us all the details. You're free to go."

"Thank you," said Balto.

But Balto was very angry; as well as upset. Not only had Steele embarrassed him in front of Jenna, but he had missed his mission as well. He returned to the Trawler and watched the fleet mobilize for its random hyperspace jump to avoid detection by the Empire.

Balto awoke as a V-40 Foxx fighter screamed past his window. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and walked to his bathroom. After a quick shower he dressed himself in his green flight suit and went to the hanger. Muk and Luk were putting the engine system back into their ships as he walked into the hanger. He waved before getting into his A-Wing. After being cleared by launch control he landed on the cruiser Maria. There were more ships than usual in the hanger. After asking a few different species what was going on he found out that there was going to be a skill contest to see who would take the shipment of medicine to Earth. He grabbed a report flier and read it:

The contest will run through the asteroid belt. Each ship will be modified with a tractor beam emplacement. You must carry your load safely through the asteroids and reach the other side. The first three fighters will have earned the right to carry the shipment to Earth. Captain Steele has already been chosen to lead the mission, due to his recent success. Good luck!

"Of course Steele!" groaned Balto," But why go through the asteroids?"

He soon got his answer. The pilots were called to the briefing room to receive their orders. Balto decided to give it a try. The large briefing room was capable of seating over fifty people, and it easily took the thirty or so pilots. General Doc was standing in front of a holographic projector located in the center of the room.

"Quiet please," he ordered.

When all was quiet, he dimmed the lights and switched on the projector. An image of the destination system appeared. He could see a highlighted planet, the asteroids, and the planet Earth.

"This mission," began the General," Is a very important one. You will be required to fly to Juneau Station orbiting the planet Jupiter. After obtaining a cargo container of the medicine you will proceed through the asteroids to Earth. We are moving through the asteroids to try to avoid any detection by the Empire. You must reach Earth safely. The medicine is vital. First, you will fly the obstacle course to determine who will fly the mission. Right now, each ship is being retrofitted with a tractor beam projector. You will leave the hanger with your container in tow and fly through the asteroids. The first three ships will be awarded the positions of second container and two escorting fighters. Good luck. Now, to your ships.

A young looking Mon Calamari pilot raised his webbed hand, " A question, sir. Why not just use a cruiser to carry the medicine?"

"Because," answered Doc," fighters would be faster. Traveling through an asteroid field in a cruiser is no walk in the park!"

Balto returned to his fighter, which now had a bulky looking tractor beam projector on the bottom of it. Behind the ship was a cargo container.

"Just hit the green button on the side of the flight stick," said the tech who had just climbed out of Balto's A-Wing.

Balto climbed into his ship and started his engines. He locked onto the container and flew out of the hanger. He lined up with the other ships. His position was right next to the cruiser. He looked through one of the large viewports and saw Jenna, Sylvie, and Dixie waiting for the race to start. He hesitated, then gave Jenna a thumbs-up.

"Balto!" gasped Jenna.

"What does he think he's doing?" said Dixie.

As soon as all of the ships had lined up. The ten second countdown had begun. There was a wide variety of fighters: X-Wings, Z-95 Headhunters, as well as Steele's squadron of four V-45's. Balto poised his finger over his throttle switch waiting for the green light to come on. Three..... two..... one..... the green light flashed. With a reaction time of .23 seconds, Balto pushed the switch to full throttle. He was pushed back into his seat by the sudden thrust. His pair of Novaldex J-77 `Event Horizon' engines screamed as he gained speed and left the slower X-Wings and Z-95 Headhunters behind. Even with his load he was still faster than any other fighter in the galaxy. That is, except for a V-45 Wolf-Wing with its lasers being redirected to its engines. Balto watched as Nikki, Kaltag, and Star pulled beside him. They sneered as he tried to redirect power to his own engines. They reached the asteroids. Nikki pulled a fast maneuver into the path of Balto. Balto swerved out of the way and narrowly avoided an asteroid. He did a somersault to avoid a few more which resulted in having some of the other fighters pass by him. He had to take a risk. He redirected all shield power into his engines. His maximum speed in combat would have been 180, but his load slowed him to 146. He still passed the others and soon caught up with the leader, Nikki. Balto could see the other side of the asteroid field approaching. He kept his eyes on as many asteroids as possible. He pulled hard to the left and almost collided with Nikki. Nikki saw Balto coming and plowed into Kaltag and Star. They got bumped off course but were otherwise alright. Balto now had the lead. The win was only a few asteroids away. He soared out of the asteroids and flew towards the rendezvous frigate. He entered the hanger, followed by Star, then Kaltag and finally, a very cheesed Nikki. . The rest of the ships arrived and landed. Balto was glad to be in such an important position. The second container!

