Title sucks. This a Conquest AU, covering the whole Edge of Victory duo (eventually). After that... who knows?
The idea is strange, and is the fault of my alternate personality, Jace (who you can read in 'The Phantom Guest', and my various MST's). So... what if everyone's favourite Hero Boy had taken Rogue Jedi up on his offer to join the Dozen, eh? Read on... (short posts... gomen)

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Anakin Solo sat down heavily on his bunk in his family's quarters. He took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. Calm. He needed calm. He shouldn't do anything when his emotions were ruling him so strongly - wasn't that what Uncle Luke taught? Or was it Jacen's philosophy... but Sith, it was so hard!

There was no way he could just sit here and think! There wasn't time! He had to go, he had to help. His friends at the Academy - most of all, Tahiri - were in danger!

But what could he do, really? All he had was his X-wing, his lightsabre and himself. True, the last two were a formidable force against Yuuzhan Vong - but would it be enough? Just how much danger was the Academy in?

More than he could handle alone, he was sure. But then, how?

An offer, made twice, came back to him. Anakin smiled grimly. A wild idea, a foolish idea, but, well... Why not? It might just help.

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Kyp Durron glanced up from his bunk as the door buzzed, mildly surprised. Oh, he had been expecting something, after how that meeting had gone… but not this.

"Come in," he called to the person behind the door, and used the Force to unlock it as he sat up.

Anakin stepped into Kyp's room, glancing round. He stood in the doorway for a moment, studying the older man carefully, warily, and then shut the door behind him. "I want to join your squadron," he said without preamble.

Kyp's eyes widened in surprise. "Why the sudden turnaround?"

"Because I-" Anakin hesitated. "I need your help."

Kyp frowned and leaned forward. "And how are these two facts connected?"

"The Academy is in danger. I need to go there to help, to warn them – fight, if the Vong are already there. I'll be going anyway," he informed Kyp, "but I could do with some backup."

"The Academy, huh? And Master Skywalker still won't do anything?"

Anakin clenched his fists, then breathed deeply, forcing himself to relax. He had known Kyp would be like this, and had decided to just deal with it. "He's tried. The Senate won't send anything; Jedi are a low priority at the moment. He's trying to contact Booster Terrik, but it'll take too long. Someone needs to go to Yavin 4 now."

"And you're that someone, and you think my Dozen should go with you." Kyp thought about it silently for a moment, then lay back on his bunk again, sighing. "Tell you what, Anakin. You convince your sister to join you, and I'm in."

Anakin frowned. "Jaina? Why?"

Kyp glanced at him, grinning. "Who wouldn't want two of the best starfighter pilots in the galaxy in his squadron? Jedi at that… Why do you think I keep offering you guys a place? I'm serious."

Anakin shook his head. "She won't go for it. She's still a Rogue."

"I think she will. Rogue Squadron are still keeping her out because of her eyes, right? That's not a problem with me – I've got confidence in her piloting abilities, even without perfect vision, though I'm sure she's recovered now. She wants to fly, she wants to fight; she can do that in my squadron."

"You're serious."

"Of course. Why wouldn't I be? This way, we all get what we want: I get the two best fighter pilots in the galaxy; you get to go save the Academy; and Jaina gets to fly."

Anakin swallowed. This isn't what I came here for… is it? He just wanted Kyp's help for the Academy. He didn't want to have to work out a deal.

"Well?"

Anakin hesitated a moment longer, then nodded. "I'll try and convince Jaina."

"Do or do not, young Solo," Kyp said with a smirk. "There is no try."

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"No," Jaina said flatly, turning away from Anakin and back to the mess of equipment all over her desk.

Anakin opened his mouth to plead with her, closed it and shrugged. "Fine, I'll go tell Kyp that and we'll-"

"Kyp? As in, Durron?" Jaina was curious now. "What's he got to do with this?"

"Oh, did I not mention that part?" Anakin grinned. "I'm joining the Dozen."

"No," Jaina repeated firmly, turning to face him again. "No way, Anakin."

"What, and you're going to stop me? Don't tell me you haven't thought about it."

"No, I've not. That's not the way to do this, Anakin-"

"Are you kidding me? It's the only way!" There was a fire in Anakin's ice-blue eyes now, a determined expression on his face. "If we don't go to Yavin 4 now, prepared to fight, then who knows what kind of danger the Academy will be in!"

Jaina tried to keep her voice calm. "Uncle Luke's taking care of it, little brother. He'll get Booster Terrik and Karrde and it'll be taken care of."

"It's not enough, Jaina. Who knows how long that could take! There's danger now. The Peace Brigade are out for Jedi, and if they have a list like Uldir said, then they'll know where the Academy is, too! It's in danger and we have to go."

"We can't-"

"The Academy, Jaina! Your friends are there, my friends are there." Anakin hesitated for a second – he didn't like to use Kyp's words, but it was becoming obvious he needed another point in this argument. "You'll get to fly again, Jaina, in a squadron. In the best squadron. You're itching to fly again, I know it, and you can do that in the Dozen, without the red tape Rogue Squadron has to adhere to."

Jaina stared at him, a look of incredulity on her face. "The Dozen? No, Anakin. I'm still in Rogue Squadron."

"They're not letting you fly, though, are they? Your vision's fine now, and they know it. Red tape, Jaina – the Vong are after Jedi, especially Solos, and Darklighter knows that as well as anyone."

"Gavin wouldn't-"

"You know that's why, Jaina." Anakin studied his sister for half a second, then shrugged. "Kyp's offering you a place in his squadron because he knows you're fine and that flying – fighting – in this war is important to you. Is it? What do I tell him? You want a place? Yes or no, Jaina."

Jaina took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "No, Anakin. Uncle Luke told us not to go, and I'm listening to him. You should try it once in your life."

Anakin nodded slowly, sadly, as if he had expected that answer. "So politics and rules are more important to you than the Academy and fighting – more important than flying, Jaina, flying." He turned and walked towards the door, keying it open, and stood in the doorway for a moment. He turned back and looked at Jaina, his determined gaze burning into her eyes. "If you change your mind and realise where your priorities are, then join me – join us. We're leaving in an hour. See you round, Jay."

And he walked out, leaving Jaina annoyed, confused, and wondering if maybe – maybe – Anakin and Kyp had the right idea after all.