Boil's story continues.

Wrecket had to dive to prevent the clone from falling to his feet due to his own weakness. I remember seeing a certain happiness on his face, like seeing the faces of the people you love before taking your last breath, but it wasn't time for Wolffe yet. Hunter came over and gave him a shot of adrenaline and fed him some rations. But if anything characterizes Commander Wolffe, it's his heart. Despite his hunger and weakness, he decided to divide the rations into small fragments and offer a piece to each present. Even me.

The prisoners were happy to accept it, even though I didn't need it, and I asked that they keep it. But instead of eating it, he decided to give it to Stela. Not if I knew whether to be happy because of his attitude or sad because of everything that had happened, but that scene made me remember the old days with longing.

????: - We have to go. - Shouted a voice from inside the ship in which my brothers came, but I couldn't identify who it was. - The imperials will not take long to discover that something happened. -

Rex: - Very good. Let's not waste time. Wrecket, take him inside. We have to get the civilians to a safe place. -

Hunter: - We can't, Rex. The ship is not that big. And where we're going, we can't take civilians. -

Rex: - I know. But we can't stay. -

Crosshear: - Maybe we should separate for a while. Someone of us has to get this ship to a safe place. -

Boil: - No. I'll do it. - I said without thinking twice.

Hunter: - You? You're sure? -

Boil: - It is my duty. Besides, this way I'll pay for the crimes I've committed. - I said while lowering my head.

Hunter: - They must get off the Empire's radar. Find a place on the outer edge. Start a peaceful life. -

Boil: - Don't worry. I got this. -

Rex: - Boil. - He said as he approached me. - You can't imagine how happy it gives me to see you again, brother. But I'm afraid our paths must part again. I hope that one day we can see each other again, and have good liquor for our brothers. -

Boil: - And so it will be, brother. -

Rex and I once again share a military salute, followed by a brotherly hug. Then they each went their separate ways.

And now I was in a bind. A damaged ship in the middle of nowhere and a bunch of strangers who probably hated me, but wouldn't kill me knowing I was their only hope of finding a place outside the eye of the Empire. I would never guess that Mirana was a bounty hunter and would know the middle rim much better than I did. Luckily the damage to the hyperdrive was not severe, and we were able to repair it in a few hours thanks to Stela. It turns out that the young woman is a very good mechanic.

Some time later we toured part of the outer rim, and thanks to Mirana we were able to find several of her contacts who helped us with food and told us about this place. We eventually got here, and now we're part of the Oasis.

Boil's story concludes.

Icarus: - Interesting story. And it is very good news. -

Mirana: - What do you mean? - She asked intrigued.

Icarus: - If what they say is true. Those clones that stormed the prisoner ship would corroborate my theory that there are different sectors in the Galaxy that oppose the Empire and are willing to fight against them. Now we are nothing more than useless little attempts at rebellion, but eventually we may become a Rebel Alliance. -

Miraj: - That sounds amazing. Too good to be true. - He said something pessimistic.

Ícaro: - And what about you, mayoress? How did it get here? -

Miraj: - My story is not that exciting really. After the skirmish, I had to flee my planet and eventually made it here. At first we were just tribes, separated trying to survive, but eventually we started working together and we managed to build this place. -

Icarus: - Under your command. - He pointed accusingly.

Miraja: - Good. Yes... But it was everyone's decision. Not just mine... And then the Pykes came along and things got a little messy, but we managed to survive. And thanks to you, we can now walk the surface of Gwori free again. Well... Wearing masks... Of course. -

The Zygerrian seemed to have a very good attitude towards what was happening, and she really exuded a strange confidence towards her person, but for some reason Icarus seemed not to trust her completely. Something was bothering him, but he didn't know what it was. Maybe he was hiding something, and he had to find out what. However, that mistrust was visible to the eyes of those present.

Miraj: - Well... I think we should give you a tour of the place... You know... So you're aware of everything that happens around here. - He said as he got up from his chair. - Allow me to have the privilege of being your guide. -

Icarus: - Very good. - He said after a few seconds. - But first I must go look for my companions at the entrance of the shelter. -

Mira: Very good. Mirana. Can you accompany him? -

Mirana: - Yes. Mayoress. -

Miraja: - Excellent. I will wait for you when you return, Commander Icarus. -

After the brief goodbye, Mirana guided Ícaro back to the entrance of the shelter through the corridors of the facilities. On the way, the droid was clearly restless, lost in thought, but looking at every corner of the place.

Mirana: - Is something wrong? - He asked, seeing him so worried.

Icarus: - Tell me. Is Miraj Scintel really legit? - He asked him directly and if he went around, how every good droid would do.

