In Command (#1 Post-Order 66 Series)

In Command - Part 25

Hunter was leaning over Tech, speaking quietly to him as Tech kept adjusting his helmet to try and see better out of it. "Can you see which cells are activated from here?"

"I think I should be able to see which cells are occupied, yes."

"Keep an eye on the ones on this level and note any that get a new prisoner in the next little bit."

Tech punched away at the keys. "It looks like they've just placed her in Block D, cell 11."

Rex turned to head in that direction, but Hunter held him back. "We need to make ourselves scarce for a little while to make sure the Inquisitor clears out. Give it a bit of time, and then we'll go get her." Rex knew Hunter was right, but it felt as if time was dragging even more slowly. The three of them went up a few levels, walked the hallways for a few laps, and once Hunter was satisfied they'd waited long enough, they headed back towards the lift. Rex's legs ached to burst into a sprint as the lift descended back down to the detention level Senna was being held on. The lift doors opened, and they again found the hallway empty.

They strode down the corridor carefully, Tech leading the way to the cell he'd identified. Rounding the last corner, they found two guards stationed outside of Senna's cell. Hunter shoved ahead of Rex and approached the troopers with Tech. "We're here to relieve you," he said to the closest stormtrooper.

"But we just got here. That can't be correct."

"I don't make the rules. We were just told to come down and relieve you so that you could hit the mess. I understand it's been a long shift for you."

"Well, it has but-"

"Enough. I'm contacting command to sort this out," the first trooper snapped.

Rex rolled his eyes under his helmet. We don't have kriffing time for this. He walked up to the first stormtrooper and stunned him from less than a meter away. Turning quickly, he shot the second one as well, who had just started to understand what was happening. They fell to the floor with two dull thuds.

"We don't have time for chit-chat," Rex muttered, stepping over their bodies to slam his fist against the ray shield control panel. He pushed through the door first into the dimly lit cell.

It took him a second to register that the crumpled form in the corner on the floor was Senna. He raced to her side, gently turning her over and propping her up to look at him. Her eyes rolled in her head and she struggled to focus on him for a moment before she seemed to comprehend what was happening. A glint of anger flashed in her eyes as she stared at him, and he realized he still had his helmet on. He quickly ripped it off and he felt her shudder when he locked eyes with her. He placed his hand on her cheek, stroking away some of the hair that was stuck to the side of her face. There was a trickle of blood running from several spots along her neck and collar bone where the interrogator droid had pricked her, and Rex felt his chest tighten as she raised a hand shakily to his face.

"What the kriff are you doing here?" she mumbled.

"Saving you. Are you hurt?" he asked, trying to keep his emotions at bay.

"Can't even let someone self-sacrifice properly," she muttered, pulling him down to kiss her. She wrapped her arm around the back of his neck, pressing his forehead to hers. "You're so stubborn."

"And you're impulsive. What were you thinking?"

"That you'd be safe, and that's what matters. So much for that thought," she said, laughing weakly.

"I hate to break up the happy reunion, but we've got to get going," Hunter grunted, tossing the first stormtrooper into the cell with Tech's help. Rolling onto her hands and knees, Senna placed her hands against the wall and her legs shook as she tried to stand before giving out underneath her. Rex caught her as she collapsed to the floor, leaning with her back against the wall. "So, what's the plan now? Please tell me there's a plan."

Hunter was finishing dragging the last stormtrooper into the cell as Tech knelt down next to her. "You're not going to like it," he said, reaching into the pouch at his hip. "This may feel a bit...jolting," he warned before brushing her hair away from her neck and injecting her with something.

Senna's body convulsed and her eyes were wide as she gasped and sat up straighter. "What the hell did you just give me?" she demanded.

"Adrenaline and a pain killer. We need you to be able to walk on your own or else we'll never get out of here."

"Alright, I'm awake now. Karking hells, Tech." Senna grimaced as she flexed her hands and stood carefully. Her legs were still somewhat unsteady, but she was able to take a few steps without leaning on the wall. "I'm still not hearing a lot of plan here."

"Put this on," Hunter said, tossing her the helmet of one of the stormtroopers he was in the process of undressing. "We're going to walk out of here with you."

"Well, this seems questionable."

"You got a better idea?"

"Yeah, good point. Give me the less sweaty set of blacks if you can."