Bavelle
Traen Naval Academy

Captain Etrum Abahn surveyed his modest apartment. A place that he rarely had time to visit these days. That was the life of a man such as himself, always a conflict calling one away to some distant battlefield. It seemed as if the galaxy's turmoil wouldn't let anyone rest. A shame really, he thought, Bavelle could be so beautiful. I'd love to be around long enough enjoy it for once.

Never a days rest for Etrum Abahn. Not for one with his unusual history and ability. Abahn a young hero of the Alliance, a tactical genius, a leader's leader. Or at least everyone thought so. Everyone except Abahn that is, he considered himself overrated. But it was partly true, it was he who helped the Jenrai Alliance win that battle, a victory over terrible odds. He had rallied the Jenrai forces and gave them his ideas, his suggestions, he helped focus them, and they had won had defeated the Hutt Fleet. But Abahn wasn't at all what everyone though he was, he had just wanted to live, to come out of the conflict and be able to go home. He didn't want to be a leader or a tactician. Who would have thought he would actually be so good at both. Sometimes it seems they will never let me live it down, he thought, smiling at some weird joke, his life.

Abahn walked over to the far wall of the apartment. He looked over the 'trophies' he had collected from his many exploits, and a large picture of his baby, his flagship the Yvarra. The holopics of friends that had fought with him, and those that died, over the course of his many battles hung on that wall. It seemed like so long already, and so many pictures he thought. He gazed into the mirror that hung in front of him. His thick dark brown hair still dominated his head, but there where a touch of gray in there as well. More and more these days. A raged scar still dominated his face crossing diagonally from the top right temple of his head down to the left of his chick, a memento from that faithful battle. He was only a young man. So why do I feel ancient when I'm away from the battle field. Which is rather sad in itself, he laughed to himself. Just then there was a tone from the door, he had a visitor.

"Come in please," he said. When the door opened he could see from the reflection in the wall mirror that it was an old friend. Abahn turned to greet him, snapping to attention and saluting. And in stepped Admiral Payden Zeshin, one of the top leaders of the JADF. He was a tall, broad shouldered man, with decidedly un-regulation long blond hair, and an electric gaze. He looked like he would be more at home on some designer's catwalk than in a military force. Abahn smiled as he remembered the adoration his female crew had for the man.

"Greetings Etrum...Goodness man put your arms down, no need for formalities." He shook his head as he entered and sat down on one of Abahn's lounge chairs.

"So," said Abahn, "To what do I owe the pleasure. Whenever you're around it always means trouble for me."

Zeshin smiled as he shook his head, "True enough Etrum, but not this time, we already discussed that at the briefing. Which is why I came. I wanted to see how you felt about this one."

Abahn's face turned solemn as he considered this. "Well I knew it was serious when you leader-types assigned me to the mission, not to sound cocky but the JADF has sent me on some hellraisers these past few years. Then there is the fleet you've assembled. Pretty extensive Zeshin."

"Indeed, but as you know when confronting an unknown enemy, it is better to have too many options than to few."

"True, and I guess it does warrant it. The reports the labheads gave us on those weapons were interesting. And our unknown aggressors seem to be formidable, based on our reports. I must say I'm not looking forward to leading my people into a situation like this…... An unknown situation Zeshin."

Zeshin nodded sagely, "Well I have some good news. I managed to assign some old friends of yours to the Yvarra." He smiled when he saw the 'OH NO' expression written on Abahn's face.

"Oooh Maker help me, not Yavin squadron," He said in mock agitation, "Yeah I missed those trouble makers. But now I know its serious if you've assigned them to this mission."

"Well my fellow higher ups thought it would show the Sanc Union how much we liked them, you know political foolishness like that. I know a few that have wanted the Sanc Union to join us for a while now. All jokes aside though, you know how good they are, you'll need all the edges you could get."

"Sadly for some reason I feel that's exactly what will be needed," Abahn admitted.

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Nejim Paet lay back in his bunk reading a new E-novel, he smiled as he read a particular page. The dark-skinned man always enjoyed his reading, it was good to do so on his time off, a nice way to mellow out between missions. Ah this is a good one. Well enjoy it while it lasts Nejim my boy. Its not like we get a lot of time off, he thought to himself. Nejim was a part of the illustrious Yavin squadron. The premiere squadron of JADF, of which Nejim was a founding member. Originally just designated Alpha squadron, they choose the name Yavin after some of their more harrowing exploits. To the pilots in it Yavin represented the longshot, the last hope, the bravery against hopeless odds. As it did to the Rebels of the Rebel Alliance so long ago, when they managed to defeat the terrible DeathStar. Given the squadrons history of pulling off fantastic victories despite the odds the name seemed fitting. It was a little different now than it had been though, originally it was full of a daring band of young pilots eager to protect the Jenrai Alliance against the Hutt Combine, now it was a whole other entity. An elite unit filled with the best and brightest of the Alliance pilots, quite the political showpony as well. They had been called upon for a nearly unending supply of missions over the years. Missions ranging from diplomatic escort, to routing out pirate bosses, to toppling evil warlords, they never got the time for much rest. As a result they tended to relish the time they got with fanatic defensiveness.

A tone rang at the door to his room, Nejim immediately cringed, What now? Is it time already! "What is it, enter."

"Hey Nejim have you heard!" said a strong melodic voice thought it was a bit labored. It was Giani Jinn, his Deveronian wingmate, he was clearly out of breathe. He burst into the small room, seemingly buzzing with excitement.

"About our assignment, Yes I heard, I'm already packed." Nejim smiled as he looked over at his disappointed wing mate. He knew Giani liked to be the barer of fresh news. "Don't look at me like that, you're the one that always disappears whenever we have some leave."

"Better than locking myself in a room like you, " he said as he walked over and playfully slapped the book out of Nejim's hand. "Gasad! Another assignment. And we just got back from Beta Esla IV. I was hoping for a longer break." His expression turned serious as he rubbed his chin with his hand. " I didn't even manage to get into any serious trouble this time."

Nejim let out an exasperated sign. He knew his wing mate was notorious for the fights he caused and the trouble he went looking for. What did he expect, Giani was a former street brawler after all.

"So Nejim, what do think about this one. "

"When I saw the news reports about trouble in Sanc I knew we might be assigned to it, still I figured the newsreps might be exaggerating the danger of the situation. After I read the reports, I was more inclined to think otherwise. And they're sending Abahn, so you now it is serious."

"I heard that as well. Perhaps this time we can actually engage some enemies." Giani's eyes blazed at the thought of coming conflict as he always did. "Nejim, most of the squadron is going out tonight as per standard tradition. Can we expect you this time." He was expectant as he eyed the brown-skinned human, Nejim was not known as a particularly social person.

"Sure why not, I need to get out more," said Nejim jumping up out of his bed suddenly and running a hand over his low-cut hair. "I'll be there."

Giani seemed pleasantly surprised. "We'll be at the Usual, about 4 from now." he said as he left the apartment. "I have other stuff to do," Giani said leaving, he had that mischievous look in his eye.