Chapter 10

Deep Space, near the System MRE19961610

Zeth pulled the stick as far to port as he could and grunted as he felt the pull of the G's as he banked in that direction. Just as his mother before him, he always flew with his inertia capacitor set as low as physically possible without sustaining damage. He finished his loop back and let go with a barrage of laser fire into the old Eta-5 that had been trailing him. He winced as he felt the life Force of the being flying the small interceptor wink out of existence. It was the second one within the past ten minutes that he caused. But then again he suddenly didn't feel too much remorse; he had just lost Rogue Eleven from his Flight Three.

The Rouges and the TIE Interceptor squadron, The Hunters, were deployed from the main body of the Fifth Fleet and went out in different directions away from the main body. They were to scout for any problems and report back while the Fifth gathered for the Change of Command Ceremony that would happen while they were on patrol. However, they didn't have the chance to report back any problems before they were attacked. He hoped The Hunters hadn't run into the same trouble.

Zeth idly wondered why the Rogues were given a job that was better suited to the faster Interceptors. Not to mention, the Rogues was one of the oldest units in the military. He was surprised that they wouldn't be missed by command. However, as he watched to the right of his viewport as it went back to normal after the flash of a nearby explosion, Zeth wondered if Rogue Five had anything to do with the assignment.

Zeth watched as Cherith Nuruodo-Fel went into a spiral dive and pulled out just in time to pull back around and unload a torpedo into an attacking old Stealth-X which had just taken out Rogue Seven. His danger sense, which spiked a second before the targeting alarm, immediately pulled him back to the job at hand—staying alive. Instantly, Zeth gave himself over fully to the Force and pulled an evasive twist that took him out of the enemy's lock brackets and pulled hard to starboard which allowed his wingman to make starfood out of the attacker. Zeth felt another life wink out.

They had been attacked by sixteen Dro'godda fighters, eight each Stealth-X's and Eta-5's. Zeth wondered how the enemy seemed to show up without a trace on the long range sensors. That was common with cloaked craft but the cloaking devises used were highly regulated only for use in GA fighter craft and a few other legitimate governments; sale of the technology to rogue groups or governments was punishable with large fines. However, if one was to believe the sensors; the Dro'godda squad just showed up and started shooting without the warning of them coming out of hyperspace. That only occurred when a squad waited until the right time and then uncloaked.

Presently, Zeth let go of another torpedo into a Stealth-X that was now dogging his wingman, Rogue Ten. Zeth pulled hard to port and as soon as he got a lock he took out another one.

As he pulled out of the turn and flew threw the exploded debris, he felt a ripple from the Force. He immediately concentrated on it and as soon as he realized what he was sensing hit the comm mike with his chin. "Rogue Lead, Nine here, do you copy?"

The baritone voice of Gabe Darklighter came over, "Lead here, Nine."

Zeth took a deep breath and said, "Lead, there is another squad out there. Waiting."

"Five, here. Nine, what are you talking about?" came the clipped, polished voice of Cherith. Zeth watched as she almost effortlessly pulled a twisting evasive maneuver to avoid the Eta-5 on her tail. Then she made as if she was going to bank to port but as soon as the Phantom-X began to move into the turn she immediately went into a dive, looping around the confused Eta-5 and unloaded a barrage of laser beams into it. Zeth was so amazed by the maneuver that he didn't even notice the pilot's loss of life. She immediately went after the tail dogging Rogue Eight.

Realizing that both commanders were waiting for him to answer he announced, "I can feel at least twelve more presences out there, maybe more."

Gabe who had just dusted another of the Stealth-X's asked with just a hint of trepidation in his voice, "Nine, are you sure?"

Zeth never got to answer the colonel who's Flight One was off to the left of their loose formation—each Flight had several kilometers separating them as they dealt with the fighters attacking them—because just then off to Zeth's right twelve Shealth-X's appeared on his sensors as they dropped their cloaks and immediately came at Flight Two fast. He watched as the new comers in the battle began to attack the three Phantom-X's that were left of Cherith's Flight and succeeded in taking out Rogue Six. Breaking all protocol he nearly yelled into the mike, "Cherith, get out of there!" She didn't respond as she instantly went into an evasive twist that probably saved her life.

His danger sense flared again and this time he felt it on the left. "Lead, Nine here." He didn't bother with preamble as he realized he didn't have the time. "There's twelve more coming on your left flank. They're trying to bottle us up."

