Brad and Yavis were returning to the Tengu carrying several supplies bags as they spoke to themselves. When they entered the ship, both of them saw Frall, Drasha, and Byte with TD-4 facing the Cargo Bay from the entrance.
“Hey, what’s going on there?” Brad asked as he approached them and saw the cargo bay, getting shocked by what he saw. “What just happened here?”
The entire cargo hold had been turned into some kind of obstacle course with boxes and taut ropes everywhere, so getting through it would be very difficult right now.
“Seriously, what's going on here? What happened to our cargo bay?” Brad demanded.
“It’s the Jedi’s idea to train the girl,” Frall said with a smile.
Brad raised an eyebrow until he saw Lop jumping and nimbly moving between the obstacles placed in the cargo hold.
“It's been like this since a few hours ago,” Drasha said.
“Even the old man told us that if we got bored we should complicate things a bit for the girl,” Frall said, throwing a small ball to the ground which Lop stepped on and nearly fell to the ground but was able to keep on her pace.
“Oh, we breaking our backs shopping in the nearby village while you're playing. Thanks for notifying us.” Yavis deadpanned.
“Were you seriously okay with this?” Brad asked Byte.
“This? As long as they don't damage my ship, I don't care.” The droid said.
“That's because you don't have to move the cargo into place when we use the cargo bay.” Brad deadpanned.
Then he faced Lop when she was closer. “Hey, you! Come here!”
Lop stopped her run and went with the others.
“Can you explain to me what exactly you're doing running around in an obstacle course that should be my cargo bay?” Brad asked.
“It’s Master Kota’s idea. I do it to move in small spaces and with many obstacles.” Lop replied.
“Well that is good,” Brad said, but looked at the cargo bay’s actual disorder. “But I would prefer that you not turn my ship upside down. Who knows if we are going to need any rooms for a mission.”
At that moment Rahm Kota got down the ladder and approached them, spotting Brad and Yavis.
“Ah, you’re back already?” Rahm Kota asked them.
“Yes, we’re back.” Said Brad facing the old Jedi. “And now I want to have some words with-”
“Not now, Brad.” The Jedi said. “I want all of you in the lounge. I have a task for you.”
The Tengu crew looked at each other at the Jedi’s words.
When everyone was in the lounge, Rahm Kota was showing the hologram of a ship.
“This is the Hastatus, an Imperial Gozanti-class cruiser used as cargo transport, troop transport, patrol, interdiction, support ship, fighter carrier, boarding, and assault, among other things.” Rahm Kota explained.
“Yes, we know. We had some encounters with these ships in the past.” Frall said, crossing his arms. “What is so special about this particular ship?”
“My contacts have informed me that the Empire has managed to obtain a very valuable cargo. A Jedi holocron that must have been lost during the Jedi Purge.” The Jedi explained.
“Are you kidding me, right? A holocron?” Brad asked. “Don’t tell me that this holocron is in this ship.”
“Yes, that’s the cargo of that ship.” Rahm Kota said. “Fortunately, that ship will have to stop near Tao to replenish supplies, so we'll take the opportunity to sneak into the ship and take the holocron with us.”
“You have the least idea of how dangerous it is to get inside an imperial ship?” Yavis asked.
“Do not worry. My contacts have told me that the security of the ship is quite limited. We'll just have to get in and out.” The Jedi said.
“What contacts?” Brad asked him, narrowing his eyes.
“Contacts who monitor the Empire. I trust them, so calm down.” Kota said.
“Calm down while you're risking the team?” Brad asked.
“I know you well enough to know that this mission will be a breeze as long as you do what I say.” The Jedi said.
“Who died and put you in charge?” Brad signaled a finger at Rahm Kota.
“Excuse me, what’s a holocron?” Lop asked, making both men stop arguing.
“A holocron is a Jedi artifact in which a large amount of information from the past is stored. Depending on who created that holocron, the information it contains could be very valuable.” Drasha explained. “There were thousands of them in the Jedi Temple in Coruscant, but after the Jedi Purge…”
“Many of them were lost.” Rahm Kota said. “And finding any of them that wasn’t at imperial hands is pretty rare, almost a miracle.”
“And why go to steal one? You don't already own one?” Yavis asked.
“Yeah, I have mine. But I'm not going to let the Imperials keep a holocron if I can stop it.” The old Jedi said.
“I don't know, all this seems very strange to me, seriously,” Brad said thoughtfully. “But at least you're right. Who knows the information this holocron will possess? It could cause problems for everyone in the future.“
“Well, how did we get on that ship?” Drasha said.
