Long Journey's End
Joseph McCormick was thrown forward, then back against
his restraints in a whiplash motion as his small Tie-Advanced starfighter
reverted back to realspace. Looking out across the vastness of space
Joseph could see the giant orange sphere Corell, which stood watch
over the whole of the Corellian star system. On the right side of
his transparisteel cockpit sat the planet Corellia, the destination
of his long journey.
Looking across his controls, making sure all the instruments had
endured the hyperspace jump, Joseph noticed a small light above
his communication system, indicating an incoming comm. message.
"... requesting your IFF beacon. Repeat. This is Corellian
System Control to unknown ship, requesting your IFF beacon."
"
I copy CSC, activating beacon now," Joseph replied as he quickly
toggled the IFF switch above his display. Silence followed
on the comm. system until the CSC controller verified the beacon.
"Beacon confirmed independent starfighter, please head towards
the in-system bound shipping lanes now, and welcome to Corellia."
"Thanks control, en route to lanes now. Starfighter out."
Joseph responded as he cut his comm. Bringing the sleek Tie-Advanced
engines up to 70%, Joseph began navigating his way towards the distant
shipping lanes. Leaning back against the soft padding of his
flight chair, Joseph closed his eyes and fought the recurring memories
of what had driven him from his home world to this distant star
system.
Since an early age Joseph had planned to join the Imperial Navy
mostly due to the fact that his father was one of the leading starship
designers aboard the Gryphon, the primary of the Imperial's
three massive shipyards orbiting the planet Rendaii, his home.
Roughly a week before Joseph was about to ship off to the Imperial
Academy on Corulag; Imperial Intelligence learned that someone on
Joseph's father's research team had been leaking starship plans,
weapon designs, and other secret information to Rebel spies. The
Imperials, having pinpointed the team that the intelligence leaks
were occurring from, decided the best suite of action was to execute
the entire team and their families in a system-wide, public execution,
to forestall any other "rebellious" activities. No trace
of the traitorous influence would remain.
At the time the official decision concerning the research leaks
came down, Joseph had been out piloting his personal Advanced Tie-Fighter
his father had designed, polishing his skills before he finally
departed for the academy the next week. That's when he saw the system-wide
broadcast of the ?traitors? execution.
Shock and anger filled Joseph's entire body, his most core beliefs
and values of Imperial righteousness had been stripped away. Pure,
hot fury raged through him as he fearlessly threw his starfighter
towards the nearest Imperial shipyard. Releasing a volley of missiles
Joseph managed to destroy the unshielded hanger bays of the Shipyard
Orion, and all the fighters that were inside.
And
as suddenly as his fury had come, his common sense, and tactical
mind took control once more. Realizing the better part of valor,
Joseph decided that now was not the time to die. He had too much
to do. Avoiding the swarms of fighters that had begun launching
from the other shipyards, Gryphon and Poseidon, Joseph
quickly set course for the distant Corellian system where he would
start a new life.
A
brief warning chime withdrew Joseph from his past as he realized
his starfighter was preparing to enter the Corellian shipping lanes.
Glancing at his sensors, Joseph located a long procession of freighters,
corvettes, and assortments of other space-faring vessels that were
on their way towards Corellia. Joseph moved into line with the other
starships and prepared for what Corellia had to offer him.
**********************
Joseph let out his breath that he'd been holding for the majority
of his descent through Corellia's atmosphere. Though he had logged
countless hours of flight-time, all that had been in the orbit of
Rendaii, he'd never made a powered descent through an atmosphere.
And it had been more difficult then he'd have ever believed.
"Oh well." He thought, as he chuckled to himself. "At
least I'm in the docking bay, and not stuck in the roof of someone's
house."
Smiling at that thought Joseph popped his top hatch and moved to
meet the slow approaching landing official who'd come to meet him.
As the man approached, Joseph noticed he was perspiring heavily,
and quite out of shape. On the man's shoulder was a small patch
with the letters CSC, standing for Corellian System Control, written
in bold blue letters.
