Ch. 4 ~ Ice Water
"Firith Olan. He's a Twi'Lek with delusions of grandeur. Thinks he can step in and take over now that Jabba is dead. He tried to squeeze me for protection money, but I set up my own security force instead. The raid was an attempt to intimidate me. The Rodians took advantage of the attack to loot my safe. End of story." Darklighter said defensively. Winter stood to his side with her had on her hip. Wedge waited at the base of the small staircase that led up to a higher platform where Darklighter and Winter stood. Tycho leaned against the far wall with his arms crossed, looking bored.
"Not quite." Winter started, beginning to pace. "The Rodians were after something special. I noticed they took a data disk. Your security force is equipped with Imperial armor and weapons. There's been a flood of such material on the black market lately. One name is on everybody's lips…Lirin Banolt. Also known as Bruhas Drey, Ran Nammon, Kier Dom…"
"Enough!" Darklighter roared, smashing his fist into his hand. He looked about to explode but suddenly became calm. "He called himself Kier Dom when he came to me with the deal. The Empire was building a base on Tatooine. I'd seen the supply ships and knew something was going on. He offered to make me exclusive food vendor for the base, in exchange for a hefty bribe. He took my money and vanished. I searched his compound and found the data disk. It was encrypted of course. I hired a slicer to work on the code. By applying the name Kier Dom in a certain algorithm, he discovered a map. It led to a cache of Imperial weaponry. Some of it went to my security force. The rest I sold to the black market, to recoup my investment in Kier Dom. Now that Firith Olan has the disk, I assume you need nothing more from me." He said with a heavy sigh.
"Just one thing…" Winter said with a sly grin. "The copy…Unless you want to deny making a copy disk, in which case…"
"No, this game's gotten too rough for me. I suppose I got my money's worth anyway." He reached out and handed Winter the disk. She smiled. At last a breakthrough. She grinned at Tycho and was dismayed when he made no response.
Not and hour later Winter sat at her computer terminal at the hotel. Tycho leaned over her left shoulder, peering at the screen while Wedge stood back and listened.
"Incredible! This is bigger that I'd imagined!" Winter exclaimed.
"It's an inventory list…enough hardware to create a private army." Wedge mused.
"Including sixty four Tie Interceptors and…" Tycho began, but was cut short by Winter.
"I don't believe it! A strike cruiser outfitted to carry Ties…Not just any cruiser…the Eidolon! The prototype that vanished on its maiden voyage and was presumed lost."
"No wonder Firith Olan wants to find it." Tycho mused.
"A ship like that would provide enough fire power to set someone up as governor of Tatooine!" Wedge exclaimed, folding his hands. Winter continued to type furiously, uncovering yet more information. Wedge yawned moments later.
"I don't mean to be rude, Winter, but it's about six hours past our bedtime." Wedge said, just realizing how late it was. "If you come up with anything, let us know. Otherwise…"
"Don't worry. I know you flyboys need your sleep." Winter replied distractedly.
"Maybe you'd feel better if one of us stayed here…as a bodyguard…" Tycho started, fighting of the tired feeling that crept up on him.
"No need. I can take care of myself." Winter replied coolly, not even looking up.
"Yeah, I guess you can." Tycho responded despondently, but the inflection was lost on Winter. Wedge took Tycho by the elbow and led him out the door. Tycho pushed a shock of his pale hair from his face.
"I think you've got her interested, Tycho. She just doesn't know it yet." Wedge said, patting Tycho on the back. Tycho rolled his eyes.
"Leave it alone Wedge."
"Ahh. You are tired. And cranky too."
"Yes, and I know how you hate a cranky XO." Tycho replied with a grin. "Tomorrow is another day."
"That it is."
