Stolen Memories: Path to Reconnection

Chapter Four: The Ends-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Location: Metellos, Stratablock Thirteen.

“Do you understand Areuli?” The plan he had devised was not one without risk. He couldn’t even fully understand why he felt the way he did. But he had made his decision whether for better or worse.

“Are you sure Korrik? This might attract the Republic’s attention.” Areuli warned.

“I have no doubt that they will hear of it. But they won’t risk leaving the industrial sector and it should all be over before they could call in reinforcements. With the BIC involved it would be in their best interest to stay out of it.” Korrik didn’t know if that statement truly held any weight but the Republic had nothing to gain from it. If they helped one planet with their personal matters then everyone would expect the same treatment.

“Trust me, they won’t involve themselves.” Krashel grew larger on the Horizon.

“I’m not one hundred percent on this one Kor, why bother with this at all?” the answer to that still eluded him.

“Call it a hunch.”

“Really? A hunch? You MUST be chewing the luna-weed.”

“I know how it must sound but have I ever steered you wrong?” Areuli turned and stared at him, narrowing her eyes sightly.

“Let me rephrase that, have I ever steered you wrong intentionally?” she sighed and turned her attention back to the controls in front of her.

“You’re going to be the death of me Kor.” She said somberly.

“If you want to leave… I won’t stop you.” The silence lingered for a moment.

“Where would you be without me?” Korrik released a breath he didn’t know he was holding and smiled.

“Thank you Areuli. Now we have maybe an hour before the attack. I’m going to the infirmary to heal up and I’ll see to it that they don’t hear anything and I’ll try to spring the prisoner. When it starts, go through with your part and we will rendezvous in the east hangar in the Highrise.”

“Alright let’s hope this goes as smooth as you make it sound.”

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Location: Metellos, Krashel.

Korrik’s side trip to the infirmary took several minutes and relieved him of his minor injuries, everything but the Kriffing concussion. But he didn’t let that slow him down as he hurried to the detention center to speak with Applejack. A few moments of travel later he made it there. One lone guard stood near the entrance. Korrik slowed his pace and approached the guard slowly.

“You there, I need you in the hangar, now.” The guard turned to face him.

“Yeah? And who are you to tell me- Oh! Lieutenant Delwyn! Right away.” The guard walked past Korrik, making his way towards the hangar. I guess that promotion to Lieutenant was good for something he thought. He entered the room and made his way down the stairs to the containment cell. He didn’t bother looking through the window this time, whether or not she agreed was up to her.

“Applejack, I’d like to have a word with you.”

“Ah ain’t got nothin’ t’ say to ya.” She refused to look at him and stared at the wall.

“I really need you to listen. I…I’m going to help you.”

“Ah don’t know what kinda idiot ya take me for. That ain’t gonna work on me.”

“I mean it, the BICs going to attack the city and I want to help you escape. If you don’t believe me, take a look at these.” Korrik slid his datapad across the table to her. On it he had loaded up the logs Areuli found on the owl droid. Applejack warily took the datapad in her hooves and began reading.

“T.S…? Twilight!” Her eyes widened in surprise as a small smile crept across her muzzle.

“Your friend is coming for you Applejack. I want to help you.”

“Why? What’s in it fer you?” She narrowed her eyes in suspicion. He had already made his decision, even if his motives were unclear.

“I…I can’t say…but please trust me.” In an act of goodwill he took her stun cuff controls which he still had and released both sets. The cuffs rattled to the floor. Applejack looked down at the cuffs then back up to Korrik with Confusion and apprehension.

“Wait here. I’ll come back for you once the chaos starts.” As he turned to leave, she called to him.

“Wait! Ah didn’t get yer name.” He turned back to face her, smiling all the while.

“It’s Korrik.”

“Thank ya Korrik.” He nodded in response and said. “I’ll be back.” Then he continued his way out of the detention center. He made it halfway down the next hallway before running into a familiar steel colored droid with red photoreceptors.

“Greeting: Welcome back Lieutenant Delwyn. Statement: It seems your Mission was a success. Observation: But it looks like you have yet to inform the Master. Contemplation: Is there something you do not wish him to know? What happened on that ship?”

Korrik froze.Does he know? How could he? Oh what do I say!?

“Statement: my long range sensors indicate that the ship was destroyed. I wonder what could have happened to create such an outcome.”

