Unfinished Business by Celticcowgrl

Standard Disclaimer: This story and characters are based on situations and characters created and owned by George Lucas and Lucasfilm Ltd and the "Magnificent Seven" TV, property of Trilogy Entertainment, The Mirisch Group, MGM Worldwide. Casey Woods belongs to Republic Pictures and Robert Vince Productions. The original characters of Gale Vektors, Kara Loradon, Nikkia Sifter, and Aradia Darin are mine with much inspiration coming from my fellow Musketeers Erica, Maria, and Renee. No money is being made off this story and I humbly ask that you do not sue me, I am more broke than you could possibly imagine, all you would get is my computer and my dog. Note: This is a closed A/U. If you are interested in writing in this AU please contact me, I have a specific plan for this set of stories, but I might be persuaded to let others play in my sandbox. :)

Star wars

Unfinished Business

It is a time of peace and prosperity

for the new republic. A year has passed since

Grand Admiral Thrawn made his last attempt to

overthrow the New Republic. In the small system of

Four Corners everything is not as it should be. Old

Republic Senator Nettie Wells goes to the man that helped

free the system from the empire five years before for help:

Jedi Master Chris Larabee!

Commander Buck Wilmington ran his hands over the hull of the X-Wing. He’d been flying that craft for more years than he could count. Buck had joined the Rebellion right out of the Corrillian Pilot Academy. Like many Corrillians, Buck had a knack for flying. He could handle a fighter with the same grace and ease that he handled his many women. There wasn’t a port of call in the galaxy that didn’t have at least one woman waiting for Buck’s return. He grinned to himself as he thought of the young woman he’d left the day before in Sullust.

Buck turned around and grinned at his wingman. “Shoot, Darling, ya know I can’t help it. The ladies just get in my blood.”

Aradia snickered as she ducked under the fuselage of the X-Wing. “You’ve got a one track mind, Buck.”

He looked over the small woman still amazed that she took his flirting for a grain of salt. The woman simply had no interest in his offers of mutual enjoyment even though they’d proven time and again that they worked together like a well oiled machine with Aradia instinctively knowing what flight patterns and strategies Buck would order when they were in battle. Her shoulder length auburn hair was pulled up just like it always was when she was getting ready for a flight. But her green eyes held a trace of excitement in them. “What’s got you so antsy?”

“Haven’t you heard? Master Skywalker found another Jedi, we’re being sent to escort him from Yavin.”

“Me?!” It couldn’t be. Memories flooded through Buck’s mind but he shook them away. It couldn’t be him. He’d disappeared after their last mission. “Why?”

“Because, Commander Wilmington, he’s an old friend of yours.” A crisp voice said from behind him causing Buck to turn around.

“Captain Loradon, it can’t be.” Buck said sadly. He didn’t know what sort of joke was being played on him, but Buck didn’t like it. The only Jedi Buck knew other than Luke Skywalker, had disappeared after the final battle for the Four Corners region. The Empire’s agents, Grand Moffs Royal and Jaamez had thrown everything they could at the seven-man team that Mon Mothma, the leader of the Rebellion had put in charge of the area. With him, the young man that had been Buck’s gunner and the apprentice Jedi that was intending on heading to Tatooine had also disappeared. The other three had gone their separate ways, Josiah to help Mon Mothma set up the fledgling government that would become the New Republic and Nathan to return to the Medical frigate, The Simminola. And Ezra, well Buck hadn’t been surprised when the man had returned to his life as a smuggler.

Kara smiled, giving her friend Aradia a wink. “Commander Wilmington, I’m pleased to tell you that you’re quite wrong on this. He has specifically requested you as his escort.”

Buck simply couldn’t speak. The shock at knowing his oldest friend was alive and well rendered him speechless. Aradia cleared her throat, remembering that they were on duty she said, “Captain Loradon, space between here and Yavin’s moon is clear, we haven’t had any trouble with the Empire trying anything in that area for months now.”

“You’re correct, Commander, but Master Larabee is taking no chances. He’ll have more information for you when you arrive.”

Aradia blinked. “Master Larabee??? But, I thought Master Skywalker was the only full-fledged Jedi Master.”

Buck shook his head, “Chris is one of the last of the old order. Mace Windu, one of the masters on the Jedi Council before Palpatine took control, trained him. He was…well; he wasn’t but about twenty when the purges started. He hid out keeping away from the Empire for a long time, ignoring’ what he was just to survive.”

Kara couldn’t help but be impressed. It took an amazing amount of willpower and luck to hide from the Empire. During its twenty-year reign the Empire had taken almost complete control over the galaxy. “You two need to leave within the hour, best let Maintenance get your fighters prepped.”

Buck nodded looking over at the X-Wings. “Looks like they’ll get to mine soon as their done with Aradia’s.” He stepped away from the two women in order to give them a chance to talk.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” Aradia asked curiously. Granted she was feeling a little disconnected from everything but that wasn’t too surprising. Soon she would be meeting The Hero of Yavin, Master Luke Skywalker, as well as the Jedi Master Chris Larabee. Even though she knew nothing about the man, the simple fact that he was a Jedi from the old republic gave her more than enough reason to be excited.

Her friend smiled, “Just checking. Be careful OK? All you guys have to do is bring the Jedi and his companions back here. Once they go through a briefing with General Sanchez then we’ll know more about what we’re up against.”

Frowning, Aradia felt some of her excitement diminish. “Positive.” She looked towards Kara and said firmly, “Our lives are about to change.” Kara nodded. Aradia’s feelings and hunches were almost always dead on. Her feelings got the two soldiers out of more than one scrape over the years.

“Well, then take your time, I like my life the way it is.” Kara said with a wry smile.

Aradia chuckled softly and gave her a two-fingered salute. “Yes Ma’am.” As Kara walked away Aradia wondered to herself exactly why she was able to sense things yet obviously was not strong with the Force. She had been in the Rebellion since just after the Battle of Yavin and part of the New Republic’s military when Master Skywalker still had his commission. He’d never even looked in her direction as a possible student. She sighed and pushed the familiar question out of her mind and called out to Buck. “You ready to go?”

Watching the stars flowing past the cockpit of the small one-man fighter always made Buck feel calm. The intrinsic beauty of the space lines in hyperspace just took his breath away helping to clear his mind. Today it also allowed him to mull over the current situation. What would his old friend be like? Would he still be the morose man he’d been during their time working in the Four Corners region, or would he have changed? And who was he traveling with? Buck wanted it to be JD, his old co-pilot and gunner, but he was sure it wouldn’t be. If Chris had a companion it would be Vin Tanner, the Jedi Apprentice that Chris had taken on at the request of Master Yoda, the head of the old Jedi Council.

Buck sighed. He never expected to see any of the men again, surviving the twenty-year reign of the Empire had been enough luck for him. Now he was going to be reunited with his friends as well.

“You ok over there?” The soft drawl of his current partner caught his attention, pulling Buck out of his musings.

A low chuckle sounded in his ear, “Sure you are. You’re about as calm as a Jawa facing a Rancor.”

“Well, no matter what, heads up, we’re coming up on Yavin IV.” Her voice was all business and Buck knew they were getting ready to come out of hyperspace. Usually he had a vague idea of when they would drop out of hyperspace and was able to steel himself for the disorientation that came from the sudden deceleration. But since his mind had been occupied by memories and musings, Buck would have had no idea.

The deceleration started almost immediately as the NaviComputer made the correct commands to the engines. Buck groaned as he felt his stomach rise into his throat. “Little more warning next time, Dia.”

“Pay attention next time, Bucklin.” Aradia’s eyes widened at the sight of the huge gas giant that was Yavin IV. The small moon that orbited the planet was their destination. The moon once held the headquarters for the Rebellion. “So this is where it all started…”

Buck smiled hearing the wistful tone in her voice. Aradia and Kara had defected from the Imperial Navy not long after the battle against the Empire’s first Death Star. The battle of Yavin had been the turning point in the war, suddenly more star systems began to believe the Rebellion might actually have a chance to over throw the Empire and the ranks of the Rebel army grew by leaps and bounds. By the time that happened, Buck and the others were already dispatched to the Four Corners region. He wondered if things would have been different if Chris and his young apprentice had been on Yavin and met Luke Skywalker, the boy who would become the Jedi that saved the galaxy from Darth Vader and the Emperor. “C’mon Darling, we gotta get set for our landing pattern.”

“Right behind you, Buck.” Once again she was focused on nothing but the business at hand.

The two X-Wings came through the atmosphere of the moon and angled gently towards the recently cleared landing platform of the old Rebel base. Touch down was as light as a feather and Buck popped the cockpit, pulling his helmet off as he did. He climbed down the landing ladder once he’d extended it and looked around. He waited until Aradia was by his side and said curiously, “Wonder where they are?”

“Might’ve been polite…” Her voice trailed off as four men came walking out of the large hanger. Two of them were dressed all in black and had blond hair. At the far distance you couldn’t tell them apart as they both wore a lightsaber attached to their belts. One of the other men was small and energetic. He walked as if he was dying to run ahead, but was trying to keep his cool. His gray flight suit and flight jacket marked him as a pilot. While the last wore a dark brown cloak over a beige flight suit. His light brown hair was long compared to the others, and as he walked the cloak separated revealing a lightsaber at his belt. “The Jedi…”

Buck swallowed then nodded, “Yep. Let’s go, Aradia.” They both straightened and started towards the four men. Buck couldn’t hide his smile as he got closer. The young pilot bolted forward finally, hurling himself at Buck.

“I knew you’d show up again Kid!” Buck crowed as he spun the younger man around, delighted to see him. JD Dunne was the little brother Buck had never had. He’d trained the kid to fly starships better than anyone else in the galaxy and had sorely missed his company when he’d taken off.

JD wiggled out of Buck’s grasp, “Hell, Buck, someone had to go with those two.” His voice held a little more maturity than it did five years ago, but it did Buck a world of good to see the exuberance and joy in the young man hadn’t diminished in the least.

Buck turned towards the other three. Chris Larabee stepped forward holding his hand out. Buck grabbed it and pulled his friend into a tight hug. “Don’t you ever run out on me again, Pard. ‘Bout lost my mind worrying over you!”

Chris stepped back and gave him a smile, “It’s good to see you too, Buck.”

A simple hug and clap on the back was Vin Tanner’s greeting. “You been keeping that old rascal out of trouble?”

Buck had met Luke Skywalker before so he offered his hand. “Master Skywalker, it’s good to see you again.”

Luke smiled flexing his black-gloved hand as Buck released it. “Buck, you and Commander Darin are welcome here.”

Aradia watched as the three Jedi exchanged a glance after looking at her. She stood at attention, fully aware that she was being inspected. A tug at her mind caused her to stiffen. “Kindly keep your minds out of my head,” she said as politely as she could. Hero of Yavin or not, she didn’t like the idea of someone poking around in her mind.

Luke chuckled and held out his hand. “Excuse us, it was a small test, nothing more, right, Master Larabee?”

Chris nodded, though he was intrigued. “Commander Darin, you’ve been with the rebellion for quite some time haven’t you?”

She nodded. “Yes sir. My friend Kara and I joined up right after the Yavin battle.”

Luke nodded, “I suspected. But it was not my destiny. It is a path for someone else.”

Vin nodded, watching Aradia closely. Stepping closer to Chris he whispered, “The Force is strong with her. Got to do something about it, Chris.”

