Ch. 2 ~ The Orders
Winter watched as the X-Wings streaked off into the stars. She felt and odd emptiness watching them from the star port in Leia's quarters. Actually, she had felt the lingering hollow feeling since she'd bid farewell to Tycho in the landing bay a short time before. Rogue Squadron was continuing onto Mrllst, their original destination before the mishap on Cilpar. Winter sat down on the couch, vaguely realizing that Leia was having some sort of argument in the next room. She wondered briefly who she was speaking too, but was soon back to the nagging ache inside her. Winter sighed.
"What is it? I don't understand where this feeling is coming from. What's going on?" She asked herself. She had no rational reasoning for the feeling. She didn't even have a clue what she was thinking about. Just then, Leia appeared in the doorway and watched her friend carefully. Leia had just gotten off the comm with a friend in the Senate who wanted Leia ask Winter to do something that was very far off base from normal. She wasn't sure how to approach the subject until now.
Winter had surprised Leia by gilding into her office a half an hour ago with Lt. Tycho Clechu on her arm. Leia had known Tycho when she was younger but she had no idea that Winter did. It turned out that she didn't but the two had just met. Winter was giving him a break from Wedge for a short time, or so she claimed. Leia wasn't biting though.
She had known Winter a long time. Winter was a talented young woman who had been in the espionage business a while. Winter didn't let anything compromise her, which meant little pleasure, little fun, and no romance at all. Leia had come to respect and expect this from her friend. That was why she had been surprised by Winter's serene look as she gazed at Tycho while he had told Leia of Rogue Squadron's standing orders. Leia suddenly wondered if Winter was falling for the dashing young pilot. Perhaps this would help Leia with this new subject.
"Winter?" She ventured, breaking Winter's train of thought.
"Oh Leia…I didn't realize you were done."
"You ok?"
"Yeah, it's just… I don't know, I feel so funny. I feel almost like I'm missing something."
"Why? When did this start."
"Just now…when Rogue Squadron… Never mind. Forget it. What's going on?" Leia stared at Winter, her suspicions growing.
"Winter…I have some orders for you."
"Already, I just got back! I haven't even started my paperwork…"
"This is a long term assignment. One for the rest of your life." Leia replied seriously. Winter looked up at her, confusion passing over her lovely features.
"What kind of assignment?"
"In all actuality, you don't have to accept it."
"What is it?"
"Well, as you know, the New Republic is being built around a base of equality and understanding. The Senate and council are afraid that we are off to a bad start already. They think that there is too much of a division between the government and the regular army. They want to see action between the two groups, but the pilots and soldiers are so different from the politicians, spies, and leaders that no one had any ideas of how to bridge the gap. That is until the senate thought that well based families between the two could solve our problem."
"I don't understand. We don't have any families that revolve around both."
"I know. That's what the senate wants to rectify. Therefore they are handing out conditional orders that certain people from certain groups…Ahh…how do I say this…uh…intermarry?"
"What? You mean the senate wants people just to marry based on grouping? How is one supposed to do…Wait…They want me to marry a soldier or a pilot? What am I supposed to do, hold a date service until I fall in love? That could take years…"
"No Winter, they wanted me to assign you to a person. You don't have to say yes." She added quickly. "It's just that, well, they think you would be the best candidate. I know you don't want to get married…"
"Leia, I want to get married but I always thought I would meet a guy and fall in love and…well…do it naturally I guess."
"You don't have to say yes."
"Yes I do. Come on, spit it out. Tell me who the lucky guy is. Does he know?"
"Well, I had someone all picked out but I made a last minute decision. He does not know and you don't ever have to tell him, in case things don't work out. But I have a suspicion that I am just helping nature along. You see, you just gave me a brilliant idea when you got back. I think it might make you happy."
"Who!"
"Lt. Tycho Clechu."
"Tycho?!?" Winter yelped in surprise and dismay.
"Well, I have to admit I thought your reaction would be better than that…"
"It's just that he's…uh…in a dangerous job. He could be killed any time, not to mention the fact that he is the cockiest pilot I've ever met, try flying for a few hours with him. Granted he has skill, but still…"
"Winter…he has a lot of good qualities."
