New Recruit

[Kathryn]

A last, lone ship appeared heading for Home One's flight deck, long after most of the pilots had headed for the briefing room. Unlike the others, it was not greeted with relief, but with massed battery fire, ship's weapons reaching out to try and flick the tiny intruder out of the sky.

It dodged, jinked, and spun, solar panels glinting in the starlight and reflected laser fire, lasers on it's dagger-shaped wings oddly silent as it spun and danced, shifted and dodged the Larger ship's more massive firepower. It had almost made it to the Hanger deck unscathed when one last, desperate shot from a gunner clipped one side and sent it cartwheeling into the bay, pieces flying into already damaged craft, the damaged craft finally coming to rest almost against several other ships.

Security alarms wailed, and ships personnel raced for weapons, for what had come to rest was no Rebel craft. Indeed, the Pilots remaining in the hanger were diving for weapons and cursing - for it was a TIE interceptor that had slid into the bay. The ship was surrounded by grim, weaponed figures long before the figure in the cockpit stirred and popped the hatch. Dressed in an Imperial Officer's uniform, she slowly stood up, blood flowing freely from a bleeding nose.

Attempting a weak smile, she looked around, and said, "I don't suppose you know where the Recruiting office is, would you? I've come to join the Rebellion."

===========================

*OOC* - hope it's OK - figured you guys could use a really ODD pilot.

<center><img src=http://s93860457.onlinehome.us/misc/kitsig.jpg></center>

[Kathryn]

Sitting in the Home One's brig, stripped of everything except her underclothes and a bright orange Prisoner jumpsuit, Kit sat and hoped.

Lady Kristine DeFay Alexander of a few years prior would have been horrified. Aid an unlawful rebellion? Join with Traitors and Aliens against the New Order? Such was not the path of the Captain of the "Empire Dreams". Destined for high command, her future seemed bright with promise. So how had she gotten here?

The immediate answer was simpler. As a retired Imperial Commander, she had the right of visitation on any Imperial ship, even the new ones. She had heard rumors of an incredibly powerful new space station, and had tracked it to Endor. Her credentials, and her family name, had got her aboard the huge ball. When the destruction had begun, she had grabbed the nearest TIE and had blind-jumped - trusting in her hunches, muted by the medicine J'sun di'Ameras had given her. Even WITH the medicine he had given, the screams of the dying seemed to echo in her head.

The Home One had seemed like a godsend, when she had come out, a long way from anywhere. Then it had begun firing, and she realized that it was not a neutral vessel, but was reacting to her TIE Interceptor. "Hell, they probably figure I'm a suicide flight," she muttered grimly. Not firing, she had plunged toward the ship that was the only available refuge for her fighter, its Hyperspace drive fuel exhausted. She did not want a starpilot's grave, floating between the stars. She had made it, just barely, the Interceptor clipped and skidding, coming to rest beside equally damaged Rebel craft.

The ship had been surrounded as soon as it stopped. She had exited the damaged craft, and had been hustled down to the Brig. Efficiency - she could grant the Rebels. Kindness to someone they hated - she could also grant them.

They had listened, while allowing her to change, to her request for asylum. Had listened, but had taken everything she had with her.

Including her medicine. The voices in her head were becoming louder, more distinct. Laying down on her side, she tried not to groan. Maybe she could sleep, before it got too loud. Maybe one of those hating minds would just shoot her while she slept, and put her out of her misery. There were no Jedi left, she was sure of that. She had seen the last two. One had served under her command, and one..... she had killed.

Someone had killed Master J'sun di'Ameras. Someone in the Empire. Of that, she was sure.

Drowsing, she finally fell asleep. A bloody corpse and a vacuum - desiccated body danced through her dreams - the last two Jedi.

[Redic Scott]

When the comm link beeped, Redic was standing to the side of the pilot mess hall and watched the pilots start to mingle. He was taking mental notes on how each dealt with their missions. He lifted the comm and turned it on.

"Sir..We need you to come to the brig. We have a situation here..." The Officer on the other end explained everything that had happened. They fighter coming out of hyperspace, it being engaged quickly, but crashing into the hanger bay. There seemed to be a pilot in custady and she wanted to defect.

Redic acknowledged and turned around. He quickly went out of the mess and towards the turbolifts. Once inside he droped down into the lower ship levels and started his walk towards the brig. There he passed through two security guards and into the holding area. Standing by the cell he looked inside to see a woman laying on the provided cot. Reaching up he keyed the door open and walked in. He pulled in a chair and sat down by the bed, watching the person.

[Kathryn]

The universe danced, aswirl before her eyes. shifting and forming patterns that almost made sense. bright starspecks flashing in them, the starspecks of lives, loves, laughter, deaths, hates, tears..... the claws of the universe, tearing at the dreamer, scratching her, breaking her, shredding her, screaming.....

Kathryn swam up groggily from her nightmares. The brusing she had sustained in the crash landing had made her stiff, so it was a few minutes before she sat up, feeling that there was some reason she should do so. She had swung her feet over the side of the bunk before the man registered.

She shook her head, then decided that that was a bad idea as her aches coalisced themselves as a throb behind her eyebrows.

Opening her eyes, she looked at the man in the chair. "Hello, Captain," she said, "Are you the recruiting officer?" She hoped so - there was a lot of grief and tension on this ship, and the sooner she integrated, the better. And the sooner they would let her have her medications back.......

[Redic Scott]

Redic watched her get up and looked her over. She looked tired, confused. He could tell she was startled by a dream, something horrible. It could be read on her face as he looked her up and down. To him, however, it was good that she was tired, even if a little and being confused also helped. Sometimes it yielded the truth in interigations even without the use of drugs.

Redic leaned over and looked into her eyes. "Lets start from the beginning. Who are you and why are you here?"

[Kathryn]

She looked at him, horribly aware of his suspicious attitude.

"Kit Alexander. Lady Kristine deFay Alexander, if you want to be formal. And I'm here because I've seen what the Emperor and the Empire does to people like me."

She shuddered, remembering. "I WAS an Imperial Starship Commander. Now, I'm someone who's been given talents I didn't ask for, talents that will get me killed. I don't want to die in an interrogation room, I want to die fighting......... fighting those who BELIEVE in killing without honor, killing by the stab in the back, the airpack depleted, the body" she gulped, then continued, "dismembered, broken, mutilated."

She looked at him, her face white, gulping to control her nausea over her memories. "I don't expect much credit from you - I wouldn't trust me if I was in your shoes. That's O.K. Put a bomb in my ship the flight commander can trigger, but let me fight and die. It's better than going crazy, which is where I'm going right NOW, Captain Redic !"

Belatedly, she remembered that he hadn't told her his name. She sank back on the bed, shuddering, her face in her hands. She WAS going mad..........rapidly.

[Redic Scott]

Redic didn't say anything for a bit, he just looked at her with an expressionless face. He studied her every movement and her reactions. She was definately under the control of her emotions and that was a dangerous thing sometimes. He had so many questions and how did she know his name? How did she know where the fleet was?

He looked into her eyes and sat back against the wall. "How did you know my name? Are you a spy? How did you know the location of this fleet? Explain these things to me. You have to understand our concern. Its not everyday something like this happens."

Redic moved closer, being wiery, but still wanting to seem a little trusting. "Answer my questions thruthfully and I'll see what I can do for you."

[Kathryn]

She studied him for a minute. "Do you know any Jedi?" she asked, abruptly.

[Redic Scott]

Redic was taken aback by the question, but didn't show it.

"Yes, I do. Why?" He looked over the woman."Would you like to answer my questions as well?"

[Kathryn]

She sighed. "I know your name, Captain, because it's at the top of your head. When you thought of my name, you thought of your name. As to how I got here, my Great-Aunt, back before the Jedi were outlawed, would have said,"By the will of the Force." I Blind-Jumped, Captain. I couldn't stand the feeling of the deaths, anymore, so I fled the Deathstar and I blind jumped."

She paused. "Traitor to the Empire, yes. Spy, no. I was on board the Deathstar trying to find a way to blow it up, and myself with it. It's the least I could have done for my medic - for Master J'sun di'Ameras - and all his kind, and for all those others the Empire has murdered. I don't blame him or his sister L'sal. I blame the Empire and it's Emperor, and I meant to get them both and die doing so."

[Redic Scott]

Redic nodded and called in the guard. In his hand was a metal container which Redic took and held in his palm.

"Is this it? Is this what you wanted to get?"

[Kathryn]

Before she could control it, there was a look of relief and gratitude on her face. "My medicine! " she exclamed, recognizing the container. "Thank you, Captain! J'sun...........concocted it. It quiets the voices, the noise, a little bit. Enough so that I can think."

[Redic Scott]

This aroused his curiousity and he looked at her.

"What voices? what happens when you don't take it? what is wrong with you?"

[Kathryn]

She looked at him. "Force abilities, Captain. And there are no Jedi left to teach me how to control them. I hear people, and feel their emotions. This whole SHIP, is crying, is raging, is mourning, Captain. All of them hate the Empire, to some extent. Some of them - who saw me come aboard - hate me. "

She looked at him, her eyes big in her pale face. "I'd....rather not hear it, Captain. But without that medicine, I can't STOP hearing them. The medicine won't help, eventually. And there are no more Jedi to teach me. I know. I gave Mercy to one, and her brother was killed.........after I left the ship. I'll go crazy........."

She stopped. "Or I'll kill myself. I'd rather die in battle, captain. It's more fitting....."

[Redic Scott]

Redic move closer and sat down next to here. He could have called in a droid to see if she was lieing, but he was pretty good at reading people and didn't this she was. He open his palm and push it towards her with the container.

"There is no need to be that drastic, its been a long day. Take your medicine." He patted her back in a friendly manner and smiled. "Don't be so eager to die Captain. We have much need for people of your caliber." He stood up and looked down at her. "You hungry?"

[Kathryn]

She jumped, clearly spooked. "You're reading my mind," she whispered. "How did you know........."

[Redic Scott]

Redic grinned and looked at Kit.

"We have our ways. We might be a small group, but intelligence is something we are quite proficient at."

[Kathryn]

She opened the container and removed a capsule from it. Walking over to the sink, she got some water, and swallowed it and the capsule. She leaned agains the sink, supporting herself, until it took effect.

Then she came around, and snapped him a salute. "Captain Kristine deFay Alexander, Honor Graduate of the Imperial Military Academy and ex-Captain of the Empire Dream, reporting for duty with the Rebel Alliance."

There was nothing of mockery in her face, voice, or stance, as she stood, holding the salute.

[Redic Scott]

Redic saluted back and smiled, "At ease captain...you wanna go get some food?"

[Kathryn]

She finally smiled. "Yes," she said, "and different clothes." She looked down at the Prisoner Orange jumpsuit. "These are kind of conspicuous - wouldn't want to disgrace you, Captain."

[Redic Scott]

Redic laughs and nods. "That's true, stay here, I'll be back."

Redic turns quickly and walks out. He heads for the laundry room and finds a uniform with the same dimension as were in the intel report. Taking it and signing off, he goes back into Kit's cell.

"I think this will do." He handed the clean and pressed uniform to the new captain. Redic turned and walked out to let her change, closing the door behind him.

[Kathryn]

Dashing through a quick cat-wash from the sink, she put on the new uniform. "Whew, no rank" she breathed, then paused. It fit, far too well. She pulled her hair back into a braid, then walked to the door. Tapping on it, she said politely, "Ready whenever you are."

Walking with him, she said quietly, "So how long have you guys had an eye on me, anyway?" flashing him a friendly grin.

[Redic Scott]

Redic opened the door to the cell and say that she was ready. He pointed her in the right direction and started to walk at her side with his arms lock around his back. As they proceeded down the halls, Redic became her guide. He pointed out different sections and areas of the ship, giving her a tune.

