6
Warmaster Tsavong Lah stared emotionlessly at the infidel standing before him. The pale skinned creature had her head bowed, and was speaking rapidly in his own tongue. He was impressed by her pronunciation of his language, most infidels spoke it with no more skill that a newborn crecheling.
�Warmaster,� she said, head still bowed. �We have captured one of the New Republic pilots. He is relatively uninjured. He may suit your purposes well.�
As if on cue, a pair of guards dragged a struggling man into the command room and before the Warmaster. Not a man, he thought, more like a boy. The pilot struggled violently, and succeeded in breaking the warriors� grip on his arms. His hand automatically flashed to his empty blaster holster. He glanced down in dismay as his hand came up empty.
Growling, he lunged at a guard, kicking high to block an attack. His foot struck the warrior�s descending hand and knocked the amphistaff out of it. He dove, rolling, and came up with amphistaff gripped in a low guard.
The Warmaster let a feral smile spread across his tattered lips. He raised a hand, and immediately the two warriors halted their advance on the now armed pilot. Clasping their fists to opposite shoulders, the warriors bowed deeply and backed away.
The pilot stood straight, confused. He foolishly lowered his weapon. And the Warmaster struck. He whipped out his own amphistaff and drove hard at the young man�s legs. Just in time, the pilot leapt above the attack, clumsily swung his amphistaff down at the Warmaster�s.
Tsavong Lah smiled, flicked his wrists in a semicircle, catching the infidel�s weapon on his own blade, and twisted it from his hands. The youth crouched and a smile crept onto his face. The Warmaster saw that the youth was now in his element.
Feinting right, the youth swept in at the warrior. At the last moment, he switched direction and rolled to avoid a high slash from the Warmaster�s amphistaff. His foot swept out and caught the Warmaster�s ankles. But he did not fall. He put one foot back to steady himself, then stabbed his amphistaff down through the young man�s calf.
He would have screamed, but the Warmaster�s gaze seemed to have an affect on the youth. Instead he clamped his jaws shut and let out a low, pain filled moan.
When the Warmaster pulled his staff free, the youth struggled to his feet, trying valiantly to ignore the blood slowly soaking the leg of his flightsuit. He again pushed an attack, this time feinting with a jab towards the Warmaster�s left side, and reversed with a kick to the warrior�s right thigh. But the Warmaster had anticipated the feint, and caught the pilot�s leg in a tight grip, twisting it so that the pilot fell to his knees.
Then the youth took the Warmaster by surprise. He shoved off the ground towards Tsavong Lah and grabbed the blade of the amphistaff. His momentum pulled the staff free from the warriors hand. The pilot swapped end for end and whipped the blade back and across the back of the Warmaster�s right knee.
Tsavong Lah ignored the pain slicing through his leg. He watched the youth come up, confidence brightening his eyes. But it was short lived. His injured leg would no longer support him. He sank to one knee, confidence faltering.
And again the Warmaster was surprised by the pilot. In the place of confidence was a fierce determination. The Warmaster knew this pilot would suit his purposes very well.
Tsavong Lah signaled to one of the guards. The warrior stepped up silently behind the pilot and pressed a small creature against the side of his neck. The youth jerked in surprise, brushing it off distastefully. But the damage was already done. The creature had injected its mild poison.
The youth looked at the creature on the floor, then back up at the Warmaster. Hate burned in his eyes. He made an attempt to rise, but the poison took effect, and as he rose to his feet, his eyes drifted shut and he lost consciousness. His body fell forward limply. The two guards saluted the Warmaster, then grabbed his arms and dragged him from the room.
The Warmaster turned to the infidel female. �This one will do. You shall be rewarded for his capture.�
His tone was dismissive, and the woman obediently backed out of the command chamber. After she had gone, Tsavong Lah instructed one of his aids to put him in communication with Supreme Overlord Shimmra. The aid saluted, fists clasped to opposite shoulders, and hurried off to complete his task.
Two days later, the master shaper Nen Yim stood before Warmaster Tsavong Lah. She trembled in anticipation of the task set before her. For the second time, she had been called to shape a human, called to put into action the heresies her master, Mezhan Kwaad, had contrived.
She was to shape the young pilot that the Peace Brigade had captured. She was to shape him into the perfect spy. His appearance must not change, nor his habits, but his loyalty must lay completely with the Yuuzhan Vong. He must be human in body, but completely Yuuzhan Vong in mind and nature.
The Warmaster gazed steadily at Nen Yim. �You understand your task. You must complete it within the month.�
Nen Yim nodded, her shaper�s headdress clenched tight in supplication. �It will be done.�
The Warmaster nodded a silent dismissal. Nen Yim saluted and left, eager to start her work.
Alex stared in revulsion at the Yuuzhan Vong shaper. Her tattooed body was lithe and muscled. Her strange headdress writhed in satisfaction at her prey.
Encased in some sort of containment field, Alex�s lip curled into a sneer of hate. Even though his every instinct screamed at him to fight, to get away from this hellish place, Alex could do nothing more than beat at the membrane that separated him from the rest of the universe. And that would do him no good, so he just stood and glared at the female shaper with all the vehemence he could manage.
Which wasn�t much. His pierced calf screamed at him to sit, and his cut hands throbbed with a dull pain. His head ached with the lingering effects of whatever poison had been introduced into his system. And he had a feeling that what the Vong had planned for him would not be pleasant.
