by Sean "Leo" Healey

"You want it going where?"

Angel rolled her eyes. "Your crotch, Yale…it's a groin plate. I figured with your background, you'd be used to stormtrooper armor."

"Well, yes. I've just never had to…uh…"

"You want me to leave the room for a sec?"

Yale sighed relief, "Do you mind?"

"Fine, just don't take too long. You know, its not like I wanted the job of designing Red's new uniform!"

At that moment, a figure clad completely in fuschia stormtrooper armor emerged from behind a curtain that divided the room Angel and Yale stood in. The words "Punk Rawk" had been emblazoned across the breastplate in white.

The figure removed his helmet, and Yale could hardly hold back a laugh looking at the pink ribbons tied in the young man's hair.

Ranger flushed. "You know this Stormtooper armor just does nothing for me!" He slowly ran his hand through his closely cropped hair, fingering a ribbon. "Why do I have these in my hair again, Jeni?"

"It will help keep the hair out of your eyes during battle."

"But my hair is buzz cut!"

"Uh…right." Clearly, Angel was at a loss.

Just then, Leo walked into the room. He came to an abrupt halt upon seeing Ranger and Yale, a smile quickly spreading across his face.

"Not a word, Sean."

"Hi gents…what on earth happened to you?"

All three men looked at Angel.

"Hey!" Angel's eyebrows quickly furrowed, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."

"Clearly. You haven't had to wear any of your…concoctions either."

Angel quickly jabbed Ranger in the arm, forgetting his armor. "Ow!!"

The other two pilots were smirking when Leo had a realization. "I know, let Vape design the new Squadron uniform!"

Yale winced, "Stang, that's not going to be any better, we'll have to change our name to Rainbow Squadron!"

"C'mon Yale, you can't deny Chelsey has an eye for this sorta stuff. If Jeni doesn't mind, I think you should give her a call. She could use something to do while she's on leave," winking in Angel's direction.

The female Red shrugged slightly, "I don't care, it'd be nice to see her again."

"Where is she at anyway?" Leo said.

"Last I heard, Tatooine," replied Neill.

"Tatooine? What the hell could Vape possibly be interested in doing on that dust ball?"

Neill shrugged. "I think Mos Espa was host of this year's Galactic Fizzy Brewing Conference."

Yale readjusted the pink plate constricting his lower region. "Well, I can't say I'm ecstatic, but at least I'll be able to breathe." His comment merited him a quick slap in the arm from Angel.

Leo grinned at his former wingman. "We can't stop Judgement Day, we just have to survive it..."

[Two days later, Tatooine system]

"Tatooine smells good after snow!"

Jeni looked over at Leo, who was still sniffing the air. "Leo, that's not snow, its sand. And sand doesn't smell like this…" Her comment trailed off as she indicated towards the Twi'lek port authority official making his way toward the pilots.

Ranger strutted down the Pride of Alderaan's docking ramp, having just finished shutdown system checks. "It was really nice of Rob to let us borrow his ship…I honestly didn't think he'd let us off so easily."

Leo winked back at Neill. "Let's just say I creatively negotiated with him. Trixel and I have an understanding." An evil grin grew on his face.

Ranger laughed. "Evil XO's represent!"

Jeni strode out to meet the approaching Twi'lek. One of its tendril-like lekku stuck straight out from his head – uncharacteristic for this species. It appeared to be permanently stuck in that position. The foul smell seemed to grow stronger as he grew closer.

A toothy grin came to the alien being's face as he sized Jeni up. "Greetings, O beautiful one, do you have the necessary paperwork?" He took another step closer.

Jeni quickly brought up her hand. "Woah, easy there. Is that a lekku, or are you happy to see me?" Wrinkling her nose, she handed the humanoid several datacards. "This should take care of everything."

The being gave her another toothy grin. Then, his expression grew suddenly somber. "I loved the smell of Palpie's armpits in the morning...it smelt like victory!"

"Uh…excuse me? You don't mean Emperor Palpatine, do you?"

The Twi'lek laughed hoarsely. "No, pretty one. My former pet bantha, Palpie. She died three seasons back. I had her carcass synthetically mixed with water to create cologne…the scent is very pleasing. Your beauty reminded me of her."

"Uh…yeah…ok. Can you tell me where the Fizzy Convention is being held?"

"Yes, go to the Purple Delight cantina…three blocks east."

[The Purple Delight]

The air tinged with carbonation as the pilots waded through table after table of multi-colored fizzy stands. They finally found Vape settled at a table in the back with two Ithorians, sipping on a fizzy whose color seemed to change depending on what angle you viewed it at. The Red pilot was pleasantly surprised by her comrades' sudden appearance.

"G-guys!…what are you doing here?" She jumped up to embrace each of them.

"Well, Zoom and Rogue cleared us for a few days, so we figured we'd see how you were doing out here," Leo said as he embraced her. "How is it, by the way?" he added, pointing at the drink.

"Here, try it."

Yale peered over Leo's shoulder. "Well…?"

Leo swallowed hard and seemed to be considering his response for a moment. Finally, he looked up with a smile. "Great taste! Less filling!"

When the laughter settled, Chelsey took in each of her friends once more with a warm glance. "So…what, really brings you here?"

The three others exchanged glances with one another. Finally, Jeni finally spoke up. "Well, to be honest, the guys here didn't like where I was going with the new uniform design and…"

"You're designing new uniforms?! How exciting!"

Ranger and Yale spoke up at once, "Vape, we need your help…please."

"Hey!" Angel glared at her two squadmates.

Vape grinned. "Actually, I had been thinking about new uniforms. My first week here really inspired me, and I've already worked up a basic outfit – it's actually your size, Neill. Want to sport it for everyone?"

Ranger winced, then stepped forward. "Sure, what do we have to lose?"

[One hour later]

"Come on out Neill." Vape and Jeni ordered.

"This looks ridiculous."

"Oh c'mon, it can't be worse than my design," Angel added with a grin.

"Fine…ok, here I come."

As Ranger rounded the corner, Leo and Yale looked him up and down, looked at each other, and burst out in laughter. Vape and Angel simply giggled.

Leo choked back his laughter and said, "Now you see why I transferred, Neill."

The Red XO was donned in purple fabric from head to toe. A similarly colored wide-brimmed hat adorned his head, with a long white feather protruding from its side.

"I call it a zoot suit Neill, whatcha think?" Vape said.

"Fo shizzle, neptizzle."

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