At the New Republic Academy,
Wedge Antilles entered the simulation room at the newly constructed starfighter pilot training center at the New Republic Academy. He walked over to the control board and aborted the simulation run. Twelve simulator cockpits popped open. Eleven students of various ages and species looked around in confusion. One pair of eyes turned directly towards Wedge and glared at him accusingly from under a faceplate. Wedge ignored the green- eyed stare.
"Simulation class is dismissed," Wedge said looking across the room, "Report to your next class at the appropriate time, but until then you have free time."
The students gave Wedge a hasty salute and hurriedly left the room. Wedge was alone in the room with the simulation instructor who had not yet left his simulator. Wedge walked over and crouched next to the simulator. He waited.
After a long silence, the instructor turned towards Wedge. He pulled off his helmet, revealing closely cropped brown hair and an intense expression. A haunted look hung around Commander Corran Horn.
"Why did you dismiss my class?" Corran demanded, "They had barely started the sim."
"It was the only way to actually talk to you," Wedge said sternly, "You have recently become all too skilled at finding ways to ignore me, Corran. Besides you're pushing them too hard in too short of a time."
"The more they die in sim, the more they learn. The more they learn, the less likely they are to die out there," Corran said gruffly.
"Yes, but the more they become frustrated, the less likely they are to learn correctly. What sim were they doing?"
"The Redemption Scenario," Corran responded.
"They've only been here two weeks and your putting them through that? They have to learn the basics first."
"No, they need to learn to analyze a situation quickly without giving into fear first," Corran said, "But you didn't come here to tell me how to instruct these kids."
"No, I didn't," Wedge admitted, "The Rogues voted and I was their candidate to talk to you. We know you've been upset since Ooryl died, but that's no reason to resign. A lot of people can teach squadrons, but not a lot of people can handle an X-wing like you can, Corran."
Corran slowly extracted himself from the simulator. He stood up, but still had to look up at Wedge. He began talking in a low voice.
"Then let me fly solo."
Wedge looked askance at Corran, "There's enough of us so you can have a wingman, Corran. You know that."
"Ooryl Qyrgg is my wingman," Corran replied, "No one will take that from him."
"Ooryl is dead!" Wedge exclaimed, "He died three weeks ago at Folor in a crash with the planet during a standard escort run. It was an unfortunate malfunction of his X-wing. I know it hurts, and that he was your good friend, but I know how it feels."
"Save the sympathy," Corran broke in, "You know what you're saying sounds trite. More importantly, it's not needed. Ooryl is not dead."
"There's nothing left of his X-wing longer than a half a meter; he couldn't have survived that crash."
"I couldn't have survived a certain crash on Coruscant years ago or a trip to Lusankya, but I did."
"That was different," Wedge protested.
"No it wasn't," Corran said as his eyes lost focus, "Someone else has taken up Iceheart's old tricks."
"What?" Wedge exclaimed
Corran shook his head. He looked at Wedge in confusion.
"What did I say?" Corran asked.
"Some reference to Iceheart and her tactics," Wedge replied, "Where did you go? It was like you weren't here."
"I don't know," Corran said shivering, "There was some strange echo in the Force."
"Please consider coming back to the squadron," Wedge pleaded.
"Not until you agree to help search for Ooryl."
"But he's dead."
"Humor me. Haven't I earned it? We looked for Jan Dodanna and the other Lusankya prisoners when we thought there was no hope. We found most of them alive." Corran said in a soft voice.
"How are you so convinced that he's alive?" Wedge asked curiously.
"I'd know if he died, Wedge," Corran said in exasperation, "He's been my wingman for almost twelve years. I knew when Lujayne died shortly after I joined the squadron. I knew when Mirax was kidnapped after knowing her for six, granted she is my wife. I am a Jedi after all, not solely a pilot."
"I know Corran, and your skills in many areas have saved the squadron numerous times," Wedge replied, "But if Ooryl is alive, and I am not trying to question your judgement, but where is he and why hasn't he reported in for the last three weeks?"
"I don't know," Corran admitted, "That's what frightens me."
