Title: More than Words: Letters Home 1
Author: Sarina Argus aka Aya
Archive: Sure, let me know where
Rating: will prolly stay PG-13, possibly R
Summary:  The letters of Ensign Taren Willette
NOTE:  This was inspired by Lori and Wolfling's 'Letters' Series, if you
haven't read it yet, you are missing a marvelous work.  It won't be as long
as theirs, but will hopefully be at least half as entertaining as theirs is. 
Many many thanks to them for the inspiration

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Enlisted Rank designations are 1-5, one being lowest, 5 being highest
SD = Security and Defense
AN = AstroNavigation
SL = Supply and Logistics
OP = Operations
AM = Astro Mechanics

Officers Rank Designations
CO = Commanding Officer
XO = Executive Officer
S1 = Standard Ops and Security
S2 = Morale and Welfare
S3 = Training and Education
S4 = Supply and Logistics

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~
REF#:  003130-8480
RRV Selin

Dearest Tris,

I'm here, not that's it's saying much.   Just reported in and got my
billeting assignment.  I'm sharing quarters with 2 other women, one from
security, one from supply, so getting stuff or getting caught shouldn't be a
problem.  SD3 Tissa has a weakness for salted cherrinroot, so if you can send
some this way, I can guarantee no brig time for at least 20 more hours.

SL2 Karpen is pretty quiet but has a wicked sense of humor.  She's also the
resident practical joker, which I found out my first few minutes with them. 
Tissa said she's harmless, but I have a feeling I'm lucky I'm one of her
quartermates.

The crew is good, I suppose, I've only just got here and they're coming out
of the woodwork to meet me.  Fresh meat was my first feeling, but since Selin
is one of the deepspace warships, diversions are few and any new face is
probably a good thing.  A few people have borrowed some of my holos, you
know, the old ones I pilfered from your library.  When they found out I had
the latest vids from Corellia, the S2 'requisitioned' them for the
'Designated Film Night' for all off duty crew members.  I joked maybe the CO
should have something to say about it, everyone shut up tighter than those
Calmarian musclefish.  Later I asked Tissa what the big deal was.  Boy are
you gonna love this.

Our CO is a Jedi Master.  Not just any Jedi either; one Obi-Wan Kenobi.  I
see you shaking your head now, I did the same thing, well after I picked my
jaw up off the ground.  I'm serving under THAT screggin knight Tris!  Gods if
I ever get a chance I'm gonna give him a piece of my mind.  As it is, I get
my first briefing with the rest of the crew in a few hours, followed by one
duty shift to get situated then an interview with the dorpus.  But before you
say anything, I promise I'll be civil to him.  Wouldn't do me any good to get
thrown off in the middle of hyperspace.  Karpen thinks he's ok, Tissa just
smiles.  Maybe I'm missing something, but blaze, if anyone thinks he's gonna
change my mind, they're screggin crazy.  That man is reason this war is
happening, the reason you and I are apart.  And I'm gonna let him know it.

I'll write more later, hopefully not from some jettisoned space pod.  All my
love, mahal. 

Taren.

More than Words 2

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

REF#:  003231-3011

Dearest Tris,

I got your 'que.  I miss you too.  We're supposed to have liberty in the next
60 cycles, maybe we'll be able to spend some time together.  Glad to hear you
passed your evals,  you'll out rank me before you know it.  Oh yea, guess
what?

I met him. 

Gods, I wish someone warned me.  He was on the bridge when my shift came
around.  The only reason we even knew he was there was because the lift
doors.  The ones on the bridge are a little old and need some serious work. 
The metal squeaked and we all turned and there he was.  Half of the crew
looked away quickly, getting suddenly interested in the readouts in front of
them.  I stared like 3 year old. 

I'd never seen a Jedi Knight before, not this close anyways.  In the fleet
uniform, no one would know he was a knight except for one thing.  His saber. 
He wore it like a badge of office instead of a side arm.  He wore the
regulation blaster too, but 50 credits says he'd never pull it. 

He saw me staring and smiled a bit and walked over.  I hadn't introduced
myself yet, I'd reported in to his second in command since he was on sleep
cycle.  I guess he figured it would be a bit more relaxed if our first
meeting was in a more public area.

I wish he didn't do that.  I wish he requested my presence in his ready room.
Or better yet, ignored me.   But you know what I wished the most?  I wish I
didn't have my evening meal first.

Remember how we talked about how those moments are always etched in our
memories, that times like that are always in slow motion so you can remember
everything in vivid detail?  This was one of those times...

Maybe it was the hyperspace jumps and the lags, or maybe the whole reporting
in thing.  All I remember is that his uniform jacket was charcoal black with
small flecks of grey woven into the fabric.  His uniform pants were crisp
white with a  gold stripe down the side, a Corellian blood stripe from what
I'd been told.  His boots were worn, but polished to a high sheen that would
have passed even the toughest inspection. Or at least they would have before
I threw up on them.

You should have seen his face, a mixture of shock and disbelief.  For my
part, I did the only thing that could have followed such a performance.  I
fainted.

