Wedge looked through the viewport on the briefing room. Y-Wings and X-wings flanked the Home One, as they traveled towards Dantooine.
Since the tragedy of Alderaan, and the following destruction of the Death Star, that more and more people defected from the Empire's service.
Tarkin's arrogance and cruelty, had the opposite effect of what Wedge was sure he had expected… instead of controlling through fear, what had happened was a backlash, with the surviving Alderaanians reaching out to the Alliance!
He heard the door sliding and three figures emerging. Commander Narra and General Cracken followed Leia Organa into the room.
Wedge admired her air of stoicism and composure, when he was certain her heart was breaking up deep inside… her sense of duty didn't allow her to mourn her loss the way they all knew she needed to.
Her way of honoring her world and her people was to continue fighting. Not for revenge, but for justice.
And to make sure no one else in the galaxy had to mourn the loss of an entire planet!
He saw Leia and Cracken taking their seats, and Commander Narra connecting his datapad into the holoprojector.
The image flickered for a second and then the schematics of the streets of Garang, the capital of Dantooine.
"Betcha it's another extraction mission." Wedge overheard one of the commandos say. He exchanged a look with Janson and Hobbie. The Raltiirian shrugged in resignation.
"Fishing more Imps to the cause…" Wes snarled.
Hobbie kicked him in the shin, throwing his friend a dirty look. "Many of us started as Imps, laserbrain!" He reminded him. "The more we bring over, the better."
"Unless they're spies." Wes insisted.
"Shut up! Both of you!" Luke warned them, turning back on his seat to face them.
The pilots went silent, as Narra dimmed the lights. The older man pointed at red flickering spot on the map.
"This is sector L-459. It's located on one of the most isolated blocks in Garang." His deep voice announced. "Our mission, is to retrieve a defecting Imperial pilot. He's a TIE-fighter pilot... but more than that, we've been informed that he was often chosen as the private pilot for the Captain of the Impstar two Accuser. In that capacity, he's been given clearance codes he wouldn't have had access otherwise. He brings his piloting skills and those codes with him, which is why I'm sending the newly assembled Rogue Squadron to assist Captain Page's team." The Commander nodded at Judder Page.
"What motives did that pilot bring forward for his defection, sir?" Luke inquired.
"Well, he's Alderaanian." The Commander answered. "That alone is a good motive. He wishes to fight for the Alliance and bring down the regime that wiped his world out… the fact he's in possession of Intel and access codes useful for us, is a bonus."
"Took him some time to come over…" Wes scoffed.
Leia, overhearing Janson's statement, threw the lieutenant a cold glare - which he caught on, lowering his gaze and shrugging.
"A smart guy like yourself, must be capable of realizing that after Alderaan's destruction, every single Alderaanian working for the Empire were strictly controlled… especially one serving aboard the Accuser. Their commanding officer is known for being ruthless to a fault!" Narra spoke, his eyes darting on Janson's direction.
The Taanabian was an outstanding warrior and a very good pilot, but he had an extremely suspicious nature, which could cause trouble with defecting newcomers, from time to time.
Wes remained silent, knowing full well he had over-spoken. Hobbies side looks weren't helping either…
He couldn't help himself from being cautious these newcomers. He'd seen up close what happened when you trusted the wrong person; when you willing accepted easy, tear-jerking stories. So, he'd learned not to take everything at face value. To take his time, observing, analyzing…
He'd rather be suspicious than dead!
Still, Wes restrained himself from any other comments, following the remaining mission debriefing with focused attention.
When it was finally over, the lieutenant allowed himself to stay behind, instead of bolting off his seat as he usually did. Wedge and Hobbie glanced at him, but he nodded at his friends, remaining on the room.
He approached the table where Commander Narra was.
"Yes lieutenant?"
" I wanted to apologize for that outburst, Sir. It was rude and unbecoming." He stood straight, on his best military pose.
