Star Wars: Storm Squadron (IC)

[Kyraina]

Pilot Officer Jax Brightstar
3 hours before Briefing
Jax had wondered around the base for about a hour before he found a place to catch a few winks like any experience campaigner, which he was.

After a Two Hour Nap

Jax walked into the briefing in the same clothes he had changed into after arriving at the droid factory. He listened to the briefing and shook his head at one of the greenhorns acting off emotion, and several others spoke as well.

"You know kid, The fact we are not oppressing others, allowed to think for ourselves, and the choice to partake in missions makes us so much like the Imperials. If you said something slanderous like that to the wrong person you could end up dead. The fact you want to leave those engineers to their fate, after helping those special ops guys get those fighters, makes me sick and regret saving you from that damn missile. As far as that ground mission went, well it doesn't take much to screw up a mission like the one they pulled off, the fact that those grunts even succeeded is a testament to their skill. The fact those engineers want to help us, and all we have to do is rescue them, ten well sign him up."

He thought over the problem of stopping the transport without destroying it.

"When it drops out of Hyperspace, we pounce and disable it with fighters that have Ion Cannons, like the R-41 and Y-Wings, while the other fighters take care of the transport's escorts. After the Transport is disabled, we have a corvette or larger ship use its tractor beam to bring the transport ship on-board and use marines to take out the guards and secure the prisoners. We just need to trust this Eclipse Team has it's stuff together, and we take any wrinkles that show itself with our best abilities."

[SaintB]

Antilles and Fiver listened to the complaints and concerns of some of the pilots, the captain was surprised at the number who volunteered immediately but also concerned with the number of pilots who were upset by being summoned. He let the explanation that other squad members gave to Erdric stand and started to address the questions and comments on potential strategies as they came in:

Serali's eyes shifted to Redge, and it was obvious she'd already accepted Antilles 'offer' as the next mission. "The only concern I have is that we have no knowledge of who this 'Eclipse Team' is, sir."

"Eclipse team is one of the many cells within Alliance Intelligence's specforce. That's all you are currently authorized to know. But I will tell you they have been with us since the Treaty of Corellia and their intel has never been wrong before. High command considers their information to be solid and reliable. It might not be the most satisfying answer but this is deemed actionable intelligence." Raymus Antilles answered before moving on to the next concern.

The Mandolorian covered her face and nearly doubling over laughing, something that looked bizarre for the fully armored woman. "Lt. Commander, why does command want us dead?" She managed to prop herself up with her thermaxe. She tried calming down, "Sorry Lt commander, You have my support. I appreciate the new fighter and letting me use R3 again. If only you'd release the Stranger back to me I'd be able to get us a lot better supplies." She was still grumpy about having her beloved freighter impounded but she figured she might as well support them as best she could.

"We don't want any of you to die, but we need you for this mission. Stranger wouldn't be any help to us since she's still back on Dantooine where you left her."

Lokk was standing with Erdric as he made his speech about the new mission. Lokk wondered to why send them out so soon and with half a squadron. "So are we at least getting reinforcements from our losses or are we going in with half a squadron? "Either you want to go in undermanned and get us killed... or this mission is really important". Lokk turned to Serali, "you somehow implying that we are expendable and if that the case then maybe I should have become a smuggler then". He turned backed to Antilles, though if the mission is that important that we are going in undermanned...... are we getting special equipment or something since we have to disable the transports? "Or backup at least?

"Nobody is expendable, every loss this rebellion takes is felt throughout the organization. We. Are. Not. The. Empire. Tossing soldiers into the fray without concern is not what we do. But there are no reinforcements, the only backup you'll receive this time is my crew on Sundered Heart. It would take too long for reinforcements to arrive so this must be done with what is available."

"I joined the Rebellion for the thrill of the hunt. I can't refuse when you offer a chance to hunt down more Imperials. I do, however, have once concern. What are the Imperials using to transport our targets, what escorts do they have if we know, and how will we bring said targets down without killing the prisoners?"

"The plan is somewhat similar to Officer Jax's. Unfortunately the prison barge itself is over 500 meters long and staffed with hundreds of troopers and marines and over a thousand guards so attacking it with a fleet of starfighters and Sundered Heart would be a suicide mission." Raymus lamented.
"Our plan will be much sneakier. We will be heading to the planet Formos where a pirate contact will set Eclipse Team up with the coordinates for a smuggler's route known as The Kessel Run. The coordinates will be beamed to my ship and then transmitted to you for us to make a jump to a location known to spacers as The Pit. From The Pit we will travel in subspace through the nebula and skirting around The Maw's asteroid field to an Imperial space station." he paused to take a few breaths, "The Prison ship will be unloading prisoners to the station who will then be carried by shuttle into The Maw to a secret facility located somewhere inside. We will hijack the shuttles before they can make the hyperspace jump to the prison inside. My ship is equipped with tractor beams and heavy ion cannons that should disable the shuttles with a single direct shot and then I will dock with them and a commando squad will take control of their ships. It will be a quick and surgical strike -in, out, and done. The only escorts we should expect are TIE fighters and of course the shuttles own weaponry. Your squadron would be tasked with destroying the escorts and herding the shuttles into my weapons. Is that a clear enough plan?" Antilles finally finished and looked around the table to see who was still following.

"Can I count on Storm Squadron?"

Finally Redge spoke up, egging his squadron on, "So Storms; are you willing to save some lives?"

[Tayner]

Ensign Geordi McAnders
Abanded Droid Factory, Anammar

After the less than inspiring briefing Geordi went to find one of his wingmen who saved his life, finding Cypress, a rather remarkable pilot. Geordi had met her before the mission, but didn't know much about her.


