Chapter 11

The Damage is Done

One night turned into three and Smith, sensing that his days of being able to influence the New Republic leader were nearing an end, tapped into the central computer to access information regarding the Rimma campaign. Smith believed in aligning himself with the strongest, richest side, and he had already deduced that the New Republic had few funds. Now all that remained was to contact Superior General Delvardus and advise him of the impending invasion.

Battle plans were set and preparations complete. The trip to Fondor would commence the following day and the New Republic forces had been given their final briefing. The soldiers were enjoying a final night with their loved ones. The Robinsons had taken Don and Luke out to dinner and the Rogues were expecting them at the Frosty Mug for a night of camaraderie.

Penny wished she were five years older. Being a fourteen-year-old female among so many handsome twenty-something year old pilots was like shopping for cars before you could drive, and just as frustrating. "Having the Force must make you invincible in combat, Luke." Penny stated as she fluttered her eyelashes at his clear blue eyes.

"Not really, Penny. It gives me an advantage, but I could be hit by the right shot just like anyone else," he replied.

"Is R2D2 always with you in your x-wing?" Will asked.

"I wouldn't go into combat without him, Will."

"Hey, Don, don't you have to take a droid with you?" Will asked.

"Nope, I'm on my own. I have one of the older b-wing models, so I won't need a robot," Don stated.

"Why don't you like robots, Don?" Will asked.

"After what our old robot did on the Jupiter, you're still wonderin' about that?"

"That was Dr. Smith's fault, not the robot's."

"Speaking of Smith, I saw him today. Mothma must have gotten tired of him and let him loose."

"Then he would have come back to the Jupiter," John stated. "Are you sure it was him?"

"Professor, please… I know Smith when I see him."

"That can't be good," Maureen said. "I wonder what he's up to?"

"Should I have someone track him down?" Han asked.

"It's all right, Han. Mon already has someone following him," Leia stated.

"I don't understand why she just didn't throw him in the brig," Don said.

"Because he hasn't broken any of our laws. We are a democracy, Major. We do not arrest and jail people without due cause," Leia lectured.

"I believe in democracy too, Leia, but with Smith, his bad character is due cause."

Judy added her opinion. "Don, you're not being fair. Leia's right. If he hasn't done anything wrong, he shouldn't be punished."

"Judy, Smith has been nothing but trouble in the past and he won't be anything but trouble in the future. We're better off taking care of him now rather than doing damage control later."

"He saved my life, Don. I can't agree with you."

As much as he respected Judy's intelligence, he cursed her naiveté. "The only reason he saved your life was to save his own skin." His voice became heated. "Don't kid yourself into thinking he did it out of the kindness of his heart. If he hadn't told me he could save you, I would have blown him away."

"If you had, I wouldn't be here now, would I?" Judy retorted.

Don had had enough. He noticed Luke's arm protectively encircle her shoulders and needed to escape the jealousy that was rising inside him. He hated feeling so conflicted. He liked Luke and he loved Judy. If she was happy with him, fine, he'd learn to live with it, just not at this very moment.

He stood. "Excuse me. I'm meeting the Rogues at the Frosty Mug. Thanks for dinner." He tossed his napkin on the table and ruffled Will's hair and then Penny's. "See you two squirts sometime after the battle."

Penny stood and hugged him. "Be careful, Don."

John and Maureen stood to give him their good-byes. Even though Don was a war hero back home, they found it hard to send him off into battle. They thought of themselves as his surrogate parents and worried about him as much as they did about their own children. Maureen held him close a moment and let him go. "Come back to us in one piece, Major."

John shook his hand and added, "And no 'over the top get yourself killed' type of flying, all right?"

Don chuckled. "No promises." He nodded to the rest of the group. "See you later," he said and left.

"So, Dr. Smith saved your life? I'll have to remember to thank him," Luke said as Judy tightened her hold on her wine glass.

Don's abrupt departure cast a pall over the dinner group and conversation waned. Will and Penny started to argue and it was clear that the night was over.

Han stood. "I think I'll join Don at the mug for a glass or two. Leia?"

"I'm coming with you. It's the only way to be sure you don't spend all night there," she replied.

"I'll stop by in a little while too," Luke stated.

Judy insisted that she would be lousy company for the rest of the night, but Luke finally convinced her to accompany him for a quick drink. Luke gently took her hand in his as they exited the restaurant and Judy didn't resist. She had felt flustered and confused after Don's exit and Luke's touch was calming. As they neared the Frosty Mug, he could feel her tension rise and he stopped just outside the doorway.

"Judy, what is it that's bothering you?" Luke asked.

"Nothing. I'm… I'm just worried about all of you." She couldn't look him in the eye. "I guess I'll never make a good soldier's wife."

Luke took her chin and tilted her head up to look at him. "That's good because I don't plan on being a soldier forever."

He leaned closer to her and met her lips with a soft, light touch. She froze. He pulled her closer and she tentatively put her arms around him. She closed her eyes and let him kiss her. Although the passion was minimal, she decided that he felt safe and secure.

