Intro: https://starwarsintrocreator.kassellabs.io/#!/BLjs7ESmsOfiRv8_cLtC

"Why do I have to have the worst luck in the galaxy?"
>Three days ago, you were on Nar Shaddaa, drinking and partying with hot alien women and other scumbags like you.
>The day after that, you were hauled in by a hutt's goons and brought face-to-face with the slug himself.
>Your reputation (and bragging) as one of the finest smugglers in hutt space caught his attention.
>The job you were “offered” at blaster point was to transport some of the most illegal and dangerous narcotics in the galaxy to a client in the Core Worlds.
>Given the way the job was phrased, it was clear that if you refused it would go from being an offer to being a threat.
>Then again, the blasters were already out, so it was never really NOT a threat, but still… a polite hutt with blasters pointed at you is better than an angry hutt with blasters pointed at you.
>Swallowing your better judgement, you agreed to the hutt's deal, mostly to walk out of his penthouse with your head still on your shoulders.
>It was the kind of charter that, if caught, would cause you to face several lifetimes' worth of prison sentences with the Alliance or execution by the Empire, but with how much those two are fighting each other, what were the odds that you'd actually get pulled over?
>After all, you've made plenty of runs to the Core Worlds these last few years and skipped searches nearly every time.

>As it turns out, every gambler plays the odds, and one day ago, Lady Luck turned her back on you.
>What did you ever do to get on her bad side, anyway?
>Not only were you stopped at a checkpoint, but it was an Imperial checkpoint.
>You had only one option: dump the cargo.
>There was simply too much of it to try and hide, even in your hidden smuggler holds.
>The Imperials were thorough in their search of your craft, and the sweat pouring down your neck only made the lieutenant more suspicious.
>Little did he know that it was because you had just brought a death sentence upon your head; if not from them, then from that damn hutt.
>You were released with no issues---other than the imminent, brutal wrath of an interplanetary gangster.
>That left you in the Core Worlds, surrounded by war as planet after planet became a staging ground for massive battles, both on the ground and in space.
>Most planets were thick with refugees, starving citizens, mercenaries, and people looking to escape the war.
>And you, suddenly in desperate need of credits.
>You took the first job you could find, in a dingy cantina on a desert world, Samaria, located on the fringe of the massive territorial dispute that has swallowed up much of the Core Worlds.
>It would pay well, despite how simple it is: transporting one person and a droid to the Outer Rim.
>As a bonus, it would be nowhere near hutt space.

>As you waited outside of your ship for your passenger, with whom you spoke only very briefly over a communications terminal, your foot tapped almost as fast as your mind raced.
'If I can just get enough credits to show him I can pay him off in time, he'll just make it a debt instead of my death,' you had reasoned. 'Just do a couple of quick jobs, get the cash and then spend a few years working it off...'
>The reputation of this particular hutt doesn't leave you much hope, however.
>His rage is legendary among smugglers and gunrunners in the Outer Rim.
>Him forgiving you and placing you in debt would be the best-case scenario... and about as likely as a rancor riding a womp rat.
Slapping your forehead, you had muttered, "Why do I have to have the worst luck in the galaxy?"
>Which brings you to right now.
>As you contemplate the future, the nearby doors to the hanger open and in strides your chartered passenger, followed by a purple and green astromech droid.
>Though wearing a light blue robe with its hood drawn up, it is clear that the figure is female.
>And when she reaches up with lilac-colored hands to pull it back, revealing a pair of similarly-colored head-tails sticking out of a semi-elaborate headdress, it is clear that she isn't human, either.
>What she is, however, is beautiful.
>The twi'lek sets her deep purple eyes upon you and gives you a polite, professional smile.
>"Captain Anonymous, is it? This is Docking Bay 23, correct?"

"Uh, yeah," you say, blinking back momentary jitters. Clearing your throat, you continue, "That's right, miss...?"
>"Twilight Sparkle," she says, extending her hand. "It is a pleasure to meet you."
"The pleasure is all mine," you say with your best winning smile, which coupled with your rugged good looks, slightly-disheveled hair and five-o-clock shadow has been known to melt hearts across the galaxy.
>At least, you'd like to think so.
>However, she does not seem phased in the slightest, merely shaking your hand before turning her attention to your ship.
>"Is it a fast ship?" she asks, seemingly out of curiosity.
>You've been around enough clients to know when they're asking for other reasons, but you'll play along.
"Fast? The Star Turtle is my pride and joy. It's gotten me out of trouble more times than I can count." You swallow a nervous lump in your throat down and think, 'Except for an Imperial checkpoint, apparently...'
>"This is a Ghtroc 720, is it not?"
"Uh, yeah, that's right," you say, impressed with her knowledge. "How did you know that off-hand?"
>"I am a librarian," she replies casually over her shoulder as she inspects your ship. "It seems like your ship contains several modifications that aren't exactly factory standard."
“Yes, well, it may not be strictly off the line, but it is the top of the line. I've personally overseen every modification to the ship and can assure you that it flies better than any other of its kind."

>She places a hand upon the hull as she walks alongside it, her astromech droid beeping softly as it follows along.
>"I see you have a great sense of pride in your vessel, captain."
"Yeah, she's my pride and joy. A family inheritance, as a matter of fact." Crossing your arms, you lean up against it. "She's tough and can get any job done---just like me."
>To emphasize your point, you bang on the hull twice.
>A small section of the exterior panel you knocked on immediately loosens and falls off with a loud clatter, causing your spine to stiffen.
>She looks over at you with a cocked brow and the barest hint of an amused smile.
You clear your throat. "Ahem. Don't mind that." You pick up the panel and hide it behind your back. "So, shall we, uh, get underway?"
>She hesitates for a moment, making you linger on the idea that she'll drop the charter.
>"Very well, captain. After you."
>You nearly let out a sigh but keep your cool and lead her over to the boarding ramp.
>As she and her droid prepare to board, you scratch the back of your head as you notice how little she carries.
"Don't you have any luggage? You didn't contract me for a two-way trip."
>"I have everything I need with me," she assures you with a simple, self-assured. "I live something of an ascetic lifestyle. Everything I possess, I carry with me, and I only carry what I need." The droid behind her beeps, and she smiles at it. "And, of course, my companion, who assists me with my work."

You try to keep your usual skepticism in check. "What line of work is that, may I ask?"
>At the top of the ramp, as you begin closing the boarding ramp behind the two of them, she replies, "As I said, I am a librarian."
"You've saved up an awful lot of credits as a librarian for a trip like this."
>Facing you fully, she says, "I am paying for your discretion as well, captain. Am I correct to assume that my credits will not be spent in vain?"
"Of course. I'm the most discreet man in the galaxy."
>Out of the corner of your eye, you realize that there is a datapad on top of your dejarik table containing a copy of the latest issue of Exotic Alien Beauties Bare All.
>She doesn't see it and moves to inspect the interior of the ship while you quickly swipe it and shove it into your jacket's pocket.
>You turn and see her astromech staring at you, its photoreceptors unreadable.
>That's always the problem with droids---you can never quite tell what they're computing in their calculator-brains.
>"I like your ship, captain," Twilight says, drawing your attention back to her. "It is spacious and seems comfortable. I see that you have fine taste for small comforts."
"Certainly. You'll find your cabin over here," you say, pointing it out to her. "Help yourself to anything in the fridge. I ran the numbers and it should take us just under a day or so to get to your destination."

>She turns to face you once more. "My droid, SP-1K3, has a faster course in his memory banks. If you allow him to interface with your navigation computer, you will find that the trip will likely take half as long."
Your brows raise. "Well, the shorter the time the better, right? I used a public starchart to find a way to the system, an older one I imagine. I had never even heard of this 'Equanus' planet before."
>"I pulled a more recent starchart from my organization's archives. A colony was recently established upon the planet in the last five years, which is why my route is more up-to-date."
"You don't say. I take it this colony is where I'll be dropping you off?"
>"And where you will be paid, yes," she says. "Fret not, captain. You shall be paid in full upon our arrival."
"Usually I accept at least half of the credits up front for a job like this... but for a beautiful being like yourself, I can make an exception."
>Again you flash her your winning smile, and again she seems completely impervious to it.
>"Thank you, captain. If that is all, I shall be in my quarters."
>She walks past you and her astromech follows, the short droid pausing only briefly to turn its head towards you and make a series of short, high-pitched beeps that sounds like giggling.
>You scratch the back of your head.
>This girl is clearly hiding a few things, but if the money is good then who are you to ask?
>Given the remote nature of the planet you are taking her to, it isn't likely that she'll attempt to vanish without paying.

>On top of that, she seems incredibly professional and is certainly well-spoken, and as far as clients go you've certainly had much worse.
>She’s also surprisingly intelligent, even based on your limited interaction with her.
>Still, you can't help but feel that her pretty face and lack of response to your attempts at flirting may have led you to mistakenly not take at least half of the job's pay up front.
>After all, a good smuggler should never believe in something that seems too good to be true...
>As you approach the ladder well leading up to the cockpit, you hear an annoyed beeping behind you.
>You turn and see her astromech waddling back and forth somewhat impatiently.
"Hm?" You look up at the ladder, and then back at him. "Oh, right. Sorry, not exactly accessible for a wheeled droid like yourself. There's a port in the engineering section, you can use that to interface with the ship computer."
>The droid bleeps and bloops again, sounding offended.
"What? I already told you it isn't happening. The cockpit is ladder only."
>Now, the droid spins in place, blurting out what you are certain are a series of things you'd rather not have translated.
"You're a moody one, aren't you? What, do you expect me to pick you up and shove you up the ladder well?"
>The droid stops spinning and beeps a few times.
"Oh. Oh, no. Nuh-uh. Not happening. Do you have any idea how much a droid like you weighs? There's no way I'm lifting you up into the cockpit! Forget about it."

>The droid blerps threateningly, then turns its head towards the closed door to the room Twilight is temporarily occupying.
"Oh, are you going to complain to her that I didn't pick up the heavy droid and carry it up a ladder?"
>The following series of bleeps and chirps seem to imply that the droid has a great deal of influence with your client and your noncompliance may very well result in fewer credits.
>At least, that's what your rough understanding of droidspeak tells you.
"Why, you little..." you mutter through gritted teeth. "This is why I can't stand droids..."
>As it turns out, this droid is very heavy.
>Your cheeks redden as you lift the droid up each rung of the ladder, using your body as a brace.
>And all the while, the droid beeps, bloops, bleeps and boops in an agitated fashion, like HE'S the one inconvenienced by all of this.
>With one final surge, you shove him up into the cockpit, and he uses his wheeled legs to approach the navicomputer station and plug into it.
>You crawl into the cockpit, breathing heavily, wiping the sweat from your brow.
'Damn little menace...'
>You think you hear him beep out a giggle as you trudge past him into your captain's chair.
>Upon sitting in this chair, all of the worries of the galaxy melt away.
>Your death mark, the mystery of the twi'lek woman, that annoying droid---none of it compares to the comfort of this chair.
>You found it in a junk pile on Ord Mantell---to think, someone threw it out!

>After installing it on your ship, you've been flying easy and comfortable ever since.
>With several memory pads covered in dreamsilk with fibermesh interlays and adjustable arms, legs, back and head, this may very well be the most comfortable chair ever designed.
>But you know some other smuggler made a claim about that, so who can know for certain?
>All you know is that this chair is damn comfy.
>The screen in front of you lights up with a new course laid in.
>Sure enough, it's about half as long as your original path.
>With a shrug, you prep the ship for takeoff and transmit your flight plan to the local space traffic control authority.
>A fake flight plan, mind you, listing only yourself and a false destination.
>After all, she paid for discretion.
>Once clear of the planet, you prepare for the jump to hyperspace.
>Your course laid in, the engines ready, you punch it and the stars elongate as you are slingshotted into another dimension.
>You briefly consider going down to check on your guest, but decide against it.
>With the assurance of easy money on your mind, you lie back in your extremely comfortable chair and relax, stretching out your legs.
>As you lean back, the chair shifts so that you are lying vertically, supporting your body, arms and legs in a natural and fluid motion.
>Has there ever been anything better than this chair?
>Well, not having the impending threat of a hutt hunting you on your mind would be nice.

>For an hour, you lie back and simply try to clear your mind, but you find that you cannot, knowing that soon the hutt will learn about your loss of his cargo and will fly into a rage.
>Perhaps you should've sent a message explaining yourself, pleading for mercy and promising to pay him off...
>But that will have only hastened his fury and shortened the time it will take bounty hunters to find you.
>You inwardly shiver at the thought.
'Bounty hunters after me... all because of circumstances I couldn't control during a job I never wanted. Great. Just great.'
>Behind you, your thoughts are suddenly interrupted by a beep.
>With a frown, you turn your head and see that the astromech is near the ladder well, looking between it and yourself.
“What? You needed my help to get up, but gravity is more than enough to help you get down.”
>He blares out a threat at you.
“Yeah, yeah, beep all you like. I ain’t helping you down.”
>You head towards the ladder and he purposely bumps into you, whirring and whistling in an angry manner.
“Hey, you were the one who wanted so badly to get up here in the first place, Mr. The-Engine-Room-Isn’t-Good-Enough-For-Me. You get down on your own.”
>As you attempt to climb down, he tries to run over your fingers, but you pull them back just in time and stick out your tongue at him as he chirps in protest.

>Once down in the deck of the Star Turtle, you decide to take some time to inventory what supplies you have in your secondary cargo hold.
>It’ll help to be frugal with how much you spend on ration packs from this point onwards.
>As you open the door, however, you are greeted with a very different kind of sight, one that stops you in your tracks.
>Your passenger is in the mostly-empty cargo hold, having shed her cloak and other clothing down to a simple, form-fitting bodyglove that leaves her arms and legs at the elbows and knees down exposed.
>She is holding herself aloft with one hand on the ground, her other hand held near her waist and her legs parted slightly.
>Her twin head-tails dangle downwards, their tips lightly touching the metal floor.
>Opening her eyes, she looks at you and simply acknowledges your presence. “Captain.”
“Woah… Sorry to interrupt.”
>”Not at all. I am merely engaging in meditation.”
“That’s how you meditate?” you ask, walking down the stairs and leaning back against the wall. “Seems complicated. Kind of like it would defeat the purpose.”
>”Not at all, actually. Intense physical activity and concentration allows one to focus on achieving a state of inner calm and clarity.”
“I see…” You clear your throat as you attempt to not glare at her toned midsection and how perfectly proportioned her lithe legs are. “Must be nice.”

>”You seem stressed, captain,” she says, and you cannot exactly deny it. Her next question catches you somewhat off-guard. “Do you meditate?”
“No… but I must admit, I do like the sound of intense physical activity."
>”You should. Even briefly on a daily basis it can be extraordinarily healthy.” She brings her legs down and gracefully steps onto her feet.
>Something tells you that she either completely stonewalled your innuendo, or was unaware of it; you're not sure which.
“You’re good at that. You’re not some ordinary librarian, are you?”
>”I am but a humble librarian, but I do have my hobbies,” she says in a tone that seems almost teasing.
“Ever read a book upside-down?” you ask with a smirk.
>She responds with a smile. “No, I cannot say that I have. Perhaps I should attempt it.”
>As she prepares for her next position, stretching her legs behind her back, you clear your throat before things become awkward.
>”Would you care to join me?” she asks. “I could teach you the basic fundamentals of my meditation if you like.”
“I don’t think I’m quite at the head-stand level.”
>She waves a hand. “That comes much later. Sit.”
>Without any more instruction, she sits on the floor, crossing her legs.

>Your eyes snap briefly to her well-proportioned chest, then back up to her eyes before she notices.
“What, just sit right here?”
>”You may sit anywhere you like.”
You shrug. “Sure. Why not.”
>You’ll humor her---after all, she’s criminally attractive, so any time spent with her on the floor is a plus.
>You never got some human attitudes regarding alien races, particularly the near-human ones.
>The exotic nature of their appearances and the differences they have from you has only ever served to make them more attractive in your eyes.
>Once you are seated in front of her, you look as she stares into your eyes in a serene, almost motionless manner.
>”Do as I do. Place your hands in your lap.” You follow her instructions. “Now, focus on your breathing. In, and out. Slowly. Focused.”
>You continue to follow her lead, slowly drawing breath in and out of your nostrils.
>”I want you to close your eyes and think about something nice. Something that brings you comfort, that warms your heart and you associate with feelings of peace.”
>Easy enough.
>You picture two great mountains side-by-side, round, supple, topped with pointed peaks and colored a luscious shade of lilac...
>A smile comes to your lips.
>”Focus on the imagery in your mind and how it makes you feel. Does it bring contentment? Fulfilment? Or perhaps it instills in you a sense of longing?”

“Hmmm… it’s hard to say. It’s something I’d like, but I don’t have.”
>”There’s nothing wrong with dwelling upon goals. It is good to have something to strive towards, no matter how impossible or unrealistic they may seem.”
“It’s far from impossible… It feels like I could reach out and grab hold of it.”
>”That is good!” she says encouragingly. “You are not falling into the trap that is despair and doubt. If you believe in yourself, you can achieve any goal.”
A wry smirk comes to your lips. “If you say so.”
>”Let us sit in silence and contemplate ourselves for a while yet longer.”
>Not another word is spoken between the two of you for a few minutes as she sits.
>You, however, find yourself growing antsy.
>Never much one for staying in one place for too long, either while sitting or on a planet, you find yourself cracking open an eye to once more take in her gorgeous features.
>Unashamedly you oggle her up and down, admiring the way her skin-tight suit hugs her body, almost like a one-piece swimsuit.
>You’d have designed a window for the cleavage, but something about her being covered up yet so exposed and vulnerable makes it even better.
>Maybe after this she’d like to join you for a drink or a---
>Suddenly, the entire ship shakes and the walls seem to bleed color as your vessel is ripped forcefully from hyperspace.
>You find yourself flying forward and she backward, until you end up on top of her.

>Pushing yourself up on your hands, you meet her surprised gaze, and you say the words that are on both of your minds.
“What the hell was that?”
>The ship shakes again, lurching and swaying; you can hear metal bending and the ship’s engine straining.
>She pushes you off and stands up. “It must be some kind of mass gravity well… did we come too close to a planet or a star? Perhaps a moon?”
>You stand up and you both rush towards the cockpit, where SP-1K3 is beeping very frantically.
>Staring out of your cockpit’s window, you feel a sinking feeling in your stomach.
“That’s no moon…” you mutter, staring out at the object floating menacingly in the void. “It’s a Star Destroyer.”
>”Interdictor-class…” she replies just as softly.
>The droid beeps in a disheartened fashion.
“We’re caught in their tractor beam,” you say, approaching the controls. You feel your hand curling. “Damn. Boarded twice in two days. Why do I have to have the worst luck in the galaxy?"
>You feel a hand on your shoulder, and turn to see Twilight’s concerned face.
>”Captain. I have not been entirely honest with you. I am wanted by the Lunar Empire for assisting the Celestial Alliance with my research.”
>Well, that’s a bomb to drop on someone in a situation like this.
>Looks like your ‘lucky streak’ is continuing after all...

“But they shouldn’t know you’re on this ship, right?”
>”That is correct. No one knew I was on Samaria, and I take it no one knew I was leaving on your ship?”
“I transmitted that I was leaving the planet by myself, that’s right.”
>”They must be patrolling the routes they suspected I would likely take. They do not know my destination, only that I was heading for the Outer Rim.” She steels herself for a moment before confiding something further in you. “Captain, I have information that is vital to the Alliance within my astromech droid.”
>SP-1K3 beeps in protest, but she silences him with a hand on his head.
“Oh, that’s just perfect,” you groan. Looking outside, the triangular ship grows ever closer into view as the Star Turtle is drawn towards it.
>She turns your head to meet your gaze once more, urgency in her tone and eyes.
>”Captain! I know you do not know me, but I am placing my faith in you. If you do not sell out my presence to the Empire nor that of my droid’s, I will pay you double what I initially offered.”
“What?! Double? How do you have that kind of walking-around money?”
>”Captain,” she says, squeezing your shoulder. “Please.”
>For a moment, you consider turning her in.
>After all, the only person you need to look after in this galaxy is Number One.
>And yet, something about her voice, her eyes, or perhaps it is simply because a pretty girl asking for help is one of your weaknesses, you cast aside the notion and take another gamble.

Staring into her pleading eyes, your brow furrows and you nod. “Alright. I have a smuggling hold in one of the halls. I’ll take you and your droid there.”
>SP-1K3 beeps again, impatiently indicating the ladder well.
You look at her and offer an apologetic look. “I’m really sorry about this, but there just isn’t enough time.”
>Before she can ask about your meaning, you bring up a foot and kick the droid into the ladder well as he screams in a series of beeps.
>”Spike!” she says, gasping.
“He’ll be fine. Those droids are hardy. Come on!”
>You slide down the ladder and she follows after, helping you prop the very angry astromech back up as he bleeps out several expletives.
>”Spike! Language!” she chides her droid as they chase after you.
“Here,” you say, leaning down to slide your fingers into a hidden recess along the floor, lifting up part of the plating to reveal a hidden smuggler’s hold.
>”Are you certain they will not discover us?”
“Oh, I’m quite certain of it,” you say, hopping into the hold. Once inside, you open a second, even more well-hidden hold built into the wall of the first. “The first one is where I shove minor contraband, the kind of stuff that they’ll confiscate but won’t get me in trouble. It always throws them off the trail.”
>”I see… They stop looking as soon as they discover the first cache. I must admit, that is very clever.”

“That’s not the only trick up my sleeve. Quick, you and your droid get into the second hold. I’ll throw some stuff into the first after you seal yourselves in. Even if they use scanners, I’ve got a special lining in the second hold---they won’t find you.”
>As she enters, she pauses and looks back up. “Captain, there is no way to open this from inside, is there?”
“Well, no… but don’t worry. As soon as we’re clear, I’ll come get you both. Trust me.”
>She nods, placing her faith in you.
>It gives you a warm feeling, one that strengthens your resolve.
“They’ll dock with us, and we’ll be surrounded and outnumbered. If worse comes to worse, can you fight?”
>”I’m a pacifist. I only believe in self-defense. If I am discovered and they desire to take me alive, I will not resist with violence.”
“And if they don’t, I’ll probably go out swinging, not that it’ll do much good. Let’s just hope it won’t come to that.”
>SP-1K3 protests again as he must be put into another hole, but given the choice between being torn apart by Imperials for the data he contains, he deals with it.
>It is a tight fit for them both, but once they are inside, you seal up the second hold, run and grab some recreational spice packets from a cupboard in your room and throw them in, along with a dummy blaster and some energy cells.
>You know you’re going to regret this, but you also grab your vintage bottle of corellian whiskey and put it in with them, then throw a blanket over the stash.

