High Flight Squadron

Part One: A Familiar Enemy

By: David A Cohen

 

Disclaimer: This is a work of Fan Fiction based on characters and places owned and copyrighted by Lucasfilm Ltd. However, everything here not owned by Lucas in this work is the property of the author and should not be used without his consent. No profit has been gained from the creation of this Fan Fiction and no copyright infringement is intended. No part of this publication may be published, distributed or copied in any other way online or offline without the expressed consent of the author. You may contact the author with any questions, comments, concerns, complaints, worries, problems, typos, etc. at [email protected]

 

High Flight Squadron (X-wing)

 

One Flight

Captain Aerick Needa – Squadron CO (One) (Human Male from Commenor)

Commander Crystal Sandskimmer – Squadron XO (Three)(Human Female from Tatooine)

Flight Officer Renn Shrike (Two)(Human Male from Corellia)

Lieutenant Liset Miant (Shistavinen Female from Uvena 3)

Two Flight

Lieutenant Commander Krinuv’ani (Five)(Twi’lek female from Ryloth)

Flight Officer Piotr Krillin (Seven) (Mon Calamari Male from Mon Calamari)

Lieutenant Dojan Reas (Six)(Human Male from Bespin)

Flight Officer Tamika Pefrin (Eight)(Human Female from Praesitlyn)

Three Flight

Lieutenant Hren Sllr (Nine)(Sullustian Male from Sullust)

Flight Officer Yrida Fhten (Eleven)(Gand Female from Gand)

Lieutenant Jessa Milerna (Ten)(Human Female from Coruscant)

Flight Officer Gaern Kyrn (Twelve) (Human Female from Bakura)

 

New Republic Personnel

 

Captain Sair Yonka (Captain of the Freedom)

Captain Tigann Oalti – Contender Squadron CO (Human Female from Coruscant)

Lieutenant Commander Jonash Coalin – Lightflash Squadron CO (Human Male from Sluis Van)

Savior (Aerick’s R5 unit)

Hawkbat (Jonash’s R2 unit)

Dewback (Crystal’ s R2 unit)

Prologue

 

 

“One Flight, this is Lead. Form up on the Korolev,” Lieutenant Commander Crystal Sandskimmer called over the comm, addressing her fellow ‘trainees’. As a candidate for High Flight Squadron, she was a little apprehensive. Even though she’d been trained already, Captain Aerick Needa wanted his pilots re-evaluated before he made any decisions. An unusually sage idea, Crystal thought. Especially after recent events.

The squadron participated in the chase of Warlord Zsinj. During that chase, High Flight Squadron suffered 75% losses. Starfighter Command had wanted to fill the squadron with academy graduates. Captain Needa said he wanted seasoned vets as well. Hence the addition of Crystal and a handful of other veterans of both Rebel and New Republic service. Two weeks had passed since her ‘training’ began. It was grueling. She had to run through every major offensive the Rebellion/New Republic had gone through. Yavin IV, Gall, Endor, Bakura. Sometimes, the days seemed like they were longer than what she was used to. No surprise. Two missions in one day was enough to exhaust even the most battle-hardened pilot the New Republic had.

Everything Crystal had been through was supposed to be preparation for this mission. She had dreaded this day since she began her ‘training’ to join High Flight Squadron.

It was her last test. The Redemption Scenario. The bane of every New Republic fighter pilot. It was based on an Imperial attack on some evac ships. Crystal had heard this scenario took place just after the battle of Hoth. While the Nebulon-B Frigate Redemption awaited a trio of medivac shuttles and the Corellian Corvette Korolev to off-load their wounded, another frigate, Warspite, jumped in and out of the system, dropping off TIE fighters and bombers. Crystal knew the frigate only launched 4 TIE fighters and 3 TIE bombers at any given time. However, it did so in a way that made it impossible to get them all. The first time she flew it, she’d been shot down trying to intercept the torpedoes one of the dupes had launched at the Korolev. The second time she flew it, the last bomber had destroyed the Korolev just before she destroyed it. The third time, she had survived just long enough to see the Korolev escape to hyperspace before an eyeball had blasted her. Her trainers had told her that she was the only one in that graduating class to ever have the Korolev escape. It earned her a lot of attention from some of the higher-ups.

“Lead, are we doing this by the book?” Her wingman, a Twi’lek woman who called herself Krinuv’ani (or Krinu, for short). “Or are we gonna do something fancy?”

