Written by Steeler, Meister P, Amber and Fjap.

At the same time at Bogoslov, Tobi walked through the wood. Jedi Knight leaded him through the secure barriers and gave him a transmitter to contact Phoenix and a blaster to defend himself. The Master Chief Pilot wasn’t too scared, he lived on a wood world before. The wood was his friend not his enemy as JK thought. Tobi already saw some speederbikes with rebel soldiers. He knew they searched for him but it was impossible to find him in a wood. Tobi had simply too much experience in hiding. Now he sat on a tree and waited for the night. It wouldn’t be clever to use the transmitter right now or at least not with the Phoenix secret frequency, maybe the rebels would notice it. " Think Tobi, think. " the MCP said and closed his eyes. Shortly after this he felt asleep without coming to a result.

On board of the Titan Flamestrike was still awake. He was a bit concerned about the RG mission on board of the Diablo. He could only hope that Rookie and Piett already left the frigate. If not all would be lost. The war would continue with very high losses. He would lose his reputation as imperial officer and as Royal Guard member. Flamestrike sighed and said to himself: " Hopefully I didn’t risk too much. " He turned around to his desk to study the last reports from the squadrons under his command. Eagle and Falcon stayed on their post, no problems reported then he got Amber’s report.

As he started to read he mumbled surprised: " Why have you left your post to patrol the unarmed zone frontier. It wasn’t my order, wasn’t it? Heck Amber what you have in mind? "

In the meantime Amber and OD waited for the RGs. She didn’t have a clue about the concerns of Flamestrike. The Viking himself leaded the 4 RGs on board of the Diablo. It were Jodokast, Fossa, Thork il Nar and Battledog. Amber gulped, she was highly nervous when those red guards were around.

O‘Drick rescued her once more, with a smile he went over to his RG brothers: " Greetings. Welcome on board of the Diablo my friends. It’s a great honour for us to have you here, right Amber? "

Amber fought with the words: " Of course. Welcome Royal Guards. " She tried to smile friendly but it looked a bit forced and way too unsure. The Viking looked directly into her eyes, Amber got the feeling he could look to the ground of her soul.

Then Vik asked with his deep voice: " What do you want to hide Amber? "

" Me? Nothing! "

The leader of the RG looked serious: " We are here because of three reasons. First, we get the idea that the traitors Rookie and Piett could try to contact the Diablo to get help from their friends. Then we have them. Second, Phoenix is very low manned right now, we want to help you out there. Third, O’Drick has his RG day soon, we want to celebrate with him. " Now Amber was surprised because the RGs didn’t wanted to look for Rookie and Piett first, so her plan wasn’t necessary anymore but it was to late to change it.

Amber wasn’t able to react and once more it was OD who helped her: " Great news my friends. Make yourself as comfortable as you can. We need every pilot we can get. " Amber could only nod. OD continued with a warning view to Amber: " Well, we have enough empty bunks and a lot of unused fighters. But is it really so soon that I have my RG day? "

Battledog smiled: " Yes, 3 months ago you became one of us. It’s your first 90 days in the rows of the RG. Well done. "

At the same time Katarn was on his way to the unarmed zone together with The Duke, Cobra, Akkon and Klingon ITA. As they arrived there they faced a whole Mon Calamari Cruiser which launched his fighters immediately.

" Oh damn, this are way to much I think. " said Klingon.

" Agreed. We have to clear our way back, hopefully those rebel fools will follow us." answered Katarn.

Cobra was surprised: " Why they should follow us? "

Kat smiled: " Well, easy to explain. We can’t finish them here. For this plan they are way too much. When they follow us the rest of the Phoenixians can help us and there will be some less rebels in the galaxy around. "

" True, then let’s go and smash some of those scum, Phoenixians. " was the answer from Cobra. The battle didn’t go to well, more and more rebel fighters arrived. Even when the Phoenixians fought until they reached their frontiers the rebel crafts always became more and more.

" Ok, that’s it. Try to return to the Diablo. " ordered Katarn. He could only hope they would return in one piece.

