Star Wars: Dark Protocol

Chapter 6

Shortly after his meeting with Commodore Slate, Pruut found himself seated in a shuttle bound for the Imperial Shipyard. It would be a while before they reached the designated docking facility, so Pruut took the time to read the mission files.

According to the report a new band of pirates, calling themselves the Luna Independent Starfleet, were targeting cargo convoys and stealing their shipments. Those who cooperated with the LIS were left alive, ships damaged but intact. Those that didn't were blown apart or salvaged for parts. Eyewitness reports said the leader of these pirates was calling himself "Admiral Jai Selky". Little else was known.

The file also contained a full list of dossiers for his new crew, as well as info on his new ship. What the report didn't say was how speechless he would be upon laying eyes on his new command.

An Imperial-class Star Destroyer Mark II. It looked like any other ImpStar Deuce, with a few differences. First, it was matte black instead of the customary Imperial gray. Even with it's running lights activated, it was difficult to see against a star field. Second, sensory nodes dotted it's surface; far more than normally found on these ships.

In the cockpit the comm board lit up with an incoming transmission. The pilot reached out to toggle on the transceiver.

"Shuttle Duranon, this is Kuat Traffic Control. Please proceed to holding sector 9 and await your escort."

"Acknowledged, Control." The pilot said into the receiver.

"Escort?" Pruut asked as the pilot brought the shuttle to the assigned coordinates.

"Yes, sir. All shuttles ferrying high ranking officers are to receive an escort."

Pruut wasn't accustomed to such security measures, but then rank had it's privileges. Before long two TIE fighters approached the shuttle. They took position off either wing of the shuttle.

"Dusk Leader to Shuttle Duranon, escort is on station."

The pilot flipped a switch to the TIEs frequency and keyed the receiver.

"Roger that, Dusk Leader." He flipped the switch again. "Shuttle Duranon to Control. Escort has arrived. Permission to leave sector 9 holding area?"

"Granted. Control out."

Another toggle switch.

"Shuttle to escort."

"Copy, shuttle."

"We have permission. Take us in."

"Roger that. Escort out."

The pilot brought up the engines and started their approach. The holding sector was a few klicks out from where the ship was docked. The cruising speed for Lamda-class shuttles was notoriously slow so it would take about half a standard hour till they reached it.

As they neared the ship the pilot keyed the comm unit once more.

"This is shuttle Duranon requesting permission to dock."

"Shuttle Duranon you are cleared for docking bay 7."

"Copy that. Shuttle out." He turned the comm back off.

The shuttle passed through the docking bays magcon field and settled gently to the deck. Pruut stood up to leave but turned back to the pilot.

"You're a good pilot." He said.

"Thank you, sir." The pilot saluted. Pruut returned the salute and headed for the landing ramp.