The hangar doors closed and Lena exited the AT-AT. As soon as she and the rest of Blizzard Forces stepped onto the Sovereign's floor, a deafening ovation and a storm of claps greeted them as their comrades on the Destroyer greeted them as heroes.

„You can celebrate now gunner." told Lena her subordinate as she was waving to their admirers with a smile

„Yes Ma'am!" grinned the young boy happily. „Hey! Did you see that everyone?!" he shouted in extasy.

The atmosphere on the ship was euphoric. They erased most of the Rebellion from existence; a few more powerful strikes and they will be no more.

„Good work everyone! For this once you all deserve a drink I think!" said Colonel Trex.

„HURRAAAAYYYY!" yelled all the soldiers, fisting the air.

„Let's give them a second one too on my account!" said a voice from the crowd. Marcus stepped forward and shook hands with Trex. „Congratulations Colonel."

„Thank you Captain and thanks for your support. But to tell the truth, the real hero of the day here is Lieutenant Colonel Barani." said Trex, gesturing at Lena. „I got immobilised, she led the final charge against the enemy."

„Oh, I know the Lieutenant Colonel and her skills, I'm not surprised." nodded Marcus with a smile. „Then accept my congratulations."

„Are you any surprised Captain?" joked Lena as she used to, trying to hide a flirty tone and look.

„Not by any means."

„If I may suggest, let's refresh ourselves, then we can share stories." commeted Trex.

„Indeed." nodded Lena. „See you later Captain."

„See you later."

Entering the changing room, Lena found it empty, except for the orderly on duty. „Ma'am. Can I stow your helmet away?" the man greeted her.

„Yes, thank you." said Lena, taking down the protective gear from her head and handing it over to him.

„You did a great job down there if I may say so." said the orderly, undoing the buckles of Lena's breastplate at her shoulders. „Wish I could join a fighting unit as well."

„Never late to start climbing the ladder soldier." replied Lena while helping him by holding the frontal plate while he put the back one away.

„I'm afraid that after what you did today I will only be able to fight pirates and simple bandits by the time I get there."

„Still. You'll be serving this Empire. You'll have no reason to be ashamed."

„You have a point indeed Lieutenant Colonel. I'll do my best."

„I have no doubt soldier. But now let's surrender ourselves to happiness if you ask me."

„We have reason for that unquestionably." smiled the man as he put the armor away.

„See you in the cantina." nodded Lena kindly as she left. Now she can really make an exception and be more direct towards others she thought.

„Well, I wish I could see that from close quarters." said someone from behind after she passed a corner.

Turning around she smiled warmly, a custom she started parcticing not so long ago. „I assure you, you can regret it. It wasn't anything." replied Lena, slowly stepping closer to him. „What about you? Could you handle them?"

„It was a nice warm up, nothing too serious. Honestly, it would have been nice to meet one or two Mon Calamari cruisers or some other big fish. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the clay pigeon shooting. Thanks for sending them up."

„Anytime my dear Marcus, trust me." chuckled Lena. Oh, it was so hard not to hug him tightly right then and there, a feeling that Marcus totally shared.

„You know I'm relieved right?" said Marcus. „Good to see you unharmed."

„Come on, you know it's not that easy to overcome me." replied Lena, bumping him on the shoulder.

„Well, I can't remember you protesting when I was over you." teased her the Destroyer Captain with a grin.

„Hmm. It would be time for that again." said Lena seductively, gently touching his forearm.

She quickly pulled back however when they heard someone approaching. „Guess we have reason to be proud."

„Ah Zeck." greeted Marcus his first officer/friend. „Sure as hell we have."

„I'm gonna be in the cantina. See you there." said Lena and went forward.

„See you there Barani."

„What is it man? Playing love doves with comrades?" joked Mersalli with a grin.

„As if you didn't know." rolled Marcus his eyes. „It's not allowed within the armed forces. We have known each other for a long time; she's just a very good friend of mine."

„Yeah sure. Don't worry, your secret is safe with me."

„Didn't I just say that…"

„Listen man." interrupted Mersalli. „You know I am married, right?"

„I was there if you don't remember." commented Marcus.

„My point is that I have good eyes. You were looking at her the exact same way as I look at my Saya. And believe me, she was looking at you like Saya at me." explained Mersalli quietly.

„I trust you with my life Zeck, that will never change." replied Marcus. „Buti f I may, I wouldn't like to talk about this ever again."

„I understand that. Again, I keep my mouth shut."

„Oh my, you are just impossible." shook Marcus his head.