"Like what?" Winter was suddenly defensive. She would follow her orders, but she had resolved that she would not fall in love. This would be for the job anyway. I am not going to fall in love. Certainly not with any cocky pilot who thinks he owns the universe.
"Hey, bite him, not me. I've known Tycho for a long time. He's a really sweet guy, besides, he's from Alderaan, not that you couldn't tell, so you have a history with him. He happens to be one of the best pilots in the entire fleet and he was at the Death Star, he's proven himself to be a hero but is always humble about his achievements. He may be cocky, but who could resist those blue eyes?" Her voice was a bit wistful. When she had first met Tycho, she had been surprised at how handsome he was. It was easy to see that he was from Alderaan. All Alderaanians had either very light or very dark hair, contrasted by very deep and detailed eyes. Tycho's bright blue eyes marked him as coming from the higher class on the planet. The lower classes had less clarity and vibrancy to their pupils. Leia glanced at Winter who was obviously thinking the exact same thing. "I mean, he is attractive…"
At this last comment, Winter turned away from Leia. She was right. Tycho had a distinguished record, he was a wonderful pilot and he was more than handsome. She had wanted to brush his blond hair back away from his face several times on Cilpar and had felt drawn to him. His proximity to her made her feel funny inside. No matter all of this, she still refused to fall in love with him.
"Ok, you've made your point. I'll take the assignment, but not because I like him. I'm doing it for the New Republic and I will not fall in love with him." Winter got up to leave. Leia watcher her go with a grin. The smile was one of satisfaction. Winter said she wouldn't fall in love.
"Dear Winter, I should know you well enough that I don't have to tell you that you've already fallen…" She picked up her data pad and made a note to assign Rogue Squadron to the next area Winter would be stationed, Tattoine.
Tycho set his X-Wing on autopilot, happy to be flying it again rather than the truck of a Lambda that he had been flying earlier. Not that the flight was too bad, after all, he had Winter for company. Winter, now that was a subject he didn't mind thinking about. She was from Alderaan, which was of immediate interest to Tycho. They had talked about the past, where they had grown up, where they had visited, and what they had done on their home planet. For Tycho, it had dredged up a lot of painful memories. He suspected that Winter had felt the same way. When they had finally landed back at New Republic HQ he had to admit that in a small way, he was healed. Wedge had immediately suggested that they go over a flight plan to Mrllst, but Winter had rescued him by telling Wedge that Tycho should escort her up to see Leia. Wedge had raised his eyebrows, but said ok. Tycho experimentally offered Winter his arm and she took it. Inside, he was deeply pleased.
Tycho hadn't seen Leia in a while and it was nice to chat with her. Winter stayed by his side and when Wedge called to say it was time to go, he said goodbye to Leia and Winter walked back down to the landing bay with him. It wasn't until they reached his X-Wing that they both stopped talking.
"Well, time for me to be off."
"Maybe we'll meet again."
"I hope so." Tycho said earnestly. He smiled at her.
"Take care Flyboy." She said softly, and then turned and strode away. Tycho stood there for what seemed like an eternity until Wedge clapped him on the shoulder.
"What are you thinking?"
"I don't believe in clichés, so I really can't say… Aww, nevermind. Let's get out of here." Tycho told him, climbing up into his cockpit. Soon they launched into deep space.
Tycho sighed heavily. "I really can't say it was love at first sight? Well, that's true. It wasn't. What is it about her? Do I…am I…what am I thinking. She's a spy…why would she be interested in anyone like me?" He asked himself ruefully.
"Good question." Wedge cut in.
"Wedge! Oh please say…"
"Don't worry, I just cut into your comm. No one else can here you."
"Don't do that!"
"Well, I thought you might want to talk. You know she has a reputation of turning every man down."
"Thanks, you're really helping."
"Tycho, she also has a reputation of never talking to men, let alone walking arm and arm with one to her boss' office."
"There's no interest Wedge. We only have Alderaan in common, that's all we talked about."
"Everybody's got to have a place to start."
"We'll never see each other again."
"You never know. The universe is a small place."
"I'll believe it when I see it." Tycho responded with a chuckle.
