A/N: Whenever Zane is given a choice, without fail, he chooses to take Theron with him on missions. So, the first time he ran through the Star Fortress he was thrown off when Theron disappeared. It took a minute for him (me) to figure out he (I) couldn't take the spy because he was staying on the shuttle doing his hacking thing and overseeing the mission. It was weird to do the mission without Theron by his side but we've gotten through it.

This story started out about that first trip through but evolved into something else. We've all been in a group with a total stranger, someone we've never run with before. Usually those groups turn out fine but sometimes, not so much. This is one of those times…

Taking down a Fortress

Zane's POV

"I don't see that we have a choice," I said, "You have to oversee the operation aboard the shuttle."

"Miot is piloting the ship," he argued, as he paced across the room. "Lana can oversee the mission on board the shuttle while I back you on the Star Fortress."

Ever since we reunited on Odessen, Theron had my back on most assignments. He was someone I knew I could trust and count on. Plus it made both of us feel better to have the other close.

Before the first Star Fortress mission, neither of us had been pleased to realize he wouldn't be able to back me inside. He was needed on the shuttle, for mission oversight and technical support. Koth had gone in his stead after Theron had threatened the Zakulan pilot with great bodily injury or death, if anything happened to me while I was out of his sight.

"You make it sound like I'm five and need a babysitter," I'd accused him.

He'd given me a look that could stop a charging ronto in his tracks. "Four words, Zane, just four," he'd said, "Five years in carbonite."

No other words were needed. I remembered well enough how badly the spy had suffered after my supposed death. I would never put him through that again, if at all possible.

Luckily, Koth and I worked well together and the other team was talented and experienced. The assignment had gone off without a hitch. Some of the spy's apprehension had started to dissipate. This time though, they were unavailable and we were being forced to work with a young Republic soldier and his partner…a very, very young team.

"I'm sure it will be fine," I tried to reassure my lover, though I had my own reservations.

He gave me that disbelieving look again but there was little I could do about it. This had to be done, like it or not. Without a word he turned and walked out, heading for the shuttle bay.

Grabbing my helmet, assault cannon and gear, I followed the spy down the hall. Making our way down the corridor we were joined by Koth. The pilot was geared up and ready to leave. Watching Theron's back disappear around the next corner, he asked, "What's got his panties in a bunch?"

I shook my head and replied, "New team with us today."

"And?" knowing there had to be more. Theron may worry about me but he usually wasn't unreasonable.

"A very young and very inexperienced team," I said, "Admiral Aygo asked us to take them as a favor to him."

"And you agreed?"

"Yes," I admitted.

"Without asking Theron what he thought of the idea?" Koth asked, with a look that asked how I could be so stupid.

Jogging ahead of me, Koth called out, "Hey Theron wait up!"

The spy stopped and waited for Koth to catch up. "I'm not responsible for his stupid ass today, am I?"

I didn't hear Theron's reply. Smiling, he slapped the pilot on the back and they continued up the ramp. Shaking my head, I followed behind the pair.

"We ready Miot?" I asked, as I put my gear down.

"We've got the clearance to head out," he said, without looking up from prepping for takeoff, "we're just waiting for the other team," he added in his own language.

"Here they come now," Koth added, motioning to the front viewport.

Looking out, I saw a young trooper and his partner hoofing it across the hangar. The trooper was an average size, blonde haired human and his companion was a light blue skinned female Twilek. Neither one looked like they'd been out of the Academy for very long.

Leaning in to me, Theron glanced out at the pair. "Do their mamas know they're playing soldier?" he asked.

"Be nice," I said, but I couldn't help thinking the same thing myself. What the hell was Aygo thinking sending someone so young and probably untested?

Coming up the ramp, the duo saw me waiting for them in the ship's hold. Dropping their gear next to mine, they moved to stand in front of me at attention and snapped a salute, "Sir," they said in unison.

"At ease," I ordered, sighing internally. Gods, when did they start graduating babies?!

"It's an honor to meet you Major," the human said, coming to parade rest in front of me. "We read about you in the Academy."

And know they've made me feel ancient! I heard Koth and Theron laugh in the cockpit…jerks.

"Good, good," I managed, not knowing what to say. "You obviously know my name, what's yours?"

"Sergeant Trev Samgir sir," the young human said, "And my partner, Corporal Ash'dani."

"Sir," the Twi'lek said, nodding her head.

"Sergeant, Corporal," I acknowledged them both. "Are you ready?"

"Yes sir," Samgir said, "Brought our gear with us."

"Good," I said, motioning to Miot to raise the ramp and get us out of here, "Have a seat and buckle up."

The Sullustan took off from Odessen and making the jump to hyperspace a few minutes later, heading for the Belsavis Star Fortress. Lying back in my seat, I tried to relax and maybe catch a few minutes of sleep before we touched down. Every time I'd started to close my eyes Samgir would seemed to move next to me. Finally I asked, "Everything okay Sergeant?"

