Chapter 1


The pilots of the Saber Squadron, the newly commissioned snubfighter squadron, lounged in their ready room in one of the skyhooks orbiting Coruscant. Most of the men and women were engaged in small talk with one another until the Saber founder and leader, Ashta-Mei Rlgah, called the group to attention.
"Sabers, we finally have a commission." Ashta-Mei held up a hand to silence the resulting cheers. "With the Adamantine."
Some of the pilots kept on murmuring excitedly. Some of the more knowledgeable members just stared at Ashta-Mei.
"The Adamantine?" Kysal Naydys asked incredulously. "How in the galaxy can we be assigned to a ship that is stuck in hyperspace? No one even knows where it is."
"Not true." Ashta-Mei smiled at the now silent pilots. "The nearly finished Star Destroyer Adamantine is still on its construction cradle in the shipyard above Ord Mantell. We will be leaving in two months to escort it on its maiden flight."
A new round of cheering erupted from the pilots. One woman with bronze-brown hair raised her hand. She went unnoticed in all the commotion. She cleared her throat, and the Saber lead finally noticed her.
"You have a question, Zana?"
Jedi-Knight Zana Dal'Kun nodded to her sister. "Yes. We haven't been assigned roommates yet. Will we do that now or later?"
Ashta-Mei looked thoughtfully around. "Let's let everyone celebrate for a while before they find out they may not be bunking with their preferred choices."
"The wise leader has spoken." Zana mock bowed, raising a few laughs.
Ashta-Mei clapped her hands for attention. "This meeting is now officially closed."
"Good. I'm gonna' go get a drink." Kysal said loudly. "In celebration of our new commission." She left the ready room, followed closely by most of the other pilots.

When all of the Saber Squadron had straggled into the mess hall about thirty minutes later, Ashta-Mei called the group to attention. "The results of the flight sim test have arrived. Based on how you scored on it, you will be assigned positions in the Squadron."
All talk silenced, and a tense eagerness fell over the Sabers. They had taken the flight simulator test a week ago, and had been waiting for the results.
"I, of course, will be Saber Lead." Ashta-Mei glanced down at the datapad she held. "Saber Two is Anakin Solo."
"Saber Three is Jaysaan Aarymer." The blonde man stepped forward and shook Ashta-Mei's hand. He had been in CorSec right before its breakup. He had been partnered with Kysal Naydys, who was also in the squadron. The smile on his face was huge. Apparently he had not been expecting such a high position.
"Saber Four is Zana Dal'Kun. Saber Five is Kale Messin. Saber Six is Kysal Naydys." Ashta-Mei ignored the sour look on Kysal's face. "Saber Seven is Valin Horn. Saber Eight is Miah Kassin. Saber Nine is Dera Donos. Saber Ten is Jarred Fain. Saber Eleven is Alex Vanner. And last but not least, Saber Twelve is Ayen Seltar."
Talking erupted immediately. People congratulating each other, others shaking their heads in disappointment. Kysal and Jaysaan were both arguing over something Ashta-Mei couldn't hear. Anakin and Valin both wore smiles, as did Zana. She went over to talk to her fellow Jedi.
"Quiet please!" Ashta-Mei called. When the pilots were silent, she continued. "We have two months to get adjusted to our new positions. Training time will be doubled as of tomorrow. We need to make a good reputation for ourselves on our first commission. You will be observed throughout the week to see who each of you get along with and don't get along with. You will be assigned roommates accordingly. Dismissed."
Many of the pilots immediately filed up to the bar to get drinks. One tall young man with red hair and sharp brown eyes looked around the room, spotted Ashta-Mei, and quickly pushed her way over to her.
"I think you've made a mistake Commander Rlgah. I heard you say that I would be Saber Ten. Shouldn't it be more like Two or Three?" Jarred Fain asked. If there was a more self-assured snub fighter pilot, Ashta hadn't met the person. "I mean, with my superior skills and leadership abilities, I should be up at the top."
"If you had the superior skills you mentioned, you wouldn't be Ten. Be happy you made it into the squadron at all. After all, there were quite a few others who petitioned to join." Ashta's tone was firm.
"Hey, hey." He held up his hands defensively. "I didn't mean it seriously. If I really wasn't satisfied, I would quit."
"I'm glad you're happy. Now go get a drink and get used to your wingman. You'll be hearing a lot from her for quite a while."
"Hey, that's a good idea. Where is Dera anyways?" Jarred went off in search of the short, blonde woman.
Ashta shook her head and looked around for her sister. She spotted Zana talking to Valin, Anakin, and Alex Vanner. Valin looked thrilled about something. Ashta made her way over to the trio of Jedi and the young Corellian. She arrived just in time to heard the tail end of the conversation.
"...and you'll never guess when dad will be getting here. In three days! Isn't that great?" Valin sounded very excited. "I haven't see dad in several months. He's gonna' fly his X-Wing in so we can get some practice flying together!"
"I haven't seen Corran in a long time. It'll be nice to talk to him again." Zana sounded much calmer than the young son of Corran Horn. "I wonder if he'll practice with the whole squadron or just you."
"Oh, if you asked, he probably wouldn't mind flying with the squadron for a while," Valin answered.
"A real Rogue Squadron pilot," Alex said in awe. "Wow. I'm really gonna' get to meet a real Rogue Squadron pilot."
Ashta-Mei decided it was time to see what was going on, even though she already had a good idea. "What's this I hear about Corran Horn coming to the skyhook?" Her voice was rather stern, so she softened the effect with a smile for her friends. "You all know you're supposed to come to me before you invite people here."
"Well, I didn't exactly invite dad here." Valin answered sheepishly. "He was sorta' assigned by Admiral Ackbar to observe the squadron for a while, to give the him an opinion on our abilities. Especially yours, Commander, as a leader."
Ashta had to fight to keep her jaw from dropping, but her pulse quickened despite her best efforts. "Why didn't I know about this sooner?"
"Well, you weren't really supposed to know about it at all." Valin squirmed. "It was supposed to be a surprise inspection, but since I know you overheard most of the conversation anyways, I just thought I'd go ahead and tell you. I hope you're not angry with me."
"No, no. In fact I'm glad you told me," Ashta-Mei said, thinking furiously. "There's a lot we need to get done." Ashta left without saying anything more, too absorbed in her own thoughts to remember what she wanted to talk to Zana about.
"Is the Commander angry at me?" Valin asked. He was apparently concerned that he'd done something wrong.
"Valin," Alex rebuked his friend. "I really think you need to not talk about confidential things in the middle of a squadron meeting."
"Don't worry about it, Valin. The Commander would have found out sooner or later. At least now she'll be prepared for Corran's visit," Zana reassured Valin. "Besides, if you hadn't said anything at this meeting, Alex wouldn't have found out about it until Corran gets here."
"Oh. I hadn't thought about that." Alex couldn't keep a smile off his face. "I can't wait to meet him!"
Seventeen year old Alex Vanner flounced off to the bar to order his customary Lomin ale. Valin trailed close behind. Alex ordered an ale for Valin, who tasted it, then pushed it away. Zana smiled when he ordered a glass of water.
"Ashta!" Zana called after her sister. "Ashta-Mei Rlgah! Wait for me!" She pushed her way through the other pilots to catch up with here sister. "Will you wait up, Commander?"
Ashta paused long enough for Zana to catch up, the continued walking. She left the mess hall and headed towards her temporary office. "Great, just great," she was saying. "I just pull this squadron together and we get a surprise visit by Corran Horn. Corran Horn of all people."
"What's wrong with Corran? I thought you liked him."
"I do, I do. It's just that, well you know how much of a discipline and order freak he is!" Ashta turned imploringly to her sister. "And this squadron is anything but disciplined. What are we gonna' do?" A dark look crossed the Commander's face. "I know what we'll do. We'll just get a bad report. That'll do us a lot of good won't it."
Zana shoved Ashta backwards with the Force. "Snap out of it Commander Rlgah! What's gotten into you? Where's my calm, cool, in control sister?" Zana's disapproving voice made Ashta look down, ashamed. "We'll do what we were planning on doing. We are a new squadron, and Corran isn't going to expect a Rogue Squadron from us."
"I'm sorry." Ashta said. "I don't know what came over me. I guess this whole commander of a snub fighter squadron is all a little new to me."
"That's alright." Zana threw an arm around Ashta's shoulders. "Just don't do it again."
Ashta laughed. "You don't have to worry about that. Not with you here anyways."

Six of the twelve Sabers were seated in the X-Wing flight simulators the next morning. Each of them had been randomly chosen, so none of the pilots could complain about not getting a fair chance to prove their skills. The other six where in TIE simulators.
Dera Donos checked in with the Saber lead for the simulation. The voice that answered her was definitely male, but she only tentatively identified the leader as Anakin Solo. She wasn't acquainted well enough with all of the Sabers to be sure. Twelve X-Wings sat in a battle cruiser's fighter hangar. Through the atmosphere shield, Dera saw the looming bulk of a Star Destroyer. It had just launched a cloud of TIE fighters and interceptors. Dera waited tensely for the take-off command.
"Saber Squadron," the male voice called. "Prepare to launch on my mark." A short pause, then, "Mark!"
The X-Wings launched by pairs, starting with the Lead and his wingman. When it was finally Dera's turn, she lifted off and maneuvered her X-Wing flawlessly out of the hangar. She and her wingman fell into formation with the rest of the squadron. The last two X-Wings exited the cruiser and pulled up behind Dera and her wingman. The Saber squadron was immediately underway. They plunged toward the incoming TIEs.
"Break by pairs and engage."
Dera switched to she and her wingman�s private frequency. She wouldn't know if she was talking with Jarred or not until the exercise was over. "Follow me. We're going to fight through the initial pass, then go for the stragglers."
"Sounds good to me." Ten answered.
Dera pulled her X-Wing into a sharp dive as the first wave of TIEs arrived. Ten followed her lead, but straightened out several seconds after Dera did. She glanced at her sensors and noticed four red blips trailing her and her wingman. Dera spiraled up while Ten pulled the same maneuver, except in the opposite direction. One TIE followed Dera, one followed Ten, and the other two kept on flying straight ahead. Dera forgot about the other three for a moment, trying to shake the TIE on her tail. She rolled to one side, the other, then dove sharply. The TIE followed her steadily. Dera continued her dive, rolled, then dove again. As soon as the TIE had dove after her, she reversed her dive, heading straight up. She pulled the yoke back, inverting her X-Wing until she was behind the TIE that had been following her. She fired without hesitation, holing the cockpit ball and venting what little bit of atmosphere that was in the TIE.
Dera suddenly remembered her wingman. But it turned out that he was handling things well on his own. She saw a de-winged TIE floating of into the distance and her wingman pulling around to join her.
"Nice job. Let's go rack up out kill rate." Dera said enthusiastically. Then she noticed the other two TIEs had come back. "Scrap that plan. We've got our tails back!"
"Acknowledged."
Dera corkscrewed wildly away from the following TIE. This time Ten stayed near her. As one TIE followed Dera's maneuver, it ran straight into Ten's fire. She herd a faint "Yes!" come across the comm, but ignored it. She turned her X-Wing around to take out the TIE following Ten. Just as she came around, the faster TIE got the better of Ten's less maneuverable X-Wing. The X-Wing's shields gave way to the trailing TIEs sustained laser fire. It took out the X-Wing's port stabilizer. The X-Wing would have started a flat spin if Ten had not cut power immediately. The TIE plowed into the X-Wing, and both exploded into a fiery cloud of shrapnel.
Dera felt a crushing sense of loss, even though she knew it was just a simm. "Shavit," she whispered at the X-Wing's debris. She turned her X-Wing to the main battle and switched to the squadron frequency.
"Anyone need help?"
She was answered immediately by a lone X-Wing in the midst of a three way fire fight. "If you could spare the time, I'd appreciate it," came the tight voice of a young man.
Dera didn't waste any time. She charge in firing, careful not to hit the defending Saber. One TIE exploded under the laser fire. The other zipped off with out any harm done to engage a less formidable pair of opponents.
"Thanks for the save. I don't have a wingman and neither do you, so you can be mine." Youthfulness undermined the authority in the voice. Her sensors identified the X-Wing as Saber Five.
"Sure." Dera answered without hesitation. She was eager to be on the receiving end of the orders for a change. It was easier. "Where to?"
"Let's ask Lead."
A moment later, the Leader's voice came through strongly over the comm. "All right. We have a job to do. We've taken care of most of the TIEs and lost three of our own."
Dera took a moment to review their mission. They were to preserve as many of their proton torpedoes as possible. Then the Saber Squadron was to take down the Star Destroyer's shields before reinforcements arrived. That was all. Yeah, like it was that simple.
"Sabers, slave your proton torpedoes to my X-Wing's targeting and launch display. That means you are free to defend yourselves until seconds from the launch time when you must switch from lasers to torpedoes. Let's go."
Dera quickly did as told, staying with Saber Five. They ran into another wave of TIEs. They struggled to keep up with the main X-Wing group and battle their way through the TIEs at the same time. When they had finally broken through, Dera switched over to proton torpedoes.
"Come around to zero-three-seventy five on my mark," Lead said tensely. The Destroyer loomed ahead larger than ever. Suddenly it started firing in a defensive pattern. Dera strove to twist her way safely through. "Mark."
Dera pulled around to the designated point. She watched as twin blue streaks shot away from her X-Wing and the others. Then her simm cockpit went dark. Dera took a deep breath, then popped the simm's hatch. She unbuckled the cockpit's safety belts and pulled herself out. Jarred was there to meet her. He flashed her a smile, then grabbed her arm.
"C'mon. The rest of the Sabers who've been knocked off are in the simm observation room."
"Okay. Sorry about not taking out that last TIE on time."
"Don't apologize to me, talk to the simm program. I was one of the TIEs you took care of so quickly. You know, I'm happy I'm not the first one that was taken out." Jarred didn't sound upset that she had taken him out, so she smiled and clapped him on the shoulder.
When they arrived, Dera saw that the battle was still going on, but the battle cruiser they were with had several holes punched in its side that were spouting fire. The Star Destroyer had moved into position to make the kill. The remaining X-Wings were strafing the now shieldless Destroyer with their lasers. Apparently all thier proton torpedoes had been used to bring the shields down. There were only several more moments until the Destroyer was in firing range of the cruiser. Dera crossed the room to find a seat with seven of the other Sabers.
As soon as she was seated, Dera immediately saw two X-Wings quickly approaching the Star Destroyer's command tower with a single TIE closing fast from behind. The second X-Wing slowed and engaged in a dogfight with the TIE. Unfortunately the latter was intent on stopping the first X-Wing rather than fighting the other. It fired on the X-Wing, which evaded the shots with practiced ease. Seconds before it reached the tower, though, the TIE caught up with it. It smashed into the X-Wing's rear from an angle, pushing the X-Wing and itself away from the command tower. The wreckage exploded just past the X-Wing's intended target.
Dera then noticed the Star Destroyer's turbolasers coming to bear on the nearly defeated cruiser. Then she realized that the second X-Wing had taken up the first's mission. The Star Destroyer had just started firing when the X-Wing plunged into the command tower. The resulting explosion rocked the mammoth ship, and secondary explosions followed. Half of the turbolasers stopped firing, but the others were suddenly fighting a losing battle. The five remaining X-Wings attacked with renewed vigor, taking out turbolasers batteries and TIE fighters. Soon the Star Destroyer was backing off and most of the TIEs were returning to the ship. Several more minutes and the battle was over. A crippled battle cruiser recalled its X-Wings and limped off the screen.
A cheer went up in the room. Dera realized she was shouting triumphantly also, and quickly stopped. She took a moment to see who was with her. She was surprised to see Anakin Solo. He was Saber Two, and supposed to be better than the rest. Along with herself, Jarred, and Solo were Ayen Seltar, Alex Vanner, and Kysal Naydys, who had just arrived.
Suddenly, Miah Kassin skidded around the corner and into the observation room. "Did we win?" His voice was tight with excitement. When he saw the smiles on most of the Saber's faces, he let out a yell of victory. "Yes! I knew it!"
Then Commander Rlgah stepped into the room and ruined the Saber's fun. "Calm down. It's just a simm." Her eyes narrowed. "And a not very well executed exercise at that. We will meet in one hour in the ready room for debriefing." She turned on her heel and left.
"What'd we do wrong?" Ayen Seltar asked in confusion. "We won didn't we?"
"Yes we won. But we didn't do a very good job of it." Kysal's disdainful voice answered. "Look at our stats. Only four X-Wings were left, the battle cruiser was severely damaged, maybe even fatally. We didn't come close to killing the Star Destroyer. If you think abut it, the mission was a complete failure."
"We might have failed the mission, but we saved the lives of the cruiser's crew. I'd call that a success." Anakin said. "But from the Commander's point of view, we didn't do so well. I mean, would you call four out of twelve X-Wings living good results?"
"I see what you mean. No wonder Commander Rlgah is upset," Miah answered meekly. "Well, if whoever was my wing for that last run was around, I'd apologize for making them finish my run for me. But I don't even know who it was."
"It was the Commander." Zana's strong voice answered from the doorway. Three Saber's stood there, looking rather proud. "She had to save what was left of her squadron. If she knew she was dying for the computer, I think she might have reconsidered and let you see how losing feels."
"What do you mean? Were you all TIE pilots?" Dera shook her head. "I took out two TIEs. Were they both computer piloted, or did I take out a Saber?"
"You got me, I think. The other was a CP." Dera was surprised to hear Anakin answer her. "You fought good, and shot better. It was a shame the Destroyer got you so early. Anyways, I think we need to be prepared for any type of reaction from the Commander. I don't think she'll flip out on us, but she won't be easy on us." Anakin stood up and stretched. "I'm gonna' get a few minutes of sleep before we get griped out, or," he paused dramatically, "get a lecture." Smiling at the his inside joke that only a few, Zana and Anakin, would understand.
Zana, Jaysaan, and Kale, the survivors of the sim, followed Anakin out of the room. They left a group of defeated victors in their wake.







