Onderonian Liberation
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Part 1.1: Flight from Abrae[edit]
((I gotta go Ashley... I'm almost at the barracks...))
"Alright... I love you Cayden..." she said, tears streaming down her face, works choking up in her throat.
((I love you too Ashley...))
And the signal died as she began prepping the ship for launch. I can't believe it... I spent so much time looking for him, and now I have to leave him? she thought, switching on the comm. "Gozanti Cruiser Etere Videum requesting permission to leave, Control," she said into the headmic, gripping the control wheel.
((Roger that Etere Videum, you are cleared for launch.))
"Thank you, Control... Etere Videum out," she said, flipping off the comm as she began lifting the ship off the platform. She grabbed the radio and said "Attention, all crew and personnel, prepare for atmosphere departure!"
The ship shook violently as it tore through the atmosphere. Come on... don't quit on our first departure... she thought as sparks exploded from a nearby terminal.
As the ride started to smooth out, one of the soldiers on the bridge with her spoke up. "Ma'am, we've cleared the atmosphere," he said, pressing several keys on his console.
"Thank you...? I'm sorry, I don't know your name," she said, blushing.
"Sorry... First Sergeant Marcus Sallin, at your service ma'am," Marcus said, saluting Ashley. "And you are?"
"Former Onderonian Ambassador Ashley Clearwater," she replied, returning the salute. "I'm the acting-Commanding Officer while Captain Tavers is away..." When she said Cayden's name, her voice began to fade. She felt tears coming, so she returned to her seat to continue flying the ship.
Marcus walked over and sat down next to Ashley. "Is something wrong, ma'am?" he asked.
She wiped the tears from her face and looked up at Marcus. "Its nothing... I can't work through. I've done it once before... I can do it again..." she said, flipping several switches to her left and began taking the ship towards the outer region of Abrae's gravitational field.
"Get through what again?" he asked, placing his hand on top of her's.
She sighed, then said "Being separated from Cayden again... the last time we were separated, he left Onderon... now, I'm the one leaving him on a planet..." Ashley said, tears clouding her vision as she shook off his hand.
"I'm sure we'll see him again... who knows?" he said, shrugging.
"I wish I had YOUR optimism... he told me what happened when he left Onderon... the side-trip he took before coming to Abrae... he said it was the most trying thing he ever did in his life, even worse than going through the Gauntlet at the Onderonian Naval Academy..." she said, entering coordinates into the navi-computer.
"He'll make it to Dxun soon enough... and then we'll end this war once and for all..." Marcus said, smiling. He stood up and walked over to the side view-port. "It is beautiful... the planet and the stars, I mean."
She walked over and stood next to him, looking out the view-port. "Yeah... beautiful..." she said, a tear falling down her cheek. Quietly, she returned to her seat and engaged the hyperdrive. The ship shook violently as it was plunged into hyperspace. She leaned back and let her eyes close, remembering the day after Cayden left Onderon...
Flashback: Onderon - 3 months ago
Ashley woke up and smiled. Cayden's supposed to stop by today so we can discuss our plan for the future... heh... good day ahead of me today... she thought, jumping out of bed. Looking through her closet, Ashley grabbed her authentic Jedi Civil War-era military uniform and put it on. She looked into the mirror and smiled. When Cayden sees me wearing this... heh... we might just have to execute the plan today... she thought, a giddy smile on her face. She ran down the stairs and saw her father standing by the door, talking to a man wearing the uniform of the Royal Runners.
She walked up to them as her dad turned around and said "The Queen is summoning you to the Palace."
Ashley looked at her father confused, then asked "Did he say what for?"
He shook his head. "No, but he say's its important that you come at once," he said, frowning.
"Alright..." she said, walking towards the door. "I'll be back later tonight, dad."
"Alright honey... just don't do anything stupid, like going off to fight a war or something," he said, smiling.
She smiled back. "I won't, dad... at least, not without your permission first," she said, closing the door.
She followed the Runner through the streets, avoiding the crowds. They passed the checkpoint at the Merchant Quarter without being stopped, which bothered Ashley. This isn't right... why weren't we stopped? she thought as they quickly went by the stalls set up in the street, dodging the crowds of people trying to get deals on wares. Even during a war, people are trying to get useless items for dirt cheap... makes me cry inside she thought, watching the people quickly pass by as they started to run through the crowd.
The Runner looked behind him and said "I think we're being followed by Imperialist Agents... here..." He gave Ashley a blaster. "Just in case it comes to that..."
