//------------------------------//
// Chapter 8 Pirates! 
// Story: The Empire today 
// by Bronycommander 
//------------------------------//


Chapter 8: Pirates!


“Wait! What about Forren? I won’t go without him.” Scootaloo hoped that he was still alive. 
“He’s in a holding cell. Grand general Brashin wanted to interrogate him personally. But since you are a part of his family, I will get him out too. As long as my men are loyal and honest, I treat them well. And Forren is one of the most impressive and loyal Stormtroopers I have seen.”

Scootaloo feared the worst. “He’s a family man. His family is what is driving him. He has sworn to protect me with his life.”


 
Forren waited in his cell. He would be executed for working with a Rebel no doubt. But for some reason he could feel that Scootaloo was save. But he was ready to die.
The door opened. “General?” 
“TK-1138, Forren Storm. I ask you: Why were you working with a Rebel? They’re traitors of the Empire. Where is your loyalty?”

Forren thought what he would say. He knew how cruel the Empire was towards non-humans and traitors. Images of torture flashed through his mind but he didn’t care anymore.

“I’m loyal to the Empire. My shuttle was shot down along with a Rebel transport. I and the Rebel trooper Kevin were the only survivors. Our only chance to survive was to work together.”
“I believe you. Every word. But tell me, why are you so caring for that filly?” 
“I am a family man. When I found her, I promised her to help her to find her home. If I must die to protect her, so be it.”
Since Brashins family was killed, he was a little impressed by Forrens actions.

“I make you an offer: I will ignore that you worked together with a Rebel. In return you will be now under my command and you will follow my orders.”

“And Scootaloo?” “Since you are wanted to do the right thing, I will abort her execution and will offer her and you not only immunity but also the rights as a citizen of the Empire. You can be proud of your service again. And she can be living as daughter of a proud Soldier of the Empire. Sounds this fair?”

Lord Vader walked in before Forren could give an answer. “Lord Vader, I was about to make him an offer.” 
“And that is?” “If he agrees to work for me, I give him and her immunity and she can live as a citizen of the Empire with all rights like a human.”
“A good offer indeed. But I don’t think he can agree, since the Emperor wants to speak you on Coruscant because of your failure at Trasse.”
“As the Emperor wish.” Brashin bowed respectfully and leaved for the bridge.

“Lord Vader, I accept the offer. As long as Scootaloo is safe, I will serve the Empire.”
“Tell me, why were you lying to me?” “To protect her from any harm. She’s too young to die or end up as slave.” Forren expected that Vader would kill him personally. But he was just looking. “TK-1138, you’re one of the most loyal and most impressive Stormtroopers I have seen. And when I said that she hit me where I lived, I really meant it.
You served the Emperor and the Empire well. And if your wish is to bring Scootaloo home, so be it. You have my full support.” 
“My lord?” Forren was surprised. 
“Yes?” 
“Thank you.” He bowed. “I hope Brashin holds his word.” 
“Don’t worry; I already took care of that.”
“Forren!” Scootaloo ran in to hug him. 
“Scootaloo!” Forren cried tears of Joy.

“I sense the force is strong in you. You are force sensitive.” Lord Vader watched the happy moment.

“I am? Guess that was the reason why I felt that you are safe.” 
“Let’s go back to the Stormy. Ian and his crew must be worried sick about us.” Vader felt something he had not felt since… forever. Happiness. “And my lord?” Scootaloo bowed respectfully.

“Yes, young one?” “Thank you for saving and helping me.” Vader could feel that his heart was melting as she hugged his leg. For a short moment, all his hate was gone. 
“You’re welcome. And may the force be with you.” He rubbed her hair and leaved.

“Let’s go, shall we?” Scootaloo smiled at Forren, happy to see him again. 
“Yes, Scoots.”

