TFTC-IW 2: Wraith Squadron: Part 2
General Information[edit]
Title: Wraith Squadron: Part 2
Number of Missions: 4
Original Upload Date: 2024-08-09
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” chronicle 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.
See the previous Wraith Squadron Battle (TFTC-IW 1) for the story so far.
NOTE: To fully follow the story of the battle, and to gain a further understanding of the plot, it is important to read the emails in the pilot’s quarters before/after each mission and all of the start and end commander’s
briefings.
Script[edit]
Mission 1: A Secret to Keep[edit]
Commander's Briefing[edit]
The Wraiths still hadn’t finalized their plans. Exactly which disease agent they’d be using on the crew of the Hawkbat was an unknown. Phanan wanted to make that decision at the last minute, based on what was available in the planet’s disease center. The whole mission offered little but questions at this stage. Fortunately, it will offer nice scenery while we’re chewing the details. The ship’s library displayed image after image of lushly green countryside, rivers cascading down stepped hillsides, and forest-sized flower gardens. Falynn, of course, had looked through the data and decided, “Looks humid.”
They used various disguises to get onto the planet, ranging from posing as the shuttle pilot to yokels from Agamar. Once there most went to work cozying up to the Hawkbat’s crew to try and find an opening to infect them while Phanan led the group looking for the disease agent.
“Really,” Ante said. “I thought all you Imperial Navy boys were TIE fighter pilots.”
They sat in the Sunfruit Promenade, the three yokel brothers were there, in the midst of a veritable sea of Hawkbat crewmen. The man opposite Ante smiled at Ante’s stupidity.
“Now, think about that, Fod. Even an Imperial Star Destroyer only carries six squadrons of TIE fighters. That’s seventy-two. You’re talking about ninety or a hundred pilots on one of the big ships. Do you think a Star Destroyer can manage with just a bridge crew and a hundred pilots?”
“Well, I didn’t think about it, really. So, when it’s time to go home you don’t all just hop in your TIE fighters and blast off for space?”
Rondle said, “No, when it’s time to leave, we all hop in a shuttle and go up.”
“A shuttle? A Lambda shuttle? I was in one of those once.”
Rondle nodded distractedly and accepted a drink refill from the droid server.
“Is yours the Doran Star? That’s the one we were in.”
Rondle fixed him with an aggravated stare. “Now, you just arrived from Agamar. If that was our shuttle, too, how would we have gotten groundside before you got here?”
“Well, I don’t know.”
“No, ours are the Hawkbat’s Perch and the Hawkbat’s Vigil.”
“I wish Grinder were here,” Phanan said. “I can’t just issue a command for the system to give me information on all biological agents being stored over at the Institute...hold it. News retrieval. Disease outbreaks. This won’t be as comprehensive, but it’ll tell us what has actually gotten out into the population...Hey.”
He abruptly focused on one of the entries on the screen and brought it up to read more. Kell leaned in closer.
“What is it?”
“Bunkurd Sewer Disorder.”
“Yecch,” Tyria said.
“Not as bad as it sounds. A couple of centuries back, the Bunkurd Corporation engineered a bacterium that does a better job of breaking down sewage for recycling. But if this bacteria gets in the human digestive system, it gives you the equivalent of food poisoning. It takes a predictable amount of time to incubate and responds very well to standard medicines.”
“Sounds like our stuff,” Kell said. “Now all we have to do is get some.”
“All right. Yokel Group has luck to report. First, we got some leads on the sources of the supplies Hawkbat carries around; we’ll pass that information on to New Republic Intelligence. Second, we were thinking of hosting some sort of going-away feast for the Hawkbat crew and infecting them there, but we found out that the crew transits back and forth between the ship in two ship’s shuttles. If we could put the disease agent on those shuttles, we’ll probably infect a third of the crew. We could put it in the air supply.”
“Airborne.” Kell frowned. “I don’t remember if Phanan said this BSD stuff is airborne...Ah. Yes, it is.”
Falynn grimaced. “Bunkurd Sewer Disorder?”
