Shroud of Lies 1999 short story by Mark Newbold Under a year after Episode IV - A New Hope Ryath spun the Thunderchild around for what he was sure to be the final pass and glanced down at the damage display to his right. Shields had been fried by that last swing by and he was less than certain that they could withstand another withering attack from the Imperial Carrack-class light cruiser that lay before him. He shook his head in defiance. Ryath Centaur had faced death on a thousand occasions in the past. Betrayal by people he believed to be friends and allies. Survived attacks from aliens and organisations throughout the Setnin Sector and the Mid-Rim. Withstood accusations from those members of the Rebel Alliance he had chosen to be his allies. He’d be damned if he’d let a light cruiser lay his life to rest. He looked over his shoulder. “Ranth, give me everything you can with the shields. We’ll need all we’ve got just to get through this blockade.” Tarr Ranth acknowledged Ryath with a short nod of his Mandalorian-helmeted head and turned his attentions to the matter at hand. Centaur was indeed correct - they would require more than a modicum of luck to extricate themselves from this situation. Ever since they’d landed on Branta to complete a vital search and destroy mission for Glann Cipple they’d had nothing but constant attention from the authorities and local militia. But why? Ranth frowned. He was used to the high-octane life of a bounty hunter, chasing down his quarry throughout the galaxy, but such close attentions from the Empire? It was a situation he little desired. Tarr Ranth adjusted a few controls and looked across the cockpit at Ryath. “Done. You have full forward shields.” “I hope it’s enough.” The Thunderchild spun over to its starboard side and accelerated towards the light cruiser, making itself a swift and moving target. Most of the incoming barrage was well wide of its target but a few accurate shots splashed off the shields, creating multi-coloured rainbows of energy around the twenty-metre long starship. Centaur grimaced. He knew just how much of a battering the Thunderchild could take and this was way beyond the design specs. But there was nothing that he could do. This Imperial blockade was a welcoming party for him, of that he was certain. Who had planned it he wasn’t sure, but when he found out… “Approaching the blockade now. Kaile..?” Ryath patched through to his second passenger Kaile Mirrener who was sitting patiently in the gunwell. A second later came the crackled reply. “They’re blocking all communication, Centaur. This looks like the last stand. What should we do?” “Start blasting. There’s nothing more I can do from up here. Try to take out the power plant, aim for the bridge, anything that gets us through those ships.” Ryath looked beyond the Carrack-class light cruiser. There lay another four ships of unspecified design and behind them in the distance was the Interdictor that had dragged him unexpectedly from the safety of hyperspace. A desperate situation indeed. “Copy that Captain.” Mirrener replied before hammering a barrage of shots into the 350 metre-long Carrack. The light cruisers shields withstood the attack as the Thunderchild broke through the blockade and made it past the Carrack, despite the unwanted attentions of Turbolasers, tractor beams and laser cannons trying to attach themselves to the smaller ship. Ryath punched the air. It was a small victory, but with his superior speed he would put clear air between himself and the Carrack. That just left the little matter of the Interdictor that was waiting patiently over the unspecified world that lay below. Ryath glanced over at Tarr Ranth and twisted his mouth in annoyance. “Where the hell is Jan Lomona when you need him?” Jan removed the last item of Frans’ clothing with an easy tug and smiled a wide grin as he rolled over her. She shook her fiery red hair from her eyes and met his stare with an expectant gaze. Jan smiled warmly as he realised with a jolt how much he loved his fiancée. “Nothing on the holo-vid tonight honey. What do you think we should do to pass the time?” Frans wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. “Feel, don’t think.” Jan thought about that for a second. “Hmmm, how deep.” “Kaile, get up here. I need you to pilot the ship while I plot the co-ordinates for the jump to hyperspace.” Ryath hopped out of the pilot’s chair and quick-stepped to the nava-computer, jabbing commands in and trying desperately to find out just where they were. He’d plotted a course to Zelon that would take them through the Wennicas System and up towards the central area of the