A few hours upon touching down on D'Qar, Tina Angera shook herself and her weapon off. What a surprising few hours in a day. Sure, she had slept, but she was still shaken by everything. She remembered shivering on that damned cold world and now here she was, somehow alive in a jungle world that strangely never saw action during the Galactic Civil War.

What made it even stranger was that even though her mother retired and her father continued to represent Zygerria that no one had thought to think this girl was important. No one but her mother had even come to her Jedi Knighthood ceremony. That was two days in the years before he destroyed it all and Luke had vanished. Again, what made things stranger was the two lingering presences she had sensed; other than Leia's of course. She hadn't sensed a power like that in ages.

The feline young woman shook his head. She had cut herself off to prevent him from finding him and killing him. None of it just didn't add up. Then again, being the daughter of a Senator and a Jedi was a real thing. Her dusty old lightsaber was a real thing. So were the pilots who rescued her. Hunger, trauma, relief and confusion roiled in her mind and she started pacing as she looked out the window. Soldiers in brown or green were training or jogging. Pilots were joking around or doing target practice. Droids milling about their latest assignments. Starfighters like the iconic X-Wing or Y-Wings were being fueled up or being repaired. The two big ships alongside the battered old gunship definitely made things weirder. A Clone Wars-era larty was extremely hard to come by. All of them were scrapped by now and most could barely keep up with the newest fighters.

What added to her confusion was the arguing. Tina sighed as her paws hit the ferrocrete gray paths as she found her way to the two responsible for the loud shouting.

Sergeant Alkin Sato groaned, "Private, I swear, you're not even old enough to drink caf! Why the hell is all of it almost gone?!"

Leo snapped as he looked over his exam papers, "I needed to study so, yes the caf is necessary. What's got you in a tizzy?:

The Mykapoan young man pinched the bridge of his nose, "There's a tapcaf shortage notice that CR-0W put up, or did you not get the fact a lot of us need caf to wake up?"

Leo shrugged, "Well, as they say, losers weepers, finders keepers. Now, bugger off. I got exams to prepare for."

Captain Alkin pursed his lips, "Cadet, who's your instructor?"

The six foot tall young man tried to get out of it, "Uh, uhm.. Who're we talking about?

The young man bearing the captain's rank on his jacket had his hands on his hips. "Do you want the General or Kailee or Garrett or all three at once on you about this?"

The brown-haired boy's shoulders clenched as he paled. "By the Force, No! Alkin please! If they find out there's a shortage again because of me, I'm never gonna be able to fly!"

The grandson of Commander Sato ran his hand through his dark hair, his other hand resetting on the pommel of what looked to be a sword at the waist. This kid was a handful as the other junior officers around here. Pushing up his goggles to his pose, the young Sergeant took up a stance that exuded military seriousness.

"Then next time, just learn to take one cup of caf. CR-0W put up that rule in the first place." warned the Mykapoan.

The private in Resistance green sagged his shoulders, The boy didn't mean to drink all of it. Maybe he did have a problem. "Well, they won't know about it if you get your mouth shut about it. I can make it worth your while."

Alkin gave a deadpan bark, "No. I am not some corrupt politician you can just pay off! What do you take me for?"

"A very well dressed butler." snarked the Starlight cadet said as he sipped his fifth cup of caf.

Alkin sighed, "I should have known. You'd pick that , save some for the rest of us. You're hogging it all."

The young recently minted Sergeant had gotten in up in rank just a few weeks ago. Still wasn't used to the surprise either. After all, Ello Asty had a lot of faith in him, but he was a little unsure. It was no wonder Cadets could easily take advantage of him and get him to look the other way. Just as he was about to muster up a good counter argument, He saw the look in the boy's eyes. Oh not this look again. This one had been fired at him multiple times. And how many times had Leo gotten into a scuffle with his fellow cadets or snarked at an officer using this look.?

Leo had this fiery look in his eyes, and smacked Alkin on the shoulder, "Look, I'm getting my caf, and there's no way some two-bit Sergeant newbie is gonna boss me!"

