Spark of the Resistance Page 5

  Glenna tried not to let the destruction bother her. She knew the choice she’d made when she answered the summons to work for the First Order. But this wanton devastation was something she hadn’t bargained for. If she had her way, everyone would load back onto the transports and return to the Ladara Vex immediately.

  But she was a scientist, not a First Order officer, so she was trapped watching the beautiful Minfarian jungle burn.

  She’d been on Minfar for less than an hour, and she was already dismayed at the way the operation was unfolding. And not just the savage way the troopers were destroying the landscape. Branwayne—she called him that because she couldn’t bear to think of the man as any kind of real officer; his affectations were just too ridiculous—had ordered a command post to be set up at this remote location, far from where Glenna had indicated she thought the labs might be located. This was not only a foolish endeavor but a waste of time.

  They should be looking for the labs, not setting up a command post to wage war against a small group of Resistance fighters and their outdated ship.

  Glenna smoothed her bodysuit—she’d prefer her usual drape dress, but a trip through the wilderness required a different approach—and went to find Branwayne. If she was stuck watching the First Order waste time trying to hunt down a handful of rebels, she was going to make sure she at least achieved her own personal goals.

  Which had nothing to do with quashing the Resistance.

  Glenna found Commander Spiftz in a command module tent, peering at the same three-dimensional hologram of Minfar she had showed him just hours earlier. As she entered the tent, Branwayne looked up and gave her a nod but didn’t pause in his discussion with the infantry captains.

  “This is the location where the Falcon went down, correct?” he said, looking to the same young analyst who’d told him about his lost TIE fighters earlier on the bridge. The girl looked impossibly young, her skin pale with a smattering of freckles across her nose. Glenna didn’t know the girl’s name, as few of the technicians within Branwayne’s command lasted more than a few months, but the girl was calm as she adjusted Commander Spiftz’s marker on the hologram.

  “Here, sir. This is where the ship went down. And I don’t know that it was the Millennium Falcon, sir. Just that it was a Corellian freighter.”

  “It was the Falcon,” another analyst chimed in.

  “We only know it was a Corellian model.”

  The two analysts were on the verge of a full-scale argument. The heat of Minfar must have been getting to them already for them to lose their military bearing so easily. Branwayne held up a gloved hand, forestalling any more bickering.

  “Which happens to be the same model as the Falcon,” Branwayne said with a dismissive wave. “We need to send out a patrol to sweep through the jungle right there, there, and there.” He pointed to spots that surrounded the projected crash site. Glenna swallowed a sigh. Three teams sent out to search the jungle for the Resistance meant there would be no one left to search for the laboratories. Already most of the Ladara Vex’s landing party was engaged in establishing a command post and setting up communications relays. All for a mission that was only supposed to last a couple of days. Something must have changed. Glenna would find out just what that was and then make sure it didn’t interfere with her own plans.

  She waited patiently as Branwayne finished giving orders, his expression brimming with unchecked delight. This was no good. Commander Spiftz was usually a taciturn, sullen man, only bothering to talk when an order could be given. Whatever had put him in this joyous mood had to be something even bigger than finding the Resistance.

  “Branwayne,” Glenna said with a smile. She kept her expression pleasant, her voice low so the commander couldn’t help turning to her.

  “Is it everything you imagined?” he asked, gesturing to the burning jungle visible behind him.

  “Is what?” Glenna asked, slightly disarmed by the turn of the conversation.

  “Minfar! You’ve researched and studied it. And now you’re finally here. This must feel like quite the accomplishment.”

  Glenna turned and looked in the direction Commander Spiftz pointed, just as a trooper pointed his flamethrower in the direction of a knot of trees. A host of small, cerulean flying creatures took to the air to avoid the weapon, and black smoke billowed up in their wake.

  “Yes, it is rather something. I’m afraid I never could have imagined such a spectacle.”

