Chapter Two

Kiara's Comet Cluster, 34 ABY

Two T-70 X-wing starfighters piloted by Iden and Zay Versio exited hyperspace just outside of Kiara's Comet Cluster located in the Hartaga system.

Zay always enjoyed being in the cockpit of an X-wing starfighter. She loved the feeling of being in space and flying among the stars. Her parents, Del Meeko and Iden Versio had taught her how to fly at a young age. Even now, years later despite still being young, she was still learning but getting better as the days went by. She could still remember her conversation with her mom earlier that morning.

"What are we doing today Mom?" Zay had asked as she ate some breakfast food at the small table they were sitting at.

"I don't know, honey," her mom replied as she took a bite of her breakfast food. "I'm still trying to figure that out."

Zay snapped her fingers. "How about we practice X-wing flying maneuvers," she suggested.

Iden put down her fork and leaned back in her seat. "Alright, and where do you think we should practice, Zay?"

"How about Kiara's Comet Cluster?"

"Hmmm... I don't know Zay."

"Ah, come on Mom," Zay protested. "With the amount of training I've gotten from you and Dad, I think I'm ready."

Her mom frowned. "That's a dangerous place, Zay."

"Mom, I may only be twenty-two but I've been getting better every day. You and Dad have been the best teachers I could've asked for. I promise I'm ready."

"Alright, fine. Let's finish our food then let's suit up and head out," her mom said as she went back to eating.

After finishing their food, they got changed into their flight suits, got in their X-wings, and headed off to Kiara's Comet Cluster.

As she and her mother flew through the cluster, Zay enjoyed the challenge of dodging the rocks that were in her path.

"Zay," her mother's voice came over the comms, "when I said we could practice maneuvers this was not what I had in mind."

"I'll be fine, Mom," Zay assured her. "Quit being such an old lady."

"Old lady?" her mother questioned. "This old lady's about to teach you a thing or two about X-wings and safety."

"Pfft, whatever." She shrugged before asking, "When do you think Dad will be back?"

Hopefully soon," her mother replied. "I miss him."

"I know you do Mom," Zay said. "I miss him too."

"Alright, let's get started, Zay. Time to practice some maneuvers."

"Okay, Mom. I'll follow your le-"

"Hold on a minute Zay," her mother interrupted. "Incoming call from the Corvus."

"The Corvus?" Zay said. "Dad's back early."

"Yeah, the Corvus. Your dad's not supposed to be back for a couple of days," her mother answered. "Playing the call now."

However, the voice at the end wasn't her father's, but her Uncle Shriv Suurgav. "Iden? It's Shriv. I'm sending you coordinates. I need to see you."

What is Shriv doing on the Corvus and why isn't Dad on the other end? Something bad must have happened if Dad wasn't answering the call, Zay thought.

"We're on our way," her mother replied then the call went dead. "Sending you the coordinates Zay. You got them?"

"Yeah, Mom. I got them. Locking them into the nav computer now." Zay paused for a moment to look at the coordinates her uncle had sent. "Pillio? What's dad and the Corvus doing out there hauling cargo for?"

"I have no clue honey, but we'll find out soon enough. Are you ready to go?"

"Ready when you are, Mom," Zay replied. "Let's get going."

The mother and daughter duo quickly cut left and slightly upwards at a forty-five-degree angle out of the cluster then jumped to hyperspace headed for Pillio.

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