The official glanced at Joseph, then to his starfighter, then back
to Joseph. Shrugging slightly to himself he looked down at the datapad
he held in his hand. "Name and affiliation?" the dock
official said in what had to be the most bored voice Joseph had
ever heard.
"Joseph McCormick, Independent," he replied in an equally
uninterested voice.
"Purpose
of visit?" continued the official.
"Business"
answered Joseph.
The official made a few small notes on the datapad, and without
looking up, asked, "How long will you be renting the docking
pad?"
"About
one day."
The official made one more note, and looked up again at him. "Alright,
I'll take payment of the rent for the docking bay now. 30 credits."
Joseph noticed almost a certain gleam in the man's eyes as he pulled
three ten-credit pieces out of his jumpsuit pocket and tossed them
to the official.
The
official quickly stuck the money into his pocket and made a small,
mock bow. "Have a pleasant stay. Sir," he added in a surly
tone and then turned and began to saunter away.
"Just a moment." Joseph said before the man got too far
away. The official turned back around quickly apparently annoyed.
"Do
you know of anyplace nearby that local merchant skippers would be?"
"Um." the official said as he scratched his head as a
momentary look of thoughtfulness crossed his face. "Try
the 'Fighter's Fury Cantina', that's where most of the freighter
and merchant captains who are stopping through like to relax. It's
right near Docking Bay 12, in the commons area.
Joseph
made a small nod at the official and then turned around and made
his way back to his starfighter. The official huffed to himself
as Joseph left and then shuffled away, muttering something about
hotshot pilots.
*************************
"Colonel
Holland, you might want to take a look at this."
Colonel
Samuel Holland of the Imperial Navy Presence based in the Corellian
System turned to look at the young man who had called his name.
Walking slowly he came behind the communication officer's station.
"What do you have Ensign?"
"Message
coming in from Rendaii sir. Looks pretty urgent."
"Hmm."
Holland said softly to himself. "Transfer it to my console.
I'll take it from there."
"Aye
sir."
Sitting
at his command console he began reading the message as it scrolled
across his screen.
Incoming Message...
To: Imperial HQ based in Corellian Star System
From: Imperial HQ based in Rendaii Star System
Sent: Via Imperial Holonet
To commanding officer in Corellia HQ, be on alert
for a renegade Imperial pilot. He was last seen to have hypered
out of Rendaii on a direct course to Corellia in an Advanced Tie-Starfighter
two days ago. Apprehend alive if possible, deadly force is authorized
however. Following this message is the fugitive's history, name,
and description.
Message Ends.....
Colonel Holland leaned back in his chair thinking deeply, and contemplating
the message's contents. Finally he called out to his communication
officer who had received the message.
"Ensign,
forward this description to CSC, see if they had anyone looking
like this come through the area. Tell them to run a check on his
name as well."
"Aye
sir," replied the ensign as he set to work contacting CSC.
***************
After his meeting with the docking official, Joseph had returned
to his fighter and withdrawn the rest of his money?which wasn't
much in the first place since all he had was contained in his wallet?and
to get his small holdout blaster from his fighter's survival pack.
Sliding it in his Jumpsuit leg pocket, Joseph headed off in the
direction the official had indicated for the cantina. After fifteen
or so minutes of walking around the spaceport, Joseph finally spotted
the Fighter's Fury Cantina.
Stepping through its archaic swinging doors, Joseph heard the sound
of half-dozen alien languages, and some equally strange music being
played by the cantina's band. His appearance drew one or two looks,
but the patrons soon disregarded him and went back to their business.
Stepping up to the bar-counter a middle aged human bartender turned
to greet him.
"Welcome
son, what can I getcha?"
"Um."
Joseph said as he thought for a second. "Corellian Ale will
be fine."
"Excellent
choice, be right with you."
The bartender soon returned with his drink and said, "Can I
get you anything else sonny?"
"Yes
actually," Joseph replied. "I was wondering if you know
of any of the merchant skippers around here who would be looking
to hire an escort?"
"Well sure there's a couple around here. Looking that is. But
the one that pays the best probably is old Captain Turagon,"
he said as he pointed to a grizzled old captain sitting in the corner
looking at a datapad. "He owns a corvette or something or other."