As she asked the question and looked down at her and couldn't help but smile, after the medication and the new uniform, she looked very presentable and proper. He also noticed her smile. Redic smiled back and laughed gently. "Ever since you came onboard. We took your picture and matched it the one in our database."

Redic kept walking and had showed her where to turn as they neared the Officer Mess Hall. "Also took your dimensions to make sure it was you. As well as a DNA scan. Other than that, we just watched your career as we do with most major officers in the Imperial Navy. We like to know who we are up again and you have a very lively history." Redic smile and looked down at her.

[Kathryn]

She smiled again. "Yes, although not exactly conventional. But then, the Alexanders were not known for being conventional in tactics. I'm sure my rivals were pleased when I was medically retired. I know my family.... was not."

She was silent then, looking around her at the bustling ship, and the Officers in the Mess that they were entering. "As a matter of fact, my Father was on the point of disowning me when I took off, in the Fallen Angel. He had repeatedly told me that no Alexander had EVER been medical'ed out for "Stress of Command". It would have hurt worse, except that I could "hear" that he loved me, and was worried about me. "

She looked up at him. "I sent him a message, a few days ago, asking him to denounce me as a lunatic. I hope he got it and did it, or that the Empire believes that I'm dead, Captain." She stopped, then said, "I could not explain to him what was wrong with me. The Empire has spies everywhere. They took one of my cousins..........."

[Redic Scott]

Redic listened to her story and couldn't help but be moved. He knew how hard it is when your parents say and do things like that. He watched her as she talked and walked her into the Mess Hall, moving towards the feeding line. There were only a few officers in the Mess, but most looked up to see who had come in and were eyeing Kit since they had never seen her before. However, they had heard of everything that happened and about the Imperial pilot that was captured. Some saluted Redic and he returned them.

He looked into her eyes and nodded, "Its a hard life out there. There is so much suffering and pain, but its not over yet. Not till the Empire is defeated. There are a few like you in the Alliance, Imperials that found what the Imperials did horrible and brutal. People that had family killed because of their actions. Many have seen first hand how the Empire deals with people that disagree with them."

Redic looked up and away, towards a wall. "I know what its like when your parents disown you and tell you that your not part of the family." Redic turn to her and smiled, "Of course they still love you, even if they don't approve of what you do. Mostly they are afraid what might happen to you. This is war and people die. Hopefully your parents understand that you had a choice to make and you made it. You followed your heart, hopefully, and it has led you on this path."

He paused and looked into her eyes. "I'm sorry about your cousin."

AS they came to the food, he gave Kit a tray and got one himself. "All we can do is keep fighting and not let it get the best of us. We have to realize everything is more than just us. Worlds upon worlds are relying on us to beat the Empire and bring back peace and justice to the Galaxy. This is what we signed up and give our lives for. Now eat up." He smiled and looked at her, starting to move up the line to get food and drink.

[Kathryn]

She nodded, then glanced around. "I don't see any lynch parties, so I guess I'm safe for now," she said softly.

She got something to eat, mostly vegetables and sauces, and sat down to eat. She'd only snagged a glass of water as they left, choosing it randomly from the stack, and he noticed she looked at it closely before taking a cautious sip.

They chatted briefly before she went back to what he previously said.

"I've seen what the Empire does," she said. "They brought a captured Jedi sorceress on board, and....questioned her.... in my Flag Briefing room. " She set her fork down, suddenly not hungry, staring into space at some memory only she could see.

After a few minutes, she shook herself, and looked at him, forcing a smile. "So what task are you going to assign me to, Captain?"

[Redic Scott]

Redic got only some fruit and a juice. He sat down to eat and noticed her looking at the glass. "Don't worry, its not drugged or anything." He laughed and smiled, bitting into a fruit as he listened to her.

Redic thought about her question and looked at her, "Actually, my flighter group commander has just been transfered to another unit, so I was wondering if you would like to fill in that gap? You'll have to fly an X-wing though. If you don't like that, I might be able to get you some other assignment, maybe as an escort commander on a corvette or frigate."

[Kathryn]

She shrugged. "I don't mind, although it will seem strange for a while. Mind introducing me to the pilots, though? I'm sure we're going to need a discussion, and I'd rather it was a wall-to-wall in the Gym than a shot from a pissed-off wingman in the middle of a dogfight." She grinned at his expression. "Oh, yes, Captain. I'm sure they're gonna have some issues - with ME. Especially if any of them lost friends in this last scrap."

"Rather not command the bigger stuff, just yet. Your Cap ships are totaly unlike Imperial ships, and I'll need time to study something besides their weak points. Besides, I doubt they'd trust me with them."

[Redic Scott]

Redic looked at her from across the table and smiles. "Of course, all in do time. The pilots are on another ship right now, when we get to where we are going, we will both transfer and you'll get to know them. You don't have a lot to worry about. They will accept as their own. You aren't the first Imperial defector we have, you know that."

Redic took a sip of his juice and smiled, "Yes, our ships are different, but not all of them. We have a lot of captured ships and you should be familiar with. Also, if you have a need to hope into a sim, I can show you where they are."

[Kathryn]

"It'd probably be a good idea," she said, shoving the food away. She had eaten little, but she picked up the tray and dumped it at the disposal chute. She looked at him. "Ready," was all she said.

[Redic Scott]

Redic got up and smiled. "To the sims we go."

He laughed and stood near the door, "Ladies first."

He steped after her and start to walk towards the turbolifts. When one came, he stepped inside with her and pressed the right button. Redic turned and looked at her, "So...tell me something about you the reports wouldn't know."

[Kathryn]

She grinned. "I nearly got kicked out of flight school for buzzing the commander's office? left scratch marks on his durasteel viewport." She looked at him, then said," My younger brother enlisted in your Rebellion under an assumed name. Havn't seen him since the night he left."

[Redic Scott]

Redic laughed and looked at her,"Oh yeah? well don't you do that under my command. We don't have the money to just keep fixing view ports." He winked and laughed.

"If you can, we can try to find him for you." Redic said as the lift opened. He let her out first and showed her towards a huge room lined with rows of simulators. Some were empty and some were being used, but the room was dark and long. "Here we are."

[Kathryn]

"I wouldn't mind it, " she said frankly, looking down the long rows. "Which one's an X wing? I only got to practice with a real one once or twice at the Academy - didn't get a chance to really try it out." She looked curious and eager.

[Redic Scott]

Redic looked at her curiously, "The empire academy has X-wings?"

Looking around he moved towards row of sims that had an X-wing cockpit. "This is the one you want. What kinda sim do you want to do?"

[Kathryn]

"One or two - captured, Y,know. they were lecturing us on their inferior design. I don't know - didn't seem that inferior to me. I'll take the worst dogfight you can have, please. And if it can reset, several times. I'm a fast learner." She was climbing into the cockpit as she spoke, and buckling in, her ribs reminded her of their bruises as she did so.

[Redic Scott]

Redic smiled and nodded, "You got."

He lowed the cockpit hatch and locked it. He turned on his heel and walked towards the rear of the room, opening the door that lead into the large control center. Display screened lined the walls and showed the progression or everything simulated battle taking place. One of the displays flickered on and stayed black, that was Kit.

Sitting down at the terminal he keyed in the program and linked it to the Number 24 simulator, the one Kit was in. He went through the different files and found one he liked me. As he opened it, Kits simulator light up, all the lights inside turned green, her radar systems turned on, shields were ready, as were weapons. At first all she could see was stars, but soon Ties appeared they came out of no where. Inside her cockpit alarms went on, indicating that she was in a gravity well.

The Squadron of TIE Interceptors was spread into 4 groups of 3, all were spread out. Even in each group the fighters were spread so that a single shot wont take out two of them and they wont crash into each other. One flight came in from the front, another from port while still another started to turn towards Kit from underneath. The last group started off behind Kit's X-wing. All the pilots were programs as veterans.

[Kathryn]

" You WANT me to run for the open, don't you," thought Kat. "Well, I've pulled this trick from your perspective before, so................"

The rest was lost in a blur of action and reflexes, as she sent her craft diving TOWARDS the center of one group.

At first, she died multiple times as she tried to perfect the timing with the X-Wing that would allow her to ensnare the other fighters in eich other's crossfire. She finally quit when someone tapped on the hatch, reminding her that she did NOT have a exclusive lease on the simulator. She stumbled out, dry-eyed and dehydrated. She had managed to get a third of them, by then, before they got her.

"But I'd still be dead," she muttered to herself, walking blind-eyed and preoccupied.

[Redic Scott]

As she got out, Redic was standing there waiting for her. He handed her a bottle of water and a towel to get some of the sweat off. He smiled and patted her back.

"Great job Captain. That was one of our hardest programs. No one has ever beat it, but you almost racked up the longest survival time. Maybe we could go at it together sometime."

He looked at his chrono and then back at her, "Want me to show you your room?"

[Kathryn]

She blinked, seeming to come back to the world.

She took the towel and water from him. Wetting an edge of the towel, she wiped her face off, then took several long drinks of water.

Looking at him, she said," Yes, please. I'd appreciate that." She wrinkled her nose and said, "I probably should get a shower, too, so I suppose you'd better show me where the Quartermaster is so I can draw some supplies. I appreciate the escort, by the way, Captain. I feel a little less nervous about being on the ship."

Walking with him she asked, "You keep calling me Captain. Is that courtesy, or my new assigned rank?"

[Redic Scott]

Redic watched her drink and wet her face. He smiled as they started walking. "A shower is a good idea. Also extra uniform and clothes have been sent up to your quarters, so there is no need for the Quartermaster, but I'll show you where they are."

As they walked around and into the turbolift, Redic looked down at Kit. "You were captain before so you'll be Captain now. You'll skills are well noted, so there is no need to lower your rank."

Redic smiled and squeezed her shoulder to reassure her and moved out of the turbolift with her, into the living quarters deck. The hallway was lined with doors and as they walked he showed her the room where the Quartmaster for the floor sat. He stopped behind her door and looked at her, "This is your room." Redic pulled out a comm link and handed it to her. "And this is your comm link, if you need anything, just call. The room is keyed to your fingerprint, so go ahead and put your thumb on that pad."
He stepped back and watched.

[Kathryn]

She was very proud of herself. She had not flinched, too much, when his hand had squeezed her shoulder.

She reached forward and keyed open the door, then stepped inside. The room inside seemed plain but comfortable, and roomy enough for her purposes. She walked over to the computer terminal, then turned and looked at him. "Do I have access?" she asked.

[Redic Scott]

Redic looked at her and nodded, "Level 3 access yes, but not higher."

He looked around the room and smiled, "Nothing fancy, but you wont be in here much, just to sleep, shower, and do work."

[Kathryn]

"Thanks," she said, and watched him leave.

After showering, and dressing she sat doen at the computer and triggered its holoprojector. Quickly she sketched in the ship dispositions from the Battle of Endor, and was soon absorbed, running alternate attack and defense scenarios.

[Redic Scott]

Redic said his goodbyes and left the room. He head down the hall and turned left, moving further into the ship until he came upon his quarters. He moved inside and looked around. As he told the computer to play music he start to undress and moved into the refresher. He was do for a nice long shower and was glad to get one. It had been a long day.

After some time he stepped out and took a deep breath, he felt fully refreshed, almost as if he had taken a nap. Redic ran his hands through his wet hair and then down over his face, realizing he hadn't shaved in a while. Grabbing a towel, he dried himself off and wraped it around his waist. He pulled out the shaving kit and within minutes was applying after shave. Looking into the mirror, he saw how much he had aged over the few years since he had joined the Rebel Alliance. He could already see some grey in his hair. It was worth it though, at least in his mind.