"Copy, Nine," was all Gabe got to say as another squad of Eta-5's uncloaked and entered the battle this time concentrating on Flight One. Zeth watched as Rogue Three was hit and the Twe'lik pilot went EV only to be caught in the explosion of his ship. Gabe though realized they were too greatly out numbered to hold without reinforcements. "Rogues, jump coordinates in ten seconds. Jump immediately," Zeth clicked his comm once as his affirmative and then felt like the wait of those ten seconds were an eternity as he shot another of the original Eta-5's that was now concentrating on what was left of his Flight Three.

But as the coordinates came up on his screen he looked out at the battle around Cherith. He watched as Rogue Eight, her only surviving wingman flashed out of existence. Suddenly, he realized she wasn't able to make the jump, not because she didn't want to; but rather, because she was boxed in and couldn't make the vector. Zeth knew that she would never willingly disobey an order, that was for him to do. She was a leader that led by example. Then he felt fear from Cherith; without even a second thought, he hit his comm mike and ordered, "Flight Three, jump on my mark—three, two, mark." Then he watched as Ten and Twelve made the jump along with the two fighters of Flight One, thinking, Kriff, we lost half of the squad.

He and Cherith were the only ones left to battle what amounted to nearly two squads of enemy fighters. He said to his astromech over the intercom, " Sparks, decrease shields by ten percent and revert power to thrusters." The astromech that had been a twentieth lifeday gift from his mother twittered a response, "I know its dangerous, Sparks, but I need to get there as fast as I can." Zeth took out the last of his attackers and instantly lurched forward as he throttled the sublights for all the speed that he could to make it to Cherith before the second squad could cross the distance from the left.

He watched as she fought her way through the enemy with one evasive move after another and managed to take out two of their fighters as she did them. He was almost there when the leading edge of the Eta-5's were close enough to fire at him. He felt the Force guide his hand and he fell into a spiraling dive that probably saved his live; however,a sharp shrill from Sparks sounded as his dome was blown away. Zeth felt a sharp pain of loss of the little droid that had flown with him for over four years but he didn't let that distract him.

He reached the group of fighters still harassing Cherith and he immediately got a lock on one of them, sending a torpedo into it. Then he watched as Cherith came out of an evasive dive a little too smooth and was hit. He felt his heart skip a beat has he watched the beam of blue laser blow away her port bottom laser gun and most of that S-foil.

He felt a pang of fear from her as he went after the ship that shot her. He let go of a barrage of laser fire and flew through the resulting explosion. He didn't care that he just felt the life wink out; all he cared about was the woman that had just unloaded her last torpedo into one of the coming Eta-5's. Another Stealth-X took another shot at her as Cherith hesitated while she evaluated her damage and reverted power to compensate for the loss of her S-foil. Zeth wasn't sure if she was hit or not.

As he took out that attacking enemy, Cherith came over the comm, her voice tight and clipped; Zeth could tell the battle was beginning to wear her down, "Nine, what are you still doing here? Why didn't you jump as ordered?"

He grinned despite the situation, "I decided that preventing you from getting vaped was more important."

He watched as she made another port banking maneuver, albeit wobbly as her S-foil was blown away and probably a stabilizer as well. She came back over with, "I would not have gotten vaped." And as if to prove her point she took out an attacking Eta-5 with her lasers.

He followed by shooting a Stealth-X that was trying to line her up in his sights. He shook his head and snickered, "That's debatable, Commander." But he had to wonder at the real reason he stayed behind. Cherith Nuruodo-Fel was a royal pain in the ass with her occasional superior attitude but Zeth had never met a more talented pilot with or without the Force. She remained cool-headed, decisive and, he would even have to say, brave through the most difficult of engagements. She was a fair commander and always tried to lead by example. And she was the most beautiful woman he had ever met. He enjoyed her spunk, her passion and her determination. As Zeth Durron, Jedi Knight, watched her twist through another maneuver, he realized the real reason he couldn't bear the thought of her being blown into starfood. "Kriff," he whispered for his ears only. I've fallen for her.

Cherith's voice came through, "We will discuss this when we get to base, Nine. Jump on my mark. Three, two, mark." And with that they jumped out of the furball that neither of them should have survived.

X

Cherith watched as the stars elongated and became a bluish whirl, and then she looked down at the white knuckled hand that still was grasping the hyperdrive lever. She felt a slight shutter in the ship and hoped the drive would hold the three minutes that they would be in hyperspace. But that wasn't what caused her to grip the lever so hard, it wasn't even really the battle and the close calls to numerous to count, it was the fact that Zeth Durron stayed behind to help her get away.

