"Woah," Thyne, one of the pilots in the front, muttered.
"What do you think happened?" another pilot asked.
"We're receiving reports from our news ships in the system, a moon-like object is still in orbit around the now non-existent planet. No further information can be obtained at this time," the Ishi Tib reporter filled in.
"Think that moon took it out?"
"Rys, don't be an idiot," flight commander Tanner spoke, "A moon couldn't take out Alderaan. Must be some new sort of terror weapon. Blasted rebels."
"I don't think the rebels did this," Dorovio said, quickly sucking in a breath as she realized what she'd said.
The other pilots turned to her. Davijaan snorted.
"Isn't it obvious?" the older pilot scoffed. "Only the rebels would make an attack so barbaric."
"There's no news of them making a super weapon…" Rys stated cautiously.
"What're ya saying Rys? We had something to do with it?"
"Maybe it was home to rebel sympathizers. Force knows those lothrats couldn't keep their protesting mouths shut."
"Rys has a point," Thyne spoke again. "The rebels want support, not innocent bloodshed. Besides, they'd strike a planet like Coruscant, or Corulag. Or Kuat…"
That had the room silent for a minute. Tanner focused his attention back on Rys for a moment.
"Rys, what do you mean it might have been home to rebel sympathizers?"
"Well I heard that the Emperor was building a Death Star, a weapon that could destroy planets," Rys reasoned.
"Pure rebel propaganda," Davijaan dismissed.
"Surely the whole Empire would know about this," Tanner stated.
"From what I heard, only the Imperial barons know about those really secret missions. Plus, it would explain where a lot of those Wookies went in the early days," Thyne said.
All the while, Dorovio kept a tight lip. Whoever had taken the entire planet out had taken out Rina with it. Alderaan was home to Dorovio, and so she'd lost more than a fellow cadet and friend. She'd lost family, a place to go back to, and she'd never get to fly over the paradise of her childhood. Still, she couldn't bring herself to blame the Empire for it's destruction. There had to be another cause.
"Hey Rovio, you sure got quiet," Thyne noticed. "Know something we don't?"
"It's just that my friend Rina said she saw it," Dorovio explained.
"Oh really? And where did Rina see this Death Star?" Rys asked with mock intrigue.
"Actually a fellow trooper brought it to her attention. Alderaan has no moons and she saw one in the sky last rotation."
"Rina's wrong. Alderaan does have a moon. Don't you know that?" Tanner countered roughly.
"Still, a moon would probably fly out of orbit if there's nothing to orbit," Davijaan credited. "Besides, it's hard to see Alderaan's moon from planet side, so most wouldn't realize it exists."
"That's true on both counts," Thyne confirmed.
"Kinda hard to mistake a moon," Rys admitted. "You're friend has a point. Maybe it's not just propaganda huh Odd Ball?"
"Whatever," Davijaan scoffed.
"Either way gentlemen, I'm afraid this shipyard will not patrol itself," commanded resident Admiral Mar'kett, who'd startled the assembly. "Get back to work!"
The fighter pilots nodded and made their way out of the break room and into the hangar.
-Breakline-
The next day, Dorovio's bow shaped fighter descended upon the Kuati city of Thistle. It was a frequent tourist attraction, with tall mountains capped with green pastures. In the valley where the heart of the city lay, various shops selling primitive trinkets filled the area. Since she had landed, Dorovio had purchased a small bag of peanut butter popcorn, remembering it being her favorite snack at the academy. Back then, she'd be sharing it with a close friend. As the grieved fighter pilot walked through the mountainous city to clear her mind, Dorovio stopped amidst a gathered crowd of people huddling around a holoscreen.
A short haired brunet man appearing to be mid-twenties was in the hologram. He was wearing a strange looking green jumpsuit. A grey helmet rested underarm, it was visor-less with dark tan padding. His face was outlined in determination, yet was soft enough to not seem intimidating. Brown eyes stared out from the hologram as he spoke. Dorovio admitted, she was intrigued.
"My name is Arvel Crynyd of the Alliance to Restore the Republic," he started. "We have been branded as terrorists, rebels, and criminals. Yet we were not the ones who destroyed Alderaan. Alderaan was a peacekeeping planet, it didn't deserve to be snuffed out. My heart goes out to the billions who have been killed mercilessly, and to the families they leave behind. The Empire would have you believe we are guilty of this criminal act, but we wish liberation for all, not the destruction of any. I want everyone to remember Alderaan. Never forget it. This is why we fight. This is why the Rebellion lives on. For Alderaan. And if you feel the pain of all those affected by this grave loss, do not remain under the Empire's thumb. Join the fight, so that no other planet will suffer the same fate as Alderaan."