Mirana: - I don't know why you say that. -

Ícaro: - His past is not something that inspires me much confidence. -

Mirana: - You shouldn't judge a book by its cover. There are things that only she is capable of supporting. - He said with a sad voice as he looked down.

Icarus: - I assume you'll tell me why. -

Mirana: - What? Can't. I can't betray your trust. She's my friend. - He said loosening his rigid character a little.

Icarus: - As your superior. You should tell me. - He told her directly, but Mirana didn't pay any attention to him, after all, she wasn't a soldier with a high military sense. So the droid had to use another strategy. - If we are going to work together I need to know what happened. To avoid making the same mistakes again. Please. You must tell me. -

Mirana was reluctant for a while as they continued walking towards the exit of the shelter. He didn't want to, but he knew the droid was right. If anyone could help Miraj, it was Icarus.

Mirana: - Very good. But you must promise not to tell anyone. Not even your subordinates. -

Icarus: - It will be a secret. -

Mirana: - What she said about what happened after the Empire took power is true. But a half truth. He never said anything about it, but one day, I went to bring some reports to his room. I thought she had fallen asleep or was feeling sick, but when I got there she was slumped to the floor, sobbing, tearing at the skin of her forearm with her own fingernails, trying to contain her frustration. It took me several minutes to try to calm her down and I'm sure it was the only time she's talked about her past since then. I think I'm the only one who knows.

-------------------------------------------------- O------------------------------------------------- -------

Mirana telling the story of Miraj Scintel:

When he woke up on his home planet he knew he had lost. She couldn't return to her throne, or this time Dooku would end her once and for all. Without many places to hide, she took refuge in the house of distant relatives, and lived humbly as a farmer far from the city. She told me that in her last days as queen she saw the truth, and that she had discovered that she was as much a slave as the poor that her own people deprived of freedom. So he just got away from it all and decided to have a quiet life. But one day the Empire came.

There was no dialogue, no warning, no threat. It was a calm morning like any other and the morning work began when the enormous silhouettes of the imperial cruisers were seen above the planet's atmosphere.

They were new, many larger than the Republic Venators. Its mere shadow was capable of leaving entire cities in absolute darkness. So they started shooting.

In a few minutes every city, every town, every agricultural field was engulfed in a sea of ​​flames. The cities were purged first, then the country towns. Seeing the commotion from a distance, Miraj was able to gather a small group of peasants from where she lived and attempt to flee the planet. Of Zygerria's millions of inhabitants, only a few hundred survived. The ones you saw walking the streets of the Oasis.

Miraj had to rise from the chaotic crowd on the ship and reveal herself as its former regent. Many did not believe it, but some could recognize it. She tried to calm them down, but instead, those who lost everything blamed her for everything that happened and gave her so many blows that they almost killed her while she was alive, now at the hands of her own people. The people he served for so many years.

She was left alive thanks to the intervention of some wiser Zygeerians, who knew that what had happened was not her fault, and that it was thanks to Miraj that everyone inside the ship was alive.

I remember the story of one of the middle-aged Zygerrians who, when they had internalized what they had done, almost killing their once longed-for queen, immediately terrified them. The stories said that anyone who dared to even raise their voice to the queen would end up a slave or even dead. To think what could happen for almost killing her.

But instead, Miraj stood up, still battered from her bruises, and made no retaliation. The elders admit to being surprised at such a decision, but Miraj's words took everyone by surprise.

Miraj: - Our people have suffered too much. We cannot afford to miss one more life. -

And so, Miraj Scintel rose once more as the sovereign of the surviving Zygerrians and wandered the outer rim until she came to this place. With his political skills he managed to unify all the clans that lived in dispute in Gwire and unified them as a single united people. No more disputes or more wars to survive. Now we can harvest our food or make our utensils, albeit very basic.

Some time later we arrived. Boil showed great skill in leading our forces when the Pykes attempted to capture the Oasis. We managed to repel them, but we did not have enough forces to drive them off the planet. I was in charge of keeping an eye on them so they wouldn't try anything strange, but then you showed up and killed them all.

End of Mirana's story

Icarus did not pay attention to the last comment, because he was consumed by his thoughts, and Mirana could see it. The droid was analyzing all the information as if it were a puzzle, trying to fit all the pieces together.

Maybe he was too hasty, maybe he shouldn't even have made some comments, but if Mirana's story was true, the Miraj Scintel he met just a few minutes ago was not the conceited and vain one his records told. A wiser Miraj, more concerned with the survival of the people of the Oasis than her own pockets. Theory that the former queen's own casual clothes corroborated. Maybe she should give him a chance after all.