Flight officer Ju Kuller watched as his fighter and the rest of the Rogue Squadron flashed over the polar ice caps that covered the South Pole. Of all the orders he had received on his short tenure in the most recognized squadron in the galaxy, this one was the topper. Since he joined the Rogues, all his illusions have been shattered.
He joined the military after the Yuuzhan Vong war ended, he tried to join earlier but his parents refuse to sign the waiver to allow him to join while he was younger then 18, and after being accepted into pilot training, he passed at the top of his class. This was his first assignment outside of training command and he was ready for anything. He had dreamed while in training that he would be flying daring missions against the threats to his beloved GFFA, either with the rest of the Rogues or alone, killing thousands single handily and receiving affections by millions of very cute and grateful young women. He imagined receiving medals and commendations from the greats of the Rogues like General Antilles, Col. Darklighter or even JedI Master Skywalker! Oh, he would've be the envy of everyone back home!
Instead, all he has done was hours of training, patrols and boring runs around the Denon system. The only action he has seen was the mission to Hapes to assist and support a group of commandos who were staging a search and rescue of the ruling family. That mission, as far as he was concern, was only slightly better then watching mold grow. It started out in the usual military fashion, hurry up and then wait. The hours seemed to crawl as he and the rest sat in their X-wings, waiting for the freighter shell they were hiding in to blow out so they could launch their counter attack. When the moment came, they had to use the targeting locks from the commando's command ship to target the Battle Dragons. After all that waiting and excitement, they only got to launch two, count them two, torpedoes each at the targets! There was no dogfights, no kills for the side of his ship, and worst of all no chance to be a hero! Oh Col. Darklighter said it was a successful mission, for the commandos sure but not for him.
Now, now, they were again fleeing from another battle on the orders from Col. Darklighter! Ju consoled himself by remembering that this was the Rogues and he would have many chances at showing everyone what kind of hero he really was but it was hard right this second as he was ordered to allow his R2 unit to plot and fly the X-wing toward the South Pole and some point beyond. He couldn't even ask why since they had to remained comm silent. All the orders and course corrections were coming through the droids.
PREPARE FOR ORBITAL ROLL, the droid said as it started the roll without any assistance from him.
"How much longer till we get to where ever we are going?" Ju asked as the fighter increased to combat speed once it cleared the atmosphere.
THREE MINUTES TO INTERCEPT.
"Intercept what?" Ju said as he readjusted his straps and feeling his pulse increase slightly. Instead of verbally answering him, the droid showed a projected path on one target marked friendly and 14 enemy ships coming in from behind a line of freighter that were maneuvering to avoid something.
TWO MINUTES TO INTERCEPT, S-FOILS NEED TO BE LOCKED INTO FIRING MODE AT THIS TIME.
"S-foils locked and lasers are fully charged," Ju told the droid as he watched one of the enemy targets wink out on the scanner.
COMMENCE FIRING IN 56 SECONDS, the droid said as he and the rest of the squadron flanked out into a V-shaped attack formation.
"I'm ready," Ju said in an excited voice, "oh you better believe I am ready!" At thirty seconds, the black YT-1300 rolled out from behind the largest freighter, right where the droid said it would be, 5 second later the enemy fighters followed behind the command ship. They were at a right angle to the squadron, coming right across their bow in an almost perfect 'T' crossing. Ju could feel his hands start to sweet in his flight gloves as he tried to keep the glee from exploding out of him. At the precise time, and at almost point blank range, he opened up on the attacking fighters. "I got one!" Ju screamed into the combat channel.
"Can the chatter Rogue Two," the professional voice of Col. Darklighter responding almost at once, "Rogues break by pairs and finish them off, stick to your wing man. Rogue Two you're with me."
Ju double click his mike, just like he had been instructed during all those training exercises and rolled his fighter to stay with Rogue One. He did a quick look at his combat scanner and saw that about half of the fighters were no longer around and the survivors were breaking out on all points of the compass. He saw that Rogue One had chosen the single fighter that was still chasing the command ship.
"Two take point," Col. Darklighter said as he allowed Ju to pass him. Ju swallowed a lump of fear as he lined up his shot. The Col. would sometimes do this during simulations but he never would have guess he would be able to do it in a real combat action. And this was very different from the simulator, not only was the target junking better then the computer ever did but he had to make sure that he didn't hit the wrong target by mistake and watch out for all the civilian traffic they were weaving in and out of, it was nerve racking. He had to take a shot and soon, the tie fighter was getting shots in at the YT-1300, and if he didn't hurry, Col. Darklighter would bump him and he didn't want to lose a kill because of that! He succeeded in rattling the tie pilot enough to get him to break off his attack against the YT-1300 and make a break for open space. Once he made the break, Ju was able to lead the other pilot enough to cause some damage to the ship and then, finally, saw the expanding fireball that marked a successful kill. "Good shot, Two."
