Shadow Squadron

Introduction

Shadow Squadron is one of the four squadrons on board the ISD Challenge, having previously been stationed aboard the MC80B Redemption and MC90 Fear.

Commissioned in the original Infiltrator Wing as a part of Thor Wing onboard the FRG Insidious, it is one of the original IW's oldest squadrons but was not commissioned as a playable unit when the Infiltrator Wing merged with the TIE Corps until 2020.

It was commissioned the first time in 1995 (EHNL#27). The first Squadron Commander was Lieutenant General DarkJedi. In EHNL#28 DarkJedi was already the Commodore (later called Wing Commander) of Thor Wing. Squadron Commander after DarkJedi was Brigadier General Caliban. When the squadron was reactivated in 2020 as part of the TIE Corps, it was placed under the command of Colonel Stryker

History

Shadow Squadron has a long and storied history of honourable service, starting during the Clone Wars and continuing to this day. This article intends to chronicle that history so that future generations may learn about the exploits of this distinguished squadron.

Early Days – The Clone Wars

The original Shadow Squadron were an elite collection of Clone pilot and gunners personally assembled and trained by famed Jedi Knight and Hero of the Republic, Anakin Skywalker. Originally flying V-19 Torrent Starfighters, Shadow Squadron fought with distinction at Kadavo, attacking the slave processing facility there and liberating thousands of people. Later, having converted to advanced BTL-B Y-Wing fighter-bombers, Shadow Squadron led the attack on the Separatist Dreadnought Malevolence, commanded by Droid General Grievous, disabling it despite suffering heavy losses in the process.

Later in the Clone Wars, Shadow Squadron fought bravely at the Battle of Kamino, where they fought off the Separatist Blockade. Though several large pieces of debris landed on the planet, facilitating the Droid attack on the Cloning Facilities, Shadow Squadron were decorated for their part in the battle.

Rise of the Galactic Empire

During the Rise of the Empire, Shadow Squadron’s surviving veterans were replaced with Clones who had become sadistic and ruthless over the course of the Clone Wars, simultaneously trading their Y-Wings for V-Wings and ARC-170s which they painted a two tone light and dark grey scheme to better reflect their position as enforcers of Imperial rule and hunters of those who clung to the old ways of The Old Republic.

Shadow Squadron would later exchange their Clone Wars vintage craft, and many of the surviving Clone pilots for volunteers flying modified TIE Bombers that boasted greater firepower, speed and agility. These craft were famously tasked by Darth Vader to attack the fleet led by the Rebel Frigate Salvation outside the Itani Nebula. This was a diversion, however, as the main goal was for Bounty Hunter Boba Fett to capture Salvation’s Captain, former Imperial Ace Juno Eclipse. Shadow Squadron destroyed many Rebel craft that day, for minimal losses, and Fett returned to Vader with the captive Eclipse.

Galactic Civil War

Following the Battle of Yavin, Shadow Squadron continued to field test experimental craft. Several pilots were dispatched to a remote facility where the TIE Phantom was being tested, while others tested experimental TIE Defenders under the command of Grand Admiral Zaarin and defended the Bretie Facility and Obsidian Station. Unfortunately, their intervention in both occurrences proved fruitless and the Rebel forces were victorious. This marked the beginning of Shadow Squadron’s decline into obscurity, as no information is known after this date.

The New Republic

Though not part of the direct lineage as far as Imperial historians are concerned, it should be noted that there was a Shadow Squadron active in the New Republic fleet circa 8ABY. This squadron was notable for participating in General Han Solo’s hunt for Warlord Zsinj, flying X-Wing starfighters at the Battle of Selaggis in which Shadow 12 was lost. Its fate after this time is currently unknown.

Emperor’s Hammer

Shadow Squadron was reactivated in Imperial hands circa 10ABY aboard the Frigate Insidious, where it served initially as an X-Wing squadron in the space superiority role before transferring to the heavy support role and exchanging their venerable T-65s for experimental Shadow Class Y-Wings. This change also saw a transfer to the Calamari Cruiser Fear, from which Shadow Squadron operated for over a decade.

Following a restructuring that saw the Infiltrator Wing cease to exist as an independent part of the Emperor’s Hammer, Shadow Squadron was transferred to the jurisdiction of the TIE Corps aboard the Calamari Cruiser Redemption alongside Red, Green, and Blue Squadrons. It continued to serve with distinction in a support role, never quite achieving the fame that the other squadrons secured for themselves.

In 28ABY, Shadow Squadron was transferred to the ISD Challenge as part of Grand Admiral Rapier's expedition into the Unknown Regions; re-equipped with modified X-Wings which were easier to maintain than the Shadow class Y-Wings and placed under the command of Redemption veteran Stryker.

Shadow Class Y-Wing

The Shadow Class Y-Wing is a modification of the original Koensayr BTL-S3 Y-Wing Starfighter; chosen for its ruggedness and versatility. The S3 variant was chosen over the more numerous A4 because of its expanded crew compartment and more powerful engines would be vital for the role of a long-range reconnaissance and strike fighter. This is similar to the use of stripped down S3s to create the “Longprobe” variant Y-Wing in the Rebel Alliance/New Republic.

When constructing the prototype, Infiltrator Wing engineers stripped down the larger two-seat Y-Wing and removed any unnecessary equipment, including the mechanisms to rotate the dorsal Ion Cannon turret. With this saved space, ordnance capacity was expanded to roughly double the normal amount and additional laser cannons were mounted in the nose.

In addition to the increase in firepower, the Shadow Class Y-Wing has reinforced sensor-deflecting armour and is coated in paint that absorbs part of the visible spectrum, which reduces visibility and sensor profile.

Finally, the both Sublight and Hyperdrive Engines have been upgraded to allow the Shadow Class Y-Wing to go further and faster than its predecessors. Though not as agile as some of its Infiltrator Wing contemporaries such as the X-Wing, its unique blend of speed and ruggedness make it a perfect choice for long-range strike missions against hardened targets with or without escorting starfighters.

In all, the Shadow Class Y-Wing is the perfect strike craft for missions behind enemy lines, regardless who the enemy is. With a skilled pilot at the controls, a Shadow can sneak through enemy patrols, destroy its target, and escape without ever being detected. If it is detected, however, a Shadow is more than capable of fighting its way out of any situation.

Roster

Shadow Flight I

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Shadow Flight II

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Shadow Flight III

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Squadron Commanders

#	CMDR	Took office	Left office	Time in office	Location	highest Rank achived
1	Bobxavi	unknown	August 2002	-	MC-90 Fear	Lieutenant General (IW)
2	Pellaeon	September 2002	March 2003	-	MC-90 Fear	Colonel (IW)
3	Destavol Gin	March 2003	unknown	-	MC-90 Fear	Captain (IW)
4	Stryker	October 2020	PRES	-	ISD Challenge	Colonel