1 BBY, Aboard the DS-1 Mobile Orbital Station

"You've been assigned to Black Squadron. Down the hall, take the repulsorlifts to level 178. You're expected in the command room of Section 51." The Deck Officer informed Luke.

The young man thanked the officer, then walked away, unsure if he could find his way through this vast maze of corridors making out of the innards of this battle station.

But fortunately for him, the officer's instructions were clear enough for him to reach his destination. After only minutes of wandering, Luke entered a room that he thought was the right place.

Its walls were stark gray, like those of the rest of the ships, with a couple of unlit screens attached on them. He spotted a holographic console, with a table for about dozen people to gather around.

A female officer was sitting in a chair, studying some reports, before looking up when she noticed that Luke had entered. She was a commander, a bit shorter than Luke. There was a stern and cold nature about her. Luke saluted and introduced himself.

"Ah, Ensign Skywalker." She spoke. "I'm Commander Kela Neerik, I've been expecting you."

She abruptly surveyed him with a frown, observing Luke's features. The young pilot tried his best to remain at perfect attention, not showing his unease.

"How old are you, Ensign?" She finally asked.

"I'm eighteen standard, commander." He replied, a bit confused with the question.

Neerik's eyebrows rose slightly in surprise.

"You just fresh out of the Academy, then?"

"Yes, ma'am, why?"

An awkward second passed; Then the commander's face relaxed, as if she had dismissed the thought that was bothering her. "Pay it no mind. This is only unexpected. I know the Empire is in need for more men, but…."

Then she returned to the reports, Luke catching Neerik whisper occasionally like "Don't know why Skerris recommended him in the first place, not the squadron for an 18-year old boy….."

This confused Luke. What did she mean Black Squadron was not the place for him?

After he'd been instructed to wait, he remained deep in thought until he was shaken out of his trance by a certain voice.

"Senior Lieutenant Iden Versio reporting for duty, commander."

A brown-eyed woman with black hair had entered the room with a salute. Then she spotted Luke and frowned slightly.

'That's the new one? He seems surprisingly young.' She thought.

"Ah, Lieutenant Versio. This is Ensign Skywalker, your new squadron member. He's just arrived aboard and needs to be shown around."

"Yes, commander." With a brief nod and a salute, she made to exit the room, but not before giving him a look that gestured him to follow. Not wanting to make a bad first impression to his superior, the young pilot followed her hastily.

"You look nervous, Ensign." These were the first words that she had said to him. "May I ask you why?"

"I don't know, ma'am. When I graduated the Academy, I expected myself to be stationed at some ordinary base, or on a Star Destroyer. I would never have thought that I'd end up in a station this big."

Iden laughed slightly in amusement. "Oh, come on. I've seen your grades, and they're one of the best I've ever seen so far. Might be on par with even mine." She complimented him.

"Besides, only the most elite get stationed here. That, and you're in Black Squadron. You should be proud of yourself, Ensign, to receive such an honor at an early age." She finished.

Luke's expression slightly eased. "Thank you, ma'am."

Iden quickened her pace. "C'mon. We have shifts, and there's not much time left. There's much to do."

So far, Luke had been fascinated by the things he'd seen. This station had everything! Mess halls, heated indoor pools, even shopping malls, parks, recreational areas, and commissaries with luxury items. It definitely was a desirable post for any Imperial personnel.

Now they were heading to their squadron quarters. Luke expected to see his other squadmates, and readied himself. But, when they stepped inside, it was empty.

"Exactly what I thought." Iden shrugged. "We have our own duties, and not much free time. They'd be spread across the station, for now." She then noticed Luke's outfit.

"You're having a new flight suit. The thing you're wearing is for cadets. Now you're experiencing real action." Realization hit him again.

He was going to be a real pilot. At last. He couldn't hold back his grin.

They entered another room, full of lockers with pilots' callsigns written on them. "Find your name, it should be here somewhere." Iden murmured.

After minutes of searching for his name, Luke finally found it- Luke Skywalker, Black Five. He grinned, and pushed a button on a shining black locker.