Winter watched as the X-Wings streaked off into the stars. She felt and odd emptiness watching them from the star port in Leia's quarters. Actually, she had felt the lingering hollow feeling since she'd bid farewell to Tycho in the landing bay a short time before. Rogue Squadron was continuing onto Mrllst, their original destination before the mishap on Cilpar. Winter sat down on the couch, vaguely realizing that Leia was having some sort of argument in the next room. She wondered briefly who she was speaking too, but was soon back to the nagging ache inside her. Winter sighed.
"What is it? I don't understand where this feeling is coming from. What's going on?" She asked herself. She had no rational reasoning for the feeling. She didn't even have a clue what she was thinking about. Just then, Leia appeared in the doorway and watched her friend carefully. Leia had just gotten off the comm with a friend in the Senate who wanted Leia ask Winter to do something that was very far off base from normal. She wasn't sure how to approach the subject until now.
Winter had surprised Leia by gilding into her office a half an hour ago with Lt. Tycho Clechu on her arm. Leia had known Tycho when she was younger but she had no idea that Winter did. It turned out that she didn't but the two had just met. Winter was giving him a break from Wedge for a short time, or so she claimed. Leia wasn't biting though.
She had known Winter a long time. Winter was a talented young woman who had been in the espionage business a while. Winter didn't let anything compromise her, which meant little pleasure, little fun, and no romance at all. Leia had come to respect and expect this from her friend. That was why she had been surprised by Winter's serene look as she gazed at Tycho while he had told Leia of Rogue Squadron's standing orders. Leia suddenly wondered if Winter was falling for the dashing young pilot. Perhaps this would help Leia with this new subject.
"Winter?" She ventured, breaking Winter's train of thought.
"Oh Leia…I didn't realize you were done."
"You ok?"
"Yeah, it's just… I don't know, I feel so funny. I feel almost like I'm missing something."
"Why? When did this start."
"Just now…when Rogue Squadron… Never mind. Forget it. What's going on?" Leia stared at Winter, her suspicions growing.
"Winter…I have some orders for you."
"Already, I just got back! I haven't even started my paperwork…"
"This is a long term assignment. One for the rest of your life." Leia replied seriously. Winter looked up at her, confusion passing over her lovely features.
"What kind of assignment?"
"In all actuality, you don't have to accept it."
"What is it?"
"Well, as you know, the New Republic is being built around a base of equality and understanding. The Senate and council are afraid that we are off to a bad start already. They think that there is too much of a division between the government and the regular army. They want to see action between the two groups, but the pilots and soldiers are so different from the politicians, spies, and leaders that no one had any ideas of how to bridge the gap. That is until the senate thought that well based families between the two could solve our problem."
"I don't understand. We don't have any families that revolve around both."
"I know. That's what the senate wants to rectify. Therefore they are handing out conditional orders that certain people from certain groups…Ahh…how do I say this…uh…intermarry?"
"What? You mean the senate wants people just to marry based on grouping? How is one supposed to do…Wait…They want me to marry a soldier or a pilot? What am I supposed to do, hold a date service until I fall in love? That could take years…"
"No Winter, they wanted me to assign you to a person. You don't have to say yes." She added quickly. "It's just that, well, they think you would be the best candidate. I know you don't want to get married…"
"Leia, I want to get married but I always thought I would meet a guy and fall in love and…well…do it naturally I guess."
"You don't have to say yes."
"Yes I do. Come on, spit it out. Tell me who the lucky guy is. Does he know?"
"Well, I had someone all picked out but I made a last minute decision. He does not know and you don't ever have to tell him, in case things don't work out. But I have a suspicion that I am just helping nature along. You see, you just gave me a brilliant idea when you got back. I think it might make you happy."
"Who!"
"Lt. Tycho Clechu."
"Tycho?!?" Winter yelped in surprise and dismay.
"Well, I have to admit I thought your reaction would be better than that…"
"It's just that he's…uh…in a dangerous job. He could be killed any time, not to mention the fact that he is the cockiest pilot I've ever met, try flying for a few hours with him. Granted he has skill, but still…"
"Winter…he has a lot of good qualities."