2



Ashta was at her desk, papers scattered all about, and the former sitting with elbows planted on the desk, holding her forehead. She hardly noticed when the office door opened and was shut quietly.
"Still feeling sorry for yourself, Commander?"
Ashta didn't bother to look up. "I guess that's what it looks like, Naydys."
Kysal generously seated herself in the chair across from Ashta. "Buck up, Rlgah. It'll all come together." Ashta snorted, but she looked up at Kysal. The former CorSec officer narrowed her eyes, and putting her elbows on the desk in front of her, maneuvered herself closer to Ashta. Her face became hard, like stone. "I know you to be a hard, strong woman. This isn't you." She looked half-imploringly at the silver-haired woman.
Ashta sighed, and picked up a stylus from among the mountain of papers. She began weaving it through her fingers. "I keep having this recurring nightmare. I've had it for the past few weeks now. Same things happen. We're in the middle of a battle, fighting a very crucial battle, and one of my pilots makes a very bad mistake." Ashta spread her hands out, and mouthed the word boom. "Maker knows, I've dreamed of having my very own squadron for years now, ever since I started flying." She resumed fiddling with the stylus.
Kysal watched the Commander closely. "I'm not sure how to say this, but I understand exactly what you mean. I've had the same vision. To have a squadron, to be in a squadron. It's every pilot's dream. To have someone who can count on you." Kysal sighed. "Ash, I have to break the news to you, but I think that you're more afraid of failing them yourself than having them fail you. Talk about every Jedi's nightmare there."
Ashta suddenly stopped fiddling with the stylus. "Why do I have this creepy feeling that you're exactly right?"
Kysal shrugged, nonchalantly, but smiled. "Maybe a premonition? Some 'Jedi' feeling?" A long silence filled the room. Finally, Kysal was the one to break it. "You've only just started with this group. A year from now, a few months, maybe a couple of weeks, you'll be berating yourself for doubting them now. It will all come together." She repeated.
Ashta looked up at her, and suddenly grinned. "Thanks. I really appreciate that. I guess I really owe you one."
Kysal smiled. "I guess so, Commander."

* * *



An hour later, all of the pilots were assembled in the ready room. Ashta sat at the front, a solemn look on her face as all of the pilots seated themselves and whispered questions to one another. Finally, when she was sure that everyone was there, she cleared her throat and stood. All eyes were on her in a hypersecond. Ashta resisted the urge to smile, and looked around the room.
"Most of you think you're probably here for a long lecture," she began. She saw a few faces relax. "And that's only partially true." A few low groans were heard. Ashta allowed a small, tight smile to slide onto her face. "For the next few months, I'd like to get closer to my squadron."
She paused. "I know we've just started, we just recently got scraped this squadron together. You eleven ranked the highest, the most elite of two hundred nominees." Ashta quieted, and slowly scanned the room, watching each face, each smile. Finally, glancing at Zana, she grinned. "I'd like for each of you to come up with an idea for an activity for each new month. A dance maybe. A feast. The ideas are countless. These activities will bring all of us closer together."
She looked down at her feet, momentarily unsure of what to say. "I'd like to ask a favor of all of you." She shifted, then smiled. "I've just gotten news that Corran Horn will be paying a personal visit to the squadron." Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Valin scrunch a little lower in his seat. "I'd like to give him a formal welcome. We'll begin dress-training tomorrow morning at oh-eight hundred hours." She smiled. "Let's make him feel at home here."
Ashta leaned against the holo-projector stationed in the middle of the room and looked at her pilots. She drew a deep breath and forced a smile. "I guess our first sim run wasn't exactly the 'cream of the crop'." She blinked, searching for the words to say. "We have hardly two months to scrape our abilities out of hibernation." Ashta smiled as Kysal nodded, barely perceptible from her place. "We'll have sim runs at least twice each day, unless I tell you otherwise. When the simms are not being used, you may use them on your own time." Ashta glanced at the datapad in her hand. "First run will be at oh-ten hundred hours. All pilots must be in their units and ready to go at that time." Ashta looked around the room. "If you're not there, we'll leave without you. It'll mean marks on your profile, so I suggest everyone be there."
"Second run at sixteen hundred hours. Same goes for that too." Ashta shifted her position. "I'm not an easy person to please. It'll take some good piloting to ensure my beliefs that I chose the best, but I believe that you all can do that." Ashta smiled, then nodded. "Dismissed."

* * *



Ashta sighed and looked over her datapad once more, then hit the 'transmit' button. The words on the datapad flew off the screen. A moment later, the datapad beeped twice, signaling the arrival of a message. She smiled.

Zana sat in the mess hall, amongst the rest of the pilots, drinking a hot cup of stim-tea. She smiled as she listened to the excited chattering. Suddenly, the datapad sitting in front of her beeped. She picked it up and looked at it, then smiled. She stood, and got up on the seat. "Hey, everyone! We just got the results in for bunkmates!" Most of the pilots cheered, and began talking again, more loudly. Zana had to quiet them down again.
"Okay, first, the Commander says that if you don't like your bunkmate, or you want to switch with someone, and all parties are willing, speak to her or me. She also says that if at all possible, she wants you to make the best efforts to stay with the bunkmate that she's assigned you to. And without further ado, here's the list. Anakin Solo, Ayen Seltar." Anakin nodded his head respectfully at Ayen, who gave a small smile in return.
"Alex Vanner, Valin Horn." Huge grins appeared on both faces.
"Jaysaan Aarymer, Jarred Fain." Jarred turned his nose up slightly, and Jaysaan, who sat a few tables away from Jarred, rolled his eyes.
"Kale Messin, Miah Kassin." They nodded at one another.
"Dera Donos, and Kysal Naydys," Zana looked up and grinned. "You're with me. That's it, folks!"
The talking began again as Zana stepped down from the chair and seated herself across from Kysal and Jaysaan. "So, the high and great Commander has spoken her decision." Zana smiled.
"You'd better be one of those people that keep their room spotless. I hate a messy roommate." Kysal put her elbows on the table and leaned forward, while Jaysaan snickered quietly. "Sorry, Zana. Guess you'll have to get used to my habits." She elbowed Jaysaan." Zana sighed. "Well, I guess it's a start for all of us.







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 to 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 commlink 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 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 powerup 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 preflights." 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. He 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 should."
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�re 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.







4



Jaysaan was settled impatiently in the waiting room when they finally took Kysal out of the bacta tank she had been in for the past week and a half. The past week had been unbelievably tense for the squadron. They were undergoing new training to deal with the now imminent threat of the Yuuzhan Vong. The rigorous programs strained the skills of all of the pilots, from the best to the least skilled. Some of the more experienced pilots were having trouble adjusting to the new techniques that had to be used to defeat, or at least hold their own, against the Vong.
Lost in thought, Jaysaan hardly noticed the medic calling him from Kysal's room. When he finally noticed, the medic was finishing up with what he was saying. "...can come in now. She is still rather weak, but so far everything looks okay."
Jaysaan jumped up and followed the medic into the room. He immediately spotted his friend lying on a cot stationed up against a wall. He was surprised at how frail Kysal looked. Her skin was uncharacteristically pale and her usual healthy look was gone. Jaysaan pulled up a chair and set it by the head of the cot.
"Kysal," he said, taking her hand. Her eyes fluttered opened and she smiled weakly up at Jaysaan.
"Hey," he tried again. "How are you doing?"
"Hey yourself," Kysal said. "I'm fine, but I could use a good drink. Could you get me one?"
"I don't think that would be a good idea." Jaysaan smiled. Even in the worst of health, Kysal would always be Kysal. "When are they gonna' release you from this sterile prison?" Jaysaan gestured at the white room.
Kysal sat up with an effort. "I don't know. If it's not soon, I'll die of boredom."
"Oh really. You've only been out of the bacta tank for a couple of minutes."
Kysal smirked. "This is not the first time I've had to lay around in a wardroom for days." She yawned. "But right now, I'd rather be no place else." Kysal slouched back down and closed her eyes.
"Good night." Jaysaan released her hand. He had forgotten he had been holding it. He gave Kysal a friendly kiss on the forehead, then quietly left the room, relieved that she was going to be okay.

Ashta was in her office, staring at a datapad in her hand when her husband entered. He stopped and stared at her quietly for a moment, and then, striding forward, slid the chair across from her desk out and plunked down into it. He waited, his dark eyes calmly fixed on her.
�What do you want?� She finally asked, allowing a small smile to escape her lips.
He tilted his head slightly to the side. �It�s late.�
She glanced over the top of the datapad at him. �I know.� She stated. Her eyes did not return to the datapad.
He smiled at her. �I�m supposed to be here to help you, and late work is one activity not highly recommended.�
Ashta chuckled, but it trailed off into a sigh. She set the datapad down, and ran her fingers through the top of her long braid of silvery hair. Sktash reached over and snatched the pad she had laid down, and studied it. When he finished, he shook it at her.
�Stop it.�
Ashta frowned. �Stop what?�
�Worrying. I know you�re worried for the safety of your squadron. I would be too if I were in your place.� He gave her a quick smile.
Ashta shook her head. �Our first real mission. Three wounded. You don�t have any idea what that does to my morale much less, the rest of the squadron.�
Her husband reached across the desk, and taking her slender hand in his big one, he squeezed it. �I can imagine.�
Ashta managed a smile. �Thanks.�
Sktash returned the favor. �Not necessary.�

* * *



Even though the mess hall was rather warm, Dera kept her jacket on. The collar was upturned so no one could see her upset expression. Dera was feeling rather sorry for herself, as well as Jarred. She wasn't quite sure why though.
Dera called a service droid over and ordered a light ale. Even though she wanted to escape her troubles, she would rather stay sober. Dera wasn't a heavy drinker and she wasn't about to start now. The droid brought her drink and extended an arm for her payment. Dera reached in her pocket for a couple of credits, but she found that she didn't have any credits on her.
Rolling her eyes in disgust, she said, "Put it on my tab."
When the droid told her that she didn't have one, Dera couldn't resist a muttered curse. "Well make me one then."
"Full name, please." The droid's ever polite voice was infuriating, but Dera kept her calm.
"Dera Donos."
The droid gave her a polite farewell and rolled off to tend to other pilots. A drink later, the Commander walked in. From the stern look on her face, Dera could tell she wasn't here to buy a round of drinks. Her suspicions were confirmed a moment later.
"Attention Sabers!" Commander Rlgah said loudly to get her pilots' attention. "Assemble in the briefing room in ten minutes. I will be introducing the members of two squadrons who have just been assigned here. Attendance is mandatory."
Dera winced. The last thing she needed was a group of cocky aces trying to prove how superior they were to X-Wing pilots. She saw the same reaction cross most of the other Sabers' faces. She sighed, the day had just gone from bad to worse.

Ten minutes later, seven of the ten space worthy pilots of Saber Squadron were gathered in the base's briefing room. Even though the seats were tiered in six rows, all of the Sabers sat in one section, away from the twenty six pilots who had been in the room already. Twelve of those pilots were in their own group. The other fourteen were also.
Dera watched as Commander Rlgah made her way up to the podium in the front of the room. She looked disapprovingly at the Sabers.
"Where are Valin, Alex, and Anakin?" Her voice carried such heavy disappointment and frustration that Dera had to look down. The Commander was counting on her squadron to give a good impression to the new pilots and they had let her down. Three of them were not there against a direct order.
At that moment, Valin and Alex raced panting into the room. Seeing the sharp look Ashta gave them, they hurried wordlessly to their seats. There were a few tense moments when Anakin didn't show up, then with a sigh, the Commander called her pilots to attention.
"We have two newly stationed squadrons here now. Razor Squadron," Ashta gestured to the fourteen, "is an A-Wing squadron. As you can see, there are fourteen instead of the customary twelve. If you want to know why, ask them."
Dera clenched her jaw as several Razors smirked. Two Dera recognized. They had been on the skyhook for about a week before the Yuuzhan Vong attack. The two had been a constant source of aggravation for the younger Sabers.
"Our other new squadron is made up of a mix of E-Wings and B-Wings. They call themselves Hiklar Squadron. I believe that is the Thackwaash word for..." she raised a questioning eyebrow at the single alien in that squadron.
The hairy alien, who was a Thackwaash, answered. "Perfect or superior. The word is the same in my language." Dera sneered at his self-assured, vain expression. "After all, we are the best."
Ashta gave the Thackwaash a withering glare. "Don't even start it. The last thing I need is for you three squadrons squabbling over who is the best. I don't want any bickering between anyone."
She got obedient nods from everyone, then continued. "You can be introduced at your own convenience, but right now you are all dismissed."
Conversation broke out among the three groups, but there was no conversation between them. Saber Squadron was the first squad to leave. Most wore expressions of disgust, several looked resigned.
Dera was one of the former. Along with most of the Sabers, she went to the mess hall to discuss this new turn of events. Six of them sat at single small table. A droid came to take their orders. It returned several minutes later with their drinks and deftly served them. It gathered credits from five of the pilots. When it came to Dera, she told the droid to put it on her tab.
"Dera Donos, correct?" The eternally polite droid didn't stop now.
Dera nodded. "That would be me." The droid acknowledged her and wished the pilots a good day, then rolled off.
After a few silent sips, discussion erupted.
"What do you think of our new companions?" Jaysaan was the first to break the silence.
"Do you really want to know?" Dera said disgustedly. "I don't even know 'em and I already don't like 'em."
"That how I feel about them too." Valin piped up. "Especially that Thackwaash."
"The hairy one? Talk about conceited." Zana said. "This invasion is worse than the Vong invasion."
"Or at lease as bad, anyways," Jaysaan said. He turned around as the mess hall door whooshed open. "Look who's here!"
Almost all of the two different squadrons came into the room, in their separate groups of course, and sat down at different tables. They stayed generally quite, confining their conversations to their own tables, and so lost the visual scrutiny of the Sabers.
Soon after though, four of the new pilots walked into the mess hall, talking and laughing among themselves. Two were well muscled men, the same two who Dera had recognized earlier. The third man was a scrawny, sick-looking middle-aged man. The last was a woman. She looked tough, but not too smart.
Dera caught the tail end of their loud-spoken conversation. "...and there's that one whose X-Wing blew up. What a stuck-up wuss. Typical Corellian, if you ask me. I think his name is Jarred."
Dera rose without thinking and stalked over to the newcomers. "What did you just say?" Her voice was low and menacing. The newcomers didn't miss her hostility.
"I said whoever-he-is is a typical Corellian. A stuck-up wuss." The sickly man said haughtily. "What are you going to do about it?"
A feral grin spread across Dera's face. This was her chance to let loose, to vent some of her frustrations. Her first punch sent the small man sprawling. For a second, everyone in the mess hall was quiet, stunned by the abrupt action. The next second the whole mess hall was one big brawl, with three different squadrons at the throats of the others.
Dera took on the group of four without hesitation. She launched herself at the woman. The woman quickly side-stepped to avoid Dera's lunge and, thinking she was out of danger for the moment, threw her fist back for a punch. Dera pivoted and blocked the big woman's punch with her open palm. She grasped the fist and kicked the woman in the stomach. Her air escaped with a whoosh, and she sank to the ground.
At that moment, one of the big men jumped her from behind. Dera lost her balance and fell on top of the woman, who grabbed her neck to hold her down. A well placed elbow in the ribs and Dera was loose. She jumped up and charged the man. Her shoulder hit him in the stomach and he went down. Dera kicked his viciously in the head, putting him momentarily out of the fight.
Dera looked around for the other big man, but he was nowhere in sight. She did she Jaysaan sitting at the bar. A huge grin was pasted across his face. He was yelling out advice over the roar of the fight. Dera couldn't help but smile. Her smile didn't last long, though. The scrawny man and the woman were back on their feet and looking for trouble.

