Wedge Antilles grinned into the holoprojector. "Thanks so much. I really
owe you one." The woman just laughed. "You always owe me one, Wedge. Talk
to you soon."
With that the transmission ended, and Wedge leaned back into his chair, grinning and humming a little tune. Tycho just looked at him, and with a shake of his head, asked, "Who do we call now, Wedge?"
Wedge sobered up. "Get me a connection with Fel, if you would, please, Tycho."
Tycho's blue eyed stare narrowed. "Which one?"
"General."
"Got it." Tycho turned his seat around to the console, and toyed with buttons. A moment later, the Chiss emblem appeared on the small holoprojector in front of Wedge, rotating around slowly. Wedge drummed his fingers on the arms of his chair absently, waiting, when the black-speckled- silver head of General Baron Soontir Fel replaced the Chiss emblem. "What do you- oh, Antilles. It's you. What can I do for you?"
Wedge leaned back. "I just wanted to know that our base was attacked. Half of it is rubble, and the remaining half is pretty torn up. There aren't too many casualties, I hope. I found 15 survivors. Most of the starfighter pilots had left immediately, thus spared from the wrath of the Vong, but those who were planet side, and their ships, have been reduced to nothing."
Fel looked surprised. "General Antilles, my regrets about the loss of your base."
Wedge shook his head. "Not loss. Just destruction. Listen, we're headed out towards the fleet. I need you guys to leave the Vong alone, and head back to base. We need to pick up survivors."
Fel shook his head. "No can do, General. For every one Vong we let get away, that's another thorn in our side later. We will return after we've finished off these pesters. Fel out."
Wedge swore as Fel cut out the transmission. "He's going to get himself killed, Tycho!"
Tycho merely shrugged. "I'm sure he knows what he's doing and what he's up against."
Wedge looked out the viewport. "I hope you're right."
* * *
Jaina Solo looked down at Jag, actually, she really hadn't taken her eyes off of him. 'If he weren't so beat up and bloodied, I'd almost have to say he's more handsome when he sleeps.' She reached over and slid her hand into his, and held it. "C'mon, Fel, wake up, please!" she whispered. Suddenly, Cappie tweetled over the comm, scaring Jaina, and she jumped, dropping Jag's hand. She glared at the comm unit. "What now, Cap?"
Cappie whistled. //Jaina, why don't we make the jump to lightspeed and get to Shelter or somewhere we can get medical assistance?//
Jaina sighed heavily, running a hand through her thick hair. "Listen, I'm pretty sure Jag's condition isn't improving. If anything, I think he's going into shock. I don't want to risk several hours in hyperspace, and possibly end up killing him, where I could wait here for the rest of the fleet to return."
//Oh.// chirped the droid.
"How's the X-wing?" Jaina inquired, anxious to quit talking about Jag's condition.
//Manageable.//
"That's good."
//Not really. It has seen better days.//
"Obviously." Jaina glanced down at Jag, and she felt bone weary. 'Continuing to block my pain and not collapse is really, really getting hard.' She observed. She struggled against the blackness trying to overtake her again. "Cappie? I'm going to get some sleep. You get me if anyone comes in system." She murmured, barely even hearing the acknowledgement. She leaned back, and started to doze off, when suddenly, urgent and frantic whistling crackled to life on the comm system. Jaina groaned, and sat up, fastening her TIE helmet back on, and pulling on her flight gloves. She shut off the comm message she'd been broadcasting when her scanners identified it as a freighter not part of the NR fleet. Sighing, she hailed the freighter. "Unidentified vessel, please state your name and reason for entering New Republic military space."
"Unidentified fighter, this business concerns myself and my cargo only." Snapped the answer.
'Is that a woman?' Jaina wondered, before clearing her throat. "I don't know who you are, or why you're here, but you are trespassing onto General Wedge Antilles' base, and unless you have clearance, I have to ask you to leave the system immediately."