Setnin Sector and the major worlds that lay there. He made sure to stay well clear of the Borden Space Lane, the major trade route through the sector that ran from the Outer Rim Territories and a large part of the way to the Core Worlds. No, that would have been a signpost-marked suicide. So, he’d plotted a circuitous route that he doubted even an experienced spacer like Anzai Karoo would have figured out. So how had they been found? And now that they had been pulled unceremoniously from hyperspace, where were they? Mirrener entered the cramped cockpit and stepped over the back of the seat into the chair. Familiarising himself with the controls he swung the Thunderchild away from the Interdictor and aimed towards a small moon. He nodded as he did so. “I know this area of Setnin pretty well. There’s an abandoned pirate’s base down on that moon. If we can get in close enough and get these scum to follow then there should be quite a lightshow.” Ryath turned from his calculations. “You know where we are?” “Sure. We’re right over Irata. Nothing much happens down there, its all oceans and waterfalls, but the moon was once used as a base for a pirate group way back in the days of the Republic. The Jedi discovered them, or something and the council sent in a few Republic cruisers to end their operations. They routed them and they left the base.” Kaile turned with a grin on his lean face. “But what most folks don’t know is that the pirates left a few welcoming cards for any unwanted visitors.” He returned his eyes to the Interdictor that was rapidly approaching them. “I just hope I can remember what they are. And where.” Centaur looked down at Ranth who was solid and stoic. The nava-computer flashed at him silently and he flicked it off with a thumb. “Looks like we won’t be needing this for a while.” The Imperial Interdictor Voracious’ bridge was a hive of activity. Uniformed officers, Stormtroopers and droids scurried about the back of the bridge as Commander Tastor entered. He took in the view with a look of professional pride and clasped his hands behind his back. His distinguished guest had come aboard with excellent credentials, even though he didn’t have any recollection of his activities. But he had been most insistent that they apprehend this Centaur fellow, and his colleagues. Tastor had no reason to argue with his guest, and ever since the Thunderchilds swift exit from Branta they had been tailing them. His guest seemed to know that they would be passing through the Irata System, although Tastor thought it was an unusual route to take to head back to the central systems. But Tastor had to admit to himself that he was no expert on the activities and Modus Operandi of Ryath Centaur. But his guest certainly was. Tastor turned and exited the bridge, aiming for his quarters and a better view of the hunt. Centaur had twisted his small starship away from the Voracious and was aiming towards a small innocuous moon. Was he going to land? Surely he must have known that an Interdictor could simply blast them into oblivion. And Tastor would do it. If half of what he had heard about this Centaur was true then he would be doing the galaxy a great service. Tastor’s musings were disturbed by the swoosh of his offices doors opening. He swallowed back a bark of rebuke as he recognised the figure coalescing into view from the shadows of the doorway. Tastor stood and smiled, motioning with a sweep of his hand that his guest should enter his office. His guest did, and walked towards the window to view the battle. Tastor had dispatched a flight of four TIE Fighters to harass and hassle the Thunderchild into surrendering, but the silent man knew it would be to no avail. Centaur was far too wily to be bothered by insignificant threats like that. He turned to face Tastor. “Commander, what is our current situation?” “The hunt goes well. Centaur was dragged from hyperspace and barely managed to evade our tractor beams. He tried to accelerate away but was boxed in by the Carrack-class light cruiser and her support ships.” Tastor smiled a slimy smile that oozed across his taut face. “His actions indicate desperation.” Tastor’s guest shook his head and checked outside again. The Thunderchild was diving at a crazy angle towards the moons surface. “No Commander. Centaur was well trained. He’s more dangerous than you realise.” He turned to the Commander and pointed a long finger into his face. “Beware Commander. Use caution.” Tastor nodded solemnly. “Yes Colonel Pillot.” Centaur grimaced as the G-Forces surged even stronger than the compensators could cope with and gasped for breath as Kaile Mirrener pulled the Thunderchild out of her suicidal descent. Mirrener’s hands flew over the controls, adjusting trim here, attitude control there, thrusters, shields. Ranth was still overseeing all other systems, but had said nothing for the last thirty seconds. Ryath checked the sensors. “Looks like your plan is working Kaile. The Carrack-class is following us in.” “But not the Interdictor?” Ryath squinted as the scanner swept across again, revealing a stationary blip that could only be the Interdictor. “No, she’s staying put for the moment.” “Too bad. Oh well, here goes nothing.” Kaile swung the Thunderchild down and around to the right and aimed
