Brewing Ideas

A Chapter by Zavier

Lieutenant Strom

Strom wasn’t sleeping either.

He’d brewed himself some coffee, and settled down with schematics of B-wings, X-wings, TIE fighters and Star Destroyers. Not to mention the original Death Star. He’d gone over all the accounts of the Battle of Yavin-focusing in particular on the ship logs of Wedge Antilles and Luke Skywalker. They’d accomplished the impossible, but even they hadn’t had to contend with capital ships guarding the station. Strom knew that this time around the Imperial Navy wouldn’t be as lax, especially since the station was far from operational.

He knew the Imperial logic, of course-knew it first hand. They’d have at least a few Star Destroyers on guard, and would probably employ a lot of TIE fighters as long-range pickets. Admiral Ackbar’s plan of popping out of hyperspace as close to the Death Star as possible seemed like the only available course of action but the thought of doing so twisted Strom’s stomach into knots.

It wasn’t death he feared, though. It was failure. His faith in the Rebellion wasn’t exactly boundless; he hadn’t joined up because he thought they would win. It was just that he was tired of fighting for an oppressive force-of putting his boot on the throat of provincials whose only crime wasn’t kowtowing quickly enough. It had been only a year since he deserted his post in the Imperial garrison on Naboo and made his way into the Outer Rim to join the Alliance. He’d finally snapped, figuring it was better to die fighting tyranny than continuing as its willing servant.

And right now it looked like he was finally going to get his wish.

The door chime broke his concentration.

Strom was more than a little surprised when he opened it to find Asha standing there. Her emerald eyes shone above a strange half-smile. He took her by the arm, pulled her into his quarters.

“Did anybody see you coming?” he asked.

“Frankly, people have more important things to worry about.” Qo gestured at the schematics. “Doing a bit of last minute studying, Lieutenant?”

“What do you want, Cadet?”

For a moment they stared at each other. Then�"

“I want to apologize,” she said.

“That’s a first.”

“For what I said in the hangar. I didn’t mean to question your loyalty. I was mad and I was out of line.”

Strom shrugged. “You were just stating a fact.”

“You know what I mean.”

“Sure. I came on a little heated too… it’s only because�"”

Asha stepped forward and put her hand softly against his chest. “I know why.”

Strom placed his hand over hers. “We’re going to make it out of here.”