The incessant ding of a transmission alert cut through the haze of sleep, in spite of Kativie Lusp\u2019s best efforts to dismiss it. Half-blind, the small Zabrak woman rolled out of her bunk and crashed to the floor before finally shaking herself off and rising to her feet. She heard some of the other crew of the Skipray blastboat start to awaken and finally reached the comm unit, slapping off the alert. The green-eyed woman pondered what she probably looked like with her hair in a mess, tangled around her horns, for just a moment before connecting the transmission.<\/p>\n
The blue-tinted holo that swam into appearance was neither her husband and children, nor any of the Jedi Knights.<\/p>\n
It was Halyn Sanshir, her brother.<\/p>\n
\u201cConfirm security of this transmission, Katie,\u201d Halyn said immediately.<\/p>\n
The instruction was enough to shake the last vestiges of sleep away. She glanced over at the status lights on the comm board. \u201cTransmission secure, encryption Aleph-Aleph-Seven-Echo-Four.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cConfirmed.\u201d Halyn said. \u201c What\u2019s your status?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEn route to Shelter with a crew,\u201d she replied. \u201cSurvivors from Coruscant until we can regroup.\u201d She squinted her eyes, trying to read her brother\u2019s expression in the fuzzy quarter-sized hologram. \u201cIs something wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are Case Black,\u201d the other replied, his face a mask.<\/p>\n
Kativie\u2019s heart caught in her throat. The Yuuzhan Vong have attacked Iridonia. They\u2019re under siege. I have to get back there now. Where are the children? Where\u2019s my husband?<\/em> \u201cStatus?\u201d she asked, barely keeping her voice under control.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve deflected the first attack, with help from the furballs,\u201d Halyn replied.<\/p>\n Wookiees<\/em>, Kativie translated to herself.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve issued the recall order,\u201d her brother continued. \u201cWe\u2019ve been receiving confirmations from Fleet and Army units, and we\u2019ll have a sizable force here soon. I need you to execute Operation Orange.\u201d Halyn glanced away from the holocam for a moment. \u201cI\u2019m sending you all the information I have for your use, including the current tactical and strategic situation, and the information you\u2019ll need for Orange.\u201d<\/p>\n Kativie nodded grimly, half-watching the incoming data flow across a secondary flat display.<\/p>\n \u201cHow long until you can be here?\u201d Halyn asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll need to drop this crew off at Shelter, which we\u2019re four hours out from,\u201d she replied. \u201cSixteen hours from Shelter to Iridonia with the back routes. Add in time I\u2019ll need to refuel this blastboat, and it\u2019ll be about a day.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSooner if possible,\u201d Halyn said shortly. \u201cWe need you here as quick as we can. It\u2019ll do everyone here good if they see a Jedi on the front lines fighting with us here.\u201d<\/p>\n Kativie couldn\u2019t help but smile at that, stretching her arms. The Force carried the hilt of her lightsaber from its resting place under her bunk to her outstretched hand. Its weight arrived with a reassuring thump, and she brought it around to be visible in front of the holocam. \u201cAs soon as I can,\u201d she promised. She hesitated for a long moment. \u201cThe kids and\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Halyn nodded slightly as her words trailed off. \u201cThey\u2019ll be safe enough until you arrive. I don\u2019t think the Vong will make a push again before you\u2019re here\u2014we bloodied their noses, and Anishor thinks we nailed their commander. They\u2019re not overly aggressive yet, but they will be soon enough.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs the New Republic sending forces?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDoubful,\u201d Halyn said. \u201cAfter the disaster at Coruscant, they\u2019re scattered\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCoruscant?!<\/em>\u201d Kativie\u00a0 exclaimed. \u201cYou mean the Vong\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou didn\u2019t know?