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Kre'nyo was just putting the finishing touches on his uniform when the computer chimed. That was his pre-programmed alarm, warning him he was on duty in ten minutes.Quickly braiding his auburn hair behind his pointed ears, he moved to his kitchenette and poured a steaming mug from a dispenser

Stepping out of the lift, Kre'nyo spotted his commanding officer, David Sinclair in the Captain's chair.

"Reporting for duty, Sir." He said with a salute then handed the mug to David.

"Thank you Kre'nyo." Sinclair replied as he took the hot chocolate. Ever since his third in command had learned of his preference for the Tau'ri beverage, he had never failed to arrive for duty with a mug in hand. He also never failed, despite more than two years under his command, to follow military protocol to the letter. He knew that while the commander was highly flexible and fairly relaxed on protocol, he also appreciated the formality once in a while.

Kre'nyo liked the Hunter's enigmatic captain. When he had come aboard two and a half years ago, he had chosen the tall, eager Bothan from a plethora of junior officers to become his second officer. He also knew that the confident human had gone to bat with Command to push through an over due promotion to full lieutenant for him. Despite all this, Kre'nyo also feared the captain. One day he had snuck into the ships gymnasium to watch the captain 'exercise.' The look in his eyes was so incredibly disconcerting he had to leave. It was unbelievable to him how a man that had seemed so vibrant on the bridge could change to a cold, calculating soldier like that. He'd had nightmares about those eyes for almost two weeks after that.

"Quiet shift, sir?" Kre'nyo asked as Sinclair took a sip from his mug.

"Yes, with Phil gone on leave, and us in orbit, there hasn't been anything exciting happening." David replied. "The bridge is yours Lieutenant. I need to head down to the flight deck and talk to the duty officer."

"Aye, sir, I have the Conn. Have a good down shift commander." Kre'nyo said as he took the chair David had vacated. He watched as his CO headed to the lift with a wave, and settled in for an uneventful shift.

Half an hour later that changed.

"Sir, message from sickbay. The commander has been injured in an accident on the flight deck! Your presence has been requested in Sickbay immediately." The officer at Communications looked worried as Kre'nyo turned to listen.

"What happened?" he asked.

"A fighter collapsed while the commander was beneath it, they aren't saying any more. Sir, they said it's urgent."

"Very well, Helmsman has the Conn." The tall Bothan yelled over his shoulder; already half way to the lift. Two minutes later, he was in the main sickbay speaking to Doctor Talgen.

"As soon as he comes out of surgery, we will get him into a bacta tank. I'm prescribing at least 120 hours, but it's going to depend on how he responds to the treatment. You'll be able to speak to him briefly, but we cannot delay." The dark haired woman said.

"I understand." He replied as he saw a medical droid wheeling out a gurney with the Commander on it. Kre'nyo and Talgen both stepped forward, stopping the droid.

"...the mechanic?" David whispered.

"He'll be fine." Talgen replied. "A broken leg and arm; nothing serious." Sinclair tried to nod and then turned towards his second officer.

"Ships' yours for a while, treat her well."

Kre'nyo managed to nod and smile. David looked like death itself, and even Talgen wasn't sure that he would make it. He was very worried as he watched the droid move the gurney into the bacta chamber and start the process of transferring the commander into a tank. Turning to leave, he was already planning how to put together the report for Command.

* * * * *

16 hours later, there had not yet been word from sickbay, and Kre'nyo was restless. He had made and arrived with a mug of hot chocolate as always this morning, then remembered the accident. He had decided to downplay his error by drinking the mug himself. He had tried the stuff before and disliked it, but he found it better this time. Maybe it was the spices the commander had recommended. Irregardless, sugar has a similar effect on the Bothan body as caffeine on humans, and suddenly he couldn't sit there anymore.

"Ensign, you have the bridge, I'm going to inspect the flight deck."

"Aye sir." came the reply. Kre'nyo knew that word of his imminent arrival would reach the flight deck well before he would, but he wanted to see the wreckage from the accident himself. Half an hour later, he was in the middle of speaking with the engineers and mechanics, all of whom were busy with their own inspections and analysis, when his comlink beeped.

"Sir, you're needed on the bridge. We are receiving an urgent signal."

"Understood, thank you." He answered, heading for the nearest lift. Arriving on the bridge he walked straight over to the communications station. "What is going on?"

"We are receiving a warning from the sensor network. Satellite 12 is reporting some kind of skirmish going on out system." The communications officer reported

"Hail command; let's see what they want us to do."

"I can't raise them, Farpoint communications are down. We are on our own. Hang on, I'm receiving a communication, very faint..."

"This is the freighter... under attack... pirates... need assistance..."

