Chap. 95 - Dangerous Allies

Foxley: - And you're toast... -

Kergans was not a nearby planet, even taking the star routes. A ship like the Phantom would go unnoticed by the imperial eye, but the same could not be said for the Munificent, which should be halfway through its journey, according to Icarus's calculations. Meanwhile, there wasn't much the crew could do to pass the time. And what's better than a few games of Dejarik to kill time?

Zeb: - What...? As...? My Rankor should have held up longer. -

Hera: - The Rankor is a strong unit, but even he has problems facing the rest of the enemies on the board alone. -

Zeb: - That doesn't make sense. You cheated... I'm sure. -

Foxley: - Eh Eh... Don't accuse me if you don't have proof. -

Zeb: - I don't need them... I'm sure. -

Hera: - Yes, yes... Come on, get up... It's my turn. -

Zeb: - Next time it won't be so easy. -

And so, several games were won and lost. Foxley was the undisputed champion, and although Hera beat him a couple of times, he still had a lot to learn. Kurt and Zeb were terrible, and between the two of them they were arguing for the title of worst players. The rest simply preferred to watch or do other things. Until:

Icarus: - I think I could try it. -

You didn't have to be a genius to know that that was a very bad idea. Foxley accepted his defeat before even starting, knowing that he couldn't beat a computer like the general.

Still, credit had to be given to the bravery of Zeb, who believed himself capable of standing up to Gwori's mastermind. The result: ¨The discovery that there was a way to beat your opponent with a minimum of moves.¨ Three turns less than the intergalactic record. Something that left the very defeated Zeb in a very deplorable state.

No one was foolish enough to confront Icarus. A shame, because it would have been a very good training, but the droid couldn't force anyone to play. Although it seems that there was one of those present who was somewhat curious.

Contact: - This may be interesting. -

The mysterious man sat in front of the table, looking at his metallic opponent, as if he wanted to discover his mentality before starting the confrontation... And indeed, his confident face gave the impression that he was capable of doing so.

The pieces were spread out, the players made their first moves. Precise and nothing risky movements. Just feints and false threats, with the intention of discovering his opponent's way of playing. So, a rather reckless move was made.

Icarus: - Mmmm... Strange. Putting the shierk-hawk in the middle of the field is a risky move. They barely have the defense to resist an attack. -

Contact: - It is correct. But their wide range of motion makes them quite elusive. -

The man was right. Such an agile unit in the middle of fire would be quite useful, but it was of no use if Icarus' dragon-condors were able to take it down. Although they were slower, they had much more damage and defense, and they were within range, so capturing that position and finishing off an enemy token was very tempting... But there was something more hidden in those intentions.

The game was much longer than your average Dejarik game. For the spectators, the monsters of both opponents fell one after the other, while both players made quite dangerous movements. But from Icarus's point of view, he was losing his important units on the battlefield. Finally, Icarus took a narrow victory.

Contact: - Well... I never thought I would defeat a supercomputer in a strategy game. But it was funny. -

Kurt: - I have never seen the general so focused on a game before. -

Numa: - You've never seen him win in more than thirty plays, you mean. -

Icarus: - It was an interesting confrontation... I think I learned a lot. -

Kurt: - Wow... You don't hear that every day. -

Contact: - I still learned a lot. Their strategies were very difficult to decipher. Surely we can play another day. Now I have to organize my things. We will arrive at Kergans soon. -

Everyone was quite excited after such a confrontation, debating about the strategies that both the general and the Contact showed on the board. However, Icarus was terrified inside.

That way of playing. That way of sacrificing the weakest pieces. That way of deceiving the opponent and then delivering a fatal blow. It was something that worried Icarus greatly, and a reckoning was generated in his circuits, and in his core.

¨This Contact would not hesitate to sacrifice them if it meant completing the mission. Trusting him was not an option.¨

Finally, the Phantom emerged from hyperspace, and the planet of Kergans could already be seen in the distance. Thanks to the code that the Contact carried, the border guard did not ask any questions about the reason for his stay, claiming that the planetary governor was eagerly awaiting his arrival.

So it was. As soon as the ship docked at one of the ports of the capital city of Kergans, a small commission of service droids from the government house showed up to provide assistance.