With a hiss, the drawers opened to reveal a black jumpsuit bearing the imperial crest. There was a black helmet and a chestplate that included an emergency atmospheric unit and a life support pack. He also found shining boots and pristine gloves waiting for him.

"Well, try it on." Iden said, chuckling softly at Luke's expression of awe.

Iden had already changed into her jumpsuit; The young pilot hurried to imitate her.

"Are they always tight like this?" Luke asked her after he had hurriedly suited up. But, on the other hand, Iden thought it fit him perfectly.

"They're all custom made, Ensign." Iden sighed. "Come on, we have our shift coming up." Luke followed excitedly. This was going to be his formal first flight on duty.

Fully suited up and ready, Luke and Iden headed towards the hangar. When they arrived, Commander Kela Neerik was waiting them. The two saluted, approaching her. Neerik saluted back.

"Sigma Three and Black Five reporting for duty, Commander." Iden and Luke reported.

"Take D61-G8-3 and 6. No special conditions reported. Keep watch on the surface rather than outer space. Move along." The two of them once more saluted.

They headed towards the gantry above their craft, and Luke recognized it immediately.

The standard starfighter of the Imperial Navy, the TIE/LN Space Superiority Fighter was the very symbol of Imperial naval dominance. Designed by Sienar Fleet Systems, it was fast, agile, and versatile enough to serve in multiple missions.

Luke climbed into the small cockpit, unable to contain his grin, and let the hatch above him close with a hiss. He then activated the TIE fighter.

Luke pressed the power-up button, pulled some levers and performed a brief check-up on the systems. Energy, comms, laser cannons, solar panels, ion engines and balance levels, all green.

He had nearly finished his check when he heard static, and then Iden's voice on the comm.

"TIE Black Five, this is TIE Sigma Three for a quick transmission test, do you copy?"

"Loud and clear, Sigma Three."

"Copy that. Prepare for launch, Three out."

"Five out." Luke replied back with a barely suppressed grin. He could see the breathtaking view of outer space from the hangar. The pitch-black, which some found troubling, was welcoming him, as if it were gesturing for him to come over.

Then he heard another voice again. "D61-G8-3 and 6, report to Launch Control."

"Copy that, Launch Control. Engine alignment and solar panel balance are perfect. Laser cannons are up and running perfectly, all systems are green. We are go for launch." Iden reported.

"Acknowledged. Proceed to launch as planned."

As the words came over the comm, their fighters slowly began to move towards the huge exit of the hangar. They entered the vacant, air-emptied area of the hangar after seconds.

'Hands on the controls, feet on the pedals', Luke thought, taking a deep breath and trying to ease himself. He'd really been looking forward to this moment. He tried to recall the lessons given to him, but his mind was too full of joy for that.

The confinement of the small craft, which many found unsettling to bear, felt like home to Luke. This was where he was meant to be; He felt like he was in his rightful place, unchained and unrivaled. Knowing his job was one of the most dangerous in the galaxy didn't change anything.

If anything, it only intensified the thrill.

"Ready, Five?" Iden radioed Luke.

"Oh, I am so ready, Three." Luke remarked, excitement welling up inside of him.

"Launch in four… three… two… one…. Launch!"

Luke pressed down the pedals to lead the craft forward as soon as the claws released his fighter; The sense of immense acceleration greeted him like an old friend, pushing him back to his seat.

He smiled, delighted by this familiar feeling. The utter darkness was all around him, enveloping him, welcoming him inside its wonderous infinity.

To test his craft – but mostly for his excitement, he took the fighter into a few spins and hairpin swerves. The controls were greatly responsive to his command; a small nudge from the control yoke sent the TIE screaming into that direction.

"Are you done playing, Five?" Iden's voice crackled over the radio. "We've got things to do." She continued.

"Roger that, Three. What're we doing?"

"Nothing much, just regular security patrol. We're positioned on the equatorial trench of the Death Star now; We'll patrol the northern hemisphere after we finish the trench."

"Copy that, Three."

