Beyond - Legends X-Wing: Rogue Diplomacy - Complete 5/20 (Sequel to Genesis. Syal, Tycho, Wes, Hobbie, Doran, Rogues)

This chapter is what makes me continue to re-read your stories,Lane. Great Work!!!

 

Evil? Me? Nah

Can I quote this come later chapters?

Lane really comes up with the best names. Case in point: Fiolla Flotto.


?I hate formal uniforms,? Syal said bitterly as she tugged at the sleeves of her white jacket.

Hee, and here we are trying to figure out how to make one for Dragon*Con!

And she takes after her Uncle Hobbie in this week's Plooma chapter.

?I?ll be sure to keep that to myself,? Quint responded with a grin as he propped his elbow against the window of the speeder. ?I?d hate for the enemy to force sensitive information out of you by making you attend your primary school prom.?

Heh. I like Quint. Don't do anything mean to him, okay?

?Rumor has it Rogue Squadron?s next assignment will involve shooting a series of after-school holospecials where we instill the virtues of studying hard, staying away from illegal spice, and saying ?no? to strangers,? Quint deadpanned.

Yes, I really like him.

Perhaps she should see someone about a sleep aid.

I always find that Tylenol PM does the job wonderfully. Or you can grab some Jedi holocrons from Luke Skywalker.

?And be advised that the StealthX pilot you chased off was a pretty good pilot himself. Antilles, you just sent Luke Skywalker into retreat.?

Excuse me while I go rant.

MOTHER KRIFFING JACEN SOLO AND HIS MOTHER KRIFFING STUPID SITH

Okay I'm all better now.

The numbness gave way almost instantly to a feeling of disgust. She had just taken a shot at Jedi Grand Master Luke Skywalker?

One of your daddy's best friends.

Out in the distance was the Anakin Solo

God I really hope that Star Destroyer isn't around anymore. I don't mind naming SSDs after dead people, but that whole thing was just wrong.

?Tiom,? Syal said quietly as a feeling of nausea filled her. ?Tiom!?

Poor Syal.

?Are you suggesting I snore, Commander??

You should ask Doran if you snore. I mean, what?

?Five credits we?re flying escort for Daala,? Quint said.

Eww.

Perhaps listening to one of her Academy instructors drone on about astrogation theory would be more entertaining.

Watch what you ask for, Syal. I think that might be able to be arranged!

?Remote lodge surrounded by snow in the Bela Vistal mountains on Corellia with a fire roaring in the background.?

damn you Lane

Rolling her eyes, Syal pushed the door open and walked in to see a sight that, quite honestly she wasn?t expecting. Within the meeting room was a conference table. At the far end was a middle-aged man with bright, blonde hair with his feet kicked up on the table as he read from a datapad perched precariously between his legs and the side of the table. Laying down on top of the table with his hands folded under his head was a dark-haired, grinning man of about the same age. Sitting at the other end of the table was a white-haired man that looked as if he were trying to refrain from chastising the other two.

Hooray!!!

Syal did something she wasn?t proud of, something that she hadn?t done since she was a girl.

Come on, Syal. You can't look dignified when you're having fun!

?Wes and Hobbie will be joining me on my diplomatic staff.?

Oh dear lord

the Wicked Witch of Coruscant



Hothman indeed

If he's Hothman, who's Maverick and Goose?

Wes elbowed Hobbie. "Hear that? We rank ahead of Uncle Corran!"

"Of course you do," Syal replied. "You don't bombard me with countless, mundane stories about life in CorSec."

Awww, poor Corran. And hey, I'm sure at least some of those stories involved your mother.

"How did that go for us?"

"I slapped a man unconscious," Wes said.

"I had to wear a dress," Hobbie added dourly.

"That's right," Tycho nodded. "I think we also blew a lot of things up."

Syal bit down on a knuckle again as a confused look sprung onto Quint's face.

 

GO BUY THIS BOOK RIGHT NOW YOUNG LADY. DO NOT WAIT ANOTHER MOMENT!!! Seriously. It's so, so good.



I do have it, the whole X-wing collection as a matter of fact. I've been meaning to read them but I keep getting sidetracked by all the great fanfics here. I have read the first one, though.

Now I ask you, can I jump over all the other X-wing books and go strait to Starfighters of Adumar and still understand it, or should I read the others first?

 

Well, let me preface this by saying that you should eventually read all the X-wing books because they are all amazing.

But yes; SoA can be read as a standalone.

 

Whoever decided Daala was a good choice for CoS deserves a good smack upside the head.

I agree.


Yeah, Nyla isn't very likable. She's neck-and-neck with Daala.

Which is quite sad. It?s hard to get that despicable.



Chapter Six ? Escort Duty

?I hate formal uniforms,? Syal said bitterly as she tugged at the sleeves of her white jacket. ?They rank just behind dresses and heels on my list of cruel and highly unusual torture methods.?

Pilots

Ah, she does have reason to hate the uniform even more than is usual.


?You think you?re a funny man, don?t you??

?Absolutely, ma?am.?




Syal knew that she should be thankful that they weren?t flying into dangerous situations on a regular basis. Still, the prideful part of herself resented the fact that her skills were wasting away behind a desk.

Not even just pride, but the pilot/Antilles part of her.


Syal shuddered. No one serving in the Second Fleet enjoyed serving under Jacen Solo.

Smart people.
But it?s so sad
Wow. It just hit me that I find it worse than Vader. With Vader, not many people knew he used to be Anakin Skywalker. Everyone knew who Jacen Solo was, and who he was before.




?Uh,? a sense of numbness washed over Syal. Did she just receive a field promotion from Solo? She wasn?t sure whether or not to be pleased or distraught

Distraught! Dread! Wanting to fight him!


The numbness gave way almost instantly to a feeling of disgust. She had just taken a shot at Jedi Grand Master Luke Skywalker?

Poor Syal


?Either that or you just closed your eyes and neglected to tell me you have a fleet worth of construction equipment stored in your mouth.?

?Are you suggesting I snore, Commander??

?Perish the thought, Major,?


Oh I adore Quint


?I hope not,? Syal shuddered. ?I don?t think we?ve been on good terms since I accidentally brought a borderline-psychopath into her office a few years ago.?

Quint nodded. ?That was an amusing day.?

?Highlight of my career,? Syal deadpanned.

Oh my goodness. I really need this humour. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.


Adorable how she ran up to the ?old? Rogues.



?This is why she?s my favorite of Wedge?s girls,? Wes remarked, earning another glare from Tycho.