>The sound of the ship docking, a metallic clanking and suctioning sound, reverberates throughout the interior.
>You proceed to the rear of your vessel, swallowing the lump in your throat.
>Standing in front of the docking entrance, you wring your hands and wipe the sweat from your brow.
‘Easy. It’s just some Imperials. Just play it cool…’
>When the round door slides open, you find yourself facing down two blaster rifles, and behind them, two soldiers clad head-to-toe in white laminate armor with black, soulless lenses.
>Imperial stormtroopers.
With your hands raised, you say, “Hey there, boys. I’m sure this is all a big misunderstanding.”
>Behind them, a stern yet feminine voice speaks. “Keep your hands where we can see them. This is an authorized Imperial investigation of your vessel.”
>The stormtroopers part slightly to allow a woman through, one wearing a dark grey uniform that is immaculately pressed and without a crease to be seen.
>Her haircut is straight and angular, almost like each individual hair was sliced to an exact measurement.
>There isn’t a hint of a blemish or imperfection in her smooth, pale skin; every attractive feature seems almost like it was designed to kill, like a beautiful, poisonous flower.
>But more than that, it is her eyes that seem the sharpest, like they could cut you in half with a glance, and right now they are boring through your skull.
>”I take it you are the captain of this disgusting tub?”

“The tub is in the refresher, and yes, I am the captain of it. The ship, too,” you reply dryly, none-too-pleased at her dismissal of your ship.
>Her eyes narrow. “I do not respond well to sarcasm, ‘captain.’ I am Lieutenant Glimmer of the Lunar Empire and for the time being you shall defer to my authority. Now then, you may surrender any contraband or wanted individuals you are no doubt smuggling up front, or you may suffer the consequences when we do discover them.”
With your hands still up, you reply, “I’m no smuggler! I’m visiting family in the Corva Sector.”
>Your mind raced quickly to come up with a legitimate-sounding excuse.
>You were stopped along the Hydian Way, which does run towards the Corva Sector, but of course you were going to hop off onto the Salin Corridor---not that they need to know that.
>However, this lieutenant doesn’t seem to buy it. “Oh? What planet in the Corva Sector?”
>A bead of sweat runs down your neck.
“Uh… Ventooine. My cousin lives there.”
>She holds her steely gaze for a moment longer, making you think she is going to continue to call your bluff.
>Then, she shifts gears back to her original course. “You will submit your ship for a thorough search.”
“By all means. I have nothing to hide.”
>”Indeed.”

>A search team is brought aboard, a droid and a pair of human scanner operators.
>Lieutenant Glimmer inspects the halls of your vessel, ordering you to accompany her, and all the while the two stormtroopers continue to keep you in sight of their blasters.
“You sure do know how to make a man feel welcome on his own ship,” you snidely remark to her. “May I at least drop my arms?”
>She dismissively waves as she runs a finger along the walls of your ship.
>”What a dreadful garbage scow this is,” she says, inspecting a slight oily film on the edge of her fingertip she found on a pipe running along the wall. “How do you manage to live aboard this thing?”
“It isn’t so bad. I usually have much better company.”
>The stormtroopers motion to move in, but she holds up a hand to stop them.
>Staring at you hard, she sneers and says, “Let us hope, for your sake, that you don’t have anyone we are searching for. You’ll find much worse ‘company’ on an Imperial penal colony.”
“I already told you, I don’t have anything or anyone. You know, maybe you Imperials would be more popular if you took people at their word every now and then.”
>”Oh, please, ‘captain.’ If we let fringe scum like yourself run wild, we would have more crime in the galaxy than even the Empire could manage.”
“Now it is scum, hm? Did they teach you manners at the Imperial Academy too? If I wasn’t held at gunpoint I’d almost be offended.”
>She deflects your response with trained, arrogant smugness. “Conformity and order are the only two things that will bring the galaxy to peace, captain. Your opinions and your feelings are irrelevant.”

“Yeah, well, conformity is overrated, lieutenant. When everything and everyone is the same, there’s no spice to life.”
>She is about to retort when a member of the search party approaches. “We have something, ma’am.”
>”Finally,” she says, motioning to one of the stormtroopers.
>You hear the rustling of laminate armor as they jam the buttstock of their rifle into your back, forcing you down onto your knees.
>Before you can react to the wind being nearly knocked out of you, you feel a blaster pistol pointed at your face.
>Lieutenant Glimmer’s sadistic smile as she holds you at gunpoint is almost worthy of being preserved in a holocube.
>”Now then, let’s see what you’ve been trying to distract me from finding.”
>You are dragged by the troopers over to your smuggler’s hold, which is just now being pried open.
>”Lift up that blanket there,” she commands, still holding a blaster on you.
>One of the searchers, a fellow in a dark jumpsuit, pulls it up.
“No, wait!” you beg, before taking a stormtrooper’s boot to the back.
>Lieutenant Glimmer bends over slightly to look down within.

>”How… disappointing,” she says, sliding away her blaster.
>”Recreational-grade spice,” one of the inspectors notes.
“That isn’t mine,” you insist. “I was, uh, holding it. For a friend. It’s his, really.”
>”Be quiet,” she says, giving you a contemptible look.
>”A blaster and a few energy cells, and this,” the inspector says, holding up the bottle of corellian whiskey.
“No, not that! Anything but that!” you beg, really playing it up. “That’s a hundred creds a bottle!”
>She takes it from the hands of her subordinate and looks at the label. “Whyren's Reserve… how delightful. Perhaps this stop wasn’t completely a waste of my time. Let that rabble go.”
>The stormtrooper holding you does just that, and you fall forward.
You look up at her and plead, “Come on! Just let me keep the whiskey! You’ll never see me in this quadrant again! Just don’t take my whiskey, please!”
>”How pathetic,” she says, shaking her head. “All that talk and bluster, and look at you now.” She smirks, looking at the bottle. “I’ll be thinking of you when I enjoy this tonight, ‘captain.’ I’m sure you’ll be thinking of me enjoying it as well.” She looks at the others. “We’re done here.”
>Though the look on your face is one of despair, inwardly you are elated.
>Not over the bottle, which itself is a tremendous loss and a hard-to-acquire vintage, but at how neatly your ruse worked.
>As you stand back up, watching them go, suddenly one of her subordinates rushes up.
>”Ma’am! I found this in one of the cabins!”
>Your eyes widen in horror as you see what he is holding: a light blue robe.
>Lieutenant Glimmer turns and considers it, taking it from his hands and inspecting it closely.
>She turns suspicious eyes upon you.

>”Somewhat tacky for your taste, isn’t it… ‘captain’?”
You quickly compose yourself, swallow and reply, “What, you’ve never seen a bathrobe before? They never issued you a nice, grey, boring one?”
>As she eyes it over, you ready another excuse, one about how it was a gift from your mother or left behind by an ex-lover, but then she tosses it to you.
>You catch it as she shakes her head. “Goodbye, ‘captain.’ For your sake, I hope we do not cross paths again.”
>With a self-satisfied grin, she holds up your bottle and swishes it around before departing along with her subordinates and your contraband.
>Your vessel is disengaged from their own, and once you hear the final metallic clang, you run to your cockpit and jump back into hyperspace.
>The gamble worked!
>She was so convinced that you were trying to hide what little you possessed that was questionable that they didn’t even bother looking any further.
>If only the hold had been large enough to hold the barrels of drugs that damn hutt forced you into transporting...
>Once your ship makes the jump, you run back to the smuggling hold, hop in and open the secondary compartment.

>Twilight and Spike are somewhat cramped together, but upon seeing you she smiles and holds out her hand.
>You take it and help her up.
>”I could faintly hear you,” she says, gratefully holding onto and squeezing your hand. “You are an amazing actor!”
“Well… Truth be told, not all of that was acting. I really, really didn’t want to lose that bottle.”
>”Oh… I’m sorry, but I am very grateful. Shall I repay you for the bottle?”
With your charming smile, you say, “How about a kiss instead?”
>She gives you a smile back, but one that tells you she isn’t up for it.
>”Captain, do not mistake my gratitude for anything else. I would like our relationship to remain professional.”
“Worth a shot,” you reply with a casual shrug.
>Disappointing, but you’ve bounced back from worse.
You then hand her the robe they found. “I guess we forgot about this.”
>”It occurred to me, but only after we were sealed up in the hold. It is a relief that they did not suspect anything more.”
“You’re telling me… If I never see that lieutenant again, it’ll be too soon.”
>The two of you work on hauling Spike out of the hold, who beeps annoyingly at you.
“What’s he saying?”
>”He’s grateful you didn’t sell us out,” she says, rubbing the top of his mechanical head. “He just has a hard way of showing it.”
>Based on the beeps that follow, you doubt it very much.

>The rest of the trip is, thankfully, uneventful.
>Though, there was a slightly awkward moment when you went to use the refresher only to see Twilight emerging from the room, clad only in a towel.
>You can’t say you averted your eyes, but you did curse your luck to have ended up with the one twi’lek in the galaxy who seems completely professional.
>As she returned to her room, you peeked at her backside, imagining what must lie beneath that wet cloth, whistling softly to yourself.
>Then, Spike bumped into you, angrily blerping out some kind of a warning.
“Yeah, yeah, whatever you noisy little garbage can,” you had muttered.
>At the end of half a day’s worth of travel and a small amount of sleep, Twilight joins you in the cockpit as you near your destination.
>Unwilling to haul Spike back up, he is left at the bottom of the ladder well, much to his displeasure.
>You come out of hyperspace in the Nharl System and begin to approach Equanus.
>When it comes into view, you must say that you’re not very impressed.
>It looks like a scorched ball of ash and dust.
“There’s a colony on that?” you say incredulously. “Why, of all places?”
>”The planet was once teeming with life,” Twilight answers. “Then, a rogue solar flare annihilated every single living thing upon its surface. Worlds in the galaxy that can support life may not be uncommon, but one should not be abandoned due to tragedy. The colony here is engaged in a long-term eco-restoration effort to bring life back to the planet.”

“I see… Was there anyone living on the planet before it happened?”
>She is silent for a moment. “Many people. Yes. An entire race and their civilization, now gone."
>The two of you sit in silence for a moment as the weight of her answer hangs in the air.
>A moment later, your comms blare with static that quickly turns into words.
>A high-pitched, squeaky voice comes on.
>”Unidentified vessel, this is Canterlot Colony. Please, uh, identify yourself? Thanks!”
>You cock a brow as Twilight puts on a headset before you can do so yourself.
>”Canterlot Colony, my name is Twilight Sparkle, aboard the freighter Star Turtle. I am here on behalf of Gandorthral Atmospherics to assist in terraforming operations. May we set down in your starport?”
>Again the squeaky voice returns. “Oh, um, we don’t have a ship there now, so… yes?”
>You and Twilight exchange odd looks.
>The voice sounds very… young.
>”We’ll need coordinates to the landing zone.”
>There is a moment of silence, when suddenly another, different but just as young-sounding voice speaks. “We’ll get right on it!”
>The two of you again sit in silence for several moments.
“Were you expecting this?”

>”Not exactly.”
As you wait for the coordinates, you decide to make conversation. “So… Terraforming, huh? I thought you were a librarian.”
>”I’m a scholar, first and foremost. Librarian is an easy-to-understand term, but I prefer archivist, and occasionally archeologist.”
“What was that company you said? Gandorthral Atmospherics?”
>”They sponsored this colony and have provided several key facilities, structures and technologies to support it and its mission. I am contracted by them.”
“I see… and are they with the Alliance, too?”
>She straightens in her seat. “Not exactly. But they are not fond of the Empire.”
>You look over the shoulder of your exceptionally-comfortable chair at the ladder well, then back at her.
“And are we ever going to talk about this ‘vital data’ inside your droid?”
>Down the ladder, he can be heard bleeping menacingly, but Twilight calmly replies, “Captain, I am grateful for what you did for us and the Alliance, even though you have no attachment to it. But I paid for your discretion. The less you know, the better.”
“...I suppose so. Since we’re keeping things professional and all.”
>”I am glad we understand each other.”
‘I don’t think I understand a thing about you,’ you think to yourself.

>For a few more minutes, the two of you wait, sitting in space and lazily drifting towards the planet.
>No transmissions have been made yet.
>”Strange… they should have sent us the coordinates by now. I’ll contact them again.” She picks up the headset. “Canterlot Colony? This is the Star Turtle. Do you have the coordinates?”
>There is some noise on the other end of the line as someone prepares to speak but then is stopped.
>You and Twilight look at each other as you hear what sounds like an argument breaking out on their end and a scuffle; papers scattering, a chair falling over and lots of high-pitched voices.
>Then, one of them comes on, a third voice with something of an accent.
>”Uh, we don’t really know how… Sorry.”
>Twilight slowly lowers the headset and stares at you.
>Rolling your eyes, you take hold of the controls.
“Guess we’re doing things the old-fashioned way.”
>Turning your shipboard sensors to maximum, you guide the ship down into the atmosphere, through thick, smoggy clouds.
>Once the land is in sight, you take in the sight of a world that looks burnt.
>Black, charred landscape as far as the eye can see, with lakes and oceans that seem discolored and grey.

>Twilight brings a hand up to her mouth as she surveys the ruined world. “I never imagined it would be this terrible… The disaster was decades ago. I thought at least some green would have returned by now.”
“Well, you said it was a solar flare, right? Maybe the radiation didn’t just burn the planet, but killed all life on it too, and not just the big ones.”
>Her hands remains over her heart as she silently looks out at the landscape.
>You must admit, you share her haunted expression.
>This place is downright spooky in a way.
>To think that a civilization existed here and were snuffed out of existence by such a cataclysm…
>Your sensors detect the presence of buildings in the northern hemisphere, and you turn towards it.
>After about a half-hour of closing in, you see the first of the man-made structures.
>The colony is fairly large, though clearly that is a result of its buildings being spread apart and not due to a high population.
>The largest building is the atmospheric processory, a massive cylindrical structure the colony is centered around.
>There are many prefabricated shelters, buildings and sheds located around the colony, all standing out due to their white exteriors; you recognize a few designs that you’ve seen dotting other colonies and homesteads in the Outer Rim.

>The colony itself is surrounded by a defense perimeter, a twelve-meter wall with several gates, all of which are currently closed.
>You can see that the colony is built adjacent to a large body of water that leads out into the ocean, and there is a structure erected along the water’s edge with massive pipes leading into the grey liquid---some kind of water-cleaning facility, you imagine, and likely the colony’s source of clean water, as several smaller pipes run back towards the colony wall.
>The second-tallest structure in the community is a narrow tower, which your ship circles around once as you look for the starport.
>”There,” Twilight says, pointing it out.
>Sure enough, there is a prefabricated hanger with a round opening in its roof, perfect for a ship your size, currently unoccupied.
>You line up your approach and hover over the building, preparing to engage your landing gear as you flip various switches and set the ship into cooldown mode.
>The Star Turtle floats downwards and settles onto the planet’s surface, parked perfectly in the center of the hanger.
>Twilight begins to gather her things. “Excellent work, captain. Would you like to accompany me outside, or shall I pay you now and conclude our business?”
“I don’t mind,” you reply, standing up. You press a button on the side of the wall to lower the boarding ramp.
>You accompany her down the ladder and out the ramp, stepping onto the dusty soil of the hanger floor as Spike rolls along behind you.

>Your first breath of the planet’s atmosphere strikes you as being somewhat stale, with an ashy smell.
>The three of you look around as nobody can be seen.
“Quite the welcoming committee, isn’t it?”
>”Strange…”
>Just then, a nearby door opens up and a figure bursts through, carrying a rifle and struggling to put on her jacket.
>Her bright blue skin is rather striking and is the second thing that jumps out to you, right behind her wild, multicolored hair, which seems to contain every color of the rainbow.
>She skids to a stop as she sees the three of you, her magenta-colored eyes quickly scanning you all from top to bottom.
>”...Hey,” she says somewhat awkwardly. She looks down at her rifle, then back up. With a somewhat nervous expression, she says, “I was supposed to be the one on the comms, but uh… some kids got on it instead while I was, um, distracted. I mean busy. Not sleeping on the job, or anything.”
>You spy three small heads behind a nearby window; upon you seeing them, they duck down.
>Twilight approaches a few paces. “I see, that explains it. I can assure you that we mean no harm. I am Twilight Sparkle. I was sent here by Gandorthral Atmospherics.” She motions to Spike and yourself. “My droid, and Captain Anonymous of the Star Turtle, my chartered transport.”

>She lowers her rifle’s butt into the dirt and leans on it. “Sweet. Name’s Rainbow Dash, nice to meet you.” She shakes Twilight’s hand, then gives your ship another look. “You came here on that thing? It looks like two junk heaps had a kid!”
“...Thanks,” you deadpan.
>"I mean, don't get me wrong, the galaxy needs ships like this to make other ones look good by comparison."
>Her dismissive remark is accompanied by a smug look on her blue face.
Not wanting to make a scene in front of Twilight, you hide your balled-up fist behind your back. "Sure… That's one way to look at it."
>Twilight clears her throat. “If you don’t mind, Miss Dash, I would like to be introduced to the leadership of the colony as quickly as possible.”
>”The mayor? Yeah, sure, I can take you there.” She then looks at you. “What about him?”
>Twilight turns. “If you don’t mind, I would like to settle the affairs of my living arrangements, then I shall pay you.”
You shrug. “I’ve got nowhere to be. Think I’ll take a look around.”
>Rainbow points a finger. “Just don’t cause any trouble! I’m the closest thing this town has to law enforcement, and you don’t want to get on my bad side!”
“I’m sure everyone in this colony rests easy knowing you’re on the job,” you snark, causing Twilight to giggle lightly into her palm.

>”Damn right,” Rainbow says, clearly not understanding your sarcasm.
>She points at her eyes, then at you, before leaving with Twilight.
>Spike rolls along after them, chirping in amusement.
>You put your hands on your hips and shake your head.
‘Why’d I say I’ve got nowhere to be? I should have demanded payment by now and been off for my next job. This is great. Just great. Boarded by Imperials twice in two days, in insurmountable debt to a hutt, and now I’m down a bottle of Whyren's Reserve.’ You pause for a moment. ‘Speaking of which, I could use a drink… this colony’s got to have a bar, right?’
>Walking down its streets, you find more people than you had initially expected.
>Most of them are humans going about their daily lives, trading goods and working to keep their town clean.
>The mood is surprisingly cheery, all things considered.
>You stop at the corner of a building and look up at the massive atmospheric processory.
>You’ve heard of these things before, but never seen one in action; it’s impressive, to say the least.
>The dark clouds of the sky seem to funnel around it, meaning it must be affecting them in some manner, perhaps scouring them of airborne particles and pumping out clean air in return.

>That kind of operation must take a long time, but the colony seems to be thriving so far.
>Still, it is rather new; you can tell based on how worn and used the prefabricated buildings them; namely, not much at all.
>As your eyes fall down to the colony streets, you suddenly spot one such building with a big, glowing neon-pink sign: Sugarcube Cantina.
“Now that’s what I’m talking about,” you say, approaching it.
>Its front door slides open and you’re treated to a cool, air-conditioned and somewhat dimly-lit interior.
>It is something like a diner, and your ears pick up two sounds: music and laughter.
>You stride within and behold a human sitting at the bar and a zeltron behind it.
>They’re both laughing about something, and clearly it is from the story that the human girl is telling.
>”So then, Mac gets behind the dang thing and punches it right in the rear! Big ol’ Bertha gives a mighty hoot, then charges down the field, draggin’ the cart behind it! He nearly found himself drug under!”
>The zeltron giggles uncontrollably, then suddenly stops when she sees you, her bright blue eyes growing wide.
>”A new customer? A stranger?” She gasps loudly, putting both hands on her cheeks. “Someone new to the colony!”

>Before you can react, she’s hopped over the bar and is dragging you by the arm to sit next to the blonde human.
>Then she’s back over the bar, already prepping a drink in a shaker.
>”This is your first time to Canterlot Colony! I know, because I know everyone, and I’ve never seen you before! That means your very first drink is FREE!”
You blink several times. “Well, I can’t argue with that,” you say with a smile.
>The human, with her long blonde hair and simple brown tunic, turns in her swivelling seat and looks at you. “Where’d you come from? You don’t look the type to come to the colony to live here.”
You hold out your hand. “Captain Anonymous. Just here dropping someone off.”
>She takes hold of your hand, squeezing it hard.
>Very hard, actually; she’s got one hell of a grip.
>”Applejack. My family and I run the local ranch.”
>You shake your hand lightly as you return it to your side, trying not to wince.
“Farm? On this planet, on this kind of terrain?”
>”I know it might not seem like much, but the soil is ultra-fertile due to all that ash. It’s just a matter of cleaning it up and making the land good to go. We’ve got acres upon acres of refined land and plenty of things already starting to grow.”
“I see.” You look behind the bar as the zeltron finishes shaking up your drink and presents you with a delicious-looking cocktail that seems to change colors depending on the angle.

>”Ta-daaaa! My soon-to-be-galaxy-famous spiced, iced and diced pulkay swiggler!”
“Diced?” you ask. “I don’t see anything chopped up in it.”
>She suddenly drops two six-sided smuggler’s dice into the drink.
>”See? Diced! It’s because we’re so lucky to meet you, and you’re lucky to be here!”
“I’ll drink to that,” you say with a smile, about to take a swig of the swiggler, when suddenly she stops you.
>”Wait! The most important part!” She pulls out a zany straw that twists several different ways and drops it in.
You give her a strange look. “Seriously?”
>”It’s a silly straw, silly! It’s fun!” Her infectious smile seems to also affect Applejack, who looks on with an understanding yet encouraging expression.
>You shrug and drink from the straw, watching the multi-colored liquid shoot up through its twists until it reaches your mouth.
>Your eyes widen as you are punched with flavors: sweet berries, candied fruits, zesty treats you don’t have a name for, all fizzling and swirling and bubbling in your mouth!
“That’s delicious!” you declare, immediately drinking more. “It hits the throat just right! How did you do that?”
>”That’s a super-special-secret!” she says with a wink. Leaning in close, she whispers, “Hint: it’s the straaaaw!”
>You chuckle and take another drink and she seems incredibly pleased.

