Fire and Ice
Hey, all yes I decided to repost this puppy cause as I was reading through it I realized that there were a couple of details that I needed to tweak. So, I will be reposting the rest of the story soon, and then on to the end! I actually have it all mapped out so if I can just string together a couple of free hours then it'll be up in no time! It's finding the free hours that's the trick though.
So to new readers welcome! To old thank you! I always appreciate reviews whether they be good, bad or ugly. I'd like to hear what people think!
Yes, yes I know this galaxy far, far away does not belong to me. But it just looked so pretty up on that shelf I had to get it down and play with it a bit. I promise to put it back just a little worse for wear. I'm not making any money on this and I don't have any money anyway so suing me just wouldn't make sense.
Enjoy!
******
"Sabacc!" Corran Horn crowed enthusiastically. "Read 'em and weep my friends!" The small lounge rang with Corran's triumphant shout, causing the other three pilots at the table to groan good-naturedly, as Corran swept the large pile of credit chips into his already sizable stack.
"You Corellians have all the luck," sighed Tycho Celchu, glaring ruefully at his own poor hand.
"Oh, you know it's just our natural superiority," said Corran, winking playfully at Tycho.
"I wonder if it were just your natural superiority that had a hand in the last two games as well," Ooryl Qrygg suggested meaningfully.
"You question my honesty?" asked Corran, feigning hurt surprise. "Why I wouldn't dream of cheating you my friend."
"Humph!" snorted Bror Jace skeptically eyeing Corran's smug face. A soft beep from Tycho's com-link interrupted Jace before he could voice anything else aloud. Excusing himself Tycho answered his com call. The four pilots were enjoying a short leave between missions, and had been passing the last couple of hours with a friendly game of sabacc on Bror Jace's home planet Thyferra.
"Anyway," said Ooryl, "about that hand."
"Oh, I assure you my friend that hand was perfectly legal as were the other two," said Corran.
"CorSec here," put in Bror, "wouldn't know how to cheat if-"
"Come on you guys we've got to get back to the ship, our leave has been canceled," interrupted Tycho striding toward the lounge's door, his face white.
"Why Tycho, what's the matter?" asked Corran concerned.
"Wedge is missing," Tycho stated grimly.
"What? What do you mean missing, missing in combat, missing as in captured, missing as in what?" asked Jace.
"Missing as in captured."
"Captured by who?"
Tycho steadied himself against the doorframe. "Someone claiming to be Ysanne Isard." ~I think I'm going to be sick~, Corran thought as he grabbed Jace's Savreen brandy, and downed it in one gulp. "But, but how isn't he with Wraith Squadron mopping up the last of Zinj's forces?" exclaimed Corran.
"Well he was, but he decided to come back early, the Wraith's didn't need him any more. However, in between Coruscant and here he disappeared, and High Command didn't know what happened to him until an hour ago, when they received a transmission from someone claiming to be Isard, and giving proof she had Wedge."
"And now Wedge is her." he couldn't even get out Isard's name, "prisoner? I think I need another brandy," said Corran. Tycho gave him a sympathetic look, knowing exactly how he felt. Both Tycho and Corran had been Isard's unwilling guests aboard her private toy, the Super Star Destroyer Lusankya, where she enjoyed the interrogation and breaking of unfortunate rebels the Empire had been able to capture.
"I said 'claiming' to be Isard. We don't know if it's really her."
"Oh, that makes me feel so much better," Corran said sarcastically, "instead of Isard we have an Isard wannabe."
"There's more," sighed Tycho. "Whoever is out there, Isard or not, has declared war on all of Rogue Squadron."
"I definitely need another brandy," said Corran, reaching for the decanter.
*******
Admiral James Saarken impatiently waited for his Interstellar com call to connect. After the tone signaling a link, he angrily stormed at the recipient of his call. "When, Madame Director, were you planning on informing me of your latest acquisition?"
"I presume you are speaking of my recent capture of the New Republic's vaunted Commander Wedge Antilles," inquired former Imperial Intelligence Director Ysanne Isard, quite unabashed by Saarken's accusatory tone.
"Yes, as a matter of fact I am," said Saarken, rather put off by her unconcerned manner. "You were to make no decisions without my consent! Now the New Republic will be breathing down our necks because YOU, Madame Director, did not consult with me. Years of planning wasted and all of my work gone, simply because you felt the need to go off and capture some unimportant snub fighter jock."
"On the contrary, Admiral, this 'unimportant snub fighter jock' as you call him is the key to the destruction of Rogue Squadron. Their elimination is all-important in your plan if you would remember. Striking at the serpent's head is one of the safest and most effect ways to eliminate Rogue Squadron. So, if you would just leave this matter to me, I will take care of it in my own way, and you will no longer have to worry about Rogue Squadron interrupting your plans. Don't worry, they'll never find me before I want them to, and they don't even know about you. There's nothing to worry about. Isard out." Both view screens went dark.
*******
Saarken sighed as Isard broke the connection. He knew it had been stupid to agree to let Isard join him, but at the time he had been desperate for commanding officers. However, now he was realizing what a large mistake he had made.
Isard, was unstable, at best. Her desire for revenge against Rogue Squadron was really quite disturbing. He found himself feeling almost sorry for the man she had captured. Almost. Wedge Antilles had been responsible for the death of countless pilots, and he was also wanted by the Empire for the destruction of the second Death Star, although the point seemed moot now a days.
