"General Numarkos, General Rexler," Varun greeted the two flag officers, sitting with Tess and Sera at the holoterminal in Allegra's parlor. After nearly four days of travel using the route marked out by the hyperspace beacons, they'd reached New Republic space and Varun wasted no time contacting the DSF.

"Captain Numarkos, Captain Daro, welcome back." The distance and encryption algorithms made the holo transmission flicker every few seconds. Avery Rexler's voice distorted ever so slightly as it bounced along the Holonet relays. "We've read your report. First, excellent work. You and the crew of Allegra's Heart performed exceptionally. You're all to be commended for a job well done."

"Thank you very much, General," Sera acknowledged.

"As to the information you provided about the activities at installation Rho Two-Seven-Seven, it's concerning."

"Yes sir," Varun replied. "In addition to the Imperial fleet at Eadu, the Beta Fonidian base houses several hundred former Imperial prisoners, plus a technical staff and some children. There are a few dozen Imperial troops including the remnant of a stormtrooper platoon that was detailed to the on-base ISB agent. They're starting to build a local government but they're in danger of exploitation or outright oppression, especially given the nature of the planet's resources. If Admiral Jellick decides to come after them they'd be as vulnerable as hibernating tauntauns. They need help to secure the planet."

Dee Numarkos wore a mirthless smile. "It's not news to you that the Republic's stretched thin, Captain. I'm not sure they'll be willing to expend valuable fleet resources for a few hundred former Imperial techs and prison workers—I'm sorry, Captain Daro."

Tess pursed her lips. "We understand the situation ma'am but I think they deserve our attention, strained as our resources might be. Even a few auxiliary fleet vessels could make a big difference."

Dee looked thoughtful. "At a minimum we'll press for sending a reconnaissance force to Eadu. Are you heading to Juraxis Alpha?"

"Yes, General Numarkos," Sera interjected. "We need to return your officers and put in for repairs."

"Good. I know of a party that might be willing to help the people of Rho Two-Seven-Seven."

"Oh? Someone in the Republic?" Varun's brow lifted.

Dee shook her head. "A non-governmental organization, actually. Rim Rehab."

He scratched his cheek. "Doesn't sound familiar."

Dee's slightly smeared image grinned on the other end of the holo. "It's a group of ex-Imperial and Alliance military, mostly technicians, engineers and civil administrators. They help struggling worlds recover from the war. KTS is hosting a fundraiser for them in a few days on the Pride of Olminar. I'd love for all of you to attend as my personal guests. I'll introduce you to their executive committee. I can't guarantee an outcome but I think their interests might align with the residents on Beta Fonidian Two."

Varun smirked, "It's the best offer we've heard so far, which is to say, it's the only one. We'll see you when we get to Juraxis Alpha, General."

"I'll look forward to it, Varun."

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No pressure, Taz thought dryly while a bare trickle of sweat migrated its way down his neck. He felt palpable pressure from Lyra's and Sera's scrutinous gazes as he steered Allegra's Heart toward one of the Pride of Olminar's forward docking rings.

Relax, Taz. She likes to be coaxed. He shook out the stiffness in his shoulders as the freighter chewed through meter after meter of intervening space. If he screwed up the docking Lyra'd probably never let him within blastershot of a pilot's seat, not to mention the hell he'd catch from his former crew members aboard the sector's flagship. He watched the approach on his display, nudging Allegra with a burst from the lateral thrusters. There was a mild thump on the hull and the docking indicator on his panel blinked green.

Over the speaker came the deep growl of a Filvian ixbish. "Capture confirmed, Allegra's Heart. Welcome to the Pride of Olminar."

A brief smile tugged at the corners of Lyra's mouth. "Nice work, Oktos."

"Thanks," he said, feeling a little more comfortable. "I could hardly tell the difference from your sims."

Lyra gave him a playful look. "That's the point, isn't it?"

"Securing the ship," Taz smirked and began the power-down sequence.

Ten minutes later the crew and their two passengers walked through the airlock. The Old Ghost's docking doors parted with a bare hiss of differential pressure. Beyond stood Joniah Norissian, the ship's tall CO.

"Permission to come aboard, Colonel?" Sera stood at attention and sounded like she'd never left the military.

"Welcome home, Captain Rendix" Norissian flashed a smile and shook Sera's hand in a firm grip.

"It's good to be back home, sir." She looked around and drew a deep breath, reveling in the remembered smell of her old vessel. Beside her, Rei and Taz were doing the same.

Norissian greeted the others. "The Old Ghost hasn't been the same without you."

"I've missed her too, sir," Reiko volunteered.

"Same," added Taz.