Kale Messin looked up from his drink to watch Dera's rather sudden confrontation. He smiled, knowing what was coming. The other Sabers might not know, but Kale could see how discontent and worried Dera was. He could see that she was ready to cut loose at the slightest provocation. To be frank, he was too. The Vong attack and the resulting extra simm practice, and now the pressure from the new squadrons, was wearing his patience with the universe a little thin.
Kale thought the confrontation might end peacefully, but that hope evaporated when Dera threw a vicious punch that sent one man down to the floor. Kale looked on with a slight smile. He knew what was about to happen. The rest of the pilots in the mess hall were still for a single, stunned moment, then chaos erupted. Along with the other Sabers, he launched himself out of his chair and at the new-comers. People all around the room were doing the same.
Kale picked out a small male, he thought the man was probably an A-Wing pilot, and let a punch fly. His fist impacted squarely with the man's nose. There was a sharp crack, a cry of pain, then the man turned and ran to the bar holding a hand over his shattered nose. Kale shook his hand with a grin. The dull throbbing in it told him he hadn't been in a good street style fight for too long.
Apparently there were others that thought so too. A moment after Kale punched the A-Wing pilot, his legs were swept out from under him. Kale had just enough time to twist so his shoulder would take the impact before he hit. The hard durasteel floor sent a jolt of pain through his shoulder and snapped his head down to hit the floor. For a moment, his vision faded, but he forced the world back into focus. He started to get up, but a wave of dizziness washed over him. So, despite all of the fists flying around him, Kale sat on the floor untouched. After a minute or two, the dizziness passed and he was able to stand. His head was throbbing with an annoying rhythm. He quickly pushed his way over to the bar, taking several ill aimed kicks and hits on the way. When he finally made it over, he found Jaysaan sitting on one of the bar stools, shouting out warnings and ignored advice merrily.
When he noticed Kale, he looked over and said, "I yelled for you to watch out behind you, but I guess you didn't hear me." Jaysaan gave Kale a conspiratorial wink, then went back to yelling at the Sabers.
Kale shook his head, instantly regretted it, then laid his head down on the bar. A moment later, he jerked up as something brushed past him. He looked around and saw Jaysaan, Miah, and the bar stool all piled on the floor.
Miah jumped up and grinned at Jaysaan. "Thanks for breaking my fall." He looked back up at the mob, then said, "Gotta' go. Keep up the good work." Another grin and he was gone.
Kale laid his head back on the bar and tried to shut out the roar of the crowd.

Zana Dal'Kun had been quietly sipping an Alderaanian ale, focusing on ignore the rest of the universe, when she felt a wisp of anger through the Force. In a second it blossomed into full-fledged hate. A moment later, every Saber at the table and all the rest of the pilots in the room suddenly jumped up and joined in one big brawl. Zana, rather peeved by the Thackwaash's speech, did the same. Knowing what the consequences of using the Force in a fight like this, she shut herself off from it and fought without its insight and guidance.
Which is why she almost immediately took a punch in the nose.
Zana countered with a hard, kick. Her unseen combatant let out a surprised cry and Zana vaguely hear a thud she assumed to be the person falling. Zana didn't really care though. Her hand flew up to her face and she tenderly touched her nose. Stifling a cry of pain, she looked at the woman she had taken down. The woman was up now and smiling grimly at Zana. Zana raised an eyebrow.
"Want to try that again?"
Zana lashed out with another kick that sent the woman down again before she had a chance to move. Zana tossed her head and said down to the prostrate woman, "Amateur.�
Zana stalked off to find the Thackwaash. She wanted a piece of him, too.

The Thackwaash was the first Ayen took on. Unfortunately, the Thackwaash was a lot bigger and stronger the Ayen. The hairy alien picked him up and dropped him over a table. Ayen gasped as his mid-section was slammed into the side of it. He felt a sharp pang and knew he would be spending some more time in the bacta tanks.
Ayen pushed himself up and gasped for air. His breath came in short irregular wheezes. That didn't stop him though. Ayen stomped on the big aliens foot and then ran. There was an angry roar, then he heard pounding feet trailing him.
Ayen ducked behind a young man about his age and height and kept running. He glanced over his shoulder to see the young man get slugged by the Thackwaash. Ayen laughed, then looked around for someone he could really take on. He found that someone soon enough. A dark skinned pilot saw him and stalked towards the younger Saber. Ayen waited for the man to reach him.
The dark skinned pilot threw a roundhouse punch, confident he wouldn't miss. Ayen had other ideas though. He ducked and dodged into the crowd. He ran a few steps, then looked back over his shoulder to make sure the man was following him.
Sure enough, the man took the bait and followed. Ayen let him get close enough to throw another punch, then dodged and ran again. The man followed.
Again, Ayen let him catch up. This time though, when the man through a punch, Ayen ducked then gave the man a swift kick in the knee. The man went down hard, but wasn't hurt enough to stay down. He got back up and came after Ayen again. Ayen shrugged and met him head on. He didn't give the man time to put in a punch before he got in one of his own. Ayen punched him in the gut, hard. The man bent over double and Ayen shoved him to the ground. When Ayen looked up, he found himself staring straight into the angry face of the Commander.
"Uh-oh," he breathed.
"Uh-oh is right." Outrage seeped into her voice, sending a chill up Ayen's spine.
This was definitely not a good turn of events.

Valin Horn shoved another bruised man to the ground and jumped into the midst of another fight. Without looking to see who he was fighting, the young Jedi started punching anything that came within his reach. He heard a few colorful curses as some of the punches contacted with their targets. One of the voices was familiar. Valin looked up into the bloodied face of his best friend Alex.
His cheeks reddened with embarrassment. "Whoops. Sorry about that."
Alex glared at him, then laughed. "No prob. Just give these losers a few more punches like that and this fight'll be over in no time."
Valin laughed. "Alright. Let's give it to 'em."
Together, Valin and Alex took on the group of four now facing them. Valin jumped in and tackled one man. He grabbed the leg of another while he was going down and took that man down with him. The single woman of the group gave Valin a kick in the side. He jumped up, gasping for air.
Alex took advantage of the woman's distraction and kicked her legs out from under her. She fell heavily, her head hitting the floor with a thud. She didn't move for a moment, but her hands went to her head. Seeing that she wasn't hurt badly, Alex took on the last man. Valin joined him. Alex threw a punch in, but the man grabbed his hand. As hard as Alex tried, he couldn't get his hand free.
Valin took advantage and shoved Alex forward. Alex fell on top of the man and they both tumbled to the floor in a heap of tangled limbs. Alex, who had landed on top, pounded the man's face. Valin had to pull Alex off of the man so he wouldn't be hurt too badly.
"Hey, Alex," Valin soothed. "Calm down a little. You don't want to be responsible for putting him out of commission. We need all the pilots we can get, no matter whose squadron they belong to."
Alex took a deep breath. "You're right. I'm sorry." Alex scanned the room, looking for more people to fight. Suddenly his eyes widened and he looked very worried.
"What is it?" Valin asked. "And why has everyone stopped fighting?" Valin was confused. A second ago, the room had been in chaos, and now everyone was standing still. Then Valin noticed the direction they were all looking in. He followed their gazes to the doorway.
"I think we are in trouble now," Valin said softly.
Alex nodded. "The Commander and your dad don't look too happy."
Valin's father eyes met his from across the room. His father's eyes took in the blood on Valin's shirt and his bloody knuckles. Valin was suddenly filled with shame. He couldn't meet his father's gaze. He had to look away.
"We are so dead," Alex stated needlessly.

Ashta-Mei Rlgah stepped into the mess hall with Corran Horn, ready for a drink to help her forget the day's troubles. She wasn't ready for the sight that greeted her eyes. She stopped in shock and just stared for a moment.
The mess hall was one, big brawl. For the most part, she saw the members of the two new squadrons, but that was just because her people were outnumbered two to one. Ashta's stunned stupor was suddenly broken when Ayen Seltar and another man suddenly emerged in front of her. Ayen took the man down with a swift kick to the knees and a punch in the gut. Then he turned around to see Ashta's very angry face.
"Uh oh."
"Uh oh is right." Ashta said, her voice low and menacing. Ashta grabbed his shirt collar and pulled him over. "What's going on?"
"I...uh...I would really rather not say." Ayen winced as Ashta pinned him with a glare.
"I didn't ask if you would like to tell me what happened." Ashta's voice was cold and hard, even though she was trying to calm herself down. "I asked you to tell me. Now."
"Well...um...these guys came in and..." Ayen clamped his jaws shut and didn't say another word.
"Ayen," Ashta warned. "Don't do this."
She could see the regret and indecision in his eyes, but he still didn't say anything. Ashta put a hand on her forehead, then turned to Corran. His features were steeled and his gaze was directed across the room. By now, everyone had noticed them and most were standing still. Ashta followed Corran's eyes to the stiff form of Valin, his son. She could sense his anger and disappointment in his son, and also the sudden regret from Valin.
Then another presence caught her attention. The sense from this one was riddled with pain, but also full of self assurance. She turned to see Zana sitting on a bar stool. Her nose was bloodied and a bruise was starting to form around one eye. Zana sent her sister a content smile, knowing it would make Ashta even more angry. Ashta quickly moved her gaze to the other two Sabers at the bar. Kale had his head laid down on the bar and she sensed great pain from him. Not feeling the least bit sorry for him, she looked over at Jaysaan. His face was the epitome of innocence. He didn't have a mark on his body, so Ashta assumed he had been smart and stayed out of the fight.
"Okay," Ashta raised her voice, "I want to know what happened here, and I want to know now." Ashta was dimly aware of Corran standing stiffly beside her. A sense of disappointment radiated from him.
"I'm waiting." She kept her tone frosty and commanding.
For a few moments, no one spoke. Then, finally, one of the pilots of Razor Squadron cleared his throat. He was a scrawny little man who didn't look too healthy. He stepped forward, making his way towards Ashta. He was almost there when a blur of black and brown tackled the man from the side.
Dera had her knees planted in the man's stomach and was pounding his face and chest with her fists. Rage contorted her face.
No one moved. No one made a move to stop her. Most were too shocked, others didn't have a problem with what Dera was doing. Those pilots were mostly the Sabers. Finally, seeing no one was going to stop her, Corran jumped forward and tried to pry her away from the man. He grabbed her left arm as she pulled it back to hit the man again. Her reaction was totally unexpected. She twisted around and with her right fist punched Corran square in the face. Corran fell backwards in surprise.
Ashta let out a muttered curse and tackled Dera. The two women slid across the floor, tangled in a mass of arms, legs, and curses. Ashta took several kicks and hits before she was finally able to restrain Dera with Ayen's help. Ayen twisted Dera's arms behind her back and pulled her to her feet. Ashta picked herself up and stared dumbly at the still struggling Saber.
Dera looked around wildly, almost unseeing. Ashta took a quick step forward and slapped Dera with full force. "What do you think you're doing?"
Dera jerked back and her eyes snapped back into focus. She looked around in shock. Her wide eyes took in Corran, still on the floor with blood dripping from his nose and cheek, and the other man, whose face was a mass of purple and black bruises. Her eyes traveled around the room, and finally came to rest on Ashta. They took in the torn tunic and scratch marks on Ashta's shoulder, then the split lip and busted cheek. Then Dera met Ashta's hard stare.
I'm sorry, she mouthed, then let her muscled relax and forced her fists open.
Ayen, seeing she was calmed now, released her. Dera just stood unmoving, waiting for someone to tell her what to do. Her head was hung and her eyes were filled with something like uncertainty, but not with shame.
Ashta shook her head in frustration, then raised her voice to the still crowd. "All pilots report to your quarters and stay there until further notice, except for those who need medical attention. If you are one of those, report immediately to the infirmary." No one moved for a moment. "Now! And that's an order!"
The crowd started moving towards the door. Ayen grabbed Dera's arm and started leading her to the door, but Ashta stopped them.
"You two stay right here." Ashta left the two young Sabers standing in the midst of the milling mob of beings. Ashta pushed through the mass to find her sister, but when she reached the bar, Zana was gone.
Ashta reached through the Force to give her sister an angry mental summons. Get your worthless hide back here right now, sister. She received the impression of a cocky acknowledgement from Zana.
Ashta waited impatiently by the bar, and as the crowd finally thinned, Zana and Jaysaan appeared. Zana was pulling Jaysaan along behind her. Ashta suppressed a wince as the Force conveyed a jolt of pain up Ashta's nose and back through her head. She cut her Force link with her sister, knowing it came from Zana's obviously broken nose.
Ashta waited for them to reach her and motioned for Dera and Ayen to join her. In less than a minute, the four Sabers had reached Ashta.
"Please have a seat," Ashta was regaining her calm now, "and get yourself a drink."
Each of the Sabers got a light drink, even Ashta. She sipped her drink silently for a while, then set it down and watched her pilots. They chaffed under her steady gaze. She was about to speak, when Ayen suddenly erupted in a fit of coughing. Within seconds he was coughing up blood. Ashta jumped up and ran to him, along with the other three.
"What's wrong with him?" Jaysaan asked.
"I don't know," Ashta answered tensely. She slipped an arm around Ayen's waist as he almost pitched forward off his bar stool. She motioned for Jaysaan to do the same. "Help me move him to the floor."
Ayen was surprisingly light, so Ashta and Jaysaan had no trouble helping him move down to the floor. Ayen sat down heavily, still coughing up blood. He tried once to stop, but the attempt only made him cough worse.
Ashta pulled out her comm-link and contacted the base's medical infirmary. In moments, a blue haired medic and a repulsor-stretcher rushed through the door and over to Ayen. As the medic and Jaysaan were gently helping Ayen onto the stretcher, Ashta felt a flash of barely controlled hate and rage from Dera.
Ashta whirled, ready to take Dera down again if she snapped. It never happened though. To Ashta's relief, Dera was able to keep herself in check. Barely. Ashta worriedly studied Dera's trembling body. Dera must have felt Ashta's gaze because she sent a Ashta a shaky smile. It faded quickly though as her anger continued to grow. Finally, Dera stepped over to Ashta.
"Requesting permission to return to my quarters." Dera's voice was tight with more than anger. Worry was present, worry that she wouldn't be able to control herself much longer.
Control herself against what, Ashta wondered. What is bothering Dera so much? Ashta made a mental note to ask the twenty year old later.
"Permission granted." Ashta's reply was soft and thoughtful. "I will be calling on you soon though."
Dera gave Ashta a curt nod and quickly exited the mess hall. Ashta turned her attention to her injured pilot. He had been settled onto the stretcher and a breath mask had been fitted onto his now pallid face. Its regulated flow of air had put a quick halt to Ayen's hacking, but his breath came in quick, shallow gasps.
Then Ashta noticed how shaken the medic was. His eyes kept flicking over to the empty doorway, as if Dera would walk back in at any moment. Finally, he got a hold of himself and finished several adjustments to the instruments connected to stretcher. Ashta caught his eye and gave him a nod. He paused a moment, then left the infirmary with Ayen in tow.
"What was that all about?" Zana asked nonchalantly.
Ashta whirled on her sister and gave her a hard glare. "I think you had better shut your mouth before you get into even more trouble."
Zana smiled. "Me? Get in trouble? For what?"
Ashta's eyes narrowed. "You are as of now confined to your quarters until further notice." Her voice was low and threatening.
Zana opened her mouth to protest, but stopped as she saw the look on the Commander's face. "Yes, ma'am." Zana turned and walked stiffly away.
Then Ashta noticed Jaysaan, who was trying to shrink unnoticed away from her. For the moment, she ignored him and instead went to the bar and tiredly sat down. She hated having to be the one to straighten out her group of invalids. For some reason, the Sabers had all the respect in the universe for her, but they couldn't seem to obey orders and stay out of trouble.
"Corellian whiskey, please."
The bartender, who saw what a sour mood she was in, hurried to get her drink. Ashta heard the slight rustle of cloth and glanced over to see Jaysaan sliding into the seat next to her. Her appreciation of him rose a notch. She had assumed he would leave while her attention was elsewhere to try to avoid being yelled at. Ashta looked down at the bar.
"As much as I hate to say it," he said quietly, "Dera threw the first punch."
Ashta blinked in surprise and looked up sharply at Jaysaan's downcast face. It must have rankled him to finger a fellow Saber as the cause of the whole mess. "I don't doubt it for a second. I would like to know why, though."
For a few moments, Jaysaan was silent. Finally, he spoke again, still not facing Ashta. "A couple of pilots, I'm not sure which ones, came in and started trash talking about Jarred. Dera jumped up and confronted them verbally. They insulted him again, so she punched one of them." Jaysaan shrugged. "You saw what happened after that."
Ashta nodded slowly. She hadn't thought any of the Sabers were looking for a fight, but she hadn't been sure what had started the whole ruckus. Now she knew, and she had no clue what to do about it. It was right and good that Dera defended Jarred, but it was not so good that she had started a fight. She had to be punished. The only problem with that was that Ashta would have probably done the same thing herself.
Ashta looked up at Jaysaan. "You know the Sabers. What do you think the best punishment would be?"
Jaysaan cocked an eyebrow at her. "How about no punishment?" His tone was hopeful, but his face belied his sarcasm.
"I have an idea," Ashta said slowly. "How does kitchen duty sound?"
Jaysaan shook his head vigorously. "No, I don't think that is a good idea."
Ashta uttered a short laugh. "You wouldn't. But it gets better." She paused dramatically. "I'm thinking kitchen duty, extra simm time, and no alcoholic beverages for a month."
Jaysaan coughed into his hand. "A month! You can't do this to us!"
"I can and I am. Get used to it." Ashta smiled at the disbelief on Jaysaan's face. She looked up as Corran came back into the mess hall. His sense was sour, but his face was composed. He looked rather comical with a swelled nose and a black eye.
Ashta glanced over at Jaysaan when she sensed him amusement. He was unable to hold back a snicker.
"I like your new look, sir."
Corran's eyes flashed and he bit back a sharp reply. "Don't you have anything else you need to be doing?"
Jaysaan looked thoughtful for a moment, then shook his head. "Nope."
Corran glared at the twenty-eight year old. "Are you sure you don't have anything else to do? Now?"
Jaysaan shook his head again. "I don't think so."
"You better find something to do or I'll give you something to do," Corran threatened.
Jaysaan glanced at Ashta, who shrugged. "Yeah, now that I think about it, I do have something to do."
"I though so." Corran impatiently waited for Jaysaan to leave.
Ashta almost wanted him to stay. Somehow, she knew she wasn't going to like whatever Corran had to say to her. As the younger Saber's back receded, Corran turned to her.
"We really need to talk."