Next thing I knew, I was in the infirmary, Tissa asking me what the Sith had
happened.  Word travels fast around the ship, but she wanted it from me.  The
med tech said it was a touch of the flu combined with nerves, and I'd be
alright after a few cycles of rest.  Tissa and I walked back to our quarters
as quickly and as quietly as possible.  Kar as ready for us, having thrown
drop cloths over all the furniture.  We had a good laugh before the meds
kicked in. 

When I woke up, there was a message on my com.  From the CO.  "I hope your
feeling better."  That's it.  There was a small grin on his lips when he said
it, so I really don't know what to make of it.  At least no space pod for
now.  Tomorrow maybe. 

That's pretty much it for now.  I haven't been demoted yet, but if I am
you'll be the first to know.  Love you mahal. 

Yours,

'Chuck' (my new nick)

More Than Words #3
Disclaimers in part 1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
REF#001040956

Dear Tris,

You've probably heard by now, but we had our first skirmish.  Runners
from the core heading out of Republic space opened fire on us.  We
were totally blindsided.

I can't tell you too much about it, the security here is pretty
strict but then you already know that.  We almost didn't make it out.
But then that's probably common knowledge by now.  I have a feeling
it's not gonna be the last time we get into this, but one things for
damn sure.  I would rather go into battle with this bunch.  And that
includes our CO.

I've heard all about tactics classes and all the other nonsense the
Jedis are supposed to have learned, but Sith Tris, unless you see it
in action, you haven't seen anything.  He had us trying things that
were just theory in the Academy, and they worked for scregs sake. 
Though half of the crew was probably crossing themselves or needing
some new smallclothes when it was over.  And get this.  He led the
boarding crew.

That captain was in for it.  It was me, SD3 Timus, SD3 Keltor, AN
Niels and Kenobi.  The captain was pretty insolent until he caught
sight of the General.  Then he started jabbering so fast, I swore his
brains would have spilled out.  The captain and his officers were
being transferred to the Selin for transport to HQ when all Sith
broke
loose.  One of the crewmen opened fire on us.  I would have been dead
Tris, except for one thing.  General Kenobi.  Cool and composed as
humanly possible, he drew the sword. 

Remember all those vids we'd seen about the old order and their
weapons?  Throw all that away, Tris, you haven't seen anything unless
you see that saber in action.  He had that thing drawn and deflecting
bolts before we even hit the deck.  I'd have sworn the man had ice
water in his veins, it was that mechanical.  The crewman caught one
of
the deflected blasts square in the chest.  He was dead before he hit
the ground. 

So Kenobi goes and turns the man over, checking for a pulse.  I mean
the guy's obviously dead, but he does it anyways.  Then, he arranges
the guy's hands, closes his eyes, smoothes his hands over the man's
face and says, "There is no death, there is the Force, may your soul
find peace."  I mean he's saying death rites over an assassin!  We
didn't know what to think of it.  The captain seemed pretty
impressed,
he ordered the rest of the crew not to resist and to cooperate fully
with us.  Talk about strange.

I asked Keltor about it later.  He said it didn't really surprise
him,
after all, Jedi's are brought up respecting life and all that, so it
made sense.  I asked if the General did that all the time, but Kel
said he didn't know.  General Kenobi debriefed us, then told Giolla
(our second in command) he'd be in his quarters.  At first, I'd have
sworn the general could have cared less, but there was a definite
droop in his shoulders when he left the bridge, you'd think it
bothered him more than he let on. 

One thing's for sure Tris, my CO is a strange man.

We'll be at HQ in a few cycles, hopefully you will not have been
assigned by then.  The XO promised us a few cycles of shore leave
once
we dock and I know I for one need it.

More next time.  I'm up for watch.  Love you mahal.  Stay low.

