The INV-1203 Resolute drifted past the Osprey , the smaller ship dwarfed by the massive cruiser. Jax and the others were down in the cargo hold while Skip handled flight ops until the Imperial vessel took over flight control to bring the Osprey in.
“This doesn’t look very comfortable,” Mr. Ichiko complained as he lowered himself down the ladder into the small weapons module on the underside of the infiltrator. While Valerian Coop Infiltrators had several weapons types at their disposal, the underbelly-mounted particle beam cannon was their most powerful. The particle beam weapon system was self-contained in the lower section of the ship, under the cargo bay. It was not much more than a crawlspace, but thanks to the exotic matter conditioner and other highly energetic components, there wasn’t a sensor around that would pick out a single bio-sign in that area of the ship.
Jax shrugged. “That, or chat with the Imperials.” The older man descended the ladder. He looked up. “See you soon. Be safe.” He waved as the rungs folded flat against the wall and a hatch slipped over the access way. Jax turned to Rudy and Baxter. “They’ll scan you two, then expect you to hang around the ship, so depending on how long this takes, you may need to slip him some food or water.”
The matte black combat droid turned his mostly featureless face toward Jax and the others. “We got this, boss. He’ll be fine.” His optic receptor had a red scatter light that swished side to side.
Naomi asked, “Where did you get a combat droid, anyway?”
“His parents,” Kori offered before Jax could answer. He turned and glared at her. “What? Was it a secret?”
Jax was about to answer when Skip announced, “Entering the Resolute’s bay now. Touchdown in five, four, three, two, one.” The Osprey lurched slightly as she came to a rest on the deck of one of the Resolute’s landing bays.
“Let’s meet our friends.” He moved to stand more in the center of the hold. He turned to the others. “Remember the cover story.” Everyone nodded, though Steve didn’t look happy about the agreed upon story.
Several clunks and whirs announced the lowering of the boarding ramp. Baxter moved to stand in the hold's corner. The sound of heavy boots boarding the ship echoed. It didn’t take more than a few seconds for the first Imperial shock trooper to come up the spiral staircase and stand in the hold facing Jax and the others. Three more troops emerged from the stairs to be followed by the ship’s sub-commander. She was in her mid-forties, her crimson colored uniform stiff enough that it likely stood on its own when she went to bed at night.
The woman walked up to Jax, looking him up and down before saying, “You’re the captain of this ship?” She glanced at Baxter, raising an eyebrow, but said nothing. Imperials looked down on droids and the humans who associated with them.
Jax nodded. “That’s me, Jeb Bartlet.” He tried his best to plaster his most winning smile on his face. “How can we be of service to the Empire?”
The woman tutted, “You can stay out of the way while my scanner crew goes over your ship. Where are you headed?”
Kori coughed. “Uh, we were headed for York.” She pointed at Steve and Naomi, “It’s their honeymoon.” Jax nodded. The two tried their best to look equal parts innocent and in love with each other. Steve looked slightly more uncomfortable than Naomi.
The sub-commander walked over to the two fake newlyweds, eyeing each of them in turn. She turned to Kori. “And you are?”
Kori reached for Jax’s hand. “I’m his girlfriend.” She pointed to Baxter, then Rudy. “We do odd jobs when in port. The droids help.”
Jax smiled. “Sub-Commander…”
“Pettit,” the woman offered.
Jax nodded. “Sub-Commander Pettit, have we done anything wrong?”
She motioned to two of her shock troops. “Escort them off the ship.”
“Sub-Commander?” Jax said, his voice higher, more urgent.
Pettit spun to face Jax. “You’ve done nothing wrong, that we know of, Captain Bartlet. If you comply, this will take very little time, and you can be on your way.” She motioned to her troops. She looked over at Baxter. “Do we need to worry about that thing?”
Jax replied, “No, he’s inactive right now.” He looked at Rudy, who had been sitting near the staircase doing his best to be unnoticed. “Stay out of their way, be helpful.” The droid made a series of random beeps and whistles in response.