Chapter Two
A day later, Crystal and Krinu were sitting in the mess hall with two other candidates; Flight Officer Tamika Pefrin (The tall redhead from the previous day) and Flight Officer Gaern Kyrn (a woman Crystal flew with during one of her sim runs).
"I must admit, Commander, I never thought I would be here," Gaern admitted, brushing a few loose strands of hair away from her face.
"Why is that?"
"Well, I'm from Bakura, for one."
"That doesn't mean anything."
"You don't know what I went through while I was in the academy."
"What do you mean?" Tamika asked.
"Well, I was on the receiving end of about two dozen practical jokes…"
"Typical," Tamika said.
"Not in my case. Then, I was failed from three of my classes simply because I was what the instructor called 'disobedient.'"
"What did he mean by that?" Crystal asked.
"Well, He said that, because I was from an 'Imperial planet' I had better not give him trouble or else."
"He actually said that?" Tamika asked, taking a sip from her drink.
"Yeah. And, when I started to argue, he told me he was kicking me out of his class and, instead of withdrawing me from the class, he failed me."
"Did you tell anyone about it?" Crystal asked.
"I tried. My immediate superior wouldn't listen and the CO of the academy wouldn't even talk to me."
"That's ridiculous," Crystal said. "You should talk to Captain Needa about it. I'm sure he can get things done."
"Yeah," Tamika agreed. "I heard that he was…" She was interrupted by her comlink.
"Flight Officer Pefrin, your presence has been requested by Captain Aerick Needa. You are to meet in Briefing Room Isk on the third floor." She heard her companions' comlinks repeat the same message.
"I think we have a squadron roster," Crystal said.
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The four women walked into the Briefing Room to see that it was almost full. The other seven squadron candidates were already seated and Captain Needa was standing in front of the holoprojector and a gold protocol droid was standing next to him. As the women sat down, a pair of military aides started passing out packets filled with sheets of flimsiplast and unit patches: A single X-wing soaring over a mountain range.
"I'd like to welcome you all," Captain Needa started his briefing. "Out of all the candidates interviewed, you twelve were the best. Keep in mind that there were literally hundreds of people who were just as qualified as you, but, to be blunt, you eleven were on the top of my list and the others weren't.
"So, I know some of you have met, but, for those of you who haven't, let me go around the table.
"First off, we have Lieutenant Commander Crystal Sandskimmer. Already a combat veteran, she is also an ace three times over in the X-wing having been through several pitched battles between Imperial and Alliance ships."
"Ten eyeballs, three squints and three dupes, sir," Crystal said, smiling.
"Also a master swordsman, from what I read in your records."
"Yes, sir. I learned to fight with a sword and graduated to a lightsaber a few years ago."
"I'd love to see that some time. Next, we have Lieutenant Krinuv'ani, another combat veteran. Like a few of us, she's been through combat, having three eyeballs and a dupe to her credit."
"Uh, that's two eyeballs and a dupe, sir," Krinu corrected.
"Oh…my mistake. Next on the list, we have Lieutenant Liset Miant. Another combat vet, Liset has two kills to her name."
"A pair of pirates who tried to prey on the convoy I was protecting," Liset looked unhappy as she spoke.
"Next up, we have Lieutenant Dojan Reas. While not a combat vet, it says in your record that you were attacked and have a kill to your name."
"Aye, sir. While on patrol, my wingman and I were jumped by a pair of Assault Gunboats. X-wings—2, Gunboats—0." There was some chuckling at that.
"Indeed. Next, we have Lieutenant Hren Sllr. Another combat vet with three kills."
"Eyeballs. All three," She chittered in Sullustian as a protocol droid translated. "Easy kills, too."
"Not all of them are, Lieutenant. Next, Lieutenant Jessa Milerna. An ex-pirate who preyed mainly on Imps, from what I read in your record."
"Aye, sir. Two eyeballs and two dupes to my name. I left my former commander because I wanted a bigger challenge."
"You'll get it, from what I hear. Next, the new recruits, fresh from the academy. First, we have Flight Officer Renn Shrike. Majored in astrophysics?"
"I always loved watching the stars when I was a kid."
"You sure you're still not a kid?" Crystal joked.
"Ma'am? I'm 18."
"It was a joke, Renn."
"Oh."
Aerick cleared his throat. "If we can proceed. Next on the list, we have Flight Officer Piotr Krillin. Recruited by Admiral Ackbar, he was top five in his class.
"Next, we have Flight Officer Tamika Pefrin. And, incidentally, she was the top flyer in her class, and valedictorian."
"I had a lot of help with that, sir," Tamika said.
