Refer to the last chapter of the previous episode for the backstory on why Wallen's hanging out with Wraith Squadron. I forgot to write a "recap" of sorts for this chapter.
CHAPTER TWO
"So, have you got a chance to meet the new members of Wraith Squadron?"
Walking down a corridor on the Liberator alongside General "Face" Loran, Captain Wallen Nix said, "Yes, I have. I've met Piggy before, from the previous line-ups. Myri Antilles, I presume she's related to Wedge?"
Face nodded. "Yes, she's his daughter. And is just as stubborn as her mother."
"So I've noticed. Turman Durra, I believe I've seen him in a few holo-films. Jesmin Tainer, any relation to...?"
"She's Kell and Tyria Tainer's daughter."
"Interesting. And Trey Courser seems to fancy her."
"He fancies pretty much any young woman he comes across."
Wallen snorted. "Wonderful. And this 'Doc' person, does he have a full name?"
"If he does, he has yet to reveal it to me," Face said. "What are your thoughts on their leader, Bhindi?"
"I recall her from the previous line-up," Wallen murmured. "Daughter of Admiral Drayson... I trust she can keep these guys in line. However, I've noticed something odd...."
A small smile crossed the general's face, as if he knew what Wallen was going to say. "Yes?"
"I met only seven pilots. Don't most squadrons have twelve?"
"They do," Face said. "And so does this one. The other five are being led by Sharr Latt to Agamar to figure out what the Imperial Remnant is up to there. However, neither team is aware of the other's existence, so best if you keep things hushed."
Wallen nodded. "Understood. So, what's the plan for when we reach Odryn?"
"Captain Sacul plans on bringing us out at the edge of the system so we can examine the situation from there. Then, he'll deploy Wraith Squadron to handle it."
"Sounds good," Wallen said. "Just let me and Taaku know what to do when the time comes."
"Of course," the general said, smiling wryly. "I didn't bring you two along just for sight-seeing."
* * *
Among the crew of the Rusty Mynock, it was generally considered to be wise to never disturb the captain unless they were in combat and he require frequent updates. But certainly not when they were in idle orbit over Odryn, and definitely not when the captain was reading.
But as was sometimes the case, it was Ka Var's duty to disturb the captain from his recreation.
The Blood Carver leaned back in his seat on the bridge, glancing frantically from his monitor to the seated Feeorin captain, who was lost in though as he read his holobook. After mustering all of his courage, Ka Var spoke.
"Captain, we have a situation."
"We certainly do," Captain Scav said, not even lifting his eyes from the holobook. "You have disturbed me."
Ka Var took a deep breath. "Sir, I'm detecting an Alliance ship arriving just on the edge of the system."
"Are you sure it belongs to the Alliance?"
"It seems to be a Mon Calamari ship, so I would believe-"
Scav shot up from his seat, tossing the holobook to the ground. "Tar Dukk, open up a channel to Jaxis."
The Hiitian communications officer acknowledged the order and Scav raised a comlink to his mouth.
"Rust Squadron, this is your captain speaking. We have unwelcome company. See to it that they do not cause us any trouble."
"Aye, aye, captain."
* * *
"Captain, we have a problem."
Jorg Sacul did not need the Mon Calamari officer to inform him. He could already see the squadron of starfighters fast-approaching from the bridge's viewport.
"Guess examining the situation is out of the question," muttered Lieutenant Rik Callum.
"How did they even manage to detect us?" Jorg murmured, more to himself than anyone else on the bridge. "We're on the edge of the system."
"They're getting closer, sir," said a Duros ensign. "Shall we dispatch Wraith Squadron?"
"Yes, quickly," the captain said. "If these pirates are itching for a conflict, then let's let them have it."
* * *
"Looks like they're Uglies," Bhindi Drayson, leader of Wraith Squadron, said as the seven X-wing starfighters disembarked from the Liberator. "Proceed with caution, Wraiths; they can be unpredictable."
"Copy that, Leader," said Myri Antilles. "So what's the plan?"
"The plan is that we get them away from the Liberator and try to make our way towards their flagship."
"That's... not much of a plan," muttered Doc. "Shouldn't we think this through?"
"Just stick with me, Six. Two, Three, and Seven, take on those five Y-TIEs. Four and Five, elude those X-ceptors."
"Copy that, Leader," said Piggy.
"Understood," said Jesmin Tainer. "And what say we keep flirting to a minimum?"
Trey Courser's laughter rang through the others' intercoms. "No promises, Five."
As the Wraiths split up to take on the amalgamation of starfighters, none of them noticed a Pursuer-class enforcement ship lying in wait within a nearby asteroid field. As it finally took off, it managed to evade their sensors long enough to make its way towards the pirate flagship which orbited Odryn....
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