“This is my kind of cantina,” you say, setting the glass down. “Who are you? You run this joint?”
>”Pinkamena Diane Pie, but all my friends call me Pinkie, and now you will too, because you’re my new friend!” Throwing up her hands, she bounces in place, causing her tight tube-top and its barely-contained globes of pink flesh to jiggle mesmerizingly. “Welcome to Caterlot Colony! How long are you going to be with us?”
“Probably not long. I dropped off my passenger, and as soon as I get paid, I’m gone.”
>The zeltron deflates somewhat. “Aww…”
>”Don’t get too let down, Pinkie,” Applejack says. “He don’t exactly look the kind to lay down roots in a place like this.”
“True enough. I prefer to think of the stars as my home.” You take another drink of Pinkie’s mind-blowing drink and say, “Of course, now that I’ve tasted this, I might just become a regular visitor.”
>”Yay!” Pinkie cries. “A new regular!”
>”Everyone’s a regular, cuz,” Applejack says. “You’re the only watering hole in town. You got a real monopoly.”
You cock a brow. “Cuz?”
>Applejack smirks. “Yeah, we’re cousins. Distant ones.”
>Pinkie giggles. “Very, very distant!” Bringing up her hands, she snickers behind her fingers. “Interplanetarily distant!”

“Ah, I get it now.” You smirk into the silly straw as you finish up your drink, leaving the dice in the glass. You pour them out into your palm and hold them up. “Do I get to keep these?”
>”Of course!” Pinkie says, holding up a large jar of dice. “I got plenty, so you keep them to remember the day we met!”
“Don’t mind if I do. Maybe they’ll finally turn my luck around.”
>As you slip them into your pocket, Applejack regards you with something of a suspicious look. “String of bad luck lately, eh partner? Unlucky hand at the Sabacc tables?”
Clearing your throat, you avoid eye contact and reply, “Yeah, erm, something like that.” You finish the drink and set the glass down. “You sure I don’t owe you?”
>”Nonsense, silly! I said it’s on the house!” She stops for a moment. "Well, technically it wasn't on the house at all, but on the countertop. But now it's in your belly!"
"Thanks again," you say, nodding at them both. You're about to leave when you feel a hand on your shoulder.
>Turning your head, you see Applejack with a serious look on her face.
>"A word outside?" she says lowly.
>Pinkie, who is busy wiping down the counter and singing along to a small tunebox, doesn't hear her.
>You cock a brow but then nod, following her out the door.

>Once clear, she turns to you and says, "Smuggler, ain'tcha?"
"I've done my fair share of jobs," you say, somewhat defensively. "And I get by. Why? What's it matter?"
>Her tone is serious and not nearly as light as it was inside. "We got a good thing goin' out here. This colony is full of good people, and I know them all. If there's some kinda bounty on your head..."
"A bounty?"
>"Don't try an' lie to me."
"There isn't," you say, not technically lying.
>After all, you probably have a few days before any bounty gets publically posted.
>Something about her glare tells you that she doesn't quite buy it.
"Listen, I don't know what the problem is. I'm just here because your company or sponsor or whatever sent a librarian, and I was her ride. If you don't like me because I'm a spacer, fine. You like to keep your feet on the ground, I like mine on a ship."
>"That ain't it," she says. "I've known plenty spacers who were good people. But you don't look honest."
"Honest?" you say, pointing at your chest. "How am I supposed to defend against that? I'm a stranger. Maybe if you got to know me, I wouldn't seem so strange."
>Her brow furrows, but then she loses her bluster. "...I'm sorry. I'm just trying to keep trouble from findin' us out here."
"You're the second person to say that. Do I actually look that bad?"

>She smirks. "We've all got our reasons that brought us out here. My family's had some bad deals with shiftless smugglers in the past."
"I can only promise that I'm not shiftless," you reply with your trademark smile.
>It seems to win her over to some degree, as she unfolds her arms and she seems more open.
>"It's funny, I didn't use to be so quick to jump to conclusions. You seem decent enough." She extends a hand. "Let's start over."
You return her friendly smile. "Gladly." You shake her hand again, only to find that her grip is still iron-tight. "I'm glad you don't think badly of me, but forgive me for being blunt, I doubt it'll matter. I'll probably never come back here, despite how good that drink is. It's a big galaxy after all."
>"Yeah... it is." Applejack hesitates for a moment, seemingly questioning if she should say something that's on her mind, but then she relents. "Well, ya know, we've got some folks around here who could pay decent for transportin' goods. We've only got so many means to do it ourselves."
Slowly, your brow arches once more. "Go on."
>"The company gives us plenty, since they're invested in this planet, see? Between you an' me, it's kind of a PR move on their part; turnin' this world from ash to green again is somethin' that'll make 'em look good for investors."
"I think I get that. 'Look, we turned this planet around. Give us money.' Seems like a good sales pitch."

>"And it is a good thing, don't get me wrong. But the people here are the ones doin' the work, and the company can't always provide what we need in the most timely manner. Do you follow?"
You nod. "I do. You could use someone reliable. Someone with a fast ship, who can get the job done. Someone like---"
>She puts a hand up. "Exactly. So, do you know anyone?"
You blink a few times. "Uh, yeah. Me. I thought that's what we were talking about."
>"Look, don't get me wrong, you can make pleasant conversation an' all, but you're a long ways from trust."
>A smart smuggler would recognize that she could be playing you, using your personality flaws to her advantage to get you to work for the colony.
>But it's working.
"I could prove myself," you say. "There isn't a faster or more reliable ship in this system, nor a more capable captain."
>She puts her hands on her hips. "That so? I can think of a few folks around here who could use a hand. And they'll pay, of course. I know that's what you smuggler-types care about."
"I think you'd be surprised what I could care about. As a matter of fact, I might already be forming a deep attachment to the struggles of this colony and its people."
>"Yeah, sure thing, flyboy." She points up the street, to what appears to be a row of prefab buildings arranged in a manner that, by all appearances, seems to a marketplace. “See that store there, the tall one?”

>You look, indeed seeing that one of the buildings is taller than the others.
“Yeah…”
>”I got a good friend who lives there. Maybe she’s got a job for you.”
Taking a moment to straighten your jacket, you slick back your hair and reply, “As it just so happens, I’m done with my last job, so I might be in the market for one. Maybe I’ll stop in and see.”
>Turning away, you head towards the shop, leaving the bemused Applejack behind.
>As it just begins to occur to you how she just played you, you open the door to the shop and are suddenly yanked inside.
>”By the three suns of Moorjhone, what EVER are you wearing?!”
>Before you have time to articulate a response, you are taken aback by the strange and exotic beauty before you.
>Her skin is pearly white, her ears as sharp and long as knives, and her hair a luscious royal purple.
>But it is her eyes, as blue and bright as a clear Manaan morning that captivate you the most.
>With slender, elegant fingers adorned in silvery rings and a dark dress with a violet sash, she runs her hands down the sleeves of your jacket before inspecting its cuffs.
>”This is dreadful, simply dreadful!” she says in a voice that echoes of high society.
You snap out of your admiration. “Hey, this is an authentic rancor-skin jacket!”

>She arches a narrow, perfectly-trimmed brow. “This is NOT rancor-skin, darling. I’ve seen every kind of textile in the galaxy. This is imitation.”
“Imitation?! But I got this on Celanon from a nalroni exporter!”
>”I certainly hope you didn’t pay much for it,” she says, turning you around. “Yes, I’m completely certain of it. This is awful, simply awful!”
“You’re telling me. I’ve had this for years!”
>”Well, this won’t do.” From seemingly out of nowhere she produces a knife, and slices through the back of your jacket with one swift slash!
“Hey!”
>Before you can stop her, she’s yanking the two halves of the jacket off and shaking out the pockets.
“What are you doing?!”
>”I can’t have this kind of poor craftsmanship walk into my store! It’s an affront to everything I hold dear.”
>Several belongings of yours fall out of your pockets, including your copy of the latest issue of Exotic Alien Beauties Bare All.
>As it lands, the datapad turns on and displays a chagrian female splayed out upon a recliner, wearing black lace with a finger pressed up against her lips.
>The white-skinned beauty looks down and purses her lips as you scramble to get it out of view.
>”Ah, I see… you’re fond of---”

“Lingerie!” you quickly lie. “I admit, it isn’t exactly, uh, professional, but I---”
>”Oh! Forgive me, I misunderstood. For a moment I thought you were a pervert who fetishizes alien women.”
You blink a few times. “Yes… just enthusiastic about…” Your eyes quickly scan around the room, noting its many dresses, fabrics and styles of clothing on display. “...Personal, and sometimes private, fashion. Yeah...”
>”How marvelous! That’s my speciality!” She finally holds out a hand. “Rarity. Pleased to meet you, darling.”
“And the same to you,” you reply, shaking her hand. “Captain Anonymous of the Star Turtle.”
>”Oh, so you are the owner of that ship that touched down not so long ago?” As she speaks, she walks around the counter with the tattered remnants of your once-favorite jacket.
“My pride and joy, the fastest and toughest ship this side of the Outer Rim,” you say, never passing up an opportunity to talk up your vessel’s prowess. “Say… what exactly as you doing with my jacket, there?”
>She opens a bin and drops the contents within.
>”Why, trashing it, of course. It was a fake!” You’re about to protest when she holds up a hand. “Now, now, I’ll be replacing it of course. Now then…” She looks you up and down. “I see you’re going for that ‘dashing rogue’ or ‘renegade scoundrel’ look, hm?”

“Uh… yes? I mean, no! That’s what I am, not what I’m going for.” You point a thumb at your chest. “I’m naturally dashing.”
>She bats her hand. “Of course, darling. Perhaps a vest? Or do you like sleeves more?”
“Sleeves. I don’t suppose you have authentic rancor-skin, do you?”
>”I’ll replace your jacket at its value, but no more,” she says, implying that authentic rancor-skin is out of your payscale.
>Looking back, you did think it was a good deal at the time for such a nice jacket…
>You make a note to avoid nalroni merchants in the future.
>As she approaches a nearby rack, she speaks over her shoulder. “Now then, whatever brings you into my humble boutique?”
“I was pointed in this direction because I was told you might have need of transport.”
>”Oh, my, quite so! You see, I may have elected to establish a store here on this colony, but prior to that I was known far and wide for my work and still have many customers all over the galaxy who special-order through my HoloNet catalog! And often, I haven’t the time or resources to be expedient in delivering to them with the few ships the colony owns, and galactic postage can be such a headache…”
“Sounds like you could use a courier,” you say, leaning on the countertop. “I just so happen to be exactly the kind of man you’re looking for.”
>From behind one of the racks, her voice seems light and amused. “Oh, is that so?”
“That’s right. In fact, I could see us having a very close relationship.”
>”Now, now, don’t get too ahead of yourself.”

“Don’t mistake me; I only mean in a strictly professional sense.”
>She giggles to herself. “I’m certain. Now then, what do you think of this?”
>As she emerges from behind the rack, your jaw nearly drops to the floor.
>She’s wearing lingerie, a dark purple and lacy outfit that contrasts with her luscious chalk-white skin.
>Her legs are like sculpted marble, her breasts like marshmallow mountains and her saucy, half-lidded gaze is enough to melt cortosis beams.
>Not to mention her flawless hourglass figure, with wide hips and a stomach flat enough to eat off of.
>”This is from my new lingerie line,” she says, placing her back against a metal shelf and bringing up a leg. “What do you think?”
“I… I, uh, that is…”
>”What’s the matter? I thought you liked lingerie. Was I wrong?”
“No! No, that’s not at all what I… It’s just that… Uh…” Your voice trails off as you stare at her hand running down her leg to rest on her juicy thigh.
>”Or perhaps I was correct and you DO lust after alien women. Well, captain…?”
“I must admit that I’ve never seen anything like it, or you,” you say, swallowing. You suddenly feel rather sweaty as a bead runs down your neck and forehead.
>”We’re both the rarest of the rare,” she says with pride. “I made this set, after all, and I belong to the nagai. I’m not surprised you haven’t heard of us or seen us. Our home planet is in wild space, not very well known.”

“That’s too bad… your, uh, lingerie puts any other I’ve seen to shame.”
>”I can only imagine. Now then, about your job offer. If you don’t mind, I do have a package that needs to be delivered, but only to the other side of the colony. I need some more time to find you a suitable replacement… and I would be absolutely thrilled if you could do this for me.”
You swallow once more. “Yes, absolutely.”
>She smiles and winks, nearly knocking you over.
>Bending over, giving you a generous view of what may be the most fantastic ass you’ve seen amongst all the stars you’ve been to, she picks up a small box.
>”If you would please bring this to my friend Fluttershy. She lives somewhat isolated along the northern edge of the colony; a single hut alongside a fenced-in enclosure. You can’t miss it.”
“Of course,” you say, taking the box from her.
>She puts her hand over yours, sending electric tingles up your arm. “I’ll give you your… reward… when you return. Thank you ever so much. I just love dashing, capable men, especially rogues and scoundrels…”
“I’ll be right back!” you say, stepping out of the door and practically running off.
>It takes you a moment to stop thinking about her incredible body in that tight purple lingerie and start putting things together.
‘Hey, wait a minute…’ You look back where you came from. ‘She just… Oh, damnit, not again.’
>You sigh as you realize she just got you to do a menial task by tantalizingly teasing you with her body.
>Her incredible body, to be sure, which is why it worked so well.
“Damnit…” You look down at the box in your hands and shake your head. “Well, might as well just get it over with…” Slowly, your brow arches and you smile. “Besides, she might actually reward me…”
>You allow yourself the delusion and head north.

>After passing a number of the prefabricated structures, including a rather tall central clocktower of sorts with an antiquated clock that has been adjusted to the planet’s day-night cycle, you begin to see something along the edge of the colony that resembles what Rarity spoke of.
>A single structure, though prefabricated like the rest, resembles something of a homely-looking hut, and it is connected to a fenced-in area of thick grass.
>Upon approaching it, however, you hear a deep bellow that is unmistakably animalistic in nature and behold the sight of a massive, white, hairy beast trampling throughout the enclosure.
>Gigantic spiraling horns emerge from the thick, shaggy snow-white hair that covers its elephant-sized body, and its four legs stomp upon the ground with wide, flat feet as a long tail sweeps back and forth, kicking up dirt and dust.
>The beast bellows again, a resounding cry, before charging at the fence with its man-sized horns.
>That's when you see a woman, clad in a green tunic and simple leggings, her pink hair falling freely around her yellow-skinned face, desperately trying to calm the rampaging animal with some kind of lead attached to its neck.
>But before she can stop him, he breaks free of her grasp and smashes cleanly through the metal wall, right in front of you!
>The monster bellows once more, a wave of bad breath washing over you as the horn-like blast of its throat rattles your bones.
>"Look out!" the yellow girl cries out, her eyes wide with fear.

>Dropping the package, you roll out of the way as the furred freight train rushes by, skidding to a stop in order to let out another deep wail.
>The girl runs up to you and speaks; her voice is like silk, despite her worry. "This is bad! He could trample through every single building!"
>You look up at her, and realize she is a mirialan; her facial markings are elegant and flowing, accenting her lovely cheeks, chin and eyes.
>In fact, she's astoundingly beautiful--what is that, the sixth attractive woman you've seen in this colony?
>How could this unremarkable corner of the Outer Rim have this many babes?
>Your thoughts are turned from her back to the animal as it lets out another roar, then you see its leash on the ground.
>Without skipping a beat, you dive for it, intent on bringing the animal to heel and winning the affection of the soft-spoken beauty.
"Ah-hah!" you say, grabbing onto it.
>"Wait!" the girl says, reaching out to you but not nearly quickly enough to stop you. "He just needs his--"
>The creature snorts, and then charges off, dragging you with it.
"AHH!" you cry, in not the most masculine of fashions.
>Dirt, rocks, dust and grass scrape against you as the creature drags you down the street, past building after building.
>People in the colony scramble to get out of the way of the monster as it stomps and roars, and you're along for the ride.
>It's not that you're still trying to impress the girl, because you wanted to let go the moment it started running, it's that you DID let go--but the leash is caught around your ankle, your foot somehow having gotten stuck through the loop.
>Your hands dig into the ground, trying to find a solid hold, but the overwhelming force and weight of the beast dragging you will not allow it.
>You try to right yourself, ending up on your back as the creature runs past the clock tower.

>By now, a good number of people in the town have been drawn outside by the commotion, and are observing you being dragged; in particular, three little girls are holo-recording it on a small device.
>As the seemingly unstoppable beast rounds a corner, you are thrown up against the wall, letting out a groan as you smack into it.
>Trying to get your wits back, you struggle to free yourself from the confines of the leash, but as you have twisted around several times it has only become more tightly wrapped around your ankle, making it nearly impossible to undo yourself while being dragged.
>You struggle to retrieve your knife from its sheath on your leg, but suddenly your head bumps against a rock and all you can see are stars.
>And then, just as suddenly as you were whisked away in the first place, the creature stops.
>The ringing and buzzing in your ears slowly fades and the stars race to the corner of your vision as you hear a soft voice say, "There, there, it's okay... See? He's right here."
>A gentle noise, akin to mooing, then emanates from the beast.
>"There's a good boy. Who's my big man? Yes he is? Yes he is!"
"Could someone... please... help me...?" you manage to mutter.
>"Oh, my!" The mirialan walks around and finds you. "I'm so sorry. Here, let me get you out of that knot..."

>She slips your foot out of the loop and your leg flops to the ground.
>As the creature turns in place, you see something cradled in its almost impossibly long tongue; a small stuffed animal, resembling itself.
>"He just wanted his favorite toy," she explains. "It was damaged recently during some rough play and Rarity was kind enough to offer to sew it back up. She's so generous. It was in the package you were, um, carrying."
You blink a few times as her words settle in. "So not only was what I did pointless and harmful, but I had the real solution in my hands all along?"
>She nods. "I'm afraid so."
Your head hits the ground. "Story of my life..."
>You suddenly feel a long, wet, muscular appendage wrapping around your head as the creature gives you a long lick.
>"Awww! That means he likes you!" she coos as you are left with a massive wet patch of slobber on your face.
"Yeah, I... like him too," you mutter, trying to wipe it off, creating a sticky trail from your fingers to your face.
>The girl, seemingly unphased by the slobber, takes you by the hand and helps you up. "I'm Fluttershy," she says, her voice still soft and sweet. "This is Angel, my albino bantha. He's very rare, you know, perhaps the only one of his kind!"
"You don't say," you reply, silently glad that there is only one of these things in the galaxy.
>Angel moos as he nuzzles his stuffed animal.

>"I'm so sorry you got roped onto him like that. He's normally so well-behaved." She pats his large face between his eyes. "But he's sorry now, aren't you Angel?"
>The creature once again lets out a pacified moo.
>"There, that's a good boy."
"So... animals are your thing, huh?"
>"Oh, yes! I'm in charge of all of the colonies animals, from livestock to smaller animals meant to be eventually released into the wild."
"Released into the wild? I thought this planet was torched."
>She winces slightly. "Yes... An entire ecosystem annihilated. Isn't it just awful? Think of all of the native animals that we'll never get to learn about." Her lip quivers as tears well up in her eyes, and suddenly she's latched onto your arm. "Just imagining how horrible it must have been for those poor, defenseless little animals..."
"And the people, too."
>"Hm? Oh, r-right. Of course." She swallows her bad thoughts down and composes herself, stepping back. "I'm heading the development of the planet's new ecosystem. It will have to consist entirely of transplanted species, but I've spent my entire life researching animals across the galaxy and I couldn't be more excited to be designing a living network!"
"That sounds like a big project," you say, dusting yourself off. "Wouldn't that take a long, long time?"

>"Oh, my, yes. Applejack and her family are working hard with agriculture droids and equipment to bring the green back to the land, but it'll be my responsibility to ensure that animals are there to live off of it. After all, nature isn't just about plant life, but the animals that consume it."
"I've never really thought about such things," you admit. "It sounds very fascinating, though. I'd love to get to learn more about it and you."
>"I'd love to! I could tell you all about the animals I have under my care and the planets they come from."
"That sounds great," you say, trying to look suave despite looking like you were just dragged by a giant animal. "Maybe over dinner sometime?"
>She puts a finger under her chin. "I am quite busy in the evenings... Some of them only eat their food around the setting of the sun."
"A lunch, then?"
>"Oh, some of them eat at high noon, so I have to feed and monitor them, too."
"...Breakfast?" She's about to speak when you hold up a hand and say, "Let me guess: then too, huh?"
>"It's just such a big responsibility," she says sheepishly.
"It's fine. Maybe I can help you?"
>Her eyes light up. "Oh! That'd be wonderful! Most people are nervous about working with large animals, but--"
>Before you can continue speaking, you hear the loud hum of an engine and a sleek streak of light reflecting on the surface of a hoverbike's shell as the blue girl from earlier--Rainbow Dash, was it?--zips up to you both, stopping on a dime and swinging the back half of her swoop in a semi-circle.

>"Hey, Shy! This guy giving you trouble?"
>"Oh, heavens no, not at all. He was just helping me."
>Dash looks at you next, giving you an up and a down before bursting out into laughter. "What the hell happened to you? You trying to match the way your ship looks?"
You frown. "Classy. I'll have you know I was just involved in pacifying a very dangerous animal."
>Your point is somewhat undercut by said animal then licking your face again, dragging its massive tongue up the side and leaving a fresh trail of saliva.
>Fluttershy takes out a small rag and hands it to you; you use it as Rainbow continues to laugh.
>"Oh, man, you're a riot," Dash says, wiping a tear from her eyes. "Hop on. I need to take you to Twilight."
"About time," you mutter under your breath as you saunter up to the bike and climb onto it, seating yourself behind Rainbow. You look at Fluttershy and say, "See you another tiiiIIIII--" but are unable to finish as Rainbow takes off, nearly knocking you off the back as you hold onto her waist.
>"Oh, yeah, hold on tight, because I like to go fast," Rainbow shouts over the wind. "I didn't really get a chance to properly introduce myself before. Name's Rainbow Dash."
"I caught that much," you say over her shoulder. You roll your eyes and think, ‘After I get my payment from Twilight, I’ll get my reward and a new jacket from Rarity, and then I am gone. This colony is more trouble than it’s worth.’

