3
"Commander! Commander Rlgah, wait up!"
Ashta sighed and stopped walking so Jarred Fain could catch up to her. As soon as he did, she turned around and started walking again. She dreaded what he had to say. It didn't take long to figure out that he was stuck up and was most likely to complain about his roommate. Ashta wasn't disappointed.
"Commander. I'm afraid a huge mistake has been made." The young man hurried to keep up with Ashta. "You see, I was assigned to bunk with Jaysaan Aarymer. I know you know I could never share a room with him. After all, he's so...so Corellian. I can't stand Corellian sanitation. I mean, he leaves dirty clothes on the floor and sometimes just lays down and goes to sleep! With out showering or anything!"
Ashta couldn't keep a smile off her face. "He actually does that!" she said in mock amazement. "How could anyone do something like that?"
"I know, it's appalling." Jarred apparently didn't catch the sarcasm. "Since you obviously understand the dilemma I'm in, I know you'll reassign Jaysaan to a different room."
"No I won't. No one wants to trade with him." She shrugged. "I made the room assignment and when I sent it, I told you that you could trade if anyone wanted to. I didn't say if you aren't satisfied to come to me and complain and I'll fix your problem."
"But I thought," his voice trailed off as he realized the Commander had answered him sarcastically earlier. "I see how it is now." A sullen look planted itself on his face. He turned around and started to leave.
"Flight Officer Fain!" Ashta snapped. "I expect loyalty, hard work, dedication, and skill from my pilots. I do not expect who's bunkmates with who to disrupt my squadron. If you have a problem, I expect you to work it out with out dissention." Ashta fixed him with a hard stare. "Do you understand?"
"Yes ma'am," he answered meekly, even though a hot fire burned in his eyes.
"Dismissed." Ashta turned on her heel, wondering how she was going to hold her squadron together.
Jaysaan and Kysal walked past several people in the mess hall and sat down at the bar. Jaysaan ordered a dewback steak, Corellian style, and started eating. "I am starved," he said around a mouthful of the steak. "That last simm run took a lot out of me, especially since I didn't have time for lunch before the run. Aren't you gonna' get anything?"
Kysal grinned at her friend and old CorSec partner. "The usual." The bar tender heard her and filled up a mug with a liquid from one of the bottles behind him.
"Corellian whiskey," the Barabel said with a smile. "Sometimes I think you live off of that stuff."
Kysal shrugged. "I've never tried, but I bet I could." She took a long drink. "This stuff is great. Not that synthetic junk. That stuff's not worth a credit." Kysal gave a warning look to the bar tender. "Don't ever try to pass synthetic Corellian whiskey off on me. I can tell the difference by just looking at it."
The Barabel laughed. "Don't worry. I pride myself on serving the best. How have the simm runs been going?"
"Oh, I don't know. Well enough for a new squadron, but we just can't seem to pull our act together. Several of the pilots just aren't willing to entrust their lives to the good piloting of the others. They would rather take care of themselves and not risk themselves. Unfortunately, they just don't understand that if they want to survive, they have to trust each other." Kysal shook her head. "I don't know what we can do to pull them together. The commander suggested dances or diners, but I don't know if that would work."
The Barabel smiled. "Why not? It might give the pilots a chance to get to know each other better, to relax more. I think I could arrange a party, if you wanted me too."
"When."
"How about tomorrow?" The Barabel raised an eyebrow. "It can be a 'get to know each other' and a 'welcome Corran Horn' party all in one!"
Kysal's jaw dropped. "I forgot all about that! Oh great, the Commander will be working us overtime to get us ready for inspection. I think I'm gonna' go hide before she can find me." Kysal finished her drink in record time, she didn't believe in leaving a drop of whiskey in her glass, and hurried off.
"Sorry about that. Kysal was just assigned morale officer. She thinks she'll have the commander running after her trying to get her to help organize things." Jaysaan finished his steak and pushed the plate back to the Barabel. He stood up, then quickly sat back down when he saw Kysal and Zana walk back into the mess hall. Jaysaan shot Kysal a grin, and she glared back at him. "Looks like Ky was wrong. Zana will be after her, not the commander."
Kysal glared at Jaysaan from across the room. He obviously thought her situation was humorous. Unfortunately she did not. She and Zana sat down at one of the tables, away from the other occupants of the mess hall.
"Commander Rlgah sent me to discuss a few things with you." Kysal groaned as Zana pulled a piece of flimsiplast out of her jumpsuit pocket. "First of all, Commander Rlgah wants you to help organize a welcoming party for Corran Horn. She wants it to be something simple, but fitting. It is to be scheduled for fourteen hundred hours tomorrow. She wants the details worked out and turned in to her by this evening."
Kysal nodded sagely then sighed as Zana continued. "The commander also wants all pilots to know that attendance is mandatory." Zana smiled at Kysal. "She also wants to let you know that Jarred might be coming to you to complain about who he is quartered with. She also says thanks for the conversation."
"Oh great." Kysal sighed in exasperation. "I get to set up a party and deal with Fain? She needs to find a better way to thank me."
Zana's eyes narrowed in amusement. She turned to leave, then called over her shoulder, "Don't forget, simm run in an hour!"
"Why do I have to be morale officer?" Kysal sighed again and went to work. She headed up to the bar, spotted the bar tender and waved him over. Sliding into the seat next to Jaysaan, she ordered another whiskey.
"You know, Ky, you really do drink too much." Jaysaan laughed when she gave him a death stare. "I'm being serious. Besides, you aren't supposed to have any alcohol right now. It's only an hour 'till simm practice."
Kysal growled as Jaysaan deftly snatched her drink and handed it back to the Barabel. "I won't tell if you won't." She lunged for it, but bar tender was too quick. "Okay. I give up. Sometimes I know the galaxy has something against me."
"No Kysal, you just think we do." Jaysaan suddenly frowned.
"What's the matter?" Kysal asked, curious at his sudden change of mood.
"My room-mate is here. And he's coming this way." Jaysaan stood up. "I'm gonna' go now."
"I know you aren't going to leave me alone with him." Kysal said forcefully. "I know you aren't."
Jaysaan shook his head. "Oh yes I am. Good luck. Why are you laughing?" Jaysaan asked. Kysal was laughing silently at him.
"You're running away. My partner, running from his room-mate. I just find that funny I guess." Kysal didn't really think it was funny, of course. She'd be running too if she wasn't morale officer. But her accusation had the desired affect. Jaysaan sat back down and rested his chin in his hands.
Jarred made his way up to the bar and sat down beside Kysal. He ignored Jaysaan. "Kysal, you're the morale officer, right?"
"Unfortunately."
"Good. I think you could help me work something out. You see, I would like to exchange room-mates with another Saber, but none of them want to trade with me." He shrugged. "I have no clue why, except for maybe they don't like Jaysaan."
"I wish I could help you, for Jay's sake, but if no one wants to trade, I can't make them." Kysal smiled. "Has it ever occurred to you that they might not want to trade because they don't want a room with you?"
Jarred frowned. "Why would they not want a room with me? I keep my clothes off the floor, I clean up after myself. Not like Jaysaan." Jarred shot Jaysaan a nasty look. "He leaves clothes all over the floor. And last night, he just went to sleep in his dirty clothes. Without bathing! I can't stand it."
Kysal laughed. "Now you know what I had to put up with."
Jarred raised a quizzical eyebrow. "You had to put up with him?"
"Oh yeah. We were CorSec partners for several years. When I first shared a room with him, he was as messy as you're describing. But after a while, he sorta' outgrew it. I'm sure he'll outgrow it again." Kysal glanced over at Jaysaan. A frown was etched onto his face. "But anyways. I'm sure you two will get used to each other in time."
"Whatever you say, Kysal. Whatever you say." Jarred gave her a nod, then left in pursuit of Dera, who had just entered the mess hall. Kysal was surprised that Dera actually seemed happy to see him.
"He's gone, Jaysaan. You can stop frowning now."
Jaysaan's frown turned to a scowl. "You had to put up with me?"
"Oh shut up. You know I had to tell him something to make him happy. Besides, you have to admit that you were a bit sloppy." Kysal nudged him playfully in the ribs. "But we'd better get ready to go simming. Come on."
Jaysaan got up and the two of them headed for the simm room.
* * *
Ashta-Mei Rlgah felt good about the next run as she headed toward the simm room. That was probably due to the shower and quick nap she had had earlier. Ashta paused in front of the door and straightened her tunic, then entered. The good feeling abruptly left her. Her pilots stood in a ring around something she couldn't see. From their excited chattering, she automatically thought, Fight! She shoved her way through the ring to see what was happening.
"What's going on here?" she demanded. The Sabers fell silent. Ashta glared at the two pilots who were in the center of the circle. "What is the meaning of this?"
Kysal Naydys, who was standing over Dera Donos, was the first to answer. She shrugged and said, "Well, Dera and I were conflicting over who was the martial artist in the squadron. We decided to find out." She held out her hand to Dera who took it with out hesitation.
When she was standing, she said, "Kysal is better than me. But not by much." She threw a challenging glance at Kysal. "I know it should have waited, Commander, until after the simm."
"Yes it should have." Ashta told them firmly. She was relieved it wasn't a serious fight, but it certainly could have waited until later. "And if I get word of any conflicts before a flight again, the pilots involved with be suspended until punishment is assigned. Now get in your simm units and get them prepped for flight."
Ashta followed her own advice and pulled herself into her simm. She did a preflight check. Everything checked out, so she powered it up and called for all pilots to check in. It took a full two minutes for all the Sabers to do so. Ashta shook her head. "Sabers, power up and lift off. Heading oh-three-ten-one. Hyperspace coordinates are being downloaded now. Make sure they check out." This time confirmations were faster. Ashta led her squadron to the jump point.
"Jump on my mark." Ashta watched the countdown clock on her control panel. The ten seconds ticked off quickly. "Mark. All units jump." The stars around her cockpit elongated into white and yellow lines, then shrank back to pinpoints. Ashta settled back for a ten minute ride to the site of today's battle. The squadron would be engaging two Corsair-class cruisers and three squadrons of TIE fighters. Ashta didn't really think the Sabers would beat the Imperial forces, but she hoped they would perform decently. With Corran Horn coming tomorrow, her nerves were on edge, and she was afraid she might snap at one of them for making a small mistake. One small mistake is all it takes to lose a life, though. The thought did little to reassure Ashta, so she brushed it away. She needed to be positive about this battle. She felt it might be the turning point for her squadron, turning from just a squadron of X-Wings into a unit. They still hadn't gotten used to each other and some were still quarreling openly.
Ashta glanced at the reversion countdown clock. As it reached zero, she pulled back the hyperspace lever. Stars lengthened into stripes, then shrank to points again. "All right, Sabers. Let's go."
Suddenly her X-Wing rocked violently. Her head snapped forward and she lost her grip on the stick. She sat back slowly. She took a moment to catch her breath, the reached for her flight stick. The X-Wing didn't respond to the controls. Ashta glanced at the flight instruments, but all the screens were either showing bright red diagnostics or nothing at all. She sighed and powered down the remaining functional instruments. She waited ten seconds, then hit the engine restart. The X-Wing shuttered and a dull clacking noise filled the cockpit. Ashta quickly shut down the engine. Something wanted to come to life back there, it just needed more power. She shunted all power form shields and lasers to the engine, keenly aware of her vulnerability the whole time. She counted to ten again, then hit the restart. Ashta sighed in relief as the engine roared back to life.
A heads up display showed her immediate vicinity void of enemy fighters, but farther away a battle was raging. Ashta pulled energy from the engine back to shields and lasers, then raced to catch up with her squadron. Before she had covered half of the distance though, three TIEs were on her. She quickly dispatched of one with a proton torpedo. It punched a hole through the ball cockpit, exploding as it came out the other side. It took the rest of the TIE with it in a fiery mass of quickly dying flame. She increased her forward shields and flew threw the center of it.
