Star Wars_ X-Wing 05_ Wraith Squadron - Aaron Allston [1]
Falynn Sandskimmer (human female from Tatooine)
Voort “Piggy” saBinring (Gamorrean male from Gamorr)
Tyria Sarkin (human female from Toprawa)
Kell Tainer (human male from Sluis Van)
Eurrsk “Grinder” Thri’ag (Bothan male from Bothuwai)
Rogue Squadron Support Personnel
Cubber Daine (human male from Corellia, squad mechanic)
Chunky (Tyria’s R5 unit)
Gadget (Phanan’s R2 unit)
Gate (Wedge’s R5 unit)
Shiner (Donos’s R2 unit)
Squeaky (3PO unit, squadron quartermaster)
Thirteen (Kell’s R2 unit)
Vape (Face’s R2 unit)
New Republic Military
General Edor Crespin (human male from Corulag)
Captain Choday Hrakness (human male from Agamar)
Lieutenant Atril Tabanne (human female from Coruscant)
Dorset Konnair (human female from Coruscant)
Tetengo Noor (human male from Churba)
Zsinj’s Forces
Warlord Zsinj (human male from Fondor)
Admiral Apwar Trigit (human male from Coruscant)
Captain Zurel Darillian (human male from Coruscant)
Lieutenant Gara Petothel (human female from Coruscant)
1
Twelve X-wing snubfighters roared down into the atmosphere.
The world below, Coruscant, former throne world of the Empire, was an unbroken landscape of urban construction, a vast city reaching from pole to pole, blanketed by gray clouds shot through with white and yellow flashes of lightning.
The squadron commander, piloting a black fighter with an incongruously cheerful green and gold checkerboard pattern on the bow, shook his head over the grim vista of the world below. Even after all the time he’d spent here—even after the crucial role he’d played in conquering this world for the New Republic—he still could not get used to the arrogance of Coruscant. It was a world that could only rule or perish, for it produced nothing but soldiers, officers, and bureaucrats, and could not feed its population without importing massive quantities of food from around the galaxy.
He took a visual scan of his immediate surroundings. “Rogue Three, tighten up. We’re putting on a show here.”
A green X-wing closed in tighter to the formation. “Yes, sir.” Though distorted by the comm system, the voice sounded indulgent rather than military.
“That’s ‘Yes, Wedge’ until we’re formally returned to duty.” The commander smiled. “Or perhaps, ‘Yes, Exalted One.’ Or ‘Yes, O envy of all Corellia.’ Or—”
A chorus of groans interrupted him. The voice of Nawara Ven, the squadron’s Twi’lek executive officer, cut through it: “Stop complaining. He’s earned his little vacation from reality.”
Then the voice of Tycho Celchu, Wedge’s second-in-command, sharp and military: “Sensors register a squadron of fighters rising toward us. Speed is X-wing or better; sensor profiles suggest X-wings.”
“Maintain formation,” Wedge said, then switched his comm unit over from squadron frequency to New Republic military frequency. “Rogue Squadron to approaching X-wing formation, please identify yourselves.”
The voice responding was brisk, amused, and familiar. “Wrong designations, sir. We’re Rogue Squadron. You’re simply a rogue squadron. But for the next few minutes we’ll do you the courtesy of designating ourselves Red Squadron to avoid confusion. We’re your escort.”
“Hobbie? Is that you, Lieutenant Klivan?”
“That’s Captain Klivan … again, just for the next few minutes.”
The other X-wing unit rose into view, gradually attaining the altitude of Wedge’s squadron. Wedge was startled to see that the dozen snubfighters were painted in Rogue Squadron’s traditional red stripes and twelve-pointed insignia. “Hobbie, explain this.”
“No time, sir. We have a course change for you. High Command has decided to broadcast this entire event across the HoloNet—”
“Oh, no.”
“—so set your new course to ninety-three, follow my rate of descent, and we’ll get you there in one piece. After that, you’re on your own.”
Within moments their destination was clear: Imperial Plaza, a ground-level ferrocrete circle so broad that in spite of the surrounding skyscrapers, it could be seen from high in the air at angles other than directly overhead. The plaza was packed with spectators; even at this