Again, he cursed himself for ever getting involved with the Peace Brigade. If he hadn�t revealed the location of the Saber�s base, the Brigadiers would have never known to attack it. If�
Stop it! he commanded himself. There are too many ifs. It does me no good to focus on those ifs. They are not a reality. I need to focus on here, now. He looked up to see the female give him a chilling smile. She manipulated several knobs of one of the many consoles lining the living wall of the chamber, and suddenly Alex could hear more than just sounds inside of the containment area, no, membrane. He could now hear the shaper�s speech.
�Now my young friend,� she said, her Basic almost as mutilated as her features, �We must begin. Time already grows short and we have not even begun.�
Then, delicately tapping a control, her smile faded. Alex�s breaths became sort and ragged. He wondered why for a moment, then realized that air was being drained from inside the membrane.
In minutes, lack of oxygen was beginning to take hold, and Alex sank to the floor, gasping involuntarily. He tried valiantly to stay conscious, but soon black spots danced before his eyes. With a small cry of despair, he subsided into unconsciousness.
The Yuuzhan Vong shaper Nen Yim watched as the human youth dropped to the floor. She waited several moments until she was sure he was unconscious, the signaled for air to be allowed to refill the holding membrane. She did not want the youth dead, after all.
When air had again filled the chamber, Nen Yim lowered a section of the membrane and stepped through. She called her aid into the chamber also. Her aid, Milan Kwaad, handed Nen Yim the node that was to be implanted at the base of the human�s skull. The node would allow her to tap into the youth�s mental activities, including information from his sensory receptor, motor neurons, and most importantly, his memory.
Nen Yim cut a small slit across the youth�s neck with the blade on her shaper�s hand and gently attached the node in place. The she pinched the skin together and burned the opening closed.
She jumped up as the youth gasped in sudden pain. His eyes fluttered open and flicked from Nen Yim to Milan Kwaad. His already bloodied hand flew to his neck. He touched the cauterized wound and he jerked his hand away. His breathing was quick and shallow, and for a moment Nen Yim wondered if she had done something wrong. Surely she had not permanently injured the youth.
Finally, his eyes rolled back in his head and he again lost consciousness. Nen Yim breathed a sigh of relief as his breath steadied and again grew rhythmic.
* * *
Ashta-Mei slammed her hands down angrily on her desk. Alex was gone. Kysal had lost her X-Wing. Several other X-Wings had also been damaged. Ashta was sure more of her pilots would have been lost had the three attacking vessels not suddenly picked up their snubfighters and left. She was puzzled as to why they had left. Up to that time, the Peace Brigade had had the upper hand.
But none of that mattered. Alex was gone. The Peace Brigade had taken him. And there was no way to get him back. Ashta had not been able to get a positive ID on any of the three ships.
No, she told herself stubbornly. We are going to get you back, Alex. Count on it.
Ashta started as strong hands settled on her shoulders.
�It�s just me,� her husband said softly.
Ashta twisted around to look at Sktash. �I thought you were leaving for Nar Shadda to train with your apprentice.�
Sktash shook his head. �We�ve had a change of plans. Nar Shadda has been taken by the Yuuzhan Vong. Kaden got off planet with a load of passengers and he has to find somewhere to drop them off. And Saralah is meeting me here in a couple of days.�
Sktash let go of Ashta�s shoulders and leaned on the desk. �So how are you doing?�
Ashta shook her head. �Alex was taken by the Peace Brigade.�
Sktash nodded. �I heard. There was nothing you could have done to save him.�
Defiance blazed to life in Ashta�s eyes, then died quickly. �I know.�
That simple statement seemed to drain her. With an effort, Ashta straightened. She gave her husband a quick kiss, then said, �I need to go talk to my pilots.�
And she fled her husband�s worried presence.
* * *
Alex gritted his teeth as pain shot up his leg. Judging from the way it throbbed, he was pretty sure his injured calf was infected. And standing on it was nearly impossible. He had been testing his aching body for the past half hour. His palms were not healing as well as they should be. They were slightly swollen and he could only close his hands into fists for several moments before they began throbbing.
There was a slight hissing sound and Alex looked up. The female Vong stalked through the entrance, her face an angry mask. She slammed her hands down on a console and began cursing. Alex sat in shock and stared at her. When the shaper noticed his astonishment, she began laughing maniacally.
�You understand me. Are you surprised?�
Alex realized his mouth was open and quickly shut it. He schooled his features into blankness, but his mind worked furiously. He perfectly understood every word the woman said, but the actual words sounded very foreign to him. He knew the woman was not using one of their translation worms, and he didn�t have one either. And in a flash of insight, he knew.
He lunged to his feet and at the membrane that enclosed his cell. �What have you done to me,� he shouted, beating at the membrane. �Why do I understand you?� He was shocked at his own speech. It was not Basic.
The shaper shot him a wicked smile. �I think you know.�
Alex fought to gain control of his emotions, and finally succeeded. As he gained control, his leg reminded him that it was still hurt. He slid down onto one knee, but kept his hands pressed against the membrane.
�Yes,� he said bitterly, �I know.� Alex pressed a hand against a temple. �You�ve changed my mind. Something�s not right.�
�No,� she shook her head. �I have made it right. When I am done with you�re body, you will be made right. You will be a glorification of the Yuuzhan Vong.�
Alex�s eyes narrowed and his lips turned up in a slight smile. �What makes you think I�ll cooperate with you?�
�Oh, I have no doubt you�ll cooperate, one way or another.�
�That remains to be seen.� Alex dropped his hands and leaned forward. �Why my? There are millions of other suitable beings out there. Why did you pick me?�
�There are only twelve member of Saber Squadron, and you just happened to fall right into our grasp.�
�Why Saber Squadron?�
The shaper cocked her head to the side. �With four Jedi and the success rate your people have, we could hardly pass up the offer. And I believe your commander has great pull with the higher ups of the New Republic military.�
�I wouldn�t know about that. So I am going to be your spy, your eye in the starfighter corps. But I could have sworn you Vong hated technology.� Alex�s voice was taunting.
