TFTC-IW 1: Wraith Squadron: Part 1
General Information[edit]
Title: Wraith Squadron: Part 1
Number of Missions: 5
Original Upload Date: 2024-06-10
Author: Jagged Fell III
Readme Background[edit]
The Expanded Universe has held a special place in many of our hearts and minds, me especially. One of my favorite book series was the X-Wing Series by Michael A Stackpole and Aaron Allston. It was these stories that motivated me to pick up X-Wing Alliance back in the early 2000's. Here I set out to make a series of battles retelling the battles and story of the Wraith Squadron books of the X-Wing series.
This battle is based upon the story laid out in the book X-Wing: Wraith Squadron by Aaron Allston. The events of the book have changed due to the Emperor's Hammer's involvement, but I am attempting to do a much more faithful retelling of the events of the book than my previous battles.
Story
The “official” chronical of the events of the fall of Warlord Zsinj say that it was brought about by a single squadron of wash-out pilots in the New Republic, but we know better in the Emperor’s Hammer. The ingenuity and deviousness showcased by Wraith Squadron could only have come from the superior pilots of the TIE Corps. Only after they were successful, and due to their exceptional skill at masking their true allegiances, did the New Republic spin the fiction that they were a squadron under Republic command.
After the unprovoked attacks on our forces by the Warlord Zsinj (see XWA-TC 72 or TFTC-TC 2) we of the Emperor’s Hammer have decided that we will no longer countenance his continued exercise of power in this galaxy. However, we are concerned at the possible perception of an all-out attack by our forces on those of the Warlord’s so soon after our involvement in the affairs of Ysanne Isard and the battle above Thyferra. We want no one in the wider galaxy possibly construing our failure to protect Isard from her own ineptitude and an attack on a former Imperial Warlord as the Emperor’s Hammer having switched sides to be aligned with the criminal New Republic. As such it has been decided that we will strike back at Zsinj using primarily the Infiltrator Wing aboard the MC-90 Renegade so that our attacks can appear to be those of the New Republic itself.
Taking advantage of the chaos caused by the coup of Borsk Fey’lya and the mass military resignations that followed, a veteran Infiltrator Wing pilot by the name of Ante Wedgilles stepped forward with a bold plan. He proposed creating a squadron of pilots whose sole purpose was to seek out and destroy Zsinj, while posing as a New Republic unit. They would be embedded into New Republic territory at a base on the moon of Folor above the independent world of Commenor. They would set up a base that, to all the galaxy, would appear to be a New Republic operation. They would complete their squadron unit training there at Folor, giving a greater amount of backstopped history to their unit when New Republic forces would try to verify this supposed classified, clandestine unit. As many of the senior commanders of the military have just left the New Republic, or have died in battle with our forces, it is believed that a properly selected unit could infiltrate into the New Republic and be accepted as their own.
Once they are accepted by the wider New Republic, they are to manipulate them into attacking the Warlord and do everything within their power to direct their forces to destroy those of Zsinj. This would have the added benefit of all combat loses would come from the New Republic rather than our own forces, further weakening the already weak upstart government. This will make reclaiming the galaxy for the rightful Imperial order and rule that much easier when senior leadership decides the time is right.
For this operation to have its best chance at succeeding it has been decided to draw a highly diverse group of pilots for this mission. As many of the member species of the New Republic should be represented in this unit as is feasible. The unit will be commanded by Commander Ante Wedgilles who hails from Corellia, and his Executive Officer will be his long-time ally Lieutenant Jan Wesson from Taanab.
There is some concern at the wisdom of this operation, and fears that all pilots assigned to it will merely be quickly caught and imprisoned by New Republic Intelligence. As such, the rest of the squadron’s pilots have been transferred from units wishing to be rid of them, while also fulfilling the mandate to provide pilots from the worlds within the New Republic.
The story begins as the pilots of this new infiltration unit have finally been down selected to just the 12 members of the fighter squadron on the moon base of Folor.
Dramatis Personae
Wraith/Gray 1: Commander Ante Wedgilles - Human, Male, Corellia
Special Skills: Command
Background: Has served in the Emperor’s Hammer and the Empire before it for 10 years, since enlistment at the age of 18. Was raised in Corellia on the family fueling depot until the Bonestar Pirates destroyed it with his family all aboard. He then joined the Imperial Starfighter Academy where he quickly rose to the top of his class. Upon graduation he was deployed to various assignments around the galaxy serving with distinction in each posting. He was a part of Grand Admiral Ronin’s fleet upon the Emperor forming the Emperor’s Hammer and has been a member of the TIE Corps since its founding. His low rank is due to his continued refusal to accept any further promotions as he was already quite upset to have to relinquish the rank of LCM, the best rank in his opinion, upon taking command of a squadron.
Reasons for Transfer: N/A, formed squadron
Wraith/Gray 11: Lieutenant Jan Wesson - Human, Male, Taanab
Special Skills: Trainer, Pistols
Background: Wesson left the agricultural world of Taanab due to dissatisfaction with the frequent pirate raids on his home world and joined the Imperial Starfighter Corps in an effort to fight back against the predations on his world and others like it. His postings had him serve with CM Wedgilles multiple times during his time with the Empire but was not a part of the initial formation of the Emperor’s Hammer. He was at Endor serving in the lauded 501st aboard the SSD Executor. He survived the battle and retreated with the remaining Star Destroyers but quickly left the Empire and joined the Emperor’s Hammer after that. Once in the TIE Corps he was reunited with CM Wedgilles and has served with valor since.
Reasons for Transfer: Came to help CM Wedgilles
Wraith/Gray 9: Lieutenant Myn Donos - Human, Male, Corellia
Special Skills: Sniper, Previous command experience
Background: Myn served with the Corellian Armed Forces as a skilled sniper, racking up an impressive list of kills. He, however, was not content with merely killing his targets from afar and wished to test his skill against opponents who could fight back. He found his way into the Imperial TIE Corps and from there into the TIE Corps of the Emperor’s Hammer not long after. He did exceptionally well in flight-training, his training officer was LT Jan Wesson and was given a squadron of his own directly after completion of flight training, Talon Squadron.
Reasons for Transfer: Not long after Talon Squadron’s formation they were ambushed by a force under Warlord Zsinj where all other members of the squadron were killed in a single, quick assault. Since then he has stepped down from the CMDR role and reverted to his base rank of LT (he did not complete a full Tour of Duty as CMDR and therefore the promotion did not become permanent) and has become withdrawn from those around him. It is hoped that he can be shaken out of the mental state he is in and returned to full duty, possibly taking over Gray Squadron when Ant and Jan return to the rest of the Infiltrator Wing.
Wraith/Gray 2: Sub-Lieutenant Ackmin Jesbar - Quaren, Female, Mon Cala
Special Skills: Communications
Background: Hailing from a world deep in rebellion, Ackmin was ostracized from a young age due to her Imperial beliefs. Shortly after the death of the Emperor she broke away from her family and planet and set out to find the strongest Imperial faction remaining to help bring an end to the war and chaos she saw spreading throughout the galaxy. Once on Aurora she was initially met with some distrust due to the leading role of her native world in the Rebel Alliance. She persevered and was excepted as a TIE Corps pilot.
