AN: Sorry about the wait! I hope you all enjoy. Also, for all those interested, I have a new short story up about Katri and Derin. "Beyond This Night". It might grow to be a short story trilogy if there is interested. Enjoy this chapter
"Well, this feels anti-climatic," Ari gave a small laugh, one hand on her side where a piece of synthaskin was covering her wound, that would have it almost completely mended in just a few days.
"Not at all!" Cal exclaimed. "It was an amazing adventure but dangerous. You should be happy you weren't hurt any worse.
"I hadn't planned to go. It just…happened," she shrugged slightly wit a small wince from her arm.
"So you and Han are friends?" Cal asked after a moment.
"Well, yeah, you could call him that," Ari nodded, a bit perplexed by this subject change. She looked over at Cal, curiously.
"Oh," was the only answer she received before another long pause followed. "Is he staying?"
"I don't know. We could all use having him, Chewie and the Falcon," Ari remarked.
"We?" Cal asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, yeah, everyone. The Alliance," Ari replied. "Why-" she started by was interrupted by a loud stream of beeps as R4 appeared. Ari couldn't help but smile seeing the little droid. She was almost certain she knew what the little droid was saying.
"I know, I know, but I am fine," she assured the droid, patting the domed head, and R4 paused before giving another few beeps.
This time, Ari checked the translator, which had luckily stayed attached to her belt that she had left on the Falcon on their mission.
"My room? I have a room?" Ari had to admit she was surprised.
The little droid gave an affirmative beep and started to roll down the hall, making little musical sounds, as if he was singing.
"This droid of yours takes good care of you," Cal laughed, keeping his voice low.
"Reminds me of my mother and candido, all in one," Ari smiled, then felt the sting of their deaths again and the smile faded.
Seeing her expression change, Cal
took her hand a gave it a small squeeze.
"They would be proud of you. I know it."
"Thanks," she smiled at him,
giving his hand a small squeeze back.
However, she didn't let his hand drop, like Cal had expected she would
and he had to smile to himself as they continued down the hall.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"This is my room?" Ari asked as R4 opened the door and led the two humans in. R4 beeped an affirmative
It was a decent sized room with a bed, complete with thick warm blankets and even two rugs, one on the side of the bed, the other by a wardrobe. Another door led to a private refresher she found, impressed. It must have been because she was one of the few women on the base. Glancing into the wardrobe to put away her few belongings, she gasped in surprise. There were clothes. Warm clothes made for this weather. Sweaters, warm pants, boots, two coats, other various layers of clothing, hats, gloves and scarfs. At the bottom of this was a large pack.
"Where did all this come from?" she asked, turning to face Cal and R4 who in turn, shared a look and R4 made a laughing sound. This was followed by a few more beeps and Ari checked the translator. Apparently R4 had requested the things, and had been able to figure out the sizes by scanning Ari, like he did for almost anything organic.
"You are a wonderful droid," Ari smiled, rubbing his domed head affectionately. R4 just gave a beep before going over to the power outlet to recharge for a bit.
Ari took out one of the coats and pulled it on, then a hat. "Much better," she commented to Cal.
"It isn't too bad either. Outside it is, but it could be worse in here," Cal remarked, giving her hat a small tug, which Ari had to smile at.
"Is that what the pack is for then? For being outside?" Ari motioned to it, then picked it up with both hands, feeling it was fairly heavy and she set it back down, along with her own bag.
"Yeah. They probably are going to want you to help with perimeter checks and setting out sensors," Cal answered. "You want to get something to eat?"
Ari nodded. "I'll be back in just a few minutes, R4," she called to the droid who gave a muted beep in response and they started out of the room, door closing behind them. "You know, the perimeter checks don't sound too bad. Are they short of people to do so?"
"Yes," Cal nodded. "That is probably why it is there. In case you wanted to go out and do that. It is hard though. The snow is sometimes almost blinding, and it is cold. It also means hours on tauntum."
"A tauntum? What's that?" Ari asked, trying to think if she had ever heard of such a thing.
Cal just took her hand and led her through the maze of halls. "Come on. I'll show you."
Ari had to smile at this, exchanging quick greetings with the few Rebels she knew as she and Cal passed them. As they got closer to the main hanger, Ari could hear the sounds of people and droids working constantly.
"Now, these things are a bit jumpy. They were domesticated for us to use, but they still are considered mostly wild. But don't let them frighten you by how big they can be. The top of my own head reaches their shoulder when I am next to them," Cal remarked
"It takes a lot to frighten me," Ari stated.
"I keep forgetting how tough you are," he smiled over his shoulder at her and she gave it back as they came to a holding pen of sorts.
In it, were a dozen large, fur-covered lizards. They were an off white color, with large horns on their heads. Their back legs were powerful looking and strong, while their arms were small and didn't look to be helpful overall. All the snow lizards were making loud noises, and Ari noted that a few of them were saddled.
