Chapter Six: "This first op will be mostly to your liking."
The next few days were filled with the same training and drills, and it was very evident that most of the Talons were catching on. Ski's personnel were becoming quick and efficient soldiers, and he could tell many of them were much happier now that their own expertise was mixed in with the usual training. He had found out the estimated date when his new group of four would be arriving too, and he figured that Intel was simply making things more difficult by keeping the recruits out of his squadron for the time being. Kevin gave a list of exercises and drills to Intel so that his newest recruits would not be so far behind his squadron, but he figured the list would be lost in the sea of folders and datapads, or at the worst, "mistakenly thrown out."
Kevin decided to take a flight in one of the newly arrived A-wings. The squadron had dubbed them "Baby Birds," and the name seemed to fit. Several days earlier the squad had installed some racks on the Eagle and the Hawk so they could both carry the A-wings. It was not only a good exercise in mechanics and engineering, but it had also required teamwork and cooperation, not to mention some following of instructions, something his squadron desperately needed to practice.
Captain Ski hopped in the A-wing nearest the shuttle and allowed himself the pleasure of relaxing in the cockpit.
*****
Giving himself a look over, Jaren flashed a handsome smile at the good-looking guy in the mirror. He had just gotten showered off from a grueling workout and was slicking back his jet-black hair to just the right angle. "You're a sly son of a bantha," he told himself, and even while he knew half of the boast wasn't true, he had let his mischievous side out the day before. Jaren knew Captain Ski couldn't trace that little incident involving the patrol car back to him, though.
Kendrick had bet Jaren that, even though he was a sharpshooter, he couldn't hit the broadside of a bantha with the shuttle's guns. Still, he was doing just fine until Kendrick made a sharp turn to throw off his aim. His low-power shot missed the practice target and lit up the patrol car.
No one was very amused.
The only other thing that had gone wrong that week was his meeting with Telia. He had gone over to her room to talk about the unit and see if they could forget the past, start over. She seemed like she might finally be coming around, but one thing led to another and they started talking about old missions. The next thing he knew, he was making a strategic retreat into the hall and dodging incoming fire. Captain Ski saw the whole thing and gave them both extra duties around the base. He and Telia had returned to their routine of avoiding each other, but perhaps things had been smoothed over for the most part.
Aside from that, though, the week had gone well. He had proven himself one of the best shooters in the unit and a fair pilot. He was, however, in dead last place in hand-to-hand combat. His reflexes just weren't up to the task of trying to fight another person. It was almost funny, really. He could sneak kilometers into enemy territory, wait undetected and unmoving for days on end, place a single, perfect shot at a thousand meters, but he couldn't manage to avoid getting thrown around by almost everyone else in the unit. That particular fact was embarrassing considering he was thrown around by all of the females of the squad, including Telia. It was a very minor thing, though, and with enough practice he knew he would soon be helping them off the floor instead of the other way around.
Jaren looked at his chrono and jumped unconsciously. He'd figured he had at least another fifteen minutes before he was to meet the other members of the squad. Everyone was on the sixth floor stairwell awaiting Captain Ski's usual quiet time. The squad had set up a nice surprise for him on the roof, where all of the squad's transports were kept.
He arrived in the stairwell just ahead of Captain Ski and took his place in hiding. Ski had continued up the stairs onto the roof and had hopped into his usual A-wing. The captain seemed surprised to see a small tag near the main controls.
Sir,
We know we have been more than a little troublesome and that we've given you some major headaches. Here is a gift just to show how we've come together recently. Thanks.
The string attached to the tag led to a stuffed hawk-bat, much like a child's plush toy. The hawk-bat was brutally squeezed into a jacket that did not fit, but it was what was on the jacket that made Ski smile. Three large tears led their way down to three claws on the backside... talons, as they were. He had heard of morale boosters, but he thought the stories were all fake. The few units he had previously commanded had never done such a thing, but his squad, the Talons, had gotten him.
Ski looked up to see the whole squadron looking at him from around the A-wing. They were all smiling. "Who did this?" he asked, an even bigger smile spreading across his face.
"We did, sir," was the unanimous answer.
"Thanks," Kevin said, his shoulders relaxing with relief. "I needed it."
*****
Early the next morning, just about into the fourth week of training, the Talons awoke to a new challenge, one that many had looked forward to since they had arrived at the Nest. Captain Ski announced that the squad would be going off-planet for some field training for the next few days. "This first op will be mostly to your liking," he told his gathered squad as they began to board the Hawk. "We won't be going very far, only to Vandor-3, and we'll return before nightfall. There's no need for any equipment you may have, as everything you'll need for the speeder bike challenge will be provided for you."