"Like what?" Winter was suddenly defensive. She would follow her orders, but she had resolved that she would not fall in love. This would be for the job anyway. I am not going to fall in love. Certainly not with any cocky pilot who thinks he owns the universe.
"Hey, bite him, not me. I've known Tycho for a long time. He's a really sweet guy, besides, he's from Alderaan, not that you couldn't tell, so you have a history with him. He happens to be one of the best pilots in the entire fleet and he was at the Death Star, he's proven himself to be a hero but is always humble about his achievements. He may be cocky, but who could resist those blue eyes?" Her voice was a bit wistful. When she had first met Tycho, she had been surprised at how handsome he was. It was easy to see that he was from Alderaan. All Alderaanians had either very light or very dark hair, contrasted by very deep and detailed eyes. Tycho's bright blue eyes marked him as coming from the higher class on the planet. The lower classes had less clarity and vibrancy to their pupils. Leia glanced at Winter who was obviously thinking the exact same thing. "I mean, he is attractive…"
At this last comment, Winter turned away from Leia. She was right. Tycho had a distinguished record, he was a wonderful pilot and he was more than handsome. She had wanted to brush his blond hair back away from his face several times on Cilpar and had felt drawn to him. His proximity to her made her feel funny inside. No matter all of this, she still refused to fall in love with him.
"Ok, you've made your point. I'll take the assignment, but not because I like him. I'm doing it for the New Republic and I will not fall in love with him." Winter got up to leave. Leia watcher her go with a grin. The smile was one of satisfaction. Winter said she wouldn't fall in love.
"Dear Winter, I should know you well enough that I don't have to tell you that you've already fallen…" She picked up her data pad and made a note to assign Rogue Squadron to the next area Winter would be stationed, Tattoine.
Tycho set his X-Wing on autopilot, happy to be flying it again rather than the truck of a Lambda that he had been flying earlier. Not that the flight was too bad, after all, he had Winter for company. Winter, now that was a subject he didn't mind thinking about. She was from Alderaan, which was of immediate interest to Tycho. They had talked about the past, where they had grown up, where they had visited, and what they had done on their home planet. For Tycho, it had dredged up a lot of painful memories. He suspected that Winter had felt the same way. When they had finally landed back at New Republic HQ he had to admit that in a small way, he was healed. Wedge had immediately suggested that they go over a flight plan to Mrllst, but Winter had rescued him by telling Wedge that Tycho should escort her up to see Leia. Wedge had raised his eyebrows, but said ok. Tycho experimentally offered Winter his arm and she took it. Inside, he was deeply pleased.
Tycho hadn't seen Leia in a while and it was nice to chat with her. Winter stayed by his side and when Wedge called to say it was time to go, he said goodbye to Leia and Winter walked back down to the landing bay with him. It wasn't until they reached his X-Wing that they both stopped talking.
"Well, time for me to be off."
"Maybe we'll meet again."
"I hope so." Tycho said earnestly. He smiled at her.
"Take care Flyboy." She said softly, and then turned and strode away. Tycho stood there for what seemed like an eternity until Wedge clapped him on the shoulder.
"What are you thinking?"
"I don't believe in clichés, so I really can't say… Aww, nevermind. Let's get out of here." Tycho told him, climbing up into his cockpit. Soon they launched into deep space.
Tycho sighed heavily. "I really can't say it was love at first sight? Well, that's true. It wasn't. What is it about her? Do I…am I…what am I thinking. She's a spy…why would she be interested in anyone like me?" He asked himself ruefully.
"Good question." Wedge cut in.
"Wedge! Oh please say…"
"Don't worry, I just cut into your comm. No one else can here you."
"Don't do that!"
"Well, I thought you might want to talk. You know she has a reputation of turning every man down."
"Thanks, you're really helping."
"Tycho, she also has a reputation of never talking to men, let alone walking arm and arm with one to her boss' office."
"There's no interest Wedge. We only have Alderaan in common, that's all we talked about."
"Everybody's got to have a place to start."
"We'll never see each other again."
"You never know. The universe is a small place."
"I'll believe it when I see it." Tycho responded with a chuckle.