*snerk* That?s because she?s Wedge?s. Myri is Iella?s



Syal turned to her executive officer. ?I don?t know," She said, pointing a thumb in Tycho's direction. "They?re kind of old.?

?That is worrisome,? Quint said with a nod. ?We?ll have to make sure they?re in bed by a reasonable hour.?

Their banter is wonderful


"I had to wear a dress," Hobbie added dourly.

"That's right," Tycho nodded. "I think we also blew a lot of things up."

Syal bit down on a knuckle again as a confused look sprung onto Quint's face.

*rolls around laughing hysterically*

 

Just so you know, I was so eager for this update, that I was up at 5.30am to get at it.

?I hate formal uniforms,? Syal said bitterly as she tugged at the sleeves of her white jacket. ?They rank just behind dresses and heels on my list of cruel and highly unusual torture methods.?

Lol, Syal! Tomboy through and through, huh?

One miserable month, a blaster wound, and several firefights later, Syal had become entirely convinced that formal uniforms were harbingers of doom.

Oh, she may be Wedge?s daughter, but that there is definitely Uncle Hobbie?s influence.

?I?d hate for the enemy to force sensitive information out of you by making you attend your primary school prom.?

?Careful, Staven,? Syal chided. ?A few more comments like that and I?ll write you up for insubordination.?

?You wouldn?t dare, ma?am.?

Love the XO banter!

?Rumor has it Rogue Squadron?s next assignment will involve shooting a series of after-school holospecials where we instill the virtues of studying hard, staying away from illegal spice, and saying ?no? to strangers,? Quint deadpanned.

Haha! Quint, you?re wondrous.

She hadn?t been sleeping well lately and had regularly been finding herself in a drowsy haze.

That?s not a good thing at all, Syal.


Her eyes jolted open as her surroundings shook. She blinked, shaking her head in an effort to force the drowsiness out. Initially she was confused by the yellow hue that tainted her vision. Dully she realized that was the visor of her protective helmet. Various electronic beeps and warning alarms sounded around her. Syal looked down to see that she was holding the flight controls of a Sienar Fleet Systems Aleph-class starfighter. A shrill warning tone fully woke her. She pulled back on the yoke just as a stream of enemy fire was about to collide with her aft shields.

Dreaming?

She looked to her left, frowning at the empty gunner?s seat. The scramble order had issued so quickly that she didn?t have enough time to track down her wingman, meaning that she would have to fly and operate the weapons control system by herself.

You can do it, girl.

Because Solo is on board that ship.

Uh-oh. I know where and when she?s dreaming of now? Oh noes, Syal!

She wouldn?t disgrace her uniform and commission.

That?s daddy?s girl, right there.

The pilot of the enemy craft was good, great even. It took everything Syal had to keep up with the unknown pilot.

There?s a really good reason for that? Yup.

Each time she squeezed the trigger the StealthX darted well out of the way. She swore at herself. You?re better than this!

Daddy?s ego, much?



perhaps started,

Should that be ?startled??

The numbness gave way almost instantly to a feeling of disgust. She had just taken a shot at Jedi Grand Master Luke Skywalker? All at once the uncertainty and distaste she felt towards Colonel Solo?s regime came rushing back. She spun around her starfighter to face the rest of the Second Fleet before taking her hands off the flight yoke. They were shaking and her breath was once again ragged. Slowly, she looked up from her gloved hands and looked through the forward viewport.

Lane, you?ve really done a fantastic job of portraying how Syal must have been feeling. Kudos.

Out in the distance was the Anakin Solo. Beyond that were a scattered collection of capitol ships and support vessels. In the center of that mass of ships a column of light suddenly emerged that began to twist and wriggle like some sort of organic being. Massive ships began to slide towards the beam, stretching as if they were being drawn into the event horizon of a black hole before vanishing into nothingness. As quickly as it had appeared, the light vanished. Left in its wake was a void in space. The capitol ships that had been dragged into the strange light were nowhere to be found.

Oh. Just? oh. An amazing description of Centerpoint firing and how it would appear. Wow

 

That was one terrible dream for Syal

It really, really was

Three indispensable stepts to survive important meetings.

Wedge has his Four-Step Diplomatic Speech, Syal has the Three Step Meeting Survival Guide

Syal's Rogue Uncles

It really is wonderful to be writing them again

Tee-hee, loved the Rogue & Rogue banter.

my favorite kind of banter!

I really have to read that book.

YES! YES YOU DO!

Starfighters of Adumar is one of the best things the post RotJ-EU has produced. I believe it actually tops the list of TFN's user community reviews.

InsaneIsta - Thank you!

Nanci

Can I quote this come later chapters?

Sure, why not?

Lane really comes up with the best names. Case in point: Fiolla Flotto.

I'm still not quite sure where that one came from

Hee, and here we are trying to figure out how to make one for Dragon*Con!

Syal may hate them, but I think they're pretty damn cool

And she takes after her Uncle Hobbie in this week's Plooma chapter.

Can ya blame her?

Heh. I like Quint. Don't do anything mean to him, okay?

Quint is such a fun character. I like to think of him as the prototypical XO.

I always find that Tylenol PM does the job wonderfully. Or you can grab some Jedi holocrons from Luke Skywalker

Ah, the insomnia inducing Jedi holocrons

Excuse me while I go rant.

MOTHER KRIFFING JACEN SOLO AND HIS MOTHER KRIFFING STUPID SITH

Okay I'm all better now.

Yeah, don't get me started either

God I really hope that Star Destroyer isn't around anymore. I don't mind naming SSDs after dead people, but that whole thing was just wrong.

Oh man, that really, really bothered me too

You should ask Doran if you snore. I mean, what?

Doran confirms

damn you Lane

Yeah, some fridge horror here later on

If he's Hothman, who's Maverick and Goose?

We'll have to find out, eh?

Awww, poor Corran. And hey, I'm sure at least some of those stories involved your mother.

Poor Corran is a buttmonkey even in these fics!

SWpants666

Ah, she does have reason to hate the uniform even more than is usual.

Few good things happen while wearing them

Not even just pride, but the pilot/Antilles part of her.

She is a hot-blooded Corellian!

Wow. It just hit me that I find it worse than Vader. With Vader, not many people knew he used to be Anakin Skywalker. Everyone knew who Jacen Solo was, and who he was before.

Yeah, with Jacen everyone got to watch his downward spiral

Oh I adore Quint

He's been one of the more enjoyable characters I've written lately

Oh my goodness. I really need this humour. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Aww thank you. I'm glad I could provide a bit of humor

*snerk* That?s because she?s Wedge?s. Myri is Iella?s

Or as I like to say, Syal's the Rogue while Myri's the Wraith.

