The metallic chevron shape of the Interdictor Class II Destroyer "Deceptor" loomed over the second moon of Bursoll, surrounded by a somewhat loose formation of cruisers, performing patrols from way point to way point, in routine shifts. Fighter squadrons also buzzed loosely in formations about the cruisers. For ten weeks this new regimen of mandatory patrols was updated into the briefings, ever since the quarantine went into effect.
Aboard the "Deceptor" bridge, although quiet and relatively uneventful, it had only been two days since the last incursion of the quarantine had taken place. Whether it was desperate occupants trying to flee the planet and out run the blockade out of the Interdictor's gravity well, or if it was indeed infected victims of that Force-laden disease attempting to spread their 'glorious purpose' amongst the rest of the galaxy, no one knew. No escort. No hails were answered. The "Deceptor" had activated the wells, and within seconds after the final warning and no response, laser fire converged from every fighter, cruiser, and destroyer in range, eviscerating it to derelict debris. The edge of that instance still cut through the atmosphere in the bridge.
The patter of boots along the upper observation deck, the beeps and clicks of switches along the many interface panels below in control alcoves, and the ever occasional MSE droid scurrying from terminal sockets to the main door could be heard under the voices of STC (Space Traffic Control) Officers.
And just like that...one STCO's exclamation to the CO on observation deck above re-intensified the air in an instant.
"General Stuur! Long range scans have picked up an incoming ship headed directly to system."
General Thadeus Stuur -- standing in typical Imperial fashion, hands clasped behind waist, feet shoulder width apart, gazing watchfully out the front triangular panes of durasteel -- turned on his heel and proceeded to the edge of the alcove where he was addressed. His weathered voice barked out impatiently.
"Report."
STC Officer Rane looked again at his console, iterating out loud the details known as they came to him.
"Single small ship, has to be single occupant. Probably an interceptor judging by size and speed. ETA two minutes, sir!"
Gen. Stuur looked away from the officer back out to the deep reaches of space.
"Long range fighter. All alone?" Normally, reinforcement requests involve two or more ships, consisting of freighters or transports and a small contingent of fighter escort. There were other scheduled arrivals requested by
Vidalu Na'an
, but they were coming from another quadrant and not for another day. Regardless, the procedures and precautions taken in their sensitive scenario were just the same. He snapped his steps briskly towards the center walkway and addressed his XO.
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Objective: Rendezvous
Four hours.
It most certainly wasn't the
longest jump Garrek had done. This was generously small compared to Coruscant's trek. Even with the Force as his ally, sinking into meditation in his cockpit, eleven hours was no small feat. He was in kind of halfway in, halfway out a restive meditation state. He needed it to calm his nerves. The trip he was making he knew was an ultimate test of his capacity. Either no one else dared, or no other Jedi was free to do so. He told himself it was the latter, and left the notion alone.
Despite that, he
did know that it was Master Ful'drik that suggested him for this mission. In that, Garrek took solace and confidence.
This very much appeared to be a one-way trip to anyone else. But..Ful'drik was adamant that
Garrek went. So sure of the success and outcome. The Force's mysteries couldn't be easily explained even after all the millennia it's been studied and experienced. The Masters Council had apparently agreed that a representing Knight with no wife or offspring should be sent, so that ruled about half the enrolled Enclave out. The other half, again, probably weren't free enough to do so.
Garrek sighed, giving himself one last push into his meditation. He reached out to his own Master, knowing full well he wouldn't receive an answered touch back, but just to show appreciation for all that he had been taught and given.
[[ "...Almost there, Master. I am...at ease, and content with what I have been given.." ]] he lay reclined in his cockpit, breaths slowing and elated. The last bit of tension finally relieving out from under his shoulders and back. He didn't even know it was there until just now, and not a moment too soon.
[[ "....Where the Force is..there is freedom.." ]] he felt his Master's presence, receiving the warm, and hopefully temporary farewell.
And at that moment, his navicomputer beeped and flashed its proximity alert, nearing jump exit.
[[ "...See you soon, old man.." ]]
He leaned forward, propping his seat up behind him to assist his posture, and replaced his headset over his crown once more. He gave one last sigh of
"Here goes...something.." the indicator beeped louder and more frequent, until it was a solid sequence bleeping out the console. He switched off the hyperdrive....
..and was immediately greeted by an impressive sized fleet looming evenly spaced over the orbit of the moon. He immediately opened a channel and brought his ship to bear directly towards the Interdictor, slowing down to standard speed. Not even three seconds after the channel was opened, a low, weathered and clearly experienced voice came through his comms.
:: "This is General Thadeus Stuur, of the Interdictor 'Deceptor.' You've entered a restricted quarantine zone. Please state your business and prepare to receive mandatory escort." ::
Sure enough, his scanner picked up not two, but
four I-3A Lance Starfighters spearheaded towards him. They do not trifle with protocol or precaution. Garrek allowed himself a brief moment to be impressed, but not too long. Awkward silences would be worse than...well, just being audibly awkward. But he'd been in worse spots.