The shaper stalked over to the holding cell. �We are not Vong! We are Yuuzhan Vong!�
�Oh, I�m so sorry. I guess I�ll have to be more careful next time I�m talking about you Vong.� Alex pushed himself off the floor and did his best to ignore the pain shooting up his calf. He drew himself up and hardened his features. He glared down his nose at the shorter shaper. �I hope you know that I will never cooperate with you. You can never turn me against my own people. I would rather die.�
The shaper looked him over appraisingly, then gave a curt nod. �Of course.� She snapped her fingers and almost immediately two more shapers entered the room. She hit a button on one of the consoles, and the cell membrane became soundproof. Alex watched as the three shapers conversed, then as the female turned and stroked a patch of the membrane�s skin. Almost immediately, it dropped. Alex stood in surprise for a single moment, then sprang into action. He took off at a dead run for the room�s entrance. One of the shapers� pulled a red, snake-like creature off of his wrist and tossed it at Alex. He dropped to the floor in a roll and watched it sail past where his neck would have been. Springing back up off of the floor, Alex reached the entrance. Only to find that it would not open for him.
The female shaper laughed maliciously from behind him. Alex turned and glared at her. �Where do you think you are going, young one?�
Alex�s eyes took in the other two shapers advancing toward him. The first had retrieved the thrown creature and was now brandishing it as though it were a weapon to be feared. The other held a short amphistaff in front of him in a low guard. The female also had a small blade attached to her armored belt.
�Where would you go even if you could escape this room?� She eyed him warily. �You do not even know where you are.�
Alex did not answer. Instead he gazed thoughtfully at the creature. She seemed disturbed by his gaze. Clearing his features of any emotion, he stepped away from the entrance and strode toward her. He came to a stop a pace away from her. Knowing he had only seconds to act on his own prerogative, he grabbed the blade from her belt and stepped a long pace back.
�It doesn�t matter if I escape. All that matters is that I don�t betray my people. Again.� Alex smiled coolly, pleased that he controlled his own fate from here on out. �And no one is going to make me turn on them ever again.�
Realization dawned on the female�s face and she lunged for the blade, to late. Alex turned it on himself and thrust it into his abdomen, just below his sternum. The shaper stopped in shock, then jerked it from his abdomen.
Struggling to keep pain from his face, Alex dropped to his knees and gave the shaper one last smile. Alex could feel his consciousness ebbing away.
�You lose.�
He slumped to the ground and his vision went black.
Nen Yim cursed as the pilot collapsed in a pool of his own blood. She had realized too late that this youth was much stronger than she had anticipated. She barked out orders to the other two shapers. Immediately, one hurried from the room. The other worked to stop the wound�s bleeding. Maybe the pilot could still be saved. All the work they had done so far would be lost if he died. And Nen Yim knew she would not get another chance like this one to show results.
Several hours later, they had stabilized the youth�s condition. His wound had been sterilized and closed, and a tissue mending agent introduced into his bloodstream. The pilot had also been secured to a section on the wall, arms near his sides but not close enough to offer any chance of escape, and legs slightly spread. They had also stripped him down and bathed him, then replaced his torn and bloodied flightsuit with a pair of loose white pants.
Now, pleased with her work, Nen Yim stood before the pilot. She took his chin in her forefinger and thumb and gently called, �Wake up, young one.� The youth�s eyes fluttered open, and Nen Yim could not help smiling at the anger she saw in them.
She leaned very close and said softly, �You lose.�
* * *
Valin ignored his insistently beeping comlink. He was laid out on his cot in his and Alex�s room. No, he reminded himself. Not Alex�s room anymore. Alex is gone.
When he could stand it no longer, Valin grabbed his comm from the small table by his cot and chunked it across the room. It struck a wall and bounced to the floor where it continued to beep. And beep. And beep.
Finally, Valin heaved an angry sigh and jumped off his cot. He stalked over to the comlink and flipped it on. �What!�
�Flight Officer Horn,� the Commander�s voice was tired. �Report the debriefing room. The rest of the squadron is already here.�
Valin shook his head. �Yes ma�am. I�m on my way.�
Valin shut off the comlink and hooked it onto his belt, then kicked the table viciously. It overturned and scattered datacards across the floor. Valin stalked out of his room.
Valin slid into a seat next to Zana. He carefully masked his emotions from the other Jedi in the room, and wiped all grief from his face. As he settled into his chair, Zana laid a hand on his shoulder. Valin flinched away from her touch, drawing a troubled gaze from the older Jedi.
At the head of the table Commander Rlgah cleared her throat. Her features were infinitely tired, her silver eyes sad. �I have some bad news, people.� The Commander shot a quick glance Valin�s way. �I sent a request to High Command asking that we be allowed to try and find Vanner. It was denied.�
Valin glanced down at the table, unable to stop sudden anger from coloring his cheeks. He knew the Commander felt his anger, because she quickly looked up. Valin did not meet her gaze.
�Are you okay, Valin?� The Commander�s voice was soft, sympathetic.
Valin looked up sharply. �No, I�m not okay! Does it look like I�m okay?�
Startled faces looked up around the table. Zana again rested her hand on his shoulder. Her lips parted to say something, no doubt some meaningless reassurance, but before she had a chance to speak, Valin stood. He slammed his hands down on the table.