"Thank you for bringing back my Second Officer and Captain Numarkos." He glanced at the damaged freighter out the viewport. "I can see you gave as good as you got."

"You bet we did sir," Sera responded, sounding proud and putting her arm around Rei's shoulder as they started up the corridor.

Tess smiled at them before addressing Joniah. "How's Colonel Barou, sir?"

"She's due in a week. Twins if you can believe it."

"That's wonderful news! Girls or boys?"

Joniah held up his hands. "Lily insisted on being surprised." He screwed up his mouth. "I'm not much for surprises myself. She'll be taking leave in two days so consider yourself acting XO."

"I'll do that, Colonel, thank you!" She shook his hand, beaming, and blushed while the others peppered her with congratulations.

"General Rexler wanted me to tell you that the New Republic sent a recon force to Eadu."

"Great!" Varun looked expectant. "What'd they find?"

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"Nothing. No Imperial ships or resources."

The intel officer's brows ruffled. "Nothing? We know there was a sizable force there."

"Oh, that's not in dispute. The recon team made some inquiries. Seems the Imperial force departed a few days previous. No-one seemed to know where they went but there's some indication they were headed to the Unknown Regions."

"Dammit." Varun looked like he'd been outmaneuvered at the dejarik table.

"The New Republic has a warrant out for Admiral Jellick's arrest and a price on his head big enough to make every bounty hunter in the Fringe take notice. He'll have a hard time making any moves in Republic space without finding himself in someone's crosshairs."

"I suppose that's something," Numarkos admitted, though he still felt cheated. "It would have been a coup for us if we could have arrested him and appropriated his ships."

Norissian clapped him on the shoulder. "We take our victories where we can find them, Captain."

"Laetia!" Reiko greeted the BD-3000 droid who met them at the tubelift.

"Miss Hudson-nagrasha, how nice to see you and your crew back aboard the Pride of Olminar!"

"It's been a long time," agreed the engineer. "Kalli's helping with the baggage but she'll be along soon."

"Wonderful! My sisters and I have been looking forward to a reunion! We have so many stories to share with her!"

Reiko laughed. "It's all Kalli talked about on the way here!"

Norissian broke in with another smile. "It's a pleasure having you all aboard. If you'll excuse me, I need to get back to the bridge but Laetia will show you to your quarters and get you settled."

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Taz's feet were sore after walking nearly every meter of the Old Ghost's passageways. Tess and Varun had offered to go with him but he wanted to reacquaint himself on his own with the ship that he'd called home for seven years. Failing with him, Tess insisted that Lyra take the tour with her. The former Imperial pilot looked dubious and curious at the same time, and Tess had taken her away, laughing at her discomfort.

His auxiliary fleet ident badge and the Sector Force 767 patch on the shoulder of his uniform jacket ensured access to most of the vessel. The ship itself had hardly changed; except for a new paint scheme and markings of the Dufilvian Sector Defense Fleet, it looked exactly as he remembered the first day he joined the crew. And yet there were tiny details that were different; the pitch of the nearly silent hum of the lighting panels, the faint ozone smell from the air exchangers, the subliminal rumble of the cruiser's powerful engines, all felt out of tune by the slightest degree. The personnel had changed as well. A new crop of young, eager Filvians and Humans crewed the ship. There were even a few non-Filvians.

He ended his tour at medbay, smothered by trepidation. Taz hesitated, then tapped the door switch and walked inside. The burnished seamless wall panels were instantly familiar, the twenty infirmary bays extending to his left and right precisely as he remembered them. The beeping tones of medical droids filled the otherwise quiet space.

He brushed his hand over the table beside the door, a grin flickering over his face. How many hours had he spent there chatting with M'nik, typing up his reports while Doc ReeToo criticized him over his shoulder and offered 'helpful' guidance. He smiled despite his dour mood, recalling the time the 2-1B droid had made him document the color of a patient's underwear.

A woman who was a few years his senior looked up from studying a diagnostic scan that Taz instantly recognized as a Filvian's neurological map. "Can I help you, Warrant Officer..."

"Oh, I'm just touring, ma'am," he acknowledged the lieutenant's stars on her collar. When she gave him a tight-lipped look, he added, "I'm Taz Oktos. This was my posting when I was with the Sector Force during the war."

After a second she smiled and came around the desk, extending her hand. "Elara Vanukar. I've heard of you, Mr. Oktos. Welcome home." She glanced around. "How are you finding things?"

"Like I remember, mostly," he admitted slowly, shaking her hand. His eyes landed on a plaque behind the woman's desk emblazoned with the symbol of Razorclaw Cell. Four columns of names were etched below it. He nodded toward the plaque. "May I?"

"Of course."