As the hologram faded, the crowd dispersed. Dorovio stayed as the citizens of Thistle went back to their business, muttering about the rebel who had just spoken. Some thought the Rebellion was crazy, others thought it was full of criminals, and still others had very little doubt that the rebels were behind Alderaan.
But the pilot's speech still played in Dorovio's mind. The Empire's most cruel, most fearful, and most powerful secret was being brought to light. She had to find out the truth behind the Death Star. For Alderaan, her home. For Aru-E'den, her dream. For Rina, her friend.
Dorovio turned around from her spot in front of the holodisk, and walked back to her fighter.
-Breakline-
The station gave a steady hum as Dorovio went to find Rys. If he believed something went down, then he could help Dorovio on her quest for answers. She found him talking to Thyne and Corzo in the break room, and approached the trio. As she grew closer, she could overhear them talking about the Death Star.
"Hey guys," Dorovio greeted nonchalantly.
"Vi, we were just discussing Alderaan's destruction," Thyne explained.
"Oh really?"
"Yeah, Corzo has a buddy who was stationed on Alderaan," Rys pointed to the dark-skinned pilot to his right.
"Yeah, he was talking to me when he described a bright green flash. Scared the crap out of me when the news hit. I was scheduled to transfer to Alderaan tomorrow. Tarche could've happened to me," Corzo supplied.
"What could it mean?" Thyne asked.
"The rebels have it in for us, man," Corzo replied.
"But the Death Star's one of ours," Dorovio challenged.
The trio looked at her. Rys spoke up first.
"They wouldn't take out a planet home to an Imperial base, that's fool hardy."
Thyne scratched his head.
"It could be a way to keep everyone in check, not just the rebels," he reasoned.
Rys sighed, saying as he rolled his eyes, "I can't believe you guys. This is treason. And if the Empire did do this, what are you guys gonna do?"
"I don't know. What would you do if the Empire killed your friend?" Dorovio questioned.
Rys snorted, "He probably deserved it."
Thyne and Dorovio shared a look. Thyne posed the same question to Corzo.
"I don't care what he did, he was my friend, and if I'm loyal to the Empire, I'm even more loyal to my friends," Corzo said.
Rys gave another snort, shaking his head and walking away. Corzo and Thyne looked after Rys, with Corzo moving to follow him. Before Thyne could follow suit, Dorovio pulled him by the arm.
"Ouch," Thyne complained. When the two were alone, Thyne asked, "Vi, what's up?"
"I know you have questions, just like I do," Dorovio said.
"Look, I know the Empire's done some crazy scray before, I'm not an idiot. And I believe you," Thyne replied. When Dorovio stared at him, he added, "And yes, I do have questions."
"Don't you want answers?"
"What difference does it make? The Death Star is a super secret project. We could hang ourselves if we check this out," Thyne warned.
"Not if we defect," Dorovio stated frankly. Thyne looked both ways before covering Dorovio's mouth.
Looking at her eyes coldly, he said, "Don't even say that. Not out loud."
After a few seconds more, Thyne let go. Dusting his hands off, he said, "I'm gonna help you get to the bottom of this. But what happens if we uncover something big?"
"We get out of here. Join the Rebellion."
"I hope you know what you're doing, Vi."
"I do."
With that, Thyne was on his way to the pilots' quarters. Dorovio was satisfied that she had someone who would help her. With Thyne on her side, even if Rys was originally her preferred partner, she had a better chance of finding answers. Dorovio felt like she owed it to Rina to resolve her death, no murder, at the hands of the Death Star.
-Breakline-
"You think people will listen?" the young rebel asked.
"I hope so, Wedge. The galaxy can't let so many cries go unheard," Arvel Crynyd, the man in the message, replied. He and Wedge Antilles were standing in front of the holoprojecter, located in the west wing of the Yavin Temple that held the Rebel base.
"People will listen Arv," Biggs said, walking up to the pair. "I didn't think that I'd ever defect, but I soon realized that the Empire did some wicked things. I know there are many imperials who are good at heart. This will open their eyes."
"I hope so," Arvel said. "For all our sakes."