They ran through the Sky Ramp checkpoint and continued onward towards the Palace. The Runner stopped and looked behind him to see if their tail was behind them. Satisfied that they weren't being followed, he motioned that they continue, and they started running up the Ramp again.
Heh... that looks a lot like the barracks in the simulation we ran six days ago... she thought, looking at the barracks on their left as they ran up the staircase to the top of the Ramp.
They were stopped in front of the gates as a guard walked out to greet them.
"Hold on there... what business do you two have here?" the guard asked, looking at the Runner.
"I'm Runner K-89F returning with Ashley Clearwater as per the orders of the Queen," the Runner said, handing the guard his ID and the orders.
The guard looked them over and grunted. "Very well, you both may proceed," he said, waving them along.
They walked into the Palace and entered the Main Hall. They walked up to the Throne Room entrance and were stopped again by another guard. The Runner gave him his ID and the orders, and they were waved along again.
The Runner turned to her and said "And this is where I leave you. My orders were to bring you here, and I did. Now, you're job is to speak with the Queen." He bowed to Ashley, then left her there.
Ashley walked up to the throne and knelt to the Queen. The Queen rose and said "Don't kneel before me, Ashley... I may be Queen, but I'm practically your grandmother!" She laughed as Ashley stood up. "Now my dear... I have something to give you..."
Ashley looked confused and asked "What?"
The Queen gave her an envelope with her name hastily written on it. "I found it in Cayden's quarters... you should read it..." she said, sorrow filling her eyes.
Ashley opened the letter and read it.
Ashley,
By the time you get this, I should be countless parsecs away from Onderon. I'm sorry I couldn't tell you in person that I was leaving... or that I couldn't take you with me, but... I decided that this was for the best.
You know I do everything with a purpose, even my irrational ideas are with purpose. I left because I didn't know who I was... the Academy was everything I was... without it, I was nothing... so, I had to leave, to find out who I was supposed to be, if not a great naval commander in the Onderonian Navy.
I know I broke my promise to you by not coming back... but I will return as soon as I can... that promise, I can keep.
Love always, Cayden
When she finished reading it, tears had cascaded down her cheeks and made a significant blur in the writing on the letter. "But... why would he...?" she attempted to say, then fell into bursting sobs as she collapsed at the Queen's feet.
The Queen knelt down and attempted to comfort Ashley. "There, there Ashley... I'm sure he'll come back soon," she said, smiling.
Ashley started to cry harder, this time not even trying to stay upright, and fell over onto her side.
The Queen stood up and said in a comforting voice "Come on Ashley... I have something that should cheer you up..."
Ashley looked up, eyes red and face covered in tears. "Unless it's a homing beacon implanted on Cayden... I doubt that it'll help," she said, standing up.
"Pull yourself together, Ashley! I won't have my future grand-daughter-in-law crying over something she can fix!" she said, frowning. "Now, do you want to find the love of your life, or not?"
Ashley nodded, wiping her face off.
"Good... come with me," she said, walking towards the back of the Throne Room.
Ashley followed closely, trying to straighten out her uniform as they entered a secret passageway. They walked down the passage for several minutes when the Queen opened a door into a hangar bay. In the hangar bay rested a Theta-class T-2c Shuttle bearing the insignia of the Royal Family of Onderon.
"Ashley... I need you to be my Ambassador..." the Queen said, stopping at the head of a ramp leading down to the hangar floor.
Ashley looked at her and asked "An Ambassador? But... you said that I would be look-?"
"You will be, but you will go under the guise of an Ambassador," she said, smiling. "I've heard unofficial reports that Cayden is travelling with a pilot of the Vast Empire, and knowing Cayden... he'll be curious and check them out. But, before you head there, I need you to go to another planet and try to make an alliance with them."
"What planet, your Highness?" she asked.
The Queen's face became like stone as she said "... Mandalore..."
Etere Videum Bridge - Present Day
Ashley opened her eyes and looked around, seeing if she was alone. Well... now I'm alone... I guess I had better get to bed. We still have quite a bit of time before we arrive... she thought, standing up.
She walked off the bridge, down the corridor, and entered the Captain's Quarters. She closed the door behind her and plopped herself onto the bed and fell asleep.
Part 1.2: Dxun Encounters[edit]
Ashley's Dream: Second Onderonian Civil War
A soldier ran up to Ashley and saluted. "Ma'am, the Imperialist forces have taken the Palace... it is a matter of time before they reach the Queen," he said, gasping for breath.