The Empire was dying, Saarken had no doubt of that, and he realized himself to be no Thrawn, but he had not sat idly by all these years. He had amassed himself quite a fleet, and was going to give the upstart New Republic a run for their credits. He counted himself the last true remnant of the Empire and he was going to conduct himself as an Imperial officer no matter the price by turning the war on the New Republic. Surprise was the key, and the Empire now had the luxury of turning the Rebel's old tactics back upon them.
The hit and run strategies that the Rebellion had so infuriated the Empire with, all those years ago, were coming back to haunt them.
* * *
The first thing Wedge became aware of was the pain. It spread throughout his entire body, totally encompassing him in its fiery grip. He couldn't quite remember why he hurt so badly. The last thing he remembered was. what? The memory hit him like a falling asteroid. Of course, being pulled out of hyperspace by an Imperial Interdictor cruiser and the ensuing skirmish would be something quite hard to forget.
After that everything was pretty fuzzy, but by using his somewhat muddled powers of deduction he cleverly decided that he was the prisoner of the Empire, or of one of the renegade moffs terrorizing the New Republic. However, the most alarming thing was that they had been waiting for him. Whoever it was that had captured him knew exactly who he was, and what they wanted from him, whereas he didn't even know where he was or who he had been captured by.
Assessing his situation he realized it was not good. Alone in what was presumably enemy territory with no allies and no hope of ever being rescued he realized that the odds of his survival were extremely slim. However those were the odds, and Wedge Antilles had developed a rather nasty habit of beating them, and since he rather enjoyed performing the impossible he decided that he might as well cash yet another check at the bank of luck and just hope he didn't go for broke.
******
The mood in the briefing room was one of horrified shock, for by the time everyone had arrived the news of Wedge's capture had been heard by all. Gradually their shock had transformed into fear and anger, fear for their commander and friend, and anger for the one who had imprisoned him.
"Rogue Squadron, if you would please take your seats we will begin this briefing," said General Airen Cracken of New Republic Intelligence. "Now it seems that by this time you are all aware of Commander Antilles' situation, and that you are ready to do something about it." He paused casting his gaze around the room. "Well, I'm sorry, but you are just going to have to wait. Unfortunately it will be some time before you see any action. In fact, we're hoping that this whole situation can be solved without bloodshed on either side. At this very moment, the New Republic is attempting to negotiate with long thought dead, former Imperial Director of Intelligence, Ysanne Isard, on Commander Antilles' behalf. Now-"
"What?!" broke in Corran. "You're negotiating with her? With all due respect General, that's insane! Ysanne Isard does not negotiate, and I might add the longer you negotiate, the longer Commander Antilles is in her clutches! I assure you, General, that is not a place he will enjoy being! And besides, she went out of her way to capture him. This is a case of revenge pure and simple. She's not interested in negotiation. She'll pull you along for as long as she can, then she'll return Wedge to us. In a box!"
"Lieutenant Horn, I know how you feel and I don't like the situation any more than you do, but we don't even know where Isard is, and even if we did, we couldn't attack her outright. Placing an intrusion team would take weeks if not months. So as of right now there's nothing we can do, except sit tight. Remember that Ysanne Isard has a grudge against all of you so you would do well to watch your own backs. She doesn't give up easily," warned Cracken, stepping down from the platform.
"Well," said Tycho, standing up to address them, "you heard the General, watch your backs, don't go out alone etc. etc. Use extreme caution. We've underestimated Isard before and suffered the consequences. I don't want to have to go through that again. Now I suggest we all go back to our quarters to get some sleep, and tomorrow, we'll meet at 0800 to discuss how to find, and rescue our friend if need be. Understood? Dismissed." The room erupted into noise as the pilots stood up animatedly discussing the new developements.
Stepping down from the platform Tycho intercepted Corran before he reached the door. "Corran will you wait for just a minute, I need to talk with you." Corran gave him a puzzled glance, but shrugged agreeably following Tycho to his office, and was surprised to find three people already waiting for them.
"Quite a performance out there, Corran. Do you really want to shoot down all their hopes?" inquired an incredulous voice from within the office.
"Pash! It's good to see you! I guess I did overreact a little. It's just so hard to think of her as being back and having Wedge as a prisoner." He gave Pash a pained look. "It brings back some bad memories you know?"
"Yeah, I know Corran, for all of us. I wish I could have come under better circumstances," said Pash, smiling his understanding.
"Me too, Pash. Sorry, I'm okay now. So, um. why are you here?" asked Corran with a quizzical look on his face. He was pleased to find his old squadron mate here, but he was confused as to why his presence was needed.
"All in good time, Corran, all in good time," Tycho said, keeping him in suspense. "But you are forgetting your manners. Corran ,I would like you to meet Lieutenants Yarielle Snoe and John Trasten, two of the New Republic Intelligence's top agents." A tall, slender, brown haired, blue-eyed woman, and a blond, stocky, young man rose to greet him.
The woman smiled and offered her hand, "Call me Yari. It's nice to finally meet you, Lieutenant Horn."
"You can call me Corran. It's nice to meet you too, Yari, and you John," he said smiling.
