A Meeting of Minds

2001 short story by Louis Turfrey

Thirty-seven years after Episode IV – A New Hope

   “Watch those shields!” Ballard shouted across the deck as the unknown fighter grazed the screens, causing a brief overload that blew out the panel. Sparks flew, causing the ensign at the panel to shield his eyes and jump backwards.

   “They’re coming in from behind, launch TIE Interceptors and protect the engines.” The voice came from the main bridge, amplified by a hidden throat mike. Captain Mendip Khan sighed to himself as he watched his young crew struggle to repel the unknown pirate group. Hyperspace engines were down, thrusters were working at only fifty percent and he only had thirty TIE Interceptors left. He was lucky that the VSD Deliverance was still functioning. It was a testament to his crews training, and the sheer quality of construction of the Victory II Class ship, that they had survived this long. He shrugged off the feeling of depression that always tended to build up since his abandonment at the battle of Kren’Du. He had been working with cowards, but their yellow streak had forced reality upon him. He had fought hard, barely escaping with his ship. His faith in the Imperial war machine had been shaken badly. Then last year, after six years of wandering in Wild Space, he had been forced back to reality when his crew had mutinied. It had caused him to reassess his values, take on a new crew and push himself back into the role of commander. He was still working with barely more than a skeleton complement.

   “Sir, they’re breaking off, trying to escape back to hyperspace. The fighters are banding around the three corvettes.”

Ballard was a good officer, so when he looked towards Khan for support, he just nodded. Ballard smiled and turned to the recently restored centre section of the bridge.

   “Activate the interdiction field, but warn that freighter that’s been helping us to keep his hyperspace engines off line.” The ensign at the controls nodded and started to press a series of commands into the console. The communications officer was completing the tight beam communication with the freighter as the lights on the bridge dimmed slightly. Khan frowned as he noted the power drain on the readouts. He’d have to get that reactor serviced at their next stop.

The ships attempted to go to light speed; there was a brief flash on each of them as their hyper drive motivators blew simultaneously. Khan smiled. There was enough salvage within those sixteen ships to pay for the repairs to the reactor.

   “Thank that freighter captain for his help and ask him if he needs any repairs, then get mop up teams out there. Offer the standard terms and give them enough lifeboats and a transmitter.” His first officer nodded and turned to issue his superiors commands.

   “You have the chair Ballard.”

Khan exited the main bridge and took a path that would lead him to his rest room, an addition he had made shortly after he had decided to leave the Empire. At thirty-four years old he had been among the youngest ISD captains in the fleet and an idealist. That had all ended when the Vong had attacked them. He had fought when his seniors and compatriots had run. He had seen those around him fall and had wondered why he had been spared. Nowadays he thought he knew.

Khan entered his quarters and locked the door behind him. Moving to his private transmitter, he activated the command sequence that would open a hyperspace channel to his spy on Chancai. It was a couple of minutes before the connection was confirmed and secured, but then a female voice filled the speakers.

   “It’s Raven. How may I be of service Captain?”

Khan wondered why the woman had approached him, who she was and what her motivations might be. She had answered some of his questions, and her information had been very accurate, but he couldn’t help thinking that her motivations were merely selfish.

   “The coordinates you gave me were very accurate. We intercepted the supply convoy just before the pirate group did. The convoy has escaped into hyperspace, as requested and the aggressors have been set adrift. I assume that payment will be by the usual method?” The voice at the other end of the channel answered after a brief delay, they were quite a way from Chancai after all.

   “Excellent. Payment will be made immediately. I have the coordinates of at least two other intended targets. Are you interested?”

Khan thought for a moment. He had more than enough money left to pay the crew and make the necessary repairs, but the extra cash flow would allow him to do the upgrades to the shields and weaponry.

   “I’ll look at them and might take on one. My ship will require intensive repairs before I engage in any series of extended battle actions. Pass on the details and I’ll give you a response within the hour.”

Jan Lomona piloted the Berone Sunrise out of hyperspace and straight into the asteroid field. Automatic sensors and Jan’s piloting skills allowed him to easily avoid the larger of the rocks, whilst his automated cannon destroyed anything smaller that came too close. Jan watched the damaged thrusters closely, making sure that the Sunrise kept well away from any more potential injury.  A beep on the console and a familiar voice emanated from the small speaker.

   “Showing off again Jan?” The voice of Blake De’Athe was a welcome one after all this time.

   “Why did Derril choose such a lousy place to set up shop? Couldn’t he afford better charts?”

The voice on the other end of the com laughed, but there was a hidden tension there.

   “Fortunate that he did, but I’ll tell you about that later. Nias has set up a short-range transponder beacon. Lock on and it’ll guide you towards my transport.”

