[OOM] Malrev System

[fighting_mad]

Once the dark bulk of Malrev IV is behind them, once she has checked and rechecked and rechecked the hyperspace coordinates, once she knows that every one of her pilots and the Rogues (every one left, her mind traitorously adds, because two former squadmates, two Rogues, are dead) has made the jump safely, and once she herself is watching the white lines zip past her canopy, Plourr finally lets the back of her helmet thud back against the pilot's couch.

She stares numbly up through the top of the canopy, watching the stars streak by through the orange tint of her visor.






After a while, she reaches for her personal comm and slaps the 'on' switch. Better to place the call now than later.

Comments

[eiattu_pride]

Rial was going through another one of the countless proposals and carefully sarcastic letters poking fun at him and Plourr when the call comes through.







"Plourr."

I missed you.

Come home.

Where are you?

Are you okay?

Is anyone dead?

Am I going to see you again?

"It's - good to hear from you."

[fighting_mad]

The unit is placed badly; her face is only visible from the nose down.

"I didn't wake you, did I?" Her voice crackles through the comm but even through the distortion, the tone isn't right.

[eiattu_pride]

"No, no."

Scrubs a hand over his face, and runs his fingers through his hair.

"Are you okay?"

[fighting_mad]

"I'm fine." A moment of silence, her mouth set. "We found them."

[eiattu_pride]

"Oh."

Oh.

"Um. Are they in one piece?"

[fighting_mad]

"The ones that were left."

She doesn't give him time to respond; doesn't want to think about the ramifications of what she said. She just goes on.

"We're on our way back. Need to fuel up, maybe stay a night; Wedge isn't sure yet."

[eiattu_pride]

"Yeah. Okay."

Glances at the datapad, shuts his eyes and tries not to think about people dying because he's too busy playing politics.

"Who's left?"

[fighting_mad]

The question stings, though she knows he doesn't mean it to.

"We lost two." Two sacrificed for the greater good, and if she'd gotten there five minutes earlier, that sacrifice might not have been necessary.

[eiattu_pride]

"Oh."

Very very softly.

"I'm so sorry."

[fighting_mad]

She slumps down in her seat, not realizing that that brings her entire face into view. What can be seen of her expression under the visor is tired, pale, and blank.

She looks off to the side, watching the galaxy travel past her X-wing's canopy. "Yeah. Me too."

[eiattu_pride]

Well, kriff.

Rial doesn't like feeling helpless, and he glares off into empty space.

"Anything I can do?"

[fighting_mad]

"No." Her eyes swing back to the holo unit as if she's just remembering its presence, and she swings into matter-of-fact mode. "Well, yes, actually. We'll be back in about--" she checks her chrono, "six standard hours. The twelve Headhunters, me, and seven Rogues. The X-wings will need fueling and some repairs; can you make sure the ground crews at the spaceport will be ready?"

[eiattu_pride]

"Sure."

Already making a note of it.

"I'll see you."

[fighting_mad]

"And a medical team," she says suddenly, remembering Hobbie. "Yeah. Thanks."

Silence, and then Plourr covers her mouth with her hand and flicks the holo unit off.

[eiattu_pride]

"Medical team."

He starts to something else but - well, there's no one to say it too.

So he sighs and starts preparations. Because that's just what he does, and who he is.

(sometimes he wishes he had wings)