"Wow!" thought Balto.

The fighters returned aboard the frigate which had no trouble blasting its way back through the asteroid field. Once on board the Maria, Balto reported to General Doc. He was in the breifing room, along with the other winners; Nikki, Kaltag, and Star and, unfortunately, so was Steele.

"Lieutenant Balto reporting in, sir," said Balto, standing at attention.

"At ease," said the General.

Balto let his shoulders drop, he felt very relaxed, except for the fact that Steele was staring at him.

"I would like to congratulate you on your excellent flying Lieutenant," continued the General.

"Thank you sir," said Balto.

"The group leaves in six hours. You'll have that time to do any checks on your ship. Get some sleep as well."

Balto glanced over at Steele. Steele only glared back at him.

"Um, excuse me General," said Steele," Regarding the Lieutenant's actions during the test."

"What about them?" asked Doc.

"It was seen clearly from camera probe number 6-1-B that Balto tried to ram one of my wingmen. I believe he has a personal problem with Commander Nikki, either that or he had no consideration for his welfare."

"Hmmm," said the General.

"I was trying to avoid an asteroid!" declared Balto," I almost crashed into Nikki's ship!"

"A likely story," said Steele," I think you just want to get on everyone's good side, hybrid!"

Balto bared his teeth.

"See general. He is acting very aggressive. I don't think he's fit for such an important mission," said Steele.

"Yes," said Doc," Alright Lieutenant, you are dismissed."

"But..." began Balto.

"Dismissed!"

Steele grinned as Balto turned and left. He argrily donned his helmet and was about to climb into his ship when Jenna walked by," Hey Balto. Great flying. Good luck on the mission."

Balto looked at her," I'm not flying the mission. Captain Steele convinced General Doc that I'm not good enough for such an important mission."

Jenna's mouth fell open," That's the last straw! I've taken just about enough from him!"

Balto pulled himself onto the top of his fighter," He said that I had a personal problem with Commander Nikki and that I had no consideration for his welfare!"

Jenna looked back up at him, a sad expression on her face, "Oh Balto. I'm so sorry..." she said.

"You'd better not talk to me any more Jenna," interrupted Balto," I might develop a personal problem with you!"

Balto got into his cockpit and started his engines.

"Balto wait," said Jenna," Balto!"

Balto slid the canopy shut and took off. He flew to the Trawler and went straight to his room. From there he watched as Steele and his three wingmen took off from the Maria and jumped into hyperspace.

Steele watched as the starlines streaked back to dots as he emerged from hyperspace, then Kaltag, then Nikki, and finally Star who was to tow the second container.

"All wings report in," said Steele.

"Blue 2, standing by," piped Star.

"Blue 3, standing by," said Kaltag.

"Blue 4, standing by," grumbled Nikki.

They all followed Steele to the star base in a Vic formation. When they reached the base two space tugs pushed the containers towards them. Steele and Star locked on with their tractor beams and began their flight towards the asteroid field. Nikki and Kaltag flew behind them now in a Line Astern formation.

"Wait," said Star," What's that?"

He looked at a small grey dot a few dozen meters into the asteroids.

"It looks like a probe," said Kaltag," I'll go investigate."

Kaltag broke formation and flew towards the probe. On the side of it was a warped star insignia; the insignia used by the Empire.

"It's an Imperial probe!" reported Kaltag.

"Destroy it," said Steele.

Kaltag flew by, aimed carefully at the tiny target, and fired his lasers. The probe exploded.

"Do you think it got