A/N: This is a test run...

Other Notes: Jade Flight, named after…you guessed it…Mara Jade Skywalker. Jade Flight will later be headed by Mara's son himself in the future.

Jade Flight is my own creation.

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Jedi Base, Shedu Maad

Ben Skywalker sat in the hanger, watching Valin Horn work on a nearby StealthX position in the hanger of Shedu Maad base. Valin's sister Jysella was having a brief lunch before they went out on their assigned mission.

"You know, 'Sella, I could use a little help…" Valin said in an exasperated tone.

"You seem to be doing fine by me." Jysella retorted.

Ben simply rolled his eyes.

Nearby Whistler and Artoo were carrying on a lively conversation. Whistler stopped to make what sounded like a raspberry at Jysella. The young woman ignored the droid and the R2 unit turned back to converse with his fellow astromech.

"Can't believe your dad's actually gonna let you take Artoo." Valin commented, climbing down from his position.

"Why not? I'm trustworthy. Plus it's not like he needs him at the moment." He shot the droid a slight smile. "Artoo's the best astro-droid around." Ben got up and walked over and patted the little droid's dome. "Best nav-buddy too. Dad wouldn't send me out without giving me the best."

"Spoiled." Jysella muttered.

"Funny. Dad says the same thing."

"Kid...You gotta think big if you're gonna play in the big leagues." Valin announced.

"Does confidence count?" Ben grinned.

"Not if you really mean cockiness…"

"I'm a good pilot." Ben asserted. "That's all you need to worry about."

"When you clock more hours in flight than that mouth of yours does, then I'll be satisfied.

"You know I'm good for it, Valin. I don't believe there's a Skywalker alive who wasn't an ace fighter pilot."

"We'll see, Rookie."

Jysella finished up her meal and tossed her sandwich wrapper in the trash. "Will both of you stop running your mouths? Let's get a move on." She slurped the rest of her juice from its pouch then tossed it in after the wrapper.

She then began to slip her gloves on and started over to her StealthX. Her own astromech was already situated in its pod and she began to climb up into the fighter.

A tech unhooked a hose from Ben's own fighter and said, "She's fueled up, Sir."

"Great..." Ben rubbed his hands together then started toward it.

Artoo was already on his way to be lifted up and situated in its pod. He and the two other R2 units carried on a conversation as the final preparations were made. When Artoo was locked into place he swiveled his optical lens to meet Ben. He whistled inquisitively.

"Yes, Artoo," He murmured. "We're both going to be fine. Don't let Valin worry you."

He tootled another question.

"Of course I'm not going to let you get obliterated. What kind of question is that? If I let anything happen to you; Dad would have my hide."

Valin smirked. "Sometimes I think Master Skywalker cares for that little droid more than you."

Ben scowled. "What kind of crack is that?! Of course my dad loves me."

"Calm down, Ace." Jysella chided. "Valin's just trying to ruffle your feathers—doin' a good job at it too." She shot her brother a scathing look.

"He lives for that…" Ben agreed, strapping himself in. He slipped on his flight helmet on and twisted around slightly. "Y'all ready back there, Artoo?"

The droid whistled an affirmative.

"All right…" He clicked his comm.. "Jade One..Jade Two…y'all ready?"

"Jade One, ready." Jysella intoned.

"Jade Two, all green."

Ben grinned. "Jade Three, ready to jet."

Jysella rolled her eyes while Valin groaned.

Jysella clicked her comm, hailing the tower. "Jade Flight preparing for launch, Tower."

"Jade Flight, you are cleared. May the Force be with you."

"May it be with us all." Jysella responded with a slight smile. "Let's go, Boys." She called out, clicking back over to the StealthX frequency.

The three fighters lifted off the hanger floor and angled to the widening maw that was the hanger bay door. The small flight unit headed for space with Jysella in the lead and Valin and Ben on her wings.

Once they made orbit, Ben clicked onto the comm.. "Now, why are we going to look for Abeloth voluntarily?" He asked. "I've had enough of her to fill ten lifetimes."

"We're not going to look for her. We're going to investigate strange occurrences on the planet of Ryloth."

"Sounds like we're walking into the jaws of Death to me."

Jysella bristled. "Cut the chatter, Jade Three, or you can haul your carcass back to the base."

"No thanks…I can do my job just fine."

"Then zip your lips."

"Yes, Ma'am."

"Now, are we ready to make the jump or does anyone else have any commentary to add?"

Valin said, "I'm good."

Nothing more being said, they made the jump to lightspeed.