"I have clearance, fighter." Snarled the woman. 'She sounds so familiar!' Jaina thought, trying to put her finger on it, when suddenly, sensor readings identified the type of freighter. 'Baudo-class!? Wait a minute! That's the Pulsar Skate!'
"Captain Horn," she said, "What are you doing here?"
The venom didn't leave Mirax Terrik-Horn's voice. "Well, it appears you know me, but I do not know you."
Jaina allowed herself a small smile. "Mirax, this is Lieutenant Jaina Solo, and I could use some help here."
Mirax gasped. "Jaina? You sound different…well, what seems to be the problem?"
"Hold your position, Mirax, I'm coming to you." Jaina said, firing her engines. She accelerated towards Borleias, and towards the Skate.
"Jaina, whose Clawcraft?" Mirax asked absently.
"It's on loan from a friend. I'm assuming General Antilles' told you all about the raid, and that's why you're here?"
"You bet. I was near the sector, running some equipment for my father, when Wedge contacted me. He asked if I wouldn't mind running down to base, and picking up any survivors, since a return attack was inevitable. I said not a problem, and he told me he owes me one. Jaina, bring your fighters around to the starboard side, that cargo hold should be open."
"Copy. Thanks, Mirax. You've probably just save my life."
"Jaina," she asked, "Are you hurt?"
"Affirmative. And I've got a companion who need a bacta tank as soon as possible."
"Jag Fel?" Mirax inquired.
"Right on the first try." Jaina brought her fighter, with the X-wing trailing behind her, along the starboard side. She swept into the hold, and settled the Clawcraft down gently, so as not to disturb Jag. She unfastened the crash restraints, and tugged her helmet off. She quickly removed her flight gloves, and popped the hatch. Jaina clambered out of the Clawcraft, to where Mirax was waiting. She heard Mirax's sharp intake of breath. 'Do I really look that bad?' Jaina wondered. She leaned against a claw for support, and in moments, had floated Jag out. Mirax's brown eyes widened, and she rushed to help Jaina with Jag. Mirax pushed a small hovercart over to where Jag floated above the decking, and Jaina floated Jag down on top of it, set him down as gently as she could manage. "Thank you, Mirax." She whispered.
Mirax turned to her, a tight smile playing across her lips. "Not a problem, Jaina. Now, let's get Jag some attention, shall we? I don't have a bacta tank on board, but the Venture's only a short hop away. My father's got an extensive med facility there. First things first, though, Wedge asked me to drop down at base, and pick up any remaining stragglers. I'll get you guys settled in," she said, leading them down a hall, "And I'm assuming you'll need a medkit, right?"
Jaina nodded wearily. "Right."
"And am I correct in assuming that you'll want to be right by his side, too?" asked Mirax, a hint of a smile across her lips.
Jaina nodded, finding she couldn't summon the strength to tell Mirax yes.
"Listen, Jaina, I'll do a check of his vitals right now, and then I'll scan you, ok? We should be at the Venture in just short of three hours, if we find survivors and don't poke around base too long." Mirax pulled out a small scanner, and while she checked Jag, Jaina leaned against the wall, almost drifting off to sleep, when Mirax's voice jolted her out of her daze. "Jaina? You aren't looking so well, dear. Are you sure you want to stay in here? I can get you a bunk or something…"
Jaina blinked her brown eyes. "No, I'm fine, Mirax. Thanks."
Mirax just eyed her, before running a bioscan on Jaina. Jaina was vaguely aware of Mirax hissing her breath out through her teeth in aggravation.
"Jaina, stay with me here. I need you awake." She said, urgently.
"You didn't need Jag awake," Jaina mumbled.
"That was different. Talk to me. What happened?"
"S' a good question. I'm not too sure…me and Jag were prepping to go, when all of a sudden, there were warning alarms and then coralskippers, and…"
"Jaina, sit down. Don't drift off on me, now." Mirax commanded, pulling a repulsorchair over.
