" Do I disturb you Rookie, Sir? "

Rookie shook his head: " Not a bit Fjap. I only dreamt a bit. What can I do for you? "

Fjap smiled: " Well, I have to search for the pink things. If I don’t do it in a short time, I’m a dead man. "

Rookie: " The pink things? Aren’t they in the Pink Cabinet anymore? "

Fjap sighed: " Nope, sadly not. "

Rookie looked surprised: " Who should steal these ugly things? ... DESMO! "

Fjap laughed: " Oh no, stupid me! DOH! Why I haven’t thought on that? Desmo, who else! But who knocked me out then? "

Rookie stood up" I have no idea, but we will find this one, be sure of it. Ok, Fjap when you think you have to go then go and sort out this thing. "

Fjap saluted: " Thank you, Sir. Can I take one of our shuttles? "

" Sure, but bring it back sometime. "

Fjap smiled: " Even when I want I can not stay away from the squadron. I will bring the shuttle back sometime, I promise it. "

In the meantime at Rulan 3, seat of the Dark Brotherhood of the Sith. The leader of the Brotherhood looked around: " Friends, I have sad news. One of our sisters left the dark way and allied with a Jedi. You know what this means for our plans. But stay calm, I already have a plan to get her back. This time Steeler will not find a way out. She will join us or die together with that pitiful Jedi. " Another of the Sith said quietly: " We have to separate Steeler from the Phoenix Squadron, that’s for sure. As long as she sticks together with these guys we have no chance. " The leader who only is called Master replied, " Indeed, but as I mentioned before I already have a plan. Our serf in the Secret Order has to work together with us, he has no other choice. "

A few hours later in Steeler's office. Ginyard sat in the XO chair, his feet on Steels desk.

" You know what? I really want to help the resistance groups, I saw in Tralus what they are able to do. I have the Corellian Transport from the last mission, you know my Wanderer. I could use the ship.... "

Steeler lay on the couch looking through the last logistic report. She didn’t look up: " It’s a very dangerous work, Gin. "

" Pah, since when I fear a danger, Steel. I have a first contact with the Black Sun.... I really would like to help. "

Steeler put away the report: " Well, if you really want to help, we will find a way. But promise me that you are careful. "

Gin waves a hand: " Sure. " In this moment somebody knocked at the door: " Enter! " Dr Becks stepped into the office:

" I need a coffee. You know it tastes terrible in the cantina. "

" Yeah sure! "

Ginyard smiled: " That’s why we all come into Steel’s office, she has the best coffee here on the Diablo. "

" Aha, now I know why my office is always full of people." the XO replied. Again it knocked on the door and Meister P came in:

" I’m sorry, but ... " Steeler interrupted the Jedi:

" Let me guess, you want a coffee. "

Meister looked surprised: " Yes, that’s why I came in ... how do you find it out? "

" Don’t ask, take your coffee. " But that wasn’t the last one, shortly after Meister there came Amber, Damage and Akkon to get their coffee too. Last one is the Commodore himself:

" Is this an meeting here? "

" Nah, not a meeting only a little visit in the XO office. We like our XO too much to let her alone for a longer time. " Smiled Ginyard.

" Aha. " Smiled Rookie back: " Damn no coffee anymore. "

" Enough now, I make new one but then let me alone please. " Said Steeler: " I’m the master in making coffee here, weeee. "

Far away from the position of the Diablo in a dirty little bar in a rebel sector. Captain Savage now placed in the normal troops waited for his contact man. He had no idea what the stranger would want to tell him but he hoped for a chance for paying back to the Phoenix squadron. Oh yes, he hated this squadron so much nobody could imagine. This squadron destroyed his career and especially the Commodore was his enemy number one. Savage would like it to have Rookie again in his hands but next time he would pay more attention that the SL wouldn’t able to escape. Till today Savage had no idea how the Commodore was able to escape from the outpost in Tralus. Savage played with his different ideas how to kill Rookie slowly and painfully. A man with cold grey eyes entered the nearly empty bar and looked around. Then he walked slowly to Savage:

" Captain Savage, I assume. "

Savage turned around: " Yep, that’s me. Who you are? "

The stranger answered quietly: " My name isn’t from importance. " The rebel captain studied the man. The most impressive thing were his grey eyes which its unbelievable coldness inside:

" Ok, so why I should come here? "

The other one took a place next to him: " You had a little meeting with the Phoenix Squadron I can remember. "

" Don’t mention that squadron, these scum destroyed my career! "

The stranger smiled: " I guess you would do a lot to take a revenge? "

Savage real hate burning in his eyes: " I would do ALL and I mean all to take revenge. "

Good, you will have your revenge but one of the squadron will be not be harmed of you, the XO. "

Savage: " As long as I get the Commodore you can have the XO. "

" Good, here’s the plan.... "

A few hours later on board of the El Pollo Diablo, Finally Steeler was alone in her quarter. The com alert rang. Steeler wasn’t pleased about the new disturbing of her meditation:

" Yes, Navy Captain Steeler here. " The man she faced is an old friend: " Flatface, long not seen ... " Flatface the leader of the Secret order waved his hand:

" Hi Steeler , yes long not seen .... I wished I would have better news for you . "

"What’s wrong? "

Flatface: " We still search the main traitor in the SO and his company, we still search the guys who trying to destroy the loyalty in our troops.... But ... I found out that the Phoenix Squadron was sent to very dangerous places in the last time, remember Tralus. "

Steeler replied: " Yes, no one of us can ever forget Tralus ... nearly we wouldn’t have returned. "

Flatface nodded: " Well, I wondered why your squadron was putted into the danger.... I think I found out why ... you are the reason.... "

Steeler turned white in her face: " Me? "

Flatface nodded again: " Yes, you. Somebody from the High Command wants you out of the way. I don’t know who it is ... but to be honest ... I don’t dare to say it. "

" Who Flatface? Who? "

Flatface’s answer was: " Vice-admiral Flamestrike.... " Steeler jumped on her feet:

" Flamestrike?! NEVER! "

Flatface sighed: " I’m so sorry but all signs point directly at your wing commander ... "

Steeler ran through her quarter: " Never, not Flamey, that’s definitive. These are the guys who want to destroy the loyalty to our superiors. Find them Flatface! "

The leader of the SO sighed: " Again I’m sorry but he was the one sending the Diablo to Tralus. We found notes on the orders where stand: This should be the end of Steeler. Our analysis showed it’s definitive Flamey's writing. Well, the squadron is in danger as long as you are stick with them ... Steeler, I know how much you like Phoenix, but now you are a danger for your friends ... well I prepared a fake identity for the Infiltrator Wing. If you want you can join them, more I cant do but as friend I say you leave the Diablo as fast as you can. "

Steeler looked unbelievably sad: " I can’t believe it ... why? "

" Find it out, this is all I can tell you. "

She sighed: " I have no other choice when I want to prove Flamey's innocence. He's not the one who tries to kill me. "

Flatface: " I can only tell you what I found out. If somebody can find out what’s going on then its you. " Then the com was interrupted. The man behind Flatface holding the concussion rifle on his head smiled:

" Very good, for this we let you alive. Well done, she will leave the squadron, that’s for sure now. "

Flatface turned around: " When you couldn’t use my family as hostages and the force I wouldn’t do it. " The man in the dark laughed dirty.

" Our luck we have them. " Shortly before he left the room he looked back and Flatface could see the metallic glitter in the eyes of the Sith. Once again he felt the coldness in the dark force.