“Good question, the Imperials won't let us get close to the ship like that. Especially if the Empire is looking for us.” Frall said.
“We could resort to the fake ID maneuver,” Yavis suggested.
“Are you sure this will work?” Byte asked.
“Yes, and with what excuse are we going to go there without attracting attention?” Frall asked.
“Don't worry, I'll take care of it,” Yavis said proudly.
Time later, the Tengu was in space, and as Kota said, an Imperial Gozanti-class cruiser was flying over the planet. The ship approached the cruiser slowly trying not to seem suspicious.
“Imperial cruiser Hastatus, this is Bad Rock coming inbound.” Said Yavis communicated to the ship.
“State your business.” Transmitted one of the cruiser’s pilots through the communicator.
“Supply transport. They send us to deliver the ordered supplies.” Yavis replied.
“You have come a little early, haven't you?” The imperial asked. “And why you’re not using standard imperial transport?”
“Unfortunately, the other ships are busy or under inspection, so we're using this ship for this. So please, don’t take it into account, we’re just doing our job.” Yavis reasoned.
There was some small silence for a few seconds.
“Permission to dock. Bay 1.”
Yavis smiled, closing the communication and making a high five with Byte as he piloted the ship there, docking the Tengu on the Hastatus.
Two stormtroopers walked to the dock’s door to receive the supplies, but when it opened, they only saw two men in front of them.
“And the cargo?” A stormtrooper asked.
“Oh, the cargo?” Rahm Kota said, moving friendly his arm to signal behind him. “It’s on the way.”
The stormtroopers looked at each other when they saw him.
“We have seen you somewhere else?” The imperial soldier asked.
“Oh, maybe.” The Jedi said.
Without warning Kota waved his arm in a 270º movement, suddenly pushing both stormtroopers against the wall, knocking them out.
“Not bad for an old man,” Brad said, as Frall walked alongside them.
“It was clear they weren't going to fall for the trick,” Kota said.
“You didn’t exactly give them a chance to buy it,” Frall said.
Lop showed near them. “Come on, let’s go.”
“Not this time, Lop,” Brad said to Lop. “I still have my reserves on this mission, so you will have to wait here in case we have to run. Understood?”
Lop looked at them worried for a moment until she gave a nod.
“Frall, stay with her too. Make sure she doesn’t do anything… anything that a reckless Jedi would do.” Brad said to Frall.
“Don’t worry, Boss.” He said, putting a hand on Lop’s shoulder.
“Okay, you know the plan. Move out.” He said to Kota before both ran inside the ship.
Both Frall and Lop returned to the lounge.
“Don’t worry, child. They will be back with that holocron before you miss them.” Frall said, patting her back.
She was silent, without answering him. For some reason, she was sensing that something was wrong with this mission, but she didn't know what.
Both Brad and Kota reached the door to the cargo bay, soon getting inside there. They eventually found what seemed a cuboctahedron object shining in a blue light inside a transparent box over another cargo box.
“It’s that?” Brad asked the Jedi.
“Yes, that’s the holocron,” Kota said, taking the box with his hand.
“Honestly, this has been easy,” Brad said.
“Yes, you said it,” Kota commented, looking at the holocron. “Too easy.”
Suddenly the cargo bay’s door closed, and a locking sound was heard. Both Kota and Brad rushed to the door.
“I knew it! This was a trap!” Brad cursed.
“We're not trapped yet!” Kota said, igniting his lightsaber. “Stay back!” He then prepared to use his weapon to open the door.
“I wouldn’t do it.”
The two turned around, revealing that in the room there were two KX-series security droids near them.
“Security droids?” Brad asked.
Then one of the security droids began to change until taking the appearance of Shador Prar.
“Security droids with holo-droid technology…” Kota commented
“Prar!” Brad exclaimed, seeing the man’s hologram.
“Hello, Brad. Or should I call you BK-0013?” Prar’s Holo-droid said.
“That number means nothing to me now, Prar,” Brad said to him.
“Oh, I'm sorry. You were the best when you worked for me.” Prar said before turning to Kota. “And you must be infamous General Rahm Kota, isn’t it? Director Shador Prar, at your service.” Prar bowed to the Jedi. “And as I said, I wouldn't bother doing it. At this moment there’s a platoon of stormtroopers waiting for you to escape from the cargo bay. In every direction. I was hoping you would bring the Lepi with you, but you guys are better than nothing.”
“Using the holocron as bait to lure us here? That is falling very dirty. Worthy of an imperial thug.” Kota insulted Prar.