Chris squelched the kernel of irritation that was forming inside him. “After we get Josiah and the others briefed.” He looked towards Buck and said, “How soon can you two be ready?”

Buck looked surprised, he hadn’t really expected to jump right back in his ship. “Give us a couple of hours to rest up and get prepped and we can go.”

“Thank you, Captain Dunne.” Aradia said absently. She wasn’t even interested in what was going on around her at the moment. Her insides felt as if they were turning somersaults while her blood was singing out in her veins. Something odd was going on, but she had no idea what it was. It had to have something to do with the “test” Master Skywalker had put her through moments before, but what she didn’t understand.

Buck noticed how distracted she was and put an arm around her shoulder. “Guess my partner’s a little wore out, y’all got somewhere she can lay down?”

Luke nodded understanding exactly what was going on. He could feel the muddle of emotions within her and sympathized. He remembered how it felt when he realized he was in the presence of Master Yoda. To the Force sensitive, coming face to face with someone adept in the Force was like being thrown into a whirlpool with no handholds. The disorientation, the feeling that a kindred spirit was nearby, the yearning and the fear would subside in time, once they became accustom to it.

Luke had watched Commander Aradia Darin for a long time, making sure that she was safe but never interfering in her life. He’d known her strength within the Force, but also understood that his path lay in a different direction. She would be trained, but not by him.

When he’d meditated on the fact, the only thing he’d ever been able to understand was someone of the old order would teach her, someone clad in black with a tenuous grip on his own emotions. It had unnerved Luke to know that there were Jedi of the old order still alive yet they hadn’t come forward; even after his own adherence to the Jedi code had been revealed. When the two Jedi had come to him, Luke felt a sense of foreboding. They brought news with them that reminded him that the Empire was still trying to hold onto as many territories as they possibly could. The New Republic would have to work fast to control the developing situation.

Three X-Wings lifted off the Yavin moon with the light starcruiser. It was easy to see the modifications that had been added to the cruiser. Twin long-range blasters had been added to the undercarriage as well as souped up X-14 class hyperdrive engines. JD had boasted that The Ranger could outrun the fastest ship in the New Republic’s fleet, the Millennium Falcon. Luke chuckled and warned the young man not to make such a boast in front of Han Solo, the Falcon’s pilot and Luke’s brother-in-law. JD grinned and Luke could see the young man was already anticipating a race.

Luke flew his X-Wing easily barely paying attention to the controls. He could have traveled with Chris and Vin on The Ranger, but knew he would not be joining them on their mission. It was better that he had his own transportation. As they came out of hyperspace, Luke flicked his wrist, moving the guidance stick slightly to the left. He grinned as he saw Buck drop below him, cursing good-naturedly.

“What are you two doing?” Chris asked, amused when he heard Buck’s curses.

“Charlie?” Aradia repeated. She’d never heard of it. “Master Skywalker, there’s nothing out HERE!” Her calm voice rose in pitch and volume as Buck’s X-Wing streaked past her, inches away from colliding.

“Commander Darin,” Vin said forcing the laughter out of his voice before speaking. “Adapt. Let’s see what you can do.”

“Another test?” Aradia snapped as she thrust her guidance stick downward, easily evading Luke’s X-Wing.

“Something like that.” Chris answered. He moved closer to the cockpit window, watching the intricate flying of the three X-Wings. It was easy to see that Buck and Luke were flying in a long practiced pattern. Each of their movements was almost in synch. After the first few passes Aradia’s X-Wing began to follow their movements, barely a moment behind the other two.

“Reaction time’s incredible.” JD commented. “Did you see that?! That barrel roll should have gone straight through her ship!”

Vin’s eyes were closed, following the maneuvers by the movements through the Force. Chris simply watched, observing every nuance. “Well?”

Slowly Vin’s eyes opened. “She never even realized she was using it. This is a dangerous situation, Chris. You know Vader would have already gotten to her if he were still around.”

Chris nodded. “I know.” He smiled slightly, “Guess it’s a good thing Master Yoda declared you to be a full Jedi. I can’t have two apprentices at once.”

Landing on Coruscant, the capitol of the New Republic, Chris and Vin were pleased to see their old friends Josiah and Nathan waiting for them. The greetings were just as warm as they had been with Buck, reminding them all of their connection. “It’s good to see you, now, what have you brought us?” Josiah asked concerned.

Thinking over the no-nonsense message Chris had sent the smuggler he was sure of it. Almost as if to prove Chris right an YT-1300 freighter landed beside The Ranger. “That’s Ezra’s ship?” JD said in surprise. “What a piece of junk!”

“Yes, The Luck of the Draw is one of the best ships I’ve ever piloted,” a cool feminine voice said as she approached them. The woman was about 5’7” and slender with dusky skin and shoulder length black hair, red streaks framed her face adding to the exotic quality of her looks. The low hung blaster at her side left little doubt about her abilities. “And you are…” Josiah asked confused.

A chuckle came from behind the woman and a pair of sparkling green eyes met Josiah’s. “I see you all have met my wife, Gale.”

“WIFE?! Ezra, you ol’ dog!” Buck shouted in surprise as he slapped Ezra on the back.

Stumbling forward Ezra straightened the black vest he wore. “Yes, well, Gale was quite persuasive in convincing me that this marriage would be mutually beneficial.”

Gale looked at Ezra and rolled her eyes. “Please. I do believe it was you trying to do the convincing.”

Ezra’s six friends laughed, enjoying the dig and congratulated the pair. Gale Vektors-Standish was welcomed into the fold quickly. As she moved through the throng being introduced to the six other members of the rebel team Ezra had once been a part of her eyes locked on Kara’s, then Aradia’s. She took their proffered hands and smiled. The bond was formed instantly and she turned towards the ship. “Would you c’mon already?!”

Ezra shook his head quickly. “Absolutely not. Young Maarie is at home with her nurse.”

The clattering of footsteps down the ramp caused several heads to turn. A woman clad in gray coveralls looked around as she strapped a blaster to her hip. “What?”

The woman walked towards her friend, her eyes roving over everyone taking in mannerisms and their appearance. When she stood in front of the trio of women she smiled as she felt the connection between her and Gale expand to include the other two. “Nikkia Sifter, nice to meet you.”

Chris and Vin glanced at one and other with a smile. When the seven had come together they’d all felt a bond that formed almost instantaneously. It was a rare thing to find people whose lives were bound together by destiny the way the seven had. Looking at the four women it was easy to see that it had happened again.

Kara led eclectic group into a debriefing room and took a seat waiting to see just what was going on. As expected Aradia sat down beside her, but unlike most meetings Buck did not sit next to his wingman. The longhaired Jedi took Buck’s normal seat, flashing a slight smile towards Kara when she gazed at him. The Jedi Masters sat down next, followed by Generals Sanchez and Jackson. The young pilot, JD took a seat by the Generals with Buck right next to him. The smuggler then his wife sat leaving the last seat open for Nikkia. The circular table was filled and General Sanchez wasted no time in starting the briefing. “Chris, what have you learned that was so important to bring you here?”

It wasn’t that Josiah wasn’t happy to see his friends, but he knew when The Jedi had left they had their own paths to follow. He’d never expected them to come back to the Rebellion or the government it had turned into. Chris leaned forward, folding his hands on top of the table. “It’s very simple. We did a job five years ago in the Four Corners region. We took control of it and gave it back to the people who lived there. We promised them the protection of the Rebellion and what would someday become the New Republic.” His glittering green eyes flashed with quickly restrained anger. “You’ve broken that promise, Josiah.”

“Chris, it’s not my call to make. I-“ Josiah was cut off almost immediately by JD.

“Not your call? By the Force, Josiah, you’re a General! You’ve got to have some hand in this!”

Kara leaned forward, clearing her throat. “Just because he’s a General doesn’t mean he can send troops where ever he likes. The New Republic is growing faster than we can build up the military in order to protect our members. The more populous areas get the fire power first, it’s the only way we can handle the supply and demand right now.”

Ezra nodded, understanding good business when he heard it. But he didn’t have to like it. “So, Captain, you’re saying that simply because Four Corners is close to the Outer Rim and it’s sparsely populated the New Republic is just ignoring it?”

Josiah bristled, “We are not ignoring it! Regular patrols move through that section of space every few months from our base on Bakura. We’re doing what we can on limited funds.”

“Well the cash flow needs to change, ‘Siah.” Vin said quietly. “The Moffs are back in control and they’re bleedin’ the people dry.”

The conversation around the table went silent. “The Moffs?” Buck said in surprise.

Chris nodded. “Senator Wells found us and let us know the situation.” He shook his head sadly. “She didn’t believe the New Republic would help so she came to us.”

“Senator Wells?” Nikkia repeated. “There hasn’t been a Senator Wells in the Senate since the Old Republic!”

Ezra nodded, “You’re correct, my dear. And the Senator is alive and well despite being a Shards old harridan that rules the region was a tight fist of control and justice.”

Gale grinned, “So she’s the one who ran you out of Puurgatory last time we dropped a shipment there.”

“That she was.” Ezra remembered with fond annoyance. “An extraordinary woman.”

The seven men smiled as they each remembered the woman who’d been their contact during their time in the Four Corners region. “So what does Senator Wells want us to do?” Buck asked. It was a foregone conclusion in his mind that the Republic would do what it could to help now that the situation was known.

Chris caught Buck’s eye. “We have to go back. Finish the job. The Moffs aren’t out for the glory of the Empire this time. They want the region for themselves. It may not be a big area but it is right in the middle of the space lanes to Kessel and the Outer Rim. Who ever controls Four Corners also controls the space lanes.”

“And can charge whatever sort of tariffs they want.” Gale said understanding easily.

Luke Skywalker stood and excused himself quietly. Now that he had helped deliver the Jedi to Coruscant it was time for him to return to his own plans. After a short stop to see his sister and her family.

Once he was gone, Josiah let the others know exactly what could be expected for aid and it wasn’t much. “We’re simply stretched too thin right now. With Grand Admiral Thrawn’s followers still trying to cause trouble and making these short range raids, we’re being sent all over the galaxy. There’s just no way to spare a contingent of fighters to go into Four Corners. Good Skies, even Nathan and I can’t get away right now!”

Buck looked shocked. “You’re saying it’s just the five of us to take care of this again?” He couldn’t believe that Josiah and Nathan wouldn’t put the small group of friends before the positions they now held.

Chris held up a hand to calm Buck. “It’s understandable. They’ve got things to take care of here.”

“If they aren’t opposed to it, Captain Loradon and Commander Darin will go however.” Nathan offered.

Before Kara could say one-way or the other Aradia nodded. “Of course we’ll go.”

Nikkia and Gale snickered as Kara turned towards Aradia and glared. “Gee thanks, Dia, way to read my mind.”

“You won’t be able to take your fighters.” Chris told them. “X-Wings will stand out too much. If there isn’t going to be a full force offense then we’ll do this quiet like.”

“Quiet like? Well where’s the fun in that?” Nikkia asked with a grin. A few chuckles escaped several people before Chris’ glare silenced them.

“We can take The Ranger then. She’s in the space ports often enough, won’t be anything out of the ordinary.” JD said easily.

Chris nodded. “Sounds good. Ok, People, meet on the launch pad first thing in the morning.” He walked out with Vin, JD, and Buck following him. Shortly thereafter Ezra followed with Josiah and Nathan.

The four girls looked at each other and Kara said, “You ever meet someone you just wanted to strangle within five minutes of meeting?”