\u201d<\/p>\n The Zabrak woman shut her eyes tightly for a moment. \u201cI was retrieving a couple of Jedi who were under threat from the voxyn,\u201d she said slowly. \u201cI\u2019ve been out of touch for nearly two weeks. I didn\u2019t know.\u201d She hesitated. \u201cHow bad?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe Vong killed a couple million refugees doing it,\u201d Halyn said grimly. \u201cHalf the New Republic fleet was there, and they couldn\u2019t hold the Vong off. The Jedi had a full wing of starfighters there and managed to kill several yammosks, but it didn\u2019t make much of a difference. The Zabrak Defense Force fought with Wedge Antilles in Fleet Group Three, but we were largely a harassing action the entire time and lost none of our capital ships. The starfighter groups that deployed with us took a beating, but they\u2019ve been rotated out for fresh squadrons.\u201d<\/p>\n Coruscant\u2026they took Coruscant.<\/em> The idea just couldn\u2019t quite seem to coalesce into reality in Kativie\u2019s mind. How could they have possibly taken Coruscant? What will the New Republic do now? What about the Jedi?<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThe Vong struck here less than sixty hours after taking the capital,\u201d Halyn continued. \u201cI think they were expecting to get a cheap shot in and take our systems without much of a fight. The ambushes we\u2019ve discussed previously worked perfectly, but they won\u2019t work a second time.\u201d<\/p>\n Kativie nodded. \u201cAny friends showing up?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA few already,\u201d her brother replied. \u201cMore on the way, I think. Especially now that the recall is out.\u201d He frowned thoughtfully. \u201cI wonder if I can legally recall you from service to the Jedi Order. Do the treaties between Iridonia and Coruscant include the Jedi?\u201d<\/p>\n Kativie snorted. \u201cLike it really matters. You know I\u2019m coming regardless, even if Master Skywalker himself told me not to come.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, I know. Just wondering.\u201d Halyn shook his head. \u201cI\u2019ll be meeting with the Council soon,\u201d he said with just a bit of tension in his voice. \u201cI may have overstepped a bit already.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWait\u2026\u201d Kativie said as she put the pieces together. \u201cYou issued the recall before<\/em> you talked to the Council?\u201d<\/p>\n Halyn shrugged. \u201cOnly doing what I needed to do, little sister,\u201d he said in reply. \u201cEasier to ask forgiveness than permission.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd what will we do if they pull you out of the Commander-in-Chief spot?\u201d Kat retorted. \u201cThat was a big risk, and you\u2019re gambling all of Zabrak space on it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019d be as big a gamble to wait until the Council can get their asses together,\u201d Halyn spat back. \u201cWithout those forces, we won\u2019t turn aside another Yuuzhan Vong attack.\u201d<\/p>\n Kat\u2019s guts twisted. \u201cYou think you can\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Halyn said immediately. \u201cBut some things have to be said for appearances. If I get into sloppy habits talking to you, it\u2019ll come out at the wrong time.\u201d He glanced aside from the holocam, then back. \u201cI\u2019ll see you in twenty-four hours. Don\u2019t be late.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI won\u2019t be,\u201d Kativie promised. The transmission faded and died, and she slumped back in her chair. So much for sleep<\/em>, she thought glumly.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou wanted to see me, Master Skywalker?\u201d Kelta Rose asked hesitantly from the door. She was cleanly-showered after her dip in the bacta tank, though she still couldn\u2019t get the sour taste out of her mouth.<\/p>\n Luke Skywalker turned his head as the group he was sitting with scattered. Another meeting<\/em>, Kelta had already decided. He\u2019s probably grateful.<\/em><\/p>\n The blonde Jedi Master smiled at her, though weariness was in his eyes. \u201cYes, Kelta. Please, come sit down.