Star Wars_ X-Wing 05_ Wraith Squadron - Aaron Allston [29]
“Rogue Squadron, the last time it was reorganized, was built with pilots who had a number of intrusion skills. Our new squadron is the reverse: a full-fledged commando unit augmented by X-wing fighters.” He looked among the ten pilots, making eye contact. “As much as anything, it is your secondary skills, some of them barely acknowledged in your records, that have earned your places here. We’ll be doing as much work on the ground—sabotage, subversion, intrusion—as flying.”
Phanan put up a hand. Wedge acknowledged him by pointing. Phanan asked, “Assassination?”
Wedge hesitated over his reply. “If you can find a way for us to infiltrate and surgically destroy an Imperial base without our enemies being able to call it assassination, I want to consult with you after this meeting. Other than that, under my command, members of this unit will never be assigned a task like picking off a speaker at an assembly or walking up to a target and knifing him.”
“That’s fine. I just wanted to know. I actually don’t mind assassination.”
Wedge gave him a cool look before continuing. “At the moment, we are designated Gray Squadron. Put in recommendations for a permanent name; if I see one I like well enough to choose it, the submittor gets a three-day leave on Commenor.
“Now, our roster. Most of you know one another. Because of our shortfall of pilots, Lieutenant Janson and I will be flying with Gray Squadron as well as being in command. Janson, incidentally, is a crack shot with hand weapons and fighter weapons systems; anyone who wants some extra weapons training should consult with him.
“Our next ranking officer is Lieutenant Myn Donos.” Kell looked over to where the emotionless Corellian pilot sat, well away from the other nine. “In addition to his flying duties, Donos is our sniper.
“The rest of you are all of equal rank. For this briefing, I’m going to dispense with the tradition of arranging you by the date of your commission or by your specific flight experience; instead, I’ll rank you by your scoring during our pilot training. So first among equals of you flight officers is Kell Tainer. He’s our backup mechanic when we’re away from our support crew and is our demolitions expert. He also served with distinction among the commandos who helped take Borleias last year.”
Tyria gave Kell a wide-eyed look. She whispered, “Did you really?”
He shrugged. “I planted charges while my buddies returned fire against unfriendlies. Somebody thought it called for extra recognition.”
Wedge cleared his throat to regain everyone’s attention. “Next, Garik Loran—” He was interrupted as Face stood and took a bow; several of the pilots offered mock applause. Amused, Wedge gestured for him to sit, then continued. “Face is one of our insertion experts, proficient in makeup, speaks several languages other than Basic—”
Face called out, “Don’t forget, master actor.”
Wedge nodded amiably. “And sometime cook. You’re peeling tubers on kitchen duty tonight. Do you have anything else to add?”
“Uhhh … No, sir.”
“Falynn Sandskimmer knows a lot about ground vehicles, and is a Y-wing ace.” All glanced at the dark-haired woman from Tatooine; she stared back, an expression somewhere between hard-edged and actively hostile. Her look made her features, which under ordinary circumstances would have been attractive, rather forbidding. “In the absence of our support crew, she’s also in charge of acquisitions.”
Kell raised a hand.
“Mr. Tainer?”
“Speaking of acquisitions, do we have a squadron quartermaster? I’ll want to work with him on the matter of spare parts for the X-wings …”
“We don’t yet, but I’m looking among available personnel for someone who can do that. I’ll let you know.” Wedge looked down at his datapad to find the name of the next pilot. “Ton Phanan is our medical officer.”
Three or four pilots burst out in laughter;