Jaina found she could barely keep her eyes open, and her speech was slowing and almost slurring. She'd given up on using the Force to prevent her injuries from bothering her, and she didn't need to use the Force right now; it was getting to be quite the strain. "And so there were explosions, and I got hurt, so Jag was carrying me to base from the landing grid, and then there was another explosion, and he's been out since…"
"Keep talking, Jaina. I'm almost done." Mirax said, not looking up.
"I took his Clawcraft, and we were waiting, cause I didn't know where to go, and then you showed up…"
Mirax pressed her lips in a tight line, trying not to wince. "Jaina? Listen, both of you will need bacta tanks as soon as we get out of system."
"Why? What's wrong with me?" asked Jaina drowsily.
"You got quite the concussion, which explains the speech and the sleepiness, and I'm thinking you cracked a rib, and you've got lots of burns, and shrapnel, and cuts all over." Mirax stated.
"Oh…an' what's wrong with Jag?" she asked.
"He's got a very serious concussion, broke some ribs, snapped his collarbone, and he's got burns, gashes and shrapnel all over, too."
"Oh…ouch…" Jaina mumbled. "Mirax?"
"Yeah, honey?" asked Mirax, concerned.
Jaina leaned her head back, closing her eyes. "Thanks…"
Mirax nodded. "I'm going to leave you two alone. If you need anything at all, you holler."
Jaina just nodded, almost imperceptibly. Mirax shook her head, and strode from the room. "Hey, Liat, I need the holocomm prepped, and take us down to Borleias."
* * *
Wedge smiled. "Once again, thank you so much, Mirax. You said Jaina and Jag were together?"
The black-haired Corellian nodded. "And pretty beat up too. I think they both have pretty serious concussions, and burns, shrapnel wounds and cuts, and I know Jag has cracked ribs and a broken collarbone on top of all that. I'm taking them and all survivors to the Errant Venture. You let me know when you want me to bring them back."
Wedge nodded. "Will do, Mirax." Wedge nodded to Tycho, who ended the transmission.
* * *
ok, everyone, more soon, I just got RS, so I'm gonna read that first before I write anymore, but updates soon after that! :D
With that the transmission ended, and Wedge leaned back into his chair, grinning and humming a little tune. Tycho just looked at him, and with a shake of his head, asked, "Who do we call now, Wedge?"
Wedge sobered up. "Get me a connection with Fel, if you would, please, Tycho."
Tycho's blue eyed stare narrowed. "Which one?"
"General."
"Got it." Tycho turned his seat around to the console, and toyed with buttons. A moment later, the Chiss emblem appeared on the small holoprojector in front of Wedge, rotating around slowly. Wedge drummed his fingers on the arms of his chair absently, waiting, when the black-speckled- silver head of General Baron Soontir Fel replaced the Chiss emblem. "What do you- oh, Antilles. It's you. What can I do for you?"
Wedge leaned back. "I just wanted to know that our base was attacked. Half of it is rubble, and the remaining half is pretty torn up. There aren't too many casualties, I hope. I found 15 survivors. Most of the starfighter pilots had left immediately, thus spared from the wrath of the Vong, but those who were planet side, and their ships, have been reduced to nothing."
Fel looked surprised. "General Antilles, my regrets about the loss of your base."
Wedge shook his head. "Not loss. Just destruction. Listen, we're headed out towards the fleet. I need you guys to leave the Vong alone, and head back to base. We need to pick up survivors."
Fel shook his head. "No can do, General. For every one Vong we let get away, that's another thorn in our side later. We will return after we've finished off these pesters. Fel out."
Wedge swore as Fel cut out the transmission. "He's going to get himself killed, Tycho!"
Tycho merely shrugged. "I'm sure he knows what he's doing and what he's up against."
Wedge looked out the viewport. "I hope you're right."
* * *
Jaina Solo looked down at Jag, actually, she really hadn't taken her eyes off of him. 'If he weren't so beat up and bloodied, I'd almost have to say he's more handsome when he sleeps.' She reached over and slid her hand into his, and held it. "C'mon, Fel, wake up, please!" she whispered. Suddenly, Cappie tweetled over the comm, scaring Jaina, and she jumped, dropping Jag's hand. She glared at the comm unit. "What now, Cap?"