Reasons for Transfer: She was constantly passed over for choice assignments and had hostility expressed towards her for the actions of the others of Mon Cala. She feels that service in this tip of the spear unit will help show that not all from Mon Cala refuse to serve the proper order.
Wraith/Gray 3: Sub-Lieutenant Falynn Sandskimmer - Human, Female, Tatooine
Special Skills: Ground vehicles, acquisitions
Background: Grew up as a street urchin in Mos Eisley, surviving as a common thief. Grew to despise the life that was forced upon her by the disruptions to trade in the Outer Rim by the criminal rebels. She especially has grown to hate the Rebellion’s favorite child of Tatooine, Luke Skywalker. She escaped the desert world a year after Endor, when it became clear how much worse things would now be without the Empire’s guiding hand in the Out Rim. She made her way to Emperor’s Hammer territory not long after and recently joined the TIE Corps to destroy the New Republic.
Reasons for Transfer: She has reports of chronic insubordination. She has faced a certain amount of derision due to her meager upbringing and has met that contempt with her own, including physical violence at times.
Wraith/Gray 4: Sub-Lieutenant Eurrsk “Grinder” Thri’ag - Bothan, Male, Bothuwai
Special Skills: Code-slicer
Background: Goes by the name “Grinder” and I have no idea why. Grinder is proof that not all members of a rebellious species hold the same ideals. He faced persecution on Bothuwai due to his loyalties to the Empire and had to go underground as the planet rose in open defiance of the lawful government. There he honed his code-slicing skills as a matter of survival to keep free from the criminal insurrectionists. After some time he fled his world and began his search for how he could restore the Empire. He became disillusioned with what he saw of the former glory of Palpatine’s Empire being squandered by the mewling upstarts that seized power. But then he discovered the Emperor’s Hammer and immediately set out to join our forces to aid in pushing back against the criminals who have seized the galaxy.
Reasons for Transfer: As it was Bothan spies that brought about the death of our beloved Emperor, he has been met with constant distrust here in the TIE Corps. This has not been helped that he is a typical slicer in that he has not met a computer system he did not immediately try to get into. He also has a prankster streak in him, and this has led to him being busted out of several different units in the TIE Corps in his short career already.
Wraith/Gray 5: Sub-Lieutenant Kell Tainer - Human, Male, Alderaan
Special Skills: Mechanic, Demolitions Expert
Background: Kell was born Kell Doran but when his father was murdered by the Rebel Alliance his family changed their name and moved to Sluis Van. The death of his father at the hands of future Rogue Squadron pilot Wes Janson gave Kell all the motivation he needed to abandon the rebellious attitudes of his home planet and develop a correct view of the criminals who killed the Emperor. He worked as a mechanic on Sluis Van until he was able to make it off world to come to the Emperor’s Hammer. He has served with distinction among the commando unit in the Hammer’s Fist until his natural aptitude at the recreational flight simulators available to him was noticed. He was then transferred to pilot training in the TIE Corps.
Reasons for Transfer: While his simulator scores are outstanding he has had multiple crash landings that resulted in a total loss of the fighter during his flight training. He has claimed it was control malfunctions in all three instances but his CMDRs feel this may be too much of a coincidence.
Wraith/Gray 6: Sub-Lieutenant Hohass “Runt” Ekwesh - Thakwaash, Male, Thakwaa
Special Skills: Three times human-standard strength
Background: Goes by the name “Runt” as he is considered small for his species being only 2 meters tall when the average Thakwaash is around 3 meters in height. Thakwaash are equinoid bipeds who also suffer from having a species wide psychosis of all exhibiting multiple personalities. Each personality seems to specialize in different tasks and Runt switches between them depending on the situation. His species was never integrated into the Empire due to their unpredictable natures. He has joined the Emperor’s Hammer to bring about a restoration of order in our galaxy.
Reasons for Transfer: His natural flying skill is exemplary, until he has to follow orders. It seems his “pilot” mind is an instinctual animal that cannot be easily reasoned with. His commanders hoped to just be rid of the liability he represents in combat due to his lack of obeying orders.
Wraith/Gray 7: Sub-Lieutenant Ton Phanan - Human, Male, Rudrig
Special Skills: Medic, fully qualified surgeon
Background: Born to a wealthy family, Ton grew up to become a licensed surgeon on Rudrig, his parents dying prior to his graduation from medical school. He worked as a doctor on Rudrig for several years before joining the Imperial Medical Corps just after the destruction of the first Death Star. He was serving aboard a Star Destroyer at the Battle of Endor when it came under fire, and he was injured badly in the assault. He is allergic to bacta and therefore ended up loosing a leg and suffered major trauma to his head as well. The Empire supplied him with replacement cybernetic parts to allow him to continue to serve. Over the next few years, he lost his enjoyment in healing the injured and decided to strike out to the Emperor’s Hammer and the TIE Corps where he in his words could stop healing those he doesn’t like, but instead kill those he hates.
Reasons for Transfer: At this point he is 20% mechanical and presents an increased cost and logistics problem to his commanders as normal bacta treatments will not work on him.
Wraith/Gray 8: Sub-Lieutenant Garik “Face” Loran - Human, Male, Pantolomin
Special Skills: Infiltration, languages, makeup
Background: Goes by the name “Face” due to his scar and acting background. Face was once a holovid star in his youth appearing in The Black Bantha, Jungle Flutes, and Win or Die to name just a few. He grew up to fill the role of teen heartthrob for years. His performances were so beloved by the Imperial High Command he was once even sat on the knee of Ysanne Isard for a meeting with the up-and-coming future ruler of the Empire. However, his career was cut short when rebel terrorists captured him in a foolish attempt to ransom him back. When the stormtroopers came to rescue him, he was disfigured in the firefight. Ever since he has had a deep loathing of the rebels for all they took from him. He bought his way into the TIE Corps pilot program using his formidable wealth from his past life.
Reasons for Transfer: He has a well earned reputation for a lack of proper Imperial discipline and has been reprimanded on multiple occasions for his practical jokes. Also, many of his previous CMDRs did not think highly of this pampered rich kid buying his way into the TIE Corps, including providing his own fighter craft when his lack of discipline enviable saw their destruction in training flights and initial combat situations.
Wraith/Gray 10: Sub-Lieutenant Tyria Sarkin - Human, Female, Toprawa
Special Skills: Intrusion, low-level force-sensitive
Background: Trained as an Antarian Ranger in her youth she abandoned the seditionist militia after their involvement in the stealing of the first Death Star’s plans. After justice for the deaths of so many loyal Imperial soldiers was meted out against the rest of Rangers she was able to break free of them and make her own way in the galaxy. With the formation of the Dark Brotherhood she felt a call to come to Eos as it was discovered that she has force-sensitive abilities. However, the Master-at-Arms has determined that her connection to the force is too weak to be able to properly serve the Emperor’s Hammer as a member of the Brotherhood, but now that she had found the Emperor’s Hammer she was able to find her true calling, bring order to the chaos.
