Duvessa walked out of her quarters, looking for Yahnna. Given the limited options aboard the sleek Star Chaser, the search was a short one and the two women found each other in the Rec room in short order.

Duvessa noticed the two flasks that Yahnna had set on the small table beside the couch that Yahnna was sprawled upon and gave her a quizzical look. "Of course, we're going to get drunk." Yahnna declared, answering Duvessa's unspoken question. "I don't know about you, but I know I'm not going to be able to sleep tonight. And I hate drinking alone." Yahnna's lopsided grin did not quite cover the disquiet she felt after another close encounter with the Empire. Duvessa could understand that feeling all too well.

With a lighthearted shrug of consent, Duvessa sat down next to Yahnna and watched her pour herself a shot of whiskey and then pour Duvessa a shot of something new - something dark blue and somewhat thicker than water. "What's this?" Duvessa asked, cautiously tasting it. It was a slightly fruity liqueur - sweet, but not cloying. The flavor reminded her of early summer - when the season was still fresh - not the syrupy heaviness of the later season. Duvessa took another sip, very nice, she thought.

Yahnna smiled slyly. "Something I've had for a long, long time. I thought you'd like it." And never mind the fact that it's something I would never touch myself. It should be better for aging, fortunately.

The younger woman smiled as she took another drink. "You're not trying to pawn off some girly drink on me, are you?" Duvessa rather liked the taste and the warm feeling in her tummy.

Yahnna rolled her eyes. "I do not keep girly drinks on board my ship." She protested. "Besides, after last time, I think it would be best to keep you away from the othlass." She added dryly, pouring herself another drink.

The two women drank in a friendly silence for a few moments. Yahnna finally looked at her executive officer. "Well, let's hear what happened to you during that fool hardy stunt of ours." It's going to have to come out sooner or later, and I would rather hear about it with a drink in my hand. Yahnna thought ruefully.

Duvessa told Yahnna about her adventure in the mining gantry with Jela'han and Dev. In truth, she did little more than run, shoot ineffectually and pose with the lightsaber. "Though, Yahnna... the feeling I get when I hold that lightsaber... and I can control it. It's amazing. I mean, I cut through two meters of steel." She shook her head, remembering it.

Yahnna nodded in a knowing way. Been there, she remembered. "As long as you're always in control, it's alright to feel good about a weapon in hand." Yahnna commented, "And there's nothing wrong with pride taken in a skill that you've worked hard for." she added, remembering that a compliment should always be given for progress made. And warnings, too, "But, if you slice the ship in half with that bloody thing, you'll be eating it for your last meal, got it?" Yahnna scowled in mock-ferocity.

Duvessa had to grin at that. "I know. I know. This is my ship, too. But what about you? You had a more exciting time than I did. You have to tell me what you did... and heard. I mean, you really took Zaraiath hostage?" She was still in awe over that feat.

Yahnna shrugged off-handedly. "Not much to tell, honestly." This was not false modesty, Yahnna honestly thought she had had a much easier time of it, in her way.

"Given what you've told me, it seems that Stygoss was doing the logical thing by moving to cut off your escape route - this ship. He was obviously counting on the forces inside to round up the rest of you." Yahnna paused to refresh Duvessa's drink and to think for a moment. "As for why he chose to carve his way through the 'Chaser, rather than just blasting her into smithereens from a distance…" She paused again. "His ego, I think. I suspect we've pissed him off enough that he won't be satisfied with a remote vengeance." Even the indomitable Yahnna seemed perturbed by the notion.

Duvessa shuddered at the thought, taking another healthy swallow of her drink. She did not want to imagine Stygoss coming after her with his lightsaber blazing. The image of such a confrontation made Duvessa's stomach clench in sheer dread. She took a quick sip of the blue warmth and saw that her hand was shaking.

Yahnna noticed that that comment made Duvessa uneasy and quickly moved on. "Since Stygoss was rapidly perforating our poor darling," Yahnna winced at the memory of a dark Jedi hacking his way through the 'Chaser. "I had no choice but to fly to the hangar - I suppose it's possible that that's why he attacked the way he did - to capture all of us alive." She shook her head, wearily. "So, I made it into the station and my options for off-boarding were limited - given that he was carving his way through the cockpit door by then." She gave a wry grin of remembrance. "I know it probably didn't, but I hope a face full of rocket exhaust hurt that bastard."

Duvessa nodded, but doubted it did. Not wanting to speak of the dark Jedi anymore, she abruptly changed the subject. "Why do you think Zaraiath didn't just kill you when you took him hostage?"