A Shuttle brought them to the Stormy. Ian expected them already. “Hello again Scootaloo. Lord Vader has already informed me about his support. The Victory Star Destroyer Vampire is waiting for us at nav. Buoy B-0F9.” 
“What are we waiting for?”
“Not so fast kid. The rendezvous point was the site of a recent Rebel attack. The Rebels don’t usually hit the same spot twice in a row, but we should prepare for everything.”
“I understand.” Scootaloo knew how important her safety was for the Stormy.

She followed Ian to the bridge with Forren. The Stormy came out of Hyperspace. The Vampire could be seen in the distance, but was closing in alarming fast.
“Vampire, this is the Stormy. Are you ready to join us?” 
“This is the Vampire. Our navigation system has a malfunction!” The captain of the Vampire responded. 
“They are on collision course! Brace for impact!” A crewmember shouted.

“Scootaloo, hold on tight.” Forren knew what Ian would do now.

“Take evasive action!” An alert started. Scootaloo lost her balance but Forren grabbed her with one hand while he held himself with the other.
Ian looked out of the window with Scootaloo and Forren. The Vampire flew by and came to a stop.
“Sorry about that. But the malfunction is corrected.” The Vampire reported.

“It’s alright,” Ian responded. 
“Sir! Our sensors detecting a Pirate fleet coming out of Hyperspace! I also detect a large ion cannon minefield!” 
“It’s a trap! Call for reinforcements immediately!” 
“The pirates are jamming our communication! We are on our own! But we still can contact the Vampire.”

“What have the pirates?” 
“A Lorinar Strike Cruiser and several R-41 Starchaser and troop transports."
“Launch all TIEs! Do not allow the transports to board us!” 
“Yes Captain!”
“Forren, Scootaloo, you two stay on the bridge since she is heavily guarded.” 
“Yes, Sir. Don’t worry Scootaloo, this Pirate scum won’t get you.” He patted her. 
“I hope you’re right.” She was a little scared.

All TIEs were launched. The R-41 Starchaser fighters were no problem for the TIE-fighters as the pirates were poorly trained and the fighters had a weak hull and shields.
The TIE-bombers took care of the cruiser and the transports before they came too close to the Stormy or the Vampire.
“Sir! More troop transports coming out of Hyperspace! They come from behind!”

This was bad. The TIEs were already busy with the pirates In front of the two Star Destroyers. Even if Ian would inform them, they could never reach the other transports in time.

“Hostile boarding parties on all decks!” A Stormtrooper reported.

“Seal off the bridge!” 
“Yes, Sir!” 

Scootaloo trembled in fear while the Security personal prepared for a fight. Ian switched the controls to a backup-bridge.
Forren told Scootaloo to hide as the lift was about to open. As soon as the lift opened, a smoke grenade was thrown by a pirate.
Forren was the only Stormtrooper on the bridge. Before he could react, a pirate stunned him, but he was still conscious.
Ian was a skilled fighter and so were the bridge personal and the Security personal. But the pirates overran them with stun shots.
“Search the filly!” A pirate shouted. Scootaloo cowered in fear behind a console.

She screamed in fear as one of the pirates grabbed her. Forren tried to stand up but the pain kept him from doing it. He watched helplessly as Scootaloo was brought away.

The TIEs already noticed what was going on but it was too late.
They managed to destroy the pirate forces, the minefield and the transports, but they couldn’t disable the transports that came from behind as the pirates used a Jammer to prevent them from finding out on which transport Scootaloo was.

Scootaloo was thrown into a dirty cell. She was scared and cried the entire time. She called out for her mother, her father even Rainbow Dash.
A man walked in. “You must be Scootaloo. Allow me to introduce myself: Bando Cleeze leader of the Rneekii pirates.” 
“P-please, mister Bando don’t hurt me,” Scootaloo begged with sobs. 

“Don’t worry, little one. I have plans for you. A little ransom should be enough. I’m sure the Empire will pay a lot of credits for you. Maybe even the Rebellion or Admiral Zaarin too.” 
He laughed evil as he left. Scootaloo cried herself to sleep.