“By the book, Two,” Crystal replied. By the book meant that one fighter would engage the TIEs while the other three would protect the Korolev. Each time she had lost, Crystal had tried something fancy. The one time she had ‘won,’ Crystal had done things by the book. However, she wasn’t looking forward to it. Especially with the other squadron candidates flying the TIEs.

“Copy, Lead,” A warble from her R2 unit signified the arrival of the Warspite.

“High Flight, protect Korolev. Warspite is launching three dupes.” Crystal’s targeting computer confirmed the launch of three TIE Bombers (or dupes in New Republic pilot’s parlance). Right behind the dupes, a trio of TIE starfighters (or eyeballs) were launched.

“Copy, Control. Two, take over here. I’ll vape the dupes. You guys can have the eyeballs. Remember, don’t go farther than a klick from the Korolev.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Crystal swung her X-wing around and made a bee-line for the Warspite. Fortunately, she was in an ideal position. A straight line. That would make things much easier. That way, she could fire her torpedoes and down the bombers, then take the fighters.

“Dewback,” Crystal said, talking to her R2, “target the three bombers. Designate targets 1, 2, and 3. Bring up target one.” The droid tootled an affirmative and an illuminated box appeared on her CMD. The range-finder scrolled down from 20 as the two craft closed. When the range reached two and a half klicks, Crystal cut her engines and tried for a lock on the bomber. A moment later, her targeting reticle burned red and she squeezed her trigger, sending a proton torpedo jetting towards the bomber on a tongue of blue flame. “Target two.” Another bomber showed up on her screen. She fired a torpedo. “Target three.” The bomber was only a half-klick away. Crystal toggled her lasers, then fired a quad burst at the ship. Four channels of destructive energy tore through the cockpit of the bomber, shredding it.

 “Lead, this is Two. Can we engage the fighters?” Crystal looked at her inflight map. The Warspite had jumped out. I have two minutes until the next wave, she thought.

“Affirmative. Take ‘em down.” As she said this, Crystal shifted power to her engines, following a hunch and heading towards a patch of empty space.

“Lead, Three. What are you doing?”

“Cut the chatter, Three,” Crystal admonished. She wasn’t ready to tell her squadmates about her background. But, that was something for her to deal with later. A moment later, the Warspite dropped out of hyperspace 5 klicks in front of her. She shunted power from her engines back to recharging her lasers. Her R2 unit warbled, declaring the launch of three bombers and two fighters.

“Dewback, designate bombers, 4, 5 and 6. Target four.” The dupe was illuminated on her CMD. She spitted the craft with her targeting reticle. Dewback beeped as it attempted to achieve a lock. When the reticle went red, Crystal tightened her finger on the trigger, sending a proton torpedo on its way. She fired a pair of torpedoes at the remaining dupes, then watched as Warspite jumped out again. The last time, she hoped.

“Lead, permission to engage.”

“Granted. Get those eyeballs.” Crystal pulled back on the stick, inverting her X-wing, then rolled out and punched the throttle forward, chasing the four TIEs that were making a run on the Korolev. She sidled in behind one of the TIEs and then triggered a quad burst from her lasers. Coherent light tinted her cockpit red as the bolts tore through the twin ion engines of the eyeball. One engine exploded, sending the TIE into a flat spin. A moment later, the other engine exploded, disintegrating the TIE.

Suddenly, Dewback started screaming as a pair of emerald laser bolts started chewing at Crystal’s rear shields. A second later, the shield generator blew and the TIE’s lasers ripped through her upper, port engine. The engine whined as it over-revved, then blew up a moment later, sending shrapnel into the fuselage.

“Dewback, cut starboard engine power by half!” Crystal cried as she slammed her foot on the left etheric rudder pedal. The ship skewed port, chasing it’s tail. She then slammed her foot on the right rudder pedal and her X-wing shot towards the Korolev and the safety of her comrades.

Two X-wings angled towards Crystal’s crippled fighter. A moment later, blue fire blossomed from the nose of one of the X-wings. The proton torpedo shot past Crystal’s X-wing and slammed into the TIE. The resulting fireball consumed all evidence of the TIE’s existence.

“Good shooting, Two,” Crystal said, giving her wingman a thumbs-up. A moment later, a pair of emerald laser bolts slammed into the nose of Crystal’s X-wing. A second pair followed a millisecond later. The proton torpedo magazine exploded and the simulator went black. She flipped a switch and the simulator opened upward, allowing Crystal to climb out of the simulator. As she stood up, she felt her flight suit stick to her body, covered in sweat. She removed her flight gloves and smacked them against the metal body of the simulator. Sithspawn! I thought I had it!!

