One week later, Jyn finds herself in the office of Dr. Phram, chief medical officer of the Rebel Alliance.
"I am most impressed with your progress. You seem to have suffered no ill effects. I am also pleased that you took the opportunity to speak with me about your time in confinement. Of course, what we discussed will remain between us. You have my word as a physician." Phram says.
"Your...discretion is appreciated, doctor." Jyn says.
"Captain Erso, you are hereby released from restricted duty. I've already taken the liberty of informing General Syndulla. She asked me to send you to the briefing room as soon as we were done here. I see no reason to keep you from your duties any longer, captain. You are free to go." Phram says.
"Thank you, doctor." Jyn says. Jyn exits the office.
A few minutes later, Jyn enters the pilot's briefing room, where Hera is standing behind the podium, addressing the other trainee pilots, as well as another group of pilots. Jyn stops at the entrance.
"Captain Erso, please take a seat. We're about to get started." Hera says. Jyn heads to her seat.
Who are these other pilots? I feel...something. One of these newcomers is very strong with the force. Interesting. Jyn thinks.
"Now that medical has seen fit to release Captain Erso from restricted duty, we can get started. Over the last week, this class has trained in simulated battles, using all types of starfighters. Thanks to Captain Erso's help, most of you have improved considerably. I have decided to allow all of you to fly in actual starfighters on a training exercise. This will be a simulated battle scenario in orbit. In this battle, you will be facing Red Squadron, who are with us now for this briefing. Trainees, you will be known as Ghost Squadron for this exercise. Captain Erso." Hera says.
This is Red Squadron? Only five pilots? Skywalker! He is the one I sense! Which one is he? Jyn thinks.
"Yes, general?" Jyn says.
"You will command Ghost Squadron. Your callsign will be Ghost Leader." Hera says.
"Thank you, general." Jyn says.
"You and your pilots will fly modified x-wings, which will have blasters and shields at 20 percent power. Red squadron will also have blasters and shields at 20 percent power. I will supervise combat from my ship, and grade your performances during the battle. Five hits on a ship will be considered a kill. Once a pilot is killed, they will fly their ship out of the combat zone, and take up formation behind the Ghost. Any pilot leaving the combat zone will be disqualified, and considered dead. Any questions?" Hera asks.
"How will the combat zone be marked?" A young woman in a green flight suit asks.
"Good question, lieutenant. There are sensor markers placed along the perimeter. If you cross a marker, you're out of bounds, and disqualified. Commander Skywalker." Hera says. Jyn observes as a young man of about twenty stands up.
There you are at last! We will be getting to know each other soon enough, Skywalker. Jyn thinks,
"Yes, general?" Luke Skywalker asks.
"You helped design this exercise. Any tips for our trainees?" Hera asks.
"The ships only have 25 percent fuel, so don't go full throttle. Stay with your assigned wingman no matter what. If your wingman is taken out, join up with someone else. Fly in pairs or threes at all times. Don't fly solo unless it's necessary. One more thing. Try not to wreck the ships. We need every starfighter we have, and it's not easy to get more. Especially the x-wings." Luke answers.
"Thank you, commander. This reminds me. Two more rules for this exercise. Don't leave your wingman, and don't wreck the ships. Do either of those, and you'll be disqualified. Also, if you wreck a ship, you will automatically fail this class, and you will be stripped of flight status, permanently. This Alliance has no place for reckless and unsafe pilots, so be safe. Follow the rules. Ghost Squadron, do you understand the rules of this training exercise?" Hera asks. Jyn and her fellow trainees all stand up.
"Yes, general." Jyn and the other trainees say.
"Good. Now, all pilots proceed to the hangar. I'll assign your ships and callsigns there. Dismissed." Hera says. The pilots stand up, and exit the briefing room.
Hera remains alone in the room, standing behind her podium.
Ezra, I hope I'm doing the right thing here. I only assigned Skywalker's squadron to this exercise because you asked me to. I'd rather keep Thana away from Luke as much as possible. Hera thinks.
"Trust me, Hera. This is how it's meant to be." Ezra's disembodied voice says.
I always trust you. This just feels wrong. Hera thinks.
"It's not. She's supposed to meet Luke." Ezra says.
Why? So she can kill him? Turn him? Hera thinks.
"So he can turn her." Ezra answers.
Is that even possible? Hera thinks.
"With the force, all things are possible." Ezra answers.
It's Darth Thana! She killed you, Ezra! Hera thinks.
"I know. I forgive her anyway." Ezra says.
You've got to be kidding me! Hera thinks.
"No, I'm not. She's a victim of the Empire too. She's been Palpatine's slave since she was four years old. She's never had the chance to know any other life. She didn't choose to become a Sith. The dark side was forced on her, and all of her good memories were ripped away." Ezra says.
So, she was just an innocent child? Hera thinks.
"Yes, Hera. She lived in the Jedi Temple from the time her parents turned her over to the order, until the day of the Jedi purge, when Vader found her, and took her to Palpatine." Ezra answers.
