Star Wars: Rising of the Union/Strykana’s Bar

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: Escape