Reasons for Transfer: Her pilot ratings are honestly incredibly low and she would have soon been discharged from the TIE Corps if this squadron didn’t come along. She has jumped at a second chance to be of service, and Jan is hopeful that her ground skills will make up for her lack of them in the cockpit.
Wraith/Gray 12: Sub-Lieutenant Voort “Piggy” saBinring - Gamorrean, Male, Gamorr
Special Skills: Genius, strength, infiltration
Background: Goes by the name “Piggy” for obvious reasons. He is the result of biogenetic experimentation by Binring Biomedical Product. They gave him the ability to control is base urges and a genius level mathematical acumen. They implanted a translator in his throat to allow him to communicate in Basic. To test their alterations to him, he was given extensive flight training on a wide variety of Imperial and Rebel craft. All the other test subjects created with him took their own lives rather than remain a lab subject and this motivated the lead scientist to engineer the escape of Piggy from his captivity. Once freed, Piggy made his way to the Emperor’s Hammer as his analytical abilities allowed him to quickly see that only Imperial rule will see the galaxy flourish.
Reasons for Transfer: He has face harassment for his appearance and has been the target for multiple mean-spirited jokes in his time in the TIE Corps. The final incident was his SQXO claiming he struck him in an unprovoked attack. Piggy maintains that if he had struck the officer, he would not have been conscious to be able to make the report only a few minutes after the incident.
Script[edit]
Mission 1: Training Day[edit]
Commander's Briefing[edit]
Ten pilot candidates arrayed themselves in the briefing room, talking amongst themselves. Group dynamics were already starting to become apparent.
Tyria was the center of both Kell's and Phanan's attention with them vying for who would sit next to her.
"Oh, sorry, Phanan. Were you there? I didn't see."
Phanan smiled, unperturbed. "Perhaps you need an optical enhancement. I could arrange for you to lose an eye; then you could put in for one."
"Thanks, no."
Falynn and Donos were each sitting off on their own, not wishing to be near any of the other pilots.
Then Ante Wedgilles and Jan Wesson entered the room and Ante proceeded to inform them all that they had been selected for the new squadron.
"I'd like to congratulate you on surviving our initial culling process. We had forty-three candidates; you ten survived."
He then went on to inform them that this squadron would be a commando unit first, with their piloting skills augmenting their base functions. He gave a brief rundown of all the selected pilots' ground skills that had gone into their selection for the unit.
Already it was becoming apparent that this squadron would be unlike any other Wedgilles had been a part of before. There were off-kilter questions.
"Assassination?" Phanan asked.
"If you can find a way for us to infiltrate and surgically destroy a base without our enemies being able to call it assassination, I want to consult with you after this meeting. Other than that, under my command, members of this unit will never be assigned a task like picking off a speaker at an assembly or walking up to a target and knifing him."
"That's fine. I just wanted to know. I actually don't mind assassination."
Then there were interruptions.
"Next, Garik Loran-" He was interrupted as Face stood and took a bow; several of the pilots offered mock applause. Amused, Ante gestured for him to sit, then continued. "Face is one of our insertion experts, proficient in makeup, speaks several languages other than Basic-"
Face called out, "Don't forget, master actor."
Ante nodded amiably. "And sometime cook. You're peeling tubers on kitchen duty tonight. Do you have anything else to add?"
"Uhhh...No, sir."
Sometime later
"Ton Phanan is our medical officer." Three or four pilots burst out in laughter; the fact that Phanan was at least one-fifth mechanical and not possessed of a healer's manner was well known. Phanan himself grinned.
Face asked, "Corpsman?"
Phanan shook his head. "No. I used to be Dr. Phanan. Fully licensed to cut you open and weld you shut again."
Tyria leaned across Kell and whispered, "Why did you give it up?"
He gave her his most diabolic smile and whispered back, "Because I didn't care for patching up people I don't care about and do enjoy killing people I hate."
Tyria drew back with a shudder.
But finally, he wrapped up the briefing and turned them over to Wesson to talk about the day's training operations.
"Good. Now for today's live-fire exercises." Ante smiled through the pilots' whoops and cheers, then added, "Lieutenant Wesson will now brief you on what is to be expected of you today."
Tactical Briefing Text[edit]
Today you will be deploying as individual Flights, with Flight 2 being led today by Tainer.
You will proceed to the training area where you will face several waves of droid-controlled TIE opponents.
Once all enemies are destroyed, return to the base and the next Flight will depart for the exercise.
Radio Messages[edit]
<Kell> Alright 2 Flight, is everyone ready?
<Runt> We are ready
<Kell> We? Who's we?
<Runt> Gray Six, Five
<Wesson> Alright here come the TIEs
<Kell> Form up on me 2 Flight
<Runt> <warbling yell>
<Kell> Six, get back in formation!
<Runt> <more yelling>
<Wesson>I have his suit transponder, looks like his droid punched him out just before he was destroyed. I am picking him up now
<Face> What do you think happened? A stroke?
<Phanan> No. He would have lost control of his fighter if he had a stroke so severe to cause erratic behavior like that
<Face> So what is your idea then?
<Kell> Alright, stop the chatter, we have some TIEs to vape. Form up on me and let's get to work
<Face> Acknowledged
<Phanan> Roger
<Wesson> Good work 2 Flight. You cleared the first wave faster than our mission target
<Wesson> Excellent 2 Flight. You cleared the second wave faster than our mission target
<Wesson> Superb 2 Flight. You cleared the final wave faster than our mission target
<Face> Alright Five, you owe us a couple of drinks
<Kell> Great work you two. I'll gladly buy all night after how you two did today
<Kell> My pleasure. I'll even buy you two drinks
<Kell> Ok, but only the first round, then you are on your own
<Kell> Back to base 2 Flight
Victory Briefing[edit]
"We have had a good first day of squadron training," Ante began. "Tomorrow we will be beginning with a hyperspace navigation exercise."
The room's holoprojector glowed into life, and on it appeared a small-area starmap. He pointed into the mass of stars at a bright golden one.
"Here's Commenor. You are here. Here's Corellia and more Core systems. Farther out, we reach border and then Rim territories. This star is nicknamed Doldrums for its lovely, featureless, uninhabited planets. That's our destination."
"Each of you is to spend the night with your astromechs putting together a three-stage course to get us to Doldrums and a two-stage course to bring us back."
"When you're done, transmit it and we'll choose the one we like best, and then we'll fly it as a test of your hyperspace skill and accuracy. Questions?"
There were none.
"Good. Dismissed."
They headed to the base cantina, and Kell glared at his wingman every step of the way. Finally, in the final chamber before the cantina, the long-faced alien faced him.
"I am sorry."
"Why did you do it? Fly off on your own, disobey orders?"
"I don't know."
"You don't know? If you're going to mutiny, you really ought to remember why."
"It is not so simple."