So, it's really not her fault. What can we do for her? Can we help her remember? Hera thinks.
"You just worry about your job and your son. The rest will take care of itself. I'll keep being the unwelcome voice in her head." Ezra answers.
I almost feel sorry for her. You're either going to help her, or drive her crazy. Hera thinks.
"Yeah. Maybe a little of both. By the way, it might be a good idea for you to contact Sabine in a few hours." Ezra answers.
Really? Does she have some news for me? Hera thinks.
"Maybe. I'll leave it to your imagination. Talk to you later, Hera." Ezra answers.
In the hangar of the rebel base, the pilots of Red Squadron and Ghost Squadron are gathered, waiting for Hera to arrive. Luke approaches Jyn.
"Captain Erso. I'm...Luke Skywalker. Pleased to meet you." Luke says as he extends his hand toward Jyn.
His force signature is so...light. It sickens me! It's worse than any Jedi I've ever encountered! I will...correct this soon enough. Jyn thinks. She shakes Luke's hand.
"Commander Skywalker. I've heard a great deal about you." Jyn says.
"You can just call me Luke. I don't make anybody call me by my rank unless I'm giving them an order." Luke says.
"Then, you can call me Jyn. I've never really been into titles. Of course, I guess I've never had one before." Jyn says.
"Weren't you a sergeant during the Scarif mission?" Luke asks.
"Technically, yes, but I never made anyone call me that. Also, that didn't last very long." Jyn answers.
"Well, Jyn, we wouldn't have been able to destroy the Death Star without you and your team getting the plans. So, thank you." Luke says.
"I didn't really do all that much. I was captured by the Empire before the plans were recovered. Captain Andor was the real hero at Scarif." Jyn says.
"From what I understand, you led the mission, and it was your idea. The Alliance leaders were thinking about surrender until you took action. It's because of you that this rebellion still exists. You're a hero to me. You have been ever since I joined the Alliance. Now, I actually get to meet you. I consider it an honor to fly with you." Luke says.
Interesting. The way he seems to practically worship me. Perhaps I can exploit his admiration for me in order to gain his trust. Now, to continue the modest act. Damn, I hope this mission ends soon! I look forward to leaving here with my new apprentice to begin his training! Jyn thinks.
"Actually, the rebellion still exists because of you, Luke. You destroyed the Death Star, and Governor Tarkin with it. That act has led to the alliance gaining greater support, with worlds openly seceding from the Empire! That would have been unthinkable before!" Jyn says.
"Yes. Now, we're growing. We still need pilots, badly. We actually have more ships than pilots." Luke says.
"I noticed that there are only five pilots in your squadron. I thought squadrons were usually ten to fifteen pilots each." Jyn says.
"Yeah, you're right. I lost most of my squadron about two months ago. Mostly new recruits. Some of them had only been flying for a few weeks. We were ambushed on a patrol mission. Two star destroyers came out of nowhere. Only me and four others made it back." Luke says.
These rebels escaped two star destroyers? Interesting. Oh, right. He's sad for the losses of his men. How would a 'good' person act in this situation? I've got it. I'll pretend to be sympathetic. From my studies of these weaklings, that seems to be the appropriate response. This 'nice' act sickens me! Jyn thinks.
"I'm sorry." Jyn says. Luke smiles.
"Thanks. We can talk more once we're off duty. I'll be on base for a while. At least until the next mission." Luke says.
"Sounds like a plan." Jyn says.
"Well, nice meeting you, Jyn." Luke says.
"You too, Luke." Jyn says.
Hera enters the hangar, and approaches the pilots.
"Alright, Ghost squadron. We have ten x-wings set aside for you. They're the ones with the orange wing markings. Your callsigns are painted on the hull, just below the cockpit hatch. Now, for your callsigns. Lieutenant Celchu, you'll be Ghost Two. Lieutenant Bragus, you'll be Ghost Three. Lieutenant Vanskk, you'll be Ghost Four…" Hera says. She continues to read off the list of callsigns until each pilot in Ghost Squadron has their assignment.
I really don't want you leading this squad, Thana, but Ezra said that I needed to act like nothing's wrong. Hera thinks.
"Alright, get to your ships, and do your preflight checks. We launch on my order." Hera says.
The pilots each head to their x-wings. Jyn makes her way to her fighter, an x-wing with blue and orange hull markings, with 'Ghost Leader' written just below the cockpit hatch. Hera approaches her, and Jyn turns to look at her.
"Blue and orange markings? Why is my ship different?" Jyn asks.
Because you took Ezra from us, you psychopath. I had it painted with his two favorite colors. Hera thinks.
"The squadron leader usually gets different markings in training exercises. It makes it easier for trainees to know who to follow in simulated battles." Hera answers.
"Got it." Jyn says.
"Alright, captain. I'll let you get to work." Hera says. She walks away. Jyn puts her helmet on, and climbs into the cockpit of the x-wing.
Who's this Luke person? He seems important...