Alkin narrowed his eyes as he laid a hand on his blade, "Watch it. That could be considered assault on an officer of higher rank. That could get you kicked out from boot camp!"

Leo had to roll his eyes "Oh please. If anything; my father can have me reinstated any time with just the right words."

The Captain shot back, "You can't rely on Garrett for everything you know. Now, come on, save the caf for the others. Kaydel needs it too-HEY!"

The brown-haired cadet pulled Alkin by his collar, "Listen here, Like I said, I ain't letting you take me from my caf, You better beat it, Captain. You may be experienced but given a few study sessions on your fighting style and culture, I have ways to bring you to your knee-!"

"And just what do you think you're doing, Leo?" Garrett's voice cut through the air.

Leo paled. Oh crap. He got caught. Again. He looked up to see Garrett and Captain Marory inbound. He let go of Alkin and dusted the Sergeant off to make it appear as iif he was okay. He gave a wide smile, acting as if he hadn't threatened Alkin. Well, he wa sin certainly a huge amount trouble if he attracted his mentor and his father-figure.

The boy attempted to speak, "Uhm, sirs. I was just reminded Alkin of why I need caf, but he just provoked me while I'm here studying-"

Marory cocked a brow and snapped, "At attention, Private." Those three words forced Leo at attention. "Don't be timid and don't make excuses or pass the blame, Private. Especially if you're in the running to be in my Squadron."

The Zabrak turned to Alkin, "Sergeant, what happened here, and you can speak freely, so explain?."

Alkin replied, "I've been reminding this one about the tapcaf shortage but it seems sir, he just doesn't boy has no discipline to even speak to an officer respectfully. He's flippant."

Marory turned to the cadet with a hard look. As did Garrett. Both of them were equally disappointed. "Is that so? Private, would you care to explain yourself? Truthfully."

Leo retorted, "I did, sir! I was here studying, sipping caf, and he comes and accosts me just because he's a Sergeant. Just because he has a rank doesn't mean he can boss others like me around-!"

Garrett came in hard with his voice, "Accusing him of pulling rank because he's lazy, Leo Starlight? How many cups of caf did you have this time, fifty? You better start with the truth, or I will get Leia and you'll be dealing with her. Just be lucky I got here before she did. Am I clear?"

Leo argued, "You're only covering for him because he's new at his job, if anything discipline him for bullying a junior officer! Technically that's corruption at the top rank-"

Garrett's head angled itself, with a very familiar stern look. "I said Am. I. Clear?"

The boy was about to hit with another counter argument then his face faulted. He straightened, once again realizing he was pretty much in deep bantha poodoo no what he tried to pull. There was just no easy way to get out of trouble. Leo swallowed his pride and squared his shoulders.

Leo stood at attention, "Yessir. Orders?"

Garrett barked, "First, no filiching caf until the shortage is over. Failure to comply once is talk from Marory and no flight training and the shooting range for a week. Another time is a talk from me and no flights or the shooting range for a few months. .A third and final time, a talk from Leia and no flight training or the range for a year. Back talking will extend the punishments, understand?"

Leo eyed Garrett pleadingly but then inhaled, "Yessir."

"At ease and dismissed. Get back to your studies." The Corellian nodded as he and the three officers began discussing the next possible Mission.

An amused General Organa marched over as Tina facepawed at the mess that had just happened, "Tina Angera, we're going to need to see you in the briefing room in about ten minutes. Is that alright?"

Tina nodded, "Just call me Tina, okay? And sure, ma'am..."

She was handed some clothes to change into but the look of ,"what just happened here," laid still on her face.

Leia then said knowingly, "It happens more often than you think with him."

On the Pulverizer main deck, Gilsten eyed General Hux and Kylo Ren as they rippled into view on the holo comms.

WR-27 was giving a full report, "Of course they managed to escape. Jumping into hyperspace before I could place a tracker on them. Typical last minute dramatics from the Resistance. Especially with X-Wings."

