Star Wars: Immortal Devotion - The Spiral

Chapter 8 (Full)

"My uncle was not a part of the Rebel Alliance," Coran retorted, as he grew impatient from the lies the woman on the other end of the private comm channel was feeding him.

"Listen kid, you don't have to believe me but I am telling the truth. He spoke very highly of you, but he said he didn't want you getting involved so he kept you busy with smuggling jobs or whatever. After he got into that accident, he contacted us and said he wanted purpose. And so he's been hiding away Imperial defectors under his protection on Stewjon."

Coran was now staring at his feet, not wanting to admit that this woman's claims made more sense than he would like to admit. He heard Tip shuffling around behind him, and 'Kroe had now left the room entirely, presumeably giving Coran some space. This was all just too much, and the Imperials were now closing in.

"Well, they're dead now. They're all dead. The Empire wiped out the village, and they're on their way here right now," he said, not knowing why he hadn't hung up the call yet.

"As much as I would like to mourn them, now is not the time. What are you going to do, Mr. J'Bari. We need someone to take your uncle's position. He told us all about your situation and your ship, and as much as we wanted to respect his decision to keep you out of this, we really do need someone with your resources."

Coran gritted his teeth, "you, Ortega or whatever your name is, are the reason my uncle is dead. I don't know why you think you're in a position to tell me about him, but you can count me out. As far as I'm concerned, those people in the village got exactly what they deserved."

Tip was now talking to Gryphys on the comms, and Coran could hear he and 'Kroe beginning to loudly argue about something out in his uncle's room.

"I'm sorry you feel that way," Ortego said over the channel, "if you-"

Coran couldn't take any more of this stupidity and turned off the channel.

How dare that vile criminal slander his uncle's name and try to recruit him into her cause after everything that had happened. He stepped out of the hidden room and turned back for a moment to stare at the portrait, now visibly cracked, of he and and his mother.

Everything that he tried so hard to hold onto was now gone. And he didn't even have time to mourn.

"They split off," Gryphys said over the comms as Coran started to become fully aware of his surroundings once again, "a small group is approaching the Devotion, and the rest of them are almost to your team. What do you want us to do?"

Tip turned to Coran, "Captain?"

Coran looked his co-pilot in the eyes and clenched his fist, "I don't know, Tip. I don't know anymore."

The Ishi Tib's beak slacked, and he seemed just as directionless as Coran. 'Kroe spoke up, grabbing his large blaster cannon and walking out of the room. "Since we've already broken the whole 'no killing Imps' rule, I think I'm going to help myself to a little stress relief."

Coran followed 'Kroe as he stepped out of the bedroom turned the corner where the large curtains were and flung them back, revealing a glass door leading to the balcony above the courtyard.

Coran could see a dozen storm troopers moving their way through the main gate, and an armored troop carrier was sitting just outside of the courtyard.

'Kroe shattered the doors as he kicked them in, and took a step out onto the balcony. Blaster fire could now be heard over the comms as well, however, Gryphys was no longer responding. One of the storm troopers noticed the armed Drabatan above them, but by that point it was too late.

"I've got the high ground, spooks!" 'Kroe yelled as he laughed and opened fire on the court yard.

It was like a rainstorm of light as at least half of the Imperial troops were shot down in an instant. The others ducked for cover behind stone pillars, trees, and the water fountain at the center of the courtyard.