Project Boussh: Return of the TAWG
by Vickie Boyd

Quiara stopped in front of the TIE she was supposed to fly. "I can't do 
this," she said quietly.
Vickie heard her and looked at Wedge. "She'll fly with me," he said. 
"Get her a helmet from one of the others. I think I can wire it up to 
take two."
She nodded and ran off to find the equipment.
Quiara looked at Wedge. "I'm sorry. I've caused so much trouble."
"No you haven't," he replied. A traditional Corellian grin crossed his 
features. "Thrawn has." He put an arm around her shoulder and gave a 
tight squeeze. "We will get through this."
Vickie returned with another helm and a tandem attachment. "Looks like 
they already thought of having two people in one of those things."
Wedge nodded and took the contraption. "Go get ready. Do you know the 
Rogue frequency?"
She nodded. Her brow creased for a moment before she nodded again. She 
turned towards the other ship Pol had mentioned and climbed aboard.
Popping the hatch, she dropped down into the acceleration couch. It 
conformed to her body. She reached for the helmet and pulled it on. 
Everything looked dark, but a quick touch of a button and the faceplate 
lightened. She began the startup sequence and switched the comm to the 
frequency Whistler had told her was the Rogues.
A few moments passed before any noise came over the comm. "We're set 
here," Wedge said. "You ready to go?"
She looked out the cockpit and saw Pol and Plourr exiting. Something 
bothered her, but she couldn't place her finger on it. "All systems 
green. Ready to go."
Below them, the floor opened as the two ships were dropped out of the 
ship into space. The initial jar startled her and she felt her stomach 
in her throat. She swallowed and ignited the engines. Together the two 
ships gracefully flew past the Star Destroyer.

Quiara grasped the seat tightly. She had flown on commercial flights 
before, but this was completely different. It was more like a ride at an 
amusement park. Except that there were no rails or any other safety 
features. She had to rely on Wedge's piloting skills. That was not a 
problem. The problem was seeing the earth below. Way below.
"Are you ok?" Wedge saw how pale the young woman was.
"Yeah," she squeaked. "I just never thought I would actually see the 
earth like this."
"It reminds me of..." He was interrupted before he could finish.
"Lead," came Vickie's voice through the comm. "I am not so sure this is 
right."
"What do you mean?"
"Not to sound cliche, but I have a bad feeling about this."
"Why is that?"
"I don't know. It's just a feeling."
Wedge nodded. He knew what that meant coming from a Jedi. "Let's just 
get to Mendellia and then worry about it."

The two TIE-Avengers flew over the Pacific Ocean. Vickie noted that it 
just wasn't as pretty as the Atlantic, at least to her eyes. She 
remembered the recon video Pash and Corran had brought back and knew 
they were close to Mendellia. Smoke on the horizon told her that the oil 
spill must have caught on fire. She sighed and tear came to her eye as 
she thought of the animals that must have perished from the flames.
Her comm suddenly came to life as they were queried. "Unidentified 
ships, this is Mendellia Control. Identify or be shot down."
"Control, this is General Wedge Antilles of the New Republic."
"General," a new voice yelled excitedly over the comm. "You have escaped."
"Yes Piggy. I have Quiara with me and Vickie is following."
"Wonderful, sir. Land in the compound. I am sure there is room. I will 
alert the others."
"Acknowledged. Antilles out."

The two ships landed amidst a few X-Wings. Vickie saw an A-Wing as well 
and smiled. She was glad that Pash was ok. She pulled off the helmet and 
looked out the cockpit. There was a horde of people emerging from the 
palace. She opened the hatch and jumped out.
A woman broke away from the crowd and rushed towards Wedge. He opened 
his arms wide and gathered her into them. "Hi there," he said to his wife.
"Hi yourself," Iella replied. "I'm so glad to see you."
"Not as much as I am to see you." He kissed her tenderly on the lips.
Vickie looked out into the crowd of people. She saw many of the Terrans 
and GFFAers as well as people who must be Mendellian. Her eyes caught 
sight of the redhaired pilot. Their eyes locked and she smiled.
She looked at Wedge and saw him introducing Iella to Quiara. When she 
turned back, Pash was gone. She frowned and began to move towards the 
others.