She saw four of her fellow trainees awaiting the end of the simulated mission. Along the far wall, she saw a holographic map of the battle. It was going well. The two remaining TIEs were chased by a pair of X-wings. One of the TIEs flipped around and made a run on the port X-wing. However, a moment later, the eyeball was enveloped in a roiling explosion caused by a proton torpedo. It didn’t escape.

Another simulator, this one ball-shaped (like an actual TIE), opened up and a pilot-candidate (Crystal didn’t know his name) swore as he pulled himself out. “That kriffing woman! I had her!!”

“That’s what happens when you go head to head with a craft that has shields, Flight Officer,” Crystal chided.

“I know, ma’am,” The other pilot said. “I got cocky and I paid for my mistake. But, dammit, I thought I HAD her!”

A moment later, the sim ended as the Korolev escaped into hyperspace and the last TIE was space dust. The last two pilots, Krinu and a human female Crystal hadn’t met, climbed out of the simulators. Like Crystal and the others, their flightsuits were drenched in sweat. The Twi’lek female walked over to Crystal and extended a hand.

“We did it, ma’am. Thanks to you.”

“You did all the hard work, Krinu. I just shot down the bombers.”

“On the contrary. If those bombers had got through, we all would’ve been vaped before we knew what hit us.” She wrapped one of her lekku around her neck. “Well, regardless of that, we won.”

“Yes, Lieutenant,” Captain Aerick Needa called from the doorway. “Indeed, you did win. I am impressed by such…obvious tactics. In fact, I was surprised that your fellow trainees were fooled by it.” He glanced at the four trainees that flew the TIEs. They were hanging their heads. In shame, or something else? Crystal didn’t know.

“Anyway, congratulations on a superb run, Lieutenant Commander Sandskimmer. All four of you. You have a few hours before the next round. Any of you care to take a run in the TIEs?”

Oooo. The thought of a little payback caused a grin to form on Crystal’s face. I wouldn’t mind dishing out a little of that…

“I take it you’re volunteering, Commander?” Aerick asked, startling Crystal out of her reverie.

“Absolutely…I mean, yes…sir.” Crystal added, a full blown smile on her face.

Chapter One

 

As the eight candidates walked towards the small tapcaf attached to the base, Crystal turned to her Twi’lek companion.

“That was some fancy flying, Krinu,” She said.

“Oh, thank you, ma’am.”

“Please. When we’re not on duty, call me Crystal.”

“Oh, yes, ma’am…I mean, Crystal,” Krinu looked at her feet for a second and Crystal could see the gray flesh of Krinu’s cheeks turn a shade of violet. Crystal assumed it was the Twi’lek equivalent to blushing.

“It’s okay, Krinu,” Crystal replied, the remnant of a giggle evident in her voice. “I know how hard it is to address a superior officer as an equal.”

“It’s gonna take some getting used to. So, how long have you been a member of Starfighter Command??”

“Oh, let’s see. I joined up…wow, three years after Endor, which was about…six years ago.” Crystal looked a little surprised at the length of time.

Crystal wasn’t the only one. “That long?” Krinu asked, a hint of shock in her voice.

“Well, I took a few years off for…personal reasons.”

“Family??” One of the other trainees asked.

“I’d prefer not to talk about it right now, if you don’t mind.”

“I’m sorry. We didn’t mean to pry, Crystal.”

“It’s okay, Krinu.” The group walked into the tapcaf a few seconds later. Krinu, Crystal, and the other two pilots in their group sat down in a booth in a corner.

“So what went wrong in there?” Krinu asked.

“What do you mean?” Crystal asked, a confused look on her face.

“I mean, we could’ve done a whole lot better.”

“Hey, I’ll be the first to admit that one,” Crystal laughed, remembering how she was shot down.

“No, I mean. Ok, first, even though you were in good position to vape the dupes, the pilots of the eyeballs should’ve shot you down before that second wave.”

“Well, I try to make it hard to shoot me down.”

“I understand. But one X-wing against three eyeballs? And the X-wing escapes?? Something’s fishy there. And those dupes, they didn’t even blink when your torpedoes came in. I mean, it’s hard not to notice a blue flame coming towards your ship in the vast black of space, is it??”

“No. You’re right. It should’ve been a little harder.”