>"I'm the closest thing this town has to law enforcement. Kind of like a badass frontier marshal kind of thing."
"You don't say."
>"That's why I said not to make any trouble, 'cause otherwise I'd have had to kick your ass. I've studied Teräs Käsi, you know."
"Wow." You have no idea what she's even talking about.
>"Yeah, I'm pretty much all-around awesome. I'm a crack shot with a slugthrower, too."
"Too cool for blasters?"
>"They don't make that satisfying BANG!" she says, kicking the bike into a higher gear on the last word to punctuate it. "Besides, blasters are easy. Slugthrowers require real skill."
"If you say so," you say, tightening your grip on her beltline. "You know, my ship is pretty fast."
>"That thing? It looks like it moves as fast as an actual turtle!"
"Well, you know what they say: slow and steady wins the race."
>"Who ACTUALLY says that? Trying taking that logic into an actual race and see what happens."
"You race much?"
>"Out here? Nobody could ever keep up with me. In the past? All the time. I was the king of every circuit I raced. I'm a mechanic too, you know. Top-tier at modding and rigging. This baby we're riding has all kinds of special modifications, custom-made by yours truly."

"Well, you should take a look at my ship sometime. I've made all kinds of modifications myself."
>"Yeah, it might help to get someone with some actual know-how to look at your ship," she replies with a snicker.
"You might just be surprised."
>"And you might just learn a thing or two," she says, just as cocky as ever. "The library is just up ahead."
>She pulls the bike to a stop in front of a plain-looking building with the insignia of a book over its doors.
>"Here's your stop." You climb off on somewhat-shaky legs and steady yourself as she snickers again. "I'd tell you to try and keep out of more trouble, but it just seems to sort of follow you around, huh?"
'You could say that,' you think, but you keep that one to yourself. "See you around," is all you reply with, shooting her some finger guns.
>She rolls her eyes and flies off on her swoop bike.
"Smooth," you say, hooking your hands on your hips.
>You nearly jump as you hear a voice from behind. "Captain."

"GAH! Twilight!" You put a hand on your chest and turn, giving her a small chuckle.
>"I apologize for the slight surprise," she says with a small smile. It vanishes when she gets a good look at you. "What happened? Where is your jacket?"
"It's a bit of a story," you admit. "Shall we head inside?"
>"I have a refresher in my quarters if you would like to use it."
"I'll use the one on my ship, thanks. Perhaps after I've been paid?" you ask, hinting heavily at her obligation to you.
>"Of course. Right this way."
>She leads you inside the library, which is a quaint building with a low-lit interior and many shelves, most of which are entirely empty.
"What kind of library is this, exactly?" you ask.
>"One that was only recently built," she replies with a knowing smile. "Its shelves will require stocking. While we have several boxes of books I will have to sort through and place on the shelves, more will need to be ordered and shipped in. Perhaps you could assist us further with that."
"Yeah... You know, I could see a few ways around town I could help you--I mean, help out. But really, before I make any more commitments, I would feel much better with the payment I am owed from my first job."
>"I completely understand, Captain. As a professional you certainly exceed your outward appearance."
"Thank... you?"
>"Just give me a moment. My droid will be able to make the credit transfer."
>Spike rolls up, booping annoyingly, bumping into your leg.
>You kneel down and grumble as you take out a banking device and plug it into Spike, who begins to transfer the money into your account.
>"Do you think you will further assist our colony, Captain? With jobs and such. I have been informed that its transport capability is rather lacking."
"I don't know... I mean, work is work, but I've got my eyes set on jobs with higher payouts."

>"I see. If it is consistent payment you are worried about, Gandorthral Atmospherics would undoubtedly be interested in contracting you for regular work. I could assist in negotiations."
You stand up and rub the back of your head. "Yeah... See, thing is, this place is nice. You've got some nice people here, and some of them have politely offered to give me a job. But it isn't really my style to spend too much time in one place. Besides... I fit in better with impolite people."
>While it isn’t a complete lie, you know you can’t stick around for your own good.
>If you stay in one place for too long, or get on the books of some corporation, you'll leave a trail for when the hutt and his bounty hunters come looking for you.
>Twilight considers your words for a moment. "If there is some trouble you are in, we could help you."
"No! No, no trouble at all. I'm just a mote of dust in the cosmic wind, blowing from place to place, that's it."
>"That is surprisingly poetic, Captain," she says, sounding honestly impressed.
"Well, I'm no poet, but--"
>You are cut off by the sound of an outside alarm.
>Both you and Twilight turn to look out the nearby window where a claxon is blaring through speakers placed around the colony.
>You, she and Spike run out through the front door, looking around as people scramble to get inside; some of them are pointing up into the sky.
>Following their gaze, you begin to see a triangular shape forming in the sky beyond the clouds and growing larger with each passing moment.
>Your eyes widen, as do Twilight's, and Spike beeps in worry.
You find yourself swallowing a lump in your throat. "Star Destroyer..."
>"Interdictor-class..."
Your gazes meet. "You don't think..."
>"That it is the same one we came across earlier? Most definitely."
>Looking across the colony, in the direction of where the Star Turtle is parked, you curse under your breath as you realize they must have placed a bug on your vessel.
“Son of a k'lor'slug…”

>The familiar hum of a swoop engine grows in your ears as Rainbow Dash skids to a stop in front of you both.
>Rainbow looks up at you both, a radio at her side blaring with two different people trying to talk at once.
>"Get on!" she tells you both. "That ship is hailing about you both!"
>You and Twilight share a look before climbing onto the bike; though awkward for three people, Dash doesn't go as fast.
>Twilight gives Spike an apologetic look as he protests and rolls after them.
>"We're heading to town hall," Rainbow explains. "The mayor is going to want to see you."
>As she speeds along, your mind races even faster as you try to think about how the Imperials could have followed you.
>As you come to realize that Starlight Glimmer played you even as you thought you played her.
>She must've known all along, somehow, that you had Twilight--or at least information valuable to the Celestial Alliance--on board, and allowed you to reach your actual destination.
>Then, it would have been a simple matter to track down your ship via beacon--but how did it elude you?
>Your ship has sensors for such things.
>Unless...
>It must have been a delayed beacon, only activating when it sensed the ship had powered down!
>Which means that after you landed and left the ship, it would have started broadcasting.

'Clever girl,' you think to yourself, simultaneously cursing her name under your breath.
>Town hall is a large, round building attached to the clocktower in the center of the colony.
>Rainbow quickly parks and ushers you both inside, whereupon you see a few familiar faces situated around a table with a video surface projecting the Star Destroyer's descent towards the planet.
>You note that it will arrive in the upper atmosphere in merely ten minutes.
>Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy are here, discussing things with a few other notable members of the community you haven't been introduced to.
>You and Twilight step towards the center of the command area, down a small flight of steps as some of them turn to consider you.
>An older human woman, presumably the mayor, looks up and adjusts her glasses as you, Twilight and Rainbow walk down into the command well.
>"Are these the two of them?" she asks, to which Rainbow nods. "And you," she points at you specifically, "are the one who flew the ship here?"
"Uh... yes, ma'am."
>"Well, I hope you're happy. You've led the Lunar Empire right to us."
>Everyone in the room looks at you, some shooting less-than-pleased looks.
'Hell of a first impression,' you think to yourself.
>Twilight steps forward. "Please, do not blame Captain Anonymous. He never meant for this to happen. His ship was boarded by Imperials and searched, but he did everything he could to hide my presence."
>"Evidently not enough for them to believe it," Applejack says distastefully.
"Hey, I did my best. I even sacrificed a bottle of damn fine whiskey as contraband for that search."

>"But they followed you anyway?" Rainbow says, her voice full of suspicion. "Just what kind of smuggler are you, anyway? One getting paid off the Imperials, I bet!"
>A few of them seem to believe it, whispering amongst themselves and regarding you with even dirtier looks.
>Before you can protest, a voice comes over the room's speakers.
>"That fool of a captain isn't working for us. Not intentionally, anyway."
>You close your eyes and sigh, recognizing that voice.
>Lieutenant Starlight Glimmer.
>Her face appears on the screen, a smug smile painting her features as she sits in her command chair with her hands together in her lap and her legs crossed.
>"How are they doing this?" the mayor asks one of her aides.
>"They must be slicing into your systems remotely," Twilight responds.
>"Is that the voice of Twilight Sparkle I hear?" Starlight asks. "We don't have video feed from that room you're all in, but trust me, we can hear everything your little colony is saying."
>Behind you, Rainbow Dash gives a signal to a station operator to cut the feed, and they prepare to do so, stopping only when the mayor holds up her hand.
>You catch a strange look between them both; clearly, there is some chain of command disgruntlement between Dash and the mayor.
>Starlight continues, "I really must thank you for your cooperation, Captain. It was all too easy to have you lead us right to where we wanted. I suspected that Twilight herself may have been aboard your vessel, but my gambit worked wonderfully: you led us right to an entire den of rebels."

"Woah, woah, hold on a minute. I thought this was just about information. This colony isn't an Alliance base."
>"Regardless, Twilight Sparkle is a known associate of the Celestial Alliance and this colony is harboring her. That makes all of them rebels in the eyes of the Lunar Empire. Including you for transporting her, 'Captain.'"
You put a hand on your forehead. "Oh, good. Just so we're clear."
>Starlight Glimmer smiles as she uncrosses her legs on the video feed. "I take it your positions are quite clear as well. Simply put, this colony is harboring enemies of the Empire and is suspected of being in possession of valuable intelligence and a person of distinct interest. Our ship outpowers everything your colony can offer, our tractor beam will make escape impossible and I carry a full complement of soldiers and vehicles aboard. I fully intend to lay siege to your colony, a matter which will not take very long. You may hasten your inevitable fate by surrendering now; I will accept nothing less than total unconditional surrender of every person in the colony for processing as prisoners."
>Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie exchange nervous glances while Rarity and Applejack whisper to each other.
>The mayor wears a grim expression, and is about to respond, when suddenly she is interrupted before she can even begin.
>Rainbow Dash pushes forward, past you and Twilight. "You can kiss the bluest part of my ass, lady! If you think we can't fight back, you've got another thing coming!"
>"Stand down!" the mayor commands.
>Rainbow leans over the command table. "We can take them!"
>"At the cost of how many lives?" the mayor retorts.

>"Wait," Twilight says, holding up a hand. "I was the cause of all of this. I will surrender myself and the information I carry."
>Spike, having just wheeled himself in from outside, bleeps in protest.
>"You can't do that!" Pinkie Pie gasps.
>"I have to agree with Pinkie," Applejack says. "They won't keep their word in such a deal."
>"I will not allow harm to fall upon the people of this colony," Twilight insists. She looks at the screen. "Lieutenant, I will surrender on the condition that the colony remain unharmed. They are innocent."
>"A nice try, but I don’t make deals with rebel scum. We’ll identifying everyone down there. There are bound to be more collaborators than just yourself in our records."
>"I knew it," Applejack mutters. Fluttershy and Rarity both give a concerned look as she clenches her fist. "Let them try!" the human says, walking around the table towards the mayor. "We'll activate the defense grid."
>"Hell yeah!" Rainbow says, clearly in agreement.
>"I wouldn't recommend that," Starlight says. "While we won't bombard the colony, though we very well could, we are more than capable of laying siege to it. I have starfighters and ground vehicles ready for deployment."
>"Bring it on!" Rainbow says defiantly. "We can take on whatever you want to throw at us! We're not giving you anyone or anything!"
>The mayor is about to protest, clearly intent on speaking with the colony in mind, but Dash then signals the comms operator again to completely kill the power, which he does.
>The screen turns black and radio traffic goes dead silent.
>The mayor shakes her head, shooting daggers out of her eyes at the blue-skinned marshal. "Well, there we are."

"You're going to just declare war on them like that?" you say.
>"I was hoping to further stall for time with more negotiations," the mayor replies. "But, it appears our course has been laid out."
"That's crazy. I mean, they're just after Twilight. It's not like the rest of you are criminals or something, or at least what the Lunar Empire considers criminals."
>There is a pregnant silence in the room as everyone stares at you.
You look around at them all. "...Right?"
>Rainbow turns around, and takes out something from her jacket's breast pocket.
>It is a golden medallion with the symbol of a blazing sun.
>Nearby, Rarity reveals a medallion of her own, and then Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, the mayor and several other people in the room.
>Finally, Twilight turns and opens her blue robe just enough to reveal that she, too, is in possession of such a medallion.
>Your shoulders slump somewhat.
"Oh... So you're ALL with the Alliance. I see now. And I guess that makes me the ONLY person in this room who isn’t.”
>You receive a few nods as some of them exchange glances with each other.
“Just my luck... I know by reputation that you guys aren't really into surrendering."
>"And we're not selling out any of our own," Rainbow says, putting her hand on Twilight's shoulder. "Even if we haven't known you for long, you're one of us, we're not going to give anyone up without a fight."
>Twilight offers a weak smile. "I commend your loyalty, but I fear this will cost us lives."

>"As much as I don't want it to be so, we have no choice but to fight until reinforcements arrive," the mayor says, taking off her glasses and rubbing her eyes. "I managed to send out an emergency signal before they started jamming all of our communications."
>"We don't have long before they'll start sending down fighters," Applejack says. "We need to arm ourselves and man the defense turrets! We'll need all hands to battle stations." She then points at you and says, "That means you!"
"What? Me?"
>"You're the one who got us into this mess, so you're going to help us get out of it."
"But that's not--"
>Twilight gives you an apologetic look as Rainbow suddenly grabs your arm and pulls you towards the exit. "Come on! You're in this too, whether you like it or not."
"Hey, wait! What are we doing?"
>"We're getting on the cannons and blasting starfighters out of the sky. Now move!"
"I didn't sign up to fight a war!"
>"You've been drafted, so hop to, soldier!" She all but throws you onto her bike as Applejack jumps into her landspeeder, taking Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Rarity with her.
>Kicking her bike into high gear, Rainbow Dash speeds towards the perimeter wall.
"What cannons? I don't see any!" you shout, scanning the wall.
>Rainbow Dash takes out a remote from her jacket with one hand and presses a button.
>Before your eyes, several cannons emerge from different sections of the wall, rotary guns unfolding and pointing up at the sky.
"Oh, THOSE cannons," you say nervously.

>Rainbow stops her bike and pushes you off.
>"Get on one of those things and start working through some aggression!" she says before speeding off.
>Around you, you can see people in the colony taking up defensive positions, with people manning turrets and pulling out weaponry that only members of the Celestial Alliance could have.
"Ah, hell," you mutter, looking at a nearby turret well and the ladder leading up into a gunner's position. "Why do I have to have the worst luck in the galaxy?"
>You climb up to the gunner's seat, located behind some blast shielding with a gap to allow sight.
"Just a simple transport job, a pretty purple lady, colony in the middle of nowhere... Should have known it was all too good to be true."
>The turret is familiar to those you have used before, and the remote activation system has already brought it online.
>Taking hold of two omnidirectional levers, you look at the targeting screen and wait.
>Sweat rolls down your neck and forehead.
"...Maybe they're not sending fighters?"
>Your targeting screen suddenly beeps wildly as several rapidly-moving targets descend from the clouds.
>You recognize them well enough; their distinct spherical bodies with parallel hexagonal panel wings on either side are known throughout the galaxy.
>TIE Fighters.
"Ah, hell," you say, flicking open the firing pads at the tops of the levers. "In for a credit, in for a pound."

>As they reach optimal firing range, you open up with your turret, blasting into the sky.
>In spite of not wanting to be involved in the first place, an exhilerating rush fills you as the power of the turret and its blasts reverberates throughout the gunner's position, echoing in your ears and hitting you with the heat of the discharge.
>Bright blue bolts rush up to the sky to meet the oncoming fighters, who break off and respond with green flashes of their own, shooting down into the colony.
>You lock onto one in particular and lead your shots, managing to score a hit on one of its panel-wings which forces it to veer off.
>The sky is positively filled with blue and green lasers as the TIE Fighters attempt to strafe the towers, blasting at them while avoiding incoming fire.
>It is rather easy to lose yourself in the adrenaline of battle as you balance the heat of your cannons with the timing of your blasts, careful not to fire for too long and risk overheating.
>You even let out a hollar as you destroy one of the enemy vessels, before the reality sets in that this makes you a criminal to half of the Inner Rim.
>Then again, apparently you already were, according to Lieutenant Glimmer.
'It's not like they know that was me specifically,' you reason, and return to blasting.
>You feel your tower rock as one of the fighters blasts the base of it; lights flicker around you and red warning signs pop up in the corner of your targeting screen.
"Oh, you want some too, huh!?"
>You adjust your aim, wheeling around and blasting at the ship as it flies past, managing to score a hit on its maneuvering thrusters.
>It spirals out of control, vanishing along the grey, ashen horizon.

>You're about to cheer when you see something in that general direction, beyond the range of your cannons, that you hadn't noticed before.
>Landing craft, of various sizes, touching down.
'They're landing toops while we busy ourselves with the fighters!' you realize.
>You scramble around for a headset, finding one that is set to local channels, only to hear static.
'That's right. They're jamming all comms. Damn!'
>Their diversion complete, the remaining TIE Fighters pull back, soaring up into the sky and retreating to the Interdictor.
>Slowly, the firing around the colony dies down and things go quiet.
>You get out of the chair and slide down the ladder, leaving the turret position as you see the town preparing for a ground assault.
>Applejack is standing up from her landspeeder, directing the citizens into positions of defense.
>"They've landed out east!" she calls out. "I need thirty by the east gate; get the heavy rifles out, and set up E-Webs!" She spies you, standing off to the side of the road. "You! Make yourself useful and get to the cantina! Pinkie Pie needs help unloading the big guns."
>Not seeing much else to do, you run in the general direction of where you found the cantina earlier.
>You pass by Rarity, who is handing out helmets and blast vests.
>"Here, take a set," she says, handing you a helmet with the crest of the Celestial Alliance on it.

"I guess I really am drafted," you mutter hopelessly.
>"Fret not, darling. We're all in this together!" The nagai turns and resumes handing out armor as you slide the helmet on and then the vest.
>Within the Sugarcube Cantina, you see Pinkie Pie opening a crate full of grenades.
"Those are thermal detonators!" you nearly cry.
>"Nope! These are PARTY FAVORS!" the zeltron replies with a manic look on her face. She reaches for a button underneath her bar and presses it.
>Before your very eyes, the walls of the cantina, which contained a delightful assortment of colorful drinks and mixtures, is swapped out for panel upon panel of weaponry.
>The entire backside of the cantina flips as rows of charged clips, pistols, rifles and other weapons are revealed.
>You've seen stores for actual weapons that have fewer guns than this place.
"What in the..."
>Pinkie Pie pops up, having spread some blue facepaint under her eyes.
>She straps two bandoliers of explosives in front of her and slides two knives into her boots before arming herself with two heavy blaster pistols.
>"Ready for a REAL party?!" she says with a wide smile.
"The hell kind of colony is this?" you mutter.
>"Oh, you know, just your average military outpost disguised as a simple frontier colony that happens to be armed to the teeth. Isn't that fun?"
>She lifts up the box of thermal detonators and very worryingly slaps it onto the bar before sliding it in your direction.
>"Here you go! Spread the love around. Make sure everyone has some for the party! I think we're going to have special guests knocking at our door soon!"
>Her cheery, bubbly demeanor combined with the morbid way she refers to the enemy soldiers that will soon be laying siege to the town gives you pause, but then it clicks that of all the women you've met so far, this is one you DEFINITELY don't want to be on the bad side of.

>Stumbling out the cantina’s doors with a box full of highly illegal and highly lethal explosives in a box that you are fairly certain was actually meant to transport cupcakes, you see a group of colonists passing by.
You get their attention. “Hey! Uh… free thermal detonators?”
>Now there’s a sentence you didn’t expect to be uttering today, or ever.
>They run over and start grabbing them a bit too hastily for you to feel confident that none of them will accidentally activate one.
>You suddenly see a smaller hand grabbing one, and move the box aside to look down at a little girl with red hair, one you think you saw earlier.
>The thermal detonator looks too big for her hands and she looks it up and down with wide eyes.
“What are you doing with that?!” you shout.
>She gives you a big, wide, innocent smile. ”Helpin’ out! Thanks, mister!”
>You’re about to run after her when suddenly Applejack pulls up in her landspeeder, a rifle at the ready in one arm and her other hand on the steering wheel. “Hop in, Apple Bloom!” she says to the small human, whom you suddenly notice has a familial resemblance to Applejack.
>As the small girl climbs into the back, the blonde notices you. “What’re you doin’, standin’ there like an iriaz in high beams? Climb in!”
>You blink a few times before jogging lightly over to the passenger side and climbing in.
“Should she really be handling explosives like thAAAAATTT!”
>Applejack kicks her landspeeder into high gear, forcing you back into the seat as her blonde hair flies behind her.
>”Aw, she’s fine! Apple Bloom’s handled weapons her whole life! Not just simple farm folk, you know. Even back on Dantooine we had to defend our land, not just from kath hounds, but raiders. Spacers, you know.” She throws a sidelong glance at you. “No offence, flyboy.”

“NONE TAKEN!” you say, holding onto the crate of explosives for dear life.
>She drives up to the southeastern perimeter wall, where Rainbow Dash is coordinating defensive positions.
>Colonists, armed with rifles of all makes and models, are taking cover and aiming through holes in the wall.
>As she comes to a stop, you even see a team loading rockets into some kind of portable launcher, a shoulder-mounted weapon that looks like it could pack a hell of a punch through some serious armor.
‘I’m about to be in the middle of a warzone,’ you think to yourself. ‘I thought the fighting was supposed to be mostly in the inner rims, not out here!’
>Applejack taps your shoulder as she gets up, motioning for you to follow after her.
>Her little sister hops out and runs up to two of her friends; a small girl with lilac hair that looks like a member of Rarity’s species, and an orange togruta with purple markings on her montrals and lekku.
>Rainbow Dash busts open a crate of rifles, turning it over to a group of colonists, and you notice that they are all of various ages, both old and young.
>”They landed just beyond the southern river,” Rainbow reports to Applejack as you both approach. “Since we swatted the fighters out of the sky, they’ll probably siege us on ground to split our attention.”
>Applejack nods her agreement. “We hold them, but we don’t go after them. We wait until help arrives.”
>”You know how far out we are, AJ. Help ain’t coming any time soon. We’re going to have to kick these Imperials off our planet or die trying.”
You look up into the sky at the Interdictor hovering menacingly in low orbit overhead. “Is there a third option?”


