Chapter 2



Shuttle Narra, Bonadon System



Kell guided the Narra, the Wraiths ancient shuttle, towards Bonadon's surface with unerring skill.

Anakin scratched at the stubble that had grown on his chin during the trip to Bonadon. "All the better for your disguise," Face had told him. What Face hadn't told him was how itchy it would be. His identity was Jalec Orev, bounty hunter. A fake cybernetic eye and a horrible scar that went from his chin to his temple. His normally dark brown hair had been dyed a sandy blond. A hooded cloak hid the amount of weaponry he was carrying. Anakin was packing four blaster pistols, a baldric containing a half dozen powerpacks and around the back of his cloak, hung his lightsaber.

"Bonadon Control to Shuttle Dorian Way. What is your cargo and destination?"

"I'm dropping off a load of passengers in Capitol City," Kell answered.

"I see. Hold position for a few moments while we scan your ship."

Kell stopped the shuttle and waited until Control spoke again.

"Shuttle Dorian Way, you are cleared to land in Docking Bay 7431 of Spaceport Complex II. Continue your current course."

"Thanks, Control. Have a nice day."

Anakin could almost see the controller rolling his eyes in disgust. They made it down to the surface and prepared to disembark. He unbuckled his lightsaber and opened his suitcase. Moving some cloths, he began to turn the old-style combination lock and opened the sensor proof compartment. Inside were several more sets of IDs and a small holdout blaster. He placed his lightsaber into the compartment and locked it.

"I'm ready," he announced.

"I'm ready too," grunted Piggy. Piggy was Anakin's 'partner,' going by the name of Grangald. He adjusted his belt and fixed his Gamorrean style vibro-axe across his back along with a laser rifle. Two pistols hung from his belt, hidden slightly from plain sight, but they weren't that hard to spot, if you looked closely.

The shuttle's ramp touched down and Anakin and Piggy were the first ones off. They shuffled through the hallways that led to the customs checkpoint. Anakin was first.

"Identification please," said the customs officer, looking rather bored.

"Sure." Anakin handed his identi-chip over and waited as the customs man slid it through a processing device.

"Mr Orev, your visa is good for two weeks. I see that you are fully licensed to carry and use concealed weaponry, but I would suggest you do not use your weapons on anyone except your quarry. Any shootings will be thoroughly investigated."

Anakin passed through the checkpoint and waited for Piggy to come through behind him. "What's our first stop?" asked Anakin.

"The Charléan Hotel. We check in, drop our stuff and begin our search for information."

"Starting with?"

"Ploovo Two-For-One and then a gangster called Bargga. A Hutt, I believe."

"That ought to make things interesting. Last time I was here, I ran a speeder into a hanger wall and killed two dozen stormies."

"I can see that," Piggy said pointing at an AdBoard. Anakin's picture was up there with the words 'wanted' and '100000 credit reward.'

"This isn't good."

"Don't worry too much Jalec. Just keep in character, and things'll go alright."



***

Ecplise-Class Super Star Destroyer Hope of the Alliance

Jaina Solo Fel eased her X-wing into Rogue Wing's hanger bay on board the Hope. The mechanic guided her in, but she didn't really need it. As she hopped out of her ship, an ensign approached her. "Colonel Fel!" He saluted.

She returned the saluted and said, "At ease, Ensign."

"I have orders from the Admiral that you and Colonel Fel are to meet him for dinner."

"Okay. Colonel Fel isn't far behind us." They waited for several minutes until Jag set his clawcraft down.

"What's going on, Jaina?"

"Uncle Wedge wants us to meet him for dinner."

"I've got to get my people settled in."

"We'll take care of it, Colonel Fel."

"Okay. Lead the way."

They were allowed to change into more formal attire, and then they were led through a labyrinth of corridors and turbolifts, with the Ensign pointing out various places on the way. Finally they were led into a large ballroom and banquet hall, in which were some of the greatest pilots the galaxy had ever known. Wedge Antilles, Soontir Fel (and his wife), Tycho Celchu, Wes Janson, Derek Klivian, Gavin Darklighter, Corran Horn, and many other famous Rogues that Jaina recognized from holo documentaries and dramas. Her Uncle Luke was there with Aunt Mara, as were her parents and Cal Omas, who had also flown with Wedge many years ago.

Jaina and Jag walked over to greet Wedge and Jag's parents. "Jag!" Syal Antilles Fel threw her arms around Jag in a tight embrace. "It's so good to see you." She turned and hugged Jaina. "It's so good to see you as well, Jaina."

She smiled and said, "You too, Mrs. Fel."

"You don't need to call me Mrs. Fel. You're part of the family. Syal will do."

Jag turned to his father. "What are you doing here?"

"Your mother-in-law invited us. She told us about Wedge's promotion and we came to congratulate him and see you."

