Shadows of the Republic: The Initiate

[Drin Kizael]

They were still light hours from the edge of the system. Given how weak the Obroa Wing's com array was, it was unlikely the source of the transmission was anywhere near the planet. A ping on the short range sensors less than 100,000 km away confirmed that.

As he scanned the starfield, Kizael's mind sifted through several possibilities. The hijacked ship had most likely dropped out of a microjump from Rendili. Whether that was because the pirates had another course in mind or whether something had gone wrong remained to be seen.

"There," Kizael said at length, pointing out the viewport as the message cycled again. He tapped a key and a hologram of a GX1 pleasure yacht appeared on the console. Just then the transmission cut out sharply to static before it reached the end of another loop.

Without further ceremony, Kizael channeled more power into the sublight engines and turned to port. R2-D9 veered around the corner from the engine room, twittering wildly.

"Dee-9, lock yourself in," Kizael interrupted sharply with a hint of a growl. "Find the access code on that ship's docking port." The astromech squealed an objection, rambling about the state of the engines and lack of shields.

"Now," Kizael ordered, this time with a definite growl in his tone. The droid pivoted, and wheeled into his dock.

Kizael eased into a course directly parallel with the GX1. "The Force is with us," Kizael mused aloud. "If they were heading the opposite direction this would never work."

"What would never work?" Tell asked from the copilot's chair.

"Do you have the access code?" Kizael prompted, keeping his eye on the ship. R2-D9 beeped affirmative. "Feed it to the copilot's screen." Kizael turned to Tell and pointed to the readout of number scrolling in front of him. "Memorize that," he added softly.

Still seeming to be in his own universe, he cut power to the sublight thrusters. The big Trianii pivoted in his seat to face the astromech. "Slow us down gradually until you are within 1 or 2 km. At that point, match their speed and vector exactly. Scramble their sensors. They've doubtless noticed us by now, but have yet to scan us." The droid complied, sending a short burst of static through the ship's speakers. "Now listen," Kizael continued a breath later. "Prepare a distress signal. There was an accident aboard the ship. The crew is dead. If they ask what's blocking their sensors, tell them it's the hyperdrive core leak."

Tell and Dee-9 interjected simultaneously. "The what?"

"You need help getting to Rendili," Kizael said without missing a beat. He turned to Tell Cho. "There's a vac suit in back small enough for you. Put it on, quickly. When we're close enough, you will jump to the other ship. Use the code to gain access to the docking port." He cut himself off and turned to R2-D9. "Send a schematic of the ship with the docking port highlighted on his heads up display once he's suited up."

Tell got up promptly, but hesitated at the door to the cockpit. Turning back he asked, "What about you?"

Drin Kizael looked back with a slight glimmer in his eye. "I'll be right behind you."