Love,

Taren


~~~~~~~~~~~`
REF# 008240-3340

Dear Tris,

I'm getting the feeling this is a plot.  One night on Alderaan.  That's all
we got to spend before you were off again.  I think its Command.  They're
afraid I'll use my secret Zaurian tricks to distract you from your missions. 
And since they can't lose their best new pilot... At least we had one night. 
I loved waking up in your arms, feeling your warmth.  It was C'haln,
paradise.  And at least we have more chances to grab liberty together.

I'm on the bridge right now, catching a moment of peace.  The ship is pretty
vacant right now.  Shore leave will last another four cycles, then probably
another deep spacer for us.  And are we looking forward to it.  Boo Hiss...

I went planetside with Tissa and Kar last night.  Three women out for a wild
night on Alderaan.  I didn't drink much, since I had first watch, but I still
had a good time.  Anyway, we were walking and thinking where to go and
decided to go to this dive.  Before you start growling, it had the best music
playing and Tissa is our assistant weaponsmate.  We figured we were covered. 
Well, we were, mostly.

We'd just sat down when this screggin goon comes over and starts hitting on
us.  We told him to get lost in 5 different languages, Tris, but he just
wouldn't take a hint.  Finally Tissa is about to flatten him when our CO
comes over.   Oh Tris, this was classic.  He looks at the guy and smiles. 
'You want another drink,' he says, gesturing with his glass.  The goon says
'I want another drink,' then Kenobi says 'You apologize for disturbing these
ladies.'  And the guy looks over to us and says, "Sorry for bothering you."
And he leaves! 

The guy goes and we're staring at our CO.  He ditched the uniforms this time
for something a bit more non-descript, black pants with a gold stripe down
the side and a loose white shirt.  He looked like a pirate or a smuggler,
anything but our CO.  Finally Kar remembers her manners and invites him to
sit down.  And I'm thinking, 'great move, lets get drunk in front of the
Boss.'   But ya know, he's a pretty nice guy.  Wicked sense of humor.  And he
has lots of incredible stories.  Places he's been that don't exist anymore,
people he's met, things he's seen.  And he matched Kar drink for drink, which
is no small feat.  Finally, four bottles later she's drooling in her glass,
I'm giggling like a loon, Tissa is just out, and he's not even phased.  Must
be another Jedi thing.  Wish he'd teach me that, my head is killing me. 

So he loads us in this transport back to the ship and is about to get in with
us when this other transport comes up.  With royal markings.  And before you
can skin a temmil, I'm carrying a message to Giolla that the CO is going to
the palace at the request of King Bail.  I knew the Jedi used to be well
connected, but Sith.

He came back early this morning with the rest of the crew.  Most of our
senior officers are suffering from the same form of incapacitation as the
crew.   Tissa was not a pretty sight this morning, and poor Kar spent the
morning in the fresher.  I was the most functional of the three of us and
that isn't saying much.  At least first watch was relatively uneventful. 

I do get to deliver some good news to the general.  The palace just sent word
that the queen gave birth to a baby girl.  Princess Leia Organa.  Isn't that
a pretty name?  So I get to tell him about her and to deliver our new orders.
A run to the rim.  Figures doesn't it, from civilization to the wastes.  Oh
well, no one said this would be glamorous.

Well off to deliver our orders.  The work of the message girl is never done. 
I'll send more later.  Stay safe mahal, remember: Bank, reverse thrusters,
fire. And duck.

All my love

Taren.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
REFERENCE # 000201-9331

Dear Tris,

Heard about your scuffle, Gods, Tris, be careful!  I'm in a warship, we can
take a few hits before we start worrying.  You're in a fighter.  I worry just
as much about you, maybe more.  This war is one on one for you, I don't want
to lose you.

We finished our trip to the rim, Hutt territory.  Actually we didn't hit the
rim, we stayed in secure space.  I can't tell you much else about it, other
than our CO is a nut.

I had to run his orders to him before he took off so I ran from the bridge to
the hanger, hoping to catch him before he takes off. I turn the corner and I
swear I hear voices.  One of them is the Boss, the other was... I don't know
how to describe it. Rich, deep, but not all there.  So anyway, I turn the
corner and the CO is talking to himself.  At least he had to be, since there
was no one else there.  But he's stowing his gear and saying, "Yes, master,"
"No, master," and nodding like an idiot.  So I'm thinking, "Great, the boss
has lost it."  I clear my throat, getting his attention.  He looks up and
smiles, I mean really smiles, and now I'm thinking, "Ok, what's the joke?"  I
give him the orders and start backing away slowly,  but before I left the
hanger I swear I heard two people laughing.  That and a baby crying.   I've
got an appointment with our medic after my watch.

The other thing I learned that he has balls of pure duranium.  He flew the
ship out by himself, you know the kind, the hi-tech recon ones that seat one
uncomfortably and are built for two.  I have no clue where he went, but when
he came back he had a couple of runners on his tail, coming in hot and
loaded.  Giolla scrambled our own fighters real fast, but I could have sworn
Kenobi was a dead man. 

Oh Tris, he can fly.  I mean he can really fly.  Every aerobatic maneuver
known, he pulled it off while our fighters struggled to keep up with him. 
The recon ship had no arms, but then you know that.  Still he was dancing
around these guys, setting them up, and our fighters just lined up and pulled
the trigger.  We watched the whole thing from the bridge.  Gods, it was
amazing.

Timus and I were the first to the hangar.  They were already pulling the
blast door off the side of his ship.  The outer skin was scorched so much the
paint flaked off in sheets.  The cockpit glass was starting to bubble up. 
Finally they got the damned thing open and he hops out, covered head to toe
in soot, grinning like a mad man.  And he sees me and laughs. "Wills," he
calls to me, "Gods, that was wizard!"  Then he starts gushing like a 6
year-old to the pilots that landed with him, who true to form, gushed right
along with him. Part of me is thinking, 'He must have hit his head,' and the
other part of me wants to gush too. Pretty soon I'm grinning like an idiot
too.  Then Doctor Argus shows up and breaks up the party.  But for a few
moments there...

Anyway, I've got to get to mess before the good stuff is gone.  Send me holos
from your base, and I'll think about sending the holos Kar took on Dantooine.
Love you mahal.  And keep an eye on your afterburners.

More later,
"Wills"

~ 5/27/00 ~