Ashley looked at him and said "The Queen? But... the Queen died days ago..."
"No, not Queen Anora Kira... Queen Talia Tavers... we need to hurry if we are to save the Queen!" he exclaimed, running to the door. He stopped and turned around. "Come on! We need to move now!"
She nodded and followed the soldier up the Sky Ramp, which was suspiciously empty. This is odd... it's too quiet... she thought, running after the soldier.
They reached the top of the Sky Ramp when several proton bombs fell from the sky and destroyed the Ramp behind them, stranding them at the Palace.
"Damn those Imperialists! They'll bring the whole Palace District down to the ground!" the soldier exclaimed, running over to the Palace entrance. "Come on! I don't know how much longer the Queen will survive!"
Ashley ran after him when someone dressed in an Imperial Flightsuit stepped out of the shadows and blocked her path. On the person's shoulder, she saw the easily recognizable insignia of Tuk'ata Squadron. Cayden... she immediately thought.
"I'm sorry Ashley... but I can't allow you through this door..." the man said, taking the flight helmet off.
"Cayden... We have to... your mom is going to die unless we help her!" she exclaimed, running up to him.
"I am sorry Ashley... but I have my orders..." he said, looking into her eyes, not smiling once. He rested his hand on his blaster.
"Cayden..." she said, tears welling up in her eyes.
Etere Videum - Present Day
Ashley woke up suddenly and noticed that she was not only on the floor, but drenched in her own sweat. What the hell kind of dream was that? Cayden would never do that. she thought, getting off the floor. She looked at the thermostat and noticed that it was set at 12 degrees Celsius. And I'm covered in sweat... lovely... she thought, heading over to the shower. She stepped into the shower and let the water cascade down her body, the oils and wastes secreted by her sebaceous glands washing away in the warm water.
She got out after a while and dried off, she took out an old uniform she had in her bag and put it on. She looked at herself in the mirror and thought I look like I'm in the Onderonian Military... we need to get some new uniforms if we are going to do this outside of Onderonian government jurisdiction. She walked out of her room and went to the bridge, nodding at the SF standing at the door. "Status report, Sergeant," she said, sitting at her chair.
"All systems are green, Ma'am," Marcus said, turning to her. "Awaiting your command."
"Where are we in the galaxy?" she asked, looking at the navicomputer.
"Ummm... we are approximately ten parsecs away from the Onderon System, Ma'am," he said, pressing keys on his console. "ETA... 40 minutes."
"Excellent, I want everyone to battle positions, just in case the Imperialists took control of the orbiting fleet," she said, walking to the door.
"Yes ma'am," Marcus said, pressing more keys on his console.
She walked off the bridge, down the brightly lit corridor, and entered the briefing room, where three teams of four soldiers, all in full combat gear, stood waiting orders. “Gentlemen... as you are aware; we are less than 40 minutes away from Onderon, which means…” she started, the soldiers nodding in agreement. “… That we are less than 40 minutes away from what will be the climax of the Civil War. I am sure that the Imperialists have established a base of operations on Dxun, something we cannot allow to exist. We need to go down and knock out that base before they take full control of the moon.” She pressed several buttons and a holo-projection of Dxun appears in front of them. “This is a satellite image of the base that they have constructed sent to us by the Royal Navy several minutes ago. As you can see, they have established a rather strong presence here… yes, Captain?” she asked, noticing that Captain Oron Rezkul was raising his hand.
“Ma’am, I don’t think I heard you right… did you say we will be going down there?” he asked, staring hard at her.
“Yes Captain… We. I will be accompanying one of the assault teams down to the moon surface. There are some… allies… that I can get to help us in the fight,” she vaguely said, smirking.
“Allies?” Oron asked.
“Yes Captain… Allies. The day after Cayden left, Queen Anora sent me on a mission to complete two objectives: One, find Cayden and convince him to return to Onderon… and Two, make an alliance between Royalist Onderon and Mandalore…” she said.
“Mandalore?!? You made an alliance with the Mandalorians?!? Does our history with them mean absolutely nothing to you people?!?” he exclaimed, pounding his fist on the table.
“Captain, I am aware of our past with the Mandalorians, as was the Queen. But, remember, the Imperialists made an alliance with the New Republic,” she pointed out.
