Author's Note: This chapter was a blast to write and a little bit of a challenge, too. When I thought of Dyson's feelings for this chapter, I remembered how it feels to ride an above-track suspended rollercoaster, like Batman the Ride at Six Flags Over Texas. You feel like you can fly! It's also dedicated to my partner-in-crime and best friend, Christina because this is just the kind of fun we have together! :-D

Chapter Ten: From Scientist to Flyboy

Dear Diary,

I will have to admit that when I got up this morning and headed over to the hangar, I was feeling pretty nervous. I knew that was silly, though, because it wasn't like I was actually going to fly one of the snowspeeders. I was just going along for a ride.

Luke was already there when I arrived and was in his bright orange flight suit. He was looking over the speeder and talking to the Deck Officer. "Good morning, Eugene," he said when he spotted me. "There's an extra flight suit and a helmet in the locker room for you." He pointed to a room off to the side of the hangar. "Get changed and meet me back here. We leave in fifteen minutes."

I nodded and unconsciously took a deep breath. The acrid smell of fuel filled my nostrils. I really love that smell. I moved off to the locker room where there were several pilots getting changed and joking around with each other. I miss that camaraderie. Watching them brought back so many memories that I had tried to bury. I could clearly see my University squadron. They were my best friends, like my own brothers and sisters. We did everything together. I could also see the look of disbelief and shame on their faces when I was dismissed from the program. I'd let them down. I looked around at the same companionship that the Rogue Squadron was exhibiting now and I knew that I didn't want to do that to anyone again.

"Hey, Dyson!" called Hobbie in greeting. "Your locker's down there." He pointed to the end of the row.

"My locker?" I asked. "I don't have a..." But I did. There was a spare locker that had my name chalked up on it. Inside were a flight suit and a helmet. Reluctantly, I donned the bright orange flight suit, tucked the helmet under my arm and headed back to the hangar on the heels of the rest of the Rogues. It felt strange to be wearing the suit again, but comforting in a way.

Luke grinned at me as I approached. "It's about time we saw you in uniform!" I smiled wanly. "Are you ok?" he asked in a quieter voice so the others didn't hear.

I shrugged. "Yeah...kind of brings back some memories, you know?"

He nodded. "Don't sweat it," he said. "All you have to do is enjoy the ride." He gestured to the ladder. "After you." I strapped my helmet on, climbed up the ladder and settled myself into the rear cockpit. The speeders are designed so that the gunner's position faces backwards from the pilot's. I was looking over the tail of the machine and at the guns. I strapped myself in as Luke climbed up and into the forward cockpit. "Where's Dack?" I asked suddenly, remembering that he is Luke's partner.

I could hear the laughter over the comlink as the canopy began to lower above my head. "He's volunteered to let you take his place this morning," Luke said. "I think he's glad to sleep in for once."

I didn't blame him. The luxury of sleeping in at Echo Base was rare. There's just too much work to do. Luke's canopy lowered and we were soon off, at the lead of the dozen or so speeders.

"Rogue Leader to all ships, report in," I heard Luke's voice over the comlink. Quickly the other ships reported in. "Attack pattern alpha, now!" I watched as the ships quickly maneuvered their speeders behind ours in a sharp pattern. I was impressed. "Good job, boys," praised Luke. "That was faster than last time. Alright, attack pattern gamma." Again, they moved at lightening speed into a new pattern.

"Watch your left wing, Hobbie," I heard Wedge say.

For the next hour or so the speeders practiced their formations. I could practically feel my hands on the yoke of the speeder, aching to pilot one. I would be lying to myself if I said I didn't miss it. Wedge flew by us at one point during a break in the formations and waved at me. I waved back, smiling broadly. "Is that a smile I see on your face, Dyson? Are you having second thoughts?" he asked over the comlink.

"You wish, Wedge," I answered.

"Come on, Dyson. Admit that you miss this."

"Yeah, well...ok." I said.

"Alright! It's about time you stopped deluding yourself." The squadron laughed.

Luke said, "Ok, boys, that's enough for today. Head back to base."

"Copy that, Rogue Leader," I heard echoed in my headset from the eleven other speeders.

Luke didn't turn back to the base, though, but kept flying. "Where are we going?" I asked, confused.

"Thought I'd stay out for a few minutes longer," Luke responded. "Is that alright?"

"Sure!" I answered.

