There's something about a woman with a lightsaber and a giant, muscular Devaronian that draws your attention. Luna wasn't quite sure what, but she appreciated that they drew the stormtroopers' fire away from her, her astromach Bets, and Twitch - the first two heading for the nearest exit, and Twitch to find a secure firing position to cover their escape.
A klaxon rang out overheard and the exits slammed shut before they could even reach it. Luna dashed to the control panel pulled out her cloned security and, fumbling at the panel as a blaster shot exploded into the wall several feet to her left, jammed it into the security socket - where it was promptly rejected. Luna swore, then made way. 'You're up, Bets. Gonna need you a lot today.
Understandable, came Bets' beeping reply, and jacked herself into the panel. A minute later, the blast doors slid open. 'Time to go!' she yelled at the others, dipping out to check that the vicinity was clear. Vix was the first to join her, ambling slowly up to and past her, to clear the way. Next came Hoshi, walking backwards, her saber twirling protectively around her, blocking shot after shot, until she planted herself in the middle of the open blast door. Finally came Twitch, sprinting to the door and ducking around the corner, turning and poking his rifle back round. Luna gave the shuttle one last look. It had gone completely ignored in the melee, and she hoped that the Nexu inside had taken the time to hide themselves well enough to avoid detection. She didn't need to effect another escape. Stepping back as the hordes of stormtroopers cautiously descended upon them, she told Bets to close the door again. As the blast doors slid shut, Hoshi jumped back through the irising hole, landing beside Luna with a flourish.
'Show off,' Luna grinned. Hoshi beamed back. Luna looked about her. There were three paths to choose from: one to her left, another to her right, running parallel to the hangar bay. The third was directly ahead of her, leading away. It seemed as good as any, and had the added bonus of leading them away from where they knew danger was. She urged the others down the third corridor.
This was a mistake. Less than fifty metres down they encountered four full squads of stormtroopers, and they quickly retreated back to the intersection, taking the left hand turn. As the pursuing stormtroopers reached the hangar door, several paused to unlock it, adding more to their numbers.
The Nexu ran, keeping tight to the walls, hoping that slim protection would keep them safe. Behind them, a wall of fire chased them. Hundreds of blaster shots turned the air around them into a furnace. As Luna looked behind her, the sight of the stormtroopers vibrated from the heat. She hugged the wall closer. Ahead of her, she spotted a maintenance shaft, and she stopped. 'Pop some smoke grenades!' she yelled, barely able to hear her own voice over the whine of battle. She suited action to her own words, and fished out two black and silver balls, throwing them behind her. The pause in retreat almost cost her her life, as a blaster shot nearly took her head off. It was only thanks to Hoshi's act of knocking her feet from under her with the Force, sending her to the ground, that saved her. Hoshi ran to her, standing protectively over her as Luna regained her feet, shooting around Hoshi's torso as Vix and Twitch threw their own grenades. As they exploded, jets of smoke blossomed out, joining Luna's own grenades, and for a very brief moment the stormtroopers' fire eased up enough that she felt safe to cross to the other side to duck into the maintenance shaft, the others following behind her, with Twitch taking the back, throwing a few smoke grenades down the corridor, to give the impression that they had continued down that way. It was a small misdirection, but one that she hoped would buy them enough time to get further into the tunnels that the stormtroopers couldn't simply shoot inside and hit their backsides. As they crawled deeper, it became obvious to them all that Vix was having particular difficulty navigating the tunnels - it was meant only for droids, after all, and he had to lower himself so that he was almost completely prone, crawling along on his stomach. 'I'm beginning to understand how Tarrikue feels,' he grumbled, grunting with each shuffle.
'Tarrikue?' Hoshi asked, confused.
'Lover Tarrik, in my language,' Vix said happily. 'Why, what does Luna call you?'
'Sexy,' came Hoshi's reply, and Luna could practically hear her smirk in the word.
'And what do you call Luna?' Vix enquired sweetly.
'Do not answer that,' Luna warned, and the others snickered. 'Let's keep moving. Look for any cable junctures or nodes; they might lead to a terminal. They continue through, following Bets as she led the way, her torch shining ahead of them. Luna couldn't see beyond the droid, though, and the lack of clarity had her on edge. But at last, they reached an exit door, and the Nexu hastened out into the corridor, grateful to be able to stand fully. They were so eager to be out of there that they neglected to check their surroundings first, but fortunately there was no one around.
'There's one,' Twitch said, pointing down the way. 'Looks like a standard droid terminal.'
Bets trilled grandly. I'll handle this. Make way, peasants, Luna interpreted the sound. The astromech tolled her way over in a way that Luna could only describe as droid grandstanding, enjoying her moment in the spotlight. After a moment of interacting with the terminal, Bets retreated and bashed her body into it in frustration, turning away from it with a huff. She buzzed lowly. They're onto us.
'Sithspit,' Luna swore.
But I did find something out, Bets danced on her wheels.
'What?' Luna asked quickly.
'What is it?' Vix asked, not as well versed in droidspeak.
Jade is here, Bets lifted herself up on her struts. They took her to the bridge when the alarm sounded.
Hoshi let out a squeak of delight and leaned down to caress Bets' dome. 'Such a good droid, Bets,' Bets preened happily.
'You heard her,' Luna said to the others.
Vix put in a quiet 'I didn't,' which Luna ignored.
'Bets, lead the way.'
