The Twilights: The Basics of Secrets

Chapter 9

Azura

Livia guided me and positioned me to sit keep watch on a bench east of the cantina that Jay and Tor entered through. Livia was waltzing around outside and I could see Russ' large green figure on top of a building.

I've never been undercover before. I've always been good at remaining lowkey and going unnoticed in the forests of Sugloria, but the dry desert of Fesnua was another shift in climate. There was constant dust flowing through the air, dirtying everyone's clothes without effort. My mouth was dry and my skin damp with a forming layer of sweat. My clothes were adjusted for forest weather, but if I'm staying with the Spirit crew, I would need to change to be adapted for any sort of weather a planet may behold.

There were several Empire troopers around the cantina and near the bench I was sitting at. One of the higher looking official strode toward me and I began to worry that somehow, he knew I was rebel and was about to arrest me; ending my short-lived space adventures. Instead, he walked around the bench and stood under a shaded part of the courtyard to talk with another officer.

I leaned back in the bench and did my best to eavesdrop.

"They're inside. Only two of them." The officer reported.

"Two? Seems a small number. I don't like it. Hold position; no one enters until Gaunt gives the signal. If all goes well, we'll have a traitor and Dissent agents to turn in."

My heart was beating faster with each word. It became painfully loud as the officer turned to walk away. I made a split-second decision; when he passed by me, I quickly stood up and made to walk away, but ran into the officer on my way out. My short stature collided against his tall frame. The height difference was perfect for me to sneakily remove the commlink on his wrist. "I'm so sorry, sir," I said to the officer, head bowed.

His voice reeked with disgust. "Watch where you're going, street rat."

I held the commlink close to my chest and hurriedly moved away from him. He wasn't any the wiser.

As I moved to a more shaded and secluded part of the area, the commlink's center circle glowed red. I pressed the center and the light turned green; emitting a small voice speaking over the channel. "All units, the traitor has escaped from custody. Last seen fleeing down High Street. All nearby troopers, move in to intercept."

I couldn't be sure, but instinct was telling me that the traitor was the defector we were supposed to be meeting with. I wondered, then, who was inside with Tor and Jay. Around the cantina, more troopers came around. Livia's face remained impassive, not letting the number of hostiles freak her out. She was watching their movement, however. She caught my eye and looked confused as to what I was doing, standing away from my post. I needed to warn her that the Zarions knew we were here, but I also needed to go look for the true defector.

I pointed to the cantina, made a slashing movement across my neck, and shook my head furiously, trying to indicate to her that it wasn't safe inside. I'd hope she understand my meaning; I didn't wait to see until I took off running.

I had no clue where High Street was and the street signs were written in vihzian. I jogged around aimlessly, no destination in sight. Many troopers passed by me and each time they did, I slowed to a steady pace. It was hard to race around the streets and not catch the attention of the militia.

The commlink glowed again and I pressed to hear the transmission. "Moving toward Green Street."

Again, I had no clue where that was. But ahead of me, I spotted the troopers changing directions and heading down a different alley. That gave me the bright idea to follow them to our target, but I still needed to be discreet. A low building off to the right was the exact size I needed to jump onto the roof. The buildings were sturdy enough and abandoned for me to run across. With eyes up above, I could trail the troopers without being easily seen.