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The Commander smiled. “And, yes, we could have been assigned A-wing or B-wing craft, but we’re using X-wings. You may debate the merits of the various ships among yourselves, but Rogue Squadron has always been primarily an X-wing squadron, and shall remain so. Any other questions? No? Then you’re dismissed until 0800 hours tomorrow at which time we’ll meet again and begin molding you into a true fighting unit.”

Corran stood, intending to head down to thank the Commander for picking him for the squadron, but Jace approached Wedge first, and Corran refused to do anything that gave the impression he was following Jace. Later, I can thank him later.

Nawara Ven stroked his chin with his left hand. “So, two of us are already under death marks. I wonder who?”

Rhysati poked him in the ribs with her elbow. “You mean you aren’t, Nawara? You were a lawyer, after all.”

“Yes, and there are doubtlessly some of my clients still on Kessel who would love to kill me, but I’m not aware of having a death mark.” His red eyes narrowed. “The Shistavanen is a rough customer. I could see him as being wanted by the Empire.”

The blond woman frowned. “I’d taken his being one of them for granted. What about Andoorni Hui? She’s a Rodian and most of them tend to work with the Empire. Did she do something to anger her old employers?”

Ooryl blinked his big compound eyes. “Not her. Rodians are hunters who live and die by their reputations. Andoorni is a huntress who decided that joining the most celebrated hunting band in the galaxy—Rogue Squadron—is a way of furthering her reputation. Ooryl does not think she did anything to bring the wrath of her past patrons down on her head.”

Rhysati looked over at Corran. “What do you think?”

“Me? I don’t know. I don’t think I ever ran into her when I was in CorSec, but I have trouble telling one Rodian from another and I can’t speak their language. I do know she wasn’t on any apprehension lists I ever saw, so she didn’t have a death mark before I left the service.” He shrugged. “Shiel probably does have a death mark on him, on the other hand. A lot of the wolfmen were put out of the scouting business because of the Emperor’s restrictions on exploration. Some of them turned around and sold their services to the Rebellion and found havens like Dantooine and Yavin. I don’t think the Empire appreciates that sort of activity.”

“More correctly, Mr. Horn, Riv Shiel earned his death mark when he slew a stormtrooper team that tried to apprehend him, thinking he was Lak Sivrak.” The black protocol droid carefully ascended the stairs. “Forgive me for interrupting, and please allow me to introduce myself. I am Emtrey, human-cyborg relations and regulations with a military specialty. I am fluent in over six million languages and familiar with an equivalent number of current and historical military doctrines, regulations, honor codes, and protocols.”

The ends of the Twi’lek’s brain tails twitched. “As well as being familiar with the personnel files of everyone in the squadron?”

“Why, yes.” Golden lights glowed deep in the dark hollow of the droid’s face. “My primary function requires me to carry such data around with me. Without it …”

Nawara held a hand up. “So you could tell us who the other individual is with a death mark on him or her.”

“I could.” Emtrey’s head canted at an angle. “Shiel has made no attempt to conceal his death mark, but the other person has said nothing about it. Would revealing his identity be wise, Mr. Horn?”

Corran shrugged. “I stopped being a law enforcement officer a bit ago, so I don’t know if revealing that information would be a violation of the law. Counselor Ven might.”

The Twi’lek half closed his eyes. “Hardly. Death marks imposed by the Empire are meant to be a matter of public record. And, in this company, it is hardly a disgrace.”

“Who is it?” Rhysati asked.

“Nawara’s right, it’s more a badge of honor here than anything else.” Corran crossed his arms. “C’mon, Emtrey, say what you know.”

The droid