Oron smirked, then said “Not the New Republic… a splinter faction of the Empire. They pose as the New Republic, making planets believe they are under attack from them so that they won’t join the New Republic… the perfect strategy to keep incoming members to them as low as possible... and to keep Royalist forces from being dangerously increased.”
“So… then it is one of the Imperial factions fighting with the enemy, not the New Republic?” she asked.
“That is correct, Ma’am,” he said.
“Once we liberate Dxun from the Imperialists, we need to send a transmission to Coruscant to ask for the intervention of the New Republic,” she declared. Cayden’s not going to like this... he won’t like it at all… but it’s no longer his call, its mine…
“As you wish, Ambassador Clearwater,” Oron said, saluting.
“I’m not an Ambassador anymore… you may call me either Major Clearwater, or Ashley,” Ashley said, smiling. “I was given a commission in the Onderonian Navy, as a Major, by Queen Anora before I left for Mandalore. Now… I will be going with Alpha Team. We’ll be inserted here, outside the main entrance with Bravo Team. Gamma Team, you will be going in the back way. We’ll flank them, and take back the colony. Should reinforcements arrive from the planet, the Etere Videum will be there to provide aerial support until we have secured the colony. Once the colony is secured, I will contact the Mandalorians and have them move in to beef up security. The ship will land inside the city, and we’ll begin preparing for an attack on Iziz itself. Any questions so far?”
She looked around at the soldiers, then smiled when none of them had a question. “Very well,” she said. “Preparations should take about two weeks for us to complete. During those two weeks, Alpha Team, as well as a team of Mandalorians, and myself will head to Coruscant to make an appeal to the New Republic for their intervention in the final battle. Assuming they agree to send reinforcements, we will return as the preparations are being finalized. Once we have received a transmission from the New Republic command ship, confirming their arrival into the system, we will begin our attack on Iziz, sending in gunships and infantry to begin pushing both the Imperialists and the Imperials to their command center and force their surrender. Any questions?” she asked, looking around.
A soldier, Chief Master Sergeant Jake Solarius, spoke up. “Major, what if they deny our appeal? What happens then?” he asked.
Ashley looked at him and smiled. “For one, I don’t deal in what if’s … secondly, assuming they do deny it, we’ll just appeal directly to the New Republic Naval Commander-in-Chief, who I believe is currently Admiral Ackbar, a Mon Calamari veteran from the Battle of Endor. He should sympathize with us, and convince the New Republic Ruling Council to send some ships to help alleviate our suffering, the political wording of sending the Fifth Defense Fleet.” she explained, still smiling. If THAT happens… then Cayden will definitely not be happy… he’ll be fighting alongside Rogue Squadron… and if they find out that he fights for the Vast Empire… she stopped that thought dead in its tracks, because she already knew the outcome: the Vast Empire Military being drawn into battle against the New Republic above, and possibly on, Onderon, plunging the Onderonian Civil War into the much larger Galactic Civil War. “We will arrive in…” she started, checking the wall-clock. “About 30 minutes before we enter the system, so… let’s get everything and everyone to full-battle readiness. Dismissed.”
The teams left the room to begin preparations for the assault of Nadd City, and she sat down in her chair, putting her head into her hands. What have I become a part of? I have become a soldier, fighting for a war-weary planet’s stability. I am planning on asking the enemy of my fiancé to aid us in our battle, and asking my fiancé to fight with them… Tears began streaming down her cheeks. Why did this war have to happen in my lifetime? Why couldn’t it have happened 32 years ago, during the Clone Wars? she thought, wiping the tears off her face. She pulled out her datapad and looked at a picture of her and Cayden, in flightsuits, standing at the base of an ARC-170 Starfighter, smiling and holding each other. She smiled. I remember this day… this was the day we started going out… this was taken an hour before we shared our first kiss. Oh, how I wish he was here… he would make it so much easier for me... but he has his obligations, as I have mine. He will arrive soon, hopefully… and he will help us end this bloody Civil War once and for all… she thought, smiling. She stood up, put the datapad away, and walked down to the Armory to begin suiting up for the upcoming battle.
Flashback: 3 Years Ago
Ashley woke up and looked at her calendar. She saw that it was the first day of their flight simulation courses, and quickly sprung out of bed. She started putting on her Academy-issued flight suit, when she stopped. Should I do it today? I don’t know how much longer I can go without telling him… she thought, reaching for her belt. I know that I really like him, and I want to see if he is the one… She put her belt on and started pulling on her boots. But if I tell him, he might not like me back, and I’ll have made a fool of myself… She fastened her right boot tight around her calf and pulled on the other one. Or, if I do tell him, and it doesn’t work out, then I’ll be crushed… and lose a great friend… she thought, securing the left boot tight. She stood in front of her mirror and put her hair into a pony tail.
