Author's Note: Again, sorry about the lateness of this chapter. I've had several major projects due and have been extremely busy with them. Since that's all done, hopefully I'll be posting more often.





Chapter 23

The Night Crawler grew on Anakin's viewport as he flew his XJ3 X-wing towards the Crawler. The ship was an older Corellian Corvette. It come out of the shipyard with several non-standard modifications. The Corvette could carry a squadron's worth of X-wings, and two or more TIE fighters. Anakin switched his comm over to the Wraith's private frequency when Gadget, his R5 astromech told him someone was hailing them.

"Solo? This is Captain Atril Tabanne aboard the Night Crawler. You're cleared to land in our shuttle bay."

"Copy Night Crawler. See you in a few minutes."

Anakin looped around and entered the shuttle bay. Inside was Lambda-class shuttle and a few techs scurrying around it. Anakin put down in the remaining berth and initiated the X-wing's shutdown sequence. He saw a Gamorrean dressed in a standard orange Rebellion flightsuit walk up to the X-wing.

Anakin hopped out of his X-wing and landed on the ground with out making a sound.

"Anakin Solo," the Gamorrean growled.

He nodded. "That's me. Uh, Anakin Solo reporting for duty!" He remembered to salute a little to late.

"Relax Solo. I'm Voort saBinring, but others call me Piggy. I'll be your guide on your tour of the Night Crawler. We captured this ship quite a while ago, right after the Wraiths were founded. We modified it to carry a squadron of X-wings. We'll put you through a few simulations of landings in the Night Crawler," he said in his mechanical tone as they headed towards the ship's bridge.

As they walked towards the bridge Anakin noticed one consistency: there were very few crewmen. "How come there's not a full crew?"

"Intelligence reasons. We handle secure material, so most of the crew are folks we've worked with over the years and have earned are trust. The rest are droids," replied Piggy.

They entered the bridge and found thirteen people there. "These are the Wraiths. This here, is Hohass Ekwesh." Piggy pointed towards a large humanoid being. "He's small for a Thakwaash, so he's called Runt." Looking at Runt, Anakin had to wonder how big other Thakwaash were, if Runt was considered small. Runt was almost as large as Kell.

"I believe you've met Kell, Face, and Shalla." Piggy gestured at each of them in turn. "That is Elassar Targon," he said as he nodded at a male Devaronian skulking at the back of the group. "Sharr Latt, Bhindi Drayson, and Baljos Arnjak." Anakin looked over each of the humans as Piggy spoke their names.

"Wait, Bhindi Drayson? Related to Admiral Drayson?"

Bhindi nodded. "And Mr. Arnjak, weren't you left on Coruscant? Uncle Luke mentioned that after I returned."

"I was. I hid out and got picked up when Coruscant was invaded." Anakin nodded.

Piggy continued. "This is Grabakhar." Anakin stared at the smaller figure in a cloak.

"A Noghri?"

"Yes," came Grabakhar's reply.

Piggy gestured at another small cloaked figure. "This is Lavaroo."

"Greetings Solo," said a high-pitched voice from inside the cloak.

"Yes, he is an Ewok. Modified the same way I was. We found him just before the Yuuzhan Vong War, during an operation on Bastion.

"This next Wraith is here for the duration of this mission. I believe you two know each other."

Anakin Skywalker stepped out from the back of the group. "Grandson."

Anakin nodded back at him and bade Piggy to continue. "These last two are members of our support personel. Cubber Daine, head mechanic, and Captain Atril Tabanne. Now that introductions are finished, Baljos will brief you on our current mission."

The Wraiths exited the bridge, leaving only Captain Tabanne, Baljos, and Anakin.

"Let's get to business. We've got to capture an Eclipse-class Super Star Destroyer. We've got a way to take it down, but first we need to get on board. Any ideas?"

They talked while they headed down to the hanger to grab Anakin's gear. After that, they headed towards Anakin's quarters. "I'd get some rack-time if I were you," said Baljos. "Face called a meeting tomorrow, which means we're probably going to finish putting this operation together. That also means we'll be working all day and likely into tomorrow night. See you tomorrow, Solo."

Baljos left Anakin alone in his quarters.

I think I've finally found a place where I'll be useful during this war, he thought with a smile.