"Thank you, sir," Ju said suddenly feeling very exhausted.
"Different then the simulators, wouldn't you say?"
"Yes sir," Ju said wondering how the Col. was able to read his mind.
"Simulators are great teaching tool, but they can't replace the real thing. Use the simulator to help you but never expect combat to be like them, understand?"
"Yes sir, I do now."
"Good enough, and congratulations, you have two kills now," Col. Darklighter's voice said in a lighter tone, one that he never heard from him before, "Form up on my wing and lets go see how the rest of the squad did."
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"Sir, the Mon Mothma has her gravity generators on and is preventing the two Battle Dragons from fleeing into Hyperspace, forces are moving into position around the ships." The military aid said listing into the command comm band, "the Rogues are reporting no damage done to their squadron and are returning to escort formation around the Sweet Night."
"Very well," Cal said letting out his breath in a sigh of relief, the same kind of relief that Luke felt himself. "Make sure that they don't attack those battle ships, just keep an eye on them for now."
"Yes sir," the aid said as he retreated to the rear of the group to relay the message to the PDF.
"Sir, the Senator from Hapes is demanding to speak to you," another young aid said.
"Tell her that I found some mold in my refrigerator, I get back to her as soon as I am done looking at it," Cal said in an irritable voice as he came over to stand next to Luke. "Solo is going to send me to an early grave."
"Actually sir," Mara whispered to Cal from Luke's other side, "It was Tahiri's idea."
"Like I said Solo," Cal said with a snort, "I'm sure she will start using her real name sooner or later." As Luke and Mara shared an amused glance, Cal went on in a musing tone, "the stakes just got higher. I hope for our sakes they have some concrete evidence about Rayner."
"I think we have enough justification to assist the Queen Mother after that attack," Belinda said as quietly.
"I am more worried about the systems that are wavering," Cal said quietly. "If they learn about this and we have nothing proving Rayner's involvement they could see it as us interfering in a planetary sovereignty rights. The raid we could have some deniability but now …" He broke off as the Falcon appeared on the horizon.
Luke and the others watched as the lead elements of the Rogue Squadron made a fly by and the Falcon made it landing inside the hanger. As they waited for the hatch to open, a squad of security personal took up positions at the entrance of the hanger while an honor guard formed up at the base of the most famous freighter in the galaxy. Not one to relay solely on others, Kyp and the other JedI fan out in a protective formation around the group of honor guest. As the ramp lowered, Luke saw that Tenel Ka and Jacen, who was scanning the hanger in a proactive technique as if looking for any hidden threat. Although Luke was thrilled to see his nephew again, he couldn't help but wonder what was causing the strange Force signature he was receiving from him. Tenel Ka, on the other hand, was as poised and dignified, even in her standard issue coveralls, as she would be in her finest Royal Gown. Nothing in her demeanor or walk gave anyone who was watching any clue to the pain, suffering and humiliation that she must be feeling after what had happened to her in the past weeks.
"Queen Mother Djo," Cal said as he, Luke and the rest of the gather dignitaries bowed when she reached the end of the honor guard, "on behalf of the Senate and the people of the GFFA; welcome to Denon."
"Chief of State Omas," she said in a strong voice while returning the bow, "on behalf of the people of the Hapes Consortium and myself, I thank you for not only your warm greeting but also for you assistance in our time of need. Your generous and timely assistance has given the people hope that this crisis will pass quickly and the rightful rulers will return."
"It is my hope as well Queen Mother Djo; I have always valued and admire the valor and strengths of the people of the Hapes Consortium. However, there is no need to thank us for any small role we might have played; it is what one should do when their neighbors are in need. To offer an open hand and a strong shoulder to those in need so they may help themselves and weather any storm."
"As it should be through out the galaxy," Tenel Ka said with a small bow and then leaned in closer so only Cal and Luke could hear her, she went on in a quieter voice, "now if we have said enough for the masses to be satisfied, there is much I need to speak of with you."