She knew she should be more upset with him, but she was actually thrilled that he was willing to risk his life to save hers. Then she thought, He's a Jedi, that's what Jedi do. But she really hoped she was wrong. She wanted to be wrong.

She violently shook her head as if to clear those types of thoughts out of her head. The last thing she needed was to entertain such thoughts. Then she removed the hand from the lever and was glad to see that it wasn't trembling. She sighed deeply and laid her head back on the back of her headrest. She would have to reprimand Zeth for not following a direct order as she had implied she would before they jumped. Now, came the sticky part—Just how do you reprimand someone for doing something that you are glad that they did, but know that you can not show the least bit of that happiness?

They would be coming out of hyperspace in front of the fleet. Now, came the other problems—Just how was she going to land her ship with a damaged repulserlift? What will her parents say when they find out that she may have survived the battle but half her squad didn't? But finally, what will her mother, her commanding general, say when she finds out that it was her doing that the Rogues were out there to begin with?

So many questions which she really wished she didn't have to deal with. She thought about the lives lost and swallowed hard as the tears threatened to fall. She had asked for this assignment because she hadn't wanted to be present when her parents arrived aboard Han Solo. She didn't want to feel like she had to defend herself or her status among the officers who already thought her too young, too inexperienced, and who thought she got to where she was because her father was the CEDF Supreme Commander and her mother a high ranking starfighter general. In the CEDF the question of preferential treatment wasn't an issue due to strict rules against and protocols prohibiting such favoritism. But here in the GFFA it was common and even accepted as the status quo; although, at the same time those who benefited from such preferences were highly ridiculed. She increasingly found herself being attacked for her family ties down to even her loose familiar tie to Gabe Darklighter.

And because of her foolishness, her pride, she got half her squad killed and nearly herself and the man she—she stopped that thought there. It was too dangerous to even go there.

Just then the proximity alarm sounded and mercifully brought her out of her dark reverie. She watched as the counter clicked to zero and then pushed the hyperdrive lever back into its up position and watched as the blue whirl of hyperspace reverted back into the brilliant star points of real space with the Star Destroyers Han Solo and Gilad Pelleaon, the Mon Cal Battle Cruser Memory and the rest of the Fifth Fleet directly ahead.

Immediately her comm board lit up and beeped. She sighed deeply and keyed to the fleet frequency. The control officer of the Han Solo came over, "Welcome back Commander Nuruodo-Fel. Lieutenant Durron."

"Thank you," she simply replied.

Before she could say much else another voice came over the speakers, it was clipped, slightly accented and although it should have made her happy, she groaned. "We are relieved to see you are alright, Commander. We have you on visual and see that you have sustained damage. How bad is it?"

Cherith closed her eyes as she thought. This would be only more fuel to the fire of jealousy and ridicule. Not many lowly commanders would be so honored with concerned words from such an important Fleet commander. She knew her father was just being a father and had not done anything outside the perimeters of protocol of the CEDF but here it could be construed that he was. Finally, she answered, "Thank you, Admiral Fel. And yes, I have been damaged. So has Lt. Durron but my repulserlift has been damaged and I can not fire it. I will slow as much as possible but was wondering if I should stop and go EV and have someone pick me up."

After a moment her father came back, "That would be the best solution. And Commander, be careful," he added in a voice that couldn't hide his real worry for his only daughter.

Suddenly, before she had a chance to hit he release switch that would send her through her canopy, Zeth said, "Commander, negate that order."

"What?" she incredulously asked. "That order came from the Admiral," she came back with. They were talking on only their ship to ship frequency.

"No, that command came from your father," he simply said. Then added, "I can save you and your ship."

"How?" She had no idea how Zeth thought he could accomplish this.

His voice seemed softer as he asked, "Do you trust me?"

She thought a moment then replied, almost as softly, "Yes."

"Shut our ship completely down except for life support. I'm going to guide you in with the use of the Force." She then heard him say over the general frequency while her brain still comprehended his meaning of his instructions to her, "Control, Rogue Nine, here."

"We copy, Rogue Nine," the control officer came back.

Zeth then laid out his plan for the officer.

