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Veckh: Ultimate Sacrifice
Orbit of Planet Xo, Spinward Sector, Outer Rim :
“Veck! Pass me the black 14 chuck please. »
Andronikos grabbed the levitating tool by force and plunged back into the compartment under the hyperdrive.
" This planet is not registered... Xalek, record the coordinates. said the young witch.
" Yes mistress. »
The smell of half a dozen suubatar steaks roasting in honey wafted through the halls of the ship. While Talos cooked and Ashara rested in the chamber, the interceptor hovered above a red, barren, rocky planet lit by a bright orange sunset.
" How much for the sublight, 2v ? asked the pirate.
The droid was in the main room, pressing the voice intercom.
" We are currently at 84% sir. »
" Well, that should be enough... »
Andronikos got out of the compartment and wiped his forehead, before putting his briefcase on his shoulder. " Oh but, it smells good here... he pointed out.
The rattataki smiled discreetly and turned back to the Kaleesh.
" Xalek, would you like to go see where the meal is, please. I'm starving. »
The Sith apprentice nodded in approval, and left the room to join the archaeologist. Andronikos put away the tools and broken parts then turned to his wife, who was looking at him with the same look as when they were together on Tatooine. She was advancing towards him, one step at a time, an almost mischievous look expressed by her raised left eyebrow. The pirate stared at her like an astronomer sights the stars. He quickly realized that she wasn't hungry for honey suubatar steak, but she was biting the corner of her lip as she walked towards him. The man opened his arms and gently hugged his beloved sith.
“What would I do without you my darling ? »
" Of course, mechanics aren't the crew's thing. joked Andronikos.
" You noticed... we're alone in the room... she whispered in his ear.
The man smiled and kissed the rattataki for a long time...then they pressed their foreheads together, closing their eyes.
" I love you... »
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!
An explosion shook the ship. Andronikos lost his balance and Veckh was already on the ground. Ashara awoke with a start, Xalek clinging to the walls as Talos knocked over his kitchen. Khem Val rushed to the controls.
" Bista jah ahnaf jans, pratathajahnk kulemu bisti jehm do ki ati kamesunjans ! (Master, I don't see anything on the detecting device!)
" We seem to have hit something, or else, by alternative deduction, we are attacked. says 2v too calmly.
Veckh rushed to the cockpit and sat down at the controls. Andronikos buckled his seatbelt in the copilot's seat, and Khem took control of the fire. The Fury started and narrowly avoided a second explosion.
" Damn, but who's attacking us ? There is no one here ! shouted the rattataki.
The ship chained a barrel roll and a 180 but no one was visible on the horizon. Yet the explosions did not stop. The shots seemed to come from nothingness itself. Veckh saw an asteroid in the distance, and decided to take shelter behind it... but there was something strange about it...
" Veckh... ? Andronikos worried.
The ship raced through explosion after explosion, hoping to hide behind the mass of space rock. Khem rolled his eyes.
" Veckh... !? repeated the pirate.
" What ? articulated the witch before returning her gaze to the asteroid. The round mountain, along with several other small satellite asteroids, were actually advancing towards the Fury faster than he was advancing towards them. Veckh narrowly swung the ship around and the stone ball crashed into an asteroid oddly following them.
" Don't tell me it's the asteroids shooting at us !? yelled Talos, still stained with gravy.
Another explosion hit the ship, and tore off the left rear wing.
" Damn it ! Veckh said, gritting his teeth.
The Fury spun around, surrounded by blasts, fleeing the chaos, and dove downward just before hitting a piece of the asteroid which exploded on direct impact from another shot.
" We have to leave here ! 2v, go see if the hyperdrive is charged ! ordered the sith.
The droid ran towards the engine room, struggling to keep its balance on the way. Andronikos looked at his wife in the eyes, with a lost air, but seeing her determination, her gaze fixed relentlessly towards the glass, he regained hope and took possession of the firing levers, since the dashade did nothing with them. He shot furiously, screaming, hoping to hit something.
" Mistress, the hyperdrive is only 54% madam. Unable to switch to light speed... »
BOOOOM !!!!!
The Fury tumbled into the void before hitting a small asteroid off to the side. The critical damage alarm went off, and the ship was overwhelmed by a flashing red light and a loud repetitive noise.
" 2v ? …2v !? called Veckh in vain.
" Bista mohl daravich dratas han jan metteh, o jodh maas titask hydjan drodasta ! (Master, the hyperdrive room has been hit and the droid is no longer !)
For a few seconds, everyone was silent, and the only recurring noise was that of the alarm and explosions.
BOOOOOOOUM !
Veckh stared blankly for a moment, looked her husband in the eye, then mouthed.
" Everyone to the escape pods... »
Within seconds, the entire crew was at the door of the capsule. Talos panicked, followed by Ashara. As the others boarded, Veckh turned as if to see her ship one last time, then as the dashade and the kaleesh bent down to enter the pod, the young sith hugged her husband and gave him a long kiss. . Another explosion shook the hull. It was time to leave.
" Hurry up. the rattataki ordered her man. Andronikos slipped into the capsule.
But as the pirate turned to extend his hand to his wife, his face froze. Veckh closed the hatch and started the pod countdown.
" Veckh !! »
The sith looked her love in the eye, then pressed her forehead against the glass, closing her eyes.
" I'll lure them away to give you a chance... »
" Nope !! Veckh ! Waits ! Veckh !!”, begged the man, banging with all his might on the glass. " VECKH !!! »
The capsule detached from the ship and rolled back in slow motion. Veckh put his hand against the glass and let out a tear. Andronikos was screaming, his eyes moist, but she couldn't hear him. She stared motionlessly at her reason for living to get away from her, and before she could get away from it... The Fury exploded.