At the same time at the El Pollo Diablo, Steeler tried to make a clear mind what she should do now. She knew there was no other way then resign from TFA and Phoenix to find out who want to damage the reputation of the wing commander also to protect the squadron if possible. Steeler knew that Rookie would never let her go without asking why. Fortunately it was deep night and there were enough time to make her plan reality. After finishing the official resign letters to Flamestrike, Fossa and Rookie she went into the hangar where she met Fjap:

" Howdy Fjap. On the way to Kashyyyk to meet Desmo? "

Fjap smiled: " Sure, when somebody knows where the pink things are, then its Desmo. "

Steel laughed: " True, when somebody likes pink then our ex XO Desmo. I never saw a Wookie before loving everything what’s pink. "

Fjap: " Right, what are you doing here so early in the morning? I want to leave now, I’m not good in saying goodbye so I wanted to go early in the morning. You know to avoid these goodbyes. "

Steel smiled: " Well, I will be your co-pilot, so no goodbye needed. "

Fjap was surprised: " I had no idea that you are going on vacation ... want to visit Desmo too? "

She nodded: " Yeah, time to visit an old friend. " Fjap was happy not to be alone when visiting all those crazy wookies and that he had company for the long flight.

The next morning arrived. Commodore Rookie went on the bridge and faced Amber who was still learning for her tests.

" Morning Amber, I don’t know you had the bridge this night ... "

Amber looked up a bit confused: " Oh well, sorry Rookie Sir. Steeler messaged me if I can take over from her, it seemed important and I still have to learn more, so I took the possibility. "

" What she has? "

" I don’t know it, Rookie Sir. "

Rookie turned around: " Well I will check this and Amber please stop the Sir thing, I’m feeling old then. " Amber tried to stay serious but she couldn’t avoid giggling.

Rookie entered Steels office and faced Ginyard and the Dr: " Why you two are always faster when I want my coffee from Steeler? "

Dr turned slowly around: " Bad news, Steel is gone. "

" What do you mean with that?" Shouted Rookie. Ginyard handed him one piece of paper without saying a word. Rookie looked confused from one to the other and started reading.

" Follow me! " Ordered Rookie and returned to the bridge. As he informed the crew he felt the deep surprise about her leaving he also couldn’t explain why Steel quitted without any warning. The com officer gave the Commodore a new sheet of paper: " Well our orders are finally arrived ... our next mission goal will be ... oh no.... we got order to return to the Tralus system! "

Damage sighed: " Not again, not again the Tralus system ... "

Rookie looked up: " Well, we know the situation there, that’s why they sent us again. We have a duty to fulfil. Battle stations and prepare the Diablo to jump into the rebel system! " Then Rookie walked into his office still fighting with the double shock, Dr followed him:

" What now Rookie? "

The squadron leader walked slowly to the window and looked out into the space: " I don’t know, I really don’t know. "

P was sitting in the hangar bay again, it has become one of his favourite places on the Diablo. Especially the corner close to the force field, where the old crates are stacked, nobody is passing by there, and so it has shown to be a real good place to reflect about the things that are going on aboard the Diablo.

"Okay, this is the first entry in my diary. I decided to record the story of, well lets say, the grey Jedi on this little thing here in my hands. If something happens to me and Steeler, this device should be sent to a Jedi called Shawn. He will arrange a meeting, be sure of it. But enough of this "When-I’m-dead-take-care-of-my-underwear-stuff."

P looked out on the stars. "FIRST ENTRY - TIME PERIOD: WOW XXII day two

Okay, we are on our way to Tralus, again. First Scout missions are already underway, and so on. You know how we work. But there is one thing I can’t understand, Its about Steeler, she resigned without a cause. Yesterday she was normal, for her standards of course. And today? She left without a reason, without saying a word. I don’t know where she went, but i bet it is a place where it is easy to get in trouble. And I can’t help her. Arghhh!!! I hate it when that happens! Ok, she’s not a child, but she’s always too quick with her sabre, and sometimes it not good to show that you can use the force I know that. Well I have to decide, do I run after her, or am I at the side of my squad...ahh someone is coming, I have to stop now.

