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Unrest has crept into the prison population within the secret Imperial penal colony on Tartaaris.
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Imperial Stormtroopers keep a watchful eye for any signs of insurrection…
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…as the evil warden has pushed the inmates to the edge of revolt.
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In the midst of the desperate situation, Rykrof Enloe attempts to form a daring coalition with the ruler of the last remaining prison gang on the planet.
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Deep under the surface, he meets with Atracion.
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“Tell me now,” Atracion inquires of Rykrof.
“Educate me as why it is, that a noble hero of the Republic, such as yourself…”
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“…was dumped into this pit of defecation with the likes of terrorists and murderers?”
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“I wouldn’t put my past on any sort of pedestal,” Rykrof smiles half heartedly as he glances at Atracion’s bodyguard.
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“But after the war, I ended up getting tangled up with some rebels…”
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“For whatever reason, once I was captured, Darth Vader spared my life…”
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“…and I ended up here… with you.”
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“You know Darth Vader?” the alien grins, mocking Rykrof’s story.
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He then begins to laugh uncontrollably…
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“Bwahahahahaahaaaaaa!”
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“Can I get your autograph?”
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“Look… I made a deal that I thought would spare my family, and ended up here…”
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“It’s been a tough few years,” Rykrof grimaces.
“…all I want is to get out of here and see my family again.”
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“I see… are you a father?” Atracion asks, changing his tone.
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“Yes… I have a boy,” Rykrof says sadly.
“Caldin is his name. Good kid… at least he was…”
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“Rykrof Enloe, you’re a good man; I can see that,” the gang leader says quietly.
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“If there were more people like you, and less scum like me, perhaps hell holes like this would not even exist.”
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“Now, before I change my mind… let’s discuss your plan for getting us into the Maker’s complex.”
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“There’s a secret way into the base, but our overall tactics will depend on how many able men you have,” Rykrof promptly tells him.
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“Our numbers are limited,” Atracion concedes.
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“The droids have been more aggressive lately… I’ve lost over a dozen men in the past month alone…”
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“…and the supply drops seem to have stopped.”
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“It’s almost as if the Maker is daring a revolt,” Rykrof wonders, as doubt begins to creep into his mind.
“This won’t be easy.”
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“You can yell me more about this secret entrance into the Imperial complex tonight over dinner,” Atracion proclaims as the two exit the chamber.
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“Oh… and if you try and double cross me…”
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“I’ll have you beheaded.”
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“I see you’ve made a new friend,” K3-95 says sarcastically.
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“Cut the chatter,” Rykrof tells the droid.
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“I know what I’m doing.”
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As dawn breaks, a pair of Stormtroopers patrol the exterior of their command post.
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Routine checks have become non-eventful over the years…
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…but the Maker has put his troops on yellow alert.
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“Keep your eyes open,” the lead officer advises his partner.
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“But, I’m sure these prisoners aren’t dumb enough to…”
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“…wait,” he pauses.
“Did you hear something?”
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Both men reverse their tracks and turn the corner…
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…and spot an inmate standing several meters away.
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“Hey!” the prisoner shouts.
“Can you tell me when the next supply drop’s coming?”
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“Drop the weapon!” the lead trooper orders him.
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Just then, a pair of Atracion’s men emerge from behind the Imperials…
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…bringing them to the ground!
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The lead officer then spins onto his back and raises his blaster…
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…narrowly missing his assailant’s head with a laser blast!
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The second trooper is quickly subdued…
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…while Rykrof makes short work of the officer.
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“That was close,” the Duros prisoner exhales.
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“Glad you’re okay,” Rykrof sighs with relief.
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“It was worth the risk for this blaster.”
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“We might also be able to use their armor…” Rykrof observes as Atracion approaches the group.
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“Two down, one hundred to go,” the gang leader growls.
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“Well, it’s a start,” Rykrof replies.
“But we better get moving.”
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“Indeed… it’s almost time to rendevous with the others.”
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Three kilometers to the south, Atracion’s flank team has become delayed.
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“This is a suicide mission,” Halri Kidell insists to the others.
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“…Atracion has lost his mind.”
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“Better watch what you’re saying,” Dra’lusk snaps at the Nikto.
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“I’m worried too,” Drite Bulo interjects.
“Something’s not right. We haven’t seen any droids since we left this morning.”
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“So what are you saying,” Dra’lusk asks.
“That we’re being set up?”
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“We don’t have time for this,” Helmo Iteris insists.
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“…we’re behind schedule.”
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The argument is abruptly interrupted by a squad of Stormtroopers!
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“Hey, you!” the lead trooper shouts.
“All of you! Drop your weapons!”
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“Oh, damn,” Felisa Gelmeye trembles.
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“You’re not authorized to be carrying those blasters,” the trooper insists.
“Drop them.”
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“We’re not looking for any trouble,” Dra’lusk tells the Imperials.
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“We’re just looking for supplies.”
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“You’ve entered a restricted area. Drop the blasters and turn around.”
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“What if we traded our weapons for rations?”
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“That’s it…”
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“…blast them!”
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A laser burst then rips through Drite’s chest!
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“No!” Dra’lusk shouts!
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Another blast then tears into Felisa!
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“Run!” Halri bellows as he and Helmo dash past Felisa’s fallen body…
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…while Dra’lusk takes off in the opposite direction!
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The Stormtroopers then quickly secure the scene of the massacre.
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“Sir, they went off in different directions.”
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“One of them is headed toward the complex.”
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“He won’t make it far before the next patrol finds him,” the officer says.
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“Inform Chief Rolem that we’re in pursuit of the other two prisoners…”
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“… and that the Maker was right… it’s happening.”
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