The next morning Wedge and Winter managed to wrangle some information out of Huff Darklighter about Firith Olan's whereabouts. Rogue Squadron flew to check it out and encountered a squadron of Tie Interceptors. After a brief air battle, Elescol managed to destroy the cavern where all the equipment was being housed but the battle was not at an end. Wedge soon picked up another squadron of Ties in the atmosphere. This time though it was not Firith Olan's Ties. These were actual Imperial fighters. To the Squadron's surprise, the Imperial fighters appeared disinterested in them and went to work destroying Olan's Ties. During the battle Olan managed to escape but Winter was fairly certain she knew exactly where he was headed. Soon, Tycho, Wedge, Winter, and Elescol were on their way to Ryloth, Olan's homeworld.
"A used beam drill, a pair of landspeeders, four panes of transparisteel, spices, hydraulic pumps, dried ronk meat… That's some selection of cargo we're hauling." Tycho remarked from his position in the pilot's seat. Winter sat to his left, co-piloting.
"You enter Kala'Uun with gifts, Tycho, or you don't enter at all." Winter said firmly, but glanced at him from the corner of her eye. He looked extremely good in his work gray Henley, black vest, and black flight pants. "I just wish I could have found some Koolach silk. The starport master is very partial to it." She said tiredly.
"I can think of far lovelier bodies to drape in Koolach silk than that of a Twi'Lek starport master." Tycho said good heartedly, looking at her. Winter turned away to keep from blushing. Why is he so flattering? Surely he can't feel anything for me… She cooled her thoughts and replied to him sternly.
"You shouldn't be thinking about bodies at all. If you need something to occupy your thoughts, think about pirates, slavers, corrupt officials, and heat storms. Ryloth has plenty of all of them." She said, trying to change the subject. Tycho seemed put off but remained cool so she couldn't read his emotions. He unconcernedly went about preparing for the jump to lightspeed.
"Come on Winter, at least allow a humble flyboy his fantasies." He said finally. Winter was immediately embarrassed. Of course he wasn't talking about me. You are really being silly. If I am being so silly…then why does it hurt to think that he was just messing around? Did I really think he liked me? Remember your promise: you will not fall for him.
Hours later they arrived at Ryloth and were soon in to see the port master, only to find they were not the only ones looking for Firith Olan. There was Imperial Cruiser and it's captain and special marines were also waiting. Tycho was put off immediately. He had the feeling that things were not going to go so well.
The port master had ordered a contest – with Olan as the prize. Two of the Alliance members and two of the Imperial warriors would face off…the only problem was the two Imps were huge, at least twice the size of Tycho each.
"Did you get a look at our competition, Wedge?" Tycho whispered. "Those guys have special forces written all over them." Wedge nodded sullenly.
"They're bigger than us, stronger that us, and meaner than us." Wedge agreed.
"If this is anything but a poetry contest, we're in for a very humiliating experience." Tycho said softly. Winter stopped them.
"Which is why you," she said directly, pushing her finger into Tycho's chest, "won't be participating. We won't win on the basis of physical strength. However I have other skills that might prove useful. It'll be Wedge and me against the Imps."
"Now see here Winter!" Wedge began to protest.
"No, you see here! Rogue Squadron was assigned to assist me. I call the shots!" She said loudly. Besides…I feel as if I'm somehow protecting him. Winter strode ahead, leaving Tycho angry and disappointed. He was not thrilled with being left behind, and equally unhappy about her being in danger. They reached a small room where Wedge, Winter, and the two Imps where asked to put metal bands on their heads. Tycho and Elescol were forced to stay outside and watched a view screen. They soon realized what was going on.
Wedge and Winter were being pitted against the Imps in a holo sim, but none of them knew it. Once into it, they tried to reach a golden ball, but a green beast killed one Imp and Winter was also caught by it. Wedge went to help her even though she yelled for him to go and get the ball. Tycho watched with clenched hands. Just as the surviving Imp grabbed the ball, Wedge freed Winter, but a heat storm grew and destroyed all three of them. The simulation ended and Elescol and Tycho were escorted into a room where they waited until the semi-conscious participants were brought in.
