Star Wars: Rising of the Union/Ossus Prime

Ossus Prime

Abeo and Pantene walked out of the Landing Bay and into the reception. “Welcome to Ossus Prime customer. What, may I enquire, is the nature of your visit?” Enquired a droid from behind the receptionist desk. “Business” Abeo replied, “I’m a Cargo hauler” “Thank you, what is it you will be transporting?” “Merchandise, Ceramics.” “Thank you, when will you be leaving?” “Look” Abeo shouted, “What has my business got to do with you?” “I am sorry, but it is my occupation to know the nature of your visit. It is a new law.” ”Law, what law?” “The government of Ossus has declared that all visitors, business or otherwise must be checked before entry to any city is permitted. As declared by our new Imperial master.” “Imperials, they are here?” “Yes, yes they are. Do you require any more information?” This was a problem, if the Imperials controlled Ossus; it was likely that Stryk was being tagged. “I’m not sure,” Abeo stated out of no were. “Thank you. Please, enjoy your visit to the city of Ossus Prime” And with that the droid shut down.

Abeo and Pantene walked through the large double doors and into the hall. It was lined with shops and stalls selling everything from model Gundarks to Death sticks. At the end of the hall stood two Storm troopers guarding the doors. Two other troops were patrolling the hallway. Abeo and Pantene walked up to the far end of the hall. They were stopped at least five times being aliens trying to sell them items. When they got to the doors, the Storm Troopers stopped them. “Halt!” What is your business here?” Demanded one of the Storm Troopers. “Like I told the reception droid. I’m a Cargo hauler. I’ve been told to pick up some Ceramics for my employer” Abeo replied. “Do you have a security card?” “Security Card, what for?” “It is needed to enter the city. If you do not have one, you may not enter.” “And what if I was to enter the city without a Security Card?” “Any attempted break in would be reported and you would be incapacitated by the guards.” “Hmm, where can I get a Security Card?” “If you were meant to have one, you would know.” Abeo walked away. Pantene enquired as to how they were going to get a Security Card. Abeo replied… “There” as he was pointing to an Imperial General on the far side of the room.

Abeo and Pantene walked up to the Imperial Officer. “General?” Abeo asked the Officer. “Yes what do you want? I’m busy right now. Make an appointment. To late goodbye” He replied speedily. Abeo was extremely angry. “General!” He shouted, drawing his attention (and that of all the citizens and guards in the room) “You will refer to me as Admiral Pisen of the Star Destroyer Xerces!” “May I?” Asked the General Politely “See your ID tag then?” “You may. But I must speak to you. Take us somewhere private” “Yes sir, this way” The General Lead them into a small room near the doors and locked it. Ten minutes later Abeo and Pantene walked out of the Room wearing Imperial Uniforms. Abeo wore that of an Admiral, Pantene that of a Storm Trooper so that his face was covered. They returned to the two Storm Troopers.

“You two!” Abeo shouted two the guards who jumped to attention “Let me pass now. Open the doors!” “I’m sorry sir,” He stopped “But… I need to see your ID tag. Do you have it, Sir?” “Of course I have it Soldier, do you think I’m stupid or something?” “No, No of course not Sir, its just…” Abeo showed the Strom Trooper the ID tag he had taken from the General, him being such an expert at security he was able to alter it to suit him. Acknowledging the ID tag the Soldier opened the door. Abeo and Pantene walked through.

It was spectacular. The courtyard floor was made of white marble and centred with a flowing fountain reaching some 30” high. What was strange was that it was not water coming out of the fountain, but melted gold and silver. Around the edge of the courtyard was a terrace. The roof held up by a huge 40” column as thick as a tree trunk, which was too made of marble. The flag of the Empire stood high above the city and the Republic Embassy at the far end of the courtyard was closed and in dire need of maintenance.

The upper terrace was covered in Cafés, Shops and restaurants. The rails along the terrace edge were magnificently designed with flowers and scenes of Ossus’ military history. Abeo and Pantene took the elevator down to the courtyard. “Maybe we should try to find Stryk now, get out of here ASAP” Pantene replied to Abeo’s looks of amazement. “No, I want to search the Republic Embassy, we might find out why the Republic hadn’t a fleet in the sector when the Empire arrive” Abeo replied. “Are you sure? The Imperials are bound to be patrolling the corridors of the Embassy. Even if it is in lockdown” “They may, but were going to get in. Maybe I will see Stryk now.” Abeo finished off. Abeo and Pantene walked throughout the city gasping at its splendour and magnificent architecture all around. The signs for the roads were covered in gold. The wording was made of silver and the sign rim in gem. Each of these signs must of cost a fortune to make. Finally they found the one they were looking for. Suami street, southend. The sign read. Abeo and Pantene each paced the streets looking for the bar Stryk worked in. They almost gave up when Pantene tripped up in the middle of the street. “What the…, what was that?” Pantene asked himself. Abeo ran over and too tripped over. “It seems to be a trap door of some sort” Abeo replied. He waved his hands along the floor searching for some sort of control panel when he found one. “Some sort of control panel” He continued. “Well, press the button” Pantene demanded quietly. Abeo entered a number of sequences until, by chance, he entered the right one. The trap door swung open revealing a flight of steps. At the bottom was a sign, which read Strykana’s Barroom. “I think we found Stryk’s bar Pantene” Abeo said. Pantene nodded in agreement.

