A Star Wars Story: Not Our Time: Shadow Corps the Green Squad

Chapter 6

Evadne watched as swirling clouds tracked across Ryloth's atmosphere. Water glittered in the light of the sun. It was a peaceful sight. But Evadne knew that it was the opposite on the surface. The plumes of black smoke rising in the west made sure to remind her.
                  She let out a shaky breath. In twenty minutes, she was going to be on the surface. In twenty minutes, she'd be fighting with the Green Squad to get supplies to civilians and Republic forces. They had coordinates for five places they were supposed to bring the supplies to. All close to the same contested area. Honestly, Evadne was hoping they wouldn't run into much trouble while going to each dropoff. But, once again, the pillars of smoke told her otherwise. Those smoke plumes were close to where their first check point was. She swallowed the lump in her throat, stomach churning.
                "What's bothering you, Padawan?" Ingrid's voice came. Evadne jumped and looked to see her Master standing next to her, gazing down at the planet with her. She hadn't even heard her approach.
                 Evadne pressed her lips together as she returned her eyes on Ryloth. "I'm just a little nervous, that's all," she said. She played with the hem of her robes.
                "Nervous about what?"
                 "About the relief mission," Evadne sighed. She glanced at Ingrid.
                 Ingrid turned to her with an inquisitive smile. "And?"
                 Evadne huffed. How could she always tell when I'm not telling her something? She hesitated before answering. "I'm just nervous about the Green Squad, that's all."
                 Ingrid sighed. "Evadne, you'll do just fine," she said, giving Evadne a reassuring smile.
                 Evadne shrugged. "I don't know. I want to be a good Commander, but what if I can't? Plus, you see that smoke. We're most likely going to be under fire the minute we enter the atmosphere."
                 "You are a good Commander, Evadne. You've done good before, you'll do good again. But, I do understand how you feel."
                  Evadne looked back up at her Master. She'd also gotten a squad assigned to her. The Blue Squad. But the pressure her Master felt had to be worse. She was also the General of a whole corps. There was a lot riding on both of them.
               "Do you feel nervous Master?" Evadne asked.
               "About the Blue Squad? Not really. They're good men," Ingrid replied.
            Evadne chewed her lip. "Aren't you nervous about anything else?" she said after a few minutes of silence between them.
            Ingrid laughed lightly. 
           "What?" Evadne questioned, "You're allowed to ask me about my feelings, but I'm not allowed to ask about yours?"
            "No, no. You're right, Padawan, we should have open communication with each other." Ingrid stopped and took a deep breath. She thought for a while before continuing. "I guess you could say that I'm nervous to go back home. Especially going back under these conditions."
             Evadne gave Ingrid a surprised look. "Oh, yeah. Ryloth's your home planet." She scolded herself for forgetting something like that. "Do you remember anything about it?"
             Ingrid shook her head solemnly. "Not really. But, I always wanted to visit it. I was hoping to visit it in a time of peace, though."
             "Oh..." Evadne looked back down at the black smoke. This was going to be a personal battle for her Master. Those were her people down there. A sorrowful sense of duty hung in the air between them.
            "But, it's alright. It's an honor to be fighting for my people," Ingrid said, breaking the silence.
            Evadne nodded in agreement. She thought that she probably would feel the same way if she was fighting for her home planet. If she knew what planet she was from, that is. But she could still understand the patriotism her Master was feeling. It helped cool down Evadne's nerves.
            "General," a voice cut through. Evadne turned to see Sparrow, his helmet tucked under his arm. "The transports are ready to leave."
            "Ah, yes," Ingrid nodded, "We should get going."
            Her Master led the way towards the hangar, Evadne and Sparrow following closely behind. Sparrow looked at Evadne, his eyes twinkling.
           "So, are you ready?" Sparrow grinned.
           "I think so," Evadne nervously chuckled, rubbing the back of her neck.
            Sparrow clapped Evadne's back, almost knocking all the air out of her small frame. "Don't worry, Commander! You'll do fine," he encouraged. "You too, General," he added.
             Ingrid smiled faintly. Evadne grinned. "Hey, Sparrow," Evadne nudged the Captain, "Race you to the hangar?"
            Sparrow laughed. "Come on, how many times do I have to tell you, we can't do things like that. We need to set a good example for our men..."
            "Oh come on, it's alright to have a little fun once and a while, right?" Evadne shrugged, her grin growing bigger. "Come on, please?"
             Sparrow raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you an adult?"
          Evadne scoffed and slapped Sparrow's arm. "Yeah! But, I know plenty of other adults who have fun. Unlike you."
          Sparrow rolled his eyes. "Fine," he sighed, "But, this won't be a common occurrence, alright?"
           "Alright!" Evadne chirped. "On the mark of three. One, two-"
           Sparrow smirked and rolled his eyes again. He put his helmet on and started down the hallway, leaving Evadne behind in his wake.
           "Hey! I didn't say three!" Evadne yelled after him. He didn't hear her. Grumbling to herself, she went off after him. "Hey, wait up!"
           Ingrid was left behind, shaking her head and chuckling at the two as they sped off towards the hangar, where their troops and gunships waited.