"Your next target is on Nar Shaddaa."

Aric didn't miss the way his CO's jaw suddenly clenched at the words, or how the middle fingers of her left hand began tapping against her palm. General Garza and Dorne didn't appear to notice – they didn't hear the tightness and strain in Helo's voice as she asked respectfully about the mission and the target, and ended the call with a, "thank you, sir". Aric noticed it all – but then again, he noticed almost everything about Lieutenant Helo Summers. He wasn't sure exactly when it started. Back on Ord Mantell, she had been nothing to him but a rookie, an untested girl in howevermany hundred pounds of durasteel armor. He hadn't seen past the uniform, the regulation weapon, her tight salutes and ability to obey orders without question. Eventually he had seen a dedication to the Republic that had earned his grudging respect, although Aric never would have admitted it at the time. Even through the angry haze of the squad defection and his subsequent demotion, Helo had remained calm, kind and professional. Being made a sergeant on the new Havoc Squad had stung, but less so with her as his commanding officer.

The call ended and the Garza's image blinked out, leaving the three of them standing in silence next to the holoterminal. Helo's hands were both clenched into fists now, and her jaw was set. She looked like she might be sick. Elara stepped forward, her face filled with concern, but when Helo waved a hand in her direction and muttered "dismissed", she nodded and exited the room.

"Everything all right, sir?" Aric didn't move toward her, and kept his voice low and non-threatening. He had seen her in action, and knew that despite her gentle demeanor and facade of unbridled optimism that she was one woman he did NOT want to fuck with.

"Mmm." Her murmur of assent was so quiet he almost didn't catch it. She leaned against the holoterminal with both hands as if she were going to collapse. "Can you please set the coordinates? I need...a minute." She ducked a quick look up at him with her unreadable grey eyes and he nodded immediately.

"Of course, sir." He saluted and she smiled thinly.

"Thank you, Aric." Every time she used his first name it made his stomach feel strange. He swallowed and glanced back at her as he headed up towards the bridge, and he could see her shoulders shaking. It took everything he had to walk away.