Both of the two TIEs left curved off in different directions, one around the debris to trail Ashta, the other spiraled down, leveling off below the X-Wing. Ashta smiled in spite of herself. These TIEs were more concerned with staying alive than killing her. She inverted her X-Wing and stomped on the etheric rudder pedal, slewing her X-Wing down to put her on the tail of the TIE beneath her. She triggered a burst from her lasers, shearing its wing off. The next shot scored, exploding the engines and shooting debris off in all directions. Ashta wasn't quick enough in throwing power to her forward shields, though. A large panel from one of the TIE's wing plunged into the cockpit cover transparisteel. By some miracle of the Force, the point stopped about a half foot in front of Ashta's face. She drew a quick breath in surprise. Then she realized her X-Wing was still engaged in full thrust. She dialed the thrust down to zero. Beyond the durasteel spike, she saw she was dangerously close to the main battle.
"Saber Leader to Saber Squadron." Ashta switched her comm unit to the squadron's frequency and waited tensely for a reply.
"Three here, Lead. I could use a little help if you don't mind." Jaysaan's voice was tight. "I seemed to have lost my wingman in the crowd."
Ashta took that to mean that Four was still alive, but couldn't help him at the moment. Ashta switched to Three's private X-Wing frequency. "Three, I wish I could help, but I have a piece of a TIE's wing panel through my cockpit cover and I don't think it will hold up to the stress of dogfighting. I'm as good as useless for the rest of this exercise."
"Understood. Three out."
Ashta pounded her fist into the flight couch in frustration. She couldn't just sit on the fringe of the battle and watch her squadron get slaughtered. She glanced at her sensors. There were about twenty blips, eleven were blue. Good. I haven't lost any pilots yet. She took another look and saw one more squadrons worth of red dots moving into her sensor range.
"Saber Squadron, this is Leader." Ashta said into the comm. "You have twelve, repeat one-two fighters closing on vector three-thirty four-oh-five. You are free to engage at will. Stay with your wingmen and be careful."
"We copy, Lead," Deuce answered calmly. Anakin moved onto an intercept vector followed by half of the squadron. The other half was busy finishing off the remaining TIEs from the first wave.
Ashta shook her head. The Sabers were out there taking all the risks while she sat in her X-Wing watching. She knew she wouldn't be a help to them, but she still felt guilty of letting them down. Ashta forced herself to calm down. I would just be a hindrance to my pilots, not a help. The best thing she could do would be to watch her scanners and alert the Sabers to any new threats and keep an eye on the Corsairs. She immediately noticed that there was an increase in power in one of them. It was focused in one spot, too. Tractor beam, immediately jumped into her mind. Her thought was confirmed as one of the X-Wings came to an abrupt halt the cruiser, suspended in mid flight. She glanced at her sensors. It was Five. Ashta decided she had to do something. She pushed her throttle up to full power and dove into the midst of the battle. She arrowed her X-Wing straight toward the cruiser.
"Five, this is Lead. I'm coming toward you at full throttle. I want you to try to bring your X-Wing around to face the Corsair." Ashta waited as Five's X-Wing rolled, but it was firmly locked into place facing away from the Corsair. "Scratch that idea Five. Bring your X-Wing up to full throttle on my mark."
Ashta's course brought her closer and closer to the Corsair. Green turbolaser bolts zigzagged across her path, but none hit their intended target. Finally her X-Wing was skimming above the surface of the cruiser. She jinked the stick to avoid firing turbolasers. When the tractor beam emplacement finally appeared on her scanners, she flipped on her comm unit. She watched the meters scroll down on her targeting computer as she neared it.
When it reached ten she flipped her weapon selection over to proton torpedo on set it on dual fire. "Mark!" Ashta fired her proton torpedoes. They streaked out in front of her ship, then dipped down as the tractor beam took hold of them. Five's X-Wing broke free and accelerated away at full thrust. Ashta pulled her X-Wing up sharply, grimacing as G-forces pushed her into her flight couch. She shot away from the Corsair, but the explosion her two proton torpedoes caused was large enough to push her X-Wing into a tumble. She fought to straighten her snubfighter out, and after a minute of struggling with a flight stick that didn't want to cooperate, she succeeded.
"Are you okay, Leader?" Five's concerned voice came over the comm. Kale pulled his fighter up to parallel her course. "I'm your wing."
"What about Six? She's supposed to be your wingman. Where is she?" Ashta was grateful for his offer, but wouldn't take him up on it at the expense of Kysal.
"She partnered with Two and told me to watch over you, Lead. Besides, the TIEs are retreating and the remaining Corsair is pulling out." He paused. "The battle is over."
"Good." Ashta watched the remaining TIEs running back to the Corsairs. She switched to the squadron frequency. "Sabers, let them run. You have jump vectors coming in. Let's go home."
Jedi Master and former Rogue Squadron Lieutenant Corran Horn gently set his X-Wing down on the hangar bay floor. He powered the snubfighter down and pulled off his helmet. Leaving it on the flight couch, he pulled himself out of the cockpit and dropped off the nose onto the ground. Whistler, his astromec, squealed at him.
"Yes, you can come down." Corran shook his head in amusement. He looked around, spotted a droid lifter, and called to its driver. "Hey, you! Can you get my astromec down?"
"Sure." The mechanic gave Corran a thumbs up, and after a few minutes, Whistler was gently set on the ground.
"Come on, Whistler. We're going to go have a talk with," he glanced down at his datapad, "Commander Rlgah."
Whistler tooted at him, then rolled off toward the hangar bay doors. Corran laughed and jogged after the droid. "You know, you sure have a mind of your own. I know I need to get something to eat, but I thought I'd go visit the Commander first. You know, to see how well she takes surprises. If I go find the mess hall, someone will report my presence to her and ruin the surprise."
The droid whistled at him, his tone sounded thoughtful. Corran wasn't sure what Whistler was trying to tell him, but he guessed it had to do something with Valin knowing in advance that he was making a surprise inspection of the squadron. Corran would have like to think that his son could have kept the visit a secret, but Valin didn't tend to keep secrets very well. Oh well. Corran suddenly realized Whistler was not next to him anymore. He stopped and looked around. Where could that droid have gone? A whistle from a near side hall answered his unspoken question. Corran backtracked to a hall he had passed a few moments ago.
"What are you doing?" Corran posted two fists on his hips. He tried to sound disapproving, but his amusement at the droid managed to make him just sound curious. Whistler was plugged into an information terminal. Several words popped up on the terminal display.
Finding directions to the Commander Rlgah's office. What did you think?
"I should have known. Well, hurry up." Corran shook his head. Whistler was as faithful a friend as anyone could have, so Corran usually let the droid have his way. As soon as Whistler unplugged, he rolled back into the main hall without waiting for Corran. Corran watched the droid for a moment, the ran after him. "Wait up you bucket of bolts!"
The droid led the way down several different hallways, and finally ended up at a regular dull gray door with a name plate on it. The letters etched in gold identified it as belonging to Commander Rlgah. Corran rapped on the door, but no one answered. He knocked louder with the same results. He shrugged and was about to take Whistler's advice and go get something to eat, but the droid took a hold of his pants leg with his pincher. He whistled something excitedly at Corran, the pulled him back to the door. Corran touched the entrance panel next to the door, and it slid open.
"Not locked." Corran frowned at his droid. "Do you want me to go in?"
The droid whistled an affirmative and waited for Corran to enter first. Corran looked around and found the room deserted. He noticed a small holocube on the metal desk near the far end of the room. It cycled through several pictures, flashed a symbol, the displayed the pictures again. Corran went over and sat in the chair behind the desk and looked at the pictures. The Commander was present in the first two, which also featured a man with long, pony tailed hair in a wedding ceremony. He recognized the ceremony, he had been there at the invite of the Commander and her husband, Sktash Rlgah. Since they were both Jedi Knights, they had invited several Jedi and other people. The next picture was of the Commander's sister, Zana Dal'Kun, who also was a Jedi, standing beside her ship, a modified Corellian Y-1800 name the Phoenix. Several more pictures of the Commander's days at the Jedi Academy flashed past. Then a picture of Saber Squadron came up. The pilots reminded Corran of his days with Rogue Squadron. He felt a momentary longing for the 'good old days'. He knew he would always miss flying with his friends, but he would never miss the pain of a friend's death when one of his squadron mates were shot down. The last image that came up was Saber Squadron's crest. Placed on a black background, the blood red New Republic insignia had the silhouette of a X-Wing inside of it.
Corran glanced at the datasheets and the papers scattered over the Commander's desk. Ashta is nothing like Wedge. He kept his desk organized. But Corran didn't really expect the same from the Commander. After all, she was new at running a squadron. Where is Ashta anyways?
Corran felt a little guilty, but he turned on the Commander's computer console and typed in an inquiry to where Saber Squadron was. The answer came up on the screen: Saber Squadron is currently engaged in a simulation exercise. Corran smiled. He had gotten to the skyhook early, but he wasn't sure if the Sabers would be busy or not. Apparently they were. A message popped up on the screen.
Saber Squadron is currently exiting the simulation room. They will be proceeding to the mission debriefing room.
Corran nodded to himself. That would be the next place he would go. But before he went, he decided to write a message to the Commander. He picked up a pen and found a piece of flimsiplast. He started writing, but a pincher grabbed his jacked arm.
"Let go Whistler. I need to write a note to the Commander Rlgah." Corran jerked his jacket free and winced as he heard cloth tearing. He sighed, trying to ignore his irritation, and turned to Whistler. "What do you want?"
The droid rolled over to the droid jack for the computer and plugged himself in. You said you wanted your visit to be a surprise. If you go to the debriefing room, you won't surprise Commander Rlgah.
Corran sighed again. "I guess you're right. What do you suggest I do then?"
I would suggest that we wait here until the Commander comes. Debriefing shouldn't take too long.
"Yeah, that would probably be best. I am a little hungry though. I think I'll order something to eat."
Whistler unplugged himself and whistled triumphantly at him. Corran smiled. He took it that the droid had already ordered something for him. "What would I do with out you?"
The droid gave the electronic equivalent of "I honestly don't know."
* * *
"You did well today, Sabers. I have reviewed the exercise and have concluded that our next exercise will be in space. Your X-Wing's lasers will be set for a mock battle. Sensors will show hits and damage and we will use paint torpedoes in place of proton torpedoes." Ashta had to smile at the grins on the faces of her pilots. This would be their first space battle since entering the squadron. The mock battle settings on the equipment would allow lasers to light up another crafts sensors when fired, but did no real damage. The paint torps were torpedo shells filled with paint, and would explode when they came within five meters of another craft, giving the sensors the full effect of a proton torpedo blast with out the damage.
"When fighting against any of the larger war ships, you must remember that they have might have tractor beams and once you are caught, you are as good as dead unless someone is willing to risk their neck to help you." Ashta gave her pilots a stern stare. "Yes, you fought well today, but some foolish chances were also taken, and could have resulted in disaster. Unless there is no other option, I don't expect to see those chances taken again. Understood?"
The pilots each nodded, so Ashta decided to conclude the debriefing. "Any questions?" There were none. "Dismissed."
As the pilots filed out of the room, Ashta saw Kale give her a nod, then Zana eclipsed her view. "Yes?"
"Commander, you spoke of foolish chances being taken, but you took the most foolish of all." Zana spoke in hushed tones so no one would overhear her. "I know it was necessary, but you should have called someone else in to do it."
"No, I shouldn't have. I won't risk anyone else because I'm too scared to do it myself. It was my risk to take, so I took it. Besides, I couldn't just sit around and do nothing." Ashta scowled at her sister. "You would have done the same thing."
"I know I would have. But your X-Wing was damaged and mine wasn't. Plus I'm not the Leader of the Squadron. We can't afford to lose you." When Zana realized Ashta would continue to argue with her, she quickly said, "Forget it. Never mind."
"No, I won't forget it. I led my squadron into a battle and was damaged the moment I came out of hyperspace. My squadron had to fight with out me. I let them down!" Ashta couldn't keep self disappointment from bleeding into her voice.
"Why do you think you let them down? It wasn't your fault that TIE panel went through your cockpit cover. None of the pilots blames you. In fact, Kale is rather thankful that you just happened to be watching for trouble." Zana shook her head. "Listen Ashta, you aren't perfect. No one expects you to be and you can't expect yourself to be perfect. You have a eleven pilots ready to follow your lead and to support you, okay? They don't doubt you, so don't doubt yourself."
