The Struggle for Freedom: Chapter 7

A/N: Okay, if nobody reviews this chapter, I'm not going to post another one, because I have a feeling that no one's reviewing anymore. So if you want this to continue, please read and review.

Disclaimer: I will never own Star Wars, or any of its characters, except mine.

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Somewhere in space: Same time as before

~Meghan's POV~

This is the longest fifteen seconds of my life.

Not knowing where I'm going to end up, or whether I'm even going to make it through the jump.

Finally, after what seems like hours, but is just seconds, I revert back to real space.

Beeper immediately launches into a lecture on how stupid and dangerous that was, and how it could've easily killed us.

"Put a sock in it, Beeper, and try to find out where we are while I go look for things that can help us out until we reach this so-called 'Rebel base'." I snap, heading towards the storage compartment that is behind the pilot seat, and I have to duck so I won't hit the canopy.

I look through it, finding food, a blaster, a helmet, and money. 'Well, at least this will last us a while,' I think, heading back to the front with the blaster belt around my waist, and the helmet in my hands.

Beeper whistles to get my attention, "Put the helmet on, why?" I ask, not fully understanding.

He squawks, saying that all pilots wear them to protect their heads. I put the helmet on, feeling strange doing so, as if feeling that before I was never a pilot, but now I am, one of the professionals.

It's a strange feeling.

Beeper beeps, interrupting my thoughts, saying that we're ready to go; I sit into the chair, ready for anything as I strap myself in while the lights of hyperspace start once again.

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Near Correlia: Two weeks later

I'm really getting sick of this.

I know it's only been two weeks, but the fact that I have to sleep on the metal floor of the X-Wing, with the fighter being on autopilot, and eating what Beeper calls "survivor rations," isn't fun.

Also, flying from one part of the galaxy to another, only stopping to refuel, which is also hard; because I keep my helmet on to hide my identity when I pay.

The final thing is that we haven't got any idea where this rebel base is; the last location where Beeper said it was, was destroyed. We almost got attacked on the way out; thankfully, quick thinking and maneuvers got us out of that situation.

I guess it could be worse; I could still be with Tarkin, I decide, eating another bit of what Beeper calls 'survivor rations.'

I already told Beeper of what happened that made the sudden departure, and he fully understood.

The sudden swirl of hyperspace is suddenly ended as we're ripped out of hyperspace.

And suddenly there's a TIE flying right at me, lasers flashing.

Instinct took over from those six months of practice, and I immediately slam the stick to the right, barely missing the fire.

"Beeper, find out who is who, and what ships are what," I snap, juking to avoid the TIE that's now on my tail.

'Thank the force that I keep the shields on while in hyperspace,' I think, chopping the throttle to zero to try to get the TIE off my tail.

It didn't work; it started firing on me more.

'Time for plan B' I think calmly, putting the throttle to full, and going into a loop, when I see the TIE explode before my eyes.

"Okay, who was that?" I ask.

"That was Red Seven, and now you owe me a drink." A voice that I never heard before says.

"Beeper, did you open the communications without telling me?" I ask, embarrassed.

Beeper laughs, explaining that he did, "Remind me to kill you later," I mutter, and then say: "Who is this?"

"This is the Rebel Alliance, we will greatly appreciate your help, if you're willing to give it." An official voice says.

"Sure," I say, jumping into the dogfight.

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Same place: After the battle

'Well, it looks like I found the Rebel Alliance that Ackbar was talking about,' I think as the fighters go into what Beeper ID as a Correlian Cruiser.

I take a deep breath 'here goes nothing' "I want to seek sanctuary in the Rebel Alliance." I say, trying to sound as official as possible with my heart hammering in my chest.

There is dead silence over the intercom for several minutes as the words are absorbed.

"Why?" Is finally the response.

"It is personal, sir, I would rather not talk about it over the comlink." I explain.

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Correlian Cruiser: Same time

~Captains POV~

"What do you think?" I ask the crew, wondering what to do about our predicament.

"I don't know, she sounds young and inexperienced from the communications. I think that we should give her a chance." The communications officer says.

Each member of the crew gives his or her own opinion.

Until it is even.

With one vote left.

Mine.

I look at the sleek, shiny X-wing, the one that has the hopeful young pilot asking for sanctuary, thinking, deciding that.

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X-Wing Docking Bay: Five minutes later

~Wedge's POV~

I watch as the rogue X-Wing lands.

I'm curious about it.

From what I can tell, the pilot sounds young, inexperienced.

That's what interests me.

I watch as the ship expertly lands, much to my surprise. 'Maybe the pilot isn't as inexperienced as I thought.' I think as the canopy opens, and the pilot removes her helmet.

She waits patiently for the ladder to hang from the side of her X-Wing, and then slowly climbs down it.

I gasp when I see her back.

The jumpsuit is torn to shreds; showing bruises, whip lashes, and welts all over her back.

"Emperor's black bones," I hear Wes whisper beside me.

I don't know what to say, or how to react.

She turns to us, fear showing plainly in her eyes, and more bruises and other injuries covering her face, I also notice that she's not putting any weight on her right leg.

The crewmembers slowly approach her, and lead her to pilots sleeping quarters.

There's dead silence after she leaves for several minutes, as everyone including me, try to recover from the horrific sight that we just saw.

Wes is the first one to speak: "What in the Sith happened to that girl?"

Honestly, I can't even begin to imagine.

TBC.

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A/N: Remember, if you want this story to continue, please review, otherwise I will stop updating this story. Please read and review.