Star Wars: Dark Protocol

Chapter 4

Luna Base.

The moon was a hollowed out shell. It had been carved out and drilled into by some long forgotten mining project. Any mineral deposits it once held were gone, but the mining process left it perfect for a secret hideaway.

There were kilometers of tunnels and chambers. Selky and his people spent months retrofitting the interior with duraplast walls and metal grating floors that they bought or stole. They sealed it up and installed a couple life support systems they removed from some of their more aggressive quarries.

All of this was undetectable. Something to do with the moons crust. Add to that the pirates own security measures, and no one would ever know they were there.

"Ring the doorbell and take us in, Captain." Selky ordered.

Captain Ordell motioned to his aide. The aide tapped in the code that would unlock the hidden landing bay doors.

A moment later a crack appeared on the moons surface as the half-kilometer wide doors slid open. Beneath the doors was a magcon force field to contain the bases atmosphere. The field cast an orange glow across the edge of the doors and spilled onto the moons surface.

The landing bay was situated underneath a small crater, making it easier to hide the doors. Maverick and The Renegade edged into the crater then settled into the bay on repulsorlifts. The hulls pinged as artificial gravity took hold, the generators for which were also "salvaged" from un-cooperative ships.

With the ships powered down and the boarding ramps lowered, Selky and his crew walked out into the bay.

Selky stepped back from the boarding ramp and looked up at the ships.

"Tinker, get over here." He called out.

A moment later his chief mechanic walked over from across the hangar. A Vratix, Tinker was an expert with all technology.

"Sir?"

"Get the ships refueled and serviced. We've also got supplies that needs unloading. And recalibrate the lasers on Goobers TIE to Human specs. He blasted a cargo hauler trying to fire a warning shot. When you're done I want a full report."

"Aye, aye."

Selky took another look around the hangar as Tinker moved off to get the rest of the maintenance crew set in their duties. It felt good to be home. Damn good.

"Hmm, deck needs a good scrubbing." Selky looked across the hangar at Tinker.

"Tinker! Get R4-G3 to start cleaning these floors. I'll get him some help as soon as I can."

Selky pulled his comlink out of his pocket and thumbed it on as he headed for blast doors out of the hangar. He was halfway down the hall before his call was answered.

"What can I do ya for, Jai?"

"Well for starters, Kidd, you can address me as 'Sir' or 'Admiral'."

"Sure thing, Jai. Anything else?"

For reasons Selky could never understand, Kidd had always refused to show him the proper respect a leader deserved from his subordinates. But then, he needed Kidd a lot more than Kidd needed him. He was the best slicer credits could buy. Secretly, Selky believed that Kidd wasn't in it for wealth, rather he enjoyed the challenge. Especially with this operation.

"I need you to finish reprogramming those MSE droids. This place is getting filthy. I didn't bribe that dock worker on Taris for these droids to just sit in their crate." Selky growled.

"You didn't bribe anyone," Kidd interjected. " I sliced the docks central computer and had them delivered to your 'associate'. Free of charge, might I add."

"Karde is an old friend. And reliable."

"And if his man, Ghent, was half the slicer I am, I wouldn't have to code programming for them every other day."

"Your candor is remarkable. One of the reasons I hired you. I appreciate your honesty."

"And my skills."

"Speaking of which, the MSE droids..."

"Already done. And I've slaved them to R4."

"That was fast. Thank you. By the way, how's the program for the operation coming?" Selky asked.

"I think I've got it. You'll have to see." Kidd answered.

"I have a few things to see to. I'll be down when I've finished. Selky out." He clicked off his comlink.

Now to other business.