Jan grunted his response; grateful for the chance it would give him to relax a little. The Sunrise flipped over the side of a large, almost stationary, asteroid. Jan noticed light from the systems distant sun reflecting off of a large metallic structure. He throttled down as he approached Nias Derril’s converted Imperial II Class Star Destroyer, renamed the Constance. Switching to auto navigation; he started following the transponder that would lead him to his target. However, he was mildly surprised when he rounded the superstructure and saw the ship in front of him.

   “What is that?” Jan gazed at the old craft in front of him. The transport had been heavily modified since it’s original construction over forty years ago. Two hundred and fifty metres long and having the capability to carry over eight hundred tonnes of cargo, it would have originally served as a long distance cargo hauler. Now it was clearly something more. Enhanced shield generators, five quad turbo laser batteries and an ugly looking offset command bridge had been added to the original design of the YT-70 Heavy Transport.  Jan noted the bulbous curves and made a note to never attempt to pilot one. He noticed that the Sunrise was being guided straight towards the base of the craft. He flipped on the com.

   “Derril, what’s going on? We’re heading towards the underbelly.”

There was a brief flash of static then a response.

   “Sorry Jan, give us a second.” Then there was the sound of somebody yelling in the background and Jan heard Nias Derril’s voice saying.

   “Hit the emergency override, hurry up!” The underbelly of the giant transport opened before him, with plenty of time, and Jan felt the pull of a tractor beam. He locked in the repulsors and powered down the sub light engines. By the time that he had passed through the atmospheric shielding, Jan had extended the landing gear and was ready to land. He was directed to a very narrow landing platform, obviously not designed for a ship the size of the Sunrise, and performed a perfect touchdown. She settled slowly onto her landing pads and, unbuckling his harness he dropped onto the decking and made for the main ramp.

Nias Derril and Blake De’Athe strode out of the airlock towards Jan, grins on their faces. Jan reciprocated their expressions, noticing the ornate, but antique, lightsabre that hung from De’Athe’s belt. They shook hands and headed towards the airlock. Nias was the first to change the conversation from greetings to business.

   “So what have you done to the Sunrise then?

The Deliverance exited hyperspace on the edge of the asteroid field. Her sensors had no problems picking up the giant bulk of the converted Imperial Star Destroyer. Mendip Khan smiled to himself at the ingenuity of the man who had converted that craft. She was old, not as old as the Deliverance, but old enough to require a lot of maintenance. Khan wondered how much it was going to cost him this time.

Nias examined the damage report on the Sunrise and sighed as he ran through the costing. He totalled up the price of the parts, added the crew costs and extras and rounded it down to a reasonable sum.  Lomona was a business colleague, and wanted him to keep using his services.  There was a knock at the door, causing Nias to jump. He put the pad in a draw and pressed a button on his desk.

   “Come in Jan.” He watched the smuggler as he entered, noticing the way he never seemed to age. Jan sat down as Nias pulled a bottle and two small glasses out of the same drawer that he had placed the pad into.

   “Let’s drink to old times shall we?”

Jan smiled as Nias poured two glasses of Gammor Brandy. Jan raised his glass.

   “To old times.  I’ll forget the time you tried to steal the Sunrise back when you were a starship thief.”

Nias smiled and the two glasses met across the desk as both men swiftly drank down their spirits. Nias poured a second glass as Jan spoke.

   “How did you do that? I mean, how did you know it was me?”

Nias grinned and pressed the same stud he had earlier. A small holographic image appeared on the desk, displaying the hallway outside the door. Jan nodded.

   “Ahhh. So, how much are you gonna charge me this time?”

Nias drank down the second glass and belched loudly before answering.

   “Depends on whether you’ve considered Blake’s proposal or not.”

Jan frowned at this.

   “I haven’t the time to play delivery boy. He’s putting himself and anybody who sides with him in conflict with the Galactic Alliance. I can’t take the risk.”

Now it was Nias’s turn to frown.

   “Not even for old times sake?” He mentally tripled the price. “Sixty thousand credits.”

Jan lowered his eyelids and stared flatly at Derril.

   “Be serious. I could buy new engines for that and you know it.”

Nias smiled and poured more drinks, topping up Jan’s as he did so.

   “Well if you see fit to help out Blake, I’ll drop the price.  Significantly.”

Jan understood Nias’s angle.

   “Okay, knock eighty percent off. I know you give yourself some leeway.”

Nias frowned, nearly letting Jan into the real price of running an Imperial Star Destroyer as a scrap yard. He calmed and reminded himself that this was for a good cause.

   “Sixty percent off, that’s my final offer.”

Jan allowed himself a smile and offered his hand to Nias. They shook hands and Jan grinned again.

  “I guess this time you’ll be making less of a loss then?”

