Zen was wide-eyed, his mouth open.
Then he spoke.
“It’s an alarm. The space station is being boarded. There were rumors this was about to happen but in all the orbits I never thought it would actually happen. The first I heard about it was in the Moon Inn, not far from here, my usual haunt. I just put it down to drunk talk. But then I heard it more and more. Then recently, infomercials about how the base would be defended ya see started to appear. Dats how I recognise da sound. But, I still never thought it wud actually happen. It’s the Emperor, he wants rid of every last bastion of freedom. We have to get yous out o’ ere and fast.”
“But what about the defense plans? Maybe can help defend the place?” I asked quietly.
Zen replied matter of fact, “Not a hope mate. Dose plans were to sedate da population nothin’ more. In reality, there is no force ‘ere capable o’ resisting ya see. Now folla me.”
He led us into a small side room and pulled back the carpet revealing a secret hatch. Opening it, he said, “You don’t have much time, hurry. I’m well known as bein a part of da resistance. I’ll be at da top of the list for interrogation.”
“You’re not coming?” Tabitha asked.
“No, it’ll be too much heat for the two of yous,” he replied.
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