(Chapter seven.)

The man's name, it turned out, was Cal Kestis. Ja-ni figured he must have been on a Resistance mission connected to the Empires attack on Tatooine. But she didn't want to pry. His impressive combat skills surely meant he was a top ranking soldier in the Resistance. Any further details about his mission would be classified. Instead of wondering about Cal Kestis's mission, Ja-ni got to work making repairs on the cargo ship. Their escape from Tatooine had damaged the ship's motivator. Until Ja-ni fixed it, they weren't going anywhere. Ja-ni moved one of the grates from the floor and jumped down to survey the damage.

How bad is it? Cal Kestis asked.

If we want to live? Not good. Ja-ni launched into a list of all the problems with that area of the ship alone, including a poisonous gas leak.

She needed to fix the ship right away. Ja-ni immediately went to work stripping out the fried ventilation tubing. She'd have to borrow some replacement circuitry from the ship's secondary systems. Fortunately, she had a little experience scavenging some spare parts. After such an intense day, it was nice to get back to something so familiar. Once she fixed the gas leak, Ja-ni tried to strike up a conversation with Cal Kestis.

So where's your base? she asked through the opening above her.

Tell her R2-D2, Cal Kestis said. Go ahead it's okay.

R2-D2 beeped oblingingly.

The Ileenium system? Ja-ni repeated. She was thrilled that Cal Kestis was ready to share some Resistance secrets with her.

Cal Kestis nodded. Yeah, let's get there fast as we can.

Ja-ni did her best to comply. In no time, she had fixed the motivator and taken inventory of all the ship's systems. The vessel had certainly seen better days, almost every piece of equipment was in need of some repair. But at least nothing was on fire. Yet. Ja-ni made her way to the cockpit, where Cal Kestis and R2-D2 were chatting. It was time to set a course for the Ileenium system! But as Ja-ni reached for the navigational controls, the ship shuddered around them. Then all the lights went on.

It's the motivator, isn't it? Cal Kestis asked.

Ja-ni looked at the sensor readout. Her spirits sank.

Worse. she said.

Worse than a motivator? Cal Kestis asked.

Someone's locked onto us, Ja-ni explained. All controls are overridden.

Cal Kestis ran to the window for visual confirmation.

See anything? Ja-ni asked.

Yes. Cal Kestis replied.

That was not the answer Ja-ni was looking for.

It's the Empire, Cal Kestis continued.

That really wasn't the answer Ja-ni had been looking for. Within moment's they would be pulled inside the enemy ship and taken prisoner.

What do we do? she asked.

There must be something. You said poisonous gas earlier? Cal Kestis interrupted.

Ja-ni was confused. I fix that.

Can you unfix it? he asked her.

Ja-ni stared at Cal Kestis. Then everything clicked into place. They could flood the ship with poisonous gas, taking out the Empire troops who tried to board. It wouldn't hold them for long, but it was better than doing nothing.

Ja-ni and Cal Kestis grabbed a pair of gas masks from the ship's lounge and climbed beneath the grating. Then they pulled R2-D2 down with them. Cal Kestis pulled the grating panel over them while Ja-ni worked on the console that would release the gas.

This'll work on Stormtroopers? Ja-ni asked as she pressed the release valve.

Their mask's filter out smoke, not toxins, Cal Kestis replied.

Ja-ni was impressed. You Resistance guys really know your stuff.

The ship's lights flickered back on. They must be inside the Empire ship.

Here they come, Cal Kestis whispered.

Ja-ni panicked. She still had two systems to reroute before she could flood the ship with gas. Time was running out.

She had heard the ship's main door open, followed by the clank of boots on the metal floor. By the sound of it, there was at least one soldier, but a softer thumping followed close behind him. Ja-ni worked frantically at her console. One system down. One to go.

Hurry! Cal Kestis whispered in her ear.

I'm hurrying! Ja-ni said.

Really hurry! replied Cal Kestis.

Ja-ni was ready to punch Cal Kestis.

Does this look like I'm taking my. Ja-ni said.

But Ja-ni never finished her sentence. Someone ripped away the grate above them, exposing them completely. They had nowhere to run.