***
I created the new code language and printed it on paper. Now
the tough part: handing it over the other
-------------------------------
The piece of paper à
I made some jargon in which we can send comm transmissions (and
can tell each other a lot of ‘rebel’ stuff), that can pass the filters of
Imperial Intel. I kept it as simple as possible so people can learn it easily
(not too detailed). I think it is important that we change these code words on
a regular basis so that the Empire doesn’t have the time to ‘catch’ and
decipher it.
Bomb = drum
Explosives = sticks
Weapon = instrument
Ranged weapons (pistols, rifles etc.) = flutes (the bigger the
blow instrument the bigger the weapon; flute is a pistol and a trombone is a
rocket launcher)
To fight = to play music
To attack = to play music loud
To counterattack = to play music back
To stand guard/backup = to play music soft/play background music
To defend = to cover their song
To brawl/brawler = to dance/dancer
To withdraw = to quit the sound
To kill = to play a solo for
Azaki base = party tent
The Empire = the Competitor
Palpatine =
Stormtroopers = bandits
Imperial officer = evil bandit
AT-ST = tin droid
Civilians = audience
The
(
Rebels/members of the
Sir = pal
Mission = performance
Plans for the future = album
Successful = hit (it was a hit!)
Unsuccessful = bad song, definitely not a hit
Propaganda = song text
To spread the ‘word’ (e.g. spread propaganda) = to sing a song
(To) Spy = (to) DJ (Intel = DJ’s)
I would advise everybody to have some instrument with you, maybe
some papers with music on it to play, for the cover.
I was also wondering: does everybody have some ‘official’ job
and a house outside Azaki for the cover, and an official or ‘official’ Imperial
ID?
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Then I got a comm call from Mugendo.
“Come to the cantina of Heaven, I have to talk with you.”, he said.
I took my swoop and went there, it wasn’t far away from Entha.
“Are you still a rebel?” I remembered Mugendo’s question, as I entered the small town that was called ‘Heaven’.
As told, I parked the transport device in front of the cantina. Feeling a bit nervous I entered the building and there I saw the man sitting behind one of the tables, wearing his characteristic white cloak. He smiled at me, I nodded at him and took a seat on the other edge of the table. I put off my backpack and looked around. I liked the interior; lots of plants and some aquarium with a lot of exotic looking fishes.
“So Aaricia.. this guy, Anbato. I offered you to help you with this issue and so I arranged some things.” He started talking with a soft voice. “He is a member of Ovello but not for long anymore..”
Then he shoved some piece of paper towards me, with some numbers written on it.
“Micky Catz’ commlink frequency.” He continued speaking. “If you, again, get troubles with Anbato, call this man. He is an agent of mine. He will help you. I shall inform him that you are under my protection.”
I smiled at Mugendo.
“But only when really needed, Aaricia.”
“Of course.. and thank you.”
It was already months ago when I had met this man for the first time. I had been pretty imprudent.. in a rush telling him that I was a rebel, a slip from my tongue. I considered myself happy that he had never turned me in, although he himself had told me already in the beginning: I don’t want to play any part in this war.
Later I had met him again several times, mostly in the hotel of Mos Entha. He was a trader, looking and behaving pretty dignified. I didn’t know much more about this man, probably he must be a rich guy. But actually I didn’t care.. I just liked the man.
“So how is the war going?” Mugendo asked.
I gulped briefly with a frown. I stared into his eyes, and saw worry in them. He cared about me and worried about me fighting in this war. I felt sad, it was like I was staring into my own fathers’ eyes..
“Are you still a rebel soldier?”
“Yes I am.”
He nodded slowly.
“And.. how is it going?”
“Well.. it is a tough fight.” I admitted, feeling a lump in my throat.
Slowly he poured some water in his own glass. Then his eyes went back in the direction of mine.
“What are you fighting for, Aaricia?”
I glanced at the table, then back at him.
“Eur.. what do you mean?”
“The war.. I’m curious about your point of view. Why you are fighting this government?”
“I think I could use a glass of water.” My voice sounded a bit hoarse.
He nodded at me.
I sipped from the water after my glass was filled with the transparent liquid.
“I’m fighting for freedom.” I then answered his question.
“Freedom.. just freedom? Aren’t we free already? Aaricia why are you fighting? I see a young woman sitting in front of me, a young flower.. and she is fighting like a soldier in some war, instead of getting education, instead of leading a normal life. It must be pretty important for you.. but I don’t understand.. You are risking your life!”
“The Empire is an oppressive and corrupt government!” I peered around, but nobody seemed to be listening. “They are racists.. they do anything to get power and resources, they easily kill people for it.. or even destroy a planet!”
He shrugged.
“To me it is just another government.. I just live my life, I don’t care what government it is.. besides, taxes are low in the Empire. My business can thrive well. Aaricia, a lot of people can just live a normal life. You can too, but you decided to join the Rebellion. A lost cause.. to my opinion.” He spoke with a calm voice.