"But..." Ashta was cut off by the approach of Jaysaan and Kysal.
"Anyone hungry? We're going to the mess hall to get something to eat and were wondering if you two would like to join us." Jaysaan's invitation was tempting, but Ashta refused.
"I'd like to, but I have some work to get done." Ashta left before the suppressed duo could convince her to change her mind. She retreated down the hall towards her office. No matter what her sister said, it was a problem that she wasn't able to help her squadron. She felt guilty, even though she knew she couldn't have helped them anymore than she did.
She reached her office and was about to enter when she noticed a green light on the keypad next to the door. Green light means the door is unlocked, and I know it was locked when I left. Ashta pulled out her blaster out of habit and pushed the door open silently, blaster held low but ready to fire if needed. Ashta laughed when she saw who was sitting in the chair behind her desk. Corran Horn looked up from the plate of something that smelled very good. The surprised look on his face told her the X-Wing veteran that he hadn't been expecting her. He recovered from his surprise quickly though.
"Are you planning on shooting now and asking questions later?" Corran gestured to her blaster.
Ashta holstered it with a grin. "Sorry, old habit." She frowned. "So tell me, what are you doing here, in my humble office?"
"Don't you mean what am I doing here at all?"
"I know why you're here." Ashta gave him a wry grin. "I wanted to know why you are stuffing your face in my chair, on my desk."
Corran glanced down at his plate, then smiled back at her. "It's good to see you too, Rlgah." He held out his hand and Ashta gripped it. Corran noted the tightness in her grip, echoed in her troubled gaze. "I take it you know I'm here to observe your squadron for a little while."
"Yes," Ashta said, releasing his hand. "That's what I was told, although my source had your arrival date set a little late, apparently. I was just wondering why you broke into my office," she gave Whistler a glare, "instead of contacting me personally."
"Besides being here to observe the squadron, I'm also here to evaluate your leadership skills. I decided to see how quickly you recover from surprises." He smiled, crows feet forming at the corner of his eyes. "You did well. I also reviewed the simm battle you just got back from. You reacted well to your situation. Your squadron didn't appear to lose confidence in you, plus you showed me that the Sabers can do well as a team without Saber Leader to hold them together. Congratulations, I'd say you made a good first impression."
Ashta blushed. "Thanks, I guess. But that battle was a disaster for me."
"You might think so right now, but you probably need a little practice dealing with a damaged fighter. You knew the limits of your X-Wing and reacted to problems within your fighters abilities." The look in Corran's eyes told Ashta that he was being honest with her, not just trying to make her feel better. Besides, she didn't really think Corran would waste his breath on useless consolation. "In my opinion, you have a superb squadron and your squadron has a superb leader."
Ashta blushed a little harder. "Does this mean we get a good report?" she asked hopefully.
Corran laughed. "Hey, I'm going to be here longer than today, you know."
Ashta-Mei's comlink beeped. She pulled it out of her flightsuit pocket and clicked it on. "Commander Rlgah here."
"Commander!" Kysal's breathless voice came over the comm clearly. "I just found out that there is a green X-Wing in the hangar bay! Do you know what this means?"
Ashta smiled impishly. "No, what?" An idea was slowly forming in her mind.
"Corran Horn is here! He's early. What are we gonna' do?" Kysal stopped for a breath. "I don't have the welcoming party planned yet!"
"Oh great. Horn's here? I haven't had time to get organized for his arrival. Well, don't let anyone know he's here, and um, forget about the party. Just tell everyone to meet in the mess hall as soon as possible. Got that?" Ashta tried her best to sound panicked, but a bit of amusement bled into her voice. Apparently Kysal didn't notice.
"Yeah, I got it." She was calming down now. "Okay, is that all?"
"No, wait. Someone wants to talk to you." Ashta beckoned Corran over.
Corran took the comm and smiled at Ashta. "Kysal Naydys? Didn't you used to be in CorSec?"
"Yes sir." Kysal sounded confused. Ashta thought it was from the lack of knowledge of who she was speaking with. "Sir?"
"Yes, what is it?"
"You sound an awful lot like Corran Horn, sir." Kysal suddenly sounded suspicious.
"I knew you were one of us! CorSec always did train the best and the brightest." Corran almost laughed as Kysal inhaled sharply.
"Thank you sir. I am honored to be speaking with you sir." Kysal sounded like a star struck teen.
"And I with you." Corran handed the comlink back to Ashta.
"Kysal, forget about assembling the Sabers. They'll all find out soon enough that Master Horn is here." Ashta spoke slowly for the still amazed Kysal. "Commander Rlgah out." She clicked off the comlink before Kysal could respond.
"Forgive Kysal. When we found out you were coming, I assigned her the task of organizing a welcoming party for you. Plus she sort of sees you as a role model. You know, you were both CorSec officers and you were in Rogue Squadron." Ashta grinned. "But if your done with your meal, I'd like to freshen up, if you don't mind."
It was Corran's turn to blush. "Sorry. I'll be on my way, I guess, to report in to whoever serves as head military command here and to get a room of my own."
"Alright. If you need anything just contact me." Ashta gave him her comlink frequency and bid him leave.
Then she sucked her sweaty flightsuit and started a hot shower.
Corran set his pack on his bunk, and then, pulling a clean outfit out of the bag, began to strip off his shirt. A knock sounded on the door. He sighed, and struggling to pull on the clean shirt, strode to the door and opened it. Corran's son, Valin Horn, and a tall young man stood outside, grins on their faces.
"Hey, Dad," Valin said.
Corran smiled, and pulled his son into a backslapping hug and then released him, leaving Valin with a slightly embarrassed look on his face. He turned to the taller man standing behind him.
"Dad, this is Alex Vanner, my roommate." Alex stepped forward awkwardly, and extended his hand.
"I'm honored to meet you, sir," he said. "Valin's been telling me all about you."
Corran took the boy's hand firmly. He glanced at his son, whose face had gone beet-red. "Has he now?" Valin nodded sheepishly. Corran shrugged and looked at Alex. "I'm pleased to meet you, Alex. I look forward to flying with you." Corran stepped aside and allowed them into the small apartment.
"Sir, do you think you could teach me some flying tricks?"
Corran smiled. "Call me Corran."
Alex nodded. "Yes, sir."
Corran shrugged nonchalantly. "A possibility. I'd like to see you fly before I commit to anything."
Alex grinned enthusiastically. "Yes sir!"
* * *
Miah grinned at Dera, who sat across from him next to Jarred in the mess hall. "So, Commander Rlgah wasn't shooting sparks at least. You gonna hold a rematch? I still don't think that last move Kysal made was legal."
Dera sipped on her cup of coffeine. "It was a CorSec move. I'll have to get her to show that one to me." Miah grinned, then stretched his arms behind his head.
"I could take her any day." Dera's cup stopped in mid-motion on the way to her lips.
"Oh really?" The voice came from behind Miah, and the smile faded from his face. He whipped his head around to face a very amused-looking Kysal. "How about a match sometime?" Miah looked around almost frantically.
"You bet," the words slipped from his lips, but they didn't sound at all confident. Jarred and Dera were struggling not to laugh. Kysal shrugged, and stood to her feet.
"You name the time, I'll be there."
Miah opened his mouth, but no words came. He looked at her for a moment, then turned back to the table. "Ah, yeah. I'll get back to you."
Kysal inclined her head. "I'm looking forward to it." With that, she strode away.
Miah sighed and sunk in his seat. "Somehow, I have the very bad feeling
that I'm not going to make it out in one piece."
* * *
Ashta-Mei strapped herself into the X-wing and did a quick pre-flight test. Then she opened the com channel to the other snubfighters. "All units, call in."
"Saber Two, ready to go."
Jaysaan and Kale called in ready.
"Saber four, I've got a go."
"Six, ready and dancing."
"Seven, it all looks good."
"Eight, all checks out."
"Nine. I'm clear."
"Ready."
Ashta frowned. "What was that, Fain?"
"I said, ready."
Ashta switched to Jarred's private com-link frequency. "Ten, you got a problem?" The com was silent. "Ten, answer me!" Ashta let anger seep into her voice.
"No, Commander." The answer was barely audible.
Ashta pressed her lips together tightly. Now was not the time for a cranky attitude and resentment. "Ten, I want you to pack that attitude up and toss it out until we get back. This is our first real flight, and I want it to be a good one. You got that?"
"Affirmative."
"Good." She switched back to the normal frequency. "Continue."
"Saber eleven, ready for takeoff."
"Twelve, awaiting orders."
"Rogue nine, in the green."
Ashta sighed inwardly. This was where it all began. "Sabers, lift off by pairs, form up by flights, and we'll make the jump. Rogue nine, you're with me."
Her com lit up. "As ordered." Corran's voice came through, strong and reassuring.
She smiled wryly. She'd need all the reassurance she could get. Ashta kicked in the repulsorlifts, and as her ship rose gracefully in the air, she glanced around at her squadron. She braced herself for a takeoff less than perfect, but the inevitable wave of disappointment never came. The squadron lifted off without incident, but the form-up was a little sloppy. Have to work on that, Ashta thought, grimacing slightly. She pulled back the stick and saw Corran appear, behind and beneath her. The ground quickly fell away from beneath them as they soared toward the sky. Ashta tightened her hand on the stick as she broke through the atmosphere and entered space. She glanced at the others, then at the com console.
"Tyrant, you got the coordinates ready?" An affirmative bleep sounded from the astromec droid seated behind her, its inner electronics buried in the ship's workings. Ashta flipped the com on.
"All starfighters, make the jump to hyperspace on my mark." he grasped the hyperspace lever firmly. "Mark."
She pulled it and watched the stars around her blur into lines and then into the familiar stripes of hyperspace. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes briefly. When the alarm sounded for the reversion into realspace, Ashta was ready. She smoothly pulled back the lever then reflexively her hand went to the lasers. Hyperspace shattered around her, the stars jumping back into their positions. All that stood before them was a crude training ground that consisted of a few oddly shaped training blocks, and several sheets of tattered durasteel. Nothing fancy, Ashta thought to herself, then smiled. She opened the comm channel.
"Sabers, those asteroids are your target. Wingmen, form up, and get into your flight group. Flight leaders, you're in charge now. Use your flight channels for your flight. We'll run the targets by group. First run, defensive fire only, none from the offensive target. When you're not up for a run, I want you working on your form-ups. The lasers are for targets only, if I catch you using it on a squadmate, it's immediate suspension from your X-wing and sim privileges for a week, with mess duty. You all got that?" A chorus of clicks sounded in Ashta's ear.
"Flight one, on me." She pulled her stick back, and then switched to her flight channel. "Lock S-foils in attack position." She slowed her ship down as the S-foils locked in place. "Flight one, go for the target nearest you. One shot this run. Make it good. Engage."
She allowed the fighter to gain speed, maneuvering it to the closest target. She swooped in, and with a considerable distance from the asteroid, let a paint torpedo fly. She flew a tight semi-circle upward, taking her away from her target, then turned to view her work. Right on cue, the paint torp exploded against the asteroid, leaving a distinct white blotch on the brown surface. She watched the rest of her flight, including Corran, let their markers fly. Corran's hit dead center, and he modestly peeled away from the target. Anakin's and Zana's were much the same. Jaysaan's marker only brushed the asteroid, continuing on past, deflected into a different course, but a second torp immediately following the first, hit dead center. Jaysaan ducked the target, and turned on the other side.
"Three, Lead. You did hear me say one shot?"
Jaysaan's voice came back, sounding apologetic. "Sorry, Lead. Weapons are extra sensitive."
Ashta sighed. "Loosen up, Three."
"It's not me, Commander. It was fine the other day when I tested."
"Alright. Have it checked when we get back. Can you handle it for now?" Ashta knew he could. He'd rather be tortured by a hundred angry Hutts than admit that he couldn't handle something as trivial as a weapons malfunction. He was Corellian.
"Affirmative, Lead."
"Good." Ashta switched to the main squadron channel. "Flight two, you're up for run. Two Lead, you know the drill."
"Right, Commander."