He sighed and moved out of the refresher. Putting on his night clothes, he crawling into his bed and stretched out. He was asleep almost as soon as he closed his eyes.

A slight jerk awake him and he slowly opened his eyes and sat up. Keying the viewport shutter, it opened for him. Instead of the blue-white hyperspace tunnel, he could see stars, thousands of them. Redic got out of bed and looked at the glowing chrono by his bed. He had slept for six and a half hours, the most he had in four days and felt totally fresh.

Redic stretched out and went down on the floor to do some early morning pushups and crunchs. After a bit, he got up, went to the fresher and start to put his uniform up. As she was putting on his shirt, the comm inside the room rang. He went over and picked it up, "Captain Scott here."

"Hope I didn't wake you Captain." Said the voice on the other end.

"Not at all Admiral, what can I do for you sir?"

"You've been cleared for a mission and will recieve a new ship. Get ready to leave. A shuttle is waiting for you in the hanger."

"Yes, sir. Thank you sir." They talked for a little bit more as the Admiral explained the mission and where he was going.

Hanging up, Redic got dressed quickly and walked out of his room. He went down the hall and towards Kit's room. Standing close to it, he knocked.

[Kathryn]

She shifted Imperial strengths, then what she could remember of the Rebel ships.

Finally she pushed back, and sighed. There was no way that the Rebels could have won with what she had seen on the tactical display on the station's bridge. The problem was, they hadn't lost either, at least what she'd seen. The Executor ...... should never have sustained damage. She didn't know what had happened to it , only that it had been reported destroyed. And about that time, all supernuminaries had been sent off the bridge. Unfortunately, the way to the reactor controls had bee blocked by troops........

She doubted she'd have a chance at the huge station again.......

Bending back to the screen, she added random Rebel fleet units based on her knowledge of what they'd been reported with. STILL no way that they could have fought the Empire to a draw!

Her studies were interrupted by a tap on her door. Getting up, she realized how stiff she was, and vaguely wondered how many hours she had been sitting - considering the problem. She opened the door to find Captain Redic outside. "Hello," she said, startled.

[Redic Scott]

Redic looked at the woman that answered the door and could tell she hadn't slept, she was tired and had been up all night. "Hi there, you look terrible." He laughed and looked at her.

"I'm just kidding, but did you get any sleep at all? Or did you stay up trying to hack the system?" He smiled and looked down, "Bad joke sorry. Anyways, come with me, we have a trip to take. However, first, lets get some breakfast, you can use it."

Redic smiled and waited for her to get ready adn come out of the room.

[Kathryn]

"Just a minute, Captain," she said, and walked back into the room, flipping off the holoprojector and computer as she did so.

She walked into the fresher and studied her face. "Did it again - didn't you," she muttered at her reflection, then bent to splash water on her face. She dried off, then brushed back her hair. Finished, she studied her appearance, tugging a seam straight here, tucking her hair in neater there.

Walking out, she snagged her medicine bottle and tucked it into her belt pouch. "Ready to go, Captain," she said, smiling up at him.

[Redic Scott]

Redic smiled back and started to walk with her towards the turbolift. He looked down at her as the lift opened and they walked in, "What were you upto all night?"

[Kathryn]

"Well, I was trying to figure out the tactics on that last battle," she said animatedly. "The initial dispostion of the Imperial fleet was pretty much standard, considering that it was set up as an ambush"

She stopped, looking at him. "Well, it WAS," she said defensively, then resumed. "The intention was to suck the Rebel fleet into a trap, hold it within the range of the SuperLaser on the Deathstar, and flick it out of existance. Given the ships I saw on the tactical display, it should have worked. "

"But given the official Table of Organization and Equipment and the standard deployment of Stormtroopers, I should have been able to get to the reactor controls, too, and I wasn't able to do that. SOMETHING was strange about this whole battle. I kept feeling like there was some....." she stopped, then continued, "Like someone was looking over my shoulder" her face had gone pale, and she shivered.

Her whiteness emphasised a small scar she had, under her cheekbone.

[Redic Scott]

Redic listened as they went down the lift and walked out towards the office mess hall again. He looked at her and nodded, "It was a tough battle. We lost a lot of good people, but so did the Empire. Considering everything and the ambush, we did pretty well, I concider it a victory. We survived, heavily damaged the target, destroyed a super star destroyer, along with many other support ships, as well as killed countless numbers of the Empires best fighter pilots. That's not too bad, right?"

He moving to the forming line and took a tray, handing it to her before getting another for himself, "We got beat up pretty bad, but we can still fight. Plus, we now have two Star Destroyers." Redic grinned and winked. He doubted she knew that two Destroyers had been captured and jumped out of the battle with the Rebel Fleet.

[Kathryn]

"Two?" Her eyebrows raised. "That's impressive, especially with the forces you had. I'm sure that many pilots were lost on BOTH sides, during this battle. I know...... that the pilots on this ship are grieving for their mates." Her head drooped. "I shall grieve for both sides," she said softly. "Most fighter pilots are too young to die."

[Redic Scott]

Redic rubbed her back gently and look at you, not saying anything about the scar yet. "There is enough grief to go around. I suggest you let it go, I have. People die everyday, I'm sure they dont want us to grieve for them. WE will honor them by going on and fighting on. We fight till out last breath, that is how you honor the fallen. Grieving doesn't help in any way. Trust me, I know."

HE looked away and started to get himself some food and drink.

[Kathryn]

She looked down at the tray, saying," All right." He could feel her back stiffen a bit as he gently rubbed it., and she looked at him, almost pleadingly, but said nothing. She turned, selecting almost at random, not really paying atttention.

At the end of the line, she again selected water to drink, and stood staring at the tables. looking lost.

Shee took a deep breath, and turned to look at him. "Shall we, captain?" she said.

[Redic Scott]

Redic felt the tenseness and instant felt sorry. He had wanted to comfort her, but had instead made her even more uncomforted. He pulled the hand away and looked at her, "I'm sorrry.. I didn't mean too..."

He took a cup of hot chocolate and nodded to Kit, moving to a table with her. Redic sat down and start to eat his eggs, but stopped and looked over at her, "I.. didn't mean to upset you, it's just a habit, I like to make people feel better. It'll never happen again."

Redic sipped his hot coco again, "We're leaving the ship after breakfast. Your coming with me to my new command."

[Kathryn]

She looked down, and again he heard a double message.

"Yes..." faintly, mentally.

"Nothing except what I should know about my commanding officer," she said in proper tones. She looked at him. "Only what you wish to tell me, sir," she said, "Especially about what we will be doing." She wavered faintly. Catching herself against a table, she said," I think I need to get some sleep, soon, though. Will we be taking a shuttle?"

[Kathryn]

She looked at him and flatly snapped, "As what?"

She stopped, and blushed. Her head dropped, and she muttered, "Sorry" very softly. After staring at her food for a few minutes, she picked up a fork and pushed the food around on her plate.

Setting the fork down, she looked at him. "I guess you haven't dealt with many female Imperial Academy graduates, have you? We tend to be ..... twitchy types. Abuse is quite.... common from our male classmates, and we tend to overreact, most people would say. Most people who never went to the Academy, that is. The few of us that survive.... tend to be damn good. "

Her face tightened. "The rest? Pregnant, crazy, dead in space or simulated combat....... wasted, by an Empire that doesn't like female military, but can't legally prevent us from serving."

She looked back at her plate, and began picking at her food. "I'm sorry if I misjudged you, Captain. ...."

[Redic Scott]

Redic looked at her, "Don't be, I understand completely, it was my fault. Lets just forget it happened." He smiled and looked into her eyes.

"We'll be going to a new ship and you'll be leading the fighters. It's the first rebel mission after Endor. I'll brief you on the way to the ship."

[Kathryn]

She nodded, concentrating on her food, not looking at him. He saw her rub her forehead, then check her chronometer. Apparently reassured by what she saw there, her hand dipped into her belt pouch, and came our with her medicine. She carefully measured one out, then swallowed it. Her head bent , and she had the look of a woman enduring something, eyes closed. Finally she raised her head, and she looked at him.

"Before we go, Captain, I need to have the medical lab on this ship synthesize these," she said. holding out her medicine. "They'll tell you it's toxic - it isn't, quite. My tolerance is quite high, by now." She watched him steadily.

[Redic Scott]

He watched her and felt a little sorry she had to go through that. He wished someday she would lean to control it and be free of her medication. Redic almost hoped that one day she would be able to put aside everything that had happened to her and start life somewhat anew, without all the pain and suffering.

"They know.."He said. "We sampled and analyzed it while you were in the cell. They will make you some."

Redic finished eating and his drink, looking at her. Ready?

[Kathryn]

"I hope that, too," she said, then stopped, her face turnig white again. "Have them up the dosage by 5%" she said tightly, not looking at him. "O gods.........." she whispered to herself.

[Redic Scott]

Redic moved around and closer to her, "Kit.. are you ok? what's wrong? Should I get you to the medical bay?"

[Kathryn]

Externally, all she did was bow her head down, obviously trying not to cry.

But he heard her voice in his head. "I'm sorry, Captain. It's just... Ive been in close proximity to you. It's like I tune in to some people. If they increased the dose, it should block that again. "

He heard this, and heard a background whisper of too soon, getting too high ,,,,,,,, and then a thought - the Inquisitors. She shuddered as she thought that, and her hand reached up to touch the scar on her cheek.

[Redic Scott]

"Kit, its ok, don't be sorry. Everything will be alright." He leaned down and lifted her up into his arms as everything started to look and move closer. He told them it was ok and he;d take care of it.

Redic moving quickly towards the medical bay, thinking about everything that come into his mind. Why did he think it, why was it there? So many questions he wanted to ask, but couldn't. What was going one here, he didn't understand, but wanted to. He realized one thing though, he had just met this woman, but he was start to develop feeling for her. It was right, it shouldn't have happened, but it did. They were growing every minute. How he wanted to have her smile again.

All these thoughts races through his mind as he walked into the medical bay and layed her down one of the beds. It came to him then, she could read his mind and he could maybe hear hers. He had never witnessed anything like it, but he was almost positive it was happening. Redic looked into here eyes and took her medacine container, handing it to the droid. "I need this synthesized and up the dosage 5%, right away."

Another droid rolled up adn started to inspect her.

[Kathryn]

"Sir, if this is for an organic, it's already at a lethal dosage." said the medical droid. The small droid scanning Kathryn beeped. "She's already had too much, " said the droid, stiffly, probes and attachments coming our and available. Kathryn shied away from one particularly large needle.

[Redic Scott]

Redic nodded to the droid, "Yes I know, just do it."

The droid rolled away and went to work as I Redic went up to stand close to Kit. He looked at her and than at the droid, "what is that?"

"Its a seditive, sir. It should calm her down."

[Kathryn]

When she heard, "Sedative," Kit's eyes got large, and she rolled off the medical bunk. He noticed her hand went down to her side to where he had seen Imperial officers carry sidearms, obviously a reflex.

"No," she said steadily, watching the droid's needle. "No sedative, I don't need one. I can't take a sedative."

She seemed poised to physically carry out an argument, and Redic noticed the smaller Droid sneaking up on her from behind.

[Redic Scott]

Redic moved close quickly and held kit close, reflexively, putting his arm out towards the droids, "No! Stop! Its ok. She doesn't need it."

The droids stopped and move away slowly as Redic looked down at her, "It's ok, you wont get it, promise. Everything is going to be ok."

[Kathryn]

He got the sense of hearing everything twice when she said,"Thank you, Captain." She looked up at him with a slight smile. "Are you always this solicitous of your officers?"