The alien paused to consider his next words, and the delay brought them into the cantina and they took their seats.
"You were saying."
"First, please: I am Runt to my friends and fellows, even when they are angry with me."
Kell frowned.
"Why 'Runt'?"
"It is accurate. Compared to my siblings, I am tiny. None of them would fit into a fighter cockpit. So. You asked why I did not remember doing what I did. I am beginning to remember. But I did not recall before because it was not I doing that. It was the pilot."
Tyria asked, "Which pilot?"
"Me."
Kell slumped, momentarily defeated by the circuitousness of Runt's answers, and put his head down on the table. He immediately regretted it: His forehead adhered to some dark, nameless substance there. He pulled himself free and began scraping away the stain left on his skin.
"I'm not reading you, Runt."
Tyria said, "I think I am. Runt, are you talking about many organisms, or many minds?"
Runt smiled with the relieved satisfaction of someone who has finally gotten a point across.
"Minds."
"You have many minds, and one of them is the pilot?"
"Yes! Yes."
Kell snorted. "Your pilot mind deserves a good beating."
Runt looked solemnly at him. "We know. We are sorry. He, my pilot, has earned many such beatings. And transfers from many units."
Kell was relieved of the need to respond by the arrival of the waiter, which was heralded by a repetitive squeaking. The waiter was a 3PO unit and was mostly silver with several gold parts, and squeaked with each step.
Kell said, "I'll have-"
"Wait," the droid said pleasantly but firmly. "In the absence of a hierarchy of rank among you, I will default to ancient protocols and have the lady's order first. My lady?"
Tyria smiled. "Lum. A good one."
Kell said, "I'll have-"
"Wait," said the droid in the same tone as before. "You have now annoyed me twice. This means you will order last of all, but I will still take your order correctly. If you annoy me three times, you would do well not to drink what I bring you."
He turned and took everyone else's orders The droid turned back to Kell. Kell waited until he was certain the droid was ready for him before speaking.
"Corellian brandy. And a wet napkin. Please."
The droid bowed and departed. Kell heaved a sigh.
"Not my day. Even the waiters around here are tyrants."
Tyria turned her smile on him. "That's just Squeaky. You'll get used to him. He has a good heart. Or whatever serves droids for a heart."
Runt turned to Kell.
"So. You would not release us from the subject. We should not release you until it is done. You will forgive us for our mistake?"
"Sure. But tell your pilot mind I'm going to ride him hard if he fouls up again."
"I will do that. He deserves it."
Mission 2: Folor Base[edit]
Commander's Briefing[edit]
At mission briefing that afternoon, Ante announced, “We have a piece of good news. We now have a unit designation. Courtesy of Tyria Sarkin, we are Wraith Squadron.”
Several of the pilots made appreciative noises. Face merely looked disgusted. Runt asked, “What is a wraith?”
“Something I heard about in my childhood,” Tyria said. “Dark things that come in the night for you. That’s what I think we are. For the Rebels, for the warlords, we’re the phantoms under the bed, the monsters in the storage cubicles.”
Runt smiled, showing big teeth, and narrowed his eyes. The expression made his long face look sinister. “We like that.”
Ante said, “So Tyria wins the three-day pass...but not today; we still have a run to do. A full squadron run, for the first time. Now to your ships for our journey to Doldrums.”
The pilots rose to head toward their X-wings. Face looked rueful.
“I can’t believe you, Tyria. I thought I had that pass locked up.”
“What squad names did you suggest?” she asked.
“Well, there was Silly Squadron.”
She shook her head.
“We’d have to repaint the X-wings.”
“Then there was Rogue Squadron.”
“Taken.”
“I know, but it was a good idea. Then there was Dinner Squadron.”
“I take it you were faint from hunger when you were coming up with these.”
“How did you know?”
Tactical Briefing Text[edit]
As we told you yesterday, we are heading to Doldrums via a 3 jump route.
But first we will be doing an in-system, micro jump to the other side of Commenor before we start our journey.
Once we are there, we will do some maneuvers and then return via a 2 jump route. Our course was submitted by Piggy, to no one’s surprise.
Radio Messages[edit]
<Ante>Ok, form up and let’s head to the other side of Commenor
<Ackmin> Wraith Leader, this is Two. I have transmissions on an Imperial channel
<Ante>Squad, break off the exit maneuver. Circle here. Two, are they transmitting in the clear?
<Ackmin> No, sir, it’s encoded. I’m working on that. But there’s something else. It’s a tight-beam transmission, and the origin of the transmission is pretty close to our flight path from Commenor. Two possibilities are that they’re waiting there for us, or they’re using Commenor as a backstop for the signal so it won’t reach Folor
<Ante>Right. I’ll inform Folor. Wraiths, maintain station. Make yourselves useful
<Face> Twelve, here’s an idea. Query Two’s R2 unit for the signal she’s receiving. Analyze it for waveshift and see if you can determine how fast the signaler is coming
<Piggy> Will do, Eight
<Kell> Four, this is Five
<Grinder> I hear you, Five
<Kell> In all the time you’ve been here, have you sliced into Commenor’s official computer system?
<Grinder> Yes, Five. Just to keep in practice
<Kell> Good. Can you slice in now, with the gear you have on your snubfighter?
<Grinder> In no time, Five. I have my list of key codes with me. Always
<Kell> Right. Punch in now. We’re going to look for a few things
<Grinder> Making contact, Five. Starting the approval dance. What are we looking for?
<Kell> First, any new mobilizations of government forces. Second, new reservations for ship berths. Sort by ship class, prioritize for military ships and hyperdrive-equipped shuttles. Take reservations made for tomorrow as well as today. Sudden large-block hotel and resort reservations, especially the cheaper ones, just in case there will be some rest and recreation for a capital ship. Also, I want astronomical data, if possible, from any observatories pointed out toward the origin of Ackmin’s signal
<Ginder> Would you like breakfast in bed with all that, Five?
<Kell> That’s right, Four. But that’s after everything else
<Grinder> Five, this is Four. I read one government shuttle assigned in the last few minutes to convey documents and an observer to the incoming flight. Granting it the right to perform military exercises above Folor
<Kell> Thanks, Four. Leader, that marks the base as their probable target
<Ante>Leader here. I read you, Five
<Grinder> Five, there’s more. Orbital Spaceyard 301 has been ordered to clear a servicing berth for private yacht Implacable
<Kell> Implacable is the kind of name they give to Imperial capital ships
<Grinder> Five, the berth they’ve cleared is the largest they have. This is no pleasure yacht
<Ante>Five, Four, this is Leader. You’re correct. Implacable is an Imperial Star Destroyer commanded by Admiral Trigit. He went rogue when Isanne Isard died. Good work, you two. We’re going back to Folor, and we’re going to set up a greeting for Admiral Trigit that he’s going to remember for a while. Form up on me
<Ante>We have set up a comm buoy here, away from the base, to draw the Implacable here. We need to engage Trigit’s forces here to give our people there the time they will need to ensure we leave no evidence that we are not a New Republic operation
<Ante>Don’t attack the Implacable directly, we want them thinking we are on the ropes. Wraiths, hit the interceptors first if there are any, then fighters if possible. Follow me in
<Piggy> Seven, this is Twelve. Recommend you dive...now. Eight, recommend you fire...now
<Ante>Alright, form back up at the base for us to head out
<Kell> Attention, Implacable. Be advised, you’ve just become the victims of Dinner Squadron!