The cockpit was silent as JD made the calculations for the jump to hyperspace. After Buck had pointed out more than fifteen “flaws” in JD’s piloting the young man banned his mentor from the cockpit. After programming the NaviComputer, JD sat back and checked the sensors, making sure they were completely clear before he made the jump. “Hey, need any help up here?”

Nikkia chuckled and slipped into the co-pilot seat. “Well, I’m still learning about this, but I’ve co-piloted some of Gale’s missions.”

JD looked surprised. “You’re still learning? But I thought you were a smuggler…like Ezra.”

Looking down at the gray coveralls Nikkia asked wryly, “If I were a smuggler you think I’d be dressed like this? I’d have much better looking clothes!” JD grinned and Nikkia shook her head. “No, I’m just a Slicer, but I’m learning how to be a pilot.”

JD nodded. Slicers were in high demand in the Corporate sector, but everywhere else they quickly had to find new professions. JD couldn’t think of any business that wanted its employees to be able to break into their computer system and files as easily as a talented Slicer could. “You’re wanting out of the Corporate sector then?”

She shrugged. “Maybe, I don’t know. More than anything I just want to learn. Slicing’s fun, hell you wouldn’t believe the dirt I’ve found while doing jobs for Ez and Gale or Talon Karrde.”

Nikkia grinned. Sometimes she loved throwing that name around. Talon Karrde was THE biggest smuggler in the galaxy. Recently he’d organized the Smugglers Coalition that was suddenly the organization to be affiliated with if you wanted to make a name for yourself. Not to mention he had helped the New Republic defeat Grand Admiral Thrawn. “Sometimes. Only when his other Slicers are either too busy or too immersed in their toys to get the job done. I’m mostly freelance.”

“Like Ezra and Gale.” JD stated, though to Nikkia it sounded more like a question.

“Yep. The three of us work together more often than not. Hell, Ezra’s a sucker for causes, so I usually feel pretty good about what we’re doing.”

JD understood the feeling. Ever since he’d left with Chris and Vin, he’d been helping them whenever he could. He was their transportation across the galaxy though they both knew how to pilot a ship, and do it well; but they kept Vin's ship hidden on Puurgatory in case of an emergency. JD grinned as he thought of how he’d won the ship in his ONLY lucky hand of Sabbac. “It’s good to know what you’re doin’ helps people.”

Nodding, Nikkia agreed. “So, Flyboy, are we gonna get this bucket movin’? You’ve been bragging about how fast she is, show me what she can do!”

JD gave her a cocky grin. “Better fasten your safety harness then. Wouldn’t want to toss a pretty girl like you across the cockpit.”

Once the ship had moved into Hyperspace the crew was able to relax a little and catch up on old times. Buck cornered Ezra and Gale after a hasty lunch, dying to find out more about their relationship.

Buck put a hand over his heart and looked at Gale, “Well Darling, I just gotta know how such an enchanting lady as yourself wound up with this ol’ scoundrel!”

“Well, it’s a sordid tale, Buck.” Gale said as she sat down. “About four years ago I was in Sluis Van working on finding a new ship. Mine had been impounded for contraband.”

Ezra snorted, “The oldest con in the book. The docking bay supervisor enjoyed the look of Gale’s ship. Once she and Nikkia had headed for a respite at the local cantina he had some Kessel spice in excess of the regulation weight stored on board. I saw the whole thing from my ship as I was making a few repairs. When-“

A hoot of laughter cut Ezra off as Buck tried to control his laughter. “Repairs?! You?!”

Gale snickered as Ezra replied dryly, “Yes, Buck, me. I will not allow anyone to tamper with my ship; therefore I am forced to make the repairs myself. Now, may I continue since you were so avid in your curiosity?”

With a sigh of exasperation Ezra began again, “When the ladies came back to their ship they found it to be impounded for contraband, but strangely no charges were being filed against them. They were forced to find a new ship and they just happened to seek out mine.”

“I thought I could upgrade the old tub enough to make it worth it.” Gale remarked. “I never expected the owner to blow up at me for insulting his precious ship!”

Buck hid his amused grin behind his hand as he leaned back in his chair and waited for the story to be started again. When Gale realized he was waiting she flashed him a smile and said, “Anyway, Ezra had seen the whole thing so after he unruffled his tail feathers he agreed to help us get the ship back. Though he didn’t tell us exactly why at the time, he had an old Imperial officer’s uniform on his ship. He put it on and proceeded to impersonate an imperial officer and confiscate the contraband Spice AND the impounded vehicle from the Docking bay supervisor. He flew my ship out of there and I flew his. We met up on Nal Hutta and started working together. After all, with his ability for cons and my business sense and imagination it was a partnership destined for greatness.”

Ezra smiled, “And I soon learned a marriage destined for greatness as well.”

Gale glanced at Ezra and smiled. “A lot of fighting. Anyone who fights as much as we did and do must be in love. We got married, had Maarie and now, we’re here.”

Buck liked to see the unrestrained joy that was shining in Ezra’s usually hooded eyes. “Ez, ya done good. She fits ya.”

“The mission, what else?” Kara asked testily. How could one man irritate her just by being alive?

Chris shrugged and leaned back against the wall. “You’re concerned about the mission, yes, but also for your friend. You want to know what I intend on doing about her.”

Kara crossed her arms and glared down at him. She’d interrupted his meditation, that was clear but she didn’t really care. “She’s a New Republic pilot, you can’t do anything with her.” She said as if there wasn’t a concern.

A small chuckle escaped him as Chris opened both eyes and looked up at her. “You should never try and lie when around a Jedi. It’s too easy to feel the deception.”

They stared at each other in silence. Kara glared angrily while Chris simply observed her. It was so easy to feel everything that she was feeling. He didn’t usually have such an acute sense of a person when he wasn’t even trying. “Alright then, what are you planning on doing with her?” Kara asked finally.

Chris smiled slightly. “A direct question.” He could practically hear her screaming <Answer it then!> “Commander Darin will become my apprentice. She’s strong in the Force and needs training. She never even realizes when she’s using the Force and that can lead to a dangerous path.”

Kara nodded. She’d expected that deep down. “What’s she said about this? I know she’s wondered about the possibility for a while.”

Chris shrugged. “I haven’t told her yet. I’m sure she has some idea what’s going on though.”

“You haven’t – But wait a minute! You’re deciding what’s gonna happen in her life without even speaking to her?!” Kara exclaimed.

“She’s been wondering, just like you said. If the Jedi Council still existed she’d have begun her training years ago.” Chris told her calmly.

“What if she doesn’t want it? What if she’s happy with the way things are?” Kara asked. Each question hit Chris with a burst of passionate defense.

“If she’s happy with the way things are then she needs to undergo the training. Otherwise she would become a liability to the New Republic and very well turn to the Dark Side. And then a Jedi would have to contain her. Captain, don’t you see this is the best way?” Chris asked.

“You assume I’m simply going to order her in to an apprenticeship.” Chris said abruptly. “What you fail to consider is that this isn’t my plan. I’m pretty sure after Vin and I talk with her she’ll understand the situation and agree with us. Though why I should explain this to you, I don’t know. You’re determined to see me as a monster. Someone you can easily hate.” He advanced on her with every statement. “Someone you can distrust and know you’re justified in doing so.”

Kara had to raise her head in order to keep looking him in the eye. Having him look down at her fueled her temper causing her to clench her fists at her sides. “Get over it, Captain.” He said quietly. “While we’re on this mission, *I* am in charge, and you’ll just have to trust me. Keep thinking of me as a monster, maybe then you can ignore the kernel of attraction that’s flaring even now.” With a slow sly smile Chris suddenly winked at her and turned, walking away as if the meeting hadn’t affected him nearly as much as it had affected her.

“C’mon you’re not trying hard enough. Stretch out with your feelings.” Vin said smoothly.

A short blast fired and Aradia yelped. “That helps a hell of a lot when there’s a bloody blast shield in front of my face!” She turned towards his voice holding his lightsaber in front of her defensively.

Vin smiled. “Hey, I’m not the one blasting you. Don’t get angry with me. In fact, don’t get angry at all. Relax. You don’t always see what you’re firing at with your X-Wing. Just think of it that way.”

“Least with my fighter I can see stars!” She countered, just before moving the lightsaber quickly to avoid another blast from the practice remote.

The small sphere hovered moving around her and firing stun blasts randomly. The blasts weren’t powerful enough to do anything other than give her a little jolt. The Jedi used the remote to train with their lightsabers, an elegant weapon that had no peer among blasters, but took an amount of control in the force to truly wield with any grace.

And right now, Aradia felt as graceful as a Hutt. “You could let me get used to this damn thing first.”

“What’s the fun in that?” Vin asked curiously. He grinned as Aradia cursed him but frowned when she whirled, blocking several shots from the remote. “Enough! Do NOT reach out with your anger!” He reached through the Force and shut down the weapon causing the remote to land harmlessly on the floor.

Aradia pulled off the helmet and glared at him. “If you’d give me a chance -!”

Vin cut her off; getting right in her face the way her commanding officers did when she disobeyed orders. “You don’t need a chance! You’ve got the ability within you; you just don’t know how to consciously use it. You reach out with anger to tap the Force and you start down the Dark path. Anger, Fear, Hate. All of those lead to the Dark Side. You’d better start learning, Little Girl, or you’re going to have a hell of a lot more to worry about than a blast shield cutting off your physical sight!”

She closed her eyes though her mind was whirling. She’d known her life was going to change but she’d never expected this. He’d said she had the ability to use the Force. While she’d known the Jedi had been testing her, she’d never imagined that they would take a real interest in her. But now she was being taught how to use a lightsaber. Just what did that mean for her in the future? “Clear your mind.” Vin instructed. She tried, but there were too many questions in her head. “Don’t just try.” Vin said, grinning as he thought of how many times his Master had told him that. “Do. Now, clear your mind.”

The questions started fading away and soon Aradia’s mind was clear. Vin activated the lightsaber, and she immediately raised it. The Remote rose and started stalking her. “Keep your eyes closed.” Vin whispered.

Turning Aradia followed the soft whirring sound the Remote made. Slowly the remote became clear in her mind and she turned to face it. The Remote fired, once, twice, again, and again. She blocked every shot with the lightsaber absorbing the energy easily. “Good!” Vin called.

Chris smiled and turned away from the doorway. He’d seen enough. He would discuss Aradia’s apprenticeship with her later, but for now Vin was teaching her some of the basics. They worked well together and Chris could see they would be a good team if given the chance.

Now if he could just come up with a plan for the real mission he’d be a happy man.

“Coming out of hyperspace.” JD said, flicking the inter-ship communicator off as soon as he finished his statement. It didn’t surprise him to see a Star Destroyer in orbit around the central world of the Four Corners region. Solas was an agricultural world, providing foodstuffs for the entire region, or at least it had until Royal and Jaamez had taken control again. Now the planet’s resources were languishing in holding bins and supply warehouses, waiting until the other planets in the region agreed to the Grand Moffs demands. Soon the crops would have to be placed into stasis in order to keep from rotting, and the people of Solas weren’t too sure that Royal and Jaamez were going to allow that to happen. The lone Star Destroyer held a platoon of Imperially trained soldiers and pilots; they patrolled the planet’s orbital allowing very few ships to make it through their blockade.

“You gotta be kidding me.” Nikkia said dumbfounded as she saw the star destroyer. “Nine people are going to take on a Destroyer AND all the soldiers inside it and ya think we’re going to make a dent?!”