>Rainbow looks at you, and then cocks her head with a grin. “Come on, where’s your sense of adventure?”
“Usually on the other side of a firefight. They’ve got you outnumbered; a ship like that must have thousands of troops.”
>”Yeah, well… let’s just try and remember whose fault this is that we’re in this mess, huh?” the blue-skinned girl replies, slapping you on the shoulder.
>You look around, seeing some of the other colonists looking at you and whispering.
“Hey, come on, that’s not---“
>Applejack turns you to the side and walks off with you.
>”Easy now. We all know you did your best to get the Imperials off your trail. You just didn’t do a very good job, is all.”
“Thanks.”
>”Just bein’ honest. We all knew that it would only be a matter ‘a time before they came knockin’ at our door. That’s why we’re all committed and prepared to fight for our home.”
>You look back over at the three children.
“Is it really a good idea to have them around all of this? I’ve seen how nasty fights like this can go, and that’s usually just someone angry at someone else in a bar. This is… war.”
>”Don’t count them out. They’re tough little balls of spitfire.”
“If you say so…”
>Rainbow runs back up, having given out some more orders and rifles to the last group of colonists arriving to staff the walls.
>”I’m getting up in the tower,” she says, taking her own slugthrower off her shoulder and checking its load. “I figure we’ve got minutes before we start seeing troopers or walkers.”

>As she passes by, she pokes her finger into your chest. “And I better not see or hear about you running out on us. You got us into this mess and you damn well better help us get out of it. Nothing I can’t stand more than a coward who runs from a fight.”
“Lady, I have a blaster pistol and a box full of illegal explosives. I am vastly underqualified to be fighting this fight.”
>”Yeah, well, have a look around,” she says, pointing at some of the others. She points to a man helping sort ammunition into neat, ready-to-be-handed-out piles. “That’s Mr. Cake, a baker. Got a wife and two baby kids. That one,” she points to a female devaronian, “is Roseluck, and she’s a gardener who grows vegetables to help feed the colony. Over there?” She points at a kel dor, whose mask hides his face but his body language shows how nervous he is as he loads a rifle. “That’s Caramel, and he just turned old enough to drink… whatever it is that his people drink. But the point is, every single one of these people here will stand and fight, even if they’re bakers or gardeners or young or old, because of one thing: loyalty, to an ideal. We’re not just fighting for this planet, we’re fighting against the tyranny of the Lunar Empire and we’ll never stop.” She turns and looks back at you. “If you don’t let us down, you’ll have allies and friends for life, because we stand together. But if you turn and run?” She grabs you by the collar and stares you dead in the eyes. “Then I’ll shoot you myself.”
You swallow. “That’s a hell of a speech.”
>She lets go and smiles. “Thanks! But we don’t win fights with words, we win them with bullets and lasers and bombs, so let’s give them to our enemies! WHO’S WITH ME?”
>Other colonists who were listening in cheer, holding up their weapons.

>You step back as Applejack smirks. “She likes that sort of thing. Me, I’m more of an actions speak louder than words kinda gal. So, what’ll it be, flyboy?”
“It’s not like I have much choice. I couldn’t fly out of here without them catching my ship in a tractor beam.” You set down the box and take out your blaster pistol, a Model 80 by Merr Sonn Munitions, Inc. and hold it up to the light. “Looks like I’m fighting.”
>She grins. “Atta boy. Ever been in a firefight?”
“Just how green do you think I am?”
>”I don’t know, how green are you?”
“I’m not green at all. I’ve seen plenty of action across the galaxy.”
>It’s not a lie---you’ve SEEN plenty of firefights.
>Being in one, however, that is another story.
>Hell, those TIE Fighters you helped blast down earlier were the first non-asteroid targets you’ve actually shot at in a non-target practice scenario.
>Not that anyone here, or anywhere else for that matter, needs to know that.
>Before Applejack can retort, Rainbow Dash calls down from the tower.
>”We’ve got incoming!”
>AJ, rifle in hand, rushes to take position at the wall.
>You begrudgingly take hold of a thermal detonator in your free hand and follow her.
>Running up a set of metal stairs, you take cover behind a thick barricade at the top of the wall and look through a pair of metal slits.
>In the distance, you see a few large plumes of dirt and dust being kicked up, and in the center of them are strange boxy machines walking on two legs.
>As they come into clearer focus, you see that they are walkers, but smaller than most you’ve seen before on patrols and in holovids.
“What are those things?”
>”AT-PT’s,” AJ says. “We got lucky. That Star Destroyer up there is one of the smaller types. This is probably the biggest they got!”
>You quickly count them up; you see at least a dozen.

“Let’s hope they don’t have any other real surprises for us,” you think out loud. “I don’t know if you’ve ever played dejarik, but sometimes it’s best to send out a weaker creature to test your opponent’s defenses before sending in the big bruisers.”
>AJ looks over her shoulder at you, assessing your words with some serious thought as her brow furrows. “I played more than a few games. You ever make a move where you want your opponent to look at one side ‘a the board, and not the other, where your real plan is?”
“Yeah… once or twice.” You look at her. “You think this is a distraction?”
>She frowns. “Just a hunch… See how much dust they’re kickin’ up? They’re not movin’ at top speed, they’re practically just stompin’ in place.”
You squint as you stare out through the slit. “Now that you mention it, you’re right…”
>Applejack looks up at the nearby tower. “Hey, Dash! I think we got---“
As she calls up, you suddenly grab her arm and shout, “LOOK OUT!”
>Several rockets fly out of the dust, streaking towards the walls.
>You pull Applejack into cover as the rockets, fired by teams obscured by the clouds of ash and dirt, impact, sending shockwaves reverberating throughout the metal.
>The structure holds, however, constructed of incredibly solid and thick material.
>The AT-PTs then let loose a torrent of fire from their light blaster cannons, peppering the walls with flashes of green.
>The colonists respond in kind, aiming through their slits and firing at the semi-obscured enemies.
>A rocket is fired from one of the towers, but it strikes the ground instead of a target, briefly illuminating the nearby hull of one of the walkers.

>They continue to advance as they fire, still kicking up dust into the air behind them.
>You catch glimpses of soldiers moving as well, but they’re too well-hidden within the ashen fog.
>Soon enough, the entire area is a mess of dust and blaster bolts flying in every direction.
>Applejack aims and shoots, her blaster deflecting off the hull of a walker.
>It then aims up at your position and fires, leaving a heavy dent in the exterior of the wall along with a large scorch mark.
>It isn’t long before they’re within a hundred meters of the wall, still firing and advancing steadily, kicking up dust to obscure their smaller forces, which are now firing as well.
>You can feel the heat of their constant barrage of blaster fire warming the defense wall.
>Aiming out, you fire away with your pistol, doubting that you are doing any real damage.
>Another round of rockets emerge, hitting the wall, obscuring everyone’s vision with smoke and fire momentarily.
>Someone on your side responds with another rocket, this one hitting the leg of a walker and shattering it in the blast, causing the machine to topple over.
>Still they advance, their non-stop firing making it difficult to even see, much less aim.
>You look down at the thermal detonator in your hand.
‘Hell with it,’ you think, and prime the device before lobbing it over the wall.
>The explosion that follows is large, and others follow suit as several further explosives are thrown over the walls.
>You even see the three kids from earlier, Apple Bloom among them, throwing them like baseballs.
>Another rocket hits a walker, downing it as well.
>Up in the tower, Rainbow Dash manages to score a hit on a trooper, blasting him through the white helmet with her slugthrower.
>It seems that, for now, your position is holding.
>But for how long?

>As if to answer your question, a massive explosion erupts near the northern perimeter wall, a towering inferno of flames and smoke rising up towards the grey sky.
>You and the others all turn and look on as fiery debris rains around the area.
>”What the hell was that?” Applejack asks. She takes out a communicator and asks if anyone saw what hit the wall.
>Blaring static is her answer, and she mentally slaps herself in the face for forgetting about the communication jamming.
>”Come on!” she says, standing up and grabbing you by the arm. “We need to go see!”
“Wait!” you say, stopping her in her tracks. “I’ll go. You stay here. The people might need you more.”
>She cocks a brow, taking a moment to think about your surprisingly astute words.
>Looking over at the other colonists, many of whom wear worried expressions, she gets a grim look on her face and nods at you.
>”Go find out what’s happening and report back!” she orders you.
>You run over to her landspeeder and hop in.
‘Alright, now’s my chance to get to my ship,’ is the first thought that runs through your mind, even if you didn’t want it to.
>Your hand hovers over the gear shifter as you consider the moral implications of that thought.
>Even if you wanted to leave---and to be fair, you really do---you yourself already pointed out that they’d catch your ship in the tractor beam.
‘But if I fly real low, I might just…’
>You shake your head and start up the landspeeder.
‘I’m too deep in this sithspit,’ you think. ‘I already know I won’t get any deals from the Imperials or that stuffy lieutenant. Like it or not, these people are my best chance for getting out of here.’
>As you drive off, the repulsors kicking up dirt behind the vehicle, you let out a sigh.
‘Maybe if I surrender, they’ll go easy on me…’ You shake your head. ‘Yeah. Right.’
>You approach the site of the large explosion.

>A hole in the wall large enough to drive two tanks side-by-side through has been created, though you cannot immediately tell how.
>You’ve seen some explosives in the past, but this side of town had more defense turrets; they couldn’t have just driven up a bunch of bombs and set them up without getting shot at.
>As you contemplate what could have caused the explosion, you hear a strange noise rising over the flames and the distant sounds of battle, a humming that grows louder and louder.
>It reminds you of Rainbow Dash’s hoverbike in a way.
>And sure enough, that’s just what it is, but not her hoverbike.
>Several Imperial scout troopers riding speeder bikes race into the colony through the hole in the wall, shooting through the flames, protected by their speed and white armor.
>You watch in surprise as they immediately break off into two groups, driving through the colony’s streets at high speeds.
>Armed with the blaster cannons mounted on the front of the speeder bikes, they begin blasting at seemingly random targets, hitting walls and forcing people to take cover.
“Damn,” you mutter, pondering what to do.
>Suddenly you hear a slamming sound as someone jumps into the landspeeder alongside you.
>At first you think it may merely be an enemy, but it is merely Pinkie Pie, holding aloft some kind of heavy repeater.
>”After them!” she orders you. She cocks her weapon and aims it forward, bracing herself in the seat. “You drive, and I’ll LIGHT ‘EM UP!”
>This woman scares you.

>Where did she even come from just now…?
>With no better option in mind, you do just that, taking off and chasing after one of the groups of scout troopers.
>As you drive, you begin to think about what they may have done to the wall.
>With their speed, they must have evaded turret fire and dropped bombs off in a series of runs, then detonated them all simultaneously.
>An unconventional tactic, but it is working, seeing as how they are causing chaos all around the colony and serving as a distraction from taking on the armed forces outside the walls.
>Applejack’s landspeeder isn’t very fast, and not nearly as maneuverable, but the colony doesn’t have many wide open spaces.
>This gives your vehicle something of an advantage, allowing you to take up the whole road as it were as you chase after them.
>Pinkie Pie, once in range, lets loose with her heavy repeater, blasting at the scouts with yellow bolts of high-powered energy.
>She sprays the back of one, hitting the tail end of his bike and armor, causing him to instantly spiral and crash into a wall.
>”YOU LIKE THAT?!” she shouts, her tongue hanging out of her mouth as she hollers and fires at another. “WELCOME TO CANTERLOT COLONY! HERE’S YOUR WELCOMING PARTY!”
>It’s strange; she seemed so nice in the cantina…
>She unleashes a hail of fire upon the enemies as they switch from actively attacking the colony and its structures to fleeing from you both.
>Suddenly you feel a jolt and Pinkie Pie nearly falls out; you reach over and grab her by the waist and pull her back into her seat.

>She looks at you with a big smile and says, “Thanks!” before looking back. “Uh-oh! More company!”
>You steal a single glance back and see three scout troopers on your tail, firing at your vehicle; another shot hits the back, causing another stumble.
“Can you take them out?” you shout over the roar of the engine.
>”Oh, definitely! Applejack and I prepared for this kind of thing, you know!” She presses a button on the dashboard, and music starts playing. “Oopsie! That’s the wrong one, haha!”
Another shot flies past your head, nearly burning your hair. “PINKIE!”
>”Now which one was it…” She puts a pink finger up to her lips and taps them a few times. “She always said that it was the one I should never press unless in a situation juuuust like this one…”
“WHICH BUTTON IS IT?!”
>”Oh!” she says with a giggle, lightly slapping her forehead. “Uh-doy! It’s the big red one!”
“I don’t SEE a big red button!” you say as you sharply turn a corner.
>She turns a small latch and opens a tiny hood that reveals a big, red button with some labeling glued to the top of it, scrawled upon which are the words, “DO NOT TOUCH, PINKIE”
>”Oh, shoot, I guess I can’t press it. Darn it!” She leans forward and yawns, then slams the button with her elbow. “Oooops!” She leans over to you and whispers, “Don’t tell Applejack!”
>The trunk of the landspeeder suddenly opens, ejecting several explosives.
>They go off under and around the pursuing speeder bikes, sending their occupants to a fiery doom.
>Pinkie Pie cheers, throwing her hands up at the fireworks.
‘I was driving around this whole time with explosives in the back? And they were SHOOTING at my back?’ You check your pulse to make sure you aren’t dead. ‘Not yet… but I’m hanging with the right crowd, apparently.’
>Pinkie stops her cheering for a moment and tells you to park up ahead.

>You bring the landspeeder to a stop, allowing Pinkie to hop out.
>”They’re still running around, but I need a reload,” she says, pausing at a mailbox. She knocks on it near the bottom, revealing a hidden compartment with powered ammunition charges inside.
“Is this whole place built for a siege?”
>”They came to the WRONG colony!” Pinkie says, slapping a freshly charged mag into her large gun. She aims up at the sky and fires at the Interdictor. “HOW DO YOU LIKE THAT, HUH!?”
>You crouch, covering your head as she shoots.
“Pinkie! That thing has shields! You’re just wasting ammo---I don’t think your shots can even reach it!”
>She stops shooting and shrugs. “I know, but it was fun!”
>As you sit back up, you hear a humming noise growing louder as another speeder bike rounds a corner up ahead and starts flying straight for you.
“PINKIE, GET IN!” you shout at her.
>The scout fires, blasting the mailbox to pieces and knocking her to the ground.
>You bring up your blaster pistol and fire a few times, but miss.
>The scout is about to blast your landspeeder and you within it when there is a flash of silver streaking through the air.
>A knife, deftly thrown by a master hand, embeds itself right beneath his helmet, sinking into the softer black material covering his neck.
>The speeder bike and its pilot veer off and crash into an alleyway.
>As you ponder what just happened, you hop out and run to Pinkie Pie’s side.
>She’s got some ashy marks around her, and more than a few scratches, but she doesn’t seem seriously wounded.
>She coughs a few times as you help her up.
>”Hah… having a bit too much fun for my own good, huh?” she whimpers.
>You look down and see that she does, in fact, have an open wound on her leg, red blood semi-contrasting with her bright pink skin.
>You’re about to help her into the landspeeder when Rarity appears, a knife in each hand.

>”My goodness! Quickly, let’s get her inside. Pinkie Pie, whatever were you thinking?”
>The nagai takes the zeltron’s other arm and you both help her into Rarity’s store, where you sit her down in a chair.
“Did you throw that knife?” you ask as Rarity grabs an aid kit and injects Pinkie Pie with a stimpack.
>”’Twas nothing, darling,” she replies.
You whistle softly to yourself. ‘If you say so… The people and this colony get more and more interesting by the second.'
>"Help me," Rarity says, and you don't hesitate to help strip Pinkie's burnt pantleg off as Rarity cuts it at the hip with one of her knives.
>Under any other circumstance, you'd love to have stripped a pantleg or two off a busty, curvy, bubbly zeltron, but she's bleeding, so you put aside such thoughts.
>You keep Pinkie stable as Rarity's hands work in a blur, quickly stopping the bleeding, applying a field suture, slathering a light amount of bacta gel and covering up the site with a compressed dressing.
>She's amazingly precise, almost like she doesn't even have to think about what she wants to make happen; her hands simply make it so.
>No wonder she can throw a knife into the neck of an oncoming speeder biker with lethal accuracy and brush it off like it isn't a tremendous feat...
>Pinkie Pie smiles and nods at Rarity as the nagai asks if she is alright.
>The pearl-skinned beauty then looks at you and says, "I just came from helping Fluttershy. Her animals are at risk; one of those speeders set her pens on fire."
"I'm on it," you say, approaching the exit. You pause. "I don't suppose you have anything that fights fires, do you?"
>"That's what I came back for when I saw you two." She approaches a box on a wall and opens it, removing a CryoBan Projector and tossing the nozzled, gun-like device over to you. "Hurry!"
>You nod and run out the door, not even questioning her possession of a weapon like this at this point.

>Remembering the path you took from Rarity’s shop earlier, you run towards Fluttershy’s home.
>The sounds of battle, both near and distant, surround you; a quick glance up towards the sky at the Interdictor hovering menacingly abov only adds onto the dread you feel.
‘What am I even doing?’ your habitual self-interest yet again assails you with doubt. ‘There’s no way we can win this fight.’
>You stop briefly and shake your head.
‘This is crazy, all of this.’
>Another glance up at the sky has you thinking of ways you could outmaneuver that Star Destroyer… but you know there are none.
>You’re stuck down here and you know it---as much as you’d like to get out of here.
>A stray thought crosses your mind.
‘Even if I could get out of here, would I leave them behind?’
>You puzzle over the potential implications of that thought before you hear shouting from nearby.
>You grit your teeth as you round a corner, seeing Fluttershy’s animal pens, some of which are on fire.
>The animals are all frightened and cowering away from the fires, and some of them are barking and crying loudly.
‘Ah, hell,’ you think, swallowing your reservations for the time being. ‘I can’t let them burn!’
>Raising the CryoBan Projector, you blast a line of white-blue coolant and carbonite-like molecules, aiming directly at the sources of the flames on the pens and cages.
>You take great care to not hit any of the animals, targeting only the flames.
>Steam and smoke billow upwards as you work to extinguish the fires, saving the animals as they cry out in distress and panic.
>Thankfully, this pseudo-weapon is extremely well-suited to the task, allowing you to put out the flames safely from a distance.
>When the last of the fires is out, you lift up the rifle and examine your work: the animals are all safe, and there isn’t a lick of flame in sight.

“Not bad,” you compliment yourself, adopting a cheeky grin.
>That grin quickly vanishes when you feel a blaster shoved into your back.
>”Hands up, rebel scum,” comes a voice muffled by a helmet but amplified by a small speaker.
>You drop the projector and turn around, seeing a scout trooper aiming a pistol at you.
“Hey, man, I was just helping the animals.”
>He doesn’t seem amused, aiming the weapon at your head.
>”Take me to your leader and I won’t burn a hole in your head.”
>Behind him, you catch a glimpse of a yellow-skinned girl taking position around a building: Fluttershy!
You decide to stall. “I’m not even from here! I’m just… visiting my cousin!” Inwardly, you think, ‘I use that excuse a lot… I need to work on my cover stories.’
>He places the barrel of the blaster pistol up against your temple.
>”I’m going to count to five…”
>Suddenly, Fluttershy takes out a remote and presses it.
>One of the cages behind you opens up, and the animals flood out of it!
>Small mammals, reptiles and other odd things of all shapes and sizes suddenly swarm forward and attack the scout trooper!
>He falls back, shouting and getting a shot off at the sky as a strange two-legged amphibian wraps its tongue around his weapon arm and pulls.
>You step back as they pounce on him, holding him down as he struggles.
>Fluttershy walks up, holding her remote and offering a sheepish smile.
You blink a few times. “They seem… cooperative.”

>”They’re well-trained,” she says, picking up the discarded blaster pistol. “I worked with them for years before bringing them here. Thank you so much for saving them.”
“It was nothing, really,” you say, still contemplating the oddity of seeing so many small animals overwhelm the scout trooper. “Remind me to never get on your bad side.”
>Overhead, the scream of two TIE Fighters can be heard as they cut through the skies, chased by turret fire.
>You and Fluttershy both look on as they angle downwards, blasting at one of the perimeter walls, punching an opening in from the inside.
>As their green bolts pierce the wall, you see stormtroopers start to make their way inside, blasting at the colonists waiting for them; a firefight quickly breaks out between both groups.
>”Oh my,” Fluttershy says, holding a hand up to her mouth. “This is getting bad…”
“I’d better warn the others that they’re starting to get foot soldiers in the walls. I’ll need to get to town hall…”
>Her yellow features light up. “I have an idea!”
>Putting her fingers in her mouth, she whistles loudly, and you hear a familiar roar that makes your stomach sink.
>Angel, the albino bantha you became ‘acquainted’ with earlier, charges around a corner.
>The smaller animals scatter as he runs over the scout trooper, trampling him underfoot.
“Oh, good, this guy again,” you mutter.
>Fluttershy looks at you and says, “I’ll round up the small ones. Angel will take you to town hall!”
>The bantha snorts and lowers his massive, wide head as Fluttershy whispers his instructions to what you assume is an ear buried somewhere in all that hair.
>You swallow, knowing this isn’t a good idea.

>Walking around Angel’s side, you grab onto his exceptionally shaggy white fur and climb onto his back.
>Before you can get settled, the bantha takes off, nearly throwing you from his back as he charges down the street.
>Holding onto scruffs of hair for dear life, you let out a shout as he nearly crashes through a section of prefab wall, knocking it over as he runs past.
>Up ahead, you see the clock tower, and several starfighters flying beyond it; the sky is lit up with turret fire and the shapes of TIEs.
>Angel skids to a stop in front of the building, letting out a deep bellow that is probably bantha-speak for, “We’re here, now get off!”
>No sooner than the moment you climbed off, he turns and races back the way you came, probably to return to and protect Fluttershy.
>Running a hand through your head as you try to get your addled senses from the bumpy ride back under control, you quickly rush inside.
>You see the mayor issuing commands in a stern, yet nervous voice; clearly, she’s aware of how bad the situation is getting already.
>Twilight is also here, and she seems relieved to see you.
>”Captain! I am glad you are unharmed.”
“Mostly,” you reply. “We’ve got a lot of trouble out there. Soldiers are starting to get into the walls.”
>”We’re starting to unjam communications,” she says, leading you over to a panel. “Do you know how to set a random pattern of frequency hopping?”
“I don’t have a lot of experience in the area,” you admit. “I’ve got a device in my ship that does it for me.”