"I'll trust you not to, Lieutenant." Narra stared intently in the younger officer's eyes. "Any personal opinions are NOT to spouted out on official briefings, do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, Commander."
"Good. Nevertheless, the Princess would like a word with you."
Janson winced at the mention of the Princess. She had looked positively furious over his outburst… if she wanted to speak with him, it could only be for a follow-up dressing down.
One he couldn't dodge…
Princess Leia Organa's office aboard the Home One was simplistic, yet appropriate for someone of her status. Wes saw the seal of the House of Organa on the center wall, just above her seated figure.
He stepped inside and readied himself to get royally scolded…
"You called for me, My Lady?"
"Yes, lieutenant. Take a seat."
Her eyes were a warm brown, but at the moment they pierced through him like shards of ice! "I'm pretty sure you're aware of why I demanded your presence here, lieutenant."
"Yes," He answered calmly. "for my outburst during the debriefing."
"I did not appreciate your attitude! Whatever your opinions are on incoming defectors, do keep them to yourself! But mostly, keep them out of official missions debriefings." She stared at him, leaning back on her chair for a while. After a few seconds she leaned forward. "Rank tabs off, lieutenant Janson."
Without missing a beat, Wes complied to her orders. Leia closed her datapad, resting her hands on her lap.
"You're mad at me…" He told her matter-of-factly, the corner of his lip twitching slightly.
" Enough to want to throw something really heavy at your thick skull! Not that it would help…" She bit back at him. "Damn it, Wes! If you could stop being so…"
"So what?" Wes raised an eyebrow.
"So...you…" Leia made a face at the Taanabian. "You are going on this mission, and you will be on your best behaviour."
"Because he's Alderaanian."
"Because he's my cousin…" She whispered.
Wes opened his mouth, but the 'oh!' was inaudible. That was why she was even more exasperated with him!
"You met his parents briefly, when you and your previous squadron escorted my father last year."
Wes searched his memories of that brief mission on Alderaan, - His only time on Alderaan! - and he remembered them instantly. The tall blond man and the short brunette woman.
He'd interrupted what seemed to be an argument between the woman and Bail Organa… and ended up making a promise to the distraught parents of a young man, seemingly serving the Empire against his own will.
He'd promise them he'd be on the lookout for the boy's whereabouts. He would try to get him out of there.
He'd even trusted them with his great grandfather's necklace, as a symbol of the oath he'd pledge them...
Wes instinctively took his hand to his chest, to the place where the small pendant used to rest. A pair of knowing eyes followed his gesture.
"Time to do good on your oath, Wes." Leia said, with a sad smile.
"It's too late. They're gone. I failed them…"
"You'll fail their memory if you give up! Go to Dantooine. Bring my cousin here. Then your promise will be paid, and the Celchus will finally rest in peace."
"Are you trying to cheer me up?" He smiled at Leia.
"Maybe…"
Wes stared at Leia, though his mind wasn't on the present moment. He recalled the feisty, sharp-tongued 16 year old Leia, he and Piggy had met on a joint mission with a commando squad on Filve.
It had been their first run-in with the Organas… but not the last.
It had also been his first taste on a dressing down by the Alderaanian princess! His propensity for running off the mouth usually got him into some tight spots.
Still, he'd developed a soft spot for the tiny girl. Not that he was that tall, but at 16 she reached his shoulders if much! She reminded him of his older sister, in a way…
Mia had always been strong willed, intelligent and brave.
Just like Leia!
He had always kept a respectful distance, but in time they'd manage to create some kind of friendship, that allowed him these kind of moments, where Instead of an official reprimand, they used their 'ranks off' method, and discussed things openly.
"You're wandering…" Leia called to him.
Wes blinked, his attention back into the present. "Sorry! Just… recalling things…"
"Alderaan?"
"And Filve!"
"Ah… Well, you deserved it!" She argued.
"You weren't supposed to be there."