“Do you need me for something HK? I have places to be.”

“Mockery: I’m sure you do Lieutenant. Threat: I advise you tell the Master what transpired aboard that vessel before I do. Otherwise things may turn…interesting.” Korrik stared at the droid and walked around it, going on his way. After he disappeared from sight HK mused to himself. “Commentary: That one is going to be trouble for me. Adanar has failed me, so much for the direct approach. I’ll get it sooner or later. I best move on to the next one before things here get…exciting.” HK-50’s photoreceptors flared and returned to their original white color.

Several flashing indicators on the city’s sensor equipment began appearing on screen. The man working the equipment called for his superior officer.

“Veeta!? You should see this!” The yellow armored Griffon walked into the room.

“This better be important.” A very agitated tone could be heard in her voice.

“Sensors indicate multiple ships are approaching the city in attack formation.”

“Run a scan on the ships and see if we can’t ID them.” Her tone quickly changed to serious.

“Scan results show ship IDs and models matching those used by the Syndicate. But there are others that match…”

“Match what? TELL ME!” the man turned to her slowly, dread dominating his face.

“Ships used by the…Boreas Industries Corporation… they’ll be here in two minutes…” Veeta’s beak curled back into a hateful scowl.

“No…NO! Raise the deflector shield now!” She hit the button to the city’s siren systems and then a second one to broadcast her voice across the city.

“This is Veeta! We have incoming ships in attack positions, all personnel prepare to defend the city!” She turned back to the man at the consoles. “Raise the blasted shields you fool!”

“I…I can’t! They aren’t responding!” The sound of an explosion drew their attention to the edge of the city. Smoke and flames engulfed what was once an air defense tower. Veeta turned and ran out of the security room. I have to protect Adanar! She sprinted out of the building and took to the air. Veeta flew as fast as she could to the palace as the sound of blaster fire filled the air and a swarm of Angel ships took to the skies.

Within minutes the attackers managed to eliminate every air defense tower in the city. The battle was now primarily ground combat and dogfights. Every now and then the burnt out debris of a ship would smash into the streets or buildings. Korrik did his best to avoid the larger pockets of fighting, but against the BIC that would be difficult.

It wasn’t enough that their weapons were superior to the Angels’ but some of their soldiers were Pegasi, making outside cover almost pointless. Areuli had done a magnificent job disabling the city’s shields but Korrik hadn’t expected the attack to be so devastating so quickly. He had managed to scavenge a Pony wrist blaster from the fallen and moved as fast as possible back towards the detention center.

Life sightings were few and far between and he was constantly detoured whenever a group of Angels would call for his aid. It wouldn’t help his plan to have three factions gunning for him so he helped where he could to keep up the act. In the next corridor Korrik saw two Allanis engaging a lone female Earth Pony.

She dropped low and kicked out one hind leg and made contact with what Korrik identified as a Weequay in the knee. The force of her kick was enough to snap the leg at the knee joint and put the Weequay on the floor screaming as he fell. The second attacker looked at the Pony and tried to run away but instead found a blade in his neck. She had thrown the knife so quickly and accurately that the second attacker didn’t even get to turn around before he slumped against the wall, gurgling and choking on his own blood. The Pony slowly walked to where he had slumped, took her knife in her teeth and dragged it through the rest of his throat, spraying blood across her face as she watched his life force drain away.

The fallen Weequay managed to get one shot off at her but it did nothing more than get her attention as she crouched down and watched the bolt sail down the hall. He continued to fire haphazardly in her direction, not a one hit its target. She stood directly over him now, his face paralyzed in fear. The Pony reared back on her hind legs and brought her front hooves down on his skull with a loud crack and an arterial spray of blood from each temple. Korrik stayed out of sight for the time being. There were no Ponies in the Dust Angels as far as he knew, but then again, with the recent revelation and death of Agent Ratchet anything was possible. He stepped out of cover, both blasters raised.

“Identify yourself!” he shouted. She turned towards him and began walking. Her coat was light brown in color and her mane was yellow with white…he knew this Pony.

“Mr. Delwyn, it’s good to see you alive.”

“Black Velvet? What are you doing here?”

“It doesn’t matter anymore; this attack took care of that. But what about you Mr. Delwyn? You seem to have an air of purpose about you.” Damn, I forgot she can read minds or something.

