Written by Steeler, Meister P, Amber and Fjap.

Steeler asked: " What’s going on there, Fritz? "

" I have no idea, maybe they finally found that Jedi scum. "

" You mean Meister P. "

" Yes, I mean him. He’s escaped from my prison a few hours before I could fulfil my order to execute him. But I will get him back in time. " Said Fritz trying to calm down the Sith.

But Steeler herself was quiet, she knew before P would be here: " I don’t think so Fritz, first P is a clever Jedi and second he’s not alone. "

" You mean he has company? "

" Yes, anyway I will take care of them. You stay here. "

Fritz was happy not to be punished and nodded: " Yes, of course. " Steeler stood up and walked slowly into the hangar.

Desmo sat behind some crates and shot at the stormtroopers with his crossbow. Once again he finished one but the fire was too much to escape in the tube. Desmo thought what he could do as he suddenly saw the black robe of Steeler on the other side. " Oh dear. " he mumbled.

Steeler looked around then she said to the troopers: " Stop firing and let us alone. " The stormtroopers really did what she said and left the hangar. Steeler looked in the direction where Desmo was hiding and smiled: " I know where you are Wookie. Come out. " In the meantime Rookie was on his way to look where Desmo stayed as he suddenly heard Steeler. Quickly he climbed down maybe he could distract her.

Desmo decided to stand up and show himself: " So what are you planning now? How do you want to kill me? Cutting me in nice little pieces with your lightsaber? "

The Sith smiled as answer: " Would be very brave wouldn’t it? " Desmo was able to look into her eyes, he saw that it were her normal green ones not the black anymore. He was surprised, Steeler noticed it: " I know what you think and yes that’s the old Steel. How far you are with a proof for the non-guiltiness of the squadron? "

" I have no idea about what you are speaking... " Rookie already sat in the opening of the tube and listened to every word.

Steeler turned around and looked at him: " Look we have company. "

Desmo didn’t give up so easily: " Tell me what you are speaking about. "

The Sith moved her concentration back to the Wookie: " I can’t think clearly and the Sith part inside me doesn’t care what happened. I only remember a name Matjua Two, something of importance must happened here. "

" I heard this name before, you sent Fjap and DuKaal to find out what happened there. " said Rookie now: " But I have no idea what it has to do with Phoenix. Maybe the Dark Brotherhood did a brainwash with you. "

Steel shook her head: " Nope, they haven’t the possibility to do it with another Sith. If they could, well then I would be only a Sith and not the human one anymore. "

Steeler sat down on a crate: " Amazingly here the human part can take the control over the Sith but only in the near of that metal. "

Rookie asked: " P always falls in powerlessness in the near of the metal. Any idea what it is? "

Steeler nodded slowly: " Yes, of course. But I can’t tell you about it, there is a codex of the Sith I can’t break. I can’t tell you about our plans. This you must find out yourself. "

Rookie sighed: " We have to end a war with the Alliance before. A war caused by you! "

Steeler nodded: " I know, but it was necessary to protect you. You wouldn’t understand it but believe me, I had the choice between killing you or distract you. "

Rookie answered: " This is indeed something I will never understand. Nobody with a clear mind would try to kill his friends. "

For a short time the Sith returned: " You tried the same. "

Rookie was surprised: " What? What I tried? "

" Killing me! "

The Commodore shouted now: " That’s not true! I would never do this! "

" You did. " as fast as the Sith showed up the human returned: " You challenged the dark side in me Rooks, careful. In the opposite of P I’m able to fight here. Anyway I caused that war but maybe I also know a way out of it. "

Desmo: " Ok, let’s hear. "

Steeler continued: " Savage has a lot of friends, you can’t beat him in the normal way. Your hope is Mon Mothma, she is objective enough and not the biggest friend of wars when they are avoidable. Speak with her Rookie, she is the chance to finish that war. "

Desmo asked: " Are you mad? The Alliance searches for Rookie! He would end in chains! "

Steeler smiled: " Well as far as I know the RGs hunt for Rookie too. I would say their punishment would be worse when they ever get him. Anyway Flamey and OD risked their reputations and their lives to cover you and they still do it. Time to pay back their trust in you. "

Rookie who disliked to be the object of the talk: " Hey you two! I’m here too! Even when I want to speak with Mon Mothma nobody knows where the headquarter of the Alliance is located. "

Again Steeler smiled: " Ask me nicely and I will tell you. "

Rookie was surprised but Desmo started to laugh: " Oh yes Rooks, that’s the old Steel. So she ever was. Ok, may we humbly ask where the rebel headquarter is located please? "

Her answer was a short: " F’tral, they are in F’tral. "

" Thank you. I think, that’s it. Our chance, " answered Desmo. Something was in Steeler’s pocket what disturbed her the whole time. She grabbed into her pocket and held a recording in her hand.