Kat

Just so you know, I was so eager for this update, that I was up at 5.30am to get at it.

You stayed up til 5:30 to get it? I'm honored

Lol, Syal! Tomboy through and through, huh?

Damn straight. She'd rather kick her boots up and throw back some Whyren's than dress up and hit the town.

Oh, she may be Wedge?s daughter, but that there is definitely Uncle Hobbie?s influence.

Oyah. Definitely a bit of Hobbie speaking there :d

Love the XO banter!

Ah the XO, I like using them as the dry-humored straight man. Quint fits that bill nicely.

That?s not a good thing at all, Syal.

It really, really isn't

Dreaming?

Correct!

Uh-oh. I know where and when she?s dreaming of now? Oh noes, Syal!

Brace for it

Should that be ?startled??

WHoops, thanks. Got that fixed.

Lane, you?ve really done a fantastic job of portraying how Syal must have been feeling. Kudos.



Thank you. This was a tricky scene to write, so I'm glad it came off well.

 

Chapter Seven - Surrogate Family

Syal looked over the tired faces gathered in the briefing room and couldn?t help but smile. Her pilots had likely been out a bit too late to enjoy their last night on Coruscant for a while. She shuffled a few sheets of flimsy, giving the stragglers time to filter in. It had been several long months since they had gathered together to do something other than filling out paperwork or travel for propaganda purposes. Having a legitimate military assignment, even if it was just routine escort duty, was a welcome change of pace. She was looking forward to logging some time in a real starfighter.

She looked up as the door slid open. Rixar Dain and Haruko Skobra, the final two Rogues to arrive, walked in and took their customary seat at the back of the briefing room. The two pilots never came out and admitted it, but Syal and just about everyone else in the unit knew that they were seeing each other. Based on the rather disheveled look both were exhibiting, she figured that they had done a fair amount more than just seeing each other the previous night. Syal did her best not to let an amused smirk play on her lips.

?Morning everyone, glad you could make it more-or-less on time,? Syal said.

?Someone turn the Major off,? Jamee groaned from the front row. ?It?s too early to listen to her act commanding officer-y.?

Syal cocked a brow. ?Well that takes care of one piece of business. Thank you for volunteering to run an inspection of our X-Wings with fleet mechanics today, Lieutenant.?

?You would think that I would have learned not to run my mouth off at you by now.?

?That would require you to approach the mental age of a thirteen-year-old,? Syal teased. She paused for a moment and blinked. ?All of the sudden you?re reminding me of someone. I?m pretty sure that?s a bad sign for me.?

Before Jamee could open her mouth to object, Syal continued. ?To start off, I?d like to welcome back Kess to the squadron to fill out the last open roster spot. It?s taken a few months to clear everything and process the paperwork in neatly filed triplicate, but as of 0700 hours this morning Lieutenant Zorvan has been reinstated to Starfighter Command and has been transferred into the squadron.?

The Nar Shaddaa native nodded appreciatively. ?I promise, I?ll be going by my real name this time.?

?Much appreciated,? Syal said. ?It goes without saying that bringing Kess back is ?? She trailed off momentarily, ?potentially a move that could raise some eyebrows with High Command and with the public. What I will say is that Commander Staven and I are fully confident that Lieutenant Zorvan is committed to this squadron. Are there any objections??

Syal knew that she likely wouldn?t have to worry about what her pilots would think. She trusted them and, in turn, she knew they trusted her decision making. It was individuals outside of the squadron she was worried about. With the increasing

?If she buys a round for all of us in the lounge she?s more than welcome to stay,? Diona Katar said.

Syal grinned. ?Noted. Consider that an order, Lieutenant.?

?Buy the affections of my squadron mates with alcohol,? Kess deadpanned. ?I?ll take care of that right away.?

?See to it,? Syal said. ?Now that we?ve gotten the appropriate introductions and punishments out of the way, let's deal with wing assignments, shall we?

"One flight will consist of myself as wing leader, Lieutenant Zorvan, Flight Officer Nezuma, and Captain Skobra. Myself and Zhane will form the first wing pair, Zorvan and Skobra the second. Objections? No? Good.

"Two flight is led by Commander Staven. Lieutenant Farlander is on his wing. Captain Dain and Captain Maru round out the group. Finally, Three flight will be led by Captain Katar. Lieutenant Selan is your wing. Captain Anthek and Captain Versai are the second pair. Any issues we need to deal with?"

No objections were raised. "Good. Quint will explain what we're going to be up to for the next few weeks," Syal stepped aside, allowing her executive officer to take the podium.

?It?s been a while,

 

?That would require you to approach the mental age of a thirteen-year-old,? Syal teased. She paused for a moment and blinked. ?All of the sudden you?re reminding me of someone. I?m pretty sure that?s a bad sign for me.?

I wonder who


Before she could finish, she was knocked to the floor by something big and...furry? In a panic, Syal threw her assailant off and withdrew her blaster. She leveled her aim at a large, stuffed Ewok. It took several long moments to realize that she had been attacked by a stuffed toy. Syal could only blink in confusion.

"You remember Kettch, don't you?" a familiar voice asked.



!!! KETTCH !!!


"See, you were supposed to be a doctor," Wes explained. "Or an actress or a lawyer. You were supposed to be doing something safe and wholesome for a living, not flying military warbirds like we did. Your father, Tycho, Hobbie, myself, and the rest of the Rogues flew these blasted machines so you wouldn't have to."

Now, this took me back to your Diary, Lane, which I missed this week.


Wes scoffed. "That's General Kettch now."

"Are you saying the stuffed Ewok outranks me?"

"He's been here longer than you. Salute him already."

Fair is fair, Syal.


That was so funny, Lane

 

Having a legitimate military assignment, even if it was just routine escort duty, was a welcome change of pace. She was looking forward to logging some time in a real starfighter for a change.

Careful, Syal. Something tells me that you'll come to regret this.

Based on the rather disheveled look both were exhibiting, she figured that they had done a fair amount more than just seeing each other the previous night.

Bow chick bow wow

?Someone turn the Major off,? Jamee groaned from the front row.

Someone is channeling Wes Janson!

?That would require you to approach the mental age of a thirteen-year-old,? Syal teased. She paused for a moment and blinked. ?All of the sudden you?re reminding me of someone. I?m pretty sure that?s a bad sign for me.?

See, EXACTLY!!!

?Buy the affections of my squadron mates with alcohol,? Kess deadpanned. ?I?ll take care of that right away.?