“Don’t get cocky, Kid, we still haven’t worked out a plan.” Buck said seriously from behind the pilot’s chair.

“Didn’t I tell you to stay out, Buck?” JD asked with a hint of irritation.

Buck grinned and ruffled JD’s hair, causing his long bangs to fall into his face. “Aw, hell, JD, ya know ya can’t do with out my expert opinion in getting through that blockade!”

Seeing the Tie-Fighters that were flying maneuvers around the Destroyer, JD had to admit he wasn’t sure how he was going to get around to the other side of the planet without being detected. “Relax, JD, we’ve got a stop to make first.” Chris said as he pulled Buck back out of the doorway by his collar.

Chris shook his head, after all this time he was amazed that JD still held onto the youthful enthusiasm and hero worship he’d had the day he’d stowed away on Buck’s ship, the day he’d met the other six men that had become the young man’s mentors and friends. “Puurgatory.” He said, answering JD’s question.

Nikkia raised an eyebrow, “Don’t want much do ya, Larabee? Ten Credits say Royal and Jaamez have agents in Puurgatory waiting to see what sort of move the New Republic makes.”

Chris nodded, “That’s why there’s no New Republic agents going in there. Get the pilots and Captain Loradon some new clothes and with the Force’s aid you won’t be able to tell their affiliation.”

“With the Force’s aid?” Buck repeated. “Don’t sound too sure about that, Pard.”

“I’m not, you I’ve got no doubts about. But Captain Loradon’s got too much of a military bearing. She’ll stick out like a sore thumb.” Chris said, his voice revealing just a hint of the irritation he felt towards Kara.

Buck grinned. His Captain had gotten under Chris’ skin. Buck couldn’t remember the last time a woman had affected Chris and here he was annoyed at the beautiful captain’s very presence. “You leave that to me, Chris, I’ll make sure even you won’t be able to recognize Kara by the time I’m finished.”

“Joy.” Chris muttered, ignoring the unease that hit him dead on as he heard the glee in Buck’s voice.

“You want me to WHAT?!” Kara shouted, unable to believe what Buck Wilmington was suggesting.

Buck started backpedaling immediately, “Well, I was just thinking since Puurgatory’s a smuggler town an’ some of them smuggler’s deal in-“

“Don’t even finish that statement, Commander. I don’t care what your reasoning is I will NOT disguise myself as Chris Larabee’s slave woman!” Kara informed him in a firm voice that warned Buck not to even entertain the idea a moment longer.

Kara looked at Aradia with a sweet smile on her face, immediately putting her friend on guard. “Wouldn’t recognize you either, why don’t you do it?”

Gale snickered and pushed herself off the wall, “Relax you two. Good skies, you military types always got to make this difficult. Get out Buck while I get these two disguised good and proper like.”

Buck backed out of the cargo hold quickly not wanting to deal with Captain Loradon’s temper a moment longer. He really had thought it’d be a good idea, not to mention a great temptation for the vaunted Jedi Master. What would Chris do if he saw the fiery captain in a traditional slave woman’s outfit? Buck grinned enjoying the mental image then shook his head, clearing his mind as he heard Vin’s amused snort of laughter. “Ya got no shame, Bucklin. But then, ya never did.”

“You let things move at their own pace, Buck. Don’t try and push this on ‘em.” Vin said quietly.

“You know somethin’ I don’t?” Buck asked curiously. “You been readin’ the future again?”

Vin simply smiled and leaned back against the wall. He didn’t have to answer Buck; it was obvious that he had an idea of what was in store for Kara and Chris. Buck opened his mouth to say something when the door to the cargo bay opened and Buck found himself staring in frank admiration at his commanding officer.

Kara smirked, even as she rested a hand on the blaster at her hip. The tight black pants and shirt left little about her figure to the imagination, and her long unbound hair seemed to surround her like a halo. “Look nonmilitary enough now, Commander?” Buck nodded wordlessly. His eyes widening at the sight of his captain and his wingman, who was similarly clad beige and dark green.

Gale grinned over Kara’s shoulder, “My newest protégé, Kara Lanier and her co-pilot, Darin. I think they’ll fit in pretty good in Puurgatory, don’t you?”

Vin nodded, looking over the girls with a smile. “They’ll still stand out, but there ain’t no helpin’ that unless ya got someway t’make all you ladies ugly.”

Gale winked at Vin, “Why, Vin Tanner, if that ain’t the nicest compliment!” Vin ducked his head and moved on up the corridor, he’d been wondering just how they would infiltrate Royal and Jaamez’ organization and now he knew. As soon as Guuye Royal heard about the women smugglers he would have agents looking for them. Royal had a fine eye for beauty in all things, he surrounded himself with it, and he always had. Land and women were his weaknesses, he wanted to own both and somehow Vin had a feeling he’d be mighty interested in acquiring the four women they were traveling with. He’d have to talk to Chris and start forming a plan, but he couldn’t shake the feeling in the pit of his stomach. He didn’t like the idea of sending any of the girls into Royal’s clutches even if logic was telling him it was the perfect way to throw the man off balance. Vin shook his head and knew he’d have to deal with the uneasy feeling sometime, just not then. He had to start working on a plan; he just hoped that Chris had already come up with a better one.

Chris listened to Vin’s idea silently. For a moment Vin had the distinct impression the Jedi Master was going to tell him to take a flying leap of a really tall ridge, then those hooded green eyes looked towards him followed by a short nod. “Probably the best chance we’re going to get. Get the girls to Royal, and let them work their magic. We attack from the outside while they’ve got the senior crew wrapped around their hydrospanners.”

“Of course it will be difficult. When’ve we ever done anything easy?” Chris asked.

“And everyone else.” Chris muttered wondering just how Ezra was going to take the idea of his wife going into the service of Royal.

“Absolutely not!” Ezra shouted. “That man is infamous for his treatment of the women in his employ. I will not have my wife nor any of these women put in that position!”

“I think that’s a decision we get to make for ourselves, don’t you, Ladies?” Gale asked in a dangerously soft voice.

Gale held up a hand, her eyes glittering, “Do NOT finish that statement, Ezra. We’re here to defeat the Moffs once and for all right? They’re damaging one of our main ports of call by tampering with Solas. I don’t think I want to see the drop in our profit margins their actions are going to cause. If I got to play footsie with that over blown excuse for a gangster then fine. We clear on that?”

Buck couldn’t help it. He wasn’t able to stifle his laughter any longer. “Hell, Ezra, she IS perfect for you!”

“Can it, Bucklin,” Aradia muttered. It wasn’t any of their business what type of relationship Ezra and Gale had, and it certainly wasn’t their place to rib either of them about it. At least not right after the discussion. “Master Larabee, how long do you expect this to take? We don’t have much time before those crops go bad.”

Chris looked towards the woman, and then glanced towards Captain Loradon, slightly surprised at the change in her general bearing and attitude now that she was out of her uniform. “News spreads fast in Puurgatory. It wouldn’t surprise me if Royal hears about the four of you before moonrise. You do something to get his attention and you may be on that Star Destroyer before sunset tomorrow.”

“You’re awfully confident about our abilities to entice this man,” Kara observed.

Chris gave her a chilling smile. “You’d have to be a seventy year old Hutt not to entice that man.” He glared towards Vin and JD who both visibly winced at his refusal to give a compliment where it was obviously due. Chris knew exactly why the girls would win Royal over. Dressed the way they were, the relaxed slouch in their posture, their overall presence oozed sexuality. A man would have to be dead not to take notice of the four women, and Royal was an oversexed power hungry man who preferred to be surrounded by beautiful women. His compliment of bodyguards was changed on almost a weekly basis as he chose capable, but attractive women for his cadre. But Chris didn’t want to tell the girls that. More specifically, he didn’t want to tell Kara that. He wasn’t looking for a relationship and if he wasn’t careful he was going to fall right into one. If insults were a way to make sure that didn’t happen, then he’d insult her until the mission was completed and he could focus on training his new apprentice.

Kara nodded stiffly, “I see.” What an insufferable Rygalian Prickwoolf! Kara understood the idea of a man that would find anything that moved and was female attractive. But did Larabee have to make it sound like she and her friends were scum from the bottom of the Calamari ocean?

Aradia looked back and forth between her friend and the Jedi Master. “I think that just about takes care of what’s expected of us. Now, just what are your people going to do while we’re getting mauled by a Moff?”

“We’ll take care of the actual attack,” Vin said, noticing the tension that was palatable around the table. “The TIE fighters the Moffs have at their disposal will keep us plenty busy. Ezra’s organization will be working with us there, but it’s up to you girls to take down the Moffs. Men will never get close enough to them.”

“Oh joy, just what I always wanted, the chance to kill a man with the sexual appetite of a Twi'lek.” Nikkia quipped, refusing to give into the feeling that something was bound to go wrong.

“Hell, Nikkia, if that’s all you want you could just kill Buck and be done with it.” Aradia said with a grin.

“Enough.” Chris said quietly. “We’ve no more time for chatter. JD, get the ship ready to land. Ezra, you still have that old freighter in the swamp?”

“Good, we’ll drop the girls off there, let them pick up the ship and come in on their own. The rest of us will go on into Puurgatory and wait and see what unfolds,” Chris said. He felt a tingle of awareness and looked towards Aradia sharply. JD and the others noticed the look and started slipping out of the lounge area. Kara leaned against the wall by the door, but didn’t leave as she watched the silent battle of wills that seemed to be taking place between the Jedi Master and his new, but uninformed, apprentice.

“Kara, go on. Start working with Gale and Nikkia on our cover story. Fill me in later.” Aradia told her though her eyes never left Chris. Kara sighed and walked out, she wasn’t surprised when the door slid shut behind her. Sometimes she wasn’t too sure that Jedi weren’t more trouble than they were worth.

“What do you want with me, Master Larabee?” Aradia asked as soon as they were alone.

Aradia’s eyebrows raised in surprise. “You’re too impulsive,” he continued. “And you’re too stubborn.”

Chris frowned, “You’re also very strong in the Force. You should have been trained years ago, but there was no one to train you. Skywalker’s methods won’t work for you. He’s planning on building a New Jedi Order; you aren’t a part of that order. You never will be.”

The words echoed through Aradia’s mind and drove a sense of disappointment rushing through her. Chris stood up and placed a hand on her shoulder. “You’ll be trained as he was. By the old order of Jedi. Master Yoda, the greatest of us all, trained him. You’ll be trained by me.”

Her eyes slowly rose to look up at him. “By you? You…you wish to train me, Master Larabee?”

He nodded, “You’re too powerful to let roam without training. The Dark Side could overcome you without any hint of danger until it was too late. Your control is chaotic and that has to be tempered. You have an understanding of the Force and what it means to be a Jedi. Do not disappoint me, Padwan. Do not disappoint yourself. You still have the ability to become a Jedi, but it will be a long and difficult journey. I will do all I can to help you on that Journey, as will Vin. Do not think this will be easy. It won’t be. Do you accept?”

“Good. We’ll start your training in earnest once this mission is accomplished. Until then, make sure you focus on what you are doing. Do not allow yourself to strike in anger, fear, or hate. Trust your instincts,” Chris instructed as they moved towards the door.

“No. You don’t,” Chris responded, a small hint of disappointment in his voice. “You fear what others may think of your ‘harebrained’ ideas. You are now a Padwan Learner, an apprentice Jedi. Your ideas could very well be the key to survival, trust in that. You must gain more confidence in yourself, and not just in your piloting ability.”

