Free Wraith Squadron by Aaron Allston Page A

Empire in civilian roles.” His voice was melodious, controlled, exactly what Kell would expect in a onetime actor. “They thought it would be a blow to Imperial morale.”
    “It was certainly a blow to the morale of young girls,” Tyria said.
    “But first they decided to show me what the Empire was all about. I got the hard-core briefing on Imperial military and Intelligence activities. Then, when they were set to kill me, an Imperial commando rescue mission struck. That’s where I picked up my little facial blemish, a graze from a laser blast. The two sides damn near killed each other, with only a couple of commandos left alive. I was a real mess, emotionally as well as physically, so I hid from the Imps. I decided not to be found until I could sort things out. Since my body was missing and never turned up, they reported me dead and claimed kidnapping me was an approved Rebel mission, which it wasn’t.”
    Tyria looked delighted. “But where have you been all these years?”
    “With some members of my extended family. I grew up on Pantolomin, but my people were from Lorrd originally, so when I got back to civilization my parents arranged to send me there. From Lorrd it was an easy step to reach the Alliance. My parents had invested my earnings pretty well, so I never lacked for money when hiding out.”
    “If you don’t mind the question …” Tyria looked a little distressed. “Are you allergic to bacta? Is that why you still have your scar?”
    “No. I just kept it. A little reminder I earned from people I helped quite a bit when I was young.” He shrugged.
    Phanan held up a hand. “ I’m the one allergic to bacta.That’s why I’m twenty percent mechanical, and gaining.” He smiled at Tyria. “But every human cell longs to become better acquainted with this lady.”
    She shot him a look of amused scorn. “Is this going to be one of those units where there’s one female pilot, me, constantly being pursued by every jockey with nothing better to do?”
    Phanan sat forward and grasped her hand. His voice became low, melodramatic in tone. “Tyria, I’ve just met you, and already I love you. And don’t think I love you for your looks, which are stunning, or your body, which is stellar, or your manner, which is bold and inflames me with desire. No, I love you because I hear you’re a Jedi in training, and I need all the powerful friends I can get.”
    She looked distressed and yanked her hand away. “You heard wrong. And you have the manners of a womp rat.”
    Kell said, “Are you really a Jedi in training?”
    “No. I have just a little, a very little, control over the Force. But I’ve been working on it for years and haven’t improved on it much.” She managed a wry smile. “The Force is weak in this one.”
    Satisfied that his forehead was as close to normal as he could make it, Kell discarded his napkin. “Have you ever met Luke Skywalker?”
    She nodded. “He put me through some exercises. A lot of them, really. And he was so nice when he told me he didn’t think I’d ever progress very far in my control of the Force. That this dream I’d had for so long was never going to come true.”
    The scarred pilot said, “You know, if I had even the tiniest control over the Force, what I’d do with it?”
    She shook her head.
    “On those long missions, I’d scratch that little spot in the center of my back I can never reach …”
    She stood up fast enough to rattle her tankard of lum. “Go ahead, make fun.”
    “Oh, come on. You think Skywalker doesn’t do that?”
    “I don’t have time for this. I have things to do.” Sheheaded off toward the exit, her stride suggesting she was furious.
    Phanan twisted to watch her go. “Can I walk you to your quarters?” he called after her.
    “No!” She didn’t look back.
    “Can I help you with your things?”
    “No!”
    “What can I do for you?”
    “Shoot yourself!” Then she was out the entry way.
    Phanan settled back in his chair,