- - -
The X-Wing ride was short, and thankfully, Elana being Viceroy meant she didn't get asked many questions. Marcus just wouldn't stop fidgeting!
The situation was bad enough without a hot guy squirming underneath her!
A hot guy she did care for and trust and-
No. Stop that. Not the time. Quinn had brought the fighter in, landing in the Torhu's increasingly crowded hanger bay. There were still Z-95 Headhunters, mixed in with the newer X-Wings. The deck droids rolled up with a ladder, and Elana popped the cockpit canopy. She slid down the steps, and headed off towards her shuttle. Quinn followed behind, as efficient as usual even in his flight suit.
Her shuttle stood on the deck, all ready... With Tyra Lorr, Earnhart, and Luke Skywalker waiting in front of it. Along with a blue astromech droid.
"Going somewhere, My Lady?" Tyra asked.
"Yes, I am," she stated, "and you're going to handle the fleet in our absence. You're promoted to Lieutenant Commander, by the way."
Tyra raised her eyebrow.
"Is that a bribe-?"
"No, it isn't," Elana stated, going up into the cargo section of her shuttle. Quinn quickly followed as she closed the hatch behind them... Then quickly turned around as Elana began to strip down.
"Er, my Lady-"
"I'm not going to Naboo in my robes," she stated flatly. Quinn nodded quickly.
"Of-Of course-"
"And you? Are going to change into civvies," she stated. Quinn sighed.
"Then I will go and-"
River appeared in front of Quinn, holding out some clothing in a neat little pile. Quinn took them, eyebrow threatening to leap off his forehead.
"Thank you?"
"You're welcome!" She chirped, before she vanished again.
Elana finished changing. She brushed off her gear, and smiled as Quinn stood awkwardly in the cargo bay.
"So... How do I look?" Elana asked. Quinn turned around. He blinked as he looked her up and down.
Her swoop biking gear was... Well, even for an Alderaanian noble slumming it, she thought she looked good. Blue double breasted nerf leather jacket with red stripes down the sleeves, over a black shadowsilk turtleneck. Her pants were khaki, well worn and comfortable. Tall reddish black boots with straps on the side went up nearly to her knees. At her side was a blaster on her belt.
"It's... Quite becoming, My Lady," Quinn said, quickly averting his eyes. She undid her elaborate braids, and tucked her hair into a simple ponytail. She sighed heavily.
"Well, I hope I'm hot enough to distract, but not so hot to remember," she said with a grin. She opened the hatch, and looked out.
"It's okay!" Elana called. Earnhart came up, along with Tyra and Luke. "And?"
"You can't be serious, My Lady," Tyra tried, "you're going after the Princess to Naboo? The Emperor's homeworld?! The Imperial Blockade there will capture you, and kill you!"
"Not if we do things just right," Elana said, as Quinn went up into the cockpit to change, "Quinn and I can sneak in. He knows the codes and methods-"
"And I am very good at stealth flying," Quinn said, coming down in a white shirt, black jacket, and tan pants. He adjusted his gloves as Elana smirked.
"We can get inside and bring the Princess back. Not to mention that insufferable Lieutenant," Elana growled.
Tyra looked and glared at Earnhart.
"Master at Arms? Aren't you going to say something?"
Earnhart shook his head, his arms crossed over his armored chest.
"I tried talking her out of bed times: She wouldn't budge," he said. "Besides, if we can't handle our own internal issues, what good are we to anyone else?"
Tyra glared over at Quinn.
"Quinn? Are you serious?"
Quinn shrugged.
"I did swear my fealty to her, until death," he said.
Tyra sighed deeply, and then turned her glare over at Skywalker.
"And what are you standing here for?!"
Skywalker gestured to his little R2 unit, who beeped happily.
"Artoo's been to Naboo," he said, "and, well..." He shrugged.
"I have the feeling you'll need my help. Can't explain it, just..."
Elana smiled wryly.
"Just that there's a princess who might need saving? Again?" She asked.
"Maybe," Luke admitted with a bashful grin, "so?"
"Welcome aboard," she said. She looked over at Earnhart, and the still unhappy Lieutenant Commander.
"We'll be back," she said, "keep the fleet together until we return?"
"We will," Earnhart said. He squeezed Tyra's shoulder. The lieutenant commander scowled, but nodded. The two headed down the ramp. Luke headed up to the cockpit.
River was unstealthed, in the rear navigator's chair. She was running through the power up sequence. Quinn took his seat at the pilot's station, while Luke sat in the co-pilot's. Artoo rolled up to the cockpit, as Elana sat in the communication officer's station.
"Been a while since I've been to Naboo," River said conversationally.
"Save your stealth field generator, River," Elana ordered, "we're going to need to blend in."
"Fair enough," River admitted. Luke was already peeking back from the control console, clearly curious.
River undid her helmet, and pulled it off. Strawberry blonde hair fell like a waterfall from her head, as cat-like eyes, round cheeks, and ruby lips filled out a gorgeous face. She smirked over at Luke, who quickly looked back at the controls with a blush.
"Shuttle Convor, you are cleared for launch," the flight controller said, "shall I ask your destination?"
"Handling some private business, Master Chief," Elana said.
"Wha-My Lady?! I-!"
"Handling. Private. Business, Mater Chief," she stated. A moment later, the flight codes and authorization came through.
"Uh, yes My Lady. Shuttle Convor, clear for launch."
Elana nodded.
"Marcus? Luke? Take us out."
The Mu-type shuttle leaped out into space, accelerating up and out.
"Coordinates are inputted," Luke said.
"All right, jumping to lightspeed..." Quinn pushed the level forward, "now!"
The stars streaked to infinity, and formed into a hyperspace corridor. Luke smiled and leaned back in his chair.
"Well... I feel a bit better, knowing I'm not the only one who does crazy, ill advised rescues," he said. River leaned over and ran her fingers through his hair with a sexy chuckle.
"Comes with the territory, Skywalker," she whispered into his ear, "among other things, hmmm~?"
Luke sat up, and quickly looked over the controls.
"Ah, so, we're on course for Naboo! I'll just go check on the hyperdrive, shall I?"
Luke headed off back into the cargo bay. River snickered, though her own cheeks were red. Artoo burbled in exasperation.
"I see his status as an Alliance hero hasn't gone to his head," Quinn observed.
"It's a good thing, Quinn," Elana smiled, "though it's just going to get him even more attention. Go easy on him, okay River?"
"I'll do my best, but I can't make any promises," the Rist Shadow chuckled saucily.
- - -
