Project Boussh: Prelude to a Fight
by Vickie Boyd



General Erisi Dlarit entered the Grand Admiral's office and flopped down
in the chair before the desk. She was fuming. *That little Jedi bitch,*
she thought as she tried to tug the fork from her hair. She winced as it
pulled and didn't come out.

After a few minutes, the door opened. Grand Admiral Thrawn walked in.
Erisi jumped to her feet immediately. "Admiral, it wasn't my..." she
stopped as he held up a pale blue hand. He continued past her and around
the desk. Lowering himself into the oversized chair, he turned to face
her. He absently stroked the ysalamiri that rested on the arm. "General,
would you please explain your actions at dinner."

She looked confused, "I was only defending your honor, Admiral."

His eyebrow rose. "You feel I cannot defend my own self?"

"No. Not at all, Admiral. I only meant," she was beginning to sweat. She
knew the Jedi was in the wrong.

"Your reaction was brash, General. Your personal feelings do not belong
here."

Her eyes narrowed as she stood rigidly. "Yes, Admiral," she said through
gritted teeth.

Thrawn templed his fingers before his chin, elbows on the arms of the
chair. "I wonder if you read those books I recommended to you before
we arrived."

Erisi blushed. "No sir, I'm sorry. I didn't have time."

"I believe it would be in your best interest to make time. You should be
aware of how the Terrans view you."

"Yes sir," she replied, head lowered.

Silence fell between the two. Thrawn finally broke it. "You are
dismissed."

Erisi nodded and turned to leave.

"General?" She turned back. "Make sure you understand it all."

She nodded again and left.



Back in her quarters, Erisi opened the files Thrawn had sent her. They
were too long to look over in one night. She chose to narrow down to
every section that contained her name.

Taking one of her knives, she cut the hair around the fork and swore.
What she read made her swear even more. "Lies! These are all
fabrications!" She couldn't believe the audacity of the Terrans.

As she read the last sentence, she formulated a plan and fell into a
deep sleep.




Wedge rolled over on his makeshift bed. It was just a few blankets
folded up, but it was better than the cold floor. He looked over at
Vickie who lay on the floor opposite him. She was still tossing and
turning. Ever since the vision about Mike, she had not been peaceful.
Once, not long after falling into the restless sleep, she screamed
Alison's name and began crying. Not once did she awaken.

He sighed and turned to look at where Quiara and Dorset were sleeping.
He and Vickie had allowed them the beds. He knew what his reasoning was,
but had no idea about Vickie. She was a complete mystery to him. The
sudden shifts in attitude were confusing.

Shuffling at the door diverted his attention. Four guards entered. "Rise
and shine," the first one said.

Wedge sat up slowly and watched as one of the guards moved to Vickie. He
was about to warn the man when the guard touched her. "Get off me," she
screamed as she kicked her legs out and connected in his groin. She then
sat up and pushed him away.

Two of the guards quickly ran to her side and slapped stun-cuffs on her.
Her eyes were glazed over until she blinked. "What the," she began as
her eyes focused on the cuffs. She caught sight of the guard unconscious
on the floor across the room. "Did I do that?"

"On your feet," the lead guard said as he pulled her by the cuffs.

She winced as the stun effect rippled through her body.

Dorset jumped to her feet and moved to intervene. She knew Vickie had
not slept well. She herself had not slept for worrying over the Terran.
As she moved forward, she found herself blocked by Wedge. "Let it be,"
he whispered. "There are four more guards outside."

She looked him in the eyes, at the guards, then back at him. "If they
hurt her," she said sternly.

"They will have to deal with me first." He returned her gaze steadily.


"Ok, lets get moving," one of the guards said and waved at Quiara,
Dorset and Wedge with his rifle. They began to move out the door. "You
have been invited to a special event."

Wedge stopped to wait on Vickie. She began to move towards him, but was
pulled back by the guard beside her. The guard next to him poked him
with his rifle. He frowned. "Isn't she coming with us?"

"She is getting a front row seat," he said with a grin. With that, he
pushed him out the door.



Vickie watched as the others were ushered out. She moved to go with them
and was pulled back. She felt the stun of the cuffs and her eyes
watered. "Where are they going," she asked.

"A different way," the guard replied with a smile. "Let's go." He shoved
her towards the door.

She stumbled, but caught herself on the door jam. They turned her down
the hall in the opposite direction from the others.


Quiara, Dorset and Wedge were led into what looked like a box seat.
Quiara moved to the edge quickly. She looked down into an arena.
"Reminds me of something out of Star Trek," she mused.

Dorset stood beside her. "Sir, you need to see this."

Wedge moved to her side and paled.

"Ah, I see you recognize the setup," Thrawn's voice came from behind
them.

Wedge turned quickly. "Who is fighting?"

Thrawn smiled as he moved towards his seat. "Ah, it was all General
Dlarit's idea. She wanted her revenge on Jedi Boyd and Terrans in
general."

His eyes widened. "No, let her fight me. Vickie doesn't know how to
fight."

"Well, listen to the chivalrous knight."

"Let me do it instead," Dorset says as she turned to face the men.
"Excuse me, General, but the Grand Admiral is right. You are too
chivalrous. You would not be able to strike Dlarit."

Thrawn grinned. "I'm sorry, but there is no time left. They will be
starting soon. Now, if you will have a seat, we can watch the
festivities. Not to worry, though. Jedi Boyd will not be at a complete
loss."

"What do you mean," asked Wedge.

"The ysalamir do not overlap. I am curious to see how she handles it."

Wedge sat down in the seat beside Thrawn and prepared himself for the
worst.