Project Boussh: Decisions
 by Vickie Boyd

 The flight home was rather quiet. Vickie and Corran took the time to
reflect on what had happened. Both were torn. Neither was about to
concede to the other. What is going to happen next, they both thought.


 They landed in the big open field that was Vickie's back yard. She
stayed in the cockpit, organizing her thoughts.

 *Are you coming?*

 She looked down to see Corran on the ground beside the X-Wing. *I'll
be there in a minute. I just want to look over the logs one more
time.*

 The Corellian nodded and moved towards the house.

 Vickie slid the helmet off her head and sighed. This whole thing had
gotten out of hand. Too many people were getting hurt. And now, she
was hurting. She wanted to trust Brad. That's just the kind of person
she is, a very trusting soul. True, it got her hurt sometimes.

 She popped the hatch switch and jumped to the ground. Looking up in
the sky, she saw several shooting stars and knew they were probably
TIEs searching for them. Searching for, and possibly finding, Brad and
Dorset. Damn you, Brad, she thought.

 The anger and frustration she was feeling finally surfaced. She threw
the helmet to the ground and began cursing in every language she knew:
English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and even Huttese. She
paced and threw her hands into the air. "How could you? That was the
most stupid thing..."
 Growling, she picked up a stick and tossed it into the woods. Tears
streamed down her cheeks as she used the Force to hurl more sticks and
rocks.

 When the whirlwind stopped, Whistler beeped quietly.

 Vickie came to her senses quickly. She looked up and saw the poor
droid still sitting in the ship. "Oh sheesh, I'm sorry Whistler." She
telekinetically lifted the R2 unit from his seat. "I just don't know
what to do. This whole thing is so confusing. I don't know if I should
tell someone or keep it to myself. I'm afraid if I tell someone, it's
going to get others killed." She sat the droid on the ground before
her. "You understand what I mean?"

 "That was totally amazing."

 She spun on her heels to face the person who just spoke to her. Pash
stood near the nose of the X-Wing. "What?"

 "I have never known a Jedi who could do that. Then again, I don't
know that many Jedi. Maybe they can do that."

 "Do what?"

 "Well, you were having a conversation with a droid while pacing back
and forth and at the same time lifting said droid from the socket on
an X-Wing and placing it on the ground. And the scary part is,
Whistler wasn't squealing in terror."

 She blinked and looked from the ship back to Whistler. "I did that?"

 The droid confirmed what the red-haired pilot had just told her and
also said something derogatory to Pash. (I FART IN YOUR GENERAL
DIRECTION)

 Vickie snickered. "That wasn't very nice, Whistler."

 "What? Did he say something about me?"

 "No, he said something to you." She looked down at the droid and
whispered, "We will have to have a talk about Monty Python."

 "Who's Monty Python?"

 "Maybe I'll show you sometime. Well, I guess I can do more than one
thing at a time." She grinned at her accomplishment then got serious
again. "How long have you been there and what did you hear?"

 "Not long and nothing. Are you ok?"

 "Yeah," she responded. Her face betrayed what she said.

 "I understand you took out three TIE-Interceptors."

 "Yes. Wasn't too hard when you have two aces chasing them into your
sights."

 He grinned. "Well, two more and you'll be an ace."

 She shrugged. "Not like I'm going to be flying anytime soon,
especially against TIE-fighters."

 He noticed that she was shivering slightly against the cold wind.
"Come on. Let's get inside where it's warm. There is a lot of news to
tell you."


 ******************************************


 "Alison's group was being chased in the Mall of America and used
starfish as throwing stars? Sheesh, what were they thinking?" Vickie
paced across the living room as she listened to Pash and Rich recalled
all the reports they had read since she had left. "And Josh now gets
the title 'Bacta Boy.' We really are turning into the Rogues of
Terra."

 She flopped down on the couch and sighed. "Ewoks with blasters. LIVE
Ewoks with blasters. Now that is scary." Absently, she began
scratching the dog's ear. "And Becki's crew has a lead. At least Wedge
and Tycho are finally with Kristy." Leia leaned up against her and
licked her arm.

 Rich turned back to the computer. "Hey, there's a new message from
Becki." He read over the message and frowned. "Uh-oh."

 "'Uh-oh'? That is not a good sound coming from you," Vickie said.
"What is it?"

 "The message is actually from Tyria. Becki has been kidnapped."

 "Oh great." She could feel the tears begin to well in her eyes again.
Leia began licking her on the face.

 "However, the contact they met is Eugor Atner's nephew who was exiled
after his father was killed by Eugor."

 "Dog, get down," she said. Leia looked sad for a moment then gave her
another lick as if to say "it's ok mom." She had to smile. "I suppose
he has all the information we need to find Quiara and Becki."

 Rich shrugged. "It doesn't say."

 Corran reached over and put a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sure he
knows enough to help us formulate a plan."

 "I sure as hell hope so," she said as she stood. "I'm going to run
get some food. I'll be back."

 "Do you want company," Pash asked. He looked worried.

 "No, I need some time to myself."


 **************************************************



 Vickie thought the entire trip to the store and back. She knew she
needed to talk to someone, but she wasn't sure who she could trust to
be sympathetic.
 A name finally came to her.

 When everyone was asleep, she got up and went to the computer. She
logged on to the internet and began composing one of the hardest
emails she ever had to send.


 To: General Wedge Antilles
 From: Vickie Boyd, current keeper of Ace Lead and CorSec
 Subject: (FOR THE GENERAL'S EYES ONLY) Last Resort


 General,

 I am writing to you because I am unsure of whom else to talk to on
this subject. I am sure you have been apprised of everything that has
transpired up to this point. Some parties seem to think we have a
traitor among us. I know who this person is.

 As you know, Corran tested me for Force sensitivity. I passed with
flying colors. Because of this "newfound" ability, I became aware of
certain things the "supposed" traitor is not voluntarily telling us.

 I chose to tell you this because I know you to be a just man, someone
who will give this person a chance to explain before taking any
action. I really feel this person is doing what they feel is best. We
can count on this person to be a trustworthy ally. I know my abilities
are not developed yet, but I trust my instincts.

 Please contact me so we can discuss this matter further.

 Sincerely,

 Vickie
 Ace Two





 She skimmed over the message. She made sure there was no direct
 indication that the "person" is male or female. No need getting him
in more trouble. She moved her pointer over the SEND button. Closing
her eyes, she clicked the button. *It's in his hands now, Brad. I know
you are not Erisi. You aren't going to turn on us.*