Ante said, “You’ve seen it?”
“I’ve had it. The few parts of Mos Eisley that actually have a sewer recycler use a Bunkurd Reclamation System. I was sick as a womp rat for a week.” She shuddered.
Ante said, “Which means we have a contender.”
Tactical Briefing Text[edit]
Your mission will be to fly to the Disease Center and pick up some BSD.
The trouble is that the center is surrounded by a sensor net and patrolled by guarding TIE Fighters.
If you get within 2 kilometers of any of the sensors you will be detected and the mission will fail, additionally, if any of the TIE Fighters detect you, they too will raise an alarm.
We have disabled the sensors on the TIE Fighters so, as long as you don’t get within visual range, 2 kilometers, you should be safe.
When you are ready, Grinder will destroy the sensor package on one of the sensors in front of you so that you can get through without being detected, he will make sure it does not raise an alarm.
Get what we need and then make your way back out, avoiding being spotted. Signal Grinder and he will destroy another sensor package on your exit vector.
Once you have the BSD, make your way to the Hawkbat’s shuttles and dock with them both to plant the disease dispensers.
Radio Messages[edit]
<Grinder> Recommend that you take out as few sensors as you can. Don’t want too many explosions out here
<Kell> We're waiting
<Grinder> Ok, you're clear, head straight towards the facility until you clear the net, but watch out for those fighters
<Kell> Roger that
<Tyria> Hey! Keep your distance from those patrols
<Grinder> They’re almost on top of us!
<Phanan> Alright, remember we are looking for the Bunkurd container. When you find it get me close to get a sample
<Phanan> Got it. Let’s get out of here
<Kell> Ok Grinder, make us a hole so we can get out of here
<Grinder> Done
<Grinder> Clever work getting out of there without needing me to destroy any more of those sensors
<Kell> Thanks
<Tyria> Ok, the Hawkbat’s shuttles are there at the bunker
<Bunker Guard>What are you doing here?
<Kell> Work orders to service the shuttles
<Guard>These shuttles aren’t due to be serviced until the morning. They depart tomorrow afternoon
<Kell> It’s a slack period. Control wants us to get a little ahead before the work piles up tomorrow
<Guard>Let me check our computer records
<Tyria> Now to see if you’re as good as you think you are Grinder
<Grinder> You insult me and wound me with your doubt
<Guard>You’re clear to work
<Phanan> Just get me to that shuttle and I will put the agent in the life support system
<Phanan> Ok, now for the other one
<Kell> Ok, let’s get to work. Don’t forget, we actually have to service these shuttles
<Kell> All done, let’s get out of here
<Ante>Good work out there, get to the ship so we can be on our way
Victory Briefing[edit]
Night Caller and Hawkbat made rendezvous at the appointed date, in a system whose dim orange sun sustained no life on any of its seven planets.
Hawkbat’s captain, Bock Nabyl, apologized for not being able to meet with Captain Darillian face-to-face, and explained that an unseemly illness was spreading through the crew. Quarantine measures were in force. Captain Darillian claimed to understand fully.
So, representatives of both crews, working in vacuum suits, transferred a set of stealth satellites from Hawkbat’s main cargo hold to Night Caller’s belly hold, then both ships went their separate ways, their crewmen never having seen one another in the flesh.
A day later Night Caller put in at the Todirium system, whose bleak third planet was home to a colony mining iron and refining durasteel.
The corporate computer system coordinating activities worldwide was not easy prey for Grinder’s skills at slicing, but the corporate chief, speaking to Face’s Captain Darillian, asked whether Night Caller wanted to pick up the latest load of refined alloys.
Since previous stops had not indicated that the corvette had taken on such loads, Face told the man that Zsinj would send a cargo hauler for the alloys...but he insisted on sending “Lieutenant Narol” down to examine the cargo. Face reported back hours later with the precise location of Zsinj’s warehouses.
Mission 2: Todirim[edit]
Commander's Briefing[edit]
“This will be a standard stoop-and-shoot mission,” Ante told his pilots. “With one difference. We know we’re going to be recorded. We know because we’re setting out the spy satellites ourselves. So, as long as we’ll be giving Zsinj information, we want it to be the worst information possible.”
