I don't own Star Wars only the big guy does, I'm just playing around in his universe. I'm doing this for my own enjoyment and will not nor plan to nor expect any form of compensation for these stories. And if the big guy ever finds out about this I hope that he will be understanding and won't sue me till the ends of the Earth. And if you do read these stories I hope that you also enjoy them.

Star Wars

New Jedi Order

Adventures of Tahiri

Tell me a secret.

Tahiri was getting frustrated again, why the military had to run the way it did was beyond her understanding, as is their reason to write such a huge book explaining their rules. To her, they seemed to make rules about everything that a person did during the day, could want to do during the day or, at times it seemed, could think about doing. Some of them seemed to her to be very silly but she had to learn this book by the end of the week. That is when the rest of the new recruits were scheduled to arrive to the Wraith base and she had to finish her accelerated training by then. Major Tainer had told her, almost gleefully, that this was her first test to being a Wraith. They wanted at least one of the new recruits to know something about proper military conduct.

"After all we need at least one person who can keep the others out of the brig." He said when he dropped off this huge brick on her data pad.

It has taken almost 4 days to read it, along with her other duties. Her other duties consisted of sitting in with Major Tainer and Commander Loran and learning everything about the military that most others learn in boot camp and flight school. Some of the things she remembered from her days as squadron commander of the Barefoot Squadron, such as proper communications protocols, pre-flights, saluting. Other things were not something she had to worry about such as bed making and the proper way to store clothes under her bunk. When she mentioned how crazy that was, they just laughed.

"Remember there is the right way and the wrong way, then there is the military way." Commander Loran had said. "There is also the Wraith way, but we don't want to scare you just yet. We will wait for the rest to get here before we do that."

So every morning at 0430 she had to be up and ready for room inspections before she could join the rest of the old timers for breakfast. After that she would work out with Tainer and or Shalla, their hand to hand expert, talk with Dr. Baljos Arnjak, the Wraiths expert on all things Yuuzhan Vong, about Yuuzhan Vong biology and society concerns, try to learn bomb making with Tainer, the fact she hadn't blown them both up yet was a good sign, and fighter tactics with Piggy. She would study computer slicing, how to use many different weapons, and other skills they thought she might need. She never argued, much, with their training exercises; even after they told her it was only going to get harder after this.

Of course the two hardest things to get use to was the prohibition of her Jedi powers. Both Major Tainer and Commander Loran had stressed that during her training period she was forbidden from using the Force in any manner. She would have to learn how to do everything just like normal people. In a way she was willing to go along with that, after all a Jedi is not supposed to use the Force for everything. The Force was there to guild you and helps you, not to be your slave. But it was hard to remember not to use it sometimes.

The second thing was her new identity; she was now called 'Sara Sandblaster', an 18-year-old rookie pilot from the planet Tatooine. They had found records of an old family moister farm way out in the Dune Sea that would fit the bill. No one has had much contact with the family and the little contact they did have seem to suggest that they had a working agreement with the Sand people. Tahiri confirmed this when she told them about a farm her tribe would pass by. Her tribe had told her that those people were to be left alone since they were willing to give them water during their travels. They figured that Tahiri had enough knowledge of Tatooine that she could easily pass as a native. Something she found very amusing when they told her that. The parts of her history in the military was easy to replicate since the classes were so huge that it was impossible for everyone to know everyone else. And since Borleias was now the main training base for the Galactic Alliance, her presence here before the rest showed up was easily explained. The actual base that the Wraith was using was remote part of the world. Although it was within easy distance of the seas, mountains and a short flight to the polar regains; hiking through snow was not Tahiri's idea of a fun afternoon.

Of course some things were not so bad for her. Little Brother and her got to work together since there was no regulation governing the use of droids during off duty time or while they were not on alert. So there had been some good news coming out of reading that book after all. Little Brother even got a new paint job out of the deal. Since he also had to blend in with the crowd he was now silver with purple trim, a new color he would not shut up about either. Tahiri would swear if he could Little Brother would spend all day in front of a mirror just so he could admire himself, who would though a droid could be so vain? Tahiri, on the other hand, was free to wear her combat suit or body stockings while on and off duty, a fact that amused the older Wraiths to no end. They told her most pilots hated wearing anything that was that tight fitting since they didn't want to look fat or anything. She would laugh with them and joke it was because they were all as old as rocks and she was young and had an easier time staying fit. But secretly she was pleased that was why they thought she wanted to wear them, in truth the combat suits and body stockings covered more of her skin then any other clothes she was allowed to wear. So only her face and hands were visible to everyone. She knew that sooner or later she would be forced to wear normal clothes but until then she planned to be as comfortable as possible.

