"You what!" Lando gasped, spinning around to face Kyla, his cape swirling dramatically. Kyla, however, remained unfazed, staring at him. "Do you have any idea what Fett is capable of?"

"You know I do," Kyla said sharply. "I did what I had to. Those agents needed help."

"That wasn't your assignment!" Lando's voice rose, a mix of frustration and concern.

He had watched over Kyla since she was a girl. He had great fondness for her and pride seeing how she had grown into the posed and elegant woman determined to make a difference in the galaxy. But every so often there were moments like these where he wondered if the precocious girl had not had enough experience to know when she was in over her head.

"I'm aware what my mission was," she said, defensively. "But I'm getting tired of being sent on these 'assignments' to enlist worlds that have no faith in the new republic and I'm beginning to see why."

Lando exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "I hear that, but you know better than to make deals with scugholes. He's a bounty hunter masquerading as a clan leader."

"You've made similar arrangements, some for personal matters I might recall," Kyla pointed out, crossing her arms and tilting her head defiantly. "And it's worked out so far, hasn't it?"

Lando paused, a flicker of annoyance behind his eyes. She truly was picking up the ways of politicians in more ways than he liked. "If I'd known you'd remember every indiscretion of mine, I'd have thought twice about promising your brother I'd look after you."

"I'm sorry, Lando," she said, a touch of guilt seeping into her words. "I don't mean to be impertinent. I'm just frustrated with the New Republic. Especially how it's treating its own."

Lando sighed, walking over to his bar. He poured himself a drink. "I know, kid. But making these deals... it complicates things. It's going to put a strain on my relationship with General Solo. He and Fett have a long history of bad blood."

"I'd say that's more on the General, isn't it?" Kyla's eyebrow arched, a slight smirk tugging at her lips. "Bounty hunters don't hunt unless hired to."

Lando chuckled, but there was no humor in it. "You've been in the Outer Rim too long, it's starting to show." He studied her with a paternal gaze. "But I've been keeping up with your work. Nevarro, Mandalore, Lothal... You've come a long way, Kyla. I take it you've got a good team behind you?"

"Team? I lost my intern and was given a ranger from Adelphi as an escort," Kyla laughed.

Lando's lips twitched with amusement. "All the more impressive. This ranger... He's been helpful?"

Kyla's stomach churned at the question. Was Lando implying something? She knew she had come to admire Wyb and even considered him a friend, but had she become too familiar with him?

"Kyla?"

"Wyb? Yes, he's been..." She paused, unsure how to continue as she thought of his sly smile and how they had shared their pasts and ale under the memorial tree. "Tersu's been an outstanding pilot. Surprisingly, culturally informed. I wouldn't have made as much headway as I did with the mandos without him. "

Lando's eyes narrowed ever so slightly. "Is that right?"

Kyla caught the faint shift in Lando's expression. "Yes."

"In addition to being charming, is the boy handsome as well?" Lando teased.

Kyla cheeks flushed. "Lando, if you have something to say, just say it."

Lando took a slow sip from his drink before setting it down with a soft clink. He placed a hand on her shoulder, his tone softening. "Relax, your personal life is none of my business. But I want to warn you, when lines get blurred between work and pleasure, it can put you in a dangerous spot. Be careful Kyla."

He sighed, walking past her to grab another drink.

"Anyways, back to the matter at hand. I'll take care of the CEC situation. But for now, no more recruitments, at least until this business with Fett is over. I have a different assignment for you from Organa."

Kyla frowned. "What?"

"Ossus," Lando replied. "The senator's brother runs a school there. The Senate's curious about what he's teaching the younglings."

Kyla's eyes narrowed. "Surveillance?"

"In a way," Lando said. "Go to Ossus, see what Luke Skywalker is up to, and report back. And take your ranger with you."

"He's not my ranger," she muttered, unable to stop thinking of Wyb's face a glow while he flirted with her in the Great Forge of Mandalore.

Soni was being treated in the medical wing of the capital. Wyb had not left her side since she had been admitted. Dressed in his ranger uniform, and in need of a shower, food, and sleep, he watched over her as she slept.

Beep beep beep, R3 stood beside him, supportively turning his dome side to side to check and see if Wyb was still awake. He looked good as new after Peli's makeover with new chrome trimmings and a new paint job of green and yellow gold accents.

A medical droid entered the room and began to check Soni's vitals.