"You carried me over your shoulder like a sack of tubers!" Leia reminded him.
Wes rolled his eyes. "They were shooting at us!" He countered. "You ran from the Consulate, managed to barge right into our undercover assignment, they had DL-44's aiming at us, and you complained about the way I carried you out into safety?"
"I was younger then."
"So was I! And guess what? None of us is getting younger sitting here and discussing how inept I am at keeping my mouth shut." Wes squinted.
Leia shook her head with a smile. "Alright Wes. Get your ranks back on and get out of here." She waved him off. Janson got up, attaching his rank bar back into his uniform. He saluted her with a final wink and turned to the exit.
"Wes?" Leia called.
The lieutenant tapped his rank bar with a smirk.
"You're not outside yet…" She waved a finger at Janson. " Make sure you bring Tycho back."
"The who now?"
"My cousin, laserbrain!"
"Gotcha!" And with a chuckle, he left.
On the mess hall, the rest of the Rogues greeted Janson as he arrived.
"Still alive, eh?" Hobbie patted him on his shoulder.
"After that remark, I though the princess was going throw you out an airlock!" Wedge snorted.
"That's nice, Wedge." Wes looked at his friend sideways. "Always good to know I have your undying support…"
The Corellian made a small bow. "If it's worth anything, I'd be the first to plan a memorial to you."
"Comforting indeed!" The Taanabian said.
From Wedge's side, Luke gave the two men a mock glare. "You guys done?"
Wes and Wedge exchanged a look and nodded to each other. "Yep. All done." Wedge replied, smiling at Luke, who returned him a wide grin.
The exchange didn't go unnoticed by the other two pilots. Janson rolled his eyes with a naughty smile, while Hobbie smirked.
It was quite obvious to them that Wedge and Luke were getting closer every day. Now, it was a matter of placing bets on who'd take the first step!
"So, on to Dantooine…" Hobbie sighed.
"Yes we are." Luke got back to poking around his vegetables. "You know this guy we're extracting, don't you Hobbs?"
"I do." The Raltiirian confirmed. "He was on the same class as me and Biggs. Didn't really mingle. The quiet type, you know? Or could just be rich kid's indifference. His father was the Head of Novacom. Born into money… Never really understood what drew the likes of him to a pilot's career."
"Why did you go?" Luke asked.
"Mainly to piss off my old man. He was expecting me to follow in his footsteps and become a big shot naval officer, in some flashy Impstar!" Hobbie scoffed. "I thought he was going to have an aneurysm, when I told him I entered flight school. He went through a nice range of colours!"
"We can't choose our parents." Wes told them, looking pensive. "I don't believe my father would even notice I wasn't there anymore… that is, until he realised I wasn't on the fields, working my ass off!"
Wedge patted his friend on the shoulder. "Well, I think mine would be proud to see me fighting for the Alliance. Worried sick, but proud!"
"I never knew my parents." Luke chimed in. "But I'd like to think my uncle and aunt would understand this is the right thing to do. Uncle Owen would growl," He gave a wan smile. "but in the end, he would understand…" Luke lowered his eyes, feeling a lump form on his throat.
"You ok, kid?" Wes asked him, the worry latent in his voice. Skywalker might be his new commander, but when it was just the four of them, there were no ranks. And Wes was his senior four years!
"Yeah… it's just…" He sighed heavily. "The last time I spoke to my uncle, before… I talked back at him. My last day with them, I was upset with him. He was the only father I've ever know, and he died thinking I hated him." Luke closed his eyes. "They died to protect me, and I didn't even tell them I loved them…" He opened his eyes to reveal a tortured look in his bright blue eyes. He gazed at his new friends and started to get up. "I'm sorry guys, I…"
"It's ok, Luke. We'll comm you when we're ready to go." Wedge whispered.
Luke nodded then left, taking his tray. Wes and Hobbie glared at Wedge nodding at Luke's direction.
"What?" Wedge asked.
