Life on a swoop, Part 2
     Mirage opened her eyes to see Turlk leaning over her.  "What happened?" she asked in a faint voice.  "Blizz and you finished off Nakuda's slaving ring.  That's what happened," replied Turlk.  he then launched into an abbreviated account of what had happened at Nakuda's garage.  After listening intently to the story, she sat up.  "I guess I better get to work on that Imperial thing the Alliance wanted info on," she said as she started to get out of bed.  "Not just yet, Mirage.  You're under doctor's orders to stay in bed for another day," he said.  "What doctor?" she asked, irritably.  "Doctor Jade," answered Turlk.  Mirage smiled and laid back.  "So, my old friend Jade is back in town.  I thought she was working out of Void Haven," she said.  "Well, she's back and supposed to help you with the Imperial threat which has recently arisen," Turlk informed her.  "There's been a sharp decrease in the number of speeder 'sightings' over head, especially the Razers.  Apparently, these new Imperial riders are a lot better than the last shipment to come through.  They have better bikes and can outfly any but the most skilled riders."  "What kind of bikes?" asked Mirage.  "I don't know for sure, but there's rumors that they are some sort of Ikas-Adno XR-20, albeit heavily modified," replied Turlk.  "Aren't XR-20s the new combat bike Ikas-Adno just put out?" asked Mirage.  "Yeah, and these modified things are a real piece of work.  You oughta see how maneuverable they are," he said.  "You must have short-term memory loss.  I was the one who first saw the stupid things, remember?" asked Mirage.  "Oh yeah, that's right.  Of course, guess who got the kill," said Turlk with a smirk.  "You just got lucky," said Mirage as she fell back into bed and went to sleep.  
     Turlk woke her the next day.  They had a quick meal and Mirage went off to meet Jade.  She brought her swoop to a halt outside the abandoned warehouse.  It was large and musty looking.  "Come on in," she heard someone say.  She hopped off her swoop and walked in.  Jade was sitting on an improvised seat.  "Sit down," she said and motioned to another box.  Mirage sat down and the two greeted each other.  "Looks like you beat me to the last assignment but we're stuck together on this one.  HQ wants us to locate the Imperial base and put it under surveillance.  I already know the general location so we just have to find one of these 'Dark Riders' and follow him in," said Jade.  "Dark Riders?" asked Mirage.  "That's the name the riders gave them because they seem to vanish after every fight and appear out of nowhere," explained Jade.  She took out a datapad and brought up a small map.  She pointed to a boxed location.  "This is the general location.  You will patrol the eastern half of the sector and I the west.  Be careful, because the Razers are crawlin all over that area and keep and eye out for the Knights.  The Alliance is very interested in recruiting them.  If you can, give them a hand whenever they need it--" she was interrupted by Mirage.  "I thought we we're supposed to be finding an Imperial base, not babysitting some swoop gang."  "You're to do both.  Today, we are just going to get a feel for the area and then start doing some intensive searching.  If you see an Imp, follow him but don't get to close as they are skilled pilots," instructed Jade.  "Right, right, whatever, besides you already said that," said Mirage.  Jade refused to be irritated and said,"Let's get going."  Mirage walked out and climbed onto her swoop.  She heard the whine of Jade's bike as she flew away.  She gunned her engine and turned her swoop in the direction of the city.  She arrived in her sector about five minutes later.  She put her engine down to half-power and slowly cruised the area.  She saw several Razers but they left her alone.  Then she heard someone,"Hey you, what are you doin in our territory.  This place belongs to the Razers and you just trespassed.  I think it's time you took the final jump."  Mirage floored the engine and the swoop roared up into the sky.  She saw her challenger a moment later.  He was riding a black swoop with a fireball emblazoned on the side.  He fired several wild shots that came nowhere near her.  "Is that the best you can do, ant?" she taunted("ant" is a derogatory term used by swoop riders).  "What did you call me?" yelled the other rider.  "Ant without wings, boy," she yelled back.  He fired several more wild shots that missed their intended target by no less than 20 feet.  Mirage led the Razer on a winding course between buildings and houses.  He doggedly pursued her as she weaved back and forth.  Then she saw two more Razers drop in front of her.  She pulled up hard and looped her swoop through a split-S maneuver that found her high above the rooftops and above the Razers.  Then she saw two more coming from the other direction.  This made the odds 6 to 1 and in Mirage's mind, an easy fight.  She fired her blaster cannons at the swoops in front of her and managed to knock one out of the sky while the other dodged wildly and went right past her.  More blaster bolts whizzed past her head as the four swoops behind her opened fire.  She dodged and rolled her swoop over and down.  The other swoops followed the maneuver and continued to fire.  She did another split-S and hit the brakes.  The swoops over shot her and one paid for the mistake with his life.  The other three curved away and looped back.  Then she saw the outside two explode and the middle one go spinning down into the ground.  She looked around and saw three swoops approaching with the markings of the Knights, a swoop gang that followed the Jedi code and vowed to destroy the Razers.  "Need any help?" asked one of them.  "Not anymore boys," she answered.  "Always ready to help a damsel in distress," said one of them.  Mirage laughed and said,"I really didn't need any help but thanks anyway.  I need to talk to you."  "That can be arranged as you're already doing so," said the leader wryly.  "Somewhere a little more 'private'," she said.  "Depends on what you called private," answered the leader.  "But I know a place we can go.  He turned his swoop and led the three down toward the streets.  He led them to an old, burned-out building.  He hopped off his swoop and waited for the others to arrive.  Mirage got off her swoop and walked upto him.  "How would your gang like to join the Rebellion?" she asked.  "I don't rightly know," said the leader as he scratched his chin.  "I'll have to ask my boss about that.  Then I'll get back to you," he said.  "Good enough, I need to get going now," she said.  She got on her swoop and left.  She didn't run into anymore trouble that day and didn't see any Imperial riders.  When she arrived at the rendezvous, Jade wasn't there.  She never showed up either.  So Mirage went back to the garage to discuss the situation with Turlk.  
     "So, Jade doesn't show up and waste an hour sitting at the rendezvous, huh.  Well, I guess tomorrow you oughta go look for her but it's to late tonight.  Better get some sleep," he suggested.  Mirage couldn't sleep though.  She was to worried about her friend who might or might not be an Imperial prisoner right now.  When dawn came, Mirage was already up and prepping up her swoop.  Turlk walked in, somewhat bleary eyed.  "Looks like you're ready.  I thought I'd see you off.  Good luck," he said as turned and went back to bed.  Mirage roared off on her swoop and headed for the Imperial sector.  When she arrived, she saw the Knight she had talked to yesterday flying toward her.  "Hey you, I need to talk to you," she heard the Knight say.  She slowed her swoop down and went to ground level.  "My boss isn't sure about this joining the Alliance or anything, but he told me to tell you that another female rider gave some of his other boys the same speech," he said.  "That other rider was my friend Jade," she said.  "Speaking of her, do you know where your friends last saw her?" she asked.  "I'd hafta ask," he replied.  "Will you?  She didn't show up at our rendezvous last night," said Mirage.  "Come on back to our garage and you can ask for yourself," said the Knight.  Mirage consented and he led her back to an old abandoned warehouse about a kilometer from where they started.  As they pulled up near the garage, she saw that there were a bunch of swoops parked inside.  They got off their swoops and walked inside.  The Knight led her through the crowded room of riders and gang members and techs.  They arrived in front of a durasteel door which the Knight banged on. "Come in," they heard from beyond the door.  The Knight pushed the door open and walked in.  The door led to a small room with a desk and a guy sitting in a chair behind it.  "Ah, Calt,  this is the Rebel you told me about?" he asked.  "Yes sir," answered Calt.  "Well, does this Rebel have a name?" asked the gang leader politely.  "I go by Mirage," said Mirage.  "Well, Mirage, you Rebels are quite persistent.  I haven't decided whether or not to approach our dear leader with your request yet, so please stop asking," said the guy.  "Look, I didn't come here to give you a recruitment speech.  I want to ask some questions about yesterday," she said.  "My friend Jade disappeared last night and I was wondering if any of your riders saw a female rider in green anywhere.  I understand she met a couple of them and gave them the same speech I did."  "I do believe one rider saw such a person be 'escorted' by the new Imperial scum a couple kilometers from here.  You'd better ask him if you want anything else.  Now please, I'll contact you when I can about joining your little Alliance," he said.  The other Knight led her out of the room and over to where one of the riders was sitting.  "Jersh, this lady wants to ask you some questions," said Calt.  Jersh looked up and smiled broadly.  "Anything for a doll," he said.  Mirage chose to ignore this comment and launched right into her questioning.  "Oh yeah, that was the girl who got caught by the Imps.  They took her to their base, probably for interrogation.  They had heard about her trying to recruit us and figured she was a Rebel.  Anyway, she's inside that base right now," said Jersh.  Mirage thanked him and left.  Calt followed her back outside.  "I hope you're not going to go into that base by yourself.  That'd be suicide," he said.  "Besides, this isn't any slavery ring."  Mirage turned,"You know about Nakuda?"  "Word travels fast around here.  Besides, Nakuda's place had been taken over by the cops," he said.  "Do you know where the Imperial base is?" she asked.  "Sure, head due east and go for about two kilometers.  When you see the big tower hang a right.  The base is the big round building that claims to be a Sorosuub office complex.  You can't miss it," he said.  "Thanks, I might be back or maybe not.  Only time will tell." she said.  She revved up her swoop and disappeared into the distance.  She followed the directions given her and flew towards the office complex.  Sure enough, there it was.  For all intents and purposes, it was a normal office building except for one detail.  There was a large door opening in the roof.  Two Imperial troopers came out on their bikes and turned west.  They were gone before Mirage had time to examine their bikes however so she slowed her swoop to nearly a halt and sneaked up on the base.  Then she had an idea.