She smiled again: " Oh right, this I nearly forget. This is the recording of the Stingers attack at Donnn Three. It’s made by Tobi, I could get it before anybody else. I think you will need that. " With these words she stood up and placed the recording on the crate she sat before: " I have to go now. " Steeler turned around, before she left the hangar her eyes turned into the black Sith ones again.

Desmo looked over to Rookie: " I can’t believe that. Was this the same person who wanted to eliminate us in Ladron? "

Rookie answered: " I dunno. I get the feeling I know nothing anymore. Let’s grab the recording and then we have a lot of work to do. "

At the same time Amber stood at the bridge of the El Pollo Diablo waiting for the return of Katarn and his pilots. She was very nervous with all those RGs around and of course about the mission she ordered. Her little dog Jerry seemed to feel that something wasn’t ok and tried to cheer her up every time when she was in her bunk. Sometimes Jerry barked and Amber could only hope that none of the RGs would hear that.

" Incoming transmission from Katarn. " reported the com officer.

Amber turned around: " Let’s hear. "

A second later she heard a lot of static and then Kat: " This is Ensign Katarn. Amber we are in trouble, a lot of rebels are on our tail. Better prepare the Diablo for a hard battle. "

" How many fighters or capital ships? " But only static was the answer. Amber pushed the red alert button: " Damnit, those rebels. "

In this moment The Viking entered the brigde: " What’s going on here? "

Amber sighed: " Our patrol is hunted by some rebels. They are on their way back, hopefully they will make it. We need your help now, we haven’t enough pilots to strike back. "

Vik nodded: " That’s not a problem we are with you. Btw, I heard a dog barking... is there one? "

Ginyard watched the preparations for the counter attack in the hangar right now. Even when he wanted to fight with the Phoenixians he knew this would be the best chance to depart in the directory of Bogoslov to rescue Tobi. Hopefully he wasn’t captured by the rebel forces again.

Gin turned around to his girlfriend: " I have to go now and bring Tobi back. You have a watch at the Phoenixians in the meantime. This is a relative safe place but stay away from Katarn. It would only cause trouble. "

She nodded: " I know. "

Gin smiled: " When I return I don’t want to see him in the medic station again, this time in full pink bandages. Btw, that’s a good joke whoever did it. " Then he stepped into his transport, since he worked for the Black Sun he had enough money to update his equipment regularly. He punched the launch button and ignored the questions of the com officer and also the ones from the hangar officer. He had a difficult task to fulfil and no time for answering stupid questions. With a smile he remembered that nobody on the Diablo knew what he planned to do now. Heck his mates would be very surprised when he returns with Tobi, he would be a hero then.

At Abalone again where Raider was the private secretary of Savage. He decided to stay and watch that rebel captain because Raider knew Steeler wasn’t the one made for jokes. It was late night and PJ still had to prepare a meeting for the next day. For this he had to go into the office of Savage again. He disliked that place a lot, well he disliked all with the human Savage including. Suddenly he faced a sheet of paper with a few notices. Raider was always a bit curious so he read it and became pale. " This can’t be true! " PJ decided to copy that piece of paper immediately. After he completed the preparations for the meeting he returned in his quarter and read the paper again.

As he looked up he saw the vision of Steeler again, again there was the lightsaber writing: " I told you to stay now you know why. "

Raider: " That’s an evil plan. When he can trap the Titan and the Blade with half of the RGs.... it would be awful. To get them into that minefield will not be difficult when Bob captures the Diablo. "

" I know. " was the answer.

Raider shook his head: " How did he find out about Flamestrike’s past? I can’t believe it, we cleaned all signs out of this universe. "

" My fault. I had to write a report for the Secret Order and he got it in his hands. The SO still has a traitor inside or it was Flatface as his family were the hostages of Savage. "

Raider rubbed his face: " What we do now? There are so many mines that the ISDs have no chance then. "

" I know. "

Raider sighed: " Any plan? "

Steeler nodded: " Find and destroy the disk with the words that drive Flamey into Bob. It must be somewhere in that base. "

" I see. When I destroy that disk Flamey doesn’t become Bob again, he will not capture the Diablo and our ISD ‘s will not be trapped. It was the right decision to stay here. " The vision of Steeler went away and Raider was happy about it. Still he didn’t trust the Sith but the information he got now was very important for Phoenix and for the whole TFA.

