Project Boussh: Status Report
by Scifantasy

"May I help you, sir?"
"Sci, to see Admiral Ackbar and General Cracken." Sci smiled to
himself as he saw the Imperial Palace receptionist, who normally wore
a look that mirrored any Terran librarian sans glasses, become
flustered as she heard who this seemingly average citizen wanted to
see. Her surprise turned to contempt, but Sci knew that would change.
"I'll call, sir, but..." The receptionist activated her comlink,
calling Ackbar's attendant. "Sir, there is a Sci here..."
"Send him up, now." The receptionist closed the connection. The
receptionist was more confused than ever, but she pointed to a
turbolift.
Sci entered the lift, and it closed. The acsent took mere moments, and
Sci was pleased by the view when he exited. He could see for
kilometers in any direction. However, Sci's attention was focused
elsewhere. He gave a sharp, military-precision saulte, and held it
until Ackbar waved a finny hand. "Sit down, Sci."
Sci took a seat. "Thank you, Admiral, General." He nodded to General
Airen Cracken as well, then took a seat across from the deck the two
were sitting at. "And thank you again for all that you and the New
Republic Armed Forces have done for us."
"Of course, having Jedi, politicians, and other highly respected
public figures pushing at us from all sides couldn't have hurt."
Cracken's smile took the insult out of his words.
Sci smiled, too, "Yes, it helped. But, I have good news. The repairs
to the _Pulsar Skate_'s hyperdrive have succeeded, and General
Antilles and his party have arrived and rendezvoused with their
guides. Everyone is successfully onplanet." Sci refrained from
mentioning some of the screwups that had occurred. What with Brad
Corletti's suspected treachery, the cloaked ISD in orbit, the TIE
Defenders in Greensboro, Terrans such Bill Skywalker and ImpStar1138,
not to mention Kolot and the Bronx Zoo, Sci was under a lot of
pressure. However, additional New Republic support would only result
in Quiara's death. Or, if he let on how the mission was going, the two
people in front of him might very well recall the squadrons and leave
the AFW'ers to fend for themselves. He did not want that.
"I suppose that you are returning as well?"
"Not exactly. Since I'm coordinating the project, I have the most
complete picture of what's going on. Which, so far, has been very
little as far as finding Quiara is concerned. However, I still make
for a target. I'll probably retreat to a base that the Terran
'ambassadors' set up on the dark side of Luna, and continue
coordinating from there. I'll need to go to Terra occasionally, but
right now I'm trying to lay low."
"Good," said Ackbar. "Smart move. However, there is one thing. I am
concerned about the possibility of danger for our people."
Sci stood. "Admiral, I am a man of my word. And when I borrow
something, I return it in the same condition. Your people will be back
as good as when they left. Possibly better."
Ackbar and Cracken stood, as well. "Hard to do." said Cracken.
"Antilles, and his friends, are the best there is. My son included."
Ackbar then spoke. "Since we cannot control a project of this size
from so far away, I hereby grant you, Sci, and your Terran allies,
direct control over this project. You are still answerable to us, but
on a realistic scale, the project is in your hands."
Sci saluted and turned to exit. As he was leaving, Cracken said, "May
the Force be with you, Sci. I hope to hear from you again."
*May the Force be with me,* Sci silently agreed. *I'm gonna need it.*

Sci wandered to the front of the cabin of the small shuttle. His
trajectory would put him directly behind Luna, so that he could
minimize detection. The craft dropped out of hyperspace...
...and directly before him was a smoking ruin. The base was blasted
into oblivion, and the attackers had been extremely thorough. Sci
swore. "Better go home then. Just need to lay low."
He set a course, and flew towards his home in America. There had been
at least twenty-five people in there. Someone would pay for that.
Someone would pay for all of it.