"Nice to meet you," said the young man with an easy smile.
"Well, now that you three have met, we should get on to business," said Tycho.
"Yeah, and what business is this?" asked Corran.
"Well, in the meeting, General Cracken was not particularly forthcoming. We know exactly where Isard can be found, and we believe we know how we can get to her, and Wedge. However, we couldn't say anything to the rest of the squadron because a.) We don't want to get everyone's hopes up and then dash them against a bulkhead if we're wrong. And b.) As I said in the meeting we've underestimated Isard before, and you, Corran, had to suffer the consequences,"
Tycho grimaced but then went on. "Corran, you have had experience in undercover operations, with CorSec, and you know how Isard operates and what the consequences will be if you're caught. So what we're asking here is if you will be willing to be a part of an intrusion team to rescue Wedge, and put Isard out of commission forever?"
Corran raised a questioning eyebrow. "Do you need to ask? I'm in! Just one question though, do you really think there's a possibility that there may be a spy in the squadron?"
"We don't think so, but we didn't think there was a spy on Coruscant either," said Tycho.
Corran smiled ruefully, "Yes we did."
"Well, I wasn't going to mention other people's mistakes," Tycho answered smiling wryly. Corran's "mistake," back while freeing Coruscant from the Empire, had almost cost Tycho his life when he was charged by the Alliance of being an Imperial spy, and for the murder of the supposed dead Corran Horn.
"Yes, well anyway," Corran said, embarrassed, "what exactly is 'the plan'?"
"Well," said Yari, calling up a starmap on the datapad she had been holding, "from what we've discovered it appears as if Isard has been building a small fleet for the past couple of years at a small planet just inside what is left of Imperial space. What we are proposing to do is for two people on the team to infiltrate Isard's fleet as new recruits. The other three-"
"What other two? Who's the fifth person?" asked Corran, interrupting her.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mention it before. The New Republic asked Luke Skywalker to round out our little team," Pash said smiling.
"Wow!" Corran said, amazed that the New Republic would send such a high profile figure.
"Wow is right, Corran. The New Republic is very serious about getting Wedge back."
"Anyway," said Yari, "we thought that since John and I aren't as recognizable as you, Pash and Luke that we'd be posing as the recruits. As soon as they located Wedge we'll send a signal to us and we'll break Wedge out. We still have a lot of details to punch out, but we've got a long time to do that on our trip."
"So let me get this straight," Corran said breaking in. "The four of us plus a Jedi are taking on an Imperial fleet, and one of the galaxy's vilest humans ever to walk any planet, and all just to rescue one grantedly very important snub fighter jock?"
"Basically," Pash replied.
"Cool, when do we leave?"
Pash rolled his eyes disgustedly, "Corellians!"
"Oh, um, one thing. How am I going to tell Mirax?"
****** "No, no, no, and NO!" The tiny kitchenette rang with Mirax's vehement denial. "You are not going, Corran Horn! I almost lost you once to that witch and I'm not losing you again!"
"But Mirax, what about Wedge?" Corran asked, trying to reason with his irate spouse.
"He's almost like a brother to you isn't he? We can't just leave him to Isard!"
"Maybe, but why do you have to go?"
"I was with CorSec. I went undercover all the time. It'll be a piece of cake, and besides he'd do the same for me."
"Well if you can go why can't I? He is like a brother to me, you know. And how are you guys going to get to wherever you're going? You could use the Pulsar Skate, and I could pilot and-"
"Mirax, honey," Corran said gently, "it would never work. They would recognize the Skate right away, and you have runs to do. Besides, your father would kill me if anything happened to you."
"You're right," Mirax said grudgingly. "I just wish there were another way, or that I could at least help." She said putting her arms around him. "Just because you're right doesn't mean that I won't worry about you or miss you like crazy every minute that you're gone. When do you have to leave? We can at least have dinner together, right?"
"Well," said Corran grimacing, "actually, I have to leave right away. I just have time to pack a few things, and then I meet the team at the spaceport." Corran disappeared into their bedroom as he finished his sentence.
"Don't worry too much about me, all right? I don't know when I'll be back, so really don't get too worried. I'll be fine." He grinned at her as he came back into the kitchen. "I love you, smuggler of my heart. I'll be back. I promise."
"I'll hold you to that you know." She smiled and kissed him. "I love you too, CorSec." He gave her another kiss, and a grin, then was gone.
******
Nothing had changed. It was still dark and Wedge was still in pain. The monotony of waiting for something, anything to happen was wearing on him. However, when the lights came on in a blazing burst of pain, he suddenly realized that he probably would have preferred monotony to what was probably going to happen to him next. At least his one burning question was going to be answered, who had captured him and why? Actually, in retrospect, he realized he had two questions, but that was irrelevant.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't the great Commander Wedge Antilles of the much vaunted Rogue Squadron." Wedge's blood froze. He had heard that sneering voice before, and he shuddered at the memories that it provoked.
"You have no idea of how I have longed to meet my great adversary face to face." This last sentence practically dripped with sarcasm. Wishing very much that this was all a sick joke or a very long nightmare, Wedge stared into the two mismatched eyes fixed on him. One burning bright with the red fires of revenge; the other a cold, icy, blue, promising no mercy.