“Cubber, I want you to repaint all the X-wings with Rogue Squadron’s colors.”
The mechanic looked unhappy. “If there’s anything I hate worse than redoing a bad job—”
“It’s redoing a good one. I know. And it gets worse, because immediately after the mission, you’ll have to strip all that paint and reapply the Wraith Squadron colors.” Ante shrugged. “Or we can let Grinder do the repainting and put you in his cockpit for the mission.”
“No, thanks. I’ll paint.”
Ante continued, “So, we unload and situate the satellites. Piggy, I want you and Grinder to calculate the most likely point where an X-wing squadron would enter the system and what their most likely avenue of attack against the planet would be. We’ll set up the satellites along that path and get the best possible images for Zsinj and Trigit. Since we’ll be doing so much work in vacuum suits, I want Face and Phanan in X-wings flying cover, just in case of trouble.”
“Then, we load up the X-wings, activate the satellites, and jump out of system. The next day, we come back in the X-wings and perform our strike.”
“So, spend some time today and tomorrow getting used to calling one another by Rogue call signs. And, Face, when addressing me, don’t forget to call me Tycho once or twice. We’ll be broadcasting in the clear, like most snubfighter units, instead of using Wraith Squadron’s encryption.”
Face nodded.
“After the strike, we’ll jump to rejoin Night Caller. Simple, in theory. Questions?”
There were none.
“Let’s do it, then. We’ll begin deploying the satellites in two hours. Grinder, Piggy, get us some locations by then.”
Tactical Briefing Text[edit]
We are posing as Rogue Squadron for this operation.
Your mission is to destroy the two industrial complexes in the area and any fixed defenses in your way.
This is a straightforward mission today.
Radio Messages[edit]
<Ante>S-foils to attack position
<Ante>Break off by wings. Deal with the threat first. Worry about the primary target later
<Piggy> Five, recommend you—
<Ante>Twelve, no personal comments
<Piggy> Yes, sir
<Face> Oh, lighten up, Tycho
<Ante>Same order to you, Eight
<Face> Yes, sir
<Ante>Ok, let’s destroy these factories
<Ante>Good work, Rogues. Let’s get out of here
Victory Briefing[edit]
Falynn looked as though she’d just bitten into sour fruit. Her body language, as she kept her elbows on the conference-room table and propped her chin on her hands, also suggested irritation.
“I thought I wouldn’t mind. But it bothers me.”
Ante guessed that it wasn’t too deep a grievance.
“That Rogue Squadron gets credit for the raid on Todirium?”
“That’s it.”
“Well, are and infiltration unit, we don’t get official credit for anything we do.”
Face’s comlink beeped. He activated it.
“Yes?”
“Loran, this is the bridge. You have a HoloNet communication for Captain Darillian. It’s Admiral Trigit.”
“Night Caller,” the admiral said, “will join the corvette Constrictor and the frigate Provocateur as our forward close support line. As soon as we drop out of hyperspace into the Morobe system, launch your TIE fighters to join theirs; they’ll serve as our escort force.”
“I understand,” Face said. “And your own TIE fighters will be the primary attack force?”
“Correct.”
The hologram of Admiral Trigit leaned forward and his tone became more confidential.
“Now, I have something further to ask. How might I persuade you to give me the details of your, shall we say, unrecorded adventures at each of your stops?”
Face froze. The admiral had guessed...no...Trigit had only learned something about Captain Darillian’s private negotiations on behalf of Warlord Zsinj. If he had suspected the true identity of Night Caller’s crew, he would never have given Face the plan of attack for Talasea. Face swallowed.
“Sir...You can’t.”
“I could make it well worth your while.”
“Sir, let me explain.”
Face tried to compose himself, to make his lines authentic.
“First, if I sold you my honor, I could never buy it back. Second, I realize I may be displeasing you...but I want you to understand that I’ll keep faith with the warlord until I die. People look at me, and see my little habits, and think I am a shallow man, but I am an honorable officer, and will not break faith with my commander.”