Cappie whistled. //Jaina, why don't we make the jump to lightspeed and get to Shelter or somewhere we can get medical assistance?//
Jaina sighed heavily, running a hand through her thick hair. "Listen, I'm pretty sure Jag's condition isn't improving. If anything, I think he's going into shock. I don't want to risk several hours in hyperspace, and possibly end up killing him, where I could wait here for the rest of the fleet to return."
//Oh.// chirped the droid.
"How's the X-wing?" Jaina inquired, anxious to quit talking about Jag's condition.
//Manageable.//
"That's good."
//Not really. It has seen better days.//
"Obviously." Jaina glanced down at Jag, and she felt bone weary. 'Continuing to block my pain and not collapse is really, really getting hard.' She observed. She struggled against the blackness trying to overtake her again. "Cappie? I'm going to get some sleep. You get me if anyone comes in system." She murmured, barely even hearing the acknowledgement. She leaned back, and started to doze off, when suddenly, urgent and frantic whistling crackled to life on the comm system. Jaina groaned, and sat up, fastening her TIE helmet back on, and pulling on her flight gloves. She shut off the comm message she'd been broadcasting when her scanners identified it as a freighter not part of the NR fleet. Sighing, she hailed the freighter. "Unidentified vessel, please state your name and reason for entering New Republic military space."
"Unidentified fighter, this business concerns myself and my cargo only." Snapped the answer.
'Is that a woman?' Jaina wondered, before clearing her throat. "I don't know who you are, or why you're here, but you are trespassing onto General Wedge Antilles' base, and unless you have clearance, I have to ask you to leave the system immediately."
"I have clearance, fighter." Snarled the woman. 'She sounds so familiar!' Jaina thought, trying to put her finger on it, when suddenly, sensor readings identified the type of freighter. 'Baudo-class!? Wait a minute! That's the Pulsar Skate!'
"Captain Horn," she said, "What are you doing here?"
The venom didn't leave Mirax Terrik-Horn's voice. "Well, it appears you know me, but I do not know you."
Jaina allowed herself a small smile. "Mirax, this is Lieutenant Jaina Solo, and I could use some help here."
Mirax gasped. "Jaina? You sound different…well, what seems to be the problem?"
"Hold your position, Mirax, I'm coming to you." Jaina said, firing her engines. She accelerated towards Borleias, and towards the Skate.
"Jaina, whose Clawcraft?" Mirax asked absently.
"It's on loan from a friend. I'm assuming General Antilles' told you all about the raid, and that's why you're here?"
"You bet. I was near the sector, running some equipment for my father, when Wedge contacted me. He asked if I wouldn't mind running down to base, and picking up any survivors, since a return attack was inevitable. I said not a problem, and he told me he owes me one. Jaina, bring your fighters around to the starboard side, that cargo hold should be open."
"Copy. Thanks, Mirax. You've probably just save my life."
"Jaina," she asked, "Are you hurt?"
"Affirmative. And I've got a companion who need a bacta tank as soon as possible."
"Jag Fel?" Mirax inquired.
"Right on the first try." Jaina brought her fighter, with the X-wing trailing behind her, along the starboard side. She swept into the hold, and settled the Clawcraft down gently, so as not to disturb Jag. She unfastened the crash restraints, and tugged her helmet off. She quickly removed her flight gloves, and popped the hatch. Jaina clambered out of the Clawcraft, to where Mirax was waiting. She heard Mirax's sharp intake of breath. 'Do I really look that bad?' Jaina wondered. She leaned against a claw for support, and in moments, had floated Jag out. Mirax's brown eyes widened, and she rushed to help Jaina with Jag. Mirax pushed a small hovercart over to where Jag floated above the decking, and Jaina floated Jag down on top of it, set him down as gently as she could manage. "Thank you, Mirax." She whispered.