"Is she in any pain?" Wyb asked eagerly. The droid continued with the examination disregarding him. Wyb looked over to R3 who extended his shock device from a front compartment to which Wyb shook his head in disapproval. R3 retracted his device and muttered disapproval about the droid's rudeness.

"Is she going to be ok?" Wyb spoke once more.

"Are you family?" The medical droid asked.
Family was not a term Wyb threw around lightly, especially after his own mother had abandoned him. But Soni's silence over the last five years made him unsure of how to truthfully answer the droid. Part of him knew Soni would always be more than a friend. Why else he wouldn't have flown to Tatooine while on assignment? Why else would he seek out Boba Fett, a man who had brought fear and harm to the women who had raised him?

Beep Beep Beep! R3 sassed the droid to tell Wyb what he wanted to know.

"Protocol states I cannot share medical information with non-family members," the droid said firmly and exited through the door passing by Kyla who had just arrived.

"How is she?" Kyla asked, concerned standing directly behind Wyb.

"Your guess is as good as mine," Wyb said as he saw Soni stir. He peered over to see if she was waking up. When it was clear she was still asleep, he looked back at Kyla. "How are you? I bet you're in a lot of hot water."

"I've had worse," Kyla sat next to him in the vacant chair and nodded to R3. "Calrissian says I'd be a horrible card player since I don't understand the concept of bluffing. But in this case, I'm glad my gamble paid off."

"Thank you," Wyb replied as he interlaced his fingers and leaned closer to the bedside. "I know it was a risky move for you and your career. I appreciate it."

"What are friends for?" Kyla smiled and placed her hand on his shoulder comfortingly. Wyb smiled. Kyla squeezed his shoulder seeing the exhaustion in his eyes and the worry in his demeanor. How could she ask him to leave his friend behind? But orders were orders. "I've been given another assignment. I'm being sent to Ossus for surveillance."

"That's a bit odd for an ambassador," Wyb said as he observed Soni's breathing. "My sister's on Ossus. A jedi."

"The Tersu clan is larger than I thought," Kyla was surprised. "Lando thinks it's best I stay out of the Rim while Fett collects on his 'arrangement'. Wyb, I know this isn't the best time, but I was wondering if you'd like to come with me."

Wyb looked down at his boots and shrugged. Of course he would. He hadn't seen his sister Sashee in years. He also wanted to see how the younglings were getting on. But how could he leave Soni while she was in this state?

"I understand," Kyla said gently, placing her hands on his and then stood. "I hope Soni recovers soon. She's very lucky to have you as a friend."

"Kyla," Wyb looked up at her. "I enjoyed working with you. I hope I see you soon."

"I did too, Ranger Tersu," Kyla smiled warmly and left.

Wyb couldn't help but chuckle watching her leave. A rush of relief flooded through him. Kyla Vancil was indeed as Prisa had said 'really great'. He turned his attention back to Soni, whose eyes began to flutter open as she woke.

"Soni!" Wyb called out.

"I'm hurt, not deaf," she said faintly struggling to breathe. Wyb leaned over her, gently brushing her hair back from her face. She met his gaze, her heart pounding. He was with her.

"Sorry. How are you feeling?" Wyb asked, lowering his voice, continuing to stroke her hair. Soni wanted to cry, tell him she had made a huge mistake that had cost her the crew. She wanted to tell him she missed him and was grateful to him for coming. But over the years she had learned to bury her wants and needs and swallow her desires.

"I'll be fine," she said, attempting to sit up and wincing. Wyb didn't discourage her. He slid his arm under her back to support her until she was sitting up. Her heart skipped a beat, feeling his fingers press against the small of her bare back exposed by her medical gown. Her cheeks flushed at the warmth of his finger tips."I…thank you.. are you in any trouble?"

"No more than usual," Wyb smiled, seeing her concern.

"That bad huh?" Soni forced a laugh as much as it hurt. With the sharp pain of her ribs she remembered in a flash of what had happened on Tatooine. The Nihil shooting her men in front of her, the troopers blowing up their transport, the interrogations. It was too much to handle. She gasped and grabbed her head. Her agents were gone. She could feel Wyb's arm wrapped around her supporting her. She didn't deserve it. She shouldn't be alive. She pulled away."How's Kael?"

"He's next door. I can try and find out but these medical droids are tougher breaching a detention center," Wyb informed her. He looked at her wondering what had happened. How could he help? Maybe if he had some information he could report it to Carson, or Senator Organa. "Soni… do you remember anything about the pirates or Imperials that took you and your agents?"