He gave Trigit his most intent stare, abandoning all of Darillian’s florid mannerisms.
“It may be, sir, that I will leave Zsinj’s employ sometime in the future. It may be that I will enter yours. If I do, you will know from this encounter that I will always keep faith with you.”
Trigit drew back. He did not seem to be angered.
“Point taken, Captain.”
“Thank you, sir. And may I say, I would be pleased to serve under you in any formal capacity. But until I do...”
“Until you do, let us make no more assaults, no matter how well intended, upon your honor.”
Trigit gave him a faint smile.
“You surprise me, Captain Darillian.”
“I intend to do so again, sir.”
“Very well.” Trigit gave him an uncommonly gracious half bow. “I’ll see you at the rendezvous.”
“I look forward to it.”
Trigit winked out. Face swiveled toward the comm center doorway, where Ante stood waiting.
“We have him,” Ante said.
Mission 3: Battle of Talasea[edit]
Commander's Briefing[edit]
It was the most elaborate deception they’d attempted to date. The ship’s captain was in the command seat of Night Caller’s bridge, but he was dressed in one of Darillian’s uniforms, his hair dyed to match Darillian’s. This was so that if one of the other ships in Admiral Trigit’s fleet pointed a visual sensor at Night Caller’s bridge, it would see something matching Darillian’s description—something matching the hologram the ship broadcast whenever in communication with the others.
Face was on station in the comm center, acting out Darillian’s part whenever communication was necessary. His broadcast was replayed on the bridge’s main monitor, and the increasingly irritable captain tried, whenever possible, to ape Face’s motions.
At ten minutes until departure from hyperspace, the pilots were in their cockpits, going through start-up checklists. Ante, Falynn, Wesson, and Atril were in the TIE fighters, with the rest in the X-wings.
They emerged from hyperspace a hundred light-years from the Morobe system, into a system with a white dwarf for a sun. Night Caller was the last ship on station. Already in formation were the Imperial Star Destroyer Implacable, the Imperial escort frigate Provocateur, and the Corellian corvette Constrictor.
Provocateur was stationed well ahead of the Star Destroyer; Constrictor was some distance to the port of and slightly behind Provocateur. Without waiting for confirmation from Admiral Trigit, Night Caller headed to the mirroring position starboard and behind Provocateur.
Admiral Trigit’s hologram sprang into life before Face a minute later.
“We can jump as soon as you’re in position.”
“Which will be in one and a half minutes. We’ll be awaiting your signal.”
Trigit disappeared. The New Republic forces could have attacked Trigit’s fleet here, in this unnamed system...but since, in theory, only the ship’s captains knew where they were making rendezvous, that would have been a giveaway that one of them was a traitor. This would not matter if Trigit’s fleet were entirely wiped out or captured, but would have cost the Wraiths their false identity if one or more of the ships got away. By attacking in the Morobe system, they could blame all “treachery” on the “Rebels” should they need to.
Face’s comlink cracked.
“Coming on station.”
Moments later the corvette’s engine pitch changed. All four ships would be matching speeds and courses. A minute later they were in hyperspace.
The fleet arrived from hyperspace within a second of one another. The planet of Talasea was close before them; they’d used its mass shadow, rather than a timer, to drag them out of hyperspace. Instantly, all three vessels launched their TIE fighters.
Implacable failed to appear behind them. Face saw the HoloNet indicator light up. A moment later the captain’s voice came across the ship’s intercom.
“Attention, all crew. Implacable has figured out the trap and held back. The other ships are turning to escape Talasea’s mass shadow. We’ll fire on them as we maneuver. All bow guns, prepare to fire on Provocateur’s engines and communications gear. Turret cannons, prepare to fire on Constrictor’s engines. We’ve got to hold them here for the Alliance forces. Do not, repeat, do not target until I give the command; we can’t have them bringing their shields up.”
Tactical Briefing Text[edit]
LAUNCH!! LAUNCH!! LAUNCH!!