Aradia swallowed. Chris was able to see through her mask of the cocky X-Wing pilot. She nodded slowly, “I will do my best, Master Larabee.”

Chris smiled. It was a genuine smile of approval. “Good, I expect nothing less. *You* expect nothing less.”

“Go, Aradia. You need to corroborate your story with the other girls if you are going to fool Royal into taking you onto his ship.” It was a dismissal, but she wasn’t offended. How could she be offended when he’d just offered to teach her what she needed to know to be a Jedi?

She palmed the switch to the door and stepped through the opening. Turning back towards him she said, “I won’t let you, or myself down, Master Larabee.”

Aradia looked over the dilapidated ship. An YT-1000 model, it was older and less maneuverable than the YT-1300 that Gale and Ezra used as their organization’s flagship. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“Just what is this ship here for anyway?” Kara asked as she ran her hand over the underside of the ship.

“What do you think?” Nikkia asked with a grin, “If Ezra’s ship was ever impounded he’d still have a way off the planet without any trouble.”

“He still has to get past the Planetary Docking Yards though doesn’t he?” Kara asked. She was a military woman and knew very little about the fringe that made up Gale and Nikkia’s culture.

“Fake registration codes,” Nikkia answered with a shrug. “Happens all the time, overlay an unknown ship registry over your original and then you’ll have no trouble getting out. Someone like Ezra can slip in and out of systems all the time without ever getting caught. But it’s good to have the added insurance of a spare ship hanging around.”

“And this one looks like that’s all it’s good for. This piece of junk doesn’t even look like it can fly!” Aradia pointed out as she examined the repulsorlift manifold.

Gale grinned as she ducked under the ship and looked at the cross-sectional wiring. “Looks to me like this baby will be just what we need. Any of you know anything about Ship Maintenance?”

“Puurgatory Control this is the freighter Ranger requesting permission to land.”

“Acknowledged Ranger, didn’t expect to see you back on Puurgatory so soon,” the control officer said conversationally as clearance codes were transmitted to JD’s ship.

“Yeah, well, you know how this place grows on ya after a while. Thanks, Control.” JD shut off the transmitter and started to make his descent. He glanced over at Buck and saw the normally good-natured man looked almost somber. “Something bothering you, Buck?”

“Huh? No…no, not bothering me. Just doesn’t feel right,” Buck said absently.

“What doesn’t feel right? C’mon we dropped the girls off and got back off planet without a hitch. Everything’s going to be alright,” JD told him with a confident grin.

“Oh c’mon, Kid, you really think it’s that easy? No…something about this just doesn’t feel right. Call it a hunch,” Buck told him, considering whether he should talk to Chris about it.

JD grinned leaning back in his chair, “Buck, this ship has got some of the best sensor dampening equipment in the galaxy. And I know how to dodge a control flight pattern. We made it just fine. I’ve done that dozens of times when Chris or Vin needed to meet with Senator Wells without the whole system knowing about it. And besides, you don’t get hunches unless it has to do with a woman.”

“And just who do you think we just dropped off in that swamp?” Buck countered quickly.

Chris turned towards the X-Wing pilot and waited, fully expecting Buck to tell him what he was thinking. There was no way Buck could hide his unease with Chris standing so close to him, his feelings were practically screaming through the Force that there was a problem. “I don’t know, Chris, it just seems too easy. We just drop the girls off, get back off planet and get clearance codes to land just like that?”

“It’s been done before,” Chris replied neutrally. He’d felt a twinge of something in the Force already, but chalked it up to sending his apprentice off on a mission without any training. What if that assumption was wrong?

“Look, I know JD’s a good pilot, and I know he’s gotten you guys down to the planet unnoticed before, but this just feels wrong!” Buck said as he stepped out of the co-pilot’s seat. “Trust me, Chris. That’s my Wingman down there, I may not have the Force like you do, but I know when my partner’s in trouble, and we just dropped them off at a Rancor’s door.”

Chris frowned and shut his eyes. He cleared his mind and stretched out with the force. JD turned back to the controls and knew the best thing he could do to help at that moment was land the ship. The closer to the planet’s surface they were the better chance Chris had of finding out what was going on.

Aradia. Aradia, hear me. Chris called out through the Force and immediately felt Vin’s attention as he felt Chris’s call. But the new apprentice’s thoughts were silent. With a sigh, Chris opened his eyes and gestured for JD to land the ship as fast as possible. He turned and left the cockpit running into Vin almost immediately.

“Little early to start training her for that isn’t it?” The younger man asked casually.

“Something’s wrong. Buck is certain of it, and I’m having trouble sensing them,” Chris confessed reluctantly.

Vin frowned, “Chris, we’re still at least 30 meters from the surface. You’re strong in the Force, but with everything that’s going on it could just be there’s too much interference right now.”

Chris nodded slowly, “That’s true. Everyone in this sector is worried about Solas and what the Moffs have planned. We’ll try again when we land.”

Vin nodded, “Alright. It’s going to be all right, Chris. I’ve got a good feeling about this group and our success.”

Chris nodded and gave a half smile, “So do I. But the future is always in motion. Just because we have a good feeling now doesn’t mean it will last. We have no idea what the Moffs are planning.”

Vin gave him a disgruntled look, “It’s not like you to be so pessimistic.”

“Get used to it, Chris. I have a feeling that this group will be together for a while. And they’re all going to look to you for direction.”

Chris chuckled softly and clasped Vin’s shoulder, “You really know how to cheer a man up.”

Looking around the swamp Nikkia frowned as she realized just how quiet it had become. “Um…guys…”

Aradia felt a tingle on the back of her neck and swatted at it, assuming it was some sort of insect crawling on her but the tingle only got stronger and she realized that it was no insect. She stepped out from under the ship and looked around. She saw Nikkia was already fingering the blaster at her side and turned to call Gale and Kara when the tingle became a full fledged feeling. “Nikkia, DUCK!”

Turning towards Aradia, Nikkia started to ask why when she heard a loud keening roar just before she was pushed to the ground. Two blasters fired and with a yelp the creature that had vaulted towards Nikkia ran back into the brush. “Someone want to tell me what that was?!” Kara asked as she holstered her blaster.

Aradia frowned slightly as she holstered her own blaster. “A Quarra…but I’ve never seen one off Devaron.”

“Devaron?” Gale repeated. “Just when were you unlucky enough to be on Devaron?”

With a shrug Aradia said, “My brother was a merchant. We used to take stuff to Devaron. Place wasn’t that bad really if you could just get used to the horns and second set of teeth the males have.”

Gale shuddered, “Yeah, that second set of teeth was always what bothered me. Now how’d a Quarra get here and why’d it attack Nikkia?”

Aradia’s neck began to tense and she began to feel the tingle again, “Don’t know, but get ready, more are com-,” she was cut off by another keening roar.

“Oh, Vader take them all!” Nikkia shouted as five Quarra jumped out of the brush, seemingly intent on making the four women their dinner.

“I’m a little busy, Master Larabee!” Aradia muttered as she fired her blaster. More Quarra were coming out of the brush and Aradia couldn’t remember any Quarra pack being so big. But then again, she didn’t remember any Quarra that attacked humans without provocation either.

“Negative!” Aradia shouted, causing Kara to look at her oddly before firing her blaster at another Quarra. “We have things under control, if you and the others come out here then it will only endanger the mission.” She fired once more then said, “Not to mention you won’t get here in time!”

Understood. Aradia could hear his irritation in his thoughts and she wondered just how she was able to hear him. Focusing her attention once more on the dwindling number of Quarra, she assumed it was simply because of his strength in the Force.

“Well, least we’ve had our target practice for the day,” Kara said sardonically.

The area around the ship was littered with dead and wounded Quarra. Some of the animals whimpered in pain while others growled when the girls moved past them. “Let’s hurry up and get moving,” Aradia said after a moment. “I’ve got a feelin’ that we don’t need to be here much longer.”

The four girls spun and saw a man in an Imperial uniform standing at rigid attention flanked by four Stormtroopers. “Oh this is not good,” Gale mumbled.

Aradia looked at her in surprise, “Make sure next time is after I’m trained then alright?”

“Ladies, Grand Moffs Royal and Jaamez request your presence on the Star Destroyer Conqueror.” The Imperial said in almost a cordial voice.

Glancing at the others, Kara hooked her thumb into her blaster belt and said sarcastically, “Sorry, ‘friad that invitation doesn’t supersede the one we’ve already got.”

“Perhaps this will change your mind.” The Imperial gave the barest hint of a nod and the Stormtrooper to his right fired. The bright blue rings of a stun blast hit Nikkia in the chest and she slumped to the ground immediately. “Would you prefer each of you receive the same invitation?”

With a grimace Kara shook her head, “Looks like that other invitation just took second Fizz.”

The Imperial gave her a satisfied smile, “I thought it might. Come with me.”

Chris frowned as he looked around the crowded tap café. “I don’t like this. I don’t like it at all. They were in the middle of an attack and she told me to stay away. What is that woman thinking?”

“Obviously she believed that we would not be able to help them and would only call attention to them if we were to arrive,” Ezra said blandly before taking a drink of his Corrillian Whiskey.

Chris frowned at the smuggler as he related the exact reasoning his apprentice had used. It galled him to know that once again he had to rely on someone other than the two men he trusted more than any other. JD and Vin had proven they were more than deserving of his trust and loyalty and they were able to carry out any order he gave. These four women, no matter how well Ezra and Buck knew them hadn’t earned that trust. A feeling of shock and anger hit Chris so suddenly that he almost gasped. Reaching out with the Force he focused on the feelings and the sense behind them. Kara. She and the other girls were in trouble. One of them had been shot, but only stunned thank the Force. But they were being taken off planet. To the Moffs. By…Stormtroopers?! Chris jumped up from the table, causing Ezra and Buck to look up in surprise, “C’mon.”

The two men followed him without question, both aware that the stony expression on his face meant there was trouble. As they reached the Ranger, Vin met them at the ramp, “You felt it too huh?”

Chris nodded, “Yeah. What in Vader’s name are the Moffs doing with Stormtroopers? The Imperials denounced them, took away their rank and privilege.”

Ezra frowned, “Stormtroopers? Chris, I believe you should fill us in on your revelation.”

Chris frowned, “Somehow they knew we were coming. They were taken at your old ship, so they knew it was there. But I want to know why the Imperials left a garrison of Stormtroopers at the Moff’s disposal.”

“For that matter, how’d they keep a hold of all those TIE fighters? And the Star Destroyer?” Buck asked.

JD came down the ramp in time to hear Buck’s question, “Spoils of war, least that’s the story. The Empire didn’t have the time or resources to force the Moffs to turn over their army.”

“No. No, it’s more than that…By the Force I do believe that we have been conned,” Ezra said, his voice holding more than a little trace of amazement. “They’ve been planning this, though I imagine they expected a far larger task force than our small band.”

Buck nodded, “And they’re gonna get it.” His voice was little more than a growl, “JD, get me up and away from the system…. one system over should do it.”

“What are you planning, Buck?” Ezra asked, carefully masking his concern for his wife.

Chris glanced around and knew they were being watched. “Let’s get on to the ship. We’ll leave quietly and talk about this in route.”