Wedge Antilles entered the simulation room at the newly constructed starfighter pilot training center at the New Republic Academy. He walked over to the control board and aborted the simulation run. Twelve simulator cockpits popped open. Eleven students of various ages and species looked around in confusion. One pair of eyes turned directly towards Wedge and glared at him accusingly from under a faceplate. Wedge ignored the green- eyed stare.
"Simulation class is dismissed," Wedge said looking across the room, "Report to your next class at the appropriate time, but until then you have free time."
The students gave Wedge a hasty salute and hurriedly left the room. Wedge was alone in the room with the simulation instructor who had not yet left his simulator. Wedge walked over and crouched next to the simulator. He waited.
After a long silence, the instructor turned towards Wedge. He pulled off his helmet, revealing closely cropped brown hair and an intense expression. A haunted look hung around Commander Corran Horn.
"Why did you dismiss my class?" Corran demanded, "They had barely started the sim."
"It was the only way to actually talk to you," Wedge said sternly, "You have recently become all too skilled at finding ways to ignore me, Corran. Besides you're pushing them too hard in too short of a time."
"The more they die in sim, the more they learn. The more they learn, the less likely they are to die out there," Corran said gruffly.
"Yes, but the more they become frustrated, the less likely they are to learn correctly. What sim were they doing?"
"The Redemption Scenario," Corran responded.
"They've only been here two weeks and your putting them through that? They have to learn the basics first."
"No, they need to learn to analyze a situation quickly without giving into fear first," Corran said, "But you didn't come here to tell me how to instruct these kids."
"No, I didn't," Wedge admitted, "The Rogues voted and I was their candidate to talk to you. We know you've been upset since Ooryl died, but that's no reason to resign. A lot of people can teach squadrons, but not a lot of people can handle an X-wing like you can, Corran."
Corran slowly extracted himself from the simulator. He stood up, but still had to look up at Wedge. He began talking in a low voice.
"Then let me fly solo."
Wedge looked askance at Corran, "There's enough of us so you can have a wingman, Corran. You know that."
"Ooryl Qyrgg is my wingman," Corran replied, "No one will take that from him."
"Ooryl is dead!" Wedge exclaimed, "He died three weeks ago at Folor in a crash with the planet during a standard escort run. It was an unfortunate malfunction of his X-wing. I know it hurts, and that he was your good friend, but I know how it feels."
"Save the sympathy," Corran broke in, "You know what you're saying sounds trite. More importantly, it's not needed. Ooryl is not dead."
"There's nothing left of his X-wing longer than a half a meter; he couldn't have survived that crash."
"I couldn't have survived a certain crash on Coruscant years ago or a trip to Lusankya, but I did."
"That was different," Wedge protested.
"No it wasn't," Corran said as his eyes lost focus, "Someone else has taken up Iceheart's old tricks."
"What?" Wedge exclaimed
Corran shook his head. He looked at Wedge in confusion.
"What did I say?" Corran asked.
"Some reference to Iceheart and her tactics," Wedge replied, "Where did you go? It was like you weren't here."
"I don't know," Corran said shivering, "There was some strange echo in the Force."
"Please consider coming back to the squadron," Wedge pleaded.
"Not until you agree to help search for Ooryl."
"But he's dead."
"Humor me. Haven't I earned it? We looked for Jan Dodanna and the other Lusankya prisoners when we thought there was no hope. We found most of them alive." Corran said in a soft voice.
"How are you so convinced that he's alive?" Wedge asked curiously.
"I'd know if he died, Wedge," Corran said in exasperation, "He's been my wingman for almost twelve years. I knew when Lujayne died shortly after I joined the squadron. I knew when Mirax was kidnapped after knowing her for six, granted she is my wife. I am a Jedi after all, not solely a pilot."
"I know Corran, and your skills in many areas have saved the squadron numerous times," Wedge replied, "But if Ooryl is alive, and I am not trying to question your judgement, but where is he and why hasn't he reported in for the last three weeks?"
"I don't know," Corran admitted, "That's what frightens me."