END OF ENTRY"

The El Pollo arrived the Tralus System and found itself in an attack from a rebel patrol immediately. Rookie himself leaded the counter supported by Raider, Damage, Katarn, Akkon, Sgregor and Tobi. The Phoenixians fought very hard but normally they would lose because they are really bad outnumbered. But they got help, unexpected help. Suddenly a handful R 41 came out of the hyperspace and attacked the rebels from behind.

" Welcome back, Phoenixians! What for a positive surprise! " Rookie heard about the ship to ship com system. The Commodore smiled behind his helmet:

" Raven, long not seen. I mean heard. Good that you are still around. " The woman called Raven was the leader of the imperial resistance group here in the Tralus system and an old friend of the squadron since the first mission here.

She replied: " Well, we will give you a hand to finish that rebel patrol and then we fly back to our secret base. Would you mind to follow us? We have some things to talk over. "

Rookie answered: " Of course we will follow you and many thanks for your help. But before we come we will hide our traces by an attack on a proper aim. Anything in mind? "

Ravens answer: " Well the rebel scum build a new outpost. Until now it has no defence systems, you could destroy it again. "

The SL of the Phoenixians: " You mean they have no lasers and shields? "

" Exactly, only some fighters. We would finish the station by our own when we would have torpedoes. "

Rookie smiled once more: " Well now we are here. We will finish this outpost very soon. But now first these nasty patrol. "

A few minutes later the rebel patrol is finished by the united forces of the resistance group and the Phoenixians. As the Phoenixians returned into the hangar Akkon left his cockpit very angry:

" Not replacing their losses right!? Heck we could be dead by now! What’s going on here?! "

" Stay cool, Akkon. It’s not the first time we had to clear the way. " Tried Raider to calm his pilot down.

" This patrol had at least 15 Z 95 fighters! "

" Yeah but we had our TAs, they weren’t a match for us. " was Raiders answer.

Akkon threw his helmet on the floor: " I have a major damage in my craft and you tell me they wouldn’t be a match for us?! "

Rookie puts his hand on Akkon's shoulder: " Akkon, my friend believe me, Flamey would never send us back to Tralus alone when he would expect big problems. The size of this patrol only means they have to protect the entry point into this system very strong because they have fewer resources in the background. "

The Chief Pilot looked direct into Rookies face searching for a sign if the Commodore would lie to him but there was nothing: " Do you really think so? "

Rookie nodded and smiled: " Of course I do. So now we have to prepare a new attack. Let’s go. " Akkon mumbled something of crazy officers then he followed his SL in the briefing room.

In the meantime Fjap and Steeler arrived on Kashyyyk. Steel landed the shuttle in a tree near to Desmo's one. Fjap was really looking forward to meet his old friend again. Desmoquattro already waited for them and as Fjap climbed out of the shuttle door he got a strong Wookie hug first of all:

" Desmo, noooo! Be careful! I’m not a Wookie I’m only a human ... "

" Hee hee, sorry Fjap! Man, I’m happy to see you again. Steeler! Welcome on Kashyyyk, be my guests! " Answered Desmo.

Steeler smiled: " Howdy Desmo, how ´s life? " The Wookie walked over to the Sith and hugged her too. Steel: " Wookie, stop that before you destroy my reputation as Sith. "

" Pah, Sites! Well I’m simply happy to see you two. It’s been such a long time. Follow me in my house. "

Fjap joked around. " House? What house? I always thought you wookies live in trees. "

Desmo who didn’t noticed immediately that Fjap was joking: " Yes, it’s true we live in trees ... " Then he saw that the Chief Pilot was smiling: " Damn you Fjap, you got me.... GRRRRR. "

Back on board of the El Pollo. Commodore Rookie briefed his pilots: " Well Phoenixians, we have a new aim. The rebel scum rebuilt their outpost at exact the same location as before. They must feel very save or at least they didn’t expect us back so soon. Our attack will be one FG with TBs and one FG covering them in their TAs. The third FG protects the Diablo. "

Lieutenant Commander Damage asked: " Typical burn and run strategy? "

Rookie nodded: " Yep, that’s the plan. I think FG 2 will take the TBs today and the other the FGs the TAs. You have your orders dismissed. "

