The Spider and the Storm

"Certainly not, but needs must, I fear." Thalassa blew out a breath. "You and I are going to do some very quick work there and then, as they say, 'fly the coop.'"

"The nature of that work?" He asked. He wasn't sure what could be on Eriadu that meant so much to her to risk her safety.

"I've left some documents in a few places that are well-hidden but scattered across the three homes; you, Zee, and I are going to fetch them. I'll be taking Raven's Peak, Zee is taking the city home, and you'll be covering the forest mansion."

"Very well. I've no need to tell you this, but with Zee and I at different locations you'll need to be more careful than usual. We couldn't get to you in time if something were to go wrong."

"I know the risks." Thalassa nodded. "Concern yourself with the documents; those are your charge until we rendezvous on Phelarion." She frowned, then leaned against the wall. "This is all moving much faster than anticipated..."

He could agree with that. "Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later."

"I'm afraid so." The ship jolted as it exited the first portion of the atmosphere. "I suppose our chances of working with Mon Mothma have gone to either extreme, now."

"Well, she will have the assurance that your options have become slightly more limited. That may allow her to trust you a little more." He braced himself with his staff as the ship moved.

"Hopefully. We'll see." Thalassa glanced toward the cockpit. "And we still have to make it past the barrier before we're in open space. Someone has to have found out by now."

As if on cue a voice blasted over the intercom. "This is traffic control, you do not have clearance to exit the atmosphere. Slow your engines and be prepared to be escorted back to the surface!"

Sirejj glanced towards the underwhelming gun turrets and then to the pilot. "How soon till we can jump?"

"As soon as we're out of the atmosphere," the pilot replied. "Lady Motti, your orders?"

"Transfer this code and stay on course," Thalassa said, showing him her datapad. He peered at it, then typed it in.
"A favor from a friend," she clarified for Sirejj. "Though I'm not entirely sure it will get us out of this particular bind. Ready yourself to be at the guns if we need."

He nodded and went to man one of the turrets. It wasn't very maneuverable. If they were up against the imperial ships, they'd be in trouble.

The pilot waited anxiously for a reply. Thalassa stood at his side, waiting and watching as they approached the barrier.

Seconds passed. Sirejj's hands wrapped around the gun controls and he waited for scream of TIE engines. These were no pirates, and this was not a deserted moon. There were ships here that were capable of vaporizing this shuttle in seconds, and there was little he could do about it. He waited in still silence.

"Clear to pass." The voice said. It had only been a few moments but it'd felt like an eternity.

The ship shot through the barrier and into the atmosphere. Thalassa let out a breath and patted the pilot on the shoulder. "Get us to Atoa," she said quietly, and turned to go to her quarters. "Sirejj, we're about to jump to hyperspace."