>Her purple eyes widen. “You do? Captain, if we can have that device, we may be able to salvage our communications for this battle and turn the tide!”
“It isn’t very powerful. I picked it up from a junker on Ord Mantell.”
>”We can amplify its power here, we have the means.” She reaches up and touches your arm. “Captain, please, I know I am asking much of you, but---“
“It’s alright,” you interrupt her. “I’m in this mess too. I’ll get the device, but you stay here. It’s safer.”
>The twi’lek nods, looking like she would like to say something more, but holds her tongue and watches you leave.
>Blaster in hand, you duck out of the entrance and start dashing down the street from cover to cover.
>A stray blaster bolt nearly takes your head off and you quickly dive down behind some supply crates, letting them take the rest of the shots that come flying your way.
>Seems like a group of three stormtroopers that made it this far into the town saw you and are pinning you down.
“Damn bucket heads,” you say, checking the power supply on your blaster pistol. You pop up and return fire, making them take cover.
>You crawl to the side of the nearest building, wishing you had another thermal detonator on hand.
>The stormtroopers continue to pin you down, suppressing your movement as they close in.
>But then, just when you think one of them is about to appear in your field of vision, you hear an explosion on the other side of the crates.
>Dirt and debris rains down on you alongside shattered pieces of white armor, now charred black.
>Slowly lifting your head, you see a large black scorch mark where the troopers were, and further up the street is a very large, bulky human in simple brown clothes with orange-blonde hair.
>Slung upon his tall, broad shoulders is a missile tube, smoking at the firing end.
“Thanks,” you say with a small wave.

>”Eeyup,” he replies, reloading his weapon before walking off to find some more stormtroopers to blow up.
>The hangar isn’t far away, and once you get inside, you discover to your immense pleasure that your ship is undamaged.
>You were beginning to worry that a TIE may have strafed by and fired at it or something, with your luck.
>Taking out your remote activator, you lower the entry ramp and run inside, heading straight for the cockpit.
>There, you find your comm scrambler, lifting it up and blowing some dust off of it.
>The somewhat bulky device hasn’t always come in handy, but you’ve used it a few times in the past.
>You’re about to leave when you look at your captain’s chair and find yourself once more considering flying out of here and what it would take.
>If you kept it low, perhaps you could skirt across the nearby mountain range and get out of their sight before hitting the upper atmosphere.
>Thinking on it some more, you figure that the Star Destroyer wouldn’t break off from hovering over the colony just for your sake; at the most, they’d simply send a few TIEs after you.
>If you could just get clear of their tractor beam range…
>You look down at the scrambler, then back at the captain’s chair.
>Twilight said that the entire battle could change with this device; restoring communications would go a long way to organizing the defense of the town.
>You once more find yourself torn between your own self-interests, and the lives of those you have only just met.
>But to be fair, you did only JUST meet them…
>A subdued explosion from outside the hangar reaches your ears, and you let out a sigh.
‘Always have a backup plan,’ you think. ‘If this situation goes too far south, I can bail. Until then…’

>You slide down the ladder well of your cockpit and leave your ship, flat-out sprinting back towards town hall.
>Once at its steps, you find that they are barricading the front entrance against enemies and have to squeeze your way past the rebels reinforcing it.
>You nearly trip over Spike on your way over to Twilight, and the astromech bleeps out what is assuredly some kind of derogatory remark as you reach her.
>Panting heavily, you place the scrambler on the table.
>”Captain!” she exclaims, taking hold of it. “I have worked with these models before. This is perfect!”
“Great,” you say, giving her a small salute. “Glad to help…”
>She calls over a wall-eyed technician and the two of them immediately get to work, connecting the scrambler through the local communications network.
>You sit against the wall, taking a break as you get your heartrate under control.
>”We’ve done it!” Twilight says, flipping a switch. She reaches for a communicator. “Marshal Dash, this is Twilight Sparkle at the command center. Do you read me?”
>The reply is initially fuzzy, but then it clears. “I read you! How did you get comms up and running?!”
>Twilight looks over at you and smiles as she speaks into the small device, “Captain Anonymous retrieved a scrambler from his ship. We’ve patched it into the local TacNet and now the Imperials cannot jam our frequency!”
>Nearby, the mayor begins issuing out orders over her own communicator, and the mood in the room lightens somewhat from the good news.
>You sit back, watching and listening for a moment as reports come in from all over the colony, and how the mayor responds to each one.

>She is a capable leader, able to deal with the tremendous pressure of several different situations at once and informing her subordinates what she wants done for each.
>Twilight assists as well, using her exceptional brain to assess damages to the colony, remaining resources and numbers of friendly and enemy units all at once.
>It’s a dizzying display of competency that you’ve rarely seen in the smuggling circles and underworld settings you’ve swam in before.
>Approaching the central holographic projector, you watch as they coordinate the defense of the colony, rapidly regaining control of the situation and pushing the enemy back outside the walls.
>It all seems going well, despite expected resistance from the enemy ground forces, but then something unexpected happens---that resistance stops.
>The enemy begins to pull back, retreating to outside the colony perimeter.
>”Are they regrouping for another attack?” the mayor wonders aloud.
>”They must know we can communicate with each other again,” Twilight replies, giving you a concerned look. “I doubt this can be a good sign.”
>Nearby, a communications officer speaks up. “Madam Mayor! We’re receiving a hail from the Star Destroyer.”
>The mayor looks conflicted, clearly unwilling to hear another issuing of demands from that upstart Lieutenant Glimmer---that makes two of you.
>She relents, however, and the image of the lieutenant appears on the projector once more.
>”I must admit, your resistance is admirable, but as pointless as it is foolish. I’ll give you one last chance to surrender; it’s the only sensible choice before you.”
>”From what I’m seeing, you’re losing plenty of men down here,” the mayor says, standing firm with her hands on her hips.

>”I have lives to spare; you do not. Any of my men who perish die in the name of our glorious Empress and shall be known as heroes who died quelling rebellion. How many of yours will die before the rest lose heart?”
>A look of contemplative sadness comes over Twilight’s face.
>She must still be blaming herself over this attack.
>You put a hand on her shoulder, assuring her that it isn’t her fault with a thoughtful look.
>She smiles, and you both turn to look at the image of Starlight Glimmer as she says, “I shall give you one final chance to end this prematurely, before I do. It just so happens that my ace in the hole just arrived.”
>The mayor’s brow furrows. “What is that supposed to mean?”
>”Let’s just say that I have a… specialist. Refuse to surrender, and you’ll find out just who and what they are.”
>At that moment, the door to the command center bursts open.
>You think it may be an enemy, but it is only Rainbow Dash, rushing up to the mayor.
>”What’s she saying now?” the blue-skinned marshal asks.
>”Not now!” the mayor says.
>”Whatever deal she’s trying to make, tell her to shove it right up her---“
>The mayor puts a hand over Rainbow Dash’s mouth and looks back at the projector. “Lieutenant, I wish to discuss further terms.”
>”I won’t be fooled by any attempts to stall for time. Either surrender now, or I send in the one who will end this for me.”
>Rainbow pulls the mayor’s hand off her mouth. “Bring it on! We can take on anything you throw at us!”

>The mayor attempts to control her marshal again, but the words are already spoken.
>Lieutenant Glimmer smiles. “I was hoping you’d say that.”
>The feed cuts off there, and you can’t help but feel a shiver go up your spine at those words.
>A tech at a nearby sensor station looks up. “We’ve got another signal in the system, approaching fast!”
>Rainbow breaks away from the mayor and approaches the station. “What is it?”
>”Some kind of ship… coming in very, very fast.”
>”Imperial?” Twilight asks.
>”I can’t tell… it’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen before…”
>The tech is at a loss for words, and Rainbow runs over to a nearby window, where she is joined by Twilight, the mayor and yourself.
>Outside, up in the sky, past the Star Destroyer, you catch a glimpse of light.
>A fireball is descending towards the planet, leaving a streaking trail of bright light behind it.
>Suddenly, a memory of a time in a seedy dive on Corellia races to the forefront of your mind.
>You hear a lot of things working as a smuggler, some of them very strange indeed, but a good smuggler always keeps an ear open.
>After all, most rumors have some truth to them, and you’ve heard rumors of a rogue bounty hunter who works for the Lunar Empire.
>A warrior who hunted down an entire clan for their treachery, and was excommunicated from all others because of it.
>A mandalorian, clad in crimson armor, flying a ship that some say can fly right through a star and take its fire with it.
>While you never believed that last bit, you heard that this ship is known to descend through the atmosphere like a ball of fire, leaving a streak of flames behind…
>Just like what you’re looking at right now.
“Oh, no,” you whisper. “Oh, no, no, no…”

>Twilight looks over. “What is it, Captain?”
“I’ve heard of that ship,” you reply, staring at the fiery line growing closer with each passing second. “In smuggling circles, they say its name is the Solar Scythe.”
>As the ship angles towards the colony, the TIE Fighters pull back towards the Star Destroyer.
>Rainbow Dash holds up her communicator. “All turrets, lock on and blast that fireball out of the sky!”
>They aim and begin all firing at the ship, which upon entering the atmosphere loses its fiery appearance, allowing you to glimpse what it truly is.
>Its central body is cylindrical, painted red, yellow and orange, with a cockpit at the head and a single large thruster section at its rear.
>A single wing, large and crescent-shaped, emerges from the hull on its portside, emblazoned with the symbol of a sun.
>You’ve seen these kinds of ships before; their design is unmistakably unique: it’s a Starlight-class light freighter.
>But this one is unlike any you’ve ever seen before, as the wing has had mounted upon it a solid, sharp metal edge that lines its entire front, causing the wing to resemble the ship’s namesake: a scythe.
>The ship picks up speed, flying through the hail of fire, soaring down directly towards one of the turret towers.
>In the blink of an eye, the ship flies right through it, slicing the turret in half with its wing, leaving an explosion behind it as it angles itself for another attack.
>Before the other turrets can adjust, it flies through another one of them, the ship’s pilot masterfully angling the light freighter in such a manner as to perfectly slice the target in two.

>”What the hell is that thing made of?!” Rainbow gasps, her eyes wide as she watches the turret it just ran through explode.
“The rumors say that it’s beskar---mandalorian iron,” you say. “The entire wing is made of it. I never believed it; they say she had to hunt down others of her kind to get their armor to melt down and make it. Her clan, after they betrayed her. I always thought it was just cantina talk… I didn’t think she actually existed.”
>Twilight looks at you. “She?”
You nod. “The mandalorian flying that ship… a bounty hunter.” You swallow, trying to keep your composure. “Sunset Shimmer.”
>A single laser cannon mounted on the far side of the wing rotates and fires, taking out a third turret.
>She’s making the defenses look like a joke.
>It’s a good thing she isn’t here for you…
>You hope.
>Suddenly, your idea of retreating in your ship is looking a lot more attractive…

>The command center is abuzz with people trying to make sense of the chaos.
>Over the roar of people talking and relaying orders, you lean over to the twi’lek.
“I think we need to leave,” you whisper to Twilight, who gives you a worried look even as the mayor turns back to issue out more orders.
>Rainbow overhears, however, and nearly shouts, “What?”
“That bounty hunter is slicing up your turrets like houjix cheese! If we get to my ship, we might have a chance at getting out of here.”
>Before Twilight can respond, Rainbow pushes past her and grabs you by the collar. “What did I say earlier? We don’t run!”
“Look out there!” you shout back in her face, pointing out the window.
>You both look on as the bladed wing of the vessel slices through another turret.
>Every single shot from each remaining turret seems to just barely miss the incredibly fast and agile ship.
“I’ve never seen a ship move or handle like that,” you mutter. “The mods on it must be insane… If we don’t leave now, this town won’t have anything left to stop her and the Imperials from walking right in! Without the turrets, we won’t be able to stop the TIEs, either. We need to get out of here!”
>Rainbow’s brow furrows and she pushes you back up against the wall.
>”I said we’re not leaving! You’d better stop giving other people ideas of running away!”
“You’re nuts. Are you TRYING to get your people killed? I can probably fit this entire colony in both of my cargo bays if people squeeze in, and we can at least try to---”
>You feel a knee connect with your gut, knocking the air out of your lungs.
>Rainbow drops you to the floor, dusting off her hands.
>As you reel from her cheap shot, Twilight kneels down to help you sit up.

>The blue-skinned girl looks down at you with a disdainful look. ”Nobody retreats, everybody fights,” she says, turning to point at the communications officer. “How many turrets do we still have online?”
>”Two,” the officer replies, then another explosion outside makes him wince. “…One.”
>”Soon to be none,” the mayor observes. She looks over at Rainbow and frowns. “You may just get your deathwish after all.”
>You look up at the marshal, seeing her face twist and contort with the difficulty of the situation.
>As much as you understand the desire to never back down or run from a fight and stand by your people, you also really don’t like getting a knee to the stomach, so that makes it harder to sympathize with her.
>Still, even as the command center grows quiet, and a final explosion can be heard as the last of the turrets is cut down, Rainbow walks over to a nearby console and picks up her rifle.
>She declares, “This fight isn’t over yet. We didn’t come all the way out here just to lose to some stuffy lieutenant and her bounty hunter friend. I say we regroup and see what their next move is!”
>The sensor tech looks up. “Uh, that ship is, um, landing in the middle of town.”
>Rainbow looks over. “What?!”
>”Yeah, it took out all the turrets and now it’s just kind of… landing.”
>The marshal looks at the mayor, who seems equally at a loss for words.
>”Well, let’s go kick her ass, then!” Rainbow says, running for the entrance. “Get on the TacNet and let the others know about this! Tell everyone to help take her out!”
>”The Imperials are making another push for the walls!” another sensor operator says. “We can’t call back everyone!”
>Rainbow curses. “Then tell everyone to hold their posts! I’ll handle this ‘mandalorian’ all by myself!”
>As she leaves, Twilight helps you up to your feet.
“That blue chick is going to get us all killed,” you groan. “Especially me.”

>”She… means well,” Twilight offers.
“The best intentions and a blaster to your head will still get you shot.” You look into her eyes again. “Twilight, I’m serious. We might still have a shot at getting out of here. You should come with me.”
>”I’m afraid that I cannot leave,” she sorrowfully replies.
“Man, what is with you Alliance-types? You’d die over a pile of caf beans if you thought it was for a noble cause.” You point at the others and whisper, “These people might as well be done for. We might’ve had a shot with the turrets; those were your biggest guns. But this situation is getting worse by the second. Why not save yourself?”
>She offers a small smile, something you’d think would be impossible given the circumstances.
>”I’m afraid this is much bigger than all of us, Captain. I would not begrudge you to attempt escape. I wish you luck.”
“Twilight… if they capture you, they’ll probably torture and kill you. I’ve heard about the kinds of things that go on in Imperial detention centers, and that’s just for smugglers like me. I can’t even begin to imagine what they’d do to the people they consider rebels.”
>She puts a hand on your shoulder. “Do as I do, Captain, and have faith.”
You shake your head. “In what?”
>Looking outside, up at the sky at the looming Star Destroyer, she says, “The Force.”
>That’s when it all clicks.
“Oh… I get it now.” You rub a hand through your hair. “You religious types… no talking sense into you. I need to get out of here.”
>Twilight is silent as you make for the exit, slipping through the barricade and into the streets.
>You’re about to sprint to the hangar when a strange sight catches your eye.
>You see Rainbow Dash, having taken cover, preparing to aim at her target.
>Up the street, you see the parked vessel, the Solar Scythe, with its entry ramp lowered.
>A lone figure stands at its base.

>She wears a full suit of armor, red with yellow markings, with a helm containing a T-shaped visor.
>A ring of horns lines that helm, almost like a crown.
>Rainbow Dash fires, and her slugthrower’s projectile strikes that helm, causing the figure to stumble backwards a step.
>”Yeah-hah! How’d you like that?!” she shouts from her cover.
>The blue girl smirks, but then her smile fades quickly when her target straightens up and raises an arm in her direction, completely unaffected by the bullet other than a small scratch on her helmet.
>Mounted on the arm is a small rocket, which ignites and flies towards Rainbow’s position.
>She dives backwards as the rocket strikes the barrels she was hiding behind, annihilating them in a ball of fire and debris.
>You take cover near the staircase as chunks of metal and whatever materials were in those barrels rain down around you.
>When you look up, you see Rainbow lying on the ground, groaning somewhat, a piece of debris having fallen on her leg.
>Sunset begins to advance down the street, towards the command center.
‘Damn, now what?’ you think. ‘If I try and make a run for it, she’ll see me…’
>A familiar roar fills your ears as Angel, ridden by Fluttershy, appears around the corner of the command center, charging past you.
>Perhaps someone in the command center did call for help despite Rainbow Dash’s claim of being able to handle the situation herself, as Fluttershy commands her beast directly towards the mandalorian.
>The bantha lowers its head, intending to barrel directly through the bounty hunter.

>Sunset stops walking, bracing herself; surely she isn’t going to just take the massive animal’s tackle head-on, is she?
>Two small puffs of smoke shoot out from under her boots as she is suddenly thrust upwards, her rocket-boots propelling her clear over the head of the beast.
>As the animal and his rider charges underneath her, she turns and takes out another weapon, a dart-thrower of some variety, quickly launching a sharply-pointed needle into the rear of the massive mammal.
>Sunset lands on her feet, her thrusters disengaging from their short burst of activity as Angel skids to a stop, turning and snorting.
>He digs his feet into the earth and roars again, preparing for another charge, but Sunset seems unconcerned.
>Her lack of worry proves to be prudent, as before Angel can trample forwards, he suddenly loses all bluster and energy, plopping forward with his tongue hanging out.
>Fluttershy’s eyes go wide as she slides off of his back to tend to him, trying to wake him up from his chemically-induced slumber.
>”Angel? Angel, wake up, sweetie! Oh, please wake up!” She pats his head, but all he can offer is a loud snore. Fluttershy looks up at the bounty hunter. “What did you do to him?”
>Ignoring her question, Sunset turns and resumes walking towards the command center, down the center of the street.
>The sound of a landspeeder can be heard as Applejack rounds the corner, carrying a wounded Pinkie Pie and Rarity in the backseat.
>They come to a quick stop and Applejack goes to grab her rifle, but not before Sunset launches another small missile, aimed directly at the space underneath the vehicle.

>The explosion causes the vehicle to rock backwards, nearly hurling its occupants at the front of it rises into the air.
>When it comes crashing down, Applejack’s head hits her steering wheel, giving her a nasty bump.
>Pinkie Pie tries to help her ‘cousin’ out of the vehicle as Rarity slides out of her seat as elegantly as she can, stepping out of the vehicle over its side one leg at a time.
>She takes a few steps forward, drawing two knives as she does, holding them at her side with the tips in her hands.
>Sunset stops walking, facing her down, both in a ready stance.
>Rarity’s bright blue eyes narrow as she twists her arm and deftly throws one of her daggers, but misses as Sunset side-steps the projectile.
>It seems she was counting on that, however, as the second dagger flies directly in the direction Sunset moved.
>What she did not expect was for Sunset to catch that dagger, and in one smooth motion, flip it around and throw it back.
>Rarity’s eyes widen in surprise, unable to comprehend what just happened quickly enough to move out of the way, and ends up taking her own knife to the shoulder.
>The nagai lets out a cry of pain and falls back, holding her shoulder.
>”Ah! You brute! That was my good arm!” she says as Sunset walks by her, not sparing her a second glance.
>As she approaches the speeder with the dazed Applejack and the previously-wounded Pinkie Pie, the zeltron leaps to her feet and holds up a large blaster, some kind of heavy blaster or cannon, and aims it at her.

>”Hold it! What’re you gonna do against me while I’m holding this thing right at you, huh?! Surrender now or---“
>Sunset raises her other arm and launches a whipcord at Pinkie, which wraps around the barrel of the weapon.
>With a single yank, it retracts and is pulled out of her hands, landing at the bounty hunter’s feet.
>”Oh… I get it, you’ll just take it away. Nice.” Pinkie coughs into her hand before getting a crazed look on her face and running directly at the bounty hunter, letting out something akin to a war cry while holding her balled fists up as though in a challenging manner.
>Sunset raises her blaster and stuns her with it, causing the pink girl to fall limply to the ground.
>As the zeltron goes down, Applejack stands up, rubbing her bruised forehead.
>Reaching not for her rifle, but for a length of syntherope, the farmgirl begins to form a lasso.
>Sunset tilts her head, curious to see where this is going.
>You can only imagine what kinds of vile thoughts are going through the mind beneath that T-visor helmet…
>Applejack begins to spin the lasso over her head. “I ain’t lettin’ you walk outta here!” she says, though not as confidently as you think she meant.
>She throws the lasso loop and lands it perfectly around the mandalorian, pulling it tight and causing her arms to press up against her sides.
>”Hah! I gotcha now!” Applejack says as she begins to pull her in.
>The mandalorian digs her spiked boots into the dirt, reaches down and pulls a large, curved knife that is holstered on her leg, using it to slice through the syntherope.
>Even though the rope is like metal, the knife slices through it as surely as her ship sliced through the turrets.

>As the tightened coil goes slack, Applejack falls down, and begins crawling backwards as Sunset advances.
>That’s when, against you better judgment, you step out from your hiding place.
“Sunset Shimmer!”
>The bounty hunter stops dead in her tracks, turning her head slowly from Applejack to you.
>Sweat runs down your neck as you swallow, taking out your blaster pistol.
‘What the hell am I doing?’ you think as you stare into the visor of her helm. “There’s… no need for more of this. I can bring you into the command center.”
>Applejack looks up, letting out a grunt of pain. “What’re you sayin’?”
“Look, just let them be, and I’ll bring you inside.”
>Sunset takes out her blaster and aims it at you, but then after a moment of wordlessly staring you down, gestures towards the doors.
>You set your blaster down and hold up your hands, cursing your luck once more as you slowly approach the doors with her weapon aimed at your back.
>Forcing open the barricade, you lead her, or are led by her, into the command center, which is completely silent as people back away and hide behind consoles.
>Sunset scans the room, her sight stopping on her true target.
>You hear her voice for the first time, amplified by some internal speaker, low and husky.
>”Twilight Sparkle. You’re coming with me.”
>The mayor looks over at the twi’lek, who puts her hands together and steps forward.
>”I will not resist with violence. I will voluntarily enter your custody, if it means no further harm will come to the others.”
>Spike beeps many times in rapid succession in protest, but the twi’lek places a hand on his round head and kneels down to assure him that she will be okay.

