Private Rebel Yell

[Makko Vyres]

Makko was glad that his mask filtered out some of the pungent smell as he moved to grab a couple of blaster rifles.

They had to keep moving. The local comms were being jammed and he had no idea what had happened to the other teams. This was a more well armed and organised crew than they had anticipated.

If he could get the crew safe then they could bring in reinforcements safely. Otherwise they had made the situation worse.

"Keep going, keep going!" Makko called out.

"I'm sorry," he added quietly, so the young girl and her travel companion could hear.

True to the word of the crew, there was a small theatre for the first class passengers. Everyone has to cram in.

"Find all the doors and entrances and lock them! Does anyone know how to use a blaster?"

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

"I'm sorry,"

Zaiya could only give a small nod, although she hadn't really been listening. She was still processing. Still imagining how the Trandoshan's arm had been cut off. The sizzling hole in his chest. What came after.

"Find all the doors and entrances and lock them! Does anyone know how to use a blaster?"

It was the question that drew the Lovalla teen from her reverie. HOnestly, she didn't, but Dr. Isak stepped forward and gave a nod, "I do," He told Makko Vyres .

Other guests stepped forward, and there were a few cries of protest form their companies, as if the mere act of having a blaster would paint a target on their back.

Perhaps it would, or maybe it would help them get out of this.

"I ... I can help. I can't use a blaster, but I can help out... in some way." The only issue was trying to find out what would work.

 

[Makko Vyres]

"I ... I can help. I can't use a blaster, but I can help out... in some way." The only issue was trying to find out what would work.

Makko met her gaze just once before looking around the theater. He was slowly coming to the realisation that he needed to hold this place with the passengers.

If he left to try and retake the cockpit then the rest of the boarding force could break in, capture the crew and they were back to step one.

His gaze settled on the young woman.

"Erm..."

That didn't sound very reassuring.

"Can you see if there is any way out from under the stage?"

There was a sharp rap at the door. Makko turned sharply. He stretched out with the Force.

"Two of them are here already."

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

"Can you see if there is any way out from under the stage?"

While it seemed like an odd ask, Zaiya was determined to help. She didn't ask questions, she did as she was told. That was how Aris and Braze were able to get out of trouble the last two times. By trusting in them and what they told her to do. They were trained and knew more than see in the subject, and in a live and death situation, she had to believe that Makko Vyres knew what he was doing, even if she didn't know him.

Dr. Isak tried to stop her, but she shook her head, "No I can do it!"

She not only tried to show her guardian that she could do things, like join the Order, but that she knew what it meant and what risks that took.

"She's just a little girl," She heard Dr. Isak tell Makko, but by then the Lovalla teen was already making her way to the stage. She went up to the side, where the entrance to backstage was. There she found other huddled workers hiding behind crates. The glowing Lovalla stepped closer to them, asking, "Hi... sorry... is there an exit nearby?"

They gestured but added, "Yes, it goes back onto the maintenance corridors.... but we don't know how safe those are."

 

[Makko Vyres]

"Open the doorsss!"

It was followed without threat by two blaster bolts being fired into the doors. They were heavy enough to soak up both shots, but circles of glowing orange superheated metal were left. The doors would not hold for long.

"Everyone get down!" Makko called out. "But make sure there's someone watching or something blocking every other way in!"

They had to hold here.

Makko walked towards the main doors and unlocked them. He shoved them open with the Force and activated his blade.

It was not what the two trandoshan had expected to see. He blocked several bolts as he advanced, cutting both down with a calm efficiency.

"Lock the doors again," he said as he returned to the theatre with another two blasters.

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Zaiya tentatively went looking down the direction that they told her. Deciding it would be best to bring up a tool from her bangle to defend herself, she programmed a solid state hologram laser cutter.

It wasn’t much but it would pack a sting.

Moving towards the back age found the exit. With a dazzle of bright yellows tones over her skin, Zaiya opened it. It slid open with a quiet hiss, revealing an empty dimly lit corridor.

