"I was programmed to handle hard situations, Sir."
"Yes, but he was quite close to you, wasn't he? Did he say anything? Every piece of information he possessed could help us win the war. Isn't that what you want?" The Chancellor watches me closely...
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Day 65 SK Location: Bakura System 0800 hours
"We drop onto the target in three minutes and thirty seconds," Commander Wolffe explains. I stand in a ship with the Wolfpack, my arms wrapped around one of Boost's as he grips the loop above our heads. "Comet and Pup will gather the civilians into the last two cars, while Boost, Sinker and I sever the engine from the rest of the train."
I'm not overly excited about helping Comet herd people around, but I doubt Wolffe would ever let me actually help him with something important. He might as well have left me with Peg and 501st.
"Yes, Sir," we reply in unison. At the Commander's word, Warthog opens the side of the ship, revealing the jump ahead of us. We soar over the tallest mountain range on the planet, with cities built all across it. The rail system is intricate, and the trains are droid run for maximum efficiency. This one had a malfunction and the droid's power got cut off. It's our job to pull the emergency release before the engine overheats and combusts, stranding and possibly killing the passengers on board.
Honestly, I'm more worried about the jump down.
"Jump in ten," Sinker begins, putting his helmet on. I do the same, but don't let go of Boost's arm.
He pats it, a semi-grumpy tone to his voice. "You'll be fine, Pup. It's just like training."
"Drop in five," Sinker continues. The train gets bigger below us.
"You get a second chance in training," I reply.
"Three," Sinker counts down. My heart pounds against my armor.
"Two."
"Let go, Pup." Boost moves my stiff hand off his arm, both apologetic and annoyed.
"One."
Boost —mercifully— gives me a solid shove so I actually make it off of the ship. We free fall for a short distance before activating the jetpacks and slowing our descent. It would be suicide to jump straight onto a train moving that fast, so we'll level out and catch up with it. There's an access hatch on the roof of the final car that we'll use to get inside.
Together, we spread out into a neat wedge formation, picking up speed as the train passes us. I've finally decided I'm not actually gonna die when there's a shout from my left.
"Commander, my je—"
I look over, watching as Comet's jetpack sputters and one of the engines goes out. He spirals and crashes into Sinker. I shriek and swerve down so they don't crash into me. Boost ducks down next to me, making sure I don't spin out while Wolffe shifts position to steady Comet. With his help, Comet and Sinker get straightened out. Boost and I level with them again, and I notice that Sinker's arm is bent at the wrong angle. He grits his teeth but doesn't say anything.
Commander Wolffe makes contact with the top of the train car, using magnetic gloves to hold onto it and open the access hatch in the roof. Sinker, Comet, Boost and I land beside him, Boost having taken the Commander's place at Sinker's side.