"So the contest was an illusion that played only in our minds…" One of the Imps said. Tycho sat on the table, watching Wedge and Winter. Winter was sullen and Wedge glared at her from time to time. Tycho was just glad that they were both all right.
"Nonetheless, you conducted yourself well, Rebel." He said to Wedge. "My name is Sixtus Quin, and I salute you, even though your devotion to your comrade did cost you the contest." He said, truly showing admiration. It was Winter's turn to glare this time. Moments later, the port master appeared, dressed in Koolach silk and gold. He declared the Imperials the winner, but an urgent call came for him reporting that Sixtus' captain had bribed his way into the compound and had taken Olan, abandoning his men. Hours later, they were still trapped on Ryloth, waiting for their ship to be cleared. They sat drinking lomin ale while the two Imps agreed to help them in their search for Marl Semtin, the captain that had just abandoned them.
"So now we're hauling Imperial Troopers. This has been one strange mission." Tycho remarked quietly in the quiet of the command center where he and Winter sat alone as he prepared to go to lightspeed. When she didn't say anything, he pressed on. "One thing's been on my mind, and I'd appreciate a straight answer. In the contest…If you'd been in Wedge's position, would you have saved him or gone for the globe?"
"No question at all. The mission dictated that I go for the globe. Wedge knew the risks." She said quickly, almost automatically.
"I'm beginning to see where you got your name Agent Winter." Tycho said slowly. His voice was unusually cool. "You've got ice water running in your veins."
"That's what they say flyboy. It just took you a little longer than the rest to figure it out." Winter said. When Tycho didn't respond, she glanced over. His face was a mask of unemotion. Suddenly Winter regretted having said those words. She wished she could snatch them back.
"I guess I should thank you for straightening that out." He said finally and Winter wished she could melt the ice growing around his whole demeanor that very moment. She turned again to him, wanting to reach out and touch his arm, but he was staring strait ahead, counting the stars she imagined. He's way too much of a romantic for me.
"Firith Olan. He's a Twi'Lek with delusions of grandeur. Thinks he can step in and take over now that Jabba is dead. He tried to squeeze me for protection money, but I set up my own security force instead. The raid was an attempt to intimidate me. The Rodians took advantage of the attack to loot my safe. End of story." Darklighter said defensively. Winter stood to his side with her had on her hip. Wedge waited at the base of the small staircase that led up to a higher platform where Darklighter and Winter stood. Tycho leaned against the far wall with his arms crossed, looking bored.
"Not quite." Winter started, beginning to pace. "The Rodians were after something special. I noticed they took a data disk. Your security force is equipped with Imperial armor and weapons. There's been a flood of such material on the black market lately. One name is on everybody's lips…Lirin Banolt. Also known as Bruhas Drey, Ran Nammon, Kier Dom…"
"Enough!" Darklighter roared, smashing his fist into his hand. He looked about to explode but suddenly became calm. "He called himself Kier Dom when he came to me with the deal. The Empire was building a base on Tatooine. I'd seen the supply ships and knew something was going on. He offered to make me exclusive food vendor for the base, in exchange for a hefty bribe. He took my money and vanished. I searched his compound and found the data disk. It was encrypted of course. I hired a slicer to work on the code. By applying the name Kier Dom in a certain algorithm, he discovered a map. It led to a cache of Imperial weaponry. Some of it went to my security force. The rest I sold to the black market, to recoup my investment in Kier Dom. Now that Firith Olan has the disk, I assume you need nothing more from me." He said with a heavy sigh.
"Just one thing…" Winter said with a sly grin. "The copy…Unless you want to deny making a copy disk, in which case…"
"No, this game's gotten too rough for me. I suppose I got my money's worth anyway." He reached out and handed Winter the disk. She smiled. At last a breakthrough. She grinned at Tycho and was dismayed when he made no response.