�Alex was, no, is a part of our squadron and we can�t go look for him? Why?� Valin finally met Ashta�s surprised gaze. �I�d like to see them try to stop us!�
Silence reigned in the room for several long minutes. It was Kysal who finally broke it. �No one will have to try to stop us. We have our orders and we must carry them out.� Her quiet voice carried a deep regret that Valin could not comprehend at the moment. Several heads nodded in agreement.
Anger creased his brow. �How can you say that? Don�t you care what happens to Alex?�
Kysal shook her head sadly. �For all we know, Alex is dead. There is nothing we can do to change his circumstances. Even if we had been granted leave to search for him, where would we start? Sure, we have the transponder codes of several of the Peace Brigade vessels, but those can be changed. And what if he has been moved to a Yuuzhan Vong vessel?� Kysal leaned heavily on the table and looked Valin in the eye. �And there is nothing you can do either. Running off on your own righteous crusade will do no one any good and may well get you killed.�
Shaking with anger, Valin dropped back into his seat. He forced words past a lump in his throat. �I won�t go against orders.�
Relief flooded Ashta�s eyes. �Thank you.�
Valin sat almost in a daze through the rest of the meeting. Afterwards, he would realize that he had not taken in a word of anything said after that point. Anger at High Command coursed through him, anger at the Peace Brigade, anger at the Vong, anger at the universe in general. Why Alex? Why? What did he ever do to deserve this?
Why can�t I help him?
The answer was so simple that he almost missed it. And when he finally saw it, he didn�t want to accept it.
Why can�t I help you, Alex? I just can�t. I�m here, you�re there. For now, I have my duty to do. I have been entrusted with protecting innocent lives, and I can�t just turn my back on them now.
Valin buried his head in his hands, and didn�t bother trying to muffle his sobs. He ignored the feelings of sympathy directed towards him.
After a while, strong hands settled on his shoulders. �Valin, come on. I�ll walk you to your quarters.�
Valin rubbed his eyes and looked up. Anakin gripped Valin�s arm, and helped him stand. �You don�t�� his voice broke. Valin took a moment to compose himself, wiping his eyes on his sleeve. �You don�t have to come with me. I�m alright.�
�It�s no trouble.� Anakin�s firm gaze left no room for refusal. �Besides, I need to talk to you about something.�
Valin looked around the room, realizing that it was empty. He wondered briefly how long the meeting had been over. Finally he looked back up at Anakin. �Alright. You can walk with me.�
�Good,� Anakin answered briskly, and the two set off.
When they had gone several paces down the hall, Anakin laid a hand on Valin�s arm, stopping him. Something subtle in Anakin�s demeanor had changed. He looked up and down the corridor, almost furtively, then gestured for Valin to follow him. He led the way down the hall, past Valin�s quarters and towards his own. When he stepped inside, Valin stopped and stared dully at him.
�What do you want?�
Anakin turned in surprise. �What do you mean? I need to talk to you about something.�
�Talk.�
�It�s confidential. I shouldn�t even be telling you. And I sure can�t tell you when you�re standing in the middle of the hall.� Anakin raised an eyebrow and stared intently at Valin.
Valin shrugged and stepped into the room. He didn�t feel up to arguing with Anakin. �What?�
�I have to talk to your mother, and I don�t know how to get in touch with her.� Anakin paused, then continued. �And if you�re anything like your father, you will want something in return.�
Valin nodded. �Why do you need to talk to her?�
Anakin smiled. �I sorta� figured you�d ask that. And I�d rather tell you than your father, so I won�t ask him how to contact your mother.�
Valin cracked a smile. �You know him too well. As much as I hate to say it, my father and I do tend to think alike. He most likely would be intrigued by whatever secret the four of you are keeping.�
Anakin blinked in surprise. �You know about it?�
�I wasn�t sure of anything, but you, Kysal, Jaysaan, and the Commander have been acting a little different around each other lately.�
�And I just confirmed it for you.� Anakin shook his head. �But how have we been acting different?�
�The way you talk to each other. You no longer talk just as squad mates, or even as friends. Now it�s like you�re all confidants to each other.� Valin let his smile widen. �Don�t worry, I saw it because my father is who he is. I have more than a little background in Intelligence, you know.�
Relief was evident on Anakin�s face. He must have been worried that the other Sabers might have noticed something was going on. �I hope you didn�t say anything to anyone.�
Valin shook his head. �I didn�t. But about this big secret. You were going to tell me something?�
Anakin grinned ruefully. �Of course. Remember how the day the other squadrons were introduced? I didn�t show up because I had been out flying my X-Wing and I didn�t know about it. When I was returning home, I picked up a distress call from a freighter. After I sent a call out to a New Republic ship, I went to check it out.�
�Of course.�
Anakin laughed. �Yes, that�s me. But anyways. I boarded the ship but I had to return to my X-Wing for a breath mask because the coolant line ruptured in the freighter. Apparently it had been attacked by Vong. When the Republic ship got there, I was given a datacard by one of the passengers of the freighter.�
�And something on the datacard is what started all this?�
Anakin nodded. �Yeah. It contained some very important information on it. General Kre�fey ordered me to return it, but I didn�t want to. Fortunately for me, the Commander supported me�well, she kinda� supported me. So we faked a datacard and sent it back to him.� He went to his desk and pulled a datacard from a compartment at the back of one of the drawers. Flipping it in the air towards Valin, he said, �This is the real one.�
Valin deftly caught it and, turning it over in his hands, he studied its exterior. �What are these markings?�
Anakin seated himself in the chair in front of the desk and put his booted feet on the desk. �They�re from a code invented by Intel awhile ago. I�m still not sure what they say. Kysal never told me.�
Valin nodded thoughtfully. �So that�s how she fits in to this. And Jaysaan was a great character reference to validate Kysal, so he had to be told. And now I�m being brought into it because you need to talk to mom.�
�That�s about how it is.�
�Why?�
Anakin raised an eyebrow. �Why what?�
�Why do you need to talk to my mom?� Valin demanded.
