The New Adventures of Nomi Darklighter

Chapter 88 - On the Way to the New Hideout

Those on Nar Shaddaa didn't know what was coming. They didn't know that the pirates were about to commit treason.

A few weeks after he had started training the cell members, Dash Rendar entered his quarters in Rimmer's Rest and grinned broadly.
"Basic training is complete, commander. We're ready to strike."
Nomi looked up from her datapad.
"Finally," she said, "Now we can leave Nar Shaddaa and travel to our hideout near the Unknown Regions. Inform our people, Dash."
Rendar bent down and gave his wife a kiss.
"Where are we going?"
The Jedi handed him the datapad and Dash whistled softly when he saw the coordinates.
"An asteroid?" He asked, handing the datapad back.
Nomi nodded her head.
"No one will suspect Resistance fighters are hiding there. It's a safe place, darling."
"And we're close to their supply routes. Now that's what I call a smart move."
The former mercenary smiled and pulled out his comlink to call the members of the still small Resistance cell.

It wasn't long before everything was packed and the ships ascended into orbit. Nomi sent the coordinates into the respective nav computers as they gathered at the jump point.
"It's going to be a long journey as we'll be making several micro-jumps," the other pilots heard their commander's voice.
One by one, they confirmed that they had received the coordinates. Nomi smiled as she got the final confirmation call. Then she called the assembled ships again.
"Jump on my command, 3...2...1."
Soon after, they were on their way to their hideout.

Corran leaned back in the copilot's seat after they had made the first jump.
"It's good to finally get into action."
Biggs nodded his head, unstrapped himself and went to the bunk to take a nap. His father, who was sitting in the pilot's seat, looked after him.
"Your brother's still not very talkative."
His youngest son chuckled.
"But he's a tough fighter, father."
Then he stood up and pulled a canteen from a drawer. He held it out to Dash.
"Want a drink?"
The elder Rendar looked at the canteen in his son's hand.
"As long as it's booze," Dash replied.
Corran nodded and passed the canteen on after taking a swig.
"Jet Sprit, father, that's just what we need right now."
Dash Rendar nodded and took a sip as well, savoring the taste of the strong drink. The alarm indicating they were about to reach their destination sounded and Dash pulled the lever. The Outrider re-entered real space, and one by one the other ships and fighters did the same.
In the blink of an eye, they re-entered hyperspace, just as their nav computers had been programmed to do.
"I don't like it," said the Galactic Civil War veteran. "It reminds me too much of the old days."
He took another sip before handing the canteen back to his son.
"You and Mama never told much about the war you fought in," Corran said after taking a swig.
Dash Rendar put his feet up on the console and closed his eyes for a moment.
"Most of us who were in that damn war try to forget, Corran. We've seen and endured too much. Some of us still have nightmares. There's nothing glorious about war."
His son nodded thoughtfully.
"And now you and Mama are forced to fight again."
He took another sip and emptied the canteen.
"It was our decision to fight again. We can't bear to lose everything we've fought for," his father replied.
"I understand, father."
Then Corran settled down and stared out the viewport at the streaks of hyperspace, lost in thought, while his father took a nap.

Meanwhile, Kyle Katarn was sitting in the cockpit of the Moldy Crow.
Knowing that he would be fighting again, the memories came flooding back. How Jan, his late wife, once flew the ship and saved his butt more than once. Her laughter when they had accomplished their mission, and her kisses. He had been used to flying alone for years, but today he missed Jan very much. He was flying into the unknown. Of course he trusted the commander, the woman who had saved his life decades ago on a planet in the Romegan system.
But something told him that they didn't really know what they were up against. Maybe it was the Force or just his gut telling him that.

Katarn sighed, unstrapped himself and went over to the small galley to get something to eat. It wasn't much, but enough for a small breakfast. He sat down at the table in the midsection and began to eat. It wouldn't be long before they reached their new hideout. The Jedi swallowed the bite he had just taken with a sip of caf.
He never thought he would fight again, but he was sure that most of those who followed the commander felt the same way.
No one in their right mind was eager to fight and risk their lives, but the First Order and their actions left them no other choice. The galaxy deserved to be safe and at peace.
He finished his meal and headed over to the bunk to take a nap until the alarm would sound signaling that he had reached his destination.

On board the Trader's Luck, Jaden and Tasherit were sitting at the Dejarik table playing a game to pass the time. It was always boring in hyperspace and there was nothing else to do.
"You're cheating, Jaden," said Tasherit when her figure was destroyed out of the blue by one of Jaden's figures.
The young man smiled broadly and leaned back on the bench.
"That was a fair move and allowed by the rules. You shouldn't get distracted when you're playing with me, sweetheart. A credit for your thoughts, Tash."
Tasherit Rendar looked at him.
"I'm thinking about where we're going, Jaden. It's going to be a lot of work to make the asteroid habitable."
The young Katarn nodded thoughtfully.
"I think your mother knows what she's doing."
"I hope so," Tash said as she took the next step. This time it was Jaden's figure that lost. The young Jedi continued to speak.
"It's the first time she's set up her own base."
"We'll all help together to make it work, darling." Jaden frowned as he saw his figure lying defeated on the board. "Damn, how could this happen?"
"You shouldn't get distracted when you're playing with me, sweetheart," Tash repeated what Jaden had said just before with an ironic undertone. "We should get some sleep before we reach our destination."
She deactivated the Dejarik table and stood up.
Jaden stood up as well and took her hand.
"Yeah, I guess you're right," he said and together they walked over to the bunk.

Nomi was sitting in the pilot's seat aboard the Aquarius, trying to sleep, while Dash Jr. was already fast asleep in the co-pilot's seat.
She looked out the viewport, where there was nothing to see but the streaks of hyperspace. The Jedi Master tried to relax, but something was bothering her. This would be the first time she would be leading people on a larger scale than just an X-Wing squadron or a commando unit. Would she be able to do it? People trusted her, but would she be a good leader for them? But now was not the time for self-doubt.
She turned her head and looked at her sleeping son, hoping that this would be the last war they would have to fight in. Then she closed her eyes and finally fell asleep.