>Sunset lifts up her hand, gesturing for her to come forward as you look into the twi’lek’s eyes.
>She offers a strange smile, seemingly one of understanding, though there is something apologetic as well.
>It seems to communicate to you that she knows you are only here because of her, and not the other way around, and that she knows this and is sorry you got dragged into it all.
>As she approaches, you feel the tip of the blaster stop poking your back as Sunset points it at Twilight, gesturing with her helmet to make for the entrance.
>You slowly lower your arms as they leave.
>Once they are outside, you approach the entrance and look on as they pass by the wounded.
>Fluttershy is helping Rarity tend to her knife wound while Applejack has dragged Pinkie Pie over towards Rainbow Dash.
>As Applejack helps Rainbow Dash up to her feet, they both look and see Twilight being led away by the bounty hunter.
>”Hey, wait!” Rainbow says, holding up a fist. “You’re not going to get away with this!”
>”It’s alright,” Twilight assures her. “I will do what I can to negotiate for the colony’s safety.”
>Applejack shakes her head. “You know darn well that they ain’t gonna listen!”
>The twi’lek offers another small smile. “Do not worry. In the end, all will be as it should be.”
>The others all look on---except for Pinkie Pie who is stunned---as Sunset takes Twilight into her hip, raises the ramp, and takes off moments later.
>The Solar Scythe swiftly sails through the stratosphere towards the Star Destroyer, straight into its hangar.

>Soon after, the silence of the command center is broken by a communications officer speaking up. “We’re being hailed by the Imperials, Madam Mayor.”
>”Let’s have it,” the mayor says, sounding defeated.
>Starlight Glimmer’s image appears once more, looking as smug as ever.
>”I do believe that was a new record for my favorite bounty hunter,” she says with a laugh. “I guess your colony couldn’t put up much of a fight after all.”
>You approach the hologram as the others begin to filter into the building: Applejack and Rainbow Dash are helping Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy helps Rarity.
>Lieutenant Glimmer continues, “Now that I have my priority prisoner, I could simply do away with your little colony. Perhaps blast it from orbit with my turbolaser batteries; a good orbital bombardment should do the trick. If I targeted your atmospheric processor it may even blow up your entire town. What do you think about that?”
>The mayor looks at the others, particularly Rainbow Dash who is silent, and then back at the image. “There is… no need to go to such extreme lengths. We are without means to defend ourselves. Surrender is now… the only option before us.”
>Starlight, who makes a show out of checking her nails, lets out a fake yawn. “Well, you had your chances earlier, I think. I could wipe your little colony off the face of the galaxy with a simple command---after all, you’re so far out here in the Outer Rim that nobody would ever notice---but it occurs to me that my soldiers have gotten somewhat sloppy. I expected them to be able to take this colony without me having to resort to my bounty hunter liaison. Perhaps we’ve been patrolling in space for too long…”

>The lieutenant sits forward, a bright look on her face. “So, here’s what we’re going to do. I’m going to have them continue to lay siege to your little community. They need the practice. Anyone they don’t kill, they’ll capture. If you’re truly interested in surrendering, I’d recommend opening your gates and letting them in. I’m sure they’ll be forgiving of their fellow soldiers you’ve killed so far.”
>Everyone in the command center is quiet as Starlight sits back in her command chair, smiling as she reaches for something out of view, then pulls it into sight.
>The bottle of Whyren's Reserve she took from your ship!
>As she pours herself a congratulatory glass, her smug smile becomes smug enough to eclipse a solar system as she says, “Give my regards to Captain Anonymous, and my thanks for leading me to this colony.”
>She drinks, and the feed cuts out, as all of the others slowly look at you.
>None of them look particularly pleased, especially Rainbow Dash and Applejack, the latter of whom whispers to the former about you leading the mandalorian into the command center.
>Even though you did it to protect them, it doesn’t look good.
>Most of the others are simply too stressed, tired or given to hopelessness by their situation to blame you at this point.
>Not Spike, clearly, who runs into you, beeping angrily.
“Hey, I did what I could,” you say to the droid, who blerps back in a threatening tone. “It’s not like anyone out there was actually winning that fight.”
>Rainbow Dash folds her arms. “Well, maybe if someone had joined, we could’ve had a chance.”
You shoot her a nasty look. “Oh, yeah, blame me for all of your problems if it’ll make you feel better. It isn’t like it’s going to change anything.”
>She looks like she’s about to go for another brawl, but Applejack holds her back.

>”Come on. He ain’t worth it.” The blonde human gives you a judgmental look as she leads Dash over to the mayor to discuss their next move.
>You look over at Pinkie Pie, Rarity and Fluttershy, all of whom offer not much in the way of consoling looks.
>Fluttershy is grateful for your help earlier, as is Pinkie Pie, but everyone is too shaken by the day’s events and how it will likely conclude to muster up the energy to do anything other than sit and rest for a moment as they prepare for what is coming.
>Rubbing the back of your head, you approach the mayor, Rainbow Dash and Applejack.
“You know… trying to escape on my ship is still an option.”
>They look at you, and Rainbow closes her eyes as she sighs and slaps her face. “Can you just… not, right now?”
“I’m trying to help. What good is sticking around here going to be?”
>”I think you’ve done enough,” Rainbow replies dismissively.
>You look at Applejack, who frowns and considers your words. “I just don’t think we can do it. We always knew that we might face a situation like this, but that never stopped us from going down this path. We won’t run.”
“You know, there’s no shame in running if it is to survive. Surviving means you can fight another day.”
>Rainbow shakes her head. “And I say why fight tomorrow when you can fight today.”
Letting out a sigh, you say, “I guess this situation really is hopeless, then. I just can’t understand why you guys are being so stubborn. What is it about this planet? Is there something actually valuable on this ball of dust?”
>The three of them are silent as they all look at each other.
“That’s it, isn’t it? This isn’t really about restoring this planet to what it once was. There’s something here and you guys think it’s worth dying over. Well, forgive me for saying this, but nothing is worth dying over.”

>”This isn’t your fight,” Applejack says. “I wouldn’t expect you to understand. Smugglers like you don’t know what it means to really fight for something, even if it means your death.”
“We can both agree on that. I’m going to my ship. I think I can try and pull off a tricky move to escape the range of their tractor beam.” Turning away, you speak up and address the room, “If anyone wants off this ball of dust, speak now or forever hold your peace.”
>The room is quiet again, except for a few whispers.
>You look at Rarity, then Pinkie Pie, and finally Fluttershy, who averts her eyes.
>Even Spike doesn’t roll forward.
After a few moments, you say, “Nobody? Really?” You shake your head. “Must be one hell of prize, but I’m not sticking around to find out what it is. I didn’t even get paid for this job.”
>”Is that all you care about? Money?” Rainbow snidely remarks.
>You pause and look back at her, thinking of a retort.
>Instead, you leave it at that and walk out, heading towards your ship.
>As the sun sets on the horizon, the colony is oddly quiet.
>No doubt the Imperials will start pushing again soon.
>Well, you’ll be long gone before that happens, if everything works out.
>This was silly, anyway.
>Getting dragged into a situation like this…
>You’re no freedom fighter or rebel or soldier.
>Just another smuggler.
>You’re not going to just wait for the Imperials to roll into town and steamroll the colonists and you with them.
>It’s like your father always said, “Better to die trying than die lying down.”
>Ah, your father, now HE was a smuggler.
>The best in the Outer Rim.
>As you approach the Star Turtle in the hangar, you reflect on how he handed this ship down to you when he finally retired.
>You don’t know where he is these days, but you’d like to imagine he’s relaxing on a beach with a hot alien babe on each arm and one in his lap.

‘Hot alien babes…’ You shake your head. ‘Don’t talk yourself out of this now, Anon. The girls here were nice, but there are a lot of fish in the galactic sea. It’s too bad these ones are… done for.’
>In your mind’s eye, you see Fluttershy’s smile, and think about Rarity’s promise to replace your inauthentic jacket.
>The bravery of Applejack and Rainbow Dash, leading the battle on the front lines.
>You pause at the entry ramp, thinking about Pinkie Pie’s drink, the spiced, iced and diced pulkay swiggler.
>Reaching into your pocket, you take out the smuggler’s dice she let you keep.
>With a furrowed brow, you walk up the ship and close the ramp.
>You’re about to approach the cockpit’s ladder well when you hear a sound, like the shuffling of tiny feet and the whispers of children.
>Turning around, you see the little girls you’ve caught glimpses of in the colony, now hiding on your ship; the human, the nagai and the togruta.
>The little human girl, Apple Bloom, sees you looking at them and stands up from behind the boxes they were hiding behind.
>”Mister? Are you about to fly away?”
“…Yeah, kid. You should get out of here. I’ll lower the ramp.”
>The nagai, in an adorably squeaky voice, says, “But the bad guys are out there! We should get everyone onboard!”

“I actually agree with you, but they don’t want to leave. I tried to talk sense into them, but…” You sigh and hit the button on the nearby panel, lowering the ramp again. “Come on, kids, you need to…” You stop yourself from finishing that sentence, but the thought remains. ‘Stay here and die.’
>You run a hand through your hair.
‘Damn, damn, damn,’ you think, sliding down to a seated position. ‘I can’t just leave them here to die, but I can’t just… take them with me. Their families are here.’
>The small nagai, Rarity’s little sister, walks up. “Mister Smuggler Sir, please don’t go. We’re scared. Your ship feels safe.”
>You look at her, seeing tears welling up in her green eyes.
“It isn’t about to be. You kids should… head to the command center. That’s where the adults are.”
>The togruta steps forward. “Come on, guys! It won’t be all that bad. Rainbow Dash will save us!”
“I wouldn’t bet on it,” you say before realizing who you are talking to.
>You nearly slap yourself as they look at you, horrified.
“I didn’t mean that. I’m sorry. Look, it’s just that they don’t like me very much. Applejack and Rainbow. Because I’m trying to leave. I don’t know this place or its people and this isn’t my fight.”
>It is your hope that being somewhat callous towards them will make them want to get out of your ship, and spare you further torment.
>Instead, they look at you and start trying to convince you to help.
>Apple Bloom puts her hands together. “My sis doesn’t mean it. She’s friendly, really, it’s just hard to be friendly when the shootin’ starts.”
>The orange togruta nods. “Yeah, and Rainbow Dash is the most loyal person in the galaxy! If you make friends with her, she’ll never let you down or let you stand on your own! She’ll always be there to help!”

>The nagai then adds, “And Rarity is the most generous person you’ll ever meet. And Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy and all of the others are all wonderful people. Please, mister. You can’t leave.”
You stare at the floor, unable to look into their eyes. “Look, kids… where I’m going, you don’t want to be. You want to be with your families. You should get off my ship. I’m sorry.”
>Quietly, after another tortuous moment of awkward silence, the children start to walk down the ramp.
>Apple Bloom stops halfway down, looking up at you, meeting your gaze.
>”Good luck, mister.”
“…You too, kid.”
>Once they are clear, you hit the button to raise the ramp.
>Letting out a heavy sigh, you stand up, rubbing your eyes.
>As you approach the ladder, you look down the hallway towards the guest room, where Twilight was residing.
>You think about the twi’lek, finding yourself regretting more and more your decision to lead the mandalorian right to her.
>You didn’t even so much as fight for her.
>Slowly, your gaze drops to the floor.
>Applejack’s words come back to you.
>”Smugglers like you don’t know what it means to really fight for something, even if it means your death.”
>Rainbow’s words come next.
>”…every single one of these people here will stand and fight, even if they’re bakers or gardeners or young or old, because of one thing: loyalty, to an ideal. We’re not just fighting for this planet, we’re fighting against the tyranny of the Lunar Empire and we’ll never stop.”

>Finally, Twilight’s words ring in your ears.
>“Do as I do, Captain, and have faith.”
>There are smugglers in this galaxy who take simple jobs and lie low, earning a meager living, scraping by.
>Those aren’t the smugglers that are spoken about in cantinas, who become legends in the Outer Rim.
>The smugglers who are spoken about in hushed reverence are the ones who risk it all, who break blockades and fool governments and pull off grand heists with their lives on the line.
>They’re the smugglers who tried, rather than simply lie low.
>At your side, your hand clenches into a fist.
>Something builds up within you that you haven’t felt in a very, very long time.
>Resolve.
>Your breathing becomes sharper as your heart begins to race.
>Motivation fills your being, and in your mind, a plan begins to form.
>A crazy, crazy, crazy plan.
>One that, by all rights, probably won’t work.
>But if it does…
>You climb into the cockpit, turning on the ship’s systems.
>Rather than take off for the horizon, like you had been imagining, as the ship lifts off you angle it directly at the Interdictor.
>You hold yourself back for only a moment’s worth of doubt before casting it aside and flying directly towards the menacing, triangular vessel.
>Your father’s words come to your mouth, and you find yourself whispering them aloud.
“Better to die trying than die lying down.”
>Now, you understand those words better than ever.
>In moments, you feel your control over your ship dwindle as it is ensnared by a tractor beam.
>Taking your hands off the wheel, you take a deep breath, steadying your nerves for what is to come.
“I’m on my way, Twilight.”

>Of all the situations you’ve found yourself in, willingly being pulled into the hanger of an Imperial Star Destroyer isn’t one of them.
>As for what comes next, well, you’re more familiar with this sort of thing.
>After boarding your vessel and arresting you, you’re hauled off for questioning.
>But before that comes the torture.
>You’ve had worse, in all honesty; Imperials are dirtbags, but they like to think they have some standards, unlike some of the underworld dregs you’ve dealt with in the past.
>They pull you into a cell and beat you with batons before busting out the electric prods.
>Seems like they don’t even think you’re worth the interrogation droid, since you aren’t injected with anything.
>After a good hour or so of roughing you up, your face bloody and swollen, the door to your cell opens up and a pair of pristine boots walk into view.
>You slowly look up through teary eyes at Starlight Glimmer.
“…Lieutenant… we need to stop meeting like this.”
>She actually lets out a small chuckle at that. “What exactly did you think you were going to accomplish here, ‘captain?’”
You bring up your cuffed hands and wipe some blood from your nose on your arm. “Oh, you know. I just wanted to see you again. You’re really quite lovely, you know. Too bad you work with these guys,” you point at the stormtroopers.
>”If you’re here because you think you can negotiate some kind of deal to escape punishment for leading us to this colony, forget it. We’ve already confiscated more items of contraband from your ship, and the fact that you lied to us in the first place guarantees that we have no reason at all to be lenient towards you.”

“Yeah, I know. I sort of just figured, why wait it out down there? You were going to win, that was obvious. I hate playing a losing game of Sabacc; I prefer to cash out early. Besides, I wanted to see if the things I heard about Imperial hospitality were true. I gotta say… not very impressed.”
>Starlight shakes her head as she looks down on you with a mixture of pity and disgust. “It is good to know you are a glutton for punishment. I hope you enjoy whatever labor camp you end up at; I hear the Spice Mines of Kessel are very unforgiving this time of year. Energy spider mating season.”
“Oh, lucky me.”
>Leaning down, she stares into your eyes. “Goodbye, ‘captain.’ I suspect we shall never see each other again, and I couldn’t be more pleased.” She turns and looks at one of the troopers standing at attention. “Take him to the brig.”
>As you are dragged away, you hear her call out, “Oh, and the Whyren's Reserve was delicious, by the way.”
“I’m sure it was…” you mutter.
>Taken to the lower levels of the ship, your cuffs are taken off and you are thrown into a cell with a forcefield activated behind you.
>Slowly, you pick yourself up and sit against the wall, trying to get your head to stop throbbing and focus.
>”Captain?”
>Your ears perk up upon hearing a familiar voice.
>The cell across from yours… it’s Twilight!
“I didn’t think I’d end up right across from you,” you say, managing to smile through the pain.
>The twi’lek gets as close to the forcefield as possible. ”Captain… what happened to you? How are you here?”
“I flew my ship up and allowed myself to be captured.”

>She blinks a few times. “…Why?”
You chuckle. “Damn good question. I’ve been asking myself that for the last hour of being beaten or so.” You look across the way, into her eyes. “Oh… now I remember.”
>Straightening somewhat, you shuffle up to the forcefield of your cell, facing her directly.
“I wanted to see you again, and say that I’m sorry.”
>”Captain… you have nothing to be sorry for.”
“No, I do, or at least I feel like I do. I’m sorry you got stuck with the most unlucky smuggler in the galaxy. If it had been someone else, maybe you wouldn’t be where you are, and those people down there wouldn’t be fighting for their lives.”
>”You don’t know that for an absolute certainty.”
“But I can feel like it is. Fact is, you drew a bad card when you hired me. And me? I’m just the bad card the galaxy likes to pass from hand to hand.” You let out a heavy sigh. “But just once… for once in my life, I’d like to do something right. Maybe I won’t succeed, maybe I’ll die trying, but… it’s better to die trying than die lying down.”
>”…Captain, I---“
“Twilight, please. Call me Anon, just once.”
>She stops, and smiles at you. “Anon. You needn’t be so hard on yourself. I believe everything happens for a reason, that our fates are guided by a greater ‘hand’ as you put it. You and I are both, in this way, cards, and it is not our place to know what the game truly is.”
“You’re talking about that Force thing, aren’t you?”
>She nods. “We were destined to meet, and destined to be led here, though for what purpose I cannot know.”

“…Well, I think I can. You see, let’s say I did believe in fate, or destiny, or whatever you want to call it. I always thought it was more like a roll of the dice, but let’s say that we were truly destined to be here… If that were the case, then I was destined to find a little shop on Nar Shadda, destined to be suckered in by its owner, and destined to waste my credits on something I never thought I would actually get any use out of…”
>”What are you referring to, exactly?”
“This.”
>You lean over, and begin fiddling with one of your boots.
>After a moment of working on a slightly-jammed mechanism, stuck due to a long period of not using it, you force open a small, hollow recess in your boot, opening up the bottom of the shoe and revealing a concealed escape kit.
“I was taken in by the fantasy of escaping prison like I was some kind of agent,” you say with a chuckle, taking the tools out. “But it just might be our ticket out of here.”
>”I can hardly believe it,” she says with a wide smile. “Anon, you’re brilliant.”
“Not yet I’m not. I’m still in this cell.”
>Taking out the tools, you examine them: a pair of wire cutters, a durasteel file, a length of slicewire, a miniature memstick (that you never put anything on, making it functionally useless), and a tiny, single-use laser cutter.
>It once contained a small flexible monoknife, but you took it out once to pick at your teeth and never put it back in.
>That’s what you get, you suppose.
“Now then… I’ll use the laser cutter to open a section of the cell wall where the wires that are powering my forcefield are. Problem is… I have no idea where they are.”

>”I do,” Twilight says. “I am well-studied. But I cannot see the inside of your cell, so you will have to describe to me what you see. They should be to the left of your door, since that is closer to the panel outside your cell.”
“Got it.”
>”Most wiring on a ship like this is standardized for Imperial design. This means that the wires you’ll be looking to cut will be about center-right of the most middle panel to the left of your cell door.”
>Looking at the panels alongside it, you see that there are about four that stretch from the ceiling to the floor.
“There are two panels that meet in the middle.”
>Twilight thinks for a moment. “Cut through the bottom panel---center-right.”
 “Are you sure? This laser cutter is one-time-use.”
>”Have faith, Cap… Anon.”
>You offer her a smile, and she returns it as you place the laser cutter on the panel and activate it.
>The small device burns quickly and you rotate it, cutting open a hand-sized hole in the metal panel.
>After pulling it away, the cutter burns out with a tiny bit of smoke that you blow out.
>Looking within the hole, you see a series of wires on the other side.
“You’re dead on the credits, Twilight. Which wire do I cut?”
>”Look for one that is white and blue, spiraling.”
“I see it.”
>You pick up the wire cutters and place the wire in the mouth of the tool before pausing.
Leaning towards the entrance, you clear your throat and shout, “GUARD! GUARD!”
>After a moment, you hear him approaching from around the corner.
>Timing it just right, you squeeze the tool, clamping down on both handles, severing the wire.
>And just like that, your forcefield deactivates, just as the guard approaches.

>Having braced yourself, you launch out of your cell and push him up against Twilight’s forcefield, giving him a concussive shock.
>The field repels him towards you, where you are waiting with a solid right hook to the face, knocking him down.
>You stand over him, triumphant and breathing heavily, before leaning down and picking up his code cylinder.
As you slide it over Twilight’s cell door, deactivating her forcefield and freeing you, you give her a cocky grin and say, “Now you can tell me I’m brilliant.”
>”You’re brilliant!” she says, throwing her arms around your neck.
You return her hug and let out a breath of relief, but you know it is premature to do so. “We’re not out of here yet. Let’s get going.”
>You kneel down and pick up the guard’s blaster pistol.
“Ugh… Imperial-grade. I’ll make due.”
>”What are we going to do now?”
“Well, I’ll be honest… I have no idea what to do beyond this point. Really, my plan was just, ‘get caught, get thrown in a cell, escape with my boot kit, find you and free you.’ I was hoping the rest would just sort of come naturally.”
>”Can your ship escape this vessel?”
“Not without them knowing about it… So, we’ll need some kind of distraction.”
>”I may have an idea. Follow me.”
>You move quickly behind Twilight as she makes for a nearby hallway, stopping at the corner.
>She looks around it, confirming that it is in the clear.

>”The ship feels empty… the lieutenant in command must have sent nearly all of the soldiers down onto the planet’s surface.”
“I’ve been wondering… why is a lieutenant in command of a Star Destroyer? Shouldn’t it be a captain?”
>”It is somewhat curious. She could be the executive officer on board, and the captain may be elsewhere. Here, through this door.”
>After moving through one sliding door, and then another, you find yourself in an armory.
“Sweet Kowakian monkey-lizards…” you say with a whistle.
>You’ve never been in an Imperial armory before, but it isn’t bad.
>The walls are lined with rifles, and there are power stations and boxes of grenades.
“How nice of them to leave these things just lying around,” you say, grabbing a rifle.
>”I do not believe they did. In fact, everything I have seen since being brought aboard has led me to believe that this ship is operating on something of a skeleton crew.”
“Why is that?”
>”It is a hunch… based on the numbers this ship should normally carry as a complement, compared to the numbers we saw on the planet and I have seen on the ship so far.”
“Then we should face little resistance for the next stage of our plan.”
>”Which is?”
You pick up a box of Imperial grenades and set them down on a nearby countertop. “Blowing up this ship… from the inside.”
>”Is… that a good idea?”
“Of course. I’ve done it before.”
>You have literally never attempted anything remotely like this and the prospect of it terrifies you.
You swallow. “Should be easy enough.”
>It very likely could not be more complicated.
Hiding the sweat running down your neck, you continue to lie. “Hell, it might even be fun!”
>It likely won’t be, but now you’re committed to the scheme.

