Save our souls.
The message came in loud and clear. Action was required. The distress signal reached the Taldryan Republic, and upon the Supreme Chancellor's directive, help was sent.
No-one needed a degree in Galactic History to know why Endor was so important. The resting place of the second Death Star had become synonymous with the galaxy. Some hoped to find fame and fortune excavating the ruins like glorified tomb raiders, whilst others stayed clear, saying the Death Star remains were haunted by the Sith Spirit of Darth Sidious himself.
Appius scoffed at such superstitions. He knew what was here, what was really going on, and so did the Ewok attached to his back. That Ewok in particular just so happened to be his Proconsul, Teebu Nyrrire.
Slavery, and genocide.
They could smell the ash from the fires that burned the native tribes.
Appius felt Teebu tense as his pawed hand tightened on his shoulder.
He looked back at Teebu. "Are you OK?"
Teebu recompensed himself. "I'm fine."
Appius decided not to press the matter further. His footsteps crunched across the jungle floor as he carefully pushed past branches, bushes, and all manner of foliage as the pair made their way towards the main part of the ruins.
Debris became more commonplace. Parts of starfighters, shield generators, and weaponry were scattered along the floor, becoming one with the vines. The pair stopped at an anomaly that made them speechless.
"Kriffing hell…" Appius muttered under his breath.
A mound of Ewok corpses, approximately five-feet high, served as a monument to the brutality of the Imperial Remnant. Appius could feel Teebu physically pale behind his fur as he dropped from his shoulders and walked towards the pile.
Teebu visibly shook, and Appius took a few tentative steps forward, and kneeled beside him.
Appius placed a hand on Teebu's shoulder. "We'll get him. Salivane won't get away with this. He won't be able to hide much longer. When we rescue the tribe, we'll grant them sanctuary in the Caelus System. You have my word."
Teebu slowly nodded his head. His eyes not leaving the pile of his kin in front of him. "Let's go."
He climbed back on Appius' shoulder, not saying anything more. They trekked further in, the trees becoming more scarce until they reached their destination.
There, among the ruins of the second Death Star, was Salivane Trobias. Weequay sellsword of the Imperial Remnant states, and a damned bastard to boot. He was tall, and his leathery face was cut up with scars so profound it was a miracle if his mother recognised him.
With him was an assortment of Imperials and Pirates overseeing some sort of scavenge operation. All had their hands wrapped around blaster rifles, staffs, daggers, and anything else an armed militia needed to be threatening. However, what drew the eyes of Appius and Teebu were the Ewoks that were doing the manual labour.
They were dirty and battered. Some were missing patches of fur. They were exhausted doing tasks that they, in reality, were much too small to be performing. Whenever an Ewok failed, they were prodded with an electrostaff from one of the Pirates or Imperials. The Imperials at least maintained a professional air about them. The Pirates, on the other hand, delighted in the pain and misery they caused.
An Ewok collapsed to the ground trying to shift a sheet of durasteel. Another quickly ran to their side, shaking them, willing them to get up before they were spotted.
"What's going on here?"
A pirate approached the pair, with the conscious Ewok pleading in Ewokese. It got the butt-end of a blaster rifle in the face for its trouble.
The Pirate then approached the unconscious Ewok. "Get your furry little ass up, or else."
There was no response, so the Pirate gave the Ewok a stiff kick to the ribs.
Teebu was about ready to charge in and defend his kin. He was usually calm and collected, but this? This, he could not stand to see.
However, Appius stopped him. "Not yet. They are still alive. Wait for the right moment."
Salivane approached his Pirate. "If you are quite done. Put it out of its misery and let the others pick up the slack."
The Pirate grinned from ear to ear, and pointed its blaster at the Ewok. Yet, before he could pull the trigger, a barrage of lightning shot out of the nearby trees, striking the Pirate in its chest. It lead out a high-pitched, shrill scream as it writhed on the floor.
Salivane followed the direction of the lightning from whence it came, spitting Appius and Teebu. "Open fire!"
"Now!" Appius activated his jetpack, launching himself and Teebu several feet into the air.
Teebu held on for dear life as Appius brought them crashing down amidst a small gathering of Imperials. He coiled the Force into the palm of his hand, and detonated it like an explosion at his feet. The Imperials were sent flying back several metres, landing hard on their backs.
Teebu quickly gripped his blaster, and filled them with blaster bolts before they could return to their feet.
"Hold your fire!"
The Taldryan leaders were prepared for an all-out fight, but to their surprise, Salivane stopped his people from attacking.
Appius' fingers brushed against his lightsaber as he spoke. "It's over Salivane. This operation ends. You can either come with us willingly and stand trial, or die here. It's your choice."
Salivane, however, laughed heartily, followed by the Imperials and Pirates in his stead. "You are right. It is over… over for you. Kimberly!"
Teebu shuddered upon hearing her name. The name of his old master from the time of his kidnapping. Appius looked to his Proconsul, seeing a bead of sweat dripping from his furry brow.
"This is a trap. They used the Ewoks as bait," Teebu said.
Fleet Admiral Kimberley Tessarosa of the 19th Imperial Remnant stepped forth. She was a beautiful Human woman with flowing red hair. Upon seeing Teebu and Appius, she showed a smile;
"Teebu, I'm so glad to see you. Thank you for bringing the Supreme Chancellor here. His death will mark the beginning of a new era."