One thing that will stop when the other recruits get here is the relaxed meals they share. During the meal periods the older Wraith would talk about everything and anything in the galaxy. She was fascinated at the wide range of topics they would discuss, everything from some stupid holo show program to politics. She never joined in the discussions but she did pay attention to them. That was her way, to sit back and observer and learns.

"Flight Officer Sandblaster report to briefing room 3, Flight officer Sandblaster report to briefing room 3." The annoying loudspeaker system blared all over the base. She grabbed her data pad, tapped Little Brother on the dome and out the door before it finished. Major Tainer had pounded into her the need to move quickly when she was summoned somewhere, if she was too slow it was push-ups or worst. No matter how fast she was, how quickly she did what was required or how well she had done on the task; she never did quite good enough for him. Several times she had been tempted to use the Force to help her but always held back. She told them she would not use the Force and she would not break her word.

As she raced into the room she saw major Tainer sitting at the head of the table with his boots up on the surface of the desk and his hand behind his head watching the clock.

"Flight Officer Sandblaster reporting as ordered sir!" She yelled out as she came to attention.

"Ah 38 seconds, not bad Flight Officer Sandblaster."

"Yes sir, thank you sir!" She said he had yet to return her salute. If she came out of attention before he returned the salute or told her to stand at ease; well she was really tired of doing push ups.

"Have you finished reading the Military Code?" He asked still not letting her drop her salute.

"Yes sir!"

"Ah good so you are ready to take the test then."

"Sir?"

"Well you know it inside and out don't you? I bet you know it better then you know your own name."

"Sir, I was still studying the text and …"

"I thought you said you read it?"

"Yes sir."

"So you should be ready for the 500 question test I going to give you, correct?"

"Sir, I don't think I'm prepared to …"

"What?" He said dropping his hands into his lap and looking at her as if she suddenly started speaking Hutt. Tahiri cringed, hoping it didn't show on her face, she just noticed the trap she had fallen into … again. "Did I just hear a Wraith say that she was not prepared?"

"Sir, no I'm ready to take the test."

"You sure Flight Officer Sandblaster? We could give you more time. Would a day do? How about a month? Couple years on Zonama Sekot?"

"No sir, I'm prepared." She knew what happened if she failed, she should be sent back.

"Very well," he said finally returning her salute, "you have one hour. Every question you miss you have to do one push up. Begin!"

She sat down and brought up the test on her pad, her muscles already cramping at the thought of doing more push-ups. But she would do them or else. That threat was always present, they reminded her many times a day, and if she failed she would go back to Zonama Sekot. There was no greater threat they could give her to ensure she lived up to the Wraiths standards.

"Relax Luke she has been here for a month and hasn't killed us yet." Face said to the image of Luke Skywalker, Jedi Master and the biggest detractor of his plans for Tahiri. Out of all the members of the Jedi Council, Luke had argued the loudest and longest against letting Tahiri joining the Wraiths. He felt that having a Jedi join the Wraiths would be a quick ticket to the dark side. And the fact that it is was Tahiri who Face wanted only made things worst for him.

"It is that 'yet' part that worries me."

"Ah we have worked with Jedi before, you know."

"Tyria Sarkin does not count. She didn't become a Jedi until after she left the Wraiths. And she is not as strong in the Force as Tahiri is not, nor did she have the unique problems that Tahiri has. This time Mara and I won't be around either."

"Is that what you are worried about Luke? You are afraid that Tahiri will suddenly decide she rather conquer the galaxy as a Vong Jedi then do spy work?"

"That is one thing I'm worried about, yes."

"So far Luke she has been doing a outstanding job here, she does follow orders we give her. She has had many opportunities to break her word about using the Force and she hasn't. I think she has the discipline to control herself if push come to shove." Face picked up a data pad on the desk next to him. "Besides I have a perfect roommate for her. The girl is 3 years older then Tahiri, from Kidriff 5, is an expert slicer and mechanic. Her piloting skills are pretty poor and she needs help understanding orders and working with others."

"Why is she joining the Wraiths?" Luke said with that Jedi stare.

"I figure both of them could learn a lot from each other." Face said as if Luke hadn't said anything.

"Why?"

"Why do I think they could learn from each other?" He said trying to sound innocent.

"No why is this other girl joining the Wraiths? What had she done?"

"It is no big deal." Face said but Luke just kept giving him that stare. "Look it does not really matter, besides the Judge …"

"Judge? FACE!"

"Luke trust me, none of us would let anything bad happened to Tahiri. We all like the kid and will watch out for her. And this roommate she will get, she will push Tahiri to her limits. I need to push her to her limits now before we go out into the field. If she fails here we can correct the mistake, if she fails out there we could lose her."

