Chapter 3 - To Catch a Rat

With Gen temporarily subdued, Eedha quietly works himself into a seated position and gives Tayen a wink of approval as the speeder darts off through the narrow streets of Falu. Traffic is fairly light as most of the early morning rush is over, and you have little trouble driving to the northernmost part of the city. Here the narrow streets and crowded architecture open up, revealing the open and rolling grasslands that surround all of Falu.

Continuing through the tall grass for several more kilometers you spot a copse of trees on top of a small hill about half a klick ahead. The exchange site! There are no signs of anyone present there, perhaps by design.

The well loaded speeder starts to struggle just a bit as it climbs the small incline of the hill. Just as you reach the top, out of the trees strolls a smiling Kyle, hands in his pockets without a care in the world. He's dressed in what is clearly a Rebel uniform.

"Well done! Hibl's security officer has been waiting for a chance to interrogate these scum." He throws a quick wink to Eedha as he stresses the last word of the sentence.

He raises his balled first into the air and out from the trees emerge ten heavily armed Rebel fighters.

"Take the honorable Mr Gen to Utes. She's been looking forward to discussing some things with him. And leave the Rodian with me!"

Two men come forward and roughly remove Grewhit Gen from the speeder. They then half lead, half drag the Imperial Sympathizer into the trees.

Kyle, clearly enjoying the spectacle, waits until he's sure that he's free to talk without being overheard.

"Someone inside that would love to meet the four of you." he says, tossing a small plastic container to Kip.

"Care to see our little operation?" he asks, motioning towards the trees.

Opening the container Kip finds 6000 credits.

"For services rendered." Kyle says.

"Excellent!" Kyle blurts out excitedly.

"Please, follow me."

Kyle leads you about six or seven meters into the small copse of trees on top of the hill where he motions to an open hatch on the ground.

"Home, sweet home."

A quick climb down and you find yourselves in a roughly cut, dimly lit, octagonally shaped room. There are several control panels against four of the walls, each with two operators seated in front. In each of the four other walls are tunnels which lead further into the hill side, which Kyle points to in turn.

"Armory down there. Small by most standards, but we're just starting here."
"Bunks for those of us who are stationed here for any amount of time."
"Storage. Water and what passes for food for the most part. Some medical supplies as well."

As he starts to point to the fourth hallway, a small male Sullustan in an officer's uniform, followed closely by a muscularly build female Twi'lek exit the hallway and enter the room.

"And of course, HQ."

Kyle throws both a lazy salute before introducing them.

"Captain Nibev Hibl, Lieutenant Utes Arc, may I present the Falu Four!"

The Sullustan nods and greets Tayen in her native language before getting down to business.

"The reason for the Imperial presence on this planet is still a mystery to us, one I hope that our newly captured friend can help unravel. In your pursuits against their influence on your city have you come across any information that may explain their presence here?"