Mirax turned to her, a tight smile playing across her lips. "Not a problem, Jaina. Now, let's get Jag some attention, shall we? I don't have a bacta tank on board, but the Venture's only a short hop away. My father's got an extensive med facility there. First things first, though, Wedge asked me to drop down at base, and pick up any remaining stragglers. I'll get you guys settled in," she said, leading them down a hall, "And I'm assuming you'll need a medkit, right?"
Jaina nodded wearily. "Right."
"And am I correct in assuming that you'll want to be right by his side, too?" asked Mirax, a hint of a smile across her lips.
Jaina nodded, finding she couldn't summon the strength to tell Mirax yes.
"Listen, Jaina, I'll do a check of his vitals right now, and then I'll scan you, ok? We should be at the Venture in just short of three hours, if we find survivors and don't poke around base too long." Mirax pulled out a small scanner, and while she checked Jag, Jaina leaned against the wall, almost drifting off to sleep, when Mirax's voice jolted her out of her daze. "Jaina? You aren't looking so well, dear. Are you sure you want to stay in here? I can get you a bunk or something…"
Jaina blinked her brown eyes. "No, I'm fine, Mirax. Thanks."
Mirax just eyed her, before running a bioscan on Jaina. Jaina was vaguely aware of Mirax hissing her breath out through her teeth in aggravation.
"Jaina, stay with me here. I need you awake." She said, urgently.
"You didn't need Jag awake," Jaina mumbled.
"That was different. Talk to me. What happened?"
"S' a good question. I'm not too sure…me and Jag were prepping to go, when all of a sudden, there were warning alarms and then coralskippers, and…"
"Jaina, sit down. Don't drift off on me, now." Mirax commanded, pulling a repulsorchair over.
Jaina found she could barely keep her eyes open, and her speech was slowing and almost slurring. She'd given up on using the Force to prevent her injuries from bothering her, and she didn't need to use the Force right now; it was getting to be quite the strain. "And so there were explosions, and I got hurt, so Jag was carrying me to base from the landing grid, and then there was another explosion, and he's been out since…"
"Keep talking, Jaina. I'm almost done." Mirax said, not looking up.
"I took his Clawcraft, and we were waiting, cause I didn't know where to go, and then you showed up…"
Mirax pressed her lips in a tight line, trying not to wince. "Jaina? Listen, both of you will need bacta tanks as soon as we get out of system."
"Why? What's wrong with me?" asked Jaina drowsily.
"You got quite the concussion, which explains the speech and the sleepiness, and I'm thinking you cracked a rib, and you've got lots of burns, and shrapnel, and cuts all over." Mirax stated.
"Oh…an' what's wrong with Jag?" she asked.
"He's got a very serious concussion, broke some ribs, snapped his collarbone, and he's got burns, gashes and shrapnel all over, too."
"Oh…ouch…" Jaina mumbled. "Mirax?"
"Yeah, honey?" asked Mirax, concerned.
Jaina leaned her head back, closing her eyes. "Thanks…"
Mirax nodded. "I'm going to leave you two alone. If you need anything at all, you holler."
Jaina just nodded, almost imperceptibly. Mirax shook her head, and strode from the room. "Hey, Liat, I need the holocomm prepped, and take us down to Borleias."
* * *
Wedge smiled. "Once again, thank you so much, Mirax. You said Jaina and Jag were together?"
The black-haired Corellian nodded. "And pretty beat up too. I think they both have pretty serious concussions, and burns, shrapnel wounds and cuts, and I know Jag has cracked ribs and a broken collarbone on top of all that. I'm taking them and all survivors to the Errant Venture. You let me know when you want me to bring them back."
Wedge nodded. "Will do, Mirax." Wedge nodded to Tycho, who ended the transmission.
* * *
ok, everyone, more soon, I just got RS, so I'm gonna read that first before I write anymore, but updates soon after that! :D