"Just like you, Tersu, jumping straight into business." She said emotionlessly. What did a Ranger know about the Nihil pirates or imperials? She had been detailing them for nearly a year and a half, and everything was lost in a matter of seconds because she didn't check her sources.

"I only ask because I've seen Nihil ships near Adelphi. Perhaps things are more connected than we know. What were you doing on Tatooine?"

"You know I can't tell you." She winced again as a sharp pain shot through her body. Wyb reached out to help her but she pushed him away. Wyb took a step back frustrated. Finally, after all this time they were in the same place but never so far apart.

"I'm sorry about your crew," Wyb finally said.

Soni's gaze softened, but the flood of guilt overtook her. She couldn't meet his eyes. She wanted to open up, to tell him everything, the mission failed, about how her family had persuaded her to leave him, but the guilt was unbearable. She had failed her agents, her family, and herself. If she had never joined the NRI, all her agents might still be alive and she might be with Wyb.

"Soni?" Wyb watched her struggle through her emotions.

"You should go?" She said coldly hoping Wyb would take the hint and leave. She wanted to be alone.

Beep beep beep, R3 retorted, annoyed at Soni's cold tone.

"I'm here for you." Wyb assured her and took her hand. "Soni, what you've been through…"

"You have no idea," Soni snapped. The words felt out of place, even to her. She didn't know why she was lashing out. Deep down, she was grateful Wyb was there. Why was she pushing him away? Was it the shame of failing and losing so many lives under her command?

"I won't until you tell me." Wyb kept his voice soft, determined to discover what was plaguing her. "Talk to me."

"I—" Soni grunted, pushing herself back against the pillows. "There was someone else here earlier. Who?"

"Kyla, an ambassador I've been transporting. She helped me rescue you and Kael." Wyb explained.

"She seemed very smitten with you," Soni remarked.

"She's my friend. Like you. Why are you acting this way? Are you in pain?" his voice hardened.

"No." Soni muttered. "Thank you for everything, Wyb. But I need to rest."

Wyb's heart sank, but he didn't let it show. He knew it was time to leave but something inside him refused to let him go without asking what he had been wondering for years.

"Soni, I know you're hurt but I haven't seen you in five years. Why?" he asked, his voice low and firm. Soni's face went white at the mention of it. "Is it because of what happened in the Unknown Regions?"

"You think I've been pinning for you all this time?" Her words were like daggers. How could he ask her that now? After everything she had been through? She didn't have the strength to deal with this. "I'm an NRI agent Wyb, you can't begin to understand what that entails. I didn't call you because we had a 'moment' years ago, which I might remind you nothing happened. I called you because you're the best pilot in the Naval Sector and a Ranger."

"Ok!" Wyb's voice broke with frustration. He shook his head, his fists clenched. "I don't care if you don't feel the same way. I got over that when you sent me that pathetic birthday message. What I don't get is why you stopped being my friend. Might I remind you, we had a plan. You're the one that changed it."

"I don't want to do this right now," Soni sighed, looking away from him. "Wyb… you don't understand. I have responsibilities."

"And I don't?"

"Not in the same way," Soni's voice dropped to a whisper, almost as if she were speaking to herself. "You're a foundling. No history or family connections to worry about. You don't understand legacy and what it requires."

Wyb's chest tightened at the words. Her words hit harder than he could've imagined. He had never thought she'd use his past against him, and certainly not like this. The sting of her dismissal hit deeper than any of their previous arguments. He felt the hurt crawl up his throat.

"The fact that you want to talk about this now after a whole crew of NRI agents have been terminated just shows me how much of a flyboy you've become," Soni continued. "Things are happening all over the galaxy, and not for the better might I add. Maybe if you remember why you wanted to start flying for the republic instead of chauffeuring beautiful ambassadors around the rim you'd understand that I need to rest and give a detailed report to someone above your rank who can do something about it."

He didn't say anything. Instead, he looked at R3, who was watching him silently, and gave a small gesture. They were leaving. Wyb turned toward the door, but just before he stepped out, he glanced back at Soni, his voice quieter now, more composed. "Get well."

Beep beep beep, R3 alerted Wyb to some air traffic interference.

