Revan's Heir: Age of the Empire

Chapter Five

It was not long before Kicks was able to locate the emergency override panel within the vessel seized by the Chimaera. As the lights illuminated the hallway before them, Allana and Lyste rose their weapons and began to move forward, trailed closely by the four remaining troopers of their squad. The walls were cast iron and trimmed in gold; Allana tapped her knuckles to each door and peered into the viewing port, but each one echoed with emptiness.

"We can't keep checking every single room," Lyste barked.

"I know," Allana sighed, "But we don't know where they came from." She inclined her head toward the lifeless bodies that littered the floor. They were distinguishable in the light and appeared to resemble a mandrill species. Their skin was gray, and orange fur fanned out around their rumpled faces. Long snouts peered out from underneath the black helmets they wore on their heads, and cloaks of ebony were draped over their bodies.

"Emergency power systems are rebooting," Kicks reported as he rejoined the group. "You're welcome. Again." Allana knelt to investigate the bodies.

"Did you see anyone?" Lyste asked.

"No, and my scans indicate that there are no life forms on this level."

Allana removed the helmet of one of the fallen soldiers, studying its eyes. They were bright yellow, and proportionally larger than a humanoid's. The pupil was also vertically slit.

"Well, that explains how they were able to fire on us in the dark," Allana stated as she stood. Lyste looked to the creature's face, his face scrunching in thought.

"What do you mean?"

"Their eyesight is nocturnal," Allana explained. "You can tell by how big their eyes are and the split pupils." She slid her blaster into the holster on her side and looked to Kicks, who stood with the blaster rifle still in his grasp.

"I fail to see how that applies to our current state of affairs," Lyste snapped.

"It means we have an advantage in the light," Allana rejoined, "They can still see but their vision will be blurred. We can use that to our advantage."

"Then we should proceed to the upper levels and split up," Lyste plotted. "Each party can do a sweep and then we will meet at the ship's bridge."

"Kicks and I can handle the east wing," Allana said, headed toward the elevators at the end of the hall. Kicks followed behind, leaving Lyste at the impasse with the squad of troopers.

"Just the two of you? Are you certain?" he called after Allana. She turned over her shoulder with a playful grin, the freckles on her face seeming to dance over her cheekbones. The doors to the elevator opened before them and Kicks stepped inside.

"You'll need more help than I will, Lieutenant," she said, following Kicks into the elevator and pressing the button to close the doors. Kicks watched as Allana withdrew her blaster and inspected it, pulling back the safety lever and applying the stun setting.

"I take it our goal is not annihilation, Mistress Allana?"

"No, ISB is going to want at least a few for examination."

"Then might I advise discretion? It could be precarious to draw unnecessary attention to yourself," Kicks counseled, though his tone suggested that he was not confident she would heed his warning. Allana chuckled as she peered down the scope mounted on her blaster.

"I will do my best to be discreet, Kicks."

"Somehow I am not convinced."

They watched as the lights on the panel beside the door indicated the number of floors they had surpassed. The interior of the ship was divided into several floors and decks located on top of one another, with the bridge being located at the top. Once they drew close to the top floor, they readied their weapons, aiming toward the door.