Your uncle would approve.

The sound of shuffling and audible ?clicks? filled the room as numerous Rogues dutifully powered on their datapads as Quint continued,

I'm imagining them taking out their iPhones and checking Facebook and Twitter.

?I wouldn?t mind that much,? Jamee said. ?Holonet exposure increases my potential dating pool.?

Dear lord she is the female Wes Janson. Does Keyan know about this? (I forgot exactly how they're related - uncle or father?)

"Let's put it this way," Quint replied, "I'm already planning on rigging holo cameras in their rooms for blackmail material."

Tee-hee...if they're smart they won't be heading back to their rooms.

"So easy a Tatooine farmboy could do it," she muttered to herself.

Ha!!!

Syal did a good job taking on those clawcraft! She really is her father's daughter!

Before she could finish, she was knocked to the floor by something big and...furry? In a panic, Syal threw her assailant off and withdrew her blaster. She leveled her aim at a large, stuffed Ewok. It took several long moments to realize that she had been attacked by a stuffed toy. Syal could only blink in confusion.

"You remember Kettch, don't you?" a familiar voice asked.

Bwahahahahaaha

Wes looked over at her. "I'm quite serious, you're every bit as talented as he was in his day. That, my girl, fills me with a profound sadness."

Oh no, Wes is getting somewhat serious.

She didn't immediately respond. "I think I wanted to be a writer."

Yes you did, Syal.

Wes smiled and reached over to ruffle her hair. "Maybe when you grow up and leave this silly business behind you'll be just that."

Interesting suggestion, Wes.

"You're an Antilles," Wes deadpanned. "You can do whatever you set your mind to because you're too stubborn to change course."

Ain't that the truth!

Wes scoffed. "That's General Kettch now."

Well it has been 35 years, he had to get promoted sometime!

"Are you saying the stuffed Ewok outranks me?"

"He's been here longer than you. Salute him already."

Syal shook her head. "I'm not saluting the stuffed Ewok."

"Careful, he'll write you up for insubordination."

"No."

"Yub yub, Syal."

 

Yeah, with Jacen everyone got to watch his downward spiral

yeah Stupid Jacen.


Or as I like to say, Syal's the Rogue while Myri's the Wraith.

I can agree with that



Chapter Seven - Surrogate Family

Based on the rather disheveled look both were exhibiting, she figured that they had done a fair amount more than just seeing each other the previous night. Syal did her best not to let an amused smirk play on her lips.

Well I smirked for her, so I guess it?s okay


?All of the sudden you?re reminding me of someone. I?m pretty sure that?s a bad sign for me.?

hehehehehe


?Orvax IV?? Telon Salan asked. ?They?ve been all over the newsfeeds lately. Not exactly a stable system to be in.?

And Rogues flourish in instability


"How hungover are those two going to be in the morning?" Syal asked, walking out of the briefing room alongside her executive officer.

"Let's put it this way," Quint replied, "I'm already planning on rigging holo cameras in their rooms for blackmail material."

Oh Quint & Syal really do work well together. I?m glad you enjoy writing him as much as I enjoy reading him


The sim fight was done really well. You showed just how much Syal?s ability is on the pilot instinct needed to survive. And, of course, that it?s amazing skill.



"So easy a Tatooine farmboy could do it," she muttered to herself.

You know, I?m surprised this hasn?t showed up in profic.



Syal looked up to see Wes Janson standing above her. "The only Ewokian war hero in the New Republic. I'm familiar, yes."

Wes took a seat behind Syal, reaching for the stuffed Ewok and setting it on her lap. "Yub yub, Syal."

1. Oh phew, I was getting worried that someone really tampered with the sim
2. *laughs hysterically*

Wes


"See, you were supposed to be a doctor," Wes explained. "Or an actress or a lawyer. You were supposed to be doing something safe and wholesome for a living, not flying military warbirds like we did

Awwww. I?m sure Wedge & the others all feel the same too. *hugs them all*


"Are you saying the stuffed Ewok outranks me?"

"He's been here longer than you. Salute him already."

<3 Seriously full of yub-lub

 

Great to come back after a trip and reading all this fun first thing in the morning.

yub yub

 

It's Rogue Squadron, it needs a Janson-analog. Totally.

Very good X-wing series vibe to the briefing.

Wow. Nice job on the sim - now who's been futzing with it?

KETTCH!!!

Oh boy. Wes is totally serious and sad. Ouch. But a very good point for all of them. Proud of her... but so sad that she has the opportunity to make them proud... (Did that make sense?)

That's the best description of the Antilles' family EVAH!

"Next time, though, I'd appreciate it if you didn't ambush me with Lieutenant Kettch."

Wes scoffed. "That's General Kettch now."

"Are you saying the stuffed Ewok outranks me?"

"He's been here longer than you. Salute him already."

Syal shook her head. "I'm not saluting the stuffed Ewok."

"Careful, he'll write you up for insubordination."

"No."

"Yub yub, Syal."

 

?All of the sudden you?re reminding me of someone. I?m pretty sure that?s a bad sign for me.?

Oh, you have no idea how bad that is, Syal. The galaxy is not prepared for two Wes Janson's, certainly not both of them on the same mission. The odds of that ending well are... *checks math* Huh. It seems there are none. Been nice knowing you, Syal!

Speaking of Janson: not at all surprised that he was messing with the simulator. I was a bit surprised by serious!Janson showing up, though. He only appears once every 4-5 years, normally. I do feel for him, Wedge and the other ex-Rogues when it comes to Syal's career path. Reminded me a bit of what Wedge said to Cheriss in SoA.

Yub yub (translation: looking forward to more).

Draco.

 

Hazel

!!! KETTCH !!!

The one and only! The galaxy?s only Ewokian Hero!

Now, this took me back to your Diary, Lane, which I missed this week.

Yeah, there are going to be a number of tie-ins between the diary and this fic moving forward, especially after I?m done posting this one.

Nanci

Careful, Syal. Something tells me that you'll come to regret this.

What could possibly go wrong?

Someone is channeling Wes Janson!

Female Janson. Be afraid, universe. Be very afraid.

Your uncle would approve.

Uncle Dap does indeed approve!

I'm imagining them taking out their iPhones and checking Facebook and Twitter.

You mean they spend their meetings the same way I spend my meetings?

Dear lord she is the female Wes Janson. Does Keyan know about this? (I forgot exactly how they're related - uncle or father?)

I suspect Keyan does know! He?s the father, I felt that was a safe way to go since I highly doubt he will ever be mentioned in profic again.

