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“I do, Admiral.” I blushed and glanced down. “I used to be quite a fanatic on the subject as a child. I watched whatever I could because it infuriated my family. I didn’t understand then the risk to my family I posed, nor the risk that Jedi posed to the Empire. I know the New Republic claims to have some and I believe one of them was responsible for the destruction of Carida.”

“So he was.” Tavira’s eyes brightened slightly. “At the battle of Xa Fel, my people had indications of the presence of a Jedi. Do you know anything about that?”

I threw my head back and laughed. “It all makes sense, now.”

She frowned. “What does?”

“The proton torpedoes. Those would be what he used against the Invidious.”

Nive shook his head. “Again, with help files.”

I looked openly at the both of them, feeding shock into the pool of memories in my brain. “The Jedi, Luke Starkiller, Adam Darklighter, Biggs Skywalker, whatever, the one who destroyed the Death Star at Yavin—he used proton torpedoes. It makes sense that he shot them at your ship when going away. I was flying against Rogue Squadron, and he was the founder of Rogue Squadron, after all.”

I felt the same surprise on Tavira’s face roll down the connection in my brain. That presence withdrew itself as Tavira’s surprise melted into an appreciative smile. “I am impressed, Captain Idanian. No one else has connected Rogue Squadron with the Jedi.”

“Not even your advisors?”

“No, not even them.” Her quirt cracked against her gloved palm. “How is it that you were able to come up with this answer?”

I narrowed my eyes. “That X-wing pilot almost got me. I knew he was from Rogue Squadron, but when analyzing my performance after the fact, I realized I needed to know more about all of them. Their history makes for fascinating reading. You’re even mentioned in it.”

Her head came up and her gaze became icy. “I’ve run afoul of them several times, but never with a Jedi flying with them.”

I tried but could not suppress a shiver.

She caught it and smiled. “You’ve survived an encounter with them, as have I. Does that make us kindred spirits?”

“It makes us both survivors.”

“And you take pride in being a survivor?”

I shook my head. “I take pride in being a victor.”

Her eyes widened slightly. “And do you always win?”

“So far.”

“Perhaps you have not been properly challenged.” She pursed her lips for a moment. “Perhaps I should find a challenge for you.”

Captain Nive shifted uneasily in his chair. “If you wish, I can …”

I held a hand up. “Begging your pardon, sir. May I speak frankly, Admiral?”

Tavira blinked at me. “This is different. Proceed.”

I stood. “I have great respect for you, Admiral, as a tactician and for being able to hold together this coalition. Your ability to keep the Invidious intact while the New Republic is hunting her is nothing short of miraculous. And, without meaning to sound forward, I think you’re stunningly beautiful. Fact is, though, I joined the Invids to be a pilot and to make money. If the challenge you’re thinking of offering me tests my pilot skills, I’m your man. If not, I’m not interested in the job.”

Nive looked stricken and I’m pretty certain he thought he was going to be ordered to have me killed right then and there.

Tavira looked surprised. For all of a second. Then she rose to her feet and lashed me across the face with the quirt. I knew the stinging blow was coming—no need even for the Force to tell me that—and I just took it. The pain sank into my flesh and heat rose to replace it in my right cheek. I didn’t feel any trickle of blood, but I knew I’d have a nasty welt for a day or so, and an ugly bruise after that.

“That is for your presumption, Captain.” Tavira brought the quirt back and pressed it up under my chin. “If I were to find you attractive—and though you are far from ugly, you are not of a type I favor—and I wanted you to attend me, you would. Ut-ut, no speaking here. Know that what I tell you is a fact pure and simple.” Her eyes all but closed