Alkor Centaris
Son of Liberty
D'Astan Sector approaching Serenno
Allies: The Resurgent Empire.
Enemies: The Dominion and allied forces.
"This is madness," the captain repeated for the fifth time in as many minutes. Outside of the small craft, boarding craft slowly lined up their drydocks and locked on. He heard the haunting sound of pressurization and immediately swallowed the dryness of his throat. There was no relief to be found.
"It's fine, captain," the second officer reassured him. "This is all standard protocol during wartime. They'll search us for contraband, do a quick sweep of the ship to ensure our papers check out, and we'll be on our merry way."
Their eyes met, but the captain seemed unconvinced. "You're certain that the manifest is accurate?" he asked, unnerved. "All cargo is accounted for, and will pass inspection?"
"As far as I know, the Dominion keeps Galactic Standards in terms of contraband and legalities. There should be nothing to hold us here for more than a few minutes. If anything, your demeanor-"
The ship lurched as a loud series of footsteps came closer to the bridge. "Where is your captain?" the commanding officer demanded as he stepped forward, arms clasped behind his back. "I have several questions regarding your current course and destination. I'm afraid if you are bound for Serenno, we will be redirecting your course and securing all cargo at a secondary location until further notice. All traffic into and out of the New Republic capital is suspended until further notice."
"I have clearance," the captain stepped forward and protested. "This ship is carrying goods vital to holding out for a long period of time if it comes to siege, and without it-"
"I understand the gravity of your situation captain, and I promise you that you will be duly compensated for your efforts. However, I cannot allow you passage onto the planet at this time. Your cooperation in this matter is absolutely paramount."
"I understand." The captain offered a stiff salute, then watched as the boarding crewmen broke ranks and fanned out to search the ship. Their officer stared straight on, watching the holofeed with vague interest.
"This course, captain, is for Carannia," the man noted.
"Sir," the captain nodded. "Several nobles requested these rations and supplies for the coming conflict. If you need the names of my clients, I can gladly produce them."
"All supply lines were diverted outside the capital for safety purposes. That information was issued several days ago, and was established on a streamlined basis early yesterday morning. The only traffic into and out of that spaceport is militant."
"Sir, I'm afraid I don't-" the captain sputtered, but his hands were behind his back before he could finish. Several of his men were detained in the same fashion, almost in unison. "This is outrageous," he cried out. "We've done nothing wrong!"
"What's your game, captain?" the man snarled. "A spacer with supplies would have adjusted his course to prevent this sort of thing as early as possible. You were intent on your destination." The captain watched the holoprojector intently as he was pressed more firmly into the console. "Speak up now, captain," the man leaned closer. "I don't want to hurt you, but I'm not above violence."
The ship shuddered again, then settled. "Come on then, I don't have all day." The enforcer lifted his weapon and pressed the cold muzzle to the Captain's forehead. "If you won't tell me, you're no good to me," he explained. "I'll confiscate your cargo and the nobles who were going to pay you will end up with a better deal than the could have imagined. So you see, everybody wins but you."
"And you," the captain smiled leisurely as the sound of boarding hooks as they released resounded through the ship. The utter confusion gave the captain just enough time to wrench free and slam his hand onto the control panel. "For the Sith," the captain hissed.
He relished the horror in his aggressor's gaze for all the microsecond it lasted.
Their lives ended in an inferno.
Aboard the boarding vessel...
"Did that ship just self-detonate?" the crewmen stared at the screen in a panic as they struggled to get a handle on the situation. "The Commander and his team were still aboard! Fething hell, someone radio command, we need to report this immediately!"
"Sir!" the Communications officer set about opening the proper channels and relaying the information, but all other eyes were on the osmic dust that only moments previous had been connected to their own ship.
"That could have been the end of us, too," one woman muttered nervously.
"Who authorized the disengagement order?" the standing captain called out. "Who released the docking hooks?"
A murmur rippled through the crew. Heads shook in denial, and wary men exchanged troubled glances. "Simmons," the captain snapped, "Clarke, with me. Blasters out. I have the feeling we've been boarded."
They pulled sidearms from their waistbands and headed for the elevator. As it slid open, they were greeted by the thrum of a white blade. "Fire!" the captain screamed in a panic. "Kill him! Quickly!"
Alkor sawed through the first mate with only slight effort, and the blast from the second lieutenant caught the captain in the shoulder. He twisted in pain as his knees hit the floor, and the Dark Jedi slammed his blade into the gut of the other crewman.
He let the carcass fall away from him as he stepped over to the captain and kicked his weapon away. "Someone," he rasped. "Help me-"
Alkor leaned close to the man and cupped his chin in a metallic hand. "I'm not going to kill you," he said calmly. "I need you alive."
"I'll never help you," the captain hardened his face and spat at the Corellian. Alkor let out a sigh and wiped the spittle from his cheek. "Every man on this ship will gladly die to preserve-"
Alkor squeezed, albeit lightly, and the captain let out a yelp. "You are in no position to preserve anything." He wriggled his wrist a bit, reinforcing both the pain that the man was feeling, and the miniscule amount of effort it would take to crush the man's bones. "I need you to transmit the request to bring down the shields."
"Over my dead body," he managed to proclaim.
Alkor glanced to the rest of the crew. "You heard him," the Dark Jedi spoke up, and the anguish that rose from his victim came in perfect harmony with the sound of grinding jawbone. Alkor clenched his fist tightly, and blood spewed through the fingers of his gauntlet.
Wide eyes stared up at him, but they saw no mercy in his frosty gaze. "You don't have to die," Alkor whispered to the man. "Nod your head; if you tell your comms officer to transmit the request right now, I'll let them take you to the med bay. They still have time to save you."
Tears streaked the man's cheeks as he shook his head. Alkor could taste his pain, and the fear that grew with each second he remained tightly gripped. "Hurry," he added. "The longer you wait, the more blood you lose. They need to stem it quickly."
He continued to shake his head and blubber incoherently for several seconds before the dread took him, and he realized that he really woul die. He bobbed his head, nodding frantically.
"Smart man," Alkor let him go, and his body slapped the floor. Blood gushed from his slacked jaw, and his eyes rolled back. Two crewman rushed to his side and dragged him off to be treated.
"You," Alkor gestured with his bloodied hand toward the comms officer. "You heard the man."
"Yes... sir," he shuddered, the images of his captain still vivid in his mind. "This is shuttle.... requesting..."
Alkor turned to the helmsman. "And you," he said, "set a course for the Capital. We wouldn't want to be late for the main event."
As if to reinforce the order, Alkor tapped the hilt of his weapon- extinguished- against the man's shoulder.
The ship slowly turned toward Serenno.