  Commander Spiftz nodded, taking Glenna’s words at face value. The man was an imbecile. That was the reason she’d sought him out in the first place. A petty, selfish officer, he cared about nothing but glory and the resultant promotions. Glenna had discussed the lost laboratories with half a dozen First Order officers in her bid to win support, and none of them had been half as simple as Branwayne. The man didn’t crave wealth or friendship; he just wanted to be envied.

  Which was perfect when Glenna’s mission was to recover the Echo Horn before Hidreck could. She could use Branwayne’s ambitions to her advantage.

  Glenna had nearly cheered when she realized how silly the man’s needs were. But that was before she had to compete with the possibility of the Resistance. Now she wished she’d tied her lot to one of the officers motivated purely by greed.

  “Branwayne,” Glenna said, pulling her attention back to the present. “I’m afraid I don’t quite understand what is happening right now. When we left the cruiser I was under the impression it was in an effort to make a more concerted push to find the laboratories. But it looks as though chasing after that freighter has taken priority.”

  “The Millennium Falcon is the most coveted ship in all of the galaxy. It has a history going all the way back to the days of the Empire. It’s a symbol of resistance and hope, and capturing it, as well as the rebels on board, would be a coup of unprecedented proportions. I have a mere two days until Commander Hidreck will be here, and I have been tasked with establishing a base of operations by then.”

  Glenna looked at the three flashing points of light surrounding the spot where it was thought the ship had gone down. “I take it you’ve decided to use that time to capture the Millennium Falcon and track down the rebels.”

  Commander Spiftz gave Glenna a smile that was downright patronizing, and if she’d been capable of anger she would have felt it in that moment. But in truth she could not feel anything beyond a sharp annoyance over the inconvenience. Glenna had been researching the very nature of the galaxy when Branwayne’s grandparents had been babes in the womb, and his insolence was ill advised to say the least.

  “That is very dismaying,” Glenna said. “I’d hoped to be able to find the lab and the weapons cache there before we were interfered with by any . . . interlopers.” She made sure to emphasize that last word so Branwayne would remember their plan. “But I suppose Commander Hidreck will be just as capable of transporting the cache back to the First Order.”

  Commander Spiftz straightened a little as he remembered that there were two goals, two opportunities for glory. His gaze landed on the hologram once more, going back to the spot Glenna had pointed out earlier in the day, and he sighed.

  “For today, I believe it best if we focus on corralling the rebels. But tomorrow, perhaps we can send a small team out to investigate. I do understand your frustration, Madame Kip, but I must focus on this matter first and foremost.”

  Glenna inclined her head, not even bothering to correct his lack of proper address, and left the tent without another word. She could see a lost cause better than most, and although her goals remained the same, it appeared a new route was required.

  Glenna made her way back to the transport. Commander Spiftz might be more focused on finding rebels on Minfar, but Glenna would not be thwarted.

  She would find the lab, even if it meant going out into the jungle all by herself. She would find the legendary weapon before Hidreck arrived and claimed the prize for herself.

  The Echo Horn would be Glenna’s.

 
THEY WALKED for what seemed like hours. Lim, their furry green guide, led the way, with Rey, Poe, and Rose following behind.

  Poe couldn’t really tell one tunnel from another; the only thing that changed was the color of the plants lighting the way. He half supposed they were walking in circles, but something told him they weren’t. Besides, BB-8 would know if Lim was trying to trick them or lead them into a trap and would give everyone plenty of warning.

  At least, that’s what Poe told himself.

  They approached a shaft of sunlight and Lim stilled, waving for everyone’s attention and pointing up at the hole. “That is where we fought the First Order last time. This tunnel doubles back the way we came. We have to go up there to get to the city. Be very quiet as we go.”

  Poe nodded, readying his blaster. Rose and Rey did the same. Lim’s whiskers twitched, and Poe wondered if that signaled approval. The small green creature took a strange-looking ball out of the bandolier instead of one of the blasters, and Poe wondered what their guide was going to do with it. Was that some kind of explosive?