Valin gazed at the blurred form of Jarred floating in the bacta tank. A strange sense of unease filled him, but he wasn't sure why. Sure, he wasn't supposed to be here, all of the Sabers had been confined to their quarters, but that wasn't what was bothering him. As he watched Jarred, a sudden thought struck him.
I haven't seen Anakin for several hours. He wasn't in the mess hall with us, and no one seemed to know where he was before the briefing. Worry returned stronger than ever at that thought.
Valin noticed Jarred's eyes flutter open, so he pushed his thoughts back to the present. He pulled out his com and set it for the medic's com frequency. "He's awake now."
"I'll be right there," the medic responded. Moments later Kade Lihos entered the room. "Thanks for watching him for me. We just had an emergency call from the mess hall."
Valin looked up sharply.
Seeing his surprise, Lihos said, "One of the Sabers was injured badly. I believe it was one Ayen Seltar."
Valin drew a sharp breath. "What's wrong with him?"
"He had several broken ribs and a punctured lung. He's in surgery right now." Seeing Valin's worry, Lihos added, "Don't worry about it though. He'll be okay."
Valin nodded slowly. "I'm sure he will be." Silence reigned for a few moments, the Lihos inhaled loudly.
"Well, let's get Jarred out of the tank."
"Yeah, lets." Valin took up a position beside Kade to receive Jarred when he was pulled out of the bacta.
Lihos unfastened the opening in the grate on top of the tank and gave the air tube connected to Jarred's breath mask a gentle tug. Jarred weakly kicked his way up to the top of the tank. Kade grabbed him underneath the arms and pulled him out of the tank. Valin wrapped a towel around him and the two men help Jarred down the stairs and to a cot positioned by the wall. Once he was seated, Kade went back over to the tank and started a bacta cleansing process.
"How do you feel?" Valin asked.
Jarred let his eyelids sink shut. "Tired." With an obvious effort, he opened his eyes and lifted his head. "My legs hurt. So does my arm."
Valin nodded. "They will for a while. You were hurt pretty badly."
Jarred nodded. "Why did my lasers overload?"
Valin's mouth dropped, but he quickly recovered from his surprise. "Why do you think your lasers overloaded?"
Jarred gave Valin and thin lipped smile. "Normally when the power readings go off the chart and you see a huge ball of fire in front of you and pieces of your X-Wing go flying in all directions that tells you something."
That much talking seemed to exhaust Jarred. His face was pale and his head kept drooping towards his chest.
"You look tired," Valin quickly changed the subject. "You should probably get some sleep."
Jarred nodded, then let Valin help him lay back. Almost immediately, Jarred's eyes closed and the rising and falling of his chest slowed to a regular rhythm.
Valin looked up at Kade. His concern must have been obvious, because Lihos said, "He's a little weak right now. He'll get progressively better as the days go by, but it will take a while."
Valin nodded. "Yeah, I kinda' figured on that." He hesitated for a moment, then looked back over at Jarred. "If you'll excuse me, I have to go talk to the Commander."
Without waiting for Lihos to respond, Valin hurried out of the room.

Valin impatiently waited at the Commander's door. She wasn't answering his knocks, but he could sense her inside. He could feel how upset she was. "Commander," he called softly. "I really need to talk to you."
For several minutes he got no reply, then finally the door opened. "What is it?" The Commander tried to keep irritation from seeping into her voice, but she failed utterly.
Valin glanced down at the floor, mustered his courage, then finally spoke. "We just took Jarred out of the bacta tank."
"How is he?" Ashta's voice went from irritated, to just a little curious.
"He's sleeping right now, but I think he'll be okay." Valin studied her face for a moment. She seemed pleased, but irritation still showed through. "The doctor says he won't be able to participate in any exercises and definitely won't be able to fly for several weeks."
"Which means we have to find a replacement for him." Ashta opened her door and gestured for Valin to come in. "I have several choices already."
Valin hesitantly stepped in. He glanced around the room. It was sparsely furnished, but comfortably. There was a doorway into what he assumed to be her bedroom. Off on a far wall, Valin spotted a data terminal. Ashta went over to it.
"One of my prospects is employed here already as a Z-95 Headhunter pilot trainer. His name is N'dru Suhlak." Ashta paused. Valin thought it was to see his reaction to the name. Valin thought he recognized the name, but couldn't place it. Ashta pulled up a file on Suhlak.
"He has a good record and is reportedly a good pilot. More importantly, he is somewhat reliable." Ashta ran quickly through the rest of the file.
"He sounds like a good candidate. You said you had others?"
Ashta smiled. "You don't think much of him?"
Valin shrugged. "I'm not sure." He shook his head. Valin couldn't quite put his finger on the source of his unease about Suhlak.
Ashta watched him intently for a moment, then shrugged. "There are two others. One is a young Twi'lek male. He was with another unit of X-Wings until they had a face-off with the Vong. He and two others survived. His name is Ke'arn Ne'okra and he is a very good pilot."
"He must be if he survived a Yuuzhan Vong attack." Valin nodded approval. "Who is the other one?"
"You won't believe me if I tell you." Ashta shook her head. "I'm still not sure I believe it."
Valin smirked. "Try me."
"I think this candidate is probably the best pilot out of the three, but I'm not sure how he would work out with our group. His name is Mikaraska and he is a Noghri." Valin's jaw dropped. "A Noghri? You have got to be kidding."
Ashta vigorously shook her head. "I'm not." She typed in a few rapid commands and pulled up the Noghri's file.
Valin scanned it quickly and found it to be authentic. "He has an excellent flight record." He looked up at Ashta. "I didn't know Noghri flew fighters."
"I didn't either, until a few days ago." Ashta posted her hands on her hips. "So what do you think?"
"I think the Noghri best fits what we need. Someone with Noghri reflexes would push us to be our best." Valin looked up to see Ashta's approving nod.
"That was my evaluation of the situation also. I wanted a second opinion." Ashta moved over to the small desk in one corner of the room. She thumbed on holocomm unit and punched in the station's command frequency. She waited in front of the New Republic insignia patiently until someone answered her call.
"Commander Rlgah," a young man answered finally, "How may I help you?"
"I would like an audience with the three pilots I asked about earlier." She added a commanding note to her voice. "As soon as possible."
"Two are on station if you would like to see them now."
Ashta-Mei nodded once. "Please. Send them to my office."
"Yes ma'am." The man's brisk voice answered back. "They will be there in a few minutes."
Ashta gave another nod, then cut the transmission. She glanced over at Valin, who stared steadily back at her. Then Ashta sighed. "I suppose you're wondering why I asked for your opinion, and why I am now asking you to be here when I meet with these two."
Valin grinned and nodded. "You read my mind."
"I've heard you could get a good reading on most people. I need pilots I can trust, so I want someone here who could help me figure out who those would be."
Valin wasn't sure what to say, so he just nodded. He was saved from having to try to think up something to say by a buzz from Ashta's door panel. Ashta hurried over to the door and opened it. An aid stood in the door.
"The two pilot candidates are waiting in your office."
Ashta gave a quick nod. "I'll be right there." The aid left. Ashta gave Valin a glance. "Let's go."
Valin stood up and went to the door, but hesitated before following the Commander down the hall. A quick vision flashed before his eyes. His father, a stern expression on his face, walked towards him. His robes fluttered behind him and his lightsaber bounced on his thigh. Corran's black, knee-high boots shone blackly in the halls bright light. His graying hair was combed back and the angular features of his face were accented by his goatee.
"Valin!" Ashta waited impatiently a few meters down the hallway. "Stop day-dreaming and come on!"
Valin jumped. The vision vanished and Ashta stood where her father had been. "Yeah, let's go." Valin shook his head in confusion. Why would he see a vision like that, and why now? He didn't have time to ponder on it, though. Ashta had started off at a brisk pace and was not waiting up for him. He had to hurry to keep up with her. Valin finally settled in beside her, but every few steps he had to do a quick step forward to keep pace with her longer legs.
"What happened back there?" Ashta asked tentatively. "I felt a small draw on the Force."
Valin shook his head unhappily. "I'm not sure. I saw a vision of my father walking towards me. His expression was rather grim."
Ashta gave him a sidelong glance. "Any idea what it means?"
"Not a clue." Valin frowned. "Unless dad was trying to tell me he was coming to talk with me. In that case, let's get to your office fast."
Ashta smiled. "Afraid he has a lecture for you after your involvement in the fight?"
Valin nodded. "Oh yeah. I have really got it coming.� He shrugged. "But what could I do? My squadron mates were getting beat up."
Ashta shook her head. "Oh, no you don't. That's is definitely not the reason you joined in." Valin flinched under her probing gaze. "I think all of you were looking for chance to cut loose."
Valin shrugged again. "You might be right, but I think some of us cut loose and cut up more than others."
"You may be right." Ashta smiled. "But for now, let's just get to my office and interview the two pilots."