JD nodded and left to get the ship prepped. The four remaining men boarded the ship and waited in a tense silence. Buck was not happy in the least that his commander, his wingman and their newfound friends were being used as pawns. And as far as he was concerned, it wouldn’t continue. Josiah and Nathan couldn’t do anything about the situation, but General Bel-Ibis, the Fleet Officer that Rogue Squadron was attached to wouldn’t allow two of his best officers to be held captive by two supposedly renegade Imperial Moffs.

The short lightspeed hop deposited the Ranger in the Uba system. The system was firmly entrenched in the New Republic and Buck didn’t have to worry about the Imperials listening in on their transmission. “Ok, JD, give me the transmitter.” Buck ordered tightly.

JD hopped out of the captain’s chair and let Buck take his place. After keying in a specific frequency Buck waited. “This is Sena, what can I do for you?”

“Sena, this is Commander Buck Wilmington of Rogue Squadron, I need to talk to General Bel-Ibis or General Antilles. It concerns the capture of two Rogues.” Buck said without a trace of the warm flirtatious tone he often used when dealing with women.

Buck sighed frustrated, “Yeah I know. But they’ve got a full compliment of TIE fighters, a Star Destroyer and a Garrison of Stormtroopers on Puurgatory. You want to put me through now?”

“Absolutely.” There was a moment of static that was replaced by a strong authoritative voice. “This is Bel-Ibis, what’s the situation Commander?”

Buck immediately related what was going on. When he was finished he heard Bel-Ibis take a calming breath then say, “And they’re holding the harvest of Solas hostage as well as now taking two New Republic Officers into custody?”

“They didn’t believe we’d do anything, Sir. They went to Master Larabee instead. General Sanchez wasn’t aware that we could afford to commit troops.”

“General Sanchez is in charge of ground forces, of course he didn’t know. This should have been brought to Admiral Drayson or myself,” The General said with a slight touch of rebuke in his voice.

“I see.” Bel-Ibis was silent for a moment then he said, “Alright, this will be handled as efficiently as possible. Four Corners needs to know they can count on the New Republic. The Peregrine will arrive in three days time.”

“One ship?!” JD yelped in surprise from behind Buck. Buck waved him away and acknowledged the General before shutting down the transmitter.

“Yeah, JD, one ship. General Bel Ibilis’s flagship, and the base of Rogue Squadron. With the General and the rest of my squad, we’ll get the girls back and we’ll get the Imperials OUT of Four Corners, for good!”

Upon arriving on the Star Destroyer Conqueror, the women were led into a briefing room. With Stormtroopers standing on either side of the door, Kara observed that for two disavowed Moffs, Royal and Jaamez certainly ran things in strict Imperial order. As the door to the briefing room slid open, all the women were ordered to stand. Rather than lose the fight over a battle not worth fighting they stood, though it was obvious just judging by their stances that they were giving no respect to the two men who walked in.

“Ah, Good Evening, Ladies.” Grand Moff Royal said smoothly, the drawl of his native planet Tarjana making him sound urbanely cultured, while Jaamez’s gruff manner caused him to look like a bumpkin next to Royal.

“My men tell me you were found by a known rebel’s escape craft.” Jaamez said, ignoring all pleasantries.

Gale shrugged, “Is there a law against stealing from a rebel?” The Imperials refused to recognize the legitimacy of the New Republic, choosing instead to refer to them still as the Rebel Alliance.

“Normally, no. The Empire always welcomes anything that hurts the Alliance, except that we know you are working with them. More importantly that you,” he said fixing his gaze on Kara then Aradia, “are in fact Rebels. And you,” he glanced towards Gale and Nikkia, “are known smugglers.”

Royal shook his head and made a tsk-tsk with his tongue. “I’m disappointed in you, Vektors. I truly thought that smugglers of your caliber would remain neutral, preferring to work in both sectors.”

“We’d be willing to forgive you if it weren’t for your association with Standish,” Royal said with an almost disappointed sigh. “You and Sifter are good business women, you understand the way of things, but by aligning yourself with Standish, a man long wanted by the Empire, well, that just makes it impossible to give you up.”

“And as for you, Captain Loradon and Commander Darin, you’ll both be heading for Kessel before the week is out,” Jaamez said firmly. “Unless of course you were willing to submit to reconditioning.”

Aradia inwardly blanched. Imperial reconditioning would not be an enjoyable experience, no matter what. When she and Kara defected from the Imperial Navy they knew what sort of punishments would face them if they were ever caught. Just after so many years, they’d forgotten that the Empire would even care about them any more. Kara looked towards her and nodded, understand what she was thinking. “We’ll take our chances at Kessel.”

“Reconditioning?” Jaamez asked with a cold smile. “I’m glad to see you two have finally come to your senses.” He held up a hand and the two Stormtroopers guarding the door came forward and took up position on either side of the two New Republic officers. “Take them down to the detention area. As soon as the shuttle from Munilist arrives they’ll be sent off to the training center.”

“Wait a second!” Nikkia blurted as the Stormtroopers urged Kara and Aradia forward. Jaamez and Royal looked towards her curiously. She hadn’t said a word since she’d woken from the stun blast. “Can’t we at least share a cell with them until they’re shipped off?”

Jaamez was about to refuse, but Nikkia turned wide topaz eyes towards Royal, preying on the lust filled man’s baser instincts. She would be an easier conquest if she already felt some sort of gratitude towards him. He gave a curt nod, “Take the others as well. Then broadcast it that we’ve captured Standish’s woman and her partner. That should get him and his companions to come join us. Especially when Vector’s is announced for Termination.”

Gale’s jaw fell open in surprise, “WHAT?! What in Vader’s name did I do?!”

“Conspiring with the Rebels is an offense punishable by death, Madam.” Jaamez said coldly. “Take them.”

The women were led out of the room and down to the detention level with only one thought running through all four of their minds. What in the Force were they going to do now?

“TERMINATED?!” Ezra shouted as he listened to the repeated transmission JD’d come across. “How can they think of terminating her?! She’s a smuggler, not a murderer!”

Chris frowned as he watched Ezra’s rising agitation. Gale’s sentence was a harsh one. One that was directed at flushing them out, and if he wasn’t careful, Ezra would fly straight into the Moffs’ trap without ever realizing it. “She’s being used as bait, Ezra.”

“I KNOW THAT!” Ezra roared, his usually composed façade completely destroyed. His emotions were running too high to even try and keep himself composed. “I also don’t care! I have to get her out of there, Chris, I can’t allow them to kill her!”

Vin nodded, agreeing with Ezra completely. The girls were being punished for moving against the Empire, that was no surprise. But if they were simply scheduled for interrogation or shipment to the Kessel Spice Mines they would be able to get them once the mission was complete. Allowing Ezra’s wife to be killed was entirely out of the question. “We won’t allow them to kill her, Ezra. But you have to calm down. There’s no way we can develop a plan if you don’t calm down.”

Ezra stared at Vin incredulously for a moment then nodded slowly. “Yes, yes you’re right, of course.”

Chris gave an almost imperceptible nod of approval and Vin smiled tightly. As much as he enjoyed receiving even subtle praise from Chris, at the moment he really didn’t care. He had always been closer to Ezra than any of the other members of the seven-man team that had first gone into Four Corners. While Ezra tried to hide it, he was a man of fierce passions and Vin knew he loved his wife deeply. Losing her could easily destroy him and Vin refused to allow that to happen. “Alright, JD, I want you to turn the controls of the Ranger over to Buck,” Vin said, a plan already forming in his mind.

JD tensed. He hated the thought of anyone piloting his ship other than himself but he nodded. Buck understood how the young man felt and asked, “Just where are we going?”

Chris looked towards Vin and immediately picked up the younger Jedi’s plan. “We’re heading back to Puurgatory. Nikkia left one or two registrations around here that Planetary Control won’t recognize so we can get on planet without detection. Vin’s ship is there and you, me and Vin will take it and head for the Star Destroyer.”

“No. You’re not,” Chris countered. Before Ezra could protest he said, “You’re too involved Ezra. You can’t go after Gale and the other girls without risking the mission. Buck, Vin, and I will handle this. We need you and JD to come back here after a decent interval to wait for the General.”

Ezra wanted to protest but knew it would be a useless venture. Chris’s expression brooked no argument. With a resigned sigh Ezra nodded. “You get her back, Chris. You bring her back to me.”

The trip back to Puurgatory went smoothly and soon Chris, Buck, and Vin were on their way to the hangar that held Vin’s ship the Hunter’s Pursuit. “You sure about this, Chris? If they knew about Ezra’s old ship don’t you think they’ll know about this one?”

They waited until they were on board before Vin answered him, “Normally I’d agree with you, Buck, but this time, no way. This ship has never been registered to Vin Tanner, so no matter how many ID’s they go through, they can’t track it to me.”

Buck’s eyes widened briefly and he nodded. So Vin used Chris’s son’s name as an alias. It surprised Buck that Chris allowed it, but knowing how close Vin and Chris were he realized that Vin was probably the only man who could get away with it. After all these years Sara and Adam’s deaths still affected Chris deeply. Because of that, Buck knew that Chris would do everything in his power to keep Ezra from experiencing that same kind of pain.

As Vin prepped the ship, Chris answered him, “Easy, we pick up a shipment of supplies, Casey will have taken care of that for us by now, and we board the ship. While they’re unloading we slip out and get the girls.”

Buck groaned. “You make it sound so simple.” He wasn’t sure exactly how he felt knowing that Chris’s younger brother Casey was still working for the Moffs. Long ago, Chris had the Alliance erase all traces of Casey from any records that would link the boy to his older brother. By then the Emperor’s Jedi purges had started to target the families of all the Jedi. Casey had been on vacation with a friend from school at the time the Larabee household was targeted giving Chris the time he needed to find a safe hiding place for the boy. When Casey was sixteen he joined the Alliance and became one of their best covert operatives. Once the New Republic had been established, Casey had abruptly resigned his commission and disappeared. Buck should have known that Chris knew where the young man was. But Casey’s last assignment for the Alliance had been working for the Moffs so he could aid Chris and his men. How could he have disappeared yet still be in the position to secure the requisition orders that they would need to board the Star Destroyer?

Chris smiled as he picked up a hint of Buck’s concerns. “Relax, Casey has been in Four Corners ever since we left. He’s the main supplier for the Moffs, keeping him in a good position to know just what’s going on with them. One of the best information sources we’ve got really. You can trust him, Buck.”

Chris sat down and said, “Positive. Casey Woods has been in the business of supplying the Empire for seven years now. They didn’t suspect him before, and they don’t suspect him now. He can’t be linked to us.”

“He knows. I’ve already talked to him, and before you ask, no it couldn’t be traced,” Chris tapped the side of his head. “The only other person who could have heard the communication is prepping this ship and somehow I doubt he’ll turn us in.”

The whole plan still sounded like it was full of holes, but it wasn’t unheard of for Jedi to board Star Destroyers and get back out without casualties. Back during Grand Admiral Thrawn’s day Luke Skywalker and Mara Jade had snuck aboard the Admiral’s flagship to rescue the smuggler Talon Karrde. They made it back off the Destroyer without a scratch on them. Buck was confident that with Chris and Vin, two more experienced Jedi, they would have no trouble once they made it to the Destroyer. But he still begged the Force that he was right.

“Devil’s Bluff, you are clear to land. Once onboard, shut down all systems but life support and prepare to be boarded. Lock your cockpit and stay put, all the unloading will be taken care of as quickly as possible.”

“Aye, Conqueror, I know the drill,” Vin said in a roughly accented voice. He turned off the transmitter and pulled the enamel dental cap off his teeth. “Next time one of you can pose as the ignorant pilot.”