towards a dark foreboding canyon that was barely illuminated by the glint of planet light
given off by Irata and nudged the accelerator. He
checked the aft sensors. A flight of four TIE
Fighters had been dispatched and was following them into the canyon. Good,
thought Kaile. That’ll give the Imps something to think
about. Like how a starship facing the wrong
way could take out a flight of their best space superiority fighters in a twisting canyon. He grinned. Hopefully
the Carrack will get close enough to find out. “Aft shields Ranth. And keep me appraised of any unusual power build-ups you register.” “Affirmative.” Mirrener’s forehead glistened in a sheen of sweaty concentration. He twisted the Thunderchild this way and that, flying from a distant memory of the canyon he’d stored in his mind from many years before. He was far from being the hottest jet jockey in the galaxy, but his solid skills had served him well in the past and Ryath was satisfied that it was Kaile who was seated at the helm and not him. The Thunderchild tore left and into an interconnecting canyon, a turn that was far too swift and unexpected for two of their pursuers who failed top react quickly enough and slammed into the outcrop of rock that marked the turn. Two down, two to go thought Mirrener to himself. He poured on the speed, nudging the controls to avoid jet-black stabs of rock and stone as the canyon whistled past. “Energy surge registering directly ahead.” Shouted Ranth. Kaile barely acknowledged the warning but responded with an action as the Thunderchild dipped even lower to the canyon surface and hugged the terrain. Kaile watched the terrain sensors like a Garmon Bat as his pursuers kept their attitude level… And were torn apart by the rip of turbo laser cannons that swung out of the walls and decimated their tiny ships. “Strike two to the Thunderchild.” Noted Ranth evenly as Ryath smiled and patted Kaile on the shoulder. Mirrener stared directly ahead. “Don’t relax yet guys. We’re not out of this yet.” Commander Tastor read the viewscreen with a frown and narrowed his eyes. The Colonel was right, Centaur was not to be underestimated. Tastor had foolishly believed that a flight of TIE’s would be enough to flush the Thunderchild out of hiding and back towards either the Carrack-class or the Voracious. But Centaur had managed to evade them with ease, somehow destroying them in the process. It was a misjudgement that Tastor would not repeat. He twisted his head to face his first officer. “Lieutenant Besca. Order the Carrack to enter low orbit of the moon. Perhaps the sight of a light cruiser will be enough to flush Centaur out. After all.” Tastor paused and wiped his brow. “He is one of us.” Ryath leaned over the console and twisted up for a visual check on their situation and their pursuers. He wasn’t sure to be pleased or worried when he saw what he saw. “The Carrack is entering low orbit. She’s matching our speed and course.” Centaur glanced at Kaile. “Should I be pleased about that or worried?” “If it gets within one klick of the surface I’d be ecstatic. But let’s not crack open a bottle just yet. If I remember correctly we’ve got trouble coming up.” “What kind of trouble?” Queried Ryath as he lowered himself into the co-pilots seat. “A dead end.” Answered Ranth with a growl. “This branch of the canyon extends for another four kilometres and ends with a sheer face.” “Great,” Muttered Ryath. “Another dead end.” “Don’t panic. This is perfect. Just stay on top of things and let the situation play out.” Ryath closed his eyes and drew in a deep
breath. I
feel like a passenger on my own ship. I need