On the way to the hangar Chief Pilot Akkon grabbed Meister: " Say P, did you noticed a changing in Steels behaviour before she quit? "

The Jedi: " Nope, she was exactly as she normally was. I have a very bad feeling there. "

Akkon nodded: " I also noticed no change with her. These return into this system concerns me too also the next attack. I get a very bad feeling there. "

Meister P sighed: " Me too Akkon, me too. "

Back on Kashyyyk in Desmo's home tree. Fjap looked kind of jealousy at Desmo's family: " You really prefer family life instead of a real militaristic one by now? "

The Wookie was playing with his little son: " Yes, it’s very relaxing. Maybe you should try it too, Fjap. "

Fjap smiled: " Yes maybe but at the other hand maybe not. Well, let’s say so as long as I don’t get the pink things back, I’m a nearly dead man. You don’t know where they are, don’t you? "

Desmo looked up" They are my one by the papers. I sold them to a merchant in the Heir system. I got good money for them ... "

" YOU DID WHAT? " Yelled Fjap jumping on his feet.

Desmo looked surprised to the angry Chief Pilot: " What’s wrong? They were mine, I could do with them what I want ... I have no free space here and so ... "

Fjap got furious: " I need these pink things, how you could do that? " and tried to knock out the Wookie.

Steeler was faster and jumped between Fjap and Desmo: " Calm down Fjap, Desmo is right. They were his pink things. " Then she pushed Fjap back in his chair.

Fjap stuttered: " You know what that means. Now I’m dead ... "

Steeler's reply: " Nope, it means we have to travel to the Heir system and find that merchant. Des, forgive Fjap. He’s a bit nervous right now. Can you remember the name of that merchant? "

" Sure I do ... his name is Sienar, he works in a bigger trade company called Prophets. "

Steeler: " Thank you Desmo. We will find the pink things for you Fjap. "

At the meantime the last preparations for the attack at the outpost were in work. Rookie walked around in his main hangar looking for Amber. He found her next to her new TA: " Well Lieutenant, this ship need an XO too, you will fill in both positions. At least so long until we get the confirmation that Steeler is definitive out. "

Amber blushed: " Me, Rookie Sir? Thank you for your faith, but I hope Steeler will return. "

Rookie sighed: " Well I don’t have too much hope. And Amber ... if I ever hear that Rookie Sir again, I demote you to deck cleaner immediately. "

Amber giggled: " Yes, Rookie S... "

The answer of the Commodore was a loud: " AMBER! "

Dr stood behind his Flight Leader: " Weee, Amber is acting XO, I can only hope you make good coffee or we fire you again. "

" DR!!! "

Dr looked innocent: " Yes? "

" I kill you for that ... " The Flight Officer decided its better for him to leave quickly. Amber mumbled: " I hate you for that Steeler, now I ´m the master of making coffee. "

5 minutes later the Phoenixians were ready to attack. Rookie wished his squadron good luck and ordered the attack. The Diablo made her way to the outpost and launched his fighters. All seemed to run pretty good until the TBs were nearly in torpedo range. Chief Pilot Akkon checked his sensor again: " Damn, aren’t this AWs on intercept course to us ... "

Raider looked at his sensors too: " Right AWs, holy cow this are at least 20 of them, evade! "

Amber ´s voice sounded very cool: " Relax, FG 1 will cover you, no problem. Stay on target, that’s an order! "

Rookie stood on his bridge and got a bit nervous now: " Don’t go an high risk Amber. "

" Damn, behind the Diablo! There are BWs and I guess with torpedoes. Abort the mission, I repeat abort the mission! " Yelled Akkon in this moment.

" Agreed! " Is the only thing Rookie could say. As fast as the TBs could return the fighter flown back to the Diablo.

" BWs launched torpedoes! " Reported Damage.