Then, just as she was about to grab her bag, her mother, Rozanne, came in. “Ashley, dear… it’s time for breakfast,” she said, poking her head into the room.
“Alright, I’ll be right there,” Ashley said, reaching for her bag. She hesitated and quickly turned around before her mom left. “Mom… how did you tell dad you liked him?” she blurted out. She put her hands over her mouth right after the words came out.
Her mom stopped and turned around. “Are you asking because of Cayden?” she asked, smiling.
Ashley looked at her dumbfounded. “How did you…?” she began.
“You talk in your sleep, dear… Dad might not hear it, but I have ears like a Bith,” Rozanne said, sitting on the bed. She patted the mattress next to her and Ashley sat down. “I’ve actually known for quite some time now that you liked Cayden. I’m amazed it took you this long to finally ask that question,” she said, laughing.
“Moooooooom… how did you tell dad you liked him?” Ashley asked again.
Rozanne smiled again. “I met your father when he was on leave during the Clone Wars. He was part of the liberation army sent here to end the Separatist occupation. I was a nurse at the hospital where he was visiting a friend of his who had a broken leg and a blaster wound in his side. He came up and asked me where his friend was, and I took him there. I had asked him if he aided in the liberation, and he said yes. I asked him if he was from the Republic, and he said no, that he was from Onderon. When we reached the room, I asked him if I’d see him again, and he said it wasn’t very likely. I was rather upset when he said that, but understood the truth behind it, so I left him with his friend. We didn’t meet again for several years, when he was a patient I happened to be processing. I walked in to his room to prep him for the doctor when I recognized him. I saw his name on the chart and asked him if he remembered me. He looked at me for some time, and then said that he did remember me. He called me ‘that cute nurse from way back.’ I giggled and he asked me if I was doing anything that weekend. I looked at him and said ‘No… but I don’t know if you’ll be doing anything for the next two weeks, seeing how you’ll be stuck in here for bacta treatments and therapy for that leg of yours.’ He smiled and said ‘Well, we could always hang out in here, seeing how this’ll be my home for a while.’ I replied ‘We could… but the noise has to be real low when it hits 22:00 hours.’ He smiled and motioned me over. I walked over and he whispered to me that we will be great friends. I smiled and agreed. Two weeks later, when he was discharged from the hospital, he gave me his address and said that I could stop by any time I wanted,” she said, taking a breath.
“But mom… that doesn’t explain HOW you told him…” Ashley whined.
“I’m getting there, Ashley,” Rozanne said smiling. “One day, hanging out at his house, I asked him if he wanted to go on a walk in the forest. Of course, being the cheery guy he is, he agreed and we went for a walk. We walked for quite some time until we reached a large tree with a fallen tree underneath it. I stood on top of it, putting myself at his height, and asked him if he liked me. He said that he did, since he was my friend. Then, I asked him ‘Enough to kiss me?’ He said that he didn’t know, paused for a second, and then said ‘Let’s find out.’ He leaned in and kissed me,” She finished, blushing. “Does that help, sweetie pie?”
Ashley said, smiling “Yes mom, that helps a lot…” She grabbed her bag and walked to the door. She paused and turned to her mother. “Thank you, mom… I really do appreciate it,” she said, still smiling.
“You’re welcome, dear,” Rozanne replied, smiling. “Have fun today, sweetie.”
Ashley ran out of the house and continued running down the street. She ran down the street, passing several houses, until she reached the Sky Ramp. She stopped there and saw Cayden, wearing a similar flight suit, walking down the Ramp. Smiling, Ashley ran up to him and gave him a hug.
“You’re awfully cheerful this morning, Ashley,” he said, smiling. “Have you been drinking enriched milk again?”
She smiled and replied “No sir, I swore off that stuff last time I drank it. Besides, today we begin our flight simulation courses. Why shouldn’t I be extremely happy?”
He smiled and hugged her again. “Alright, good enough for me. Let’s get to the Academy before they begin without us,” he said, running to the far wall. He turned and smiled when she ran up behind him.
They ran down the street towards the Academy, cutting across the main plaza of the Merchant Quarter. They reached the doors of the Academy moments before the first bell rang. They ran down the hall and walked onto the flight deck before the final bell rang. Noticing the rest of the class gathered in the middle of a string of ARC-170 simulators, they ran to join them before the Instructor began taking role.