"I got lucky." Yahnna stated flatly. "The fool didn't have a blaster on him. Andris did, but…" Yahnna chuckled and shook her head. "Zaraiath may be a polished line officer, but we found a common language - survival." Yahnna took a large gulp of her drink and mildly wondered exactly how drunk she was going to get, tonight.

"It's not like I had much choice," she continued. "You think I was going to surrender to him and Stygoss? I think not!" Yahnna shook her head vehemently. "And Zaraiath's an intelligent man - and shrewd. He was perfectly willing to take a blaster bolt to the skull, just to piss me off, but that wouldn't have gained either of us a damn thing… Taking at him at his word was a gamble but… well, life's a gamble every day." Yahnna paused. "Frankly, I felt better taking him at face value than certain people on board this ship." She added, darkly.

For a moment, Duvessa was going to follow up that train of thought, wondering who, exactly, Yahnna did not trust. Duvessa had her own ideas and she wanted to compare them with Yahnna, but her captain's next statement derailed her curiosity.

"Of course, the fact that he hated Stygoss' plan - and I think it was his from start to end - probably didn't hurt. I get the impression that showing Stygoss up was something of a fringe benefit for Zaraiath."

Duvessa leaned towards her a touch. "In a way, I really admire Admiral Zaraiath. I wish he was on our side."

Damn, better nip that in the bud. Yahnna thought. "I wouldn't complain if Zaraiath came over to the Rebellion, not at all." She agreed. "But that's never going to happen, and wishful thinking doesn't win wars - as I'm sure you're finding out." Yahnna gave Duvessa a knowing look.

"I know." Duvessa took another drink. "It's been so hard. Harder than I've ever could have imagined. Six months ago, if anyone had told me I'd be here six months later, I would have laughed at them." Duvessa paused as she savored the tingling warmth that was rapidly spreading through her body. She made a mental note to find out what exactly this was. She really did like it.

Then, she turned to Yahnna, her voice lowering a little... "Can I tell you a secret? I miss my Dad. And the Admiral... he's my cat. He tried to save me from a kidnapper once. I even miss my brother."

Yahnna suppressed a smile at this revelation that was not a revelation. "You're young, of course you miss your family." Yahnna sympathized. "I miss mine, too, but…" Yahnna shrugged. "I'm used to it - have been since I was younger than you are." Damn it, Yahnna thought irritably, what made me go say that?

Duvessa seemed surprised by the idea of Yahnna missing anyone or anything. "How long have you been away from your family?" She asked quietly.

Yahnna poured Duvessa another drink "I don't want to get into it." Her voice had lost the bantering tone of only moments earlier.

"But... why not?" Duvessa persisted.

Yahnna did not see any point in being evasive. "The less you know - the less that anyone knows - about my family, the less likely such information will be learned by the Empire - and used against me."

"Oh." Duvessa nodded, finally understanding. She sat there in silence thinking about her family and the life she left behind. Suddenly, she was overwhelmed with the feeling of being alone and homesick. She looked away as she felt the tears coming and tried hard to not cry, her body shaking in the effort.

Yahnna realized that Duvessa was trying to maintain a brave front, but was rapidly losing the fight. Yahnna sighed deeply and offered a shoulder to cry on - literally - and murmured some reassuring noises. Yahnna was more used to this than Duvessa knew, no doubt. She had coped with first-time crew, before, although not for some time.

Duvessa, unable to stop herself, burst into tears on Yahnna's shoulder, sobbing, "Yahnna, I want to go home!"

Yahnna held onto Duvessa almost rocking her in a maternal manner as she listened to the younger woman cry. She could feel and hear Duvessa's efforts to get herself under control and fail. Tears were a release and considering the stress they all had been under lately, it was best to let her cry it out, now.

Finally, Duvessa regained some of her composure, sitting back up, wiping at her face. "But I know I can't - go home, that is." She sniffed. "I know it. It's not safe. Dad did the only thing he could do to protect the family. I know he wouldn't have sent me on this mission if he knew this would happen... orders from Bail Organa or not." Duvessa's speech was starting to slur and, with that last statement, Yahnna realized that the booze was hitting Duvessa harder than anticipated.

Yahnna was surprised by Duvessa's admission, but her poker face remained intact. A family with powerful connections. No wonder she's worried. Yahnna mused. What were they thinking sending a greenie out like that with no training - even for the original Vallinor run? She watched as Duvessa pulled herself back together, pushing away the fear and pain. But I'm going to have to teach this girl how to hold her liquor. She can't go blabbing out secrets after the third round of drinks.