" Return to the Diablo FG 3! We try to kill the torpedoes with our turbo lasers. " Rookie knew that’s shooting at sparrows with cannons but he had no other choice: " Prepare the El Pollo for the impact! "

" Sir, our shields are out! " One of the crew officers shouted.

Rookie tried to stay calm: " Are our fighters in? "

" Not all till now Sir! "

Rookie nodded: " This become rough now. Set a course out of the Tralus system. "

" Which one? Last fighter returned! "

" Simply jump into the hyperspace or we are dead too! " Shouted Rookie. And the Diablo jumped into the hyperspace with an unknown course. But some torpedoes still hit the ship before it could escape.

At the same time in the secret base of the resistance group, the Jedi Shawn entered the office of his wife Raven: " I heard the Phoenix Squad is back? "

Raven nodded: " Yes, they are. Meister P and his mates should be here in a short time, and then we can make plans how to crush down the Alliance here. "

Shawn smiled: " I’m a rebel too, do never forget this. Well I felt a force surge, something bad is happen. I have to speak with P as fast as possible or with the Sith, damn I forgot her name. "

Raven smiled: " You become old Shawn, it was Steeler. "

Shawn smiled back: " True, I’m becoming old. I wished I could help P with the following battles. Personally I think both haven’t a real chance to win but who knows. "

On board of the Titan. Rear Admiral Fossa stepped into Vice-admiral Flamestrike's office: " Flamey, can I ask you something? "

Flamey looked up from his papers: " Sure my friend, only ask. "

Fossa took a deep breath: " Is it true that you sent the Diablo back into the Tralus system? "

The Wing commander answered quietly: " Yes, true I sent them back. "

Fossa: " Why? I mean they are alone there without any backup. "

" I have my reasons Fossa, could we close this theme now? " Fossa wanted to continue asking but after a look in Flamestrike's face he decided to leave this them by now. Later Flamey contacted his old pal Desmo at Kashyyyk to speak about old times. Desmo told him that Fjap and Steeler visited him.

Flamey: " Steeler was your guest? Is she still there? "

Desmo: " Nope, both are on the way to Heir. "

" Damn, she didn’t told you that she quitted duty here in TFA didn’t she? "

Desmo was very surprised: " She did what?! "

Flamey: " I have to talk with her as soon as possible. She has to return to Phoenix. Another bad thing, I haven’t heard from Rookie since 3 days by now. That’s not his style. "

Desmo sighed: " Indeed, where the squadron was placed? "

" In Tralus ... but I think they aren’t in Tralus anymore. "

Rookie woke up with a terrible headache. Meister P sat next to him. Rookie asked: " What happened? "

Meister helped the Commodore on his feet: " Well we escaped once more but this time it was very close. We don’t know where we are. Our nav com is damaged as the most other systems. The Diablo has a major damage, simply too much torpedo hits. We have no normal engines, the hyperdrive is overheated and out of work too, no shields, no defensive systems, and hull stability is under 50 %. "

Rookie felt something wet on his face and touched it. Ha faced his own blood. " That’s only a scratch Commodore. By the impact you flown straight above a computer console. "

Rookie looked at Meister: " You are very motivating today. Don’t you have any good news? "

Meister's answer: " We are still alive. "

The Commodore nodded but Akkon shouted: " This is what I call luck! I told you somebody wants to kill the Phoenix squad and I think it’s our wing commander himself. The orders he gave us are always kamikaze in the last weeks. "

Rookie: " In my office Akkon! " The Chief Pilot followed the SL in his office. As soon as the door is closed Rookie turned around to his pilot: " This has to stop now Akkon, the orders of our wing commander are rules. Nobody has the right to criticise them. "

Akkon replied calmly: " Only because he’s your friend you speak like this. Open your eyes and stay objective and you see it by your own. I’m not willing to risk my life for an order without any sense. "

" We don’t know if this order is so senseless as you think, Akkon. Will you really risk a mutiny? "

Akkon's answer had feared Rookie: " Yes, when its necessary I will make a mutiny. "