<Runt> And Silly Squadron!
<Kell> Consider yourselves humiliated. And welcome to Folor. Out
Victory Briefing[edit]
Ten X-wings and the squadron’s Lambda-class shuttle, the Narra, were already lining up for departure as Kell and Runt arrived. The late arrivals slid into the hanger. Ante’s voice came over the comm unit.
“Wraiths, I have the pleasure of reporting no losses among our forces. Ton Phanan has reported some minor injury; fortunately, he has our doctor with him. Everyone else has sustained some vehicle damage, none critical. For a unit’s first engagement against a numerically superior force, that’s brilliant flying. We are just here to allow the hanger crew to quickly transfer some more fuel into our fighters before we make our escape, no leaving the hanger.”
“How did we do out there?” Falynn asked.
“We have two kills today for Face, which brings his total to six—you’re an ace, Loran.”
“Do I get a trophy with that?”
“No, but someone may buy you a drink. Also to mention that I’m thinking of putting you Kell and Runt on report for that stunt with the clear-air broadcast to the Implacable. What were you thinking?”
“Uhhh...I guess we weren’t, sir. I was just shot through with adrenaline because I’d survived.”
“Well, I expect it all balances out, and by way of reward and punishment I’ll just hammer medals straight into your skulls.”
“Thank you, sir. Uh—who’s piloting Narra?”
Another familiar voice cut in.
“It’s Cubber, Five. I have Squeaky with me.”
“What about our belongings in our quarters? They might tip them off that we aren’t Rebels,” Face put in.
Ante said, “That reminds me. Wraiths, be advised that instead of taking the first transport off this rock, Squeaky raided your quarters and lockers, bagging anything he thought would be of importance to you, especially personal items; they’re all aboard the Narra.”
There was a chorus of thanks, whistles, and short cheers over the comm. Then Squeaky’s voice: “It was enlightened self-interest, I assure you. Had I not done this, I would have been barraged with requests for replacements for your lost goods. I’m far too busy to attend to such irrelevant requests.”
“Leader, Five. What’s our destination?”
“As before, Doldrums. We’re going to take the same navigational exercise as before. We’ll be joining the rest of the Folor Base evacuees at Doldrums.”
“They’re going there, too? That’s an odd coincidence.”
“No coincidence, Five. When I reported the Implacable coming in, I also told them of our training mission and mentioned that Doldrums would be a good site to stage a regrouping. The rest of the evacuees are going there in one jump; we’re going to do our exercise just because we can use the practice. Which reminds me—I need re-fueling reports from each of you.”
Mission 3: Evacuate![edit]
Commander's Briefing[edit]
The pilots of Wraith Squadron and the shuttle Narra safely made the jump towards Doldrums, with their first planned navigation stop being the Xobome system. Twenty-seven seconds before the end of the planned jump they all were abruptly pulled out of hyperspace and simultaneously all their systems went dark in their ships.
After some emergency restarts, they determined that they had been victims of an ion mine combined with a gravitational pulse generator designed to drag ships out of hyperspace, disable them for later pickup, and signal that a ship had been disabled.
All their navigation data had been destroyed in the attack and they didn’t have the fuel in their operable craft to make blind jumps until they found a system where they could regain the needed astrogation charts to allow them to get to Doldrums.
Ante asked the squadron for ideas for how to deal with the situation and Face suggested a ridiculous plan to capture the incoming ship.
“Next plan?”
Kell keyed his microphone. “Sir, wait a second. We could put our intruder in the Narra’s smuggling compartment. Pull it out of the shuttle, attach a battery pack to maintain its electronic countermeasures, and float it among the debris.”
Face cut back in. “Could we mount a propulsion unit to the compartment? The thrusters from an ejection seat?”
Kell said, “Yes.”
Ante said, “But it would be pointless. Can you imagine trying to aim a rig like that before firing off the thrusters? Odds are a hundred million to one that he’d miss and shoot off into space. And those are odds even a Corellian will pay attention to.”
Kell said, “Put the thrusters at one end and an astromech at the other end. That makes the odds pretty good that he’d make it where he was aiming.”
“That’s crazy.”
“No, it’s not, sir. It’s merely desperate. And, if we’re using a battery to keep the smuggling compartment powered, we might as well use the 04-7 power generator off Ton’s X-wing. And if we have that much power available, we could pull the guts out of one of the laser cannons, cable it to the power generator, and rig it with a trigger. That’d give a few shots with something powerful enough to cut through bulkheads, much less through stormtroopers.”
Ante took a long time to answer. “Face, Kell, that’s the craziest idea I’ve heard in a long time. Let’s say you’re right. We have one pilot with a powerful, prone-to-failure weapons rig, and he’s in a hangar on a Star Destroyer. What then?”
“Leader, Eleven. If he could get to a computer, he might be able to load in a program that would broadcast a distress to the Emperor’s Hammer, or even the New Republic if we are ready to try our infiltration. The rest of the pilots might be able to hide out until rescue. Or it may not be Implacable. It could be one of their support vessels, and we might be able to take it.”
Ante’s voice sounded resigned. “The chrono’s running, gentlemen. Do it.”
While Cubber and Kell assembled the jury-rigged vehicle, which they nicknamed the Lunatic, Grinder and Piggy worked out the programming of the R2 unit and control datapad.
Within an hour the Lunatic took shape. The storage compartment, roughly the size of a large coffin, was the main element. At one end, Phanan’s R2 unit, Gadget, was mounted. At the other end were mounted the fuel pods and some of the thrust nozzles from Phanan’s ejection seat. When Piggy was placed in the compartment, he’d be carrying on his belt the power generator and the cylinder that was what remained of one of Phanan’s laser cannons.
“This is, without doubt,” said Cubber, “the most inelegant rig I have ever had the pleasure of working on. Not counting the first still that I ever built, which was even more dangerous.”
The X-wing’s comm system continuously broadcast a distress signal, a plea for help recorded by Face. Ante was impressed with the acting on display in the message, the pure emotion within it was masterful.
Tactical Briefing Text[edit]
Ok, most of our fighters have either been disabled or are powered down in the asteroids to hide from any sensors on the incoming ship.
So, it will just be you, sir, and your wingman against any forces they send our way.
Remember to keep any fighters from attacking Piggy as he tries to board the ship and then do your best to keep the attention of the ship so they might not respond to Piggy as quickly.
Oh, and I think from now on, except for encrypted emails back to the Fleet, we should be a New Republic unit in all our communications.
Good luck.