"Great sir," he said, rolling a coin across his knuckles. "I just can't sit still."

"Nerves?" I asked, kind of surprised. The young soldier struck me more as overly cocky rather than nervous or fearful.

"No sir," he quickly reassured me, "I just can't wait to get out there and prove I'm one of the best."

Reasonable I guess, just something about it struck me as wrong but I couldn't put my finger on it. Hopefully, he could back up those words or it could be a long day. "You've run missions before, I assume?" I asked him.

"I've seen combat sir," he assured me. "We've run missions before," motioning to Ash'dani, "But we've never run a mission as important as this one." \"

I did an internal face palm. This kept getting better and better! If I lived through this I was going to slap Aygo. From now on, I'd always consult Theron first.

Looking at the eager kid, I said, "I'm sure you'll do well. Aygo wouldn't send you otherwise."

"Yes sir," he said, with a smile. "I'm more than ready for this."

Without a word, I stood up and walked into the cockpit. Leaning down I whispered, "You were right. I'll never agree to take a new team without consulting you again."

"Thank you," he whispered back, "Now let's just get you through this one. I got plans for you later," he said, giving me a wink.

Pointing at me, Miot motioned to the back and said something to Theron in his native language.

"He said we'll be there soon. You should gear up," the spy translated.

"Will do," I said, leaning down and stealing a quick kiss, before heading into the hold. "Gear up," I told the kids.

From the moment we stepped inside, I knew this wasn't going to go well. It was obvious the young human was dangerously inexperienced and too arrogant to realize it. He had no sense of his abilities or the awareness to know what talent to use in any given situation. Even when I would warn him, I was using concussive round to control a target, he would use plasma cannon, breaking the containment, endangering us both. Worse, he didn't realize he was screwing up.

"Yes!" he cheered himself the last time he did it. "Die scum!"

I scowled but didn't say anything. Now was not the time, but vowed I'd never run with an untested, unknown partner again!

Worse though, he didn't move out of the way of enemy's shots, instead standing and taking the hits he could have easily gotten away from. He was putting unnecessary additional strain on our poor healer, Ash'dani who was starting to look seriously stressed. On more than one occasion I took a hit for the other man that would have seriously injured or killed him.

"Don't do that again Zane," Theron said on our private channel, after I stepped between Samgir and a Knight bent on separating the kid's head from his shoulders.

Sighing, I said, "He was going to hurt the kid."

"And if he had hurt you instead?" Theron asked.

"But he didn't," I argued.

"You didn't know that."

I couldn't argue with that. I didn't know for sure

When I didn't say anything, Theron said, "Correct him or I will. And I won't be nice."

"Later," I said, as the elevator swished open and we started down the hall.

"The EPHERMIS system is operating in ghost mode," I heard over the systems speakers, "All non-essential functions are suspended."

"No time right now. I'll talk to him after we're done."

"Zane," Theron said, wearily.

"Later," I promised and the fight was on.

"Take care of the troopers before the Knights," I ordered the younger man.

He nodded and turned his cannon on the droids, while I kept the Knights attention on me. Lucky for me, Samgir efficiently took them down and we focused on one enemy at a time, taking them both down.

"Good job," I told him, as we chased the fleeing figure.

Taking down each array, took more work and coordination but we surprisingly made short work of each one, until we were finally standing at the bottom of the last platform, preparing to hook up to it. I'd be glad when this was done.

"The readings coming out of there are pretty intense," Theron said, "Don't get fried."

Gods, I hope not. That would be a hell of a way to end this run!

Without warning me, Samgir fired the first shot and charged at the Exarch.

"Your fate has been avoided for long enough!" our enemy said, "Face me now!"

The platform exploded in a kaleidoscope of colors, as each side to strike against the other. Unfortunately the young trooper fell back into bad habits and failed to get out of the way of the impaling strikes, taking each blow hard against his shield. As a consequence, he took massive damage that Ash'dani healed him through. Lucky for him, she was a strong healer but I knew she couldn't keep it up forever.

"Let me have him!" I ordered Samgir.

"Nah! I got him!" the other man answered, as he hit the Exarch again.

Gritting my teeth, I blew my cooldowns and tried to take the enemy down as quickly as possible; minimizing the damage he'd do to us. The tactic seemed to work decently well until the end of the fight. I'm not sure if Samgir didn't see the Exarch go up into the air or if he didn't care but he just kept firing at him and I knew he wouldn't get out of the way of the explosive landing headed his way It would either kill or seriously cripple him.

Without thinking I set myself and fired everything I had left at our target. He turned his attention from my young companion to me. If I was going to keep him on me, I couldn't move out of the way.

"Fuck," I groaned to myself, knowing this was going to hurt.

"Zane?" I heard in my helmet.

Damn. I forgot Theron was out there, witnessing this whole mess.

"Don't do something stupid!" he ordered me.

'Too late,' I thought, as the explosive landing hit me and threw me across the platform…

TBC

A/N: As always…Thanks for reading and reviews are greatly appreciated!