5



Anakin Solo exhilarated in the freedom of flying. He put his X-Wing through a myriad of high speed, high g maneuvers. He closed his eyes and let the Force flood through him. He flew as he had rarely flown before. No lives were at stake, no one needed to be rescued. He just flew for the joy of flying. Anakin laughed happily, all his worries erased for the moment. Finally, Anakin opened his eyes. He found himself amidst a multitude of long dead and broken ships. They were the small remnant of thousands of ships that had been destroyed in the liberation of Coruscant from the Empire. Most of them had been removed from orbit, but no one had ever gotten around to moving these. Anakin shut himself off from the Force, deciding to practice without the aid of the Force. He was determined not to have the Force become a crutch for him.
He immediately came upon the graveyard of ships. He wrenched the stick down and sent his X-Wing into a spinning dive to avoid a piece of debris whirling at him. He immediately had to pull up into a sharp rise to get out of the path of another piece of debris. Then he was in the midst of the dead ships. He flew the clearest path, but even that was cluttered with pieces of shrapnel. Anakin threw his snubfighter through rolls and dives, reverses and violent turns. Several times, small metal or transparisteel chunks broke through his shields and hit the hull of his ship, but none did any serious damage.
Finally, Anakin emerged on the other side of the graveyard. He wiped sweat off of his forehead and out of his eyes. He cut his thrust and looked back, smiling. He still had the skill it took to navigate the graveyard at high speeds and survive. Without the Force. Anakin laid his head back and took a few deep breaths, the glanced down at his chronometer. He had been gone for three hours. The rest of the squadron would probably be missing him by now.
He powered his X-Wing back up and started back towards the city-planet of Coruscant. He put in a request to land, and when it was confirmed entered the atmosphere. Suddenly, his comm picked up a distress signal. Without thinking, he pulled up and back out into the vacuum of space, then followed the distress signal to its source. He slowed as a beat up old freighter came into view. It had massive carbon scoring and a large hole towards the rear of the ship showed where the hyperdrive had blown. Anakin switched on his comm to the same frequency as the signal, but before he could send a message, his comm light flickered. He answered the incoming call.
"X-Wing," a hoarse voice whispered over the comm, "Firre requesting assistance. I have ten injured and six dead. We were ambushed..." The voice trailed off into a fit of coughing.
"Firre," Anakin immediately answered, "hold on. I'll get help right away." He switched to one of the many New Republic military frequencies. He was surprised to be answered by a somewhat familiar Bothan voice.
"Kre'fey here."
"Admiral Kre'fey," Anakin wasted no time. "An injured freighter has reverted to realspace at these coordinates." Anakin recited a list of numbers. "They are requesting assistance. They claim to have been ambushed and are not in good shape."
"It's good to talk to you too, Solo." Kre'fey smiled. "I'll get my people on it right away."
Anakin acknowledged and reached for the comm switch, but the bass rumble of the Admiral stopped him. "Sir?"
"I need to speak to you as soon as possible."
Anakin wondered why the Bothan Admiral would want to talk to him. "Yes sir. Solo out."
He switched the comm back over to Firre's frequency. "Firre," he said, "Help is on the way."
The voice answered fainter than before. "Hurry."
Anakin slowly brought his X-Wing around and up to the derelict freighter. "Do you have docking capabilities?"
"Yes," the voice came back, this time sharp with pain. "I'll meet you at the hatch."
Anakin slid his X-Wing up to the hatch and waited for the link tube to extend and settle over the X-Wing's hatch. A tone sounded, telling Anakin that it was safe to enter the other ship though the tube. Anakin pulled out an oxygen tank from the emergency kit behind his seat, just in case, then pulled off his helmet and opened the hatch. He climbed into the tube and clamored up to the now open hatch of the other ship. As he emerged into the Firre, acrid smoke bit at his eyes and nose. He guessed it came from burning circuitry. He took a deep breath, and immediately felt lightheaded. He started coughing and almost collapsed, but strong arms were suddenly supporting him.
"Use your oxygen." The same voice Anakin had heard over the comm now instructed him to use the tank he had forgotten. One hand released him and helped him settle the tank's mask over his nose and mouth. "A coolant line ruptured. It's now in the air and it's what making you ill."
As Anakin drew deeply of the oxygen, the hands finally released him. He turned to face the man who had helped him. There was something vaguely familiar about him, but Anakin couldn't pinpoint it. There was no time to ponder on it now, though.
Anakin gave him a grateful smile, then said, "There are injured people on board?"
The man nodded. "Yes, this way."
He quickly led Anakin to the cargo bay. Here the air was still fairly clear. Sixteen forms were laid out on the floor. Six of those forms were covered with standard military issue brown blankets. Anakin glanced down at the floor, then back up at the still moving forms across the room. He ran over to them, taking a quick look at each.
He stopped when he came to a violently coughing woman. Her chocolate, silver-striped hair was dirty and singed. The right side of her face was scraped and bleeding, as was a deep gash on her thigh. Anakin knelt by her and opened himself to the Force. He was glad he had knelt down. If he hadn't the agony that suddenly assaulted him would have knocked him off his feet. He pushed the pain away and placed his hands on her chest. He channeled the Force into her body, and started its healing energies to work. He never had much talent as a healer, but because of her coughing he knew she must have breathed a large quantity of the corrosive coolant gas. Her lungs had probably been abraded and eaten at by the gas. He channeled the Force to that general section of her body, also easing some of her pain. When the woman stopped coughing, Anakin took his hands away from her chest and used the Force to refresh himself. He looked up at the man, who was staring intently at Anakin. A strange light sparked in the man's eyes.
"Who are you?" Anakin was surprised at the low, threatening tone of the man's voice.
"I'm Anakin Solo." He stopped, amazed as pure shock crossed the man's face. "Who are you?" Anakin was suddenly very curious. "And why do you care who I am?"
"I...I'm Tigris." All emotion drained from his face. "I guess you don't remember me."
Anakin shook his head. "You seem familiar, but.." he trailed off, then shrugged helplessly at the hurt look in the man's eyes.
"Well, it's been a long time." Tigris hurried away as a man nearby groaned in pain. Anakin got to his feet and followed Tigris. A man, this one also had striped hair, had a deep gash down the front of a chest and across his stomach. He had scratches over his whole face and down the front of his arms. Anakin helped Tigris strip the blood soaked shirt from the man. Anakin unzipped his flightsuit down to his waist, pulled off his own shirt, then zipped his flightsuit back up. He wadded up his shirt and pressed it against the man's chest and stomach wounds, which were bleeding profusely.
"Tear his shirt into strips," Anakin instructed Tigris.
Tigris did as he was told, then slid them under the man's back when Anakin lifted the man's torso slightly off the ground. Anakin laid him back down and tied the strips over his own shirt.
"I hope this will work as a bandage until help gets here." Tigris gave him a tight nod, then moved to another injured man. Anakin watched him for a moment, then started as one of the wounded began coughing.
Tigris gave Anakin a concerned glance. "The coolant is starting to get in here." Anakin nodded, then placed his own oxygen mask over the coughing man's face. After a few breaths, the man's coughing subsided. Anakin shivered, the cold of space had started to penetrate the hull as life support began to fail.
"I'm gonna' get the rest of the emergency equipment out of my X-Wing. I'll be back in a minute." As Anakin ran back to his fighter, he almost laughed at what the so-called 'emergency equipment' consisted of. He slid down the access tube and into the cockpit. He pulled a kit out from behind the seat, and also a thermal blanket he had stashed there when he first started flying with the Sabers. There were also two more oxygen tanks. He gathered up the stuff and used the Force to boost himself up the tube. Anakin ran back to the cargo bay and skidded to a halt by the wounded people. He dropped the kit, blanket and oxygen tanks and helped move the injured closer together. He and Tigris spread the blanket over them, it was just large enough to cover them all. Then Anakin sat back on his heels and tried to fight off a fit of coughing. He was only partially successful. He was able to stop coughing long enough to pull out his comm link and get in touch with his astromech.
"Patch me through to Kre'fey." Anakin took a deep breath, then erupted in a fit of coughing. Tigris was there in a second with the oxygen, but Anakin refused it. Instead he opened himself completely to the Force and used it to quell the coughs and to start healing in his lungs. The air in the cargo hold was not saturated enough to cause his coughs. When he had ran to and from his X-Wing, he had gotten several lungfuls of the gas. Hopefully his lungs would heal enough to enable him to talk to the Admiral without having to use the oxygen.
"Solo?" The Bothan's grave voice came over the comm link. "I see your X-Wing and the ship. Where are you?"
"I'm in the ship." His voice was rough, like Tigris's had been. "There are eleven injured and six dead." Anakin shot a glance a Tigris, who was about to protest that he was not injured. "There is a coolant leak and life support has failed. I need you here as soon as possible."
"We can dock as soon as you move your X-Wing, Solo." Kre'fey's voice was calm and in control, as it always was.
"Will do, Admiral." Anakin glanced at Tigris. "Solo out." He switched off his comm link and clipped it to his belt.
"I remember I liked you." Anakin said to Tigris, then sprinted to his X-Wing and cycled the air through to purify it. He disengaged from the link tube and accelerated toward the shuttle coming from the Ralroost, the Bothan Assault Cruiser currently patrolling Coruscant space. He passed it, then swung his X-Wing around and escorted the shuttle to the freighter.
Anakin cut power to his engines and hung suspended in space. He pushed his awareness in the Force out towards the Firre. His thoughts sought out one mind among the seventeen there. He touched Tigris's mind, trying to remember where he knew him from. An image of a boy holding an even younger boy came to his mind. Then another of the same boy sitting on a path, crying. The younger boy tugged on his arm, urging him to follow. The boy, Anakin though, was Tigris, and the little one was me. I remember when my mother told me about a boy with striped hair. She wouldn't say his name, because his people believed to own ones name was to gain power over him. She told me that when I was young, I was kidnapped. The boy took care of me. I remember his face. It was different back then. He had the soft look of innocence, of youth, back then. But I suppose I did too. Anakin shook his head. That was a long time ago, so long that he barely remembered Tigris at all.
Anakin watched the shuttle through the viewport of his X-Wing. Every few minutes, he saw a flash of color in the link tube. He assumed those flashed were the injured being moved into the shuttle. Finally, the link tube disengaged from the shuttle. Anakin waited until the shuttle was safely away from the Firre, then powered his fighter up and sped towards the Ralroost.
"Ralroost," Anakin said, "Saber Two requesting permission to land."
"Permission granted, Two," a voice promptly answered him. "Landing bay three."
"Acknowledged." Anakin resisted the urge to cough again. He dove under the Cruiser and followed the curve of the ship until Bay Three came into view. He decelerated until he had just enough forward momentum to bring him slowly into the bay. He drifted toward an empty landing slot and gently set his X-Wing down.
When it had settled onto the durasteel floor, he switched off the repulsorlifts and did a quick post-flight check on its systems. When his astromech whistled an okay, he powered down his fighter and popped the hatch. He climbed out and sat on the cold metal side, dangling his feet over the floor. He pulled off his helmet and threw it back into the cockpit, along with his sweaty gloves.
A door hissed open, admitting a snow white Bothan along with a complement of pilots. They immediately hastened to their B-Wings and prepped them for flight. Anakin gazed after them in confusion. As the Bothan came nearer, Anakin slid off his X-Wing and landed softly on the deck.
"Admiral?" he said questioningly. "Where are they going?"
"They are going to destroy the Firre. There is too much danger of the Yuuzhan Vong gaining any information that ship might have contained." From the tones in Kre'fey's voice, Anakin surmised that the Admiral must have know about the ship and its occupants, and that there must be important information on the ship.
The shuttle that had rescued the people off of the Firre entered the magnetically shielded bay and set down slowly on its repulsorlifts. Anakin and Kre'fey scrambled back to avoid the repulsorlifts energy field. As the shuttle powered down, Anakin ran toward it. He jumped on the half-lowered ramp and hurried to the hold. He opened himself to the Force and immediately felt a blast of pain. Tigris met him halfway and hurried back to the wounded. He immediately went to the woman Anakin had first helped.
"She needs medical attention badly." He gestured to the man whose wounds Anakin had dressed. "So does he." Anakin nodded and commed the medical bay for emergency assistance. Tigris gave him a grateful smile and turned to the woman, who had just regained consciousness.
"Everything's okay mother," he said softly. "The medics are on the way."
The woman smiled weakly at the grimy young man standing over her. "Thank him for me." Her voice was barely audible. Tigris looked up at Anakin.
Anakin, understanding that this woman and her son had been through a very tough time, knelt down beside the woman and gently took her hand. "Thank your son. Without his quick thinking and strength, I could have done nothing to help you. If he hadn't turned on the distress signal and been conscious to dock with my X-Wing, I would have never know you were out here." Anakin touched the woman's hair. Its gold on chocolate striping sparked some deeply buried memory from his youth. He looked back down at her dirty face, but only knew her from his mother's stories. "Rillao."
"Thank you anyway, Solo." Rillao smirked weakly at Anakin's surprise. "You are much like your mother. You have her strength and fire."
Anakin gave her a grateful smile and stood to leave.
"Wait," she coughed. Weakly, she reached into a deep pocket in her loose fitting, torn jumpsuit and pulled out a battered datacard. "Keep this for me. Don't let anyone, not even your family, know what you will find on it."
"No one?" She shook her head. "My son, if possible, will confide with you about its contents. Don't let it be taken from you."
Anakin shoved the datacard in a pocket, a bad feeling settling in the pit of his stomach. This card, he thought, will only lead to more trouble. Anakin rose and moved away. He avoided the influx of medics and other emergency workers. The young Jedi made his way out of the shuttle and over to his X-Wing.
Kre'fey hurried over to him. "Would you like to stay for the fireworks, or do you need to return to the skyhook?" Anakin frowned, considering his options. He would be most comfortable leaving right away. He had a feeling that the sooner he was away from the MonCal cruiser, the better. Also, Ashta-Mei would undoubtedly be looking for him by now.
"I think I should probably be getting back. Commander Rlgah will probably have my skin when she finds me."
Kre'fey gave him a puzzled glance. "Why?"
Anakin shifted uncomfortably. "I sort of didn't get her permission to leave the base."
The snowy Bothan smiled, showing even whiter fangs. "I see. In that case, you probably should hurry back."
The Bothan turned abruptly. Anakin watched his receding back for several seconds, his unease growing. Anakin shrugged it off, then climbed back into his X-Wing. He powered it up, ran through a quick pre-flight, and then lifted off.
As the Ralroost shrunk behind him, the datacard came back to Anakin's thoughts. He pulled it out and studied its battered surface. In one of the corners, partly covered in hardened dirt, was an inscribed symbol and some words in a language Anakin didn't know, but it was vaguely familiar. He chipped off the dirt with a fingernail and studied the inscriptions more closely. The sweeping and graceful marks instilled a strange sense of peace in him. Anakin took one last look at the datacard, then put it back in his pocket and pointed his X-Wing at the now visible skyhook. He quickly obtained permission to land, then took his craft down to the hangar and gently set it down in the midst of Saber Squadron's other X-Wings.
Quickly powering down, Anakin shucked his helmet and gloves then climbed out of the cockpit and slid down the cold metal side of his X-Wing. The cool air of the hangar felt good against his sweaty face. Anakin jogged out of the hangar after calling a tech over to take his astromech out of his X-Wing. He dropped to a quick walk down several halls and made his way to his room without being spotted by any of the Sabers.
Entering his room, Anakin pulled off his sweat soaked, dirty flightsuit and stepped into his 'fresher's shower. After a quick wash, he toweled off and pulled on some clean clothes. Digging the datacard out of his flightsuit pocket, he took a cloth and carefully cleaned the dirt off of it.
Anakin set the card down on his and Ayen's desk and started searching for his datapad. He rummaged through his desk and the various items on the floor and chairs. He didn't find it. With a frustrated sigh, Anakin put the datacard in one of the desk drawers and locked it. He pocketed the key and went off in search of a datapad he could borrow. His first choice was Valin Horn. Anakin stopped by the younger Jedi's room, but only found Valin's roommate, Alex, was in the room.
"Do you know where Valin is?" Anakin asked the young man, who was reclining on his bed.
Alex raised an eyebrow. "Not here, obviously. He supposed to be here, and you supposed to be in your room, but he isn't and you aren't." The tall youth shrugged. "Don't ask me what's going on."
Anakin gave him a quizzical look. "Why am I supposed to be in my room?"
Alex regarded him skeptically, then a flash of insight crossed his eyes. "You weren't in the fight were you?"
"Fight?" Anakin was somewhat glad he hadn't been at the base all day long.
Alex's face brightened. "Yeah, it was great! Okay, we got these two new squadrons based here today. The Commander had a briefing to introduce us all. After that, most of us went to the mess hall to get a drink and discuss the new squadrons. They are a bunch of jerks, by the way. Then the other two squadrons came in. The atmosphere got a little tense, but everything was okay until two of the Razors came in and started bad-mouthing Jarred."
Anakin frowned. He wasn't too happy about the two new squadrons being assigned to their skyhook, but there wasn't a lot he could do about it. "So what happened?"
"Dera exploded." Alex gave Anakin an evil grin. "She pounded the losers� faces in. Then the whole room joined the fight. The Commander finally came in and broke it up, but not before a few good punches were thrown and some people were hurt."
"I'm glad I wasn't there." Anakin shook his head. He probably would have fought too, and that wasn't what he should have done. "So what's your punishment?"
Alex rolled his eyes and recited a few phrases that he had read off of the datacard at the foot of his bed. "We are confined to our quarters until further notice. We have alternating kitchen duty for the next month. We cannot ingest any alcoholic beverages. We must log twenty hours of extra simm practice each week, not counting the regular squadron simm time."
When Alex paused for air, Anakin cut in. "Your kidding!"
The younger man shook his head vigorously. "I'm not. We just got the orders half and hour ago."
He tossed Anakin the datacard. "Take a look at it yourself if you don't believe me." Anakin gave the card a hard glare, then dropped it back on the end of the bed. "I believe you. After all, it is the Commander we're dealing with."
Alex grinned. "Oh well. I guess it's not so bad. At least we weren't banned from eating or sleeping, or something like that."
Anakin shook his head, then remember the original reason for his visit. "You have a datapad?"
"Yup."
"Can I borrow it? I can't seem to find mine."
Alex raised a skeptical eyebrow. "If you lose your own datapad, how am I supposed to know you won't lose my datapad?"
"Sabers' honor." Anakin said.
"Honor?" Alex tilted his head to the side and put on a mask of mock confusion. "What's honor?"
"Ha-ha." Anakin scooped up the datapad off of Alex's desk and started for the door, calling over his shoulder, "Thanks! I owe you one!" As the door closed behind him, he heard Alex's shouted protests. Anakin shook his head and hurried down the hall to his own quarters.

Ashta-Mei Rlgah sat regally behind her desk, staring down at the insubordinate Suhlak. His breezy answers to her questions were frustrating. It seemed as if he considered the Saber's a joke, and himself to good for the squadron. Finally, after one smart remark too many, Ashta stood up.
"Suhlak, I have decided not to let you join my squadron." She gave the man a curious look. "I'm sure you are a very good pilot, but I don't understand why someone with your skill is so obstinate and boisterous."
Suhlak gave the Commander a shrug. "I guess it was all those years of building myself up as a hunter saboteur." He turned a threw a cocky, self-satisfied grin over at the surprised Valin, who was sitting a chair on one side of the room. Then the man left, swaggering as usual.
When the door had whooshed shut, Valin turned to the Commander. "He was a hunt saboteur?"
Ashta shrugged. "I guess. He's got the ego for it." She shook her head. "I'll admit that I never believed the tales of the hunt saboteurs. It always seemed to me that anyone who was stupid enough to mess around with bounty hunters wouldn't last too long."
Valin nodded in agreement. "The few left would have to have been the best."
Ashta shook her head. "One more good pilot falls victim to his ego." She shook her head again, then sighed. "Time for the next candidate. Ke'arn Ne�orka has a great record. Hopefully he has a better attitude than Suhlak."
Valin barked a sharp laugh. "Anyone has a better attitude than Suhlak."
Ashta snickered. "Yeah. Well, let's get this interview over with."
Valin walked over to the door and let the pale skinned Twi'lek in. After escorting Ne'orka to the Commander's desk, Valin took a seat by the far wall again.
Ne'orka, one of the steel-spined, strictly by-the-rules type of military man, gave Commander Rlgah a quick, tight salute and remained standing. Ashta shot Valin a doubtful glance, then gestured warmly to the Twi'lek to sit. She took her own seat, but wasn't particularly surprised when Ne'orka remained standing. Let the questioning begin, she thought sarcastically, then looked up at the Twi'lek, instinctively knowing this would take a while.

"No." Ashta shook her head vigorously. "No, no, no. I don't want someone that strictly military in my unit."
Valin raised an eyebrow. "It might do us some good. Someone like him might be the persuasive force to prevent mess hall fights."
Ashta shook her head again. "No. He would disrupt my unit because of his strictness. All of the other Sabers would most likely criticize him non-stop."
Valin shrugged. "You're the boss." He gave her a quick smile. "I can't wait to meet this Noghri, though, and see him fly."
"I'd like to see him fly too, but there's no guarantee we'll ever get the chance." Ashta sighed. "He may just be another jerk or a tight, strict military man like the Twi'lek."
Valin smiled. "I have a feeling he'll be just right for the squadron."
Ashta pulled out a datapad and started filing denial reports for the first two candidates. Her holocomm beeped, and she quickly stood and hurried over to it, sliding into the seat in front of it. Seeing that it was a secure military channel, she quickly keyed it on.
An image of Admiral Kre'fey materialized immediately.
"Good to see you alive and well, Admiral," Ashta said pleasantly.
"And you." He frowned at the Commander, his violet eyes burned intensely. "Are you aware of where one of your pilots, a one Anakin Solo, is at the moment? Or where he was half an hour ago?"
Ashta opened her mouth to reply, but her breath came out in a loud sigh and she shook her head. "I have no idea."
Kre'fey gave her a hard glare. "Why not?"
Ashta shrugged. "I would give you an excuse, but I don't think it would do any good. He disappeared a couple of hours ago and I've been too busy to look for him."
"Too busy or too careless?" Kre'fey smiled ferally when Ashta refused to meet his gaze. "It is too your credit that you did not find him. He has been a great service to me in the past hour."
Ashta looked up quickly. "He has?"
Kre'fey gave a slight nod. "Apparently a freighter was attacked out-system by the Yuuzhan Vong. It made the last journey it will ever make here to Coruscant and arrived a burnt out hulk with barely functioning life support and leaking coolant gases inside.
"It seems Solo received a distress signal from the ship and of course, being a Solo, he raced to the rescue. He contacted me with a request for aid, and upon my arrival I saw and sent aid to this ship.
"According to reports, your Solo was quite the hero. Apparently he saved the lives of nearly all on board."
Ashta saw a spark of something she couldn't quite identify flash across the white Bothan's eyes. "So why do you look so harried?"
"That freighter was carrying some classified information." His eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Was carrying?" Ashta echoed cautiously.
"The datacard is nowhere to be found. Either on the freighter or on the passengers."
Ashta closed her eyes and dropped her head to her desk. Oh, no. This can't be happening.
After a moment, Kre'fey's suddenly sympathetic voice sounded softly over the holocomm. "You get down to the bottom of this and nothing will be said." The Bothan's hard eyes left no room for argument.
Ashta raised her head and nodded. "Yes sir." The image of the commanding figure faded from sight. For several minutes, Ashta sat motionless, then became aware that she was not alone.
Valin! He heard everything! She stood and walked over to him.
The young Jedi glanced down. "My lips are sealed." His voice was low, almost scared but with a hint of anger towards anyone who could steal information from the New Republic.
Ashta caught Valin's arm as he stood. "Don't make any rash presumptions. We know nothing for certain."
Valin gave her a sidelong glance, then nodded. "Yes ma'am. With your permission, I'd like to return to my quarters now." His voice was angry, and Ashta knew nothing she said could prevent him from taking the Admiral's words as she had. She released her hold on him and gave a curt nod.
"Very well. You're dismissed."
After the boy had retreated, Ashta slowly made her way to a chair and collapsed into it. I can't believe it. I just can't... Ashta leaned her head on the wall and started trying to think of a way to prove Anakin didn't have the datacard.