"One flight, let's make a four second jump from here, and we'll get some form flying. What do you say, Rogue nine?"
"Right after you."
Ashta grinned.
Kale Messin switched on his comm. "Flight Two, form up on me." He smiled as the other three X-Wings of his flight fell in behind him. He didn't know why the Commander thought they needed to work on their formations. From what he could tell, they were doing well for a new squadron.
Kale pushed his flight stick forward and let his X-Wing drop into a neat dive. He glanced at his sensor board and saw three blips behind him doing the same. He thumbed his weapons selector over to the paint torpedoes and instructed his flight to do the same.
"We'll be using paint torps on this run. Remember, only one shot a piece." He got a chorus of affirmatives. "Eight, take the lead."
"Acknowledged." Miah sounded a little surprised by Kale's sudden decision, as was Kale himself.
Kale slowed his X-Wing, letting Miah shoot out in front of him, then dropped into position behind Valin. He suddenly wondered about the wisdom of letting Miah take over when the new leader increased his speed and arced up. The flight followed in neat formation, never faltering in the face of this new approach to the attack. Kale glanced down at his sensors again and saw the reason for the sudden upward arc. Eight's systems were showing mass maneuverability failures. He opened a personal comm channel with Miah.
"Eight, what's wrong with your X-Wing?"
"I, I'm not sure." Miah's anxious voice sounded from the comm. "My stick won't budge. Wait, there it goes." A pause, then, "I'm okay now."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes Five."
"Then let's continue with our exercise."
The flight group leveled off and made their run against the asteroid. Paint torps shot away from each of the X-Wings as soon as they got their target locks. All but one, Kysal's, hit dead on.
"Nicely done, Two Flight." Kale congratulated his flight and resumed his position at the head of the group. "Let's head to the outer edge of the system and practice formations."
Switching comm frequencies, he contacted Flight Three's leader. "Nine, we are clear from the firing zone. Feel free to make your run."
"Thank you for giving me permission, Five." There was a momentary pause. Kale assumed Dera was contacting her flight. "We're going in. Nine out."
Kale shut off his comm and led his flight toward the outer fringes of the system, all the while wondering about Miah's X-Wing' failure to respond to maneuvering.
Dera Donos switched her comm over to Flight Three's frequency. "Three Flight, we are clear to make our run on the asteroid. Paint torps only, one shot per person. Make 'em count."
"Acknowledged." Ten sounded less arrogant than usual. Dera thought she even detected a hint of irritation in Jarred's voice. She switched over to his private comm frequency.
"Ten, is there a problem?" Dera sent her X-Wing into a gentle dive, and her wing followed suit quickly. "Ten?"
"No, no problem Nine." Jarred sounded confused now.
"Ten," Dera said harshly. "If you have a problem I need to know about it."
"Just a sensor malfunction. It's nothing to worry about." Jarred's voice was under control now. "It's nothing, really."
"Alright." Dera cut the comm and sighed to herself. She worried about Jarred sometimes. She had the unsettling feeling that in the middle of an exercise Jarred's X-Wing would malfunction and he would do just as he had now, and his false confidence would be his fatal mistake. She hoped it wouldn't come down to that.
Dera shook away her worries and focused on her exercise again. Her flight was nearing the asteroid, so she switched her weapons over to her paint torpedoes and armed one. She glanced at her sensors to make sure her flight was still tucked in behind her, then targeted the large chunk of rock hanging in space. As soon as she got a solid tone from her astromec, she fired her paint torpedo and watched its blue trail. It smashed into the asteroid, but didn't detonate. She pulled up and headed toward the outer edge of the system. The other three X-Wings in her flight fired their torps, all of them hitting the asteroid and detonating.
"Three flight, continue on your flight vector and throttle down to half speed. My paint torpedo didn't detonate. I'm going in for another shot. Hopefully this one will detonate."
Dera pulled her X-Wing around and headed to the asteroid for a second run. She rose to her previous approach vector and lined up for a pass. She armed a paint torpedo and waited for a target lock. Her astromec started beeping as it tried to acquire a target lock, and soon gave the constant tone. Dera fired. The paint torp streaked away from her starfighter. She smiled, sure her torp would detonate against the asteroid. It didn't.
"Sith spit!" she exclaimed aloud. "I have definitely got a problem."
Dera ruddered her X-Wing around to trail her flight, which she could just barely see in the distance. She kicked her fighter up to full throttle.
"Three Flight, I'm on my way back."
"What'sa'matter?" Alex asked. "Did it not detonate?"
"No. I'm not even sure my X-Wing armed them." A light on Dera's comm board flashed. It was Kale's personal comm frequency. She quickly put him on.
"Nine here."
"Five, Nine." Kale's voice was tense. "Has anyone in your flight had any system failures?"
Dera was surprised. "Yeah, we have. Twice my paint torps failed to detonate. You?"
"Yes. Mia-I mean Eight had temporary maneuverability failure." His tone become thoughtful. "I wonder if anyone in One Flight had any trouble."
"Call and find out," Dera suggested. A double click sounded across her comm, then the comm clicked off.
"All right Three Flight," she said, switching back to her flight's frequency. "Let's join the other flights for formation practice."
Several hours later, Ashta-Mei Rlgah climbed out of her parked X-Wing's cockpit. She pulled off her helmet and tossed it onto the pilot's couch, letting her hair fall free down her back. She walked to the nose of her fighter and fell into a crouch. She closed her eyes and let the too-long dormant Force flow through her. It refreshed her, feeling like a light wind against her sweaty face. She directed the flow of the Force to those around her, gauging her pilots reactions to the day's exercise. She was surprised to sense everything from disappointment to anger to a certain sly attitude from one of the Sabers. She wondered who the sly one was, and what they had done or were going to do, but decided to leave the person anonymous for the time. Ashta glanced down and saw Kysal below her, fists posted on her hips.
"Commander, we need to talk."
The seriousness in Naydys's voice surprised Ashta. She jumped down off the fighter and landed lightly on the hangar bay floor. "Yes Flight Officer Naydys?" Ashta infected a note of superiority into her voice to counter the familiarity in Kysal's stance and attitude.
"Commander, I have talked to several of my squadmates and we all agree that our X-Wings should be examined periodically before and after missions and exercises."
"The mechanics aren't doing a good job?" Ashta wondered what this was leading to. "If they aren't, log a complaint with the chief mechanic, not me."
Kysal nodded curtly. "Whatever you say Rlgah."
Ashta canted her head and watched Naydys stalk off. The former CorSec officer had come very close to insubordination. "What just happened?" she said to herself.
"I think Kysal is angry."
Ashta jumped as a voice sounded near her ear. She whirled and glared at Zana.
"Do you have to sneak up on me?" Ashta asked irritably.
Zana grinned. "I don't have to, but I do anyways."
"As for Kysal, why is she angry?"
"She talked with some of the other Sabers and found out that many of their X-Wings had minor system failures. I think Kysal was trying to tell you about them."
"It didn't sound like it." Ashta sighed. She needed to spend a little more time around her squadron. She still didn't know how some of them would react to comments.
"You know, you need to write Kysal up for minor insubordination. Give her a small punishment or she will get worse."
Ashta nodded slowly. "Yeah, but I should have listened to her instead of being sarcastic. I knew she was being serious." Ashta shook her head. "I'll have to watch Kysal. She's something of a rogue."
Zana glanced at her chronometer, brushing a tendril of hair out of her face so she could see it. "Want to go get something to eat?" Zana asked, changing the subject. "I'm starved."
Ashta rolled her eyes. "Now I know why I'm a commander and you're not. You always dodge important subjects."
Zana gave her an annoying grin and started out of the bay.
Kysal stormed out of the hangar bay. She yanked off her gloves and angrily tucked them into the pocket of her jacket. She headed to the nearest mess hall. On arrival, she found an empty, secluded table and sat down. She pulled off her jacket and laid it on the table in front of her. A waiter droid saw her and rolled over to her.
"May I help you?" its squeaky voice asked.
"Corellian whiskey."
The droid rolled off to get her drink. Kysal let her head fall onto her jacket. Her anger slowly bled off, most of it turning to worry. The Commander might not be concerned over the squadron's X-Wings, but Kysal was. If system failures like the ones they had experienced today were to happen in a real battle, they would be dead in a heart beat.
The droid rolled back over to her and set a mug on the table. It extended a glass bottle of whiskey, popped the cork off, then poured the whiskey into the mug. It set the bottle down and rolled off to tend to other customers.
Kysal closed her eyes, but quickly opened them when another mug clinked down beside hers. She looked up and saw Corran Horn. She gave a feeble attempt at a salute from her position.
"Sir," she said, staring up at him. "Can I help you?"
Corran smiled. "Yes you can." He gestured to his mug.
Kysal gripped he bottle's neck and poured whiskey into his glass. A fair amount dripped down the sides to puddle on the table.
"Sorry sir," she said tiredly. Today's exercise had taken more out of her than she had thought. "It's hard to aim when you have your head is down this low."
Corran laughed. "I bet." He slid into the seat next to Kysal's. "So what did you think of the exercise?"
Kysal looked up at him. "I would tell you if I knew what happened to our X-Wings. Nothing happened to mine, but it doesn't take a CorSec officer to figure out something was definitely wrong."
Corran nodded. "Have you talked to Commander Rlgah about it?"
"Rlgah? You think she would listen to me?" Kysal vigorously shook her head, bumping it several times on the table. "No, she sees me as an insolent Corellian. Besides, when I tried to bring up the subject, she just told me to tell the mechanic."
Corran's expression turned thoughtful. "What kind of problems were the Sabers having?"
"Well, Jaysaan's fighter fired off two paint torps instead of one. Valin reported his targeting mechanisms were down. How he hit the asteroid I don't know." Kysal chewed on a finger nail. "Miah's maneuvering jets and his flight stick jammed for a while. Dera's paint torps didn't arm and detonate. I haven't heard anything else, but that doesn't mean there weren't anymore incidents."
Corran nodded thoughtfully and thought back to his days with Rogue Squadron. He couldn't remember anything like that happening to the Rogues, although he could associate that kind of failure with the Wraiths. The Wraiths had been a group of pilots who had been chosen by Wedge Antilles not just for their skills, but to give them a second chance. Each pilot's flying career had basically been down a black hole, but Wedge saw their skill and brought them together. Some of the pilots had been guilty of pranks such as these.
"When I'm done with my drink, I'm going back down to the hangar later to check out my X-Wing," Kysal said, finally sitting up. "I don't feel inclined to trust the mechanics with my life more than I have."
Kysal picked up her drink and lifted it to her lips. But it stopped there as a siren wailed out across the ship. She hurriedly took a drink and set it back down on the table, then jumped up and grabbed her jacket and gloves. She pulled them on as she ran out of the mess hall. Corran, trailing her by a few feet, was doing the same. They raced to the hangar, arriving in under a minute. Each of the former CorSec officers ran to their own X-Wings. Kysal climbed into hers, glancing around to see all the other Sabers doing the same. She slid into the cockpit and secured her safety harness, then started the power-up sequence. Her weapons, shields, landing gear, etc. all cycled green, so she flipped on her comm. Before calling in, she went through the preflight checklist.
"Sabers, call in when you have done your pre-flights." The Commander sounded unusually tense.
"Saber Six, ready to fly." Kysal quickly reported in.
"Rogue Nine, in the green and ready." Corran's voice confidently reported in over the comm.
The rest of the Saber's reported in. Kysal was surprised to hear Jarred call in on time for once. The Commander's voice crackled over the comm.
"Sabers, launch by wing on my command."
A burst of static crackled over the comm, the tell tale sign of the Commander switching frequency. Kysal waited impatiently, if somewhat nervously. She flipped her comm over to the squadron's frequency.
"Anyone know what's going on?"
A click, then, "I was in the pilot's lounge when the alarm rang. I saw some ships exit hyperspace." Kysal matched the voice to Ayen Seltar. "I s'pose they're the reason we're out here."
"Yeah," Kysal growled. "Whoever they are, they are gonna' pay. I had to leave a nearly full drink behind."
Someone laughed.
