“Sparks” - From a Certain Point of View

"Sparks", by Paul S. Kemp, comes from the perspective of Dex Tiree. This story follows "Palpatine."

You can order this book from our sponsor, Amazon, here.

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

Dex Tiree* was a dedicated Y-Wing pilot in Gold Squadron. With his R5 unit, Sparks, he prepared for the run of his life against the planet killer. While in the pilot's ready room, he thought back to his childhood and how his parents shaped him into the person he had become. He had a catchphrase he picked up from his mom, that "little sparks start big fires." He even named his droid, Sparks, mostly because of a mishap the droid was responsible for back on Corellia. Dex thought of himself as a spark now, one that could help do something special on this day. Everyone on the base knew that they should flee and live another day, but after Alderaan, nobody was running. This was going to be their best chance, even though the odds were slim.

The pilots were called into the briefing room. General Dodonna explained the mission. Dex heard someone complain about the size of the target, and someone else he'd never met say it was no big deal. But Dex was focused on the exhaust port. He visualized the attack run his wing was about to make.

Dex and Davish flew with Gold Leader, while Red and the rest of Gold would fly cover. As they approached the station, chatter on comms subsided as everyone was momentarily in a state of awe. But training kicked in, and the pilots made their moves. Dex and Davish were in tight formation behind Gold Leader as they entered the trench with enough distance to allow Gold Leader's targeting computer to accurately lock onto the exhaust port. Shields forward, they braved the narrow trench and its laser defenses, until they realized that a trio of TIEs had moved into position behind them. They raced for the exhaust port, and switched shield to the rear. Dex ordered Sparks to divert all necessary power aft. The TIEs were closing in. Gold Leader, his voice tense, kept encouraging his wingmen to hold position to keep the TIE's at bay. He needed a little more time.

Dex was hit. Smoke filled the cockpit, and Sparks tried what he could to hold the ship together, but it wasn't working. Intense heat surrounded Dex, and then...nothing.

*Not to be confused with this guy.

---

comments powered by Disqus