lessons I gave you in class,” Hnetz commented, “For now, park the speeders, and I will point out your rooms.”
“When night falls I will see if I can move the shuttle out of harm’s way so that we can use it later. I expect as soon as they determine that it is ours the next step would be to lock it down. There are two guards inside and three outside, but perhaps they may become sleepy about midnight,” Humph stated.
Roxz looked at Humph to digest the content of his statement, “Oh good idea; you still surprise me with the way you can split yourself up. Would you like all these bits back?”
As Humph nodded the helmets and the other Humphs resumed being blobs then coalesced into one big Humph.
. . .
Rham and Blohm were consulting the strategic map of the area that the group had vanished. “Once they entered that forest we are basically into the unmapped wilderness. Aerial surveys show herd animals which leave similar traces to speeder bikes, so until they settle into one group and show something we are blind,” Rham said.
“Background checks show that all identified Oxzen work on that farm, the vehicle is registered there as well, and no records exist for the house behind. The sector merchants’ guild owns the company which owns the farm. The chairman and secretary of which are El Ali Roxz and El Ali Hnetz whereabouts currently unknown,” Blohm reported, “We sent another party to the farm area, but all Oxzen had disappeared. We dispatched the second party to Roxz’ warehouse, but they had shut down as well.”
“I would say the first two ‘employees’ with the Wookys were those two. Roxz was the next in line before Algertz was born,” Rham considered, “Since the party which departed the farm consisted of at least five. It wouldn’t be drawing a too long a bow to suggest that is where we may find them.”
“There is an interesting bit of intelligence, Lord Vater in company with troopers was active a few months ago in the city then disappeared with no records of visiting Imperial Vessels.”
“Most likely the Droman and his offsider in disguise, perhaps we will pass that on to see if Vater likes the idea,” Rham said then added, “Anonymously of course.”
“Ah yes, well we have two weeks until we have to resume that blockade in full, may I suggest that at least one Corvette resume patrol,” Blohm advised.
“Adjutant, Doom Giver with a wing of ties and a support ship to resume station at the Beta system. Blockade fleet to reconfigure to maintain maximum coverage,” Rham ordered.
“In the meantime impound the shuttle that the so-called Wookys came in, you may notice that it is similar to the freighter that we intercepted.”
A short time later the message came back that the shuttle had disappeared during the night leaving the five troopers guarding it asleep on the tarmac, two of whom had been inside. A party had searched the shuttle; they didn't detect any life, and no computers or androids had been active.
"It seems that our Droman friend is at it again, it is a good thing that they are pacifists, or life would be difficult; perhaps one of the seats was our erstwhile friend,” Rham commented, “If wasn’t for standing orders I would just avoid him.”
“Still, we can’t allow any opposition to be successful, or we will be looking for new jobs. That is provided we survive the debrief,” Blohm commented.
“Indeed, maintain surveillance of area between last sighting and the coast, taking note of significant ship movements and transmissions. I suspect that we are looking for a well-hidden smuggler depot.”
“Low-level patrols into as many inlets as possible which probably take more time than we have to spare, we could be lucky I suppose. The last Corvette and a wing of fighters can remain for an extended period though the coverage will be too small to intercept, any more would shut down commerce and bring protest.”
“Yes, delicate balance required,” Rham nodded, “I will leave that in your capable hands.”
“Thank you, sir,” Blohm acknowledged if a little wryly as they were old friends.
. . .
Back in the smuggler's cave, Hnetz had assigned the crew their rooms as Roxz activated the systems.
“Settle yourselves in then join us in the control room where I will guide you through the facilities,” Hnetz advised.
Algertz, Mike, and Humph joined Roxz and Hnetz in the designated room where Roxz pointed out the equipment.
“All sensors are passive, well hidden and very extensive. We can monitor movements on the ground for about ten kilometres radius, sea about twenty and air all the way back to the city,” Roxz explained, “The personnel has been dispersed from the farm and cabin in case of reprisals with the warehouse staff are currently having an early holiday. I would be most annoyed at the disruption for anyone else but our niece. I doubt Gimpy will hang around too long on a wild goose chase,” Then added, “At least, that is what I hope, depends on just how much you annoyed them.”
“No one was hurt until that Corvette fired on us; we had a kinetic absorption shield operating with the warning signal. Sadly the Corvette and three fighters didn’t believe it; they are now one with 'The Force'. Humph removed sundry missiles as they were navigation hazards otherwise ‘Gimpy’ was the author of their misery,” Mike explained.
Algertz chimed in excitingly, “You should have seen the fireworks, explosions everywhere then we flashed into Hyper leaving them chasing their tails.”
“I don’t believe they would find it quite so amusing; so I am not surprised that they have put so much effort into the chase,” Roxz said, “Still the omelette is made so we should sit down and enjoy planning the next move.”
Hnetz added, “I think that it would take more time and resources than they have to find us in say two weeks; at which time the population will start becoming irritated. Perhaps the Bogan sector may become restless before then if someone were to hand a few toys and credits around.”
“However, it should be minimal unrest otherwise they may feel a need to stamp their authority and hang the expense. The Imperials won’t want to disrupt the planet too much as this is where the mines source supplies and recreation for the Kessel mine.”
Roxz viewed the readouts on a computer and commented, “This is a secure satellite feed and encrypted, it seems that your shuttle has disappeared, and several troopers are explaining being asleep at their post. Another little rumour, Gimpy has the information that Lord Vater had visited. Now I wonder who that could have been, when I said you added interest, perhaps that is getting just a little over the top.”
“Maybe we need to be seen somewhere else shortly?” Humph suggested, “The shuttle is camped undersea off the coast for now and when needed can come up the fjord.”
“Give it a fortnight and then see if there is a window of opportunity, our little haven here can’t be compromised.”
“I am afraid that any hint that Vater is on the way, and I will have to make myself scarce as he can detect my presence,” Humph cautioned, “Not too precisely, though he can guess within a couple of kilometres; I can feel his presence at the same time. Last time we crossed paths, he was satisfied that I was harmless. ”
“Latest post, one Corvette, and a freighter have departed towards anti-spin. Likely reforming the blockade that you interrupted I guess,” Roxz reported scrolling through the screens, “They will have to stretch their coverage here to allow for that.”
“Has your ship been doing the Luna run?” Mike asked.
“Yes, it was thoroughly examined the first time, a little less the second and the last couple only cursory. By the time you do a limpet act, perhaps the inspectors won’t bother,” Roxz confirmed, “He is timing the runs so that he has to go low, slow and down the same path on the way to the moon. As do all the ships under guild influence, the society set the practice in