Again there was a burst of static. "Alright Sabers. We have hostiles entering the system. Launch and form up into wings. Horn, you're with Three Flight."
The Commander suited words to action and lifted off. Her wing followed suit. As soon as they were clear, Two Flight lifted off, followed by Three Flight. When all the X-Wings were out of the hangar, the Commander again contacted her squadron.
"Sabers, this our first call to action. I know it may seem early, but circumstances dictate the length of training. Right now circumstances dictate we protect our skyhook and Coruscant." There was a slight pause. "I have neglected to run you in simms against the Yuuzhan Vong, which is who we are facing now. They have technology that is a huge contrast to ours. I know you have all heard of them and their taste for destruction.
"Today we must work as a unit, learning from one another, helping one another, and fighting as the team we have strived to be." She paused, then her tone changed.
"Time to get to work. Come around to a vector of six-nine-two-oh-two-five. Run at half speed and lock S-foils into attack position." A pause, then, "May the Force be with you all."
All of the X-Wings came about to their new vector, and for a time, there was silence. Each pilot wondering about the outcome of their first battle, hoping they would be numbered among the living when it ended. Much fear was inspired by the knowledge of their enemy, for all had heard of their sometimes awesome power. But determination also surfaced. Each Saber knew they would fight to the best of their ability and hoped their best was enough.
"Break into flights. Watch out for their gravity wells." The Commander's voice again came over the comm. "Time to engagement, two minutes."
The two minutes passed quickly, and then the Vong were on them. There were swarms of coral skippers and two corvette sized ships. The ships looked pockmarked and, in some places, swollen. Kysal assumed they were weapons emplacements and dovin basals. She surveyed them with a detached sense, almost as if she weren't about to engage them.
"Six! Break hard to port!"
Kysal wrenched her stick to the left and stomped on her rudder pedal, swinging her aft around until she had almost reversed from her previous position. A volley of greenish-red blobs shot past her.
"What in the galaxy were those?"
The Commander's voice came over the comm, cool as usual. "One of their weapons. They eat through metal sometimes, so be careful."
Kysal was suddenly in the midst of a swarm of the coral skippers, Kale close on her tail. She dove and rolled, trying to shake a skip trailing her. The skip imitated her maneuver though and fired more of the blob missiles. Kysal rolled to starboard to avoid them, but one made it through her shields and hit the nose of her X-Wing. It immediately started to eat away at the metal. Kysal accelerated hard, then abruptly cut her speed down to a stop. The blob flew off the nose and hit the inside of her shields. It was instantly fried.
An explosion directly in front of her caught Kysal's attention. The coral skip that had been trailing her had overshot her because of her maneuver. It had drifted right into Kale's waiting laser sights. Kysal dialed her speed back up and shot back into the main fray. Kale again fell back to trail her. Kysal targeted a skip and started cycling fire at it. To her amazement, the laser beams were sucked into the nothingness of the miniature black holes. Dovin basals. I never quite believed they could do that, but I do now. She swept her targeting brackets back and forth over the skip, firing continuously. Another stream of laser fire joined hers as Kale pulled his X-Wing slightly above hers and started firing. Their combined fire was too much for the dovin basal and shots stared getting through. The skip suddenly exploded in a huge ball of flame.
Kysal shifted her shields forward and flew through the fire ball. As she emerged, bright flashes of energy splashed against her shields.
"What are you doing, Eleven?" Kysal shouted as her IFF identified the X-Wing firing on her as Alex.
A muttered curse, then, "Sorry Six. My targeting computer is scrambled." Eleven's X-Wing changed course and headed away from Kysal.
She switched to Kale's private frequency as Alex headed back into the fight, lasers blazing. "Kale," she said, "watch out for Eleven. I'm not sure what's up with him, but something is. He fired on me, claiming his targeting computer was fried."
"But he's engaged with a skip right now. How can his computer be out if he's getting off shots like that?" Kale finished just as a chunk of the skip Eleven was firing on busted off. Atmosphere jetted out, followed by the still living pilot. As Kysal watched, the pilot became still.
"I don't know, but just watch him. Right now we have a fight to win."
Kysal dove into the thickest part of the battle, firing as soon as she acquired targets. Many of her shots were sucked into the dovin basals' miniature black holes, but some connected with the coral skippers' hulls. When they did, chips of coral spewed off into space. For the most part though, no real harm was done. Kysal rolled to port and headed back toward clearer space, but before she was clear of the battle zone a skip had adhered to her tail. She juked and rolled, making it harder for the skip to target her, but it got off several shots anyway. Kysal pulled her X-Wing into a series of vicious maneuvers to avoid the projectiles the coral skipper fired at her. She glanced down at her sensor board. It showed Kale falling in behind the skip. Kysal dove and ruddered her X-Wing around to face the oncoming skip, throwing her X-Wing into full reverse. Kale opened fire on the skip, as did Kysal. The dovin basal could not intercept shots from both of the X-Wings, so it concentrated on Kale's lasers. It was a fatal mistake. Even though the skip began evasive maneuvers, Kysal's shots chewed through the skip's hull and into the interior. The skip did not go out in a blaze of glory, as Kysal was sure the now dead pilot would have preferred, but instead was propelled off on some unknown course into space.
"Nice maneuver Six! That was great," Kale's excited voice came over the comm. "Let's do it again."
"Negative." The Commander's stern voice broke over the comm. "Reinforcements have arrived. Come around to a course of oh-six-two-one and head back towards the planet. We are to prevent any skips from entering Coruscant's atmosphere."
"Acknowledged." Horn's voice. "Coming around."
All of the X-Wings, except for two who were still trying to shake skips, headed out of the battle. The X-Wings led the two trailing skips toward the rest of the squadron, which quickly dispatched of them. The squadron split off into three flights at the Commander's orders, each flight being assigned a section of space to patrol.
Time passed quickly for Kysal. She kept track of the two Star Destroyers and the mass of fighters they deployed that had arrived. She watched as blips disappeared off of her sensors, both enemy and ally fighters. Kysal wished she could be out there fighting with them. She had always hated waiting around for a fight to come to her. She preferred bring the fight to the enemy. That way she could always have the upper hand. That is why the New Republic is in such trouble. Instead of taking the offensive, they prepare elaborate defenses but never make the enemy fight on their chosen battle field. Kysal shook her head.
"Fighters incoming, Two Flight." Kale had taken the lead again and sighted four incoming coral skippers. "Break by pairs, but watch your back along with the backs of the whole flight."
Kysal and Kale broke away from the group, diving directly into the path of the skips. Two shied towards Seven and Eight. They immediately engaged the skips. Kale and Kysal were left to take on the next two skips. Kale rolled to port, Kysal to starboard, then both looped around to fly parallel with the two skips. The skips jetted away from each other to engage the X-Wings.
Kysal unloaded a volley of laser bolt into the dovin basal of the approaching skip. Several shots got through as Kysal shifted her aim, but none did serious damage to the skip. She armed two proton torpedoes, still firing her lasers. She had to go evasive before she had a chance to shoot them. The skip began firing projectiles at her, along with laser-like weapons. Kysal suddenly pulled up into a sharp loop that would have her behind the skip in seconds. The skip wasn't able to follow her, so it dove. Kysal smiled grimly at the skip's mistake. She easily followed it through the dive and came up on its tail. She began firing her lasers again, then when the dovin basal's attention was as far left as it would go, she fired a proton torpedo into the right side of the skip. It punched through and detonated in the cockpit of the skip. Flaming debris exploded out in all directions. Kysal pulled power from her lasers to reinforce her shields as she flew through the shrapnel, then evened it out again.
"Great shot Six," Seven exclaimed over the comm.
"Same to you, Seven," Kysal responded to his only kill a few moments before. "Let's take care of the rest of the skips. I still have a drink waiting for me."
A proximity alarm went off in Kysal's cockpit. She glanced down at her control panel. A skip had a target lock on her. She checked her sensors to find its location and found it coming up right on her. She began a quick series of twists to lose it, but it stayed with her. She rolled to port then spiraled down. Unfortunately, her maneuver was a little too predictable. As she pulled out of it a projectile slammed into the side of her X-Wing. It immediately began eating away at her hull.
It's too close to my cockpit. It will chew through the lower part of it also. Kysal was thrown to the side of her cockpit as another projectile hit. Alarms blared out in her cockpit. She quickly killed them and checked her status board. She had no shields, her maneuverability was cut in half, and she was quickly loosing fuel. But for another ten minutes she still had power. An explosion lit up the space nearby and the skip was gone. An X-Wing accelerated away from the fireball.
"Two Flight, Six. I'm in bad shape. I have to get out of the fray," Kysal regretfully informed them.
"I copy, Six," Kale said. "Seven, escort Six to clearer space then get back here. Go!"
"We're gone." Valin peeled away from his engagement and vectored toward Kysal. He pulled along side her and grimaced. Kysal saw his look and was suddenly very worried.
"Six, that thing that hit you is eating into your cockpit transparisteel. I think you only have a minute or two before it gets through."
"Let's get out of here before then." Dread filled the pit of her belly. She knew she would be very lucky to get out of this alive.
But her luck held. Only one skip engaged them and the pair was able to destroy it before it could do any serious damage. Valin took her to the outer edge of the battle then quickly turned his X-Wing around.
"Sorry to leave you out here, but I've gotta' get back to the flight." Valin's voice held regret, but he was eager to return to the battle.
"I would say good luck, but you Jedi don't believe in luck."
"That's why you say 'May the Force be with you.'"
"Okay then, may the Force be with you and everyone else out there. And while I'm at it, may the Force be with me too!" Kysal smiled at Valin's silent laughter, then he was gone. Kysal settled into her seat for a wait. The silence was unsettling.
An unreasonably loud alarm blared out. Kysal checked the control panel and found that there was a cockpit breach. So it finally chewed through. Kysal activated her emergency Magcom field. The bubble of atmosphere would give her air, but it would do little to keep out the cold of deep space. Kysal quickly flipped on her comm and tuned it to one of the many New Republic frequencies.
"Hey, I could use some help out here if anyone is listening. My X-Wing will soon be inoperable and my cockpit canopy has been breached." Kysal waited expectantly for an answer, but after several minutes she began to lose hope. Her cockpit was beginning to get awful cold, and her flightsuit didn't offer much warmth. She slowed her X-Wing to a halt just as her fuel ran out. A light started flashing then died, as did the rest of her fuel powered instruments. Fortunately, a backup battery powered the Magcom field surrounding her.
The chill in her cockpit penetrated her flightsuit. Soon she was shivering violently, rubbing her hands on her arms to try to warm them. It was little help though. Kysal leaned back in her seat and tried to relax. As her body grew colder, she started to feel drowsy.
"I can't let myself fall asleep," Kysal told herself. "I can't."
Kysal struggled to keep her eyes open and her mind alert. She watched the flashes of light from the battle. For a short time, they held her attention. Soon though, they became mesmerizing and her eyes lost their focus. Her eyelids fluttered shut and suddenly the cold wasn't so cold anymore. Kysal's world faded into blackness.
* * *
Ashta-Mei Rlgah sat tensely in her X-Wing cruising back towards the planet after her last engagement with a particularly tough skip. Anakin was on her wing. She was worried about him. He didn't seem to be fighting his best and Ashta couldn't figure out why. She would have to ask him about it later. She would also have to get back to Kysal. She hadn't been very receptive to Kysal's comments earlier that day.
Ashta examined her sensor board and grimaced. Well, maybe I won't be able to get back to Kysal. The blue dot that normally represented Kysal's X-Wing was gone. Ashta shook her head. Kysal was one of her best pilots.
As she watched, another X-Wing, then another disappeared from the sensors. Ashta pounded her fist onto her control panel.
"They weren't ready to fight! They didn't have enough time!"
"Hey," a soft voice came over the comm. "It's okay."
Ashta's head jerked up. She hadn't realized her comm was still on. She checked it and saw that it was broadcasting only to her wingman. She breathed a sigh of relief. Her squadron didn't need to hear her say anything like that.
"No, it's not. I've lost three pilots in our first engagement." Her voice was lower, more hard, than she wanted it to be. "That is not what I call okay."
