in media res
On Coruscant, a trio of nearly-exhausted Jedi Padawans run towards a landing platform attached to one of the city's gleaming towers, fleeing from a droideka sending a hail of blaster bolts their way. Not far behind the fearsome war machine, two squads of super battle droids move to cut off other avenues of escape. On the platform sits a dented, rust-streaked, grime-encrusted, carbon-scored YT-1300 light freighter with flaking paint in the few areas where any remains. A sharply-dressed young human man directs a couple of ASP droids in the loading of unmarked cargo containers heaped nearby. The droideka's errant shots blast the mechanical stevedores into scrap metal, putting an end to their labors.
flashback
Within one of the great fighter bays aboard the Republic flagship Resolute, General Rahm Kota speaks to a young man as technicians and droids bustle about, intent on their work and paying no attention to the two humans. The object of the Jedi Master's focus is Anjo Kalomi, a now-masterless Padawan who has recently joined the Rebellion. "Anjo, I need you to go to Coruscant and contact Master Piell. You must warn him that it is too dangerous for him to remain there. My sources tell me that the Inquisitorius has become aware of his presence, and that of the other Jedi. It is only a matter of time before they close in. Leave now. Make haste. And may the Force be with you."
Deep in the dim and dirty bowels of Coruscant, two Imperial Inquistors, garbed in black robes and wielding red sabers, along with a quartet of droideka, several MagnaGuards, and an entire company of factory-fresh bluish-grey super battle droids descend upon a secret gathering of Jedi survivors of the Purge. Unsurprised, and moving with supernatural haste, Jedi Knights Sha Koon, Jax Pavan, and Laranth Tarak flee in separate directions drawing immediate pursuit by most of the droids. Padawans Kit Aldrete, Ky Feng, and Anjo Kalomi together head off in yet another direction, as Master Piell gallantly remains behind to cover the young ones' escape. The short, battle-scarred Jedi warrior fearlessly engages the dark servants of the Empire in saber combat. Unfortunately for the apprentices, one of the droideka and a couple of squads of battle droids notice them and give chase.
cut to the present
The Jedi have been running for their lives for quite some time, hence the exhaustion that will soon begin to set in. They have gone from the undercity up through a tower, in a running defensive fight against the faster droideka, unable to close with and engage it without being swamped by both its firepower and that of the eight B2 droids (two squads, using the squad rules) following behind. The droideka easily keeps pace with the Jedi, periodically planting itself and laying down withering fire until the B2s catch up (wash, rinse, repeat). The Jedi quickly realized that whomever/whatever is remotely controlling it knows enough about Jedi to keep at least twenty meters from them, neutralizing their Force powers. A DC15 Knowledge (tactics) check by Anjo reveals that the droids are using standard military leapfrog tactics. A DC15 Knowledge (tactics) check by Anjo reveals that once the fugitives reach open spaces they will be subject to aerial pursuit and attack, which will quickly be the end of them. (Hence why you've been fleeing inside a tower, though you're about to run out of room to run.)Yes, that's Fein's ship, and yes, that's him standing outside and now shocked to discover that he's caught downrange in a free-fire zone in what should have been a safe, upscale location. Making matters worse, the valuable cargo strewn about belongs to Ziro the Hutt, which the smuggler was hired to take to Nar Shaddaa. NE-00 is inside the ship, becoming acquainted with the vessel and Fein's astromech. NE-00 works for Ziro, and is tasked with making sure that the cargo arrives at its destination, intact.
- Gary M. Sarli