"Go, you fool…" Wes spoke under his breath.
"He needs some time alone." The Corellian countered.
"What he needs, is a shoulder to cry on!" Hobbie bit back.
"He needs you, you half witted!" Wes added.
"I don't think-" Wedge began.
Wes grunted in frustration. "No. You don't think! At all! Now, shut up and go to him!"
Wedge opened his mouth to complain, but closed it again. Following those two's advice wasn't exactly considered a good idea, -most of the time.- but they might be right this time!
He was falling for Luke! Hard! And fast! That scared him… but he couldn't abandon Luke to his pain!
The nine hells be damned! He was going to Luke, and leave it all in the Tatooinian's hands…
"Comm me when Commander Narra calls for us." He said, following the same path Luke had taken.
The two pilots nodded at him. After he left, Hobbie turned to Wes. "I guess this counts as Wedge taking the first step!"
"No! You haven't won the bet yet!" Wes squinted at him. "Before we see a kiss and get the details on who made the first move, my wallet doesn't come out!" He warned him, waving his fork.
"Fair enough! Now, how about some details on what happened on the princess' office? How many weeks of kitchen duty did you get?"
"I never share how bad my dressing-downs are, Hobbs. You know that!"
"That bad, uh?"
"Shut up Hobbs…"
Wedge felt like a fool, standing at the door of the quarters he shared with Luke. It was his quarters too! He could just go in!
Still, he felt like he was intruding on the other man's privacy. He took a deep breath and decided on knocking.
"Luke? Can I come in?" He was annoyed on how much he sounded like he was pleading with him.
There was no answer.
His shoulders sagged, and he was turning away to leave, when he heard the low hiss of the door opening.
Luke's eyes were red and his expression was of unspeakable pain…
"Listen… Luke, I… I thought you might need to… talk…" The words came unsure. He wanted so bad to comfort him!
Luke stared at him for what seemed like an eternity.
Then he offered Wedge his left hand, inviting him in. Wedge entered the dimly lit room, closing the door on his way in. All of a sudden, he heard a low sob and felt Luke's head on the crook of his neck, and his arms pulling him closer. Caught by surprise, it took Wedge a second to react. He wrapped his arms tightly around Luke, allowing the taller man to finish crying. He whispered softly in Luke's ear. "I'm here. For as long as you want me too."
After some minutes, Luke's head rose from Wedge's neck. This time, there was something more than pain shining in his eyes.
"I love you…"
What?
Wedge pondered if he'd imagined those words, coming out of Luke's lips.
"Kiss me, Wedge…"
This time there's no shadow of a doubt. He stared confused at Luke. His gaze dropped to Luke's perfect mouth. There was nothing more he'd like to than to oblige him…
"Wedge…" There was something deeply arousing on the way he said his name. Whatever insecurities he still had about this, they were all gone!
Wedge took the other man's face into his hands and gently probed his lips. He could taste the saltiness of Luke's tears on his warm mouth. Instinctively, he kissed the corner of Luke's upper lip, licking a last streaming tear. He parted slightly from the blond man, watching his eyes light up.
"I love you…" He whispered, before reaching for his lips again and giving in to him. Luke held Wedge tight, like he was holding on to dear life! He parted the Corellian's lips, deepening the kiss, inviting Wedge's tongue to explore his mouth.
The moment seemed to last an eternity, and Luke could swear he heard his heart pounding madly on his ears!
He wanted more! But both men knew this wasn't the time to do so…
Luke didn't want a quick, shallow affair. That's was more Janson's style!
No, he wanted something else. Something durable. He wanted a real relationship, even if they were in the middle of a war!
How did that sentence go? Better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all!
He wanted to love Wedge with all of his heart… and for the look he'd caught on Wedge's deep brown eyes, he knew the Corellian wanted the same!
Luke and Wedge shared another kiss. The galaxy outside could be tearing itself apart.
For this one moment there was nothing more than both of them!