"You're right Face, sorry. I guess I'm also worried why you need her so badly."

"Sorry Master Skywalker but I can't discuss that part of the operation. I am still not sure that we should allow her to identify herself even after the training is done."

"It is that important Face?"

"Yes, Luke. Seriously a lot is ridding on using Tahiri as a Wraith."

"Ok Face but if you run into any trouble with Tahiri …"

"You be the first one we call."

"Thanks for the update Face I talk to you later."

After Luke signed off, Face turned to stare out the window of his office. He wished he didn't have to leave Luke in the dark about his plans for Tahiri but for her own safety and the safety of the others he had too. Ever since peace was declared far too many intelligent agents had been found dead. More then they could account for as simple lucky guess on the Peace Brigade part. Somewhere in the Smugglers Alliance or the Ryn network or their own intelligence network there was a major leak. Somehow the remains of the Peace Brigade and other pirate groups were able to identified and eliminate their agents. The Wraiths had been giving the job to find this leak and eliminate it, no matter who it was. While the new and old Wraiths were rooting out the mole, he would send a second team out undercover to infiltrate the Peace Brigade. No one but Kell and him would know who this second team would be, not even his superiors would be briefed on it.

Tahiri was a natural choice; she was a Jedi and had more knowledge of Yuuzhan Vong culture then anyone else in the galaxy, she had a ship that they could easily upgrade for these missions. Little Brother and her had already shown that they could do the job with the rescue of the Imperial Frigate Widowmaker. Plus she already had a cover story in place. They would just let everyone know that she 'washed out' and that she left to return to Zonama Sekot. And her cover identity she was using now would cover her when she posed as a down on her luck pilot working for an independent shipper who had a ship but could not fly. Hence her new roommate would be the owner. They would travel around the galaxy running freight until their 'plight' was known to the Peace Brigade and was recruited to work for them. It would take a while for them to get in good with the Peace Brigade but it was a second avenue to locate this mole. Even at worst case, they would have an inside track to the Brigade's and rogue Yuuzhan Vong plans. Tahiri and her partner would be a coffer pointed at their neck without them being any wiser.

Well a lot of that depends on Tahiri and her roommate getting along and not try to kill each other. Ratnena Bora was a wild card; she was an expert slicer and mechanic. Her father had own his own ship repair shop on Kidriff 5 and he taught her all he knew about motors and ships systems. Her oldest brother was a computer programmer who taught her how to slice into computers. She was an incredibly smart lady who soaked up information like a dry sponge on Tatooine. But she also had problems doing what she should be doing. When she turned 14 she fell in with a gang who would slice and dice their way through life. She had used her knowledge of computers and engines to help her new friends steal their city blind. She had been caught several times and been sent to juvenile prison. Each time she got out she became more and more unstable. Ratnena would suffer from violent mood swings and become increasing violent. Finally when she was 18 she was caught one too many times. The judge gave her a choice, go out and fight the Yuuzhan Vong or jail.

She chose the military and soon qualified to be a fighter pilot. Her scores were not very good but she did well enough to get into a X-Wing. She was assigned to the 3rd fleet and was doing well there until her commanding officer decided she would be a better pilot in bed then in a X-wing. She refused and he put her on report. He had gotten his 2nd in command and several other pilots to sign off on a 2nd report. This report would citing her desire to sleep her way up the ladder, how she would be willing to exchange sex for favors. Her commanding officer and the other pilots' confronter her saying if she refused them this report would be turned in and her career as a pilot would be over. So Ratnena decided to get even with them.

No one was actually hurt, but she did sabotages their X-wings and the droids. Basically causing them to miss fire, fall apart and the droids countermanding every order the received. For as smart as she is, Wedge was easily able to identify her as the one behind the sabotage. It wasn't too hard to figure out since she was the only one in the hanger laughing as her squadron fell apart.

The military court threw the book at her, sentencing her to 30 years at a penal colony. Wedge, who believed her more then the other pilots, had contacted Face to see if he had any use for her. So together Wedge and Face went to the judge and worked out a deal. If she could serve in the Wraiths, her sentence would be reduced. However if she is dismissed, washed out or commits any more crimes not relating to her duties; her sentence would be carried out in full. The Judge thought Face was crazy but signed off on the deal, figuring she would be behind bars within a week of joining the Wraiths.

And like Tahiri, Ratnena has been warned repeatedly that she would be watched closely and pushed harder then the rest of the recruits. She also had been told that she is not to discuss her deal with anyone until she was assigned to a team.