It became morning at Bogoslov, Tobi was cold and he had hunger. Still no idea how to leave those planet crossed his mind. He thought at his squadron mates and the battles they fought together, Ginyard and his Corellian Transport Wanderer. " Doh, Tobi, you become old. It’s so easy. Ginyard of course! " Tobi knew Ginyard prepared a special emergency frequency for the Phoenixians but not at the standard imperial ones. Ginyard was also a member of the Black Sun by now and they had an own communication system which would give thirds the feeling they only hear static. So the Diablo wouldn’t be in danger, Tobi smiled as he took out the transmitter to contact Ginyard. He needed a while to switch the frequencies:

" Here is MCP Tobi. Is there somebody? I need help. " Luckily Ginyard worked in his transport right now as the help call arrived. Tobi asked again way nervous by now: " Gin, mate, are you there? Come on.... "

Ginyard looked a bit puzzled: " Tobi, that you? " was his answer.

Tobi smiled: " Hail Phoenix and yes that’s me. "

" C’mon where are you? We need every pilot here, we have a big war with the Alliance right! "

Tobi sighed: " I know and best is it’s caused by the Alliance. Anyway to answer your question I’m at Bogoslov. I escaped from the rebel prison here but now I want to go away from this planet. I need your help for that Gin. I don’t want to get the Diablo in a higher danger as it already is. "

Gin nodded and smiled to himself as he remembered that Tobi couldn’t see him: "Of course I come. Even when I dislike to let my girlfriend alone with Kat. You know how he is and you also know how she is. Their last meeting ended with a hospital visit for Katarn. "

Tobi giggled: " Oh yes, I know our Katarn, anyway... Gin I see some rebel soldiers coming. I must hide again. I hope I see you soon. Tobi out. " Then the MCP had to run deeper into the forest, somehow the rebels noticed the transmission even when the MCP was careful. Tobi knew he did it the right way, they only got static to listen but they found his location so he had to move quickly.

In the meantime at Bikkev, the shuttle of the rescue team landed. P smiled as he noticed the shuttle of the Diablo. It was one of the new shuttles prepared by Akkon, the engineering genius, it had a camouflage system. The first one who left the shuttle was the Commodore himself arguing with a man P never saw before.

The Jedi went closer and heard: " Nope Piett. I don’t believe you! Amber gave me two times this special tea with narcotic inside. And when I’m stay thirsty the whole time I wont touch it again. "

Piett smiled: " C’mon, why she should send you sleeping again. We need you fully awake now. "

" I don’t trust you. "

P had to laugh: " Still the old crazy guys hm. Welcome at Bikkev. Nice to see you there. "

Rookie turned around to the Jedi: " Meister! Are you ok? "

P walked over to them: " Of course I am. Only because I’m in a prison it doesn’t mean they can harm me. "

Rookie smiled: " You crazy Jedi. Sometime you have to tell me why you don’t protect yourself as they caught you. Anyway this isn’t a nice place. We should depart from here ASAP. "

P nodded: " Only when you tell me how you escaped, I can’t believe they let you go that easily. After all you protected a Jedi. I agree with the fast departure but I found two old friends here. They have to come with us. Binky and Eryn come over! "

The Commodore answered: " Well when they are friends of you then we take them with us without questioning why they are here. "

Piett was shocked: " We can’t help criminals to escape! I have to disagree! "

Desmo who finally came out of the shuttle: " Piett, don’t make a fool out of yourself. We already rescued Rookie, a criminal in the Empires eyes. Now we rescue the Jedi P, an enemy of the Empire. So you notice we broke this rule before, there is no problem with that. "

Piett wasn’t convinced: " That’s something completely different! "

P asked: " Is it? Why? Only because you know Rookie? But why to hell you rescue me too then? You dont know me "

Piett felt uncomfortable now: " You are Phoenixians... with you I trust Rookies word. "

P smiled: " Trust my word too then. " In this moment an A-Wing flew direct over their heads.

Desmo look very surprised: " What’s that? A rebel here? "

P said: " Hmmm, that’s strange isn’t it? I guess we will take a look who arrived here. It could answer some questions. Besides this... I think we should take a closer look at the metal we were diging for. "

" Agreed let’s check this. " answered Rookie.

P turned around to Binky and Eryn: " You two stay here and protect the shuttle. "

" Ok, if you want. " Eryn answered.

After 10 minutes P decided they were close enough to the landing platform. Rookie took out a binoculars and watched the platform.

