Retreat From Pain

[Argos Ewan]

The Eclipse began it’s decent into the atmosphere of the Bespin Colony as Captain Ewan looked over his Navigation system as he viewed the maps showing the Cloud City map.

“Where to land,” I thought as I looked over the map. “There, level 122. Ship repairs can be done there and it’ll give the crew time to catch their breath. The Lynx turned out to be much more than we expected.”

I shook my head as I continued to think as I looked over at Lieutenant Rakai who had become like a son to me. He was only in his position temporarily due to his mother’s capture who was in his position before she was captured during the raid upon the Lynx.

"Six weeks ago, how could it have gone so badly? I should have seen what was about to happen? How could I have allowed my own love to ever get into such a position. It won’t happen again!”

I keyed in the entry for the ships landing and opened the connection for Cloud City Control. “CCC, this is Corvette ship Eclipse. Requesting landing upon level 122, please reply.”

After a moment the Cloud City Control replied, “Eclipse, this is Cloud City Control. You are cleared for landing on level 122 docking bay 734C.”

"Docking bay 734C understood,” I replied as I reached over and shut off the connection.

I looked back at my Lieutenant and put my hand upon his shoulder. “Have faith. Your mother’s apprehension isn’t going unanswered.” I reached over and flipped a couple of the ships controls. “It's just that right now we have to lick our wounds and do some repairs. I would rather die than to loose her. If nothing better happens you are my responsibility. So you are not alone, ever.”

[Aramis Rakai]

I sat there like a stone statue, flinching slightly to his touch. I remained silent, I couldn’t seem to find any words to say. I saw the whole event and had been powerless to do anything. I failed her, I failed my captain…I failed myself.

What had happened? For weeks, I asked myself that question over and over again and yet no answer would come to me. This ship had been raiding for the past forty-some years and never had such an unfavorable outcome. We knew what we were doing we knew the costs…all of us. We’d raided Empire ships before, it was supposed to be a medical friget and we knew where to sell the supplies for a huge profit.

But, right before we hit, my mother, our acting Lieutenant told me something didn’t feel right about this. I remembered telling her that Jace had made sure of its cargo, and it had minimal persons onboard and since it was out in the middle of nowhere, what could possibly go wrong?

I was wrong, I was terribly wrong. The ship that had been marked and listed as a medical supply ship was a decoy…it was actually a military supply ship, with a huge amount of military personnel. We didn’t get much further than the hangar bay, when we were viciously attacked from all angles, we lost four members of our team and still many others were injured, including myself. I instinctively made it to some cover of another ship, right before I was hit in the lower leg by blaster fire. It had been all around us and as I went down, my mother came for me.

“I’ll cover you, Aramis! Get back to the ship!” She screamed as she fired more shots.

Two of my shipmates ran over and helped me to my feet. “Lieutenant, you’re going to get cut off, there’s too many!” One of them yelled.

“Get him back to the ship, I’ll take care of myself!” She ordered.

That was the last thing, I heard from her. As I was being taken up the hatchway, I turned to see our group all heading our way, including my mother and that’s when I saw her get hit in the upper thigh and she went down. I remember screaming to go back as our men piled in behind us. It was too late, there were too many against us to go back…

I listened to my Captain as he spoke. “I just don’t understand…why the decoy? Is the Empire becoming that elusive? They own nearly everything now, why be so sneaky?” I was seventy-two years old, and my race could live to be over 500, so I was considered young yet and this whole Empire take over thing, was nothing but nonsense to me.

[Argos Ewan]

"Lieutenant, you've got to remember one thing. We are a raider ship and it was inevitable sooner or later they are going to fight back. Over the years we finally made the one big mistake." I leaned over and pointed My finger at the Lieutenant. "Learn a lesson from this. Things aren't always what they seem. Sooner or later they are going to respond just as they did. It's just that we were stupid enough to not see it before it happened. We’ve become to complacent. THAT won't ever happen again. We can no longer afford complacency."

I drew my finger back as I continued. "Regardless of our own emotions and personal association with anyone on board we do what we must. Even if it is at our own cost. That was why your mother was captured. She ended up that way thinking of you and her emotions cost her the price. Now we're going to have to get her back. The worst part is that they are going to expect us to do exactly that and are going to be waiting for us."

I suddenly felt the ship shift as it penetrated the atmosphere. I pointed across the console to the Lieutenants side of the console. "Switch on the plasma stabilizers, we're drifting."