The Deliverance pulled up alongside the converted ISD II, her engines bringing her to station keeping. Khan nodded his approval at the young officer who had guided the ship in so closely reflecting to himself that training was still the best cure for idle minds and complex manoeuvres.

   “Sir, they have sixty turrets locked on to us, should we respond?”

Ballard was a good man but a little too prone to action. Khan smiled.

   “No. Drop shields to the minimum needed to protect us in this field, but keep the secondary generators online. How long until my shuttle is ready?”

His first officer didn’t pause as he answered.

   “Available now sir.”

The shuttle detached itself from the launch bay of the Deliverance and moved off towards the converted Imperial Star Destroyer. Her engines flared briefly, boosting her initial velocity. Nias watched from the observation deck of his giant star ship and wondered what sort of pilot could bring a Victory Class Star Destroyer in this close to his without damage, a good one. He wondered at the charisma of the sort of captain that could hold on to that sort of pilot, and knew he was in for a bargaining session. He reached for his com unit.

   “Ask Master De’Athe if he will join me in the conference room.”

The long table, made of sapient Orowood, separated the mercenary captain from both Nias and Blake. Nias had greeted the captain at the airlock and had escorted him personally throughout the ship. Two guards, dressed in a light blue version of storm trooper armour, had accompanied their captain. Nias had refused to admit any more. Nias and Blake had talked briefly before the meeting, and now Blake sat silently next to Nias. The man known as Captain Khan, frowned in his frustration.

   “Understand that I object strongly to this Jedi being here.”

His troops moved in a little closer and their blaster rifles raised imperceptibly. Nias remained impassive, whilst Blake leant forward apparently examining Khan. He smiled, and then relaxed back into his chair.

   “He objects because he is trained to object. He is an ex-Imperial officer.” Blake’s voice held a sneer. Khans palm pressed down on the table, his face reddened slightly.

   “I may not like you Jedi, but I know you. At least you aren’t as much a blot on the universe as Palpatine was.”

There was a locking of eyes between Blake and Khan. Khan felt something cold touch his mind and nearly shivered. The Jedi looked on impassively. Khan’s anger rose again, but he reminded himself that he needed to get repairs sorted and leant back into his own chair, forcing himself to relax.

   “Anyway, back to business. I have a message. The Raven has flown and requires a place to land.”

Nias balked at this statement, and his nerves jumped to attention. He hadn’t been expecting this, but his brain provided the much needed response.

   “Sanctuary is given to those that follow the Raven. How may I be of help?”

Blake had felt the tension rise after Khan’s statement. He knew something had occurred that would affect the path his and Nias’s future would take and it concerned. For the briefest of moments he considered plucking the knowledge he needed from Nias’s mind, but he knew that would be the quickest way possible of ending his friendship with Nias. If he wanted to confide in him, he would do so. No, what bothered Nias more was the information that Khan had on him. He’d scanned the man’s mind and had realised that he was far more than he seemed to be. He’d have to be very cautious in his dealings with him.

Blake was so deep in thought that he nearly walked straight in to Lomona as he ran round the corner at the end of the corridor.

   “Hold up Jan, where’s the fire?”

Jan stopped, registering Blake for the first time. He looked determined.

   “Have you seen what’s parked off starboard?”

Blake nodded, a thin smile appearing on his face.

   “Yes, I’ve just met the gentleman who commands it. He’s a bag of mixed morals and confused loyalties. What spooked you then?”

Jan frowned at the last comment.

   “Nothing, I just wanted to pay my respects to the ships captain. He saved a Trac-Tran supply convoy from attack that I was playing rearguard on. He offered me repairs, but I said I’d manage. One of the techs told me he was meeting with Derril.  How come you saw him?”

Blake motioned for Jan to follow him and they both started moving back towards the docking area where their respective ships were moored.

   “I was asked to do some spying for Nias. I owe him a favour, but I told him that I wouldn’t spy on somebody’s thoughts. Anyway, we agreed that I would monitor his emotions and let Nias know if he was telling the truth. Next thing I know, he’s saying some secret password and Nias is answering him like a robot. Nias then politely asked me to leave. I hung around outside for ten minutes and then they both exited together, comparing the differences between their two ships. They talked just like long lost buddies. I was just thinking about what went on when we nearly collided.”

Jan nodded as they approached an observation window. The Victory Class ship was clearly visible close by.

   “So where is he now?”

Blake pointed outside at the second Star Destroyer. Jan’s gaze followed and he saw the small shuttle heading away from Nias’s ship.

   “Guess it’ll have to wait.” He turned to Blake. “Anyway, this gives us  chance to talk about that favour you asked of me.”

Blake’s eyebrow rose slightly.

   “I thought you were too busy with the Trac-Tran to help out?”