Valin quickly retreated from Commander Rlgah's office. The only thing he wanted more than to strangle Anakin was to get some sleep. He was very tired, worn out from the day's events. Several of his minor injuries from the fight hurt, and his muscles were sore from the workout and from the hits he had received.
Sleep was denied him, though. Valin rounded a corner and saw his father leaning on a wall, eyes closed and a look of peace on his face that Valin rarely saw from his father. When Valin stopped, the look of peace vanished. Corran opened his eyes and looked up at his son. Disappointment etched his features. Valin opened his mouth to defend himself from the verbal assault he knew was coming, but his father cut him off with a gesture. "You set a very bad example today, Valin." The voice was drained of all emotion, but Corran's eyes were very much alive.
Valin shook his head and raised his hands in front of him, as if to ward off a physical attack. "I was trying to help out my squadron, dad. They needed all the help they could get."
Corran's cold eyes bored into Valin's. "Is that true?"
Valin nodded vigorously. "Yes, dad. Yes it is."
Corran held his son's gaze for a moment longer, then nodded. "I trust you did what you though was right, but for all those people in your squadron who look up to you because you're a Jedi, even those who look down on the Jedi, you gave them a bad example. The people who resent Jedi now have an excuse to criticize the Jedi even more for not keeping the peace. Those who admire Jedi now have an excuse to jump in a fight and beat people up because they think that is what a Jedi would do."
Valin, suddenly feeling very ashamed of himself, looked down at his feet. "Yes sir."
Corran eyed Valin. "You need to be more careful," his father said softly. "We have more than our own reputations to uphold. We must show the galaxy the best side of the Jedi. We must restore their confidence in us."
"What will happen if we fail?" Corran shook his head. "I hope we never have to find out."

Anakin punched the wall in frustration, and instantly regretted it. He drew his fist back and bit back a curse.
"Well that was real smart," a woman's voice, dripping with sarcasm sounded from Anakin's doorway.
Anakin hastily grabbed the datacard and shoved it into his shirt pocket. He twisted around to face the woman. His eyes widened when he saw Kysal Naydys's form outlined in the light pouring into the room from the brighter hallway. For a moment, Anakin's mind went blank. He just started at her for a moment. Finally, he snapped back into reality.
"Uh, hi Kysal," he stammered.
"Hey Anakin." She looked him up and down. "What have you been doing for the past three hours?"
"I went out flying," he said truthfully.
The woman posted her fists on her hips. "Wha'd you do after you flew for two hours?"
Anakin's eyes widened in surprise, then he quickly narrowed them. "What do you mean? I flew for three hours, then came back here.�
Kysal smirked. "You're such a bad liar. You know exactly what I mean."
Anakin�s eyes narrowed even more. �Hey, aren�t you still supposed to be in med-bay?�
Kysal glared. �Don�t change the subject. I know you were out doing something.� Anakin shrugged uneasily and turned back to his desk. "I have no idea what you're talking about, Kysal. You can believe what ever you want, but you obviously don't know what you're talking about."
Anakin had barely caught a hint of movement behind him through the Force when Kysal darted forward and deftly snatched the datacard from his breast shirt pocket. She quickly retreated to the doorway, studying the symbols in the corner of the datacard. "Hey!" Anakin yelped in surprise. "That's mine!" He jumped up and gathered the Force around him to snatch it back, but the look of surprise on Kysal's face made him hesitate.
She looked up at him, her eyes suddenly shining. "Do you know what type of writing this is?"
The sudden surge of excitement from Kysal assaulted Anakin, so he cut himself off partly from the Force. He shook his head, wondering what disturbed Kysal so much about the symbols. He had gone through all of the archives available to him, searching for this particular symbol, but his searches had come up with nothing. The thought that someone in the squadron might know what it said hadn't occurred to him.
Kysal stared at Anakin, her eyes half closed. He could feel conflict within her, trying to decide whether or not to reveal what she knew to him. Finally, she opened her eyes fully and shook her head.
"Tell me what is on it," she said. "I might be able to help you with whatever it is the card will tell you to do."
Anakin wanted to say no to her, but the sense of excitement pouring off of her, her sudden eagerness to help him made him reconsider. The Firrereo had told him not to let anyone but Tigris see it, but the Force now told him differently. He knew suddenly that this woman needed to know, that she could help him.
"I haven't looked at it yet," he said hesitantly. "Whenever I try to open it, a passage in that language comes up. I think I need a password."
"Let me see." Kysal quickly slid into the seat Anakin had vacated and inserted the datacard into the datapad. She keyed it on and immediately the message popped up. Kysal studied it for a moment, then hooked it to a keypad and typed in a response. Before Anakin could see what she had typed, the message vanished to be replaced by a list of names. Kysal scanned them quickly, then shook her head.
"I thought we had all either been killed or been discharged."
"Who are they?" Anakin leaned over her shoulder and gazed at the listing. "There's so many."
Kysal leaned back in the chair and scrolled back to the top of the list. "Yes, there are many, but they may not all still be alive." She closed her eyes and sighed. When she opened them, her expression steeled of all feeling and she pulled the datacard out of the datapad.
"You see these markings?" She ran her hand over the symbols in the lower corner. "They are of a code my unit made. We worked a long time to make this one, and no one that we knew of had ever broken it."
She looked up at Anakin. "Either we were wrong, or one of our unit inscribed this message." She looked up, waiting for Anakin to ask the questions she knew where coming. It didn't take him long. He pulled up a chair over and settled himself before asking her his first question.
"I know this probably isn't the most comfortable subject for you, but if you're going to work with me, I need to know." Kysal nodded.
Anakin could sense the turmoil rolling off of her, and he wanted to say something, but he held his silence and waited for her to reply on her own time. Finally, Anakin could see her steel herself.
"My unit was a little known unit, actually we were known by no one except the higher-ups of the New Republic and the highest military leaders. We were a reconnaissance unit with Intelligence when the Bothans were accused of destroying the Camassi homeworld. We did quite a bit of infiltration back then." Her brows knitted in concentration. "I was only fifteen, but I knew what to do and I did it well."
"And your unit came up with this code." Anakin was intrigued by this woman's past history. He hadn't know anyone in Saber Squadron had done anything notable in the past, except for the obvious exceptions that were the Commander, her sister, and himself. He wasn't exactly sure what most of those other people had done, but he picked up hints of respect fairly easily from the Commander's voice when she spoke to them.
Kysal nodded. "There was a young man in our unit who seemed different to me. He was never very outgoing, always reserved. He was always careful to avoid killing when he could." She reflected silently on her past for a moment. "He was more of a scholar than anything else. He was about half a year younger than me, but he seemed like he was twenty years older than me. He must have been through a lot when he was younger."
Anakin canted his head in interest, but held his silence.
"He had this funny striped hair. I always thought he had it dyed, but he insisted that it was real. He also had sharp canines. But he almost never smiled, so I rarely saw them." Kysal shrugged. "I always thought he was a human, but he told me he wasn't. Said he was a...Firrereo, I think." She paused at the Anakin's sudden inhaled breath.
"What was his name?' Anakin demanded.
"Tigris," she said guardedly.
Anakin closed his eyes and sighed. If Tigris had been with Intelligence all these years, it made sense that he and his mother would have been carrying a datacard full of classified information.
"I got this datacard from Tigris."
Kysal's brows arrowed together. "He's still alive?"
Anakin nodded. "I probably shouldn't be telling you this, but the last hour I was flying, I received a distress signal from a battered freighter. I boarded it and helped with some of the injured passengers, then sent a signal to the Ralroost to come get them. Before they pulled the Firre, that was the name of the freighter, Tigris's mother gave me the card. She didn't want anyone but myself and Tigris to see it. I think she wanted me to do something with the contents, but I'm not sure what."
Kysal nodded thoughtfully, then turned to the datapad again. She punched in a command, and the names vanished. In its place, a list of planets and cities appeared. Each had a name attached to it. Kysal looked up at Anakin.
"Is that where each of the people is?" he asked.
"Or was, yes."
"What am I supposed to do with this?" he asked. "Rillao probably wouldn't have given it to me if she wanted the military or government to have it."
Kysal shook her head. "No, she didn't want the government to get it. If she gave it directly to the military, Fey'lya would have his hands on it in no time. By giving it to you, she ensures that the Fey'lya doesn't see it but the military does get it."
Anakin nodded, then hurried over to the holocomm. He punched in a frequency and waited for an answer.
"Who are you going to talk to?" Kysal asked in alarm. She got her answer when the silver-haired holo of Commander Rlgah materialized. Even in miniature, Anakin could tell she was very upset about something.
When she saw him, her eyes hardened and she frowned. "Anakin, I'm glad you called." Her voice was cold. "I need to talk to you about the consequences of stealing classified and very valuable information from the New Republic."
Anakin smiled. "I didn't steal it, Commander." He held up a hand to forestall the explosion he saw coming from the Commander. "It was given to me by the mission commander aboard the Firre."
Ashta-Mei sneered at him. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I wasn't aware anyone had the right to make a gift of classified information." Her voice was rising with anger, and Anakin knew he was going to have to talk fast to get himself out of this mess.
"Listen, Commander," he started. "The mission commander gave it to me for safe keeping. She didn't want Fey'lya to get it."
"Why not?" Ashta demanded. Anakin shrugged. "I'm not sure, but you know if he gets it, the military will never get a look at it."
Ashta shifted uneasily. "Be that as it may, you had no right to take that datacard from the ship."
Anakin raised an eyebrow. "I suppose Admiral Kre'fey has been in contact with you?"
Ashta glared at him. "What was the purpose of your call?"
"I want to talk to him."
Ashta sighed and looked down. "Then the Admiral was right. You do have it."
Anakin nodded. "Yes, I do. And I need to talk to the Admiral about it." Anakin injected a commanding tone into his voice. He waited.
For a split second, Ashta shrunk back from the demand, but then she felt a slight push of the Force behind the words. She angrily leaned forward to glare at the holo-image of the young pilot on the screen before her.
�You�ve certainly shown your capabilities or lack thereof of making important decisions regarding important Republic information issues. I want you in my office, now.� Her face had turned expressionless, but her eyes glinted with an angry layer underneath the calm. She turned away from the screen. �Naydys, you too. You were better off out of this.�
Kysal, invisible to the Commander from the screen, widened her eyes slightly at Anakin. �How�?� she began.
�Now, I said!�
Anakin cut the transmission, and with a quick glance at each other, they hurried out of his quarters.

Jarred groaned, barely conscious, and rolled over on the hard surface that he was lying on. He forced his eyes to open, but quickly squeezed them shut again when a bright light assaulted him. He moved his hand to cover his eyes, and opened them again. White walls went on for as far as he could see in his current position. Curious about his surroundings, he attempted to lift his head to see better. He immediately regretted the action, as an explosive pain erupted inside his skull. He moaned and his hands both flew over his face. Light footsteps sounded and grew closer, and a pair of hands pulled his away from his face. Jarred tightly closed his eyes against the attacking light. He tried vainly to work his leaden tongue.
�Too bright�� he managed to get out. The light was quickly dimmed. A slight cold sensation on his right temple told him that a pain patch had been applied. He opened his eyes once more, to see who was helping him.
A pair of piercing gray eyes underneath a shock of blue hair met his gaze for a moment, and then their attention was directed to the bandages covering his chest.
Jarred lifted his head to look around. His bed was off to the side of a small room adjoining to another. Jarred couldn�t see much through the doorway, except for more tables. The cleansing smell of bacta hung heavily in the air. Jarred looked back at the blue-haired man.
He glanced at Jarred, and then turned away from the bed. �You should get more rest. That�s the most important factor right now.�
Jarred shook his head. ��Not tired.� He forced his tongue to move. �I�m�lonely.�
The gray eyes turned back to study him. �I can�t stay here. I have other work to do.� He began to walk away, satisfied that the conversation was ended. Jarred craned his head to watch him go.
�Please, call someone in.�
The blue-haired man stopped, but did not turn. �If I do, will you get some rest?� Jarred nodded weakly.
�Yes,� he said.
�Alright.� The man strode out of Jarred�s view, and Jarred let his head fall back to the pillow.

Valin�s comlink beeped, and he swiped it quickly from his belt. �Horn here.�
A smooth voice answered him. �Flight Officer Horn, if you would report to med-bay.� Valin�s heart sunk into his boots. Jarred, he thought with a pang of fear.
�Is there something wrong?� He glanced at Alex, who was lying unconcernedly on his bunk, tossing a stylus into the air and catching it.
�Everything is fine. Flight Officer Fain has requested company for the moment, and you were the first that came to mind. If it�s not possible, I can contact��
Valin cut him off. �I�ll be there shortly.� He flipped his comlink to another channel.
�Donos.� The voice sounded slightly irritated.
�Dera, Jarred�s awake. I�m on my way now to see him. Meet me in med-bay. Horn out.� He switched the comlink off, not waiting to hear Dera�s protests. He sensed that she needed this, to see Jarred right now.
Surprisingly, Dera was waiting impatiently for him outside med-bay when he finally arrived. She glared at him.
�I was busy.� She stated.
Valin gave her a half-smile. �Well, I�m glad that you found time for your friend.�
Dera gave Valin an annoyed look. �If the Commander catches us, we�ll be in for it big time.�
Valin cocked his head. �Then we best not let her catch us out here, huh?" He gestured to the med-bay door. �Shall we?�
Valin strode behind Dera into the med-bay, and steered her into Jarred�s small room. Dera slightly resisted when she saw Jarred�s still form on the bed, but then became almost limp, submissive. Valin pulled her all the way up to Jarred�s side. They stood, staring quietly at their friend for a moment.
�Is he alright?� Dera weakly asked. Her hand reached out and touched Jarred�s unmoving arm. Jarred�s eyes slowly opened, and blinking, he turned his head and saw them. He gave a faint smile, and tried to pull himself up into a sitting position, but stopped quickly and grimaced.
�I�m still hurting a little.� Jarred admitted. He pulled a brave look onto his face. �It�s nothin� big.�
Valin pulled two chairs from a side of the room and placed one behind Dera, and sat in the other. Dera sat down as if in a trance, staring with a half-worried, half-frightened look on her face at Jarred. Valin raised an eyebrow. This was the first time that he had ever seen Dera look this way. Jarred didn�t seem to notice. He looked at Valin and smiled.
�So, what have I missed?�
Valin shrugged non-chalantly. �Not much. We�ve been confined to quarters, have extra sim time to put in, and the mess hall bar is now closed.�
Jarred gave a grimace. �What happened?�
Valin shrugged. �Little accident.�
The pilot lying on the bed smiled knowingly.
�There�re a couple new squadrons here.� Valin gave a wry smile.
Jarred rolled his eyes. �Not the arrogant cocky type that think that they know everything?� He waved his hand dramatically.
Valin nodded. �How did you know?�
Jarred shrugged. �After awhile you get used to it.� He glanced at Dera, who was scowling, not at him, but into the distance, with a far-away look in her eyes. A long moment of tense silence filled the room. Finally Dera broke the silence.
�How�are you doing?� She asked, hesitating.
Jarred shrugged. �Better. I�ll be out of here soon. I�m ready to jump back into my X-wing.� He gave a wry smile. �Or, what�s left of it.�
Valin grinned. �They�ve already been working on it. You should have seen it. One sorry mess.�
Jarred shook his head. �I didn�t need to see it. Being inside was enough. When I fired the lasers, they just�exploded. It was like flying right into a supernova. It was so bright, and so hot, then everything just went black.� He ran his hand through his unkempt red hair.

