Chapter 5

"Welcome and congratulations.  I'm Commander Antilles.  Here to my right is my second in command Colonel Halcyon.  And to my left is my Executive Officer Captain Tycho Celchu."

"Great a woman as second in command and I'm in her flight," Bror Jace said with disdain.

"I'd be careful if I were you Jace," Nawara warned, "I hear she's a Jedi." 

"Is there a problem Officer Jace?"  Jade asked. 

"No."

"No, what?"

"No ma'am," He said them muttered, "Women."

She heard it and used the Force to lift Jace out of his chair by the front of his shirt.  "I suggest officer, that you refrain from such comments in the future."

"Yes, ma'am."

She dropped him back into his chair and continued walking to the front of the room where Wedge and Tycho were smirking.

(Wedge's speech is borrowed from the great Michael Stackpole, I give all credit to him, and I do not own this!)

"Again, I'd like to welcome you to Rogue Squadron and congratulate you on being chosen for it," Wedge began.  ""You all know the history of this squadron.  Even before we were formally created, we were given the job of killing the first Death Star.  We did it, and lost a lot of fine pilots in the process.  All of them were and are heroes of the Rebellion – they'll be as famous as some of the old Jedi Knights in the years to come.  Rogue Squadron saw a lot of action guarding convoys and raiding Imperial shipping after that.  We covered the evacuation from Hoth, fought at Gall, and a year later, at Endor, we killed another Death Star.  From there we went to Bakura and fought the Ssi-ruuk."

"After seven years of nonstop fighting, the leadership of the New Republic decided to rebuild and revitalize this unit.  This was a wise choice because all of us—those who had survived—had seen a lot of new pilots come into Rogue Squadron and get killed in Rogue Squadron.  All of the veterans wanted to see Rogue Squadron continue, but also wanted to see the pilots in it get the training they needed to survive."

"About a year ago Admiral Ackbar, at the hest of the Provisional Council, presented me with the plans for re-forming Rogue Squadron.  Rogue Squadron had become a symbol for the Alliance.  It needed to live up to it's legend and become once again an elite group of pilots who could be called upon to do the sort of impossible jobs Rogue Squadron has always managed to complete.  As you know, we have interviewed and tested a lot of pilots—nearly a hundred for each of the dozen positions you now fill."

"The reason I mention all this to you is so that you'll be aware of something that might not have sunk in during your selection process.  You are elite pilots and you are more than just that, but no matter who you are, or how good you are, you'll never be considered as good as Biggs Darklighter or Jek Porkins or anyone else who has died in service to Rogue Squadron.  They are legends, this unit is a legend, and none of us are ever going to be able to be more than they are."

"Truth be told, most of you are already better pilots than a lot of the men and women who have died in this unit.  You are an eclectic bunch—two of you had death marks against you before you joined the Alliance and the rest of you will earn them as soon as the Empire learns who has been assigned to this unit.  You were chosen for your flying skill and for other skills you possess because Admiral Ackbar wants this unit to be more than just a fighter squadron.  He wants us to be able to operate independently if necessary and perform operations that would normally require a much larger group of individuals."

"Now Colonel Halcyon will explain the system we're using.  Colonel," he said motioning to Jade.

"Yes, we have 12 pilots split into 3 flights, lead by Cmdr. Antilles, myself and Lt. Horn.  Each of you will have a wing mate, they are as follows: Antilles/Ven, Vri'syk/Dlarit, Halcyon/Darklihgter, Ynr/Jace, Horn/Qyrgg, and Forge/Shiel.  Now Captain Celchu will explain you training."

"We will start training tomorrow with the Folor Run.  Then we will do additional training in your flights.  A few changes will be made for training purposes.  Lt. Horn will move to Col. Halcyon's flight.  Captains Wes Janson and Hobbie Klivian will join Flights 1 and 3 and former Cmdr.  Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker will take 3 flight lead."  As that statement came out there was mumbling all over the room.  Tycho cleared his throat, "If there are no questions I will turn the floor back over to Cmdr. Antilles."

"Well go get some rest tonight and good luck on your run tomorrow.  Dismissed."

Most pilots left immediately except for a small group that consist of Corran, Ooryl, Nawara, Rhys and Gavin.

Jade happened to overhear part of their conversation as she walked by.