„Hey, that's my nature." laughed Mersalli as they headed to the ship's cantina. „There she is. I leave you alone." said Mersalli, pointing with his head at a table, occupied by a lonely Lena. His last comment was answered with a wordless, flat look from Marcus.

The young captain took a tray and after recieving his meal he approached her. Her stoic face lit up the moment she saw him. „Nothing better than a copious lunch after a great battle, right?"

„Especially after that snowball planet I guess." replied Marcus, sitting down opposit to her.

„It wasn't that bad inside the walker actually. Must have been harder for the snowtroopers though. It's nicer up here nevertheless, I can't deny that." said Lena.

„I can imagine."

„Moreover. I honestly think that we can see this as a victory feast."

„You know what? After the final victory we make our own feast, much bigger than this one. Just you and I. How does it sound?"

„Marvelously." said Lena approvingly, supporting her head with her arm. „Can we go back to Raithal for that?"

„Haha. Did you get so addicted to cold worlds?"

„No. Just to Raithal. It will always be special for me."

„The feeling is mutual." smiled Marcus, taking another bite. „Oh yes, and I have a surprise for you."

„What would it be?"

„We had to leave the base in more or less a hurry, so the stocks couldn't be filled entirely. We have to do that before we go after those filthy little insects. Guess where we will resuply."

„Where?"

„We just set our course for Ertegas." winked Marcus.

„Ooooo!" Lena's narrow eyes grew wide in her pleasant surprise. „I'm gonna see my home again! Wish I could show it to you."

„You can do it a little bit. It will take time to get everything we need aboard. I can get us a 24 hour leave."

„Ah, you are a god I swear. I already know where I am taking you!"

„Can't wait to see." smiled Marcus. „We shall be there tomorrow."

„Can't wait either!"

A few hours later – while the Death Squadron went on its own way – the Sovereign, the Saber, and the Conqueror jumped into hyperspace, leaving the area of Hoth System behind. The journey wasn't too long as their destination was in the Anoat Sector as well.

Once the Destroyers moved out of lightspeed, Ertegas appeared in front of them. Even from space, people could tell that it was an agricultural planet. The color of the surface was mostly green and brown, and various mixtures and tones of these due to the countless types of crops that were grown.

Rivers and creeks were zigzaging here and there and from them, a network of manmade canals were carrying the life-giving water to the fertile lands. Ertegas was undoubtedly a bread basket. According to Lena however not all of its inhabitants were profiting from that status enough…

The three warships descended and they landed at a local base in the northern hemisphere. Within an hour the personnel began taking the supplies into the large storage rooms.

As for our two heroes, they left the Sovereign behind and with Lena's lead, they hit the road on foot. There was a town nearby, but she went the other way. The dirt road they were walking on was leading between farms that were covering large areas. There were huge barns, noisy agricultural machines and irrigation equipments all around.

At some farms they saw fancy family villas, belonging to the landlords. They were nowhere in size to the Rienar family's house on Raithal, but they were still impressive enough.

Then suddenly the plough fields ended and they reached a grassy, green meadow in a small valley between two low hills.

„We'll be there soon." said Lena who was overflown with joy that she unexpectedly came home.

In mean time it slowly began getting dark and dusk was upon them. That was when they reached the top of the other hill and Lena said. „Welcome to my home Marcus."

Down in yet another small valley stood a very simple and small, single-storey house, or rather cottage with plain white walls and not a single decoration to see. The field around it was just barely big enough to provide food for a small family and a bit more that they could sell.

„Lovely." said Marcus.

„Hm. Glad if you think that." replied Lena with a tiny sigh. She knew Marcus, but she didn't know how he will react to see her family's financial situation after all the richness.

It was almost completely dark when they reached the house. There was only one lamp on, namely the one on the small, roof covered veranda. And on that veranda was a small table with a chair. And sitting on that chair was a short man. He wasn't that old, but his hair was almost entirely grey. His skin was tanned due to all the work on the farm under Ertegas' sun. His eyes were closed and he seemed to be asleep as he was sitting there.

Lena quietly walked up on the few stairs, stepping to the man. „Dad." she said, gently touching his arm.

The man opened his eyes that were the exact same as Lena's. The second he saw her he stood up as quickly as he was thirty years younger and pulled her into a tight embrace that Lena returned.

„Am I dreaming now?" the man asked, a drop of tear forming in the corner of his eye.

„Not at all dad. I'm here." said Lena, hugging her father.

„What happened?" he asked, taking a step back.

„We're on a mission and came for food for the unit. Thank him that I could come." Lena said, gesturing at Marcus.

