Trooper

Rise of the Captain

Yavin 4: 12 BBY
Rebel Base
Jess

    A little over a week had passed since he'd gotten back to the base. Feylin had recently left for the fleet. Ryn was doing much better, though still bedridden. Impatience and boredom were not sitting well with her.

    Jess had done his best to avoid Draven, ever since he'd been demoted. He'd ignored Senator Mon Mothma when she'd come to speak with him later on. Currently, he was standing in the practice range, watching Cassian blast away at moving targets.

    Cassian hit the target repeatedly with deadly aim. At last, he lowered the blaster and took a step back. "I think I've gotten better."

    "Since yesterday?" Jess raised an eyebrow skeptically. "That would be an achievement."

"My achievement," Cassian laughed. He seemed to be in better spirits now. For a few days after he'd returned from his mission, he'd been quiet and distant.

"Come on. It's getting late and we've got actual work to do," Jess replied. He slung an arm around Cassian and pulled him out of the practice range.

"Hey, is that Ryn and Arwen?" Cass asked, pointing across the landing zone. Jess arched an eyebrow and followed his finger.

Sure enough, the two woman were walking towards them. Azie rolled along beside them, chirping. Ryn leaned against Arwen, but she was walking. Jess grinned broadly and sprinted over to them.

"How did she manage to talk you into this," he asked Arwen.

"She refused to let me do my job and threatened to tell Raddus that I also have eyes for General Merrik," Arwen chuckled. "I agreed that she can come follow you guys around on the condition that she doesn't help."

Ryn smirked at Jess and crossed her arms. He eyed her, then nodded. "Azie, keep her in line," Jess laughed. "We're supposed to sort through the munitions in Section 2 tonight."

    "I'll see you tomorrow, provided you do as you're told," Arwen said mockingly to Ryn. Ryn laughed and let go of her. She wavered on her feet a bit, but managed to straighten herself. Arwen headed off, leaving them to their work.

    Cassian led the way to Section 2 of the munitions depot. The team from Section 1 was just leaving. They were some of the new and younger recruits. Jess caught their stares. The recruits turned to each other, whispering rapidly.

    He rolled his eyes, choosing to not let it bother him. General Draven had spoken ill of him since he'd been demoted and it was beginning to circulate. They reached Section 2 and got to work. Jess began pulling crates down and reading the labels. Cassian took the crates and stacked them properly.

    "You would think the inventory droid would do better at organizing them when they're unloaded," Cassian grumbled.

    "Yeah, but then what other work would grounded pilots do?" Ryn pointed out. She sat down on a few of the already sorted crates. Azie planted himself beside her and began to chirp.

    "Azie, you're capable of helping," Jess noted. "Start moving crates." Azie gave an indignant grumble, then jumped to work. "Don't start pretending to be lazy or you actually will be," Jess laughed.

    "How's Feylin doing?" Ryn asked.

    "Good, I think. Last I heard, Admiral Raddus had her flying routines and formations with Gray Squadron. She seemed to be doing all right," he replied.

    "She told me she doesn't mind it now that she knows what she's doing," Cassian added. Ryn nodded and fell silent as they continued. Jess glanced at her, somewhat concerned. She looked fine, though tired.