"I can't wait to meet Skywalker," one said.

"He's pretty cool," Gavin said.

"What you know him?"

"Yeah, he, Biggs, and Jade…er, Col. Halcyon were best friends.  I used to tag along all of the time," Gavin told them.

"Well, personally," Corran started, "I can't wait to fly against him." 

Jade just smiled and interrupted.  "Excuse me, Lt. Horn, Officer Darklighter, may I speak with you?"

"Yes, ma'am."

They had walked a little ways down the hall before Corran spoke up.

"Colonel, I don't mean to be rude but was there a reason you need to see us?"

As they arrived at her office a messenger approached. 

"Colonel, Cmdr. Antilles wanted me to inform you that Captains Janson and Klivian have arrived."

"Thank you," she said.

"Also, Captain Janson said to tell you that if you want to warm up with him you can find him in room 353."

'Same ol' Wes,' she thought.  "You can tell him that he we're stuck on Hoth suffering from hypothermia I wouldn't so much as spit on him."  (Sorry had to borrow from Dark Journey.  Not the same words but same general meaning)

"Yes ma'am."

Jade turned to walk into her office and noticed the looks she was being given by Corran and Gavin.

"What?"

"Um…don't you think that was harsh?" Corran asked.

"That…oh sorry, that's an ongoing joke between Janson and I since we were stuck on that ice cube they call Hoth."

"Ah."

"And yes Lt. Horn there was a reason I wanted to see you," she said.  "If you'll come in," she added motioning inside.

"So Lt. Horn, you can't wait to fly against Cmdr. Skywalker?" she asked.

"I'm looking forward to it."

"Well, I'll just tell you one thing," she said smiling.

"And that is?" Corran asked.

"Nobody beats Luke Skywalker at his own game.  There is only one that ever has," she informed him.

"And that person would be…" he questioned.

"None of your business," she replied smirking.  "I just thought I'd warn you.  Go get some rest Lt. Horn and good luck on the run tomorrow."

"Yes ma'am, thank you," he saluted and left.

"What did you need me for Colonel?" Gavin asked.

"Gavin, please, just call me Jade. We're old friends."

"Yeah.  How have you been?"

"Good."

"What all have you done since you left?  Where have you been?" Gavin inquired.

"Jade smiled at Gavin's enthusiasm.  "Well we went straight to Yavin 4."

"That's where you met up with Biggs again," Gavin said sadly.

"Yeah," Jade said. "Luke and I were supposed to meet him and catch up after it was over.  The thought never crossed our minds that one of us wouldn't make it."

"Jade, if you don't mind me asking, what happened?"

"Well we went to attack the Death Star.  Luke and Biggs in X-Wings, I had to fly rescue.  I had fallen in basic training the week before and broken my arm.  Anyway, Luke, Biggs and Wedge were the last group left."  A few tears had fallen by now.

"Jade, you don't have to continue," Gavin said.

"No, it's ok.  Wedge was his and had to pull out.  Biggs was covering Luke's back…"

"As usual," Gavin said smiling.

"Yeah," Jade replied chuckling.  "Well Vader came after Luke and Biggs saved him."

"And you feel that it's your fault for not being there to protect them as usual," Gavin said knowingly.

"We'd always been there for each other and the one time they really needed me, I couldn't help."

"Jade, it wasn't your job to protect them.  They knew what they were getting into and all of the risks involved."

"I guess," Jade finally conceded.

"Look Jade," he paused, "I know that Biggs wouldn't want you to obsess over this.  He told me that the worst thing about leaving Tatooine was leaving you."  He looked over to Jade.  "You were so special to him Jade.  I think that deep down he really loved you."

"I know," Jade said looking at the floor.  "He tried to tell me before he left for battle, but I wouldn't listen to him.  I actually yelled at him."

"Jade, he knew what you went through, how hard it was for you to hear those words, no matter what context there were used in.  He knew the only person you could hear it from was Luke and he was like a brother to you."

"He died hating me Gavin!" she said forcefully.  "How can I live with that?"

"Jade he didn't hate you.  He wouldn't want you to carry this baggage around, he'd have forgiven you and wanted you to move on."

"How can I move on and believe he'd forgiven me if I can't forgive myself?" Jade asked quietly.

"Jade, what was the last thing he told you?"