Tee-hee...if they're smart they won't be heading back to their rooms.

Oh, we?ll come back to this comment in a few months

Syal did a good job taking on those clawcraft! She really is her father's daughter!

A crack ace just like daddy.

Oh no, Wes is getting somewhat serious.

When Wes gets serious, you know you?re in for something.

Well it has been 35 years, he had to get promoted sometime!

Absolutely!

SWpants666

And Rogues flourish in instability

It?s their lot in life!

Oh Quint & Syal really do work well together. I?m glad you enjoy writing him as much as I enjoy reading him

I love the CO/XO dynamic and it?s always been one of my favorite things to write. For this fic, I really wanted a nice level-headed, straight-man to play off of Syal.

The sim fight was done really well. You showed just how much Syal?s ability is on the pilot instinct needed to survive. And, of course, that it?s amazing skill.

Thank you! Those have always been fun to write for me

You know, I?m surprised this hasn?t showed up in profic.

I?m waiting for someone to call Talon Karrde the Most Interesting Man in the Galaxy myself

1. Oh phew, I was getting worried that someone really tampered with the sim
2. *laughs hysterically*

Oh, Wes definitely tampered with it. But that?s okay. Because it?s WES!

<3 Seriously full of yub-lub

I do love Syal and her surrogate family

earlybird ? Welcome back! Glad you enjoyed

Kat

It's Rogue Squadron, it needs a Janson-analog. Totally.

Comic relief. It?s a Rogue Squadron staple!

Very good X-wing series vibe to the briefing.

Can?t have an X-Wing fic without a briefing of some sort

Oh boy. Wes is totally serious and sad. Ouch. But a very good point for all of them. Proud of her... but so sad that she has the opportunity to make them proud... (Did that make sense?)

Yeah that made complete sense. You can be both proud and profoundly disappointed. No one wanted this to be Syal?s career path

That's the best description of the Antilles' family EVAH!

Isn?t it, though?

Draconarius

Oh, you have no idea how bad that is, Syal. The galaxy is not prepared for two Wes Janson's, certainly not both of them on the same mission. The odds of that ending well are... *checks math* Huh. It seems there are none. Been nice knowing you, Syal!

One of them being a female Wes at that. The universe cannot withstand pranks of that magnitude!

Speaking of Janson: not at all surprised that he was messing with the simulator.

I always figured that was in his bag of tricks.

I was a bit surprised by serious!Janson showing up, though. He only appears once every 4-5 years, normally. I do feel for him, Wedge and the other ex-Rogues when it comes to Syal's career path. Reminded me a bit of what Wedge said to Cheriss in SoA.[/i\

I have to think that Wedge, Tycho, Wes, Hobbie and company are just pained to see thi

 

Chapter Eight ? Grounding

?I think it?s time to get out.?

Haruko Skobra looked up from her mug of ale and raised a brow, casting an inquisitive glance at the man sitting opposite of her. ?Get out??

?You know,? Rixar Dain said. ?Change occupations. Retire. Collect our pensions and settle down, buy a house on a nice suburban world, and raise two-and-a-half children.?

?I?ve told you,? Haruko said, taking a drink from her ale, ?I?ve still got a few good years left and so do you.?

It was a sore subject for her. For the better part of a year, Rixar had been talking up the idea of filing for their retirement pensions. It was entirely understandable. Both of them had been with Rogue Squadron for nearly fifteen years and flying for the military for twenty. Combat piloting was a career for younger individuals. The two of them had just crossed into their forties, an age where pilots began thinking about whether or not they wanted to transfer to a desk job or get out and seek employment in the private sector.

Haruko knew that it was nearing the point where she had to give serious thought to putting in for her pension. Transferring to some flimsi-pushing administrative desk job wasn?t an option for her. Still, she could afford to put that decision off for a while. There were a few good years of flying left in her. Haruko knew that she could still out-fly a decent number of younger pilots. After all, none of the young up-and-comers had managed to push her out of Rogue Squadron yet. If Major Antilles didn?t see a reason to replace her, that was all the confirmation Haruko needed.

Rixar rubbed the back of his neck. ?We aren?t twenty anymore. I don?t know about you, but my reflexes aren?t nearly as sharp as they used to be.?

?Your reflexes are more than fine,? Haruko said, a grin forming on her lips. ?Trust me on that one.?

Rixar rolled his eyes. ?I?m serious, Haru. I don?t think we?re cut out for this anymore.?

?Are you worried about this escort detail?? Haruko asked. ?There?s nothing to it, you know that. Why fly in formation with a diplomatic shuttle, set down, mill around for a week, and then fly them back to Coruscant. It?s a blue-milk run assignment.?

?It?s not that,? Rixar insisted. ?Look around us. Daala?s ready to throw Mandos at the Jedi. Skywalker got exiled. Corellia won?t negotiate with the Alliance. The Reunification Summit looks like it could fall apart at any time. We?re one minor disaster away from a full-blown civil war. Haru, I?ve gone through the Vong War and the last civil war. I don?t think I can survive another military campaign without maxing out my lifetime allotment of luck.?

?You-we don?t need luck,? Haruko said, reaching across the small table and placing a hand over his. ?We?re good pilots.?

?Are we?? Rixar sighed. ?When was the last time we were tested? Three years ago in a single dogfight over Coruscant. Since then all we?ve done is record publicity holovids and log time in simulators. Back then you and I were on the ragged edge of acceptable piloting. Now ?? He paused. ?I don?t know if we?ve got it anymore.?

She frowned. ?Rixar-?

?And it?s not just that,? he continued. ?Been to the firing range lately for some blaster practice? I used to be able to group my shots under a credcoin. I haven?t been able to do that in over a year.?

?I?m just not ready yet,? Haruko said, staring down at the tabletop.

?I know, it?s just ?? he trailed off. ?I just want to get out while we?ve still got all of our limbs attached to our torsos.?

Haruko couldn?t help but laugh. Even when he was trying to be serious, Rixar couldn?t help but sneak a joke into the conversation. ?Just another year, I promise. You might know what you?re going to do with yourself after we hand out flightsuits in, but I don?t know. It?s not like I have many marketable skills to fall back on.?

?Now that?s not true at all, Haru.?

She sighed. "Do we have to have this argument again? One more year, Rixar. One more year and then I?ll turn my papers in.?

Rixar offered a tight smile and quietly nodded, taking her hand in hi

 

She sighed. "Do we have to have this argument again? One more year, Rixar. One more year and then I?ll turn my papers in.?