Oh, did the hijacker’s not know about this?

Hearing screams again, Zaiya rushed back to give Makko Vyres the news that she found an exit and it seemed to be safe.

​

 

[Makko Vyres]

The doors were slammed shut and barricaded. Makko backed into the room and looked around. After the blaster fire many of the passengers were lying down in the stalls between the seats.

Once again, the young and colourful girl was one of the bravest. The Force moved differently around her. It surprised Makko that he could even tell that all of a sudden. His own control had been growing in recent months.

"Well done finding it," Makko told her. He glanced through his visor at the cerulean who had remarked that she was too young. He didn't understand the relationship there.

"Unfortunately there are even more," he muttered. There was a way in from the deck above. There were side exits into the outer corridors of the ship.

I can't hold them all.

He couldn't turn the civilians into a fighting force to hold back dangerous mercenaries.

"I need some people to go and see where the corridor under the stage goes?" he called out.

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Of course, Zaiya quickly volunteered again, taking a step forward and raising her hand. There was a ripple of dark orange tint over her patterns with just the brief flashing glow of blue in determination. Dr. Isak attempted to disway her, but Zaiya had none of it.

"I can do it," She commented. Perhaps two men also stepped forward since it was a child who volunteered. Either way they commented they would assist.

"I can show you were it is at. But is there any way for us to communicate back quickly? I have a comm that I can use to call back so as to not waste time." an idea.

"My wife has hers," One of the men who volunteered said. "I can contact her to update you."


Makko Vyres

 

[Makko Vyres]

Makko clipped his lightsaber, Darkfyre, to his belt. He reached up and thumbed the catches at his neck and lifted off his helmet.

It seemed important that they could see his face properly. He could feel the fear rising from them. The Force always swirled around such concentrations of negative emotions in a different way. It was frenetic, agitated.

"All your comms have been matched to the same frequency," Makko said.

Zaiya might have felt the slightest movement through the Force. Manipulation like this came as easily as breathing now.

The comms between the units had been jammed, so he set these on a particularly narrow band.

"More are coming. See if you can find a safe way out. If you see any more of them, run back here."

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

"Okay!" The trio agreed. Although Zaiya was still trying to figure out how Makko Vyres had managed to get all the comms to the same frequency. She'd barely felt the flutter through the Force, but it wasn't as if Makko did anything to show he did anything.

Something to ask about later.

Zaiya proceeded to lead the two men backstage, past the cowering entertainers and over towards the backstage entrance that would lead to the maintenance tunnel. This was an enormous tunnel, used to move items back and forth from the cargo hold towards the stage and messhall as needed.

"Follow me!" the teen cried out, only for one of the men to say, "Let me go first, you should stay behind."

"I can help too!"

"Yes, but you are still a kid." came the counter, which only irked and sent a ripple of lavender in annoyance over Zaiya's expression.

"Don't argue, we need to see where this tunnel goes so that we can help the others."

The reminder settled Zaiya a bit, but she listened to the request. She didn't want others to get hurt because of her willfulness. She had to trust that the adults also knew what to do.

Armed with the pilfered blasters from the Trandoshans, they made their way. The tunnel was well lit, and thankfully signs were well placed to show which direction they were going and where to.

"Looks like this will lead to the cargo hold... that may be a great place to find a ship off or make headway towards the emergency pods." Zaiya nodded as one of the men made that connection.

"Let's confirm!"

A few more minutes and they made it to the entrance that would be labeled cargohold entry. Not only that, but there was a security footage showing the cargohold itself. There seemed to be a few armed people. Perhaps the pirates?

Without a second to spare, they relayed this back to Makko so he would know, detailing that they saw what looked like six pirates off the fed.

 

[Makko Vyres]

Blaster fire ricocheted down the corridor. Makko leapt to his right, planted his foot and jumped back to his left. He took no chances, his saber swinging high and cleaving through the trandoshan.

Silence reigned, interrupted only by his heavy breathing.