When he finished taking role, he moved over to a simulator and said “Today, as you all can see, you will begin flight simulations. It is here that we determine if you are capable of flying an actual fighter, or if we should just place you on engineering. But, I am confident that each and every one of you will pass your simulator exams with flying colors. Now, your simulator number is on your right breast. Climb in, and I’ll walk you all through the pre-flight process.” He climbed into the simulator and strapped himself in.
The rest of the class started looking and climbing in to their simulators. Ashley noticed that Cayden’s simulator was to the right of hers, designating him her wingman. She placed the straps around her shoulders and fastened them in the buckle located between her legs. They didn’t design this cockpit with morality in mind she thought, putting her helmet on. She flipped the switch to close the cockpit as she secured the helmet onto her flight suit.
A cackle sounded over the radio as the Instructor switched on the communication channel. ((Alright everyone, I assume you all put on your flight helmets and closed the cockpit. Now, locate the ignition button and press it))
Ashley looked at all the instruments, saw a red button with the unmistakable symbol for power on it, and pressed it. The power generator roared to life after she pressed the button. She smiled and thought This is pretty easy… I can’t wait to take this thing into the air, even if it is in a simulation.
The radio cackled again as Instructor spoke. ((Alright, I’m getting good signs from most of you. Delta-3, the button is RED, not GREEN. The GREEN button is for the sensors. Who can tell me what the blue and yellow buttons do?))
The radio cackled as a male’s voice spoke. Ashley recognized the voice as Cayden’s. ((The yellow button powers-up the weapons and the blue button powers-up the shields.))
((Correct Beta-2, yellow is weapons and blue is shields. Now, there are several dials in front of you… what do they do?))
This time, Ashley answered. “The one on the far left is the radar, while the one to the right of it shows the power levels for the shields. The one on the far right is the navi-computer, for the hyperdrive; and the one above the viewport is the live video feed of behind the fighter,” she said, smiling.
((Correct Beta-1. Now, everyone get those repulsor-lifts active and let’s get into the air.))
Ashley flipped a switch next to the ignition as the Heads-Up Display appeared on the cockpit window, and the simulation began. The fighter simulated a take-off from the ground as she began pushing the throttle forward with her right hand, pulling the control stick back with her left, propelling the ship forward.
((Okay everyone, listen up! I will take Alpha Flight through the run first. Beta Flight, follow us about 2 minutes in, Gamma follow Beta, and Delta follow Gamma. Let’s do this people!))
She watched as the fighters marked with the markings of Alpha Flight began descending into the simulation course. She began a timer on her wrist, and spoke into the radio. “Beta Flight, switch to private channel.” She turned a dial near the radio box, and heard the distinct cackle of the rest of her flight switching onto the channel. “Alright Betas, we’ll follow them into the course after about 90 seconds. Keep your wits about you. There’s no telling what we’ll be flying through.”
She heard another voice through the radio, this one female. ((Flight Lead, this is Beta-4. Are you saying we might encounter resistance in the course?))
She smiled. “What’s your name, Beta-4?”
((Danielle Sharp, ma’am.))
“Danielle… you sit behind me, right? You’ll do just fine if we encounter resistance, I’m sure,” she said, smiling.
((Roger that Ashley.))
She smiled, then asked “Hey Cayden, what are you planning on doing for lunch today?”
((Oh, maybe going back up to the Palace for something, why? Did you want to come with?))
“I have a better idea, Cayden. We’ll…” she stopped when she noticed the timer hit zero. “We’ll discuss it later. Right now, it’s our turn. Beta Flight, let’s move out!” She switched throttle control to the foot pedals and pushed down on the control stick with both hands, throwing the fighter into a 90-degree descent. She pulled up on the stick at about 4000ft and began flying through the course.
((Ashley, its Cayden. Watch your port side; you’re getting close to those rocks.))
“Roger that, Cayden; making adjustments now,” she said, moving the fighter to the right a bit. That was rather lucky for me… good thing he has sharp eyes, she thought, pushing the control forward to duck beneath a low-hanging rock.
((Flight Lead, this is Beta-3. Incoming fighters at our ten, ma’am)) she heard Beta-3 say.