Several Talons nodded excitedly, and even more couldn't contain the light in their faces. Perhaps they were all excited about simply getting off the base that they had occupied for several weeks, even it is was just to Coruscant's neighboring planet.
All of the Talons hurriedly strapped in and got ready to take off. Kendrick was actually getting his first experience flying the Hawk with his squad today, and Ty was serving as his co-pilot. As the shuttle carefully glided from the Nest's roof and makeshift hangar, Kevin addressed his group again. "With the help of the esteemed Sergeant Bullwinkle, I have set a course through some different terrain on Vandor-3's northern continent. You all know how to ride one of these bikes, so I won't bore you with the details. Remember that we will be racing for pride, not prizes, so stay sharp. Sergeant Bullwinkle and H9 will be at the end of the course awaiting your arrival." The shuttle made a sharp turn that shook everyone in their seats, but nothing out of the ordinary. Most Talons could tell simply from the feel of the ship's vibration that they were already well out of Coruscant airspace.
"We'll use speeders a lot during missions for transport and relay vehicles, so use this time to concentrate on practicing rusty skills," Ski continued, absently marking, for his own information, the flight time and flight maneuvers that his pilots were using. "The course will be marked for its entire length of five kilometers." Another turn alerted all that the final descent was underway. "Any questions?"
Lieutenant Jane Muir spoke up to the surprise of all. "The winner gets bragging rights, but what happens to the losers?"
Captain Ski smiled evilly, fondly recalling the first time he had threatened a certain group inside the squadron. "Last place finisher has to buy us all drinks while we're on liberty tonight, and he or she will also get the distinct honor of babysitting H9-0 for the night."
The entire squad shuddered, but the second operations team perked up, determined that Captain Ski's threat would not land upon them. Ops II shared a couple of knowing glances and chuckles, finding the threat poignant.
Kendrick brought the Hawk down gently through an opening in the thick foliage, proving more than capable of handling the large transport. The trip had not taken long at all, and as the back cargo hold began to open, fresh air flowed into the cargo bay. Quite a change after they had been cooped up on Coruscant for almost a standard month. The Talons un-strapped themselves and made their way onto the new terrain.
Much to their excitement, fifteen speeder bikes were there to meet them. The machines were already assigned Two through Sixteen, so it was hardly difficult to determine which bike belonged to whom. Ski watched his Talons inspect their vehicles and saw a few evil smiles pop up. His mechanics, pilots, and engineers had apparently found out that he had taken any sort of governing mechanism off the bikes. Soon everyone had discovered the minor detail and became even more excited at the prospect of the race
"Even though the governors are disabled," Captain Ski added, cautiously thinking that his people might need the extra warning, "I still want you all to cross the finish line in one piece. I'll meet you all at the end." Ski held up his standard blaster and prepared to sound the start of the race.
*****
A feral grin found its way to Danya's face as she studied the speeder bikes. She might be a hacker by trade, but as a kid, she had become very proficient at speederbike racing. It was a talent she had enjoyed showcasing, especially on dangerous terrain. Nothing had made her parents more furious than her daredevil tricks on her dilapidated bike.
She listened with half an ear as Captain Ski continued to drone on about the race. Loser has to buy drinks and baby-sit that annoying droid, eh? Danya had no intention of coming in last place.
At the sound of the blaster, Danya took off, her smile growing with confidence as she easily held her own and even began to get ahead of the main pack. There were some good racers, she realized. Jane Muir especially looked as though she'd done this before.
Danya grinned wider still and increased her speed. She might or might not win, but there was little danger of losing.
*****
Quis Heartilly might not have had the skill, but she certainly had the know-how. She wasn't going to crash and burn. She couldn't. She knew what kind of a liability she was to the captain and to her teammates, and she wasn't going to let them down if she could help it. She nervously awaited the starting shot, fidgeting with the controls and gnawing on her bottom lip. The shot sounded, and she gunned the controls.
After two false starts she was left on the starting line as the others sped into the distance.
"I'm not cut out for this field stuff," she muttered under her breath, tears welling up in her eyes. This stuff is for grunts, not minds.
Well, she would make things easier for herself. Jamming the throttle on, the speeder almost shot away from her. Quis had barely managed to keep her emotions under control after such a start. Slapping a small device onto the control panel, Quis gave her Assisted Vehicle Control Device a look over. The AVCD took over the bike instantly, scanning the surrounding terrain and plotting an appropriate course to avoid any major obstacles. Even at high speeds, the device would not allow the speeder to crash, and Quis could practically drive as erratically as she liked.
She'd certainly need it. Thanks, Dad.
*****
I'm going to lose, Kithera thought dramatically. She didn't mind fixing the bikes, but riding them was a different matter altogether. As the blaster sounded and the Talons flew forward, Kithera gave another sigh, touching the handles to gun the engines. Being an officer in the squadron meant that she had better perform, and perform well.