"You don't know how many of them are EV. It could be all of them, it could be none." Anakin's voice was intense. "You just don't know. Don't punish yourself yet."
Ashta sighed and forced herself to calm down. She let his words run through her head for a few moments. For the first time in a long while, she reached out and let the Force flow through her. She reached out to her pilots, searching for grief and sorrow, both tell-tale signs of death or injury. Two of the pilots she touched were filled with worry, one with relief. Ashta released her hold on the Force.
"You're right. I'm sorry." Ashta let her head fall back in fatigue. It had been twenty-four hours at least since she had had any sleep, and the lack of it was getting to her.
Ashta's comm light blinked on the command frequency. She flipped it on. "Commander Rlgah?"
"Yes?" Ashta didn't recognize the voice that sounded from the comm.
"The Yuuzhan Vong force is retreating. Your squadron will do a final sweep on the trailing ships then return to your base." The male voice was strong and deep, very commanding. "Understood?"
"Yes sir." Ashta disengaged her comm and changed to her squadron's frequency.
"Sabers, listen up." She lightened her voice for her squadron's benefit. "We are going to mop up the trailing skips. Get as many as you can, as fast as you can. Let's go."
Ashta pulled her X-Wing around toward the retreating force. She let the Sabers catch up to her, then increased her speed to one hundred percent. The Saber's quickly caught up to the fleeing skips and engaged them. There were roughly three to four skips for every pair of X-Wings, and Ashta hoped her squadron could handle them.
"Two, Solo Split," Ashta said over the comm. The pair broke and spiraled away from each other at very high speeds, taking potshots at any skip they could target. The shots were meant to distract the dovin basals of any currently engaged skips, hopefully letting fatal shots of the engaging X-Wings get through. At nearly the same moment, the two X-Wings made sharp reverses and were heading back towards each other in the space of two seconds. Each X-Wing laid covering fire for the other, often targeting the same skip as it crossed their path. As they converged, each pilot targeted the same skip and poured laser fire into it. The unfortunate skip exploded into a huge ball of superheated coral and air. The pair fell back into wingman formation with Ashta in the lead.
"Pull out. Head back to your base, Sabers," the male voice again came over the comm.
None of the Sabers broke off until Ashta confirmed the orders. She was secretly pleased at their unwillingness to obey any orders but hers, yet knew it would eventually get them into trouble. Ashta led the X-Wings back to the base. While in transit, she made a call to one of the Star Destroyers above.
"This is Saber Leader calling New Hope."
"Saber Leader, this is New Hope."
"I have three pilots either EV or destroyed. Can you pick them up?"
"We're on it, Saber Leader."
"Thanks." Ashta sighed in relief. She would know soon which were dead and which were only injured. "Saber Leader out."
Soon the squadron was approaching Coruscant's atmosphere. In almost perfect unison, the X-Wings around her locked their S-foils into cruise position for entry into the atmosphere. Ashta smiled. She reinforced her shields and her navicomputer guided her down towards their skyhook. She keyed on her comm.
"Three Flight lands first, followed by Two Flight. Flight One will land last."
"As ordered, Commander," Dera's tired voice acknowledged.
"Understood." Kale's voice was tight, and Ashta wondered whether he had been one of the worried pilots she had touched earlier.
Her squadron followed her orders, and soon the nine X-Wings were settled down safely on the hangar floor. Ashta powered down her X-Wing, then sat back in her seat. She put her head down on her control panel and closed her eyes. Before Ashta knew it, someone was shaking her shoulder, trying to rouse her from the sleep she didn't realize she had fallen into.
"Commander, Commander! Get up!"
Ashta threw her arms over her head and mumbled, "Go away, I'm trying to sleep."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah." The insistent voice wouldn't leave her alone. "Come on. An X-Wing control panel isn't the best place to fall asleep."
Ashta grumbled ascent, but didn't move. A strong hand closed on her flightsuit neck and pulled her up out of her seat. Suddenly Ashta was awake.
"Okay, okay! I'm up!" Ashta grabbed the edge of her seat when the hand didn't let her go. "Leg� go!"
The hand let her go and she scrambled to keep her balance. Ashta climbed out of her cockpit and glared at the perpetrator. Jaysaan Aarymer grinned at Ashta, who glared back.
"You know who's gonna' have kitchen duty for the next year or so, don't you." Ashta smiled impishly at the shock on Jaysaan's face.
"You'll change your mind once you hear what I have to say." Jaysaan jumped down from Ashta's X-Wing to land softly on the floor. He unzipped his flight suit down to his navel, but didn't pull his arms out of the sleeves. His thin shirt underneath was soaked with sweat and clung to him like a second skin. "Not a one of the Saber's was killed today!"
"You woke me up to tell me that? I could have told you that." Ashta joked lightly with Jaysaan, but inside she was rejoicing. "No one in my squadron dies without my permission."
Jaysaan laughed. "I almost forgot. Well, I'm off to the showers, then to the mess hall. I'm starved."
"Your lucky. You get to sit around and enjoy yourself now. I have to go write a report." Ashta waved him off. "Go on, get out of here."
Jaysaan smiled sympathetically. "Good luck." Then he was gone.
Ashta threw her helmet into her cockpit then slid down the side of her X-Wing. She retreated from the noise and bustle of the hangar, fleeing to her quarters. Once inside, she pulled off her soaked flightsuit and her clothes underneath that, then stepped into a hot shower. She felt her muscles relax as warm water ran over her. She washed her sweat soaked hair, then scrubbed herself from head to toe.
A knock sounded from the direction of her door. She quickly shut off the water and dried her body off on a clean towel. She pulled on some clothes, then went to answer her door, toweling her hair on the way. She pulled the door open and found several of her pilots waiting. Her sister was standing in the front of the group. Zana snatched the towel out of Ashta's hand and threw it back into the room. Miah Kassin and Jaysaan Aarymer grabbed Ashta's arms, pulling her out of the doorway and into the hall. Zana shoved the door shut and started pushing Ashta down the hall toward the mess hall.
"No, no. I have work to do." Ashta tried to pull her arms out of their grips, but Miah and Jaysaan wouldn�t let go. Ashta planted her feet on the floor and refused to move them. She had to though when Zana pushed her, otherwise she would have fallen face first onto the floor. She sighed and let the trio steer her down the halls, wishing all the way that she could just go to bed.
Valin, Kale, Alex looked up from their conversation at the bar when Commander Rlgah was shoved into the mess hall. Several others glanced up, curious as to why Ashta, hair wet and tousled, had been pulled into the mess hall by three other pilots in nearly the same shape. Valin laughed and waved a hand to get their attention.
"Hey, over here," he called. "We have a coupla' open seats."
Zana spoke a few words to her two accomplices, then they proceeded to nearly drag Ashta over to the bar. She was shoved roughly into a seat and a drink was ordered for her.
"Drink it," her sister ordered. "Now."
Ashta rolled her eyes and obligingly took a drink. She forced herself to swallow, then glared up at Zana. "What is this?"
"Strong."
"You know what I meant."
"Oh, just something I had the bartender brew for me." Zana grinned and left the bar. She went over to Anakin, who was sitting alone at a far table.
Ashta pushed the drink away and ordered something a little tamer.
Valin laughed at Ashta, grabbing the drink and taking a big gulp. His face contorted and he jumped up from his seat, running to the 'fresher connected to the mess hall. Ashta burst out laughing. Moments later, Valin returned, grinning from ear to ear.
"Guess I should have taken a smaller drink first." Valin didn't sit down again. Instead, a mischievous smile blossomed on his face. His foot snaked out and hooked one of the legs of Ashta's stool.
"Don't you even think-" Ashta was cut off when Valin yanked his leg back and sent the stool and Ashta crashing to the floor. Valin saw the look on Ashta's face and took off running across the mess hall. Other beings jumped out of his way as he charged away from the Commander.
"You are so dead!" Ashta picked herself up from the pile of splintered wood and chased after the running pilot. The two Sabers she left behind and several others laughed at the odd scene. The chase continued for another five minutes until Valin ended up cornered by the far wall. A feral smile was etched onto Ashta's face as she approached him. Valin held up his hands in mock surrender.
"I give up. Don't hurt me." He mock pleaded with Ashta.
"I don't know, you made me look ridiculous. I don't appreciate being made to look ridiculous." Ashta pulled out her blaster and pointed it threateningly at Valin. She glanced down to make sure the safety was on. It was.
"Shoot me, just shoot me and get it over with!" he pleaded.
Ashta smiled. "I think I just might." She sighted his chest then pulled the trigger.
Valin rocked back, then slid down to the floor, as if in death. Then he smiled and said, "You got me."
Dera looked up as Commander Rlgah was escorted into the mess hall/gathering hall by three of the other squadron members. One was her sister, Zana, another was Miah, and the third was Jaysaan. The Commander's hair was wet and tousled. She looked as if she had just gotten out of the shower.
Dera stood up and wound her way through the maze of tables to catch up with Rlgah. They needed to talk about the battle with the Yuuzhan Vong. And it wasn't going to be a pleasant talk either. The Commander had neglected to have them run simms against the Vong, and as a result, Jarred had gotten hurt. Badly.
"I'll be back in a minute," she told the other Sabers she had been sitting with. Dera headed purposefully toward the bar, where the Commander was now seated.
There was a stool open next to Rlgah, but before she could take a seat, chaos erupted. Valin pulled the stool out from under Rlgah. She toppled to the floor amidst the wreckage of the stool, then leapt up and started after the now running Valin. Dera posted her hands on her hips and glared at Rlgah as she dodged people and tables, trying to catch up to Valin. The chase lasted about five minutes and ended up with Valin cornered against a wall. Dera couldn't see what happened after that due to the nearby Sabers gathering around the duo, but soon the two emerged. Both were smiling and laughing, along with other patrons of the mess hall.
Dera finally caught up with Rlgah as she headed back towards the bar. "Commander," she said quietly, forcing her anger back. "I think we need to talk."
Rlgah looked at her strangely, as if gauging her somehow, then nodded. "I take it this should be in private?"
Dera nodded sharply. "Yes it does."
Again that look. "Very well." She glanced around the mess hall. "Follow me."
Several minutes later, Ashta-Mei was seated behind her desk. She gazed at Dera Donos, who was seated facing her. Ashta stretched out with the Force and touched Dera's mind. The anger directed at Ashta was like a slap in the face. She tried to keep her dismay from showing. What had she done to deserve anger like this?
"What did you want to talk to me about?"
"I wanted to discuss several aspects of our training that have not been sufficiently covered and the reasons for the lack of training in those areas. As well as the results of that lack of training." Dera's voice was cool and calm, totally in control.
Ashta's eyes widened minutely in surprise. She had never heard Dera speak quite like this before. "There are many things we may not have covered yet. After all, we are just now entering our third week of training."
"But this is something, in my opinion, that should have been covered in simulations since the beginning of our training." Dera's gaze was cold. "I believe there are also others who share my opinion as well."
This had to be something about the simm battles that they had been practicing in. "I know we have not covered near the areas we need to with the simms, but again, this is only the beginning of our third week of training." Ashta again touched Dera's mind. Indeed, it was something about the simms that was behind her anger. "If there is something you think we should practice on that we haven't, just tell me and I will make sure we do practice on it."
Dera closed her eyes for a moments. "Never mind about that! I want to know why we haven't had any simms against the Vong!" Ashta winced as Dera suddenly lost control. She slammed her hands on the desk, coming up out of her chair. "They are our main enemy right now and you have neglected us even one simm run against them. I think that is a gross oversight on your part. One which caused the injury and maybe even death of several people."
"Why?" Dera's voice had suddenly become silent and deadly.
For a split second, Ashta was taken off guard. This had not been what she had been expecting at all. And Dera might be right. But Ashta couldn't let the threat in Dera's voice go unanswered. She narrowed her eyes and glared back at Dera.
"Flight Officer Donos," Ashta said with military preciseness. She rose to her feet and stared coldly down at the shorter Dera. Reluctantly, Dera straightened up, her feet together and her hands down at her sides. But she couldn't keep her anger from showing on her face. Undoubtedly, she knows how right she is.