Feeling as if he were about to throw up, Wedge spoke, "I imagine you have Director Isard, but I have not given you a second thought, seeing as your shuttle blew up with you in it. Your alleged death seemed to make meeting you rather impossible."
"Well as you can see I am very much alive."
"So sorry if I don't jump for joy. I'm rather tied up at the moment. Besides, I hate offering congratulations to a psychopath."
"Oh, I'm not looking for congratulations. On the contrary, I expected you to be defiant. However, the downfall of you and your squadron will be congratulations enough."
"I'm afraid you're sadly mistaken. After my disappearance they'll be on their guard, and my position in the squadron can be easily filled. Rogue Squadron can't die; we don't know how. Impossible is our stock in trade."
"On the other contrary commander, your capture has set in motion the events that will play your precious squadron right into my hands. My sources have already alerted me to an impending rescue attempt led by your valiant Captain Horn. Which of course is doomed to failure seeing as how I already have the necessary measures in place to thwart any attempt at rescue. So you see Commander Antilles, I have nothing to worry about."
Wedge met her gloating speech with icy silence, not wanting to think about the possibility of her words being true. "Excuse me. I must prepare a familiar welcome for your friend Captain Horn and his companions. Goodbye Commander Antilles, I look forward to future encounters." With that ominous statement she left, and Wedge was plunged into despairing darkness.
******
Sighing John Trasten sank into his shipboard bed exhausted. He Corran, Luke, Yari and Pash had stayed up long into the night. well actually it was morning, perfecting their plan to rescue Wedge. But something was nagging at the edge of his consciousness that he couldn't quite put his finger on. He knew it was something important, something they were over looking something that could cause their mission to go terribly, terribly wrong. But the long night combined with the stress of the coming mission drove all thoughts but those of sleep from his mind, and he dropped off into deep forgetfulness. And in the morning all memory of his troubling thoughts had vanished.
*******
The Super Star Destroyer Rebel's Blood hovered above the planet Myrk collecting the last of its shipment of Ysalimari. On the bridge of the huge ship Ysanne Isard stared at the creature before her repulsed, yet fascinated, these things were the key to the capture of Luke Skywalker and more importantly Corran Horn, who had apparently picked some of that mumbo jumbo force stuff from Skywalker.
Corran Horn. The destruction and downfall of the New Republic was all important of course, but the breaking of Corran Horn. and his friends was infinitely more important. They had humiliated and defeated her, and no one humiliated Ysanne Isard and lived to tell the tale. She twisted her lips into a cold hard smile. Revenge was so sweet.
"Madame," a nervous voice said at her side interrupting her reverie.
".Madame the voice was a bit more urgent now.
"Yes what is it?" She finally snapped annoyed that her train of thought had been interrupted.
"We're receiving a transmission from General Rillen on Enduro III." The young ensign stammered painfully aware of Isard's legendary temper.
"Thank you I'll receive it in my quarters."
The ensign breathed a sigh of relief and hurried away to alert the comm techs. Isard strode to the turbo lift and punched in her deck number eagerly anticipating Rillen's update.
*******
General Sean Rillen Imperial Director of counter intelligence was in a good mood, despite being at first very skeptical of Isard's scheme, he was elated that it seemed to be working. He stared out of the view port seeing the spinning blue and green planet of Enduro III, waiting for Isard's reply. He did not have long to wait. "Ah Madame Director," said Rillen smiling "I suggest you return here as soon as possible. For I have been informed that our friends are coming to call very soon."
"Very good, I assume you have made the necessary arrangements on planet?"
"Yes, all is ready here they will not be unmonitored for any of the time they are on planet. Although I still don't understand the game you are playing. Why not just bring them in cut out all the unnecessary risks?"
"I have waited too long for this moment I want to be able to enjoy every moment of it. And besides General where's your sense of humor? This should be quite entertaining."
"I'm just thinking of the best interest of the troops these are very dangerous people we're allowing in here, not a group to be taken lightly but," he sighed, "of course you are right. I look forward to watching this bit of drama unfold."
"Yes, it should be very interesting, and as long you have put the appropriate measures in place to control them if they at any point deduce what they are walking into, there is a zero risk factor for our forces. And if by chance your troops should fail, I have my own precautions in place."
******
"Unidentified Freighter, this is Enduro III Air Traffic Control, we have you on our screens please identify yourself." Said a rather tired sounding Imperial.
"Uh, Control this is the Crate Dragon requesting permission to land." Replied a rather bored sounding woman. In fact Yarielle Snoe was anything but bored as she nervously stared out the cockpit viewport at the Super Star Destroyer Rebel's Blood under who's belly they were now passing. She muted the com, "This had better work."
"Rebel's Blood, hmm. no hard feelings here." Said Corran Horn gesturing out the view port at the gigantic ship.
"Crate Dragon this is Control please send your clearance code now."
"Copy Control transmission commencing." The occupants of the Crate Dragon's cockpit waited in tense silence as the Imperials verified the clearance code of the small freighter.
"Crate Dragon this is Control you have permission for landing at coordinates 45-63-ED-9."
"Copy that Control, Crate Dragon out."
******
Isard smiled- they were here.