Dera confusedly sat stiffly in the chair, staring at her friend. Jarred sat, smiling, and talking as if nothing was wrong. She wondered at his mettle. He didn�t act as if he was embarrassed, or insulted. In fact, he seemed almost�happy. She shook her head slightly, as if to clear it. She didn�t quite understand how this man could stand two of his fellow pilots to see him with all of his weaknesses displayed. She felt almost ashamed to look at him, but her eyes wouldn�t turn away. Her eyes took in the scars not covered by bandages on his chest. Her stomach churned slightly as she heard Jarred describing his last memories of the flight, and the pang of pain that she had felt before echoed once more in her chest.
She shut her eyes briefly, and wished the feeling would go away. She opened her eyes and stood up. Both pilots looked at her. Dera suddenly felt nervous. She wanted to leave.
�I�have some things I need to finish.� She said, trying to sound normal. She nodded at Jarred, and felt a little foolish. �I�ll see you later.� She turned and hurried out of the med-bay, away from her confusion and doubt.
Jarred watched the retreating form of Dera as she left. The look on his face suggested disappointment. �How has she been?� Jarred asked, almost so quietly that Valin didn�t hear him.
Valin looked up at his friend. �Worried.�
Jarred nodded thoughtfully.

Anakin and Kysal hurried down the corridor toward the Commander�s office. Neither spoke, both knew the trouble they were in. Kysal wore a grim look on her face, while Anakin�s features were blank. The corridor was oddly quiet, devoid of the normal pilot life that normally roamed it. The only sound was the clacking of their boots on the durasteel floor.
A movement out of the corner of Anakin�s eye caught his attention. He turned his head slightly, and saw the form of Dera Donos, shrinking back into the shadows of a small hallway covey. She saw his attention directed toward him, and raised a finger to her lips, signaling for him to keep quiet about her. He gave a slight nod, and then diverted his eyes back to the hallway in front of him. A quick glance at the grim-faced pilot flanking him showed that she was oblivious to the silent exchange. Both pilots stopped in front of the door to the Commander�s office, and looked at each other.
By silent agreement, Kysal hit the buzzer, and Anakin went into the room first. Kysal followed Anakin closely. The door slid shut behind them. The two pilots silently stood at attention in front of Commander Rlgah�s desk. The Commander�s eyes shifted to Anakin�s face. The intense anger in her gaze shocked him. He froze as Ashta�s eyes bored into his own. Finally, he could no longer hold her gaze. His eyes flicked down to the floor, then back up to a spot on the wall behind Ashta�s head.
�Please, be seated.� Commander Rlgah gestured to the seats in front of her desk. Her voice was slightly chilled, but very much in control considering the intense anger Anakin could feel radiating from her.
The two pilots sat obediently, but Anakin could not extinguish a persistent spark of defiance. Ashta must have sensed it, for she gave him another icy look. He clamped down on his feelings, and schooled his features into submission. Ashta leaned back in her chair, suddenly calm. Anakin felt a chill of dread run down his spine, and knew he and Kysal were in for a intense dressing down.

Ashta�s eyes narrowed, then she leaned back in her chair and calmed herself.
�Why are you here?� Her voice was calm, totally in control.
Anakin�s eyes narrowed in confusion. �Because you ordered us to come here, to you office.�
�And why did I tell you to come to my office?� Ashta watched several conflicting emotions cross the younger Saber�s face.
Anakin chose his words carefully. �Because you discovered a certain datapad that has fallen into my possession is legally property of the New Republic Intelligence.�
Ashta nodded, putting an impressed expression on her face. Anakin caught her sarcasm and frowned angrily. �And who, pray tell, is this X-Wing unit serving under?�
Anger struggled to make its way onto Anakin�s face, but he fought it down to a scowl. �We serve under the New Republic Starfighter Command.�
�And tell me again why you think you have any claim to Intelligence property?� Ashta kept her tone light, inquiring.
Anakin glowered at her, but didn�t answer.
�And please expand on this notion of yours that you should be the deciding official on whose hands that datapad should fall into. Please. I would really like to know.� Ashta kept her tone light, almost unconcerned. �And since you are under my command, I�m ordering you to tell me.�
Kysal Naydys took a deep breath, as if to speak, but the Commander cut her off with a harsh glare. �Naydys, keep your mouth shut. I�ll deal with you later.� Kysal exhaled slowly and nodded, her expression also sour.
She turned back to Anakin. �You were saying?�
Indecision suddenly ripped through Anakin�s Force sense. Several times, he began to speak, but each time he fell silent. Finally he gave Ashta a helpless look and leaned forward, resting his head in his hands.
�I don�t know what to tell you, Commander.�
Ashta softened her voice and also leaned forward. �Why don�t you start from the beginning?�
Anakin was silent for a moment, the asked, �What did Kre�fey tell you?�
Ashta shook her head. �That�s not important right now. I want to hear it from you?�
Anakin lifted his head and sat back, almost lifelessly. �I suppose you know the majority of the story,� he began slowly. �I got a distress call from the Firre and went to help them. I got there, sent a call to Kre�fey, and helped out where I could while we waited.� Anakin stopped. His eyes closed and he took a deep breath. �Two of the people on the Firre were old friends of mine. After Kre�fey�s shuttle rescued the passenger, one of them gave me the card and told me not to let anyone see it.�
Ashta raised an eyebrow.
�That�s all there is.� Anakin shrugged, a little of his confidence returning.
�Not quite.� Ashta turned to Kysal. �This is where you come in.�
Kysal seemed to shrink back into her chair. She held up her hands as if to defend a physical blow. �I just happened to walk in on Anakin when he was looking at the datacard, and my curiosity was piqued.� She shrugged. �I looked at it and helped Anakin get into it, but that�s all we did.�
Ashta nodded. �I know you two didn�t mean anything by all of this, but you do realize that this is a federal offense. Stealing government property is definitely against the law.�
The two nodded glumly.
�Yes, but I wasn�t really thinking about that when all of this was happening.� Anakin shook his head mournfully. �And because I wasn�t thinking, I�m in trouble, Kysal is in trouble, and you are in trouble.�
Ashta laid her hands on her desk and leaned even farther forward. Something had been bugging her on and off for the past hour or so. What could be on that datacard that made it so important for one of the members of the Intel team that was transporting it went to extreme lengths to make sure Intelligence didn�t get it?
�What is on the datapad?�
Ashta�s question took the Anakin and Kysal by surprise. Kysal�s eyes widened and immediately Ashta could see the intelligence working behind them. Anakin just started at her.
�I thought you were eager for this to get back to Kre�fey.� Anakin�s tone was flat.
�I never said that. But I need to know what is on it. Why is it so important to Intelligence?� The earnestness in Ashta�s voice must have changed something in Anakin�s mind, because he suddenly sat forward and dropped the datacard onto the desk.
�See for yourself.�
Ashta gave the card a suspicious glare, then picked it up and inserted it into her datapad. Immediately a query in a foreign language appeared in the air above the pad. Ashta looked up at Anakin questioningly. Anakin, in turn, looked to Kysal, who stood and moved around behind the desk. She typed in an answer on the keypad, then moved through several more queries, which Ashta assumed were passwords. How Kysal knew them puzzled her.
After Kysal entered one last password, a screen popped up with a long list of names. Ashta scanned them quickly, finding a few she knew, but many she had never heard of. She looked up at Kysal.
�Who are all of these people?�
Kysal scowled. �I�d rather not say. To many people knowing could endanger their safety.�
Ashta canted her head to the side. �Kysal, do you really think I�m going to tell anyone?�
Kysal shook her head, expression more serious than Ashta had ever seen it, except for once. That was when Kysal had been angry with Ashta for not having had them fly simms against the Yuuzhan Vong. �They are all Special Intelligence operatives.� She pointed at the small print below each name. The print was small glyphs that Ashta didn�t recognize. �That is were they are stationed.�
Ashta blinked in surprise. �Can you read this?�
Kysal nodded glumly. She must have committed herself to telling Ashta all she knew. �I helped come up with it.�
�You what?� Ashta�s jaw dropped. She had no idea that any of her pilots were ex-Intelligence people.
Kysal nodded again. �It�s true.�
Ashta listened in amazement as Kysal spilled her story.

Jaysaan Aarymer sat glumly on his bed. He was bored. There was nothing to do. He stood abruptly and started pacing. Back and forth and back and forth. Pacing got really old after several minutes. He sat back down on his bed, thinking furiously. What to do, what to do? Jaysaan shrugged and dropped to the floor and started doing pushups.
After about an hour of exercise, Jaysaan finally stood up and went to his �fresher. He shucked out of his sweaty clothes and stepped gratefully into the warm water.
Twenty minutes later, Jaysaan finished toweling off and pulled on a pair of khakis and a white sleeveless muscle shirt. Then he dropped onto his bed, finally ready for a good sleep. Half a minute later, his comm started beeping insistently.
Jaysaan ignored it. He tried dropping off to sleep, but the annoying beep just would not let him. Finally, he pushed himself off of the bed and grabbed his comlink off of his desk.
�What?� His voice emerged much more irritated than he had intended.
�Aarymer,� the Commander�s voice came strictly over the comm. �Get down to my office. Now!�
Jaysaan sighed theatrically. �Alright. I guess I�ll be there in a minute.�
Commander Rlgah bit off a laugh, then said in a much stricter tone, �Now, Aarymer.�
�Yes ma�am.� Jaysaan switched off his comm and reached to clip it to his belt. The comm clattered to the floor, and Jaysaan realized he hadn�t put on a belt. He sighed again and pulled a belt off of his floor. Then, picking up his comlink, he left his room and headed off toward the Commander�s office.
When he reached her door, he stopped and took a moment to compose himself. He put on the carefree expression and manner that most people had come to expect of him. Then he just stood there, finger poised over the buzzer. For some odd reason, he did not want to go in. Finally, he took a deep breath and pushed the buzzer. Almost immediately, the door opened.
Jaysaan was surprised to suddenly be face to face with Kysal. She grabbed him by the arm and pulled him inside, hissing softly, �You�re late.�
Jaysaan smiled and nodded. �I know.�
Kysal rolled her eyes and pulled him over to the Commander�s desk. �He�s here.�
Commander Rlgah smiled wryly. �Fashionably late, I see.�
Jaysaan bowed deeply. �Of course. It�s me!�
Rlgah�s smile curved down slightly. �Which is exactly why you are here.�
Jaysaan�s confident manner faltered slightly, but he recovered quickly. And why is that, Commander? Jaysaan looked at the still standing Kysal, then slid quickly into her seat, laughing silently at the glare she gave him. He held up his hands in an inviting gesture.
�Go on, Commander.�
She shook her head at Jaysaan�s antics, then leaned forward on her elbows. �What do you know about your partner here�s history since the time you left the Corellian Security Force?�
Jaysaan shrugged and looked at Kysal. �I know a descent amount, but not everything. I know she was with Intelligence for a couple years, but I don�t know much about her time there, of course.�
�And what do you know about her assignments while she was with Intel?� Jaysaan shrugged. �Not much.�
Rlgah raised an eyebrow, fixing an unsettling gaze on him. For a moment, Jaysaan imagined she could see right through his smooth exterior to his very thoughts. With a start, he realized she probably could. She was a Jedi after all.
�Well, maybe a little more than not much, but Kysal never told me anything that would compromise missions.� Jaysaan was becoming unnerved by the Commander�s gaze. He averted his eyes and looked down at his booted feet.
He looked up to see the Commander nodding silently. �That�s what I thought.� Rlgah shot a look over at Kysal. �Since you two are so close, Kysal might mention something about this to you later on. I am going to bring you in on this right now so that it spreads no farther than this office.�
Anakin let out a small sound of dismay. �Commander, are you sure that is wise?�
Rlgah gave him a cool glare. �Are you so sure taking that datacard from Rillao was wise?�
Anakin scowled and sat back in his chair. He seemed rather sullen at being rebuked in such a round-about manner. �Whatever you say, Commander.�
Rlgah gave him another pointed look, then turned back to Jaysaan. �We have a lot to discuss in a very short time period, so I�ll have to give you the abbreviated version of the story.�
Jaysaan grinned, finding his cocky side again. �I can�t wait.�

Jarred Fain stared at the blank white ceiling of his ward room. He had been staring at it for hours now. He had been out of the bacta tank for almost half a day now, and he had gotten only about an hour of sleep. Jarred wanted desperately to get out of his sterile prison and do something. After hours of surgery and days of floating motionless in a bacta tank, every fiber in Jarred�s body was aching to jump in an X-Wing, in any fighter for that matter, and fly. Flying was as much a part of him as his very heart, and it was nearly impossible to keep living without it.
Finally he struggled into a sitting position. Even that small task was exhausting. Swinging his legs over the side of his cot, Jarred prepared to put weight on his still weakened legs.
�I wouldn�t do that if I were you.�
Startled, Jarred nearly slipped off of the cot. The blue-haired medic was leaning leisurely on the door frame. Jarred had no idea how long Lihos had been standing there watching him. He didn�t ask. Instead, Jarred just raised a questioning eyebrow at him.
Lihos straightened, and entered the room. �Your legs aren�t fully recovered yet. In fact, I�m not sure if they will ever fully recover. I know in the report they sent to Commander Rlgah the head doctor said you would probably make a full recovery, but I�m not so sure.
�We had to do intense reconstructive surgery on them, and that often leaves the victim debilitated for life. Even with bacta treatments.�
Jarred straightened. �First of all, I do not consider myself a victim, and secondly, I will regain full use of my legs. Whether you like it or not.�
Lihos� concerned expression lightened considerably. �I was hoping you�d say that. You know, you�ll have to learn to walk all over again.�
Jarred just gave the man a cool look. �When do we start?�
�Now.�

Alex Vanner gazed uncertainly at his sleeping roommate. Valin had came in to the room about an hour ago, angry and tense. He had said nothing at all to Alex, but had showered and immediately slipped off to sleep on his cot. Now he was still sleeping, albeit fitfully, and Alex stood over him with datacard in hand, fighting an internal battle.
The datacard he held contained passwords and system bypass codes that would allow him to get into the hangar bay and complete his newest set of orders. But he didn�t want to. He desperately wished he had never gotten mixed up with the Peace Brigade. Earlier, he had had no problem carrying out his first set of orders, the destruction of Saber Ten. But back then, Jarred had been a stranger-one Alex had not been too fond of either.
Now everything was different. Alex had gotten to know all of the Sabers. And while he still didn�t care too much for Fain, he hated to see the effects of his earlier actions on the rest of the Squadron. Dera, whom he had come to know and even like, had been torn up by Jarred�s injuries. The others who had been injured in the fray that day might have been hurt because Jarred was not there to protect them-because of when Alex had done.
Now he was again being asked to inflict more damage on his squadron. He might have considered it, but this action was directed against Valin. The two had almost instantly became friends when they had met, and the fact that they were roommates strengthened that bond. And Alex just couldn�t bring himself to hurt his best friend.
Alex shook his head and slumped to the floor, struggling with his own conscience.
�What am I gonna� do?� he moaned out loud, wishing desperately that there was someone he could tell, someone who could tell him how to get out of this mess.
�The right thing.�
Startled, Alex jumped up and backed away from Valin. He was still laying on his cot, now propped up on one elbow. A stern look on his face that betrayed no anger, the young man swung his legs over the edge of the cot and just sat there.
�Valin!�
Alex had never seen such an intense look on his friends face, and he thought that this must be the expression Valin wore in combat.
�Alex.� Valin�s voice was a dead calm.
�I�uh�I thought you were asleep.� Alex floundered for words. He had no idea if Valin knew anything about his involvement with the Peace Brigade, but from the look on his face, Alex guessed he knew everything he needed to.
Valin raised an eyebrow. �I�m sure you did.�
Alex turned away from his friend and covered his face with a hand. He had no idea what to do now. He was fairly certain that Valin knew. And if Valin knew, the Commander knew. So why hadn�t anyone come to arrest him yet?
Looking back up, Alex said, �Why haven�t you told anyone?�
Valin�s expression turned sad. �I was hoping that I had guessed wrong. I didn�t want to throw any suspicion on you if I was wrong. But I was right.�
Alex nodded. He couldn�t lie to Valin. �You did.� He grabbed a comlink and tossed in to Valin. �Might as well call in security now. I won�t run.�
Valin shook his head. �I know.� He looked at the comlink, then tucked it into is belt. �Not yet.�
Alex took a step back in surprise. �What? But I tried to kill Jarred!�
Valin nodded. �I know. I also know you regret it now. I can feel your guilt.�
Alex couldn�t keep a expression of dismay off of his face. �But I deserve to be locked away! I deserve worse!�
�I suppose some people might say that. But you didn�t kill him, and you regret even trying, so I�d say you�re worthy of a second chance.�
Suddenly the impact of what Valin was saying finally hit him. Valin was not going to turn him in. Valin was not going to tell anyone what Alex had done. And Alex swore to himself that Valin would not regret it.
Alex dropped the datacard on the floor and crushed it with his heel. When he finally worked up the courage to speak again, his voice emerged as an emotion choked whisper. �Thank you.�
Valin smiled sadly, then laid back on his cot. Alex didn�t know if his friend was sleeping, but he wasn�t going to stick around to find out. He fled the room and Valin�s sad presence.