The Commodore sighed: " Give me time to find out what’s going on, ok? We have to find out where we are first, then we have to repair our damaged ship and then I will talk with the Vice-admiral. "

Akkon: " Well ok but only for you. Let’s start our work then. "

A few minutes later Meister P, Dr Becks and Ginyard entered Rookies office. Dr said: " We have a plan, Rookie. "

Rookie smiled: " Then let me hear this plan. "

Ginyard: " I will use the Wanderer and find out where we exactly are. I only need an outpost, a casino or a station or a spaceport. Also I will try to get a new generator, our old one is too much damaged for reparation. "

Rookie nodded: " This sounds very good, ok Gin do this. "

Dr is the next speaking one: " Meister and myself we are trying to find Steeler. We have the best chance. You know I’m Mandalorian, I can find everybody even a Sith and with P's help we may be able to convince her to return. "

Rookie nodded again: " Well maybe you two are the only ones able to find our XO. For me she’s still the XO, you know that. Try to get her back. " Now the Phoenixians had a lot of work to do and so they started it.

P sat in the gunnery seat of the Wanderer, Ginyard's trophy, looking out at the hangar. This reminded him of his days before he entered TFA. He had been working a gunnery for a little freight transport line in the Outer Rim, for about half a year. It was always, well let’s say "interesting", but it wasn’t the job for him.

But let’s get back to the present. While Gin was making the final check-up, P switched on his diary and started to record.

"Entry Number 2 - Time Period WOW XXII day three

OK where did I stop yesterday? Ah yes, do I run after steel or do I aid my squad?

Well I decided to do both, after another close battle at Tralus the Diablo is heavily hit, and Ginyard, the Doc and I are on our way to find some parts that are needed to clean up the mess. And the two most important things, are of course the easiest ones to find:

Number one is another hyperdrive, well these babies are easy to find, we just go into the next wharf and ask for a frigate hyperdrive, Imperial standard of course, and the kind pirate or whoever is in charge will hand over it out of pure kindness.
But hey why do I worry about this? Its Gins part.

And number two is Steeler.
It is the easiest thing in the world to find a Sith, well Gin proposed to follow the dead bodies of her enemies, but I mentioned that she won’t be so careless to let them lie around. So we have to think about something else, probably a little game of "how-fast-does-an-bartender-remember-a-good-looking-sith-when-he-hears-the-sound-of-a-lightsaber", but we will see. And we have a trace, Steel disappeared on the same day like Fjap, so it seems we have to follow the two to Kashyyyk or whatever the planet is called.

But enough of this, I have a job to do now..."

The craft was not a large one and although it was plenty spacious for one guy, Ginyard wondered how smugglers managed to earn a living. You couldn’t fit more than, oh, 50 metric tonnes of anything in those cargo bays. You would have to carry something small and expensive, just to make it worthwhile. Maybe that was why so many ended up joining the Rebellion, nice safe shipping lanes, and a very tolerant regime. He sighed with the sound and look of a very bored man, in need of a pint, or 10. The scanner still didn’t register anything, no landmarks, and no signs of civilisation. He looked up and rubbed the back of his neck, Ginyard hated transport ships, and their scanning equipment couldn’t interface with a pilot’s helmet in the same way as a fighter's could. He pondered the irony of it, a ship armed like a damn Star Destroyer, and it didn’t have proper neural interface systems. The droid looked at Ginyard again and spoke for the first time.

"Hey there Sir, you want anything blowing up?"

"Great", thought Ginyard dejectedly, "The brains of the operation wakes up". Ginyard turned his head and looked at the machine, which was staring at him, its 2 headlamp like eyes intently listening for a response. "Sorry Emkay, take a look at your scanners, nothing to see, blow up or steal".

"Why do they put these things in range of civilised species?" Ginyard thought to himself, rather puzzled. "Everyone knows they are totally psychotic". He recalled an incident where a ship not unlike the Marauder had been docking with a cargo ship and its Emkay droid had misinterpreted the command "open outer doors", as "we are under attack, obliterate that unarmed transport!" It gleefully opened up on the poor sod...