“And, I mean, even though you were shot down, it was just a lucky shot.”

“In all fairness, my shields were down.”

“Yeah, but you didn’t see how this pilot wasted almost two dozen shots trying to get you. The guy wasn’t very good.”

“I’ll have to take your word for it. Then again, it’s my understanding that Captain Needa is looking for rookies as well as vets.”

“Excuse me?”

“Sorry. My dad liked watching shockball and I started picking up the lingo. What I mean is, the Captain is looking for pilots fresh from the academy as well as combat veterans such as myself. That might explain why my opponent was a little green…I mean…”

“I got the gist of it, Commander.”

“Krinu, please. There’s no need to stand on ceremony. I told you before, call me Crystal.”

“Sorry. It’s hard to get used to that.”

“I know. So…should we go a little easier…”

“No, ma’am…I mean, Crystal. Look, if someone went easy on you, would you have learned what you did? Would you be where you are now??”

“Well…no. Tell you the truth, I’d be dead. Some of the maneuvers I learned I employed in battle. If it weren’t for those maneuvers, I’d have died during the battles with Warlord Zsinj.”

“So, should we go easy on the recruits, ma’am?”

“I guess not.”

 

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The second mission was even more harrowing for Commander Sandskimmer than the first. Piloting an eyeball was…frustrating, to say the least. With no shields, the ship had to rely on its superior maneuverability to survive. Crystal hated flying unshielded craft. Why did I volunteer for this, again? She asked herself.

She had survived long enough to vape two of her fellow trainees before being speared by a torpedo. She watched the remainder of the battle on the holographic map in the simulator room. The remaining two X-wings were making a fight of it. The Warspite had just jumped out of the system for the second time and one of the X-wings had just vaped the three remaining bombers in the system. The other X-wing shot down one of the two eyeballs just as the TIE’s lasers chewed through the ship’s proton torpedo magazine, shredding the ship. A diminutive Sullustian climbed out of the cockpit and chittered angrily at the simulator.

A moment later, Krinu walked over to Crystal. “You, too?”

“Yup. I didn’t see the torpedo until it was too late.”

“Whoever this pilot is, he’s good,” Crystal said, watching the X-wing strafe the TIE on the holomap.

“Or she. These pilots aren’t all men, after all.”

“Yeah, I know.” The TIE veered around the corvette and cut engine power, hiding in the shadow of the larger ship. The X-wing screamed around the corvette, straight into the laser barrage from the TIE. The X-wing’s shields depleted, the laser bolts chewed through the cockpit of the X-wing. The craft flew through it’s hard turn, slamming into the corvette. The TIE waggled it’s wings and started strafing the corvette. The last X-wing simulator opened up and a tall woman climbed out. She pulled off her helmet, revealing a long, wavy mane of fiery red hair. She tossed her helmet into the simulator angrily and her R2 unit tootled at her.

The TIE simulator opened up and the Commanding Officer of High Flight Squadron stepped out. He walked over to the tall redhead and she saluted. Crystal and Krinu were able to hear their conversation and were listening intently.

“Flight Officer Pefrin,” Captain Aerick Needa returned her salute.

“Sir,” She lowered her arm and stood at attention.

“At ease, Flight Officer. You are a hard target to hit.”

“I try to be, sir. Promotes longevity.” Crystal chuckled at hearing that and Captain Needa actually laughed aloud.

“I agree, Flight Officer,” He stretched and yawned. “I haven’t had a work-out like that in a while.” Crystal’s cheeks burned when she heard that.

“Calm down, Crystal,” Krinu whispered in her ear. “You haven’t flown against Captain Needa yet, remember.”

“I’m not…It’s not…” Crystal floundered.

“I know how you feel, ma’am. I feel the same way. But we’re all allies here. Besides, Captain Needa will see just how good you are.”

“You know, you sound just like my grandmother.”

“She sounds like a wise woman.”

“You have no idea.”

Chapter Two

 

 

A day later, Crystal and Krinu were sitting in the mess hall with two other candidates; Flight Officer Tamika Pefrin (The tall redhead from the previous day) and Flight Officer Gaern Kyrn (a woman Crystal flew with during one of her sim runs).

“I must admit, Commander, I never thought I would be here,” Gaern admitted, brushing a few loose strands of hair away from her face.

“Why is that?”

“Well, I’m from Bakura, for one.”

“That doesn’t mean anything.”

“You don’t know what I went through while I was in the academy.”