“Oh, I'm touched that you say that to me. But despite wanting to take all the laurels, this is not my plan.” Prar said. “No, the plan’s architect is my new friend here, agent Hercules.”
Suddenly the other droid turned into a man with an oval head, a large, thick mustache trimmed and curved upwards at its ends, dark eyes, and bushy eyebrows, wearing a white and black imperial uniform.
“I should have suspected they would send one of them,” Brad said.
“You know him?” Kota asked.
“Not, but I know his kind. Is an agent of the Imperial Security Bureau, the empire’s secret police.” Brad said.
“Of course, my friend.” Agent Hercules said. “I figured that bringing an ancient Jedi artifact near a veteran like Rahm Kota would unnerve the Jedi, awakening in him a desire to retrieve such a precious item from the hands of the Empire, no matter the risks he would take to accomplish his goal. Especially considering the old tactical ways of the Jedi during the Clone Wars. Although in the plan I counted on the other Jedi being with you.”
“What a pity. In this case, I have been smarter than you.” Brad mocked him.
“It doesn't matter. That means that the other Jedi must be in the ship attached to this ship. The boarding team will take care of that matter.” Agent Hercules said.
“We'll see about that,” Brad said, crossing his arms.
“Well, it's been a nice meeting. I'll be waiting for you on the planet with the rest of your team, BK-0013.” Prar said smiling, and both droids deactivated their holograms.
Brad sighed loudly. “He is right about something, we have fallen into their trap.”
“I know that,” Kota said. “But don’t worry. We will get away from this.”
Back in Tao, Prar and agent Hercules sat on the office’s chairs after the transmission.
“I must admit it. This has worked better than I had anticipated when you told me the plan.” Prar said to his partner.
“Oh, my friend, you shouldn't doubt certain tactics just because they are not the type one commonly uses.” Agent Hercules said. “Today many believe that the best way to deal with a problem is with brute force. But sometimes it's better to lure the target into your trap on your territory than to attack them on theirs.”
“I admit that some people prefer to incinerate planets to deal with small cells regardless of the after-effects to the Empire,” Prar said. “I would like to know why they sterilized that planet after working on that giant ball.”
“But… are you sure this will work with them?” Ochô, who was in the office, asked them.
“Oh, my friend, doubt offends.” Agent Hercules said. “Knowing the psychology of the individual, one can guess which would be his next movement. And with enough knowledge, one can force the individual to act as you want.”
Ochô raised an eyebrow. “But you have little information about the group.”
“Yes, but I have quite a bit of information on your most recent member. Rahm Kota.” Agent Hercules said. “For the past few years, the Jedi Master has been a serious problem due to his tactics and the units under his command. But I also know that someone like him would never allow a relic to remain in the hands of the Empire any longer.”
“Hence the use of the holocron that was found in that excavation, right?” Ochô said.
“Indeed.” He said. “Knowing him, he knew that he would try to convince his new friends to execute this mission. And that's why we gave false information about the safety of the ship so they could trust each other. And now they have no escape.”
“Well, it seems that in the end having an Imperial Security Bureau agent wasn't such a bad idea as I thought,” Prar said shrugging.
“As you should know by now, Director Prar, we ISB agents have been known to deal with problems like this.” Agent Hercules said. “Now we must wait for the ship to return with the rebels at their hands. But still, I have doubts about why you want the lepi alive.”
“My reasons are my own. Is that clear?” Prar said, narrowing his eyes, and making agent Hercules raise his hands defensively.
Outside the cargo bay, several stormtroopers were guarding the door in case the intruders tried to escape. But they didn’t know that Lop and TD-4 got there, peeking around the corner to see them.
Soon Frall reached there, peeked around the corner, and hid behind the wall after seeing the stormtroopers.
“Uh, you were right, child. This was a trap, and that’s a lot of bucketheads.” Frall said. “I’m still surprised you felt that.”
“I know, I’m surprised too,” Lop said. “But what can we do now? They’re too many.”
“If we could at least reduce their number to half at least…” Frall said thoughtfully.
Lop began to look around until she spotted an access to an air duct that passed above them. It was too small for a person to fit through, but a small droid could.
“TD, could you get there and get their attention?” Lop asked her droid.
TD-4 beeped at her suggestion and the small droid floated into the air duct, and flying through it without making noise he reached the other side of the corridor, where the droid began to hit the walls and make noises, getting the stormtroopers’ attention.
“There’s somebody in the air ducts!” One of the imperial soldiers exclaimed.
TD-4 kept doing noises as he was getting away from the corridor.