Droid: - Welcome, Mr. Valomir. Please allow us to help you with your shipment. -

Kurt: - Valomir? - He whispered to the contact.

Contact: - You must introduce me correctly. It is not like this? -

And while Icarus waited hidden inside the ship, Kurt, Hera, Zeb, Foxley and Numa helped the droids place the many contact boxes on top of electromagnetic carts, which would be used to transport the historical relics to the Icarus' residence. regent of Kergans.

Contact: - Very good, gentlemen. Thanks for the ride. Your credits will be transferred this afternoon. I recommend that you visit the ¨Futaner¨ tavern in the commercial district. They say they make wonderful liqueurs. -

Foxley: - That's what we'll do. I'm dying to have something decent. -

That was not a mere farewell, but a well-hidden clue. The rest of the crew left the Contact to carry out his collector's alibi, and they took off on the ship heading to the civilian ports in the residential area of ​​the city, quite far from the noble houses.

For now, its main mission was to maintain a low profile until the arrival of the Munificent, which would take a couple more days due to the long distance from the space routes it had to follow.

Once the ship was docked and resupplied, the crew prepared to go to the famous tavern that the Contact mentioned. Walking through the streets of the capital city of Kergans did not attract much attention, but it was better for Zeb to wear a hood to hide his identity. The presence of a lasat would draw unnecessary attention, not to mention Icarus, who looked like a mercenary with that armor he was wearing.

Although of course. A seven-foot-tall mercenary wouldn't go unnoticed in a civilian area, although it was much better than being a Separatist droid.

Finally they arrived at the famous place, where, unlike the taverns they were used to, full of crazy people and thugs, this seemed to be a pretty decent place. It didn't take them long to take a table, order some drinks... And wait.

Numa: - How much time do we have left? -

Icarus: - Four planetary rotations. An extra one if they had to divert their course. -

Foxley: - Well... That buys us some time. -

Zeb: - Ufff... This liquor is really strong. -

Hera: - Zeb... -

Zeb: - What? It's the truth. -

Hera: - Could you pay more attention to what we are talking about? -

Zeb: - And you think I'm not doing it? -

?????: - Okay... Yes, you are a lively group. -

Suddenly, all eyes fell on the newcomer, an adult zeltron, who approached the table without much trouble.

 Icarus: - I guess he was expecting us. -

Zeltron: - Something like that. Valomir said they would arrive an hour ago. Also... It's not very common to see two Twi'leks in this city. -

Icarus: - That's right. Finish your drinks before continuing. -

Foxley: - He he... Stop there, miss. You are too young to drink alcohol. -

Hera: - Don't be a party pooper. I just want to try what it tastes like. -

Foxley: - Yes yes... When you're older. For now, take this. - He scolded him while giving him a glass with a red liquid inside.

Hera: - Juice? Oh really? -

Icarus: - I agree. It is not right for someone your age to consume alcohol. -

Hera: - They are party poopers. -

Numa: - Don't worry... You'll get used to it. -

Zeb: - Ha ha. That's what happens to you because you're weak. -

Hera: - You're going to pay me for that, you overdeveloped cat. -

Zeb: - What did you call me!? -

And this was the elite team that was supposed to infiltrate the most guarded fortress on the planet and steal Imperial data? The zeltron viewed them with quite a bit of doubt, but not laughing at such a situation was simply impossible.

Zeltron: - They are a lively group without a doubt... Come on, the rest awaits us. By the way... You can call me Gustav, Gustav Demaris. -

Once they finished, the group followed the zeltron through the streets of the city to their next destination. For those who were more attentive, the multiple glances that fell on them regularly did not go unnoticed. Looks of distrust coming from individuals who crossed their path. Dissatisfied looks from a people who wanted freedom. Looks that worried the super tactical droid quite a bit.

Finally, the group arrived at the final location. A home somewhat away from the public eye. A perfect place to go unnoticed until the right time came.

Inside, a peculiar group of very peculiar individuals awaited the newcomers. Individuals of different species in the galaxy. But without a doubt, it was the only human in that place who stood out the most.

Gustav: - We're all here. General, allow me to introduce you to Sergeant Grezit. He will help us from within the fortress when the time comes. -

Foxley: - Sergeant? So... He is... -

Icarus: - A stormtrooper. Is that correct? -