Grab the Speeder
Corik ran over the piles of tools and equipment to the speeder in the back. He began to lift it out, then realizing it was too heavy for him to carry alone. He looked to see Jethra grabbing the other end of the speeder, and together they lifted it out of the shed. Corik let Jethra take the wheel, for he was a slightly better pilot. Corik manned the turrets in the back.
Not all speeders had turrets. In fact, most speeders were made without them, as a result of Peace Laws set down by the Republic. However, the Republic had little influence out here, and hunters preferred the extra protection and firepower on their daily hunts. Corik had only used these once before, and he was a little shaky getting the weapon fired up. But he had plenty of experience with other forms of weaponry and was considered an excellent marksman by the few friends he had.
When Corik was ready, Jethra started off. He looked over to where the hunters were headed, which was toward the town barracks. Even in the distance Corik could see the hoards of mechanized troops firing relentlessly at its entrance. Despite being the most fortified building in the area, Corik had his doubts. The 1/3 mile of open sand didn’t help much either, as he looked up to the sky at the numerous fighters flying around.
They needed an alternative. Corik glanced across the horizon, and noticed a small docking bay close by that looked untouched. He pointed Jethra toward it, and he nodded in agreement.
It was a docking bay for local merchant ships. Perhaps it held one that they could escape in. Corik had no idea where they would go to; he had no relatives or relations elsewhere being an orphan since he was a child. But anything was better than dying here by the hands of these unknown invaders.
Just then one of the fighters took notice of the speeder, and sent a volley of shots down in front of them. Corik was about to shout in warning when Jethra cried “Hold on!” and wrenched the speeder sideways to avoid the shots. Now it was Corik’s turn. He set his sites on the path he predicted the fighter would follow and held down the trigger. The red lasers pulsed from the turret. They were heavy, as Corik could feel the recoil from each shot. He watched as the fighter began to pull up away from the fire. It was too late though, and four lasers ripped the left wing and backburner to shreds, sending it down in flames. Jethra and Corik both shouted out in celebration at their small victory, and soon after they closed in on the bay.
When they reached the building, Corik hopped out of the turret nest he had hooked himself to and eyed the entrances to the bay. There was a small door that led inside, as well as a ladder that went up to the second level. As Jethra joined Corik by his side, he looked over and said almost amusingly “You choose.”