\u201d<\/p>\n The red-haired Jedi seated herself across the table from Skywalker. \u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/p>\n Luke studied her for a moment. \u201cWhat do you know about the political situation in Zabrak space?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n Kelta hesitated before answering. \u201cNot as much as I should, I expect. I know Zabrak space has been Jedi-friendly, but not much beyond that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI thought you\u2019d know more,\u201d the Jedi Master said offhandedly, \u201cgiven your connections to some of the clans on Iridonia.\u201d<\/p>\n Kelta\u2019s poker face held. I\u2019ll never let anything happen to my daughter\u2026even if I have to fight you, Master Skywalker.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWhen the Yuuzhan Vong declared war on the Jedi at Duro,\u201d Luke continued, \u201cit divided a number of worlds into pro-Jedi and anti-Jedi camps. The Zabrak worlds, as a whole, came down on the side of the Jedi and have been firm supporters. In fact, one of Iridonia\u2019s shipping companies has been crucial in setting up elements of the Great River. Of course, it helps that the Shooting Star Shipping Company is owned by the husband of a Jedi, Kativie Lusp.<\/p>\n \u201cFurther, up until the battle of Reecee, Iridonia\u2019s military was headed by a firmly pro-Jedi Zabrak, Argus Sanshir, who made a name for himself during the Galactic Civil War by heading up one of the largest and most successful underground resistance cells. When a Rebel Alliance starfighter wing broke the blockade around Iridonia, Argus\u2019s people were on-hand to take advantage of it.\u201d<\/p>\n Kelta nodded. \u201cSo how do I factor into this?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAside from the fact that your daughter was inducted into the Sanshir clan?\u201d Luke\u2019s smile held no threat. \u201cThe problem is that Argus disappeared during the battle at Reecee\u2014he was commanding elements of Zabrak space\u2019s defenses there as part of the New Republic task force.\u201d<\/p>\n It was all Kelta could do to keep from staring. She locked down on her emotions hard, but she had no doubt the Jedi Master could sense her turmoil. Argus\u2026oh Argus. When Kativie finds out, it will rip her hearts apart.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cAnd with his disappearance, his younger brother stepped out of nowhere and has assumed the reins of power. His name is Halyn Sanshir,\u201d Luke continued, his blue eyes studying her. \u201cAnd we have no idea if his stance is pro or anti-Jedi. He led a Zabrak task force as part of Wedge Antilles\u2019s Fleet Group\u00a0 Three during the battle of Coruscant, but he returned to Iridonia with his fleet instead of joining us in taking Borleias. And in the last twenty-four hours, every Zabrak fighter squadron in the New Republic Defense Force has disappeared.\u201d<\/p>\n The last statement brought surprise bubbling to the surface. \u201cI\u2019m not sure I understand,\u201d Kelta said. Her mind raced as her mouth had replied automatically. Halyn\u2026is alive? After all this time, he\u2019s still alive?<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWhen the Zabrak nation joined the New Republic, it contributed all-Zabrak fighter squadrons to the Fleet. Nearly a full percent of our starfighter forces are comprised of Zabrak pilots and crew. Those forces are rotated regularly with the Zabrak home defense forces, meaning they all take their turn serving. But now, as near as Wedge and I can determine, they\u2019re all gone.\u201d<\/p>\n Kelta frowned. \u201cHow many squadrons are we talking about?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe fleet here had a larger percentage of Zabrak squadrons than most\u2014two units off the Mon Mothma<\/em>, and another from the Elegos A\u2019Kla<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo what do you want me to do?\u201d<\/p>\n Luke\u2019s blue eyes were unreadable. \u201cI want you to go to Iridonia, find out if this Halyn Sanshir is for or against the Jedi, and find out why the Zabrak recalled their fighter squadrons from the Fleet. If Iridonia has chosen to sign a pact with the Yuuzhan Vong, we need to know as soon as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n Kelta shook her head. \u201cWhy not send Kativie?