to take control. Ranth hovered as his sensors relayed the image of the monolithic wall of stone that was swiftly approaching as Kaile kept an eye on the Carrack-class light cruiser that was dropping swiftly towards them. 1200 metres, 1150, 1100… “Come on you slimebags.” Muttered Kaile to himself. “Keep it coming…” 1050…The Carrack began to level out and Ryath yelled in frustration. “They’re evening out. What now Kaile?” Mirrener swallowed determinedly and gripped the controls. The wall was within distance now, and blurring towards them like an asteroid. This whole play was for nothing if they couldn’t get the Carrack to drop lower. But they only had brief seconds to make it happen. Without asking or checking Kaile pulled the Thunderchild out of the canyon and dipped up, levelling out and returning the ship back into the canyon. It was enough of an enticement for the Carrack - she threw a volley of shots into the canyon and lowered to attach her tractor beams. “Yes!” Yelled Kaile. “Hold on to your hats.” As the Carrack dropped below the one kilometre level Ryath watched with fascinated disbelief as the end of the canyon folded in on itself and split, revealing one of the largest ion cannons he had ever seen slide forward. With a belch of power it released a spew of blue, debilitating energy that hit the Carrack squarely on the bridge and knocked it back. Centaur could only grin as the light cruiser struggled to maintain its altitude, but the gravitational pull of the moon grabbed onto it like a vice and the Imperial ship began a death drop towards the surface. “At such a low altitude they’ll probably survive the crash, but I don’t want to be here to find out.” Shouted Mirrener as he yanked the controls to pull the Thunderchild up and away. Tarr Ranth stood from his seat to watch the ion cannon retract back into the canyon face and the stone swing back into place as if it had never moved - the perfect hidden weapon of destruction. “I don’t understand.” Asked Ryath as they powered back out towards deep space. “How come the weapons didn’t turn on us?” “Because of the path we took. Only the pirates knew about this branch of the canyon. It was their secret entrance into the bowels of their hidden base.” He began to laugh. “It took a Jedi Knight to find that out.” Ranth folded his arms and stared down at Kaile. “So how did you learn of this?” Mirrener shook his head and steered towards Irata. “That would be telling.” “I warned you of this Commander. Centaur is a highly trained ex-Imperial officer. He was on the fast track to promotion before his betrayal at Durathosin.” Tastor gritted his teeth. He was livid on two accounts. Firstly the loss of his Carrack, an old but valuable piece of Imperial weaponry for which he was ultimately responsible. He would have to be more than inventive to explain her demise when the salvage team arrived at the moon. Secondly, the tale of Ryath Centaur. A man who had spat upon and denigrated the honour of the Empire. Pillot had told him of his actions on Durathosin - how he had collaborated with rebels to have his squadron and his compatriots killed. How he had allowed General Mansinson of sector intelligence to die in a squalid rebel stronghold. How he had even allowed his own brother Torath to die at rebel hands. Lowly scum, worthy of no compassion whatsoever. Tastor turned to Pillot. “Colonel. We have lost five ships so far. It is apparent to me that you are far more knowledgeable about this traitor Centaur.” He straightened his tunic and stood tall before Pillot. “Sir, I believe you should command the remainder of this mission.” Pillot stoically nodded, but inside was pleased. The chance to nail Centaur at last. My revenge. He gazed at Tastor. How easy it has been to manipulate this preening fool. And how quickly he swallowed my revisionist tale about Centaur. After all, would he be so swift to assist if he knew that it was I who’d killed Mansinson? If he knew that I had removed Centaur from the equation so I could take his wife Sarra as my own? That if the situation was different that I would still be a Colonel in the Empire and not simply using forged codes to use this Interdictor for my own convenience. Pillot took a seat behind Tastor’s desk and placed his hands flat on the tabletop. “The homing beacon you secreted aboard the Thunderchild back on Branta. It is still operating?” Tastor nodded. “We believe so sir. There’s a transmission block operating right now, so there is no way for us to pinpoint the beacon. But they’ve had no way of ridding themselves of the beacon, they’ve been in hyperspace since they left Branta.” Tastor paused. “Unbeknownst to them, an agent was tailing them while they were on Branta. Unless they’ve miraculously figured out what the beacon was disguised as, they would have no way of telling that it was even aboard.” Pillot looked down at his own reflection
in the tabletop. To catch Centaur now would be perfect. But it would also be games end. If I allow him to continue his travels then he