Cherith watched as Zeth came in directly behind and above her slightly. She then felt her X-wing give a slight shudder as she supposed it was cought in Zeth's Force grip. She was actually amazed by this. She had heard stories, even seen holodramas and news clips about the incredible feats Jedi could do, and she had seen Zeth move things telekinetically; but the thought of him landing her Phantom-X was beyond her grasp.

Within minutes they had moved toward the massive opening of the hanger bay. She held her breath and closed her eyes despite the overwhelming sense of trust she felt for the Jedi whose mental grasp she was in. Finally, she felt herself being lowered and then the gentle bumping as the ship came to rest fully on the hanger bay floor.

She opened her eyes to find hundreds of wide eyes glued to the two ships that just landed. She sighed with a hint of relief that two pair of those watching eyes didn't belong to her parents. She knew that they could have their own reunion later and privately.

She opened the canopy and looked over at Zeth who was standing on his seat and looking her way as he pulled his helmet off. She pulled hers off and watched as he shook his head of long, loose, unruly curls. She felt her mouth go dry as he looked at her again and she swallowed hard, thinking, What am I going to do about him? And she knew that was truly a fully loaded question.

She climbed down to the floor and turned to watch Zeth simply leap gracefully to the floor. They moved away from the ships and were instantly greeted by pilots and techs who welcomed them back. The Rogues that greeted them were happy to see them back but they were also greatly saddened by grief over their squad mates and friends who would never be coming back. This only made Cherith more aware of her failure as a commander.

Finally, Zeth excused himself and moved toward his X-wing which the flight deck techs had already moved into its bay slot. Cherith watched him as he watched the droid crane lift his damaged astromech from its slot and set it before him. She knew that he treated the droid as if it was sentient—as if it were a friend. As she saw him squat in front of it, she heard him ask the tech, "He can be repaired, can't he?"

The tech who looked at Zeth with something akin to disdain replied, "I suppose so. But it's only an astromech. You will just be issued another." Before Zeth could reply the tech rushed off.

Cherith swallowed and moved toward him. She came up behind him and said, "It was like a friend to you, wasn't it?"

Zeth stood and turned and she was amazed by the stormy green his eyes were, "Yes. He was given to me for my twentieth lifeday by my mother."

"Oh. I'm sorry that he has been damaged. Hopefully, the techs can repair him," she replied.

He shook his head, "No, I will repair him. Just as I will repair my ship."

She stared at him. "Why do you not want anyone else touching our ship?"

He looked at her and said simply, "Because I know that when I leave this hanger I won't accidentally blow up or be sucking space. And if I do, it would be my fault." Suddenly, he began to move away from her and she fell into step beside him. He slanted a glance at her and asked, "So, do I get the lecture now or later?"

She stared at him momentarily not understanding what he meant then it came to her, "Now. There's a conference room at the end of the corridor by turbolift five."

Nothing more was said until they were inside the small conference room with the door secure. After several moments Cherith took a deep breath and said, "First, I want to thank you. You saved my life. Probably," she added with a slight smile.

"What?" Zeth's tone was incredulous but slightly mocking as he turned from where he stood to stare at her where she was standing by the door, "No lecture on disobeying a direct order? I'm truly amazed."

"No." She looked into his dark green eyes and she quietly said, "I was the one wrong. We shouldn't have even been out there. I asked for that assignment and now—" suddenly, she couldn't hold back the tears any longer. "Now half of my pilots are dead. All because of me."

X

Zeth stared at her, not really knowing what to think. She turned away from him and moved away to the right. He could feel her shame and guilt and other emotions that he wasn't as sure about coming from her. He moved up behind her and said, his voice soothing, "Cherith, you had no way of knowing we'd be attacked. Hunters Squad was too. The important thing is that now we know they somehow got their hands on cloaking technology."

She spun on him, her pale blue cheeks tinted the slightest shade of rose glistened with tears. She said, "But they didn't lose half of their pilots, Zeth. I—I wanted—" She turned away again and continued with a whisper as she hung her head, "I didn't want to be here when they arrived, when the change of command happened."

Zeth then understood. He did something that was impulsive but he felt she needed it as much as he did. He almost lost her today. He laid his hand on her shoulder and she turned to look at him over her shoulder. There was no flash of anger in her eyes, no warning of the regulation that just was breached, if anything he saw hope there. "Cherith, I actually understand what you feel."

