The New Adventures of Nomi Darklighter

Chapter 38 - Secret Mission

The following morning, Leia came to Nomi and Dash's quarters and knocked on the door. After opening the door, the former mercenary made way for the general. Leia entered and walked over to the table where Nomi was sitting and sat down.
"Good morning," the general said as Nomi pushed a mug of caf over to her. The general looked as if she had good news.
She took a sip, then spoke enthusiastically.
"I contacted Lor San Tekka after what you told me yesterday. The data storage device you brought to Jakku actually contains a map. Do you know what that means? I finally have a chance to find my brother. When Luke is back, everything can be fine. I'm so grateful to you. Commander Dameron will make his way to Jakku to pick up the data storage device."
Nomi was happy for her friend.
"That's really good news, Leia," she replied. "I can imagine that you can hardly wait."
The general nodded and stood up.
"I won't hold you up any longer."
Dash and Nomi stood up as well.
"We'll accompany you to the landing pad, if you don't mind. Routine maintenance is due on our X-wings."

Together they went to the landing pad. When they arrived, they saw Poe Dameron preparing his X-wing for take-off. BB-8 was already in its socket while the pilot walked around his fighter. Next to the X-wing was an EL-16 HFE blaster rifle, which Dameron probably wanted to take with him.
The commander, who was wearing the combat uniform of the Resistance troops with his beloved leather jacket instead of his usual pilot's coveralls, had noticed Nomi's gaze on the blaster rifle.
"You can never be too careful, Nomi," he said before turning to Leia. "I'm ready to go, General."
The former princess of Alderaan nodded.
Poe put on his helmet, climbed up the ladder to his fighter and jumped into the cockpit.
"May the Force be with you, Commander," he heard the general say before closing the canopy.
Then he started the converters and the X-wing ascended on its repulsors, shortly afterwards ascending into the atmosphere of D'Qar.
If everything went according to plan, it wouldn't be long before the commander returned with the map Leia had been waiting for.

Leia said goodbye to her friends and went to the command center while Nomi and Dash went to their X-wings.
They had been working on their fighters for quite a while and were smeared with oil when Tasherit came onto the landing pad. The young woman couldn't help but grin when she saw her parents.
"Why don't you have the mechanics maintain your X-wings?"
Dash shook his head.
"I'm not letting a mechanic work on my X-wing. My life depends on everything working properly. I don't want to turn into space dust because of a sudden laser cannon malfunction. I'd rather do everything myself, my little one."
Tasherit laughed.
"I guess I'll always be your little one to you, Papa."
Her father stroked her right cheek and left a small trace of oil behind. Tasherit tried to wipe the oil away with her hand and only made it worse. She grinned.
"Now I have to have a wash before I meet Jaden."
Tasherit was about to leave when her father stopped her.
"Is this something serious with you and young Katarn?"
His daughter shrugged her shoulders.
"I don't know, Papa. He's nice and I like being with him."
Then she hurried off to the pilots' quarters.

Dash looked after his daughter and turned to his wife, who was still working on her X-wing.
"So if you ask me, our daughter loves the young man, she just won't admit it."
The Jedi looked up briefly from her work and nodded.
"You could be right. Let's wait and see. Tasherit needs time to admit her feelings and we should give her that time. She's more likely to take after you than me in that regard."
Dash gave his wife a lopsided grin before continuing to work on his fighter.