“You two go on, get into the hold and make sure the dampener’s working,” Vin said before putting the dental cap back in his mouth. Buck snickered as he caught Vin’s crooked toothed grimace. “G’on wit’ ya.”

Chris and Buck slipped into the storage hold, snapping the sensor dampener on. Thanks to the Verpine dampener, the Imperials would never realize that two of the three men on the ship weren’t in the cockpit. Vin had turned on his own dampener when they’d left. “One of Casey’s acquisitions?” Buck asked as he pulled on the cumbersome white Stormtrooper armor.

“Yep. I don’t even want to know how he got it either,” Chris said solemnly. He pulled the Stormtrooper helmet down over his face and shook his head. “No wonder they can’t hit a Nerf’s Backside. No peripheral vision at all in these things.”

Buck nodded, “And they’re the elite. How’d they manage to hold the galaxy for so long?”

Chris gave a mental nod, wishing that Vin could come with him, but he knew that the Jedi would be needed to monitor the feel of the Star Destroyer and make sure that no one realized anything was amiss. “Don’t get cocky, Buck, we’ve still got a long way to go before we have the girls back on the ship.”

Buck nodded and hefted the pack of uniforms that Casey had left for them. “You really think this is going to work?”

They’re onboard. No one’s around the ship right now, they’re scanning the equipment for any danger now.

With a grimace Chris enacted the next part of the plan and calmed his nerves then pressed into the Deck Officer’s Mind. Taking control of someone’s mind was moving far too close to the Dark Side, but Chris wasn’t above taking that sort of risk. He influenced the Deck Officer to see a leak in the Docking Bay’s Pressurization Readings then quickly backed out of the man’s mind. The alarm was given almost immediately and the docking bay was cleared of all personnel, including the ones in Vin’s ship. Vin was left alone since his cockpit had it’s own pressurization in place, and Chris and Buck were able to slip off the ship and joined the flood of personnel heading into the main part of the ship.

As soon as they were inside the hallways of the Star Destroyer Chris headed for an empty Pilot’s Lounge. The off duty pilots of the TIE Fighters often relaxed near the docking bay in case there was a call to their ships. Luckily most the Fighters were out doing maneuvers allowing Chris and Buck to slip inside without any questions being asked.

“Keep an eye out,” Chris ordered as he started calling for his new apprentice.

Here, Master Larabee. An answer came almost immediately. I felt it when you came on board. Is everything all right?

Chris smiled, though no one would see it behind the Stormtrooper helmet. Well other than the termination order on Gale Standish, I’d say everything was fine. When’s your transport supposed to be here?

There was a pause then he heard her again. Two more days. They’re keeping all of us locked in the Detention Area until then.

Chris nodded. He knew the layout of a Star Destroyer and could get to the Detention are without trouble. But without knowing what cell they were in, it would be impossible to get in and out without being detected. Any idea what cell you’re in?

He could tell she was discussing it with the other girls, and then she quickly replied, Sure, third one on the right from the control center. They’ve got two guards on duty all the time, reporting in every half hour.

For a moment Chris considered this and vaguely wondered just how she knew that if she was inside the cell. With a slightly amused yet pleased tone she said, I’ve been practicing.

Chris snorted, and understood. It wasn’t like the women had much to keep them busy during the incarceration. It was a good time for his apprentice to work on the skills she’d been learning from Vin on the way to the system. We’ll be there soon, be ready.

Buck nodded wordlessly and followed Chris out of the lounge and towards the turbolifts. “Nothing changes on these things do they?”

“No, and for once, I’m glad.” Chris told him as he keyed in the deck just below the Detention Level.

They stepped out of the turbolift and moved quickly towards the ladder between decks. Buck discarded the pack of uniforms behind a storage container and they started up the ladder. As they went Chris pushed against the two bored Stormtroopers above him and suggested that they were due for a break. The fact they’d only been on duty for three hours was temporarily forgotten. As Chris and Buck emerged from ladder, the two Stormtroopers muttered, “About time.”

Buck took up position by the door and said, “You two go on, get off your feet for a few minutes.”

The two Stormtroopers hesitated and Chris pushed their minds a little harder and they shrugged, “Yeah, this is about as boring a posting as you can get. Just stick your head in, make sure the prisoners are secure and then stand there. Got it?”

The two Stormtroopers walked down towards the control center and Chris opened the door quickly. The girls were already standing there waiting, but seeing the Stormtrooper helmet surprised them. “C’mon. Down the ladder over there, fast!”

There was a shout from the control center and Buck ushered the girls down the ladder faster. He slid down the railing, wincing at the metal burn he was receiving through the leather palms of his gauntlets and tossed the pack of uniforms towards the girls. “Put ‘em on, fast!”

Nikkia grabbed the all black uniform and slipped out of her coveralls. The other girls were doing the same thing as Chris jumped down from the top of the ladder. “Hurry, we don’t have much time before they figure out where we’ve gone.”

Buck nodded and tossed the helmet into the corner, grabbing another uniform and tossing it to Chris. He glanced over at the girls in varying states of undress and grinned, “Ladies, when this is over, we’ll *have* to do something like this again!”

Soon the six of them were sharply dressed as Imperials and made their way towards the far end of the deck. They could hear the alarms going off all over the ship and knew they didn’t have much time. As soon as they stepped into the turbolift they’d have to produce ID codes for the computer. With a tight grin Chris tossed each of them an Imperial Code. “That kid doesn’t miss a trick does he?” Buck asked in amazement.

“No, he doesn’t. You can thank him for it after all this is over.” Chris said and slid his code card through the card reader. Each card went through the reader with ease and the turbolift raised towards the docking bay without difficulty.

Problem, Chris! They’ve shut down the docking bay. Depressurized it to keep you on the ship!

Aradia, Kara and Buck all reluctantly said they’d had the experience. Gale and Nikkia shook their heads, “My place is IN a ship, not outside it.”

Space Walking without oxygen was a form of suicide, but Chris was running out of options. He ordered Vin to have the ship ready and to have breathing masks by the landing ramp waiting for them. He put Gale, Nikkia, and Kara into hibernation trances, something that would keep them from losing too much air. He didn’t like it but he, Buck, and Aradia were going to Cold Shirt it to the ship, allowing the zero gravity to float them towards the freighter. The oxygen deprivation, and the lack of pressure were going to slowly kill the three cold shirters, but they would reach the ship before any major damage was done.

Vin, be ready, you’ll have to bring them out of the trances. I’ve set it up for them to wake when you or I tell them it’s safe.

I know. We’re going to be out of it for a while. So be ready to take off as soon as we’re on board.

Chris secured his arms around Kara, holding her tightly against his chest. He looked down at her briefly and brushed his hand across her face. He silently promised her that everything would be all right and then turned to check on Buck and Aradia. Buck was looking down at Nikkia, the small woman nestled securely in his arms and he took several deep breaths. Aradia tightened her hold on Gale then said, “Let’s get it done.” She looked terrified of what they were about to do, but trusted that Chris was confident it would work.

With a nod Chris signaled for them to take and hold as deep a breath as possible then he activated the door to the docking bay. The frozen temperature of space assaulted them immediately and almost took Chris’s breath away. He forced himself to concentrate and pushed himself off the floor and hurtling towards the ship. Looking over his shoulder as his vision tunneled he saw Buck and Aradia do the same thing.

As soon as they were close enough Vin caught them one at a time with a Force grip and pulled them into the ship. Red alarm lights were flashing all over as it became obvious to the observing officers what was happening. As soon as Aradia was on board Vin fired up the repulsors and started turning the ship to launch.

Get going, Vin. The hatch is closed; start pressurizing the ship, as fast as possible!

Vin hit the proper switch and shot out of the docking bay, straight into a four-ship squadron of TIE fighters. He moved the ship into a barrel loop, then corkscrewed through them, working furiously to set the coordinates that would take them back to the rendezvous point. The door to the cockpit slid open and Gale settled into the co-pilot’s chair. “You fly pretty good, for a Jedi.”

“Thanks.” He muttered as he pulled back on the lever that would activate the hyperdrive. Starlines started streaking past them and they hit lightspeed. The rescue was complete.

The trip through lightspeed didn’t last more than fifteen minutes. Easing the hyperdrive back slowly, Gale watched the starlines slow until they became pinpoints of light. As soon as they came out of hyperspace two X-Wings zoomed past them, hailing the ship. Kara stepped into the cockpit and immediately answered the transmission. “Rogues, this is Captain Loradon, good to see you guys.”

“Captain, it’s good to hear your voice. Glad the mission was successful. Any problems?” Wedge Antilles asked.

“Well, we aren’t quite sure yet. Buck didn’t handle Cold Shirting it too well. Darin’s pretty groggy as well,” Kara told the general, who she was certain was staring out his cockpit in disbelief.

“Let me get this straight, Commanders Wilmington and Darin went for a Cold Shirt space walk?! That’s suicide! Only a Jedi can handle that!”

Kara grinned; her feeling of animosity towards Master Larabee had diminished when she woke up and saw his bleary-eyed face looking down at her. “Well, we are traveling with a Jedi, Sir.”

“Good point. I’ll be interested in hearing your full report.” Kara heard the grimace in his voice. One thing General Wedge Antilles hated was the reports and paperwork that went along with his job, but he wouldn’t have traded commanding Rogue Squadron for anything in the galaxy. “Dock your ship on the Peregrine, we’ll see you there.”

“Aye Sir.” She flipped the transmitter off and slumped down into the chair. She glanced towards Gale and asked wryly, “You feel short of breath still?”

Gale grinned, “Me? Nope, but then I didn’t wake up in Master Larabee’s arms either.” Her face darkened slightly as she thought about the sight that had greeted her. Blue tinged cold skin, bruising from the sudden loss of pressure around Aradia’s eyes, and shallow breathing that made Gale worry that the young pilot wouldn’t survive the rescue attempt. “They doing any better?”

“Well, Buck’s being taken care of, and the lack of oxygen’s definitely gone to Aradia’s head. She was weaving and bobbing around like a drunk nerf herder when I came up here. Vin wanted to put her into a healing trance, but Chris wouldn’t let him. Something about she had to learn to adapt.” Kara said with a crooked grin.

Kara was quiet for a moment then said, “Chris put him into a healing trance. He said what damage was done would start fixing itself almost immediately.”

“Oh Switch Off!” Kara said with a nervous laugh. She was not about to explain her sudden change of heart towards the Jedi Master.

Gale laughed lightly then turned back towards the freighter’s controls. It was time to dock the ship and hopefully see her husband.

Ezra and JD were waiting just outside the ship when Gale put down the loading ramp. Vin and Chris caused a stir when they stepped out. It amazed more than a few people to see two fully fledged Jedi Knights. Especially one that was a Jedi Master. Any chance of greeting their friends was lost when Generals Antilles and Bel Ibis strode toward them. “Master Larabee, good to see you again.”

Chris smiled and shook General Bel Ibis’s hand. “Garm, it’s been a while.”

Bel Ibis nodded, “Too long. Don’t disappear on us like that again, Chris.” His tone was friendly, but it was easy to see that he was serious about his warning.

“Shouldn’t be a need to, Garm. I had things to take care of and if I remember correctly, I’m not the only one who disappeared,” Chris said easily.

Bel Ibis nodded, “Very true. Now, we’ve got to get to work. With your trip on board the destroyer I’m sure the Moffs will be spoiling for a fight.”