She blushed as she said it, and moved out from the shelter of his arm - although he could hear a faint murmur of regret.

[Redic Scott]

Redic almost blushed and smiled, "No, actually, I'm not, can you believe it?" He laughed and looked at her, moving her away from the table.

"I just want your stay here to be as nice as possible."

[Kathryn]

"Thank you," she said quietly.

She paused, looking at him out of the corner of her eye, then swung to face him. "You know my name and quite a bit about me, but it occurs to me that I don't know your first name," she said. It seemed to him that she fidgited as she said it, like someone unused to making small talk.

[Redic Scott]

Redic smied and looked at her, putting out his hand, "Captain Redic Scott, please to meet you." He laughed and smiled at her.

"Anything else you wanna know about me?"

[Kathryn]

Again, he got a double message.

"Yes......" came a faint sad mental whisper.

"Only what's proper for my commanding officer to brief me on," she said verbally. She blinked, twice, then added, "I wish the droids would hurry up, I need to get some sleep. Are we taking a shuttle? Do I need to pack?"

[Redic Scott]

Redic looked towards the droid station, "They should be done soon. And yes, we're going by shuttle, you don't really have to pack. Everything should be ready onboard the ship and its not a long shuttle ride."

As they talked the droid rolled up and hanged her the contrainer. "See, what did I tell you?" Redic grinned.

[Kathryn]

"Thanks," she said politely to the droid, then looked at him.

"Shall we go, before I start staggering and you have to carry me there, too?" she said.

"I didn't mind it," he heard, and became aware of her blush.

[Redic Scott]

Redic smiled and almost laughed as she heard her words inside his head and the blush. "Alright, lets get going."

He stood up and walked out with her, moving to the turbolift and took that towards the hanger level. They got out and start to walks towards the far hanger, where the ship was waiting for them. He opened the door for her and moved into the huge hanger, looking at the fighters that were being worked on all over.

[Kathryn]

She passed the damaged ships without comment, including the TIE interceptor she had landed in. Once on board the shuttle, she sat down, and tilted one of the passenger seats back, and was asleep in minutes.

Asleep, she looked tired and drawn. He received a confusing babble of voices, initially, that faded as she got deeper asleep. He noticed that she slept deeply, almost seeming not to breath at times, except when she shifted.

Finally she started twisting around, and muttering in her sleep. "No, oh my god, no." he heard, a moment before she came upright, whimpering, "NO! Not on my ship...." , seeming not to see him for a minute, but some private horror.

[Redic Scott]

Redic got in and sat down opposite her. He was going to say something, bit noticed that she had already gone to sleep. He smiled and looked at her, watching sleep. "She's had such a long day." He thought, "I'm glad she can get some sleep."

As he watched her sleep, the shuttle lifted off and they jumped into hyperspace. Redic got something to drink and sat back down, thinking and watching her. He could see things started to change and could somewhat feel it. She was talking now, getting louder, and seemed to be in a nightmare, or reliving events of the past. Redic got up and moved to the seat close to her, watching to make sure everything was ok.

[Kathryn]

Finally, she rubbed her face, and seemed to notice him. "Aw, damn," she quietly muttered to herself, then more loudly,"Sorry, Captain Scott., it was nothing." though her face and body language gave her statement the lie.

She looked over at him. "How much longer?" she said.

[Redic Scott]

Redic looked and nodded at her, "Alright, if you say so."

He looked at his chrono and then back at Kit. "About an hour more and we should be coming out of hyperspace."

[Kathryn]

She put the seat back into the upright position, then stood. "Excuse me," she said, and headed for the fresher. Once there she stood for a while, silently banishing the old nightmare, then washed her face.

When se came out, she got some water to drink, then walked over to Captain Scott. Sitting down, she asked him," What do we need to work on first with the new ship?" She seemed more relaxed, and curious about her new assignment.

[Redic Scott]

Redic watched her leave and sighed. He hoped she would be able to get over everything and do her job properly. Her record was impacible, but she had to control herself. If this happened during a fight, she might be killed and get some of her squadron killed. To Redic that was unacceptable. He would watch her closely and offer her all the help he could.

As she sat down he looked at her and studied her face and body, making sure she was alright. "The first thing to do is to get the ship mission ready. It was pretty well damaged during the fight at Endor. We have to get weapon systems online, navigation working, hyperdrive engines operational again, and get the shields up and running."

Redic paused, "The ship is in pretty bad shape, but they say it should be patched up in time for this mission. Fighter squadrons should already be onboard. Oh and we have a TIE interceptor squad to get operational. I think that will be your priority for now, I want them acting like a real imperial squadron would."

[Kathryn]

She studied his face. It was a stern face, but handsome, she thought, hoping that he did not hear it. Realizing that there was something she must bring up, a doubt he probably had of her, she decided to speak to it.

"Captain Scott, this problem of mine is easier to control when I am not in groups of people. It also makes it easier for me to predict what I need to say to people to motivate them."

"I can train your people to fly Tie fighters. I can also teach them some Imperial flight patterns. It will be hard on them, because they'll have to be much more disciplined about their formations than I'm sure they're used to. It'll be harder on me, also, to be much more tactful than I would have to be with a standard Imperial Recruit."

"As to the Star Destroyer?" She shrugged. "If you'll let me, I can help you with rebuilding it. I probably know a lot more about one than you do, since I was in line to command one when I got medical-ed out. The Empire does insist that its Captains and Commanders know their ships inside and out. I may not be a Repair Tech 1st Class, but I'm a damn good jack-of-all-trades. I've even been known to get my hands dirty - even if it is against all ettiquette and protocol for an Officer and a Lady!" she finished vehemently.

[Redic Scott]

Redic watched her and could tell she was studying him as well, with though pretty, piercing eyes of her's. They seemed to just draw him in and beg to be looked at. As she spoke, he remembered that she could read his mind at times and tried not to think about how good she looked to him. She was also an office and his new fighter commander, he shouldn't be having feeling likes this.

He told himself to snap out of it and listened to her. "I can't keep anything from you huh? I wanted to surprise you about the star destroyer, but I guess I failed." Redic laughed and leaned back in his seat. "I have no doubt you will train them hard and make them the best they can be in the short time allowed. If you have time, I'm use the techs would love to have your help, but we just have to make it look good and get some of the more necessary systems up and running. The ships lost weapons can be replaced and the hull will need to a massive rebuild after the mission at a shipyard. All we have to do it pass it off as a functional Star Destroyer."

[Kathryn]

"Ok then, I'll work with the pilots. How often do you want progress reports," she said, "and how long do we have?"

As she spoke, she was mentally prioritizing skills, and wonder ing if they had a simulator that could be rigged to test the pilot's skills, or if she'd have to do it the hard way - out in the cold unforgiving vacuum. She didn't think he had pilots to lose.

[Redic Scott]

Redic thought and looked at her, "Progess reports should be a day's summer, so once every 24 hours is fine. I'm sure you'll do fine. They are good pilots and will learn quickly."

As she asked about time he sighed and rubbed his chin gently, "That's the bad part, we only have four days till we have to deploy."

[Kathryn]

She looked at him. "34 hours stim, then drop for 12," she said. "Two hours to wakeup, then combat. You should have maybe 1 in 20 can't take the shock, acceptable, Captain?" As he looked at her she amplified.

"Keep everybody up on stimulants for 34 hours training, then sedate them for 12 hours. Allow 2 hours before they go into combat. Approximately 1 person in 20 will either have a heart attack, or get temporarily psychotic and un-rely-able. Generally, psychotic, but if they're older, a heart attack is more likely. Don't worry about me - I've done the cycle several times and I can guarantee I won't keel over or go spla." Her face had no softness to it, quoting the odds to him, just cold assurance.

[Redic Scott]

Redic leaned closer and shook his head, "That's unacceptable, but I can promise you one thing. Everything person in that TIE squad has flown them before and are flying in them now. They just need to know tactics and to fly like real imperial pilots. They have all been over worked, but they will hold up. Rebel pilots know how to act under pressure and to keep on fighting with only minimal rest."

He looked at her, "There are far fewer Rebel pilots than imperial ones. We have to live with that stress. They can take pretty much anything you can throw at them." Redic smiled and layed back.

"Try and take it easy with them, ok? They probably wont have to fly against any fighters, just show off for a few Imperial captains. They have to look combat ready, but don't have to fully combat ready. They will learn quickly and you will teach them well."

[Kathryn]

"Just looks.............."she said, suddenly relaxing. "That's easier, if they know how to fly TIEs."

The dropout signal suddenly went off, startling them both. She sat back down, thinking.

[Redic Scott]

Redic smiled at her and nodded. As he hear the alarm sound, he looked out of the viewport and watched the tunnel disappate into blackness and stars. They turned in space and start to move towards a whitish shape in the distance. He looked at Kit and pointed, "That's her right there."

[Kathryn]

Kit frowned as the ship got closer, then whistled as she saw the extent of the damage. "You're lucky she got into jump," she said, then became silent as the exten of the damage became apparent. "That cost a lot of lives....." she said, not looking at him.

[Redic Scott]

Redic nodded, "From what I heard, they blew the hyperdrive jumping here. They are patching the main computer to the backup drives until a new one can be shiped out and fitted. We're lucky we even have her."

As she mentioned the lives lost Redic looked at her, "Theirs and ours. Quite a few lost their lives boring and taking the ship. Even damaged as she is, she'll do good once we fix her up. Good thing is... the Imperials don't yet know we have her."

[Kathryn]

She looked at him. "There are subroutines and wires already in place for that eventuallity. And did you get her transponders and beacons changed over or surpressed?"

She stopped, and looked at him, then looked down. "I'm sorry," she said softly. "The habit of command dies hard."

[Redic Scott]

Redic laughed and looked at her, "Its perfectly alright, I like the people under me telling me their opions. Even though I'm a commanding officer, I still need help with commanding."

He looked at her and smiled, "We have installed new working stations, the bridge was pretty much shot up. So they have to rerout the systems. As yes, transponders were changed to that of an existing star destroyer.

[Kathryn]

She nodded. "He's certainly confident," she thought, unaware that she also said it to him. "I hope I can help, the Empire has a habit of smashing confidence quickly."

"You've got a challenge," is all she said verbally.

[Redic Scott]

Redic laughed and smile, "Maybe I am, but I'm not arrogent." He grinned and looked at Kit.

"I like a good challange. We'll be ready for them."

[Kathryn]

"Oops!" she said, then laughed.

They watched silently as the shuttle docked with the ship. "Shall we go?" she said, her curiosity evident on her face.

[Redic Scott]

Redic laughs and sweeps his arm towards the hatch as it opens, "After you."

He smiles and moves behind Kit, standing inside the huge hanger and looks around at the hanging TIE Squadron, as well as the Rebel fighters. There were people running here and there, fixing different systems and moving the fighters to make room. Redic led them out of the hanger towards the turbolift that would take them to the bridge.

[Kathryn]

She followed, watching her step on the crowded deck. Passing a cursing tech, she suddenly stepped behind him, and with a few punches on the buttons got the unfamiliar ( to him) mechanism to lift the Tie he was trying to stow. She was back next to Redic before the man realized what had happened. "It's backwards from what he thought," she said under her breath.

Looking at the hanging ships, she seemed to be evaluating them as she walked along. "need a bit of work," she said, half to him half to herself.

[Redic Scott]

Redic smiled and watched her, "Don't let the look of them fool you, they are all perfectly operational, just a little dinged up. We fixed them up and tested them. Looks can be decieving, just like this ship will be."

