Edge of the Empire: Book 02: Escape from Mos Shuuta

Chapter 8: Krayt Fang

Mos Shuuta Alleyway:

"You there! Halt!" commanded a voice.

The group froze and looked around and saw three white armored figures standing just up the alleyway, blasters trained on them. At the same time another three approached from the opposite side, weapons raised.

"Stang on your luck, Kallos!" hissed Tersen glancing nervously from one group of troopers to the other.

Jarek had already drawn both his pistols and had them zeroed in on the first group along with Era. Madlyn and Slick had also leveled their weapons at the second. Tersen was indecisive, huddling backward in an attempt to make himself an even smaller target. Gare was...well Jarek couldn't see what the Gank was doing, but whatever it was, he hoped it was useful.

"What seems to be the problem officer?" Madlyn asked sounding as cheerful as if she were discussing the weather.

"Drop your weapons and put your hands in the air!" the Stormtrooper ordered his emotionless visor causing Jarek to gulp nervously. A straight up gunfight was one thing, but getting caught in a crossfire was not an ideal situation to be in. Especially when they were under a time crunch. The longer they kriffed around, the more likely it was their sabotage at the Control Center would be discovered.

"Listen, officers," Madlyn went on completely unfazed. "Can't we talk about this? I'm sure there's a logical explanation for--"

Suddenly a large crate flew over Jarek's head. There were shouts of alarm and pain as it bowled over all three troopers. Gare had revealed what he had been preoccupied with, in a spectacular fashion. Acting on reflex the Mandalorian turned and fired at the other three troopers. At the same time Madlyn and Slick shifted their own aim. The second group of Imperials ducked for cover and returned fire.

"Move!" Jarek ordered. The group sprinted down the alley hurtling over the three unconscious soldiers. One of them stirred and was reaching for his weapon when Tersen kicked the side of his helmet as he passed by. The stormtrooper groaned and went limp. Limping slightly the Lannik cursed before Gare shoved him along.

"Nicely done," he praised.

They exited the ally and entered the market only to nearly run headlong into yet another group of startled stormtroopers. The group hastily bolted down another ally. Ahead of Jarek, Madlyn decided the sun-drenched alley was too exposed and dove into a Shadowy archway.

"Come...argh!" The Alderanni groaned, suddenly reappearing as she bounced off something hard, landing on her back in the sandy street. "Didn't see the door. Too dark," she cursed. Gare hauled her back onto her feet, and they were off again.

Their twisting path through Mos Shuuta's alleyways blocked the stormtroopers from view. Jarek momentarily panicked as a trio of humanoids sprinted around a corner, but quickly realized it was only Slick, Era, and Tersen. They must've gotten separated in the chaos.

Stun bolts buzzed by the Pantoran's head as they turned the corner. The Troopers were much too close for comfort. They ran harder. At least the stun bolts indicated they wanted them alive...for now.

"How'd they find us so fast?" Jarek yelled, not to anyone in particular.

"A Gank, Pantoran, Lannik, Mirialin, and a Mandalorian?" Era retorted as she returned fire over her shoulder. "We're not exactly hard to miss!"

Jarek would've snapped back but he couldn't deny the logic. Instead, he focused on losing their pursuers while also trying to lead them back around to the Landing Bay. At that point, the only way they'd even survive, much less escape, was in the Krayt Fang. All that stood between them and freedom was an unknown number of Teemo's goons, Imperials, and Trex himself.