[Last Of The Jedi] - 06(30)

“I’ve got a long answer to that question,” Ferus said.

The sound of explosives suddenly came to their ears. “I’ll take the short version,” Robbyn Sark said.

They reached the two-hundredth floor. Ferus emerged first, listening carefully. He sent the utility turbolift back up. There was the muted sound of activity, doors opening and closing, footsteps. The evacuation had begun. Smoke was out in the hallway, but they covered their faces with their hoods and moved quickly.

He led the Roshans to the landing platform. As soon as they were outside, they took gulps of air. He quickly led them to the speeder and then realized his mistake — it was too small. Fortunately, larger transport was parked nearby, a luxury model with plenty of seating.

While they waited for the others, Ferus quickly told Robbyn Sark of what he and the resistance had come up with. Sark listened, his antennae waving softly.

“I don’t know if it’s possible,” he said. “But if it is .    .”

The others came bursting through the doors. They quickly climbed into the luxury airspeeder. Having already overridden the security code, Ferus pushed the engines as the first stormtroopers burst out to guard the platform. A burst of blasterfire chased them into a space lane.

Quickly Ferus dipped down into a lower space lane and dived into an express tunnel. “I’m taking you to the Crystal Forest,” he said.

As he flew, Ferus accessed the comm unit to contact Dinko and the others. Dinko’s harried voice came through the cockpit speaker.

“It’s over,” he said. Even through the crackling transmission, Ferus picked up the defeat in his voice. “After the no-confidence vote, Bog was elected —”

“What about his personal droid?” Ferus asked. “The bribery evidence —”

“Vader shut down the HoloNet,” Dinko said. “Didn’t you know? And we’ve gotten word the comm system might go down. And the ministers … we tried … Bog claimed evidence was planted during the ten minutes his droid was missing during the assassination attempt —”

“That’s ridiculous. It was in sight the whole time. I can testify to that —”

“It doesn’t matter. Bog’s first ruling was to outlaw all personal droids, and he gave his own up as a gesture of solidarity with the law. They are blaming the Roshans, saying that they can infiltrate our systems through our PDs —”

The comm system began to crackle. “Get them out,” Dinko said.

“What about Larker?” Ferus asked, but the comm went silent.

“It’s eerie,” Flame said. “Look below.”

Below, the people of Sath were lining up to turn in their personal droids. Collection sites had been set up quickly, operated by Imperial stormtroopers and officers.

“This is only the first step, I’m sure. They’re giving up their freedom for nothing,” Robbyn Sark said. “We can’t hurt them.”

Sadness filled the craft as they flew through Sath.

Ferus flew past the outskirts and hugged the ground, flying low and hoping to avoid detection. The Crystal Forest rose ahead of them. In the setting sun, it flashed bloodred. Flame keyed in the coordinates to her ship.

Ferus flew through the crystal canyons, squeezing through narrow openings and speeding past incredible formations. Soon he landed next to Flame’s sleek red ship.

“I’m counting on you,” Ferus told her.

“I’ll deliver them safely,” Flame said. “And then I’m sure we’ll meet again. There’s lots of work to do.”

The group quickly climbed out of the speeder.

“Thank you,” Robbyn Sark told Ferus.

“You have the information,” Ferus said. “Use it if you can. When you get back to Rosha, I’ll get you in touch with the resistance here. There’s someone named Firefolk who can work with you.”

Sark nodded. He turned and helped his fellow delegates board Flame’s ship. She ran lightly up the ramp.

Trever turned to him. “Aren’t you coming’?”

“No.”

“But there’s nothing left for you to do here.”

“I have to get Firefolk in touch with the Roshans when things settle down. And I can’t just disappear. Vader will be expecting my report.”

“But he told you to bring him the thief. He’s looking for me. If you don’t bring me to him —”

“He’s bluffing. He can’t hurt me. Not yet. The Emperor still wants me around. Trever, you have to go.”

“Why are you staying?” Trever looked at him angrily. “I don’t get it. This could be your only chance to leave, and you’re staying!”