"So, you're the one to thank for saving my hide out there, huh?" He said in a lighthearted tone as he approached her. "Thanks for having my back in that shitstorm, I owe you one." He said in a slightly more serious tone, showing he was tankful for the ability to pilot a fighter again.

Ensign Geordi McAnders
Abanded Droid Factory, Anammar
Two Hours Later

"Lt. Commander Fiver has made me agree to give you a choice. Will you fly this mission and risk your lives again today or do you sit this out and hope for a good result in the future?" The man asked.

"Well, I don't know about everyone else, but I joined the rebellion to fight for a better future, to free the galaxy. Now, these people need liberation, and I got a feeling that these fighters and defectors are worth it. I ain't got that much sleep or food or nothin' for a while, but I'd take handing another blow to the Empire over dinner any day. If Storm doesn't go, I'd like a transfer to whoever will. Anyone else feel the same?" He asked the rest of his squadron.

[Occupied Deutschland]

Serali made a noncommital grunt as Antilles explained some of the details of the mission. The Storm's would be relying upon an unknown intelligence asset and, even worse, a pirate group to establish their route onto the Kessel Run. At least if it were just the mysterious 'Eclipse Team' she would be able to take comfort in their at least owing some nominal allegiance to the Rebellion. But pirates? With pirates there was no guarantee they wouldn't just blast the intel team faulty coordinates in exchange for some credits. They get their money, protect the secret of their smuggling route, and eliminate some competition all in one blow.

They had to count on the pirates to despise the Empire and wish to see their anti-piracy efforts hurt more than they would want an immediate pile of cash for no work. Pirates were not well-known for their long-term planning.

Then again, the Empire had done a wonderful job of killing most of the stupid pirates who couldn't consider the long-term consequences of their actions. It would be understandable that those remaining would be willing to offer some minor assistance to the Rebellion if it meant they got paid and the Empire got a black eye.

Tossing a sidelong glance at the Mandalorian beside her, and then moving her eyes across each of the other pilots in the room, Serali crisply nodded. It wouldn't surprise her if some of the others took the opportunity to abandon the squadron or their duty. Even with the relaxed nature of the Rebellion's forces, not everyone was cut-out for combat service. Better for themselves and the squadron that they flake out now than in the middle of a pitched dogfight. Here, at least, their retreat could be compensated for.

"I live to ser--" Serali began, only to stop midway through the automatic agreement. She inclined her head slightly, "I am willing, lieutenant commander. Having flown the Headhunter, I can say without reservation that this Rebellion needs any technologically updated snubfighter it can get its hands on."

[SaintB]

The Pub RP Group
OOC
A LONG TIME AGO
IN A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY...



Episode I
Into the Maw of Space

Mere hours after their last encounter with the GALACTIC EMPIRE the brave rebels of STORM SQUADRON race to fight for the rebellion once more! The daring raid on Kuat was an unprecedented success and with THE TYRANNY too damaged to return to Fresia THE ALLIANCE TO RESTORE THE REPUBLIC has stolen the prototypes for a new starfighter that can change the tide of the war.

But the empire's reach is as long as it is powerful and dozens of Incom Scientists including VORS VOORHORIAN the ships lead designer were captured and are being sent to a secret prison on THE MAW!
Can storm squadron put a halt to the Empire's plans and rescue the science team from THE MAW OF SPACE?

---

---

Lieutenant Commander Redge Fiver
Alpha 1
Kessel System, The Maw

So tired...

The pilot lifted his flight goggles to rub the sleep drying into the corners of his eyes partially to keep busy and partially to keep it from becoming annoying when he blinked his eyes, which was happening too often for his liking. He fumbled about in a pocket and located the last of his stimulant drink just in case he needed it only to discover it was frozen. "Blast it..." he muttered under his breathe.

He could have used it. The mild stimulant would have at least kept him moderately more alert while waiting for the damn prison ship to arrive and then adrenaline would do the remainder once the fight began. There was nobody for him to talk to - the entire squadron was running on low power and there were no comms and just the barest of life support systems because everything was dark lest the Empire detect the squadron hiding just inside of the gasses and asteroids of the nebula and orbiting the station at the edge of visibility. Somewhere, several kilometers behind was the Sundered Heart using her powerful passive scanners to get a read on the space station and waiting for the departure of the prisoners.

All around him where the pilots of Storm Squadron; flying a motley assortment of snub fighters. Headhunters, Starchasers, Alpha 3's, Y-Wings... all of them from the days of the Republic. Captain Antilles had made due on his promise of fighters at least but Redge would have preferred to keep things as uniform as possible. Not that it mattered now.

Suddenly he noticed a hyperspace disruption near the satellite. A disruption visible from this far could only mean a large ship was incoming - either the prison ship had finally arrived of the Empire had discovered them and Star Destroyer was on its way to crush them. A few seconds later, a few excited heartbeats past, and suddenly an Imperial Prison Ship arrived- blinking into existence just outside of the station and then slowly making her way to the space station. Soon the time for the attack would come. Redge began readying his ship to leave low power and preparing its shields, engines, weapons, and life support for combat...