Strykana’s Bar
Pantene asked Abeo remain outside until called for. Agreeing, Abeo remained outside for roughly ten minutes until he heard Pantene shout up for him. He walked down the stairs, but as he reached the bottom the large trap door sealed shut. Abeo carried on walking.

He reached a single door with writing in a language Abeo did not understand. The door was plain wood, surprising as Ossus Prime is built inside a quarry and the nearest wood is over 6800 miles away. The doors was crocked and creaked when opened. On the other side was a dark room with only a dim light above to see the door at the far end. As soon as Abeo began to walk he heard his feet hit something small. Looking down he saw a skull. Horrified he speedily rushed to the door, but his feet always hit bones. There were the bones of humans, the bones of Mon Calamari. There was even a skeleton of a Csilian, recognizable by his clothing, which had been ripped a lot. Abeo just made it to the door when he heard an incredible noise. Abeo shook the door like mad, but it remained shut. It was locked. Abeo spun round only to see a Rancor. The Rancor roared once more and threw a skeleton to the far side of the room. It hit the wall a broke in to many pieces. The Rancor roared again and then began to move towards Abeo slowly. Abeo frantically bashed the door with his fist with no result. He spun round and froze. Then the Rancor had stopped. Abeo could see immediately that the Rancor was blind as its eyes had be seamed shut with hot iron. A huge device existed on each ear, which Abeo believed were to make its ear more acute to sound. Abeo tested this thought by throwing a skull to the far side of the room. The Rancor crushed with its teeth in midair. Abeo new he was in trouble. Then all around the top of the walls opened up to reveal hundreds of alien spectators gambling and drinking, and betting on him. It was when he was looking up that he spotted Pantene pointing to a metal bar on the floor. Using his body Pantene signalled to Abeo to lift it. Abeo slowly began to crawl knowing that the Rancor could slightly hear him. The Rancor began to walk and with every step it took gained speed until it was in full sprint. Abeo got up and ran, he jumped for the metal bar and then paused. Pantene was shocked. Why did Abeo not pull the lever? Then, when the Rancor reached the centre of the room, Abeo pulled hard on the lever causing the floor to collapse and the Rancor to fall with it. Great cheers and boos came from the crowd whose numbers slowly whittled. Then the door opened. Abeo rose and began to walk, careful to mind the huge hole from which he could still hear the Rancor cry. As he approached the door to Imperial Storm-troopers appeared. Abeo rushed to pull his blaster but was to late. Abeo woke to find himself in an Imperial style prison cell. Plain and dull with no form of essential human needs. He waited for several hours before the door lifted open. Pantene walked through wearing an Imperial Officers uniform. He bore medals of many campaigns. Medals from Hoth and Endor. Even one from the battle of Coruscant. He wore large black boots, spotlessly clean. His black gloves fitted perfectly and his blaster had been exchanged for an Imperial one. “Well, I see you’re awake.” Said Pantene. “What are you dressed like that for, like an Imperial Officer?” Abeo replied in surprise. “Isn’t it obvious. I’m an Imperial Officer.” Pantene replied “What? You…you an Imperial. But when?” “Oh a long time, long before I met you. Trapped on that hole of a station. You presented me with a means of escaping that place. Of course I didn’t want you tagging along all this way, so I ask my mate Boba Fett to deal with you. What good he did. Then I saw this as my chance. Coming to Ossus had nothing to do with me but I saw my chance. I knew Stryk had a Rancor guard. I thought that would kill you, but it seems I’m going to have to do it personally.” “Did Kerath know of this, is he an Imperial as well?” “Oh no, he’s no Imperial. But he knew I was. I gave him a choice. Help me, and I would overlook some of his more sinister dealings.” “You’re scum you are. Only an Imperial would do this.” “Yes I know. Oh that reminds me. I never got my 20 credits back, did I?” “No” Abeo replied “and you’re not going to” “Oh, you’re resilient. But I’m sorry; I’ve got business to attend to so I’ll see you soon. Bye” And with that Pantene left and the door slammed shut.

Next: Strykana’s Bar