Null Specter Station! Chapter One: Alone

 

The armoured convoy slowed and came to a stop at the foot of the winding mountain pass, the hum and whine of their repulsor engines echoing back from the towering rocky faces around them. The setting sun had already dipped below the peaks of the cliffs, throwing the valley in to cold dark shadow. There was no other sound, even though the T1-B gun turrets continuously scanned for resistance, there was no evidence of the Imperial presence expected.

Benu checked the sensor scans from the rear of the armoured Freerunner, other than his own vehicle and the rest of the rebel attack group around him the area was clear.
“Maybe it’s a trap.” He thought to himself, “I bet the pass is mined and a kill zone prepped.”

He relayed the sensor detail to the rest of the armoured column before reaching up and opening a com frequency.

“Sir, still no sign of enemy activity here, maybe it’s a trap.”

“Perhaps, stay alert and secure the area. We’ve finished up here and we’re going to advance up the service shaft to the top. Once we’re up we’ll recce the pass and guide you in.”

Out of range of the other rebel forces sensors, Gwynzer closed off the com. Around him stood a small squad of soldiers, each one hand picked by him for their individual talents. He considered them the best the Alliance could offer and he’d spent a lot of time in the field with them. Even now they were checking power levels in weapons and securing their kit, all the time scanning the Imperial landing platform for any sign of enemy troopers.

Towering above them, the dark grey service shaft beckoned, its single entrance appearing like a black mouth ready to eat them whole. If it was a trap, this would be where he and his forces were likely to face it. He blew out sharply, readying himself for the task ahead.

“Move out guys and stay alert, those Imperial scum are waiting up there for us and we need to guide Benu’s tank group up. Samzi, keep that med pack handy I don’t want to lose anyone.”

“Don’t worry about it boss,” grinned the medic, “I gotcha covered.”

“Alright then, move forward, deploy UAV’s and keep chatter to a minimum.”

The six men moved forward, watchful, silent and deadly, disappearing in to the black maw of the service shaft. The landing platform once again was silent, except for the drip, drip, drip of pooling liquid around some abandoned crates. Dark, red and completely unnoticed by the rebels.

Benu felt isolated. He’d volunteered as the groups sensor officer even though he hated to leave Gwynzers squad without his expertise. A slicer with many years experience hacking Imperial systems, he’d proven himself more than once when the group needed him. Checking the scans once more he cracked open the Freerunners hatch and stepped out.

“Still nothing,” he called out, “I’m taking a breather while Black group cover the distance to the top.”

Other rebel troops had already started to relax and one officer called back to him, “Sure thing, nothing here anyway. You sure this thing is occupied? Still under construction isn’t it? Maybe they took a break and went home.”

“Imperials don’t just abandon something as big as this,” Benu answered sauntering over and reaching out for a protein bar, “Trust me, they’ll be waiting up there somewhere. I just hope the rest of the guys….Gwynzers guys, don’t meet any trouble on the way up.”

“You’re part of his team aren’t you?” asked the Officer, removing his helmet before setting it on the ground to use as a small stool. “How come you didn’t stick with them?”

Benu shrugged, “Sensor officer fell sick and I volunteered to take his place. The area’s compact enough that we can cover 60% of it with one Freerunner so Gwynzer agreed.”

“Black Intel…sounds like some sort of Imperial project, how’d you get that name?” The man peered up at him, chewing a mouthful of something before swallowing it noisily.

“Well, guess you could say we do the jobs no-one else wants to do. You want something from an Imp facility, we’ll get you it. I’m Benu by the way.”

“Krenyo,” answered the officer, reaching up a hand in greeting, “I may not be your usual boss, but don’t worry. I know the intel reports, might as well know this place like my old stomping ground. Through the pass, one more minor installation then on to the main facility, I’ll get us through this.”

Benu nodded and studied him. He looked sincere enough, smart too. Even had that look Gwynzer sometimes got, as if he merely had to imagine success to achieve it.

“I better get back, check the sensors and listen out for them.”

“Sure thing, if you need anything just holler. This place is dead anyway.”