Destroy all the fighters and the two capital ships before they destroy the Night Caller!
Radio Messages[edit]
<Ante> Grays, form up! Gray Three, Gray Four, take the communications systems. You know where
<Night Caller> We are under attack! Protect us!
<Night Caller> Our shields are down! Where are you!
<Ante> That is all their bombers
<Night Caller> We show all enemy TIE Fighters destroyed
<Kell> All interceptors are history
<Ante> The Constrictor is no more
<Kell> The Provocateur is destroyed
<Ante> All enemy forces have been destroyed, report back to the Night Caller for debriefing on what the kriff happened here today
Victory Briefing[edit]
“Foolish of us,” General Crespin said, “to bring along Rogue Squadron, all those A-wings, Home One, and a pair of frigates when all it takes is Wraith Squadron and a battered corvette to deal with the enemy.”
They were in the inflatable dome that served the temporary Talasea camp as an officers’ mess, unwinding over beer and brandy that tasted something like ship’s fuel. The general’s words were sarcastic, but his tone was more regretful than anything.
Ante said, “If Implacable had come through, we’d have been dead without those extra forces. As it is, we had the element of surprise—a couple of different ways—going for us.”
Crespin nodded. “I didn’t mean to be facetious. I was just itching to give Trigit back some of what he gave us on Folor.”
“You may yet.”
Ante took another pull from his petrochemical-flavored brandy.
“We hit their communications systems hard and fast. They never got off a reply to Trigit. As soon as we’re able, Night Caller is going back out...and we’ll tell Zsinj a story of survival against terrible odds. I’m going to do whatever it takes for us to sidle up next to Zsinj or Trigit and stick a vibroblade in his kidneys.”
The general smiled.
“If you have any opportunity to set up a real engagement—”
“Yours and Rogue Squadron will be the first units I call on, sir.”
“Are you sure you want to go back after Trigit so soon?”
“The more time he has to think, the greater the chance he’ll see through our disguise.”
“I’ll leave that decision to your initiative, then.”
The older man merely rose and departed. It was time to check up on Night Caller’s progress. He headed out into Talasea’s fog-muted sunlight.
The New Republic encampment was a creeper-overgrown field surrounded by trees. The field was now dotted with inflatable domes and various forms of fighter craft and fighting vessels. All were dimmed by the near-permanent haze that shrouded the planet. In the middle of the field was the Night Caller, showing considerable damage. Work crews were hard at work welding armor plates and a single transparisteel sheet across the gap. Ante had insisted that the repairs look sloppy, unsophisticated; they were supposed to be all his crew had been able to throw together in a few hours.
Ante addressed the squadron and crew of the Night Caller.
“Ladies, gentlemen, we return to space in an hour. We’ll see what sorts of medals you can earn when we’re standing on top of the ruined hulk of Admiral Trigit and Implacable.”
He turned away and let their cheers follow him out of the lounge.
They dropped out of hyperspace in the system that was Admiral Trigit’s original rendezvous point. As they expected, Implacable was not there. From that system, they broadcast to Zsinj Captain Darillian’s report of the New Republic ambush, of Trigit’s “treachery” in abandoning them, of the set of brilliant maneuvers that brought them out of the ambush zone battered but alive.
Their next jump was to the Obinipor system, deeper in the Outer Rim but still in the path of the New Republic’s gradual expansion. Obinipor, the next stop on Night Caller’s circuit, was a free colony with an admirable mix of natural resources: metals suited to the fabrication of power generators, and active vulcanism providing the colonists with ready power of their own. Their orders were to take two TIE fighters and buzz the largest set of corporate headquarters, much as they had on the world of Viamarr.
As soon as they made their initial drop to normal space Night Caller received a transmission on the HoloNet.
Admiral Trigit’s hologram swam into coherence.
“You! I cannot believe you have the sheer, poisonous gall to contact me after that, that betrayal—”
Trigit held up a hand.
“Please, Captain. As soon as we realized it was a trap, we had to choose from among several tactics, none of which could please everyone.”