Staring at them from behind the large window was Don, empty mug in his hand. Han and Leia caught him standing like a statue with his eyes transfixed on the couple outside the bar. She moved to rescue him and bring him back to the group while Han ordered a bottle of Whyren's. Don would need it. As Leia tapped his shoulder, he saw Luke and Judy break their embrace. Don turned away and strode straight to the bar. Han had a shot of Whyren's waiting for him. He accepted it and gulped in down. It was going to be a long night and he was determined to chase away the pain.

Judy felt like a drop of nectar on a flower as the pilots gathered round her. Luke sidled up next to Don at the bar as he ordered a drink for her. Don couldn't bring himself to acknowledge him as Luke nodded in greeting. He downed another shot and then sipped from his ale.

"Careful, there, Major. Remember you're flying tomorrow," Luke warned.

Don stared at him. "I don't need you to baby-sit me."

"Hey, I'm just offering some friendly advice. I want you at your best."

"I've flown over fifty combat missions, Commander. I know what I'm doing."

"I could argue that," Luke murmured.

"What did you say?" Don asked. He'd let Luke charm Judy if that was what she wanted, but he'd be damned if he'd let Luke treat him like some rookie.

Han saw the confrontation brewing and stepped between them. "That's enough." He looked from one to the other, "from both of you. Luke, go rescue your date. Don, you have had enough. I'm walking you back to the Jupiter."

Luke nodded and moved to Judy, taking her away from the gaggle of men that surrounded her. Don's cheeks were flushed and he shook his head. "I'm fine. I'll get myself back. I need a good long walk to clear my head." He placed his half empty mug of ale on the bar and strode out without a word to anyone.

Judy's eyes followed him and she fought the urge to chase him. Instead, she turned to Luke and accepted the drink he held out for her. Leia watched the encounter closely. She worried about her brother and her newfound friends. She wished she could tell Judy to stop fighting herself and listen to her heart, but she suspected that Judy would be as accepting of that advice as she would have been a year ago. The hardest thing she had to do was watch the drama that was unfolding before her, and hoped that the end would find a balance for all of them.

A short time later, General Solo announced an end to the partying and scattered his men back to the base. As she walked arm in arm with Han, Leia wondered aloud what, if anything, they could do for the romantic triangle that had evolved with the landing of the Jupiter.

"If Don's anything like me, and I know he is, he'll have to learn things the hard way," Han replied.

"And Judy's one stubborn woman," Leia added.

"It takes one to know one," Han said.

Leia stopped and placed her hands on her hips, "Watch it, general. You want to keep me, don't you?" she teased.

He took her in his arms, "Forever and ever." He leaned down and kissed her slowly, deeply and passionately.

"Keep kissing me like that and you've got me... forever."

"Let's get back to the Falcon. Give them time. The kids will figure out their own mess sooner or later."

Luke walked Judy into the Jupiter and hugged her. "Are you sure you don't want me to stay with you? You don't know what kind of shape Don will be in when he comes back."

"Luke, I'm not worried about Don. I know him well enough to know that he'd never hurt me."

"He might have stopped somewhere else and had more to drink."

"He lives to fly, Luke. He'd never do anything that might jeopardize his flight tomorrow. Trust me. He won't come back drunk."

"I still don't like it."

The hatch slid open and Don entered the ship. He wasn't drunk and he wasn't angry. He saw them and pushed down the hurt that rose inside. If only Judy would realize… Nah, that didn't help. Don's long walk had cleared his head and he decided that he couldn't fault Luke for his interest in Judy. Plus he'd be flying escort for Luke and the Rogues and there was no room for personal hurts on the battlefield. He extended his hand to Luke. "I'm sorry for my rude behavior earlier tonight, Luke."

"I understand. Emotions always run a little high on the night before a campaign," he replied.

"Will I… uh… see you both in the morning?" Don asked.

It didn't take jedi skills to understand what Don was asking. Luke decided that now was not the time to expand his relationship with Judy. "No, I'm going back to the base."

Relief crossed Don's face and he nodded, "Well, good-night, then."

Judy was about to open her mouth when Don whirled around at a sound in the hatch, laser pistol in hand, and Luke engaged his lightsaber.

"Smith!" Don exclaimed.

"Major," Smith replied, hands held up in surrender. "I suppose you're wondering where I've been."

"More worried about the poor soul you were destroying."

"Now, now Major, such distrust. You don't need to worry any longer. I am back and haven't hurt a fly."

"Yet."

"Did I hear news of an invasion? I do hope it will not be over our heads here on… whatever planet we are on."

"Arkania," Luke interjected.

"You know, Smith, the less you know, the better. How about if I walk you back down to your storage room and tuck you in for the night?" Don suggested.

"Of course, and leave the little lovebirds alone to give their passionate good-byes?"

Don grasped Smith by the arm and led him to the elevator without a word. Smith knew just how to flip his switch, but Don maintained control. He intended to lock him in the storage room that had been converted into a cabin for the saboteur.

"There is no need to lock me in, Major," Smith stated.

"I'm not giving you the chance to cause any damage, Smitty."

'The damage,' Smith thought to himself, 'has already been done.'