The Empire today

by Bronycommander


Chapter 9 Ransom

Chapter 9: Ransom

A few Days passed. The Stormy and the Vampire recovered from the attack. Forren feared the worst. He couldn’t sense where Scootaloo was but could sense her fear.

“TK-1138, THX-421 and TK-115 report on the bridge,” Ian ordered via intercom.

TK-115 real name Varn Langley, one was of the best pilots on the Stormy. Like the rest of the crew, he had sympathy for the filly. He was rarely seen without helmet.

“TK-115, THX-421 and TK-1138 reporting.”
Listen carefully. The Rneekii pirates are ransoming Scootaloo to us at a rendezvous point near Kiilimaar. We have agreed to their conditions: an unarmed shuttle will exchange the ransom for the hostage.

We’re permitting one Starfighter escort and you have been selected. You will fly Assault Gunboat Mu 1.

The transfer has been worked out in detail. At the moment it is concluded we have a surprise planned.

The interdictor cruiser Red Claw will arrive precisely 90 seconds after mission start to trap the pirates.

Your primary task will be to disable their transport, than any fighters threating the shuttle.

Red Claw will be accompanied by a pair of ATRs. The cruiser will also launch its own fighters.

Your will be exposed and alone at first and it will be your responsibility to safeguard Shuttle Lambda 1.

You will receive the radio message ‘Full speed to Equestria!’ as your signal to begin the attack. Any Questions, pilot?”

“What is the objective of this mission?”
“To recover the filly. As you know she was captured by the Rneekii pirates using an ion cannon minefield. They sought her to the highest bidder. Not surprisingly, the Empire was the highest bidder. What will be a surprise is our plan for the pirates once filly is secure aboard our shuttle! You play a crucial role in the coming mission. It will be your task to disable the pirates transport so the ransom may be recovered. Then you will escort the shuttle to safety aboard the interdictor cruiser Red Claw.”

“What craft I will be flying?”

“You will fly Assault Gunboat Mu 1. 90 seconds after you come out of hyperspace, the interdictor cruiser Red Claw will arrive to trap the pirates. Red Claw will have six TIE-bombers and six TIE-interceptors. A pair of Assault transports (Omega) will accompany the cruiser. For this mission your craft is armed with the standard load of 16 advanced concussion missiles. Also, you will have the new, improved tractor beam.”

“What opposition will there be?”

“Since we destroyed their fleet as they captured the filly, they have only one Lorinar class Strike Cruiser is left. It is capable of carrying one squadron of Starfighters. The Starfighters are R-41 Starchasers, similar in most respects to the Z-95 Headhunter. According to their ransoms demands, five R-41s will escort the transport carrying the filly.”

“That is enough for now, sir. And Forren?”
“Yes?”
“I promise I will bring her back to you. If the pirates harmed only one hair of her, they will feel the revenge of the Empire.”

With that Varn leaved for the hanger bay. The Assault Gunboat was a strong and beautiful ship to fly, but Varn preferred the normal TIE-fighter most of the time he was flying.

He leaved the hanger bay and jumped into Hyperspace.


Scootaloo was now the hostage of the pirates for a few Days. They gave her water and bread, but she was scared to death and was crying without end. Her eyes were already red from it. She just wanted that this nightmare came to an end.

“Stop crying, you little baby. You should be glad. The Empire is ready to pay for your freedom. Soon, you will be together with the Empire.” Bando turned to two of his men. “Get her into a transport.”
“Yes, sir!” They grabbed her and dragged her to the hanger bay of the cruiser.


Varn leaved hyperspace. “Mu 1, maintain escort position with shuttle Lambda 1.”

Varn maintained his position until the shuttle had docked with the transport.

Once it was complete the signal came. “Full speed to Equestria!”

He had the ion cannon charged and fired. Red Claw was in position. “Imperial scum! Your treachery will be your undoing!” A pirate shouted via comlink.

Varn had no problems to destroy the fighters just like last time at the trap. The other TIEs launched from the Red Claw.

“This is ATR Omega 1, we move in to capture.”
“The only good pirate is a dead pirate, eh, Mu 1?” “Yes Mu 2 it is.”