The bartender stopped talking abruptly and motioned for Joseph to
lean forward over the counter.
"Word is," continued the bartender in a whispering voice,
"That he runs supplies for the Rebels. That's just a rumor
though."
Joseph
leaned back in his seat and the bartender shrugged at him.
He thanked the bartender, paid for his drink, and downed it quickly.
Taking a deep breath Joseph moved over towards where the ominous
Captain Turagon was sitting, placing himself in the chair on the
far-side of the table from the Captain. The captain made no move
and continued looking down at his datapad, studying it carefully.
Finally Joseph cleared his throat and the Captain
looked up slowly. Joseph noticed he was in his early fifties probably
and had several scars on his face, one unusually bad one went from
his chin up along the right side of his face to his ear.
"What
can I do for you son?" he asked in a steady voice.
"I'm Joseph McCormick, a fighter pilot." Joseph replied
and offered his hand to the Captain. Turagon took it and gave it
a quick shake.
"Looking
for work, eh?" The Captain said with a suspicious gleam in
his eye.
Joseph nodded slowly. The aging man took a
long, slow, draught of his drink and then leaned forward towards
Joseph. He asked him, "So what's your story sonny?"
And
Joseph told him.
******************
"Colonel, message coming in from CSC."
Colonel
Holland looked up from his paperwork at the Ensign. "What is
it?"
The
young man looked at the message for a moment and then looked at
the Colonel and said, "Looks like we got lucky sir, the runaway
pilot did use his real name. CSC has tracked his ship and his identity
to the civilian docks in the city of Cor Vega."
The
ensign paused for a second and then continued. "Docking bay
52 sir."
Colonel Holland walked over to the Ensign's console
and studied the message for himself.
"Alright. Looks like we have him, ensign. Inform the Cor Vega
garrison, tell them to send a squad of troopers to his docking bay
A.S.A.P. Also make sure the patrols of fighters in that area are
on their toes."
"Aye
sir!" The young ensign replied enthusiastically,
and went to work with his communications system.
*****************
"And
so that's how I ended up here." finished Joseph. Captain
Turagon looked at him for a long time. He'd been silent through
the whole story.
"Well..." the Captain said after a long silence. "If
I was the Imps, I'd have tracked your hyper signature here from
Rendaii and be hot on your tail." He paused for a moment and
Joseph nodded.
"But as long as you didn't use your real name when you checked
in with CSC they'll have a hard time tracking just your description.
You didn't use your real name did you?" The captain asked expectantly.
"Um." Joseph said as his face turned slightly red. He
looked down at the table studying it. Captain Turagon put his hand
over his eyes and rubbed his temples for a several seconds as if
he had a bad headache.
"Alright, you'd better get back to your ship then, and fast."
he said finally. Joseph looked up again and nodded as he spoke,
"Yeah, I believe your right."
"Ok then it's settled, I can't have my ship affiliated with
a runaway, but I need you as an escort. So this is what were going
to do." Joseph leaned forward listening intently as the Captain
continued.
"Get to your fighter and bust out of Corellia as hard and fast
as you can, make a quick jump to Selonia. You can rendezvous with
my ship, the Corvette Jadestone in Selonian orbit. We'll
pick you up there."
"So
that's it then." Joseph said and he stood up. The captain stood
up also and replied with a laugh, "That's it? You've got your
work cut out for you sonny."
Joseph
smiled in return. "Yeah I guess I do."
"Well,
good luck, and make it to Selonia in one piece."
"Yes
sir." Joseph said and tossed up a mock salute.
After
the Captain had returned it, Joseph took off at a quick jog out
of the Cantina. Captain Turagon chuckled to himself as Joseph left
and then settled himself in his seat again to finish his drink.
*******************
Joseph broke into a sprint as he exited the Fighter's Fury. Running
along past several other pedestrians he easily navigated his way
towards his distant docking bay. As he ran along corridor after
corridor, Joseph mentally kicked himself for being careless enough
to use his real name with the CSC official.