[Beiarusia]

GALACTIC EMPIRE
Waypoint Station, the Maw

On the very fringe of the Maw sat Waypoint Station, a vital checkpoint and crossroad for Imperial vessels entering and departing the system, and likely the closest that anyone would come to the secrets which lay just beyond. Waypoint was an old station, constructed during the Republic era approximately one hundred years before the rise of the Empire. The station has since been retrofitted and updated accordingly to process Imperial traffic. Given the gravitational anomalies present within the region larger Imperial ships are denied access, so incoming and outbound personnel, goods, or prisoners were required to utilize small shuttles with Waypoint serving as the central transportation hub. More importantly the station monitored and mapped the ever changing climate of the Maw. Without this valuable data travel to Centerpoint Station and elsewhere in-system would be next to impossible.

Any unauthorized ship (which was to say any ship lacking Imperial credentials) would fall prey to the many black holes. A perfect barrier between the galaxy and whatever the Empire kept hidden away from prying eyes.

Currently the station was experiencing only light traffic. A few cargo freighters had delivered a shipment of foodstuffs and various other supplies, but otherwise the only ships in-system were the T.I.E. pickets conducting routine patrols. However, word had come through that high-value cargo would be arriving shortly, so preparations were already underway to accommodate. Five Lambda-class shuttles were ready and waiting. Soon enough the prison transport jumped in-system. The ship docked with Waypoint and its cargo unloaded.

The commander of the station, a young Imperial officer by the name of Vogal, oversaw the transference. Rogue scientist, engineers, and even a few Rebels bound and under armed escort by white-armored Stormtroopers. The presence of said soldiers meant that these prisoners were more than the simple rabble that came through every now and again.

“Stop pushing me!” one man barked in defiance to his rough treatment. He was quickly beaten into submission with the butt of a rifle and pushed along with the rest.

The prisoners were slowly brought in from the prison transport and taken to Shuttle Bay 12 where the small transports awaited. It would be a tight fit but five shuttles would be enough to ferry them all through the corridor and into the Maw, after which their fates were pretty much sealed.

[Kyraina]

Pilot Officer Jax Bright star
BRAVO 4/Strom 16

Jax was setting in the cockpit of a blue and sliver R-41 Starchaser. While it wasn't quite the ARC-170 he was use to, in his mind the ion cannons it housed gave it a flexibility the Headhunter didn't have, and there for the better fighter out of the two. He looked around at the diverse group of fighters and smiled. While the Squadron wasn't uniformed he saw both the strengths and weaknesses that came with the diversity the Squadron had, and believed the Strengths outweighed the weaknesses.

He then pulled his last stimulate drink out of a pocket and like Ridge had found that it was frozen, he smiled grimly, shook his head, and let out a yawn. While boring, it was something that he was to as a former ARC pilot when he served the Empire and shrugged. He ran his eyes over the systems to check power levels again, but noticed something out of the corner of his eye as he looked down, and then the prisoner barge appeared.

He slowly and carefully brought his power levels up to combat ready.

[Occupied Deutschland]

During a hyperspace flight that had skirted them way too close to black holes for comfort, Serali had come to the conclusion that Alderaanians were terribly optimistic.

Granted, the sample size of actual people from the planet was small. The lieutenant-commander, Antilles, and a single conscientious objector she remembered who'd been booted out of the Academy were the only men from Alderaan she'd actually met in-person. But they all conformed to a pattern that also popped up in their holodrama heroes, their political icons, and their music. A pattern of naivety that was almost physically painful.

Perhaps it explained why they seemed to be so prevalent in the Rebellion and the other, much less effective, passive resistance groups aimed at the Empire?

It certainly explained Antilles and Fiver. Trusting pirates to uphold a bargain and give them the proper calculations for such a delicate hyperspace journey was the very definition of naive. The really frustrating part, though, was that they'd been right. Storm Squadron had suffered no losses whatsoever on their approach.

So far.

Serali adjusted her position on the seat, trying to find a spot not soaked in sweat from the uncomfortably-warm cockpit. Unsuccessful, as always, she instead took a slow breath through the life-support lines hooked into her helmet. She smirked slightly despite the discomfort. Even if the Nimbus was outdated and didn't have the constant heat-sink mechanisms that the TIEs did, at least it shared other comforting similarities with the fighters she was used to flying.

The droid behind her warbled a very soft tone, and Serali opened her eyes, slightly annoyed. The droid was not one of the similarities.

"I see it, droid." She said, eyes straining to pick out details of the Imperial transport. She ignored the seemingly-unhappy tone her final word drew from the machine.

Her weapons were still locked. Radiators still locked. Comms still locked. The only things up were suit's life-support and the first stages of her ion engines.

At some point, things were going to start going wrong. But not yet, it seemed. Perhaps Alderaanian optimism deserved a small mark in its favor for the moment.

[SaintB]

Lieutenant Commander Redge Fiver
Alpha 1
Kessel System, The Maw

It wasn't much longer after the prison barge arrived and departed that the Imperials had their prisoners ready for transit. First a squadron of TIEs left one of the stations three hangars followed in a few short moments by a brace of about five Lambda Class Shuttles. The shuttles formed a V pattern while their TIE escorts surrounded them in a diamond formation with a fighter taking each point and two others filling in between them. The two combined formations headed away from the station in a path that would bring them almost lateral with the fighters from Storm Squadron and put themselves at a nearly perfect path to be intercepted.

Redge threw his Headhunter into full power and cranked the engines to 100% . He was joined by the rest of the squadron as he rushed toward the targets, <<Alright Storm our objectives are those five shuttles, we to disable them without destroying them. Divide and conquer just like they tried to do with as at Kuat. Force the fighters away from those shuttles to leave them more vulnerable! Protect yourselves and your teammates and we will make it through this. Hit and run is all we need to do here so boom and zoom those fighters and then corral the shuttles like banthas so that they can be easy picking for Sundered Hearts ion cannons, some of you ave your own and as soon as the TIEs are clear you can go weapons free.>>

[Ubaria]

Pilot Officer Dare Salcott AKA: Alpha Six
Kessel System - The Maw

"I've got no control! This is Griffin Six i've been hit...repeat Griffin Six is hi..."

