Project Boussh: Shut Up, Flyboy
by Vickie Boyd

POLEARM FIVE AND BRAVO ONE ARE COMMUNICATING ON A TIGHTBEAM LINK.

Vickie nodded, her expression calm. "I know." What the hell had she
gotten herself into. Here she was in a CorSec X-Wing. (She couldn't call
it a New Republic ship since it is Corran's personal property.) She was
FLYING said X-Wing against what she had considered insurmountable odds.
She even had use of the Force. Groaning, she opened the comms. "Nine,
this is Deuce. I have a problem."

Corran quickly replied, "Is there something wrong with the ship?"

"No, not exactly." She watched Brad and Dorset leave and winced that
there was nothing she could do.

"What is it?"

"Um..." Her reply was cut short as she saw Brad firing on the A-Wing.
Her jaw fell open in disbelief. What the hell are you thinking, Brad,
she thought.

"That idiot just fired on Five. He really is a traitor." Corran turned
the A-Wing towards the combat.

"Corran, no!" Her plea was unheard. She turned her attention from Corran
to the two ships playing chicken. "Brad, don't do it."

If she had blinked, she would have missed seeing the missile and ion
blast pass each other. Instead she just cursed under her breath as she
watched the missile impact on the hull of the B-Wing. As expected, the
ion shot disabled the A-Wing. Both ships began to plummet towards earth.
"Oh no."



Corran's shields lit up as the wave from the explosion hit him. "Ok,
Bravo. You have sealed your fate."

*Corran, don't.*

He shivered slightly at her touch to his mind. *He is the traitor. I
have to...*

She didn't let him finish. *He is not a citizen of the New Republic. And
neither am I.*

Her logic was confusing him. What did it matter that they were not
citizens? *He is a traitor to this mission. Are you admitting to the
same?*

She sighed. *No. He is not a traitor to the mission. He has his own
private life that has gotten embroiled in this game.*

*Private or not, he threatened a New Republic officer*

Corran had made no move to stop following the two ships. She maneuvered
the X-Wing to intercept. *All that aside, leave him alone.*

*Don't make me do something I don't want to, Vickie*

An image of the X-Wing bursting apart appeared in her mind. She clinched
her eyes shut and cried aloud. *Damnit Corran. Why won't you just listen
to...* Sharp pain made her stop. She looked at the falling ships and saw
Brad nearly get hit by the canopy of the A. "Shit. I'm the only one who
can help."

Ignoring Corran and concentrating on the Force, Vickie reached out and
steadied the two ships. Dorset was climbing out to join Brad in his
ship. "Come on Konnair. You can do it."

"They are going to be killed," Corran said.

He broke her concentration and Dorset slipped. Vickie reached down and
grabbed her own leg. No, hers wasn't broken, but she was sure Dorset's
was. "Get her in, Brad," she whispered. "I'm letting you go." *Take care
of her,* she projected into his mind.

The A-Wing began to drift away from the other craft. "He has a hostage."

"Corran, we are going home now."

The Jedi's eyes narrowed. "Are you ordering me to back off? I thought
you said you weren't a citizen of the New Republic."

"I'm not, but I am a member of this team. Back off, flyboy."

Corran was taken aback. He chuckled, "I didn't think you had it in you."
He turned the A-Wing towards her. "Lead the way, Wannabe."

She breathed a sigh of relief and turned the X-Wing towards home. *Brad,
you aren't getting off that easy.*