Radio Messages[edit]
<Ackmin> Wraiths, this is Two. I have faint chatter on Imperial frequencies. Encrypted
<Ante> Narra, place your package, then scram back to one of the big rocks. Piggy, good luck
I’ll be damned. They did it
<Ante> Wraith 2, power up and target those eyeballs, lasers only, do not abandon your position
<Ante> Attention, TIE fighter pilots. This is Commander Ante Wedgillees of the New Republic. We have you under our guns. Surrender or be vaped
<Ante> Amateurs. Wraith 2, open fire
<Ante> Ok, let’s start strafing that corvette to keep their eyes on us and not listening to any intruder alarms
<Piggy> Captain Voort saBenring of the New Republic corvette Night Caller hailing Wraith Squadron. Wraith Squadron, come in
<Ante>Captain? That’s a sudden promotion
<Piggy> A temporary promotion, sir. I am in command of this vessel. I thought a captaincy would be most appropriate
<Ante> Oh, it is. Permission to come aboard?
<Piggy> Granted. And please hurry
Victory Briefing[edit]
Inconvenient as the planet’s weather was, they brought Night Caller down to the surface of Xobome 6 to perform their examination. Ackmin Jesbar remained on station in orbit to alert them to any other enemy arrivals. Ante stayed on the bridge, accumulating information, while the Wraiths performed their duties as fast as possible. Ante could see them, dim shapes moving among the rocking X-wings while the wind drove ice particles past the bridge windows and obscured his vision. He was careful to stay well away from the hole melted in the floor. The object fried to the ceiling above that hole, remains that had once been a man named Captain Zurel Darillian, had fallen free during the ship’s landing and dropped into the TIE fighter hold; Falynn Sandskimmer, unperturbed by their grisly nature, was dealing with them.
Squeaky, just back from his initial tour of the ship, seemed fascinated by what he’d seen. “It’s all so very clean, sir. The captain must have been quite a stickler for cleanliness.”
Ante gave him a rueful look. “Usually a sign of a diseased mind…What about the structural modifications?”
“It has been very heavily modified from the standard corvette, Commander. Where the luxury quarters deck should be beneath the bridge, Night Caller has eliminated the deck, I suspect to make extra room in the bow hold for the four TIE fighters. The bow has also been widened, the hull armor on the sides of the bow narrowed, electronic apparatus that should be between bulkheads there moved somewhere else. The topside hold has been converted into another hangar. There are no laboratories; that’s where the luxury quarters are located.”
Ante nodded. “It appears that this was no retrofit job. It came out of the shipyards this way. They made this ship into a pocket carrier”
“I agree, Commander.”
Grinder, bent over one of the bridge’s data consoles, called, “Oh, Commander.” He made the rank sound like part of a song. When he straightened and turned, Ante could see the Bothan’s teeth bared in a meat-eating smile.
“Yes?”
“Piggy got to the bridge so fast—oh, this is sweet. They didn’t have time to shut down, to purge the memory, to activate the most basic security. They have a state-of-the-art Imperial HoloNet system, a real luxury on a vessel this size, and it was hot, ready to go—and they didn’t even get a message off.”
Ante blinked at him. “Whatever fleet it came from is unaware it’s in trouble?”
“Completely. I pulled up its mission profile, its standing orders, its schedule, everything.”
“Tell me.”
“It belongs to Zsinj—”
“No surprise.”
“No surprise. But it’s temporarily assigned to Admiral Apwar Trigit. Its mission is to lay mines, Empion mines, it’s supposed to plant them, to monitor their hypercomm frequency for alerts that they’ve been triggered, to inform Admiral Trigit of the results when they go off.”
“Go on.”
“I also got their schedule, mostly visiting unaligned planetary systems and demonstrating that Zsinj has muscle, also some routine meetings with refueling ships. A schedule they’re supposed to return to once this minelaying is done.”
“Show me.”
Grinder brought up a list on-screen. Ante read off the list of planets.
“Viamarr 4, Xartun, Belthu, M2398, Todirium, Obinipor, Fenion. Can you plot that for me?”
“I’m way ahead of you.”
“That seems to be a short description of my recent command history.”
Ante looked over the star chart Grinder brought up. It tracked a course through Rimward planets just outside the New Republic’s current zones of control.
“And Trigit doesn’t know we’ve captured this vessel.”
Grinder shook his head, sending ripples through his silver fur.
“Sir, he can’t.”
Ante whistled as the first elements of a plan began to percolate in his mind.
Mission 4: Viamarr 4[edit]
Commander's Briefing[edit]
Ackmin remained at her station in orbit. The rest assembled in the small meeting room that was part of the captain’s quarters.
“First,” Ante said, “I want to commend the principal parties involved in the capture of Night Caller. Piggy, Face, Kell - excellent work.”
There was general applause.
“All right, back to Night Caller and our current situation. Cubber, fuel?”
“We’re good. Night Caller’s tanks were almost full, and they have proper refueling equipment. I’ve siphoned off enough to top off the Narra and all the X-wings except Ackmin Jesbar’s.”
“As soon as we’re done here, I’ll bring her down and send Myn up so you can refuel her as well.”
Ackmin’s voice came out of the intercom on the table. “Thank you, sir.”
“Oops. Forgot you were listening. Grinder, did you transfer the nav data?”
The Bothan nodded. “We can jump out of system at any time.”
Ante checked the next item on his list.
“All right. We’ve faked up a report in Captain Darillian’s name, with all the appropriate security checks on it, explaining that he jumped into this system, found the abandoned X-wing, assumed that the pilot had ejected, sent over a party to retrieve it—and it blew up, some nasty treachery on the part of its original pilot. We’ve sent that report off. We hope it will forestall any further inquiry on the matter of the Xobome system. Now, we’re going to take some time, giving everyone a chance for a few hours’ rest. When we’re all feeling a bit more recovered, we launch.”
Kell said, “Doldrums, here we come.”
“No, Mr. Tainer. Not Doldrums. We’re going to the Viamarr system.”
Kell frowned, confused. “If I may ask, sir—”
“Why this schedule? Because that’s the order of business for Night Caller. Ladies, gentlemen, I’m acting on my own initiative and sending off a request that High Command approve my new plan. Which is this: We’ve just become crewmen in Warlord Zsinj’s fleet...and we’re going to do his bidding until we can find a way to strike at him.”
The records said Viamarr 4 was an agricultural world.
Ante ordered, “All right. I want Jan to remain on Night Caller. Falynn, suit up. You and I are going to buzz the capital of Viamarr 4.”
The somber woman from Tatooine gave one of her rare smiles.
“Gray Two, what’s your status?”
Falynn’s voice sounded a bit nervous. “Twin ion engines are live and running at optimal. Ship’s systems all in the green. Two laser cannons at full power. Shields—damn. I mean, uh, sorry, sir.”
“That’s all right, I feel the same way. Ready to fly?”
“Ready, sir.”
“Gray Flight away.”
He pulled back on the yoke and twisted its adjustment knob, feeding more power into the engines. The TIE fighter glided smoothly forward; he heeled it over toward the distant planet of Viamarr 4.