"There's more, isn't there?"

"We've got a surprise for you later, son. For now, just relax."

Jag rolled his eyes and then looked over at Wedge. "Are you in on this, Uncle?"

Wedge shrugged. "Can't say."

"I take it you didn't plan this huge banquet?" asked Jaina."

"Nope. Your mother did. With Tycho, Hobbie, and Wes's help too."

"Well congratulations, Uncle Wedge." He was as much an uncle to her as he was to Jag. She had known Wedge all her life, and Wedge was her hold-father. He was practically a brother to her father and had always been there for Jaina and her family.

"Thanks Jaina."

They moved around the party for a while after that, greeting everyone. And then came the moment Wedge was dreading. Hobbie and Janson stood up on the stage and clinked their glasses with spoons. Janson went too far, and his glass shattered.

"For years," began Janson, "Lieutenant Colonel Klivian and I have served beside Wedge Antilles, the man we are honoring tonight. Most of you here have also served with him." Jaina saw grins blossom on the faces of former Rogues in anticipation of what they though was coming. "And tonight, the two of us just want to offer our congratulations. So Wedge, out of respect, we're not pulling any pranks at this banquet."

Everyone sentient in the room dropped their jaw (or whatever else they dropped when they were surprised.) Gavin Darklighter dropped his glass of Whyren's Reserve.

As he and Janson stepped off of the stage, Hobbie said to Wedge, "You owe us big time. We had something good planned."

"Lavaroo's on a mission, isn't he?"

Hobbie nodded guiltily. "Yep."

"You know, 'Lieutenant Kettch' is really starting to get old."

Hobbie waited until Janson had walked away. "Actually," he whispered, "I think it's Janson. He's been pretty strange lately. Late for duty, unauthorized flights." Hobbie stopped and considered that statement. "Well, they wouldn't be unauthorized, since he's in command of the Hope's hangers. But either way, I'm worried about him. Two new squadrons of pilots arrived this week, each with at least two human females, and he didn't hit on any of them."

"Huh. He's gotten to be kind of close with Major Requiem of Twin Suns squadron since the end of the Yuuzhan Vong war, right?"

Hobbie looked at Wedge quizzically. "Quite a bit. They both enjoy all the same things, guns, girls, fighting, flying, Corellian Whisky. He's a younger version of Janson. The kind of guy that'll follow you to hell and back, and never fail to be on your wing when you need him." He shrugged. "He's a good kid. Never let me down in a fight."

"Have him sent to my office tomorrow morning, quietly. I don't want Wes to know about this."

"Got it Boss. Don't worry too much. Well, I've got to go. There's a few old Rogues I've got to catch up with."

Wedge shook his head. Times were getting stranger by the day. What he wouldn't give to be back in the cockpit of an X-wing, in command of only Rogue Squadron.



***



Eclipse-Class Super Star Destroyer Hope of the Alliance

The pilot walked through the corridors of the Hope of the Alliance, heading for the quarters of Colonel Jagged Fel. When he reached the door, he knocked curtly. The door muffled Jag's reply. "Come in."

The new pilot hit the door activate button and walked in. Jag was pouring a bottle of fine Corellian wine into two glasses. "Expecting a visitor?"

Jag looked up and nearly dropped the bottle. "Sithspawn! What are you doing here?"

The pilot, Jag's youngest brother Carvar, grinned. "Joining the Rogues. Mom and Dad brought me."

Jag's eyes widened. "So you're the surprise," he murmured. Then louder, he said, "I thought you didn't want to enter the Academies."

"I didn't. I joined the Galactic Alliance of Free Republics two weeks ago, went through pilot training, and here I am, Flight Officer Carvar Fel, reporting to my superior officer."

Before Jag could reply, the door slid open, and Jaina walked in, wearing the same dress she had worn during Wedge's party. "What's going on, Jag? I thought it was just going to be the two of us..." she trailed off as Jag began to blush.

"Jaina, I'd like you to meet Flight Officer Carvar Fel, my brother, and the newest member of Rogue Wing. Carvar, this is my lovely wife, and another one of your superior officers within Rogue Wing, Colonel Jaina Solo Fel."

Cavar saluted.

Jaina returned the salute and shook the younger Fel's hand. "Pleased to meet you."

"Pleased to meet you too, Colonel."

"Well, you two probably have a lot of catching up to do, so I'll head back to my quarters," Jaina said quietly.

"You don't have to go-"

"No, that's fine." She gave Jag a kiss. "See you in the morning." And with that, she walked out.

Carvar turned to Jag with an apologetic expression. "Sorry about that."

"No problem. It's a long trip out to the Corporate Sector."

Carvar grinned. "You got yourself a wonderful girl, Jag. I think I already know the answer to this, but does she have a sister?"

Jag smiled a bit and said, "I've missed having you around, little brother."