Stay active.
General Sienna's words rang in Hapon's head as he looked at his reflection in the mirror. He didn't like the idea of sending the six remaining pilots into action alone, but he had managed only one attack on Imperials in the one month. Taking another month off as their smuggling team sold their supplies and ran it back to the fleet wasn't an option at this point.
He turned from the mirror and faced the inside of his cabin. Even though he didn't share his cabin like the rest of the pilots in Blue Squadron did, it was structurally identical. Something he specifically asked for.
Not one of his men. Not above his men. It had been his leadership philosophy since he had been first made a Lieutenant and given a flight of three TIE fighters to command as a twenty-one year old.
Hapon sat down on his bed and thought of that day. The way his commanding officer shook his hand. Hapon's soul swelled with pride. When he called his Father and told him about the promotion his Father told Hapon he was proud of him, and Hapon knew he was doing the right thing with his life.
Now he wasn't sure. His Father had always told him to do the right thing no matter what. That life philosophy had lead his father to throw away a chance to become a local politician and end his career as a small time beat cop. But a beat cop who slept well every night next to a woman who loved him.
Hapon had tried to do the same thing. Now he slept alone in a freezing cold bed, and his Father wouldn't talk to him anymore.
This is what you get for running a drug ring instead of shutting them down.
Someone knocked on Hapon's door.
"Come in."
Kea Varick walked in,her hair tied up above her head and her flight helmet in her hand. It was painted bright baby blue with neon pink stripes running vertically along it. She had shot down six TIEs during the last mission, making her the squadron's leader in kills. "Captain," She said at attention, "The squadron is assembled and waiting for you."
Hapon didn't want to go up and lose two more pilots. But this assignment was not meant to be played safe.
"Thank you." Hapon said as he zipped up his brown flight suit and picked his helmet up off his bed. It was painted solid black, just like an Imperial pilots helmet. He ran his fingers across the top of the helmet.
Why couldn't the Empire be good? Why did they have to destroy a planet?
"Are you okay sir?" Kea asked, momentarily breaking attention.
Hapon wondered if his composure had broken. Then wondered if the beautiful young Flight Officer had triggered his lost in composure. She had a sort of empathetic nature about her, that seemed to make people comfortable around her.
He tucked his helmet under his arm, and stiffened his resolve.
"Let's get ready to fly Ms. Varick."
Hapon and Kea walked out of his cabin and towards the four remaining pilots, who were standing in a circle by the X-Wings.
"Blue Squadron." Hapon said as he approached them. He studied each of their faces. Carrisima, Demon, Kea, Astin, and Erisi. Hapon prided himself on minimizing causalities. But knew that he couldn't stop them here in wild space.
"We have another raid. This time on a much smaller outpost. Only eight fighters are stationed here, so we should be able to take them by surprise." He paused and snapped his helmet on, "This time we're flattening their facilities and sending the shuttle their when it comes back from the smuggling operation to salvage what we left standing. Any questions?"
No one said anything and Hapon nodded at Demon.
"All right everybody." Demon yelled as he clapped his hands, "You know where to be. Let's do this."
Hapon silently turned away from the dispersing pilots. He wished he could say something more, about why they might die today, but Hapon Dustwalker wouldn't lie to his men, nor could he tell them they might die for an illegally gotten profit.
As Hapon climbed into his cockpit he looked up at the mountains and wondered if anyone in this war was doing the right thing. His vision drifted from the mountain to the X-Wing next to him, and saw Carrisima climbing into her X-Wing. She looked over and gave him a curt nod as her canopy closed above her.
He slid the visor down on his helmet.
For most of his life morality had been easy. It had been the order of the Empire against the pure chaos and savagery of crime cartels and pirates. It was no contest. It was honorable career soldiers or bloodthirsty murderers.
But now he wasn't involved in a war against crime. A war against those who make their way in the galaxy stealing and exploiting others. He was involved in a real war between two political entities.
He pressed the ignition on the X-Wing and it slowly floated off the ground.
Hapon watched the squadron take off around him.