Ashta injected a frigid note into her voice. "Flight Officer Donos. You will not speak to me in that tone of voice. I am your Commander as well as superior officer." She let her voice return to normal. Or at least as normal as it would go. "However, I believe you are correct. It is something I should have done even though I had no knowledge that you would be sent into action this early on in your training. As of tomorrow, we will be training in simms against the Vong. Dismissed."
Dera gave a bit off attempt at a salute, then turned and quickly headed for the door.
"I'm sorry about Fain." Ashta said softly to the retreating form.
Dera paused, the said, "Me too." She disappeared into the hallway.
Half an hour later, after she had logged a request to get a simm against the Vong, Ashta made her way back to the mess hall. She needed something to drink. Dera's concerns were valid, but Ashta feared Dera was concerned for all the wrong reasons. Dera was worried about Jarred, that much was for sure. Ashta was fairly certain that Dera had not been thinking about simms against the Vong before the attack had happened.
Suddenly, another mind touched hers. The mind of someone she had been missing badly for a long time. Ashta turned around to see her husband, Sktash Rlgah, striding towards her. He had a smile etched onto his face. Ashta smiled back at him, her troubles suddenly forgotten as Sktash enfolded her in a huge hug. He kissed her on the cheek then released her.
"How are you doing with your new squadron?" he asked. "You seemed troubled when I saw you."
Ashta shrugged unhappily. "I don't know. Training a squadron is nothing at all like I thought it would be. It seems that there are more problems than anything else."
"Things will get better. It looks like you have a pretty good group of people here." Sktash slipped an arm around her waist. "What you need is a drink to cheer you up."
Ashta smiled. "Yeah," she agreed. "A drink would probably do just that. As long as you're buying."
Sktash laughed and steered her towards the bar. "All right then, I'm buying."
Valin took a seat at the bar again, this time next to Alex. The broken stool was gone, but a bill on the bar in his name replaced it. Valin groaned and pocketed the bill, then ordered a drink.
"Who's he?" Alex asked.
"Commander's husband. Sktash."
"Is he a Jedi?"
"Yeah." Valin answered. He didn't like the way Alex was eyeing Sktash. Valin closed his eyes and reached out with the Force to touch Alex. At first he felt nothing out of the usual. As he concentrated though, he found that Alex was missing some of the feelings that Valin thought he should have had. There was almost no sense of comradeship for his fellow pilots. Valin did sense a genuine feeling of friendship directed toward himself, though. He also felt an underlying sense of subtlety that Alex never showed outright. Valin wondered about that, but decided that it wasn't important right now.
"Why do you want to know?" Valin asked.
"Just curious as to why he carries a lightsaber." Alex turned back to Valin. "I think I'll go get some simm time in. Care to join me?"
"I would, but I gotta' get some sleep." Valin shrugged.
"Some other time then." Alex waved then jumped up and headed off. Valin stared after his friend, wondering what was going on.
Kale, who was still sitting two seats away, asked, "Are you okay?"
Valin looked up, startled. "Yeah. I'm fine." He hesitated, wondering if he should say anything. He decided he should, before something happened. What, he didn't know, but the Force told him something was about to happen. And soon. "Have you noticed anything strange about Alex lately?"
Kale's head jerked up. "Not personally, but Kysal said something to me."
Valin studied Kale for a moment. He didn't know the slightly older pilot very well, but he sensed an underlying sincerity and truthfulness to him. He glanced over at the Commander. She looked very happy. Her hand was enfolded by Sktash's, and they were heading towards the bar.
"She said he fired on her, claiming his targeting comp was fried."
"But he had several kills later on in the battle. How could his computer have been fried?" Valin was suddenly confused.
Kale shrugged. "That's what I want to know."
Valin shook his head. "No, something had to have been wrong. He had no reason to fire on Kysal."
Kale shrugged again, but didn't respond. The Commander and her husband had just taken seats beside him. Valin smiled at the pair, then turned back to his drink. He didn't like what Kale was inferring. Something had to have been wrong with Alex's X-Wing. Why would Alex want to kill one of his own squad-mates?
Valin finished off his drink and dropped a few credcoins on the bar. He slowly stood and left the mess hall, still deep in thought.
"Nope," one of the hangar's many mechanics told Valin, "there's nothing wrong with this X-Wing besides scoring and a few nicks from that tussle with the Vong."
The large man stood in front of Valin, wiping his hands on his coveralls. He pulled out a datacard and checked Alex's X-Wing off a list of twelve. "I've already gone over five of them on orders from Commander Rlgah. We're supposed to go over each X-Wing by hand and with the tools and look for signs of tampering and also as a routine check. I even double checked each of them I done so far." He shook his head and shrugged. "Nothing, except for the regular systems glitches they come up with after extensive use."
Alex touched the man lightly with the Force, probing for any signs of deception. He could find none. "Okay. Thanks a lot."
With a scowl, Valin made his way over to Jarred's mangled X-Wing. The front end was a mass of charred slag, up to and in places past the cockpit. It lasers were gone, seemingly melted off less that a foot in front of the cockpit. The techs had just started going over it. He made sure he was out of their way. He watched them and studied their emotions through the Force. Valin stood there for fifteen minutes, the whole time getting annoyed looks from whoever happened to notice he was there. He was about to give up and leave, when he felt a flash of surprise from one of the techs.
Valin choked down the urge to rush over and demand to know what they had found. Instead he casually wondered over to the X-Wing. He rested a hand on the blackened hull and gave the techs a carefree smile.
"How're you guys doing with this one?" Valin waved his hand at the X-Wing.
The head tech he had spoken to earlier eyed him suspiciously. "Why are you so interested?"
Valin put on a surprised look. "I was just wondering. I heard our X-Wings were getting checked out and I wanted to watch."
"Oh," the tech seemed to consider. Valin used the Force to soothe away the man's fears. "In that case, we found something strange in the engine of this crate." He reached over and slapped the X-Wing. "We aren't sure what it is, but it sure isn't supposed to be there."
"Can I see it?"
The tech nodded and called for a ladder. Another man brought one over and propped it up against the side of the X-Wing. Valin quickly climbed to the top and peered into the tangled mess of wires and devices that was the norm with X-Wing engines. In the center of the engine, connected to several wires, was a small black box. Valin reached down to touch it, but the tech grabbed his hand.
"Don't touch it!" He was suddenly worried again. "We don't know what will happen."
"Has any of you touched it yet?" Valin asked the other tech clustered around. None answered. "Well, have you?"
One young woman nodded. "Yea, I did."
The head tech looked outraged. "I guess one more touch won't do it, or us, any harm." Valin reached down and tugged on it gently, testing the wires to see if there was enough slack to pick it up. There was. He pulled it away from the engine and set it down on the edge of the durasteel around the engine.
The device was pure black. It had no identifying markings on it. In fact, its surface was as smooth as glass. Valin turned it over in his hands, staring hard at the thing. Five wires hooked into it, four on one end and one on the other. Valin turned to one of the techs, an idea forming in his racing mind.
"Where do these wires lead?"
The young woman who had spoken earlier took one look, then took the four in her hand and said, "These four supply the lasers with power and that one hooks them to the engine, where they get their power from. Normally there is an interface here that regulates how much power flows through so that too much power doesn't go to the lasers. That would cause an overload."
Valin knew what laser overloads could do. They could melt the laser focusers and could even, in the worst case, cause them to explode. "The interface is gone."
The tech nodded. "Yea, meaning..." She trailed off. They both knew what that meant. She glanced at the other techs. It was obvious that they didn't realize what the missing interface meant.
"Meaning someone wanted this X-Wing out of the fight. For good." Valin resisted the urge to groan. "This is bad." Valin's mind was racing. Someone with access to the maintenance bay had sabotaged Jarred's X-Wing. They had not intended to temporarily disable the starfighter either.
Someone had wanted to get rid of Jarred.
The tech stared intently at Valin. "What do we do now?"
Valin closed his eyes and though for a moment. He looked at the circle of techs and said, "None of you can say anything about this to anyone."
"I have to make a report." The head tech gave him another suspicious look.
"No need to." Valin stepped off the ladder and pulled out his comlink. He spoke softly into it for a moment, then climbed back to the top. "Commander Rlgah will be here momentarily and you can report to her."
The female tech gave him a quick smile, then continued studying the foreign object. She turned it over several times, studying the place where the wires entered and exited the device. A surprised expression suddenly washed over her face. She fingered one of the wires, and with a click, the device popped open. For a moment, no one said anything as they all strained to get a look at the interior.
"It's an amplifier!" The female tech lifted a small, oblong object out of the larger black one. She raised it as far as the limited wire inside the object would let her, then nodded. "Yup, that's what it is."
Valin scowled. Things always got worse. "This means that someone wanted to be sure the lasers got extra power."
On an impulse, Valin jumped off the ladder and went to what was left of the front of the X-Wing. He studied the ruined lasers. They hadn't been melted off completely, there were still ragged edges on the stumps. They had exploded.
Suddenly Valin became aware of a person beside him. It was the female tech. "Look at this," he said to her. "These lasers exploded. He probably would have been okay without the power regulator, but amplifier sent more power to the lasers than they could handle."
She nodded. "Which, of course, caused them to overload and explode." She paused to shake her head. "Wonderful. We have a saboteur on our hands."
"Yeah, great." Valin felt a familiar presence enter the room. He turned to see Commander Rlgah and her husband enter the bay. She looked around, spotted Valin, and hurried over to the ruined X-Wing.
"What's wrong?"
The female tech answered the Commander. "Come see what we found in the engine." The tech led the Commander around to the back of the X-Wing. The Commander climbed the ladder, and Valin lost sight of her for a moment.
Valin stood where he was, mind whirling. A new, disturbing thought entered his mind. Someone he knew, very well, was behind this. He couldn't put his finger on just who, though. Soon the Commander was beside him, studying the laser stubs.
The Commander sighed. "This is not good." Her husband slid an arm around her shoulders and gave her a hug. The Commander shrugged off his arm and climbed the ladder to the engine again. She took another look at the foreign device, then stepped onto the X-Wing and walked up to the cockpit to examine the damage. All Valin could see from his angle was pieces of jagged transparisteel and seared metal, so he decided to follow her up.
Valin wordlessly crouched by Ashta at the base of the canopy hinge. The majority of the canopy had been blown into the cockpit when the lasers had exploded. If not for the emergency atmosphere field, Jarred would have been dead in a matter of seconds. There were pieces of transparisteel embedded in the walls of the cockpit and in the control panel. Some of the pieces were smeared with blood and had tatters of cloth on them. Other pieces of shrapnel from the explosion were in the pilot's seat and scattered around the confined space of the cockpit.
The Commander's face was white. "I can't believe someone would do this," she gestured at the torn and bloodied cockpit. "Some we know and trust."
"Do you know how badly injured Jarred was?"
The Commander shook her head. "He was reported to have had some major injuries, but none life threatening."
"What say we go visit him and find out?" Valin reached out and laid a reassuring hand on Ashta's arm.
"Yeah, let's do that." She gave him a grateful smile and slid off the X-Wing, careful to miss the patches of metal roughened in the explosion. Valin did likewise and followed the Commander and her husband out of the maintenance bay.
A sea of blue-green was all he could see, and even that was blurred. Jarred slowly opened his eyes. There was nothing to see except the tinted bacta he was immersed in. Why am I in a bacta tank? Jarred thought hard for a moment. Oh, yeah. The battle with the Vong.
He squeezed his eyes shut as his head started throbbing. I had better stop thinking so hard. It hurts too much.
A wave of exhaustion rolled over him. He was about to give in to it when he heard a slight ping echo through the bacta. He looked in front of him and could barely make out a dark, hand-shaped object. He supposed it was laid against the tank's transparisteel wall. He tried to raise his right hand also, but he found that it would not move. He tried his left hand. It seemed more willing to do what he wanted it to, but it was an effort to make it rise enough to place on the tank's wall.
For a moment more, the hand on the outside met his. Soon though, it fell away. Jarred also let his fall. More precisely, he couldn't hold it up any longer. His arm ached from the effort, and he realized that his whole body ached. Especially his legs. What happened to me, he asked himself, but he had no answer. Slowly, Jarred dropped off into a troubled doze.