Taz moved closer and read the line below the stylized raptor:

In Memory Of Our Fallen Kaashuub

Dozens of names adorned the brushed metal. Taz ran his finger along the columns. He knew nearly all of them. They were the soldiers, pilots, and crewmembers who'd served aboard the Pride of Olminar, who'd given their lives over the years in service to their fellow Rebels.

Near the middle of the fourth column he found a pair of names:

RE2-1B "Doc Reetoo"

SWO1 M’nik Gurudord

"M'nik-onshuu," Taz said quietly, feeling the ridges of each letter as his fingers brushed over the name. "I wish I'd been here for you, my dear kaashuub." He blinked away the threat of a tear and sucked in a halting breath.

"Your friends?" She gestured, inviting him to walk around the infirmary.

"Yes they were, Lieutenant Vanukar. Comrades. We went through a lot together."

"You weren't aboard during the attack on the Hammer of Vengeance?"

Taz shook his head. "I was on Jakku with the ground forces." He uttered a wry chuckle. "They were going to send M'nik, but I took his spot since he hated the desert."

"Funny, for a Filvian."

"Yeah. M'nik-onshu was one of the most un-filvian Filvians I ever met. Wanted nothing more than to relax with an ice cold bottle of rimbuuk under a cool climate dome. He was always at the head of the queue for ground duty when we went anywhere there was cold weather. Still, he was the first to raise his hand when they asked for volunteers for Jakku."

"I heard it was pretty hellish down there."

"It was," Taz agreed, "but he might still be alive if I hadn't convinced him to stay aboard." He fell off into somber reverie.

"Not something you should beat yourself up over. You know that's not how the universe works."

"Yes ma'am," breathed Taz, "I know."

"Bet he was glad you weren't here to share his fate if half of what I heard about the battle with the Vengeance is true."

"Probably," Taz agreed. "He saved my life once." Taz rubbed his ribs, remembering the wounds he'd received on Narendri Prime. "Never missed an opportunity to remind me of that when we were on liberty and there were drinks to buy."

Vanukar laughed and looked around. "This entire deck was wrecked. I got posted here while she was in spacedock. They rebuilt the medbay to its original specs from what I hear, right down to the last bolt, lighting panel and power coupling."

The lieutenant was undoubtedly correct, but for Taz it was irrevocably changed. Doc ReeToo and M'nik were gone; in their place, new medics and droids.

"Thanks for letting me look around, Lieutenant," he said as they came back to the door.

Vanukar shook his hand. "Come back any time, Mr. Oktos."

Taz gave her a noncommittal grin. He headed for the lift feeling unsettled and estranged.

Taz tapped the stateroom's door switch and walked in, still feeling weighed down by his odd emotional mélange. The junior officer quarters he'd had during his years aboard the frigate were a shabby shadow of the compact opulence that greeted Taz in the passenger cabin. Soft carpet covered the floor. There was a double-sized bed that reconfigured into a comfortable couch or even into a bunk, a wall-mounted food synth, holoterminal, and as he'd seen a few weeks ago when he'd first contacted Tess, a water shower in the refresher. He wondered if all of the new Dufilvian cruisers would be appointed like this, or if the luxurious accommodations were only to be present on the fleet's flagship.

Hanging on a stand near the closet was a suit of clothes. The holo's notification light was blinking so Taz activated the terminal. Demetra, another of the Olminar's three BD-3000 droids, appeared.

"Welcome home, Master Taz! On behalf of Generals Numarkos and Rexler, and our commander Colonel Joniah Norissian, it is our honor to have you aboard the Pride of Olminar once again. General Numarkos has taken the opportunity of providing you with appropriate dress for this evening's gala. My sisters and I are at your service if you need any assistance dressing. Otherwise we await the pleasure of your company this evening at seventeen hundred hours in the starboard multimission bay. Please don't hesitate to contact us with any needs whatsoever."

Taz smiled at the message and checked his wrist link. The party was going to start in a little more than an hour. "Guess I'd better make myself presentable." He stripped out of his clothes, shaved, and took a long shower.

After Demetra's message, Taz wondered if the suit was going to be hard to put on but it turned out to be similar to the formal uniforms he'd worn in the Alliance military. He donned the charcoal gray trousers and a low-collared silk shirt in rich sage green with a seemingly endless column of small, close-set buttons that took him a full minute to fasten. The double-breasted tunic jacket matched the trousers. It was cut short, falling around his hips with a square hem and a low standing collar. He slipped into black leather shoes and cinched a military-style belt around the tunic with two antique gold buckles. Taz was surprised to find that the belt included a snap hook at his right hip.

"Somebody thought of everything, didn't they?" He clipped on his lightsaber, activated the mirror on the closet for a final look, then headed out the door.