Ginyard remembered hearing that the death toll was over a hundred. He just shook his head. The droid glanced forward and stopped talking. Settling down into his chair again Ginyard thought he saw something in front of him, something small and spinning. "Debris" he thought to himself and thought no more about it.

"Hey Emkay old boy, just take control will you, I’m off to sleep" said Ginyard tiredly, and not bothering to wait from a response closed his eyes. Not 2 seconds later the droid began to chatter at him.

"Sir what's this thing out front?" It asked.

"I don't know, nor do I care" responded Ginyard.

"But sir I scanned it, says there's a life form in there, its human sir, female". Ginyard snapped awake within 0.25 of a second and ordered Emkay to tractor it in, very quickly. It approached rather too slowly for Ginyard's liking and he ordered more power to be diverted to the beam. "Sir we don’t know who it is, shall I blow it up in case it’s hostile?" Suggested Emkay cheerfully, Ginyard just looked at it and shook his head, again. He got up and went down to the access port where the pod was magnetically sealed, warning Emkay that if any lasers were fired, Ginyard would use him as target practice. The access port was not yet unlocked when Ginyard got to it, although the readout told him that the pod's hull had already been cut through. Punching in the code Ginyard unlocked the hatch and opened it. The interior of the craft was small and dark, pitch dark. He looked over it slightly and called to whoever was inside. He hoped whoever it was would be grateful for being rescued, he smiled at that. Hearing nothing he began to get worried, what if whoever it was had died, the last thing he wanted to see in there was a decaying corpse. He leaned over slightly and crouched down, his head was almost inside the pod itself when suddenly he felt a rush of air as someone launched upwards violently, precipitating the need to pull his back away and use his crouched legs to propel himself away from the edge. As he skid back Ginyard's eyes fixed upon what had launched upwards. It was indeed a woman as Emkay had told him, and she was currently finishing launching herself onto the deck of the Marauder. Ginyard flipped onto his feet quickly and readied himself, should this person decide to attack. It turned out that his fears were indeed justified as like a flash she flew at him, right leg outstretched in a kick position. Reacting quickly however Ginyard spun on his left foot and dodged the flying foot, sending the woman into a bulkhead, dazed and confused. Before she could get up however Ginyard ran to her and put his feet on her arms simultaneously shooting her in the foot with his blaster to ensure co-operation.

The woman screamed like someone who was being tortured, but Ginyard supposed that it was more to do with the fact that she had been beaten than to the energy blast. He looked at her; she was in her twenties, with blonde long hair and totally black eyes. "Great", thought Ginyard, "a Parchalian." He remembered his trip to Parchalia, it must have been the most Xenophobic place in the galaxy, and now he was stuck with one of their women, notorious for their hatred of all outsiders, but especially of outsider males. After binding his guest with steel cable (the Parchalians were also well known for their strength), and seating her in front of Emkay in the co-pilots chair, Ginyard decided that it was better to do what he came out to do and get back as quickly as possible. After 30 minutes of searching however and finding nothing he had enough, and turned to that woman, who had been staring at him, real hatred burning in her eyes. "I saved your life, in return stop looking at me and just stay still," was the deal he proposed still nothing. Even Emkay had been quiet, for a machine he seemed to be aware of atmospheric tension. Suddenly something blipped onto the scanners, was it an outpost?

"Emkay take a look at what that is!" He asked the droid, who flew into a frenzy of excitement.

"Sir!!!! It’s a vessel!!! A vessel, arming weapons, shields up!!!" Ginyard groaned at him,

Authors: NCp Steeler, Ltn Amber, FO DrBecks, SP Meister_P, CP Fjap

Editor: Ltn Amber

The Authors and Editor have done their best to ensure the accuracy and currency of all information in this story. All information is current to 21/06/2000 and we can accept no responsibility for any loss or inconvenience sustained by any reader as a result of its information or advice.