"I'll bet. Next, we have Flight Officer Yrida Fhten, only the second Gand, and the first Female from Gand to graduate from the New Republic Academy."
"Yrida is honored to be thought of as an equal to Ooryl Qrygg. But, Fhten knows this is not true."
"But, one day, it will be," Aerick replied. "And last, but certainly not least, we have Flight Officer Gaern Kyrn. The first Bakuran in the New Republic Armed Forces."
"Not that I brag about these things."
"Well, do we have any questions so far?" Aerick asked.
Crystal raised her hand. "Captain, exactly where will we be posted?"
"A good question, Lieutenant Commander." He switched on the holo-proj and a hologram of an Imperial-class Star Destroyer mark II materialized in the middle of the conference table. "This is the ImpStar Deuce Allegiance. We've been assigned to the hunt for Warlord Zsinj. We'll be a part of General Solo's fleet."
"The General Solo?" Krinu asked, her lekku twitching in a manner that Crystal came to understand as the Twi'lek equivalent of surprise.
"That's correct. As I was saying, we'll be stationed on board the Allegiance. Our duty is, of course, to provide tactical superiority for General Solo. We will be directly under Commander Antilles' command."
"Commander Wedge Antilles?" Crystal asked, her eyebrows lifted in surprise.
"I know what you're all thinking. And I share your enthusiasm at working alongside some of the Rebellion's greatest heroes. And yes, Rogue Squadron is also going to be a part of this operation."
"Why were we picked for such prestigious duty?" Flight Officer Kyrn asked.
"To be blunt, Starfighter Command is in the middle of revamping not only their command structure, but also their methods for deployment. So many squadrons are in transit to their duty stations or just plain lost that we're actually in the middle of a manpower shortage.
"Despite all of that, we will be a part of a large operation with at least twenty other squadrons. And that's just one of General Solo's battle groups.
"Any other questions?"
Krinu raised a hand. "We know you're our Commanding Officer, but have you chosen an Executive Officer?"
"As a matter of fact, I have. Unfortunately, this person doesn't know it just yet. But, better late than never, right?"
"So, who is it, Captain?" Crystal asked, reluctantly.
"Well…to be blunt, you."
"Me, sir?" Crystal said, shock evident on her face.
"You have more experience than everyone here, excluding me."
"But…" Crystal sputtered.
"Save it for later. For now, you're entitled to solo quarters and a promotion, Commander Sandskimmer."
"But…"
"When we get on station, we'll make sure everything is official."
"But…"
"Everyone, you're dismissed. Commander Sandskimmer, I need you to stay behind so we can talk." The other pilots filed out, leaving Aerick and Crystal alone.
"Captain…"
"Please, call me Aerick."
"Okay. Aerick, I don't deserve this."
"Listen, I need an XO. No one else is as qualified as you."
"But, I have no experience in command!"
"Neither did I. You'll get used to it. Believe me."
"But, I'm not ready for this kind of responsibility!"
"Neither was I. Let me tell you something, Commander…"
"It's Crystal. Believe me, I prefer the familiarity more than most people think."
"Okay, Crystal. Let me explain. When I first inherited command of High Flight Squadron, we were sent into a battle against a pirate group along the Outer Rim. I was not much older than you are now…"
"So this was, what ten years ago?"
"Quiet, you. It was only a year ago. We weren't expecting much opposition. The outpost was supposed to be guarded by a pair of Corellian Corvettes.
"When we dropped out of hyperspace, we were ambushed. Two Nebulon-B class Frigates, six Corvettes and a pair of Corellian Gunships. Oh, and five squadrons of DIE-wings."
"DIE-wings?"
"Uglies. The ball cockpit of a TIE mated with the engine nacelles of a Y-wing. Not exactly a formidable fighter, but we were only being supported by two Frigates of our own. The DIE-wings chewed my squadron to pieces, leaving two of us to escape with one of the two Frigates. When I returned, Alliance Command gave me a medal."
"For what? You were ambushed!"
"My sentiments exactly. High Command didn't think so. They gave me and my wingman the Kalidor Crescent. Well, after that, my wingman resigned. She was shaken so badly, she is still undergoing mental treatment. I, on the other hand, rebuilt the squadron, only to have it destroyed by Imperials in a pitched battle in the Vergasso Asteroid Belt six months later. I was the sole survivor from High Flight after that battle. So, here I am, rebuilding again." Aerick planted his forehead on his arms, shaking his head.
"I'm sorry to hear about all of that. I really am. But, I still don't think I'm ready."
"Well, we have two weeks before we're activated. I suggest we get some time in the simulators and some live fire exercises as well."
"Agreed," Crystal said, resignedly. Like it or not, she was now XO.