He started to report: " Well, I see an imperial officer and at least two stormtrooper regiments. Whoever arrives there, seems to be an important guy. "

P whispered: " This would explain why the troopers stopped their search for us. "

Rookie continued: " I cant see the new arriver... wait there he is... uhm.... This cant be true! "

Desmo: " Who is it? Heck don’t make it so exciting. "

Rookie took away the binoculars: " I... I can’t believe it... " The Wookie became impatient now and took the binoculars away from the Commodore to look by his own:

" Damn they are gone. "

The Jedi had more patience with the Commodore then Desmo: " Ok Rooks, whoever you think it was, we can handle with him. Simply say his name. " Rookie was still too shocked to got a clear mind.

Piett: " Doesn’t work P. Anyway we should get a barrel of this metal and then we have to find a way to end this damned war with the Alliance here. "

The Jedi sighed: " I can’t help you getting a barrel of this metal, I get unconscious in the near of it. "

Rookie looked over to him: " How comes? "

" I have no idea. I never noticed that before, anyway we need such a barrel. I will protect you so good I can. "

Rookie: " Now I understand nothing anymore. Then Steeler must get unconscious too but she seemed very alive. "

" Was the new arriver Steeler? " Piett shouted.

Rookie only nodded: " Yes, it’s Steeler. "

Even P was surprised: " How comes she can walk free around in the heart of the Empire? So much to our Intel and it’s effectiveness. And why to hell I didn’t feel their arrival here... "

Piett took out his rail detonator: " When I get the chance I will execute her, she’s way too dangerous for us. "

Desmo shook his head: " When you try this you will fail like we before. We have to be careful and don’t get her attention. "

P nodded: " Desmo is right, now let’s go. "

At the same time in the hotel of Makker in the Matjua system, DuKaal and Fjap waited patiently until Makker found the sensory tape they were looking for. The picture showed a man in a dark robe. He was tall and you couldn’t look under his hood. But then he finally removed the hood, even when it’s dark Fjap felt unbelievably surprised:

" Stop the tape and make it more bright.... brighter.... now closer.... thank you. "

Makker asked: " Do you know this man? "

Fjap hit with his fist at the table: " Damnit! Of course I know him. "

Makker: " Who is it? Do you think there is a way to get nicer rememberings from him? "

" Nope ; I dont think so. Anyway are there some sounds from him too? "

Makker nodded: " Yes, there are. "

Then the search started again: " Where I have it... hmmmm... here it is. " Now they listened to the sound of a voice, a voice well known to Fjap. The man called himself Bob...

P made himself comfortable in the ventilation shaft that led to the hangar. Rookie had ordered him to stay here when he heard of the effect the metal had on P, so he took the small piece of paper that was still lying there and started to write.

P turned the piece of paper around, but there was no more empty space on it. He folded it and put it into his pocket. He relaxed a bit and closed his eyes for a moment. He did not know how long he slept, but he was awakened by Rookie who shaked his shoulder.

"HEY wake up. we have troopers on our heels. Do you think the metal is shielded enough by the containers to come closer to you?"

Meister:" Yeah...Yes it is, I got unconscious when the container ripped open."

Rookie turned around and shouted:" PIETT!! COME ON!"

Piett was pushing a small container in front of him and said:" Desmo is trying to get us some seconds, hurry!"

They pulled and pushed as fast as possible, and Piett even took the thing on his shoulder when they climbed up the ladder.

When P once again pulled himself over the rim, and rolled away from the hole his movement was stopped by the boots of two troopers who had been waiting for them.

Both aimed on him and one said:" Don’t move Jedi Scum." Then to his companion: "The boss will award us for this."

P had been a moment in front of Piett and Rookie, and now he hoped that they heard the troopers and stopped their ascend. While one of the soldiers bend down to handcuff P, Meister saw the shadows move behind the other one, and a foot accelerating between the legs.

The man yelled: "AYEEEEE!" and the scream started to sound hollow when his flight sent him down the air intake. The other trooper turned around when he saw his friend flying over his shoulder, and his eyes looked straight into a blaster.

Binky stepped into the beam of the flashlight and said:

"Surprise!"

P got on his feet again. "Thanks man, this was close."

He stepped to the intake and shouted:" Everything is OK here, Sirs!" Rookie and Piett climbed out of the tube and Piett asked:

"Someone passed by in the other direction, do you know something about it?"

P smiled and said:" Well he could not resist Eryns charme, and had been convinced to leave."

Fjap sunk to a chair. He stared at the man called "Bob" who was arguing seemingly with the data screen about the prize of this little trip. DuKaal asked:

"Do you know this man?"