"We'll bypass that shortly," Wyb said, checking the control. He wished he had gone back to Adelphi. Flying with Wolf would be about the only thing that could take his mind off of everything. There he knew his place and was accepted. Soni's words still stung as he leaned back in the captain's chair and regretted coming on this mission. Soni did have a point. He was a Ranger not a transport pilot. He needed to be in an X-Wing not this piece of junk as a chauffeur.

"I'm glad you were able to come," Kyla said as she entered the cockpit. Wyb slightly nodded. "Is everything alright? How's Soni?"

"We should be at Ossus in a few hours," Wyb ignored her and continued to fiddle with his control even though it was unnecessary.

"Wyb," Kyla pressed. She didn't need to know Wyb long to know something was troubling him. She reached out and placed her hand on his forearm to which he quickly pulled away. "Sorry…You just seem troubled."

"Look ambassador," Wyb snapped. "Why don't you mind your business and stay focused on your assignment, that way we don't end up in another predicament with a mythical creature or botched mission."

Kyla's eyes widened. She knew Mandalore was not completely successful and it had been dangerous for Prisa, but she didn't know Wyb felt they had failed. No, there was something else going on. "Did something happen with Soni?"

"No," Wyb growled. He was in a foul mood. He felt small, betrayed, and forgotten and was determined to take it out on anyone who was near."If it did, I wouldn't tell you about it."

"We're friends, you can talk to me," Kyla reminded him.

"Ha, friends.." Wyb scoffed. "I don't know how long you intend to be a New Republic Ambassador, but sooner or later you'll realize, there is no such thing in government. Only connections to climb higher and get what you want."

"That's not true."

"Oh really? What's your angle then?" Wyb stood and glared down at her. "Do you really think you can make a peaceful galaxy? Or is it just a way to deny that your brother died for a new government just as greedy as the last?"

"How dare you," Kyla stood to meet his eye line. Angered by the mention of her brother's passing.

"Oh did I offend you?" Wyb coaxed. There was no stopping him now. "Why did you ask for a ranger and not a transport pilot? Did you want to find out if the rumors about pilots were true? Hoping to find someone to make your heart race or break it?"

Kyla shoved Wyb aside and made her way to the back of the ship near the escape pod. She didn't need to take this.

"Where are you going?" Wyb demanded as he followed her.

"Away!" She yelled. She saw the escape pod and stepped into it dramatically. Perhaps this would show him how unreasonable he was being if she threatened to leave. "I'm not staying on this ship one more second with a nerfherder like you!"

"Good!" Wyb yelled and pressed the button to the pod. The doors closed and the pod ejected into space with Kyla who had an expression of hurt and surprise. Wyb stood there fuming, with a slight hint of regret. What was he doing?

ZAP!

"Ow!" Wyb jumped and rubbed his side to find R3 with his shocker extended. The droid was not happy with his behavior and rolled closer threatening to shock him again. "Hey! Stop that! I just called her bluff."

Beep beep beep, R3 scolded him and turned his dome projected a hologram recording—

"You're an Imperial aren't you?" an image of an orange twi'lek was yelling at a young Lenore. She was about Wyb's age in the recording.

"Jules, leave her alone," another woman in the recording commanded. She looked like the captain.

"No!" Jules the twi'lek screamed and grabbed Lenore shaking her. "Answer me!"

"Yes." Lenore gasped.

Jules dragged her and shoved her against the wall next to the escape pods.

"No stop! Please!"Lenore begged. Wyb had never known or seen his mother frightened. To him she had always been cool, calm and fearless. This was difficult to watch.

"I've lost everything and everyone because of your Empire." Jules said almost in tears.

"I'm not the Empire. I deserted." Lenore pleaded.

"Deserted? More like branded. The Empire is a part of you," another shipmate, a Cerean, took her arm and traced the Empire's emblem. Wyb remembered the first time he saw the tattoo. It scared him as a boy. "Desert the deserter."

"What is it you bucketheads always say?" Jules said coldly. "I want to hear you say it before I dump you with the trash."

"Long Live the Empire," Lenore said, slowly defeated.

Jules kicked her into the escape pod and ejected it. —

The recording cut and Wyb felt horrible. He wasn't himself. He had let his anger take a hold of him. He had let Soni's words push him to the point of hurting someone. He had to get her back and apologize.

Kyla sat in the pod, furious. The hissing of the air supply device was barely audible over her pounding heart. She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms.

"That son of a—" she started but stopped herself. Her anger burned hot, but fear was creeping in, as well. How long before the pod would be picked up? Would Wyb even try to retrieve her?

Clang!