Not and hour later Winter sat at her computer terminal at the hotel. Tycho leaned over her left shoulder, peering at the screen while Wedge stood back and listened.
"Incredible! This is bigger that I'd imagined!" Winter exclaimed.
"It's an inventory list…enough hardware to create a private army." Wedge mused.
"Including sixty four Tie Interceptors and…" Tycho began, but was cut short by Winter.
"I don't believe it! A strike cruiser outfitted to carry Ties…Not just any cruiser…the Eidolon! The prototype that vanished on its maiden voyage and was presumed lost."
"No wonder Firith Olan wants to find it." Tycho mused.
"A ship like that would provide enough fire power to set someone up as governor of Tatooine!" Wedge exclaimed, folding his hands. Winter continued to type furiously, uncovering yet more information. Wedge yawned moments later.
"I don't mean to be rude, Winter, but it's about six hours past our bedtime." Wedge said, just realizing how late it was. "If you come up with anything, let us know. Otherwise…"
"Don't worry. I know you flyboys need your sleep." Winter replied distractedly.
"Maybe you'd feel better if one of us stayed here…as a bodyguard…" Tycho started, fighting of the tired feeling that crept up on him.
"No need. I can take care of myself." Winter replied coolly, not even looking up.
"Yeah, I guess you can." Tycho responded despondently, but the inflection was lost on Winter. Wedge took Tycho by the elbow and led him out the door. Tycho pushed a shock of his pale hair from his face.
"I think you've got her interested, Tycho. She just doesn't know it yet." Wedge said, patting Tycho on the back. Tycho rolled his eyes.
"Leave it alone Wedge."
"Ahh. You are tired. And cranky too."
"Yes, and I know how you hate a cranky XO." Tycho replied with a grin. "Tomorrow is another day."
"That it is."
The next morning Wedge and Winter managed to wrangle some information out of Huff Darklighter about Firith Olan's whereabouts. Rogue Squadron flew to check it out and encountered a squadron of Tie Interceptors. After a brief air battle, Elescol managed to destroy the cavern where all the equipment was being housed but the battle was not at an end. Wedge soon picked up another squadron of Ties in the atmosphere. This time though it was not Firith Olan's Ties. These were actual Imperial fighters. To the Squadron's surprise, the Imperial fighters appeared disinterested in them and went to work destroying Olan's Ties. During the battle Olan managed to escape but Winter was fairly certain she knew exactly where he was headed. Soon, Tycho, Wedge, Winter, and Elescol were on their way to Ryloth, Olan's homeworld.
"A used beam drill, a pair of landspeeders, four panes of transparisteel, spices, hydraulic pumps, dried ronk meat… That's some selection of cargo we're hauling." Tycho remarked from his position in the pilot's seat. Winter sat to his left, co-piloting.
"You enter Kala'Uun with gifts, Tycho, or you don't enter at all." Winter said firmly, but glanced at him from the corner of her eye. He looked extremely good in his work gray Henley, black vest, and black flight pants. "I just wish I could have found some Koolach silk. The starport master is very partial to it." She said tiredly.
"I can think of far lovelier bodies to drape in Koolach silk than that of a Twi'Lek starport master." Tycho said good heartedly, looking at her. Winter turned away to keep from blushing. Why is he so flattering? Surely he can't feel anything for me… She cooled her thoughts and replied to him sternly.
"You shouldn't be thinking about bodies at all. If you need something to occupy your thoughts, think about pirates, slavers, corrupt officials, and heat storms. Ryloth has plenty of all of them." She said, trying to change the subject. Tycho seemed put off but remained cool so she couldn't read his emotions. He unconcernedly went about preparing for the jump to lightspeed.
"Come on Winter, at least allow a humble flyboy his fantasies." He said finally. Winter was immediately embarrassed. Of course he wasn't talking about me. You are really being silly. If I am being so silly…then why does it hurt to think that he was just messing around? Did I really think he liked me? Remember your promise: you will not fall for him.