“Alright… if we plant a bunch of these in the engines and primary gravity generators, we’ll bring the ship down.” A thought crosses your mind. “Say… I know you’re a pacifist, but will you be able to go through with this?”
>”Well… I may be opposed to violence, but there are certain… exceptions I would be willing to make.”
“Such as?”
>”Such as me not pulling the trigger on any explosives I place.”
You smirk. “Oh, believe me, I’ll pull that trigger in a heartbeat. To maximize our effectiveness, we’ll have to split up; I’ll take the engines if you take the gravity generators. You take down the tractor beam generator just in case, and then meet me at the hanger. I’ll plant the explosives in the engine section.”
>”You must be careful.”
“I will be. Good luck.”
>”And may the Force be with you.”
>Each of you takes a communicator and straps on several bandoliers of explosives before splitting up.
>As you lightly jog through the halls, you begin to wonder just where in the hell you’re going.
>After all, you’ve never been on an Imperial Star Destroyer.
>You skid to a stop, coming upon a terminal.
>Upon accessing it with the security officer’s code cylinder, you are shown a cross-sectional map of the ship and its decks.
‘How nice,’ you think, quickly tracing a path between yourself and your target area.
>Upon entering a turbolift and pressing the button for the proper deck, you find yourself thinking over your plan.
‘Alright, so we rendezvous at the hangar, blow the ship to hell, and escape in the Star Turtle before anyone can stop us from leaving. I suppose that DOES mean a massive Star Destroyer is going to hurtle through the atmosphere and onto the planet… Boy, this is going to be really awkward if it ends up hitting the colony. Let’s just… do what Twilight does, and have faith that it won’t.’

>It doesn’t help much, but the plan is the plan.
>Upon reaching the engineering deck, you stick your head out and see a technician in a dark jumpsuit walking down the hall.
>As he nears your turbolift, you yank him inside and then beat his face in with a rifle.
>Desperate and sloppy, but he’s out cold, and you were looking to work off some more aggression after these Imperials beat on you for an hour.
>As quickly as you can, you strip him of his uniform and slide into it.
>He’s a size smaller than you, but you’ll make due.
>You’ve heard many tales about people sneaking into Imperial facilities with stolen uniforms; it must be true to some degree, right?
>After stuffing the unconscious man in a supply closet, you stealthily make your way towards the primary engines.
>You avoid eye contact with anyone else on the way there, acting like you are checking pipes and other maintenance-related tasks.
>Slowly, carefully, you begin to plant the explosives in strategic areas, ensuring that they are synched up to a remote activation sequence that you set them with.
>There are a few technicians in this area, but thankfully there are plenty of places to hide as you wait for them to pass.
>Your heart races in your chest as you engage in what may be the most thrilling and dangerous sabotage you’ve ever imagined carrying out, knowing all the while that if one person sees you it could be all over.
>A single alarm would lock down every deck and then it would all be over; troopers would swarm the lower levels in search of you.

>Thankfully, all of the technicians down here seem too distracted to spare much attention to their surroundings, or notice that there is a stranger among them with an unkempt haircut and unshaven face.
>As you place the final bomb, making the necessary adjustments and syncing it to the others, you take a deep breath and make for the turbolift.
>Once inside, you strip the uniform off and contact Twilight on the channel you two set up prior to parting ways.
“Twilight, do you read me?”
>”I read you. I’m almost done.”
“I’ve got them all set. Once we make it to the hangar, we can blow this thing out of the sky.”
>”I’ll meet you there, Captain!”
>As you depart from the turbolift, you round a corner, running straight into Lieutenant Starlight Glimmer and the mandalorian bounty hunter Sunset Shimmer.
>The two of them were walking down the hall, discussing something with each other.
>”You’ll receive payment as soon as we reach---“
>The lieutenant stops in her tracks, going white in the face upon seeing you.
>Sunset similarly stops, though you don’t know what expression she’s wearing under that helmet.
>You freeze.
‘Ah, sithspit.’
>The mandalorian goes for her blaster, but you hold up your communicator-turned-detonator.
“Don’t move! I’ve placed explosives all over the engine decks and with the press of a button I can blow them up and send this ship sailing down planetside!” Inside your head, your mind is reeling from having run smack-dab into these two, perhaps the last two people in the entire galaxy you wanted to run into at this moment.
>Starlight stammers for a moment. “Th-that’s impossible. How did you get free?!”

“You’ll come to see that I’m full of surprises,” you mutter. “Now then, I’m going to my ship, and---“
>She looks at Sunset. “Don’t just stand there, stop him! What am I paying you for?!”
“Don’t try me!” you say, backing up, holding the communicator in one hand and a blaster in the other. “One single press and BLAM! This ship is history.”
>”He’s lying. He must be,” Starlight says.
>Sunset raises her blaster, but does not fire. “You’re surrounded. There’s no way off this ship.”
Starlight goes for her communicator, but you shout, “Raise an alarm and I blow your engines! Get out of my way!”
>The mandalorian takes a step forward. “You’re bluffing. Press it all you like.”
>You let out a heavy sigh.
“Well, you asked.” You hold up the communicator, switching it to the frequency you synced the bombs up to, and mentally prepare yourself.
>You depress it, and nothing happens, though Starlight does flinch somewhat.
>You do it several more times, shaking it as you do.
With another sigh, you drop the communicator to the floor. “Lousy Imperial tech---“
>The ship suddenly rumbles and shakes, vibrating violently.
>Every single surface of the ship begins to shudder with sudden and increasing intensity; lights flash as alarms begin to blare on each deck.
>Starlight stumbles and falls to the floor while Sunset tries to keep her balance, but is knocked over by you as you run past them both.
>You are now sprinting for your absolute life, feeling the adrenaline coursing through your veins.

>The sounds of twisting metal can be heard all around you as the Star Destroyer wobbles in its orbit, then begins to lose power and slowly, ever so slowly but with increasing speed, it begins to fall.
>Doors half-open and hallways half-lit fly past you in a blur as you run towards the primary hangar, passing panicking soldiers and officers trying to scramble for some kind of escape.
>Upon reaching the hangar, your eyes focus on the familiar shape of your ship, and just outside of it is Twilight, hanging onto one of the landing struts for dear life.
“TWILIGHT!” you shout, getting her attention.
>She sees you and waves.
>You leap over a railing, but a sudden shift in gravity sends you spiraling forward and hitting the ground.
>Nearby, the massive opening of the hangar shows you a glimpse of the planet below, and you know that it won’t be long before the ship collides with it.
>Shakily getting up to your feet, you manage to take a few steps before something suddenly wraps around your legs, pulling you backwards.
>Turning, you see that it is Sunset Shimmer, having launched a whipcord at you from the stairwell.
>Docked TIE Fighters begin to fall from their moorings, crates slide and fall over, some sliding right over the edge of the hangar exit.
>Pilots, technicians and soldiers alike are running about, trying to make sense of the chaos and survive.
>Twilight rushes forwards, dodging a large crate moving past her to grab onto your shoulders and pull.
>The mandalorian braces her feet against the railing and continues to try and reel you in.
>Gritting your teeth, you take out the blaster rifle and aim it at her.
>You fire, and it strikes her in the arm, destroying the whipcord launcher and causing her to stumble back.
>Twilight helps you to your feet as you both make your way to the Star Turtle.
>”Are you going to be able to fly?”
“Of course! I’m the best pilot in the Outer Rim!”
>You’ve lied to her several times already; what’s one more?

>Climbing up into the cockpit is a difficult task, as your ship is also shaking like mad due to it being inside the falling Star Destroyer.
>However, once you start the engines and kick the stabilizers into gear, things get easier on the inside and much, much worse on the outside.
>You are faced with the difficult task of navigating your way out of a falling Star Destroyer’s hangar bay while matching its speed and angle.
>And at first, you don’t exactly succeed; your ship flies to the top of the hangar, crushing two TIE Fighters.
>You scrape against the ceiling for several more meters before you angle your ship downwards, towards the exit and punch it into high gear, blasting out of the bay, albeit with several new scratches on your ship’s paint job and likely a few missing panels.
>As you clear the Star Destroyer, you shout in triumph, as does Twilight, who wraps her arms around your neck and gives you a warm, tight hug.
>At least, until your ship shakes violently from being shot at.
>Twilight sits back down as your sensors flare to life; an enemy vessel is pursuing you!
“Who in the hell could---“
>The signature is identified as another freighter, slightly lighter in class than your own.
“Oh, come ON!”
>The Solar Scythe, piloted by Sunset Shimmer, is on your tail, firing at your ship.
“Some people just don’t know when to quit!” you say, engaging in evasive maneuvers.

>Over the comm channel, you suddenly hear her voice. “You’re not getting away from me. Not until I get paid.”
>Her ship is much faster than your own, unfortunately, and no matter where you go she’s right behind you, blasting at your hide.
“There’s more to life than money, mando! A concept I only just became familiar with!”
>The two of you twist around, narrowly skirting the blazing hull of the falling Star Destroyer, which is now angled like a spear’s tip and falling through the atmosphere towards the seas of Equanus.
>”Captain, shields are failing!” Twilight says from her station.
“I know, I’m trying to shake her, but she’s all over us!”
>Sunset cuts off every avenue of escape, firing where you think you’re about to be before you’re even there.
>”I always get my prey. Always.”
>You’re running out of options.
>You don’t have anyone on the turrets, so you can’t shoot back, and you can’t outrun her.
>Looking at the sensors, you see that she is right behind you.
>”Is there nothing we can do?” Twilight asks.
“Turtles aren’t exactly known for their speed!” you say, and then suddenly an idea pops into your head. “They’re known… for their SHELLS! HOLD ON!”
>You slam on the brakes, causing both of you to nearly jolt out of your seats.
>It’s a good thing your exceptionally comfortable captain’s chair also has exceptionally strong seatbelts.
>As you stop your ship, you turn it towards the sky, presenting the widest, flattest area of your ship to her oncoming vessel.
>Sunset tries to angle away, but she was too close to make enough of a different; she smacks nearly right into your ship, crashing against its surface as both of your vessels twist and shake from the impact.
>But, ultimately, one of them is much bigger and tougher than the other, rendering her unable to use her scythe against the hull, and Sunset’s ship slides off of your own, heavily damaged and her hull majorly compromised.

>The turret at the end of her wing is completely smashed, and her cockpit’s integrity is compromised.
>With barely enough power to stay afloat, Sunset is forced to break off.
>”How… HOW?!” she says over the comms, not believing what just happened.
“Hahaha! Looks like you just got shell-shocked!”
>”You… did NOT just cripple my ship… and then make a PUN about it!”
“Deal with it, mando! Unless you’d like me to turn around and show you how tough my ship is a second time!”
>”I’ll be back… I swear by the moons of Mandalore, I will be back! I’ll have your head mounted on my ship, I SWEAR IT!”
>She cuts off comms and breaks away, making for space.
>You sit back, letting out the breath you were holding, and laugh, just for the sake of laughing.
>You’re alive!
>Twilight looks over. “How did you know your ship would survive a collision with hers?”
“Simple. Mine’s bigger. And speaking of big…”
>You turn the ship to behold the sight of the Interdictor crashing into the ocean, creating a massive shockwave and displacing an incredible amount of water.
>The interdictor remains in one solid piece as it falls on its side, though panels and debris fall off of it all over as it begins to sink.
>”Amazing…” Twilight says, her eyes wide. “We must return to the colony! They no doubt have seen the ship falling!”

>You smile, hardly able to comprehend the stunt you’ve pulled off.
>You feel light all over, like you’re floating, not really in your body.
>The lightheadedness, the rush of adrenaline, the tingling in your fingers; it feels like you aren’t even breathing.
>You did it.
>You made it.
>Well… almost.
“I’ve still got… one last thing I want to do,” you say, and angle the ship towards the colony.
>After ensuring that you’ve got full shields, you soar over the colony and hover the ship over the remnants of the Imperial forces below.
Looking at Twilight, you smile and say, “If you’ll excuse me… I have some aggression to work through.”
>You leave the cockpit and climb down to the ventral turret, firing it up before letting loose.
>You blast and blast and blast at the soldiers who are scrambling to retreat.
>First, you focus on their landing craft, annihilating them and cutting off their escape.
>Then, you focus on their AT-PT walkers, robbing them of their big guns.
>And finally, you pick off the stragglers as they head for the hills.
>Some of them escape, but what are they going to do?
>The colonists will be hunting for them.
>And speaking of the colonists, you turn the turret to look at the walls, seeing them lined with the people of Canterlot Colony, all cheering and jumping, waving their arms as they cry and holler and laugh.
>Among them are Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, the mayor, the three children and that tall, broad-shouldered young man who looks like the Apple siblings.
>Several of them are already in land vehicles, setting out to chase down the surviving Imperials who escaped into the ashen wilderness.
>You can’t help but smile as you climb out of the turret well and back up to the cockpit.

>”Captain, your ship is detecting an energy signal,” Twilight says. “It seems to be an escape pod’s distress beacon.”
“Oh, really now?” You scratch your chin. “The colony isn’t going anywhere. I think we can afford a brief detour.”
>A few minutes later, your ship is touching down just outside a small swamp.
>You depart from the vessel with blaster in hand and Twilight at your side as you approach the swamp, which the escape pod is stuck in.
>You approach the Imperial vessel, a remnant from the Star Destroyer you sent to the bottom of the sea and aim at its hatch, firing once.
>You unjam the bolt and the door swings open… allowing none other than Starlight Glimmer to fall out of the pod and into the filthy grey water and muck of the swamp.
>Her uniform ruined, her hair a mess, her inability to swim clearly on display---but nothing is quite so priceless as the look on her face when she manages to wipe the muck from her eyes and look up at you.
>”No… It… I…”
>She stammers several more times as you slide away the blaster and for once you are the one wearing the smug smile.
“Lieutenant… we need to stop meeting like this.”
>She slumps down into the mud, utterly defeated.
>”Damn you…” she mutters. “Just kill me now.”
“What, and spare you the indignity of being taken captive by the ‘rebel scum’ you hate so much? I don’t think so. They need to return the favor of your ‘hospitality.’ Besides… you still owe me a bottle of Whyren's Reserve.”

>When you return to Canterlot Colony, not only is it with your newest prisoner, but you are given what could only be described as a hero’s welcome.
>You land in the hangar, and immediately upon departing are swarmed with grateful colonists, all eager to thank you.
>In the span of moments you shake a dozen stranger’s hands and receive twice as many pats on the back.
>Never before have you received attention on a scale such as this; it’s hard not to get caught up in it all.
>Someone pushes their way through the crowd to get to you; it’s Rainbow Dash.
>The blue-skinned girl stands in front of you with her hands on her hips.
>”Well, look at you… going and pulling off a crazy, pigheaded, stupid stunt like that and saving all our lives.”
You rub the back of your neck. “Yeah, well, I---“
>”I could kiss you, you big damn hero, you!” she says with a laugh, throwing her arms around your neck and giving you a strong hug. “You definitely beat my record for kills! Do you have any idea how long it’ll take me to get on your level?”
>You’re about to respond when suddenly you feel yourself hoisted upwards by Applejack and her brother.
>As they carry you out of the hangar, the rest of the community cheers.
>Nearby, Pinkie Pie bounces up and down on top of a crate, cheering and whooping it up.
>Twilight Sparkle trails behind you, holding onto Starlight Glimmer by her cuffs.
>Spike rolls right past you and up to her, the little astromech droid beeping up a storm and jostling left and right in excitement and happiness to see her again.
>She kneels to give the droid a hug as you are set down, and approached by the mayor.
>”Captain, we are in your debt. We don’t have much to offer, but…”
You hold up a hand. “I’ll just take my payment for the initial job. I’ve got some… debts I need to pay off elsewhere in the galaxy.”

>Pinkie Pie bounces over. “Well, you can start saving money by never having to pay for drinks at the Sugarcube Cantina!”
“Seriously?”
>”Super-seriously! In fact, let’s go there and get this party started!”
After all that’s happened, nothing sounds more appealing. “I can do that.”
>Several minutes later, as Starlight is taken into custody by the local officials, you find yourself in a cantina telling the tales of your exploits to a captivated crowd, with a Pinkie Pie pulkay swiggler in your free hand.
“So then WHAM! Her ship flies right into the hull of the Star Turtle like an airspeeder running into a billboard!”
>There are collective gasps and laughs as the battle-weary colonists drink and share in the mirth of victory.
>Twilight, sitting at the bar, nods to confirm the tale.
>Applejack is sitting next to her, a mug in hand which she raises in your direction. “I guess I was wrong about you, Anon. I know I wasn’t the only one.”
>Rainbow, next to her, blushes and shrugs. “Yeah, well… to be fair, it WAS kind of a stressful situation.”
>Fluttershy has a small, furred animal in her lap which she is petting. “But it all worked out in the end, thank goodness.”
>The door to the cantina opens and Rarity enters, holding a suitbag under one arm and a bandage over her shoulder.
>”Oh, Anon~!” she calls out in a singsong voice. “I do believe you are owed something from me!”

>She gingerly picks her way through the cantina crowd to hand you the bag, which you open.
>Contained within is a stylish, long-sleeved jacket, made of a thick material that is hard to the touch but still flexible.
You run a hand over it and look up at the nagai. “Is this…?”
>”Authentic rancor-skin!” she says with a wide smile.
“But I thought I wasn’t worth the authentic stuff,” you reply with an equally cheeky grin.
>”Nonsense, darling. I simply didn’t realize at the time what a diamond in the rough you are.”
>You stand up and slide the jacket on, turning around to display it.
>”Nice!” Rainbow says, standing up to feel the back. “I mean, the least she can do is actually give you an authentic one.”
>Rarity scoffs. “And what about you, dear? With how rude you were to him, you should find a way to thank him properly!”
>”I will! In fact…” She steps back and reaches for her rifle, which she then presents to you. “Here. You need something real to defend yourself with.”
“But this is yours. You told me how fond you are of slugthrowers.”
>”I’ve got more than one, but this one is special because I’ve spent the most time with it and modified it. I’ll take you out scouting sometime so you can try it out and get used to it!”
“I don’t know what to say.”
>”You don’t even have to say thanks, because that’s what I’m doing by giving it to you. So thanks for saving our colony… even though you almost doomed it.”
>Applejack lightly punches her shoulder. “Oh, lighten up already! Flyboy did alright for himself. His ship did get pretty banged up, though---but me, Big Mac and Apple Bloom are good with repairs.” She tips her hat at you and adds, “No charge, of course.”

>Rarity adds, “And you simply MUST let me redecorate it!  A fresh paint job and some lovely new furnishings! It’s nothing, really, I have many such things in storage and it’s the least I can do.”
>You take the rifle and set it down in the booth, then turn to see Pinkie Pie approaching with a bottle.
“More booze?” you say with a cocked brow.
>”Well, I do own a cantina, silly! But here.” She holds out a bottle of none other than Whyren's Reserve, a vintage even better than the one you had before. “Careful! I’ve got two livers so this stuff isn’t much for me, but it might pack a wallop on you!”
“I’ll be sure to not drink and fly,” you say with a chuckle.
>Fluttershy approaches next. “I don’t have much to offer other than my thanks for helping save the animals…” she says sheepishly.
“That’s alright. I really don’t need---“
>You suddenly feel a long, wet tongue dragging up your face, and you turn to see Angel outside the window, sticking his absurdly long tongue through it.
>Fluttershy giggles. “He’s thankful too!”
“Yeuck… gratitude sure can be messy,” you mutter.
>”It doesn’t have to be,” Twilight says, moving up to you. “I believe another reward was discussed earlier, on your ship.”
“What reward… Oh.”
>Twilight leans in and gives you a kiss… on the cheek.
>You bashfully avert your eyes as Rainbow Dash whistles from nearby.
>Applejack and Pinkie Pie lead the cantina in a toast to the future success of Canterlot Colony.
>As you raise and finish your pulkay swiggler, Twilight sits across from you.
>”So, what comes next for you, Captain?”

“Well, I’ll be looking for work,” you reply, casting a sidelong glance at the cantina patrons as they chat happily amongst themselves and drink their fill. “I think a few people around here could use a hand.”
>Fluttershy, sitting next to her, lights up. “So, you’ll be staying? That’s wonderful!” The mirialan seems particularly happy at the news, hugging her small critter while giving you a warm smile.
“It’s a nice place, and the people are nicer. That’s rare to find in this galaxy. The planet could be nicer, but…”
>Applejack smirks. “We’re workin’ on that.”
>You look across the table at Twilight.
“Say… there’s something else I’ve been wondering about. What is so special about this planet, really? I mean, if there wasn’t something valuable on this ball of dust, you all wouldn’t have fought so hard for it, right?”
>Twilight sets her glass down and contemplates her response.
>”There is something valuable upon this planet, more than what it represents. We haven’t found it yet, but are looking. For now, we should focus on relaxing and rebuilding the damage to the colony. We shall speak more on this later.”
>You cock a brow, but nod.
‘Always so full of secrets…’
>The three children from earlier, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo run up, and Sweetie Belle starts talking in a fast, excited and squeaky manner. “Mister Smuggler Sir! My sister just said that you’re going to be staying!”
>”I knew you wouldn’t let us down!” Apple Bloom says, crawling into the booth behind you and rustling your hair.
>You let out a laugh as the others look on amused while Scootaloo hugs your arm and Sweetie Bell does the same to your leg while Apple Bloom wraps an arm around your neck.
>All this merriment and joy is almost enough to make you forget about your impending death mark at the hands of the hutt.

>You stop moving as the thought returns.
>”Anon? Is something the matter?” Twilight asks.
“…No. No, nothing.”
>No need to worry them about such things.
>For now, you’ll lie low and build up credits.
>Besides, you might even have some time before the hutt even learns about your missing delivery…
>Why not enjoy yourself a little?

>MEANWHILE, IN A PENTHOUSE ON NAR SHADDA…
>A great bellow of fury fills a dark, seedy den of iniquity.
>A hutt, massive and bloated upon his dais, has just been delivered some very upsetting news.
>His good friend in the Core Worlds never received his shipment, and the smuggler is nowhere to be found.
>He must have made off with the drugs himself, selling them for profit!
>The jowls and flabs of fat of the enormous slug-like being flap about as he screams to the thugs, fringers, bounty hunters and criminals of his court.
>”I want that smuggler! I want him brought before me! I want to see his miserable existence brought to an end BEFORE MY EYES!”
>He looks at his majordomo, a salt-addicted arcona. “Post my largest bounty yet. Send it to every corner of the Outer Rim! I don’t want him to be able to fly ANYWHERE without SOMEONE knowing who he is!”
>The hutt looks up at his skylight and lets out a mighty roar.
>”I WANT HIM ALIVE! ALIVE, YOU HEAR ME? BRING HIM HEEEERE!”

Continued: https://pastebin.com/fBTdUCJG