"No! Nem....Griffin Six respond! Damn it come in Griffin Six!"

"Forget it Griffin Eight! Scanners are lighting up with dozens of Imperial TIE-fighters. We regroup with Storm Squadron and jump the hell out of here!"

"Not without Nem! Griffin Six please respond!"

"Dare! Forget it, we need to jump right fucking now or you go the same way! Storm Squadron is already jumping from system, we need to leave now!"

"We can't just leave him..."

"He's gone, now you jump with us or you die...understand?!"

---

A violent, unwelcome spasm shook Dare from her semi-conscious daze, violently exhaling as she did so as if something had been physically driven into her chest, the sensation left the hapless pilot aggressively ventilating for a few moments before her senses fully came back around. Dare fully blamed herself for the death of Nem, her mentor, tutor and probably best - if only- friend, she had taken her eyes off the battle for a mere moment and that was all it took, a missed opportunity became a grave mistake, a mistake that ultimately cost a fellow pilot their life. Of course every pilot knew the stakes every time they set foot in the cockpit of a starfighter, they put everything on the ever so thin red line for the Rebellion, yet it seemed so impossible that it could happen to a close friend, an ally, or ones self, even worse was the fact that there was next to no chance of recovery for even the slightest of errors, space was a cold and heartless mistress.

Since there was nobody to talk to in Storm Squadron, not that she knew anybody anyway, Dare found herself staring motionless into the equally as still noir abyss that was the Galaxy, twisted with all manner of blue, green and purple shades from the gases drifting on the cosmic currents, it offered at least some vista to look at whilst waiting for the damn. Prison ship. As if on cue, far off in a distant yet visible section of the system rippled and eventually tore, the large hulking form of the Imperial Prison Barge instantly appeared from beyond the nothing just outside the Maw, an equally as imposing structure in the not too far distance, that was their cue. Noting the craft around her slowly blinking to life, Dare went about bringing her own Starchaser from its slumber, with the flick of a few switches and a couple of rapid button presses, the fighters dashboard lit up just as the engines re-ignited.

"Alpha Six, Syste...oh right"

The communications systems still had not fully booted up, a quick button took care of that.

<<Alpha Six, systems are green>>

<<Alright Storm our objectives are those five shuttles, we to disable them without destroying them. Divide and conquer just like they tried to do with as at Kuat. Force the fighters away from those shuttles to leave them more vulnerable! Protect yourselves and your teammates and we will make it through this. Hit and run is all we need to do here so boom and zoom those fighters and then corral the shuttles like banthas so that they can be easy picking for Sundered Hearts ion cannons, some of you ave your own and as soon as the TIEs are clear you can go weapons free.>>


<<Alpha Six copies>>

The Starchaser lurched forward when the throttle was given, the ship was nippy and quickly bought itself up to a respectable speed alongside the other members of Alpha Flight,.

[Arengin Union]

Ensign Erdric Tershin.
Storm squadron, Storm 14.
Alpha flight, Alpha 5

Erdric arrived at the area of the objective alongside his fellow rebels. He was still quite angry at thew fact Storm had been pushed into another suicide mission, even if it was for the new starfighter he felt that the risk was not worth it. Still he had left the days of insubordination and doing whatever he wanted behind, his criminal life wouldn't get in the way to avenge his family. He activated the comms and began checking the systems, despite the damaged his ship had endured back at the first mission he had managed to get most of it repaired. "<Alpha 5 all systems good and ready.>"

He remembered now, Lokk had asked him why he had joined the rebellion, Erdric didn't have enough time to respond before the briefing was called, he didn't want anyone to know of his criminal past, or that he had confronted Vader in person. While in hyperspace he remembered that haunting voice and breaths, how his friends were all killed by his saber in one swoop.

He came back to reality as orders were being given. "<Alright Storm our objectives are those five shuttles, we to disable them without destroying them. Divide and conquer just like they tried to do with as at Kuat. Force the fighters away from those shuttles to leave them more vulnerable! Protect yourselves and your teammates and we will make it through this. Hit and run is all we need to do here so boom and zoom those fighters and then corral the shuttles like banthas so that they can be easy picking for Sundered Hearts ion cannons, some of you ave your own and as soon as the TIEs are clear you can go weapons free.>"

Erdric began activating the weapons systems. "<Copy that sir.>" Erdric then directed his headhunter forward and fats, his Alpha teammates right at his side.

[Beiarusia]

GALACTIC EMPIRE
the Maw

Wing Commander Zanth Arlou had served with dedication since the early days of the Empire. A formidable pilot, his squadron had partly been responsible for instilling law and order unto the outer systems, and at one time was considered the equal to the legendary 501st Wing Division under the command of Lord Vader. That, however, was the past and Arlou was, to some, on the far side of his prime, but the man continued to serve with the same sense of honor and duty as he had when young.

Arlou’s age and unwillingness to retire from active service had seen him transferred to the Maw Defense Force, a career dead end as the Maw itself was natively inviolable, and although unneeded it was standard procedure to maintain an active military presence in vital regions no matter how inconsequential they may be. The MDF served primarily as a security force guarding Waypoint Station. Unlike Imperial assets deeper within the Maw the MDF was a backwater that was more punishment than reward; whose time was spent patrolling empty space as opposed to anything relevant. Arlou, however, had taken this as a personal challenge and over the last few months had turned the undisciplined and unmotivated unit into something reminiscent of a proud fighting force that eagerly awaited the day some foolhardy pirate strayed too close. A far cry from his old squadron but it was progress.