As they stepped out onto the bridge, he could see most of the monitors and stations were up and running and everything was showing signs of life. The whole structure of the bridge had been changed. The sunken stations were covered up with welded plates, making everything on the same level. There was scaring all over the place with holes in the cieling and some walls. Some lights were out, but there people replacing them. Eveyone was busy and not a single person was just standing around. There were stations in rows, from the forward view port back. running Port to starboard, with a small walk way between them.

Redic, with Kit, walked down thsi walkway towards the front of the bridge. He looked at the everyone and felt proud of them. His people were working without rest to get this ship ready to fight and they would all be rewarded later. He stared out the viewport at the bulk of the Star Destoyer. Patches could be seen over the hull, were new armor plate was fused, among the holes and scares covering the existing armor plates at random.

As they stood there, men and women in space suits were moving over the ships structure. Some were looking at and fixing weapons, while others were positioning new armor plating to cover existing holes. Redic looked at over at Kit, "So what do you think?"

[Kathryn]

She looked at him without speaking, concentrating. "You know what I think," she said wordlessly. "It seems I cannot hide it, right now. I am sorry...." Strain showed on her face, and suddenly the communication dropped, and she sagged.

"Sorry," she said, looking at him. "Sorry that I must trespass." she looked at her chronograph.

Then looking back at him, "The ship seems as well as can be expected, although there are are repair circuits which could help - if you could activate them. " She tapped a few panels, then popped one. "That circuit," she said, pointing.

[Redic Scott]

Redic looked at the panel, "what does that do?" He wondered. He knew what she thought, but didn't say anything.

"I would love it if you could help get this ship running faster in your spare time."

[Kathryn]

She stepped back and saluted."Yes, sir," she said with a cheerful smile. "although I'd better find a set of coveralls - this uniform isn't gonna make it in some spots." He wasnt sure if she was saying this, or thinking it, as he was getting the impression of rather TIGHT spots.

[Redic Scott]

Redic smiled,"I'm sure the techs have a spare one." He smiled and move towards one of the officers that was over seeing the bridge repair. He talked for a bit and recieved a datapad. Redic walked back and looked at Kit, handing her the datapad.

"This is yours, it has the files on everything pilot you'll command and access to the ships data bases."

[Kathryn]

She looked at him. "Thanks," she said. "and someplace to change, and a coverall?"

[Redic Scott]

Redic smiled and looked at her, "Everything you need to know is on that datapad. You have a room in the officers wing. As for the overalls.."

He turned to one of the techs, "Private, would you mind getting the Captain here some work overalls?"

He man turned to Kit and nodded, "Of course sir." He moved to Kit, "Follow me Ma'am."

[Kathryn]

"See you in a bit," she said to Captain Scott, and followed the technician. They soon arrived at the Quartermasters. Although the selection was jumbled, she was able to find one that wasn't TOO big, and boots and gloves. She followed him back to the Bridge deck, and showed her gear to Captain Scott. "I'll get changed," she said, and left, getting lost only once.

[Redic Scott]

When Kit left, Redic lifted another datapad and started to go over all the data that was gathered on the ship. He could see that they still had a full load of Imperial assualt equiptment. It would be taken off the ship later on and tested. There was also writing about the ship systems and its damage. Some of the weapons were already online and internal shields were being installed installed since the others weren't working.

As he was researching some of his new crew, Kit came back. Redic looked at her and smile, "Alright." He said before she left. Just as she did, hyperspace in front of the Star Destroyer opened up and a lone ship came through.

"Sir, that's our escort." A sensor officer looked up to watch the Nebulon B Frigate start to get in position on the SDs port side.

[Kathryn]

Kit was having fun. Half the time, all that the people she was assisting could see of her was her feet, or - more inelegantly - her butt, as she leaned, crawled, slithered inside the ship to assist on repairs.

An Imperial Captain is not supposed to do anything but observe. The Rebels, she was happy to find out, were willing to let her do anything she was CAPABLE of doing. And so she got dirty, greasy and dusty - and LOVED it.

Of course, she also met with the pilots she had been assigned - and drilled them in Imperial tactics.

This made for long days, and little sleep, but Kit LOVED it.

[Kathryn]

She finally ended up in one of the smaller tubes. She'd fallen asleep, and they couldn't get in to wake her up. Since it was a power tube, this caused some concern. Not to mention a small conference, and confusion, since she was due to train some pilots.

[Redic Scott]

Redic had gone to his office to talk to with the commander of the new Nebulon B Frigate commander. They met over holocom and discussed their plans for the mission ahead. It had taken them a while to iron everything out and as they finished up, reports came in that most systems now had power and the weapons that would work, were operational.

Redic reached the bridge and noticed that all the stations were up and running. Most were already manned and talking with other elements of the task force. Outside the viewports Redic could be objects moving around and firing at each other. He looked at the new holo display and would see that it was fighter and bomber flights doing combat training.

After a bit, reports came in that the weapons could be fired and so the tests began. Garbage was spread out in space, at different ranges and the ship's gunners started to fire away. Not only did they test the weapons, but they also got in much needed target practice. As Redic watched, he was wondering how his new Captain was doing.

[Kathryn]

He didn't have to wait long to find out. Dirk Andres, the man who thought HE should have had the command of the fighters, was on the comms, complaining on his new commander's absence.

Officially, he was asking for orders or her whereabouts, but Captain Scott could recognize a complaint when he heard it.

[Redic Scott]

Redic got the call and started to wonder where she was. He started asking around and found out that she was sleeping in the tube. He laughed had as she hear this and went to find her. As he did, he moved inside and shook her leg from behind.

[Kathryn]

In answer he felt her say,"Who....oh, sorry, Captain, I'll be right there..." then a verbal "OUCH", as she sat up and banged her head, then cringed.

"Captain, please move," she whispered "Do you have any water?"

She scrambled out of the tube when he moved, and stood, her hand balancing her on the side, her face crinkled as if she had a bad headache.

[Redic Scott]

Redic move out and watched her come out. He realized right away that she hadn't taken her medication. Asking for water, one of the techs brought over a cup full and handed it to her.

"Welcome back." Redic said and looked at Kit. "Sleep well?"

[Kathryn]

She said nothing to him, obviously concentrating on getting the medicine taken.

At that point, Trouble -in the form of Dirk Anders- reared its ugly head. He showed up and immedaitely began verbally harassing his new commander, regardless of the fact that Captain Scott was there.

She reacted to his tactics with a brutal efficiency. Anders was sent flying with a kick to his solar plexus, and she was standing above him, arm drawn back for a punch, when he landed, her teeth bared in a snarl. The capsules landed, scattered, on the deck, and the water hit Captain Scott squarely in the chest.

Somehow, he could feel both rage and fear from her.

[Redic Scott]

Redic could hardly believe his former fighter commander. Before he could do anything, Dirk was on Kit and she started to defend herself. As in slow motion, he watched the fight and saw the medicine container drop and the water hit his chest. Water spilled out and all over his chest and down his body.

Before the cup even feel to the ground, Redic was moving and jumped in between Kit and Dirk. He pushed his hand out and against Kit's chest, pushing away gently and getting in the middle the two.

"Stop it right now!! Both of you!." He turned the Dirk. "You should know better, what's wrong with you? Your an officer and you'll act like it. YOu have a problem, come talk about it."

Redic turn back to Kit and looked at her, "Take your medication and cool off, we'll deal with this."

[Kathryn]

Kit turned silently and knelt, collecting the tablets. She picked up the cup and got water in it, although her hand was shaking so hard that water spilled. After taking the medicine, she sat down on the floor, back braced against a wall, waiting while he talked to Dirk. After he was dismissed and the crowd dispersed, she looked up at him.

"What now?" she said.

[Redic Scott]

Redic looked at Kit and smiles, "Now Dirk gets transfered and I have to go get some new clothes." He laughs and starts walking away, then turns around. "Wanna have something to eat with me?"

[Kathryn]

She grinned up at him. "Sure, just as long as I get to change clothes, too."

They met outside the mess hall, each in dry clean clothes. She was looking thoughtful. "I don't think I handled that right," she finally said. "Either I should have hit harder, or just dodged. And, no criticism intended, but I'm not sure that transfering him is going to help my position. Maybe I should just outfly him, Captain."

[Redic Scott]

Redic changed into a new uniform and sent the other down to be cleaned. He went to the mess and met Kit there. As they talked he though maybe she had something there.

"That's a good idea we can get you guys together and have a little competation."

[Kathryn]

She chuckled. "I'd say TIE vs. X-Wing, but I'm supposed to be teaching them TIE tactics. Say, X-wing vs. X-wing?" She thought for a minute. "I'd say them in TIEs vs me in an X-wing, but I'm not sure how that would turn out. I think we'd need technicians to check the settings on the ships, first."

She looked serious, and it took him a minute to figure out what she was implying.

[Redic Scott]

Redic moved inside the Mess hall and smiled at Kit, "that could be something. I think you would fight Dirk one on one since he is the best pilot. YOu win against him, you'll get instant respect out of the other pilots and make Dirk look bad or even win him over."

He got some synthetic steak and something to drink. "If you want you can fight in the same fighters or different ones, that's your choice."

[Kathryn]

"Then I'll take whatever he takes," she said, "especially since I'm sure he'll take an X-wing. It'll drive the point home who is the better pilot." He noticed that she looked confident in the outcome.

Again, she got a mixed vegetable selection, and some soup, with a glass of water on the side.

[Redic Scott]

Redic noticed her confidence and that made him feel good. He wanted his leaders to be sure of themselves and know inside, without dought, they could get the job done. He sat down at one of the tables and start to eat, cutting up the steak.

"I'm sure you'll do fine. I have confidence in you." He smiled and took a bite. "This isn't like nerf steak, but I guess it would do." He laughed and took a sip.

"So.. hows the training going?"

[Kathryn]

He noticed she avoided looking at his steak, as if she found the sight unpleasant, keeping her eyes on her plate.

"It's going o.k." she said, viciously attacking an inoffensive roll. "The hardest part is for them to NOT use X-wing tactics. They're used to being more..... freeform. Dirk's probably mad because I yell at him the worst - he just CANNOT get that TIES work as a unit."

[Kathryn]

She looked up at him. "Other than that, he's a damn good pilot. I don't think you want to transfer him, if we can help it. As a matter of curiosity, what's his call sign? His style in an X-wing seems familiar, somehow....."

She looked down at her plate, and started to shove it away, half eaten, then stopped. Grimly she picked up her fork again and forced herself to eat.

[Redic Scott]

Redic finished eating and looked at Kit. He could see how she forced herself to eat, but didn't say anything. Taking a sip of water, he listed to her talk.

"His call sign is Crystal Viper. Maybe you faced him at one time or another."

[Kathryn]

"Crystal Viper," she said, thinking. "Yes, I lost several pilots to him just before I retired. Whatever Pilot gets him will have bragging rights.........." She stopped, looking at him, then down at her plate. "Sorry....." she said after an uncomfortable silence.

[Redic Scott]

Redic listened and looked at Kit. "Hopefully after you prove yourselves maybe you can start working as a team? We only have 2 mores days and we're jumping out."

[Kathryn]

She pushed back from the table.

Picking up the tray, she looked at him. "I'll get the competition done now," she said tightly. "Although I'm sure he'd prefer live-fire, I'll keep it to training weapons, sir. Would you care to officiate?"

Without waiting for his reply, she turned and walked to the tray repository, setting her tray down, and heading out the door rapidly. By the time she hit the door, she was running. She ran all the way to the fighter bay, where she posted the competition/challenge to ALL the other pilots she'd been training, not just Dirk.

She sat, stony-faced, until it was time to start.

[Kathryn]

The first couple of pilots were easy, quick kills for her skill. Beginning pilots, she felt that they had just come out and competed for the sake of measuring their skills, or perhaps their resentment of an Imperial.

