that one, Captain Tanga, he's calling the shots--and he's cruel and terrible."

Irie nodded in agreement. "We've seen him unleash the executioner troopers on some of the workers," she exclaimed. "It's been a while since we've seen him on Aporoth. We may wish to be extra cautious."

"Dammit!" The expression on Dex's face grew grim.

Adria Almeida moved forward and put her hand on Dex's shoulder. "What's wrong?"

A pained expression crossed his countenance and he rubbed his eyes with his thumb and forefinger. He pointed toward Captain Tanga and whispered, "look at him!"

She couldn't roll her eyes far enough back into her head to express how completely done she was with the commander. The Ansons closed in on the huddle to find out what was going on. 

"What is it?" Irie inquired.

Balagon continued pointing in the direction of Tanga with his hand over his eyes. Adria gave him a discreet whack across the back of his head, which was enough to knock him back into the present.

She grumbled, "I am so sick of you saying that the worst people in the galaxy are always the best looking!"

"Prove me wrong," he shot back. "Besides, I never said all of them are. I merely said most of them are--especially the serial killers." Dex took another look at Tanga and stated, "yeah, he's kinda hot, lady."

Etler nodded in agreement. "He's got a point. It does certainly seem that way."

"See? Thank you!" Dex was pleased that someone shared his opinion on this particular matter.

"Can we be serious here?" Almeida demanded. "We need to get past them and our only route is under them!" Dex started snickering and that earned him a terse "shut up" from Adria. Upon silencing him, she noticed that Tanga and the subordinate parted company. The younger officer headed in the direction they needed to travel, but on the level above them and Tanga traveled upward and out of the black dagger.

"This may be our chance," Etler cried out.

Dex agreed. "Let's move up, but with caution. Just be careful, we don't know where Tanga's buddy is headed."