After realising that they could not fortify the doors, he had rushed out the meet the mercenaries this time. There was a smouldering scorch mark on his armour, but three more laid in his wake.

Without a second to spare, they relayed this back to Makko so he would know, detailing that they saw what looked like six pirates off the fed.

"Hold where you are. I'm coming to you with everyone. We can't hold this theatre now they know we're here."

Makko rushed back inside, locking the doors and piling up as much as he could behind them as he directed the passengers into the corridor.

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

"Hold where you are. I'm coming to you with everyone. We can't hold this theatre now they know we're here."

[ Okay, we will keep an eye out. ] One of the men replied while Zaiya and the other looked at the monitoring feed. This begged the question, would the pirates also have access to the security feeds? If they managed to take the Captain captive, did that also mean that the rest of the security team or security room were compromised?

Luck was on their side; the pirates hadn't, which was causing problems through the rest of the ship, as there was still others in command that could relay where the pirates were and be able to counter them with whatever security forces the transport still had.

It was a slim advantage but they were taking it.

Outside, the six pirates were trying to search and see what they could find among the cargohold. There were a few new ground and air speeders but along the far edge of the hold, a line of emergency pods.

 

[Makko Vyres]

"Six. I can deal with six."

Makko had meant for it to sound reassuring as he joined the group and saw the path ahead. Instead it had sounded as if he was convincing himself.

He stood beside Zaiya, looking at the feed. They didn't have long. By now the trandoshan would have reported back that they ship's passengers were being protected in the theatre.

"But I'm going to draw them away," Makko said.

"If I get around to the other entrance and draw them you can watch the monitor. When it's clear make a run for the escape pods."

If the passengers were off the ship then their hostages were out of the picture. That changed the balance and would allow a serious alliance force to move in.

He would have to survive until they got here.

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

​

"Okay, we can do that!" Zaiya nodded emphatically at Makko Vyres . This time, she brought up her bangle, once again activating the light shield.

"Just in case." she added, watching as a few eyes stared at her curiously and other in shock. Dr. Isak, despite his almost near death experience, gave a slight smile. He was proud of the trinkets and items Zaiya made.

He knew that if her parents were still alive, they'd be just as proud too.

"Everyone line up. Those who can't move quickly please get carried or assisted by others who can. Wait, does anyone know how to pilot a craft?" A hand shot up.

"Okay, you go up ahead. Think you can handle one of these shuttles?"

The Mirialian gave a nod, "I got this."

"Alright. Those with weapons please guard up the rear, we will need your cover fire if they are alerted."

Now it was up to Makko.

 

[Makko Vyres]

"Hhmph," went Makko quietly.

That shield seemed lighter and more elegant than the one he had made for himself. He would have to track her down and find out where it came from.

"Let me get them a little way from here."

Makko stepped through the doors and into the bay.

None of the trandoshan immediately noticed him. Makko glanced around and considered announcing himself.

That would, he realised, probably give the game away.

Makko ran across the room. That drew the attention of the natural predators. Several blaster shots followed him. Then the raiders did. He deflected a bolt back that put one of them down to make a point.

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

​

This was it. This was really it.

Zaiya felt as if her heart was thundering at her throat. Much like before, she had to trust that the stranger knew what they were doing ( Makko Vyres ). He had definitely used the Force. Was he with the Order? Or was he from somewhere else? Aris had mentioned there were other organizations that ued the Force.

No, no, time to go and focus, Zaiya! she told herself. With a rush, she stepped forward, holding her shield up to protect herself as Dr. Isak ran beside her, the other patrons moving as the door opened to allow them out into the hanger.

"Go, go, go" Zaiya called out, trying to keep her voice low and gesturing with her other hand. They were almost there. Hopefully no one would pick up on --

"HEY! S-STOP RIGHT THERE!" Zaiya felt her stomach drop, as another voice called out from the other side of the hanger. It was another Pirate. Two of the men with pilfered blaster rifles began to shoot at him, hoping to provide cover fire for everyone to make it to the ship.