"Oh well." he thought, "The best thing
I can do is get outta? here hard and fast, just like Turagon said."
Taking
another right turn, Joseph recognized his surroundings and realized
he was closer to his fighter than he thought. Just another 100 meters
or so.
Leaning against the rock wall behind him, Joseph wiped beads
of sweat that had begun appearing on his brow and closed his eyes
for a short breather. And then beyond the sound of his breathing
he could barely make out a distant, but fast approaching sound.
*clink* *clink* *clink* *clink*
Stormtroopers.
The
word came to Joseph with a
sudden burst
that made his eyes jump open. He noted to himself how much surprise
and fear the word put into him when he thought about it. Stormtroopers
had always stood for order and justice until hardly two days ago.
Now they stood for nothing but terror. Joseph grimaced slightly
to himself. How things could change in such a short time.
Crouching against the corner of the nearby wall, Joseph ventured
a look back the way he had just come. Roughly 25 meters away, a
squad of eight Stormtroopers in a V formation was making its way
towards him at a quick trot, the ever-so familiar clinking of white
armor declaring the troopers presence to all.
Joseph stood up quickly from his crouching position and took off
down the last corridor towards his waiting fighter with no hesitation.
Turning the last corner into Bay 52, Joseph hopped aboard his fighter's
port solar array and popped his top-hatch. Jumping inside the hatch
as soon as it opened, he landed on the padded pilot couch behind
his view port.
Skipping as much of his pre-flight checks as he possibly could,
he soon had his repulsorlifts humming to life. Then the stormtroopers
arrived.
Filing into his docking bay the troops began firing relentlessly
with small blasters at his fighter and surrounding it. His cockpit
was flooded with light as shot after shot flared against the blast
shielding of his view port.
Joseph continued coaxing his repulsor lifts to life and began glancing
at other key systems. His hull seemed to be holding for the moment,
but even combat armor had its limits against such relentless fire.
Finally Joseph activated his repulsors and felt his ship begin to
pull away from the confines of his hangar bay, and the stormtroopers.
He
shunted more power to his engines and shot away from the hangar
with the signature wail of twin ion engines. Glancing behind him
he saw the shrinking shapes of stormtroopers still firing at him.
Joseph brought his sensors online as soon as he cleared the spaceport.
He immediately picked up a patrol flight of three Tie-Fighters moving
to intercept him from starboard. He also spotted a full squadron
of Tie-Interceptors launching from one of the stations in
orbit dead ahead.
"Unknown starfighter, this is Imperial Control," his comm
said as it crackled to life. "Bring your fighter down at the
nearest area for questioning. Comply now or you will be fired upon."
As
testament to the last statement the patrol flight of three Tie-Fighters
had gained on Joseph's position and had solid laser locks on his
starfighter.
"Copy Imperial control. Bringing my fighter around now."
Joseph pulled back slowly on his pilots yoke and rolled even more
slowly on his port solar array until he was facing the Tie patrol
that had come up on his stern.
Obviously he was going to slide past the ties and continue towards
the ground where he would be "questioned". Obviously.
Joseph threw all power into his engines and pushed his pilot yoke
as far down as it could go. The force of sudden acceleration and
the near ninety degree descent pushed him back into the confines
of his pilots chair and made the edges of his vision gray out. Fighting
the G-forces Joseph brought his shields on-line and directed them
towards the rear of his ship. Just in time.
The three tie-fighters had been expecting a trick of some kind and
twisted their fighters around with a certain amount of expertise
that put them right on Joseph's tail. Their first shots went wide,
but the follow-ups scored hits on the still diving Tie-Advanced.
The blasts splashed harmlessly off the fully powered shields.
Joseph put his fighter into a series of corkscrew turns and continued
diving towards the city of Cor Vega that he had just left. The fighters
behind him continued firing lances of green lightning towards him.
His fighter shot out of the clouds over the outskirts of the city.
Hanging extremely close to the terrain he juked back and forth attempting
to lose the bothersome ties. Skimming the rooftops of the spaceport
facility, he spotted a vast array of communication towers.