     "Rider 2 to base.  My patrol has been ambushed by members of the Razer swoop gang.  My wingman was destroyed but I managed to finish off the attacking swoops.  Am returning to base for repairs," the voice said over the com.  "This is base to Rider 2.  We read you, return to base immediately," said the base dispatcher.  "Copy that," came the tinny voice.  "This is base out," said the dispatcher. 
     The trooper came in, his speeder bike severely damaged.  The debriefing officer met him at the speeder bay.  "Report to the debriefing room at once," he ordered.  The trooper nodded and walked into the debriefing room.  "My orders were to fly a standard patrol and dispatch any trouble makers.  Upon arriving at our first nav point, my wingman and I were set upon by a group of four Razer swoops.  My wingman was destroyed in the first volley and I was damaged severely.  After several moments of combat two of the swoops collided and were destroyed.  I managed to destroy the other two and then made my report," said the trooper.  "Why did you not see the ambush?" asked the officer.  "Sir, the swoops were hidden in a building and as we flew over it, they swarmed out and attacked us.  They knew exactly where to hit us," answered the trooper.  "I will report this incident to Command.  In the mean time, you are suspended from duty on grounds of incompetence.  You will be notified when you can return to duty," said the officer sternly.  The trooper saluted and turned and left.  The trooper walked to the lift and got on.  "What level?" asked the tech.  "Troop quarters," answered the trooper.  The tech nodded and sent the lift hurtling down the shaft.  It arrived on the troop quarters level a moment later.  The trooper stepped out and walked to the access station outside the lift.  He access the troop records and brought up his own.  He scanned the screen and then walked to a room and went inside.  
     Mirage removed the helmet and took the synthesizer out of her helmet.  Then she removed the rest of the armor and laid it on the bed.  She went over and sat down at the console.  She access the main computer and began to use her computer skills to hack into the prisoner database.  She found Jade's name and location.  She also noticed something that horrified her.  Jade was undergoing interrogation as she was sitting there.  Her execution was scheduled for 2200 hours that day.  She would have to hurry in order to save Jade.  She slipped back into the armor and walked out.  The corridor was empty as she stepped into it.  She turned and walked to the lift.  "Back already?" asked the tech.  "Na really," replied Mirage.  "Where to this time?" he asked.  "Level 5," answered Mirage.  "What do you want on the cell block?" asked the tech.  "Just shut up and get me there.  My orders are none of your business," she replied irritably.  "Sorry, don't have to get all defensive about it though," he said.  "Just shut up," she answered.  He pressed the appropriate buttons and the lift went to level 5.  She stepped out and walked along the corridor toward the double-strength durasteel door that led to the cell block.  Two guards were standing outside it.  "What are you doing here?" one asked.  "This," she said as she slammed their heads together.  The stormtroopers fell to the ground, unconscious.  She pressed the button to open the door and withdrew a grenade from her belt.  As the door opened, she tossed the stun grenade into the room and dove back.  There was a loud boom as the grenade exploded.  She stood up and walked into the room.  There were several guards and officers lying unconscious on the floor.  Then, the comlink on one of the officers beeped.  "Sergeant Fyodos, what happened?" inquired the dispatcher.  Mirage ran over and picked up the comlink.  "Sir, this is Sergeant Fyodos.  There was a coolant leak in one of the cells.  The pipe burst and sprayed the whole cell block with coolant fluid.  Cleaning droids are decontaminating everything at this moment.  Fyodos out," she said and switched off the comlink.  That problem taken care of, Mirage went back to Jade's cell.  She opened the door to see a bruised and battered Jade slumped on the bunk.  "Jade, are you alright?" she asked as she ran over.  Jade moaned and turned her head.  "Mirage, is that you?" she asked weakly.  "Yeah Jade, it's me.  I've got to get you out of here.  Are you strong enough to stand?" asked Mirage.  "I don't know, but I guess I'll have to," answered Jade.  