“Duty Roster” - From a Certain Point of View

"Duty Roster", by Jason Fry, comes from the perspective of Col Takbright. This story follows "Sparks."

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WARNING: This is a plot summary of the short story, spoilers ahead:

Col Takbright was a member of Red Squadron. He had a chip on his shoulder, and while he got along with his fellow pilots, he wasn't as much of a team player as he probably should have been. Col was angry now, having just come out of Dodonna's briefing. Col was exasperated, thinking there was no way they could hit a target that small, but some kid next to him said it wouldn't be that hard. Col fumed over this, and had taken it back to the ready room where the other pilots were on his case. Col didn't appreciate it, and was getting ticked off at the teasing, especially when Puck Naeco was about to use that nickname he hated. That insufferable Wedge Antilles had just walked in. Col didn't think he looked anything like Antilles, and hated his nickname: Fake Wedge.

John D. Asked Col what the kid had said that ticked him off. Col explained it was something about shooting a womprat, whatever that was, in a T-16. Biggs Darklighter practically jumped out of his seat and ran out the door, which was unlike him because Red Leader, Garven Dreis was entering the room to announce the duty roster. He explained that there were too many pilots and not enough available X-wings. He praised everyone, but some wouldn't get to fly. Col felt strongly he had earned the right to fly. All the pilots were on edge as Dreis announced the roster of 12 pilots that would fly. As each name was called out, Col grew more and more tense. Dries neared the end of the list, and said "Skywalker," who must have earned that spot because he was responsible for bringing Princess Leia and the secret plans to Yavin, without which this battle would have been short and tragic for the Aliance. He would be accompanied by Biggs, and the last man named: Wedge.

Col was furious, and was the last one left in the ready room. He threw tables and chairs around, feeling shunned and embarrassed. Wedge had re-entered just then, having forgotten his helmet. They exchanged some tense words. Col was angry and jealous. Wedge told him he had nothing to do with the nickname, but they were in the fight together, unless Col kept pushing everyone away. Wedge left for the hanger, while Col joined the extra pilots in the command center.

The battle was intense. Col watched on the screens and listened to the comms as his fellow pilots tried and failed to hit the target, while others flying cover were slowly picked off one by one. The last flight headed down the trench, followed by a trio of TIE's. Wedge was hit, and reluctantly bailed because he could not control his fighter in the narrow trench. Biggs was killed. Skywalker wasn't going to make it. Wedge's X-Wing was a mess, but Col saw his screen blip turn back towards the trench. The instrument readings they saw displayed showed Wedge had no business heading into the trench again, but he was likely on a suicide mission to distract TIEs and try to help Skywalker.

The Death Star was in range. Suddenly that freighter flew in out of nowhere and picked off the TIE's. Wedge peeled off. Skywalker's shot worked, and the handful of surviving pilots moved away. The Death Star disappeared from the screens, and the room erupted in celebration.

When the few survivors landed, nearly everyone rushed for Skywalker, but Col headed for the other X-wing. He greeted Wedge, who felt he had let everyone down. Col gave him a bear hug. After shooting 6 TIEs, entering the trench, surviving a hit, and then heading back in for more, Col said he'd be honored to be mistaken for him any time.

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