„Ah, you even brought a guest."

„Dad, this is Marcus Rienar. Captain in the Navy and my friend."

„It's very nice to meet you Sir." said Ryan, going up to the veranda and shaking hands with the man. „I've heard a lot about you from Lena."

„The honor is all my officer. My name is Eldren Barani. If I may say, you can't be an ordinary young man if my daughter likes you so much."

„He's not, believe me." said Lena.

„I have so much to ask. Come in you two!" invited them in Eldren.

During these few moments Marcus had the chance to analyze him. Lena's father looked much older than he actually was. The large amount of work, the life alone had their effect. He seemed to be fragile, but in the mean time strong too. And his aura. That was the strongest of all. He already knew where Lena inherited her character from.

Meanwhile he looked around the Barani house. He saw that Lena wasn't joking when she said that they are poor. Luckily, her financial support helped her dad to renovate their home a little bit and have better life conditions. Still, the inside was puritan and simple with only the most necessary furnishes and other things.

He and Lena got separate rooms. No problem, it's better not to reveal themselves even to Eldren.

While father and daughter were talking in the kitchen, Marcus was settling down in his room. Looking around, he noticed three holo-photos on one of the walls. On one of them he saw a smiling Eldren, teaching an about twelve years old Lena how to spud. The two seemed to be so happy together. Another showed a grown Lena in parade uniform, right after she gratuated from the Academy. The proud father likely takes a look at this a lot.

At first he thought that he sees Lena on the third as well. But no, he realised that it wasn't his secret lover. The woman on the holo-photo was young and beautiful and resembled to Lena very much. He noticed a small text under it: „My dear Hina." So she was Hina Barani, Lena's mother who died when she was little.

Marcus now knew that her strength came from her father and her outstanding beauty from her mother.

Later in the evening the three settled down at the dining table together, having dinner. They told Eldren about the previous weeks, months (carefully not saying a single word about the thing between them) and the battle on Hoth.

„You're saying that it will end soon?" asked Eldren.

„Definitelly Sir." said Marcus.

„Please. Call me Eldren."

„Eldren. We crushed them. They will surely attempt to cause trouble a few more times but that will be easy."

„The sooner it ends, the sooner you two will be safe…"

„Worry not dad. Everything will be alright." took Lena his hand assuringly. „The next time I come home I'll tell you that there is no one left to fight with."

„I pray that you are right sweet. I really do."

Night came and all of them went to sleep. Marcus had troubles with falling asleep and so he was lying on his back with his hand under his head. He left a thin gap between the curtains, allowing just enough light of Ertegas' moon in so he could see.

All that filled the room was his breath. That was until he heard the door slowly swinging open. He looked up and in the dark saw Lena coming in, clad in her familiar night gown.

„Good evening." he whispered.

„Good evening." smiled back Lena, silently closing the door behind her. „He's asleep, he'll not notice." she said coming closer, her bare feet hardly making a noise on the floor.

She raised half of the blanket, snuggling next to him. The two Imperial officers shared a long, romantic kiss.

„I've missed this." Lena murmured.

„Same here." replied Marcus caressing the smooth skin of her face. „And thank you."

„For what?"

„For taking me here."

„Well. It's not much." shrugged Lena.

„Don't say that. It was so good to see you with your father. I see how much he loves you. I'm jelous to be honest."

„You're telling me that you would exchange your fortune for this?"

„Perhaps."

„Hm. Maybe I'll see your family one day." said Lena.

„Uhh. Be careful what you wish." grinned Marcus. „But until then." he said and reached toward the beadside table. „I have another surprise for you." he said handing her an envelope.

Wondering, Lena opened it and took out the message in it. She then looked at Marcus stunned.

„Congratulations Colonel." smiled Marcus.

„What the…"

„You've been promoted after your performance in the battle."

„Marcus goddamn Rienar!" she snapped at him silently, throwing a leg over him and weakly hitting him on the head with the envelope. „When exactly did you get this?"

„It came from the High Command shortly before we arrived to the planet. I wanted a peaceful moment for giving it to you."

Sitting on top of him she read the message again and that confident look appeared on her face.

„Well." she said putting the message away. „By virtue of my new rank I order this moment not to be so peaceful anymore." she whispered, pulling her fingers along his chest, then undoing the knot of her gown and with an elegant move she let it fall off revealing… Well. Everything.

„Yeah. I've missed this too." mumbled Marcus, bringing his hands to touch her chest.

With a flirty grin Lena leaned down. „Then do not wait any longer." she said claiming his mouth for herself.