Hours later, he stood in the space station�s main workout room, sweat dripping from his face and arms. His shirt was soaked, as was his hair. He had taken out his frustrations on the punching dummy that was standing in front of him. It resisted all of his punches, momentarily conforming to the shape of his fist or foot as he struck it, then reverting back to its natural shape.
Which is about how my conscience is right about now. No matter what angle he approached it from, he just couldn�t get around his gut feeling that the New Republic was not going to get out of the battle with the Yuuzhan Vong intact. That feeling is what got me involved with the Peace Brigade in the first place.
Alex had gotten in touch with the Brigadiers to find out if there was any way to accomplish some sort of peace with the Vong. And they had given him his first assignment. The attack on the space station was a direct result of intelligence he had given the Peace Brigade. Then, he accepted his second assignment against his better judgment. He had not really wanted to kill Jarred, but if it would help accomplish peace, he had no qualms.
But he had bungled that operation horribly. Alex knew he had covered his tracks, but nothing could blind a Jedi�s intuition. Valin had figured out what Alex was up to, and Alex had confirmed it. Yet Valin had not turned him it, had given him a second chance to straighten up. Alex shook his head in frustration. I�m not worth Valin�s trust, not worth his mercy. And when I do what I know I must, Valin will see how wrong he was to trust me. He will blame himself for whatever I do next-all because he didn�t turn me in.
�No!� Alex lashed out in fury at the dummy. But despite the ferocity of his blows, the dummy always came out of it without a scratch. Finally, Alex sighed and gave up his attack. He slumped to the floor and just sat there, drained physically and emotionally.
Alex looked up as a pair of booted feet stopped in front of him. He looked up to see Zana standing over him. She smiled at him, then looked pointedly over at the dummy.
�I�m glad I�m not that dummy,� she said cheerily.
Alex forced a smile, then pushed himself off of the floor. He looked at the dummy. It just sat there. He shrugged, wishing his life was as simple as the dummy�s.
�Why the glum face?� Zana asked.
�It�s nothing. I was just thinking.�
�You?� she asked incredulously. �Think?�
�Haha.� Alex shook his head. There was always a wit around when you needed one. �Seriously. I was wondering if the New Republic is going to get out of this alive.�
Zana�s face turned serious, and she took a moment to answer. �I don�t know, but I do know we�ll do anything and everything possible to make that a definite possibility.�
Alex looked down at the floor, deciding to risk asking the woman several questions. He really needed to straighten things out in his head. �Why don�t we just try for peace with the Vong? Like the Peace Brigade is?�
Zana barked out a harsh laugh. �Peace? With the Yuuzhan Vong? They don�t want peace. All they want is to take over this galaxy, and rid it of all of the �infidels� that inhabit it. Sure, they�d be glad to take the few that are left after the war and make them into slaves, but the Vong have no interest in peace.�
Alex thought furiously. That seemed to fit in with everything that he had seen of the Yuuzhan Vong, but somehow Zana telling him what he already knew seemed to straighten things out for him.
�And anyways,� Zana said haughtily, �The only thing the Peace Brigade wants to do is get in good with the Vong so maybe they can gain a little latitude when the Vong have taken over. They care about peace as much as the Yuuzhan Vong do!�
Alex bit his lip, realizing what a fool he had been to even think there was a chance of peace. And to act on that thought could have killed a good man.
Alex was startled out of his reverie when Zana laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. Her compassionate gaze bored into his. �Why do you ask?�
Alex�s expression turned tortured. �I�� Alex had a crazy urge to tell the woman what he had done, but he reminded himself that this woman was the Commander�s sister. �I just wanted to clear a few things up.�
�Are you sure?� Her voice was understanding and open, and Alex knew she was not trying any Jedi trick on him. He also knew he could trust her with his life, and with his secret.
�I�I don�t know. I�m not sure of much of anything lately.� Alex sank back to the floor and rested his face in his hands. �I�I did something I shouldn�t have, and someone was almost killed because of it.�
Zana nodded, and sat down beside him. She wrapped her arm around his shoulder. �I see. And now you find that you were wrong, and that someone who was almost killed didn�t deserve to be killed. And that you were a fool to ever be swayed by the Peace Brigade�s empty promises of peace.�
Alex gave a tormented nod. �Yes,� he said. �That�s about how it is. I�m a fool and I know it. And so do you and Valin.�
That surprised Zana. �Valin knows!?�
Alex nodded and could not suppress a sob. He looked up at Zana, tears streaming down his cheeks. �Zana, I almost killed him! If he died, it would have been my fault and I wouldn�t have even been sorry! And now, as it is, he is hurt really bad and they aren�t even sure if he�ll recover!� Alex dropped his head to his knees. �All because I�m a stupid fool who can�t think for himself.�
Zana sat in silence, pulling Alex closer. Alex shuddered as she put her forefinger and thumb gently underneath his chin and turned his head so that he could see her. �I don�t care what you did a week ago, even a day ago. All I care about is what you do today. If you walk out of here changed, and devote yourself to the people who love you, and who you love, nothing will leave this room. If you leave here and do the same thing, well, my sister can be a very hard woman when she wants to be.�
Alex sniffed and nodded. He wiped his face with his sleeve, and picked himself up. When Zana also stood, Alex held out his hand. She took it, and pulled him into a hug. He gratefully fell into it, burying his face in her shoulder and trying to suppress more tears of guilt. He could not. Soon sobs wracked his chest and shoulders. The understanding and compassion which Zana showed to him completely undid him.
And the two stood there for long minutes, the younger ridding himself of a great guilt, and the older showing a softer side of herself she had forgotten she had.

Two days later, Ashta and three of her pilots were seated in a conference room, going over some of the data they had discovered while going through the information on the stolen datacard. They had found out that all of the names and locations on the list were current. There was also information about much of the Vong biotechnology on it.
They had not had time to go through everything on the card of course, so Ashta had made a copy of it, then introduced a virus into the original that destroyed the majority of the information on it. Some of the juicy bits of information, the bits that would intrigue but not lead anywhere, were left untampered with. Now Ashta had Kysal working on it to make it appear as if they had tried to get past the card�s passwords, but had not been able to.
And they had formulated a story that would hopefully throw any blame for the stealing of the card off of Anakin and Rillao. Ashta would return the card, claiming that one of the Intel operatives aboard the Firre other than Rillao had given the card to Anakin, who had accepted it without knowing it was the property of the New Republic. Of course her story would be checked out, so Ashta had taken the necessary steps to avoid being caught in the act of deceiving a superior officer and being punished herself. She had used the Force to wipe the few minutes of interaction from the minds of those she had spoken with, and done business with. Any machines, recording devices, or anything else that might have held evidence that this was anything but a legitimate claim had it�s memory purged or overwritten.
Finally, when Ashta had been certain all evidence of Anakin�s guilt had been taken care of, she commed Admiral Kre�fey with the news that she had found the datacard, and would be promptly returning it to him. She had met with Kre�fey and told him Anakin�s story. After an hour long wait, in which she believed that the Admiral was checking up on her story, he seemed to be satisfied that she was telling the truth. He had let her go with a warning about over-zealous pilots, and their commanders.
Now she was back in the conference room with her pilots, studying the contents of the copied datacard, hoping she could figure out what was so important about this card. She knew something was, the Force told her that much. So she settled down to work.

Miah Kassin crawled out of bed wearily as a persistent alarm rang out throughout the station. Kale, his roommate, was already up and dressed. He was just now fastening his gun belt in place.
�Get up, get up!�
�Why?� Miah groaned. �It�s just another drill. I don�t care if I get a bad score, I�m tired. I want to sleep.�
�Miah, it�s not�� Kale was cut off as the space station shook. �It�s not a drill!�
Miah was instantly off his bed and climbing into his jumpsuit. �I�m up, I�m up!� He grabbed is gloves and helmet, and the two teens exited their room and sprinted toward the hangar.
They arrived panting, just in time to brace themselves in the doorway as the station shook again. Then the two jogged across the deck and both vaulted up the ladders in place against the sides of their X-Wings. Miah dropped into his cockpit and shut the hatch, pulling on his gloves and helmet as he did so.
His hands flew over his ship�s controls as he did a pre-flight, then started the X-Wing�s engines. They roared to life, and Miah settled into his seat as their familiar thrum permeated the cockpit.
�Sabers, call in when ready.� The Commander�s voice was tense, as if she too had been caught off guard.
�Two, four lit and in the green.� Anakin was the first to call in, as usual, and was all business.
�Eleven, all engines at full power.�
�Six, four lit, and ready to kick Vong butt!�
The rest of the Sabers called in, including Miah when his power readings came up. Then the squadron took off. They were the second squadron to go up, Miah saw as they emerged from the hangar to find a brawl already beginning between a squadron of A-Wings and their adversaries.
At first, Miah had a hard time distinguishing between the two groups, but then he spotted several capital ships with the symbol of the Peace Brigade painted on their hulls. He shuddered in revulsion. Any creature who allied themselves with the Yuuzhan Vong were traitors and fools.
Then the Sabers were in the mix. Friends and foes flashed by in all directions. Miah swung onto Valin�s tail.
�Seven,� he said. �You�ve got lead.�
�Sounds good to me,� Valin�s voice came back. �Stick tight with me, if you can.�
Miah laughed, and took up Valin�s challenge. He hung with the Jedi through all of his maneuvers, clipping off shots at whatever enemies came within his sights. I like these enemies. They might have shields, but at least they don�t have those cursed voids. I can actually shoot one of these and kill it. Miah smiled as an enemy Z-95 headhunter dropped into his sights. He flipped his trigger over to proton torpedoes and didn�t wait for his crosshairs to turn red. He fired a single torpedo and inverted, following Valin into a steep dive. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the headhunter explode.
A predatory grin spread across his face. I can actually kill these people with a single proton torpedo. I don�t care who they are, I like �em better than the Vong!

Alex Vanner glanced at his X-Wing�s sensor console. He and Ayen had three TIE Interceptors on their tail. His shield had gone from in the green, to yellow, and were now fast approaching the red zone. If he didn�t get shake the TIEs off his tail now, he wouldn�t be around much longer.
�Twelve, cut your throttle down to half speed on my mark, then bring it back up to full speed on my mark again.� Alex�s voice was tense, but he had a handle on himself.
�As ordered, Eleven.�
�Mark.� Ayen�s X-Wing dropped from sight. Alex almost immediately called out again, �Mark!�
And suddenly one of the TIEs trailing him was gone, falling victim to Ayen�s lasers. Alex inverted his X-Wing, pulling it into a half roll. He held it for a split second, then rolled down and right. Pulling the X-Wing out of the roll, he saw a TIE shoot past him. Its pilot had not anticipated the second roll. Alex tracked laser fire in its wake, his third set of bolts striking home in the TIEs twin ion engines.
It exploded brilliantly.
�Eleven, I really need some help here!�
Alex found Ayen again on his sensors and immediately headed for his coordinates. When he finally saw him, Ayen was engaged with an Ugly, the remaining TIE on his tail. Ayen vaped the Ugly with a proton torp, but took several hits from the TIE.
Then Alex was there. He fell in behind the TIE, maneuvering recklessly to stay with it. He flipped his firing controls over to the proton torpedoes and let fly as soon as the TIE drifted into his targets. It exploded. Alex was too close to the TIE to fly around the explosion, so he increased his forward shields and flew strait through the center.
He emerged from the other side with multiple damage alarms blaring.

Ashta-Mei Rlgah glared at her sensor board as if the force of her gaze was enough to make the sensor blip that was one of her pilots reappear.
�Is Kysal EV or gone?� she called over the comm.
Kysal�s wingman, Kale answered her. �Six is EV, repeat extravehicular. Her coordinates are�� he rattled off a string of numbers. �Requesting immediate pickup.�
Ashta sagged in relief. They had only been in the fight for two minutes, and already she was down one pilot. The Peace Brigade had obviously done their homework. They had caught the station in the middle of its regular sleep cycle. Many of the New Republic pilots were still groggy and sleep deprived, definitely not at their best.
Then a huge explosion nearby caught her eye. An X-Wing flew silhouetted from the center of the fireball. It was trailing smoke and sparks, but it was still at full speed.
Ashta glanced down at her sensor board again. Alex, if she guessed correctly, would be number two to leave the fight.

Alex coughed violently. Acrid smoke filled the X-Wing�s cockpit. He throttled down to zero thrust, then reached behind his pilot�s couch and dug through his emergency pack. He pulled out an oxygen tank and hooked it up to a small air tube and mouth piece. Putting it to his face, he turned back around and flipped on his comm.
�Can anyone see where this smoke is coming from? I can hardly see a thing in my cockpit!�
He waited a moment in silence, then the comm crackled to life. �Eleven, this is Lead. You have smoke issuing form your R5 unit and your left engines. I recommend you head out several klicks and put out a call for pickup. Then either shut down your engines or run on low power.�
�As ordered, Commander.� Alex waved futilely at the smoke obstructing his vision, then shrugged and throttled back up to half speed.
Suddenly Alex�s snubfighter shuddered, and his forward movement stopped. His engines, straining, rose higher in pitch and whined in protest. Alex brushed grime from his console and confirmed his first thought.
Cursing, he reduced his thrust to zero to keep his two remaining engines from burning out. The tractor beam he was caught in was a strong one, and he doubted he could break it, especially with only two engines. Instead, he twisted in his seat to see out of the top of his cockpit canopy. He was quickly being drawn towards a large Corellian Corvette.
He shuddered in dread when he saw the clasped hand insignia of the Peace Brigade scrawled on the side.

By the time his snubfighter had been pulled into one of the corvette�s belly hangars, Alex had rigged his four remaining proton torpedoes to blow two minutes after he set the countdown clock into motion. By the time a squad of Peace Brigade troops had stationed themselves around his X-Wing, he had resigned himself to whatever fate awaited him.
One of the troops signaled for Alex to open his cockpit, which he promptly did. As it slid back, one of the troops yelled for him to throw out his blaster. Alex obediently tossed it out.
�Come out with your hands up!�
Alex pulled himself over the lip of his cockpit and stepped out onto its nose, holding his hands in front of him. One of the troops ran over and motioned to him with her blaster carbine.
�Come on down, and don�t try anything funny.�
Alex nodded and sat down on the nose, then slid off the side. He landed on the hangar deck in a crouch. Immediately, a blaster was shoved into his back. He slowly straightened and stood.
�Take off your helmet.�
Alex took it off, sliding a finger inside and triggering the helmet comm switch. It would send a message to the X-Wing that would begin the countdown. He took one last look at his helmet, then dropped it on the floor. He held still as the woman fastened his wrists behind his back in a pair of stun cuffs.
The blaster was again shoved into his back, and he glanced over his shoulder in annoyance. A grizzled man grinned back at him.
�Stop gawking and start moving,� the woman said. She led the group of troops from the hangar, then she and two Brigadiers escorted Alex into a turbolift. It moved swiftly upward for what must have been a minute before grinding to a halt. As they moved out of the hangar and down a short corridor, Alex�s mental countdown was nearing an end.
The woman keyed in a clearance code at a door, and the trio of Brigadiers and their prisoner entered a small compound of cells. A prison, Alex thought. Most likely with reinforced walls. Nothing in here will be harmed by my explosion!
Almost immediately, the corvette rocked as an explosion ripped through her lower decks. The explosive force of four proton torpedo detonations was very deadly. Especially if it came from within the ship.
Alex smiled.
The woman turned on her prisoner, glaring. �How dare you harm my ship!� She thumbed the blast setting on her blaster carbine to stun and fired as shot. Alex�s body was wreathed in blue energy, and he collapsed onto the prison deck.







5




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 theory�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. Ales 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.�
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 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 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."
Her 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.�


To Be Continued�

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