The Archive - Part II
Dense jungles and nasty swamps covered the eighth moon of the Galgola system. The air was moist and heavy, making it hard to breathe at this time of day. Large trees grew high into the sky, where dangerous winds ravaged through the smaller branches. Following Kanta's lead, the small group made their way through the hostile lands southbound.
"This way." Kanta pushed a thick leaf aside, to expose another path. "We should hurry, if we want to be back by night time."
"Well, if you hadn't led us into the swamps, we'd get along a lot faster." Ji-To's mood was getting progressively worse, the more time the spent in the humid climate of Galgola VIII.
"It's just round here, trust me."
"You said that. But I don't see anything."
The trooper's complaints turned into a surprised gasp, when the jungle opened into a large clearing. A platform was built into the swamp with its pillars reaching deep into the soft ground. It was a landing platform and prepped up upon it was an old, demolished TIE fighter.
"By the emperor's ass, how did you get that?"
"Found it", Kanta lied, but judging by their looks, it was clear that nobody believed him. "Look, I know people, okay? People who can get you whatever you want."
"People in the Empire?" Haladin raised an eyebrow.
"Maybe. Listen, I don't ask that kind of question. For all I know, they are scavengers trying to make a quick buck. They get their money, I get my parts and everybody is happy."
"Except for Tarkin, when he finds out one of his fighters is missing. You know they keep count, right?" Ji-To still couldn't believe his eyes.
"Which is why I asked for a destroyed fighter, one that is off the list. My contact assured me, this one crashed somewhere in the desert of Tatooine. Nobody is looking for it, trust me."
"Whatever." Haladin raised his hands to interrupt the conversation. "Does it fly?"
"Currently, no", Kanta was forced to admit. "But I will have it running in no time, I promise! I just need some more parts."
"Let's assume for a moment, you did manage to get this bucket of bolts up and running. Do you even know how to fly that thing?"
"Of course. It is a bog-standard Class one fighter."
"Well, it doesn't look like one." Ji-To slowly made his way around the wreck, inspecting the engines and the cockpit.
"What are you talking about?" Kanta stepped beside him.
"This is a Class two, if anything."
"Whatever, it doesn't matter. The controls are the same. Remind me, which of us is the pilot again?"
"Fine, if you say so. I sure hope you're right, because otherwise this'll be the shortest trip of all time."
"Don't worry. I got this. Why don't you save your energy to get me my missing parts?"
"You're the boss", Wando declared. "What do we need, and where do we look?"