Yoda nodded. “Still missing, Master Ambase is.”
“I offer you all my resources to help find him Palpatine,” said. “I was also informed that members of Ambase’s unit, the Breakout Squad, liberated Kynachi after a ten-year occupation by the Trade Federation.”
Yoda nodded again. “Accomplish this, Breakout Squad did.”
“An entire planet held captive for a decade,” Palpatine said with a shudder. “Who is the commanding officer of the Breakout Squad?”
“Hrmm,” Yoda said. He gave a sidelong glance at Palpatine, then gestured to the blue-skinned boy. “Chancellor Palpatine … to you I introduce Master Ambase’s apprentice, Nuru Kungurama.”
Nuru felt his throat go dry. He was not accustomed to the emotion of fear, but as Palpatine’s hologram turned to face him, he was afraid that his time with the Jedi Order was about to come to an end.
Palpatine’s eyebrows lifted. “You are a Chiss!”
Nuru was taken aback, but he replied, “Yes, Chancellor.”
“What an amazing coincidence. An hour ago, an ambassador of the Chiss Ascendancy contacted my office, requesting to meet with a representative of the Jedi Order at a Chiss space station as soon as possible.”
Palpatine looked at Yoda and said, “The Republic cannot ignore this opportunity for diplomatic relations with the Chiss. Because the Separatists may have spies in Chiss space, I propose a classified mission. Master Yoda, with your permission, might Nuru Kungurama be available to meet with this ambassador?”
Nuru had thought that the Chancellor was going to reprimand him, not propose sending him on a mission. He could hardly believe his ears. He had been an infant when he first arrived at the Jedi Temple, and had no memory of his homeworld. In fact, few people in the Republic knew anything about the Chiss.
The Chiss lived in the Unknown Regions, far beyond the Outer Rim, and had no official affiliation with the Republic. Even the vast Jedi Archives had little data about the blue-skinned, red-eyed humanoids. Although Nuru had been raised to serve the Jedi Order, he could not help being curious about his place of origin.
Nuru swallowed hard. He had never imagined that he might one day travel to Chiss space.
“Hrmm,” Yoda said again. “About the Chiss, little do we know. For a secret mission, a more experienced Jedi, the Council should send.”
“But who else is available?” Palpatine said. “It would be most unfortunate if we failed to take advantage of this opportunity. I’ve no doubt that the Chiss ambassador would be very pleased to meet with a Chiss Jedi, even one so young. Perhaps an escort could be arranged?”
“Accompany Nuru, Breakout Squad could,” Yoda mused aloud. “But to other worlds, our ships must go.”
Behind Nuru, Gunn cleared her throat. Nuru glanced at her and she aimed a thumb at herself. She said, “You get the coordinates, I’ll get you there.”
Returning his gaze to Yoda’s hologram, Nuru said, “A freelance pilot has volunteered to deliver me and Breakout Squad to Csilla.”
“Well done, Nuru Kungurama,” Palpatine said. “I have every faith that your mission will be a success. The coordinates for Csilla will be transmitted to your ship immediately.”
Yoda nodded to Nuru and said solemnly, “May the Force be with you.”
Nuru bowed, and then the two holograms vanished.
“All right, then,” Gunn said. “Gunn’s Diner is officially closed. It’s time for the Hasty Harpy to leave this dull rock.”
She glanced at Cleaver, then looked at Knuckles and said, “Does the droid have to come with us?”
“Cleaver helped save Breaker! Far as I’m concerned, he’s part of Breakout Squad, too.”
As Breaker carefully pulled on his black body glove, he said, “I’ll second that. Cleaver’s a keeper.”
Cleaver said, “Thank you. Master Breaker.”
Gunn shook her head. “You’re all crazy.” She was about to raise the landing platform when a fully armored clone trooper came running up the ramp and into the cabin.
“Permission to board?” said the trooper.
“Granted,” Gunn said. “Whoever you are.”
Chatterbox said, “He’s Sharp. Can’t you tell?”
Gunn glared at Chatterbox and said, “You’re starting to talk too much.”
Sharp turned his helmeted head to bee the young Jedi and said, “I just received orders to join your unit. Commander Nuru.”
“Good to have you with us, Sharp.”
“I’ve got the coordinates for our destination,” Gunn said as she raised the landing ramp. “Everyone find a seat and buckle in.”
Nuru belted himself into a seat beside Breaker. “Feeling any better?” the young Jedi asked.
“Much,” Breaker replied. “I’m just sorry we lost General Ambase.”
Nuru bit his lower lip, then said, “He’s still alive, Breaker. I know he is. I just wish I knew where to find him,
Breaker gestured to the other troopers and said, “The boys and I will do everything we can to help you.”
“Thanks, Breaker,” Nuru said. “I’m fortunate to have all of you watching my back.”
“That’s what we’re here for, Commander.” Then Breaker lowered his voice and added, “But let’s not forget that we still don’t know how the Separatists knew we’d be arriving at Kynachi, or who sabotaged our escape pods. We may still be in danger, and I urge you to be watchful, too.”
“You can count on it,” Nuru said.
The Hasty Harpy’s thrusters ignited and the ship lifted off. Minutes later, the ship leaped into hyperspace, heading for the Unknown Regions.
For the 501st New England GarrisonR.W.
NEXT:
STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS
SECRET MISSIONS #2:
CURSE OF THE BLACK HOLE PIRATES
On their first official assignment to a distant world in the Unknown Regions, the young Jedi Nuru Kungurama and the newly-formed Breakout Squad take an unexpected and very dangerous detour. Suddenly overwhelmed by space pirates, the members of Breakout Squad become convinced that a traitor is in their midst. Meanwhile, far across the galaxy, the Sith Lords attempt to enlist a Jedi to help them with their dark schemes.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
Star Wars - The Clone Wars - Secret Missions #1 - Breakout Squad Page 9