Hours later they arrived at Ryloth and were soon in to see the port master, only to find they were not the only ones looking for Firith Olan. There was Imperial Cruiser and it's captain and special marines were also waiting. Tycho was put off immediately. He had the feeling that things were not going to go so well.
The port master had ordered a contest – with Olan as the prize. Two of the Alliance members and two of the Imperial warriors would face off…the only problem was the two Imps were huge, at least twice the size of Tycho each.
"Did you get a look at our competition, Wedge?" Tycho whispered. "Those guys have special forces written all over them." Wedge nodded sullenly.
"They're bigger than us, stronger that us, and meaner than us." Wedge agreed.
"If this is anything but a poetry contest, we're in for a very humiliating experience." Tycho said softly. Winter stopped them.
"Which is why you," she said directly, pushing her finger into Tycho's chest, "won't be participating. We won't win on the basis of physical strength. However I have other skills that might prove useful. It'll be Wedge and me against the Imps."
"Now see here Winter!" Wedge began to protest.
"No, you see here! Rogue Squadron was assigned to assist me. I call the shots!" She said loudly. Besides…I feel as if I'm somehow protecting him. Winter strode ahead, leaving Tycho angry and disappointed. He was not thrilled with being left behind, and equally unhappy about her being in danger. They reached a small room where Wedge, Winter, and the two Imps where asked to put metal bands on their heads. Tycho and Elescol were forced to stay outside and watched a view screen. They soon realized what was going on.
Wedge and Winter were being pitted against the Imps in a holo sim, but none of them knew it. Once into it, they tried to reach a golden ball, but a green beast killed one Imp and Winter was also caught by it. Wedge went to help her even though she yelled for him to go and get the ball. Tycho watched with clenched hands. Just as the surviving Imp grabbed the ball, Wedge freed Winter, but a heat storm grew and destroyed all three of them. The simulation ended and Elescol and Tycho were escorted into a room where they waited until the semi-conscious participants were brought in.
"So the contest was an illusion that played only in our minds…" One of the Imps said. Tycho sat on the table, watching Wedge and Winter. Winter was sullen and Wedge glared at her from time to time. Tycho was just glad that they were both all right.
"Nonetheless, you conducted yourself well, Rebel." He said to Wedge. "My name is Sixtus Quin, and I salute you, even though your devotion to your comrade did cost you the contest." He said, truly showing admiration. It was Winter's turn to glare this time. Moments later, the port master appeared, dressed in Koolach silk and gold. He declared the Imperials the winner, but an urgent call came for him reporting that Sixtus' captain had bribed his way into the compound and had taken Olan, abandoning his men. Hours later, they were still trapped on Ryloth, waiting for their ship to be cleared. They sat drinking lomin ale while the two Imps agreed to help them in their search for Marl Semtin, the captain that had just abandoned them.
"So now we're hauling Imperial Troopers. This has been one strange mission." Tycho remarked quietly in the quiet of the command center where he and Winter sat alone as he prepared to go to lightspeed. When she didn't say anything, he pressed on. "One thing's been on my mind, and I'd appreciate a straight answer. In the contest…If you'd been in Wedge's position, would you have saved him or gone for the globe?"
"No question at all. The mission dictated that I go for the globe. Wedge knew the risks." She said quickly, almost automatically.
"I'm beginning to see where you got your name Agent Winter." Tycho said slowly. His voice was unusually cool. "You've got ice water running in your veins."
"That's what they say flyboy. It just took you a little longer than the rest to figure it out." Winter said. When Tycho didn't respond, she glanced over. His face was a mask of unemotion. Suddenly Winter regretted having said those words. She wished she could snatch them back.
"I guess I should thank you for straightening that out." He said finally and Winter wished she could melt the ice growing around his whole demeanor that very moment. She turned again to him, wanting to reach out and touch his arm, but he was staring strait ahead, counting the stars she imagined. He's way too much of a romantic for me.