The New Adventures of Nomi Darklighter

Chapter 31 - Mission Briefing

The following morning, Nomi was summoned to the Resistance High Command in the command center. She looked at Dash in surprise.
"What do they want from me? After all, I'm just a simple pilot."
Her husband smiled at her.
"Just a simple pilot? Honey, you've survived so many battles, maybe they want to benefit from your experience."
"Do you think so? Well, I'll soon find out."
She walked over to her husband and gave him a kiss.
"I'll see you later, Dash."
Then she made her way to the command center.

Reaching her destination, Nomi stepped inside and saw Admiral Ackbar and Major Ematt standing at the holoprojector table. The two high-ranking officers were looking at a bluish hologram of the planet Ord Mantell. Admiral Ackbar noticed Nomi and beckoned her to come closer.
"Ah, Commander Darklighter. I'm glad you followed my order so quickly."
Major Ematt raised an eyebrow and looked at the pilot with interest.
"Commander Darklighter? Are you by any chance related to Biggs Darklighter?"
Nomi nodded her head.
"Yes, he was my cousin, Major. His death during the attack on the first Death Star had caused me to join the Alliance."
Ematt smiled slightly.
"Biggs Darklighter's cousin. Who would have thought it?" He paused for a moment.
"I knew your cousin well. We were stationed together on Yavin 4. He was burning for our cause, Commander."
The Jedi remembered very well how her cousin had raved about the Alliance the last time he was on Tatooine. Biggs was on his way to the secret meeting point when he returned to his home planet to say goodbye to his closest friend and his family. No one could have known at that time that it would be a goodbye forever.
She was torn from her thoughts when Poe Dameron stormed into the command center.
"I apologize for being late. I've been held up," said the Commander, completely out of breath.
Admiral Ackbar waved him off.
"Relax, Commander, we know that you're never too particular about punctuality. And not only that. But let's leave that now. We have more important things to discuss."
The Admiral turned to Major Ematt.
"Please explain to Commander Darklighter and Commander Dameron why we have summoned them."
The Major nodded and pointed to the holo image.
"We have information that the First Order is operating a secret research facility on Ord Mantell. You are to find out if the information is correct. If so, the lab must be destroyed."
"But we're just pilots, sir," Nomi replied, looking at the Major in astonishment.
"Commander Darklighter, we are well informed about your career in the Alliance," Ematt said, smiling. "You carried out commando missions repeatedly and successfully during the Galactic Civil War."
The Jedi smiled back and inwardly wished that Admiral Ackbar didn't have such a good memory when it came to her missions back then. She was sure that he was the one who had told the Major about it.
Dameron had been listening attentively the whole time before he spoke.
"A commando mission with only two commandos? With all due respect, are you joking, Major?"
"Of course not, Commander. You two will put together a commando unit because you know best who is suitable. Here are the coordinates for your mission."
Poe received the data chip.
"That's all, Commander Darklighter, Commander Dameron. Dismissed."

Outside the command center, Poe looked at Nomi questioningly.
"How many commando missions have you done?"
The Jedi shrugged.
"I can't remember. There were ... many. Do you have any idea who we could add to our team?"
"Oh yes, I do." Dameron grinned broadly. "I'm thinking of your husband and sons. With four Jedi and an experienced mercenary, we should be able to destroy that First Order research facility if it really is on Ord Mantell. Meet me in my quarters at 2000 for a briefing."
Nomi nodded.
"I'll inform Dash and the triplets."
"Good."

As promised, Nomi had informed Dash and her sons and so everyone gathered in Poe Dameron's quarters at 2000.

The triplets leaned against a wall for lack of seating, while their parents and Poe sat at the table.
"I would like to point out that you can still decide whether you want to take part in this mission or not. We are not forcing anyone to participate," Dameron said, looking at Dash and the three young Jedi expectantly.
It was Rendar who answered first.
"Nomi told me it was going to Ord Mantell. I know the place and it wouldn't be my first commando mission. I'm in, Poe."
Dameron acknowledged the former mercenary's decision with a brief nod. Then he looked at the triplets, who were talking quietly to each other.
Eventually, Dash Jr. took the floor as the eldest of the brothers.
"We have no experience with commando missions, but our skills as Jedi should make up for that. We're in, Poe."
When the Commander heard this, he smiled.
"I expected nothing less from you."
He activated his datapad and inserted the data chip that Major Ematt had given him.
"The coordinates indicating the location of the research laboratory show that it should be in the volcanic area of Ord Mantell. We will fly there in a small freighter and land some distance from the coordinates. On board the freighter, we will be transporting explosives with timed detonators that we can use to blow up the laboratory. The hardest part will be getting in there to plant the explosives. The First Order will not leave such an object unguarded. The rest will be child's play. For equipment, we need blaster rifles and blasters. From what I've heard, Nomi and Corran are very skilled with the vibroknife when it comes to close combat. And above all, take your lightsabers with you. Well, that's all. See you tomorrow at 0800 at the landing pad."
"We'll bring everything. Don't worry," Nomi replied, standing up.
Her husband also stood up, while their sons were already standing at the door.
"See you tomorrow, Poe."
Then they left together to prepare for the upcoming mission.