In the midst of those four days, Chief and I became more intimate; I was allowed to call her Gabi as we grew from physical infatuation to lovers on the emotional level.  She told me the entire news.  How Tycho Celchu was accused and freed, of how Corran Horn was captured, thought dead, imprisoned, and escaped.  She told me that Garrik had taken a job as an claims investigator.  His plan, from what she told me, was to save money by working as an investigator, enlist, then take the officers test and hope to become a NRI agent.  He wanted to be just like me.

 While his idealism is admirable, I was starting to see things differently and knew I would be changing what I was doing soon.  I sent her back with this note.

 Garrik,

  Things are not as they seem anymore.  The Republic and it’s ideals maybe the way to go.  The Military, I’m find is just as arrogant and as self-absorbed as the Imperial Army and Navy where.  Once my time of service is up in another year, I plan on moving on to the private sector.  I cannot and will not see myself as a warrior in what lies in the days ahead.  The galaxy is no longer bursting with the songs of war and revolution.  The Republic is here to stay.  The Empire is a minor nusciance essentially half their size and dwindling.  They will soon be bottled into a space like the Hutts.  In name, they’ll be the Empire, but in practicality, they will have 15 to 20 sectors of space, a few thousand ships, a hundred thousand men, and only a few billion people living there.  I am beginning to realize this mopping up action will never end.  When I do get out, I want to do something.  Make co-existence possible in this galaxy.  Governments are only as good as the people who live in them.  People need to know that just because you live on an Imperial held world, you don’t subject different species as slaves, murder political opponents, and the other things we think.

 Yes, my time here as changed my opinion of the people, not the persons who has run them.  Dark Jedi, like Palpatine, Vader and those who run the Empire’s Hammer are to be opposed.  The people who live here now believe in strong central leadership.  They live here, because they want to.  Not because they are forced to.

 I don’t know what I’m going to do when I get out of military, but I know it will be something that can actually start to unify the people of the two populations.  It probably won’t amount to much in our life times, but if it improves the galaxy for those who leave it before.  We can’t let those who want to prolong the conflict continue to rule.  We have got to be willing to change it by not accepting to follow these orders.  I’ve got some money saved up I hope to buy a light transport with it.

 I hope that when I leave that you'll think about coming with me.  You’re good with people.  That’s why you made such a good informant for me in court.  I think we could become something really great, Garrik.  I know you’re dream when you lived at home was to come up to Defender One Platform and see how spacers lived.  Now that you've been there, you’re dream is to explore the stars even more.  I can’t promise you that we’ll explore much, but I don’t plan on sitting long for too long.

 I have the nagging feeling that I can’t get too comfortable with anywhere for too long.  Someone or something is out to get not only me, but the Admiral, Fal, Andy, Zaron, Taugirm, Trapps, Chief, you and me.  I don’t know if it’s Omega, the Empire’s Hammer, or some one in the Republic, but we’ll have to keep moving.  Once we leave the relative safety of Guardian Wing, something will happen to change us.  I am no Jedi, or even a Ryn, so I don’t know what the future holds for us.  But I know that once my assignment is complete, I’m blasting away from the influence of Adm. Azzameen, Omega, and the like.  The Corporate Sector I hear is a good safe place at the moment that I could go clear my head.  Maybe even remain on planet on some Hutt controlled word.

 I just know that by writing you this letter, I’ve sealed my fate as both an operative, as well as a pilot.  Think about some things, Garrik.  Send me something with the next courier who comes to have me report in.

Voren Pbarny

 I hit the encryption key on the data pad of the Chief’s that I wrote the letter on.  She emerged from the refresher station.  “What are you working on?” she asked.

 “A letter to Garrik.  Something is up.  Like you said to me on the turbolift the day we met.  There just isn’t anything making sense about the Guardian Wing operation.  This assignment has shown me something is up,” I said, just lying on the bed.

 “Can I read?” she wondered.

 “No, it’s for, Garrik.  He’s like the brother I lost during the war.  It’s like having him again,” I said.  “Besides, it’s a private one.  I can’t go off having a four-day pleasure cruise with you and not tell him what’s going on.  I’ve been here for nearly nine months now.  I’ve spent one third of my time in the squadron under deep cover,” I went on.

 “I know,” she said as she laid beside me and kissed me.  Her still wet hair dripping all over my dry skin.  “So, tell me.  Do the guys here talk much to Omega?”

 “Not really.  They don’t see as anyone but themselves as legitimate.  There is some denial right now.  Something about Jerrec, the former top tog here, left and now is rumored not to be returning because he was killed.  Same for most of his top aides, Sarrsis, Boc, Gorc and Pitt.  They all gave me the willies.  All were dark Jedi.  All mean and nasty, they saw us as disposable to achieve their goals.  Have some High Admiral or something now.  A fairly competent military commander.  Probably would’ve been given a Star Destroyer command in the Empire.  But he’s the best they got now, so he’s going to run things.  Thrawn has been promoted to a squadron commander.  He’s getting people he wants in his squadron.  I think they plan on making the jump over soon.  I’ll have to tell him to surrender to Drayson, Ackbar, or Solo.  I don’t want him surrendering to Azzameen.  No reason for him to get promoted further.”

 Chief started laughing outloud.  She kissed me again.  “You really don’t like him do you?”

 “No, I don’t.  And don’t start on how he’s younger and has the higher rank too.  Being an admiral doesn’t mean you’ll be a good one.  I don’t wish him ill, but I think that first chance I get I’m out of Guardian Wing.  Wanna come with me?” I raised my eyebrow.

 “You’re crazy you know that.  I think the Empire has gotten to you,” she laughed at me.

 “No, just made me see the war is over unless they either have a Grand Admiral in hiding or a clone of the Emperor waiting for his moment to strike,” I joked back and pulled her close.

 “OK.  OK, OK.  Damn,” she said as her hands traced up my upper arms.

 “What?”

 “I gotta thank who ever made you train.  These things are great.”

 “Shut up and get under here,” I said as I slinked back below the covers.