The next two were harder. Mentally matching names and faces, she realized that they were both friends of Dirk's, and decided that they had been sent to tire her out.

:wings

[Redic Scott]

Redic walked after her, but decided that she needed this time to herself and to do what she wanted. As the duels began, Redic sat at the bridge and watched the holo display of the whole battle. Everything was being recorded so that it could be reviewed later on.

Redic got up and moved towards the viewport, looking out at the tiny fighters fight. Light fireflies in the dead of night. He wished that this would be the end of it. Having your best pilots fight each other is something could get them all killed since they couldn't work as a unit. Redic would have to wait and see.

[Kathryn]

The last two had not been easy kills, Kathryn decided. Only the narrowest of luck had kept her the victor.

She was tired, very tired. And she still had to face Dirk.

Crystal Viper finally exited the ship, and immediately began his attack run..........

[Kathryn]

His style, she noted immediately, was more aggressive than the other pilots, more attack and less defense.

Her pause for observation almost cost her a life. His fire reached out toward her, and at the last minute, by some instinct she did not understand, she jinked to the left and down. The laser bolts meant for her cockpit, instead trimmed off two of her s-foils nearly at the tips.

Automatically she spun, presenting and firing the other two at his rapidly closing cockpit. Unlike his fire, hers were set at a training level, and only impacted lightly on the shield in front of his face. A "kill" - normally, but he ignored it. Her hand slammed down on the ship-to-ship communicator. "Crystal Viper, back to the ship!" she ordered desperately.

Back came a mocking reply, "Ain't nobody hearing us 'cept you and me, Impy!" and then the whine of a signal jammer, blocking any other communications.

She checked the distance to the carrier, quickly. Too far to run!

[Redic Scott]

Redic almost lost it as he witness the barbaric way Dirk was fighting. He would be pay and pay dearly. Redic turned towards the bridge, "Tractor beams! Lock on to Crystal Viper's fighter and pull him out of there quickly. Launch a recovery shuttle as well and a group of fighter in case he resists."

Like an invisible hand, the tractor beam reached out and grabbed Dirk's X-wing. It quickly pulled him away and shook his fighter, breaking his target locks.

[Kathryn]

Watching the other fighter, Kathryn growled under her breath.

"It doesn't make sense," she said to herself. "He's got reputation, and position, to lose by this stupidity. So WHY is he doing it?" Her only answer was the whine of the Jammer.

Racing toward nose to nose, she played a game of cosmic "Chicken" with him, wiggling her wings and cockpit to present the smallest target, skimming over his cockpit at the last possible second, since he did not break off. "Dear Gods, man, are you trying to kill us both?" she exclaimed inside the quiet cockpit, flipping her ship sideways to pass him.

The spinning wings intercepted and crumpled on Dirk's engine, putting her other two guns out of commission, and badly damaging his engine, as his ship was shaken by a tractor beam from the main ship. She hit the emergency comms, and immediately started the distress beacon, calling for assistance for them both, hearing the slow whistle of escaping air, seeing the fractures in both cockpits as her ship tumbled away from the impact. Her engine had gone silent, and she could only flinch as she missed one of his lasers by centimeters.

[Redic Scott]

The tractor beams caught both of the fighters and started to pull them towards the hanger. The recovery shuttle floated around them both to watch for anything that could go wrong. AS this was happening, Redic put on a stern face and walked coldly towards the hanger level. Waiting for the fighters to be brought in.

[Kathryn]

Her X-Wing was the first to enter the bay, and she literally jumped from the cockpit and ran towards Crystal Viper's ship, paying no attention to anyone else in the hanger. She was at the foot of the ladder when he descended, staggering. "What the hell was THAT about?" she demanded, and ducked as he swung at her. She reached up to lightly slap some sense into his groggy head, and paused, her hand still in contact with his face, a shocked look on her face. Dirk looked equally shocked.

Recovering, she growled at him,"SIT, Dirk!" and when that didn't happen, yanked him down into a seat on the floor, his arm twisted behind him in a control hold that propelled him floorward. Looking around, she demanded a Medic with a sedative. and ordered him to give the sitting pilot a knockout shot and to cart him to sickbay. When the medic protested, she hissed, "Don't you people consider being mentally incapacitated a problem? I do, DAMMIT! Now, GIVE HIM THE FRELLING SHOT!" She looked enraged and aching at the same time, fully capable of shooting someone herself.

Looking up, as the Medic gave him the sedative, she caught Captain Scott's eye. She jumped to her feet. Saluting, she said, "Sir, I request that this pilot under my command be given assistance, and NOT charged. I'll explain privately, if you wish." She looked at him hopefully.

[Redic Scott]

Redic looked from Kit to Dirk. He looked almost enraged as he turned to look at the two fighters laying on the deck. Both were damaged and had techs crawling over them. Looking at Kit he pointed his index finger into her chest.

"You damn well better Captain. A very good reason. This man just damaged two good fighters in a time when we need all the fighters we can get. We do not have unlimited resources and just about to set off on a mission. This can not go unpunished and was no accident."

[Kathryn]

"Can we talk privately?" she said softly.

Redic nodded and moved away from everyone into an empty corner of the bay. He turned around and faced Kit, waiting for her to speak.

"Redic, he's all but gone out of his head. Did you know he lost his lover, that last mission against the Imperium?" she said. "I never was anything but a target for his grief. He needs down time, not being slapped into a brig. I wish I'd know it sooner - I'd never have taken him out to fight..." She looked grieved, and was shaking slightly.

Redic looked at Kit. He tried to be mad, but couldn't hold it. He relaxed and looked down at the deck. "No.. I didn't know. But it still cost us. He.. he could have killed you."

Redic looked away, hoping that Kit wouldn't know what he was talking about. For good measure he added, "We need people like you. I don't want to lose you in a training accident..."

She sighed. "I don't want to lose me, either, Redic. And I truly didn't know, until just now." She shuddered. "It was awfully......private for him. I got the feeling that he hasn't told anyone.....just letting it eat away at him inside. Poor man...." She looked up at him, then down. "Sorry," she said.

Redic watched her and reached out to gently squeeze her shoulder. "Don't be, its ok. I'm sorry for yelling at you, emotions sometimes get in the way. but I understand now. Who do you think should talk to him?"

She gave him a startled look, which she quickly smoothed over. "Probably you, Captain. I don't think he needs to see me - right now I'm identified with the Empire in HIS mind."

Redic saw her face and remembered about the touching. "Sorry about that" He looked into her eyes. All right, I will. he'll be out for a little while though."

She looked up at him. "I don't mind, it's just that it's wearing off, and things get more.....focused with contact. And....thank you. I'd hug you, but you're the Captain."

"At least, you don't hate me," she added.

Redic smiled. You can still hug you, anytime you want (He wanted to hug her as well, but didn't know how she would react) I would never hate you, I only hate a few people and you definitely aren't one of them

A quick look around, and she stepped close to him, and gave him a quick hug. He felt her loneliness, momentarily, then it was gone. "I'll see about the rest of the pilots, sir," she said out loud, and stepped back and saluted him.

Redic hugged her back and she could feel the same about him, but as he held her, even for that second, everything went away and he was at peace. It surprised even him. He had thought something like this would never happen again, ever since his loss, but yet it did. Maybe it was a sign. He looked at Kit and nodded, saluting back,"You do that captain. Oh and good job on not getting killed."

Redic smiled for the first time.

[Clea Darkrunner]

[Kathryn]

Kathryn proceeded to make a nuisance of herself, trying to "help" the maintenance people get the two damaged fighters into shape. Finally, one exasperated Chief came to Captain Scott.

"Sir, the new pilot, she won't take a hint - will you courtmartial me if I pitch her out by the seat of the pants?"

Redic turned to the man,"What's the problem?"

"Well, sir, she's getting in the way."

"how is she doing that? she knows a lot about TIE fighters."

"Yes sir, but we're trying to fix the damaged x-wings, and she keeps trying to help. I don't mind pilots learning maintenance, just....NOT RIGHT NOW" The Maintenance chief was clearly irritated.

Redic looked at him. "Help her out sergeant. she needs to know this. she'll be the group commander

"Frack......." the man swore. "THAT explains why she's so damn curious about everything. I thought it was gonna be Dirk...."

"What was that Sergeant?!" Redic looked at the man. "You mean yes sir right?"

The Tech grinned. "Yes SIR," he said smiling. "She seems a good sort, for a ...." the words died, as he realized that she was standing beside a fighter listening to him.

"For a what sergeant? are you forget your manners?"

"Nothing, sir," said the tech. "I was gonna say, for a woman, but that ain't polite, sir."
"No, it's not. Get back to work. I want these operations completed as soon as possible."

"Yes, sir," said the Tech sgt stiffly, saluted, and left

Redic saluted and as the man leaves, looks at Kit. He smiles a little and nodded at her.

She walked toward him. "I suppose I WAS getting in the way, a little," she said ruefully. "I'll stay out of their hair - for now."

Redic smiled and looked at her, "It's ok now, he didn't know who you were."

She looked at him. "The problem is, I don't know HOW to act - as a Rebel commander. As an Imperial, I'd have been in serious trouble if I'd have done half of what I'm doing now....What's the limits, Captain Scott?" She looked at him seriously.

Redic looked at her. "You have rank. You can help if you want to, you can instruct them to teach you. They will. If you think something is beyond you, let them do it. Since you're group commander, you should know a lot about the fighters, make them show you...."

She nodded. "OK," she said seriously. "Informally..... they'll be ready. I'm leaving the ones who can't learn to act Imperial out of the TIE Fighter ranks, they can provide backups in the X-wings when we need them. I've got enough to lull suspicions, anyway."

She yawned. "I'd better get some sleep, anyway. Tomorrow will be a busy day."

[Kathryn]

Redic looked at Kit and nodded. "Sounds good, Captain. I can't wait to see them turning live training. I'm sure you're going a great job. I think I might head off to bed as well sometimes soon."

"Sleep well," she said to him. She hesitated, then gave him a hug. Turning, she headed away.

Redic watched her leave and wanted to go after her, he wanted to do something, anything to just be with her some more. He had hugged her and let her go, turning to walk to his room.

Something whispered in his head,'Sleep well, dear.'

Redic turned around and watched her leave, 'it couldn't be, could it?' he thought. He smiled and thought, "sleep well also hon"

She hesitated, looked back at him, then continued on her way

Redic feels her turn around and smiles to himself. He gets into his turbolift and starts to move up, thinking how curious this situation was. Who knew he would met someone that was Imperial?

She continued on her way, a worried look on her face. Curious, the medicine seemed to have failed, when it came to Captain Scott. She felt like she knew where he was at all times. The scary thing to her was that it felt... comforting.

Redic thought about her all night it seems, from the shower to the bed and just before he feel asleep. He was always thinking about what would have happened if she died and how mad he was at Dirk. He had never felt that way about another pilot and this one was very different. Redic couldn't stand to lose another person he cared about so deeply.

She didn't sleep well. Tossing and turning, she kept seeing all the Rebel ships she had destroyed with the "Empire Dream". Had they been people as nice as those she had met? What had been the point of the destruction, when her allies engaged in brutal torture, and her enemies were kind and caring, and had people they loved to the point of pain?

Finally, she got up. As she had done before every battle on the "Empire Dream", she prowled the ship, looking for things to correct

Redic, on the other hand, slept well. He dreamed about his past wife and as he was with her, the imaged faded and turned into Kit. This didn't upset him, but instead made him happy and feel alive again.

She finally retreated to her room, and sat up, thinking. "J'sun, what should I do?" she whispered. "Is this the madness you warned me of?" Nothing answered her, and she sat, unmoving, staring at the walls until the morning.