A while later they dove into the atmosphere of Viamarr 4 and headed toward Velery, the planetary capital, a community of a hundred thousand on the largest continent of the southern hemisphere. The land surrounding the capital was largely forested, with numerous tiny communities of wooden buildings.
Tactical Briefing Text[edit]
Per the Night Caller’s orders, your mission today is a simple one.
Buzz the town of Velery a couple of times, spook any air traffic, ignore attempts by the local government to impose its authority, and return to the corvette.
Should be easy, the agrarian settlers of the planet don’t have any significant defenses—nothing even to make TIE fighters worry.
Radio Messages[edit]
<Velery> Incoming craft, this is Velery Station. Please identify yourself. Do you read?
<Ante> Velery Station, this is Gray Flight, escorting private yacht Night Caller
<Velery><Agitated> Ah, yes. Gray Flight, please come to heading two-five-five and make landing here at Velery Station
<Ante> Can’t do it, sorry. Not in our mission parameters
<Velery> Uh...may I inquire as to what those parameters are?
<Ante> Stay where you are and you’ll see them in just a minute
Beeping Noise
<Ante> Follow me, Two, someone’s trying to paint us for laser fire
<Ante> Headhunters
<Falynn> Mark Ones. See the swing wings? They’re pretty old
<Ante> Maybe, but they’re as good as TIE fighters in atmosphere and their lasers can cause you to have a bad, bad day
<Velery> Blackwing Flight, break off and return to station. That’s an order
<Blackwing> Sir...
<Velery> That’s straight from the governor. Or do you want your pilots’ licenses transferred to tractor operations?
<Blackwing> No, sir
Breakoff attack, Mission will fail if you continue to attack
<Ante> Good flying, Gray Two. Now, let’s buzz their administrative buildings
<Falynn> Sounds like fun, One
Victory Briefing[edit]
Ackmin leaned back from the comm station. “Lieutenant, we’re receiving a communication from the capitol.”
Wesson said, “Well, take the call.”
“Sir, Night Caller followed Imperial protocols under Captain Darillian.”
They both looked at Face, seated at the navigational console. He stood, quickly whipped up a disguise from Cubber’s welding goggles, some orange paint, and a tube inserted in his nose and right ear.
He turned toward the bridge’s main viewscreen. He could dimly see the light intensity in the room change, then he heard a voice: “Captain D—Oh, my.”
“Captain Darillian is having his bath. I am Lieutenant Narol. Who are you? What do you want?”
“Um, I am Governor Watesk. I would very much like to speak with Captain Darillian.”
“Was Basic your first language? Do you not understand? The captain is in his bath and he’s dictating his memoirs and doesn’t want to be disturbed.”
“In the bath?”
“Of course, in the bath!” Face’s tone was an explosion of anger. “Where else? The captain is a very busy man! If you have anything to say, you can say it to me. Or perhaps I’ll give the captain a report of your bad manners. And the manners of your pilots.”
“No! Lieutenant, please forgive me. They acted on their own initiative. They will be punished. But that’s not what I’m calling about.”
“Go on.”
“I’m calling about the agreement. I’m ready for Viamarr to become a signatory.”
“It has been a while,” Face said smoothly. “What makes you think that the original offer is still available?”
“Sir, the warlord said I’d have until your next visit to decide.”
“And what did the warlord say after the last time he talked to you?”
“I don’t know, sir. I couldn’t possibly know.”
“Correct. Well, you tell me what you think the warlord offered and I’ll tell you what part of it is still on the table.”
“Uh, yes. We are to provide his army with supplies equivalent to one-tenth our exports.”
“And?”
“And we would of course provide you with information about any dealings with the New Republic, the Empire, other warlords.”
“Of course. And?”
“That was all.”
There was something in the governor’s manner, something that suggested he was holding something back.
“Ensign Jesbar, inform Gray Flight that they should blow a few things up before returning to us.”
“No, wait! Sir, you have to realize, the warlord told me not to talk about the last part with anyone but him.”
“Well, after you’ve convinced me, I will support your claim to the warlord that you told me nothing.”
“The land is ready.”
“Ah, good.” Face waited. The governor looked more confused.
“That was all.”
“No. Does the land conform to the warlord’s specifications? Location, size, documentation?”
“Of course it does!”
Face slammed his arm down on the armrest. “Of course it doesn’t! It doesn’t until I know it does! I don’t see the file appearing on my datapad, Governor. Where are those specifications?”
“I’m transmitting that information now.”
“Good. Watesk, I commend you. You are unusually cooperative and forthcoming for a planetary governor.”
“I am?” The man sagged in relief.
“Narol out.”
“I hate improvisation.”
They gathered in the ship’s conference room.
“What in the name of the Sith is Zsinj up to?” Ante asked.
Ackmin said, “The records they sent us have the land transfer registered to a person named Steeze. I must assume that’s an alias for Zsinj.”
“How much of it is there?”
“A good-sized island. Fifty klicks long by about thirty wide.”
“Interesting.” Ante glanced at Face. “Good work. By the way, you still have some of that paint on your face.”
Around the lines and spots of paint, Face’s skin was red from scrubbing.
“I know.” Face’s voice held a hint of complaint. “It won’t come off.”
Cubber snorted. “It’s not supposed to. It’s supposed to mark work sites. You need the solvent to get it off.”
“Solvent? Do you have some?”
There was malice in Cubber’s smile. “Sorry. Used the last of it cleaning out my goggles.”
Mission 5: Blood Nest[edit]
Commander's Briefing[edit]
Things went as Ante predicted. At least, they did at first. By the time they reached Belthu, the third world on Night Caller’s circuit, Grinder had already found two likely candidates for Zsinj’s contact: the chairman of the coalition of mining company presidents who effectively controlled the wealthy colony world, and one of the board members, president of the second largest corporation.
The New Republic Intelligence team, tricked into helping by the false reports in their systems, was too newly arrived to offer much information of value.
However, Face’s routine communiqués with planetary officials bore fruit. The chairman of mining company presidents spoke with “Captain Darillian” and helpfully provided a price list for the world’s latest stockpile of ores. The other suspect, the company president, privately let the disguised Face know that a shipment of refined durasteel awaited the arrival of Zsinj’s next bulk cargo hauler. Ante transmitted that data to the New Republic Intelligence team. Three days after the Night Caller left, the Intelligence team blew up the foundry.
The next stop in sequence was not a settled world; in fact, the planetary system had only a number designation, M2398, in the New Republic and Imperial records. Despite the fact the system was supposed to be uninhabited, Night Caller’s records clearly showed a stop here, though there was no mention of contact with local authorities. Night Caller jumped to a position well outside the orbit of the outermost planet and took sensor readings on the M2398 system. Within minutes they had trace communications emissions from a moon of the third world.
“An outpost of some kind,” Ante considered. “Sounds like a pirate nest.”