"Yes I do," and Fjap walked over to the screen and froze the image of "Bob's" face. Its small smile and pointy ears along with a slightly red nose filled the screen. "DuKaal, let me introduce you to...Bob." He threw him self on the chair again.

Makker looked at the picture and commented on the looks of the guy.

"He looks like he's been in a Kessel run in a cardboard box"

"Well you could say that," said Fjap," This man has been through some serious Bantha Poo."

"Hey, he looks vaguely familiar," said DuKaal, "isn't this some hotshot in TFA?"

"Uhh, yes you could say that," answered Fjap, "He's pretty high ranking."

"How high?"

"Ahhh high. Very, very high. Yes he's high up."

Fjap sunk deeper into the chair and covered his face

"I just can't believe this is happening. 'Bob' is haunting us again." Fjap rose and crossed to the screen.

"I can assure you that this is not the man responsible for the T/B wreck we found in the desert. This man doesn't have the right reasons to do that. He would play some stupid tricks on Phoenix, but never start a war."

DuKaal watched the screen with intent. Suddenly he turned and looked at Fjap.

"I recognise him now...This is...."

DuKaal stared at Fjap and the screen.

"I can't believe this. This is one of the most respected leaders of the whole Imperial navy. One of the most decorated members, a Royal Guard...A wing commander, but why do you call him Bob??."

Fjap threw him self on the chair again and moaned.

"Ohh no. This is sooo bad." He straightened up. "Only a handful of people know about this. Most of them are dead or have left TFA. You see during a particularly nasty fight with a group of Outer Rim Warlord this man lead an attack deep into ORW-controlled space. He was captured and experimented on. They released him but it wasn't him that came back, but his evil twin 'Bob'." Fjap stroked his forehead, "You should have been onboard El Pollo Diablo that time while we were trying to find a cure for him. Can you imagine the stress. He was already high up then and he had some responsibilities, meetings and so-forth. We had to constantly watch him because he was completely out of control. One of his highest amusements was to make pilots form all sorts of patterns when flying. At first we thought we could just leave him with that. I mean what harm can be in making pilots in training flights form stars, rings and occasional letters but we were wrong. Can you imagine a group of Tie's escorting a Admiral shuttle suddenly starting to spell out all sorts of foul language towards the Admiral. That was bad. He was always drunk and I found him once chasing the ships cat with a club complaining about hunger. We finally found a way to overcome his illness but we can never be sure when it crops up again. He seems to be particularly vulnerable to some languages and when he hears certain types of words 'Bob' emerges."

"But why was he asking me to check the markings of your craft if he was onboard your frigate the whole time?" Asked Makker.

"Well after the incident with the Admiral and the reprogramming of the medical droids to give everybody 'Mullets' that came into the medical bay we had to move him and hide him on a small planet. He escaped and blamed me for his imprisonment and we are not sure what harm he managed to pull off, but this is one piece. The next time I docked my T/F it was repainted green with pink stripes." Said Fjap.

"So this is not the man responsible?" Asked DuKaal.

"No," replied Fjap. They went back to the main hall of the casino but forgot to turn of the screen when they left. Few minutes after they left, a small shadow walked over to the door of Makker’s room. It fumbled with the lock mechanism for a few seconds and the door opened. A much taller shadow followed along with a much fatter shadow and all entered the room.

"Congratulations my furred friend, it seems your nimble fingers have done it again," said the tall man, "Let us find what Makker has taken from us and be on our way."

They searched the room until the fat man saw the screen. The grinning face of Flamestrike filled the small screen. He pressed play on the data pad and Flamey threw out his had and shouted:

"OOOO I am the all mighty Fjap from Phoenix. How dares anyone stand in my way?? But I'll teach him a lesson."

The fat man stopped the tape as small flecks of spittle formed on Flamey’s lips and they all looked at one another.

"Interesting," said the Tall man, "It seem we have found our man, quite by accident. Now let us convey immediately to our ship and pay this Fjap a visit."

Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 - Part 6 - Part 7

Authors: NCp Steeler, Ltn Amber, SP Meister_P, CP Fjap

Editor: Ltn Amber

The Authors and Editor have done their best to ensure the accuracy and currency of all information in this story. All information is current to 24/06/2000 and we can accept no responsibility for any loss or inconvenience sustained by any reader as a result of its information or advice.