Valin looked through the walls of the bacta tank at his fellow Saber suspended in the greenish bacta. Jarred's legs still showed signs of the series of deep gashes he had received when his lasers exploded. His right arm had also been badly burned and cut. The cuts on his chest, other arm, and face had mostly healed. He had had some internal injuries that would have to be taken care of after his first several days bacta treatment was through.
Valin looked at the date on the printout that was attached to the tank. He would be taken out of bacta the next morning.
"Poor Jarred," Valin said. "Even he didn't deserve this."
Ashta looked worried as she scanned the information on the printout. "It says here that there might be some permanent damage to his legs and right arm."
Valin took the printout and studied it for a moment. He scowled. "I wonder what kind of internal injuries he has. It doesn't say here."
Ashta snatched her com-link off her belt and spoke softly into it. An answer came, then Ashta put her com-link away and waited. Several minutes later, a harried-looking medic entered the room.
"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, Commander, but we were in the middle of something." The medic ran his fingers through his tousled bluish hair. His sharp gray eyes studied the visitors for a moment. "What can I do for you?"
"This readout has the basics of my pilot's injuries." Ashta's voice took on authority. "I'd like to know the details now."
The tech nodded and went over to the computer terminal. His fingers flew over the terminal's keyboard and the screen lit up. Less than a minute later, he came back over to the Sabers.
He glanced over at Valin, shrugged, and turned his attention back towards the waiting Commander. "I'm afraid the details aren't too good. He had a punctured lung. We're already taking care of that. He has a bacta mask on. It will circulate bacta through his lung, while supplying him with oxygen. Also he had some other more minor internal injuries, but they are mostly taken care of."
The medic paused, as if suddenly unwilling to continue. "His right leg was broken, but the bone is mending well." The medic stopped.
"Go on," Ashta encouraged, even though she suddenly dreaded what the medic would say.
"Some of the tissues and veins in his legs and right arm were severely damaged by burns. Tomorrow he has reconstructive surgery for his legs, but we aren't sure yet if he will ever have full use of them again. His arm should be okay, though." The medic stopped again.
Ashta cursed under her breath. "Is that all?"
The medic nodded. "Yes. But don't be too disappointed in his state. Instead be content that he is alive. We were very close to loosing him."
Ashta nodded. "Yes, I'm grateful for that."
Valin bit his lip. He had been unaware of how bad Jarred's situation was. Valin laid a hand on the tank and saw Jarred look up. His left hand rose slowly to meet Valin's. Valin swallowed, then followed the Commander and her silent husband out of the room.
Dera came around a corner just as the three Jedi came out of the room Jarred was in. Valin felt a dread radiating from her. He stopped and let the older Jedi pass out of his sight, then he turned to Dera. She was leaning on a wall, waiting for him. He came up to her slowly. As soon as Valin was in reach, she grabbed his arm. He winced as her nails dug into his arm. Her grip was strong as steel.
"Tell me," she said. "Tell me about Jarred."
"Well," Valin began, but stopped. He didn't know what to tell her. "Come with me and see."
At first Dera hesitated. When Valin pried her hand from his arm and started toward Jarred's room, she followed. Valin paused at the door and waited for Dera to catch up. She stopped a few paces away and stared at the door.
"Well, come on." Valin was confused. He got a sense of concern from her, but also fear. Fear of what, he didn't know.
She gave a slow nod, then took a step forward. Valin keyed the door open and waited for Dera. She slowly came into the room, but didn't look at the bacta tank. Instead, she looked at the floor. Valin sighed and took her chin firmly in his hand. He lifted up her head and turned it toward the tank. She closed her eyes.
"I...I don't want to see him like he is now." She swallowed hard. "I don't think he would want me to, either."
"Don't be silly. He wouldn't care." Valin shook his head in frustration. Dera didn't seem to realize how badly Jarred was hurt. "Now look."
Dera slowly opened her eyes. She gazed at Jarred's floating body for a moment. Her eyes narrowed and the corners of her mouth turned slightly down. "How badly hurt is he?"
Valin shrugged, trying to remember who Dera reminded him of. Someone his father had told him about, he thought. "They aren't sure yet."
Valin's head jerked up and he quickly turned around. The medic had just entered the room through the opposite door.
"Oh, I'm sorry," he said. "I thought everyone had left."
"We did." Valin told him. "My friend here wanted to visit Jarred."
"Oh. Well, I have some things to do if you don't mind my being in here." The medic looked over at Dera, a strange look on his face. His cold gray eyes seemed to bore into her as she met his gaze. Recognition crossed her face, then she turned away from him and pressed her hands onto the bacta tank.
Valin looked back and forth between the two. Now he was really confused. "No, we don't mind."
Dera turned around and grabbed Valin's arm again. She pulled him out of the room and down the hall away from the room.
"Hey!" Valin said as he recovered from his surprise. He planted his feet on the floor and pulled back against Dera. "Stop!"
Dera stopped. She let go of his arm and whirled on him. Valin took a step back when he saw the fire in her eyes as she glared at him.
Valin hardened his own gaze. "What do you think you were doing?"
Dera closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Nothing. I'm sorry."
"That won't cut it." Valin suddenly remembered who his father had told him about. "I want to know what happened."
Dera Donos, cousin of Myn Donos of Rogue Squadron, shook her head. "Nothing." Apparently, Myn's sometimes erratic behavior ran in the family. "He was someone I knew a long time ago."
Valin glowered down at the shorter Dera. "That had better not be the best you can do."
Dera laughed incredulously. "Are you threatening me?" She gave the younger Saber a playful shove. "Don't worry, I know you're not."
Her sense suddenly turned serious. She frowned and glanced down at the floor. "I'm sorry, that is the best I can do for now."
With that, she turned and strode down the hall way confidently, back to her old self.
Valin shook his head in frustration. If he had one fault, it was people. He could never understand them. He stared at Dera's receding back for a moment, then turned and went back into Jarred's room.
The medic was still there. He was by the access panel to the bacta tank on top of the metal stairs. As he fiddled with some of the instruments, making minor adjustments, he noticed Valin. A troubled look crossed over his face, but he climbed down and greeted the Saber.
"Can I help you?" The medic's voice was strained and his sense was weary.
Valin nodded. "Yes you can." A sense of knowingness rolled off of the medic. "What happened just now?"
"I don't know what to say." He took a defeated sigh and sat down on the room's cot. "If she was who I think she was, maybe you should ask Donos yourself."
Valin studied the medic. He wore the standard white of a New Republic medical doctor. His blue hair was longer than regulation, much longer. His hands were the hands of a doctor, nimble and sure. He looked infinitely tired, as if his sudden run in with Dera had drained him of energy.
"Why don't you tell me?" Valin softened his voice. "I think you know she won't tell me anything."
The medic looked up and gave Valin a tight smile. "Yes, I know. I supposed she hasn't changed any since I knew her."
The man's com-link beeped. He pulled it out and spoke softly into it. After a moment he put it away. "Sorry, I've got to go." Valin could feel the relief pouring off of him.
That leaves only one thing. Valin went to the printout on the tank and took the doctor's tag number. It's off to the databanks for me.
* * *
Dera stalked down the halls, pondering her strange behavior in Jarred's room. Why was I unwilling to look at Jarred. I've seen lots of people hurt and in bacta tanks. She increased her pace but didn't pay attention to where she was going. And why did he have to be there.
"Oh well," she murmured to herself. "There's nothing I can do about who the New Republic chooses for its doctors."
Dera changed her course and headed for the gym. A good workout might help her forget her troubles for a while.
* * *
Valin waited as the central databank accessed the personal file for medical technician number 653-986. He didn't have to wait long. The man's history was rather short. His name was Kade Lihos. He had been an avid defender of the Empire and was a distinguished TIE pilot. He had been in the squadron that had wiped out all but one of a squadron of X-Wings called Talon Squadron. There were several other accounts of great flying accomplishments. Soon after the Talon Squad incident, though, he had disappeared and been assumed missing in action. Half a year after his disappearance, he had enrolled in a medical school and quickly earned a degree. He had been working with their current base of action ever since.
Valin thought for a moment, then highlighted the Talon Squadron link on a hunch. In a moment a brief history of the squadron came up on the screen. It hadn't been a distinguished squadron, but it was full of promising pilots. Talon Leader was one Myn Donos, the only survivor of an ambush. By the same TIE squadron that Kade Lihos belonged to.
"Donos," Valin said aloud. "I wonder if he is any relation to Dera." Valin highlighted the link to Myn Donos's file. He scanned through the list of relatives until he came to Dera Donos.
Valin started. Dera was Myn's cousin, but they had been raised together after Dera's mother and father had been executed for treason to the Empire. Dera and Myn had been very close.
Myn had had a hard time handling the death of his squadron, and had become almost suicidal. He had refused to talk with any of his family much, especially Dera. He didn't want any friends for fear of losing them.
He had recovered, though, with the help of Wraith Squadron. But by that time, Dera had left home and started flight school. She hadn't seen or talked to Myn in years.
Valin shut off the terminal and stood wearily. No wonder Dera disliked Kade Lihos so much. She must consider him one of the reasons she and her cousin became separated.
Valin stifled a yawn and decided to turn in for the night. He grabbed his jacket and headed for his quarters. On the way, he met his room-mate, Alex.
"Done simming?" Valin asked.
The sweat soaked Alex nodded. "Yeah. I was intending on running against the computer, but the Jedi Master asked if he could join me." A smile blossomed on the young man's face. "Imagine that, me against a Jedi Master."
Valin smiled and shook his head, amused at his friend. Being around Jedi was no big deal for him. He was one, after all. "So how'd ya' do?"
"I lost, big time." Alex's smile grew bigger. "But it took your dad a while to beat me."
"I'm so very proud of you, Alex," Valin joked. "What did dad pilot?"
"A TIE Defender Mark II. I was in a shielded Interceptor." Alex's mood suddenly changed. He looked rather worried.
"What's wrong?" Valin asked.
"I, uh, saw you going into the hangar when I was going to the simm room." He paused uncertainly. "Was anything wrong?"
Valin was suddenly wary. Something was wrong about his friends sense. Valin wanted to tell Alex what he had found, but was strangely reluctant. "My X-Wing was having some trouble. Nothing big though."
Alex was surprised. "Your X-Wing? Yours wasn't damaged was it?"
Valin sighed. The sudden suspicion creeping into his mind upset him. "The mechanics found a crack in my cockpit canopy. I just wanted to check it out before they did anything to it."
"Oh, okay." Alex frowned. His sense was suddenly a mix of several emotions. Valin couldn't tell what they were though. He was soon cheerful again.
"Where are you headed?" Alex asked.
"I'm gonna' go get some sleep."
"Could you spare a few minutes and come get a drink with me?"
Valin answered with a yawn.
Alex shrugged. "What ever. G'night"
"Yeah, night."
Valin dried himself off with a towel, then pulled on a fresh shirt and pants. He pushed his still wet hair back, then slumped into a chair. He leaned back and gathered his thoughts. Trouble was brewing, he just didn't know with whom it would start. Dera was a definite suspect, what with Lihos working here. But that didn't feel right. The Force was guiding his thoughts in a wholly different direction. And he didn't like the direction it was pushing him in.
Valin tried to push the thought from his mind, but it kept resurfacing. Alex
.
Sometimes, when caught off guard or surprised, something about Alex Vanner, his best friend, felt very wrong. His sense was almost of someone who was being hunted, who was constantly fearful for his life. At other times though, Alex was one of the Sabers. A perfect friend and pilot. A confidante.
Valin pushed the thought away. There was no reason Alex should be under any suspicion. Valin stood up and started pacing the floor. He should inform the Commander of his suspicion. If he didn't, and Alex was more than a Saber, people could get hurt. He didn't want that on his conscience.
He started toward his quarters comm station. He paused at his and Alex's shared desk. A holo of the two stood in the center of the cluttered space. Valin closed his eyes and hung his head.
"Not yet," he murmured. He would wait until he was sure either way before he said anything.
With his mind finally eased, Valin laid down and drifted off to sleep.
Chapter 4