Redic got up and got ready for the day. He thought about Kit and took a trip to her room. knocking on the door.

She stirred, finally. "Enter," she croaked, eyes red, all-too aware of everything about her, like a background howl that she couldn't shut out, the thrum of busy lives.

Redic opened the door and stepped inside. "Hey, I was wondering if you wanted to get some breakfast together? I know you don't eat a lot, but its the most important meal of the day... " He saw her and frowned. "What's wrong? you look like you didn't get any sleep."

She buried her face in her hands. "I didn't," she mumbled. "Call it a guilty conscience. I kept seeing every ship I'd ever fired on..... every death I'd ever ordered"

She looked up at him. "They all had your face, or Dirk's, or his lovers, or the Jedi I helped betray to the Inquisitors, or my Medic's," and her face dropped back into her hands. "I'm going crazy," she said quietly

Redic pulled a chair out and sat down across from her. He looked into her eyes."It's not your fault, none of it. since the day you decided to stop the killing and join us, you became a different person. We all get a second chance, this is yours. Whatever happened, Whatever you did, it doesn't matter. It all in the past and you can't change it, no matter how hard you try. You have to let it go, free yourself." He moved closer. "I forgive you."

She looked at him. "Thank you. Maybe, someday, I can forgive myself. In the meantime," she sighed, "we've got a battle to fight today." She stood up, wobbling. "And I'd better shower, and eat, or I'll be no good to anyone. You'll excuse me for a few minutes, Captain, to clean up? and then, yes, I'll go with you to eat. And yes, I'll function as your assistant - XO? - if you'll tell me what you want me to do." He realized that he'd only gotten the first few sentences verbally. A second later, so did she, and a look of horror spread on her face.

Redic looked at her and realized what had happened. Unlike her, he laughed and smiled. "I have to get used to that huh?" He looked into her eyes. "Why are you so horrified? It's ok...."

She looked at him. "No it isn't. I can control my body, but it seems I can't control my mind, Captain. It isn't fair to you, or to me. (I shouldn't want you to hold me.)" Her face burned, as the thought slipped out.

Redic smiled and move almost against her, leaning forward. "Kit, you will learn in time and I don't mind it at all...its..actually really good to hear your voice. It's calming after you get used to it. " He smiled and looked into her eyes. "....and I wanna hold you too, I don't think its bad, I've thought about it."

Mentally, she whimpered, almost terrified. Physically, she forced herself forward, stepping up against him. "Hold me, then," she whispered, shivering.

[Kathryn]

He could feel some parts of her screaming for him not to do it and some parts of him, that never wanted to be hurt again yelled at him as well. Not listening to them, but to his heart, he stood up without hesitation, and pulled her gently against him, holding the back of her head and the small of her back.

She stood quietly, for a moment, and then leaned against him. Slowly, her arms went around his waist. "Is this right?" she asked him, silently. "I've never done this, before. It feels.... right, somehow."

Redic ran his finger very softly over her cheek and smiled. "If it feels right, it's right. Always listen your heart first, Kit"

"It's right," she said, more faintly. After a few minutes, he realized that she had fallen asleep, standing up, leaning against him. A last mental whisper......(I trust you.......)

Redic smiled and looked at her softly, thinking about how much he likes holding her and how the feels he had suppressed for all these years are just now coming back. He picked her up softly and laid her down on the bed, covering her as he got in to rest with her.

She slept, soundly, like a dead woman. But not dead. For the first time in years, her dreams were not haunted. For the first time in years....... she relaxed, she felt secure, she felt happy, dreaming vague, undefined, warm dreams."

Redic smiled as he watched her sleep, slowly and softly caressing her hair as she did. He nodded off a few times, but never for more then 15 min.

The sound of the dropout warning woke her, and she stirred, her vague warm dreams evaporating rapidly. She started to roll out of bed, and ran into something. "Uh, she said, in a less than intelligent manner.

Redic caught her and smiled, holding her gently against him. "Shh, it's ok, Kit, everything is alright....."

"Dropout" she muttered against his chest. "They'll ambush, we gotta, didn't tell them..." she wiggled, her thoughts becoming clearer, sharp imprints of ambushing ships as they came out of jump impelling her to try and wake from her daze.

Redic held her gently and looked at her. "No ambush. WE are the ones setting it up and we have almost a day before the Imperial convoy arrives in system. WE are her to surprise THEM this time.

She blinked, and looked up at..... over at..... She blushed, and stammered, trying to figure out how he was in HER bed..... or was it HIS bed?

Redic looked at her and ran his hand gently over her back. "What's wrong Kit?"

"Uh....Captain" she squeaked, then stopped, totally unable to figure out what to say.

He looked at her and pulled back a little. "Kit, this morning we had a moment, don't you remember? We hugged and you said you trusted me, but you fell asleep in my arms so I put you to bed and thought I would stay with you." He moved close again."I hope that's ok. I could leave if it's not..."

She looked at him. "No, it's O.K. I just thought..." She blushed, then said quickly,"Sorry, Captain. I was having some .... odd... dreams"

Redic smiled and looked into her eyes. "Don't be sorry, Call me Redic when we are alone or when people aren't around." He held her close and smiled. "Wanna tell me about them?"

She blushed. "No," she said, firmly.

[Kathryn]

Redic nodded and let it go at once, holding her close. "If you ever feel uncomfortable about me or anything like that, let me know, ok? I never want to make you feel that way."

"Thank you," she said."We better get going, though." She grinned. "Unless you REALLY want me to have a reputation as to how I got to be your XO," and she poked him in the ribs.

Redic smiled and laughed gently. He got up and helped her up. Straightening his uniform a little he was ready to go.

"Excuse me," she said, blushing. "I STILL need to take a shower. I'll be out in a minute" And she walked off into the fresher.

Redic smiled and watched her. "If you need help, just call." He laughed and sat down. "Should I go? or do you want me to wait here?"

She poked her head out. "Wait?" she said tentatively, hair dripping.

Redic smiled and looked at her. "Alright, I'll be right here." He sat back and thought about how good she looked with her hair wet like that, hoping she wouldn't catch it.

"Thanks" she said, and turned. (wonder what he...) the rest was cut off, as she firmly reined in her thoughts.

Redic sat and waited, looking around the room. He got up and made her bed.

When she came out, she was dressed and ready to go. She looked at the bed. "Thank you," she said.

Redic smiled and gently took her hand, kissing the top of it and looking into her eyes. "My pleasure," he said.

[Kathryn]

Redic smiled and looked at her. "I think its actually lunch time." He laughs and looks at her)

She blushed. "Did I sleep that long?" she said. "I thought it was just a short while..... you didn't mind....?'

Redic shook his head. "Not at all, you needed the rest, I could tell." He smiled and opened the door for her. "Shall we?"

"Yes," she said, and walked through the door. She walked quietly beside him, obviously thinking. Her thoughts were not apparent to him, but that some of them were about him was apparent, for she glanced in his direction.

Redic smiled and walked with her, he could feel her thinking and it was new to him, not bad, just new. He smiled as he felt thoughts about him and knew that he was thinking about her as well.

Just short of the dining area she stopped. She looked up at him, looking sad. "I'm sorry," she said. "I guess I don't have manners, Captain Scott. But I was never trained in it. And what I'm doing can't be polite, but It doesn't seem to quit, even when I increased the dosage." He noticed, then, that she seemed a bit slowed.

Redic looked at her and took her hand gently. "Its ok, really, I don't mind. Don't even think of it, I understand. It's actually..calming to hear you inside me."

(But I don't understand it, and it scares me, Redic,) she said in his head (what if I distract you in battle? What if I distract you......and you ......) and he felt nothing but distress and fear.

Redic held her shoulders and pulled her gently against him, rubbing her back to calm her. He could tell that those thoughts were not in his head. "You wont distract me, in battle, I am trained to concentrate on other things. It could actually help, because you could warn me early of any dangers you see out there."

She looked up at him. "Redic, why is this happening?" she said verbally. "Why can't I block you (why do I feel this way)" the doubled message came.

Redic held her close. "I think its because when you have feeling to someone, you are connected to them subconsciously, you want to know what they think and what you think, you want to closer because you care."

She was almost in tears as she stepped back. "I think - what I want, is not what I SHOULD want, Captain Scott. I... I'm.... sorry!"

[Kathryn]

Redic looked at her eyes and held her. "Kit, you can't help your feelings. You aren't an Imperial anymore. Let your emotions out, they will set you free, don't hold them inside."

She looked up at him. "It can't be good for discipline," she said flatly, "that I feel like I want to be with you all the time, that I want to hang on to you, and to...... Oh FRELL it, I don't know WHAT I want...... I don't know what this means, and I feel like the whole world is shouting in my head.....and I just want......" she broke off in confusion.

Redic listened and watched her as she talked. "I understand what you're saying, but if you keep everything inside, really bottle it up, it will one day explode and could be even more dangerous." Redic looked into her eyes. "General Solo and Princess Leia did it, Many other officers have gotten together. I think discipline can be kept because unlike the Imperials, we are loose. As long as you do what's expected of you, everything will be all right. We can keep it between up and I think we can act like professionals." Redic looked down "I know what it feels like, believe me, I don't want this to happen either, but it did, we can't stop it. It feels like a good thing, something I haven't felt in a really really really long time...."

She looked up at him in confusion. "This is.... normal?...... Normal people feel like this? I have never felt this way before, Redic. What is it that I'm feeling, then?" She looked and felt confused.

"What IS it that's happening?" she finally said.

Redic looked into her eyes. "I think..you like me," He grinned. "...a lot. I feel the same about you."

[Kathryn]

She leaned her head on his chest. "It's more than that, Redic," she said softly. "Sometimes, I almost feel like I'm in the same skin with you - and that scares me. And I dream of doing...... " she broke off and blushed.

Redic smile softly and ran his fingertip gently over her cheek. "Doing what, Kit?

"Something I've never tried," she whispered into his chest. "Something that, somehow, I don't know why, seems like something I'd like to try......" she trailed off.
(try with you), came the mental whisper.

Redic understand even before she said it what she wanted and inside he wanted the same thing, Something he hadn't done since the death...Something he thought he would never do with a women ever again, but now he had feelings again. Feeling for a woman that in some way reminded him of his past, One that was different, but a good different. Redic look into her eyes and smiled. "You aren't the only one, Kit..."

She looked up at him. "so what am I, are we, talking about? Is this love, or an urge to..... to.... mate....or what? Please - I don't understand." She looked up at him, almost fearfully.

Redic smile sweetly and rubbed her back slowly. "Love Kit, it's all about love. I've been without for what seems like forever, and finally I feel it, its a feeling I have missed."

She sighed, and he felt her relax against him. "Love," she said quietly. "I thought I was going crazy."

[Kathryn]

Redic smiled and laughed a little. "That's love all right, it makes you crazy, so they are almost one and the same." He leaned down and kissed her cheek.

She turned her head so that the kiss, intended for her cheek, landed on her mouth. With a sudden, surprising strength, she held on to him, body and mind twining in a sudden current. He could feel currents that she was unaware of in her, swirling through her body, her soul and her mind. She suddenly gasped, breaking contact.

Redic was caught by surprise, but pulled her tightly against him,kissing her back sweetly and passionately, running his hands over her back. He could feel the time stop and world spin, he was not on a ship in the middle of space, in a god awful war, but instead in the most beautiful place with the most beautiful soul.

"Oh no" she said, terrified, mentally "Oh....." and he felt her lean against him, shuddering. He felt waves breaking through her body, terrifying her in their impact.

"What is it Kit?" Redic held her close and look into her eyes.