“Very well. Ackmin, set up the Captain Darillian simulator and call Face to the comm center. Falynn is to get into Imperial pilot gear and take TIE Two; I’ll be in One. All the other Wraiths to the X- wings. I want everyone standing by hot as we go in, but looking cool; we don’t want them to know we’re ready.”
From his seat in the comm center, Face watched the monitor and saw the hyperspace’s lines of light shorten into stars.
“Night Crawler, this is Blood Nest. Respond at once.”
Face toggled his comm and the switch governing the instant translation to Darillian’s voice. “Bloody Nose, this is Night Caller. What do you want?”
“We want to tear your face off and vent what’s left into hard vacuum.”
Face snorted. Was this piratical posturing, or did these people intend to attack Captain Darillian?
“You’re welcome to try, if you can, Bloody Nose. But first, tell me about your wife. I want to know something about the woman I’ll be consoling tonight.”
There was a long pause. Then the voice returned, more somber than before.
“Darillian, I told you not to come back.”
“I recall you requesting me not to come back. Do you remember us talking about the possibility of mutual profit? Have you really decided to close off all my avenues to more wealth, more power?”
“No...of course not. Very well, Nutcracker. I’m clearing you to land on Berth Two. We’ll dine, we’ll talk. Follow the signal in.”
“Excellent. Night Caller out.”
As they approached the first asteroids around the moon, from his TIE Fighter Ante saw a curved portion of rock below and to the side of Night Caller’s course curl up and retract. For a moment it made no sense. Then the picture fit itself together into elements he could recognize. A crater, concealed from above by some sort of colored or dust- covered fabric. Beneath it, a laser artillery cannon, its barrel elevating straight toward the unshielded keel of Night Caller. Ante powered up and hit the launch switch. His TIE fighter dropped. He oriented immediately toward the laser rig.
“Bridge, bring up all shields! Gray Two, launch! Follow my lead. Fire at will.”
He suited action to words, firing as soon as his laser cannons oriented on the artillery unit below. His first shot creased and blackened the unit’s barrel housing.
“Wraiths, launch. We’re under attack.”
Tactical Briefing Text[edit]
Get out there and destroy any Gun Emplacements and fighters attacking the ship!
Radio Messages[edit]
<Runt> Bring on your Uglies, your wretched rigs of cast-off parts, your...
<Piggy> Six, Twelve. No recitations
<Runt> Yes, Twelve
<Donos> Good shooting, Two
<Ackmin> Thanks, Nine. That’s five!
<Kell> Five here
<Ackmin> No, Kell. I mean, that’s five kills. I’m an ace!
<Kell> Two, wait for the debriefing. In this unit, your wingman may get credit for your kills. But congratulations
<Ackmin> Very funny, Five
<Wesson> Seven, Eight, how are you doing?
<Face> Not good, Eleven
<Wesson> Seven, what are you doing here?
<Face> My job in the comm center was done. Do you mind? I can go back if you like...
<Wesson> Never mind. Hold tight. I’m coming in to help
<Ackmin> I’m hit
<Kell> Ackmin, straighten up. Two, can you hear me?
<Ackmin> Hear...you...Five...
<Kell> Level off, Two. Right now
<Ackmin> Can’t...reach...stick...
<Kell> Her inertial compensator must be out. Thirteen, instruct her R2 to cut her fighter’s thrust by half
<Thirteen> He can’t. his links to cockpit controls are gone. he says good- bye
<Kell> No! Ackmin, punch out!
<Ante> Wraith 2 is gone...Wraiths, vape them all!
<Ante> Good work, report back to the Night Caller
<Ante> Good work Five, that will teach them to attack us
Victory Briefing[edit]
The mood was subdued in the Night Caller for many days after the ambush at the Blood Nest that cost Ackmin her life. They held a memorial service for her where Face spoke to the squadron and the crew of the ship. After several days they Ante made the call that it was time for them to resume their mission. They were continuing their patrol for Zsinj when a new wrinkle arose.
Face sat at the comm officer’s chair, activated the voice and visual translators and hit the button to activate transmission, prepared to speak to Admiral Trigit. The three-dimensional image of Warlord Zsinj materialized before him.
“My lord. I am honored.”
“But not honored enough to do your job correctly.”
How had Darillian responded to scorn? With outrage. But the man would never direct an angry response to Warlord Zsinj. No, hurt was the order of the day.
“My lord...I have failed you in some way? You have called to tell me I no longer deserve your patronage. It’s the life of a pirate for Darillian...”
“Oh, stop being such a baby. It leeches all the fun out of scolding you,” Zsinj heaved an annoyed sigh. “I received the report on your visit to Blood Nest.”
“A pity they chose to reject your offer. But since my avoidance of their ambush was so brilliantly successful, I feel I have left them with something to think about. Perhaps they will be more cordial when I return.”
Zsinj shook his head. “I don’t believe so. Blood Nest is gone.”
Face leaned forward and assumed an incredulous expression.
“They fled?”
“No, and that’s the problem. Sometime after you departed, Blood Nest was destroyed. In fact, every site you’ve visited in the last several weeks has subsequently been visited...by Alliance pilots or agents.”
“No.” Face knew he looked shaken. “At the next stop in my mission, I’ll pretend to jump out, then lie in wait for them. I’ll destroy them.”
“Yes. But not yet. I have a more important mission for you,” Zsinj smiled. “You’re going to help that fool Trigit finish off the survivors of Folor Base.”
Once everyone was reseated at breakfast, Piggy asked, “Can we muster enough firepower to Morobe in time to take out Implacable?”
Ante nodded. “That firepower is in place. We do have a real problem, though. He told our Captain Darillian to make rendezvous with the supply ship Hawkbat to replenish expended fuel and supplies, pick up a load of surveillance satellites, and he wants the Hawkbat’s captain to come over for an inspection tour of the ship and a talk with Darillian.”
“Oh, wonderful,” Kell said.
“The rendezvous is no problem,” Phanan said. “We simply need to get to the rendezvous site and say, ‘Oh, no, we’re all down with the Tastiged Flu. Sure, come over. Hope you don’t mind when we have sneezing fits all over you and infect you.’”
Ante shook his head. “We’re dealing with an enemy who is proficient at intelligence work. I think that a sudden inconvenient contagion would tend to alert him.”
Face smiled. “What if it’s not us who gets contaminated?”
“Go on.”
“Zsinj transmitted us the Hawkbat’s current schedule so we could arrange a rendezvous at our mutual convenience. That means we know where they’re going to make planetfall over the next several days. We choose the planet where they’re most likely to be offering shore leave; we send the Wraiths over there; and we expose them to some sort of disease. Then it’s the Hawkbat’s captain who has to report we couldn’t meet physically because of an ‘inconvenient contagion.’ Zsinj can investigate all he wants...because he won’t be investigating us.”
Ante rubbed his chin and resisted the urge to say, “That’s crazy.” Instead, he asked, “Where do we get the contaminants?”
Phanan said, “Every modern planet has a hospital, Commander. Some even have centers for disease containment.”
Ante stood. “Jan, Phanan, let’s go back to my conference room and see if we can actually hammer this into a plan.”