Rixar offered a tight smile and quietly nodded, taking her hand in his and intertwining their fingers. ?One more year.?

Hi, Lane. It's Nanci. I like to think that we've become somewhat good friends in the past few months. I've really enjoyed reading your fanfic and I feel that I've come to know telltale Lane foreshadowing tactics. So let me just tell you

DEAR GOD MAN IF YOU DO WHAT I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO DO WITH EITHER OF THESE TWO CHARACTERS YOU ARE THE MEANEST PERSON EVER!!!

And you will. Because you are.

Ahem.

?Good,? Syal powered off the datapad and handed it back to her executive officer. ?Speaking of Farlander, how was she this morning??

?Found her and Zorvan in the mess with the lights turned off, two pots of caf on the table, and an inordinate amount of greasy food purchased from the junk restaurant down the street,? he said. ?Seemed to have an unusual aversion to loud noises.?

Oh greasy food, the cure for alcohol in galaxies everywhere.

Getting behind a real flightstick again was going to be a welcome change-of-pace.

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR, SYAL.

?Ground Control to Major Syal,? an all too familiar voice said.

Now I've got that song in my head.

He was quiet for a moment, looking away from her and rubbing the back of his neck nervously. ?The Senate authorized a member of the Order to be added to your diplomatic envoy. Council convened last night and decided to send me as their representative. I just ?? he trailed off and allowed his shoulders to slump. ?I just wanted to tell you myself. Last thing I want is for you to hear this second-hand and think I orchestrated this to spy on your or something.?

I sense awkwardness coming up. I approve! (Syal, STOP BEING STUPID.)

?I really don?t need an explanation,? Doran interrupted. ?I?ve lost enough friends lately. I don?t want to have to add you to that list.?



I don?t want to lose you too, Syal. Don?t shut me out.?

Yeah, good luck with that.

It hadn?t been that big of a deal. It was understandable that the Order would want to send a representative along with the diplomatic envoy. It gave them a chance to show that they were willing to cooperate with Daala. Yes, it was perfectly understandable, rational, defensible, and perhaps even necessary.

Nice way of explaining to the reader this plot point. I approve.

Her mother raised a brow. ?No shop talk during dinner, you two.?

A good rule, Iella, I approve!

?That?s right,? Myri said with a nod. ?Instead, let?s talk about my darling sister?s sordid love life.?

And Nanci is once again glad she is an only child!

Besides, with her work keeping her busy, Syal was just fine.

Oh god Syal, don't become one of THOSE people. Those people are boring.

?What!?? Her father shot out of his seat.

Oh dear, Papa Bear is on the defensive. (This reminds me of that one viggy you wrote. So cute!)

?Jedi Solo has been reported as being involved in love trysts with just about everyone on Coruscant.?

Yes, she has.

an old shirt emblazoned with a Rebel Alliance crest (which she had stolen from her mother years ago)

Aww, I love that Iella was wearing such a shirt. (I bet she's got Wedge's wanted poster stuck in a drawer somewhere, too, hehe)

"I think we need to talk."

Bah I hate those words

Keeping secrets away from a parent who was nothing short of a legendary intelligence agent was all but impossible.

Be glad she's not a Jedi! Poor Ben.

"There's no sign," her mother said as she sat down beside Syal, wrapping an arm around her shoulder.


Oh, Syal, PLEASE listen to your mother. You DO NOT want Doran to go fall in love with the Blue Bimbo he's assigned to bodyguard, DO YOU?!

She knew she was too ol

 

?Are you worried about this escort detail?? Haruko asked. ?There?s nothing to it, you know that. Why fly in formation with a diplomatic shuttle, set down, mill around for a week, and then fly them back to Coruscant. It?s a blue-milk run assignment.?

Oh, great! She jinxed it.

And the Rogues should know by now that 'escort detail' is never that easy - right, Lane?


?Of course I didn?t,? Doran said, his expression completely devoid of any sort of amusement. ?Syal, I may not understand what changed between us, I probably never will, but I respect you far too much to try and play some sort of petty game to win you over. If you say we?re done, we?re done. I just hope you and I can at least have a professional relationship while we?re stuck on this backwater assignment.

?And,? he continued, ?maybe if it?s not too much to ask, can we at least still be friends??

?Doran, I-?

?I really don?t need an explanation,? Doran interrupted. ?I?ve lost enough friends lately. I don?t want to have to add you to that list.?

Syal immediately felt guilty. ?Valin and Jysella. How are Mirax and Corran holding up??

?As best as they can, I suppose,? Doran said. ?Listen, I?m not asking you to reverse course, but things have been rough the last few months. I don?t want to lose you too, Syal. Don?t shut me out.?




YAY, Antilles Family time I can never have enough of that.

?Major Syal Antilles was seen exiting a back entrance of the Jedi Temple with Jedi Knights Doran Tainer and Jaina Solo,? her mother read from the article. ?Insider reports claim that the three have been involved a torrid love tryst.?




The words never came. Instead, she meekly looked towards the caf table in the middle of the living room where the holo of Tiom sat.

"Oh, Syal," her mother said quietly.




That was really sad, but it helps to put things in perspective as to what led Syal to the events of her/your diary.

 

trouble coming with Rogues, X-wings and escort that's for sure I think and with a Jedi, yes

 

Can I second Nanci's first sentiment up there? Cos she has a really good point...

Loved Syal talking to her X-wing. But oh dear - poor Doran. He's handling it so considerately, and poor Syal just seems to be falling apart (as much as she would deny it). I really liked him in this scene - straightforward, understanding (even while he doesn't understand) and not putting any pressure on. *sigh*

Dinner with the Antilles' family - HELL YEAH!!!!!!!!! Loved the banter, loved Myri fishing out the sludgenews with the 'scandal', LOVED Wedge's reaction (and Iella's, haha. 'Sit down, dear, and eat your dinner. You can kill sludgenews reporters after dessert.')

?Of course not,? Syal said defensively. ?Those things kill brain cells faster than a ride through hard vacuum without a flightsuit.? So very true.

Syal hiding her break up with Doran from her family is bad news though. And it's been months...

Okay. Make that trying to hide, in the case of Iella. I doubt Syal and Myri got away with much when they were growing up... unless they REALLY worked the charm on Daddy. And even then...

I really did love Iella confronting Syal about it. "There's no sign" indeed. And of course you want to curl up with your mummy, Sy. It's completely natural. Listen to her, girl. She knows of what she speaks.

"How did you do it, mom?"

"Well, honey, one day your dad finally snapped and showed me 'Cockpit Wedge' and I just couldn't say no!"