“Go! Follow it!” The captain ordered.
At his order, a large part of the stormtroopers began to follow the noises in the air duct, disappearing behind a corner.
“That droid made it well,” Frall said. “There are only ten bucket heads watching. You think we can deal with them, kid?” He asked, preparing his blaster.
“Brad and the master are inside. Let’s get them out.” Lop said, getting her lightsaber.
Inside the cargo bay, Brad was walking in circles while Kota was sitting on one of the boxes with the holocron in hand, both being watched by the two security droids that were with them.
“You seem nervous,” Kota said to Brad.
“Nervous?” Brad asked, facing Kota. “Let me point out some details of this situation. First, we’re trapped inside an imperial ship. Second, we have a large group of imperial soldiers at the other side of the door, not counting these droids. Third, the imperials are going to besiege the Tengu.” He then took a breath. “And it's all your fault!”
“My fault?” Kota asked, looking at the man.
“Yes, it's your fault!” He exclaimed. “You were so obsessed with retrieving that holocron that you didn't mind getting into an Imperial transport with hardly a decent plan! By the moons of Sereno! You would do this even if the holocron were in a Star Destroyer!”
“I have not acted without thinking! I knew this could be a trap, but I was hoping you could help me with the trap!” Kota replied to him. “I always trust in my men for this kind of mission!”
“Let me tell you something!” He snapped. “We are not your men, nor are we at your command! You might have had an army in the past, but we're not in the Clone Wars anymore! We are not under your orders! I am the head of this group, and my duty is to make sure that we can all return home safely after a mission, taking care to avoid unnecessary risks like this!” He was silent for a few seconds. “Which includes you as part of the crew, as long as you're able to get everything a Jedi needs to know into Lop's head.”
Kota lowered his head at his words.
“Look, in the group we are like a family. And I like Lop. The last thing you want is to risk your life unnecessarily. I promised her father that I would take care of her, and no matter how Jedi Master you are, I can't break that promise.” Brad explained.
Kota looked to the side, thinking about what he said, just when he realized something he had said.
"You were from Sereno, right?" Kota asked him, just getting a glare from him.
Suddenly they began to hear blaster and lightsaber noises from the other side of the door, capturing their attention until there was only silence.
“Now what?” Brad asked. “A miracle?”
“Who knows.” Said Rahm Kota.
Then the cargo bay’s door opened, revealing Lop at the other side.
“Lop?!” Brad asked seeing the lepi.
The two security droids turned around, spotting the lepi.
“Intruder detected!” Said one of the droids, taking a blaster and firing at Lop.
She ducked, avoiding the shots from the security droid, and entered the cargo bay, jumping on the boxes and avoiding the blaster fire.
“Watch out!” Brad warned as he saw the second security droid get his weapon and began to shoot at both him and Kota, forcing the first to hide while the Jedi used his lightsaber to block the incoming shots.
“Hey, what’s happening inside?!” Frall called behind the wall.
“A pair of security droids! Nothing to get worried about!” Called Brad from behind the boxes.
“Says the one hiding while I do something,” Kota said.
“Not everyone has a lightsaber to block blaster fire!” Countered Brad.
Lop kept jumping over the boxes avoiding the security droid’s fire, using some of the boxes to hide herself and plan a route to maneuver and get closer to the droid, but it seemed to be quick enough to counter her movements.
Still, she moved nimbly between the boxes and containers avoiding the droid’s fire, until she jumped to the droid, and when she got close enough she turned on her lightsaber and quickly slashed the droid’s head beheading it, which made it fall hard.
At this, the second security droid began to turn to Lop, but Frall used the chance to fire against it and get his attention, the moment Kota used to rush at the droid and cut it in half with his lightsaber.
After that Brad moved out of his hideout, seeing both droids destroyed.
“Hate to admit it, but you did a good job with her,” Brad said to Kota, knowing that one of the droids was destroyed by the lepi.
“I told you that my lessons are useful,” Kota said.
“Okay, let’s get back to the ship fast. The Tengu is in danger.” Brad said as he began to run, followed by the others.
“How is it that the Tengu is in danger?” Frall asked him.
The four soon reached the ship’s airlock ready to fight, but only saw a group of stormtroopers lying on the ground, with Drasha standing at the ship’s entrance.
“Why did you take so long?” Drasha asked casually, arms crossed.
“You took down a whole platoon by yourself?” Kota asked her, surprised.
“Crazier things this togruta has done,” Frall said.
“Come on, let’s get away from here before they figure we escaped!” Brad said getting inside the ship.