Anakin stood back up and said heatedly, �You don�t need to know that. You know enough already.�
Valin smiled coldly. �I�m sorry, I don�t think I can help you contact my mother.� He had made it halfway to the door before he heard Anakin sigh loudly.
�Fine,� he said irritably. �Your mother has connections. She knows who to ask for what. And we need information.�
Valin�s sardonic smile faded. �I�ll see what I can do, but I can�t promise anything.�
Then, feeling drained and empty, Valin left Anakin�s room and headed for his own. He really needed to get some sleep. He needed the rest. And sleep was the only escape from worry for Alex that he could think of.
Jarred balanced unsteadily on wobbly legs. All the doctors said his progress was amazing. In just several days he had built up his leg muscles enough to hold his own weight. But even that much progress was not nearly enough for the pilot. Jarred gritted his teeth as his legs spasmed in protest at the weight put on them. As the spasms passed, he grinned to himself. Last time he had not been able to stand through the spasms.
Lihos applauded lightly. �Very good, Fain. Your progress is very impressive.�
�Thanks, but I�ve still got a long way to go.� Jarred reached for the support rails on either side of him. �Now let�s see if we can make my legs actually move.�
Lihos smiled slightly. �I�m game if you are.�
Jarred nodded energetically. �Let�s go.�
Sktash and Ashta-Mei Rlgah waited near the entrance to the hangar bay. The Cloud Rider had just set landed and was powering down. Ashta was glad to see the happy smile on her husband�s face. He hadn�t seen his sister for a long time.
Nearly ten minutes later, the dark haired woman finally exited her ship. Sktash didn�t wait for her to see him. Instead, he ran across the hangar and swept her into a fierce hug. She yelped in surprise, then seeing who it was, she returned the hug.
�Sktash,� she said. �It�s great to see you again.�
�I know. Is everything okay?�
�Yeah, I got away from Coruscant okay.�
�What?� Sktash said in surprise. �You were on Coruscant when it was captured?�
Saralah Rlgah gave him one of her annoying smiles. �Of course I was. You know, on business.�
�You mean legitimate business or your little side business that I just happened to find out about?� Sktash raised an eyebrow inquiringly.
�How�d you find out about that! You aren�t supposed to know.�
�I�ve got connections.� Sktash laughed at her outraged expression. �Don�t worry. All I know is that you�ve been smuggling goods to several resistance groups.�
Saralah sighed. �That�s still too much, but you�re my brother. I hope I can trust you to keep this little matter to yourself.�
Sktash gave her a little punch on the arm. �Don�t worry about it. My lips are sealed.�
�Thanks, bro. Where�s Ashta?�
Sktash gestured to the back of the room. Ashta saw his gesture and immediately came forward. She embraced her sister-in-law warmly, then released her.
�What corner of the galaxy have you been hiding in these past months?� Ashta said when she released her. She stepped back and threw an arm around her husband�s shoulders.
Sktash raised an eyebrow, but Saralah gave him a little shake of her head. �I�ve been busy,� was all she said.
Ashta-Mei laughed, oblivious to the exchange between brother and sister. �I think we�ve all been busy lately.� She gestured at the black haired woman�s ship. �The Cloudrider looks like she�s been through a lot too.�
The Cloudrider, Saralah�s sleek freighter, had burns that looked as if they had been inflicted by coralskippers� plasma projectiles, but carbon scoring also marred the hull. Its ramp was lowered, and Ashta noticed a shadowy figure standing at the top.
Saralah followed Ashta�s gaze and smiled. �I have a little surprise for you, Sktash.� She waved the person down, and a handsome young man jogged down the ramp. He waved jauntily at Sktash.
�Kaden!� Sktash�s face lit up with a smile. �I though you were out at Nar Shadda!�
Kaden, Sktash�s Jedi apprentice, grinned roguishly. �I was.�
Saralah stepped forward and cut into the conversation. �This story can be told later. Right now I am starved, and I don�t doubt that Kaden is also.�
Ashta smiled. �I haven�t eaten yet.�
�Nor have I.� Sktash, face still glowing with happiness at the unexpected reunion with his apprentice, slid his arm around Ashta�s waist. �Let me treat you all out to dinner at the starfighter mess hall.�
Saralah screwed her face into an expression of revulsion. �You mean we have to eat with the pilots?�
Laughing, the four made their way out of the hangar and started toward the mess hall.
Before the four Jedi could reach the mess hall, a page intercepted them. �Commander Rlgah,� he said breathlessly. �You have a message from the Skywalkers waiting for you in your office. Master Skywalker says it is most important.�
Ashta nodded to the page. �Thank you.� She returned his salute. �You�re dismissed.�
Ashta smiled apologetically at her husband and sister-in-law. �Why don�t you three go ahead and start eating. I�ll catch up with you in a little while.�
�Are you sure?� Sktash raised an eyebrow at his wife.