Jan nodded, but a wry grin covered his face, the thought of his successful transport company bringing a proud smile to his lips.

   “Well, let’s just say a friend reminded me of some old loyalties and leave it at that, huh?”

Nera De’Athe frowned at the encrypted data feed that she had received and wandered how it would affect their mission. Her husband Blake and Jan entered the main bridge behind her console. She turned to face them a stern look on her face.

   “I’ve just received a message from Master Arkensaw. She says the Jedi Council have declared us renegade by a majority decision.”

Blake’s recent good humour soured instantly. Jan, a quizzical expression on his face, turned to Blake.

   “How will that affect you?”

Blake’s expression looked momentarily sour.

   “Well it won’t make our position here any more stable. It also means that although Governor Gabe agrees with what we are doing, he won’t officially be able to offer us any support. From this day forward we’re on out own.”

Jan nodded, a determined look on his face.

   “We’ll just have to pool our resources then. We’ll get information and supplies to you one way or the other.” Jan’s face lightened a little. “At least while you’ve got money to pay us.”

This time it was Nera’s turn to shake her head and sigh.

   “Once a smuggler, always a smuggler.”

Jan grinned broadly.

   “Wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Jan entered the docking bay and was surprised to find Trude De’Athe sitting patiently at the bottom of his ramp. She rose to her feet, her serene features looking out of place underneath the dark glasses she was wearing. Jan greeted her with a question.

   “Why the shades? It’s hardly dazzling in here.”

Trude’s face darkened a little and she seemed to hesitate.

   “Why the questions?  Life too dull for you today?”

Ouch thought Jan, did I deserve that?

   “A truce then. How can I help?”

Trude’s face lightened a little, and she smiled.

   “I came to thank you for helping my uncle, and for helping us.” She rose up and kissed him lightly on his face. Jan shivered despite himself, and a grin split his features.

   “If I’d known this was the sort of thanks I’d get, I’d have agreed earlier.”

Trude smiled and started to walk off. Jan almost caught hold of her, but reminded himself that this woman was also a Jedi. She might not take kindly to being manhandled. Instead he just watched her as she walked towards the exit to the docking platform. At the last moment, she stopped and turned slowly, raising her hands to her glasses. As she removed them, Jan gasped in surprise.

   “If you’re still interested, look me up on your next delivery.”

Blake watched the Berone Sunrise exit his freighter and tracked it as far as he could. He felt it surge forward and disappear in to hyperspace as it exited the asteroid field. His estimation of Captain Khan had gone up a notch after talking to Jan. The man was clearly honourable, and that suited Blake fine. He felt and heard a familiar presence approaching.

   “Nias. Care to tell me what’s going on?”

Nias walked up beside him and shook his head. He turned to face Blake.

   “Sorry. Too many people’s lives would be forfeit. We can’t risk that.”

Blake frowned at the use of we, but let it pass. He nodded.

   “Understood. How long until my ship is ready?”

Nias relaxed a little, obviously relieved at not being questioned further.

   “A day at the most. I’m just upgrading the accelerators on the hyper drive. She’ll be at point seven-five when we’ve finished with her. Ablative armour is being molecularly attached now and the secondary thrusters are queued up. She’ll handle like a YT-1500 when she’s finished.”

Blake was surprised. He’d not expected things to progress that quickly.

   “Why the rush?  Surely your new friends need aid as well?”

Nias nodded, turning once again to face Blake.

   “That’s being taken care of. However, from what I’ve just learned, you might be needed quicker than you anticipated. Rumour has it that the Ki-Ki are going to push further into the sector, and they’re taking no prisoners.”

Blake shot round, alarmed.

   “No prisoners? But I understood they had a warrior ethos that forbade them from killing prisoners of war.”

Nias nodded and turned away momentarily.

   “I didn’t tell you this, understand? No one survived on Nogard.  Nobody. The prisoners were put to death.” He sighed. “If this gets out there will be hell to pay.” Blake nodded, fully understanding the importance of what Nias was telling him and wondering how the man had found out.

   “I won’t tell anybody.  But you can tell your contacts this: hell will seem mild if I ever get my hands on the man that ordered the deaths of those people.  You can count on that.”

Nias sincerely hoped that he could.

A Meeting of Minds

2001 short story by Louis Turfrey

Thirty-seven years after Episode IV – A New Hope

Histories – Our first sighting of the mysterious Raven Corporation, and encounter with the Lady Raven.  With their motives unclear and unspoken, what part would the Corporation play in the Ki-Ki/Setnin conflict?

Cast of Characters

First Officer Ballard

Captain Mendip Khan

The Raven

Blake De’Athe

Jan Lomona

Nera De’Athe

Trude De’Athe