EPISODE VII: The Dark Reborn

by Tathrin

On the brink of peace between the Empire and the New Republic, an old darkness returns from the Unknown Regions to plunge the galaxy once more into war and threaten to tear the Solo-Skywalker family apart. (An alternate take on the Sequel Trilogy that incorporates more of the old Expanded Universe in its foundations, featuring familiar faces from both new and old canon alike.)

39. Chapter Thirty-Nine

ABOARD THE MON REMONDA, 40 YEARS ABE:

Wedge Antilles sat slumped at his desk, hands pressed to his temples as though his neck alone were unable to support his head any longer. He stared at the datascreens laid out in front of them, all of them telling the same bleak story of defeat and destruction. He looked tired and he felt old. When bootheels clicked in the open doorway of his office, he didn't even bother to look up.

"Admiral, sir," Lieutenant Celchu said with a crisp salute.

"What is it, lieutenant?" Wedge asked tiredly.

Instead of answering, Celchu stepped inside and pressed the button to close the door behind her, cutting-off the muted bustle of the ship.

"Uncle Wedge," she said, her voice lower and softer now, lacking the professional edge that had characterized her earlier words. Her taut military posture sagged and the blankness of her features shifted to something more personable, more personal. It was as though she had donned a mask to become a completely different person-or maybe taken one off.

This time, Wedge did look up. "Kaydel?" he said, blinking. "What's-"

Kaydel Celchu slipped into the chair in front of the admiral's desk without waiting for an invitation. She wasn't a disciplined subordinate anymore; she was family.

She leaned in close and spoke quietly, giving the impression that she didn't want to be overheard. "I've received a backchannel communication. Breha survived the battle over Coruscant, but was taken captive."

Wedge shot back in his chair, eyes going wide. "What?" he gasped.

Celchu was still talking: "There's a plan to rescue her, but it's shaky. Bail needs somebody to chase, shoot at, and preferably avoid destroying the Imperial shuttle he's on so the Empire won't be suspicious of the outdated codes they're using to get inside."

"Where?" Wedge asked.

"Straight into the hangerbay of that Super Star Destroyer," Celchu said, her face grim.

Wedge nodded, his strained features finally going calm. "That'll be dangerous. And outside the usual bounds of engagement." He almost smiled. "I think I know who to ask."