He continued to destroy the R-41s. “Another hostile force has dropped out of hyperspace!” It consisted of 4 Y-wings, 4 T-wings and a Corellian Transport.

Varn destroyed the rest of the R-41s. Then he attacked the Y and T-wings. He was a member of the Secret order of the Emperor. He had order to disable the transport so it could be captured.

“Mu1, mission critical craft under attack.” The T-wings attacked the fighters while the Y-wings attacked the shuttle.
“Mu 1, mission critical craft shields down. Mu 1, mission critical craft disabled.”
“Shuttle Lambda 1 is disabled. Storm transporter Omega 2 will assist.


Seeing the battle and the ruse of the Imperials filled Scootaloo with hope. Her eyes, despite her fear, her eyes were wide, as she had never seen such a battle before. The shuttle rumbled and emergency lights went on as the power cut out. Only the red lights provided light. “They disabled us! Don’t worry Scootaloo, we protect you!” one of the shuttle pilots gave her an assuring smile. She returned it weak, yet looked scared out of the window as the Corelian transport came closer.


Varn destroyed the T and Y-wings until the Corelian transport docked with the shuttle.


The door was cut open and hostile pirates stormed the shuttle. They overran the crew. “Please don’t hurt me!” the filly begged, cowering.
“Don’t worry, we have plans for you.” One of the hostiles smiled evil at her.
“They disabled our transport!” one of the others reported.
“If we can’t have her, then nobody should have her!” the pirate aimed his blaster at her.
“No, please, don’t kill me!” Before they could harm her, a stun shot stunned him and Stormtroopers surrounded the other pirates.
“Drop your weapons!” one imperial shouted and they obeyed. “End of the line for you. Calm down my dear, it’s over now. You’re safe.” The commander gave her his hand as they got into Omega 2.


Varn disabled it with the ion cannon. “Don’t destroy the Corelian Transport, Captain Ian wants prisoners!”

Now it was time to destroy the cruiser. The cruiser was already weakened by the bombers so it was no problem to destroy it.
Shields are failing!” a crewmember reported.
“Fire and take them with us!” Cleeze ordered, not accepting defeat. The cruiser rumbled from the hits. “Imperials, this isn’t over!” He shouted on his comlink. The Assault Gunboat aimed at the bridge.
“I beg to differ.” Varn fired and the shields were down, the cruiser was heavily damaged.
“Sir, the enemy ship is heavily damaged.” A Bridge crew member reported to the captain of the Red Claw.
“Excellent. Fire on my command.” The Imperial gunners took aim. The captain stretched his arm out. “Fire.”
The fire of the interdictor was too much for the Lorinar class Strike Cruiser. As the circuits overloaded, Cleeze let out a angry scream before the cruiser exploded, killing him.
Scootaloo looked in awe and shock at the exploding pirate cruiser. An imperial petted her with a satisfied smile. “Remember this, Scootaloo. As Grand Admiral Thrawn would say: Thus is the fate of enemies of the Empire. And everyone who dares to harm you.” She just let out a breath of relief, glad it was over.


“This is Omega 2 commencing capture operation.” Omega 2 docked with the Corelian transport. “Capture operation complete.” Then Varn gave Omega 2 escort until he reached the Red Claw.

“Outstanding, Mu 1, quite a bonus for our little trap. Two for the price of one, eh?”

Varn returned to the Red Claw. On the bridge he asked the Captain, “What have I accomplished?”

“You have ensured the return to the Empire of an extremely important citizen. At the same time, you played a major role in subduing a renegade band of pirates. Congratulations, that’s what this job is all about! Of mixed blessing was the simultaneous trapping of a rival pirate gang led by the crime lord Tarrak. Her forces did some heavy damage to the Red Claw, taking out the cruiser’s hyperdrive. The interdictor is stranded here until a new hyperdrive can be delivered.”

Then Varn talked to a member of the secret order. “Your quick response to the arrival of the Nami raider group ensured the capture of a Corelian transport. Unfortunately, Tarrak was not on board. The good news is that several prisoners were taken and interrogation should reveal the location of their base.” Varn was happy. The mission was a success and Scootaloo was safe. For now.