launched a total of fifteen TIE's, both fighters and Interceptors.

"They're using an Imperial Blizzard formation," reported Kaltag.

"I think we've really bought it now!" said Nikki.

"We're gonna die!" shouted Star.

"That's not helping, Star" said Balto," We won't win if we think like that. We've got to believe in ourselves. "

Then he thought for a moment. He remembered his half-wolf heritage, as well as the ancient origin of all breeds from his home planet," We're all from the same breed," he began, " Canis Lupus: the wolf. We need to use our hidden strengths to defeat these Imperials. Now are you with me or not?"

"Yeah!" shouted the others.

"Kaltag, drop the container. We can pick it up after we take care of that fleet!" said Balto.

"Roger!" said Kaltag.

The container drifted a few meters away, then came to a stop.

"Okay group, form up." commanded Balto.

The others moved into a normal Canis attack formation.

"We're now known as Wolf Squadron, all wings report in!"

"Wolf 2, standing by!" said Star.

"Wolf 3, standing by!" said Kaltag.

"Wolf 4, standing by!" said Nikki.

"Accelerate to attack speed. Let's kick some butt!" shouted Balto.

The four fighters screamed towards the incoming fighters. There began a vicious battle. Balto was glad to finally have a real dogfighting mission. The TIE's fired then avoided them as they cut through the group of fighters. Then the `dance' began. Balto was chasing two Interceptors and picked them off easily when a shot hit his shields. He looked back and saw three TIE Fighters behind him. He faked left and dove to the right. He lost them for a moment but they were right on him again.

Star and the others were making decent progress. The Blizzard formation was developed for use against Rebel Starfighters. A massive number of TIE's would first intercept, then swarm the enemy until there was nothing left. Of course, this had only worked a few times. This was no exception. But as many TIE's that were destroyed, just as many were sent out by the frigates. Star corkscrewed his fighter to line up with a TIE Interceptor and fired. The ship exploded.

"Nice shot, Wolf 2!" said Balto.

Star smiled to himself. It wasn't often that he was complimented for his kills. Steele used to only notice that a red enemy dot had disappeared from his sensor screen.

Balto was really sweating now. He had picked off thirteen TIE's and was shooting at another when a TIE accidentally crashed into his forward shields. They dropped and an attacker fired directly into the belly of his fighter.

"I'm hit!" he shouted.

His auto-ejection system kicked in as his fighter was reduced to a flaming fuselage, then exploded.

Star looked and saw Balto's fighter explode. His eyes grew wide," Nooooo!"

Nikki was just destroying a TIE Interceptor when the blast lit up his cockpit," Oh darn!"

Kaltag was right behind Balto when it happened. He shot the TIE Fighter that had destroyed Balto and then scanned space for any sign of Wolf 1.

"Wolf Leader, come in!" Kaltag called into his helmet mic.

"This is Wolf 2, come in Wolf Leader." tried Star.

"Wolf Leader here, "said Balto.

The others breathed a sigh of relief," I thought you were done for," said Star.

"Not yet. I've still got a promise to keep!"

"We'll finish off these TIE's then we'll come back for you," said Kaltag.

"I wouldn't worry about it if I were you," said Balto.

"But....?" said Nikki. Then he saw what Balto was talking about.

The Nenana as well as two Alliance frigates; the White Wolf, and the Iditerod, had just emerged from hyperspace.

"Woo hoo! The calvary's here!" shouted Kaltag.

"And not a moment too soon!" said Star.

One of the frigates moved toward their position as the other two ships approached the enemy fleet and began launching fighters of their own.

"This is White Wolf to Mercy Convoy to Earth, come in" said a voice over the communicator.

"Commander Kaltag here. We're fine, over."

"What is the condition of the containers, over"

"One container is here, the other was abandoned in the asteroid field," reported Kaltag.

"Copy that, we'll come and get the one here. We're reading an ejected pilot. Do you have an ID?"

Kaltag thought for a moment about what to say," He's one of ours."

"Fine, we'll grab him on our way there, over and out."

The frigate sent out a shuttle and a transport, the shuttle retrieved Balto while the transport got the container. After his helmet was removed and Balto was discovered, he was immediately taken to the brig; due to Steele's testimony at the debriefing.

The Iditerod's B-Wing heavy assault fighters; led by Dixie and aided by the cruiser's turbolasers, soon made short work of the enemy fleet. Once all fighters had been accounted for and all were once again aboard the cruisers the three ships entered hyperspace for Earth.

In hyperspace, everything was cleared up and Balto was released from the brig. Once the medicine had reached Earth, there was first a distribution of the medicine, then a celebration. There was food and music and lots of hand/paw shaking and congratulations for the heroic pilots.

The next day, the ships prepared to return to the main Rebel fleet. Balto had spent the last eight hours trying to locate Jenna's `mother', Rosy. He had the locket for a picture reference and he had gotten a lot of shrugged shoulders and bad information regarding her whereabouts. Finally he found her. She was lying in a bed in a room with at least ten others. She smiled as he approached.

"So you're the nice pilot who my Jenna's been talking about all this time?" she smiled.

Balto smiled back and glanced at the floor.

"Come over here," she said.

Balto made his way over to the bed and sat down in a chair next to it. Rosy reached over and put her hand on Balto's head. She rubbed his hair then ran her hand down his snout and off the end of his nose. Then she reached out and hugged him, "Thank you Balto. I would have been lost without you."

Balto hugged her back and smiled. He had finally found someone in this galaxy who liked him for who he was. Then he remembered Jenna. He took the locket off his neck and gave it to Rosy. She opened it and smiled.

"You go on home now and kiss her for me okay?" said Rosy.

"Uh....?" began Balto.

"Go on, "she winked at him, " Before your ship leaves without you."

Balto smiled again and got up from the chair. He waved goodbye and walked out of the hospital. After shaking a few more hands and waving to the crowd of people, he joined Nikki, Kaltag, and Star on the shuttle.

"I hope we get this kind of reception on the Independence," said Star.

"Heh heh heh! You said it!" laughed Kaltag.

The entrance ramp retracted back into launch position. The shuttle lifted off and shot toward the stars. It met with the Nenana and the small fleet jumped into hyperspace.

Once on board the Independence they were greeted pretty much the same as they were on Earth. Each of the pilots was given a Medal of Bravery; including Balto. The only person Balto didn't see at the ceremony was Steele; who at that moment was getting court marshaled.

Balto met Jenna for the first time in as many days and fulfilled Rosy's request. She smiled as the rest of the dogs cheered and patted the heroes on the back. She was glad to have him as her friend; maybe even something a bit closer. And for the first time in his life, Balto was loved, appreciated, and respected. Everyone in the Grand Assembly Hall glanced out the huge viewports as X-Wing's flew by, dropping fireworks that exploded in brilliant colours. Balto put his arm around Jenna's shoulders as the two of them, with Nikki, Kaltag, Star, and all the other Canines in the Alliance, watched the display that was dedicated to the indomitable spirit of the fighter pilots who had rescued an entire planet from a horrible fate, and brought their two species closer together.

THE END