will lead me to his friends and allies. And who is to say that that won’t include the
Alliance? Or wanted criminals in the Setnin
underground? No, to take him now would be
premature. He knows that he is in danger and
that is enough to keep him on edge. I have
his ship tagged. When the time is right
I’ll take him, and his allies. Pillot looked up at Tastor and stood to his feet. “Allow the Thunderchild to escape. Make it look believable, but allow Centaur to jump to hyperspace.” “Sir..?” Pillot cut him off with a stab of a wave. “I’m sure you heard me the first time Commander. Let him escape. We’ll apprehend him and his cronies later.” “Yes sir.” Ryath checked the sensor and adjusted the focus. There was another wing of TIE’s on their tail but they were making little headway. The Thunderchild was nothing if not a fast ship and as they angled their way towards open space and the safety of hyperspace he allowed himself a small smile. “The Voracious is turning towards us to begin a pursuit.” Ranth paused. “And the TIE Fighters are gaining slightly.” Ryath made the last of his calculations and entered the co-ordinates into the nava-computer. He’d decided that they would no longer be travelling to the central systems and Zelon but Corewards toward the Luronsa System. Specifically to confuse whoever it was that had tried to secure a homing beacon aboard his ship. He sat next to Ranth and eased back into the seat. “Don’t worry, they won’t be catching us.” Ranth frowned, the red glow of the cockpit instruments reflecting softly against the matt black finish of his helmet. “You seem certain of that.” “I am. You see,” Began Ryath as he stood. “When we were on Branta someone tried to tag us with a homing beacon. Until I took care of him. They wanted to monitor our movements through the sector and nail us at their convenience. And their plan worked, to a degree. Our tail must have copied my astrogation co-ordinates from the nava-computer whilst he was hiding the beacon on the Thunderchild, so they knew which route we would be travelling. Our pursuers contain a man who knows a lot about me. A former compatriot.” He smiled a hollow smile, careful not to reveal to his colleagues his true past – that he was a rising star in the Imperial army before the unfortunate incident on Durathosin. “Despite his knowledge of my style he forgot to factor in one thing.” “And what was that?” Asked Ranth, as Kaile Mirrener pulled the lever back and the pinpoints of stars spun into streaks and the Thunderchild entered the turbulent world of hyperspace. “The homing beacon was disguised. Quite a clever disguise actually for what it was. Most starships have toolkits aboard, some old ones passed down from father to son. Some new, bought for the specific ship. Well I don’t carry tools aboard the Thunderchild. Never have.” Ranth cocked his head in confusion. “No tools? But what would you do in the event of an emergency?” “Improvise, like all us spacers have to learn to do. But our mysterious follower doesn’t know that. So when I found a toolkit in the equipment locker I knew that it was a beacon. I knew for sure when I scanned it before we left Branta.” Ranth slapped his thigh in amusement. “So you left it on Branta?” “No, no. I know who it is who’s tailing us. He’s been trying to nail me for a while. So before we paid off the Portmaster I took a trip to the local Letter-Search Office and posted the tools. Return to sender.” Letter-Search was a massive corporation that guaranteed, with a 99% certainty, that items sent with simply a name and a picture would be delivered to their recipients. Using all available public records and location systems the parcels or letters arrived - eventually. “So who was the sender then?” Asked Mirrener, spinning the chair from the swirl of hyperspace. Ryath grinned. “A man called Pillot. Someone who was drummed out of the Empire a few months ago. Someone who’s obviously sightseeing on a false ID.” Ryath Centaur laughed. “Is he going to be in for a shock when they trace the beacon back to wherever he is at the time.” Talk your way out of that one Pillot. The Thunderchild roared through hyperspace, taking her passengers safely to their next destination…
Shroud of Lies 1999 short story by Mark Newbold Under a year after Episode IV – A New Hope Histories – Taking place a few short days
after the events of A New Hope, Shroud of Lies gives us an insight into the battle of wills between
ex-Imperial Colonel Pillot and speeder bike
Captain-turned-mercenary Ryath Centaur. Cast of Characters Ryath Centaur Kaile Mirrener Tarr Ranth Pillot Commander Tastor Jan Lomona Frans Latka
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