Nothing happened.
Let me rephrase that last thought: I am definitely going to lose. I'd better have my money ready.
She touched the handles yet again, flinging herself forward and off the speeder bike. The vehicle sputtered to a stop before dying. Kithera dared to kick the bike. "Worthless piece of junk!" she yelled, trying to avoid the odd look Captain Ski was giving her.
*****
Telia Aris zipped along, determined to finish at the front of the pack. Moving this fast helped to relieve some of the tension she had felt since seeing Jaren again. The irony was ridiculous, but she had figured out that the best way to stay calm and in control was to beat Jaren at every training session, including this one.
She put more pressure on the throttle and flew past Rubi and Mekial.
Speeding about on bikes reminded her of flying, and of the dream her father had for her. Bragging about his only child was his way of hiding the pain of his traitor-wife, she supposed. His push for her to become an elite pilot turned something she loved into a cursed passion.
It felt good to leave home, even though she left to live a lie. It felt good to know the freedom of space and of other planets, but she hadn't had the heart to tell her father the truth of her involvement with the intelligence division instead of his beloved dream of Starfighter Command.
That decision led her to Jaren.
That decision left her with a broken, angry heart.
Telia looked up to see Jaren slightly ahead of her. She couldn't let him win. Setting her face in determination, she pushed her bike as fast as she could.
*****
Kendrick shook his head to clear his thoughts. He had not had as good of a start to the race as he had desired.
I'm lead pilot in this squad... there's no way I'm finishing last!
He wound his way through the pack, taking a position just behind the front-runners. At the moment, Danya led the group, followed by Milan, Jaren, Jane, and Ty. It seemed like no one wanted to buy drinks or baby-sit H9 at the end of the race.
Ken cast a glance over his shoulder. Telia Aris was catching up. He stomped on his throttle pedals, trying to goose up the bike's speed. Whatever place he finished in, he had no desire, or intention, of coming up last.
*****
Stone's thoughts were a few light years away during the entire race rundown. He shifted uncomfortably on his speeder, the memory of the Talon swim qualifier fresh in his mind. Who would have thought ljutefisk could've stung like that? And why is it that every time Sergeant Bullwinkle gets near food, someone ends up badly hurt?
"I'll meet you all at the finish line."
Snap to it, Ten! Here we go.
The blaster fired.
*****
Stone opened his eyes slowly, an eternity later, to a painful ringing in his head. Roll call: legs? Check. Arms? Check. Frenzied bantha herd in my head? Still going strong.
Captain Ski walked into the second floor medbay just as Stone considered the possibility of bolting out the door. "That barrel roll you tried at the end of the course was inventive, Stone."
"Thank you, sir." The Talons' corpsman tried to sit up, managing to do so after two tries.
"Of course, it would have been even more impressive if you had done it with more than a half-meter's clearance on either side of your bike."
Stone grimaced, finally remembering the stunt that had ended his race. "So, what's my bar tab like now, sir?"
"Actually," Ski stopped him short, "we're still debating whether you or Kithera are buying. Her engine flamed out before she got out of the gate. But in any case, you two were quite generous last night."
"Do you happen to have a blaster with you, sir?"
"Oh, and I almost forgot. Come on in, H9."
"I'm sure there's a treaty convention somewhere that expressly forbids this, sir."
Ski managed a wicked smile, something that Stone had to admit the captain did rather well. "Have a good evening, Stone." H9-0 came in just as Ski closed the door to the medbay.
"Good evening, sir. I am H9-0, and I am familiar with various squadron protocols and -"
"Oh, switch off!"
*****
Captain Ski was pleased with the results... sort of. He had created a little bit of incentive with the threat of H9-0 and the drinks. The punishment would probably fall on both Kithera and Stone. Kevin actually felt kind of sorry for them, but only for a brief moment. As if watching H9 wasn't enough, he and the rest of the group had run up a fairly large bill. Given that fifteen squadron members had participated, Ski understood that a healthy portion of Kithera and Stone's next two pay deposits would automatically go toward the tab.
Danya Faithwood had won the race with flying colors. He wished people had taken the race as seriously as she did.
Oh, well, he thought, tomorrow is a new day. He actually had given away a bit of the next surprise to his squad, and from the eager dashing about, he could tell many were already trying to edge out their teammates by preparing early. The Talons were going to return to the off-planet training ground for a war-game exercise between two teams, determined by Sergeant Bullwinkle.
Speaking of Bullwinkle... Kevin turned the corner to see acrid smoke coming from the mess hall. Before he could pass the double doors and avoid being seen, he heard several groans and a couple of trays drop.
It seemed that the sergeant had created another masterpiece.