“Why?”
“Come outside, let’s see the sunset.” He looked at his chrono.
“Euh.. ok.” I started feeling a bit uncomfortable, although.. no he wouldn’t turn me in. That would just not be.. Mugendo. I already kinda knew him.. or was I mistaken? Maybe he had always kept some facade..
I followed him to the outside, but saw nobody there. No Imperial ambush, just the silent evening air, bathing in the red light of the last sun that was setting. I sighed in relief, staring at the sun, sniffing the air. I liked the scent of it.
“Aaricia why don’t you just.. live a normal life? Just accept it, get education, get a life. Step out of it.. you risk your life.. and probably that of your family too, with fighting against the government.”
“My family already got arrested.” I answered without feeling any emotion, while looking at the many stars that popped up one by one, as the sun slowly disappeared behind the horizon. After a sigh I continued. “And it might be a very tough cause or in the end completely in vain.. but at least I’m following my heart Mugendo. Yes it is against the established system and it takes a lot of risks with it.. but still.. It would be so much better when the Republic would be restored!”
He looked at me with a friendly glance, then he put a hand on my right shoulder.
“We have a new order.. Imperial order. Accept it.. and you will see that you are able to live a life! Get out of this war.. you are young and most people of your age are idealistic, fighting for dreams.. dreams, Aaricia. When you are older you will see things different.” He continued calmly.
“I’m not able anymore to live a normal life! I’m wanted and my family is arrested..” I glared at him, feeling angry and sad at the same time. “What do you think of that.. that the Empire kills and arrests everybody that thinks different? Is that a rightful government to you?”
“Every government has it’s disadvantages, Aaricia.. even if you rebels would win, how would it become then? What would happen to, for example, my business? Would you raise taxes?”
I glared at him for another second. Was he only thinking about his own business, his own life? On the other hand I was interested in his point of view. He seemed to be completely neutral, wanting to lead his own life, no matter what kind of government. And he seemed to be happy under the Empire, so why a change? If he only saw.. if he had for example been a Mon Calamari, how easy would it have been then being.. or even being able to become a wealthy trader? She remembered this guy, this Mon Calamari doctor that had taken her to that beautiful beach on Naboo a few weeks ago. The Empire had destroyed his business and burned his buildings, ‘because of some missing paperwork’. Because he was non-human..
“Aaricia, I’m really wondering.. are you ‘rebels’ ready to rule the Galaxy? What will happen after you win the war.. won’t there be a lot of chaos? The complete equilibrium.. how will you keep a balance, how will you fight crime, with only the few of you? To my opinion the Rebellion is a nice dream to occupy those unskilled in politics.“
I had barely thought of how it would be after we won the war.
“In the
For a few seconds he stared at me, without opening his mouth. Then he quietly motioned me to come back inside. It was getting cold. I felt a bit unsure.. yes my family had been arrested and I was on the list too. If they would ever catch me, the chance was big that I would be executed. I remembered my parents, trying to convince Lolita and me of this fact. A tear came out of my right eye, with the sleeve of my long dark green duster I wiped the salty drip off my cheek, sniffing quietly. I clenched my fists, thinking back of my childhood. Always I had been a rebel, it just seemed to be my personality. Already as a sibling I had hated any injustice and any form of freedom taking. I had only been following my heart, just like Lolita..
“The Empire kills off families to prevent people from resisting against it.” I said while we were sitting down on our chairs again. I sighed then looked back into his eyes, with a deeply sad but resolute glance. “So then nobody should resist anymore? Then all civilians should just.. comply to all their rules, be mindless sheep because they all cringe in fear? I’m willing to die for this cause Mugendo.. and maybe someday I might be able to free my family.. I don’t regret having an anti-Imperial opinion and express this!”
Then he slowly nodded at my.
“I think I’m starting to understand you.” He showed a friendly smile, in his eyes there was a glance of sadness. “I think you are a courageous woman with a lot of resolution and energy. And I hope that in the end, you realize that you spent this energy for the right thing.”
I nodded at him, feeling emotional.
“I don’t think that I will ever regret it..” I said with a trembling voice. “I do this from my heart.”
When I departed from the cantina, a bit shivering because of the Tatooine night coldness, I cried. I missed my father, I lost them. For following my heart, together with my sister, I lost my brother, sister and parents.. my family.. my home...
For the first time in my life, my heart hurt. It hurt like hell. I had to stop my swoop to put a hand on my chest, wincing. As I did this, I felt so much sorrow. I got off my swoop and crying I fell on my knees. Why had everything happened like this? Lolita, mum, dad, Jason.. where are you? I missed them.. I missed them so badly. After I cried for several minutes, surrounded by the night desert silence, my heartache had vanished. I mounted my swoop again to continue my trip. In the distance I saw the lights and night contours of Mos Entha coming closer. It was time to put on my mask again..
For following my heart it seemed to be hurt badly. Had I lost myself, or was the opposite the truth..?