\u201d Please, not me. I can\u2019t deal with him again. I can\u2019t. Kativie is the one to send\u2014he’s her damned brother. This should be her mission, not mine. She can deal with him. She knows everything about Iridonia that I don\u2019t.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cShe disappeared the same time the fighter squadrons did,\u201d Luke replied calmly. \u201cThat leaves you, with a connection to the Sanshir clan, as the best possible choice.\u201d<\/p>\n The woman hesitated, and Luke spoke more softly. \u201cKelta, you\u2019ve been with the Jedi for a long time now. You have secrets that you don\u2019t share, and I understand that. But\u2026\u201d the Jedi Master uncharacteristically hesitated. \u201cSomething limits you. Your potential lies untapped because something in your past still shackles you. And the Force has indicated that you are the one who needs to do this.<\/em> I believe this, Kelta Rose, is what is needed not just for the Jedi or for the New Republic, but for you personally<\/em>. I have no evidence\u2026only what the Force has led me to believe.\u201d<\/p>\n Kelta stared at the Jedi Master. How does he know? Am I really that transparent? Am I weak in the Force? <\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWhatever happens on Iridonia,\u201d Luke said quietly, \u201cis your trial to face. The Force hides your fate from me\u2014I don\u2019t know if you\u2019ll become a Master, or fall to the dark side, or die there. But it is the path you need to walk.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s no one else to send?\u201d Kelta whispered.<\/p>\n \u201cYou need to do this,\u201d Luke replied.<\/p>\n The woman closed her eyes. May the Force be with me. Oh, fierfek, I don\u2019t want to do this. Me, a Master? Will I fall? Will I die? I can\u2019t leave my daughter alone in the universe. <\/em>\u00a0\u201cWill you have a transport for me?\u2019<\/p>\n \u201cThe ground crews prepped a Series-4 E-wing for your use,\u201d Luke replied, his tone more normal now. \u201cIt should take you to Iridonia and back easily, and should provide you the firepower you need should you stumble across something unexpected.\u201d<\/p>\n Kelta nodded oh-so-slowly. \u201cI understand, Master Skywalker, and I accept the assignment.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMay the Force be with you, Kelta Rose.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd with you, Master Skywalker.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The death of Commander Bykkora Kraal left Domain Kraal in disarray.<\/p>\n Three Yuuzhan Vong warriors had stepped up to exert supremacy. Now, the Yuuzhan Vong tactician Ret Kraal watched with disinterest as those three fought to take command of a losing battle. A crowd had gathered around the fighting circle to watch, but Ret did not believe the outcome would truly matter.<\/p>\n If Commander Bykkora Kraal had listened to my advice, Domain Kraal would now be in orbit over this accursed world, preparing to take it as our own. Instead, three fools battle to the death to see who will be the next to fail.<\/em> Ret frowned as the three warriors exchanged rapid-fire blows from amphistaffs, each taking opportunity of another\u2019s strikes to try to slip a decisive strike into another\u2019s defenses. They fight each other, when their focus should be on the destruction of the infidels.<\/em><\/p>\n He frowned as the largest of the three was thrown off-balance by a strike to the ankle. The big warrior suffered more blows as his defenses slipped. He stumbled, but it bought him the half-breath of space he needed to lash out at his enemies. Perhaps we are the larger warrior<\/em>, Ret mused. These infidels, these Zabraks, have less resources. They are not as mighty a race. Their forces are inferior to our own, but they strike precisely and off-balanced our forces. Their follow-up strike was aimed true, and it removed our head and best chance.<\/em><\/p>\n The big warrior lunged and his amphistaff curled around the ankle of one of his opponents. He heaved back, and the Yuuzhan Vong warrior was jerked from his feet. The third warrior, instead of striking his fallen opponent, lunged in return at the big warrior, his amphistaff straight as a spear. The blow glanced off the big warrior\u2019s armor, but it was enough to give the downed warrior a chance to survive. These Zabraks fight with ferocity and skill, and their strategies appear more subtle than first meets the eye. Bykkora Kraal believed the infidel ambush was easily-beaten and wasn\u2019t ready when the true strike arrived. The readers must be wrong; the Zabrak commander is not a fool, nor is he inexperienced in warfare. There is no doubt of that.