Back at Bikkev where Piett and P waited together with Binky and Eryn for Rookie and Desmo. Finally they arrived.

Piett asked: " Why you needed that long? Something happened? " Desmo told both what happened. Piett wasn’t convinced: " Maybe it’s a trap. I wouldn’t believe Steeler anymore. "

Rookie took out the recording: " Let’s check this. Then we will know if we can still thrust the human part. " After watching the bloody attack of the Stingers and Red Wolves at Donnn Three there was one moment total silence.

P was the first speaking: " Well this tape is our last and best chance to end that useless war with the Alliance in the unarmed zone. It’s really amazing when you think over the force and it’s result for humans. "

" What do you mean? " asked Desmo.

P smiled: " Multiple personalities. See at the one hand I’m only P but when I step over a frontier in using the force I’m becoming a Jedi. The same counts for the Sith. I never heard this before but I got the experience too as I saved the Phoenix crew. It seems that you only get the other personality when you use an certain amount of the force. That’s amazing. "

Rookie asked: " It rescued us right? The Sith wants to kill us because we are in the way of it. But the human still protects us. "

P nodded: " Agreed. Anyway she’s right. This tape must be shown to the High Command of the Alliance. I guess that’s Rookies and my turn. On the other hand we need information about the Dark Brotherhood and it’s plans. Desmo and Piett maybe you can get unnoticed on board of one of those metal freighters and find something new out. "

Desmo nodded: " Of course. "

Piett wasn’t convinced: " I don’t think a split is good. "

P turned around: " We need more information about the use of this metal. It seems to be able to work against the force. Whatever the DB plans with it, it ‘s not good. I can’t look what they plan remember the effect on me. But you two can so please don’t discuss with me. "

Desmo smiled: " I agree with P here. Hey Piett, like in the good old times. Let’s go. "

Binky asked: " And what is with Eryn and me? "

P smiled: " You come with us for now until we find a neutral station. Then you two search for the Diablo and bring the metal barrel to it. Ask for Chief Pilot Fjap, he’s a master of the labs. He will study that metal then we have some more news. Now let’s go too. "

Rookie already was in the shuttle: " Ok, I found F’tral. Course set. Let’s hope Mon Motha is really so friendly as the rumours say. "

P was sitting in the cargo hold of the Diablo’s shuttle. Rookie had brought the diary pad with him and P spent an hour with updating it.

He returned into the cockpit and convinced Eryn to let him pilot, while she and the others should rest for a while. They agreed and made themselves comfortable. The hours passed, and the shuttle dropped out of hyperspace. There was not much activity on this outpost, but it took the tower over half an hour to send them to a hangar.

P said goodbye to his old friends and was already on his way back into the shuttle when Binky threw a little device in Meister’s direction.

P grabbed it and Binky said:" This is a special translator module, I got it from a prisoner in Bikkev, he said it is translating old languages. He gave it to me because I helped him to get some drugs for a wound he got at work. You would probably have some use for it...Jedi..." he laughed, " I still can’t believe it. My old mate P is a Jedi..." he muttered when he followed Eryn.

P got back in the shuttle, and they took of again. When they jumped back into hyperspace Rookie asked P:

"How did you meet such persons?"

P smiled and said:" This is a long story, but before you ask further please allow me to have some hours for sleeping."

Rookie had to smile about this and said: "Ok granted, but you will have to tell the whole story when this mess is over..."

Back on the Diablo, the RGs were will patrolling the frigate, going to places not even the cleaners had been in years. So far they had taken decks each, and inspected it like they were looking for an escaped criminal! Oh, of course, they were looking for one escaped criminal, and 2 who helped him to escape. After the battle had finished, and the Rebels left living had either been brought aboard the frigate for interrogation RG style, or had limped home to tell tales of their encounter with the Empire's scariest pilots. Most of the RGs went to rest, while most Phoenixers headed for the cantina to relish upon the day’s activities! With both groups satisfied for the time being, Amber decided it was time to relax. Even over the music and voices in the cantina, the unmistakable scream came from the bridge.

"KAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! KATARN!!!!"