Twelve T.I.E. Fighters had been dispatched to escort the cargo to its jumping point. They moved in a diamond formation with the five Lambda-class shuttles safely in the center. Wing Commander Arlou led them, his T.I.E. Fighter identifiable by the blue rightmost solar array whereas the others were standard black.

He had detected the sudden energy output from deeper within the nebular when Waypoint STC contacted the squadron. Unidentified ships had been located. Most likely Rebels given the recent assaults on Kuat and Fresia, no doubt coming to rescue the prisoners. Brave but foolish. Arlou gave his orders. “Shuttles take priority. By no means are you allowed to give way to the enemy. Am I clear?” The pilots responded quickly with confirmation and the Wing Commander couldn’t help but to grin from beneath his helmet. When he’d arrive they’d been disorderly but now they had some cohesion to them. “Allow them to make the first move. Then leave nothing but dust.”

[Tayner]

Ensign Geordi McAnders
Kessel System, The Maw
Alpha 4, Storm 13

Geordi's stimulant drinks were frozen, and he was hungry, but that didn't keep him from smoking a cigar in his cockpit while he waited for their time to strike. "Put that out, it smells like shit." Sirocco said, and the astomech beeped in agreement. R2-N7 was a reliable droid, and Sirocco had a great record. Geordi didn't mind if he was an old clone who was meant to be a stormtrooper, they were all brothers in arms against the Empire.

"Yeah well, it's freezing in here I'm not gonna die with cold lungs."

"Those things are bad for your health." Sirocco said.

"Yeah, it's the smoking that will kill me, not the daring raids and near-suicide missions." Geordi replied sharply, N7 didn't have enough time to beep out a response before the Imperial forces entered the system. "Fuck, cut the chatter, Sirocco, get the cannon ready. N7, get the nav systems ready." Geordi ordered before the commander's words were heard. After listening to the breif speech and powering up all the Y-Wings systems, Geordi reported in.

Alpha 4: <<Alpha four copies all, 'cmon you bastards, let's show these poor fools that Storm never rests! Over. >>

And with that, Geordi pushed the engines to full power and set course directly towards the enemy formation. "Sirocco, set sights on the closest fighters and fire on my mark." Geordi said and he prepared to do the same. The target was the lead fighter which was probably the enemy wing's commander. Geordi looked over his shoulder to see many of his squadron following him.

"Mark!" Geordi yelled and then the Y-Wing's weapons opened up, firing at the lead fighter.

[Relikai]

Flight Officer Zek Yerevon
Kessel System, The Maw
Bravo 1, Storm 2, Z-95 Headhunter

Cooped up in his snub fighter, Zek kept his awareness up, marking the targets in his computer as the Z-95 sped towards the targets. He chose to stick with this machine, hoping that its capabilities could be upgraded in the future, or he could live long enough for a better machine.

Zek: << As the leader said. Bravo Flight engage. Take out those TIEs and clear the way to disable the shuttles! >>

Gunning his fighter onwards, Zek saw the mass of TIEs approach, choosing to weaken a flank as he aimed for the right side of the formation. Streaks of red emitted from his fighter, striking a TIE and breaking it apart as it spun out of control. Ignoring it, the Correlian continued his course, aiming for some distance before turning back. This time, he would be more aggressive, assaulting the TIEs relentlessly, aiming to complete this mission with as little casualties as possible...

---

1x TIE Fighter

[SaintB]

Ensign Geordi McAnders
The targeted TIE fighter rolled nearly a perfect 90 degrees on its axis, pulling its solar array out of the target area and presenting its much smaller cockpit bubble before pulling up and away at an angle. Sirocco did his best to follow, firing the turret rapidly but coming up with a near miss each time. Even if Geordi gave chase the TIE was so much more faster and maneuverable that it did not take long for the TIE to escape the Y-Wing's firing arc in a matter of seconds - one blue painted solar array was the last glimpse they caught of the squadron's leader for the time being, "I haven't ever seen that from a manned fighter before...." Sirrocco stated in awe.

Lieutenant Commander Redge Fiver
The comms channel crackled to life as the Squadron rushed in to attack. Various squad members acknowledging orders and others shouting encouragement as the motley collection of outdated fighters converged on the Imperial formations in hopes of making this a quick and successful mission. Redge picked the fighter just behind the formation's leader when he saw the laser and ion cannon fire from McCanders's Y-Wing heading for the leader. He aimed for the center of the solar array facing toward him and fired off several bolts. It tried to emulate the maneuver of the leader but was either a tad slower or Redge was more accurate as a bolt from his laser struck the pylon holding the array to the cockpit. The pylon held but the fighter continued to roll and spin as the pilot lost control and as he struggled to regain it the Headhunter finished the target off with several more blasts from its laser cannons.

Code: Select all

Kills: x1 TIE

[Hetland 2]

Flight Officer Cypress Favor
Alpha 2

Cypress had been waiting in the hidden, her ship barely on, with the exception of R4 her ship was nearly turned off. She relied on her armor's life support system as she waited. She'd given R3 the orders to shunt all power from shields into her engines as soon as she started the ship. The pitch black paint covering her fighter gave her visual cover and the TIE fighters had already passed her. Still she waited... then the Y-wings broke out, and Cypress turned the ship onto full. She felt a little pit in her stomach as her ship began darting towards the formation of TIEs like a vibroknife heading straight for the throat of its target.