<\/em><\/p>\n The fallen warrior did not rise to his feet\u2014instead, he in turn lashed out with his amphistaff, the weapon becoming soft and whiplike as its serpentine head flashed at the smaller of his opponents. Its fangs found flesh, and though in an instant the victim had kicked it away, it was too late. The infidel forces arrayed against us are smaller but potent. It would be wise for us to poison them, weaken them before they can do us true harm.<\/em><\/p>\n The poisoned warrior staggered back from the fighting; even if he won, he had already lost. Still, he rotated his amphistaff overhead with a war cry and charged forward.<\/p>\n The big warrior ignored him as he recovered his own amphistaff, then sliced it down at the warrior on the floor with an overhead chop. The downed warrior, instead of avoiding it, took the blow on his vonduun crab armor unflinchingly, then seized the big warrior\u2019s staff just below its hissing head and pulled hard.<\/p>\n The big warrior released the weapon rather than be thrown off-guard again. Before he act further, the poisoned warrior was all over him, raining blows down with his amphistaff. To Ret\u2019s eye, the blows were already slowing, the strikes no longer as strong or sure. The venom works quickly. And now\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n The warrior still didn\u2019t rise from the ground. In an instant the amphistaff he\u2019d pulled from the largest warrior hardened into a spear at an unspoken command, and he hurled it the big warrior\u2019s armpit. The vonduun crab was pierced and the big warrior shrieked once, but he could do nothing but battle the poisoned warrior as he bled out.<\/p>\n The warrior who\u2019d fallen rolled back from the fighting and climbed to his feet, his amphistaff curling around his forearm and a triumphant smile on his face. Ret paused. He allows his enemies to battle each other, dooming both. He, perhaps, has potential. Perhaps Domain Kraal is not yet Shamed.<\/em><\/p>\n The warrior watched as both his opponents slowly sank to their knees, still fighting with their dying breaths. He turned away before they could gasp their last. \u201cI am the warrior Triak of Domain Kraal!\u201d he intoned. \u201cI will led us to victory over these infidels, by the will of the gods!\u201d<\/p>\n Some of the members of the surrounding crowed cheered for the victorious warrior. Ret was surprised, however, when Triak turned and looked directly to him. \u201cTactician Ret of Domain Kraal, the gods have need of your services. It is time to crush these infidels and redeem our domain. We are warriors, and we will not stand by to be Shamed!\u201d<\/p>\n Ret bowed his head in response. \u201cI live to serve the gods,\u201d he rasped. \u201cAnd by their will, we shall be victorious\u2026or die in glorious battle.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIndeed,\u201d Triak said gravely. \u201cDomain Kraal did not cross the starless voids to die shamed, as Vong, orphaned children of the gods! We are Yuuzhan Vong, the chosen people. The gods have not abandoned us here\u2014they are testing our mettle, our skill, our devotion.<\/p>\n \u201cBring forth the priests!\u201d he called. \u201cLet us sacrifice to the gods, that they give us victory!\u201d<\/p>\n As the crowd began to disperse, Triak stepped within earshot of Ret. \u201cBykkora Kraal,\u201d he said so low that Ret strained to hear, \u201cwas a fool who believed in her own destiny, blinded by faith. The gods demand the best of us\u2014our greatest skill and greatest strength. I need a second, one who is wiser than myself\u2026one who can tell me what the seers miss. Is that you, Ret of Domain Kraal?\u201d<\/p>\n Ret surpressed a smile. I may yet command Domain Kraal. The strength of a warrior is not the strength of a tactician, and in Triak\u2019s fall may be my own ascension.<\/em> \u201cI live to serve,\u201d he repeated. \u201cI will be your second, and for the glory of the gods we will crush these infidels and redeem the name of Domain Kraal!