Recognising his name, the smile on Katarn's face vanished, much to the amusement of The Duke and O'Drick who had been listening to his stories of battle, trying not to stare at the big pink bandage on his nose. The scream came again

"Ensign Katarn, get in here now!!"

With a muttered curse he left his duvel and reported to the bridge.

"Katarn, I need you to take control of the ship for a few hours, I've been here all day."

"But, " he hesitated, "but the cantina... there's a..." He was cut off my Amber, as she said: "I know everyone is in the cantina Kat, but, I think with that pink bandage you should keep a low profile. Anyway, you're now in control here. Cya later!"

Finally in the relative calm of her office, Amber took some time to play with Jerry. His presence was almost given away by his barking when Vik heard it, but Amber managed to convince him that she was just watching a visual transmission from an old friend, whose dog was barking in the background of the transmission. She doubted that Vik believed her, but Piett and Rookie where who they really wanted, not a little hairy dog with a loud bark. Playing with Jerry was relaxing, but when he started to tear her uniform, he got thrown into Ginyard's old bunk. He wouldn't need any of that stuff anymore, would he?! Jerry would have more fun with it anyway. Now there was peace, the diary came out...

Later that night, the celebrations continued. Katarn held the bridge well, keeping the position of the Diablo and watching for returning Rebels. Now they knew the position of the Diablo he would have to be careful that he didn't miss a mounting attack force nearby. In the cantina, The Duke interrupted his celebrations to read an incoming transmission on his datapad. It was from Bob again. Bob knew about the battle today, and he knew that the Rebels were planning to come back with capital ships and a lot more fighters. TheDuke knew he had to get this transmission to Amber, or Katarn, whoever he saw first. As it happens Amber had returned to the bridge just as The Duke arrived.

"Duke, what's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost!" Katarn remarked. The Duke didn't smile.

"I need you to see this." He handed the datapad to Katarn, whose face dropped when he saw it. Amber looked over his shoulder to see, her face having the same reaction.

"When did this come in Duke?" She asked.

"About 5 minutes ago, not long at all."

"I need to get back in touch with Bob, he can maybe help us here." Amber said, much to Kat's surprise.

"Bob? Your spy? Nah, we need *real* help here."

"Bob can help us!! Everything he has told us has been true so far. I got a transmission from some guy called Binky. He said he has a "Junior" with him and a free Jedi. I can only assume that he means Rookie and P, so that means the information Bob gave us was correct. We can rely on him." Amber's reasoning didn't convince Katarn:

"Still, " he said, "we should tell Vik or Flamey first. They are the ones who can really help us. We shouldn't rely on a spy - we are in enough trouble as it is, after having Rookie and Piett on board!" Katarn was raising his voice by this time, and had attracted the attention of Vik, who walked in just as Kat mentioned Piett and Rookie. The Duke jumped to the side as Vik came in behind him; Amber almost screamed; all Kat's feelings were seen on the look in his face.

Vik's deep voice slowly and clearly uttered the words: "Rookie and Piett were here... I should have known. Amber, how could you lie to us? Now you put me in the situation of deciding what to do about this." Shaking his head Vik took one of the officers seats on the bridge. A few more RGs came in, and from the looks on the faces of Vik and the Phoenixians, they knew what had happened.

In the big, loud room of the casino Makker, Fjap and DuKaal sat down at a small table. Makker sat quiet for a while and then he asked:

"How big is this guy? I mean does he have a rank of some significance?"

Fjap answered: "He's a Vice Admiral and the Wing commander for wing V in TFA."

Makker got a calculated gleam in his eyes, "Then these tapes must be worth something?"

"Yes they are. But rest assured, if you try to peddle them to someone, you'll have the whole Navy plus a religious cult on your heels. "

Makker sighed. "Ohh well, never mind. I am not cut out to black mail high-up's. I tend to waddle in the lower ponds but still, " he sighed again. Then he asked curiously, "How did he do it, I mean the memory thingy. It's pretty well done, " and he winced at the thought of his holiday.

"You see, the VAd is Force latent. He hasn't gotten any training as such but it helps him in many ways. He's an excellent pilot and has great reflexes. Bob on the other hand is more adept in using the Force. His mind manipulating skills are quite good. It must have been easy for him to change your memory."

DuKaal asked: "You said he blamed you for his imprisonment. Why?"