Something of pride mixed with hatred resounded in her voice. Almost as if an old part of her still lingered but that proved to be a false memory. Still, there was a respect for the X-Wing and it was rightly deserved. Considering it was titled as a space superiority fighter for a reason much like the TIE Fighters of then and now.

General Hux strode back as Gilsten's eyes bulged from their sockets. He knew full well what was going to happen. Would that happen though? Kylo raised his hand as if reaching for his lightsaber. Kara gave him a look. A look only known as the "Mom" look to some younglings. The Dark Sider retracted his hand and gave what could only be assumed as displeased in his stance.

The warrior gave a curt nod, "I suppose this means we have another failure at our hands. Angera was supposed to either be destroyed or be brought to us."

General Hux spoke up, authority clear in his voice, "As usual it is those three who have interfered. It seems they caught wind of our activities. How?"

Kara then typed away her datapad, "I'm having the ship scanned for any signs of data leaks for hacks. They're somehow knowing what we're up to."

She added sardonically, "That or our explosive way of kidnapping people seems to catch their eyes sooner than a Rathar catches gundarks."

Hux snapped, "Despite your courageousness that I admire, may I remind you, during these meetings I do not appreciate the tone, Director. Keep it professional. Especially in front of Kylo Ren."

WR-27 then countered, "Bear in mind, she is to keep Kylo Ren on his toes. Snoke's orders."

She trained her weapon on him. Everyone stared in astonishment or confusion. Everyone waited to see if she would shoot Hux or not. The crews stopped working, itching to see what would happen next. Everything seemed to depend on this one shot. One could feel a pin drop in the tension. Just one pull. One trigger pull could end this man right now.

Kara gawked at the Major. WR-27 had never stood up for her before, "I guess I made a much better impression than I thought."

Hux arched a brow, "I suppose you do. But theatrics gets you nowhere."

WR-27 merely gave a cold stare. The crimson warrior hated it when her Superiors decided how to treat the Desk Jockeys. At least, she treated them as if they fought on the front lines; with the respect they rightly deserve. After all, if it wasn't for them...

The woman spoke out loud, "They're not expendable. They keep the First Order running tip top shape. You better understand that or else, I won't be holding back next time."

Kara blew a low whistle, "She's scary."

A stormtrooper nodded in agreement, "I dunno who's worse, her or Phasma. I think they both scare us more than Kylo Ren.."

The Director nodded right back, "Anyway, I should go check on the defreezing we have down below."

Gilsten stopped her, "Do you even possess the proper code cylinders to access that area?"

WR-27 shot Gilsten a warning look. Her finger tapping the trigger guard, signaling for him to pick his next words carefully. After all, she stood up to one officer, she certainly could stand up to him.

The elderly man sighed, "I'm not bullying her, I'm merely asking."

Kara shook her head, "Stop it. Captain Gilsten's been a father to me; why, he practically taught me about this ship and my job; he's trained me since I was six on Naboo."

Gilsten laughed, "Indeed I did, now off with you."

As she retreated to the proper hallway, Gilsten had a worried look for Kara, "This life isn't meant for you nor me. May the Force give us a way out."

General Hux then curled his lips, "Angera will be brought to us. After all, they will concede once we have her and end this charade of a cold war or we will destroy the brat and start the war by having the New Republic attack us."

Kylo Ren then rebuked the man, "She also knows of our newest projects. Angera must be brought back here alive so I can wipe her memory of it with the Force."

Glisten kept a cool eye as usual, standing at parade stance. Something was amiss. What was that project? He usually was aware of everything. This was new to him, time to get to the . Little did they know, Gilsten was sending a signal elsewhere…

Back at base, within minutes of reaching the room, Garrett looked at the readouts of a Star Destroyer; Resurgence class. Now this. This was a mission. One that could possibly change the tides of the war or at least, curtail the First Order's heavy encroachment. At least this time. Zel of the B-Wing Silver Squadron had come in, followed by Tallie, Kilarou and Max and the rest of the Squadrons. All of them had made it in.

Kira Cotte asked, "So what is it we're dealing with now?"

