Star Wars_ X-Wing 04_ The Bacta War - Michael A. Stackpole [5]
“But they’re not hyperspace capable.”
“True, but that’s not going to be their value for us.” Tycho began to smile. “The Z-95s are part of history. They’re collectible. I’ve already had offers from museums and amusement parks to buy them. We can probably get one point five million for each of them—the Bothan Military Academy wants the one Asyr flew so badly they’re not even trying to hide their desire for it.”
Wedge’s jaw dropped. “That would give us quite a war chest.”
“It should take care of many of our needs.”
“Provided we can find places where we can buy weapons that are restricted or illegal on most civilized planets.”
Tycho nodded. “Winter and Mirax are working on that problem. Winter, from her work locating Imperial supply depots for us to raid, knows where there are bits and pieces of things that we can buy, borrow, or steal. Mirax is fairly certain she can locate sources for pretty much anything else we need. And we are getting donations of material.”
Wedge smiled and looked around the small office in which he and Tycho sat. After their resignation, they had been forced out of Rogue Squadron’s headquarters facility. Various citizens had turned around and offered the ex-Rogues apartments and offices. They’d been feted and celebrated and praised as if they were the only people in the galaxy who still had in them the rebel spirit that defeated the Empire.
“Do you think the Provisional Council ordered the grounding of all skyhooks just to spite us?”
Tycho shook his head. “That’s a popular rumor after we were offered the SoroSuub skyhook, but we know the safety concerns over the things are well founded. The Lusankya blasted most of one out of the sky, and the falling debris obliterated a couple of square kilometers. Grounding the skyhooks in that area and where the Lusankya blasted out of Coruscant provides housing for the survivors of those disasters and allows the resources used to keep the skyhooks airborne to be diverted to other projects.”
“Too bad for us, because a skyhook would have been perfect. It would have enough storage to let us house our equipment when we get it.”
Tycho raised an eyebrow. “I think you’re more concerned that it would provide Isard with a single target to hit when she comes after us, which she will. It minimizes collateral damage.”
“Unless you’re living beneath us.”
“True.”
“As was your speculation.” Wedge frowned. “The fact is. that we’ve declared war on Isard, but we’re not going to be indiscriminate in waging that war. She knows no such restriction on her actions. In reality, we shouldn’t be looking at any headquarters anywhere near Coruscant. There are a bunch of old Rebel bases we could convert.”
“Even if we could get it, I’m not going back to Hoth.” Tycho shivered. “I saw enough snow there to last me a dozen lifetimes.”
“Which is about what it takes to burn that Hoth cold from your bones.” Wedge shook his head. “No, I was thinking about Yavin 4 or Talasea. Endor would be nice, but the Ewoks would be targets for her.”
A chime sounded from the door. Wedge looked up and said, “Open.”
The door slid open to reveal a flame-haired man of above-average height wearing the uniform of a Captain in the New Republic Armed Forces. He started to salute, then hesitated, then completed the gesture in a crisp and respectful manner.
Wedge smiled and stood behind the table. He returned the salute, then waved the man into the office and toward a chair. “Good to see you again, Pash. I see you’ve got your rank back. You’re rejoining your flight group?”
Pash Cracken nodded, then shook hands with both Tycho and Wedge before seating himself. “Good to see both of you as well.” His green-eyed gaze flicked down at the floor for a moment. “I really wish