"Then why did you marry daddy?"

Cause he's HAWT. Oh, that's probably not the answer Syal wants.



Total agreement there! Well said, Nanci!

Excellent update, as usual. So glad you had the whole Antilles' family there - I love them so much! But I can feel all the pressure building up for Syal, and it makes me sad. Since that's really the entire point... You done good, Lane.

PS - Just count how many times I used the word 'love' (or derivatives thereof) in this review. It should give you a hint at just how much I love your writing. (There it is again!)

 

I just gotta say I love JediMara77's review


I love the CO/XO dynamic and it?s always been one of my favorite things to write. For this fic, I really wanted a nice level-headed, straight-man to play off of Syal.

And you found him very well! Yay brain


I?m waiting for someone to call Talon Karrde the Most Interesting Man in the Galaxy myself

Well?he is



Chapter Eight ? Grounding


Haruko knew that it was nearing the point where she had to give serious thought to putting in for her pension. Transferring to some flimsi-pushing administrative desk job wasn?t an option for her. Still, she could afford to put that decision off for a while.

Umm?yeah til she DIES


We?re one minor disaster away from a full-blown civil war

Very. Good. Point.
Stupid Daala


?I know, it?s just ?? he trailed off. ?I just want to get out while we?ve still got all of our limbs attached to our torsos.?

I think it?s a valid excuse.

I DON?T think they?ll live the year


?Yes, ma?am,? Quint grinned. ?I asked what they were up to but Farlander insisted they didn?t want to talk about it.?

*snerk* Imagine that


Oh, the follies of youth, thinking that speed was the only virtue in a fighter.\

No matter what galaxy you?re from


?Syal, I may not understand what changed between us, I probably never will, but I respect you far too much to try and play some sort of petty game to win you over.

That?s good!! Aw, I?m sad she broke it off with him


Annoy me and I?ll either ignore you or shove you out an airlock.?

Fair enough!


Daddy, it?s going to be an easy run.

*winces* Rogues know better than that


?Insider reports claim that the three have been involved a torrid love tryst.?

*cackles hysterically* Oh that truly is insane and absurd. Oh thank you for that laugh.



"No, just me," her mother said, closing the door behind her. "I think we need to talk."

Oh geez. I was really nervous at first at that! Poor Syal ? I?m sure her heart was pounding more than mine!


she meekly looked towards the caf table in the middle of the living room where the holo of Tiom sat.

Oh. But?I mean?

I think Iella is the perfect person to talk to her about this.


we couldn't get passed

That should say ?past?


Sad, but good, update. I hope Syal & Doran get back together. BEFORE something bad happens.

 

Nanci

Hi, Lane. It's Nanci. I like to think that we've become somewhat good friends in the past few months. I've really enjoyed reading your fanfic and I feel that I've come to know telltale Lane foreshadowing tactics. So let me just tell you

DEAR GOD MAN IF YOU DO WHAT I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO DO WITH EITHER OF THESE TWO CHARACTERS YOU ARE THE MEANEST PERSON EVER!!!

What? Me? Evil? Do something like that? Now whatever makes you think I would do such a horrid thing?

Oh greasy food, the cure for alcohol in galaxies everywhere.

For me, it's something with gravy. Lots. Of. Gravy.

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR, SYAL.

Oh Syal, you will learn.

Now I've got that song in my head.

And now you're also stuck with images of David Bowie in your head

I sense awkwardness coming up. I approve! (Syal, STOP BEING STUPID.)

Hooray awkwardness!

A good rule, Iella, I approve!

Wonder how often she's had to do that?

Oh god Syal, don't become one of THOSE people. Those people are boring.

Exactly! Take from your Uncle Wes.

Oh dear, Papa Bear is on the defensive. (This reminds me of that one viggy you wrote. So cute!)

Papa Bear is always on the defensive when it comes to his darling girls

Aww, I love that Iella was wearing such a shirt. (I bet she's got Wedge's wanted poster stuck in a drawer somewhere, too, hehe)

They say it was a rather fetching picture

Be glad she's not a Jedi! Poor Ben.

Ben can't get away with anything!

Oh, Syal, PLEASE listen to your mother. You DO NOT want Doran to go fall in love with the Blue Bimbo he's assigned to bodyguard, DO YOU?!

Oh sweet merciful KRIFF NO.

I still want to curl up with my mom when I'm upset. It's perfectly reasonable.

Syal really needs some mom time right now

"Well, honey, one day your dad finally snapped and showed me 'Cockpit Wedge' and I just couldn't say no!"

Gets 'em everyt ime.

THANK YOU, IELLA.

SYAL, LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER. SHE IS WISE AND KNOWS WHAT SHE IS TALKING ABOUT.

Wise woman, that Iella

Hazel

Oh, great! She jinxed it.

And the Rogues should know by now that 'escort detail' is never that easy - right, Lane?

Never! Oh Syal.

YAY, Antilles Family time I can never have enough of that.

I do Antilles Family Time

That was really sad, but it helps to put things in perspective as to what led Syal to the events of her/your diary

Yeah, as we move on the events in the diary are going to start meshing with what's going on in this fic

earlybird - Trouble indeed! Hope they're ready

Kat

Can I second Nanci's first sentiment up there? Cos she has a really good point...

Who knows? She might be on to something.

I will say one of them dies, any wagers on who?

Loved Syal talking to her X-wing.

All pilots are a little off in the head

But oh dear - poor Doran. He's handling it so considerately, and poor Syal just seems to be falling apart (as much as she would deny it). I really liked him in this scene - straightforward, understanding (even while he doesn't understand) and not putting any pressure on. *sigh*

It would have been easy and would have created plenty of conflict to just have them go at it, but I kind of liked the understanding route Doran took

Dinner with the Antilles' family - HELL YEAH!!!!!!!!! Loved the banter, loved Myri fishing out the sludgenews with the 'scandal', LOVED Wedge's reaction (and Iella's, haha. 'Sit down, dear, and eat your dinner. You can kill sludgenews reporters after dessert.')

There really need to be more Antilles family scenes, I think. Writing Myri was a blast, I'm definitely looking forward to writing her more

Syal hiding her break up with Doran from her family is bad news though. And it's been months...

Okay. Make that trying to hide, in the case of Iella. I doubt Syal and Myri got away with much when they were growing up... unless they REALLY wor

 

Chapter Nine - Lesser of Two

?People are starting to think that we?re responsible,? the agitated Devaronian male said.

