FORSAKEN II - Eternal Dawn

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

The ryll mine was dug into a pit of escalating rows, descending several meters deep, protected by a perimeter of turbolasers mounted on natural spires, and overseen by an Imperial garrison. Tracks striated the walls to allow lifting platforms to carry equipment, people, and carts filled with mined ryll. Pipes reached the bottom of the quarry where an army of workers could be seen through the orange haze created by the mineral they extracted. They shoveled spice-rich rocks from crates into the large baskets on the backs of others. The ryll is lifted to the surface, dumped into crates, and loaded into juggernaut turbo tanks for transport to a refinery. Because of all this activity, no one noticed the figures spying from a neighboring ridge, using electrobinoculars.

"This is it." Numa laid prone among Virra, Syrran, Theleema, and Elynn. Her lyaer'tsa rested next to her. The Twi'lek staff weapon with a forked vibroblade was designed to injure, not kill.

"Is it always this heavily guarded?" Syrran zoomed in to check a stormtrooper patrol, marching around the mine's perimeter.

"Imperial lies. They promised to bring jobs and industry to Ryloth, but all they did was exploit our labor force and continue the slave trade. They're keeping most of the profits, taxing our people, and giving all administrative jobs to their military officers."

"They keep the prisoners apart from the others in the southwest corner of the mine." Elynn watched a large group of workers wearing shock collars. She looked at group of workers shoveling spice into baskets Their faces were obscured by wide-brimmed sunshade hats, protective goggles, and bandanas. "There are about a dozen stormtroopers guarding the area."

"The Empire uses criminals to keep costs down—lower than what they already pay us."

"Getting in is not a problem." Theleema continued to scan the mine pit for access points. "But leaving with the Weequay alive without alerting the garrison is beyond my expertise."

"What do you think, Vi?" Syrran said.

"If Elynn can slice into their system, we can go down there with a transfer order for the prisoner," Virra directed her electrobinoculars to the main building above the pit. "What do you think of those Imperial Troop Transports for our gateway, Eels?"

Elynn switched her attention to the vehicles parked near the main platform. "I'm sure they handle like a brick, but I'll make it work."

"See those stormtroopers by the lift?" said Theleema, spying on three soldiers.

"Uh-huh." Syrran said.

"That's our way down into the mine."

"Let's just hope the others can secure the ryll," Elynn said.

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At the western outskirts of Lessu, the rest of the team spied a part of a canyon known as the Narrows from an outcrop above. A Juggernaut turbo tank drove through it in direction of the capital, escorted by two Imperial Troop Transports, and four speeder bikes.

"They pass by every thirty minutes," Gobi said.

"What's the size of the payload?" Jarriss checked the Juggernaut with his electrobinoculars as it disappeared down the gorge.

"Fifty tons."

"How many men?"

"Ten stormtroopers per transport, plus three crewmembers."

"What is their security protocol?"

"If attacked, one of the ITTs and two scout troopers go after the aggressors, and they call-in for air support from the TIE fighters deployed in the area. The rest stay with the Juggernaut, continuing to Lessu."