"Oh no worries Queen Mother," Cal said in a normal voice, with a hint of amusement, while Tenel Ka seemed to be taken aback by Cal's actions, "there are no media in here." Cal jerked his thumb towards the rear entrance, "The jackals are all waiting outside. Once we get out there, I have a whole slew of prepared speeches that sound all pretty and proper. I couldn't allow them in here with … well the team that saved you unloading. Plus I wanted a moment to let you know how I really feel and to to tell you how sorry I am to hear about your father. His death, while I am sure was a personal blow to you; it was also a great blow to the entire galaxy as whole."
"Again I thank you, Chief of State Oman not only for your kind and candied words. I must also thank you for allowing … the team," she said with a hint of a smile crossing her face, "to help us. Without them I doubt that neither Jacen Solo nor I would be here right now."
"So Rayner Thul was there," Belindi Kelenda asked as Han, Leia, Meewalh and a smaller man came down the ramp of the Falcon. Luke recognized it as one of the skins that Tahiri wore from time to time to hid her identity.
"Yes," Tenel Ka said as Jacen gave Tahiri a hard look and Luke could feel him reaching out as if to make sure it was her or not.
"How much support was he giving your rebels," Luke asked as Tahiri came to a stop directly across from Jacen and staring back at him as blandly, with her arms crossed, as he was staring at her in undisguised disgust.
"Unknown Master Skywalker," Tenel Ka replied also giving Tahiri a double take, "I had received reports of local cells putting up stiff resistance until a strange man appeared. In each case, the cell ceased communications and was learned to have been wiped out."
"Rayner never appeared to us until shortly before mom and dad came in," Jacen said pulling his gaze from Tahiri to address Luke directly. "He has grown very powerful and is in great need of our help, Uncle Luke."
"Rayner Thul was very deranged Master Skywalker and was very determine to make sure that neither Jacen Solo nor I survived the encounter."
"As I said, Uncle Luke, he is in great pain and in great need," Jacen said in a sincere voice.
"More like he is a great pain," Cal said ignoring the look that Jacen sent to him. Turing to Tahiri he asked, "Captain what is your assessment?"
"He appeared to be in the same state of mind as the last time we met," Tahiri said coming to attention, her voiced heavily modified. "He is still a great danger to not only himself but to the galaxy at large. He is also still very fixated on killing certain JedI; I doubt that we will be able to reason with him."
"You do not know that," Jacen said, "you didn't even attempt help him, you just tried to kill him."
"My mission was to rescue the Queen Mother and bring her to Denon," Tahiri said stiffly not looking at anyone but Cal. "I was not sent there to save anyone or to kill anyone. If to complete my mission meant that I should help 'save' him, I would have without hesitation. However, if to complete my mission and save the lives of my men meant killing him, I would have done it."
"So he is still alive," Luke asked sending a questioning look to Leia, who just sadly nodded her head. Clearly, there was a lot of tension between Tahiri and Jacen but this time he had no idea what it would be.
"Yes, Master Skywalker," Tahiri answered turning her now brown colored eyes towards him, another bit of disguise since her gold eyes would be a dead give away as to who she was.
"Should we even guess how you did this time," Cal asked her in a caring voice.
"Bit better then last time," Tahiri said looking down at the ground sheepishly, "the best I could do was distract him long enough for Charm Boy and Doc to prep Queen Mother Djo and JedI Solo for travel." When she looked back up there was a confident look in her eyes. "With the help of Socket, we were able to render him unconscious but by that time we had enemy forces converging on our location. I had a choice, stay and kill him and risk my men, or leave him and insure my teams and mission survival."
"I believe you made the right choice, Captain," Cal said with a smile.
"Thank you sir, I believe that as well. I would always chose saving before killing, and I never regretted saving someone," then she let her eyes slide over to Jacen, "well most of the time."
"As I said good job, you and your men should be proud," Cal said in the awkward pause that accompanied her last statement. "Right now, Queen Mother we should be heading out to the press. Let them see you here and explained why you are here. If you wouldn't mind, I would like to have Captain Solo and his wife there as well. It was not our original plan but we can only deal with the cards fate passed out."
"I have no objections" she said as the whole group minus Tahiri and Belindi Kelenda, both had other things to discuss, moved toward the rear entrance. "Master Skywalker, I have asked if Jacen Solo if he would be willing to serve as my aid and bodyguard until I have completed my quest. He has agreed, is this an acceptable arraignment to you?"
"More then acceptable," Luke answered at once. "The JedI will of course will assist you in any and all matters that you may need. Plus, I don't think you will find a better person to stand at your side then Jacen."
"Fact," Tenel Ka said with just a hint, barely a hint, of a smile.