Blade Squadron: Jakku Read online

  “You really think we’re getting out of this?” someone muttered. That was when the unmistakable sound of fighter engines overhead drew Moonsong’s attention. Diving out of the sun were the familiar shapes of TIE fighters streaking towards them. On their first pass, their deadly laser fire raked the area, killing most of the remaining troopers in Ganz’s regiment as well as a few stormtroopers too close to what was left of his position. “It’s over!” shouted one of the rebels. “They’ve got us... we’ve got to surrender!”

  “I seriously doubt these guys take prisoners,” said Moonsong. She stood up and raised her rifle to her shoulder; if this was it, she figured she would go down fighting. “Okay, you want some of this? Come and get—” but even as she said the words, the TIE fighter suddenly exploded, followed by the next one in formation, and then the next one... until finally the only fighter craft in the sky were B-wings diving down and strafing the ITTs. Snub fighter laser fire kicked up huge plumes of smoke and sand; the stormtroopers broke formation and scattered in all directions. The second pass of the B-wings finished most of them off. The rest ran into the desert. Moonsong waved to the sky as Blade Squadron sped past, waggling their wings and rolling in salute to the survivors on the ground. She wasn’t surprised to see Stramm’s marking emblazoned on the lead fighter. She stepped over to where Wexley was kneeling.

  “What’s happening?” he said looking up at her.

  “We’re going home,” she said. “Your mother will be proud.”

  She knelt beside him—with a hand on his shoulder while the fighters that made up Blade Squadron landed all around them. Stramm stepped out and walked over to them.

  “I see you’ve got a new friend,” he said.

  “This is Temmin,” said Moonsong. “Temmin, this is Braylen.”

  “Good to meet you,” said Stramm. He took Gina’s hand. “You gave me quite a scare,” he said. “Don’t do it again, okay?”

  “Hey, I thought you weren’t going to try to give me any more orders.”

  They looked at each other for a moment, and then both started laughing. “I wouldn’t dream of it,” he said. Just before things turned awkward, she pulled him in and kissed him. She felt more than a little dazed—it seemed surreal that the sands of Jakku hadn’t claimed her. As to what came next—well, she would just have to see.

  MORE TO SAY HAVE YOU?

  Become a fan of Del Rey Star Wars books at www.facebook.com/starwarsbooks or on Twitter @DelReyStarWars

  See more of Chris Trevas’ art at www.christrevas.com

  From Star Wars Insider 172 (April 2017)