“What do you mean?” Tamika asked.

“Well, I was on the receiving end of about two dozen practical jokes…”

“Typical,” Tamika said.

“Not in my case. Then, I was failed from three of my classes simply because I was what the instructor called ‘disobedient.’”

“What did he mean by that?” Crystal asked.

“Well, He said that, because I was from an ‘Imperial planet’ I had better not give him trouble or else.”

“He actually said that?” Tamika asked, taking a sip from her drink.

“Yeah. And, when I started to argue, he told me he was kicking me out of his class and, instead of withdrawing me from the class, he failed me.”

“Did you tell anyone about it?” Crystal asked.

“I tried. My immediate superior wouldn’t listen and the CO of the academy wouldn’t even talk to me.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Crystal said. “You should talk to Captain Needa about it. I’m sure he can get things done.”

“Yeah,” Tamika agreed. “I heard that he was…” She was interrupted by her comlink.

“Flight Officer Pefrin, your presence has been requested by Captain Aerick Needa. You are to meet in Briefing Room Isk on the third floor.” She heard her companions’ comlinks repeat the same message.

“I think we have a squadron roster,” Crystal said.

 

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The four women walked into the Briefing Room to see that it was almost full. The other seven squadron candidates were already seated and Captain Needa was standing in front of the holoprojector and a gold protocol droid was standing next to him. As the women sat down, a pair of military aides started passing out packets filled with sheets of flimsiplast and unit patches: A single X-wing soaring over a mountain range.

“I’d like to welcome you all,” Captain Needa started his briefing. “Out of all the candidates interviewed, you twelve were the best. Keep in mind that there were literally hundreds of people who were just as qualified as you, but, to be blunt, you eleven were on the top of my list and the others weren’t.

“So, I know some of you have met, but, for those of you who haven’t, let me go around the table.

“First off, we have Lieutenant Commander Crystal Sandskimmer. Already a combat veteran, she is also an ace three times over in the X-wing having been through several pitched battles between Imperial and Alliance ships.”

“Ten eyeballs, three squints and three dupes, sir,” Crystal said, smiling.

“Also a master swordsman, from what I read in your records.”

“Yes, sir. I learned to fight with a sword and graduated to a lightsaber a few years ago.”

“I’d love to see that some time. Next, we have Lieutenant Krinuv’ani, another combat veteran. Like a few of us, she’s been through combat, having three eyeballs and a dupe to her credit.”

“Uh, that’s two eyeballs and a dupe, sir,” Krinu corrected.

“Oh…my mistake. Next on the list, we have Lieutenant Liset Miant. Another combat vet, Liset has two kills to her name.”

“A pair of pirates who tried to prey on the convoy I was protecting,” Liset looked unhappy as she spoke.

“Next up, we have Lieutenant Dojan Reas. While not a combat vet, it says in your record that you were attacked and have a kill to your name.”

“Aye, sir. While on patrol, my wingman and I were jumped by a pair of Assault Gunboats. X-wings—2, Gunboats—0.” There was some chuckling at that.

“Indeed. Next, we have Lieutenant Hren Sllr. Another combat vet with three kills.”

“Eyeballs. All three,” She chittered in Sullustian as a protocol droid translated. “Easy kills, too.”

“Not all of them are, Lieutenant. Next, Lieutenant Jessa Milerna. An ex-pirate who preyed mainly on Imps, from what I read in your record.”

“Aye, sir. Two eyeballs and two dupes to my name. I left my former commander because I wanted a bigger challenge.”

“You’ll get it, from what I hear. Next, the new recruits, fresh from the academy. First, we have Flight Officer Renn Shrike. Majored in astrophysics?”

“I always loved watching the stars when I was a kid.”

“You sure you’re still not a kid?” Crystal joked.

“Ma’am? I’m 18.”

“It was a joke, Renn.”

“Oh.”

Aerick cleared his throat. “If we can proceed. Next on the list, we have Flight Officer Piotr Krillin. Recruited by Admiral Ackbar, he was top five in his class.

“Next, we have Flight Officer Tamika Pefrin. And, incidentally, she was the top flyer in her class, and valedictorian.”

“I had a lot of help with that, sir,” Tamika said.

“I’ll bet. Next, we have Flight Officer Yrida Fhten, only the second Gand, and the first Female from Gand to graduate from the New Republic Academy.”

“Yrida is honored to be thought of as an equal to Ooryl Qrygg. But, Fhten knows this is not true.”