Chris nodded and turned towards the rest of his team. Gale and Ezra hand an arm around each other, but appeared to be ready to join the planning. Nikkia was gnawing on her lip nervously and Chris knew she was concerned for Buck. Kara and Aradia were talking to a small group of pilots that had joined them while Vin was giving JD the details of the rescue. “Let’s go, we’ve still got a mission to finish.”

The briefing didn’t take nearly as long as some expected. General Bel Ibis and Rogue Squadron were used to taking on Star Destroyers. The Dreadnaught Peregrine was more formidable than the out dated Victory-class Star Destroyer Conqueror and Rogue Squadron had been fighting TIE-Fighters since the Battle of Yavin. General Wedge Antilles was one of the few survivors of the battle with the Death Star. There was little the Imperials could throw at him and his Rogues that could give them pause. Three squadrons of star fighters were being prepped alongside the Ranger and the Hunter’s Pursuit. Vin had asked Gale to be his co-pilot during the battle while Ezra was going with JD. Kara would be on the bridge of the Peregrine with Chris and General Bel-Ibis. Amazingly, Buck was ready to pilot his own X-Wing, refusing to be left out of the fight.

“You sure you’re ready for this?” Chris asked seriously as Buck zipped up his flight suit.

With the burst blood vessels around his eyes, Buck looked like he’d gone nine rounds with a Rancor, but he nodded. “I won’t be left out of this, Chris. The Imps need to remember just who’s in charge of this system, and it’s not them.”

Chris nodded, understanding his friend’s feelings. “Just be careful out there, Buck.”

Giving him the classic two fingered Rebel salute, Chris answered, “And with you.”

In the hangar, Aradia was running a systems check with her R2 unit, going over every system carefully before time for the launch. “Hey, Commander!”

She looked up, then over the side of the X-Wing and grinned, “Jedi Tanner! Boy, you don’t look like much of a Jedi at the moment.”

Vin grinned, and looked down at the yellow flight jacket and blaster at his side. “Well, those robes get in the way during a space battle.”

He watched her as she climbed down the ladder from the cockpit then said, “You did good you know.”

Aradia looked startled and stared at him for a moment before saying, “Uh, thanks.”

Vin chuckled, “You’ll get used to me soon enough, Commander. For now, May the Force be With You.”

“Thank you, Sir.” She wasn’t really sure what to call Vin. He was helping her with her training, but he wasn’t a Jedi Master. But Vin seemed to read her thoughts and chuckled.

“Call me Vin, Aradia. There’s no need to be formal with me. I don’t like it anyway.”

He smiled and raised his index finger in reminder, “Forget Luck, Padwan, there is no such thing as luck, only the Force.”

“That’ll take some getting used to,” she muttered as he walked towards his ship.

“ALL SQUADRONS STAND BY FOR LAUNCH!” The docking bay echoed with the order and Aradia started back up the ladder to her cockpit. As she looked around she saw pilots running all over the docking bay, racing to their ships. Technicians were loading R2 units into the last fighters and unclamping fuel hoses. Aradia breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Buck running towards his X-Wing. He gave her a salute and started up his own ladder.

“Ready to take on the Empire, Bucklin?” She asked as soon as she saw he had his helmet secured.

Buck chuckled, “Let’s go kick those Moffs all the way back their own territory!”

“Rogues, prepare for launch.” General Antilles ordered firmly. Aradia and Buck immediately focused on the careful launch from the Peregrine. As soon as they’d cleared the docking bay they moved into position and waited for the order to go to hyperspace. The Hunter’s Pursuit and the Ranger were the last two ships to launch, but it was easy to see that they would be helpful in the coming fight.

“All wings, mark coordinates and vector to 8.9, be ready for anything that may be thrown at you,” Kara instructed from the bridge of the Peregrine. Coordinates were transmitted and one by one ships began to accelerate and disappear into hyperspace. The Battle for Solas and Four Corners had begun.

The small fleet came out of hyperspace almost too close to the Conqueror. Jaamez had ordered the Star Destroyer to start moving in pursuit of Larabee and the rescued women, never expecting they would return so soon.

The wings on the X-Wings split as they moved into attack position, the turbo lasers ready to fire at the slightest touch of the trigger on the maneuvering stick. “TIE Fighters, coming in!” Kara shouted, warning the squadrons just before the first salvo of laser fire was spotted.

Aradia almost switched off her transmitter. The rapid-fire orders that came across the frequency echoed in her ears, especially when she looked over her shoulder and saw Rogue Seven go up in a fiery blast. “Watch yourselves, Rogues this isn’t a simulation!” She snapped, angry that a young pilot had just been lost due to lack of response time.

“Rogues Five and Six, you’ve got the Peregrine’s flank, get going.” Wedge ordered, his voice staying cool and calm amidst all the shouting through the transmitters.

Buck toggled his transmitter button twice giving Wedge the acknowledgement needed. He turned his X-Wing sharply to the right immediately twisting into a barrel roll to avoid the blasts of a TIE fighter. Aradia followed him easily, halfway reaching out with the Force to get a sense of where the TIE fighters would go next. Twisting the X-Wing back towards the left she let out a barrage of lasers, only turning away when she saw a TIE fighter spin off out of control due to a broken wing.

The two X-Wings swooped along the flank of the dreadnaught, blasting at every TIE fighter that came towards them. The Peregrine moved steadily towards the Star Destroyer, with the Ranger and the Hunter’s Pursuit already engaging the larger vessel.

Vin handled the controls of his ship effortlessly, twisting her out of the way almost every time the Star Destroyer fired on him. “Nikkia, see what you can do with that aft turbocannon. Try and knock it out, anything!”

“Oh sure, you make it sound so easy!” Nikkia shouted, swinging around in the gunnery chair to target the Conqueror’s turbocannon.

Gale adjusted the inertial compensator down another degree, feeling better about the shake and movement of the ship now that they were actually able to feel more of the movement. “If that Dreadnaught doesn’t engage soon, we’re bantha fodder.”

“Give ‘em time,” Vin said, his voice sounding suddenly distant. Gale looked over at him and blanched as she realized his eyes were half closed. She almost yelled for him to pay attention but as the ship suddenly dived, narrowly avoiding a disabled TIE fighter, she realized he was paying more attention to the battle and the people involved than she ever could.

“JD, get us away from that Ion Cannon!” Ezra shouted as he fired at the heavily shielded cannon. Ion Cannons were designed to affect the electronics aboard a vessel, temporarily or even permanently frying them beyond use, but still leaving the ship relatively untouched.

“Working on it! But this is the sector the General assigned us to, so blow it up or something! I’m a bit busy up here!” JD snapped, his concentration returning once more to the battle around him. His hands moved across the controls at remarkably fast speeds, compensating for every change in speed, maneuverability or firepower in an instant. As he swung the ship around he dove towards the deflector shield, “FIRE EZRA!”

In the gunnery turret, Ezra quickly took aim and fired the turbolasers over and over again until the deflector shield dish exploded. “Shields are down!”

The Peregrine was in range. Firing two successive shots, one salvo of turbolasers and one shot of the Ion Cannon, Bel Ibis managed to disable the Star Destroyer. He hailed the Moffs immediately.

Grand Moff Royal glared impotently at the General’s easy smile. “This is our system, you’ve got no right to engage in an unprovoked attack!”

“Unprovoked? You capture two New Republic officials and two private citizens as well as hold the food resources of the entire system for ransom and you don’t think the attack is provoked?” Bel Ibis waited a moment longer then said in a cold voice, “You have five minutes to recall your fighters and leave this system. If you return expect a bigger fleet and to be blown to Wild Space.” He cut off transmissions and waited to see if the Moffs would comply.

Within moments the TIE fighters broke off their attacks and returned to the ship, which went to lightspeed almost immediately. “And that’s that. Master Larabee, if you would contact Senator Wells, I believe we need to discuss exactly what this system needs from the New Republic.”

Chris nodded and the General turned to finding out the damages the fleet had sustained. Kara sighed in relief. The mission was done and soon it would be time to go home. So why did she feel a slight sense of disappointment?

Celebrations raged all over the streets of Puurgatory’s main city. The entire system was excited and relieved to know that the New Republic truly did care what happened to the system. Senator Wells was going back to Coruscant with General Bel Ibis to discuss the possibility of building a New Republic base in Four Corners Region. The nine-member team that had initially come to the system’s aid were considered heroes, and toasted almost continuously in every tap café and cantina. Luckily, in the small tap café they’d taken up residence in during the celebration, no one recognized them.

“This has certainly been an enlightening week. I had forgotten what it was like to work with such a,” Ezra paused as he considered his next word, “eclectic group of people.”

“So are you guys heading back to Coruscant too?” Nikkia asked, looking curiously towards Chris, Vin, and JD.

Vin set down his glass and looked towards Chris. “Think we’ll be heading’ some place else.”

“If you don’t mind,” Aradia said with a smile. “You’re one hell of a pilot and I need someone to take my place in Rogue Squadron.”

“You’re giving up your commission?!” Kara exclaimed, the very idea shocked her.

Aradia nodded. “I have to. At least for now, but I worked it out with General Antilles. I’m considered a reserve, and whenever I’m ready or they need me, I’ll be back. But if I’m going to really enter my training I can’t be a part of the military. It’ll interfere too much.”

JD nodded understandingly. “I’d be happy to join Rogue Squadron.” He said the words as calmly as possible, but it wasn’t hard to see the small sense of excitement that was blooming inside him.

Buck checked his chronometer and sighed, “Hate to break this party up, but anyone heading for Coruscant, the last shuttle to the Peregrine is taking off in about ten minutes.”

Kara nodded and stood up, “And if we’re not on it, the Generals just might tell us to Cold Shirt it back home.”

They stood up and Buck pulled Aradia into a tight bear hug. “Be careful with these two, Wingman.”

“I will, Bucklin,” she smiled up at him refusing to let him know just how nervous she was about leaving the Squadron and everything she’d ever known. He winked at her, but didn’t say anything else.

Aradia and Kara said goodbye quickly. As Kara stepped back she bumped into Chris, “Sneaking up on me, Master Larabee?”

“Ah.” Without her anger towards him, Kara was unable to ignore Chris’s compelling presence. She swallowed reflexively then said, “Thank you for coming after us when we were on that Star Destroyer.”

Buck tapped her on the shoulder and she nodded. “Well, good bye, Master Larabee.”

Chris shook her hand politely and watched her walk away. “We’ll see each other again, Captain.”

Gale, Nikkia and Ezra decided that while the Fleet was leaving the system would be a good time for their ship to head to the Corporate Sector as well. “We have appointments to keep after all.”

Vin grinned, “You ladies make sure you keep this old Pirate out of trouble.”

“Pirate! I’ll have you know…” Ezra’s good-natured defense faded off into the crowd as Gale pushed him towards the exit before looking back at the three remaining members of the group.

“It was good to work with you,” she said with an easy smile. “If you’re ever around Endor drop a beacon, we just might find you.”

She winked and gave them a jaunty two-fingered salute before walking off with Nikkia who waved and called with a grin, “May the Force Be With You!”

Vin laughed as several of the tap café’s patrons looked towards them speculatively, “It is, Nikkia, it is.” He turned towards Chris and asked, “Where to?”

Unfinished Business:
Star Wars M7 Style AU

By: Celticcowgrl

Unfinished Business: Star Wars M7 Style AU

By: Celticcowgrl

Unfinished Business:
Star Wars M7 Style AU