Lop was about to enter when heard some beeps behind her, and as she turned around the lepi spotted TD-4 getting out through another air duct.
“TD! Over here, quickly!” Lop said to her droid, both being the last ones to enter.
“We’re here. Get us out of here as soon as possible!” Brad called when everyone was inside.
Soon the Tengu detached from the imperial ship and began to fly away, just when the Tie Fighters began to follow them.
“Guys. We got company.” Warned Yavis.
“We will deal with them. You get us away.” Brad said as he and Frall went up and down to man the cannons.
“Roger Roger,” Byte replied as it piloted the ship while Yavis began to program the hyperspace route.
As the two were firing at the imperial ships that were following them, they soon detected a large fleet of Tie Fighters approaching them.
“Hurry up! They’re increasing in number!” Brad called down.
“Patience is a virtue,” Yavis said working with the ship’s computer.
“Not right now it isn't.” Said Frall as he saw the imperial fighters approaching.
Yavis kept with the calculation until he finished pressing a button.
“Done! Get us outta here!” Yavis called Byte.
“On it!” The droid said as it activated the hyperdrive engines.
Soon the ship jumped into hyperspace before the Tie Fighters could reach it.
Inside the Tengu, Yavis and Byte saw how everyone began to enter the cockpit.
“How was the mission?” Yavis asked.
“Mission accomplished,” Brad said as he entered the cockpit. “We have the holocron. But we had a few problems.”
“Seriously? If it wasn't for Drasha, this ship would be swarmed by imperials right now.” Yavis said.
“I know, but at least we got what we were looking for,” Kota said after getting inside, showing the holocron in his hand.
When everyone was in the cockpit, they looked at the holocron.
“So, this is a holocron, right?” Yavis asked.
“Okay, how do we open it?” Byte asked.
“Didn't you hear before? Only a Force user can open it!” Frall said, bumping the droid’s head from behind.
Kota held the holocron for a moment but then handed it to Lop.
“Me?” Lop asked him.
“Yes. Just simply do it.” Kota said. “Leave the Force to guide you how.”
Lop looked at everyone, and then at the holocron. After thinking profoundly she closed her eyes, centering herself on the object at her hands.
Soon after the holocron’s pieces began to open until it opened and changed shape, the moment that the hologram of an old Jedi appeared.
“Now hear this, young apprentice. What you're going to learn are the basics of how to use the Force. As you can use it, you should know how it works. If you follow my instructions, you will be able to connect with the Force anywhere.” Said the Jedi’s hologram.
“I opened it!” Lop said, looking at the hologram.
“And I know who owned this hologram,” Kota said. “If memory serves me correctly, this master was capable of teaching even the most disastrous student to be a good Jedi knight.”
Lop looked at the holocron’s hologram, wondering what she could learn from it.
Then Kota faced Brad. “And maybe you’re right.”
“Really? In what precisely?” Brad asked, crossing his arms.
“In everything,” Kota said. “Things have changed, and this isn’t my ship. It’s your ship. You’re responsible for everyone and everything here. For me, I must learn to obey you while teaching our young Jedi the paths of the Force.”
Brad sighed and put a hand on the Jedi’s shoulder.
“Thanks, but you don’t need to obey me blindly. You can still do what you need to do to help Lop in her teachings.” Brad said. “But yes, if you come up with any of your plans, try to ask me beforehand, and that's how we talk about it. Okay?” He offered his hand to the Jedi.
Kota nodded and shook his hand with Brad’s. “Okay.” He said, returning their glare to the holocron.
Meanwhile, in the Yasaburô mansion in Tao, Prar was reading some reports while agent Hercules was talking through a communicator in his ear until he cut the communication, shouting a loud curse afterward.
“What happened?” Prar asked the ISB agent.
“The Jedi and the rebels have escaped the ship.” Agent Hercules said. “I never expected them to be that good.”
“That’s the problem when dealing with somebody the first time,” Prar said, turning the reports off and looking at the agent. “We always underestimate them due to our experience, but each group is unique, and our experience with some things doesn't always work for other things.”
“How can you be so calmed after knowing that we lost the chance to capture the Tengu crew?” He asked confused.
“Because now we know a little about what they can do, so we can act accordingly the next time we set another trap for them.” The director said.
Agent Hercules huffed at his words.
“Don’t worry, my friend. As you say, use your little grey cells, and you will find ways to capture them.” He said. “And don’t worry, I have some plans in motion on my part. And when they’re ready, these rebels will curse the day they defied the Empire.” Prar said, activating some special reports on his table.
