Forlorn IV:

Kara breathed in with relief. She was safe and they were headed skywards. Away from the Slip-Flies. They had destroyed the hive, and the ghastly little creatures would probably just die without the sustenance that their home provided them with. Kara looked around and did a quick head count of the troops around her. Fourteen others. Clips would be in the cockpit. Everyone had made it.

As Kara scanned them, she saw that most of them were looking at her in awe.

'Kara' said Selethen, gaping as well. 'That was –'

'I know, I know' Kara interrupted. 'It didn't exactly follow procedures and –'

'I think he was going to say it was freaking awesome' Reeve exclaimed, grinning. Selethen nodded, smiling wryly.

'It was hot' Barko muttered without realising.

'Yeah whatever' said Kara, turning away from them, blushing under her helmet. 'I think we all need some rest.'

'Actually, I think not' crowed a voice that sent shivers down Kara's spine. Kara turned to face Thane. He shot a look at Kara that told her he probably would have preferred it if she hadn't made it. It was the first time he had spoken up in the hold since Aeos Prime. Ever since, he had been avoiding Kara.

'I think there is an issue we all need to discuss' Thane hissed, and Kara knew she would have to tread carefully around him.

'What would that be?' Kara questioned.

'We are the Phantom Order. We were formed to hunt Jedi. Not filthy Slip-Flies' Thane spat. A few of the new recruits were nodding. Reeve was gripping his seat, his hands clenched.

Rodin spoke up, 'when I was told I could join the Phantom Order, I imagined fighting Jedi. Not this.'

'Well you imagined wrong' Reeve grumbled.

'Reeve, don't get involved' said Kara, raising a hand towards him. Reeve scowled at Thane. Kara had a feeling that she was the only thing stopping Reeve from attempting to tear Thane apart.

'Well, I think the reason Lord Vader no longer trusts us because of the lack of leadership' Thane snarled, staring at Kara intently. Kara didn't bother to try stop Reeve as he lunged for Thane. Rodin and Chaff caught Reeve before he could get to Thane.

'Or maybe, I already caught all the Jedi' Kara retorted, anger welling up inside her. Some of the troops were looking away, not wanting to get involved whilst others sat on the edge of their seat. Kara knew that if it came to it, and Thane tried a mutiny, she could defeat him. More of the team would back her, but it looked like Thane was trying to make that change.

'Next thing, we'll be hunting Tusken Raiders' Sadie interjected, shuffling towards Thane.

'Shut up. I've heard Vader has a thing for the raiders' Kara returned, her neck stiff and her fists clenched.

'Well, I think Vader is just waiting for someone truly loyal to the Empire to lead' Thane snapped. With that, he stormed out of the hold.

'Anyone else got any more complaints' Kara growled. There was silence. 'That's what I thought.'

Kara strode out angrily. She hurried to her room where she pulled her armour off. She dropped it in her storage panel, deciding she would clean it later. She dropped to her bed, wiping the sweat from her forehead. The door slid open and Kara looked up, almost ready to yell at someone.

With a sigh, she realised it was just KT. Kara gave a weak smile. KT cocked her head to one side before walking in. The door slid shut behind her. Kara leaned down and scooped KT up, resting her on her shoulder. 'What's up?' Kara sked. Over the past few months, she had become especially fond of the droid. The droid just rested her head on Kara and didn't speak. Kara was grateful for the company.

There was a gentle knocking on Kara's door. 'It's Reeve' said a voice from behind the door. Kara sighed once more.

'Come in' she said reluctantly. The door slid open and Reeve entered, spinning a chair around to face Kara. He sat down.

'Are you okay?' Reeve asked.

'Life's stressful. I need a break, but there's just no way I can' Kara responded. Reeve nodded. Changing tones, Kara said, 'do you think Thane was right? About Vader waiting for someone else to lead.'

'Not for a second.'

'I don't know I can do this. If I stepped down, would you come with me?' Kara asked, tears starting to trickle down her face. She was exhausted.

'You can't let Thane get to you. That's what he wants' Reeve responded.

'What if Thane is better suited to lead than me.'

'He only wants to lead because he's a selfish prig. Generally, not the qualities of a good leader' Reeve snorted.

'Thanks' said Kara. It was good to have someone to talk to. She leant forward and briefly kissed him. Reeve blushed before turning and moving to the doorway.

As it opened, he said, 'I almost forgot. Rook got a transmission directed to you from the Grand Moff.' Kara looked up in surprise.

'Do you have something against prioritising what you tell me' Kara laughed, remembering back to when he had apologised to her after Kijimi, and how she had first become good friends with him.

'I did prioritise' said Reeve, walking away.

Kara rolled her eyes, and lowered KT to the ground. 'Not a word about that' said Kara to KT, raising a finger at the small droid.

The droid let a beep out and Kara rolled her eyes.

'I know I'm the only one who can understand you. I was joking.' Kara left the room, KT heading elsewhere.

Kara headed towards the communications room but found it deserted. She stepped out and caught Chaff outside.

'Hey, do you know where Rook is?' asked Kara. Chaff looked at her, worried she might snap at him. Kara was beginning to get sick of the look.

'I think he's in the hangar with Brock, repairing the Phantom Fighter's communications' responded Chaff, before moving on. Kara walked towards the back of the ship where she made her way into the hanger. True to Chaff's word, Brock was in the hangar working on the Phantom Fighter.

Brock looked up and spotted her. 'Hey Kara. What brings you back here?'

'I wanted to speak to Rook' Kara responded.

'What about?' said a voice. Kara jumped. Rook had entered behind her.