****** P.S. Yes, I know I'm terribly sorry but all of the old reviews were deleted when I reposted the story, but never fear! I have them archived and I will continue to take their comments in stride! Elle
Hey, all yes I decided to repost this puppy cause as I was reading through it I realized that there were a couple of details that I needed to tweak. So, I will be reposting the rest of the story soon, and then on to the end! I actually have it all mapped out so if I can just string together a couple of free hours then it'll be up in no time! It's finding the free hours that's the trick though.
So to new readers welcome! To old thank you! I always appreciate reviews whether they be good, bad or ugly. I'd like to hear what people think!
Yes, yes I know this galaxy far, far away does not belong to me. But it just looked so pretty up on that shelf I had to get it down and play with it a bit. I promise to put it back just a little worse for wear. I'm not making any money on this and I don't have any money anyway so suing me just wouldn't make sense.
Enjoy!
******
"Sabacc!" Corran Horn crowed enthusiastically. "Read 'em and weep my friends!" The small lounge rang with Corran's triumphant shout, causing the other three pilots at the table to groan good-naturedly, as Corran swept the large pile of credit chips into his already sizable stack.
"You Corellians have all the luck," sighed Tycho Celchu, glaring ruefully at his own poor hand.
"Oh, you know it's just our natural superiority," said Corran, winking playfully at Tycho.
"I wonder if it were just your natural superiority that had a hand in the last two games as well," Ooryl Qrygg suggested meaningfully.
"You question my honesty?" asked Corran, feigning hurt surprise. "Why I wouldn't dream of cheating you my friend."
"Humph!" snorted Bror Jace skeptically eyeing Corran's smug face. A soft beep from Tycho's com-link interrupted Jace before he could voice anything else aloud. Excusing himself Tycho answered his com call. The four pilots were enjoying a short leave between missions, and had been passing the last couple of hours with a friendly game of sabacc on Bror Jace's home planet Thyferra.
"Anyway," said Ooryl, "about that hand."
"Oh, I assure you my friend that hand was perfectly legal as were the other two," said Corran.
"CorSec here," put in Bror, "wouldn't know how to cheat if-"
"Come on you guys we've got to get back to the ship, our leave has been canceled," interrupted Tycho striding toward the lounge's door, his face white.
"Why Tycho, what's the matter?" asked Corran concerned.
"Wedge is missing," Tycho stated grimly.
"What? What do you mean missing, missing in combat, missing as in captured, missing as in what?" asked Jace.
"Missing as in captured."
"Captured by who?"
Tycho steadied himself against the doorframe. "Someone claiming to be Ysanne Isard." ~I think I'm going to be sick~, Corran thought as he grabbed Jace's Savreen brandy, and downed it in one gulp. "But, but how isn't he with Wraith Squadron mopping up the last of Zinj's forces?" exclaimed Corran.
"Well he was, but he decided to come back early, the Wraith's didn't need him any more. However, in between Coruscant and here he disappeared, and High Command didn't know what happened to him until an hour ago, when they received a transmission from someone claiming to be Isard, and giving proof she had Wedge."
"And now Wedge is her." he couldn't even get out Isard's name, "prisoner? I think I need another brandy," said Corran. Tycho gave him a sympathetic look, knowing exactly how he felt. Both Tycho and Corran had been Isard's unwilling guests aboard her private toy, the Super Star Destroyer Lusankya, where she enjoyed the interrogation and breaking of unfortunate rebels the Empire had been able to capture.
"I said 'claiming' to be Isard. We don't know if it's really her."
"Oh, that makes me feel so much better," Corran said sarcastically, "instead of Isard we have an Isard wannabe."
"There's more," sighed Tycho. "Whoever is out there, Isard or not, has declared war on all of Rogue Squadron."
"I definitely need another brandy," said Corran, reaching for the decanter.
*******
Admiral James Saarken impatiently waited for his Interstellar com call to connect. After the tone signaling a link, he angrily stormed at the recipient of his call. "When, Madame Director, were you planning on informing me of your latest acquisition?"
"I presume you are speaking of my recent capture of the New Republic's vaunted Commander Wedge Antilles," inquired former Imperial Intelligence Director Ysanne Isard, quite unabashed by Saarken's accusatory tone.
"Yes, as a matter of fact I am," said Saarken, rather put off by her unconcerned manner. "You were to make no decisions without my consent! Now the New Republic will be breathing down our necks because YOU, Madame Director, did not consult with me. Years of planning wasted and all of my work gone, simply because you felt the need to go off and capture some unimportant snub fighter jock."
"On the contrary, Admiral, this 'unimportant snub fighter jock' as you call him is the key to the destruction of Rogue Squadron. Their elimination is all-important in your plan if you would remember. Striking at the serpent's head is one of the safest and most effect ways to eliminate Rogue Squadron. So, if you would just leave this matter to me, I will take care of it in my own way, and you will no longer have to worry about Rogue Squadron interrupting your plans. Don't worry, they'll never find me before I want them to, and they don't even know about you. There's nothing to worry about. Isard out." Both view screens went dark.
*******
Saarken sighed as Isard broke the connection. He knew it had been stupid to agree to let Isard join him, but at the time he had been desperate for commanding officers. However, now he was realizing what a large mistake he had made.
Isard, was unstable, at best. Her desire for revenge against Rogue Squadron was really quite disturbing. He found himself feeling almost sorry for the man she had captured. Almost. Wedge Antilles had been responsible for the death of countless pilots, and he was also wanted by the Empire for the destruction of the second Death Star, although the point seemed moot now a days.