  Lim stopped and turned back toward them. “We will have to walk through the jungle a small bit to get to the other tunnel. The entrance is hidden, so you will have to wait for me to open it.” Lim waited until everyone nodded their understanding before continuing. Their guide walked up the steep path to the surface, and Rey, Rose, and Poe followed. At the top of the path Lim pushed some of the dense foliage aside, and what had looked like a solid wall of large fronds resolved into an opening. Poe couldn’t tell if the plant leaves had been woven together or if it was another illusion like the bridge back in the cavern, but either way, it was impressive. He never would’ve realized the plants blocked an opening, even from inside the tunnel.

  Once Lim cleared the way, they all exited and Poe had to blink rapidly as his eyes adjusted to the bright sunlight. The heat and humidity hit him once more, and he took a deep breath, already missing the cool air below. BB-8 whizzed by, unfazed by the change of terrain or temperature.

  Lim indicated that they should crouch, and they began making their slow way to the entrance of the other tunnel, ducking below the large leafy fronds of the trees and plants of the jungle. Poe kept trying to sneak peeks of where they were going, but all he could see was a thick wall of leaves. A long myriapod with hundreds of legs fell from a plant onto Poe’s arm. He knocked the bug away without a word, hiding his shiver of disgust.

  As much as he liked traveling to new places, he was always a little cautious of the animals on new planets. You never knew what was safe and what would try to eat you.

  Lim pointed them to another tunnel like the one they’d gone down the first time, a giant hole hidden under one of the leafy plants, but a crashing sound came through the trees. Everyone froze, blasters ready as the noise got closer.

  “Approaching coordinates now. Will advise when on location.”

  The clacking of stormtrooper armor split the serenity of the jungle while the echoing squawk of the radio sent a trio of flying creatures into the air. Poe peered up over the foliage to get a good view of the First Order soldiers walking right toward them. There were six in all, and there was no way the rebels could run to the tunnel and disappear before they were seen.

  They were going to have to fight.

  “On the count of three,” Poe said. But he didn’t even get a chance to count. Lim stood up, chirruped something loud and terrifying, and threw the ball thing at the approaching stormtroopers.

  The ball, which Poe could see also had a string attached, hit one, then another, then a third stormtrooper, knocking them senseless so they fell to the ground, dropping their weapons as they went. Lim then yanked the orb back, winding the string up for another attack. The remaining three stormtroopers tried to return fire, but Rose, Rey, and Poe were much faster. Their aims were true, each of them stunning one of the remaining stormtroopers.

  “Wow,” Poe said to Lim. “That was amazing.”

  “I know,” Lim said, this time the twitch of whiskers seeming pleased. “We have to get going before they wake up.”

  Lim ran toward the tunnel, and Rey and Rose followed, Poe bringing up the rear. BB-8 rolled past him, moving at full speed. Poe was almost to the tunnel when a stormtrooper called, “Halt! Poe Dameron, halt!”

  Poe turned and fired blindly, not bothering to aim properly. Another group of stormtroopers ran up, firing their weapons, and Poe decided it was a good time to retreat. He dove down the tunnel just as a blaster bolt slammed into a nearby tree.

  As Poe slid down the tunnel, the sound of the injured tree falling echoed behind him. Sand and pebbles rained down on him as his boots hit the bottom of the tunnel slide. Rey and Rose were waiting for him with worried expressions.

  “Thank goodness you’re okay!” Rose said, her lips pressed together with concern.

  “Yeah, I’m fine. I was spotted by stormtroopers, though. And they recognized me!”

  “Oh, that’s bad,” Rey said.

  “I mean, maybe,” Poe said, grinning from ear to ear. “The First Order knows who I am!”

  BB-8 let out an annoyed beep, and Rose frowned. “But now the First Order knows we’re here for sure.”

  Some of Poe’s excitement drained away, but not all. The First Order was huge, and the fact that they knew who he was—Poe Dameron—well . . .

  It was pretty amazing. He was famous!

  Rey’s expression turned grim, and she glanced back up the tunnel. “What happened with the entrance?”