"I don't know" she said, faintly. "I don't know" and she slid down to sit on the deck, knees up to her chin, head resting on her knees. Her face was flushed, and rosy, and she looked totally bewildered.

[Kathryn]

Redic moved down with her, caressing her back and looking at her. "Tell me what's wrong? What do you feel, Kit?"

She took a few deep breaths. "I felt, well, strange. I felt like ..... well...... I was wrapped, somehow, around you, around whatever you are, and you were wrapped around me, somehow" She blushed, and looked down at her toes, not looking at him.

Redic smiled and look at you, gently touching her chin to turn her head towards him. "That's good thing."

She looked at him. "You don't mind my saying that, then? It's the only way to describe it, Redic - like we were two halves of something beyond us each.... like..." She broke off, scrambling to her feet, as a crew member came down the corridor.

Redic watched the man salute them both and walk by without saying anything. "Its ok Kit, really." Redic held her and looked into her eyes.

She had her arms crossed on her chest, and was not looking at him. "I must seem a fool to you, Captain." she finally said. He could feel her thinking that she had disgraced them both, that she needed to detach so that none of the blame fell on him.

[Kathryn]

Redic pulled away a little and looked at her curiously. "Why would you seem a fool? That is not what I think at all. You can't stop your feeling, neither can I."

She bent her head, so that she was not looking at him. "But..... " and said nothing more, only slowly turned redder

Redic put his hands on her shoulders and moved close. "Tell me, Kit, please."

She looked up at him. "You need to command, Captain Scott. And having one of your subordinates hanging on to you for dear sanity will not help that. Not that I think I'm particularly sane, any more...."

Redic looked at her and smiled gently. "Kit, even if we decided to not be together or think about, I still would, and so would you. We can't escape it, it will always be there. What has started can not be undone. I can manage both commanding and holding you." Redic leaned down and gently kissed her lips. "What I can't handle is commanding and NOT holding you and Not having you."

She looked at him. "Holding, then. If the mental thing ever gets too much, I'll take care of it." Her thoughts were closed to him, and she looked sad and cold.

He looked down at her and caressed her hair back. "I liked you better happy and warm...." He kissed her cheek. "If it gets too much, I'll let you know. Before then, I'd love to hear what you think."

She looked up at him. "I'm afraid of what I'm hearing, Redic. I have no way to control it (sometimes no way to know who it is)"

[Kathryn]

(And it confuses me, disorients me, sometimes) she silently thought.

Redic looked at her and held her against him. "We'll figure it out, I promise. Maybe you should take less of your meds and that would keep some of the voices out, letting you concentrate one other ones more clearly?"

"Like you?" she said, looking happier. "IF you don't mind, Captain," she said, suddenly looking shy.

Redic smiled."Of course," he said as he ran a fingertip gently over her cheek. "I don't mind at all, Captain," and he grinned.

"Thank you, Sir" she said formally. "(Thank you, Redic)" he also heard - mentally. "Sir (dear)", she said, then "OOPS!" and blushed.

Redic laughed and hugged her tightly. "Captain (honey) never be sorry about that, I like it. (Your voice is very soothing to me)"

"Well, Captain (dear), I think we need to get something to eat." she said practically. "(And I'm feeling a little hungry, for a change)"

Redic let her go and smiled, gesturing towards the mess hall doorway. "After you Captain (Ma' lady). Hunger is a good sign."

She nodded. "J'sun said it was a side effect of the medication. (They murdered him, I'm sure of it. He was too careful)"

"He was a good medic (and a Jedi, though I never knew it)," she continued.

[Kathryn]

She looked at him. "Coming, sir?" she said with a mischievous grin, and went inside the dining room.

Redic smiled and followed her inside, moving towards the food line to get some chow and a tray."What should I have?"

She smiled. "Whatever you like, just - please - nothing too gory." She suddenly paled, and he received a momentary mental picture, and understood her aversion to raw meat. It was a picture of a human being, raw, bleeding, and - incredibly - alive. The mental door literally SLAMMED as she gulped and stood very still, eyes looking at nothing.

Redic stopped looking the food and looked at her instead, he cleared his mind and squeezed her shoulder gently. "Kit, its ok, everything will be all right." He got some soup and a little potato dish, as well as water.

"No," she said hoarsely, not looking at him. "No, it's not. I can't forget, Captain. I gave her Mercy, and still I can't forget. It was my ship, and I should have known...." She shook herself, and looked at him. "It was unforgivable...... Get whatever you want...... I'll meet you afterward. Fighter bay O.K.?" She looked at him, still looking faintly ill.

Redic looked into her eyes and frowned. "Ok, I understand if you need some time alone. Just remember, its always better to talk and let things inside, then to let them just sit there. I'll always be there for you.

She looked at him. "You're right." she said finally. "If I don't face it, it'll kill me. It's killing me already, starving me." She closed her eyes. "Pick something. I promise I'll eat it, even if I have to keep my eyes shut the whole while. After, I'll tell you the story - if you feel your stomach is strong enough."

(Dear, please don't hate me for this) he could hear her thinking.

Redic looked into her eyes. (I would never hate you sweetie, we'll get through this together, as one) He picked her up some fruit, a veggie soup, and a little bit of a mashed potato thing that was fortified with vitamins and minerals. Getting the trays and he moved to a table with her.

Sitting down at the table, she ate silently and slowly, not really looking at what she ate. Her expression was neutral, as if she was trying hard to think of nothing. Halfway through, she looked at him. "Thank you," she said quietly. "It's been very hard to eat, recently."

[Kathryn]

Redic moved closer and sat down at her side. "Your welcome sweetie, I'm always here to help. We'll just take a little bit at a time, ok?" He smiled gently and looked at her.

She finished, and waited for him to finish his food. Her eyes were closed, but he still had the impression that she was listening to him, waiting for him to say something. She stirred when he finished. "Want to talk?" she said neutrally, as they placed their trays at the dirty dishes area.

Redic finished and walked to the dirty dishes area. He turned to Kit and looked at her. "Of course. Lets go to my office, its private, is that ok?"

She nodded, "Of course," she said. "It's not a pretty story, and one I'd rather wasn't public knowledge." She followed him quietly to his office. Looking around, she said, "It's rather bare - about like my quarters on my Ship," as she seated herself.

Redic smiled and sat down next to her. "It's an Imperial ship, so the rooms would be similar somewhat, I kinda like it less cluttered." He reached out and softly took her hand. "Tell me what you want to, dear"

She looked at him. "I'll tell you - do you want me to try and show you, also?" She looked like someone bracing themselves for a shock.

He looked at her and squeezed her hand gently. "Only if you want, do what you think is more comfortable for you."

(Better he know now, before he's too involved with me,) she was saying to herself faintly. "Well, then," she said, sitting up and looking him in the eye. "I was the commander of the Empire Dreams when the Imperial Guardsmen requisitioned my Flag briefing room."

"They brought a prisoner aboard and she looked limp. I guess it was a ruse, as she came to life VERY suddenly, and had an odd sword - a lightsaber, I believe it's called - in her hands. She was getting away - had knocked out HALF the bridge - when I tangled with her in the dark. When the emergency lights came back on, I had her almost pinned, except for one arm. She HIT me wit it, somehow, and almost knocked me out. She was escaping, when I got her with my blaster -set to stun as I usually carried it. She went down, and so did I - unconscious."

"They took her away, and took me to medical. I was out for three days, and woke up in the middle of the night, hearing someone calling me. I followed the call, and ended up at my Flag briefing room." she paused, and he could feel the stress build in her as she tightened her hand on his.

[Kathryn]

Redic listened carefully and watch her. He held her hand and move a little closer. "Go on if you can, hun," he said encouragingly.

She bowed her head and swallowed. "I walked into MY Flag briefing room, and found something out of the nightmares that had been plaguing me since I had gone unconscious." She shuddered, and he saw again the picture of the tortured human - woman, he now knew. "She looked at me, Redic. Me, who had stopped her escaped. And she asked me for Mercy. She asked it, because they were about to break her. Break her how, I could see. WHAT to, I still don't know, only that she feared it, worse than any of the agony she had suffered. I could FEEL her fear." She shuddered, shaking like a leaf. "And I gave her Mercy - one shot, right through the heart." She looked at him, her eyes huge in her white face. "She survived - Long enough to thank me, and call me .... Sister."

Redic put his arm around her and pulled her against him. "You can cry - it's ok" He said to her and caressed her hair and back. "You did what she wanted and what you thought in your head was right. You can't blame yourself, that you did something wrong. Ending her suffered was the only right thing you could have done." He looked into her eyes," I would have......."

She looked at him. "I wish I could cry," she said miserably. "I wish I could get sick, or scream, or.... or.... something. I wish I had......." She broke off.

"I went back to the Medbay and went back unconscious," she finally said. "I didn't wake up until the Guardsmen - the Inquisitors! - were gone. J'sun kept me out, How, I don't know"

Redic looked into her eyes. "Just be glad he did. As for the crying, when its time, it will come. I know all about that. Sometimes it takes a while to let your defenses down. I'm not leaving you ever." He looked into her eyes and leaned down, kissed Kit softly.

She pulled back, slightly. "That's not all of it," she said. "She was a Jedi. J'sun said she was a Catalyst, and that she broke my Force abilities loose - there were Jedi in my family line." She was breathing rapidly, as if what she was saying frightened her. "She was J'sun - my Chief Medic's - sister. And HE was a Jedi, too!"

[Kathryn]

Redic looked into her eyes and rubbed her back gently, listening to her.

She looked down, shivering. "J'sun said - in his last message - that a time would come when the medicine would no longer work. He said that before that happened, I'd better find myself a deserted world, or a Jedi to teach me." She looked at him. "And there are no Jedi left - except the Dark ones - the Inquisitors. I ran into a couple of them." Her voice sounded strained and nervous.

Redic looked at her. "That's.. not entirely true, there are still recording left, they are in the archives."

She looked at him. "Whose, the Emperor's?" She shook her head. "I'd rather die then fall in the Inquisitors' hands again. It would be simpler than going through that, and less painful."

Redic shook his head. "No, not the Emperor's. Luke recovered a few things and also recorded some of the training process. I think it would help you with your concentration and control. Once you have that down, the other things should come easier." He held her against him.

She looked at him. "Luke? Who's he?"

Redic smiled and shook his head slowly. "That's right, the empire wouldn't reveal it, well he was a person that joined the rebellion. He had Force powers as well and studied from two great Jedi. He helped us win against the Empire. He killed Vadar and the Emperor. It is said that he became a Jedi Master.................."

"And he's dead," she said flatly, looking him in the eyes. "Right?"

"My luck doesn't run that way, Redic," she added softly. "I only seem to attract the bad luck."

Redic looked at her. "Yes he was killed helping up take out the second Death Star, but we have the files, I could get you access....."

"Do you think it would help? I don't want to go crazy, but sometimes it seems as if the line between me and everything else blurs." She looked at him as if waiting for him to disapprove.

Redic ran his fingers through her hair, his mind open and reassuring. "Yes, I think it would."

"Thank you," she said. "If you could, Captain (dear), I would really appreciate it. I'd like to control this (horrible way I keep picking up everything)" Her communications drifted in and out of speech, and then she stopped, blushing. "Sorry" she said. "We'd better get moving and preparing for tomorrow........"

Redic smiled and kissed her gently. "Don't ever be sorry, it's perfectly all right......."

She stood, and walked to the door. "I'll have a report for you in two hours, after we finish our final strategy meeting, Captain," she said briskly, stopping at the door.

Redic got up with her and nodded. "Alright captain (sweetheart, can't wait to see you again)." He went around and sat at his seat, looking at data.

She nodded, and went out the door.