Isaiah the Gray, Part 22

Previously: https://storytogether.com/2020/09/17/isaiah-the-gray-part-21/

Getting Ready

“Zero-You, awake,” commands his master, the Jedi Corban.

In the corner of the cargo bay, Zero-You pops back to life, stretching in a mock-interpretation of organics when they wake up. “So good to see you again, Master. You rang?”

“We’re approaching Tatooine,” says Corban. “Prepare yourself; there will be trouble.”

“Ah well, then we can finally get rid of our terrible boredom,” replies Zero-You. “I’m not a hurry-up-and-wait type droid you know.”

“All too well,” says Corban in a somewhat exasperated tone.

Mos Eisley Spaceport

A spec on the horizon of deep space becomes the electric and elegant Defiant, bursting out of hyperspace and into orbit around Tatooine.

“Take us in,” says Isaiah.

The Defiant plunges through the atmosphere and hovers over Mos Eisley Spaceport for a few moments while its landing credentials are verified.

Jimmy looks outside the window and notices that there seem to be more ships exiting the port than usual. The Defiant receives a quick clearance over the radio and settles gently into its designated landing zone.

Isaiah, Jimmy, Isaac, Corban, and Zero-You gather at the gangplank, its controls signaling that it’s ready to retract.

Isaiah turns to his companions. “We’re here to find the second catalyst location. Do not get sidetracked. Stay hidden where possible. And above all –“

An extremely loud siren in Zero-You’s chest cavity interrupts Isaiah. The entire group looks to the droid who looks down at his chest. Several seconds go by where everyone gives Zero-You “are you going to answer that?” type of looks.

“Ah. To your point, “Commander,” there are numerous well-armed personnel surrounding this ship at this very moment,” says Zero-You. “Hiding may no longer be an option.”

Brawl Time

“Fantastic,” says Isaiah flatly. “AI, how did they know we were coming?”

“Unknown, Commander,” says AI over’s Isaiah’s ear piece. “Perhaps taking one alive and asking would be your best course of action. On my end, I can confirm no messages were sent from this ship and our tagging system should blend perfectly with the high-end ships entering this port facility.”

Jimmy turns to everyone. “Screw it. Let’s rock and roll.” He hits the gangplank button which swiftly descends onto the ground below.

A barrage of blaster fire immediately erupts, smashing into the Defiant’s hull with serious precision. Isaiah steps forward but Corban puts his hand across Isaiah’s chest. “Allow me,” says the Jedi.

Corban and Zero-You confidently move to the edge of the gangplank. The familiar sound of his resplendent blue lightsaber activating, Corban easily deflects the incoming blaster fire harmlessly off in a dozen directions. Zero-You meanwhile stands bored as his personal shield somehow absorbs the relentless impacts of the plasma fire.

At the barrage subsides, Corban speeds off at an incredible pace and collides into the first enemy, sending him flying into several storage containers. Pinging between his three nearby foes, Corban cuts each down with an elegant, sophisticated ease, each stroke of his light saber a master work in its use.

Zero-You meanwhile fires a number of heat-seeking rockets which hit their targets while sending up a great plume of acrid gray smoke. “Oops!” says Zero-You. “Meant to use the boom bomb, not the cloud bomb. Sorry!”

The Wolf At Work

Isaiah stands at the top of the gangplank, observing his Jedi companion make quick work of the assassins. No doubt, even though he cannot see, it’s clear as day why they call him “The Wolf;” he is a hunter, and an incredibly formidable one.

With the half-dozen foes slain, Isaiah, Jimmy, and Isaac meet Corban and Zero-You outside the Defiant. Zero-You is holding up one of the assassin’s plasma rifles.

“These are not common Hutt or low-life Tatooine criminals,” says the droid. “These rifles are Tajin in origin. Probably Jedi-hired mercenaries.”

“What?” says Corban, stunned. “Jedi-hired? Are you sure?”

“Well no,” replies Zero-You. “But this make and model was sold by Czerka to the Tajin specifically as part of the Jedi Defense Force package last year. All signs point to the Jedi having hired them.”

Isaiah turns to Corban. “What do you make of this, Wolf?”

“I’m not sure,” replies Corban. “It could mean many things, very few of them good. Obviously a heightened sense of caution is warranted.”

Zero-You’s monitoring alarm again begins to sound.

Part 1: https://storytogether.com/2020/02/06/isaiah-the-gray-part-1/

Part 2: https://storytogether.com/2020/02/13/isaiah-the-gray-part-2/

Part 3: https://storytogether.com/2020/02/20/isaiah-the-gray-part-3/

Part 4: https://storytogether.com/2020/03/13/isaiah-the-gray-part-4/

Part 5: https://storytogether.com/2020/03/26/isaiah-the-gray-part-5/

Part 6: https://storytogether.com/2020/04/02/isaiah-the-gray-part-6/

Part 7: https://storytogether.com/2020/04/09/isaiah-the-gray-part-7/

Part 8: https://storytogether.com/2020/04/16/isaiah-the-gray-part-8/

Part 9: https://storytogether.com/2020/04/30/isaiah-the-gray-part-9/