  “One of the stormtroopers hit a tree, and it fell over and covered the hole. I don’t think they saw me go down the tunnel. But even if they did and they try to follow us, it should take them a while to clear the way.”

  “We must hurry then,” Lim said. “We still have far to go, and if the stormtroopers get into the tunnels we will need to be ready.”

  Poe nodded, and their little group set out once more.

  Hopefully, they’d make it to the city without any other mishaps.

  COMMANDER BRANWAYNE SPIFTZ was enjoying a nutritious dinner of sala leaf stew when a very flustered-looking lieutenant burst into his tent. The man struggled for breath, and Commander Spiftz calmly set down his spoon and wiped his mouth.

  “Aderat,” Spiftz said, recognizing the recently disgraced lieutenant. His uniform looked marginally better than the last time Spiftz had seen him, but it was still not quite up to Ladara Vex standards. How frustrating. “Is there a reason you’ve interrupted my evening meal?”

  “My apologies, sir. But we got the ship. The Corellian light freighter.”

  The commander put down his bowl and gave Aderat his full attention. “And?”

  Aderat gave a short nod. “It’s the Millennium Falcon.”

  Satisfaction surged through Spiftz, and the barest hint of a smile flitted around his mouth. He wasn’t the type to celebrate—it was unbecoming in a First Order officer—but gloating was well within decorum. Now everyone would see what kind of hero he was. He could nearly hear the cheers that would accompany his promotion.

  Admiral Spiftz had such a nice ring to it.

  “Well, that is good to hear. I hope you assigned a team to guard it for when the rebels inevitably return,” Spiftz said, giving Aderat a tight-lipped smile.

  “Yes, sir. But there’s more.” Aderat struggled for his next words, his face flushing as he chose them carefully.

  Commander Spiftz waited as the man coughed once more and then composed himself. “Commander Spiftz. The Resistance has been located. Our stormtroopers engaged them a short time ago.”

  If his stormtroopers had already captured the rebel scum, then he was ahead of schedule. By the time Commander Hidreck reached Minfar, he’d be on his way back to the Outer Rim and the nearest First Order stronghold, the Resistance and a legendary weapon both firmly in his control.

  Coming to this detestable planet had definitely been the right course of action. Things were almost going too well.

  “Excellent,” Commande
r Spiftz said, standing and placing his napkin on the table. “Bring them to me immediately so I can interrogate them.”

  Aderat blinked once, twice, and then had the gall to frown. “Who did you want me to bring to you?”

  Commander Spiftz swallowed his frustration. The man was an annoyance and obtuse besides. “The rebels, of course.”

  “Oh, my apologies, sir, but the Resistance agents weren’t captured. They got away, in the same manner the local fighters have.”

  “And what manner is that, Aderat?” Commander Spiftz’s good mood evaporated, leaving him even more annoyed than he had been before.

  “Well, sir, they disappeared.”

  “‘They disappeared.’” Commander Spiftz lowered his voice, struggling to contain his rage. Aderat continued to be a disappointment. Incompetent to the end. If they’d been on a larger ship, Spiftz would have sent the man to be reassigned as a stormtrooper. But he couldn’t afford the loss of an officer.

  “Send the stormtrooper who made the report to speak to me.”

  Relief was etched in Aderat’s features, and the man snapped a crisp salute before leaving the tent. Commander Spiftz paced while he waited. From what Aderat had reported, two things were certain: the Resistance was definitely on Minfar, and they were working with the local populace, who had been frustrating the search for the legendary weapon for weeks.

  There was nothing remarkable or strategic about Minfar. The planet was too far away from anything of merit to make sense as a rebel base or even as a logistics center. The logical conclusion was that the Resistance was on the planet searching for the Echo Horn, the same as Commander Spiftz.

  The stormtrooper entered the tent, her heavy armor clanking loudly as she moved. At first there was nothing remarkable about the soldier; she looked just like every other white-armored trooper on the Ladara Vex. But upon closer inspection, Commander Spiftz noted the blackened spot in the center of the stormtrooper’s chest.