Face knew what a gamble having two women who potentially could kill everyone in the squadron and who both had some serious mental problems but the rewards were high too. If they can make it, if they can work together, they would be an unstoppable team. If they both make it.

Ratnena Bora walked into the office and drops her duty bag at her feet and saluted the officers seated at the desk. One of the officers was Commander Garik 'Face' Loran, the commanding officer of the super secret intelligent team called the Wraiths. It was because of his actions and General Antilles that she was not rotting on some penal planet or 'assisting' the rebuilding of some Vong ravage planet. She was grateful to him for giving her this second chance and wanted to prove to him and her family that she was not a loser.

Plus so far he hadn't tried to sleep with her. It was a problem she ran into with a lot of males, both in the military and when she ran with the "L"-street gang. What was it about men and their hormones? She didn't know but she just wished they would leave her alone. Back when she was running the streets it only took a couple swipes with any number of knives that she carried on her body to discourage any further discussion involving that subject. But when she was in the military, they frowned on that course of action. Although she had to admit that while it was not the smartest move on her part, the looks of her 'fellow' squadron mates faces as they climbed out of the rescue shuttle had been more satisfying then making them bleed.

The second officer was Major Kell Tainer, for what little she has been able to gather about him, he was the bomb maker of the group. She hoped that she could get him to teach her some tricks; she never worked with bombs before. It was always nice to learn new ways to kill people.

"Flight Officer Bora reporting as order sirs." She said holding her salute. When neither one returned her salute she knew she was being tested already. One thing Commander Loran had made very clear was that she would have to live up to his standards and that she would be tested through out her training period. He also made it very clear what would happen to her if she failed the Wraiths. Well she knew she could do this, she had to do this. It would kill her parents knowing that their baby daughter was rotting in jail forever. Come to think about it she wouldn't like it either.

"Welcome to Borleias Flight Officer Bora." Commander Loran said returning her salute.

"Thank you sir." She said remaining at attention.

"I see that you have no X-wing, A-wing or E-Wing assigned to you."

"Yes sir, they felt that allowing a prisoner to leave the prison in a fully armed and fueled X-wing would be too dangerous. They told me that I would leave on a shuttle and who ever is my new commanding officer was can assign me a X-Wing if he or she is suicidal."

"Is that what you going to tell everyone else?" Major Tainer asked.

"No sir, since no one at this base is to be informed of my," she paused to search for the right phrase, " my previous duty assignment."

"What will you tell them?"

"I'm not sure sir. I was hoping that you could give me some ideas, sirs."

"Let's here what you think it should be."

"Yes sir." She had thought about what would be an easy lie to remember and would account for the past 6 months that she spent in jail while she was flying here in a shuttle. So far, thanks to her slicing skills, she has yet to see a name of anyone who might know her. All the pilots were from many different commands so even if they had been in the 3rd fleet the chances of anyone knowing someone on her ship was equally small. "Sir, I was injured during the Battle of Mon Calamari. I had several server injuries that took many months for me to heal properly. When I was transferred here, they decided that I could wait till I got here to get an X-wing. That way they could save credits on the cost of a X-Wing."

"That could work." Commander Loran said, "But what if there is someone from your old command or the hospital command stationed here with you?"

"I would have to check the records …"

"Which you already have."

"Sir?" She started to sweat, if they got upset with her slightly illegal search of the base personal, well she knew what would happened.

"Remember Bora I expect complete honesty from you. If I catch you lying I will fly you to prison myself." Loran said staring her down. She knew what was coming next. "Now did you check the base records?"

"Yes sir." she said miserably, she wished she could control her impulses they always get her into trouble.

"And what did you find?"

"Sir, um no one stationed at this base was anywhere near Mon Calamari during the battle or in the hospital that I would have been healing at."

"Then your story should hold up during your training correct?" He waited for her to nod then he went on. "Just to let you know I have a program that monitors all computer access into and out of this base. You slice and I will know about. I know better to order you to stop so I tell you this; stay out of private personal files, stay out of secret and higher files. And most importantly never lie to me. Understand Flight Officer Bora?

"Yes sir!"

"Good enough for now. By the way did you see your roommates file?"

"Sir, yes I did but I didn't stay long in there."

"What did you think of her?"

"Well sir like I said I didn't stay in there very long, just long enough to find out if my story would hold up."

"Of course and?"

"Well sir, she seems …" She paused to figure out how to say this nicely, "sir she seems to be a bit of a boring girl. She went straight from the farm to training to here."

Both older men exchange an odd look but let the matter drop.

"Very well, you are excused until 0430 tomorrow. The evening meal is scheduled at 1800 hours. Dismissed."

She saluted smartly and head out the door to her room and this young but boring sounding roommate.