"Hang on, then." He flew the speeder higher into the air and did a barrel roll.

"WOOOOHOOOOO!" I yelled out loud as the icy plain in front me spun in crazy circles and the adrenaline poured through me. I definitely missed that feeling.

"Copy that!" Luke said over the com and we both laughed. He flew on for a few more moments and then asked, "Hey, Eugene..."

"Yeah?" I asked.

"Do you want to fly her back to base?"

I was quiet for a moment and thought rapidly. How often would I get the chance to fly again? I definitely missed it. And I really wanted to try out the speeder for myself.

"Eugene?" he asked.

"I would love to, commander. Thanks!"

"No problem," he said and landed the speeder down on the ice so we could change places. "She flies really easy," he coached me as I settled down into the cockpit and strapped myself in. "If you piloted a TIE fighter then this is nothing."

I grinned eagerly as the canopy lowered, and then started the speeder up and we were off. Diary, I can't tell you how exhilarating it was to be flying again. The feel of the stick in my hands and the vibrations of the engine under my feet thrilled me. I flew on, chatting with Luke about the features of the speeders and trying out some flying moves, even throwing a barrel roll. But it seemed like all too soon we were approaching the base. "Rogue Leader to Echo Base, request permission for landing," I said into the com.

"Permission granted, Rogue Leader...Skywalker, you sound odd. Is there something wrong with your com?"

"Nope," answered Luke. "That's Dyson you're talking to."

"Dyson?! Are you feeling alright, Skywalker?"

"Never felt better, Echo Base," he responded laughing as I guided the speeder into the hangar and landed.

The canopy lifted and I unbuckled myself and took my helmet off. I sat on the edge of the cockpit and couldn't resist waving down to Wedge as the ladder was rolled up to the speeder.

He looked shocked for a moment and then started hollering. "Dyson! I knew you were a pilot! Welcome to the squadron!"

"Not just yet," I answered as I clambered down the ladder. "That was just for fun, Wedge."

Luke followed me down. "You know, Lieutenant Dyson...if the base is attacked and we're deployed there's not a lot you'll be able to do here."

"I'll be a sub-commander of one of the evacuation ships," I replied as we headed back to the locker room to change. "Princess Leia worked out the plans months ago."

"That's true, but we could use you more on the squadron," Luke said. "You handled that speeder like a professional. I'll talk to Leia about switching you to the Rogues."

We reached the locker room and I leaned against the door and looked at both of them. I know when I'm defeated. "Alright," I answered. "Go ahead. But I'm still going to help out Commander Sinclair because there's just way too much work to do on her own. I can't quit my current job."

"So then you fly with Rogue Squadron part-time," Wedge answered. "You can fly on the morning practice runs." He clapped me on the back and we went into the locker room to change.

So, it looks like I'm a flyboy again. The Rebellion certainly utilizes every talent you've got!

Dear Diary,

I'm writing this during a break in trying to fix my speeder. It's certainly been a week. There's been a sudden drop in temperature and the speeders aren't functioning so well. There's been some bad news, too. Luke is missing. He and Han went out to set sensors earlier. Han came back but not Luke. Han went back out after him, but I'm afraid that he might not survive the night. The temperature drops rapidly after dark and the chances of surviving are next to nothing. Everyone is upset and the whole base is quiet. In the morning we're going to take the speeders out and look for them, which is why we're going to be up all night adapting the speeders to the colder weather. I'm already exhausted, but I'm not going to sleep until this thing is ready for flight.

We've got an energy field going up to protect us from us any attacks by the Empire, but they're running into snags.

Well, back to work. I only pray that Luke and Captain Solo are alright.

Dear Diary,

They're alive! Zev found them this morning and brought them back to base. Luke's expected to make a full recovery. Han's been trying to get out of here so he can pay off whoever he owes, but General Rieekan has ordered a lockdown until the energy shield is operational.

Evelyn was happy when she heard that I'd joined the squadron but the work is piling up. When I'm not flying on practice runs, I'm in the lab helping her but that also means late nights. However, I can't afford to be up late anymore because I have to be in top condition to fly. I can't be exhausted because it's too dangerous. It's a double-edged sword. I don't know what to do.

Well, I'm going to try and catch some sleep before I crash on top of these lab reports. I'm exhausted. I'm taking some sleeping drugs and turning off my alarm and my comlink so no one can bother me. GOOD NIGHT!