�I�m sure.� She punched Saralah in the arm playfully. �Saralah looks like she hasn�t had a good meal in a while.�
�And I�m sure I won�t have one while I�m here either. See ya� after a while.� Saralah took her brother�s arm and pulled him down the hallway. �Come on, bro, I�m starved.�
Sktash smiled at Ashta. �Join us as soon as you can.�
�I will.� She gave him a quick kiss and started off toward her office.
Fifteen minutes later, Ashta shut off her holocomm. As the screen blanked, she let the forced smile fall off her face. With a frustrated sigh, she pulled out her comlink.
She flipped it on and said, �Anakin, I need to talk to you in my office.�
�I�ll be there in a couple minutes,� came the slightly static reply.
Ashta passed the time by pacing her office floor. What Master Skywalker had to say wasn�t what she had expected to hear, and she didn�t particularly like hearing it.
Ashta was stirred from her thoughts by a soft buzz. She strode to the door and opened it. Anakin Solo stepped from the hallway and into her office.
�Commander.�
�Anakin, have a seat.� She gestured to a chair, then circled her desk and took a seat in her own chair. �I�m afraid I have some bad news for the squadron, but I�m not sure how it will set with you.�
Anakin grinned his characteristic cocky grin. �Try me.�
�Alright.� Ashta shifted uncomfortably. �Master Skywalker has just been in communication with me. He told me that he needs you back at the Jedi base. I think something big is going down, and you are going to be a part of it.�
Anakin�s grin turned into a small frown. �I see. I guess that means I�ll be leaving soon.�
�Yes. Master Skywalker requested that you be at the base in a week at the most. That means you�ll have to clear out of here by tomorrow.� Ashta shook her head. �I�m sorry to see you go. We haven�t even seen our first sanctioned action yet.�
�Don�t worry. I�ll be back after I�m done helping Uncle Luke.� He stood and gave Ashta a brave smile. �Until then, hold my space in the squad.�
Ashta stood also. �You can count on it. We�ll be waiting.�
As Anakin passed through the doorway and into the hall, Ashta had the disturbing feeling that this might be the last time she would ever see the young man. She knew that the feeling was absurd, after all, she would see him off the next day, but she couldn�t shake it.
�Anakin!� she called before the door shut. He turned, his expression inquisitive. �Good luck. May the Force be with you.�
He smiled. �And with you too. I have a feeling you�ll need it more than I will.� He snapped a salute, then disappeared down the hall.
Ashta smiled, the dark feeling forgotten. She had a meal to catch with her family.
Before going to his own quarters, Anakin paid a visit to Kysal. To his surprise, she was waiting for him. After ushering the young Jedi into her room and giving him a chair to sit in, she began her interrogation.
�So where do you thing you�re running off to in such a hurry?�
�What do you mean?� Anakin was fairly puzzled at how the woman had found out so quickly that he was leaving.
Kysal laughed. �I have my sources. And since you are leaving, what are you going to do about the datacard that you were given?�
�I�m taking it with me,� he said flatly. He knew the ex-CorSec officer was trustworthy, but he trusted no one more than himself. �Maybe Uncle Luke can help me figure out what needs to be done with it.�
Kysal shook her head adamantly. �No way. It�s staying here with me. We don�t know when you will be back, or if you will be back. I don�t want you to risk the information on that card.�
�How would I be risking it?� Anakin was beginning to grow irritated with Kysal. He had come here to tell her he was taking the card with him to the Jedi base, not to argue with her about who should keep it. �I don�t even know why I�m being called home.�
�Precisely. You don�t have any knowledge of what you�re heading into.� A pained look crossed her face. �Many of the people on that list were people I knew. If you get hurt�or killed�I still want to be able to get in contact with them, and possibly to save them if they need it.�
That thought gave Anakin pause. Kysal�s argument had merit, too much so for him to ignore. Reluctantly he stood. �Alright, I�ll leave it with you. Don�t do anything stupid with it.�
Kysal smiled slightly. �You don�t have to worry about that.�
Kysal followed Anakin from her quarters and down the hall to his own. He keyed the lock on his door and ushered Kysal inside. She stood silently near the doorway while he pulled the datacard from his desk. Anakin tossed it to her, then immediately began packing his clothes into a large satchel.
�I see you�re leaving tonight.�
Anakin looked up from his work. �Yes, I am. The sooner I go, the better.�
�Why?� Kysal tilted her head to the side. Anakin had the feeling that she knew more than she was letting on.
�Master Skywalker has called me back to help with a new challenge to the Jedi.� He shrugged. �I don�t know anymore than that.�
Kysal nodded. �I�m sure you don�t. Just like I don�t.� With a grin and a wave, she stepped out of his room.
For a moment, Anakin stood in astonished silence, then bolted across the room and out into the hall. He caught Kysal by the arm as she was about to step into a turbolift.
�What was that supposed to mean?� he asked breathlessly.
She raised an eyebrow and looked down at his hand that was clasped around her biceps. Anakin released her quickly and dropped his hands to his sides. �It means whatever you want it to.�
�How do you know?� Anakin asked.
�How do I know about what? The voxyn?�
Anakin took an involuntary step backwards. No one was supposed to know about the voxyn. The voxyn were a species developed by Yuuzhan Vong shapers to hunt Jedi. They were part vornskr, a Force sensitive hunting animal, and part lizard of some sort. They had powerful jaws, limbs, and tail, and were able to shoot acid from their throats. The cursed creatures had already caused the deaths of too many Jedi.