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The bridge of the Cathleen<\/em>, flagship of Iridonia, was a continual hive of activity. To Halyn\u2019s mild amusement, or occasional irritation, he found he was able to filter out almost all of it. In spite of the crewmen running to and fro, the constant updates from Kryi Rinnet, the starfighter coordinator, the incoming transmissions from other ships of the fleet, very little could penetrate the calm that seemed to surround him.<\/p>\n The tactical display, as always, showed the Yuuzhan Vong fleet at the edge of the system. Reinforcements had trickled in to their formation in the past forty-eight hours, but not the overwhelming forces Halyn had expected. The destroyed capital ships had both been replaced, and fresh coralskippers had replenished their ranks, but the heavy firepower Halyn expected had not materialized. Something\u2019s different here<\/em>, he concluded. I\u2019m not sure what, but the Vong aren\u2019t throwing the kind of forces at us I expected<\/em>.<\/p>\n The strategic display glowed green with friendly reinforcements. Starfighter squadrons from all over the fragmented New Republic had poured in, far more than replacing Zabrak losses from the first engagement. Smaller capital ships\u2014armed freighters, corvette, frigates, and a couple of light cruisers\u2014had swelled the Zabrak Defense Fleet. Units from the Army were already on the ground on Iridonia, integrating seamlessly into the existing defenses.<\/p>\n And it won\u2019t be enough<\/em>. The forces the Zabrak had brought to bear were too fighter-heavy, with not nearly enough capital ships. Starfighters are important, even essential to modern warfare, but you don\u2019t build your military forces around it\u2026unless you were the Rebel Alliance, of course. Even then, without the Star Cruisers from Mon Calamari, the Alliance wouldn\u2019t have had the forces necessary for the engagement at Endor.<\/em><\/p>\n Starfighter pilots had coined the phrase \u201cTrench Run Disease\u201d after Yavin, referring to the use of well-armed starfighters to punch way out of their weight class. Coordinated snubfighter assaults had destroyed more than a few Imperial capital ships, but it was the exception, not the norm.<\/p>\n Iridonia now housed thousands of starfighters with the return of the New Republic squadrons\u2026and they wouldn\u2019t be enough. That\u2019s an advantage to these Vong cruisers\u2014they don\u2019t have a reactor to destroy. It won\u2019t ever go supercritical and destroy the ship. There\u2019s no power cells to neutralize.<\/em> Halyn knew that it didn\u2019t mean the Yuuzhan Vong\u2019s capital ships didn\u2019t have weaknesses\u2014they certainly did\u2014but those weaknesses were far different than the conventional starship.<\/p>\n And many starfighter tactics were designed around a conventional starship\u2019s weaknesses.<\/p>\n Halyn was pondering the possibility of new tactics when something unusual enough happened to penetrate the peace surrounding him. He frowned, turning to locate the offending communication or officer or report.<\/p>\n \u201cUnidentified cruiser, stand by,\u201d the ensign at the communication station was saying. \u201cRepeat, stand by.\u201d The ensign looked around frantically, until his eyes were caught by Halyn\u2019s.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA cruiser with no IFF codes has dropped out of hyperspace and is attempting to take up orbit around Iridonia.\u201d The ensign looked nervous. \u201cSir, should we scramble fighters to intercept?\u201d<\/p>\n Halyn looked at Kryi, caught her attention, and nodded. She immediately turned back to her console to dispatch starfighter squadrons.<\/p>\n \u201cNo IFF at all?\u201d Halyn asked the ensign. When she shook her head, his voice dropped to a growl. \u201cPeace Brigade.\u201d The Brigade was an organization of traitors to the galaxy, mercenaries, pirates, and scoundrels who\u2019d sold out secrets and intelligence to the Yuuzhan Vong. They\u2019d been encountered in more than a few systems, acting as support for the Yuuzhan Vong. Bastards deserve nothing but death.<\/em><\/p>\n He looked around the bridge. \u201cI want turbolaser solutions for that unidentified warship,\u201d he called. \u201cDon\u2019t light him up yet, but paint him with lock so he\u2019s aware we\u2019re watching him.