“Please everyone? Admiral, you salted us and hung us out to dry!”
Trigit nodded throughout his tirade...
Mission 4: Implacable[edit]
Commander's Briefing[edit]
“Stand by for a new transmission,” said Trigit.
A second hologram materialized before him. Warlord Zsinj.
“My lord.”
Zsinj gave him a close look.
“Zurel. It seems you’re upset with the admiral.”
“I think any commander would be, if he’d just gone through what I did.”
The warlord smiled.
“I think you’re correct. But you have much to be pleased about. I read your report. You did a fine job of getting your ship out of danger.”
“The Rebels probably did not appreciate my use of their own Ackbar Slash against them.”
“Yes, but I appreciated it. I want you to join the admiral for one last mission.”
“Yes, sir.”
“We have analyzed the data from the spy satellites you left behind,” Trigit said. “Do you know who’s been following you?”
“No.”
“Rogue Squadron.”
“Really.” Face smiled. “I take it this mission the warlord mentioned involves them?”
Trigit nodded. “We’re going to destroy them, Darillian. Annihilate them even more thoroughly than I destroyed Talon Squadron.”
Face heard a noise, a muffled grunt, from the hallway outside the comm center. Sithspit, was Donos out there? He didn’t dare look to find out.
“I will gladly join you for such an operation. But between Implacable and Night Caller, we can destroy more than just one twelve-fighter squadron. If we had a bigger, better target, one for which the Rebels would bring in additional fighters, we could destroy several squadrons.”
Trigit shook his head. “Let’s keep things simple. The destruction of Rogue Squadron will have a much bigger effect than just the loss of twelve fighters and pilots.”
But Warlord Zsinj looked thoughtful.
“What sort of target do you mean, Zurel?”
“The Rebels are fairly consistent in the matériel they allocate to various types of missions. If we wish to destroy three squadrons instead of one, we choose the type of site they’d use three squadrons to destroy. A rich target. One they figure is worth some risk in assaulting because of what it would cost you.”
“I like this plan.”
He returned his attention to Face.
“It will be Ession.”
“The Rebels will see that site as a rich prize,” Face said. He carefully pitched his voice so that his words could be interpreted as sarcastic if, in fact, that world was not Zsinj’s intended ambush target.
“Which is why you must make sure the site does not suffer too much damage. It would be a costly loss. I’m transmitting your instructions. Do try to get along with Apwar.”
Days later the Implacable and the Night Caller were positioned above the moon of Ession, ready to spring their “trap.”
Unknown to Trigit, Wraith Squadron had plans of their own for this day.
“Rogue, Green, and Blue Squadrons are emerging,” Ante said over the intercom.
Green Squadron was a unit of Y- wing bombers from General Salm on the world of Borleias; Blue Squadron was a unit of A- wings commanded by General Crespin. Between them and the X- wings of Rogue Squadron, this mission was being handled by a versatile set of attack craft.
“Gray Flight, stand by for the command from Implacable. Wraith Squadron, are you ready?”
Kell’s voice: “Ready, sir.”
“Transmission from Implacable. ‘Launch all TIE fighters.’”
“Acknowledge.” Ante hit the intercom. “Launch Gray Flight.”
Falynn moved her TIE fighter over the bow until they came to a halt fifty meters ahead of and above the point of Implacable’s prow.
“Gray Flight on station,”
Ante’s voice came back immediately. “Preparing bow hold for departure.”
“Transmit ‘Talon Strike,’” Ante told the comm officer.
He hit the intercom again precisely on cue. “Zero.”
Then he held his breath.
Falynn heard “Talon Strike” and responded. She inverted her TIE fighter, rolling over backward as though she were in a dogfighting loop, but moving not one meter. A moment later the Implacable was before her, above her, upside down. She brought up her targeting sensor, zoomed it in on the Implacable’s bridge a klick and a half away, and fired.
Tactical Briefing Text[edit]
Get out there and destroy the Implacable!
Remember to defend the Night Caller as well.