The Empire was dying, Saarken had no doubt of that, and he realized himself to be no Thrawn, but he had not sat idly by all these years. He had amassed himself quite a fleet, and was going to give the upstart New Republic a run for their credits. He counted himself the last true remnant of the Empire and he was going to conduct himself as an Imperial officer no matter the price by turning the war on the New Republic. Surprise was the key, and the Empire now had the luxury of turning the Rebel's old tactics back upon them.
The hit and run strategies that the Rebellion had so infuriated the Empire with, all those years ago, were coming back to haunt them.
* * *
The first thing Wedge became aware of was the pain. It spread throughout his entire body, totally encompassing him in its fiery grip. He couldn't quite remember why he hurt so badly. The last thing he remembered was. what? The memory hit him like a falling asteroid. Of course, being pulled out of hyperspace by an Imperial Interdictor cruiser and the ensuing skirmish would be something quite hard to forget.
After that everything was pretty fuzzy, but by using his somewhat muddled powers of deduction he cleverly decided that he was the prisoner of the Empire, or of one of the renegade moffs terrorizing the New Republic. However, the most alarming thing was that they had been waiting for him. Whoever it was that had captured him knew exactly who he was, and what they wanted from him, whereas he didn't even know where he was or who he had been captured by.
Assessing his situation he realized it was not good. Alone in what was presumably enemy territory with no allies and no hope of ever being rescued he realized that the odds of his survival were extremely slim. However those were the odds, and Wedge Antilles had developed a rather nasty habit of beating them, and since he rather enjoyed performing the impossible he decided that he might as well cash yet another check at the bank of luck and just hope he didn't go for broke.
******
The mood in the briefing room was one of horrified shock, for by the time everyone had arrived the news of Wedge's capture had been heard by all. Gradually their shock had transformed into fear and anger, fear for their commander and friend, and anger for the one who had imprisoned him.
"Rogue Squadron, if you would please take your seats we will begin this briefing," said General Airen Cracken of New Republic Intelligence. "Now it seems that by this time you are all aware of Commander Antilles' situation, and that you are ready to do something about it." He paused casting his gaze around the room. "Well, I'm sorry, but you are just going to have to wait. Unfortunately it will be some time before you see any action. In fact, we're hoping that this whole situation can be solved without bloodshed on either side. At this very moment, the New Republic is attempting to negotiate with long thought dead, former Imperial Director of Intelligence, Ysanne Isard, on Commander Antilles' behalf. Now-"
"What?!" broke in Corran. "You're negotiating with her? With all due respect General, that's insane! Ysanne Isard does not negotiate, and I might add the longer you negotiate, the longer Commander Antilles is in her clutches! I assure you, General, that is not a place he will enjoy being! And besides, she went out of her way to capture him. This is a case of revenge pure and simple. She's not interested in negotiation. She'll pull you along for as long as she can, then she'll return Wedge to us. In a box!"
"Lieutenant Horn, I know how you feel and I don't like the situation any more than you do, but we don't even know where Isard is, and even if we did, we couldn't attack her outright. Placing an intrusion team would take weeks if not months. So as of right now there's nothing we can do, except sit tight. Remember that Ysanne Isard has a grudge against all of you so you would do well to watch your own backs. She doesn't give up easily," warned Cracken, stepping down from the platform.
"Well," said Tycho, standing up to address them, "you heard the General, watch your backs, don't go out alone etc. etc. Use extreme caution. We've underestimated Isard before and suffered the consequences. I don't want to have to go through that again. Now I suggest we all go back to our quarters to get some sleep, and tomorrow, we'll meet at 0800 to discuss how to find, and rescue our friend if need be. Understood? Dismissed." The room erupted into noise as the pilots stood up animatedly discussing the new developements.
Stepping down from the platform Tycho intercepted Corran before he reached the door. "Corran will you wait for just a minute, I need to talk with you." Corran gave him a puzzled glance, but shrugged agreeably following Tycho to his office, and was surprised to find three people already waiting for them.
"Quite a performance out there, Corran. Do you really want to shoot down all their hopes?" inquired an incredulous voice from within the office.
"Pash! It's good to see you! I guess I did overreact a little. It's just so hard to think of her as being back and having Wedge as a prisoner." He gave Pash a pained look. "It brings back some bad memories you know?"
"Yeah, I know Corran, for all of us. I wish I could have come under better circumstances," said Pash, smiling his understanding.
"Me too, Pash. Sorry, I'm okay now. So, um. why are you here?" asked Corran with a quizzical look on his face. He was pleased to find his old squadron mate here, but he was confused as to why his presence was needed.
"All in good time, Corran, all in good time," Tycho said, keeping him in suspense. "But you are forgetting your manners. Corran ,I would like you to meet Lieutenants Yarielle Snoe and John Trasten, two of the New Republic Intelligence's top agents." A tall, slender, brown haired, blue-eyed woman, and a blond, stocky, young man rose to greet him.
The woman smiled and offered her hand, "Call me Yari. It's nice to finally meet you, Lieutenant Horn."
"You can call me Corran. It's nice to meet you too, Yari, and you John," he said smiling.