She pulled the trigger releasing a volley of lasers at the TIE that stood out. The one with the blue wing.

<<Alpha One, this is Alpha 2 I am engaging the Head. Repeat, I am engaging the head.>>

[Ubaria]

Pilot Officer Dare Salcott AKA: Alpha Six
Kessel System - The Maw

It took no time at all for the battle to begin, several of Storm squadron dove in and began cutting into the thick formation of TIE fighters, driving their way through the Imperial formation aiming to divide up the enemy for easier pickings, but to also bait them away from the shuttles they were aiming to protect which was the main and more important objective in the long run. Dare flicked her eyes between the various sensor systems, quickly analyzing the unfolding situation with meticulous deliberation, finding a target wasn't hard but fighting the right target was a different matter entirely, since the Starchaser had a very fragile hull by starfighter standards, any pilot would have to take utmost caution to not get caught at a disadvantage, a few direct cannon hits would set the craft aflame and detonate volatile substances contained within, one of those being oxygen.

Dare lingered at the rear of the formation for a moment, using the flurry of other craft to her advantage she pressed the attack on a single TIE fighter branching out right of the main pack, the fighter brought its starboard array to bear as it turned which practically screamed 'shoot me'. After a moment of ensuring the crafts cannons were pointed directly at the target, Dare depressed the weapons switch on the back of the control stick which let forth lances of bright red light in a stream consisting of several staggered bursts, only a few rounds met the TIE fighter but that was all that was really needed, the heat of the beams displaced upon impact and warped the array and briefly ignited the pylon mount, detonating the precious oxygen stored within and in turn the entire thing went up with a satisfying curl of flame, quickly extinguished by the vacuum of space.

<<Alpha Six. Scratch one TIE>>

---

Kills - 1x TIE Fighter

[Occupied Deutschland]

Pilot Officer Keth’serali’nuruodo
Storm 4 - Bravo 3

Serali had assumed the escort TIEs on this expedition would be inferior to even the garrison forces they'd faced in Kuat. It had seemed like a logical assumption to make. Fleet crews were lavished with both simulator and actual flight time because of their additional likelihood of engaging in combat operations, so were the most effective. Garrison pilots, like those they'd faced on Kuat, weren't so well-practiced for the simple fact that they did not need to be. It was common knowledge that nobody attacked Imperial worlds, after all, and the bureaucrats liked saving the credits.

These TIEs weren't even crewed by garrison pilots! These were little more than glorified prison-guards! Any proper TIE pilot would have been embarrassed to share a uniform with them. Guarding prisoners was where the absolute incompetents went.

The trouble was that these pilots were decidedly not incompetent.

A snap-shot Serali had directed at a persistently dodging TIE passed through the point in space the Imperial fighter had occupied a moment earlier. A snap-roll and change in thrust had saved the TIE at the last moment. It was decidedly not the kind of maneuver a layabout prison-guard would be able to pull off.

Eyes narrowing, Serali spun into a roll of her own and shoved her engine controls to the side. The Nimbus shifted on its axis, and the TIE who'd avoided her came back into her targeting screen. She wouldn't be able to keep him there for long, though.

Ignoring the already uncomfortable heat of her cockpit, Serali squeezed her laser controls once more and sent a trio of paired blasts at the TIE. She was more lucky this time, and the TIE exploded after two of her shots managed to impact the ion engines at its rear.

She couldn't even be proud of the shot. It really had been a matter of luck. Which was frustrating.

"Droid, extend our radiator panels." Serali said calmly as she redirected her engines thrust to normal and soared by the rear of the Lambda shuttles. She breathed easier a moment later as some of the thick, overheated air of the cockpit cycled through the regulators and came out at a more comfortable level.

This could be a more protracted engagement than she'd thought.

<<"Watch yourselves, Storms. This does not seem to be the typical squadron that would be assigned to prisoner detail.">>

Serali's hands tightened on her controls as the Nimbus began to turn back towards the engagement. It would have been nice if Antilles or his 'Eclipse Team' had been able to tell them what squadron they were even facing.

---

1 x TIE fighter

[Beiarusia]

GALACTIC EMPIRE
the Maw

The Rebel starfighters had led the engagement with an aggressive push into the T.I.E. formation, no doubt an effort to reach the shuttles, and although the Imperials were quick to counter the maneuver several losses had already been sustained. A minor blow. The MDF may well be a backwater unit, but under the tutelage of Wing Commander Arlou the pilots were more than capable of holding their own even with a disadvantage. The Rebels would bleed soon enough.

Arlou righted his TIE/LN before giving his orders. “This is Wing Commander Arlou to all pilots. Screen and burn. As for the shuttles, you should get a move on.”

The Imperial T.I.E.’s were changing tactics now, abandoning their usual strategy of swarming the enemy in favor of engaging the Rebel starfighters one-to-one, intending to use their high mobility to whittle away the enemy all the while avoiding any retaliatory actions. It would be easy enough to get behind the Rebel starfighters, and should the engagement become unfavorable the Imperial pilots would prioritize their own survival until both sides were more equal in number. As for the shuttles, they were increasing engine speed so as to reach the jump point as soon as they could without endangering the ships.

Three Rebel starfighters would be left unengaged (11 Rebels vs. 8 T.I.E.’s). They could either focus on assisting their allies against the Imperials or chase down the fleeing shuttles, but attempting to do both would be met with mixed results.