[Aramis Rakai]

I nodded and did as I was told. I had learned a lot from the Captain over the many years I'd been here. Piloting was one of my skills, but I didn't really find it compelling enough for it to become the primary balance in my life. Instead, my place was in my mechanical skills, I could repair just about anything you put in front of me and if I didn't have the parts to fix it I would come up with some crazy idea that worked anyway. It was my niche in life, I loved working with my hands and I think, due to that I became very tight-knit to everyone in the crew. We were a family after all, and since our losses we had become even closer.

Except in the past six weeks, I had pulled somewhat away keeping a distance down in the fighter hold working on this and that as long as my leg would allow. The blaster burn had been bad and I still had plenty of healing to do, I didn't lead on that it actually hurt like hell still.

"I have learned from my mistakes, Captain. I just wish I could've helped her. We're going to need more hands to get her back I just hope that Keller comes through with his words about gaining us some new hands here." I replied emotionlessly as I pushed a long strand of light brown hair behind my pointed ears.

[Argos Ewan]

I looked at the young man as he pulled his hair back. "I know you've learned quite a bit and your going to learn more too. Some things just take time. Some things can only be learned by experience. Gods only know how much you've learned this time out."

I looked up and found the headset and put the set on and flipped the internal communications switch. "Attention, All crewmembers, prepare for landing. We'll be landing in the next few minutes. Everyone brace for landing. Once we have landed repair crews will be needed to begin repairs and inspection of damages. Upon landing all members are granted one day leave once your stations are locked down."

I suddenly heard a cheer of the shipmates after my announcement.

After the announcement I removed my headset and turned the communications switch off. I looked at my controls and made several adjustments as I spoke to Aramis. "I too hope Keller can come up with some mission specialist for us. I think we're going to need some this time around. So tell me, have you given any thoughts to what you have in mind for your future? You know you are always welcome to stay with us on the Eclipse. You never know maybe one day I can hand the Captainship of the Eclipse over to you if you work hard enough for it and prove yourself worthy of it."

[Aramis Rakai]

I shrugged slightly as he mentioned the part about my future. "I like it here, Captain." I replied. "This is where I belong. I signed on with my mother 40 years ago, she taught me everything I know and since I've picked up quite a bit more on my own. I don't see anything else in store for me right now, Captain. Besides, how are you going to get through half the locks as silently as I can without me?" I asked smuggly.

For the first time in six weeks, I smiled. It wasn't a complete smile, but it was a smile nonetheless.

[Argos Ewan]

I looked at the boy and knew what he was saying was right. "Yes you are good at what you do but is that all you have planned for yourself?" I looked crossly at the boy, "people need higher goals for themselves, otherwise they just exisit and life passes them by. I think you could be much better than that if you'd just let yourself reach out."

I could now see the Cloud City beginning to come into view as I began to bring the ship in on it's landing beacon. By the ships nav-computer I could see we were right on track. "I really think it is something you should consider about yourself."

[Aramis Rakai]

"Let us find the Lieutenant first, Argos." I said as I switched on the controls for the landing cycle to begin. "I can't think of much else just yet, for it's hard telling what the Empire has done to her."

They'd hurt her, I could see it in my dreams when I tried to sleep. I just attempted not to lead on, I couldn't for her mate's sake. Inleshat didn't require much sleep, about three hours per standard day. I thanked the Gods for that, for lately I'd only gained about an hour a day. My mind was full, my body was tired and sleep I still fought for.

"Have you heard anything from Keller since our last communication?" I asked to break the silence between us, to ease our minds of what I'm sure we were both thinking. She'd be dead, if we didn't hurry in the next few weeks. But, there was just no way to do a rescue if we still lacked some personnel to help, we could use all the help we could get. Once we got her back, things would get back to normal and we could continue our raids.

Vincent Keller, was our information specialist. He was good at what he did, with the exception of our last raid that nearly killed all of us. We could always count on his information to be very useful and three weeks ago he took one of our fighters to scout for new shipmates. A week ago, we were informed to meet him here, Bespin at some lowlife pub.

[Argos Ewan]

After we entered the landing sequence, I watched as the Eclipse landed within the designated landing bay and eased to a smooth landing. I reached over and shut down the Phase Motor Generators and the ship went silent. "That was a good landing," I said as I put my right hand onto Aramis's shoulder. I stood up and flipped overhead switches and turned several controls to the ship.

