Lambda Class Shuttles are a marvel of Engineering. The only true complete Utility craft in the cosmos. Depending on the interior module it's fitted with, it can be a Troop Carrier, or a Passenger Yacht, or a Gunship, or even a small freighter. The latter being the configuration of this shuttle as it slipped through Hyperspace.

Tycho sat quietly in a small cramped crew compartment located amidships of the shuttle. The only light in the room came from a glow panel over a small fold out desk were he sat looking over an old Holo album. The album had been a gift from school mates of his on Alderaan when he graduated from the Academy. He had over the years added many a Holo to it.

He silently scrolled through the Holos, slowly, taking in the details of each and reliving each moment they represented in his mind. There were the Holos of the Academy, his service with the Empire, and of his family. The next Holo was of an ice covered hanger. Wedge stood to his right and Luke to his left. They looked so happy then, considering the circumstances of their stay on Hoth. Tycho remembered that he had only defected to the Rebellion days before. Several more Holos of Hoth followed. Wedge, Luke, Wes, Hobbie, Zev, and Dack. They all looked so invincible. Tycho could only smile at the new and wonderful feeling of camaraderie and a sense of belonging that he felt as part of the Rebellion. It was at that time that Tycho and Wedge began to develop a strong and fast friendship.

Various other sets of Holos followed and Tycho studied them just as intensely. A knock came at the compartment door. He answered without looking or moving.

"Come." He said in an even and emotionless tone.

Gavin slid the door open and smiled as he stepped into the small space. Gavin took a seat on a small bunk behind Tycho. He sat there for a moment and watched as Tycho scrolled through Holo after Holo. Gavin became restless and cleared his throat.

"Your droid is not too much for company so I figured I'd come in." Gavin offered.

"Sorry." Was Tycho's emotionless response.

Gavin fidgeted for a bit then stood and ran a hand through his hair.

"Look. We have been at this for four days now. We stop at a planet, we walk around and maybe buy a few supplies and then we are off again. In transit you sit in here and do whatever your doing and I get stuck talking to your droid till the next planet. Then it starts again. We have been to a dozen core worlds and every stop gets you more and more silent. When are you going to tell me what is going on?"

Gavin stood for a moment and waited for a response but got none. Tycho keep looking through Holos. In a fit of desperation Gavin grabbed the back of Tycho's chair and spun it to face him. Gavin was not prepared for what faced him.

Tycho looked tired and old. His eyes were red and swollen and his cheeks still glistened from tears. The determination that usually graced Tycho's face was gone. Everything that Gavin felt had become familiar about Tycho was no more. It had been replaced by a shell of a man that looked as though he had given up hope, given up on life. Gavin stepped back out of reflex then sat hard on the bunk.

"Oh...Tych, I'm sorry. I'll go now." Gavin stammered as he moved to stand.

Tycho rubbed at his eyes and spoke up. "No, Gavin. Stay, it's about time I told you."

"No...it's OK Tych...I'll just..."

"I'm dying, Gavin." Tycho cut him off.

Gavin stopped and spun on his heels with his jaw agape. The shock of the statement began to ease but then the look on Tycho's face told him that this was no joke. Then, the truth of the statement sunk in and Gavin felt as if a Star Destroyer had just landed on his chest. His pulse quickened and he felt like he couldn't breathe. He sat hard on the bunk once again. Gavin began to get his breathing under control and looked up. A look of loss and questioning on his face.

"Yeah, kind of hit me like that too. Only harder." Tycho leaned back in the chair and laced his fingers behind his head. He tried to offer Gavin a grin but could only manage half a grin. It was not heartfelt though.

"How?" Was all Gavin could mutter.

"Well, when we each got out of the dip from that virus thing, the computers ran labs on us and the 21-B's gave us our physicals. Then we all got our clean bill of health and that was it. Right?"

"Right."

"Well, not me." Tycho sighed as he leaned forward, elbows on his knees.

"What do you mean?"

"Apparently the virus took hold on me faster and was more advanced in the process before the Bacta halted it. The cure basically only extended my life instead of saving it. The 21-B said have a bout 2-3 weeks at the least. Maybe a month at the most. Either way, I will get very sick and it will be very painful."