"How? I'm half Chiss, half human. I don't fit in any better here than I did in the Ascendancy. But at least there I'm not belittled because people think I got my rank and my position because I'm the daughter of, not one but, both of my commanders. Not to mention my immediate commander's brother is married into my family. I didn't realize how difficult this would be before I took this assignment. When Father told me I'd be with Rogue Squadron I was thrilled. I wanted to come to the GA because I like it here. Or, at least I thought I did. But I forgot that most people here would think that I got where I am because of who I'm related to or because I'm Chiss. Including you," she ended on a sob and turned away.

Zeth smiled sadly and turned her around to look at him. He said, "I never thought that, Cherith. But I understand better than you think. I am a Jedi. I can do things most beings can't and most don't understand. I am the grandson of heroes, Princess Leia and Han Solo—Han Solo, do you think I haven't heard a few snide comments about this ship being named for my grandfather. But if that isn't enough, I'm the nephew of the former Queen and Consort of Hapes. Great-nephew to the founder of the New Jedi Order. Oh, did I forget to mention I'm the son of a war hero and one of the most notorious Jedi in history—and the great-grandson of one of the most notorious Sith Lords in recent history?" He ended with a lopsided grin.

She gazed into his eyes and smiled. "I guess I didn't realize."

He continued smiling and said, "Cherith, you are an incredible pilot. You are talented and smart and fair with your command. Sure you can be a pain sometimes," he laughed at her flash of anger that he received. Then he continued, "But you have more and proven your skill and value to the Fleet. Don't let what others think bother you. I know it's hard but you have more natural ability in your little finger then most of those sniveling officers will ever have."

She stared at him and he could sense that his assessment surprised her. "You think I'm talented?" she asked softly.

His hand which was still on her shoulder moved to cup her face as if it had a mind of its own. He was stunned by how soft her skin was. Using his thumb he gently wiped away her tears on that cheek. He felt the tide of his own emotion and quietly said, "Yes. And more." They gazed in to each others eyes and felt himself getting lost in the dark blue-violet pools of her eyes.

She swallowed and whispered, "What?"

"I think you are beautiful," he whispered as he moved closer. He could feel her own sudden surge of emotion that she couldn't hide from him.

"You do?" she never faltered her lock on his gaze.

"Yes," he was mere centimeters from her lips and he knew he could be court-marshaled for harassment if she didn't want this too, but he suddenly didn't care. He had never wanted anything more than this in his life. He brushed her lips with his and was amazed at how soft hers were. She surprised him by laying her hand on his chest and the other on his shoulder. They were nearly the same height but she tilted her head slightly to give him a better angle. He immediately took that as his cue and captured her lips again; however, this time he pulled her into his arms and as soon as she moaned her surrender he deepened the kiss that left her breathless and trembling.

X

Jag and Shawnkyr hurried down the lift that brought them to the corridor into which they saw their daughter and the Jedi Knight Zeth Durron disappear into from the control observation deck. The doors to the lift slid open the same time as the conference room door slid shut. Jag felt a sudden and odd sense of déjà vu and groaned.

Shawnkyr looked at her husband and said, "What is it?"

He looked up into her red eyes and gave her a small smile, "I know what's going to happen in there."

She simply looked at him puzzled.

He looked back at the door and nodded, then quietly said, "He is going to kiss her."

"How can you be so sure?" Jag laughed and looked back at his concerned wife.

Being totally alone in the corridor and in the lift he put his arm around her waist and laughed at the memory that came flooding back to him. "Because I did that once."

"Did what? Jag, you are worrying me," she narrowed her eyes.

Jag looked back at the door but he actually didn't see it; he saw the memory play out in his mind. He continued to smile and said, "Oh, over thirty years ago during a battle that should have gotten me killed, a certain Jedi Knight and a certain Jedi Master saved me. The Master who was exhausted from the incredible demand his exertion had on him went to his quarters." He looked back at Kyrn and went on, a mischievous glint in his eyes, "I pulled the Knight into a conference room, not much unlike this one, and confronted her on her recklessness. By the end of the conversation, I had kissed her."

Shawnkyr only looked at him with something like fear in her eyes. Jag pulled her closer and hit the close button on the control panel of the lift. He laughed harder as he said, "Not much we can do about it. But I wonder what they will say or think if either his mother or I tell them that was how we had our beginnings. Of course, I'm not exactly sure what sort of ending I want to this. But I think I do need to make sure Zeth Durron understands that I'm her father and put the same sort of fear into him, just as his mother's father had put into me."

At this Shawnkyr actually laughed. She remembered that all too well her self.

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