The New Adventures of Nomi Darklighter

Chapter 39 - A New Instructor

Two standard days later, Nomi and Dash were eating breakfast when the Jedi's comm signaled an incoming call. As she accepted the call, she heard Admiral Ackbar's voice.
"Commander Darklighter, I want you and your husband to come to the command center."
The Jedi acknowledged the order and looked at her husband after she had ended the connection.
"Do you think there will be a new mission for us?"
Dash shrugged his shoulders.
"I don't know, but we'll see. Let's go. I'm sure Ackbar won't want to wait," he replied and stood up.
He walked over to the door and opened it. Nomi followed him and together they made their way to the command center.

It didn't take long for them to reach their destination. The old admiral approached them as soon as they had entered the command center.
"Commander Darklighter, Major Rendar, thank you for following my order so quickly,"
he said and walked past the two pilots. "Please follow me."
Followed by the Jedi and her husband, he left the command center and went to a small barrack only a few meters away. There he opened the door and they entered.
In the dimly lit room there were four simulators that had seen better days.
Admiral Ackbar pointed to the capsules.
"As I know, you are familiar with the programming and operation of simulators. I would therefore like to ask you to supervise the training of our pilots. At least until Commander Dameron returns from his mission on Jakku. That should be in approx. eight standard days."
Nodding, Dash stared at the somewhat outdated simulators Leia Organa had acquired.
"As you wish, Admiral."
Ackbar turned to leave.
"I will send you the first pilots for training."

Nomi laughed as the Mon Calamari left them and looked at her husband, who had begun to program the first training session.
"Didn't you say then that you could supervise the simulator training of the Resistance pilots? Well, you can do that extensively now."
Then she stood on tiptoe and gave her husband a kiss. Suddenly they heard someone clear their throat and when they turned around, they saw Jess Pava standing in front of them.
"I hate to disturb you, but Admiral Ackbar has ordered me to take part in the simulator training."
He had just finished programming when Snap, Tarik and Corran arrived in the simulator barrack.
"Well, if everyone is here, we can start training," Dash said.
Then he pushed a button and the capsules opened.
One by one, the pilots climbed into the simulators, closed the doors and buckled themselves in. A little later, Dash activated the program.
When Jess Pava saw the title of the simulation, she couldn't help but make a sarcastic remark.
"Are we practicing for future battles or are we having a history lesson? I honor the pilots of the Galactic Civil War, but I don't need to replay their battles in the simulator."
"You can also learn from the past, Jess," Rendar replied and glanced at Nomi, who rolled her eyes. "The Battle of Endor shows the mistakes and weaknesses of the enemy, but also our own. I'm curious if you all would have survived the battle."
Tarik laughed his chirping laugh, for he had fought in that battle.
"And now, cut the chatter. Concentrate, please."
The simulator program was running and Dash could hear the pilots swearing over the intercom.
"Damn, there are too many of them!"
"Sithspawn, I'm hit!"
"I can't shake him!"
Only Tarik's voice could not be heard. He calmly finished his training.
Finally, the program ended, the capsules opened and the pilots left the simulators.
Dash couldn't help but grin when he saw the sweaty faces of the human pilots. He looked at the readouts.
"Hmm, well, what can I say?" He hesitated for a moment before continuing. "If this had been a real battle, Jess would be dead now. Snap, Corran and Tarik have performed admirably, despite a few minor problems. But I think you can all do better. We'll meet tomorrow at the same time."
The four pilots just nodded and left.
When they were alone again, Nomi looked at her husband.
"Weren't you a little too hard on the young woman?"
Dash shook his head.
"She's good, very good in fact. But she took the simulation too lightly. I need to break her of that habit, Nomi. If you're sloppy here, you could be sloppy in battle. That could cost her and her comrades who rely on her their lives."

Every day, the pilots from the two squadrons at the base came for simulator training. And over time, they got better and better. Even Jess Pava took the training seriously now, although historical battles were programmed more frequently.

A few days later, Dash looked at his wife as the last pilots of the day left the barrack.
"Wasn't Poe supposed to return from his mission today?"
The Jedi nodded.
"Yes, if I remember correctly, Admiral Ackbar mentioned that when he requested that we take over the simulator training."
The former mercenary walked to the barrack door after turning off the simulators.
"I just hope nothing happened to the kid. That would be a great pity."