Shadow Command (Part 2)

"Your relentless kid , I'll give ya that" said Beckett as he saw the 'still alive' Han Solo in front of him.

"GRAWGHHR" Chewie growled out , which Han seemed to understand very well enough, giving his furry friend a reply in turn.

"I came as fast as I could, buddy."

"Dryden dead?Qi'ra killed him huh?

You still don't get it,do you kid ? It was never about you, she's a survivor" Beckett Stated. Seemingly trying to convince solo.

"You know what your problem is, you think everybody's like you". Said Han as he continued to point his blaster at Beckett.

"Not you kid, you're nothing like me. I hope your paying attention, because I'm about to tell you the most important…

PEW!

Solo fired, releasing a red plasma bolt from his weapon which slammed squarely in Beckett's chest, making the middle aged man slump over into the sand.

"You've made the right move kid . For once I would've killed you. I really was gonna learn to play that Valchord…,said Beckett, mumbling his final words softly, even at death's door he remained calm and accepted his fate , he held no animosity towards his killer and died peacefully.

"I know " Han murmured as he slowly nestled his now dead teacher and short time accomplice on the sandy ground. Han may have known Beckett for a short while , but he still respected the man, and it pained him to see the same man that taught him so many things , even if they were about smuggling, die. But deep down he knew that Tobias Beckett was a good man, not the best, but still, a good man, too bad in the end he was blinded by his greed.

"GRAWRRRURE", Chewie growled out bringing solo out of his thoughts, while pointing at Dryden's Yacht, which was now moving away from the coast and ascending into the sky.

"Qi'ra" , Han muttered almost whispered , as he stared on in dismay, his girlfriend , no, former girlfriend, now crime partner was leaving him .She assured him that they would leave together , but now he's seeing the truth for himself.

Chewie gave Han a sympathetic pat on the shoulder, seemingly trying to comfort his friend.

"It's ok Chewie she's chosen her path and it's time for me to let her go" said Han as he watched the Yacht ascend higher and higher until it was out of his sight.

He steeled himself to continue on with the mission , letting Qi'ra go would be one of the hardest thing to do, but she's chosen her way and now it's time for him to step aside, she no longer needs his protection and he now sees that.

"Lets go chewie, lets deliver the coaxium to Enfys" Han stated as he moved towards the village.

Only to stop suddenly after walking a few meters.

"Chewie do you hear that ?" asked Han trying to listen to his surroundings , it sounded like a screech, he thought, and indeed it was a screech, and it got louder and louder. He wouldn't mistake that sound anywhere. 'Tie Fighters', he thought in panic.

"Tie fighters!, Chewie run! , we must get the coaxium to Enfys " , Han urged, as he started running with his wookie friend in tow, carrying the box of Coaxium.

'He could hear it , there was fighting going on in the village , but the tie fighters haven't fired a single shot , and only circled the village, him being a former tie pilot knew that this was a scare tactic, a tactic used to force their enemies on the ground to surrender or submit . But what was more surprising to see was that all the tie fighters flying closely over head were painted in full black , with the exception of the Tie interceptor at the forefront, which had red accents on its cockpit , the tie fighters even looked heavier and more armored than the standard ones . They were upgraded he deduced.Upgrading or customizing a tie fighter was blasphemous and against the law within the imperial navy , and even with its lack of shielding , most imperial pilots accepted it as their home and never dared to improve the star fighter, even if to ensure a better survivability.'

(William's Tie interceptor)

As he got closer to the village , he was frightened at what he saw , all of the villagers were already rounded up including Enfys and her band of cloud riders which were heavily outnumbered and surrounded by stormtroopers in black armor, what has happened, he thought in horror. They were gone for a few minutes and now, the village was completed surrounded. 'Where were the stormtrooper landing crafts? How did Enfys not hear their approach ?How were they caught so off guard?' He had so many Questions , but he was brought out of his musings as he heard the monotonous voice of a stormtrooper Behind him.

"Don't move!Drop your weapons! ,and you furball put down the box , slowly." the stormtrooper ordered.

Han did as he ordered, there was no way of getting out of this one, it was either death or prison for him and Chewie, and he was positively sure it would be the former especially when they find out he's a deserter .

"This is Bk-1303, I've found the traitor and the wookie". the trooper reported through his comms.

'Damn it!'Han thought in panic, they already knew who he was . They definitely weren't escaping out of this one he thought again.

"Start walking , you two!" the trooper ordered harshly , While maintaining a safe distance away from them especially the wookie.

Han and chewie followed his orders and began walking. They passed by dozens of troopers as they made their way into the village square, the black clad stormtroopers didn't refrain from glaring at him and his companion as they strode by. Their black coloured armor making them seem more menacing than they ought to be.

And as he made his way to the village center, where everyone was rounded up and surrounded, by over two dozen troopers . He saw Enfys and her band of cloud riders glaring defiantly at their detainers, even if this was their end.

The trooper pushed Han and chewie into the crowd, then returned to a position amongst his ranks, joinning the perimeter around the crowd.

There was an awkward , yet foreboding silence for a minute. The villagers were clearly fearing for their lives , Enfys and her cloud riders stood strong and the stormtroopers , they watched keenly seemingly waiting for something or someone and as if on Que , the heavily customized tie interceptor landed. And out from it came a pilot in his full gear, his black helmet remained on his head as he made his way towards the crowd.

"Commander is this all of them?" William asked the helmet making his voice sound cold and stern.

"Yes Captain" BL-1707 (able) replied flatly.

"Good" said william as he removed his Helmet.

"You!" Han exclaimed almost in disbelief.

"Yes…me" william voiced indifferently, giving the traitor a neutral look then turning his gaze towards the villagers and the marauders.

"You have all been gather here today..., to become a part of a greater cause …,myself and my superiors have seen the damage and destruction caused by the crime syndicates, evil beings who leave a trail of death and suffering where ever they go. They take from the weak and innocent ,but hide and subvert themselves to the strong. But there will be a time, a time when order and discipline will flow live a river throughout the outer rim , and all criminality shall be purged away!Like a disease being cured! But in order for that time to come, we need soldiers, men and women who are willing to fight for the cause, a just cause, one that your descendants will remember and look back at and be proud of for many years to come , Join me now people of Savareen. For I promise, that you shall rise like a phoenix from its ashes, join me! and we shall restore your society.

The crowd stared at William with doubts and skepticism, an imperial wanting to help them was unheard of.

Enfys frowned, still not believing a word that william said.

"And why should we believe you and whatever your imperial superiors say? You? who works for an organization that destroyed and ruined so many lives. I 'd rather die than fight for the same thing my mother fought against." Enfys declared, practically scowled . Her comrades nodding in agreement to her words.

William's face remained neutral, even at the resistance of the marauders.

But tried again nonetheless.

"I cannot express how sorry , I am for the damage caused by my predecessors, but I can say this, not all imperials are evil as you think, even Mr Solo there can confirm this, for he himself was an imperial not too long ago, after deserting his post that is" William stated , as he gestured towards Han who was now , the victim of multiple stares.

"What I offer is a better life , one of freedom, prosperity and security. Look around you , look at what these people live in , look how thin they are, look at their clothes , they need resources , one which I can provide .Join us and I will ensure a better life for you all ." William persuaded