Nareia Norre didn’t think of herself as a daydreamer, but more and more she found herself staring out into the blackness of space and focusing on the distant stars and systems that were one hyperspace jump away. 

[url=http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/starwars/images/7/78/AllianceStation5.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20090407185802]Farfalla Station[/url] orbited Thyferra as a watchful, silent guardian to the Vratix people that inhabited it, as well as the rebels that helped fortify and protect the planet. Twin planetary ion cannons were ready and waiting on the surface with an already sizable rebel force stationed within the base that powered them. Long-range artillery units and tanks wielding massive twin guns and concussion missile launchers rest idle and unmanned within. Speeder pilots ran frequent patrols through the hot, humid surface while soldiers ran drills and went through combat scenarios. They were stocked, more than well-armed, and all they needed was an enemy to fight, and a world to free.

But what took her attention every time were the starships that flew by the observation deck. X-wing and Y-wing's, as well as A-wing and B-wing's, flew in formation whilst patrolling the idle fleet that guarded Thyferra; a mixture of colossal cruisers of Mon Calamari design, as well as more classic vessels such as the CR90 and the Nebulon B’s, supported by Quasar carriers and even older Hammerhead-class frigates took up much of her view. Orbital defense platforms were a combined set of turbolasers and concussion missile launchers, with a few scrambler systems to prevent long-range missile salvos from firing outside of their firing range.

It was paranoia wrapped in a tightly knit package of courage and anticipation. All it needed was a target to be delivered to. 

The sound of durasteel doors parting had taken her attention from the stars and the starships. She looked over her shoulder, meeting the dark eyes of a tall and crisply-dressed Bothan with her own. The bags under his eyes betrayed the strength in his step as he made his way to her. The circumstances behind this meeting were casual, but Admiral Karsk barely knew the meaning of the word. 

“Commander,” Karsk started, “I apologize for the wait, but the update on Sullust was lengthier than expected. Several smaller updates followed.”

“Something I should know?” she asked, standing straighter as he joined beside her. 

“They’ve finished construction of an ion cannon on the surface of Sullust and have begun placement of key defense platforms to better defend their shipyards, just as I had suggested. In addition to those platforms, they’ve prepared the next batch of recruits to come in for training; some to be soldiers, pilots, mostly engineers.” He paused, a hum of amusement escaping him. Cocking his head to her, he asked, “Thinking you can fill Rogue Squadron with another group of Sullustans?”

Nareia grinned behind the cup beside her lips, a few chuckles escaping her as well. “Well, I don’t discriminate. Noob was special… and I don’t select just anyone for my unit.”

“Of course. I trust your judgement, which is more than I can say for most anyone.”

A sense of pride was felt, dangerous but welcome. She didn’t mind being challenged by someone so experienced. It usually resulted in a heated debate, but it was better after a mission than in the middle of one. Speaking to Karsk was like speaking to one of her wingmen. He understood the burden of leadership, and was as much a father figure to her as Marvo was. She maintained six people at a time. He maintained what must have been thousands. 

“That senator’s name keeps popping up recently,” Karsk began again. “Frakjess. A senator from Corellia. Word is he’s trying to gather support to liberate it, but very few are willing to commit to another attack on that scale. That close to the Core Worlds is going to have a lot of Imperials ready to reinforce it.”

“It could be done,” Nareia interjected, watching the twitch of Karsk’s lips. “I heard a few transfers from the base on Yavin talking about him.”

“Surely you aren’t considering it?”

“Not yet,” she said, shaking her head. “I feel for him, but what he’s trying to ask is selfish and, frankly, it’s just too soon. From what I heard he lacks any actionable intel, so he expects us to jump in and make it happen. And even if we did that, you think the Empire is going to just let us get that close to Coruscant and not answer for it? That isn’t a small-scale invasion by any means. We’re lucky we even have control of Chandrila.”

She didn’t realize how breathless she had become until her rant had ended. Burdened with Rogue Squadron and often the leadership of other squadrons joining her in battle, the cost of a battle, whether large or small, was always kept in mind. There was nothing leading her to believe Corellia was going to be made simple. The Alliance was divided enough already without a senator asking them to commit everything to his home world. 

A lack of response made her turn to Krask who had done nothing but smile at her. 

“What?”

“Nothing. I’m just used to hearing that amount of tension during battle, not a chat.”

“Sorry, sir.”

“No, no, it’s alright. I’m glad to hear it from you. Corellia is too much of a risk at the time – though it pains me to say it – but there’s another battle coming that I wanted to go over with you, one that I admit I dismissed far too quickly when you brought it up to me before.”