The pod shuddered violently, throwing her forward. She scrambled into the glass and gasped. A massive, rusted freighter loomed above, its claw-like appendages gripping the pod.

On the ship, Wyb's eyes darted to the scanner as the beacon lit up. R3 chirped, and spun his dome.

"Junkers," Wyb growled.

His jaw tightened as raced back to the cockpit and pushed the throttle forward, moving into position. R3 beeped urgently, displaying a schematic of the junker freighter. Its mismatched hull pieces and heavy weapons were no match for the VCX-100.

"I know, I know. We'll figure it out."

The comm crackled to life, a gruff voice cutting through the static. "Well, well, look what we've got here. Abandoned cargo? Looks like a nice haul."

He opened the comms. "This is Ranger Wyb Tersu. Unidentified freighter, release that pod immediately, or I'll—"

"Or you'll what?" the gruff voice interrupted, dripping with mockery. "Shoot us? You're in no position to make demands, flyboy."

Wyb gritted his teeth. He knew he couldn't take them head-on. But he wasn't about to leave Kyla to whatever fate awaited her.

"R3, ready the grappler," he ordered, flipping a series of switches and maneuvered closer to the pod. The droid whirred, its dome spinning in protest. "I know it's risky, but just get it ready."

The junkers drew the pod toward their docking bay when Wyb's ship came into view. The freighter's comm channel crackled to life.

"Back off, Ranger. This is our salvage," a gruff voice growled.

Wyb didn't answer. Instead, he brought his ship in low, staying just out of their targeting range. With precision, he angled the ship beneath the pod.

"Steady," he murmured to himself, his eyes locked on the display. The grappler arm extended from the ship's underbelly, aligning with the pod.

The junkers noticed. A barrage of laser fire erupted from the freighter, forcing Wyb to veer sharply.

"Come on, come on…" He looped back for another attempt.

R3 screeched a warning as the freighter's weapons charged for a heavier blast.

"I know! Just one more pass!"

This time, Wyb hit the throttle, aimed for the claw appendage blasting it into pieces freeing the pod. Kyla rolled hitting her arms and legs inside the pod. Wyb swung around once more and launched the grappler to retrieve her.

"Gotcha!" Wyb shouted, adrenaline surging as he reeled in the pod.

The junkers weren't giving up. Their freighter turned, engines flaring as they prepared to chase.

"R3, deploy the chaff," Wyb commanded.

The droid complied, releasing a cloud of reflective particles that scattered the freighter's targeting systems. Wyb took the chance to dive into a nearby asteroid field, weaving through the dense cluster of rocks.

The freighter followed, its bulkier frame struggling to maneuver. Wyb smirked.

"Let's see you keep up."

A narrow gap between two massive asteroids loomed ahead. Kyla's eyes widened as she was not aboard the hold yet. Was this how she was going to die?

Wyb darted through the field, barely an inch to spare. The freighter tried to follow but clipped one of the asteroids, sending it spinning off-course. Wyb exhaled as the scanner confirmed the freighter's retreat.

"R3, status?"

The droid beeped affirmatively, and Wyb allowed himself a small grin.

Wyb barely waited for the ship's systems to finish pressurizing the hold before rushing in. The pod sat in the middle of the room, scratched but intact. His chest tightened at the thought of Kyla hurt—or worse.

The pod hissed as the hatch opened, and Kyla climbed out, glaring at him. Before he could speak, her hand swiped across his face, hard.

"How dare you!" she snapped, shoving him back.

"Kyla, I'm sorry—" Wyb started, but she wasn't having it.

"You're sorry?!" she yelled, pounding her fists against his chest. She was stronger than she looked.

"I didn't mean—"

"You d—" she cut him off, her voice breaking, as she raised her hand to hit him again. This time, he caught her wrist mid-air, his grip firm but careful.

"I know," Wyb admitted softly.

Her chest heaved with anger, her eyes locked on his. For a moment, neither of them moved, the air between them charged.

Then, without warning, she lunged at him with a kiss, fierce and full of fire. Wyb froze, startled, before melting into it, tightening his arms around her and pressing her against the walls of the hold. The anger and hurt between them faded, replaced by a desperate need to feel each other, as if to confirm they were both still alive. Her hands slid from his chest to his shoulders, pulling him closer until there was no space left between them. He pulled her hips toward his as he pressed his forehead to hers, their breaths and bodies mingled to the quiet hum of the ship's engines.