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I hope everyone's enjoying the story so far, there's pretty much nothing else to say so I'll shut up and let you read!

Chapter 11: Improverished Training

So my next orders, along with the rest of the present Blue Squadron, were to get volunteers for the squadron to fill out the necessary 12 members needed to get the unit officially on the list of combat ready fighter squadrons. It took some time and convincing, but we got our 12 members and as soon as we were on the list, our training could begin. On that day, Commander Blu, with Captain Roberto, his second in command and Blue Two, got the squadron together to make a speech in front of his X-wing fighter.

"Hello Blue Squadron, if you don't know already, I'm Commander Blu and this is Captain Roberto." Blu began as we stood before him. "Now, I know many of you probably heard things about me that made you hesitant to join up with Blue Squadron, but I want to reassure all of you that I wouldn't risk anyone if we don't all agree on an action to take. We will work together as a unit and we'll be fine, we'll show the Empire what we can do and make them fear us."

I could hear the confidence, but also the revenge tone in Blu's voice as he continued, now with stating the true facts as they were.

"Now I wouldn't tell you that we're all going to survive, we're going to take losses, that's just the reality of fighting, but we all knew what the risks were when we joined the rebellion, better to die fighting than dying in chains." Blu finishing up his speech with… "May the Force be with us." Blu turning to Captain Roberto to take over.

"Listen up rookies, we don't have a proper flight simulator like the Empire has here in this icy cave and the X-Wings for you aren't going to come for awhile, so we're going to have you learn all the controls for now in my and Commander Blu's fighters until the shipment of the new X-Wings come." Roberto announced. "Alright, split up in your pairs and lets get started."

I was excited, although I still had to wait as it was Blue three and four's turn first to learn the different controls. I watched as both Blu and Roberto walked the two squadron members through the various controls and what each of them did. Of course the new members just sat there, the fighters weren't powered up, their engines and weapons systems off as they listened to their commanders.

I admit I was so impatient, I have waited long enough for a chance to finally be in the cockpit of an X-Wing fighter and I grew jealous seeing the rookie before me be in the fighter. Eventually it was my turn as me and Tiago stepped up, me going to Blu's X-Wing as I climbed up the ladder and into the cockpit, Blu following me as he stopped at the ladder's top step.

"Okay now Blue Five, lets begin." Commander Blu started as he walked me through the many different controls.

Even thought I listened carefully, knowing that the information Blu gave me could save my life in an emergency, I still took moments to enjoy the feeling of sitting in the cockpit, even thought it was tough and a small space, I felt wonderful.

Blu told me the controls for the laser cannons, proton torpedos, shield adjustment, engine power, everything, like he had a manual in his head. I realize his father must have taught him everything about the fighter and learned everything from him, which was why Blu knew so much, it was like his last connection to his family, like my last connection was the homemade doll made for me.

I wanted to truly experience what it was like to fly without actually flying, so I decided to ask Blu for something.

"Excuse me sir, but if you don't mind, can I pretend to fly, even if I can't take off, for a few minutes?" I asked politely.

"Sure, that's a good idea." Blu replied, I'll step down from the ladder and let you take over, now remember which one is the control to close the cockpit?" Blu asked as I nodded and placed a wingtip to to the control. "Good, you're a fast learner." Blu commented about me before stepping down the ladder and letting me have fun for a few minutes.

I pushed the control and the cockpit hatch closed, sealing me inside the fighter. I looked for the startup control, which would power up the X-Wing, careful not to hit that and pushing all the necessary controls to start up, pretended to fly and even pull the trigger, which of course didn't actually fire my weapons, to shoot down imaginary TIE fighters. My fun had to end as of course I wasn't the only one getting his or her training, Blu coming up the ladder and gently kicking on the glass of the cockpit hatch. I pushed the control to open the hatch and got the sad news.

"Alright Blue Five, your turn is up, it's time for the next squadron member." Blu told me.

"Yes sir." I replied as I climbed down the ladder to give the next squadron member in line his turn to learn.

We trained daily until our new X-Wings would come on a transport, Blu keeping our squadron in top shape, but careful never to push us too far and making sure everyone understood the instructions. Both Blu and Roberto were charismatic leaders, if a squadron member looked like he or she needed a break, than he or she was allowed to rest until the member felt better. We learned flight tricks, how to deal with different kinds of TIEs, even learning how to take advantage of our astromechs and what they can do to help us when we need it.

I think it was safe to say that Blu is a very good leader, as well as Roberto, I couldn't believe that it took so long to fill out the necessary strength needed to get the squadron up and running. I could tell that the other members of the squadron were getting to like their commanders and were slowly getting less nervous and more confident.

One day the squadron was all in the mess area, eating our midday meal when Blu and Roberto walked in, coming from the command room, quickly our squadron stopped eating and came to attention.

"At ease Blue Squadron." Blu said as the squadron sat back down. "I got great news, the transport with the shipment of your new X-Wings has just arrived from hyperspace and is starting to come down to the planet's surface."

The whole squadron just lit up as they couldn't believe their own fighters were almost here, I just as excited as well.

"Finish up your meal Blue Squadron and when you're done, we're going to paint our fighters and begin the real training." Blu smiled as we got back to our food, looking froward to see our new X-Wings.

And I'll end it there and next time we come back, well as said, the real training can begin. However the question is, how much more training can be done before the Empire strikes back… (Foreshadowing!)