Trooper

Inital Tests

Dantooine: 13 BBY
"Nexus"
Jess

Jess blasted at TIEs with the ship's nose guns. More shots made contact, rattling him in his seat. He flipped a few switches, increasing power in the defensive turrets that lined the ship. Cassian kept them on a straight course.

The communicator lit up with an incoming transmission. Jess switched it on and continued to fire. A hologram of Ryn and Feylin appeared. Seconds later, Azie was patched in as well.

"We can't just fly straight to the base," Ryn said. "That will lead the Empire right to them."

"We should warn them we're coming," Cass suggested. "And say we've got company."

"Azie, can you get a transmission to the Rebels and patch me through?" Jess asked. Azie chirped a reply. "Scramble the signature. we can't risk the Empire tracking the signal."

Ryn and Feylin disappeared off the console. They were replaced by a human officer. "Who is this?" The officer demanded.

"My name is Jess. Admiral Raddus sent us."

"You're the ones bringing supplies?" Relief washed over the man's features.

"Yes, but we've got a problem." Jess let out a hiss as the ship rocked again. The hologram wavered before steadying out. "The Empire is on our tail. We can't drop the supplies by your base or they'll be on your doorstep."

The officer stroked his chin, thinking. "Is there anyway you can install tracking beacons on the crates?"

Jess furrowed his brows. "We'll try. Our droid will contact you again when we've come up with something." The officer nodded and Ryn and Feylin appeared again. "They want us to try to put tracking beacons on the supplies."

    Ryn nodded and Feylin jumped out of her seat. "Go. I'll take care of things in here," Cassian urged. Jess pulled himself up and darted back into the ship.

    It was strange to be in such a large ship without having a crew running around. Jess ducked down several different hallways, but found no sign of the crates. He rubbed his forehead, frustrated. Sparks flashed before him as the ship rocked again. Jess stumbled back into a room and hit the ground.

    "Oh, my!" A droid exclaimed. Jess turned and spotted a golden protocol droid hiding in the corner. "Rebels on board Senator Organa's ships! Help! Help!"

    "Oh, shut up," Jess groaned. He staggered to his feet and ran back into the hallway. The droid trailed after him.

    "Don't you touch anything, Rebel. The Empire will catch up soon enough. My master will not be pleased."

    "Where can I find tracking beacons?" Jess asked, ignoring the droid's grumbling.

    "Tracking beacons? What would you need with those? And in any case, they don't belong to you so you can't have them."

    "Look, Droid,"

    "Droid? Excuse you! I am C-3PO, human cyborg relations. I won't allow such...."

    "Can it or I'll scrap you myself," Jess groaned. "Help me and I'll get you back to Senator Organa in one piece."

    "Oh." A look of surprise came over the droid. Anyway, Jess assumed he looked surprised. "I suppose that is a fair trade. Very well. Follow me."

C-3PO walked down the length of the hall and opened up a door. Jess peered into the ship's cargo hold. He began scanning the shelves rapidly. At last, he let out a triumphant cry and grabbed several tracking beacons.