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“It is kind of you to say so.”

“To even think otherwise would be to do you a disservice. While many think of Twi’leks as traders, I know you have a proud warrior tradition.”

“But our warriors are unproven to the galaxy.” Tal’dira waved a hand toward the half of the station above his head. “As you have said, to most of the galaxy Twi’leks are merchants like Koh’shak or criminals like Bib Fortuna. You have been to Ryloth. You know this is not true, but such is the impression that has been made on the galaxy. Thinking that sapient beings believe all of us to be merchants and thieves preys on my mind.”

Wedge glanced down at his tumbler of whisky. “I thought the fighters you have created were impressive.” The Twi’leks had taken a TIE fighter’s ball cockpit and married to it the S-foils of an X-wing fighter. The S-foils were connected to a collar that allowed them to rotate independently of the cockpit, much in the way the cruciform stabilizers on the B-wing rotated around its cockpit. The design provided stability for the pilot and had proved very effective with the B-wing. “Their maneuverability, I would imagine, makes them very formidable.”

Tal’dira straightened up and smiled with genuine pleasure. “The Twi’leki designation for them is Chir’daki. In your Basic it would be Deathseed. It recalls the spores of a parasitic fungus that invades a larger creature and destroys it. Most unpleasant, as would be facing our Chir’daki in combat.”

Wedge sipped a bit more whisky. “They are hyperspace capable?”

“Indeed. The twin-ion engines are used for main propulsion. The engines on the S-foils are smaller than those in your X-wings, but they provide power for the hyperdrive motivators and shield generators. We have quad lasers for our weaponry—no proton torpedoes because we decided obtaining supplies of them might be difficult.”

“Wise decision—proton torps and concussion missiles are the only things we’re having trouble finding. Booster is using up a lot of favors to get them.” Wedge gave Tal’dira a curt nod. “I envy you your ships.”

“And I envy you your ability to win victories.” Tal’dira played with his tumbler of whisky in a most unwarriorly fashion. “You have proven yourself time and again a most dangerous enemy.”

Wedge glanced down for a moment and stroked his chin with his right hand. “It occurs to me, Tal’dira, that it would be a waste for your ships to go untested.”

A light sparked deep in the Twi’lek’s dark eyes. “Indeed, a great waste.”

“Perhaps it would be possible for you and some of your pilots to join us.” Wedge spread his hands open. “The work is dangerous, and we will find ourselves outcasts everywhere if we fail.”

Tal’dira’s lekku twitched nonchalantly. “Twi’leks have been outcasts before.”

“Can you give me a squadron?”

The warrior nodded. “Fearful that pirates might prey upon Koh’shak’s freighter, we shipped with a dozen Deathseeds and pilots. We would be honored to join your battle against Iceheart.”

Which is what you wanted the instant you heard we were fighting her, but you could never have asked. You wanted to be invited. Wedge sat back. “I know you are aware of how serious this is, but there really are fairly grand problems here. If you join us, Iceheart could cut the bacta supply to Ryloth.”

“Ryll may not be bacta, but it suffices for many of our needs.” Tal’dira shrugged. “Twi’leks pride themselves on being hearty, and bacta is seen in some quarters as a means for the weak to survive. If we are deprived of it we will lose people, but if we do not oppose Iceheart and take our place in the galaxy, what is the reason for living?”

“And you know Iceheart isn’t going to forgive you if we lose.”

The Twi’lek smiled easily. “The implacable foe is the only one worth facing. If we know we have lost everything we will fight that much harder. Such are the battles worth winning and worth taking pride in.”

Wedge raised his tumbler again and clinked it against Tal’dira’s. “Welcome to the Bacta War, Tal’dira. Here’s hoping Iceheart