Chapter 1-A New Squadron

General Darith Lucien strode into the council room. The ten members of the Command Council were seated around a circular table.

"Ah, General Lucien, thank you for responding to the summons so quickly." That was the Twi'Lek Councilor, Ristana. "I understand that you wish to make a request of the Command Council?"

"Yes, thank you, Councilor Ristana. I'd like to form a new squadron."

"A fighter squadron?" That was the Quarren Councilor, Tezzik.

"That's right." Darith ran his hands through his messy black hair. "You all know that Commander Soun and I share command of the Endless Horizon. The Endless Horizon is a great ship, but it's been too long since I've been is a fighter cockpit. Commander Soun and I would still share command, but in an actual combat situation, Commander Soun would be in charge of the ship, while I would lead the fighter squadron."

Monderu, the Kaleesh Councilor, spoke up.

"That does not seem unreasonable. I feel that General Lucien is justified is his wish to fly a starfighter once more. I see no reason why we should not grant him his request."

"Councilors, might I remind you that General Lucien has two charge of insubordination? Do we want a maverick leading a fighter squadron?" Mithruno, the Chiss Councilor, stood up as he spoke. Darith felt hot anger well up inside of him.

Those two charges of insubordination happened when I received orders that would have endangered the men and women under my command. If I had followed those orders, they would probably be dead.

Tisha, the Zabrak Councilor, rose form her seat.

"And might I remind you, Mithruno, that General Lucien's actions prevented a great loss of life. I think that he should be granted a medal for his actions. Those two charges of insubordination should be bright marks on his record, not black."

Lassk, the Trandoshan Councilor and head of the Command Council, clapped her hands.

"Very well. General Lucien, you are excused for now. We will contact you again when we have reached a decision."

"Thank you, Councilors. You have my comlink frequency." As Darith turned to leave, his green eyes met Councilor Tisha's brown eyes and for a second, he saw the faintest trace of a smile flicker across her face. He smiled back, acknowledging their mutual dislike for the Chiss Councilor.

Commander Albert Soun was waiting outside the council room.

"So how'd it go?"

"Okay. Monderu and Tisha were on my side, but Mithruno brought up those insubordination charges."

Albert laughed, his blue eyes twinkling.

"He really doesn't like you, does he?"

"No. I think that he doesn't like me because He thinks that he should be able to order me around, manipulate me for his own gain, but I've disregarded his authority on more than one occasion."

"History of rivalry, eh?"

"You could put it that way, yes. So how's the Endless Horizon doing? Will it be ready for the new squadron?"

"Actually, no."

"What?"

"We had a failure in the port-side gravity-well generators. Some sort of massive power surge that blew out all 5 of the port-side generators. They're out of commission and will have to be replaced. That's something like 8-9 months in dry dock."

"Ouch."

"Major ouch. So it looks like you'll be flying from land bases for a little while."

Beep. Beep. Beep.

"What's that?" Albert asked.

"My comlink. Looks like the Command Council has made a decision."

Lassk stood as Darith strode into the council room. Darith spoke.

"You have made a decision, Councilors?"

"We have. We have decided to rant you your request." Darith fought and failed to keep a smile off of his face.

"Thank you!"

"I just have one question, General." Lassk said.

"Yes?"

"What will you call your new squadron?"

"I was thinking that I would call it Hawkbat Squadron, seeing as I'm from Coruscant and have a tame hawkbat."

"Very well, Hawkbat One. Gather your squadron."