“I…I mean…uhh.” Velvet didn’t need to use her talent. It was pretty obvious what had happened.

“You have something to do with all this don’t you?”

“N-no! What makes you think that?”

“For one you stammered trying to find an answer to my question. Second, if escape was your goal you’re going the wrong direction. Third, I won’t question why you have an Equine wrist blaster that you are trying to hide. And lastly, you’re twitching and sweating like Tol Cressa during the Mandalorian onslaught.” Korrik had no time to waste and tried to shift the conversation.

“We can talk about this later if you’re so bent on asking but in the meantime I don’t have time to waste. It looks like you can handle yourself pretty well and I wouldn’t mind some help.”

“And just what do I have to gain by helping and following you?”

“More than you stand to gain in a hallway of corpses, waiting for the building to fall on you.” She looked to the floor then to the ceiling in thought. While she was thinking, Korrik a few seconds to study her. He could now see her cutie mark, a pair of binoculars. And strapped to her rear hooves were two gauntlet looking devices.

“Agreed. Now, shall we?” She casually waved a hoof towards the next corridor. Their trip to the detention center passed in silence, a siege wasn’t exactly the best time to get to know each other. As expected, there was no guard at the door so slipping in was no problem. Once to the bottom of the stairs, he noticed that Applejack’s cell door was open slightly.

What he walked into was a violent scene. Applejack was covered in splotches of green still-wet blood on her coat and in her mane. Crumpled on the floor before her was the mangled and barely recognizable corpse of Gatrim. Applejack was still breathing heavily, indicating that she had killed him only moments ago.

“Gimme back mah hat.” Her words were dripping with venom through clenched teeth. She scooped her hat off the ground and hatefully spat on his crushed face. She sat back on her haunches, her expression quickly changing to one of calm, her tone of speech coming out dull.

“He came back fer me…Ah had no choice.” She spoke to no one in particular. Justifying it to herself as well as explaining what happened to Korrik and Velvet.

“Come on Applejack, we don’t have time to waste on scum like him.” Korrik may have worked with Gatrim but in no galaxy did he ever like him.

“Ah know…” Velvet stepped from behind Korrik and walked over and sat beside Applejack.

“I know how you feel. Weak, helpless, completely at the mercy of others, alone in the darkness. But you can’t give up, can’t give in, you have to stand tall and strong otherwise you will spend your life on your knees. So stand now Applejack, show the darkness it will not take you and claim your light.” Korrik saw Applejack smile for the second time since he met her. She placed her hat back upon its rightful perch and stood up with a look of fierce determination. “Alright y’all, let’s get a move on.”

“Here, this might help.” Korrik said tossing her the wrist blaster he had brought. She caught it and attached it to her right foreleg before turning her attention to Velvet.

“Thank ya fer the pep talk just now. By the way, who are you?”

“My name is Black Velvet and you’re welcome, I know who you are Applejack, I remember what you’ve done for our people. So let me thank you.” Applejack looked surprised.

“It’s nice t’ see that not everypony forgot ‘bout us.”

“If you Ponies are done, we will have plenty of time to chat later so move your flanks.” Applejack and Velvet trotted up the stairs into the detention center.

“Korrik, ’fore we get movin’ there was somethin Ah wanted to talk to ya ‘bout. Ah know your tryin t’ help and all but Ah need to get mah Element of Harmony back.” Oh right, I forgot that’s why she came here in the first place he thought.

“It’s very important Ah get it back, Ah won’t leave without it.”

“You’re really gonna make me do this aren’t you?”

“You know this here city. Ah don’t. Ah really need yer help.” Korrik looked to Velvet who was already standing at Applejack’s side.

“I guess I’ve been out-voted, and I’ve come this far. Alright follow me.”

They were nearing the palace now. The streets below were practically alight as blaster bolts and rockets danced across from building to building. The battle outside showed no signs of slowing down. The Dust Angels had retreated back into buildings and other defensible areas where their knowledge of the city gave them the advantage. Urban warfare was the name of the game now. The fighting got thicker the closer they got to the palace and combat became unavoidable.

The trio ran into the scene of a human BIC officer ordering two assault droids to execute four Angels. Korrik drew his blasters and fired on the officer, a flurry of bolts burned into his side and chest dropping him in a smoking heap. He was two seconds too slow to save the Angels from death. The droids responded with extreme speed to the death of their master and retaliated without prejudice. Both droids were enveloped in energy shields making hurting them difficult.