"No, I've not heard anything from Keller, but then that is exactly what I told him to do. We must not allow transmissions between our ships right now. That is a precaution I took to keep the Empire from knowing where we were going or doing. We'll meet him at the Booster Pub on level 124. We may have to wait for him there to see him if he isn't there already. As my Lieutenant, you will be joining me to meet him."

After shutting the ship's controls down I walked over to a nearby compartment. From there I pulled out two capes with the Eclipse insignia upon their collars and two blaster belts. I handed one of the belts and cape to Aramis. "Here, you'll need these before we leave the ship." The cape I now handed him was his mother's and showed the pips on the collar showing the rank of Lieutenant.

[Aramis Rakai]

I quickly slipped on the belt and fastened it, my blaster hung at my hip and felt very comforting. I wasn't used to wearing the cape that he now handed me. It was my mother's. I was used to wearing the brown leather jacket that was hand-made for me from Iskonia. It already had the markings for the Eclipse on the back and it was a special leather, that could be immersed in water, it had slits in the arms where my fins could emerge easily. I sighed as my hands traced over the insignia. I handed it back.

"I can't wear this, Captain. I'm sorry." I told him, not being defiant just truthful. "If I end up being your Lieutenant permanantly, I'll have the rank placed on my collar."

Three of our members began coming up towards that lounge that we were in. "Aramis, when are you going to get to that lifter on the Sted?"

The Sted was our favorite fighter on the ship. I raised an eyebrow and replied. "If you hadn't noticed, it's already done! Besides, I didn't see you busting your bum down there to give me a hand now did I?" My words came out a little more vemently than planned, but I hated being put on the spot in front of the Captain.

"Okay, okay." He held up his hands in mock confusion. "Don't blow a gasket." The one said as the three members quickly exited the ship and tried to keep from laughing.

The truth was, the crew liked me when I was just Aramis, but now that I'm acting Lieutenant...it was turning into a nighmare. In the past six weeks, most were still fine with me, but there were the few that couldn't resist giving me a hard time about every little thing I did or didn't do. It took everything in me to keep from slapping a few of them and this was one of those times.

[Argos Ewan]

I leaned against the cabin doorway and watched how Aramis handled himself. "Why did you let them treat you like that," I asked angrily. "You are my Lieutenant and you had better darn well act like it. It's the only way your going to get their respect. It is what you deserve and your rank demands it. Even if your not your mother you are still next in command to her."

"Look, having the rank isn't about how you feel about it or if you feel it is your place or not. If I felt it wasn't your place I wouldn't be giving you this cape. Everyone on board this ship knows you are in the postion you are now in and they know you deserve it. To allow them to treat you like you just allowed them to breeds disorder on board this ship. If we're going to have disorder on board this ship then it is going to do nothing but make it impossible to get your mother back. Do you understand what I mean," I asked as I handed the cape back to him.

[Aramis Rakai]

"I'm a mechanic and computer slicer! One of the best damn mechanics and computer slicers you've got! I'm not my mom and I never will be!" I replied harshly as shook my head, refused the cape again and stepped past him and down the hatch.

I didn't like talking about my mom, when she wasn't here. I'd been on edge ever since she'd been gone and no one understood why and I didn't want to talk about. My nightmare began one hour before the raid...

"We can't afford for you to leave, Aramis. We need you here! You're the best asset to our team!" She told me.

"I need other things, Mom! I want to go to college, make a way for my own life. I can't stay here forever in your shadow!" I yelled.

"My shadow!?! Is that what you think you are...my shadow?!? If that is all you think you are, fine! Leave once we get this job done, walk out on all of us and once you do...you might as well keep walking." She told me as she threw down the screwdriver she was holding and walked off.

"Well, maybe I will!!" I yelled as I kicked the toolbox that was nearby.

Now, she was gone and I never had a chance to take back what I said.

I blindly walked ahead, not even knowing where I was headed, no one understood.

[Argos Ewan]

I watched as Aramis walked out. It was becoming more and more obvious to me that he had to much on his mind. None the less what I had told him has got to sink in or any chance of getting his mother back could be doomed.

As I walked out of the Pilots Station I proceeded toward the hatch as I tied my cape on. As I exited the ships main hatch I saw Aramis standing in the docking bay. I walked up to him and put his mother's cape into his hand. "Here, put this on or go back to the ship and stay there. It's up to you." I turned away and proceeded toward the docking bay blastdoors. I stood there and waited for the doors to open.