Luke aligned his TIE behind Iden's, keeping an eye out for any suspicious activity or craft. Luckily, all seemed to be just fine. After circling the equatorial trench once, they changed their direction towards the northern hemisphere, ensuring the north command center was safe.

Iden must have sympathized with Luke's slightly disappointed voice, because she proposed practicing some basic formations and maneuvers. "It never hurts to hone your skills." She had said. The young man accepted it eagerly.

"You go behind me, and keep an eye out." "Copy that."

Iden started with some basic movements and formations; Then, after some time had passed, she began to test Luke's reactivity, making him dip, swerve, turn and even sometimes abruptly decelerate.

Luke followed his wingman's movements with great ease and excitement. He was having one of the greatest moments in his life, but was rather disappointed when Iden called it off and returned to standard patrolling.

Shortly after they had completed their patrols, an order to return to the hangar was issued through the radio.

"Was that your first flight?" Iden asked the still-giddy Luke after they had exited their TIEs. Luke shook his head.

"No, I've been on missions even when I was a cadet. But this… this was something much more." Luke grinned. "I know what you mean." Iden smiled softly.

"So, do I get to rest now?" Luke asked her eagerly. Suddenly her expression changed to that of a stern one.

"Not yet, Ensign. You have to write after-action reports."

The newly commissioned pilot groaned.

Luke was in the squadron common room, writing his after-action report. It wasn't a troublesome task for him, but it was quite draining as he had to write every detail that had taken place.

Luckily, the room provided excellent conditions for concentration. He was so immersed for the next few minutes that he did not notice people coming in.

"Pilots, this is your new squadron member, Ensign Luke Skywalker. He will be spending much time with you, so I suggest you all get acquainted with him." Commander Neerik's voice shook the young pilot out of his trance. He sat bolt upright as soon as he heard his superior's voice.

"Yes, commander!" "Understood, ma'am!" Unfamiliar voices echoed throughout the room.

"Very well. Squadron dismissed!" Then she left the room.

"So, Iden, can you introduce us to the new guy? Heard you met him." A tall, slightly muscular man asked the Senior Lieutenant.

"I don't know much about him, but he's a brilliant pilot." Iden remarked.

Then she proceeded to introduce Luke to the others. There was Mauler, their leader in Neerik's absence; Backstabber, a thin man with wiry-crimson hair.

Dark Curse, the oldest in their squadron, carrying the wisdom in his eyes; Vil, an unmistakable Corellian who was just a few years older than Luke.

Qorl, a light-brown haired guy with dark-brown eyes; Silv, a blue-eyed girl exactly Luke's age with platinum-blonde hair, grinning down at him.

"So, Luke, is it?" Vil greeted him with a friendly smile on his face that put Luke at ease. "Where do you come from?" he asked.

"Tatooine." Luke replied.

"Blast, that's gotta be tough. Never been there, but I've heard stories from lots of travelers." Silver chimed in and Backstabber nodded.

"How's it like back there? Hutts don't bother you?" Vil asked Luke.

"I didn't see them all the time, I was mostly stuck in my aunt and uncle's house. Only occasion their grunts visited was about water tax. Pay the water tax, they leave you alone. You get used to it." Luke shrugged. Most looked sympathetic.

"Wasn't sorry at all to leave that ball of dust behind, though." He added quickly, seeing their expressions.

Everyone laughed; A warm, pleasant sound.

After a few more exchange of conversations, Silver shouted, "Well, people, what are we waiting for? Let's go greet the new guy!"

"Wha-" Before a confused Luke could finish, his squadmates started to practically drag him to the exit, chattering excitedly. A new member was always welcome.

"I would never have expected that the Death Star had alchohols." Luke murmured, making his squad laugh once more. It had nearly been two hours since they started congratulating, and it was quite enjoyable.

It was there that he had gotten to knew his new colleagues more closely.

"So, what's your story, kid?" Mauler asked.

MidKnightMoonglow99: I can't thank you enough. I'll definitely put it in the next chap, I hope it lives up to your standard. Anyways, thanks for the encouragement again.

Mevneriel: Thanks! Yeah, I can't wait for Luke and Vader to meet too.