Intercepted Missive from Rebel pilot Ayamari “Aya” Osiri, Ilum
Intended for known associate and criminal “Nate the Nose”, Nar Shadaa
The Empire isn’t order. It’s fear. Fear that men like Tarkin and the Emperor exploit. But as a wise woman once said: the tighter they close their fists, the more systems slip through their fingers.
I write this to you on Ilum. Our base is scrambling to full alert; an Imperial scouting party was just blown out of the sky not long ago. They’ve found us at last. Hiding on this iceball was a risk, especially with proximity to Ord Mantell and the Core. Command was sure they would never find us here, not until our forces were built up and ready for what’s coming.
It started simple, you know. Wars always do. We’ve sabotaged production on Corellia and Ord Mantell on and off throughout this conflict, forcing Imperial High Command to waste its time overseeing repairs. We’ve had Mygeeto on our side since day 1; between them and Utapau, we’ve managed to keep our production lines running even as the Imps blockaded Mon Cal and denied us its shipyards.
I won’t lie to you. When Vader took the field and went after the Princess, I was worried that we were sunk. If it weren’t for Chewbacca… well, she’d be sitting in an Imperial brig somewhere waiting for death. Instead, she’s been instrumental in sabotage efforts across the galaxy. And Chewie? The big guy is a huge help whenever the big guns have to come out.
It’s a constant back-and-forth between our forces and the Empire. It feels as though we’re clawing our way to victory inch by inch. For every political victory by Mon Mothma, there’s good people we’ve lost to buy time. Rieekan is still trapped somewhere and we can’t rescue him for love or money. The Imperial war machine may be stammering, but it still marches on. Forces are spread thin, but they’re still there across a half-dozen systems.
And Utapau… we remember what happened. One reactor levelled our troops on the ground like they weren’t even there. The Death Star is no joke. And now that the Empire knows where we are, I have no doubt that Ilum will share the same fate before long.
That doesn’t mean that the war effort stops. Our spies still clash with theirs. Vader still prowls the galaxy even as we send Chewie out to counter his shows of force. Cassian still haunts the shadows and vexes Imperial intelligence. Wedge is still flying. So is Solo (though he’s mostly been beating his head against the Rieekan situation to no avail).
We make them sweat and itch and waste their time chasing shadows. And now, on the eve of what is surely going to be a nightmare battle, intel recovered by Princess Leia on Rodia has given us the key to ending the Death Star once and for all. It’s a long shot. But what in this war hasn’t been against all the odds?
Whatever comes… I want you to know that we fought. We’ve fought for a better future. We’ve fought for a galaxy free from tyranny, free from the boot on our collective throats. The next few days will determine whether we rise up in glory or if the Emperor gets to gloat as we surrender.
Wish us luck, Nate. Stars only know that we’ll need it.
Kingsrow still needs to write her About the Author bit. Shame!