[Aramis Rakai]

I looked down at the cape in my hand. It was all I had right now, we all took risks in this business and it had just never hit so close to home until now.

"We are going to get you back and until then, I'll keep your cape warm." I said outloud, then placed the cape over my shoulders. Pulling my hair from beneath the fabric, my fingers brushed over her insignia.

I promised myself right there that I would find her. I made my way over to the Captain and stood beside him.

"I'm ready, Captain." I told him as I readjusted my belt.

[Argos Ewan]

I turned and looked at my Lieutenant and saw he now had his mother's cape on. I turned back to face the door and spoke to Aramis as the door opened. "Yes, now you are. Then let us proceed."

I walked though the door with pride with the one person I wanted next to my side. As we walked down the corridor I saw several people looking at the two of us as I walked with the pride of the ship. We caught a turbo lift just as people were exiting it. We waited until everyone had exited the lift and I stepped forward into it. As the doors closed behind us I turned and faced the doors. "Level 124 please," I said giving the lift it's command.

"Level 124," it repeated my command.

I turned and looked at Aramis. "You made the right choice and I'm proud of you." I looked up at the scale which showed our decent to our level I had requested. "On this level, stay sharp. Make yourself aware of your surroundings and those around you. The knowing of any trap is the first step of evading it."

[Aramis Rakai]

Staying sharp was one of my skills, I allowed myself to step away from the guilt and anger I felt and into a more calm feeling. It was a strange aura I could bring myself into.

I took a deep breath and nodded. "Yes, Captain." My voice was no longer strained, but calm and once again relaxed.

I was ready for anything that was thrown at me.

[Argos Ewan]

As the turbo lift stopped I exited it with Aramis at my side and walked to the Booster Pub and I stopped in front of the Pub as I looked around.

"Here we are. Once inside we'll need to find a secluded booth for privacy. Stay aleart," I warned Aramis as I proceeded into the pub.

[Aramis Rakai]

I nodded silently as we entered. My reaction was subtle the place was run down, very run down. It was dark to begin with, creating that eerie sensation as you walked through. Reminded me of a dark, dank cave, critters included I was sure.

The second thing that I noted, was the smell. A mixture between body odor and bad whiskey, made me nearly want to gag. I walked by the array of patrons at the bar and decided to stay away from that particular area...just from the smell.

The tables and chairs were all worn and the beings in them looked even more worn and weathered. Their creepy eyes following the Captain and I as we made our way to a back booth. I chose one away from a hall that obviously led to the 'freshers. It lacked the clean fragrance that I was used too, instead it smelled of bile and urine.

I shook my head in disgust as I went to the opposite walll and took a seat in an old worn, seat-torn booth. The table had sticky stuff and I motioned for waitress to clean it off.

Our waitress walked over, she had on a tight leather skirt and some skimpy top. She wiped up the mess. "What can I get you two boys?" Her voice was nasally and high, she sounded like some weirdo from some smut show.

"I'll take a tequila sunrise." I answered, hoping the glass would be clean. I looked at the Captain to see what his impression was of this place and from the look I was getting, I'm pretty sure he was less than impressed too. At least, I wasn't the only one.

[Argos Ewan]

The old pub seemed like it had never changed. I could tell by Aramis's facial expressions he didn't like the smell of the place. I smiled as I remembered the first time I had ever been here.

As we sat down at a booth I could see Aramis becoming a little squeamish with the environment as he ordered his drink. "I'll take a glass of Mortorian wine please," I told the waitress.

As she left to get our drink I leaned back and stretched the full length of my booth seat and put my feet up onto the seat as I leaned my back against the wall. As I did I pulled my blaster holster up to bare the barrel of the gun. Once done I pulled my cape over my blaster to hide it from view. "How do you like this place," I asked Aramis. "The fragrance here is heavenly isn't it?"

[Aramis Rakai]

I raised an eyebrow as looked at him. "Heavenly...isn't quite the word I would use. Surely, it wasn't you who chose this lovely establishment. I've seen alley's look and smell nicer." I leaned back in my seat and dug into my jacket pocket and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. A bad habit, but hell I was a pirate, I was allowed.

Besides, something had to cover up the smell. I lit it and took a long draw then released the smoke out a few moments later.