He thumbed off his mute on the mic.
:: "Deceptor, this is 1st Lt. Garrek Kanos. Incoming from Takodana. Humanitarian relief and defense for the floral moon. Requesting permission to bypass blockade." ::
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Aboard the 'Deceptor' Stuur and his XO, Colonel Rorn Mern stood side by side watching their complement of fighters fly out to meet the newcomer. Quick deductions flashed about in both Mern's and Stuur's sharp recesses, conjointly. Mern broke his silence, yet kept his volume under the receiving threshold for the intercom receiver.
"1st Lt rank...at least somewhat modest military experience," tilting his head towards Stuur, acknowledging the General's accolades with his next word,
"..comparatively." Stuur chimed in with the next detail, keeping the same volume,
"Takodana has..." Mern finished what he knew the General was thinking
"..an Enclave of a particular sort." they both watched as the Lance fighters took formation around the A-Wing off its four corners at standard distance.
"...and if that's not enough for mere deduction, the notion of 'humanitarian aid and defense' rather screams..." General Stuur forsook the lower volume, speaking back up at the receiving intercom, calling out the visitor for what he was
:: "...A Jedi, in our midst." ::
Mern added a chiding remark, keeping himself obscure from the open channel,
"Unannounced, at that..." he huffed, hinting a smirk of annoyance.
".....Typical."
Stuur ignored it.
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The Lance fighters took their positions before the General readdressed him. Garrek was going to admit to being a Jedi if it became necessary, but it did peak his wariness a bit that they already knew, based on ten seconds of dialogue. The EE in general tend to hold his kin in contempt. He made sure his response wasn't too delayed.
:: "That is correct. I'm under orders to assist local factions an--" :: he was abruptly--and succinctly--cut off by another voice. One far younger than that of Stuur, that streamed directly into assertive tone, deep and deliberate.
:: "This is Colonel Rol Mern. Either your Masters are tired of you, see no further use for you...or are gratuitously confident in your capabilities. Because you undoubtedly are just by even being here." ::
Wow. Garrek
could have been offended at such a discriminating remark, but they didn't know his Masters. The insult was hollow.
Nonetheless, the XO finished.
:: "Let me make this easy for you. The planet, is a war zone. The disease is unlike anything this galaxy has ever seen, even before the tragedy of The Galactic Empire. It spreads by saliva into broken skin or any susceptible orifice, and the infected gain almost uncontrollable Force powers. If you go down there, past the stratosphere, you will not be allowed to leave the system.... UNTIL the threat has been completely and successfully eradicated; WHICH I am also highly just as doubtful of happening anytime soon. If you wish to die your 'noble' death, far be it from us to stop you. But, if you wish to adopt some form of sense even after your lengthy jump here, we are willing to drop the gravity wells and let you jump back from whence you came...back to your 'comfort.' You have two minutes to reply with your decision. Stay the course along the waypoints above our ship until you reply." :: The channel remained open, but their end clicked into mute.
Garrek just sat there for like, half a minute, if that, nodding with pursed lips. Soaking in what had just transpired. He was there, surrounded by those who swore fealty to whom most of the Council would consider a madman anyways, hence essentially calling him insane in turn. Sounded pretty moot when he thought about it. People are dying, and Garrek had a lightsaber. Two of them, actually. And he already meditated for four hours. .....okay, maybe three and a half by Ful'drik's standards. Now or never.
Before he even his the first way point on the dedicated route, he muted his mic, wiped his eyes and face down with one last big sigh, and unmuted.
:: "Uh..yeah. General Stuur? Colonel Mern? I'm, uh...good to go.. Y'know. Down to..down to the s-urface. Save some lives..?" ::
Well, this silence is
really long.
His comm channel clicked as the General's deeper voice billowed through.
:: "Proceed to these coordinates above the base where you'll find
Vidalu Na'an
, the Eclipse Rebel leader. We'll do you the last 'favor' of telling them you're coming. The escort will remain until you hit atmo. ...Deceptor out." ::
Aaaand that was that. At least his neck and back didn't hurt. The meditation worked its magic. He was fairly calm through the jist of it. Just...awkward as hell.
"True to form, Garrek. True to form..." he veered his A-Wing towards the planet's curvature on his horizon, and proceeded to the base, which may or may not be his last 'home.'...
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Back aboard the 'Deceptor':
Stuur and Mern both had walked to the opposite view port to watch the 5 small ships head towards the planet. Stuur, in brooding fashion, made one last request without breaking his gaze on Garrek's fighter until it was out of sight.
"I want you to pull up any records of that pilot you can find. What got him promoted to 1st Lt., how many assailants he's dispatched..." and with one more sigh,
"...and get me
Kainan Wolfe
."
Mern, in matched brooding, as if he was Stuur's son, affirmed his superior.
"It will be done, sir."