'Ah, Rook' Kara replied, hoping he hadn't noticed her flinching. So soon after a near-death experience Kara still felt a little jerky.

'Yeah. We were just trying to repair the Phantom Fighter's communication systems. Seems to have broken down when Selethen took it to Nal Hutta' said Rook as he walked past her, kneeling beside Brock and beginning to help him. 'So, I assume you got Reeve's message.'

'I did.'

'I have a hologram message for you from the Grand Moff' Rook grunted, licking his lips as he slid a small black box from the bottom of the Phantom Fighter.

Rook placed the box at his feet and used an omni tool to peel off its lid. He looked up to Brock. 'Can you check for any burnout in the processor. I'll be back.'

Rook walked away from the Phantom Fighter back to Kara. He pulled the holoprojector from his pocket that Wolfe had used to show them Seevor's parting message. He held it up between the two of them and activated it with a squeeze of his thumb.

The lean and menacing figure of Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin appeared on the hologram, buzzing with a radiant hum. 'Commander Kinata. I am sending this transmission in regard to your next mission. Your team is to travel to Fondor and kill a group of outlaws that are raiding the Imperial facilities. Further direction will be given to whomever you appoint leader in your absence.'

Kara frowned. Absence.

Wilhuff continued, 'I have a separate task for you, Commander. I want you to travel to Scarif where you will be meeting with Director Orson Krennic. He has a job, concerning a missing operator helping with Project Stardust. He will elaborate when you arrive on Scarif.' Kara nodded.

'On a more personal note, I wish to inform you of my displeasure at the loss of my nephew, whom you've reported missing in action. For this, I blame you Kinata.'

The transmission ended. It cut out and Kara felt a sinking feeling. Rook looked to her. 'Who are you going to appoint to lead while you go to Scarif.'

'I want to have a meeting with you, Reeve and Clips in the cockpit. Find Reeve, and take him with you' said Kara, exiting the hangar. Rook nodded and departed. Kara followed him out the door and begun to walk towards the cockpit. They were still in Forlorn's atmosphere, awaiting directions.

Kara reached the cockpit and entered. Clips was alone, reading from a holographic tablet. He looked up at Kara. 'Do we have orders?'

'We do but I want to discuss it with Reeve and Rook' Kara responded, sitting down on the swivel chair next to Clips. She stared out the window, looking down the front of the Shadow Blade and into the stars beyond. Clips looked back down and was quiet.

The doors opened once more and Rook entered, closely followed by Reeve. Reeve looked at Kara inquisitively. 'What's going on?' he asked.

'We have our next orders' said Kara. 'Or at least, you do.'

'What do you mean?' Clips asked, pushing the tablet aside. 'What are you doing?'

'I'll explain. We received a transmission from the Grand Moff, directing the Order to Fondor to exterminate a group of insurgents who have been raiding Imperial facilities. That's where you'll be going.'

'And you.'

'I'm going to be heading to Scarif to meet with Director Krennic. He has a task for me that he evidently does not feel safe discussing via hologram' Kara said. 'I've been ordered to leave someone in charge. I am going to be relying on the three of you to maintain order in the crew, but as acting commander, I appoint Reeve.'

Clips nodded, as though expecting it. 'Which raises a small problem. You need to go to Scarif, which means you'll be taking the Phantom Fighter. And I'm guessing the communications are still down.'

Before Kara could respond, Rook spoke up, 'I've found something of a solution to that. Kara can take KT who should be able to transmit holographic feed back to the Shadow Blade.'

Kara nodded. She could take KT with her to Scarif. 'Well, what now?' she said.

'Now you pack the Phantom Fighter and leave. We'll head for Fondor as soon as you've left' Reeve responded and Kara knew he would do well in command.

'I'll have to explain to the team' said Kara, standing up.

'I think you can explain later through KT. It's a long journey to Fondor and the sooner you're gone, the sooner we are' Rook interjected.

Kara smiled. 'What are we waiting for?'

Kara gripped the controls of the Phantom Fighter. She had never flown it before and was having doubts at her capability. She knew it would be harder than flying an ordinary TIE, but she had no idea how much harder. She was wearing her grey armour, and had her helmet attached to a clip on the side of the small cockpit. KT was sitting on the control panel, waiting patiently. The small black cockpit had a throttle at the front, as well as an array of controls.

'You'll be fine. Quit stressing' Reeve chuckled. 'See you Kara.' He descended from the hatch and Kara pulled it shut behind him, wincing as the hydraulics hissed in protest. She looked out the back of the ship as Reeve made his way out of the hangar. Out of nervous habit, Kara slipped her ring onto her finger, the only connection she had with her parents.

'Prepare to detach' Clips called, his voice echoing through Kara's comm. The comm would only take her so far, and then she would be relying on KT for communications. As soon as the door had slid shut behind Reeve, the base hull of the Shadow Blade began to slide open underneath the Phantom Fighter. The spacecraft dropped an inch as it dragged on the weight of the six cables holding it aloft, making Kara's stomach spin in circles.

'Fire those cables' said Kara, her fingers hovering over the red switch that marked the thruster ignition. All six cables detached from the Phantom Fighter, dropping it straight through the bottom of the Shadow Blade. It pushed past the blue shield that maintained the hangar's oxygen levels, emerging into space. Kara flipped the switch and the fighter pulled to a stop, hovering in space. Kara looked up, scanning the length of the Shadow Blade from underneath. She turned away from the Shadow Blade, pushing the Phantom Fighter down, parallel to the surface of Forlorn.

'Farewell Kara' said Reeve.

'All systems are go.' With that, she launched into hyperspace.