A/N: REVIEW! Oh, and one other thing-REVIEW!
"General Dodonna."
Dodonna turned. The Kenobi's hangar had been completely cleared for a party celebrating the victory, which both the Rebels and Car'das' smugglers were attending. "Yes?"
"We've completed our assessment of losses. We lost two squadrons of TIE fighters, but only three of them were actually piloted. Car'das also tells us that he lost a squadron of fighters, for which we will be making compensations."
The concept of that utterly disgusted Dodonna. Trading away human lives for money. But it was how things worked in the fringe, and the Rebels had little choice but to do business with those types of people.
"And Imperial losses?"
"14 Star Destroyers, five Golan I Space Defense Platforms, at least a hundred TIEs and the shipyards themselves. It should take them at least two years to recover from the blow."
Dodanna's mouth twisted itself into a smile. "Excellent. Begin organizing a memorial service for the pilots we lost."
"Yes, sir." The officer turned to leave. Dodonna grabbed his shoulder.
"After you come celebrate with us."
"Sir, I-"
"That's an order, uh…"
"Lieutenant."
"That's an order, lieutenant."
It was the lieutenant's turn to smile. "Thank you, sir."
"Just don't drink too much. We could be attacked any moment, and it wouldn't turn out very well if the entire army was drunk, would it?"
The officer laughed. "No sir. Don't worry, sir, I'll try to stay sober."
"I wish I could say the same for our smuggler friends."
The lieutenant glanced over. Almost everyone not wearing a rebel uniform was struggling to stay upright. Some had already lost the struggle and had been unceremoniously dragged against the walls.
"And while you're enjoying yourself, ask them a few questions. They may know something valuable."
The lieutenant nodded. Alcohol was the most effective interrogation method ever invented.
The Imperials were too insular to realize that, however. Their answer to everything was brute force. When dissent had begun to break in the galaxy, they had ruthlessly hunted down the leaders. And that crackdown had only strengthened their resolve. It was like the principle that kept objects afloat-you push on the water, and it pushes back. Torture had much the same effect on a person's spirit. It worked against the weak and the cowardly, but not against the people who had the courage to stand up to the tyrants.
A big grin on his face, the young lieutenant moved to join the festivities. Despite what he had told the General, he knew that he would have his worst hangover since he and his friends had a speeder filled with wine for the Imperial governor's palace when he had been 15.