Anakin took a moment to compose himself, then said, �How do you know about the voxyn?�
Kysal gave him another of her sprite smiles. �I�d love to tell you, but I�ve been sworn to secrecy.�
She held out her hand, and Anakin shook it. �Good luck, Anakin. Where you�re going you�ll need it.�
Ashta was interrupted from her meal by Jedi Master Corran Horn and his son, Valin. Corran had his arm thrown around his son�s shoulders, and both were smiling. A hint of sadness tainted Valin�s grin, but there was no denying the happiness in his eyes. The father and son had not had much time together for quite a while.
Corran stepped up to the table while Valin hang back a little. �I�m sorry to interrupt your meal, Ashta-Mei, but I thought I�d let you know I�m leaving for the Jedi base tonight. Anakin is going to fly as my wing.�
Ashta frowned. �He�s leaving with you?� The feeling of dread she had felt in her office washed back over her. �I thought he was leaving tomorrow.�
Corran shrugged. �Since we�re both heading the same way, we figured we�d travel together. I�ll take good care of him, although I�m pretty sure he can take care of himself.�
Ashta nodded. �Of course he can. When are you leaving?�
�In twenty minutes. That gives Anakin enough time to say his goodbyes and pack any last minute items. The techs are also prepping our fighters.� Corran grinned. �I suppose you�ll want to see us off?�
Ashta nodded. �Yes, I do. I�ll meet you in the hangar in ten minutes.�
�Sounds good to me.� Corran gave her a nod, then he and his son headed off.
Sktash gave Ashta a concerned glance. �Are you okay? I just felt something from you�� He stopped when he noticed the dark gaze she had directed at her meal plate. He gently laid a hand on her forearm. �Ashta?�
It took Ashta a moment to feel her husbands concern over her sudden apprehension of Anakin�s departure. She sent him a troubled gaze. �I�m fine, but I�m not sure about someone else.� She poked at her food for a few minutes, then stood.
�I�m sorry to ruin dinner,� she said apologetically. �But I have to go see off Corran Horn and Anakin.�
�Corran Horn is here?� Kaden asked incredulously. �I�ve been wanting to see him for a long time now. I haven�t talked with his since�since who knows how long ago! Would you mind if I accompanied you to the hangar?�
Ashta smiled and shook her head. �Not at all. I�ve never refused company for a walk.�
Ashta gave Sktash and Saralah a small smile, then the two Jedi headed out to the hangar to meet Corran and Anakin.
Valin gave his father a hug, then stood at arms length from the older Jedi. �I wish I were going with you, dad.�
Corran smiled and ruffed his son�s hair affectionately. �I know, but I also know that you know you will be more useful here. While you�re with the Sabers, you�ll be able to take direct action against the enemy. Enjoy it while you can.�
Valin grinned as a wistful look washed over Corran�s face. Valin knew his father missed his days in the cockpit, which was reflected by the fact that he flew every change he got. Valin dropped his hands to his sides and glanced down at his feet.
�I know, but I still wish I were going with you.�
Corran�s smile widened. �You want to keep an eye on your old man, huh?�
Valin�s smile fell from his face as a wistful light stole into his father�s eyes. He could tell Corran was thinking of his own father, Valin�s grandfather. When Valin was young, Corran often told tales of times when he and his father had taken out dangerous criminals. Valin liked to think that he had the same connection to Corran, but he knew that it was wishful thinking. The time Valin and his dad had spent apart when Valin was in the Jedi Academy had separated them more than the two of them had thought possible.
�Nah.� Valin answered the playful banter with a new smile. �I know you can take care of yourself. You�re a big boy.�
Corran�s amused grin accented his strong jaw. He placed a hand on his son�s shoulder. �Take care of yourself, too, Valin.� He smiled proudly and looked Valin in the eyes.
�I won�t make the same mistake my father did. I�m telling you now that you never have to wonder if you�ve made me proud, because you have. Whatever you decide to do with the rest of your life, you have my support. You�ll never have to wonder if I would approve of whatever you decide, because you are my son and you always have my support.� The pride in Corran�s eyes carried a slight quaver into his voice. �Just in case I don�t come back, I wanted you to know. The fact that my father never got the chance to tell me the same thing before he was killed tormented me for a long time. I questioned many of my decisions because I never knew if he would have approved or not.�
Valin�s brows arrowed together. �Thanks dad. Your support means a lot to me.� He struggled to keep a frown from his face. �But don�t talk about not coming back. I don�t have the slightest doubt that you�ll be back.�
Corran�s smile widened. �Your confidence means a lot to me. And you�re right. I�ll be back.�
Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Anakin Solo. He jogged across the flight deck towards the two. He gave them a jaunty wave as he arrived. A sloppy grin marred his youthful features.
�Well, what are you two standing around for?� He gave Valin a playful shove. �Corran and I need to get out of here before the rest of the squad comes to see us off. I heard that the Commander and a couple others are already on their way over.�
�What�s wrong with some of the Sabers seeing us off?� Corran gave Anakin a confused glance.
Anakin shrugged. �Fanfare�s okay when you�ve done something, but just because we�re leaving? No, let them save it for when we get back.�
Valin had to laugh at the youngest Solo�s extreme confidence. He gave his father a final hug, then slapped Anakin on the back. �Good luck, where ever you�re going. And come back soon.�
A dark look washed across Anakin�s face, but it was gone before Valin had a chance to ask about it. �You don�t have to worry about that.�
Corran and Anakin strapped their life support gear to their chests and pulled on their helmets. Both climbed ladders to their X-Wing cockpits and strapped themselves in. As their cockpit canopies were closing, Valin yelled a final farewell. Both pilots glanced at him and waved.
Valin retreated towards the rear of the hangar as the X-Wings fired up their engines and engaged thrusters.