Garrett pursed his lips. "Well, we're dealing with a Destroyer attempting to invade a system. We got wind of an attack from our Fulcrum as it were, Hux is making a move on Kuat Shipyards. They also have some data that we need to steal as well. They're requesting a sabotage and steal Mission."

General Leia Organa,Garm Bel-Iblis Wedge Antilles walked in as did Ackbar upon hearing that name. All four veterans looked at each other with knowing smiles. They hadn't heard the name Fulcrum since the Galactic Civil War. Leia smiled fondly as did Wedge. A silent chuckle was on the Mon Cala's lips as Garm rested his hands on his belt buckle.

Wedge asked, "Son, are you sure? Kuat's pretty close to the Core like Corellia is. They'd be getting the New Republic's attention pretty quickly, or they're trying to get our attention that badly. Question is why?"

Ackbar countered, "That's of course if their 'Mariah' character hasn't already jammed the New Republic comms systems like they did at Corellia, Wedge. They're always a few steps ahead of the Republic. I was alerted to this in my office by our Fulcrum a few minutes ago."

The blonde lieutenant known as Kaydel looked at the holo as she typed away on her wrist comm, "Yessir it did. I've verified in the last hour. It's an Authentication Code is 5251977. I could verify it again, if needed,"

The Mon Calamari inclined his head, indicating no need. Garm added, "What if we stall them there while we see what's on their computers. We could have a much bigger advantage getting their data."

Garm snorted, "Then again, Bothans would have jumped at the chance to get something they could steal like they did prior to Endor, they would have been martyrs to whichever power hungry Bothan senator would use in his bid for Chancellor."

The war horse cupped a webbed hand to his chin, "So if this thing is here, Who do we send to at least cripple them while whoever sneaks in to find out what they're up to?"

Tina Angera, who wore the female Resistance dress uniform, adjusting her gray top as she replied, "I can go in. I mean, I've done some stealing in my lifetime when I was a kid. Plus, I can get in with my quiet paws. I request the Commander and his two friends accompany me."

Kilarou adjusted his eyepatch, "Okay why us?"

The feline's ears twitched, "Call it a hunch, I can't exactly trust anyone else but the three who saved me to protect me. If they do, then that's our best bet."

Garrett turned to Max and Kilarou, "Sounds like a plan?"

The brunette twirled her staff, "Oh yeah, totally."

Kilarou shrugged, "I'll go with it. So, who are we getting for the assault to at least cripple it enough for us to get on board?"

Zel stepped forward, "My boys and I can go up and hit Hux up; annoy him for a little while."
Marory nodded, "We'll do a few flights to just keep his engines in place."

Poe stood up, "Rogue and Blue Squadrons can rest up while Wedge, Zel, and I can lead the attack while you guys stow into the Heretic."

Leia smiled. She was enjoying the teamwork the Starfighter Corps was employing. All of them were adding suggestions to the plan. Always open to ideas, always feeding each other's energy, Smiles were abundant. A plentiful spark of light coursed through the room in the Force. This is what she missed from back in the old days. The New Republic didn't have that same kinship and camaraderie as the Resistance did now. The New Republic had that then, but this… this wasn't the time of old anymore. People had called her a warmonger or crazy for chasing old ghosts and yet the proof of the First Order's bold attacks were happening and the Chancellor was unaware or choosing to ignore the problem. Now it was just a matter of how or when they'll wake up to the problem.

A few moments later, pilots were getting ready for the fight ahead, pilots were stepping into starfighters, others were helping detach fuel pipes and other attachments that helped in repairs. The Heretic's engines were warming up as the trio boarded the ship, and Tina walked up. Just as the ramp was about to close, they could hear chaos. The trio looked at each other exasperatedly. CR-0W; the resident combat protocol bird themed droid was chasing down Leo once more. The boy was armed with several cups of caf, and judging from the chase had been going, even the Tarsunt Vober Dand was chasing Leo. Leo was jumping over boxes, sliding under starfighters, and bombers.