“But, one day, it will be,” Aerick replied. “And last, but certainly not least, we have Flight Officer Gaern Kyrn. The first Bakuran in the New Republic Armed Forces.”

“Not that I brag about these things.”

“Well, do we have any questions so far?” Aerick asked.

Crystal raised her hand. “Captain, exactly where will we be posted?”

“A good question, Lieutenant Commander.” He switched on the holo-proj and a hologram of an Imperial-class Star Destroyer mark II materialized in the middle of the conference table. “This is the ImpStar Deuce Allegiance. We’ve been assigned to assist in the clean-up of Warlord Zsinj’s fleet. As before, High Flight Squadron will be a part of General Solo’s fleet.”

“The General Solo?” Krinu asked, her lekku twitching in a manner that Crystal came to understand as the Twi’lek equivalent of surprise.

“That’s correct. As I was saying, we’ll be stationed on board the Allegiance. Our duty is, of course, to provide tactical superiority for General Solo. We will be directly under Commander Antilles’ command.”

“Commander Wedge Antilles?” Crystal asked, her eyebrows lifted in surprise.

“I know what you’re all thinking. And I share your enthusiasm at working alongside some of the Rebellion’s greatest heroes. And yes, Rogue Squadron is also going to be a part of this operation.”

“Why were we picked for such prestigious duty?” Flight Officer Kyrn asked.

“To be blunt, Starfighter Command is in the middle of revamping not only their command structure, but also their methods for deployment. So many squadrons are in transit to their duty stations or just plain lost that we’re actually in the middle of a manpower shortage.

“Despite all of that, we will be a part of a large operation with at least twenty other squadrons. And that’s just one of General Solo’s battle groups.

“Any other questions?”

Krinu raised a hand. “We know you’re our Commanding Officer, but have you chosen an Executive Officer?”

“As a matter of fact, I have. Unfortunately, this person doesn’t know it just yet. But, better late than never, right?”

“So, who is it, Captain?” Crystal asked, reluctantly.

“Well…to be blunt, you.”

“Me, sir?” Crystal said, shock evident on her face.

“You have more experience than everyone here, excluding me.”

“But…” Crystal sputtered.

“Save it for later. For now, you’re entitled to solo quarters and a promotion, Commander Sandskimmer.”

“But…”

“When we get on station, we’ll make sure everything is official.”

“But…”

“Everyone, you’re dismissed. Commander Sandskimmer, I need you to stay behind so we can talk.” The other pilots filed out, leaving Aerick and Crystal alone.

“Captain…”

“Please, call me Aerick.”

“Okay. Aerick, I don’t deserve this.”

“Listen, I need an XO. No one else is as qualified as you.”

“But, I have no experience in command!”

“Neither did I. You’ll get used to it. Believe me.”

“But, I’m not ready for this kind of responsibility!”

“Neither was I. Let me tell you something, Commander…”

“It’s Crystal. Believe me, I prefer the familiarity more than most people think.”

“Okay, Crystal. Let me explain. When I first inherited command of High Flight Squadron, we were sent into a battle against a pirate group along the Outer Rim. I was not much older than you are now…”

“So this was, what ten years ago?”

“Quiet, you. It was only a year ago. We weren’t expecting much opposition. The outpost was supposed to be guarded by a pair of Corellian Corvettes.

“When we dropped out of hyperspace, we were ambushed. Two Nebulon-B class Frigates, six Corvettes and a pair of Corellian Gunships. Oh, and five squadrons of DIE-wings.”

“DIE-wings?”

“Uglies. The ball cockpit of a TIE mated with the engine nacelles of a Y-wing. Not exactly a formidable fighter, but we were only being supported by two Frigates of our own. The DIE-wings chewed my squadron to pieces, leaving two of us to escape with one of the two Frigates. When I returned, Alliance Command gave me a medal.”

“For what? You were ambushed!”

“My sentiments exactly. High Command didn’t think so. They gave me and my wingman the Kalidor Crescent. Well, after that, my wingman resigned. She was shaken so badly, she is still undergoing mental treatment. I, on the other hand, rebuilt the squadron, only to have it destroyed by Imperials in a pitched battle in the Vergasso Asteroid Belt six months later. I was the sole survivor from High Flight after that battle. So, here I am, rebuilding again.” Aerick planted his forehead on his arms, shaking his head.

“I’m sorry to hear about all of that. I really am. But, I still don’t think I’m ready.”

