Test Piloting; New Republic, Overseer of Technology

Okay, the New Republic's gotten it's foothold in the galaxy and all, right? ... Good enough to start advancing their technology, weapons, and ships. I've been assigned to work with the new ship development... I heard that top specialists would be working with the team I've assembled. I thought, "Hey, what a good idea! They'll be able to help us... Plus, we won't have to get our own butts singed off from new craft that haven't quite had all the bugs worked out..." Well... That was before I realized that we only had a frame done, and our sole mechanic (the others are out to lunch, and have been for five standard hours now) was found sleeping.



This was not good.

Just then, a call from Coruscant arrived. "Ma'am!" A subordinate tech officer called out, "A call from the Chief of State for you!"

I started mouthing, "I'm at lunch, tell her I'm at lunch!" Of course, what can I expect from these officers nowadays? They're all about one lekku short of a twi'lek... Anyways, I was forced to answer.

Upon putting the commlink down, I knew that I was in for. Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa Solo would be coming here themselves to test our new brand of speeder.

This was really not good.

Working on three cups of Jawa Juice and a Corellian Ale, I was done in the time it took for them to come all the way from Coruscant.

Luke stepped out of the small transport ship that they'd taken from the landing pad first. "Hello," Was all he said, with a slight nod of his hooded head.

"H-hi." Was all I could whisper. I never had a chance to actually run the engines, so there's no telling what could happen...

Leia was next, and to my surprise, she was dressed as if she expected to test the speeder herself.

This was extremely, really not good.

"Good d-day, ma'am," I said, addressing Leia, "Are you expecting to do some flying?"

"Of course, why else would I be dressed like this?"

GULP.

"I only meant, ma'am, that I don't know if I have any helm--"

"I have my own."

Great. Now I couldn't even think of another lie to get her out of this, so I decided to tell the truth.

This was extremely, really, very not good.

"Ma'am, there's still a few bugs that I-- the crew, I mean, need to work out."

"Nonsense," Leia said, strapping on her helmet as Luke was doing the same, "I'm sure your crew tested while constructing."

"You're right, ma'am, they must've." Now what was I SUPPOOSED to tell her? That they all disappeared, save one lethargic one, and are all probably drunk under tables by now?

The holonews crew finished setting up their equipment.

Great, the whole galaxy will watch as I cause the death of two distinguished war heroes...

I winced visibly as Leia started up the engine. 'So far, so good...' I thought... until she hit the throttle.



The speeder took off... And when I say took off, I mean... They took off... Faster than any podracer I've ever seen...

This was extremely, really, ver-- whatever, you get it.

Anyways, if anyone's looking for the Overseer of Technology of the New Republic, I'm out to lunch with the rest of the gang...