The boy tried to run up the ramp. He thought he was in the clear, seeing Garrett, Max, and Kilarou staring at him. Leo set the cups of caf down. "You guys didn't see anything." He slowly backed away from them.

Garrett then narrowed his eyes. "What did I just tell you, kid?"

Leo gave a shaky, flashy grin as he backed away from the three, "Look, can't we talk about this, Garrett?"

CLUNK! Leo felt himself collide with a metal chest. His face paled upon seeing CR-0W and Vober Dand with angered looks on their faces. Garrett made a silent gesture, allowing them both to back off.

Leo was about to protest but Garrett said two words, "Strike one."

Garrett wordlessly pointed for Leo to get off the ship. The boy reluctantly stepped off the ship as he was dragged away by a lecturing Vober Dand. Well,he had to forfeit his dessert credits for a week and there goes his chance at being at the shooting range. Even after the mission at Corellia, he was still itching for action. The ramp hissed and locked into place.

General Bel-Iblis shook his head. "Kid's full of moxie, I'll give him that but he needs more training and experience," he shot a look at the Heretic as it took off, "Good luck you three. You'll need it."

B-Wings of Silver Squadron rose up as did Black One and the Gunner Squad Y-Wings. The group for the assault was led by a green and black T-70 X-Wing, manned by Wedge Antilles. Garrett was at the window, "Control, this is Rogue Leader. All birds are ready to fly."

Lt. Kaydel Connix tapped her wrist comm, checking the skies, "Roger, Commander. All skies are clear. You're good to go."

The young man gave the nod, and the Heretic rose, followed by the Rogue and Silver Squadrons. The red drive-glows of the Heretic sped off, followed by the pink drive-glows of the other starfighters. Upon reaching the atmosphere, the Heretic leveled out and the other fighters.

Kilarou typed in the coordinates to Kuat, "Coordinates all set. Strap in, everyone." He pulled the lever, the stars elongated and the ship dove into the wrinkle of time.

Upon reaching Kuat, The Finalizer loomed over the planet, reaching the shipyards. Hux strode to the P.A. systems. "Attention. Kuat doesn't seem to be pleased to see us. All hands,prepare for a swift battle. Ready the turbolaser batteries. Deploy the TIEs; have the Brigade lead them."

A young brown haired Dark Sider named Revna was on the holocomms and smirked. "You sure that was the best idea, sir?

Hux rolled his eyes, "I will call you when ready. I highly doubt any of the Resistance would have highly trained Force Users this time around. Even if they did, I'm well into their tactics by now. They'll spread out my forces, and hit my defenses and force me into retreat. That's how they usually drive me back. Not today,"

Revna snorted. "I somehow doubt it. If I had it my way, I'd be out there kicking their asses., but I do have an AWOL trooper to find. But first, let's see what we can do."

The shipyard started deploying V-Wing and A-Wing Squadrons led by an Delta-7 Athersprite, they were backed by a few Firespray-class patrol craft squad. The Finalizer responded by deploying TIE fighters almost immediately. The two huge groups of fighters waited patiently for the signal to attack or defend. Whichever was the first, would feel plasma at the back of their neck. Either way this incident would spark another debate into which the NEw Republic would dismiss.

The captain in the Aethersprite called "Attention, Finalizer, This is Captain Vrascus of Kuat Militia, identify your purpose. Under order of the Galactic Concordance, you are to stay within your borders and keep the peace."

One tense minute later, Hux replied. "Unfortunately for you, New Republic scum, you are the ones illegal here. Kuat Shipyards belonged to the Empire and as such belongs to the First Order. You shall cease and desist, surrender your station to us. If not, then prepare for your deaths, and whoever your successors are, they will swear fealty to Supreme Leader Snoke and the First Order."

Neither side did stand Athersprite fired on a TIE as the answer. The two waves of fighters surged forward and collided turning into a battle for the shipyards. The starfighters engaged in tight dogfights, explosions blooming and booming in between either side. The Destroyer loomed forward, firing its turbolasers at the shipyard which responded with red fire on its own. Crimson TIE fighters banked right, bearing the symbol of the Manticore Brigade, flanking a TIE Advanced. The TIE Advanced's engines screamed dread over the others.

