Missing Patrol
When Rogue Squadron had landed safely back on Hoth after the successful mission at Fondor, Nomi jumped out of her X-wing, followed by her faithful astromech Fuzzy.
She looked around and saw that the mechanics were working on the snowspeeders already. The pilot smiled, seeing that their efforts weren't in vain, as she walked toward the exit to head for her quarters. On the way she passed members of the ground forces who were just on the way to an exercise. She felt tired, but also very happy that everything went according to plan.
When she entered her quarters they were empty. Nomi had noticed that the Outrider wasn't there, but she had thought that it might stand at another spot. So Dash had actually left her, not being able to accept her decision to fight against the Empire. She sat down at the small table and put her head in her hands. Fuzzy rolled over giving a row of beeps that sounded like a question.
"No, everything is alright," she responded, being well aware that it was a lie. Nothing was alright if it came to her relationship with Dash Rendar. The man she loved was gone it seemed and she wouldn't see him ever again. She sighed and stood up. To sit there wouldn't bring him back, so she decided to take a walk in the hallways of Echo Base to clear her mind. Her astromech seemed to be satisfied by her answer and rolled over to the loading station to recharge, as she walked to the door, opened it and left.
Outside she noticed a certain degree of commotion and wondered what was going on. There wasn't any alarm sound, so it couldn't be an attack. She stopped one of those passing by.
"What's going on?" She asked with a worried expression.
The man looked at her surprised.
"Haven't you heard? Luke Skywalker didn't come back from patrol," he answered her question before he resumed his pace.
Nomi frowned. Luke didn't come back? This was bad news. If he wouldn't be found soon, he would freeze to death. But there was nothing she could do, except to cross her fingers. Slowly she made her way back to her quarters, knowing that the shield doors would be closed soon and then there wouldn't be any way to help Luke. The young pilot shivered and not only because of the cold here at Echo Base. After eating some ration bars which she downed with tea, Nomi went over to the cot and slid under the blanket. It didn't take long and she fell asleep.
When she woke the next morning she had a quick breakfast before she made her way to the command center. As she entered the room she saw Wedge and walked over to him.
"Any news if it comes to Luke, Wedge?" She asked, looking expectantly at her commander.
Antilles shrugged.
"There's nothing yet. Neither by Luke nor by Han, who went out to search for him just before the shield doors were closed. You know that the odds for survival are limited after nightfall. But nevertheless there are a few snowspeeders on the way and looking for them," he responded with a worried expression.
"So the speeders are finally functional? This is good to know, Wedge. Hopefully they will find both alive," she said and she meant it. To lose her childhood friend would have been a major blow for her.
Nomi heard parts of the radio traffic between the snowspeeder pilots and the command center.
They were flying over the ice plains, but had found nothing so far, but they weren't ready to give up on the search. The rebel pilot listened intently and crossed her fingers.
"Echo Base…this is Rogue Two. I found them. Repeat, I found them," Zev Senesca's voice was to be heard.
Those who were in the command center cheered and General Rieekan gave orders to prepare the med bay.
Nomi had only a short glimpse at Luke when he was carried to the med bay. The young man looked fairly beaten up and was unconscious. The former smuggler raised an eyebrow and wanted to follow, when Han Solo stopped her grabbing her arm. He held a mug of tea in the other hand.
"You would be only in the way, Nomi," he said and took a sip of the hot liquid. "I'm glad I found the kid. Kark, it was cold out there. My Tauntaun didn't make it and I cut its belly with Luke's lightsaber and gutted it before I put my friend in to keep him warm until I erected the shelter. The kid must have had nightmares. He mumbled the whole night two words: Dagobah and Yoda. I've no idea what this meant."
The Corellian shrugged and took another sip of tea which he had enhanced with a good quantity of Corellian brandy as Nomi could tell by the scent of it.
"I'm glad Zev found us in time," he said, with an expression of distaste. "I don't want to experience this for a second time."
Nomi nodded her head.
"I can imagine this, Han," the young woman responded and left Solo alone, as she made her way back to her quarters. Luke was alive and it was taken care of him by the medical droid 2-1B, which was the only medical aid they had at Echo Base. They would put him in the bacta tank and he would regain his health soon. This was really good news and the worry was now replaced by optimism.