"Nice to meet you," said the young man with an easy smile.
"Well, now that you three have met, we should get on to business," said Tycho.
"Yeah, and what business is this?" asked Corran.
"Well, in the meeting, General Cracken was not particularly forthcoming. We know exactly where Isard can be found, and we believe we know how we can get to her, and Wedge. However, we couldn't say anything to the rest of the squadron because a.) We don't want to get everyone's hopes up and then dash them against a bulkhead if we're wrong. And b.) As I said in the meeting we've underestimated Isard before, and you, Corran, had to suffer the consequences,"
Tycho grimaced but then went on. "Corran, you have had experience in undercover operations, with CorSec, and you know how Isard operates and what the consequences will be if you're caught. So what we're asking here is if you will be willing to be a part of an intrusion team to rescue Wedge, and put Isard out of commission forever?"
Corran raised a questioning eyebrow. "Do you need to ask? I'm in! Just one question though, do you really think there's a possibility that there may be a spy in the squadron?"
"We don't think so, but we didn't think there was a spy on Coruscant either," said Tycho.
Corran smiled ruefully, "Yes we did."
"Well, I wasn't going to mention other people's mistakes," Tycho answered smiling wryly. Corran's "mistake," back while freeing Coruscant from the Empire, had almost cost Tycho his life when he was charged by the Alliance of being an Imperial spy, and for the murder of the supposed dead Corran Horn.
"Yes, well anyway," Corran said, embarrassed, "what exactly is 'the plan'?"
"Well," said Yari, calling up a starmap on the datapad she had been holding, "from what we've discovered it appears as if Isard has been building a small fleet for the past couple of years at a small planet just inside what is left of Imperial space. What we are proposing to do is for two people on the team to infiltrate Isard's fleet as new recruits. The other three-"
"What other two? Who's the fifth person?" asked Corran, interrupting her.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mention it before. The New Republic asked Luke Skywalker to round out our little team," Pash said smiling.
"Wow!" Corran said, amazed that the New Republic would send such a high profile figure.
"Wow is right, Corran. The New Republic is very serious about getting Wedge back."
"Anyway," said Yari, "we thought that since John and I aren't as recognizable as you, Pash and Luke that we'd be posing as the recruits. As soon as they located Wedge we'll send a signal to us and we'll break Wedge out. We still have a lot of details to punch out, but we've got a long time to do that on our trip."
"So let me get this straight," Corran said breaking in. "The four of us plus a Jedi are taking on an Imperial fleet, and one of the galaxy's vilest humans ever to walk any planet, and all just to rescue one grantedly very important snub fighter jock?"
"Basically," Pash replied.
"Cool, when do we leave?"
Pash rolled his eyes disgustedly, "Corellians!"
"Oh, um, one thing. How am I going to tell Mirax?"
****** "No, no, no, and NO!" The tiny kitchenette rang with Mirax's vehement denial. "You are not going, Corran Horn! I almost lost you once to that witch and I'm not losing you again!"
"But Mirax, what about Wedge?" Corran asked, trying to reason with his irate spouse.
"He's almost like a brother to you isn't he? We can't just leave him to Isard!"
"Maybe, but why do you have to go?"
"I was with CorSec. I went undercover all the time. It'll be a piece of cake, and besides he'd do the same for me."
"Well if you can go why can't I? He is like a brother to me, you know. And how are you guys going to get to wherever you're going? You could use the Pulsar Skate, and I could pilot and-"
"Mirax, honey," Corran said gently, "it would never work. They would recognize the Skate right away, and you have runs to do. Besides, your father would kill me if anything happened to you."
"You're right," Mirax said grudgingly. "I just wish there were another way, or that I could at least help." She said putting her arms around him. "Just because you're right doesn't mean that I won't worry about you or miss you like crazy every minute that you're gone. When do you have to leave? We can at least have dinner together, right?"
"Well," said Corran grimacing, "actually, I have to leave right away. I just have time to pack a few things, and then I meet the team at the spaceport." Corran disappeared into their bedroom as he finished his sentence.
"Don't worry too much about me, all right? I don't know when I'll be back, so really don't get too worried. I'll be fine." He grinned at her as he came back into the kitchen. "I love you, smuggler of my heart. I'll be back. I promise."
"I'll hold you to that you know." She smiled and kissed him. "I love you too, CorSec." He gave her another kiss, and a grin, then was gone.
******
Nothing had changed. It was still dark and Wedge was still in pain. The monotony of waiting for something, anything to happen was wearing on him. However, when the lights came on in a blazing burst of pain, he suddenly realized that he probably would have preferred monotony to what was probably going to happen to him next. At least his one burning question was going to be answered, who had captured him and why? Actually, in retrospect, he realized he had two questions, but that was irrelevant.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't the great Commander Wedge Antilles of the much vaunted Rogue Squadron." Wedge's blood froze. He had heard that sneering voice before, and he shuddered at the memories that it provoked.
"You have no idea of how I have longed to meet my great adversary face to face." This last sentence practically dripped with sarcasm. Wishing very much that this was all a sick joke or a very long nightmare, Wedge stared into the two mismatched eyes fixed on him. One burning bright with the red fires of revenge; the other a cold, icy, blue, promising no mercy.