Several lasers streaked through space towards Arlou. The Wing Commander easily avoided the attack but was soon under pursuit from an outdated V-Wing fighter. The chase continued for a few tense moments, the V-Wing unleashing volley after volley of laserfire against the TIE/LN, and while the battle would look one-sided from afar the veteran pilot was merely allowing the Rebel starfighter to close the distance before launching an impressive maneuver. The Wing Commander killed all forward momentum while simultaneously throwing the TIE/LN into a tight barrel roll. The V-Wing was too close to react and overshot, allowing the Imperial to slip in behind with little trouble. Within seconds the TIE had a lock and was firing, and unlike the Rebel the Wing Commander would not miss.

[Relikai]

Flight Officer Zek Yerevon
Kessel System, The Maw
Bravo 1, Storm 2, Z-95 Headhunter

Zek << They're coming again... Those fighters are buying time for the transports! >>

Gripping his control stick, Zek took heed of his own instructions, noting the increased acceleration of the transports. Meanwhile, the TIEs improvised as well, using their superior agility to get behind the rebel ships, possibly increasing their chances at victory. Unless the rebels could work together in pairs or trios and more, they would risk dying alone in little engagements. It was all Zek could do to be aware of his surroundings, when streaks of green flashed overhead, signalling a TIE fighter on his tail.

Zek << Got a TIE on my tail. Vectoring to point Oh-Seven. Anyone there to give me a hand? >>

Gunning his Z-95's engines, Zek sent the fighter on a full forward acceleration, veering left and right to throw the TIE's aim off him. Still, he knew that he could not keep this up forever, and in the most urgent of circumstances, he sure hoped that his communications has not broken down.

[Tayner]

Ensign Geordi McAnders
Kessel System, The Maw
Alpha 4, Storm 13

"I've haven't ever seen that form of manned fighter..." Sirocco said in awe as their target evaded their spread of fire with ease, only doing such an intricate maneuver to evade the fire to display skill and taunt the pilots. Geordi rotated the fighter to keep the enemy fighter in Sirocco's sights as long as he could but it was no use. "Just a little longer so I can get a bead on 'em" Sirocco said while blasting away in the enemies general direction with his dual ion cannons.

"I don't want to be sucked into a trap, and I don't want to tangle with that fighter one on one in this bucket. Find a new target and turn them into dust." Geordi ordered, ironically given how Sirocco technically outranked him. He remembered a saying that one of his old smuggler buddy would use. He was an officer for High Command, but he always said the ranks don't matter on the battlefield, whoever has the most important job get to lead, and flying was more important than shooting.

Before long a TIE had hopped on the Y-Wing's tail and fired away. It was hitting the sheilds hard, but Sirocco managed to narrow down his fire to make the TIE work harder to get a good lock on the Y-Wing. All off the sudden the TIE pulled off, only for Geordi to see another approaching from a different angle. It's lasers smashed the sheilds before Sirocco got a solid hit on it, not destroying it but crippling it's port side array.

Storm 13: << This is Alpha 4, my sheilds are at 30%, but we managed to damage a TIE. >>

[SaintB]

Lt. Commander Redge Fiver
Storm 1, Alpha 1

The TIE fighters switched to an unexpected strategy and wheeled on their attackers to engage them one on one and several members of Storm Squadron found themselves in dire trouble. Tasek and his Y-Wing were targeted from behind by a persistent fighter that easily kept pace with him, one in three of the pilot's shots was wearing down on the Y-Wing's shields and they were getting close to failure. Zek Yerevon was in a similar spot of trouble but managing to evade the incoming fire for now. Geordi McAnders sip took a heavy blow but was still fully operational and the shield's were holding.

Cypress Favor was also in trouble, the leader of the enemy flight had her in is sites and was not giving up - he didn't have a regular TIE like the rest - his had... modifications... the laser blasts from the fighter came out in bursts of three from each cannon and filled the vacuum around Cypress's V-Wing with dozens of deadly projectiles, so many it was impossible to evade them all and even though they were less powerful than normal they were still quickly wearing down her light fighter's defenses - she was a hair's width away from death. <<Storms, protect your squad mates, wear down the TIE's numbers before engaging with the Shuttles, Sundered Heart can engage them alone for now.>>

The shuttles were rushing away at full speed, which was barely more than half as fast as most of Storm's fighters and they would be easy to catch up too if they could take on the TIE's quickly. The Corvette was not as swift as the shuttles were but it could attack them from much further away than the fighters could with tractor beams and heavy ion cannons to disable them for capture. Already the crew of the Sundered Heart was firing the opening salvos on the shuttle formation, ranging them in and getting closer with each shot.

<<I'll get Alpha 2, pick a partner and protect their 6!>>

Redge pushed the nose of his fighter toward the leader of the TIE formation and armed the concussion missiles to get a lock on with both launchers, keeping him in view proved to be a challenge but eventually a solid lock sounded but just before he could pull the trigger the TIE and its pilot broke off their attack, heading on a straight vector they suddenly accelerated at an unbelievable pace - the color of the engine exhaust changed from blue to pure bright white as it gained speed and quickly broke away out of range of the Headhunter's weapons.

<<"Watch yourselves, Storms. This does not seem to be the typical squadron that would be assigned to prisoner detail.">>

<<Agreed.>> Redge confirmed, <<And they're leader is some kind of ace flying in a modified machine.>>

[Occupied Deutschland]

Pilot Officer Keth’serali’nuruodo
Storm 4, Bravo 3

Serali jinked hard to her right, barely dodging the twin blasts of green energy methodically spitting out of the TIE behind her. She grit her teeth as the droid squealed out a high-pitched rolling warble that her flight computer faithfully translated as a warning she was being shot at. Whatever would she do without a droid to tell her that?