"Is there any way to reach Command?"

"No sir, I've tried the alternate frequencies."

"Very well..." It was his choice, there were no orders. "Helm, lock in the coordinates and engage. All crew to Battle stations! Keep trying to hail the admiral."

There was a chorus of 'aye sirs' about him as the ship left dock and headed out to space. Two minutes later she jumped to hyperspace. He had been aboard since receiving his commission almost 6 years ago, but it was the first time he had ordered her out of port and into possible battle. It was both frightening and thrilling at the same time. He had always dreamed of what it would be like to be the one to call battle stations and to feel the vibrant hum of his ship beneath him. He was also scared to death of making a mistake. Screwing up here was totally different; his decisions today could cost people their lives.

Kre'nyo had no idea how Sinclair could be so calm in battle. The human had ordered people to their deaths before, and he had never seen him hesitate to make a decision. He was glad that the crew and ship was ready though. Talon Squadron had been assigned to replace the grounded X-Wings until the cause of the accident could be determined.

As the ship dropped back into real space, the ensign at sensor control spoke up. "Sir, we have several ships on sensors. I'm detecting a large bulk freighter, a small cruiser and several smaller ships, likely fighters."

"Thank you ensign, engage tactical display." Kre'nyo turned and watched as holographic grid came to life in front of the command station. The two capital ships were easy to distinguish at this range, but it would be another few minutes before the fighters would be fully visible.

"New information: Attacking vessels appear to be rogue pirates, one Rendilli bulk cruiser, and 6 T-wing fighters. Damorian bulk freighter is identifying as the Spring Breeze. It has sustained heavy damage and the cruiser has dispatched a boarding shuttle."

This was it, he had to decide what to do, and quickly.

"Launch Talon squadron, tell them first priority is to destroy the boarding shuttle, then the fighters. Move to engage the bulk cruiser."

The orders just seemed to flow out of him, the calm voice sounded strange to his long elegant ears. This was it, his battle. He wasn't about to screw up. On the display, 12 new markers appeared to denote the E-wings as they spread themselves among the available targets.

"Sir, the cruiser just launched 6 more T-wings, there is now a full squadron, repeat, a full squadron on the field!"

"Warn the fighters, they are clear to shoot at any available target."

"Aye sir!"

"Sir, we are in firing range of the cruiser."

He had superior fire power, and he intended to use it. "Open fire, all batteries. I want that ship disabled, not destroyed." Removing the cruiser would remove the fighters; they had too short a range to live without it. The Command lit up as blue and green fire lanced out towards the enemy vessel. Two minutes later, it was all over.

"Sir, enemy cruiser is nearly disabled. They are recalling their fighters and withdrawing. Do we pursue?" The fight had left the bulk cruiser on fire and barely surviving, most of its key systems gone. The squadron of T-wings had been nearly annihilated by the better trained New Republic fighters. 8 vessels had been totally destroyed or disabled beyond repair without a single casualty among the Hunter's E-wings.

"No, let them go. Tractor the freighter and rush medical crews aboard. Set a course back to Farpoint and prepare to engage when the freighter is secured." There would be hell to pay when they got back, Kre'nyo knew that. He had taken the ship out without permission and ordered her into battle. True he had been responding to a distress call, but Hunter represented a significant portion of the defensive fleet attached to the base.

"We have a solid lock on the freighter, and the last of our fighters are landing now. We should be secure for light speed in a few minutes." Kre'nyo nodded to dismiss the flight officer, and then strode forward to look out of one of the triangular windows that ringed the bridge.

"Sir, I have established communications with Farpoint. The Admiral would like to speak with you." His heart rose into his throat with the communications officer's announcement. Kre'nyo had never spoken directly to Admiral Fel before, only to Admiral Burn, and this was not what he had wanted their first conversation to be about.

"Thank you Ensign." He managed to choke out. He could see the sandy haired Human as he strode over to the screen. "Admiral." He greeted the image.

"Lieutenant." The Admiral returned the greeting. "What is your status?"

"Sir, we received a distress call and came to the assistance of a freighter that was under attack." Kre'nyo quickly outlined the battle while the admiral nodded his head or questioned him about a particular point.

"Very good Lieutenant, and how is the freighter now?"

"The freighter is secure aboard Hunter and medical teams are looking after the crew. We are preparing to return to Farpoint at this very moment."

"Excellent! Well done lieutenant, I want a report on my desk by 0900 tomorrow morning. Give my congratulations to the crew. Farpoint out."

Kre'nyo walked over to the command chair and sat down in a daze. The Admiral wasn't angry; he had done the right thing. Letting out a big sigh, he relaxed and settled back into the chair.

"Helm: Best speed to Farpoint."