Applejack and Korrik began concentrating their fire on the closer of the two, quickly overwhelming the droids shields. Velvet left her cover and galloped towards the now shield-less droid while the second one focused on her two companions. Velvet jumped and slammed into the droid, knocking it on the floor. It struggled to regain itself as it searched for it’s blaster. In its confusion, Velvet leaned forward and bucked the droids head against the wall, shattering its casing in a display of sparks and metal fragments. She turned to see that Korrik and Applejack’s combined efforts had left the second droid a pile of slag.

“Gosh Velvet, and here Ah thought Ah could buck hard but nothing quite like that.”

“It’s not me; I have a pair of modified Dominator gauntlets on my back hooves.”

“That explains a lot actually.” Korrik added. “Alright we’re getting close now let’s keep go-” a lavender blast of energy hit him in his shoulder, knocking him on his back. A second blast lanced out at Velvet who leaned to one side and dodged it. Korrik lifted his head and looked towards his attacker. At the far end of the hallway he saw a lightly armored purple Unicorn mare, her horn glowing with magical energy. She shot a second blast at him which he avoided by rolling to the side as it struck the floor where he lay. Applejack dashed up beside him and blocked the Unicorn’s target.

“Twilight stop!” The energy glowing around Twilight’s horn dissipated and she broke into a gallop and practically tackled Applejack with a hug.

“What were you thinking coming here without telling anypony!? You’re lucky to be alive Applejack! Why couldn’t you tell us?” Twilight was letting her tears fall; never for a second did she loosen her embrace as she cried.

“It was somethin’ Ah had t’ do alone. If Ah couldn’t protect mah Element…mah only connection to mah friends…how could Ah ask y’all t’ help me with mah burden?” Twilight released her from the hug and looked her in the eye.

“When are you going to learn to let your friends help you? You don’t have to solve your problems alone. We will always be there to lend you our strength.” Twilight placed a hoof on Applejack’s chest. “Even if we’re a galaxy apart.” Now it was Applejack who had tears in her eyes as she pulled Twilight back into the hug.

“It’s so good t’ see you again.” She managed to say between sobs. Korrik was amazed by the sight before him. Twilight had traveled far and sacrificed a great amount to come help a friend, a friend she had not seen in years. These Ponies were starting to fascinate him. He knew better than to interrupt their reunion and patiently waited for them to regain themselves.

“Twi, I’d like ya t’ meet Korrik. He’s the fella who set me free and that there’s Black Velvet, Ah guess she’s comin’ with us.” Velvet stepped forward and extended a hoof.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Twilight Sparkle.”

“Uhh…Thanks?”

“Don’t worry Twi, she’s a friend.”

“What about him?” Twilight added, pointing a hoof a Korrik.

“Call me an ally for the time being. We will have all the time in the galaxy to talk once we get Applejack’s Element and get out of here.” Twilight eyed him suspiciously but this was no time to turn down potential allies she thought.

“Speaking of which, we are nearly there. Let’s hurry before more show up.” The trio of Ponies nodded in acknowledgement and followed his lead. A few moments later they had made it to the high roofed chamber where Adanar spent most of his time. The bodies of enemies and friends alike lay strewn across the room. It was no surprise that the body count here was enormous, this was likely the first target they attacked. As they entered the throne room, they had just enough time to witness Veeta rip two men to shreds in a flurry of talons. Adanar sat watchfully on his throne, weapon in hand and Veeta at his side.

“That yellow armor…It was you! You attacked the Bascule, you hurt mah brother and you stole mah Element!” Applejack shouted.

“Yes, at my order of course dear Applejack.” He had the Element in his hands, twirling it back and forth casually.

“Mr. Delwyn, I hadn’t expected your betrayal. And where is Ms. Bedi? Is she why my shield failed? So I must ask you Korrik…Why?”

“I…I…”

“You what? Wanted to help? Get revenge for her? Seems pointless don’t you think? Just look for yourself.” Adanar motioned towards the window. The city stretched on for as far as the eye could see. The streets below and skies above were rife with death and destruction. Krashel didn’t have long and neither did the residents below the city in the Stratablock.

“Why fight Korrik? You will go down with the city just as sure as I will. Here I’ll make it easy for you. Veeta! Step forward.”