“Acknowledged. Beta-3, you and Beta-4 move onto my starboard side. Beta-2 and I will intercept inbound fighters,” she said. “Cayden, form up on my six. I’m going in!” She swung the fighter to her left and began ascending to the level the inbound fighters were at. She looked at the radar and saw that they were flashing Onderonian IDCs. She switched to the general comm. channel. “Inbound fighters, identify yourselves!” she said, pressing the yellow and blue buttons.
((This is Instructor Cava, requesting that you power down your shields and weapons, and surrender immediately!))
“Instructor?!? What is going on?!?” she asked, bewildered.
((Surrender or be destroyed!))
She watched as the incoming fighters moved into attack formation. She switched to the flight channel and said “Everyone, the Instructor has pitted Alpha Flight against us! Betas 3 and 4, continue on course. Beta 2 and I will engage incoming hostiles and warn Gamma flight of the Instructor’s…” she started.
((Incoming hostile fighters on our 6, Ashley!!!)) she heard Cayden say.
“So much for back-up… 3 and 4, punch it to the finish line. Cayden, you and I will fend off the fighters until 3 and 4 have left the combat zone!” she stated, flipping a switch to release control of the weapons.
((Negative Flight Lead. We will stick together!)) she heard Danielle say.
Ashley smiled and said “Very well.” She switched to the Delta Flight channel. “Delta Flight, what’s your status?”
((Delta Lead here, we’re right behind Gamma Flight. Is anything wrong?))
“Delta Lead, Gamma and Alpha Flights have engaged us. We are requesting your immediate intervention!” she said, flipping another switch to divert power to front deflector screens.
((Engaged? That’s not possible… unless… Beta Lead, the Instructor intends for us to work together under combat situations. Let’s show him who the best pilots really are!))
“Roger that Delta, Beta out.” She switched back to the Beta Channel. “Alright Betas… lock S-foils in attack position!” she said, flipping another switch near the weapons control, moving the wings mounted above and below the main wing into a 35-degree angle.
She tore through the air like a knife through butter, engines burning with intensity, towards Alpha Flight. She let loose several laser blasts as the simulation came to an end. What the frakking hell?!? she thought as she opened the cockpit. She climbed out of her cockpit and walked over to Cava and asked “What the hell just happened?!?”
Cava looked at her and smiled. “Addicting, isn’t it?” he said laughing. “There will be plenty of time for you to shoot each other out of the sky. Today was just to see if you could pilot the fighters and… if you had the nerve to engage those who you thought were on your side.” He walked to the front of the class and said “Good work everyone! That will end today’s lesson. You have the rest of the day to yourselves.”
Cayden walked over to Ashley and asked “So… you said you had another idea for lunch?”
Ashley smiled and said “I most certainly do, Cayden… but first, I want to take a picture of us in front of an ARC-170 for our scrapbook.”
They walked over to the lone ARC-170 in the hangar (the same one Cayden would fly next year in battle against the Imperialists), and Ashley set up a camera on a retractable built-in tripod. They stood in front of the fighter, holding each other, as the shutter snapped. Ashley smiled and said “Okay… now I’ll tell you what we’re doing. We’re going on a picnic, just you and I.”
“We are, are we?” he asked, smiling.
“Yes sir, we are,” she said, as walked over to the lockers and pulled out a rather large basket. She pressed a few keys on the pressure lock and inspected the food. “Good, it’s all edible. Let’s go.”
They walked out of the Academy and headed for the North Gate. When they reached the North Gate, the guard came up to them and asked for their IDs. Cayden flashed the Royal Seal, and the guard waved them past.
They walked for about an hour when Cayden asked “Where are we going, exactly?”
Ashley replied “It’s not much farther… we’re almost there…”
They clambered through several bushes and entered a small clearing. In the center of the clearing stood a large tree, with a fallen tree underneath it. Ashley ran to the base of the tree and sighed. I found it… and now comes the moment of truth… she thought as she stood on the fallen tree, placing herself at Cayden’s level. She watched as Cayden walked over and asked “Cayden… how much do you like me?”
He looked at her, surprised, and then answered "You're my best friend, Ashley... I like you a lot."
She smiled at that, then asked "Enough to kiss me right now?"
Cayden, still surprised, answered “I don’t know…”
Then, almost as if willed by the gods, Cayden leaned towards Ashley and they kissed. Ashley wrapped her arms around him and they kept kissing each other. It started to rain a little bit, but that didn’t stop them. They kissed for several minutes, until they finally decided that it was time to get under some cover. They ran through the forest and found an abandoned outpost. They entered the building and silence hung in-between them.