"They remind me a little bit of a bantha mixed with a dewback," Ari laughed.
"In a way they are," Cal chuckled. "Now, come on. Let's get some food. I have perimeter check in about an hour."
"Can I do perimeter checks? I would like to help," Ari remarked.
"I am sure we can work something
out…"
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Ari and Cal entered the cafeteria to see Han retelling of the incident of Ord Mantell. "Speak of the Sith," someone spoke up, and everyone turned to Ari.
"Umm…" Ari trailed off with a nervous laugh. "Did I miss something?"
"Han was just telling us about your adventure," Dack answered, taking a sip of his drink.
Ari felt herself turn a bit red at this. She hadn't thought too much of it. She had just been acting on her instincts.
"Next time, drinks for these three are on me," Wedge smiled, motioning to Ari, Han and Chewie and this was met by a few shouts.
At this, Ari's cheeks were almost burning, but she allowed some of the squadron to pat her on the back before slipping to the line to get some food, Cal following.
"This is kind of embarrassing," she admitted with a small laugh.
"You should be pleased with yourself. I mean, you took on one of the most dangerous bounty hunters!" Cal exclaimed, letting Ari lead the way to a corner off to the side of the room. It was close enough to the rest of the squadron for Ari to hear what Han was saying. A few parts seemed to be embellished, but Ari wasn't about to contradict him. It must be a Corellian way of life, she laughed silently to herself.
Lunch continued, with Cal and Ari slowly starting to ignore the story telling, that had turned into runs done by a number of the pilots. Instead, the pair talked about their hopes for the future, when the war was finally over.
"I think one day I want to settle down, but it would all depend. On a job, and of course, someone special to share my life with," Cal had remarked, glancing up over at Ari before finishing his drink.
"That sounds nice. I honestly don't know. I am going to see where all this takes me," Ari admitted, starting to get up, as Cal did the same.
"Well, hopefully this won't take long, but you are right, you never really know," he admitted as they disposed of their dishes and glasses.
The couple was starting down the hallway when Cal's comlink sounded. With a perplexed look, Cal answered, both himself and Ari stepping to the side to let traffic continue.
"Alder here."
"Cal, this is General Riekan," came a voice, though it was a bit muffled by static, due to the thick ice walls.
"General," Cal gave a nod even though it wasn't seen. It was out of habit.
"I don't want to put any extra pressure on you today, but we need more sensors to be put out. I know your tauntum can only carry a few. We might have to send you out twice today. However, hopefully it will only be for today. We plan to have found you a partner by then."
Cal paused at this and glanced at Ari who was quick to give a nod.
"Actually, General, I have a partner," Cal smiled. "Leutenant Narabe."
"Oh? I didn't know she had shown interest. Well, then both of you get ready. I plan to see you both in twenty standard minutes."
With that the connection ended and both Cal and Ari looked at each other. "I'll race you," Ari laughed and took off down the hall.
Cal right at her heels until the hallway split for them to go to their separate rooms.
Once Ari got to hers, she started to look through her clothing.
"Do you think this is enough?" she asked R4, who had been watching her. The little droid paused then beeped a few times at her, going to a drawer and opening it. Using the retractable claw, the droid grabbed another pair of socks and gloves to go under the ones she was wearing at the moment.
Ari took them with a laugh, putting them on, tightening the ties on her boots, then stood up from where she had been perched on the bed. "Better?" she asked, and the droid gave an affirmative beep.
Patting the droid, she started out for the tauntum pen, pulling her pack on over her shoulders. R4 followed, and Ari had to keep checking the translator as they two had a conversation about the planet, R4 filling her in on things she had missed.
"I thought you had gotten lost," Cal teased as the pair appeared.
"Nope. R4 just wanted to make sure I would be warm enough," Ari laughed and R4 gave an electronic raspberry before turning and starting back towards a group of technicians and other droids.
"He sure is one of a kind," Cal laughed, fixing his pack, which was identical to Ari's. "Are you ready?"
Ari nodded as one of the nearby Rebels held the reins of one tauntum and Cal got into the saddle with ease. Ari noted that while some tauntums were saddled, only two carried sensors on the back. Cal's and now what would be her tauntum.
When it came for Ari's turn, she had to admit she was nervous. "Just put your foot in stirrup and swing over," Cal coached. Nodding, Ari put her foot where he had instructed and felt the animal move slightly, as if wanting to run. Gripping the saddle as best she could, Ari swung her older leg over and held on as the tauntum shifted slightly.
Letting out a deep breath, she glanced over at Cal and smiled as the Rebel handed her the reins.
"Good job," Cal smiled
"Thanks…now I only have one thing to say…."
"What is that?" Cal asked, perplexed.
"I'll race you to the first sensor," she shouted over her shoulder as her tauntum was released, Cal's right behind her as they raced out into the bitter cold.