Her eyes following the path of a few passing X-wings frozen. Towering trees on a massive scale immediately came to mind. A planet rich with life. A powerful people desperate to be freed from the Empire. One species of many. 

“Kashyyyk?”

“Operation FreeWook, as Alara called it,” Krask inhaled deeply. “I had my reasons not to commit to it, largely for the same reason I have not supported Kaijosh’s pleading for attention to Corellia. After a great deal of contemplating, I have decided to offer any resources I can for Solo’s mission.” The Bothan turned on his heel and beckoned Nareia to follow him. “Let’s talk more on the Reprisal.”

Downing the very last of her Muja juice, she hustled after the Admiral with a pep in her step she had lacked for some time. Now, after a month of idleness, she felt the heat rush to her blood, and her heart race in excitement. She couldn’t wait to tell the others.

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A routine patrol was not the most exciting of assignments, but it was the one that was often the most necessary. Thyferra was held so well because the construction of a long-range scanner did not make the men and women of the Alliance lazy. Volunteers from Sullust and Bespin, as well as other territories in the Inner Rim, had to see them as the watchful and vigilant organization that they were. This meant no corners cut when it came to securing the sector. And to make that point clear, even Rogue Squadron had become more involved in maintaining their eyes on the sector. Not that they had much choice.

Marvo maintained watch over the other Y-wing ahead of him, seeing it rotat both left and right impulsively. Alara – better known as “Dory” – was still growing used to the weight and the feel of the ship. Nareia authorizing her for A-wing piloting had spoiled her when it came to speed and maneuverability. Going slower, even with engine speed at maximum, must have been driving her insane by now. 

“Dory, if you’re bored, you can turn back,” he said. 

Immediately the ship ahead had corrected itself, and the meek voice of Dory spoke back to him. “Sorry. It’s just… weird, you know? Being this slow is hard. How do you do this?”

Marvo chuckled. “I do it because very few people enjoy the trade-off. All this power and utility in one slow, dangerous package. It isn’t for everyone.”

“Definitely not me!”

“Weren’t you the one who wanted to try and fly one? Wanted to be flexible, like Nareia?”

“Well, yes, but I just didn’t… I didn’t… hold on.” 

He held on, just as she asked. From his cockpit, he could make out the enthusiastic head of her droid spin in its seat just ahead of him. Usually that was good. [i]Usually[/i]. 

“ZeeZee’s picked something up. Some kind of energy signature, faint, not far. Fighter-sized, he thinks. Can we check it out?”

R6Z6 had an impressive scanning range and he was inclined to believe Dory’s droid. Still, that trust did not give him any sense of ease. The fleet wasn’t far now, but if there was danger—

“Please?” Dory interrupted. “It could be someone in trouble… even if Zee doesn’t detect any lifesigns. Still!”

“No lifesigns?” Marvo paused. “Is Zee sure?”

“He’s really, really sure. He’s so sure that he’d bet his manufacturer on it, and he doesn’t do that a lot.”

On the contrary, ZeeZee bet his manufacturer on a lot of wagers, but that wasn’t very important right now. The curiosity would only grow from here, and he was starting to catch it himself. “Alright, we’ll check it out. Lead the way, and Zee, get that ion cannon charged. No telling what’s actually out there.”

“Alright! Follow me!” Dory’s ship revolved three times before it took a sharp right and accelerated towards the source of the droid’s eccentric chattering. Marvo followed closely behind.

A few klicks later, he could make out the stillness of a chrome ship from an era he had thought long past. 

“I recognize that ship…”

“Zee says it’s old. Like, Clone Wars old. Really old.”

“Before your time,” Marvo stated. “Question is, did someone get stuck out here and die before anyone could find them?”

“…Zee says that the power source isn’t the ship itself. It’s something inside it. Like—“

“A droid?”

“Yeah. It might have enough power to talk to us. Can I try it?”

“Sure, knock yourself out.” 

Dory cut her engines and, for no reason whatsoever, slowly began to rotate her Y-wing towards the idle ship and the slowly dying possibly-droid inside of it. Marvo was left to watch the perimeter, keeping an eye on both Dory, the ship, and whatever else could be found floating around nearby. 

“Hello? Hellooooooo?” Dory called to the hailed ship. “Is this thing on? Are you awake in there? We’re hailing you, open channel!” 

Her ship passed overhead, cockpit passing over the dead ship below her, slowing down enough to try and catch movement within. 

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[center][@Lauder][/center]