�Stang,� a voice said close to Valin�s ear. He jumped and whirled on the Commander and a young man Valin didn�t know. �We missed them.�
Valin looked back at the departing X-Wings. Corran�s fighter crossed through the MagCon field at the mouth of the hangar that kept atmosphere and pressure in. Anakin followed, then both disappeared beyond the curve of the ship.
Valin glanced back at the Commander. He raised an eyebrow in question and nodded towards the stranger. �Who�s he?�
Ashta smiled, though the dark look that had covered her face remained. �May I present Kaden Merelac, my husband�s apprentice. Kaden, this is Valin Horn.�
Valin thrust out his hand. �Pleased to meet you.�
Kaden gave him a warm smile and shook his hand. �You too. If you�ll permit a question?�
Valin nodded. �Go ahead.�
Kaden tilted his head. �Are you Corran Horn�s son?�
Valin nodded again. �Yes, Corran is my father.�
Kaden�s smile widened. �I�m glad to know you. Your father and my cousin worked together for a while a couple months ago. I only heard good reports from his about your father.�
�What is your cousin�s name?�
�Ganner Rhysode.�
Valin shook his head. �I can�t imagine Ganner giving any good reports about my dad.�
Kaden grinned and hooked his thumbs in his pants pockets. �Yeah, Ganner can give that impression, but he�s really not a bad guy.�
Commander Rlgah cut into the conversation. �You two can discuss mutual acquaintances later. Right now we need to get some stuff done. Alex still needs replacing, and we need a sit in for Anakin until he gets back.�
The Commander�s casual statement cut Valin deeply. He had never even considered replacing Alex, but realized that it had to be done. Ashta apparently realized what she had done. Her expression softened and she glanced down.
�I�m sorry, Valin,� she said softly. �I didn�t mean to say it like that.�
He held up his hands, stopping her from saying anymore. �No, Commander. I know that he has to be replaced. The squad is three pilots down, and we need all the pilots we can get.�
Her apologetic look held, so Valin forced a smile. �Really Commander, it�s okay.�
Kaden was standing silently, he had no idea what was going on. But he piped up quickly enough. �I can fly an X-Wing.�
�No!� Valin and Ashta said in tandem. The two looked at each other in surprise. Valin let out a low chuckle, and Ashta spoke up. �You can�t fly with the Sabers. I can�t risk having an inexperienced hand in my squad.�
Kaden barked a laugh then looked down his nose at her imperiously. �I have plenty of flight experience, just not with a squadron.�
Ashta shook her head. �You can�t interrupt your training just to fly with us. We need Jedi now more than ever.�
�Ah, but how much better is a Jedi X-Wing jock?� He cocked an eyebrow in amusement. �And Ashta, come on. You know me better than to argue with me.�
The Commander rolled her eyes. �Yes, I know you much to well than to argue. Fine, if you get Sktash�s approval, you can join.�
Kaden grinned and jogged out of the hanger to find his master.
Saber Squadron Commander Ashta-Mei Dal�Kun called her meeting to order with a small cough. �This isn�t a formal meeting,� she said, �but we have some issues that need to be discussed, and hopefully, resolved. But first, I have some people to introduce to you.�
She turned to the side and gestured to two people seated at her left. �This is Mikaraska,� she said, identifying a dark skinned Noghri. The fierce little creature stood and bowed towards the rest of the Sabers. �He will be replacing Alex for the time being as Saber Eleven.�
�Before I introduce him,� she gestured at the other man on her left, �I have some bad news for the squadron. Anakin Solo has left us for an undeterminable amount of time. Don�t ask me where he went, because it is confidential and we must observe operational security.�
He statement brought low murmurs from around the room, but they quieted down quickly enough. �The other person that I am introducing is Kaden Merelac. He will be sitting in for Anakin until he returns.�
Kysal raised a hand tentatively and glanced at Dera. �Are we getting a replacement pilot for Jarred?�
Ashta shook her head. �No, not yet. If his rehabilitation lasts too long, we may end up replacing him completely, though. We can�t afford to have open spots on our roster.�
Kysal nodded. �You�re going to give him as much time as possible, though. Right?�
�Yes,� Ashta said consolingly. She was amazed at how much the squadron had grown together since their first action. Many of the Sabers had finally accepted Jarred, even though they had not been able to talk to him until recently.
Several people raised hands, but she ignored them. �I have some good news, and then if there are any questions left I�ll answer them.�
�In one week we are moving out of this skyhook and into our semi-permanent position on the Adamantine. I know you all were told that the ship wouldn�t be out of the docks for two months, but it was completed ahead of time. I know this means that we will have nearly a months less training, but I am confident that we can handle our duty satisfactorily.�
Zana was grinning at Ashta from across the table. She had been the second to hear about their commission. Ashta was sure that the reason for her grin was the prospect of battle in the near future. Zana harbored a very un-Jedi-like taste for combat. She had no reserves against killing Yuuzhan Vong, and their commission aboard the Adamantine guaranteed that they would be fighting Yuuzhan Vong.
�I would suggest that you all begin packing whatever you want to take with you, but keep in mind that we are a combat ready unit. This means that it would be best to take as little with you as possible. The next time we have to move to a new base could mean we have no time to pack.�
�That is all for now, unless there are any questions.� She paused, but none of the previous hands were raised again. �Alright, show up in the hangar bay tomorrow at seven hundred hours for a hyperspace exercise. Dismissed.�
Ashta watched as her pilots filed out of the room. She thought it was odd that there had not been many comments during the meeting, but credited their silence to shock of the news of Anakin�s departure.
To Be Continued...