Into the tunnels, Zorii Bliss hurried; a vast length of secret underground chambers that stretched beneath Kijimi City all the way into the mountains. It was where the rebel cell moved about when avoiding the First Order until the moment they deemed worthy of delivering a strike.

There were many civilians in the city that didn’t even know it existed in order to keep the cell, in fact, a secret. Thankfully, Bliss and her fellow spice runners had helped the rebels on a number of occasions and so they were allowed passage through the chambers.

The tunnels were nothing special, just old cave-like passages that were hollowed out by ancient worms that once inhabited this area of Kijimi. Dim lighting brightened the pathway, allowing Zorii a chance to see her way forward.

She moved through the tunnels quickly, the echoing footsteps of other individuals, most likely rebels (at least she hoped) resounding through the course way. It was a winding labyrinth that could easily lead one to get lost but she had memorized the tunnels just in case she ever needed to escape. Because of her knowledge of the underground world, she was hurrying up a wooden staircase which led into a short tower on the eastern edge of the city.

There, a young dark-haired sentry sat slumped against the locked entrance of the tunnels snoring. The creak of her footsteps startled the teenager awake and he sprung to his feet, a blaster in hand and his green eyes wide. She held up her hands.

“I’m on your side, kid,” she yelped.

He exhaled deeply, rubbing his eyes as he holstered the blaster. “Sorry. I’ve just…I’ve been awake all night.”

“The First Order?” she asked.

He nodded. “There’s been word that there’s a traitor in our midst. Char Tudukka told us to remain vigilant at the four entrances just in case the First Order shows up.”

Zorii patted his shoulder. “You don’t have a replacement?”

The boy blushed. “No, ma’am. I’ve been assigned to the Eastern Entrance.” He raised his chin. “I’m proud Char Tudukka tasked me with such an important role.”

Zorii smiled beneath her helmet. “Then make sure you stay up, kid. Wouldn’t want him to catch you asleep now, would you?”

He blanched. “You’re right.”

He hurried to the tunnel’s entrance, unlocking it with an archaic key. She moved past him, heading out of the tunnels into the tower where slitted windows revealed a snowstorm brewing outside. At least the sudden storm would make it harder for the First Order to operate on this early morning. She turned to look back at the teenager.

“Good luck, kid.”

He smiled. “Thanks. You too.”

With that, he closed the door and as it slammed shut with a resounding echo she continued onward, hurrying through the tower’s top room to the winding staircase that would lead her out of the tower and closer to her destination; the client.