The Bothan male, sitting at the small conference table opposite the Devaronian sighed. ?Well, are we responsible??

?No!? The Devaronian protested. ?We? ve only got a minimal presence there. I don?t know how you think we operate, but Freedom Flight is not in the business of blowing up ten square kilometers of residential districts with suicide bombers to make a point.?

?Oh, of course not,? a human female seated at the far end of the table said. ?We merely encourage other people to blow themselves up for our cause. It?s never us directly.?

The Devaronian glared at the human. Who did she think she was? He didn?t understand how the human had been placed on the council. What did she know? What did her species know? Humankind hadn?t been subjected to millennia of slavery like other species had. Not in such absurd numbers, anyways. Humans were a species with power, with political clout. They couldn?t comprehend the atrocities their own kind had committed against other species. They had no right to voice their opinions to the organization.

?We?re going to lose the public relations battle,? the Bothan said. ?If these attacks on Orvax IV continue the whole Galaxy is going to view us as a terrorist group and not slave liberators.?

?Is that such a bad thing?? The human asked. ?Maybe it?s going to take a lot of bloodshed to catch someone?s attention.?

?We?re going to catch the wrong attention!? The Devaronian snapped. ?Have you seen what Daala has been doing to the Jedi? Do you want her to send Mandalorians after us??

?Daala can throw whatever she wants at us,? the human replied. ?She deploys Mandos and we turn it into a PR disaster on her part.

?Enough of this!? the Bothan bellowed. ?This bickering won?t get us anywhere. Let me be perfectly clear, we cannot afford to be known as terrorists, thugs, and suicide bombers. If we are going to be successful, we have to win the war on the media front as well.? He turned to the Devaronian. ?What do we have on Orvax IV??

The Devaronian shrugged. ?We don?t have much. A few field agents monitoring the general populace and gathering data, but there isn?t a concentrated effort like we?ve got on Tatooine or Blaudu Sextus.?

Freedom Flight had agents and operatives all over the Galaxy, stationed on countless worlds that were known for slave trafficking. On most words there were only a small handful of individuals performing information gathering and scouting tasks. The vast majority of the organization?s resources were directed towards worlds that were on the edge of conflict and revolt. They would do what they could to smuggle slaves to safety, but that was a secondary goal.

Freedom Flight largely existed to promote slave rebellions.

Agents did what they could to plant the idea amongst the slave population. They encouraged slaves to do what they could to stand up to their owners and to slave traffickers. It was a slow war that Freedom Flight was fighting, one designed not for bloodshed but to raise awareness and force those in power with the Galactic Alliance to act. Civil Disobedience was the nature of their work. What was occurring on Orvax IV was anything but that.

Suicide bombings. Open blaster warfare. These were acts of militant terrorism, something that Freedom Flight simply would not condone. Many within the organization had accepted that some bloodshed would occur in their campaign to rid the galaxy of slavery, but no one had envisioned the loss of life on this horrific scale.

?How bad is it?? the Bothan asked.

?It?s bad,? the Devaronian said. ?Media polls are showing that support for the organization is slipping throughout the Alliance. Pundits are calling us terrorists. If we don?t find a way to distance ourselves from Orvax IV we are going to be in trouble.?

The human scoffed. ?Has it occurred to you that we may be in trouble regardless of what happens??

The Bothan stiffened. ?Care to explain yourself??

?I think we?ve pretty much

 

?President is a bit of a misnomer. In reality, he has almost complete authority over all political, economic, and social issues. His presidential cabinet is there for show more than anything else.?

He's more like Emperor than President.


?Have you seen these numbers? All of their officially reported economic activity accounts for about thirty percent of the total credits moving in and out of the system. Where?s the other seventy percent going??

Tax?


Thankfully, she had at least been smart enough to smuggle a datapad and one of her favorite trash romance novels with her. Some pilots used music to battle hyperspace boredom. Others merely slept. For Syal, a three credit bargain romance novel did the trick.

I'm so with Syal on this - I'd do exactly the same thing.


Just as she was about to modify her broadcast frequency, a set of odd blips appeared on her forward sensor. Her eyes narrowed as she brought up her targeting computer and began cycling through targets. Her confusion only increased when she paused on one of the new contacts out in the distance.

It was a TIE Defender, an older but still capable starfighter that was most commonly seen in the service of the Imperial Remnant.

Welcoming Comitee?


"The slave resistance will not allow the Alliance to provide President Cridmeen with military aid," a voice finally responded. "You should not have come, human bigot."

Unwelcoming Comitee!


"I think Hobbie bumped his head,"

Naturally. Poor Hobbie


Interesting chapter, Lane.

 

What? Me? Evil? Do something like that? Now whatever makes you think I would do such a horrid thing?

Oh, I don't know, do you want the short list or the long list?

And now you're also stuck with images of David Bowie in your head

Well now I am.

They say it was a rather fetching picture

Ahhh, Wedge.

Humankind hadn?t been subjected to millennia of slavery like other species had.

Oh I dunno, there were some human slaves somewhere. You know, that Vader guy?

?Maybe it?s going to take a lot of bloodshed to catch someone?s attention.?

Oh, that's not a good idea.

Freedom Flight seems like a very interesting organization.

?A Twi?lek,? the Devaronian said. ?Her name is Dia Passik.?

DIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

?Fine,? Wes said. ?But I want the record to show that my treatment has been deplorable and, as such, I demand adequate compensation for my suffering and hardship.

?Request denied,? Tycho said. ?Now shut up.?

?Remember when you used to be fun? You?re no fun anymore.?

?I was never fun,? Tycho deadpanned.



?You know, if you put a moustache on him he kind of looks like a warlord we tangled with a few decades ago.?

Oh that's a reassuring thought.

Tycho seems to be stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Wes was interrupted by Doran shouting from the cockpit. "Incoming! Brace yourselves!"

Uh-oh.....

she had at least been smart enough to smuggle a datapad and one of her favorite trash romance novels with her.

Which romance novel? The Princess and the Smuggler? The Force Bond of Love? Wingmates of Destiny?

And I'd be listening to podcasts in hyperspace.

"The slave resistance will not allow the Alliance to provide President Cridmeen with military aid," a voice finally responded. "You should not have come, human bigot."

Uh-oh....

"I think Hobbie bumped his head,"

Hobbie can never go unscathed

She took a deep breath, quickly calming her nerves as she fell into formation with the shuttle. Despite how eager she had been to get behind the flightstick a few days earlier, all she wanted to do now was get on the ground and out of the cockpit. One dogfight was enough for today.

See, Syal? I TOLD YOU!!!