\u201d<\/p>\n The chaos on the bridge increased as officers became aware of the unfolding conflict and began maneuvering their charges out of the hot zone.<\/p>\n \u201cGive me a visual on the cruiser,\u201d Halyn called. It took a moment before a blue-white hologram of the warship swam into view, with potential weapons emplacements highlighted in red, shield generators in green, engines in blue, and other systems labeled and highlighted in white. The vessel was twelve hundred meters long and, from first glance, at least as heavily-armed as the Cathleen<\/em>. Closer inspection of the vessel\u2019s armament revealed ion cannons and proton torpedoes, and the Zabrak realized very quickly that even the Cathleen<\/em> was outgunned by the intruder.<\/p>\n \u201cFrak,\u201d he muttered. He cocked his head and realized that there was a familiar chiming, barely audible over the din of a warship preparing for combat. Abruptly his hand fell to his personal comlink. He closed his eyes, removed the comlink from his belt, and snapped it into place on his command chair to relay the signal to his headset. \u201cSanshir,\u201d he said quietly, ensuring that no eavesdropped would hear it.<\/p>\n \u201cThere some reason you\u2019re lighting up my ship?\u201d a familiar voice asked in his ear. \u201cSeriously, Lance, if this is the best greeting you can give an old friend, I\u2019m leaving.\u201d<\/p>\n That voice, the Corellian accent, my private comlink frequency\u2026<\/em> Halyn\u2019s mouth fell open. \u201cRyian Coron?!\u201d<\/p>\n The other man laughed. \u201cDidn\u2019t take you as long as I thought it\u2019d take.\u201d<\/p>\n Halyn eyed the holo of the warship with understanding. The cruiser was the Dauntless<\/em>, a passenger liner from the Galactic Civil War that had been converted to a warship. The Mon Calamari Star Cruisers that had formed the backbone of the Alliance fleet had been converted from liners as well, but the Dauntless<\/em> was built at Sullust. The Imperial-friendly nature of SoroSuub had prevented more of the warships from entering service, making them a rare sight in the spacelanes.<\/p>\n \u201cLast I heard, you were part of the fleet defending Bilbringi,\u201d he said cautiously. Peace Brigaders could still be trying to spring a trap on us<\/em>, he warned himself.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was before Coruscant. We were part of Bel Iblis\u2019s fleet there, until the retreat was ordered.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhere\u2019s your IFF?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe took a beating at Coruscant,\u201d Coron said grimly. \u201cWe barely made it out and missed the rendezvous with Bel Iblis\u2019s Fleet. We\u2019ve been trying to find a safe place to regroup and put the pieces back together. We didn\u2019t know our IFF wasn\u2019t transmitting.\u201d<\/p>\n Halyn nodded. It made sense, but he wouldn\u2019t be absolutely certain until…and then the idea struck him. \u201cStand by a second, Coron, and I\u2019ll get you an orbital slot.\u201d Not waiting for a confirmation, he swapped channels and sent a hail.<\/p>\n It took several seconds before Sandarie answered. \u201cWhat is it, General?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNeed you to confirm the ID of a ship\u2019s captain for me,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m conferencing you into the signal.\u201d A twist of the base of his comlink accomplished the task.<\/p>\n \u201cWho am I identifying?\u201d Sandarie\u2019s puzzled voice floated across the comm.<\/p>\n \u201cSandi?\u201d Coron asked.<\/p>\n \u201cRyian? Ryian!<\/em> Where the hell have you been?\u201d<\/p>\n Halyn smiled. \u201cStand down the turbolasers,\u201d he called. \u201cRinnet, inform your squadrons that they\u2019re on escort duty, not interception.\u201d<\/p>\n His smile only widened as he listened to Sandarie and Ryian argue over his comlink. Ah, married bliss.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The incessant ding of a transmission alert cut through the haze of sleep, in spite of Kativie Lusp\u2019s best efforts to dismiss it. Half-blind, the small Zabrak woman rolled out of her bunk and crashed to the floor before finally … Continue reading