“Well, we have two weeks before we’re activated. I suggest we get some time in the simulators and some live fire exercises as well.”

“Agreed,” Crystal said, resignedly. Like it or not, she was now XO.

Chapter Three

 

 

“The problem’s here,” the squadron’s mechanic told Aerick, pointing at one of his ship’s engines, “not here.” Now the mechanic pointed at the wingtip laser-actuators. “Y’see, the power feed going into the lasers are fine, and the lasers themselves are ship-shape. The problem is, the feed is plugged in wrong.”

“Who was the last to work on my ship?”

“I dunno,” The mechanic shrugged. “Probably some yard puke that didn’t know what he was doing. I can have it fixed in an hour or so.”

“All right,” Aerick turned on his heel and was about to leave, when he bumped into Crystal, who was standing directly behind him. “Dammit, Crystal, don’t do that to me!”

“Sorry, sir. I didn’t mean to startle you.” Crystal fell into step as Aerick walked out of the hanger bay. “General Solo was contacting all the units attached to his fleet.”

“What did he want?”

“He wanted to let us know that he was pushing his schedule back two days. So, he gave all units two days shore leave before reporting for duty.”

“Yup, that’s General Solo all right,” Aerick said, chuckling.

“Sir?”

“I met General Solo just before he left on his mission to Endor. He struck me as a laid-back kind of guy.”

“But everyone knows that about General Solo.”

“No, I mean he is a really laid-back guy. He hated being called General Solo. Told everyone to call him Han. He detested wearing his uniform. And he looked…kinda scruffy.”

“Not exactly the model officer, then?”

“Well…not exactly. He was a great officer. He just preferred to be one of the guys.”

“I would think it hard to be an efficient officer if you’re ‘one of the guys,’” Crystal said, entering one of the many lift units that ringed the simulator complex.

“Yeah. Sector 135, megablock 27, subsector 7, unit 5,” Aerick said to himself as he punched in the coordinates.

“Where are we going?” Crystal asked, recognizing the coordinates of a major transport junction.

“I know a great tapcaf close to my home here on Coruscant.”

“Then why not just go straight there?”

“It takes twice the time. While I know the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, the lift system leaves something to be desired.”

“I agree,” Crystal sat down and tucked her legs underneath her. She peered out the transparisteel that made up half of the lift, watching as the lift flew past other levels, lift units, hover-transports, and many other, unidentifiable objects. As the lift slowed, Crystal recognized some landmarks. She saw the towering edifice of the Imperial Palace, the sprawling aggregation of docking units at the Eastport docking bay, and even some of the lights of the Golan defense stations in orbit.

The lift stopped just inside one of the many transfer points for the turbolift system. The door opened and the pair stepped out.

“Lift platform six. We can catch a hover taxi that’ll take us to our destination,” Aerick said, pointing at a platform a quarter klick from their present position.

“I never realized how big these transfer stations are,” Crystal said, gazing at the many platforms with at least twenty lift units per platform.

“Let me guess. You take hover taxis everywhere?”

“No. Normally I take the hovertrans from headquarters to my home away from home.” Her voice wavered as she felt a familiar twinge at the base of her skull.

“You okay?” Aerick asked, detecting the slight quiver in her voice.

“Huh? Fine,” The twinge at the base of her skull changed suddenly and she screamed, “GET DOWN!” She opened herself to the Force for the first time in several months, threw her arms into the air and projected a shield around her and Aerick of pure Force energy. A moment later, the ground shook violently as a thermal detonator exploded ten meters away, vaporizing the platform they had just left and collapsing two others. Crystal poured her strength into the shield as several tons of duracrete and transparisteel crashed around her and Aerick. She felt the weight of the rubble that rested on the shield build as more debris fell on top. Several moments passed, which seemed like an eternity, before the collapse subsided. Crystal saw Aerick speak, but couldn’t hear him. She realized that, somehow, time had slowed down for her. As soon as the shield was stable, time seemed to speed up again.

“By all the things that make a Hutt ugly…” Aerick breathed.

“Hey, I resent that,” Crystal snapped. Her shield contracted a few millimeters. She swore and tried reinforcing the shield.

“I mean…you’re a Jedi?” Aerick asked, shock evident in his voice. Crystal repressed the urge to wipe her brow. She needed every ounce of concentration she could muster.

“Mm-hmm.”

“Are we going to be okay?”

“Dunno.” She stabilized the shield. Now for the hard part. “Gimme…your…hand,” She said, slowly.

