FORESIGHT and SCOPE: BOOK TWO

C H A P T E R T H I R T Y-T W O

I should say something. I should comfort him as well.

Before I could take a step, there was a distant rumbling. It resonated within the ashed surface under my feet. "You feel that, too, Fern?" Hunter questioned with a concern tone.

"Unfortunately, yes." I rubbed the smoke and tears from my eyes. "Come on."

Everyone dashed forward until we arose from the firey ruins and hid within the healthy vegetation. However, there was more inferno ahead...I could smell the fuel, which meant someone was using one giant flamethrower...With night falling, the blaze was visible through the dense brush even from our location. "What do you see, Tick?" I asked. The intellectual clone fished out his binospecs from his pack and zoomed in on the site.

"Trandoshans." he muttered. "And they have a Wookie hostage."

"How did Trandoshans get their claws on Imperial tanks?" Hunter questioned.

"Let me see." I retrieved the enhancing tool from Tech and peered through just in time to witness the reptilian scum, using a tank as a inferno-inducing weapon, incinerate what looked like stalagmites with carvings in them. I could hear the adult Wookie roaring in protest.

Suddenly, Omega gasped, "Gungi!"

"Oh, no. Hunter!" I immediately shouted in a sharp whisper as the padawan popped up in my vision through the binospecs. I tossed them back to Tech and we all raced foward, armed and ready to cover the little Wookie, who did not hesitate to ignite his green lightsaber. The squad scattered to take on the multiple opponents at once. I myself took on one of the Trandoshans.

Our brawl was illuminated by the strips of fire near the stones they had just destroyed. My foe was twice my size and towered over me with his large wingspan, ready to clobber me with his meaty fists. I had to be cautious, for even my high kicks wouldn't reach his head. Somehow, he managed to knock my blaster out of my hand, to which I countered with a side spin and a double-punch to his ribs. The Trandoshan hissed at me and charged again. This time, I wielded my knife and slashed upward. But this warrior was more skilled than I anticipated — his claw snatched my attacking wrist and hurled me across him. My body spiralled mid-air and crashed hard into the charred soil. I immediately rolled around on my hands and knees, caught sight of my discarded blaster, quickly aquired it, and shot the pouncing Trandoshan multiple times until his body collapsed right at my feet.

I let out a dry laugh at the small victory, but then instantly contorted at the searing pain in my shins and palms. "Ah! Ahh!" I cried, dropping my weapons and toppling over on my side and realizing the embers had seared right through my pant legs and were eating at my skin. I violently wiped it away with my damaged hands, which sent my nervous system into shock. "Ow! Help!"

"Fern!" Tech dropped at my side and hastily hoisted me to my feet, gripping both my arms to keep me from keeling over under the prickling pain in my shins and hands. Hunter and the others gathered around us. They had succeeded in taking out each Trandoshan and liberating the hostage, who'd seem to escape somewhere in the jungle.

"I'm fine." I bit my tongue to keep my composure. "Don't lay on the ground. It's hot."

"I will need to dress those burns before we continue." Tech said.

"I said I'm fine, Tick." I brushed him off to show I could stand on my own. Ignoring the throbbing in my legs and fingers, I forced a smile. "I've been burned a lot worse. This is nothing. We need to stop these flames from spreading. There's got to be some shovels in the Trandoshans' supplies. Let's get to it before more deforestation is inflicted."

"We will handle that." Hunter held my shoulders, then looked to Tech. "Get her patched up. Quick."

"I'm on it." Tech guided me over where the ground was not burnt, forced me to sit, and began treating me by taking a small blade and delicately shredding the damaged fabric from my pants, removing it all from the top of my knees down. He proceeded with gently applying heat-reducing ointment on the tender skin on my lower limbs. I felt immediate relief. Tech had both my legs wrapped in no time. "Now, I will dress your hands."

"Have at it." I grumbled, flopping out my open palms to him, only to regret stretching the fragile blisters had dotted various spots. The entire surface of my hands was pink — some of the more wounded places, such as the tips of my fingers and just below my thumbs, were a stark red. Starting with my right, Tech used his own right hand to hold mine steady while he used his left to smear a thick layer of gel all over. He did the same with my left. He had such a gentle touch and had no meticulous remark to make — I had no choice but to watch him attentively as he treated me. My lips gave into a small grin.

"I believe, that is all I can manage for now until we get back to the Marauder." Tech stated once he had completed binding both my hands.

"Thanks." I breathed, continuing to follow his every move as he packed away the med supplies. "Thank you." I repeated, more sincerely.

"Your gratitude is acknowledged." Tech said, rising to his feet. "I will assist the others now in exstinguishing the flames. You wait here."

"What? No, I can help." I picked myself up and stumbled. Though there was no pain, I still felt a throbbing soreness in my legs. Tech noticed it. "Doubtful. In your condition, you cannot handle a shovel to dig with. Here," He handed me his datapad. "use this to monitor any movement in the area. We do not want the Empire catching us off our guard. You can also compose your memoir entries while you wait." As he began to depart, I huffed in frustration and plopped myself back on the ground with a grunt. The clone halted in his stride, rotated, and called to me. When I lifted my chin, he nodded to me in reassurance and said, "You are not burdening us. Your condition was merely an occupational accident. Do not determine otherwise."

Then, he left my company, leaving me speechless. It would be early dawn when everyone finally snuffed out the fire. I did as Tech said and made myself useful by keeping watch for other Trandoshans or the Empire on the electronic — I also snuck in some writing time just as he suggested. Once the task was complete, Hunter came over to check on me, helping me to my feet and holding me steady. His gloved hands felt safe and secure.

"How are you feeling?" he asked gingerly. "Can you stand alright?"

"I'm fine." I said. "Just sore. My hands are in worse shape I'm afraid. They haven't stopped throbbing." Wrecker then presented my weapons I had dropped. I smiled up at him. "Would you
mind hanging onto them for me until I can use them again?"

"No problem, Fern." The big oaf grinned and secured them to his belt. We all reconvened with the two kids, who rested against the one of the decommissioned tanks. "Are you both okay?" I asked, leaning on Hunter for support. They both gave me nods — Omega assured me further by grinning at me.

Suddenly, there was a rustling in the jungle, followed by a chittering that intensified with a ear-shattering Shriek!!!

Everyone pulled out their weapons. "More Trandoshans?" Echo guessed.

"No." Hunter shook his head. "Something bigger." He lightly stepped in between me and where the sounds were imitating from. Suddenly, several giant felinesque creatures with wide, telescoped ears and beady, black eyes leapt down from the trees. Each were mounted by a Wookie warrior. One approached us and roared with friendliness. The other two Wookies upon their steeds joined in.

"He was the hostage we freed." I recognized. The leader grunted a few high-pitch notes, a big grin spread across his furry face. I bowed to him. "I may not speak Wookie, but I'm pretty sure he wants us to join him and his companions."

"And bring us to his village." Hunter finished. "Everyone, let's go."