Galaxy (GIVEN UP)

Chapter 27

"So," Roman coughed awkwardly, "that was your friend."

"Yeah." Virgil said, thumbing through the shield pieces. "Me and Ax go way back."

"Xe're, um..." Roman cleared his throat. "Xe're very forward."

"What's wrong wi'that?" Virgil asked teasingly. "Ya scared?"

"No!" Roman said quickly. "Xe're just very forward, that's all."

Virgil laughed. "Aw, is brave Resistance fight Roman scared o' a little flirtin'?" He teased.

"I am not!" Roman protested. "Xe was just very forward with xir... intentions."

Virgil snickered again. "I'm honestly surprised." He said. "Most people are put off by the red and the four arms."

Roman shrugged. "It's a big universe." He muttered. "I've seen weirder."

Virgil hid a smirk. "Ya know," he said slowly, "it's not too late. Bet xe'd love another visit from ya."

Roman shook his head rather quickly. "I think I'll pass."

Virgil was laughing when the sudden rush came over him. Like a bucket of ice straight from Hoth had been poured over him. Something was wrong and it nearly knocked him off his feet. He didn't hear the clatter of the shield pieces or feel Roman's hand on his arm, keeping him up. All he could feel was cold and all he could see was black. Never-ending, awfully empty blackness.

"-gil? Virge?! Are you okay?!" Roman was saying. "Virge?!"

Virgil nodded slowly. "I'm fine." Then louder, stronger. "I'm fine."

"You sure?" Roman asked. Virgil nodded, looking down at the shield pieces on the ground. He jumped slightly and bent to pick them up.

"Yeah, yeah." He mumbled. "I'm fine... Hey, Princey?"

"Hm?"

"Just..." Virgil stood up. "Take yar Resistance jacket off."

"What, why?" Roman asked. Virgil shook his head.

"Just do it, okay?"

"How're we doing, Virge?" Roman asked and Virgil knew he wasn't talking about the ship.

"She's good." Virgil said. "Gonna finish the shield's on the legs and then get to her actual body." He smirked at Roman. "Maybe, if ya're lucky, we might have to go back to Ax's store."

Roman pulled a face and Virgil laughed.

"Well, if'that's how ya feel, make yaself useful and pass me a triple-ended picker?" Virgil said. Roman looked, dumbfounded, at the tools spread all over the ground and Virgil sighed. "I'll do it."

"I'm not going to be much help with this." Roman said. Virgil grabbed what he needed and raised an eyebrow at Roman.

"Funnily enough, I'd work'd'that out for myself." He said sarcastically before going back to the shields.

"Hey, Virge?" Roman asked. He sounded panicked, scared almost.

"Yeah-" Virgil was cut off by breath on his neck. He rolled his eyes. "Look, I already told ya, we can pa-"

"Put your hands where I can see them." That wasn't breath on the back of his neck. That was a blaster barrel.

Virgil swallowed and tried to look for Roman. He'd disappeared inside The Osiris. Virgil looked dead ahead and swallowed again.

"Under what authority?" He asked, trying to keep his voice from shaking.

"Your hands." The rough voice repeated.

"Under what authority?!" Virgil insisted. "I don't have to do anythin' unless ya tell me what authority I'm under."

Click. Safety off.

"For the glory of the Empire and the First Order." The voice recited grimly. "Now put your hands where I can see them and stand up. Slowly."

Now the cold feeling made sense. Virgil swallowed again. "Come on, Princey." He thought.

"What are the charges?" He asked. Stalling, stalling and praying that the one holding the blaster was thick enough not to see it.

"There are no charges. Stand up and come with me." Another click and then the sound of metal against leather. "Now."

"Why?" Virgil said. Did he still have his cutting tool on his person?

"You're needed for the ship."

"And if I refuse?"

The blaster was out of its holster now. "I'm under orders to get you on the Empire ship." Was that a smile in the rough voice? "At any costs."

Virgil stood up slowly and prayed that Roman remember how to steer The Osiris. And that he hadn't backed out.

But one look up at The Osiris' landing corridor and Roman's frightened but determined face confirmed Virgil's hope that he wouldn't be alone in this.

Oh, hello not following the story plan. How are we today? Good? Good...
Bye,
Blaize