“What for?”

“No…time…to…ex…plain,” By speaking one syllable at a time, she was able to keep her shield stable.

“I hope you know what you’re doing.” Aerick reached out and, gently, took one of Crystal’s hands into his. He felt a tingling sensation in his hand. “What’re you doing?” Crystal didn’t answer. A moment later, Aerick heard the clatter of duracrete. “I see. I’ll be quiet.”

Slowly- almost painfully slowly- Crystal moved debris off of her shield. She heard muffled voices, but couldn’t make out any words. Under normal circumstances, she would’ve reached out with the Force to make sure, but she didn’t want to risk breaking her concentration. With each piece of debris moved, the shield contracted, almost imperceptibly. He heard more voices outside the pile of rubble.

“…ou hear…”

“Don’t…answer.” Crystal said. “Must…con…cen…trate.” Her voice started to crack.

“Hang on, Crystal,” Aerick whispered.

“So…hard.”

“Don’t give up on me, dammit!” The shield contracted visibly this time. Aerick grabbed her other hand, lending more of his strength. The shield stabilized and more debris was removed from the pile.

“Can you…me?”

“Don’t…answer.” Aerick felt Crystal’s arms trembling with effort.

“I know,” Aerick whispered. He pressed his forehead to hers. “We’re going to make it, you hear me!”

“Hush.” More debris flew off the pile and, again, the shield contracted a few millimeters.

“We’re coming!” Aerick could hear the voice clearly now.

As he looked into Crystal’s eyes, he could see her weaken with every passing minute. “Concentrate on our shield, Crystal.”

“Can’t. Must…move…debris. So…ti…red” She closed her eyes for a second. This time, the shield contracted a centimeter.

“Listen to me. We have to get out of here. We have to!”

“Need…sleep.”

“I’m ordering you not to quit on me, dammit! I won’t let you quit!”

“Hush!” More debris…and this time, Aerick saw a ray of light, seeing dust motes dancing in mid-air.

“Almost there, Crystal. Just a little more.” A furry hand appeared, picking up one of the chunks of debris and tossing it aside. A small tunnel in the debris widened as a group of rescuers moved debris. Aerick heard the roar of a Wookiee.

“You found ‘em, Chewie?”

“General Solo!” A metallic voice called. A growl, followed by a series of grunts and barks followed the voice.

“You sure, Chewie?” Hesitation. “Okay, hold on. Luke! Get over here!”

“We’re gonna make it, Crystal. We’re gonna make it.”

“Mm-hmm.” She was on the verge of blacking out when she felt a strong presence in the Force. A moment later, she felt a rush of energy as the unknown presence reinforced her shield and pulled more debris off the pile. A human head peered into the ever-widening tunnel.

“Well, I’ll be Kesseled,” A familiar voice, Aerick thought. General Solo? “Captain Needa, I presume?”

“General Solo?” Aerick asked. “Is that you?”

“The one and only. You okay, kid?”

“Yeah. My XO here…” Aerick gestured to Crystal.

“I know. Luke told me. Saved your life, she did!”

“Could you get us out of here…sir. Please?” A flood of debris lifted into the air and settled into a neat pile a few meters away. Exhausted, Crystal collapsed, allowing her shield to drop. Aerick immediately covered her body with his, feeling a mass of duracrete crash onto his upper back. Another chunk of duracrete bounced off the back of his head, knocking him out.

 

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“Captain?” Aerick slowly swam towards consciousness. He was confused. Where am I? He asked himself. How did I get here? “Captain Needa, can you hear me?”

“He’s waking up,” a second voice stated.

“Aerick? Aerick, can you hear me?” A third voice. Kind of familiar, too.

If only these voices would leave him alone and let him sleep. He felt someone clutch his hand. Hmm. Whoever it was had very soft, cold hands. A moment later, something brushed his forehead. Cold. Another hand?

He tried opening his eyes, but couldn’t. But, he was able to squeeze the hand in his, albeit very gently.

“He’s awake,” the third voice said. “Could you leave us, please?” And he heard the swish of the door closing.

“Aerick, you can hear me.” Squeeze. “That’s good. You know who I am, right?” Squeeze. “I wanted to thank you. You wouldn’t let me quit when I wanted to.”

This time, Aerick felt Crystal’s hand (it had to be her) brush his cheek. A moment later, the gentle (almost imperceptible) press of her lips against his.

“I’ll be back later. Thank you. I owe you one.”