Feeling as if he were about to throw up, Wedge spoke, "I imagine you have Director Isard, but I have not given you a second thought, seeing as your shuttle blew up with you in it. Your alleged death seemed to make meeting you rather impossible."
"Well as you can see I am very much alive."
"So sorry if I don't jump for joy. I'm rather tied up at the moment. Besides, I hate offering congratulations to a psychopath."
"Oh, I'm not looking for congratulations. On the contrary, I expected you to be defiant. However, the downfall of you and your squadron will be congratulations enough."
"I'm afraid you're sadly mistaken. After my disappearance they'll be on their guard, and my position in the squadron can be easily filled. Rogue Squadron can't die; we don't know how. Impossible is our stock in trade."
"On the other contrary commander, your capture has set in motion the events that will play your precious squadron right into my hands. My sources have already alerted me to an impending rescue attempt led by your valiant Captain Horn. Which of course is doomed to failure seeing as how I already have the necessary measures in place to thwart any attempt at rescue. So you see Commander Antilles, I have nothing to worry about."
Wedge met her gloating speech with icy silence, not wanting to think about the possibility of her words being true. "Excuse me. I must prepare a familiar welcome for your friend Captain Horn and his companions. Goodbye Commander Antilles, I look forward to future encounters." With that ominous statement she left, and Wedge was plunged into despairing darkness.
******
Sighing John Trasten sank into his shipboard bed exhausted. He Corran, Luke, Yari and Pash had stayed up long into the night. well actually it was morning, perfecting their plan to rescue Wedge. But something was nagging at the edge of his consciousness that he couldn't quite put his finger on. He knew it was something important, something they were over looking something that could cause their mission to go terribly, terribly wrong. But the long night combined with the stress of the coming mission drove all thoughts but those of sleep from his mind, and he dropped off into deep forgetfulness. And in the morning all memory of his troubling thoughts had vanished.
*******
The Super Star Destroyer Rebel's Blood hovered above the planet Myrk collecting the last of its shipment of Ysalimari. On the bridge of the huge ship Ysanne Isard stared at the creature before her repulsed, yet fascinated, these things were the key to the capture of Luke Skywalker and more importantly Corran Horn, who had apparently picked some of that mumbo jumbo force stuff from Skywalker.
Corran Horn. The destruction and downfall of the New Republic was all important of course, but the breaking of Corran Horn. and his friends was infinitely more important. They had humiliated and defeated her, and no one humiliated Ysanne Isard and lived to tell the tale. She twisted her lips into a cold hard smile. Revenge was so sweet.
"Madame," a nervous voice said at her side interrupting her reverie.
".Madame the voice was a bit more urgent now.
"Yes what is it?" She finally snapped annoyed that her train of thought had been interrupted.
"We're receiving a transmission from General Rillen on Enduro III." The young ensign stammered painfully aware of Isard's legendary temper.
"Thank you I'll receive it in my quarters."
The ensign breathed a sigh of relief and hurried away to alert the comm techs. Isard strode to the turbo lift and punched in her deck number eagerly anticipating Rillen's update.
*******
General Sean Rillen Imperial Director of counter intelligence was in a good mood, despite being at first very skeptical of Isard's scheme, he was elated that it seemed to be working. He stared out of the view port seeing the spinning blue and green planet of Enduro III, waiting for Isard's reply. He did not have long to wait. "Ah Madame Director," said Rillen smiling "I suggest you return here as soon as possible. For I have been informed that our friends are coming to call very soon."
"Very good, I assume you have made the necessary arrangements on planet?"
"Yes, all is ready here they will not be unmonitored for any of the time they are on planet. Although I still don't understand the game you are playing. Why not just bring them in cut out all the unnecessary risks?"
"I have waited too long for this moment I want to be able to enjoy every moment of it. And besides General where's your sense of humor? This should be quite entertaining."
"I'm just thinking of the best interest of the troops these are very dangerous people we're allowing in here, not a group to be taken lightly but," he sighed, "of course you are right. I look forward to watching this bit of drama unfold."
"Yes, it should be very interesting, and as long you have put the appropriate measures in place to control them if they at any point deduce what they are walking into, there is a zero risk factor for our forces. And if by chance your troops should fail, I have my own precautions in place."
******
"Unidentified Freighter, this is Enduro III Air Traffic Control, we have you on our screens please identify yourself." Said a rather tired sounding Imperial.
"Uh, Control this is the Crate Dragon requesting permission to land." Replied a rather bored sounding woman. In fact Yarielle Snoe was anything but bored as she nervously stared out the cockpit viewport at the Super Star Destroyer Rebel's Blood under who's belly they were now passing. She muted the com, "This had better work."
"Rebel's Blood, hmm. no hard feelings here." Said Corran Horn gesturing out the view port at the gigantic ship.
"Crate Dragon this is Control please send your clearance code now."
"Copy Control transmission commencing." The occupants of the Crate Dragon's cockpit waited in tense silence as the Imperials verified the clearance code of the small freighter.
"Crate Dragon this is Control you have permission for landing at coordinates 45-63-ED-9."
"Copy that Control, Crate Dragon out."
******
Isard smiled- they were here.
****** P.S. Yes, I know I'm terribly sorry but all of the old reviews were deleted when I reposted the story, but never fear! I have them archived and I will continue to take their comments in stride! Elle