Sci sighed. Another data point to chalk up to the ever-increasing list. Memory of wreck as a child leads to hysteria upon landing. He took a deep breath, then let it out. "Nat, open a comm channel to the New Republic Armed Forces Traffic Control." She beeped.
"NRAF Traffic Controller Mazark," came a gruff voice.
"Shuttle Gaia, New Republic Intelligence, requesting landing clearance."
"Clearance granted, Gaia. Take Platform 47 Isk."
"Much appreciated, Mazark."
The landing, almost in defiance of the (now snoozing) Sylvana's ravings, was as smooth as any Sci had ever performed. Sci was unsurprised to see that a New Republic Armed Forces officer was waiting for them there. He hit the strap release and went into the bunks, where he took a medkit from a slot. "Nat, initiate shutdown procedure. And--stay onboard, would you? I'll comm you if I need anything."
She gave a mechanical sigh. "As you wish, Major."
Sci spoke as he worked, filling an injector with adrenaline. "It's not that I don't trust you. It's that I don't trust everyone else."
She beeped again, this time more satisfied. "I see. Thanks."
Sci pressed the injector to Sylvana's shoulder. She blinked her eyes twice, then sat up. "Huh? What? Where am I? How did I...?"
"You're in a bunk. You were screaming that we were going to crash, then you fell unconscious. Arrek carried you back here so you wouldn't get hurt in the landing--which, by the way, was smooth." He held up a hand to forestall her comments. "Never mind. Let's go."
The five of them walked down the open ramp, which closed behind them. Sci had a funny image of pressing a remote control, like on a Terran automobile, but he hid his smile as they stopped and returned the officer's salute.
The officer in question, who wore an Ensign's insignia, was the very picture of the brash, baby-faced newly minted officer. "Ensign Kralen reporting, sir!"
Sci dropped out of his formal mode. He'd never liked it anyway. "At ease, Ensign. You're here to escort Field Agent Brown?" He nodded.
"Yes, sir. She's scheduled for a several-day intensive computer training session, emphasis slicing, sir."
Sci looked back at Bethany. "I don't know for sure where we're sleeping--I have the feeling that some highly-regarded unit will be offering us use of its barracks. I'll either come by or have someone get you, all right?" She nodded, and Sci waved. She followed the ensign into a nearby building.
"All right, now that it's the four of us, for now I'm going to let you run explore for a while. Your ID's have some credits on them, but not too much. Sylvana, don't get in too much trouble--there's something I want you to help me take care of some time while we're here.
"For myself, I've got administrivia to do. I'll have my comlink, and Nat will be on the shuttle's comm, so call if you have a problem. I'll comm you when I know where we're staying."
They scattered to the four winds as Sci walked jauntily into the building, heading for the lift. He took a fast route to the Rogue Squadron headquarters building.
In the times that Sci had travelled to Coruscant since the founding of Terra Group, whenever he visited the Rogue or Wraith headquarters, he was greeted with what he always compared to a scene from Cheers.
He walked in, and everybody turned as one, chorusing a greeting. "SCI!"
He grinned and waved, walking up to shake Wedge's proferred hand. "Good to see everybody."
He also grabbed a datacard from a pocket, tossing it to Corran. "Might help you understand our current mission somewhat." Corran dropped it in his datapad, downloading the contents. Ever since the Boussh mission, where Sci had been quoting passages from books, Sci had made a point of giving Corran some selections from his library. Among other things, this one contained Dune, by Frank Herbert.
Sci stayed for a while, swapping old stories and new, and tidbits of information and gossip that were the ultimate universal currency. Finally, Wedge turned his subject to who of Sci's team was here.
"Well, most of my team is off on a mission. I have with me three new recruits and Lieutenant Janson--that is, Lieutenant Goczalk--that is, Emily."
"New recruits?"
"Yeah, a new computer specialist replacing Morwen, and a pair of siblings replacing Policrat and Alison." Wedge's eyes darkened for a second. Sci knew the feeling. He himself still hadn't gotten over the fact that he had led Alison on a crazy mission that would lead to her death. He wasn't sure he ever would.
"Anyway, you should know them. Wes and Hobbie--where are they now, anyway?--went to see them last summer, or so."
"Oh, the Lorrdains?" Sci nodded. "Smart move. By all accounts they'd be good additions to the team. Wes and Hobbie are...Well, they're somewhere. Probably causing trouble for somebody. So, it's five of you? Care to use a few of our extra rooms?" Sci smiled.
"I'd like that. Thanks. I have a few meetings to set up for tomorrow--see you later."
He made a few more stops along the way, and several comm calls, setting up meetings for the next day and, in some cases, simply saying "Hello." Everybody wanted to hear something. Kelly wanted news about all of the team, of course, and she made him just about swear not to leave without stopping in to see her. Face wanted Sci and the new recruits to stop by, too, but Sci managed to beg off, claiming responsibilities. Everybody had something...
And Sci had some things, too. Besides confirming a meeting with the NRI command staff, he was confirming a meeting with some other highly respected public figures. Uneasy lies the head that wears Major's insignia, he said to himself.