Project Boussh: Launch All Fighters
by Vickie Boyd

"Terra Lead to all units. Report ready status."
Vickie's blood congealed at the words. It was finally time. She double 
clicked her comm to let Josh know she was ready. Why he had been chosen 
as lead of the Terran dogfighters was beyond her comprehension. She 
guessed it was because of his Air Force ties.
She shook her head to put out any jealous thoughts and concentrated. She 
felt the Force flowing through her. Reaching out, she felt the 
excitement, anxiety and readiness of everyone.
Corran grinned as he felt her touch on his mind. Yes, very strong in the 
Force is this one. He couldn't wait to go back and tell Luke of her. 
Beside him, Whistler moaned. The little droid wished he could tell his 
Master what was troubling him.
"Three..."
The countdown had started.
"Two..."
She pulled on her gloves to tighten them.
"One..."
One last check. All systems green.
"Mark."

Nearly five dozen ships lifted from the Mendellian soil. Their noses 
pointed upwards into the sky and suddenly, they were gone. Kirret 
watched Thayer and Reth take off from the top of the main tower. "Good 
luck," she whispered.
Llessur stood at her side. Her face was stoic, yet a single tear stained 
her cheek. She quietly repeated Kirret's words before stalking off the 
tower.

The TIE handled like a dream in atmosphere. She quickly began to 
outdistance the slower X-Wings. She felt free, like a hawk flying 
through a mountain valley.
"Lead to Two, you may want to take it easy."
Vickie blinked and realized she was alone. "Whoops, sorry Lead. Wasn't 
paying attention." She quickly returned to her position on Wedge's wing.
"At least we caught it before we got into the fight," he said. "I'd 
rather you stay with me during the battle."
"Yes, sir," she replied. "I will stay on your wing."
To pass the time, she decided to reach out with the Force to see what 
they would be dealing with. She found many alien minds. *Those must be 
the New Republic forces,* she thought. She continued to scan, but found 
nothing else. Her brow furrowed for a moment, then she shrugged. *Must 
be the ysalmiri blocking me from sensing them.*
Before she knew it, they were almost upon the _Admonitor_'s position. 
She flicked her lasers to single burst as the squad began to break apart 
into flights.
"One flight, you're on me," said Wedge. "Lock S-Foils into attack position."
And then it happened.
Something in her mind went *click*.