Jedi’s Honor – 106

“Bypass the code, Artoo,” Luke orders.

Artoo whistles excitedly, then goes to work. Error messages and security warnings alternately flash on the screen. Artoo calmly whirs and clucks, oblivious to the tense silence of the others in the room.

Two minutes later, the vidscreen shows a route from their present location to a small square in the lowest level of the administrative complex. A moment later, a diagram of a cellblock blinks onto the screen. It contains only 500 cells but has twice the normal number of guards and heavy weapons emplacements. The cells surround an open interrogation arena, which Luke slowly realizes must make it impossible for any prisoner to escape the screams of each tortured victim.

The third cell on the right side, level two, lights up. It is number 205.

“Good, Artoo,” Luke says.

As if on cue, an Imperial officer’s face replaces the diagram. “Terminal PN-9854, explain your violation of authorization procedure regarding the Deathblock.”

“Deathblock!” Sidney gasps.

“Droid malfunction!” Luke offers quickly, hoping to cover the Pada’s outburst. “I’m analyzing supply loss patterns.”

“This violation was no Droid malfunction! You should have requested proper authorization.”

“I can’t wait that long,” Luke responds, switching off the vidscreen. “Let me try on that uniform, Sidney.” Luke does not yet know how they will rescue Erling, but he now has no doubts it will involve deception and impersonation.

After finding a uniform that fits Luke, the party leaves the room. Luke hopes the lightsaber on his belt won’t attract unwanted attention. Although Imperial officers don’t carry lightsabers, Luke refuses to abandon his favorite weapon. Besides, it seems unlikely he will meet anybody who might recognize an inactivated lightsaber.

Two hours later, they turn a corner and come face to face with two stormtroopers. Behind the stormtroopers, an imperial major helps a raggedly dressed Twi’lek into an access panel on the floor. The Twi’lek has a crooked scar over his left eyebrow.

“Sub-facility task-force,” the first stormtrooper says. “Turn around.”

“I don’t care who you are,” Luke says, stalling. “I captured these two prisoners near the docking facility. I’m appropriating your transportation.”

“Your authorization code does not supersede ours,” the trooper replies, raising his blaster rifle menacingly. “You must turn around.”

If Luke turns around, Click Here
If Luke stalls, Click Here