“Yes Lord Adanar?” Adanar raised his weapon and fired, killing Veeta with one shot between her eyes. Everyone in the room was aghast. He stood up from his throne and kicked her lifeless body down the stairs where it came to rest at the feet of Korrik and Co.

“There, Satisfied?”

“You monster!” Twilight shouted. “She was your ally, why would you do that?”

“Ally? No. she was a pawn. A pawn I was ready to sacrifice. And in the end it changes nothing.”

“Give us the Element Adanar. You’re outnumbered. You can’t win.”

“Why Mr. Delwyn? Why do you help them? Do you believe you are getting something in return? More than a pat on the back? Can you tell me what it is? Do you even know? Illusions Korrik, temporary constructs of a damaged mind trying desperately to justify an existence that is without peace or hope. You must be able to see it Korrik. It’s pointless to keep helping them. So why do you persist?”

Korrik froze. That question had been plaguing him since he read Twilight’s journal. Was it truly because he desired peace in his life rather than persistent conflict? What did he hope to gain from this? Friends? A purpose? The answer eluded him. But then something he didn’t expect happened.

“Hey! Leave him alone! He doesn’t need a reason to want t’ help us. All that matters is that he is here for us now. So quit tryin’ t’ get in his head.” Is Applejack…defending me?

“If you want him.”

“You’ll have to go through all of us.” Twilight and Velvet too? He thought. Adanar’s cybernetic eye lit up in a crimson glow.

“Hmph, Very well.” Before a shot could be fired, an explosion tore through the throne room, burying it occupants in rubble. Korrik held his eyes shut but he felt no pain. Twilight had managed to raise a shield over the four of them. Adanar however was not so lucky, lost under a mountain of debris.

“What in the blazes.” Korrik looked out the window and saw a BIC ship engaging two Allani ships. Their truce must have run its course. The palace must have been hit with a stray shot from one of the ships.

“I got it!” Velvet yelled out holding Applejack’s Element over her head in triumph. A rainbow particle blast struck one of the Allani ships outside, sending its burning hulk to the streets.

“Looks like the BIC is looking to finish it.” Twilight mused. Another particle blast struck the far side of the palace, making the ground tremble slightly.

“Let’s get out of here NOW!” Korrik shouted. Fortunately the palace’s hangar was mostly intact and they were able to commandeer a BIC landing craft. It would do to get them to the east side of the city and serve as a disguise to keep the fire off them long enough for them to get to Korriks ship. The BIC’s victory was growing ever closer as their presence in the sky was increasing dramatically and particle blasts from their cruisers fell like rain, destroying every building they hit in a fiery inferno.

They landed the craft near the east hangar and ran. The hangar itself was pretty badly damaged. It looked to have been hit by a particle blast nearly dropping the roof on what few ships and personal fighters remained. Korrik turned to his comlink.

“Areuli! We’re here. Open the entry ramp!” The entry ramp descended and the foursome boarded.

“All systems prepped and ready to go.” Areuli shouted from the cockpit.

“All right, lets burn sky until we see lines!” The engines of the Highrise roared to life and propelled the ship out of the hangar and into the smoke filled skies of Krashel. They made it into low orbit before a squad of BIC fighters were on their tail.

“Someone man the guns and keep ‘em off me while I prep the jump to lightspeed!” Korrik shouted. Applejack and Velvet both nodded and ran to the dorsal and ventral turbolaser turrets. A small blast rocked the ship as Korrik banked hard to the left to try and shake them. Turbolaser fire lit up the atmosphere as they found their target and destroyed one the fighters. The remaining two gave no quarter and continued to pursue the Highrise.

“Divert power to the rear deflector shield, I’ve almost got it.” Korrik ordered to Areuli. One BIC Talcyon class cruiser remained in their flight path. Korrik carefully skimmed the surface of the ship’s hull dodging their fire and avoiding the fighters. Another fighter exploded in a fireball of shrapnel as the engines kicked in and they shot off into hyperspace. Korrik and Areuli both leaned back in their seats, relieved that they had made it.

“So…where are you leading us Kor?”

“I figured since we probably earned the ire of the Boreas Industries Corporation, that we need to lose ourselves for a bit so we’re going where people go to get lost.”

“Oh no…you don’t mean…”

“Yep, the Smuggler’s Moon…Nar Shaddaa.”