9:01 P.M Dooliir

Captain Rax Hollafer watched, with sad eyes, the light from the Ences system's sun reflect off of the badge in his hand, the intense beam bearing up into his dilated pupils.

The badge's numerous spiked ends jabbed comfortably into his fingers, it's circular shape filled with a white clearness now looking empty without its host. The light bounced off in such a way that it seemed as though the badge were crying, knowing itself to be useless now. Kenny had worn it proudly during his time but had now cast it away, for a reason that Rax had barely been able to believe, and the badge might have not believed either if it had a soul.

Rax gently placed the badge down on his on his desk and rose out of his soft chair. His mind racing in thought, the short, confused man walked over to his mediocre-sized window, and stared out at the Cruiser Urenstad, floating peacefully next to the drifting wreckage of Sloman Colony. He wondered at it; how had he lost his best Crewmate to it? What was its appeal? Fun? Adventure? The thrill of the ride? To fight? To feel like a hero? Revenge? Yes, that's it, Rax answered himself. That's what he wants, and the Alliance is the best way to get it. He clasped his arms behind his back, not being able to take his eyes off the Cruiser. Lucky Rebels, he thought with a smile.

At last, the power of compassion had come full circle to Captain Rax Hollafer. As a Crystal Star merchant with a ship of his own, Rax had been forced to make decisions many times involving situations like the Sloman Massacre, where passion and revenge were sought by his peers. And through them all he hadn't allowed himself to get carried away by his emotions and revenge. His Crew may not have liked it, but Rax had always decided in the best interest of his Crew and ship.

He had played it safe on so many different occasions.

The Captain thought back to his most decisive decision: letting one thousand refugees on a passenger ship die instead of risking his ship to try and save them. He hadn't let his emotions get the best of him then, and let go of his compassion. The event had haunted him in his mind and his nightmares for years, and the sinking feeling that had rushed into his heart then was returning now, as was his compassion.

Rax turned away from the window. He picked up the badge and then placed it in a drawer inside his desk. Determined to help, he walked out of his small office and started on the quickest route to Kenny's quarters where, last time he had checked, Kenny was still packing his things. He need to talk to his devoted friend.

--

Kenny was closing up his suitcase when the staunch Rax rang the door chime.

"Who is it?"

"It's Rax. Can I come in please?"

"Sure."

The door opened and Rax darted into the room. "I'll help you," he said immediately.

Kenny looked away for a moment and the back at him. "With what?"

"Oh, you know what. Hunting down Vader and the Gatekeeper. Punishing them for what they did to your wife, and everyone else."

Kenny grinned and was about to respond when all of a sudden, the red light above his doorway started flashing and the alarm klaxons blared over the speakers.

Rax pulled out his comlink and switched it on. "Rax to bridge! What's going on?"

"A bunch of Imperial ships just dropped out of hyperspace on the other side of the field!" Fark Winher replied frantically on the other end. "The Gatekeeper, two Imperial Star Destroyers, and an Interdictor Cruiser! Bearing Mark 448-440 on an intercept course. Suggest you come to the bridge, sir!"

Rax and Kenny exchanged alarming glances as Kenny stood up to his full height. "I'm on the way. Tell the pilots to launch as soon as they get to their ships!" He burst out into the corridor, nearly running into a Crewman. "Reveal the launch bays!"

"Got it, sir!" Fark acknowledged.

"ETA to attack range for the Imperials?"

"Rax!" Kenny called from behind him.

"Seven minutes, thirty seconds!" Fark answered.

"What!" Rax called back to Kenny.

"I'm goin' down to fly," he responded, shoving past to Renevan.

"Fine," Rax said. He went in an opposite direction, then turned back after a few moments. "Looks like you get your revenge after all, Ferdan!" he called with a grin.

Kenny grinned and put a thumbs up to Rax behind his back. This is for you D.