Gavin could only listen in a state of shock. He was piecing together alternatives as fast as his surprise would allow his mind to work. He was sure that Tycho would have thought of everything, but he had to try.

"OK...then we just get the medics to mix up a stronger batch of the cure and give it to you."

"Asked...won't work."

"Fine! Then We go to the Medical capitol of the New Republic and find the best Doctors and they work on a cure!"

"Gavin...there is NO cure."

"Well, dammit Tych you're not leaving me much to work with here!"

Tycho stood and stepped over to the bunk. He put a hand on Gavin's shoulder and sat beside him.

"Look Gavin, I don't like this more than you do. Believe me. I thought of every option I could. There is no way out." Tycho sighed and bowed his head. "I have come to grips with it. I just couldn't put the burden on the others."

Gavin sighed and turned to face Tycho. He looked at Tycho for the first time in his life with sadness in his eyes. Tears formed as he stood and wiped at his face to try and hold them back.

"You know Tych...ever since I came to the squadron, Well...I've kind of looked up to you and Wedge both as fathers of a sort. I have learned so much from you..."

Gavin trailed off into thought. He didn't want to believe it. He knew it was true but still he hoped this was just a nightmare and that he would soon awake. Gavin could not hold it any longer. The tears ran. Tycho stood and patted him on the back.

"It's OK Gavin...just let it go." Tycho walked out the door and headed for the cockpit to give Gavin some time with himself.

About an hour later Gavin came up to the cockpit just as Tycho was bringing the Shuttle out of Hyperspace. A large brownish and beige planet with only a hint of cloud wisps loomed ahead. Two suns could be seen off in the distance. Tycho piloted the Shuttle lazily towards the planet. Gavin stared out the cockpit as he sat in the copilot's seat.

"Um, why are we going to Tatooine Tych?"

"Well, I thought you might want to visit a bit with your family. Besides. I heard Booster and the Errant Venture were here and I wanted to stop by and see him again."

Gavin perked up a bit and made an attempt to smile. The thought of seeing Uncle Huff again was not all that unpleasant. Besides, it had been awhile since he had been home. Albeit a dust ball on the Outer Rim, he did miss it every now and again.

Tycho, Gavin and Ugh disembarked the Shuttle at Mos Eisley and rented a speeder for the trip to the Darklighter Estate. Booster was there trading with old Uncle Huff as usuall. Tycho spent the better part of the afternoon talking with Booster while Gavin got himself roped into helping prepare dinner. After the big meal the men all sat around with a bottle of Corellian Whiskey and talked long into the night. Huff had offered that Gavin and Tycho spend the night.

Gavin awoke the next morning with a slight hangover. There was something to be said for sleeping in the bed one grew up in. He felt as if he had not slept that well in ages. Gavin made his way out of the house and up into the midday suns. It was hot, but a breeze was blowing. Booster was standing over near a Moisture Vaporator. Gavin looked around for the speeder but it was gone. He walked up to Booster.

"Morning Booster."

The big man turned and gave a hearty chuckle. " Morning? Gavin my boy doesn't Wedge teach you kids the difference between morning and after noon?"

Gavin smiled as Booster gave him a bear hug around the neck.

"Hey, have you seen Tycho?"

Booster clasped Gavin on the shoulder. "Yeah, he and his droid took off early this morning. I'm giving you a lift on the Venture back to Coruscant."

"What? How could he..."

"Now hang on there son! He is your superior officer and you should respect him enough to obey his orders." Booster noticed the look a grief and betrayal in Gavin's eyes. The big man sighed.

"But I have to be with him, I can't..."

"Gavin...as a friend, respect his wishes."

Gavin looked down at Booster's words. He was right of course. He did respect Tycho and in his heart he knew that Tycho most likely felt this was for his own good. He had to be able to do something though. He had to talk to someone. He had to talk to Wedge.

"How long before we leave?"

Booster chuckled. "Just waiting on you, sleepy head!"

*******END*******