"Well his Force abilities grew stronger in time. I on the other hand am quite Force deaf. The Force doesn't seem to work on me, for me or with me. In the end I was the only one that could come near him and I was sent with him to the planet. One night when I was away on a meeting on El Pollo he used his skills to make all the guards think they were a Nerf Herd and when I got back they were all grazing outside the building. I found a note that said: I blame this on you Fjap, signed Bob so I guess that's why."

They all sat in silence for a moment until a messenger approached them.

"Sorry sir's, Chief Pilot Fjap from Phoenix squadron?" He asked apologetically.

"Yes that's me, " answered Fjap.

"You have a call waiting for you on a secure line."

"All right, I'm coming"

Fjap left and reappeared after a while. He turned to DuKaal,

"It was a call from a fellow Phoenix member. It seems that I must return to El Pollo immediately."

"How long?"

"I don't know. It might take a while. What are you going to do in the meantime?"

"Dig further into the dirt here."

"All right. Maybe Makker will help you?" and he looked at him.

Makker shrugged, "Yeah why not, I mean you need someone who knows the lower levels of dirt on this planet and who knows maybe you guys could help me get rid of this holiday memory in exchange for the sensory tapes?"

DuKaal and Fjap agreed and Fjap made his way to the spaceport. There he found a navy transport that was ferrying Tie's in the direction of El Pollo and loaded his T/I into it.

Meanwhile a small shuttle approached the Titan.

"Shuttle Tyderium, we have you on our screen. Identify your self."

The Tall man leaned closer to the mic and hit a series of keys. Beside him the Ewok squealed something irritably. The Tall man chuckled.

"No I don’t think the Kuat Drive Yards had Ewok’s in mind when they designed this shuttle. Ok here we go, I hope you know what you are doing."

He punched a few more keys and the Ewok grabbed a small mike. The computer started to transmit its identification in short audio bursts, more commonly seen in older models of these kind of craft. It was later dropped because of a security matter or rather lack of security but some unimportant crafts still identified them in that way. The Ewok listened closely and squealed and chirped into the mic at regular intervals.

On board the Titan VAd Flamestrike walked up to the officers on watch over the identification centre. He listened at the chirps and squeals that sounded out of the speaker system. Then he turned to one of the officers.

"What shuttle is this'"

"This is a small passenger shuttle requesting clearance to dock in the civilian hangar. Its identifying mechanism is old but it checks out, I was about to clear them."

"What's it doing here?"

The officer activated the com system and spoke.

"Shuttle Tyderium, please state your business and cargo"

"This is shuttle Tyderium, we are carrying an interior decorator for Fjap."

Flamey looked sharply at the officer, suddenly he said.

"Clear them and leave them to me, I will deal with them myself."

"Shuttle Tyderium you are cleared to land in docking bay 11-36."

Flamey turned and headed for the docking bay. He entered the shuttle and came out after quite some time. He was grinning slightly and hummed a small tune. He took a elevator up to the bridge. There he met Commander Denny SL of Falcon and grabbed his hand and shook it vigorously.

"Ahhh Dunston good to see you"

"Uhuhm its Denny sir."

"Ohh that's right Johnson. Tell me where is your Squadron right now?"

"It is guarding the border between Alk'lellish III and Bakura, why sir?"

"I'll tell you why my dear Simpson. I need it here, " he pointed at the space outside the window, "now, " and he glanced at his chrono, "and some mustard."

Cma Denny stared at him in confusion.

"Uhh mustard sir??"

"Yes mustard, other wise the sandwich is so dry"

"The sandwich??" Cma Denny looked even more confused.

"Yes the sandwich you’re gonna get me from the mess hall. Now run along." And with that he slapped the Commander on the butt like a small child and sent him running down the corridor. Bob then sat in the captains chair slammed his feet on the desk and looked over the buzzing bridge. Suddenly he grabbed the intercom and shouted into it:

"Everybody get down and gimme fifty!!"

The bridge fell to the floor and started doing push-ups. Meanwhile was Bob busy switching cables at various consoles. When the push-ups were done the bridge fell in chaos as people didn’t find their right stations. Bob doubled over in laughter and tears were streaming down his face. After a while he grabbed the intercom again.

"Will somebody find the location of Phoenix squadron and these people associated with that squadron." And he recited the names of few people and Fjap was the first on that list.

Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 - Part 6 - Part 7

Authors: NCp Steeler, Ltn Amber, 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 24/06/2000 and we can accept no responsibility for any loss or inconvenience sustained by any reader as a result of its information or advice.