Sliding his ship onto its starboard array and chopping his throttle
back to 1/3 power he began working his way in and out of the towers.
Dodging left and right, the towers flew by at a blinding speed.
And then he was past them heading towards the main part of the city.
Joseph evened out his fighter and looked behind him to see how the
less aerodynamic ties had fared.
The lead Tie-Fighter dodged the first few towers with ease,
but then ran dead into another one that ripped right through the
center of his craft. The broken Tie exploded in a huge ball of fire.
That explosion threw the Tie to its port into a deadly spin that
carried it away from the towers and towards the main spaceport control
tower. The pilot pulled up as hard and fast as it could, but it's
starboard wing clipped the tower and was brutally torn away. The
final Tie-Starfighter slipped through the towers and continued firing
at the jinxing Tie-Advanced.
Juking
his ship in a series of random movements, Joseph managed to avoid
the majority of bolts by a narrow margin.
Joseph suddenly stopped his random movements and pulled back hard
on his stick aiming the nose of his fighter towards the sky and
cut his throttle to zero, sending his fighter into a quick stall.
The
Tie-Fighter shot past his immobile starfighter and quickly realized
its mistake. But not quickly enough.
Bringing his engines back on-line, Joseph settled in right behind
the sole remaining fighter. A single, quad-linked shot melted right
through the center of the Tie-Fighter's ball cockpit, killing it's
pilot instantly. The shot also set off the starfighter's twin ion
engines igniting fuel tanks and sending small shards of the armor
raining down on downtown Cor Vega in a brilliant explosion. Breathing
a sigh of relief, Joseph gunned his engines, skimmed over the city,
and angled up towards space.
Joseph finally broke through the atmosphere and made his way towards
deep space. Giving one last look towards Corellia and the still
pursuing Tie-Interceptors that had launched earlier, Joseph engaged
his hyperdrive and was on his way to Selonia.
******************
After the extremely short hop away from Corellia
and to Selonia, Joseph spotted Captain Turagon's ship, the Corellian
Corvette Jadestone. Orbiting the giant blue form of Selonia,
the Jadestone had several small shuttles and freighters docking
with it delivering supplies.
Joseph activated his comm. system and said, "Tie-Advanced starfighter
to Jadestone. Requesting bay clearance."
A
deep bass voice replied, "Clearance granted starfighter. Glad
you got here now, we were about to head off."
"Appreciate
you waiting Jadestone." Joseph replied with a smirk. "Lining
up for docking procedures."
"Copy
starfighter, Captain Turagon arrived just ahead of you. He'll meet
you in the Docking bay. Jadestone out."
Ten minutes later, Joseph set his Tie-Advanced down slowly onto
the deck of Jadestone's hanger with a thump. Stepping out
of his starfighter, and hopping down to the deck off his starboard
solar array, Joseph looked around the hanger with apparent curiosity.
Across from his fighter were parked three Z-95 Headhunters that
had seen alot of wear and tear. A few mechanics huddled around the
Headhunters looking them over and tuning different parts. Joseph
also noticed a few other mechanics and crewmen of the Jadestone
giving him and his Imperial fighter a hard stare.
Joseph was withdrawn from his personal thoughts when a heavy hand
landed on his shoulder. Turning around he saw the smiling,
scarred face of Captain Turagon.
?Well son, glad to see you made it. After you left I heard from
a friend a squad of stormies was heading towards your ship.?
Joseph
leaned back against his fighter, crossed his arms across his chest
and replied, ?Yeah, I managed to give them and a few Tie's the slip
on my way out here.?
Joseph
pointed to a long black streak of a laser bolt that creased the
solar array he was leaning against. "A Tie-Fighter's
handiwork."
"Good to know you're up to the challenge. We seem to run into
quite a few Imps and pirates on our runs." Turagon paused for
a moment, then turned and swept his arm, displaying the rest of
the hanger to Joseph. "But for now let me show you around my
beautiful ship."
"Lead
the way, Captain."
<"See?" Hellcat said to Icestorm. "You haven?t even been here that
long, and you're already being treated to a tale."