The fighter came bearing down, plasma fire ripping apart V-Wings like they were nothing. After all, they were outdated starfighters that dated back by sixty years to the Clone Wars. The fighter spiraled, chased a heatseeker. WR-27 jerked the TIE as if it was an extension of her body. For any pilot, it had to be. Pilots were trained to think of the starfighter as such, and moved on instinct and reflexes. Hers had been honed and refined to be accurate, feared. She proved it as other fighters fought desperately to avoid her bite.

She was Flight Baron to the Brigade; an Elite pilot of certain skill. One worth of respect and fear, Fear was most the apropos one to describe what she would -27 pressed the accelerator, shooting down the V-Wings in her way, Shooting a few missiles, her targets locked on even without the confirm beep of her targeting computer. BOOM! BOOM BOOM! went the sound of the missiles as they hit her target, the noise filling her earpieces and the air.

There wasn't usually sound or explosions in space. Explosions never occurred unless you were fighting in the upper atmosphere of a planet which is technically where they were., Sound was nonexistent in space, you'd only hear it in the cockpit thanks to the air in the cockpit and just by how close you were to it. This battle was once again one of the few joys WR-27 could take in life to enjoy. The woman pulled back, craning her fighter upwards, and then she stopped. Heat seeker missiles had locked onto her. They were dogged, chasing her. Determined to finally end her. As if they had a chance.

The woman smirked, "Good try. Not good enough."

Killing the engines, she let her fighter fall. Thirty, twenty, ten feet in the atmosphere, she kicked the engines back on, cutting through the Swath of fighters. Three of her cohorts thundered in, firing off their cannons, tearing apart their V-Wing predecessors' shielding in no time. She leveled out, seeing her Brigade take on the V-Wing and A-Wings. Wr-27 smirked as an RZ-01 A-Wing twisted the wrong way, crashing into a V-Wing, creating a transport sized small supernovae. The Flight Baron spurred on, racking kills, making sure Kuat knew who they were dealing with and the price they were about to pay for defying the First Order.

The Aersprite proved to be a big problem. The dagger shaped fighter was cutting through TIEs like the weapon it was made after. The fighter slashed across the swarms, WR-27 accelerated slamming into the V-Wings, causing both of them to fish tail and crash into each other in her wake. Blue laser fire from the Aethersprite from above got the Baroness to swing back around, returning fire. Both of them surged forward, the Aethersprite swerved, both fighters scraping their TIE Advanced slammed left, hitting the back engine of the Athersprite, her fighter turned and unleashed a barrage of lasers.

The Brigade and the Finalizer advanced, almost unopposed if only the feeble laserfire of the shipyard's meager defenses. Without any sense of a full military from the New Republic, they were as good as dead. Completely on their own. The station trained its weapons on the massive Destroyer.

Hux pressed the button on the intercom, "Any last words Kuat? Do you now wish to swear fealty to the First Order? You will belong to us and you once did the Old Empire?"

"I don't think you'll get that chance!" Poe Dameron's voice crackled as Black One came soaring in with B-Wings, Y-Wings and Wedge's T-70 came right in, attacking at full speed.

WR-27 ordered coldly, "Brigade HG 9-0-3, take Piett Flight and out flanke them on the right, Ozzel Flight, Drop back and see about getting Antilles to me," She pressed forward, "Keep pressure on those B-Wings!"

Hux roared, "All hands! Focus on the Resistance! Eviscerate them all! Let them all burn!"

The other starfighters rallied and joined the Resistance Starfighter Corps into the battle. The B-Wings charged up and fired blue blasts of fire upon the Destroyer, the Y-Wings unloaded Ion Missiles from their undercarriages, hitting the Destroyer with several bursts. From another part of the battle, the Heretic emerged from hyperspace, and boarded the Destroyer.

The battle raged on outside, but another battle was about to be fought on the inside. A much more personal and up close encounter, really.