Ashley broke the silence first “Cayden… are we going to allow it to progress and develop?”
Cayden stared at her for a while, then smiled and said “Of course, Ashley. To be with you would make me the luckiest guy in the whole universe.” He then walked over and kissed her again.
I can’t believe it worked… heh, I guess mom does know best… she thought, kissing him back.
Etere Videum Armory: Present Day
Ashley smiled as she pulled on her combat vest. She secured her belt tight around her waist, grabbed the P-590 rifle that was in her locker, and proceeded to the bridge. She arrived just as the ship fell out of hyperspace.
“We’ve reached Onderon, ma’am,” Marcus said, pressing keys on his consol.
“Very well… get all teams ready for deployment. You know where to take us, Marcus,” Ashley said, patting him on the shoulder.
“Yes ma’am,” he said, smiling.
She left the bridge and walked down the length of the ship to the cargo bay. She felt the ship vibrate as it began to enter Dxun’s atmosphere. That’s an odd thought: a moon having an atmosphere.
The intercom cackled as Marcus’s voice said ((Five minutes ‘til touchdown!))
Everyone began fastening their gear to their bodies as they felt the reassuring jolt of the ship landing on the moon’s surface. The cargo bay doors opened and two of the three teams ran out onto the marshy surface, Ashley quickly following them out. The teams began making a perimeter as the ship took off to drop off the other team on the opposite side of the city.
Ashley signaled the men to come to her. “Alright everyone, we’re here. We will make our way to the city walls and await confirmation from Gamma Squad. When we receive confirmation, we will begin our attack. If they surrender, we will NOT shoot them. I repeat: we will NOT shoot unarmed people, understood?” she clarified. The men nodded, and she continued. “When we gain control of the Command Center, I will send a transmission to the Mandalorians on the moon to send soldiers to help us push the remaining Imperialists off the planet. Once that is finished, we’ll begin preparing for an assault on the Imperialist-held portions of Iziz, starting with the Residential Quarter. Once preparations have begun, I will go to Coruscant and ask for the aid of the New Republic.” She stopped and looked at the men, who had a look of amazement. “Now, I know what you’re all thinking, but I assure you, this is the best thing for Onderon. We have to reintegrate with Galactic society. Plus, since an Imperial faction is attacking, I doubt that we’ll join another Imperial faction after this war. Anyway, enough standing around… it’s time to move out team!” She shouldered her rifle and began trudging through the marshy forest towards Nadd City.
They reached the southern wall and stopped just inside the tree line. Ashley pointed two soldiers on the wall out to snipers, who quickly took them out with deadly precision. She smiled as she motioned Bravo Squad to take positions around the gate. Her and Alpha Squad took up positions next to them and awaited her signal.
She grabbed her communicator and said “Gamma, what’s your status?”
((We’re in sight of the rear gate. However, there is a small problem…)) She sighed at this. ((There are some light walkers stationed around the gate.))
She looked at Oron, then said “Hold position. I have an idea.” She switched channels to the Etere Videum. “Marcus, I have a request for you all up there.”
((Yes ma’am?))
“I need you to bombard the north gate of the city.”
((What?!?)) She tried not to laugh at his bewilderment.
“Gamma has reported the presence of walkers at the gate. I need you to bombard it into oblivion.”
((Very well… just make sure Gamma is away from the target area.))
“Roger that, Ashley out.” She switched back to the Gamma channel and said “Alright Gamma, you need to mark the target area and get away from it as fast as you guys can. Marcus will bombard the area as soon as he has the mark.”
((Roger that, Major… Gamma Squad out.))
Ashley switched off the comlink and turned to Oron. “Light walkers… can you believe it?”
Oron shook his head. “I had no idea, Major… no idea at all…”
She sighed, then smiled. “Well, we’ll have a signal to move in and begin the attack at least.”
They waited several minutes before hearing a massive explosion coming from the north. Ashley smiled and said “Let’s move in!”
They opened the gate and ran into the city, shooting several guards who had their backs turned to the north. Then, almost as if they had expected it all, several walkers came around the far wall and stopped in front of the teams.
Ashley stopped suddenly then ran to her left and threw herself against the wall, putting herself out of the walkers’ line of sight. The rest of the soldiers scattered and took defensive positions around the area. She inched herself away from the corner as laser fire impacted the wall. You have to be frakking kidding me!;; She was about to grab her comlink when laser fire from above destroyed the walkers. What… the… hell…? she thought as she looked up…