Jade struggled to stand and limped toward the door as she leaned on Mirage's shoulder.  The two of them struggled into the office and Jade slumped over a console.  "You're going to have to put on some stormtrooper armor," said Mirage.  Jade nodded weakly and sat down.  Mirage pulled the armor off one stormtrooper and handed it to Jade, who attempted to put it on but failed miserably.  Mirage came over and helped her into it and then changed her stormtrooper scout armor for regular stormtrooper armor.  Jade's armor actually helped her to stand up better due to its inflexibility so she could walk easier.  She and Mirage walked out of the office and down to the lift.  When the door opened, Mirage shot the tech and dragged him out into the hallway.  Then, they got on and Mirage set the lift for level 1, the landing bay.  When they arrived,  there weren't any people in the bay because no bikes were entering or leaving.  Mirage helped Jade over to one of the bikes and sat her down on the back seat.  She jumped into the front seat, strapped Jade down, and powered up the bike.  Just as she was about to take off, she heard somebody shout.  "Hey you, freeze!"  She ignored the stormtrooper and gunned the engine on the bike and headed up.  She fired the powerful blaster cannon at the ceiling.  The cannon easily penetrated it and she flew through the hole.  She guided the speeder bike to the old house where she had left her swoop.  She arrived after a a harrowing chase through down town when several Razers spotted her white armor and took her for an Imperial.  When they arrived at the house, she took off both Jade's and her armor.  Then she left Jade with the speeder bike and left on her swoop.  Jade soon followed her, having recovered enough strength to fly on her own.  The two of them returned to the garage where Turlk was working on his bike.  When he saw the Imperial speeder bike he uttered a cry of amazement.  "Look at that thing.  That is one beautiful piece of work," he exclaimed.  "Keep your eyeballs in your head," laughed Mirage.  "Me and Jade just escaped from the Imperial base.  She's beat up pretty bad but she'll survive," said Mirage.  "That bad, huh," commented Turlk.  "You better call HQ and give 'em a report," he said.  Mirage nodded and went over to the computer to type up her report.  After sending the report to Alliance Command and receiving the acknowledgment.  She received a personal letter from General Madine a day later.  It went something like this.

To Mirage:
Subject:  Good Work!!!
Sender: General Crix Madine
Hello Mirage,

  I have been reviewing your reports and the one I received from Jade.  You have finished all of the objectives assigned to you and are ready for reassignment.  The leader of the Knights contacted an Alliance operative off world, requesting permission to join the Alliance.  He mentioned you as a reference.  I have decided to let you and Jade go a little extended R&R on the planet Adarlon in the Minos Cluster.  Adarlon is far from the focus of the Empire so you will have little to worry about.  I have two travel vouchers ready for you and Jade when you report to Alliance Command.  
         					See you in a few days,
  						General Madine
  
     Mirage was just about to leave for the spaceport with Jade when Turlk came running in.  "Hey you two, the Imperial base was blown up a few minutes ago.  One of our strike teams came through and wasted the place.   Just about every Imp left on the planet is being hunted down and the Knights have taken over the government.  With the help of some civilians and the cops that would join them, they are hunting down the Razers and wiping them out.  Stend IV is now an Alliance planet, just because you two found that base.  The Imps will probably just let us have the planet considering how much trouble it's given them.  Well, you two better get going," he said.  Mirage and Jade jumped on their swoop and speeder bike, respectively.  The whine of repulsorlifts could be heard overhead as Mirage and Jade left for the spaceport.  When they arrived, the transport was waiting for them as Alliance troops poured out of a nearby shuttle.  Mirage waved as they flew into the cargo bay of the transport.  They were greeted by a deck hand who led them to their seats.  They strapped in as the transport shuddered under the blast of the sublight engines.  They were pressed back into their seats as the ship left orbit and pointed its nose toward deep space.  And then, the stars stretched into starlines.....