IV: Retrieve the Falcon

It took a while, but Dax and R2-F3 were finally able to make it to the edge of the galaxy, where the remainder of the Rebel fleet was hiding. Using the targeting computer to locate the Nebulon-B Frigate Vulpine, he flew into its hangar and landed. He took the chance to stretch his legs while a pair of engineers helped F3 out of their X-wing, before both headed towards the bridge to receive new orders.

The automatic door slid open only after Dax showed his identification. He and F3 quickly stepped through, allowing it to close behind them. They spotted the captain of the vessel; Dax snapped off a quick salute and F3 emitted a short series of beeps. The captain returned his salute. "At ease, soldier." He leaned over a crewmate's shoulder and examined the data on his terminal. He straightened, sighed, and then glanced to Dax again. "Alright… let me know what happened."

Dax cleared his throat. "Sir, at 1138 hours, we engaged the Empire two-hundred meters east of Echo Base. They outnumbered us severely. A few transports were destroyed; from F3's data gathered before I left, most of the destroyed ones were still in the process of taking off when they were destroyed." He paused, gulped, and continued. "The final transport was destroyed before it could clear the asteroid belt surrounding the planet and jump to hyperspace, sir."

The captain nodded. "And what about fighter escorts? I don't recall any other X-wings landing in the Vulpine."

"Sir, I was only with Rogues 4 and 7. Rogue 7 was severely damaged and fled the area. Rogue 4 was KIA."

"So we've got one pilot who needs a new X-wing and one family who needs an explanation. Thank you for the info, soldier." He turned back towards the front, staring out into the space ahead.

Dax stepped behind him. "Captain Hunter, sir, if there are any missions I'm needed in…"

Hunter turned back to him. "Have you had any time to rest since the evacuation of Hoth?"

"Well, apart from a few hours in hyperspace, none."

"Well, get some. Go to your bunk, change your gear. You're not on a frozen wasteland anymore." He suppressed a smile as Dax finally remembered he was still in his snow gear. "Get something to eat at the mess hall, then see me again. I think I have a mission or two in line for you."

Dax was still finishing a glass of blue milk when he headed back for the bridge. It had been the third glass he drank in 8 minutes. He showed his ID to the console near the door again, and stepped through when it slid open. He quickly took another gulp, and then saluted Captain Hunter. His salute was returned. "Well, Corporal Urland, I'm rather busy right now." He motioned to another soldier on the bridge. "Don't worry, Sergeant Major Volk will fill you in on other recent events."

Volk nodded. He started towards the door. "Follow me, Corporal."

Dax saluted. "Yes, sir."

The door closed behind them. Hunter sighed. "I sure hope he'll be up for it."

Volk looked over a datapad, filled with data on the Alliance's recent moves, victories, and losses. "Alright, Corporal, I think the first thing you should know is that we've lost contact with both General Solo and Commander Skywalker. Both the Millennium Falcon and Skywalker's X-wing disappeared during the battle. Worse is, Solo took Princess Leia Organa with him."

Dax snapped to attention. "I remember now! A path collapsed near the transport I was escorting. Seconds after they received a transmission from General Solo; he said he couldn't get the princess to it." He remembered the fate of the transport. It's a good thing he didn't, then.

"The captain was planning on sending you to try and find information on where Solo and Skywalker went. Something could happen to them, and if we don't know where they are, we won't be able to help in any way." Volk handed the datapad to him. "All we know is the direction the two ships took off in. The last we saw of either of them, the Falcon was heading towards the Anoat system, while Skywalker's X-wing seemed to be going for either the Elrood or Kathol sectors."

Dax studied the data. "Which should I head for first?"

"Well, if you want to follow my suggestion, I'd try to find the Falcon first. I heard Solo was having trouble with some of its systems; that would explain why they took a path that would put it close to more planets."

Dax nodded. "I'll search for General Solo first, then. …Do you want the datapad back, sir?" Volk wouldn't take it back; Dax would probably need it while searching.

He re-entered the hangar. F3 was circling his X-wing. A pair of technicians had given up on catching him minutes before Dax arrived. "F3, calm down. We have to head to the Anoat system." F3 stopped and turned to him, beeping in confusion. The techs took the advantage and grabbed him. F3 beeped wildly. "I said calm down, F3! We need to get going!"

Both techs helped F3 into the external socket. Dax climbed into the cockpit and closed the canopy. One tech tried to get his attention. "Excuse me, sir, where are you going?"

"I'm heading back to Hoth. I have to find the Millennium Falcon and her crew." He returned the thumbs-up the tech gave him. "Alright, F3, let's roll." They slowly maneuvered out of the hangar, then fed power to the engines to distance themselves from the fleet. F3 released a series of beeps. "Set a course for the Anoat system, F3. The Falcon was headed that way last time anyone knew where it was." F3 beeped once more, then took control of the craft as it sped off into hyperspace back the way they came hours earlier.