The would be tourist/pilot made it to the ship first, rushing up the open ramp. He hopped inside, giving a sigh of relief that at least this was a model he was used to.

 

[Makko Vyres]

He moved down the corridor and through the Force itself. Now he was more intrinsically aware of it, he was more conscious of it's flow and how it bound living things. It could slow him down if he focussed too much on it. It was like a slipstream through water. He couldn't let it become a drag on his mind.

His drone detached from his armour and shot upwards to hide behind a bulkhead. Makko stopped and deflected another two blaster bolts before running on.

There were only four chasing him now, but he felt a flash of panic from back down the corridor. Things were not going smoothly for the passengers.

With the Force, he yanked the door shut behind them.

"We've got him trapped!" shouted the one at the back. They didn't see the drone lower itself behind him, it's spiked tail unfolding.

Makko came to a stop at the end of the narrow corridor. Here they couldn't spread out around him. He brought his saber up to a defensive position.

"No. You're trapped with me."

It took less than ten seconds from the cry as the drone stabbed the first trandoshan in the back for Makko to finish the job with Darkfyre.

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

​

"Chit!" A passenger cursed as one of the men provided cover fire fell, blaster wound to his stomach. Zaiya reeled, panic setting in, unable but to just watch as another passenger went up to try and drag the wounded one into the ship.

The hum of engine roared, twin cones of blue igniting as preflight checks were tossed to the wind in the desperate attempt to get the ship into the air. Another shot of blaster fire and the two pirates fell dead.

"We need a medic! Does anyone know how to heal?!" the shout came over the din, suddenly prompting Zaiya to try and shoot forward. Dr. Isak held her back, but she tugged herself free. "I can help him!"

"Zaiya you don't have any --"

"I can help him!" She shouted, her skin sending a flashing pulse of bioluminescent glow in her determination in tones of orange and blue. Shocked, the Cerean let her go, only for Zaiya to rush forward toward the wounded passenger.

What was it that Shan had taught her on Coruscant? Right. Focus. She wised she had the crystal but she had to trust she could use what she could remember to try and accelerate healing while dulling the pain. Or could she even do both right now.

No no. Just try!.


Makko Vyres

 

[Makko Vyres]

Makko strode with purpose as he entered the hangar bay. He could feel the panic coming from the shop as it lifted off.

Another trandoshan made it into the bay. One of Makko's drones flew at him at full speed, unfurling it's metal whip and bringing him down.

He stretched out with the Force and sealed all of the doors to the hangar bay. No one else would interrupt their escape. The passenger ship was unarmed as it would have broken many agreements to have a private passenger vessel of this size flying weapons between regions of the galaxy.

He felt the Force move. Someone on the passenger ship was using it. He had a strong suspicion he knew who that was.

There was no time to consider that any further.

He suspected that by now most of the soldiers he had arrived with were pinned down or dead. He could have stayed right here. Locked away, he would have been relatively safe until more support arrived.

He had a responsibility to do more. Without their bargaining power the trandoshan pirate could take drastic action. He had the chance to save more lives.

With Darkfyre lit, Makko turned and headed for the cockpit.

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

​

Zaiya's forehead beaded in strain as she focused on healing the man. A soft glow radiates from her hands, which ombre out across her arms. Her intense concentration dyes her mottled spots and stripes an amber hue.

There was a strain in flowing the energy from the Force around herself and down through the man's chest. As she wasn't used to doing it without a healing crystal and the amount of damage, she felt herself start to tire out. The need to practice with smaller wounds would need to be done at a later time, with larger wounds to practice later on. Shan's advice to not burn herself out rang through her mind. Only do what you can, then get what one can afterward with basic medical care.

Just stabilize and continue.

All the while, the passenger on the flight controls glanced up at Makko Vyres alarm at the sight of the saber only to realize it was Makko. "I'd strap up; this might get bumpy."

With a roar of the engines, the transport ship gave a swivel, already moving to get out towards the glowing shimmering exit.