Wraith Squadron (Star Wars: X-Wing, #5)

by Aaron Allston

“Admiral, we’re going to lose Implacable.” Trigit fixed Gara with a cold stare. “With the TIE fighters now chewing the attackers to pieces? I don’t believe it.” “Something is in the power cell section. Methodically destroying every cell. We’ve already lost computer backup power. In ten minutes, maybe less, we’re going to lose all main power, and that’s the end of Implacable, even if every one of those Rebel pilots dies.” He brushed past her and looked at the damage report. She was right. He felt faint for a moment. All these years of loyal service, the skill he’d shown Ysanne Isard and then the warlord, were suddenly worth precisely nothing. Destiny was balancing accounts and he was coming up short. He was about to lose his ship. His true love. “Do we surrender, sir?” Still dizzied by his sense of loss, he shook his head. “Don’t be ridiculous. We’ve lost … but we’re not going to give those Rebel scum another operational Star Destroyer they can repair and use for their own purposes. Implacable will take as many of them with her as she can.” “Sir … that will be more than thirty-five thousand people dead.” “And how many dead can we count on if the Rebels repair this ship and turn her guns on the Empire? Really, Lieutenant. Yes, we preserve the lives of those who depend on us … but only until their continued existence threatens even more lives.” Her response was a stony silence. He leaned in close. His voice dropped. “But for those who are most necessary to me, there are ways ...