Radio Messages[edit]
<Kell> That’s our target, Six. Stay evasive until we reach half a klick, then fire and vector away
<Runt> We’re ready, Five
<Falynn> Wraith Five, Six, this is Gray Two. We’re going in for another run. Looks like you two penetrated
<Kell> Finish the job up for us, would you?
<Falynn> Oh, sure. Afterward, can we do your laundry, too?
<Face> Nice shooting, Seven
<Wesson> Let’s go right down the middle, Twelve
<Donos> Ten, we are in trouble
<Runt> Five, roll out—
<Falynn> She’s dropping!
<Falynn> Grinder, get out of here
<Grinder> Not without you
<Falynn> You moron, if you don’t get clear of the way out, I can’t get out. Go!
<Implacable> Attention, New Republic forces. The pilots of the three Interceptors who launched a moment ago included Admiral Trigit. If you want him, that’s where you’ll find him
<Wesson>Gray Two, this is Gray Three. Do you read?
<Falynn> I’m here
<Wesson> Get out of there. Implacable is falling
<Falynn> I’m hung up. Get clear
<Wesson> I’m coming in
<Falynn> You can’t do anything. If I see your profile, I’ll fire on you, sir. I promise
<Wesson>Dammit, Falynn—
<Ante> Leader to Wraith Nine
<Donos> Nine here
<Ante> Report your condition
<Donos> I’m in pursuit of three enemies
<Donos> For Falynn. For Talon
<Trigit> I’d like to surrender...
Victory Briefing[edit]
Admiral Trigit, and the Implacable, were no more. But Wraith Squadron had paid a steep price for this victory. Of their original twelve members, only 9 remained. Ackmin Jesbar died in a nameless system to the pirates of the Blood Nest, while Grinder and Falynn had died bringing down the Implacable in the Ession system.
They were a long way from their mission goal of destroying Warlord Zsinj, but they had certainly hurt him. They had destroyed his operations on many worlds and deprived him of one of his most senior admirals.
More importantly, they had managed the first big major goal of their mission. They were fully accepted by the New Republic military, and treated as long time members of one of their Starfighter Command’s most senior remaining officers.
In fact, the pilots of Wraith Squadron, and the crew of the Night Caller, had been so skillful at their infiltration, that now they were even taking Rest and Relaxation leave in the New Republic itself.
Her beaches and seas are almost as beautiful as those on Storinal, Kell reflected. Maybe more so. They aren’t as, deliberate, as sculpted. The world was called Borleias. Once the site of the biomedical research facility of an Imperial general, later captured by the New Republic after the fall of Isard. Borleias was now home to a fighter training base. The New Republic had named a troop transport after the battle for this world.
He lounged on a puff-cot large enough to accommodate his generous frame—with plenty of room for Tyria beside him. Uniform of the day was bathing suits that might generously be called minimal, and that was a vacation in itself. Beside them on a blanket were half-finished drinks slowly warming in the sun and a small refrigeration unit from which more drinks would emerge as the day grew later. Up and down the beach, other Wraiths and crewmen of Night Caller splashed in the waves, lounged on puff-cots, rode recreational speeder bikes, sat drinking around tables under broad reflective parasols.
Donas was at the end of the line of cots, alone with his thoughts, but remaining within reach of the other Wraiths instead of distancing himself from them. Phanan was in Borleias’s military hospital, recovering from the loss of his spleen, which had been perforated by shrapnel as he ejected. When Kell had gone to see him, Phanan had explained, “Yes, I got so angry that I had to vent my spleen.”
He glanced down at Tyria, a teasing remark on his lips; but she was asleep, her head on his shoulder as though it were a pillow. A shadow fell across them.
General Crespin stood above him. Kell saluted out of reflex.
“Sir.”
“Don’t get up.”
The general moved to sit on the next puff-cot over.
“I wanted to commend you for your exemplary service in these last few battles. And wanted to tell you to enjoy your your leave, Lieutenant. Come back strong and invigorated. Warlord Zsinj is still out there.”
“I have a special greeting ready for him, sir.”