"To be careful and he'd see me afterwards.  Then he gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek.  Why do you ask?"

"Just wondering.  Look I have something for you."  Gavin pulled a letter out of his pocket.  "Biggs gave this to me before he left for the academy."  He handed it to her.  "He wanted me to give it to you incase something happened."

"Thanks, I'll read it later."

"No problem, now lets go have some fun."

"Sure," Jade agreed.  "Just one question."

"Of course," Gavin agreed.

"When did you get so smart?"

"Haha, Jade, very funny."

The next day:

After the Folor Run Jade met up with Luke who had just arrived .

"Well Jade I thought this Horn guy was supposed to be a challenge," Luke said hugging Jade.

"Don't worry, Wedge is just teaching him a lesson," Jade assured him.  "Come on, let's grab some food."

"No argument from me," Luke said grinning.

"Punk."

They arrived in the mess hall and met up with Tycho, Wes and Hobbie.

"Can I have two Whryen's Reserves please?" Jade asked drawing stares from everyone.

"What?" she asked.

"Uh…Jade…are you sure you need two," Hobbie asked concerned.

"Don't worry, Wedge just walked in and looked like he needed a drink," Jade said innocently.

"Ah," they all agreed.

"Here Wedge," Jade said pushing the whiskey towards him, "you look like you need this."

"Yeah, and you and Luke will take turns flying against Horn tomorrow."

"I think Wes should do it just so he can embarrass himself," Tycho offered.

"And why is that?" Wes asked.

"One word," Hobbie said.  "Hoth."

"Oh crap, I knew that'd come back to haunt me someday!"

"Yeah," Wedge said, "there was the time he hung all of our clothes from the observation tower."

"Yeah, there was also the time he buried our undergarments in the snow."

"Yeah, that was good," he started saying but shut up after the glares he was given.

"Or how about the time he dumped ice water in out beds," Jade began.  "But then the heaters broke and it froze the mattresses, then when we finally thawed them out, they were wet for a week!"

"Oops, I forgot about that one," Wes mumbled.

"Or," Luke said, "the time that you decided to put green hair dye in your commanding officers shampoo."

"Uh, yeah," Wes said sinking down in his seat.

"Yeah, but Luke," Jade cut in, "You have to admit that it looked good on you."

The whole group laughed at that.

"Yeah," Luke countered, "and you looked great with purple hair."

"Yeah, well you guys did fill my room with snow," Wes countered.

"Yes, and that doesn't even begin to pay you back," Tycho said.

Everyone began laughing again.

Across the room:

"Hey Horn, I bet they're laughing at you," Bror Jace said.

"Jace," Rhys said, "Leave him alone."

"Corran, we're willing to go to Ackbar about this," Nawara said.

"What?" both Corran and Gavin said.

"Yes, we are all willing to take this to the Admiral."

"I'm not," Gavin stated.

"Well look here, Farmboy is making a stand," Jace taunted.  The kid's as green as the ale he's drinking and is trying to go against the whole squadron."

"Yes and that takes courage," Corran said.  "I admire that kid.  And I agree with him, you guys shouldn't do that.  I appreciate it, but it won't do any good."

"But Corran they humiliated you," Rhys protested.

"Yes, but with good reason.  I had a lesson I needed to learn."

"Well if you say so Horn," Nawara said.

"Well, I'm off to bed.  Long day tomorrow."

"Alright, goodnight Corran."

Corran was in the hall heading towards his room when he heard someone call out to him.

"Hey Corran, wait up!"

Corran turned to see Gavin jogging up.

"What is it Gavin?"

"Look I'm sorry about what happened today."

"Gavin, it's…"

"No please let me finish.  I don't agree with what they did, but I know that Ja…er, Colonel Halcyon would never do anything for pure meanness, there was a reason, I'm sure."

"Gavin, I know and it's ok.  I had a very long talk with Cmdr. Antilles that opened my eyes.  Don't worry about it kid.  I don't know about you, but I plan on making up for it tomorrow.  Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

Corran continued down the hallway to his room and ended up passing Colonel Halcyon's room.  As he went by, he felt the sudden need to check and see if everything was all right.  He knocked but there was no answer and he could hear someone inside.  Getting worried that something might be wrong he hurried and picked the lock.

"What are YOU doing?"