Allowing only a grunt of displeasure instead of repeating 'be silent' for the hundredth time at the infuriating machine, Serali cut the power to her engines for a moment. She seemed to almost stop in space. Unwilling to risk such a vulnerable position for too long even if it might be her best chance to escape the sights of the Imperial fighter, she pushed her throttle forward mere moments after pulling it back. The Nimbus shot forward almost immediately in a surge of power and speed that painfully reminded her of TIE fighters. Unlike the TIEs, however, the surge in the Nimbus didn't last as long. Still, she was on a wildly different track than she had been before the maneuver.

Serali let her eyes dart to the sensors for a moment when no continued laser-fire passed her by or impacted against her shields. The TIE that had been on her had guessed wrong and assumed she would reverse her turn. He was on the wrong track. But the fact that he was experienced enough to even guess at where she would exit the maneuver was worrying. What was the Empire so concerned about it in the Maw they stationed experienced pilots here? Perhaps Antilles knew more than he let on about it? Maybe--

Serali's thoughts were interrupted.

Zek << Got a TIE on my tail. Vectoring to point Oh-Seven. Anyone there to give me a hand? >>

<<"Storm Four is nearby, Two. Standby.">>

Swinging her Nimbus into a slow arc, Serali carefully metered out the power to her engines so she wouldn't bypass Four's vector too soon. She was almost unsuccessful. Momentarily fooled by the similarity of the Nimbus to the TIE into thinking its power settings were similar, she exited the arc a few seconds too late, as Two and his pursuing TIE passed-by. It was impossible to get the cross-ways shot she wanted against the TIE from where she was, and firing on it would endanger Two almost as much as the TIE.

<<"On your pursuit, Two. Break left on my mark.">> Slamming the throttle forward and cranking her controls back, Serali was able to correct the mistake into an impromptu Imperial weave maneuver.

<<"Mark!">>

The TIE passed through Serali's sights, and she let loose a series of blasts as it did. One, perhaps even two, of the blasts visibly connected with the Imperial fighter, but it disappeared from view as she passed behind it a moment later. Rolling inside the turn as she came around for another pass, Serali rapidly scanned the space she could see around her cockpit. The TIE was no longer pursuing Zek, instead having broken-off and begun limping back towards its compatriots as sparks and brightly colored gases sputtered from the rear of its ball-cockpit. Serali's estimation of the TIE pilots went up another notch. Shutting down a damaged ion engine and subsequently controlling the thing on only one engine was the kind of exercise flight instructors put the arrogant hotshots of training wings through to teach them they didn't know anything.

<<"On your array Storm Two. Your rear is now clear of rebel gear--Imperial threat.">> Serali said, not catching the nearly-automatic assurance until she'd already said it. She swallowed slightly and scanned her sensors to distract herself.

<<"You have lead, Two.">> She added after an awkward heartbeat.

[Relikai]

Flight Officer Zek Yerevon
Kessel System, The Maw
Bravo 1, Storm 2, Z-95 Headhunter

Zek: << Aye good shot, Storm Four. >>

Noting that his ass has been cleared, Zek returned to the fight as he observed the transports. They were still getting further, and the rest of Storm seemed preoccupied. No matter, they have the numbers advantage, and Zek was one of those free to lance towards the transports in an attempt to disable them.

Zek: << This is Bravo Lead Storm Two, got a transport lined up in my sights, launching an attack.>>

Concussion missiles flew from the Headhunter's pods, streaking towards the ship's engines as Zek unleashed a torrent of lasers towards it. Most were absorbed by the transport's shields though, as the pilot cursed while coming around for another try...

---

Kills - 1x TIE Fighter

[Arengin Union]

Ensign Erdric Tershin.
Storm squadron, Storm 14.
Alpha flight, Alpha 5


Erdric followed close to his squad, he began shooting as soon as the first TIE fighters were in his sight. He only managed to scratch a few until he had to swing around to avoide the incoming green blaster fire. He kept on following on Squad formation as he made quick attack on the shuttles. The TIE fighters soon began to concentrate on destroying the squad one by one.

Erdric did his best to attack the shuttles continuously without destroying them or letting the imperials have a shot on him. Then a TIE fighter began to follow him, this made Erdric split from the groups as the battle raged on.

"<I got a fighter on my tail Alpha... gonna have to maneuver, I'll regroup as soon as I can over.>" Alon swooped close to the shuttles as the TIE fighter kept on him, Erdirc's shields began decreasing as he tried to shake the fighter off. 90%, 85%.

"Come on you son of a bitch... SHOW ME WHAT YOU GOT." Erdric got his Headhunter at full speed as he avoided pieces of debris and small meteors. The TIE fighter tried to keep up but it struggled to avoid the obstacles.

Erdric pulled up as the TIE fighter flew sideways to avoid any traps. Erdric quickly got into position from above as the Imperial fighter tried to get back to the shuttles. Erdric aimed, the Headhunter's systems were obsolete but managed to have a direct image. Erdric pulled the trigger and the TIE fighter began to receive fire right form the round cabin.

Erdric kept doing this as he followed on the TIE fighter, soon it was damaged enough that Erdric shot a few times on its wing that it split off and crashed on a meteorite.
He pulled away to his group that was still fighting on.
"<Alpha squad, this is Alpha 5, managed to down a fighter. Regrouping, over.>"

1x TIE fighter down