Heddryn waited outside the Solar Flare until Ariel opened the hatch. All the heat aboard the little ship gasped out. Ariel shivered in her flight jacket. She was glad Heddryn had warned her to pack a parka.

The Gotal stood head and horns taller than Ariel. The sensory horns helped Heddryn sense whom to trust. Gray fur rose in tufts around her face. Large, deep-set ember-colored eyes stared out from beneath her heavy brows.

Ariel felt a deep kinship with Heddryn since they'd gone into the target range in her dad's shop on Ord Mandell. When Ariel handed over the latest rifle from BlasTech, Heddryn fit it against her shoulder like a professional, leaned into it, and challenged Ariel to a little friendly target practice. Disregarding her dad's order to let the customer win, Ariel showed off just enough to demonstrate how good the new rifles were. It was the most fun she'd had since her return from Ralltiir.

Later, after a few drinks in Ord Mandell City, Ariel had listened with pure joy as Heddryn recruited her for the Alliance.

Unfortunately, this wasn't the homecoming she'd imagined. Blix and Jambo lurked over near their X-wings — keeping an eye on Ariel and her ship.

Blix stood as high as her shoulder. He was a Tynnan, a cinnamon-furred biped like a big rodent, with black button eyes and delicate membranous ears that stuck out from his head like wings. The long incisors that hung past his receding chin gave him a dopey, befuddled expression, but they could pierce thinsulate. Ariel didn't know if Blix bit people. She wouldn't get close enough to find out.

Heddryn had warned her about Blix. She'd promised to find Ariel another supply team, after they reached the secret base. A human supply team. And Ariel had said no, she'd find some way to work it out. She hadn't counted on the depth of Blix's hatred.

Jambo followed Blix everywhere, completely devoted. He was the last to see Blix into his X-wing for a run, the first to greet him on return. Ariel would've smiled fondly at such devotion, if it hadn't meant that she now had two of them she had to watch.

She wasn't sure what Jambo's people were called. If he'd ever left Blix's side, she would've asked. A little taller than Blix, Jambo stood eye to chin with her. Wavy ginger fur cascaded down his body. Two of his four bowl-shaped black eyes blinked at her across the hangar.

Jambo had reason to hate humans, Blix announced when Heddryn had introduced the team. The Empire had enslaved his people. Personally, Blix hated humans for the sole fact of their existence. The sight of their pitiful, furless faces disgusted him.

To distract Ariel, Heddryn grinned, revealing a carnivore's teeth in her gray muzzle. "Let's chat inside."

Stepping back from the hatch, Ariel said, "Sure. C'mon in." Her breath floated on the cold air.

The Gotal female had to stoop to keep the sensory cones atop her head from bumping the corridor's low ceiling. Ariel wondered what Blix had said now, to make Heddryn subject herself to the discomfort of meeting on the Solar Flare. The Commander led the way back into the speed craft's cramped lounge/living quarters. "You're sure you want to stay on my team?" Heddryn asked in a low growl.

Ariel tried to read past the scowling orange of Heddryn's eyes. "If it's easier for you ..."

"I want to keep you," Heddryn said, "but it's your choice."

"I want to work for you," Ariel repeated.

"Good." Heddryn sank onto the acceleration couch, which doubled as Ariel's bed. Even with her legs stretched out in front of her, she couldn't possibly be comfortable. The little Corellian speed craft wasn't big enough for that. "Stay on your ship for now," Heddryn said. "That's not an order. Just a suggestion."

Ariel paced the short compartment before answering. "I won't let Blix and Jambo follow me into any dark tunnels."

Heddryn laugh was a growling bark. "I can guess how that would turn out. But for all Blix's attitude, I can't afford to lose him. He's been on my team from the beginning."

"He's also the reason you've never worked with humans before." Ariel paced back.

"True." Heddryn pointed one of her taloned fingers at the gaming table. "You're acting like a caged animal. You're not. Sit."

Ariel sighed and hopped up on the table's edge. She swung her feet. "OK. When can I go out to play with everyone else?"

"Soon," Heddryn said. "Reassure me before I go see my superiors: you're determined to do this run?"

Ariel nodded. "Those BlasTech rifles are better than standard Imperial-issue sidearms."

"But he's your father," Heddryn said.

"The company's insured against loss," Ariel answered.

"Stealing from your own family...."

"They're war profiteers," Ariel countered. "My dad has made his fortune several times over, selling personal weapons to Imperial officers." Ariel shook blond hair out of her face and over her shoulder. "Look. The Rebellion needs ships, but I don't know how to get those. All I know about is blasters. I know who and when. All I need to know is that the Alliance will take me back, before I put my family through this."

"I'm on it." Heddryn stood up as far as she could and shrugged to settle the uniform jacket more comfortably against her fur. Ariel thought how nice it was to see Alliance uniforms again. "I'll set up a meeting with the Supply Commander, so you can outline your strategy to get those blasters. But until you're officially a member of the Alliance again, don't tangle with Blix."

"Tell him to leave me alone."

"Why dare him? Just stay out of his way."

Ariel pulled out a spice stick and offered it to Heddryn, who shook her head. Ariel tipped it between her lips. Once she'd gotten it lit, Ariel said, "You're the boss. But keep him off my ship."

Heddryn laughed again. "Spacer's code still applies, even in times of rebellion. He crosses the threshold and he's all yours."

"Fair enough."

As they filed back up front, Ariel said, "Blix is welcome to set his X-wing to monitor my transmissions. All he'll hear is me muttering to myself."

Heddryn turned at the hatchway and caught Ariel's arm in her grip. She gave it a friendly squeeze. Ariel fought not to wince. Those claws hinted at sharpness, even through her flight jacket. Heddryn growled, "You're not a prisoner, Ariel. You chose to be here."

Despite or because of the Gotal's fierceness, Ariel genuinely liked Heddryn. She grabbed Heddryn's arm and squeezed back as hard as she could. Heddryn's expression changed slightly. Ariel thought she read amusement. Then Heddryn ducked out of the ship and went to speak to Blix. Ariel locked the hatch and went to inventory her nav system.

To be continued...