Duvessa took a few calming breaths and looked at Yahnna. She had feared that Yahnna would be annoyed or disgusted by her behavior, and she was relieved to see that her captain was quite calm. That helped, too. "I can't go home." Duvessa admitted. "No, I -am- home. I can't go back. I'm the XO of the Star Chaser. I'm a Jedi Apprentice to Valerian. I'm working for the Rebellion. You are my Captain." Her words were more for herself than Yahnna, settling them in her mind and knowing they were true.

Yahnna gave her a lopsided grin, feeling the need to clarify the situation, "Actually, Duvessa, I'm your employee and the pilot of the ship I happen to have a personal stake in. Remember, I'm a mercenary, not a Rebel volunteer." I'm not suicidal enough. Yahnna didn't add. "I'm sure the difference doesn't mean much to Zaraiath, but it's rather important to me - my career, you understand." She grew a little more serious. "But you're right, you can't go home. If your father is the one who sent you out here," Her jaw tightened. "then he must have fully understood the risks revolutionaries face." Or maybe he doesn't.

Duvessa nodded. "He did. I did, too. Or, I thought I did. I asked for more responsibility. It was because of something someone said to me. He said, ' Don't you get tired of things just happening to you? Then stop day-dreaming and -do- something about it.' From then, I decided I was going to make my own path." She gestured to the room. "That's why I accepted the mission and ended up here."

Yahnna nodded. That made some sense. "And everything just got out of control. Being a courier on Vallinor would have been a routine mission. But who could have anticipated everything else?" Yahnna sighed.

Duvessa put her glass down, looking at the indigo liquid within it. Suddenly, she asked. "Hey, Yahnna... is it Ok to admit that you're scared sometimes?" She did not look at Yahnna as she asked the question.

Yahnna had to smile at that. "That depends upon who you admit it to, of course." She teased, gently. "But it's always alright to feel scared. More often than not, that's what keeps you alive." She gave a slightly extravagant wave with the flask of whiskey she had in hand. "You've got that Force thing of yours, the rest of us count on hunches and experience and a healthy sense of self-preservation. It's the fools who don't know fear who die first."

Duvessa nodded. "OK." She paused again. "Why do you thing Stygoss wants to capture me and not kill me?"

Full of questions tonight, aren't you? Yahnna gave Duvessa a long look, weighing her answer carefully. "He's a 'dark Jedi', right? You're a potential Jedi - therefore you're also a potential dark Jedi, I would guess." Yahnna took another gulp of whiskey, this time straight from the flask. "Val gave me the impression you lot start good and go bad. The fact that Stygoss wants you alive suggests that he's looking for henchmen. I suspect your own opinion doesn't matter. As for the rest of us, Zaraiath no doubt wanted us alive to display to the masses before execution."

That idea shook Duvessa more than she would like to admit. Could Stygoss turn her to the Dark Side? "I would -never- turn to the Dark side! Never!"

Ah, the fervent idealism of the young. Yahnna did not know whether to laugh or cry. Yahnna shook her head. "Sounds like something you should take up with Val. Do people turn to the dark side of their own choice, or what? I mean, maybe it's a predet-" She stumbled over the word and tried again. "Prederter-" Again, her tongue tangled the word. "A foregone conclusion. You gotta have dark for light, right?" She took a drink. "Ah, what the hell do I know? Talk to Val." Yahnna repeated. Time to slow down. she realized, even while taking another drink.

Duvessa drank some more, too. "If he's still talking to me. Maybe he was warning me away. Maybe I was really stupid for going in there."

"No comment," Yahnna muttered. "So, how does suicide figure in to the Jedi philosophy?

She frowned. "No. Not suicide. But the Force does guide you. And... as impossible as it seemed, we did it - didn't we?"

Yahnna decided to argue the point. She did not need overconfident crew. "But we didn't know that we would going in, and the odds were hellish. Not ones I would have chosen, myself. But," she sighed. "I'm just the ship-herder. You wanted to try for them, so we did."

Duvessa thought about that for a long moment. "But, if you thought it was impossible, why did you listen to me?"

"I don't like feeling like a coward." Yahnna shrugged awkwardly.

Duvessa tilted her head, looking at Yahnna, obviously not really believing that off hand comment... but she did not push it. Sometimes, people's motivations were best left to themselves. Finally, she asked. "So, now what?"

"The first thing would be finding out what the hell happened to the Rose's crew. And..." Yahnna gave a very deep sigh. "They've been in Imperial hands. We're going to have to assume that there's another spy on board, or that the ship has been bugged to hell and gone. I tried to ensure there isn't a tracer on this ship, but as for the Rose… I don't know. But we can't assume that the Empire just let the crew sit on their asses and read Imperial recruitment literature for however long they were held."

Duvessa understood what Yahnna was saying. "So, we deal with that when we get there."

Yahnna nodded. "Until then, we worry about ourselves."

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